Happy Friday and a fantastic giveaway from eclectic decor boutique Zengerine!

I was lucky enough to be recently introduced to a very cool online shop called Zengerine. It combines two of my great loves: home decorating, and travel. While traveling I come across so many amazing objects, but expensive baggage costs and the desire to keep my bags light prevent me from snatching up all the amazing cultural décor I come across.

 Luckily, shops like Zengerine have collected little treasures from across the globe so you don’t have to carry them over great expanses of land and sea!

The folks at Zengerine are also awesome enough to give one lucky reader a gift of $75.00! All you have to do to enter is answer some questions in the widget below! (Each question you answer counts as 1 entry).

 Currently most of their product focus is on Asia, but they will be featuring products from all over the globe very shortly, so stayed tuned! a Rafflecopter giveaway

Here are some of my favorite products from Zengerine

I cook a lot of Asian food, and this Chinese steamer set would be so beautiful for entertaining!

How adorable and unique is this tea set from JIA Inc. in Taiwan?! I love the little feet.

This is one of those cups that you just want to display as opposed to using…I think I would use it for a muffin and coffee breakfast on a beautiful Saturday morning out on the balcony though… This porcelain comes from Shanghai.

Drooling over this Jim Thompson Thai silk cosmetic bag!

These adorable salt and peppershakers are from Hong Kong Designer Loveramics.

I have a SERIOUS crush on this Japanese and tattoo inspired floral dishware by Paul Timman for Ink Dish. The first item in my cart was the set of mugs that match this set!

 Don't forget to enter this great giveaway by answering the questions in the widget above. The contest closes on September 9, at 6PM EST. I will announce the winner on September 10. Good luck, and have a great holiday weekend!

Client Project - Pillow Options

Happy Friday!  The last couple of weeks have been a major adjustment for the Smith T household.  My oldest child moved to our junior high this year.  While it is fun and exciting, it's taking a bit of time to adjust (even for me).  I say all this to emphasize just how excited I am to have a long weekend.  We're going to make the most of it - lots of lounging and relaxing. 

In the meantime, I wanted to share some pillow options I sourced for a client this week.  When you have a neutral palette to work with, it's so easy to freshen up a space by simply adding new pillows.  For this cute client, I created two different options for her family room.  

Here is a second option.  Just to show you how easy it is to transform a neutral palette with different pillows.   

All sources for these pillows are available through Mandi Smith T Interiors.  If you are interested in creating a fresh new feel in your home, give me a call.  Also, I know my client would love your thoughts on which option is your favorite.  M.  

Blissful bedrooms galore

I don't think I will ever be the type of person who wakes up at an "acceptable" hour without an alarm. My bed is one of my favorite places. Considering my enthusiasm for sleep, I also share a similar enthusiasm for the bedroom. Cheap beds or higher end, they all deserve some lovely surroundings.

This elaborate ebony bed is an amazing focus point.

Love the soft pink combined with dark gray.

What do you think about putting a dresser at the foot of the bed?

images above via Elle Decor

Love the blue on that wall.

How gorgeous are those windows.

images above via Hus & Hem

Victory Ford's casual chic apartment in Lipstick Jungle

I don't know if you guys remember the show Lipstick Jungle from a few years back.  It was written by the same author of Sex and the City, but Lipstick Jungle only ran for two seasons I think.  I watched it on DVD awhile ago with some girlfriends and my favorite part of the show was the character Victory Ford's apartment.  They changed it a bit throughout the show, but it was always a pretty and chic space.

See below

This shot is the apartment in the second episode.  Notice the green room behind them, and the blue room behind that one.  In following episodes, the green room becomes the kitchen, painted light blue, and the room behind that one becomes Victory's design studio (she's a fashion designer in the show).

I really love the colors in the apartment.  There are a lot of combinations I would never think of, but once you see them you're like..."wow - that really works!"

Victory is now in the kitchen, which used to be the green room that you see in the first image. 

Looking from the kitchen, into the living room.

Another shot from the kitchen, looking into the living room.  Love the casual kitchen cart.

The two shots above are from the living room looking into the kitchen.  Her studio/workspace is behind them.

Victory's home studio, which we don't see too much of.

 I have a serious crush on her throw blanket.

 More of the living room..the two shots above were "night time" shots, so I had to really up the brightness so you can see details.

Some detail shots.  I think they subdued the purple in the living room after the first episode.

What do you think of the space?

All images from Lipstick Jungle Season 1, episodes 1 and 2.  © Universal Pictures Studios

The Laundress Linen Spray

Several weeks ago, I was contacted by Gracious Style and asked if I would be interested in doing a product review for them.  

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Free stuff?  Ummm, yes, please!  I was given several options of what I might like to review.  Ultimately, I selected the Fabric Fresh from the Laundress collection.  I was already familiar with the All Purpose Bleach Alternative from this line and knew it was amazing.  So, I decided to go with something else from their collection.  On the bottle it actually says, "Spray in the air, on yourself, and everything in your live that is fabric."  Isn't that cute?  

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The timing was perfect.  When I got the spray, we had house guests coming to stay for the weekend.  So, I decided to conduct my very own experiment.  

  There are so many little inexpensive things you can do to make house guests feel special.  You can include fresh flowers in their bedroom, 

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a stack of current issues of their favorite magazines or great books on their bedside table, 

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even a beautiful decanter of water to quench a midnight thirst.   

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or you could iron their bed linens and spray them with a wonderful scent.  Ironing bed linens really just cost you some time in the laundry room, but the results are a decadent hotel experience for your guests.  So,  that's what I did. . . 

I did not mention this little experiment to my sister-in-law when her family arrived for the weekend.  I truly wanted to see if she would notice.  

The next morning, we got up for coffee . . . not a word.  So, I asked,

  Me: "Did you sleep well?" 

SIL: Yes, slept great. 

Still not a word about the sheets.  So finally I could not stand it any longer.  

Me: Did you notice anything different about the sheets? 

SIL: Yes!  They were ironed.  So nice to get in a crisp bed.

Me: Did you notice anything else?

SIL: Like what?

Me: Like how they smelled?

SIL: You know, they did smell very fresh and clean now that you mention it. But it was subtle, not overpowering at all.

Me: Well, that's win in my book! 

I think a great linen spray does not overpower you.  That's the last thing you want when you get into bed.  You want a subtle freshly washed scent. Also, I didn't mention this but the scent of all the Laundress products is nothing like I've ever smelled before.  The only way I can describe it- a clean, slightly masculine scent - sort of a hint of a high end men's aftershave.  If that makes sense?   

Since my little experiment, I've been spraying our bed linens when I make the bed each morning.  It makes it feel like fresh sheets every night!  So, there you have it, my first product review.  Hope everybody has a wonderful day. M.

Bathroom love...

I've been absurdly busy this month, and it looks like September will be no different... I'll have to squeeze in some pampering and soaking in the tub whenever I can...

How lovely is this?

...and that wallpaper!  I'm not sure how practical the lamps are though - and I hate it when they take out the cords in photos!

I swoon over beautifully arranged objects!

via BHG

What I missed at NY International Gift Fair 2012

I was all set to go to this summer's NYIGF when a last minute obligation came up.  I was a bit bummed as I haven't been to one yet, and I have been wanting to go for years now.  I will shoot again for 2013, and in the meantime, live vicariously from those lucky enough to attend.

Here is some of my favorite coverage and products.

Unsurprisingly, COCOCOZY's booth is a breath of beautiful fresh air...

Love the combo of luxe and rugged on this throw...by PEHUEN

3 images above via OD360 Designs

Adorable ceramics by Kahler

and Pantone bowls by Room Copenhagen

via 3 rings

All the finials a girl could want....by Hillary Thomas Designs...

via Habitually Chic

How gorgeous is this dresser upholstered in Indian embroidered textiles from Manglam Arts?
via StyleBeat

See anything you like?

Things I'm Loving at the Moment and a Winner!

Just a few random tidbits I've stumbled upon recently and wanted to share with you.

Clever Artwork
I loved this post on inexpensive artwork.  I thought it was so hip and trendy.  I can do trendy when it's inexpensive!  She even created two free downloads of the pieces she created for you to use.

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Compressed Paper Countertops

I'm not sure where I've been, but I just discovered a new(to me) material for countertops - compressed paper.  Who knew?  From what I've researched, this product began to emerge in late 2007, and it is truly an eco-friendly alternative that is surprisingly durable.

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  To get all the details, click here.  Since I'm late to the party, I would love to hear from any of you who have actually used this product in your home or sourced it for a client.  

A Daily Outfit

Just in time for Fall . . . 

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I adore this site.  There is a daily outfit idea and then a category for each season.  You have to check out the "Fall Outfits."  If you're in need of a little inspiration, this is a great place to start.

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The Towel Brush

My daughter is still of an age where she showers at night and we allow her hair to air dry.  I know the days of morning primping are fast approaching.  But until then, this brush is a fabulous solution.  With a quick pull through, her hair is on it's way to dry.  No more drips on pjs with this little tool.  Works like a charm.

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Here's a close up - it's basically little towels all over your head!

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Camera Ready BB Cream

I saw this advertised and was very skeptical.  Many of you know my philosophy on makeup is to keep it light and simple.  I mainly use a tinted moisturizer and no base.  But when I saw this product which is basically a tinted primer, I was curious.  It is a bit thicker than a tinted moisturizer when you first begin to apply it.  But then, it goes on in such a thin, airy coat and gives just enough coverage, and it does not sink down into the little wrinkles.  The added bonus is that it has an SPF of 35.  Love it!

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Now for the Giveaway!   The winner of the $50 Novica gift certificate is Liz who wrote, "I'm a basket lover so many of the handmade baskets would do." Congratulations, Liz!  

I hope everyone has a fabulous weekend.  See you Monday. M.