Silver and Gray Summer

With the start of summer unofficially arriving this weekend, I've begun to think about how to make my room feel a bit cooler in the hot and humid weather.  I've always been drawn to the color gray and love the icy silver accents that I've seen in stores lately.  (I must admit that the popularity of Fifty Shades of Gray served as a bit of inspiration for my summer color choice.)

Here are 5 ways that I plan to transition my bedroom into a silver and gray summer that may be very hot.. in more ways than one!

What colors are inspiring you this summer?

1.Mercury Glass Lamp  2. Scroll Tile Rug 3. Frayed Edge Quilt 4. Dipped Porcelain Bottles
5. Royce Mirror

Photo Display Inspiration

For my first official Mother’s Day, I received the most darling picture of my daughter in a gorgeous frame from Pottery Barn.  I think you’ll agree that the mother of pearl and silver frame is the perfect accent to what is already a perfect picture (at least in my eyes). 

 This framed photo will most certainly be going on my desk, but it did get me thinking though.  I have so many pictures that I’ve never bothered to get printed, as well as plenty of prints that I’ve put off framing.  I somewhat attribute it to a lack of time and the expense, but mostly because I just don’t know how I want to display them. 

So, I’ve scoured the web in search of some inspiration, and here are some of my favorite picture displays and photo walls.  Enjoy.

 Distressed, white frames going up the staircase

Kasey Buick

Combination of black and white frames

 the style files

Simple 5x5 photo collage to create a minimalist look

Download the template here

paislee press

Black and white photos in painted frames, with vinyl lettering

 Lil' Luna

Clipboard Wall Art - Great for a playroom wall and easy swap out pictures

Crap I've Made

Floating shelves are a great way to display pictures and eliminates holes in the wall

 

Your Decorating Hotline 

Utilizing a small wall

Laura Winslow

A pop of color

BHG

Need more ideas for how to hang your pictures?  Check out some of these simple guides and templates for a little inspiration on how to to display artwork and photos in your own home.

 a day of play

You may also want to use this idea and map out your photo display with paper.  Simply measure all the photos or frames and cut out sheets of paper the same size.  Use painter's tape to attach them to the wall and move them around until you reach your desired configuration.

 Better Homes and Gardens via Centsational Girl

Hopefully you got some inspiration from these finds, I know I did.  Happy hanging!

Mom's Nite Out?!

First off, why didn't anyone tell me until now, that tonight is National Mom's Nite Out?!  It is safe to say that I am a little upset I didn't find out about this holiday a little sooner.  I know Mother's day is right around the corner, but along with a card and family brunch, I would love to get in a round of drinks with the girls if I could!

The organized celebration tries to bring mom together virtually and physically by allowing moms to chat it up online, as well as parties and events all across the country.  The event is orchestrated by Maria Bailey, who is also the host of Mom Talk Radio and sponsored by Simon Property Group, Inc. 

So maybe I got the memo a little late and didn't have the opportunity to plan anything for tonight, but I sure will feel entitled to a glass of wine after I put the little one to bed tonight.  If I'm lucky, I'll get the chance to log onto the Online Mommy Party which is being hosted live from Boca Raton, and maybe I'll even win one of the fabulous prizes they're giving away.

To the moms who are able to go out tonight, enjoy yourselves.  Most of all, a early HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to all the hardworking mommas out there!

Goodbye Clarisonic: The end of a Relationship

I wanted nothing more than for my Clarisonic Mia and me to have a healthy, beautiful relationship.  After all, this skin cleansing system "comes in a variety of colors and fits your active lifestyle while offering beautiful skin at home or on the-go."  What wasn't there to love?

For months I had been reading about the various Clarisonic cleansing tools in beauty blogs, fashion magazines, and was looking for something that would help me out with my combination, acne-prone skin.  Thus, at the end of last year, I took the plunge and ordered my very own Mia in a pretty light blue.  I tracked the shipment for days, and was so excited when it finally arrived!  I used the cleansing system according to directions and opted to use my Mia nightly and wash away all the dirt and grime from the day.  After a week of use, I was impressed with how clean and smooth my face felt, and thought that perhaps I was seeing some minor improvements in my appearance.

Then I hit a bump in the road.  On my face rather, and several of them!  (**Enter screeching break sound**)  My face began to break out and I was horrified.  However, I took a deep breath and decided that I would press on with my little blue brush, and find a solution.  I went back to my trusty Purity face wash by Philosophy and, ceased all use of the Deep Pore cleansing brush head, only using the one for normal skin and waited another week.  The new acne wasn't going anywhere, and so I logged on to Sephora to see what other users were saying for some advice.  I read rave reviews about the Sensitive brush head, and several people claimed they were having issues with emerging acne until they switched, so I followed suit and ordered my new Sensitive brush... and Nothing! 

I followed up with the Acne-Prone brush head... More NOTHING!  This Mia and my beloved Sephora friends had failed me, and I must admit I am fairly devastated.  I tried every brush head, tried sanitizing with rubbing alcohol, purged through as some readers suggested, and the only thing that actually gave me some relief was when I stopped using the Mia. 

So after all the build-up and all the hype on the Clarisonic Mia Cleansing System, I have concluded that it just does not work for me, no matter how much I wanted things to work out (just like my boyfriends of the past.. ha ha).  And so I say "goodbye Clarisonic."  Off to Ebay you go, and on to the next facial care & acne control method I go.  

Next up... The Oil Cleansing Method