Wednesday, March 7, 2012

morgan's {anti} recommendations

I thought I would do things a little differently today and let y'all know some products and ideas I don't recommend. So often we're telling each other the things we love but we aren't telling one another the things that aren't living up to the hype!

Disappointment Numero Uno: Plug In Air Fresheners


Are these things strong or what? I've been trying to find one of these for the closet Gus' litter box is in but they are all so damn strong. They overpower the entire house. Has anyone had any luck with these?!

Disappointment Number Two: Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children


I so wanted to love this book since so many of you told me you read and liked it but I just couldn't get through it. It's rare I don't finish a book and I didn't finish this one. Enough said.

Disappointment Number Three: Whatever these shoes are called


So I'm not talking about these shoes exactly but these 'type' of shoes with the weird scrunched back. Every pair I've ever had or tried on immediately have given me blisters. They might be the most uncomfortable shoes ever!

Disappointment Number Four: Crest Vivid White


I hated this toothpaste. I think it did make my teeth whiter but I consistently felt like my teeth weren't clean. After I month, I gave back and went to regular old Crest.

Your turn! Save me the hassle - what product wouldn't you recommend??
xoxo


Monday, March 5, 2012

from zero to hundred in one weekend.

I don't know about where you are but it was rainy and nasty in Charleston Friday and Saturday of this past weekend. Because of that, we spent most of our weekend doing the following.

But then Sunday came around and we got our second wind to get some things done around the house. Nothing big but every bit helps right? And for being here only three weeks - I think we're making great progress!
One of my favorite additions are the valance curtains in our master bedroom. I found the perfect fabric and asked Guy's mom (aka seamstress extraordinaire) to make our windows beautiful.
The fabric goes perfectly with our paint (Behr Sage Tint) and adds visual interest to our otherwise lack luster windows. I can't wait to start accessorizing the room! More on that soon hopefully.

After hanging our new valances, we went to work on our main guest room. We already have houseguests planned in the coming weeks so we wanted to make it look nice. Fortunately we didn't have to spend any money as we used items from our old townhome that we hadn't found the perfect place for yet.

Here's the before; a sky blue for a little boy I'm sure.

With a little paint (Valspar Summer Clouds), the room is transformed to a more tranquil space fit for guests.



Nothing mind blowing here but for only the cost of a can of paint, I'm pretty happy with the room. I do want to get new sheets, bedspread, and some paintings hung on the wall asap.

The 'to do' list for a new home never ends!
Happy Monday friends!
xoxo


Sunday, March 4, 2012

real housewives of disney

Please tell me you saw this last night on Saturday Night Live.



Hilarious!!


Friday, March 2, 2012

morgan's book corner: need recommendations!


Friends! I need any and all book recommendations. I haven't read in {gasp} a month. I blame the two books I tried to read but couldn't get into so I gave up and became a zombie in front of the television for a month. I can do this no longer. So send them my way - any and all recommendations!
 And yes, I've read The Hunger Games series and have the 16th already saved on my calendar. :)

xoxo


Wednesday, February 29, 2012

DIY: Terrerium

I've been eyeing up these beauties on Pinterest for some time now.



I love the idea of adding more plants into my home in as unique a way possible.
Enter my sweet mom last night who brought me a DIY terrerium.


So sweet and simple! She used an apothecary jar from Guy's and my wedding and made a beautiful little terrerium. All you need are some rocks, dirt, a plant and a little bit of water!

Love easy, beautiful {gifted!} DIY's!!!
xoxo


Monday, February 27, 2012

shop in your own closet!

Over the last year I've really made an effort to 'shop' in my own closet to create outfits that felt just as 'new' as if I had bought new pieces. Now don't get me wrong - I love to shop for clothes and still do. I just do it less often and have less stuff which has become a priority for Guy and I. 
In less than 10 minutes, I had two outfits incorporating pieces I had either a) never worn or b)hadn't worn in a year.
Outfit One
{Target skirt, Old Navy shirt, gifted scarf, Banana Republic bracelet, gifted earrings, and Nine West pumps}

Outfit Two
{Banana Republic sweater, thrifted skirt, JCrew belt, Ann Taylor necklace and Pazzo heels}

Tips on shopping in your own closet:

1. Pick one item you love and build a new outfit from there. For these outfits the green thrifted skirt was the base and the gifted blue scarf was the other base. Starting with one piece you love ensures you'll be able to build an outfit you'll enjoy!
2. Challenge yourself to where pieces in unexpected ways. Use a scarf as a belt. Or tuck a dress into a skirt to morph the dress into a top!
3. Don't wear the same outfit twice! I know that sounds hard but you can mix and match your clothes in a million different ways. I promise!
4. After you do this for a few weeks, take stock of what's missing in your closet. Do you need more accessories to jazz up your outfits? Or do you have plenty of fun tops but not enough pants/skirts to act as the base? Doing this will let you shop wisely next time you head out!

Anyone else take the time to shop their own closet? I'd love to hear!
xoxo


Thursday, February 23, 2012

a small win.

Decorating a new home is such a fun experience but it can get overwhelming as well. If you're anything like me, you want to get everything done as quickly yet perfectly as possible. This is not possible for multiple reasons; the main two being time and money.
For that reason, I take little victories to heart when I finish even a small area of my new home.
Today's small win is the foyer. It's inviting, pretty, and just what I wanted.


The lanterns are from Guy's and my wedding, the photo is of our wedding party, the bowl is a small pop of color via Anthropologie, and the painting is by Kerry of Design du Monde.
Don't forget Kerry is still offering my readers 20% anything in her Etsy shop! Details here!

xoxo