Tuesday Pretties

1/2/3/4/5/6


Morning y'all! These images make me feel very happy and inspired.  Jewel-toned velvet and gold, floor to ceiling pattern, a gorgeous marble bathroom that still feels warm, my NY dream home, a perfect bedroom, and the grandest burl wood piano. All make my heart go pitter-patter. 

So yesterday, I was at Barnes & Noble attempting to get a few last minute gifts when Edward discovered some toys that he desperately wanted.  Naturally, he screamed at the top of his lungs the loudest ear-piercing scream I've ever heard.  I'm pretty sure the entire store turned around in fear that I was kidnapping him.  It was one of those awesome mom moments where you are equal-parts mortified and helpless because you know that this kid has nothing better to do than to get you to buy him a toy.  So I dropped everything and walked out of the store, but this time, instead of being furious and annoyed, I held him tight and gave him lots of kisses.  Because everything has changed.

Today is not Friday

David Easton via The Foo Dog

I'm so sorry to have to break that news to you.  I've been operating under the assumption that it is Friday since about 6 am this morning (thank you Edward).  I literally have half of my weekend links post finished (it's so good, too).  Now that reality has set in, I would like to crawl back in bed - that bed above to be precise.  It's like a cloud.  It reminds a lot me of The Suze's bed, which is so comfy it's nearly impossible to climb out from under the covers.  It's like a white fluffy marshmallow cloud of whipped cream. 

In other random prettiness, how lovely is this little girl's room from At Home Arkansas?

Pink and Green Happiness. 

Inspirations of Late

Before I go all crazy Christmas lady on you, I wanted to share some images I've seen lately that I absolutely cannot get out of my head.  I picture these images whilst choreographing a dance routine to Kylie Minogue's Can't Get You Outta My Head.  For the record, my brain is in a constant state of choreography in addition to the images of Christmas, Edward's cute ham-hock legs, puppies and pretty decor rotating around up there.  So if anyone is ever wondering why I'm so spacey sometimes, that's why.  It's a lot. 

Good God that door is beautiful!  That's what the entrance to Heaven will look like for me.

via RDuJour

via Paul Raeside

via Habitually Chic

via Habitually Chic

via Eclechic

via The Foo Dog Ate My Homework (if someone has an original source, please let me know)

 

 

I love the opulence of all of these images.  Even the spare, white bathroom has a shot of rich, cobalt blue and gold.  The black and gold desk is going on my wishlist for things I would like to have in my lifetime.  I'd like a small one for my bedroom or a larger one for the future library we're going to put in our formal living room. 

Anyway, I just had to put those out there.  They are keeping me up at night.  How does one deal with so much prettiness in the world? (obviously if you're me, you start a blog about it and then write weird things in the white space)

I'm almost finished putting up Christmas decorations! Also, we are painting the basement and I took a peek and I'm so in love with it. I'm having them paint everything Benjamin Moore Sage Tint - trim, doors and walls.  I could eat the paint I love it so much. Kip wasn't too sure about it, but I said, "trust me, my love, it will look amazeballs." (just kidding, I don't talk like that, I'm in a weird mood)  I'll share some sneak peeks on Facebook this afternoon! Have a loverly day!

Have a Lovely Weekend!

via {this is glamourous}

I figured I should just go a head and end the inadvertent week o' bedrooms with the prettiest bedroom of them all.  Posting only bedrooms usually says something about my mental state.  I'd rather be in bed snuggling my family than packing up boxes and disrupting my perfect routine.  Even though I'm so excited, I'm having a little anxiety because I know things won't be "back to normal" for awhile.  It's taken years of nesting to get our current house to the superior level of coziness that it is now (in my ever so humble opinion).  I'm a homebody and a nester by nature and while I'm not emotionally attached to our current home, I am attached to how I feel in the space if that makes any sense.  Basically, I'm acting like a crazy emo freak for no reason and I just wanted to share my insanity with y'all.  I'll be sucking it up and packing boxes all weekend.  It will take me all weekend just to pack our books! I'm predicting over 20 boxes of books.  Oy vey! 

Enjoy the thousands of links I posted.  They're all good.  Blogs are finally stepping it up and giving me inspiration again.  Must be fall! 

Vintage French Textbooks

I love these golden animal magnets

This gorgeous silver planter needs to come live on our new pine dining table

A great round-up of moving checklists that I probably should have looked at sooner

I desperately need to start cooking with an apron - this apron in light blue with my monogram

In the slow cooker this weekend: Hickory Smoked Brisket

On the side: Caramelized Savoy Cabbage

A fab collection of blue and white chinoiserie picked by one of the ultimate experts on the subject

I like this outfit

Why dogs are so incredible

I'm very much a fan of painting the brick

Great tips on budget decorating from one of my favorite designers

Love this pink guest room

Aerin Lauder is perfect

Getting stuff on Craigslist without getting murdered

Have a lovely weekend y'all! 

Oh Hi!

Oh Hi! Hi!

That's what Edward says when I catch him getting into something he shouldn't be getting into.  It's actually fairly genius because it throws me off for a second, which is just long enough for him to move away from whatever it is he's not supposed to be playing with i.e. Daddy's telescope, candle wax, Mommy's shoes, scissors.

As much as I'm on his case, it's time for me to give myself a big "no ma'am" for all of the procrastinating I have been doing.  I just realized I have about a week to get myself, my family and my house ready for the move.  I'm clearly in denial, which is weird because I'm so excited! So today my goal is to get at least five boxes packed and cleanse my mind of any potential house decorating until we move in.  Okay, just kidding on the last part.  That's like telling me not to breathe air.

But first, I wanted to share this lovely farmhouse bedroom and sitting area from my favorite Dallas interior designer, Cathy Kincaid.  I was poking around her website looking for inspiration and this caught my eye because of the black and white striped awnings peeking through the windows - our new house has similar awnings and I love the extra layer it adds to the interiors.

So many textures and colors and patterns and yet it all feels so relaxing.  This bedroom is giving me lots of inspiration for the new house.  Okay y'all, off to pack.

Paint Color I Need: Narragansett Green

* Design by Barbara Westbrook for 2012 Atlanta Symphony Associates’ Decorators’ Show House & Gardens

This is kind of the opposite of the glowy pink bedroom of yesterday, but I love it equally.  It's just soo rich.  I have bedrooms on the brain since that's the room we'll focus on first when we move into the new house (accept we're really not focusing on it because we went out and bought those Restoration Hardware chairs for the kitchen and now I'm on double secret probation with house-buying stuff). But I love this color -  Benjamin Moore Narragansett Green.  I also love the balance of the masculine and feminine in the room.  It's just gewd.

Maybe I need to rename this the Belclaire House Bedroom Blog or the Belclaire House I'm Losing My Mind Not Being Able To Fully Furnish A House I Have Yet To Inhabit And I Need To Paint Something Now Blog.  Only 38 more days (Ramona crazy eyes).

Wall to Wall Blue and White

Coming at ya from JMA Interior Decoration in Florida (but first spotted by moi over at my new favorite tumblr, The Handbook Authority, gotta give credit y'all)

I like it.  I like it a lot.

They also did some blue and white business on this yacht.

Right?

Ok, ok, ok, ok (Edward's new favorite phrase).  These next two months on the blog are going to be a bit cray cray.  I'm in a holding pattern waiting for the move and it's making me insane because all I want to do is decorate.  But now that it's getting closer, I know I need to hold back and wait until we get in there before making too many more purchases.  The good news is once we get out of this house and into the new house I'll probably be posting 25 times a day asking y'all's opinions on every single thing.  I drive by our new house everyday - it's on the way to the grocery store and no matter how hard I try, I always end up going to the grocery store everyday - anyway, I really want to sneak up and paint the front door.  It's red now and I want it blue.  Would that be inappropriate?

Kk have a good day!

Have a Lovely Weekend!

Morning y'all! Lots of random links for you this weekend, but they're all good! Two weeks worth, since I missed last Friday so I hope this makes up for my absence.  If you missed my guest post at Belle on Heels, you should definitely head over there and check out my favorite blue and white bedrooms, including the superfabawesome bedroom pictured.  I mean normally, I'm all, "white sheets are a moral imperative blah blah blah," but I love this bedroom, especially the sheets.  Soo very well then, I contradict myself.  I hope you have a fabulous weekend! 

Chintz lives!

This butterfly bedding is sweet for a little girls room

Two purchases from Old Navy this week that I lurve:
Polka-dot lightweight cardigan and spotted flats
apparently, spots are the new stripes in my closet 

The best lasagna recipe ever!!
made it for a friend this week - so yum!

My birthday is in two months and I need this book.
Mom, Kip, anyone, you can pre-order it here 

The Everygirl's ten favorite Ikea finds

The possible inspiration for the blue willow china pattern? (plus lots of blue & white)
and a lovely shout out :) 

This Hunger Games Honest Movie Trailer is hilarious and spot on

18 Minute Ritual that might make you more productive?

I'm obsessed with May Books

I'm also obsessed with these camera straps

Amazing kid party idea courtesy of The Bachelorette Emily

Love a good before and after (update: whoops! fixed the link now)

Remember the Oregon Trail?

Finally, what's up Al Roker?
Full Disclosure: I made the switch to GMA. Yep.

Oh to crawl back in bed ...

Stephen Shubel

I love this entire bedroom situation.  I've been thinking a lot about our bedroom in our new house and I can't commit to anything.  Maybe it's because I'm the princess in the pea.  I need near perfect conditions for sleeping as it is a state that does not come naturally to me.  So I'm terrified of making a design decision that will commit me to a lifetime of restlessness.  So dramatic, I know.  Lots to do today, but I'd rather be in this cozy bed.

More Bedroom Inspiration

Thank y'all so much for sharing in my excitement over the new house, and for all of the advice as I confront the daunting task of selling our house.  We still have some things to do before we put it on the market, like finishing the paint job we started in the dining room, so I have some time to get things in order.  Remember when I posted about The Big Clean awhile back?  Well, I actually got some things checked off of the list so I'll include that at the end of this post as well as add some more to the list.  My goal is to cross one item off of the list every two days.  I'm also going to try to find out as much as I can to help me prepare for this move and compile a nice little checklist for others to use - filed under The Big Move.  

But first, I want to share some more of my Master Bedroom Inspiration.  I hear ya on the pink.  I'm starting to rethink it.  I may just go with good ole Benjamin Moore Linen White.  But I will use pink somewhere, mark my words! (aside: the other night I had a dream about a little girl, I used to dream about Edward before I had him, so if I do indeed have a little girl whenever I get pregnant next we can just go ahead and call it on my psychic abilities - see here for the original discussion (scroll to number 7)). 

Benjamin Moore Linen White

Love this fresh and clean this bedroom.  I would probably have more color, but I love the overall feel of the room. 

Love This Life 

 Cozy.  Love the drapes, the wall sconces with pleated lampshades, gold accents.

via {this is glamorous}

Pretty pink palette & mirrored dresser

via Splendid Sass

 Love the neutral pale colors of this bedroom by Phoebe Howard.

Phoebe Howard

 Our bedroom is not small, but I love the coziness of this little bedroom nook and the striped rug.

via Apartment Therapy

 Love this bedroom.  A lot.

Michael Smith

Another gorgeous glowy white bedroom.

via Houzz

Sconces, tufted white headboard, gorgeous monogram, chair picture & ironic bedside book.

via Lonny

Just so pretty.

Jim Howard

Oy! Well, we know I like white!

The Big Clean Checklist 

Laundry Room Cabinets 

Utensil Drawer 

Junk Drawers 

Pantry 

TV Shelves 

Under the Sink 

Spice Cupboard 

Refrigerator 

China Closet 

Guest Bedroom Closet 

Playroom Closet 

Coat Closet 

Linen Closet 

My Closet 

Edward's Closet 

My Nightstand 

My General Side of the Bed Area 

Make-Up Bag 

Master Bath Drawers 

My Dresser Drawers 

Den Bookshelves 

Edward's Cabinet in the Kitchen 

Edward's Dresser 

Edward's Changing Table 

Bed in Edward's Room 

Clean off countertops & surfaces (pack tchotchkes) 

Moodboard Monday: Midnight in Paris

Morning y'all! Last week I posted about the lavender and white hotel room in Midnight in Paris.  I made a moodboard to go along with the post, but I couldn't get it to download properly.  So here it is appropriately for Moodboard Monday, which I haven't done in awhile.   

Not gonna lie, I could live here.  I probably overuse the Stark antelope carpet in all of my moodboards, but it just seems to work in all of my dream rooms.  I love it so much.

Other elements of my Parisian-inspired bedroom:

• Pillows: Julia B. Pierre Monogrammed Pillows
• Bedding: Plum toile like this Toile Oriental fabric 
• Headboard: Ballard Designs Camden Slipcover Headboard in St. Helena Gray (soft washed cream and gray ticking stripe in a textured chevron weave of cotton and rayon) 
• Side Table: Wisteria Handmade European Chest
• Venetian Mirror from The Well Appointed House
• Blue and white vase like this one from The Enchanted Home Shop
• Painting of an opera lady from 1st Dibs
• Rull Fancy $5 Million Apartment in Paris 

Dare to dream, people.  Dare. To. Dream.

Where can I get this wallpaper?

Harriet Anstruther

When I saw this post on Elements of Style blog, I gasped.  I love this bedroom.  It has so many elements that I love: blue and white, a little floral, a simple white bed, french blue, white & wood and a pretty chandelier.  I'm most in love with the wallpaper and if someone could be so kind and tell me what it is, I will send you positive energy rays for the rest of the day.  If there's one thing I'm good at, it is positivity so trust  me when I tell you my positive energy beams are probably worth about five or six hundred dollars a beam.

P.S. Thank you so much for all of your sweet comments on both my bookshelves and my family room and kitchen before and afters.  I can't pretend I'm not terrified of negative comments about my house.  I want to post every picture with a million disclaimers, but then I think to myself, "Lady, no one wants to read that.  Don't be so insecure." (I call myself Lady in my inner monologue FYI) I'm so lucky to get such positive comments.  Obvsies, if I had a coupla bajillions I could show you the rooms I've put together in my head and have it professionally photographed to boot, but I'm a real person on a real budget.  Thanks for being so kind!

Have a Lovely Weekend!

By Friday, I usually become totally lame on the blog front. Soo I'm going to try something new this week and send you off on your weekend with some lovely links.  I come across so many things throughout the week that I'd love to share with y'all.  I know I have at least a few lawyer friends that need a few time-wasters, since facebook stalking isn't as fun as it used to be (privacy settings ruin all the fun).

For my fashionable friends - a look at the NY apartment of style star Taylor Tomasi Hill.  

Ed: I knew Taylor in high school, and I love seeing her all famous and awesome.  She's always so sweet and genuine and one of those people you just want great things for.  Her bedroom pictured above is so fun as is the rest of her apartment! 

Three amazing dream homes from someone who lives in my dream home. 

My favorite butter to use when I'm cooking.

You can find it HERE

Notice the girl in the background

An awesome app for organizing all of your loyalty cards (Thanks Leigh!)

My Sister + The Dalai Lama + Bravo Reality Star-ish

Happy Birthday Justin Bieber!!! 

I made this healthy recipe last week and even Edward loved it! 

This blue and white lamp

The before & afters that inspired my obsessive bedding post fabric.

Decisions ... decisions

House Beautiful

Before I bother you with more requests for advice, I wanted to share with you this gorgeous wall color I found whilst searching for colors for Edward's bathroom (we'll get there in a moment).  It's called Marylin's Dress by Benjamin Moore and I love it with the cream and lilac accents.  The overall prettiness of this room makes me infinitely happy.  

As happy as Oscar the Grouch makes Edward. 

Soo Happy!

So anyway, now that I have you in a happy place, I'm going to annoy you once again.  I ended up taking all of the pillow sham fabrics back to Calico Corners and walking out with nothing because I couldn't make up my mind about what I wanted.  I decided to take a time-out from my search and move on to another project, which is Edward's bathroom.  

I bought this adorable shower curtain (Edward loves ducks and I love the scalloped border along the bottom).  

The eyes in the ducks are a dark teal color so I thought it'd be fun to go bold and paint the walls to match the eyes so I also picked up a sample pot of paint and got to work.  

Well, it's super dark and I hate it now after 10 hours.  It's just a tiny potty and tub area with a window and while dark sometimes works in small spaces, this one doesn't.  So now I'm off to try one or two more colors (that dark is going to be a Courtney from The Bachelor to cover up if you know what I mean) and if they don't work I'm just going to use some of our leftover Linen White and call it a success.  If y'all have any paint recs I'd love to hear them.  I'm usually incredibly decisive about what I like so all of this going back and forth is really stressing me out.  Oy Vey!

P.S.  Did anyone else cry when Kacie B. was in the limo? I did. I just wanted to give her the biggest hug! I've totally been there.  My sister-in-law saw her out in Nashville and talked to her for a bit and said she seemed fine and I don't need to be sad.  If you don't know what I'm talking about consider yourself highly evolved.  

P.P.S.  Crate and Barrel is going to take the coffee maker back.  The Cuisinart customer service told me that exotic coffee and Starbucks coffee beans clog it up, even though I used it once. I was using coffee from Hawaii.  I guess that's exotic? Whatevs.  

Color or Neutral?

Well good morning y'all! As I was cleaning up Edward's toys last night, I found my unread February issue of House Beautiful in the bin of books so I apologize if this post isn't the currentest of the current.

Anyway,  I'm so schizo/ADD when it comes to decorating my home.  I love bright bold colors, but I find that I also get tired of them and want to paint everything white.  I have a constant identity crisis when I look at interiors.  Am I a wild fun color girl who likes to party or am I a quiet soft neutral lady who likes to relax?  Really, I'm a little of both.  I don't think I'll ever have a home in which every room is the same color palette. (For instance, this home I featured way back when Belclaire House was a wee tiny baby.  I love it, but God forbid your child comes home with an ugly red textbook that clashes with the home).  I admire people who can live like that.  They are probably very organized and have a lot of self-control.  I am neither.

So I was really excited when I saw this article detailing Lindsey Coral Harper's fun colorful updates to a 1940s home in Charlotte, NC.  I was particularly struck by the contrast between the master bedroom and the guest rooms.  Guest rooms are good rooms to go bold and fun in because you don't spend a lot of time in them.  Ok enough talk. Good talk though.

Party.

Party. 

Ahhhh.