Holiday Ideas for "Mindless Fun & Meaningful Stuff"

Time passes so quickly. Change happens so fast. We move through life at such a pace, one can hardly keep up. The Holidays are a blessing in many ways, but especially because we make time to spend with those who mean the most. I don't know about ya'll but I'm happy to hear people talking about "experiences" vs. "stuff". That's what life is about right?

Experiences.

I'm blessed to have my kids in the house for a few more years before they take off on their own. I'm hopeful I can fully imprint the importance of striving for great experiences in their lives, instead of striving for more "stuff. I feel like for me, life is about;

True love and great experiences, sprinkled with a few good accessories.

With that said, amongst a sea of "gift guides", I thought I'd share some of my favorite ideas this holiday. If you follow me on Facebook or Instagram, you know I'm crazy about animals so, it's no surprise that many of my fave's have a certain furry theme. My favorite gifts typically consist of something for the home, something that supports animal welfare, or a fun experience to enjoy with your favorite person(s).
 Speaking of...have ya'll seen this video from one of our very favorite shops WEST ELM? The best EVER!
{the sheep kills me!}

West Elm is spreading the furry   {ceramic} creature joy this year with these adorable little animal planters. These make the cutest little gifts under $20 and you can put a couple of succulents in the pot with a snip of holiday from your tree, and VOILA! The cutest little gift.

Something for the home:

And seriously. This.

{Instagram photo via ps.ny}

These ornaments support the ASPCA®. They're only 6 dollars!

For every ornament purchased, West Elm donates $1 to the animal welfare organization.

Shop more West Elm Fave's

Something for the kiddos (or grown up):

Planning on buying some cute stuffed animals for the lil' ones in your life? Why not double duty with a gift that supports an animal? Or, like me, are you dying to adopt an elephant? Or a lion, or a giraffe? Well, your spouse can breathe a sigh of relief with this one. And, you can get email updates on your newly adopted child. LOVE THIS.

WWF $75 African Wildlife Tub Adoption Kit

With this gift you will receive:

• 5" x 7" formal adoption certificate, a 5" x 7" full-color photo of your species, a Species spotlight card, full of fascinating information about the animal, FREE priority shipping and personalized acknowledgment letter to your gift recipient. 

If you provide an email address for the gift recipient, they will also receive a printable, personalized adoption certificate for the species adopted! Yay :)

And for an experience, I love to do something outdoors or something fun that you can't typically do in the climate where you live. For example, here in the North East the water is freezing so, when we head to the beach, it's typically to enjoy a camp fire clam bake or a toe dip. 
I was so happy to see in New Hampshire, the SkyVenture opened an indoor surfing park. I was so excited to take the kids! Shh, don't tell, but this is on the books. (Only 40 minutes from Boston!)

Sky Venture NH

If you don't have an indoor surfing place or you're looking for more fun adventures, check out this website called UnStuffGifts.com
For the Geek, The Athlete, The Chef, The Kids, The...Everyone in your life.

I love this! Happy Holidays and may you have a fabulous experience this season!

Click the photo to see all of the fun!

xoxo
-Stayci

Forward Thinking: What's Trending

Style is ever evolving, and yet, always seems to receive inspiration from past design eras. I'm loving the 70's influence and looking forward to adding some new decor to the house. Here are a few of my favorite new products.
                                     -Stayci

1. Red Loops from Minted is one of our favorite resources for stylish, affordable art, with sizeable options & quick shipping!
2. Can't wait to use this HOT off the press Miles Redd print from his new line with Schumacher. Deconstructed Stripe in Greige. 
3. I seriously cannot get enough of the pottery from Suite One Studio. 
4. West Elm is looking more sophisticated than ever with their new decor. Loving this Metal Frame Chair.
5. West Elm's Tumbler Side Table. 
6. West Elm's Marble Topped Pedestal Coffee Table {I'm buying this today!!}
7. West Elm's Christopher Wynter Linear Wool Rug

West Elm Wish List

Whether you're looking for some great gift ideas or perhaps you're ready to give your holiday house a makeover, West Elm has got it goin' on this season. If you're on my xmas friend list, you can bet that you'll be getting a little something from the West Elm elf.
Here are my fave's... it's a long one because they've got such good stuff!!!

And the whole place setting for that matter!

And this brass metal wall mirror is BONKERS in person. It also comes as a floor mirror!

I would spray the ring andirons gold but, FINALLY, affordable & stylish andirons under $200!!! They're actually $79 bucks! C'mon now.

I would ask for this for Xmas yet, I'm not going to be able to wait. So, I'll be buying this later today when I place my monogram orders. 

Umm, this is also happening in my living room. I have been waiting to find something fabulous to replace my Pottery Barn cabinet below the TV and this is definitely it.

This would also be so fabulous in a dining room for bar accessories, extra china etc. 

This table would be a game changer in any room. For a quick update, 

changing the coffee table can get you the biggest bang for your buck.

Every year my table consists of WestElm pieces here and there. This year, my table will be

shining bright with these fabby little numbers. 

Okay, I won't be waiting to get this as a gift becasue I need it asap. But the good news is that I can put my new jewels inside. wink wink Ralphie. 

This little skull and cross bones monogram is just what's up.

(I'm doing the oil and vinegar bottles with the skulls)

And, last but not least. I know it may be a little more expensive but I love the idea of using bags instead of wrapping paper for gifts. This is no new idea but I have to say, last year, it really got to me how much paper was thrown away. So, I'm all about giving cute bags this year.

1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9/10

Only 7 more weeks!! 

Fall Bargains & Home Staging Ideas

Goodbye September and hello Fall in New England. It's always fun to see what's trending in home decor when shop floors transition to their fall decor. I'm going to try and be much better at snapping good photos of the finds we pick up while sourcing for clients. Last week, I took a quick trip to Ikea and found some really fun and major bargains. I actually got quite a few bargains last week, plus a couple of infatuations that may lead to a future relationship. <3

First off, found this bench online at Home Decorators. This peacock blue color is fabulous and the price is even better. $127 vs. $720

And, I got that black and white cow hide rug at Ikea for $199. Ma-jor bargain. 

We've been paying double for these from wholesale brokers. 

VALENCIA STOOL

From Ikea, I am absolutely obsessed with this little desk lamp called the Ranarp.

I couldn't find it on the Ikea website but I purchased at the store in Stoughton, MA. 

It has a great black and white striped cord, and the brass is much shinier in person. 

It's flippin' adorable. $39.99 !! :o

And,  Ikea had no other than Fiddle Leaf Fig Trees for.....are you ready...

$12.99. Seriously?? My cart looked like this.

These 2 items are on the most wanted list.

The green STOCKHOLM

Must find a place for this and I'm thinking the studio??

and loving this little knock off:

 

DOCKSTA Table


Bought this fun door knocker at TJMaxx

Bought this great art at Homegoods

Obsessed with the antique brass drape rods at West Elm. (shown with white Ikea drape panels) 

They need to start making the skinny rods ASAP! I know you can order similar online but 

West Elm = easy for me. :) 

Now hurry, go buy a fig tree and then check out our PINTEREST board for home staging ideas!

Project: Kitchen Renovation

This project was completed last year and I finally have some (unedited) shots to share thanks to the lovely Sarah Winchester. 

BEFORE

AFTER

 

Rug & Bentwood Pendant from West Elm. Zinc table from Pottery Barn.

Gold Kitchen Accessories

I've spent the past 6 months transitioning from all silver & chrome in the kitchen to an infusion of gold accents. It seemed an easy enough task yet, it has been more of a selective process than I expected. Since my kitchen is casual and bright consisting of  

•  White cabinetry 
• Gray quartz and carrera marble counters 
• A mix of antique woods
• Zinc dining table
• Linen drapes

 I'd like to add a little glam into the mix, giving a more sophisticated vibe to the space. I do like bright and colorful spaces but I want a sexy space, not too juvenile with the pops of color.

I am looking for a black, gold and emerald green mix. 
Here are some of my finds and glammy gold inspiration..

That said, I must balance the wood, zinc, and industrial elements too.

(My cabinet looks crammed in this photo but you get the point.)

  

I absolutely love this mix of wood, white and gold.

(via The Decorista)

I adore my gold Hick's pendants but this little number, is a major contender.

 

 In the quest for glassware, I coveted these gold accented decanters from, 

where else other than, my favorite store on earth, Terrain in Westport, CT.

Needing a lower price point, I totally strike gold at West Elm. 

The Honeycomb Glassware is affordable and fabulous!

The Gold Flatware is perfect because it mixes the silver & gold.

I could not resist putting all of my West Elm goodies together for a pre-Valentines Day 

soiree with some petit fours from Whole Foods.

 

 Dinnerware / Placemats

 

Speaking of L❤ve gift ideas for your sweetheart, how about this 2 carat cup?

Other faves

 

 

Virginia MacDonald Photo

 

Other accoutrements I ordered...

Made By Girl Lips Print

C-Wonder Cutting Board (Because I need more cutting boards)

Gold Door Stop

Olin Gold Rug Crate and Barrel

And...but of course! My studio mate Jill Rosenwald's line of gold

 rimmed awesomeness is a MUST!!

Gold tooth dish scubber. --Just kidding! he he

That pretty much rounds up my gold shopping spree. That doesn't even include the vintage

 finds which will soon follow in a separate post. I'm exhausted just thinking about all of the

 ideas andwhat could be next in my gold frenzy? The hubs is not completely on board with all of this gold business, especially the "old" (vintage) things that keep popping up. 

Perhaps I'll paint his bike gold and see what he thinks? 

via Pinterest

CHEERS... xoxo