Wonderful Friday - Weekend Inspiration

Read that book

Enjoy the light

take in the view

enjoy every minute of the longest days

Enjoy the weekend!


1. High Gloss, 2. Lonny, 3. Sweet Home Style, 4. Smitten, 5. Architectural Digest

Happy Memorial Day weekend!

Hi there......hope you are off to having a wonderful holiday weekend, whether you are on the road, traveling, doing something big or nothing at all! We are going on a friends boat, have dinner plans and invited to a BBQ, and possibly having some family over,  to me the perfect way to spend a lazy holiday weekend. Originally, we were going to go to Newport but my sons team is in his county playoffs so he has to be around for practices, which is just as well. I am looking quite forward to a more low key weekend. I would love to do some gardening too but have to admit I am petrified of getting poison ivy, to which I am highly allergic and its rampant here! Hopefully the weather will cooperate with our plans, it has been ridiculously rainy, muggy and humid all week long...we need a break! How about you? Whats on your agenda? Anything exciting?
So here  this is just a bunch of randomness (something I am getting good at)!
So we finally got in the last batch of sconces for our downstairs hallways and leading down to the basement. So nice for it to finally be done!

Was so excited that I got my wallpaper done in the powder room! Bad news is we were short, originally we were going to have a chair rail and paneling so we ordered paper under that assumption but then I decided against it, so we are short 2 rolls, getting it next week and will finish then but you get the idea! Love the mood and the way it transformed the space. Cannot wait to get the onyx top and sink put in, add the chinoiserie feeling mirror and get some window treatments done, add the chandelier and we are done! Its kind of a pewter metallic-y paper from Schumacher (one of go to faves) in warm and cool tones...... Woo hoo.....

For those of you who didn't see my window treatments in my bathroom, here they are....for those who did sorry I am just loving how it came out!

One of the lines I carry that I love love love is the European kitchen line, so finally got a few Bavarian bread boards for myself....really really like these! This weekend I will serve crostinis and a baked brie on them. In the meantime, they are pretty just to have on display.

One of the fun parts bout blogging is discovering new sites, new people and sharing our discoveries along the way! One I recently discovered and adore is Jenny Stebbens. She is a talented modern day Martha! Love her style, aesthetic and her user friendly approach. A fabulous go to resource for recipes that are not difficult but really fabulous and the presentation well.....you will see what I mean! So she came out with her Summer guide on everything from grilling recipes, appetizers, drinks to table settings...you absolutely must check it out! Click here to visit  and a sneak peek.....

Sorry if I am making you hungry so early in the morning! 

Also don't you just love getting exquisite little care packages in the mail....you know what they say about small boxes! Well,  I got this magnificent necklace and earrings in the mail courtesy of my buddy, Marsha from the beautiful and super stylish blog, Splenderosa. Yes,the one who recently launched her online store featuring all kinds of gorgeous extremely affordable baubles! How stunning is this? We have never met yet she knew right away the colors that I love. Here it is...along with some of the things found on her beautiful site, click here to visit her!

Everything is 14kt goldfilled, the earrings and earrings are gem quality London blue topaz

factted briolettes, the pink is pink tourmanline and the luscious big drop is aquamarine!

Thank you Marsha.....LOOOOOVE IT!!!!!!!!

And some other beautiful items in her gorgeous online shop.....

Click here to visit Splenderosa!

Just planted (still working on it, have to add more moss and wrap in cellophane and pretty ribbon)  this beautiful orchid in one of my favorite silver planters that I carry in my online shop,  to bring to someones house, part belated birthday and part thank you for having us over.....kinda want to keep it but I will be a nice person and give it to her:)

So everyone, that's about it around here. Happy to wrap up a busy busy week, a good one, a productive one but alas a tiring one! I am looking forward to some down time and hopefully Mr. sun will decide to grace us with his presence! Hope whatever you are up to is lots of fun, enjoyable and mostly relaxing! I may be back over the weekend to pop in and say hello.......

A surprisingly chic and modern way to dress your windows

When I think roller blinds, the words chic and modern don't usually pop into my head. I have been searching fruitlessly though for an affordable roman shade for our bedroom window, but finding something simple, crisp, and tailored, within our budget - seems to be impossible. Now, after, seeing these blinds - I'm considering a roller blind. My mom has some in her bathroom, which she really likes. Does anyone have experience with them?

Deciding which window treatments to feature in the home is far from an easy task. Essentially, this choice can determine the overall ambiance of a room. One way to incorporate a great deal of personality and character into the home is to opt for patterned roller blinds.   Typical designs tend to be centered around flowers and patterns, however the variety is huge.

I absolutely love this artistic flower pattern...

Patterns range from traditional damasks to more modern approaches - dots, painterly effects, and stripes.   It also seems that no matter what your color scheme, it's likely you'll find something to complement your palette.

They even make them in eco-friendly and kid-safe versions too.

If you still can't find something you like, it is possible to design your own. DIY kits for roller blinds can be purchased from most hardware and craft stores.

*disclosure: This post is sponsored by Roller Blinds Direct

Preparing you home for winter: touches of coziness and luxury

I want to wish everyone here in the states a happy Thanksgiving - cherish time spent with family, friends, and loved-ones.
- xoxo, Ashley

With the weather turning for the worse and the temperatures plummeting, we all seek little comforts to keep us going. Whether it’s indulging in some spontaneous shopping or giving in to that chocolate craving, there’s still nothing better than coming home to a warm and cosy home. So, here are some design tips on how to make the cosiest living room.

via Scandinavian Chic

Now that the days are shorter, it's usually dark by the time most of us get home from work. Set one of the lights near your entry or foyer on an automatic timer to turn on a few minutes before you usually get home. Having a light on when you enter will add a welcoming, comforting feeling.

The lighting can make or break the cosiness. Keep the lighting soft by using a collection of small table lights, and floor lamps. Also, track lighting can not only highlight your favourite features but add to the mood, which you can control best with dimmer switches. A main factor of the room’s atmosphere is its colour scheme. Focus on warm colours. You can have a combination of soft and warm colours, or liven it up with a deep red or bright yellow.

Lamplight is far cozier than overhead lights

via Alice in Designland

via TradHome

via Apartment Therapy

A reading nook with throws and pillows is a perfect way to spend a comfy day inside and out of the cold
Home Sweet Home

via House to Home

Accessories play an equally important role for setting the cosy scene, so get lots of them and make sure they’re soft and touchable pieces. You can use stylish accent pillows to pile up, and drape throw blankets over the sofa and furniture. Keep these in tone with your chosen warm colours, and be sure that you really love their style and texture. Then you won’t be able to resist their comfort.

via Elle Decor?

I'd cozy up with this little guy any day.
via Pottery Barn

More and highly recommended accessories are accent pieces, like candles, mirrors, and wall art. The wall art can underline and combine the overall theme of the living room, while candles lit in front of mirrors provide a soft yet dramatic glow to the room. However, for this to work when you need the comfort, which could be any time of the day, you’ll want to stop natural light or the glare from street lamps from spoiling it all. The best window coverings for the job are Venetian blinds, since they are available in many different colours, styles, designs and materials, and can be matched with the existing decor. And when you’re ready to let the world back in, you just adjust your Venetian blind.

These are just some design tips to get you in the mood of the cosy living room experience. Aromatherapy products, relaxing music, and area rugs are some more of the endless options for the cosy design. The main point is to make sure you love the design and are comfortable with the colours and features chosen. Enjoy designing and Happy Winter.

disclosure: this post is sponsored by Hillarys.co.uk