The Male Equation

The other night, I was in a Pinterest-induced stupor, conjuring up images of what will be in our newly-purchased house in Virginia - code name: Wallingford.(because I know you want to follow that board)

Initially, we'll take a live-with-it-and-plan approach on a lot of the house, but we're tackling a few messier projects before or as we move in. One of those is the Family Room - or what we'll use as a family/tv room.
For starters - it is vewy, vewy small.

...and nondescript.

My hope is to do away with the circa 70s paneling, add some much-needed mill work, and turn it into a jewel box of a room, all glossy, cozy, and layered like so...

Key to my plans are: rich, high-gloss paint (color TBD), and saddle/caramel leathuh.

So, I was stoked when I saw this MCM-esque leather sofa from JCPenney getting good reviews.  The Hubster's not the biggest fan of this style, so....

Me:  "Ben, do you think you could stomach this sofa for the family room at Wallingford?"

Ben:  "It looks like I would slide off."

Score: Ben - 1  Sofa - 0

How do I compete with this?

Happy Monday, peeps.
(P.S. - no baby, obvs)

Lovely Paperstuffs

Before we left Brasilia, a good friend, and amazing photographer snapped some family photos to commemorate our almost-four-years in Brazil's capital city.  

I wanted to have change of address cards made using one of the photos, but actually found the kind of aesthetic I wanted (clean, contemporary) a little tough to find until I found Mink via Etsy.

 photo by Elise Hanna

The designers at Mink were amazing to work with.  The font, color, and pattern selections were enough to make my head spin (we went with a solid color back panel).  Their expertise and customer service guided me to the exact product I had hoped for.  Without spending a small fortune, too.

If you have any need for a paper product (stationary lovers, unite!), I highly recommend Mink!

Ghetto or Genius?

Upholstery Fabric Spray Paint... from here

Gets decent reviews. Would you do it?

Custom Sofas on the Cheap(ish)

I've apparently been living under a rock. I only recently learned about the Custom Sofa Design website, where you can (as the name infers) design your own sofa. There are tons of styles to choose from, several grades of worthwhile fabrics, trim (like nailhead and contrast welting) and, even cushion upgrades like feather and down blend. So basically, you can work up your dream sofa like the pros, but drop significantly less cash.

**Update** They went out of business (wah waaaah), but are referring clients to Sofa Craft. It seems the options are similar, but there isn't the mind-boggling assortment of them. They also don't preview fabric samples, which makes it difficult to visualize.

The possibilities are limitless, and the range of styles could be used in any type of interior. Some of my favorite styles are:

the Lola

the Desmond

The Kentwood

the Leon

...which I used as the starting point for a little design board goodness

Mirror, Chandy, Painting, Floor Lamp, Coffee Table, X Benches

But wait! There's More! Headboards and beds - shapes of which you'll recognize from very high-end vendors.

the Marc

In a fawn velvet
Hello Luvah!

the Octavia

Punch it up in a begonia linen -
It could be....Braziliant!

Has anyone had any experience with their products? If so, spill it!

Braziliant

So, a few weeks ago, I coined the word, "Braziliant."
Brilliant + Brazil = Braziliant.
Contextual example: "You're so Braziliant, you don't even know it!"

Apparently, Essie - makers of can't-touch-this shades of nail polish (doesn't everyone wear Ballet Slippers for their wedding?), are apparently riding my wave.

Behold, Braziliant.

Described as, "a hot orange with a touch of shimmer."
What a perfect encapsulation of the South American soul. I do love the orange/coral trend.

Essie: I'll expect my royalty check forthwith.

Gradeschool Crush

I have a crush on these gradeschool-reminiscent trough sinks that are popping up all over the place. If I were working with someone redoing a shared, sibling bathroom, I'd be all over it like white on rice. Ditto for envisioning a bath for my own girls.

Turns out that its pedigree isn't all that lofty - it's a Kohler model, the Brockway, offered by Home Depot. The arched, showerhead-looking faucet is the Cannock. The three-faucet model, plus faucets and accessories like the soapdish will set you back nearly 2Gs - bummer - but I'd argue the classic and whimsical style is worth the heavier price tag.

Obviously, you can take the style all-out Cottage...

...but, I tend to like where this vintage-with-a-twist look is going.

Clearly a no-brainer for kids who need as much area to catch splashes as they can get.

Mom and Dad could use a sleeker, more Victorian version...

Wonder who gets to use the mirror?

PSA: For your eyes only

This morning, my husband asked, "Are you still using that eyelash stuff?"
Me: "Yes, why?"
Him: "Because your eyelashes are out of control."

You've seen those commercials on tv for Latisse - the eyelash super-serum that Brooke Shields hocks? By the way, what doesn't she endorse, these days?

Anyway, I've never had lashes that were anything to speak of. Not especially puny, but by no means luscious. I began using Latisse sometime last year. It took about six weeks, and just when I thought the stuff was snake oil and quit, my eyelashes took off. Just as promised, first they became longer, then thicker and darker. Wanna know a weird thing, though? It didn't work when I was pregnant. Guess some bizarr-O hormone thing. Within a month or so of giving birth, I could tell it was back in business.
Yes, it requires a prescription, and yes, it's pricey BUT once your eyelashes get to the point where you like them, you can use it every other or every two days, as I do. Then, the per use cost goes down to about what a good mascara would be. Which, by the way, I rarely wear any more. When I do, it looks like I might trip over my flippin' eyelashes.
So there - a free beauty tip (and, as you can see, I have sooo many) on what I consider a true-to-hype product. Here's my results*:

...And now, you all can give ME your product picks for crow's feet and under eye circles.
*Yes, I "soft-focused" the hell out of the pic, you don't want me to keep it THAT real!
**I was not compensated in any way for this post, but if Allergan wants to comp me a year's supply of this stuff and/or a bit of botox, I'd be much obliged.