Dreamy room...

Well, it's not particularly glamorous, but this feels very me today. Soft and cozy and ethereal. Just what this rainy week calls for...

{Via Sweet Home Style}

Exposed brick

Confession: I dream of living in a house (slash apartment, I would totally take this room) with exposed brick walls at some point in my life. I feel like lusting after this room is one of my more manageable design dreams, no?

{Via The Decorista}

Design: Original room style

Design Sponge has a great feature today on Olga Naiman, who designed for Domino Magazine and currently still works on projects for other magazines, events, restaurants and catalogs. I absolutely love how she made the space in her bedroom work. The low bed with the exposed cinder blocks as storage is genius!

Friday favorite

I spotted this room on La Velle Vie this morning and absolutely love it. Something about the backwards-facing books on the mantel is really, surprisingly lovely paired with the hydrangeas. Also, the messy montage of photos is totally me.

Happy Friday!

Desk love

I wish that I could say that I actually sit down and write people notes or letters, but for as much as I love stationery, I rarely do. But if I were to get back into the habit, I think this desk would be the perfect spot.

Love the bulb vase for flowers. I have a similar one on my desk here at work!

Via Brabourne Farm

Etsy saves my cube

In an effort to create a space at work that absolutely does not evoke a sense of cube travails, I'm always on the hunt for new photos or prints to hang in my cube walls. I lucked out recently when the wonderfully talented Alaina of Live Creating Yourself custom designed a print for me after I was inspired by her amazing home office. To be posted soon, I promise!

And, shocker, I've also tacked up a few DC map stationery cards designed by one of my favorite local artists, Mary Belcher.

Continuing my collection, I purchased this print today, in parisian blue, from the Etsy Keep Calm Shop:

The shop has tons of cute other designs too, here are a few more personal favorites...

Print love: California street maps

I've shared my love for maps a time or two here, a penchant I think stems from the fact that I've moved about seven times and probably also from my innate need to compensate for my lack of directional sense. But all digressing aside, I was excited to stumble on some cool prints featured on La Belle Vie's Tumblr account a few days ago. The California collection from Pink Bathtub Designs is fun and cute, and if I had actually ever been to California, I would probably snatch these up in a heartbeat. But since I've yet to make it out to the West Coast, I'm hoping that a Florida or DC line will be in the works soon.

Enjoy!

Design: Bookshelf Love

It's no secret that I love words, stories, books and everything therein between. So when I stumbled across BookShelfPorn, a site completely devoted to books and the the houses that hold them, I knew it was a good find.

A daily devotional for book and design lovers.

Design: Bathroom Bliss

I've been a terrible blogger lately, if I'm even deserving of that title. I honestly don't know how folks do it. After working in the interwebs all day I see and read the most wonderfully inspiring blogs and tweets, yet when I come home I just want to curl up with a good book or go on a nice long run. But alas, I'm back and hoping to be more dedicated.

This afternoon, I stumbled upon a photo spread, if you will, that Sweet Simplicity posted of a bathroom redesign. Be sure to check out all of her photos, I'm absolutely in love. It's such a sweet sanctuary that I can only imagine coming home to.

Dream Office Inspiration

Saw this office featured in Elements of Style today and absolutely fell in love. This is exactly what I picture my future home office as. Books, miscellaneous prints (esp love the "Live What You Love" poster), a Mac, fun lighting and all.

Originally from Live Creating Yourself - a new favorite blog!

Week's end recap: First edition of the new year

After a short reprieve, due to holiday travel distractions, week's end recap is back in full force for the new year. After cleaning out my starred times from this past week, here are my favorites from the blogosphere:

Bus stop signs via Elements of Style and Paris Hotel Boutique

Skeleton key bottle openers via Design Sponge and Urban Outfitters

Winter poppies, also via Design Sponge

Stay warm this weekend folks (even in Florida)!

Map it

I've ultimately come to the decision that in a previous life, I must have been an urban planner. Despite my innate lack of directional sense, I have a serious penchant for maps. Maybe it's just my passion for travel, but I love the details in maps and the sense of exploration they evoke.

In case you share the same inclination, here are some of my recent, favorite map-like finds:

DIY Dove Ornament via Little Red Roost

Mileage Journal - Etsy via Bury the Hatchet

Custom map coasters and trays - Etsy via Carolina Cottage

Vintage map gift tags - Etsy via Tanith's Odds & Ends

Locally inspired, letterpress postcards - Etsy via Gooseberry Press

D.C. via Ork Posters

A favorite from my Eastern Market artists, D.C. by Mary Belcher

Hope everyone is having a lovely and relaxing Christmas Eve.

Mason jar mania

My good friend LW and I quite frequently discuss our favorite decorating ideas from across the World Wide Web. As two avid blogosphere addicts, we're always trading ideas and pretending like we can actually afford nicely decorated homes.

One idea that we always come across is incorporating mason jars in seasonal decor. And as two Southerners, born and raised, we're both fully appreciative of this sweet simplicity. No longer just elements of kitchen paraphernalia, they set a homey, rustic ambiance in an affordable way.

And as I come from a family of computer programmers, engineers and financial folk, I generally take it upon myself to provide the creative inspiration for holiday decorations when at home. This year, I'm hoping to scour around the house to find some jars for the centerpieces - wish me luck!

Via The Inspired Room

Via Jenna D Events

Via Blissfully Domestic

Via Ehow.com

Via Re-Nest

Via Bravo Bride

Week's end recap: These are a few of my favorite things

This afternoon I'm headed to the beloved Sunshine State for UCF's homecoming. I'm beyond excited to catch up with my best friends and finally have the opportunity to see my sorority's brand new house!

But, before I jet-set, thought I'd leave you with part two in my fun, Friday series "Week's end recap." So here's my favorite lovely, finds from this week:

Because we all know I love me some words
Kishani Perera via Elements of Design

And all things nautical - especially fireplaces this fall
Steven Gambrel via Completely Coastal

And my addiction would not be complete without the cup
Oh-so-cute coffee cups via Bailey Doesn't Bark

Happy Friday!