Good as Gold

When it comes to jewelry - either for me or for my house - I've always favored silver tones. My wedding ring is platinum, my belts all have silver buckles, and all my bathroom fixtures are either chrome or brushed nickel.

Over the past few years, however, gold has crept its way onto my radar. Apparently I'm not alone. Thanks to cinematic prowess of The Great Gatsby opulence is in and gold is expected to be a huge trend in weddings this year.

via

I wouldn't say I've become obsessed, but I have amassed quite a collection (pins) of ways I could gild the lily.

On the homefront

Anthropologie

Wit & Delight

Anthropolgie

Nancy Lorenz

ShopBop via COCOCOZY

Golden Girl

ModCloth

Hellelu

Nordstrom

BHDLN

Anthropologie

What do you think? Can you see yourself sporting a little gold leaf this spring?

Then and Now

I've been on Pinterest forever. Okay, not forever, but since its inception more than three years ago. Just skimming through, some of my pins came from early spring of 2010. Today I boast 95 boards and more than 7,000 pins.

I occasionally go through my pins to make sure they have a proper link and hash tags. It's a side effect of the crazy. Lately I've also become intimate with my "Decor to Adore" and "Mastering my Domain" boards because, you know, I'm a homeowner now.  It cracks me up to see how my tastes have changed in just three short years. Let's do some then and now comparison.

Once upon a time, this kitchen looked ideal.

from shona hem via pinterest

Now, this is what makes me swoon.

from Small Place Style via Pinterest

There was a time when I would walked 1000 in these shoes.

Polyvore via Pinterest

Today's choice would be almost as precious, but not nearly as cloying.

Where did you Get That via Pinterest

This would've been just the right amount of sparkle.

Fashion is Poison via Pinterest

These days, less is more.

1st Dibs via Pinterest

I haven't painted my finger nails in years - probably  close to a decade - but I almost considered doing this.

Hitchhiking on the Howling Road via Pinterest

Now, I'd more likely entertain this manicure.

Bloom via Pinterest

I'll never doubt Karen Millen's sense of design and tailoring.

Karen Millen via Pinterest

But I think I'll don something a bit more playful while I still can.

1st Dibs via Pinterest

I have always had unreal expectations about how much I can get done so you can imagine how long some pins have been sitting on my Make Me This board just waiting for me to actually make them. Among my early ambitions was this ruffled cardigan.

Life is Beautiful via Pinterest

However,since there are only 24 hours in a day I'd rather spend my time on this more tailored refashion.

Z via Pinterest

Speaking of that odd universal lack of time, you don't even want to know how many things have been pinned with the greatest intentions and absolutely no follow through. Whoops.

New Year's Resolution, anyone?

The Finally-Finished Powder Room

Apparently I never told you guys, but late last year I started to re-do our downstairs powder room. I blogged about it in a guest post for Alicia. Well, after a bout with pneumonia, then nearly taking a third of my finger off, the powder room is as finished as it's going to get.

In the beginning...there was yellow.

The bathroom is really tiny, making it difficult to photograph. If you look at the family room wall you can see the buttery/lemony yellow gracing the powder room.

Next, came Pinterest, where I pinned this fantastic paint job by Susannah.

Then, the taping and striping began...

Followed by sickness and other mayhem (see above). Actually, the mirror you see just peeking around the door frame in photo two is the finger-injury culprit.

And now..THIS!

I'm no longer allowed to hang things without supervision so rest assured this mirror went up under a watchful eye.

There has been absolutely no place to hang a towel in this bathroom since the second week after we moved in. Oh how I love that towel rack. I hung it before the finger fiasco.

We picked this sign up at an antique shop in Charleston. I think it adds just the right amount of color.

So there it is; the powder room is complete less than two months before we move out. There is so much more I would like to have done, but at this point, it is all rather moot. I'm just glad to have that dingy yellow paint gone.

April Foolin': Stuff that made me laugh out loud

How to Decorate with Unicorns. Because who wouldn't?

Well played.

Awesome sauce.

What's making you giggle today?

Home is...

Well, I'm back from a week of house hunting in DC. I wish I could tell you the hunt is over, but things didn't turn out quite like we'd hoped.

I've said it before, house hunting is hard. However, this time around I confess it is also a little fun. The busybody in me relishes seeing the insides of all those different houses, and imagining how I would set things up if it were my home.

I can't take you into the houses I saw on my trip, but I'll gladly share with you some of my favorite inspiration homes and decor.

Brookleigh Daybed from Rosenberry Rooms

I'd set Emily up with this daybed in a heartbeat. Sadly, she's not that into it.

Smeg Refrigerator from West Elm Marketplace

Ben has already agreed this is the refrigerator for us!

Tiny Victorian cottage in the Catskills

I'm pretty sure Emily needs a little something like this in our backyard. She agrees saying it would be"perfect for a sewing studio."

Flor tiles in "Just Plain Folk" and "Lanyard"

I first read about Flor tiles in 2007 on Dooce.com. I liked them then, but I fell in love when I saw this great rug on Brooklyn Limestone. I'm still working to bring the rest of my family around.

Powder room on HOUSEography

In DC powder rooms are in practically every house. At least one of ours will have dark blue walls and a gold ceiling. I'm doing it, there's no stopping me, don't even try.

English Farmhouse sink in a kitchen by Hallie Cohn Designs

I fully intend to have a farmhouse, or apron-front, sink someday.

And you? What's going on in your dream-house tour?

So, you're having a baby

No, not me! Don't ask, it isn't me. After several years of trying, a friend (not a "friend") of mine is currently carrying a bundle of baby boy.

Congratulations, my dear, sweet Hava!

She's already leaning toward a color scheme and theme for the "nugget's" room, but baby things are practically irresistible and I've collected quite a few I thought I'd throw in her general direction.

If you know Hava like I know Hava you know how much she'll love this print.

by Laurel at A Bubbly Life

As the parent of a toddler, she can probably relate to this sentiment as well.

pattern and kit available at Subversive Cross Stitch

Perhaps you prefer a more positive spin.

from Yellow Button Studio

Change the curtains and drawer pulls, and this set of doors will look magical in any room.

via Better Homes and Gardens

Forget about snakes and snails.

Vinyl decal at Off the Wall Expressions

Okay, seriously. Who wouldn't want this?

Tree Bookcase from Rosenberry Rooms

I am so freakin' excited for this woman! Now, I just need to get my finger working again and scrape together some dough for a flight so I can go help her decorate!

Stuff I found while looking around

If you follow me on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter you already know that I am spending my morning with the orthopaedic surgeon having my tendon reattached. Don't be jeal.

To keep it short: My finger was caught between two large mirror fragments; the tendon is severed and must be reattached; the nerves are also cut so I'm not in much pain (yet); I finally get to live my elementary school dream of having a cast for all my friends to sign.

Since my hunt and peck finger gets worn out pretty quickly that's all the verbiage you get today. Instead, I thought I'd share some things I found while futzing around on the web. Click on the images for source info and details. Enjoy!

P.S. Any tips on how to handle my inevitable DIY withdrawal?