Recycle, Reuse, Reinvent Your Style!

Recycle, up-cycling, re-purposing, whatever you call it, going green is all the rage in interior design! As I was out this week shopping for a client, who wants to keep her design fresh and eco-friendly, I spotted some beautiful decor that is made of all that stuff we throw away! 

First recycled glass:

Ever wonder if all that effort we put into the recycling is actually worth it? Well, here's the proof! Recycle glass containers in every shape and size! They all glisten with that subtle aqua hue.....loooove!

Recycled newspapers made into baskets!

I found this stuff at HomeGoods and was blown away by the amazing prices! How cool is this guy?!


Now a few ideas of how to use your recycled goods around the house. Here's how I used some of my awesome finds! Here's how to create that fresh organic style in your home! 

I call my style "Organic Elegance"!

I used this jar as a candle holder between two smaller bottles. I filled the smaller bottles with fresh greenery from my front yard. Totally gives it that fresh green feeling!

Make an "green" first impression!

I used a recycled jug in my entry way, only $9.99 by the way at HG! I filled it with simple branches to add an element of nature to the table. I love using re-purposed items, like this wine box, to display some of my favorite wine labels. Again, a glass vase filled with clippings from my Tea Olive bushes and monkey grass add to the organic feeling. The silver tray and glass ball lamp add the elegance. The perfect mix of both!

 Try grouping them all together as a beautiful collection!

Tray was also a HomeGoods find for $12.99! HG rocks!

Create an impact by grouping them all together on a woven tray to make an easy to remove center piece on your dining table.

So get out there and search for those cool pieces that would have been destined for a landfill! And create your own green design!

Home Inspiration - Fall!

 What's trending for FALL!!!

I know, I know. It's 100 degrees outside and I'm talking about fall already. Well, maybe it's because it's my favorite time of year, and believe me, it can't get here soon enough! Not to mention, the runways and home stores are already fronting their fall designs. So I thought I would give you a little looksy on whats "cool" for fall - See it's helping me think of cool weather already! 

Here a sneak peak at some of the fall trends at your favorite places!

West Elm is crushing on graphite and blue!

Looks like chevron is hanging on as the graphic da jour!

Love the mood this deep gray/blue creates in this bedroom!

We are seeing beautiful global inspired textiles and natural textures.

Pottery Barn is all about wine country inspiration with an artisan's touch! 

They are calling it "Rustic Luxe".

I think just by adding a few rustic pieces to your room you can achieve a warmer more lived-in look, without going over board. Think of things like changing lamp shades to burlap, a rustic wood tray on the coffee table, or worn pieces of pottery.

I soooo want this green glass lamp! 

What can I say I love it all!!!!!!!!

Better Homes and Gardens has a few DIY fall decorating tips using acorns. I love the mix of red and aqua blue as a fresh idea for fall colors!

You could easily duplicate this art piece with simply taking a picture of a beautiful leaf on a background of your choice and enlarge the photo, then frame it in a poster size frame. Hang and enjoy your creation.

I love the simplicity of this easy peasy center piece, it's just branches and painted acorns hanging from jute string.....why haven't I thought of that?! You could also just paint the acorns different fall colors and fill glass hurricanes with them and candles....okay I can claim that one!

Glue acorns to a napkin ring or a wooden ring and you have instant fall decor!

I just love fall!  So even though we are melting in the heat right now, it's good to know it won't be long before the cool weather rolls in and - yes - our homes will be ready! 

Fun "indoor" summer activities, because it's just too hot outside!

We all  want to have a fun summer with the kids, but we can't spend every minute at the beach or pool, and it's just tooooo hot to do anything else! So, what's a mom to do? Well, I came up with some fun "indoor" summer ideas that will help! Mommy to the rescue!!!!!! Most everything is either free or can be found at your local discount or dollar stores! Yep....I'm a super hero!

Indoor camp out! 

Move the sofa/coffee table and set up a tent in the living room. Let it be an all day thing, you'll be surprise at how just a tent can entertain kids for hours!

• Fire up the grill for roasting hot dogs and marsh mellows
• Set up a camp game
• Tell funny childhood or not-so-scary ghost stories
• Set up a movie on the computer or iPad and put it in the tent on a little table for the kids to watch at bedtime. They'll want to do this one again, I promise!

Itza Make-your-own Pizza Party! 

Invite friends to participate in the fun!

• Set up a big table and cover with the fun red and white checkered pizzeria table cloth.
• Give everyone an plane white apron and chefs hat to decorate - these can be ordered on line for super cheap!  go to: http://www.kidsaprons.com
• Set out parchment paper in front of each person and tape the edges to secure in place.
• Purchase the ready made crusts and give each individual 1/2 to roll out and shape as they want.
• Put a long line of ingredients down the center of the table and let everyone make their special pizza!
• Bake and enjoy!

Indoor Scavenger Hunt!

I love doing this one! The kids have so much fun hunting and gathering the items! You can make the hints into riddles, like..."What is black and white and read all over and puts you to sleep each night?" - a book! Just get creative!

Another idea is to hide fun dollar store items around the house and each hiding place gives you a hint as to where the next item is. For instance: "What is tall and big and keeps things cold?" - the refrigerator! On a side note: I do find that I have to have one of the same items for each child or set up a hunt that sends each child to their own treasures! This prevents major arguments....this is suppose to be fun and there's nothing fun about kids fighting! Well, let's get real they will fight about something, but at least you tried!

Indoor Game Day!

Set up games for the kids to play around the house.

• Hop Scotch is easy to do with low adhesive tape on carpet or hard floors use the grid for a bean bag toss, also!
• Set up bowling with a small ball and Solo cups: just keep score with how many cups get knocked down and give each person 2 tries.
• Bucket ball toss: Purchase about 3 to 4 beach buckets put a score value on each one and toss in the ball!
• Set up a table with a board game or two.

Messy Art Day!

For our little ones who love to be creative!

Set up an arts and craft area....and by set up I mean cover everything, cause this one can get messy! Use a plastic drop cloth on the floor and table and then set up the supplies. Gathered everything you can from around the house like scapbook paper, beads, toilet paper rolls, glue, scissors, paint supplies, cups, tin cans, ribbon, etc. You can use anything that you want and let the kids imaginations do the rest!

I hope these have been helpful! I know how frustrating it is to have the kids begging for things to do all summer! So just hit the dollar store and have a blast! And Remember stay cool!