Mirror Mirror on the Wall

I've mentioned wanting to get rid of quite a bit of the black furniture in our living room, and painting the wine hutch a few weeks ago was the first step in that direction.  While I love the look of the hutch, the black framed mirror above it has been looking very "heavy" to me lately.

Here's an incredibly blurry picture I found on my phone so you could see how dark everything was on that wall...  what I'd really like to do is get rid of that TV stand, but that's another story for another day...

While the TV stand stays (for now), I think changing up the mirror will greatly improve things...  also, looking at this photo makes me really aware of how linear everything on this wall is.  There is not a single curved line going on, which has to change immediately!

I think a circular mirror could look pretty cool here...

Source

Source

Source

Or an elongated mirror with scalloped edges would be awesome too... 

Source

Source

Or something old and ornate...

Source

Source

Source

I think I'll move our rectangular mirror that is currently there, elsewhere, and start hunting for a pretty replacement for this wall...

What do you think?

Statement Jewelery - Charles Emerson

Now THAT is some bling!!

No... I didn't pull the trigger on the $125 Classic Pave Link Bracelet from Jcrew... despite the fact that I'd been lusting over it for the last year.  This pave chain bracelet is a recent discovery from Charles Emerson Designs - a Virginia based jewelry designer that specializes in "flashy baubles" (their words, not mine).

JACKPOT!!

Not only is this bracelet a dead ringer for the Jcrew piece, but it was less than half the cost!  Including shipping!  They were running a promotion at the time, but even without the discount, this bracelet is under $50.  They have other fabulous pieces, but just had to brag a bit about my find :-)

Some of my other favorites...

                

 

I'm a huge fan of the statement necklace - throw on a button down, skinny jeans, and one of these guys, and you're ready for anything! I have some REALLY cheap ones from Forever 21 and H&M - they tend to break after a few wears, so keep that in mind...

I have a few pricier ones from Banana Republic, Jcrew, and Etsy - all of which I love - and based on all the compliments I've gotten on my bracelet so far, I have a feeling that I may own a few from Charles Emerson in the near future...

Check out the rest of the collection here!

Surprise Source for Bedding

When I think of Lands End, I think of monogrammed totes and my dad's fleece lined jackets.  I do NOT think of bedding... until now.

When we originally were planning on getting a new bed, I wanted to get hotel style bedding, but with Restoration Hardware's costs through the roof, we scrapped that idea, and went with a solid white duvet.  

Fast forward several months until today... I was checking email, and randomly got a message from Lands End.  Quickly browsing through the site, I discovered that they not only carry bedding, but that 

    a) it looks nice

    b) it's affordable

    c) it looks incredibly similar to the hotel bedding that cost thousands (yes, THOUSANDS).

And you can Monogram them!  

For $179, you get the King Size duvet, and two king shams... it's a STEAL if you ask me!  I also liked some other other options - the light blue duvet below was really pretty, and the navy and white trellis pattern is very "zGallerie"...

Lands End - who knew!

Cropped

Happy Friday everyone!!  After work, I'm going to treat myself to a little shopping downtown, so I've decided to dedicate this post to my favorite new look... the cropped trouser.  I'm all about it right now.

I swear to you, this is the most universally flattering pant - regardless of your height, it just works.

We're not talking about capri pants people.  We're talking about a straight leg, ankle length pant.  Form fitting, and tailored, but not tight.  It almost has to flare out just slightly from the calf, and then it's perfection.  I love wearing these pants on weekends, as well as to work.  I feel pulled together, and stylish, but it takes no effort, or thought in the morning!  My favorite pair is actually from  Banana Republic, but Vince Camuto has another super cute pair that I love.

Want to test this look?  Here's a little inspiration to take you into the weekend!

xoxo

Preppy Polka Dots:

Source

Style it Yourself:

Retro Spring Fashion by beckyc1923 featuring sparkly heels

H&M , $30 / Coast cropped jacket, $225 / Polka dot pants / Steve Madden sparkly heels / Kate Spade / Norma Kamali cateye sunglasses / NARS Cosmetics

Uptown Chic:

Source

Style it Yourself:

Olivia Palermo by beckyc1923 featuring high heels

Majestic top, $67 / Band of Outsiders / J.Crew j crew / Manolo Blahnik high heels / By Malene Birger , $415 / Cuff bracelet / Topshop brown eye shadow, $18

Earthtone and Edgy:

Source

Style it Yourself:

brown crop by beckyc1923 featuring gold jewelry

Tiger top, $8.14 / Leather jacket, $255 / Witchery stretch pants, $52 / Platform high heels, $33 / Python handbag, $19 / Kate Spade charm bracelet / CC SKYE gold bangle / Gold jewelry, $18 / Cartier gold bangle / Rick Owens cotton scarve

Cherry Blossom Branches

Spring has sprung in San Francisco, and the freakishly warm days here have forced the cherry blossom trees in our neighborhood to bloom early.  The city now has big clouds of pink blossoms everywhere which makes me want some pretty blossoming branches to put in a big vase in our living room.  

How gorgeous and natural are these arrangements?!  Don't tell me you aren't wanting a big bundle of flowering branches now!

 Source

In a pitcher next to a big soaking tub... so very french provincial, no?

Source

 This photo looks like it was taking in San Francisco (although I have no proof of that).  My dream home - lots of white, lots of light, and that beautiful crown molding   The branches get to take center stage with the simple decor.

 Source

Branches of cherry blossoms and tulips (from a tulip tree)  I'll take it.  I actually saw a flowering tulip tree just a few blocks over, and had serious thoughts of tip-toeing over there in the middle of the night to cut a few down.  So wrong. I'm embarrassed to admit it!

 Source

Ahh, a big bushel of branches in my future home.  Well the future home of my dreams that is.  Wah!

 Source

Was the matching pink pillow planted here just to pick up the color in the blossoms?  Genius.  Feminine and masculine (with that black leather) all at the same time!

Source
And, here is the cutest little Easter tablescape in the history of the world.  Those little ceramic bunnies hopping about... the happy Easter egg ornaments hanging from the branches??  I love LOVE LOOVEEE it all!

Does this have you dreaming of cherry blossoms too now?