Friday, January 30, 2015

Super Bowl Sunday

super bowl sunday DIY party ideas

The big day is almost here. This weekend. Everyone is talking about it. Whether you are watching it for the tear worthy commercials, the halftime show where there's always a possibility for a wardrobe malfunction, or even if you're actually watching it for the game.. there's always food and beer that go hand in hand with the Super Bowl. Am I right? Today's Friday Favorites are featuring my favorite DIY Super Bowl party ideas.

Second, I've made a little bingo game for you all to partake in during this special occasion called the superbowl. Cause let's face it... we all watch it for the commercials. Download my Superbowl Commercial bingo cards here. What commercials are you looking forward to seeing?



1. Chalkboard Sign - A chalkboard sign would be perfect to draw football plays on and set on the food table. If you don't have a chalkboard sign, you can always print 'ready, set, eat' out on paper and put it in a picture frame! {via Catch my Party}
2. Penalty Flag Napkins - This one should be pretty self explanatory but it's a clever way to put out those napkins that will be much needed... especially if there's wings involved. {via Hostess with the Mostess}
3. Football Snack Bags - this one is really easy and a great way to decorate that food table! Brown paper lunch bags with white wash tape to create the football stitching and there you go. Fill them with chips or popcorn for individual servings. {via Hostess with the Mostess}
4. Water Break Drink Sign - You could use a sign that says "water break" on virtually anything. Water, juice, iced tea, a bucket of beer, a keg.. why not! Everyone has to stay hydrated during the Super Bowl. {via eVite}

Monday, January 26, 2015

Peacock


I've been loving all things that have bright colors with a rich hue to them lately. Especially considering I'm in dire need for spring to get here, who's with me on that one? If you've taken a stroll through Target's Home section lately, you've probably noticed all the bright pops of colors for spring! I'm loving nothing more than the rich color of peacock blue right now! I'm also loving these peacock blue metal barstools shown in the moldboard above. {see them here} They would add a great pop of color to any style kitchen or bar area!

Friday, January 23, 2015

Friday Favorites


Happy Friday! We've made it another long {and cold} week! I haven't shared my Friday Favorites in a while so why not get right to it?? If you don't remember - It's just a little way for me to share with you a few things that caught my eye each week. Whether it's from Pinterest, Instagram, Sales or Stores that I can't resist... I love sharing a little piece of where I find inspiration and things I can't get enough of! Check out a past Friday Favorites on my favorite online boutiques here.

1. Bright white kitchen with natural light and brass accents {via Grey and Scout}
2. Moodboard Monday inspiration {via Home Sweet Home tumblr}
3. Open shelving with pops of color & herringbone subway tiles {via Remodelista}
4. Bold bathroom wallpaper {via Domaine}

Wednesday, January 21, 2015

5 Easy Tips for Styling Built-Ins

5 easy tips for styling shelves

Built in shelving units can be such an eye capturing featuring in a house when looking for your next home, condo or apartment. Whether they're on your 'must have' list like in house hunters on HGTV or you just happen to stumble upon them and fall in love, I'm sure we can all agree that they're pretty great. The hard part comes along when it's time to style them and it seems like a never ending job that you dread to take on. Today let's take a look through 5 tips to make styling those built-ins easy and stress free!

1. Start with a color grouping and find things with an accent color to focus on.
2. The best way to fill in the empty shelf space is with books. Start by stacking groups of books both horizontally and vertically.
3. Top stacks of books with decorative objects. Don't forget to utilize book ends, or anything metallic to bring a pop to your shelves.
4. Incorporating artwork or any variety of photo frames will take up any empty space fairly quickly. Feel free to use larger frames with small photos & a thick, fitted mat-board. 
5. Lastly, taking the time to go back through and layer the books and other objects will bring depth to your shelves and make them pleasant to look at!

Do you have built ins that are causing you a headache?? Follow the photos below for inspiration!

easy tips for styling bookshelves
easy tips for styling bookshelves
easy tips for styling bookshelves
easy tips for styling bookshelves
easy tips for styling bookshelves

Wednesday, January 14, 2015

Getting Organized for 2015

via The Paper Chronicles

Getting organized is always a BIG hit on the New Year Resolution lists.. I know I have a thing or two on my 365 in 365 list that have to do with getting my act together and keeping myself organized. I'm obsessed with my Day Designer planner, I've been using it more and more each month since I made the purchase back in August. But since the waiting list for a Day Designer planner can be like waiting to see Punxsutawney Phil on groundhog day... I've put together an alternative list of notebooks and planners fit for everyone! Let's get to it:

For the Professional - A good presentation with a little flair {mini version here}
For the Jetsetter - Set of two notebooks great for on-the-go in style
For the Future Bride - Perfect to record and reflect while your counting down to the big day!
For the Newborn - An adorable notebook to document your little one's life and special moments
For the Student - The perfect 17 month planner to take you the extra mile!

Which one will be getting you organized this year?



Monday, January 12, 2015

Mixing Neutrals


Happy Monday! We all know by now my love for neutrals.. I've said it before that I would be such a happy person if everything I own could be black, white, brown and gray. There are so many shades and variations of it you could do no wrong with any of them. But what about mixing them? There's always been a silent rule of never mixing black and brown... some stay true to it and some like to break it. I like to switch it up a little and mix shades of grays with brown but don't forget to mix in white! My Instagram of my bedroom was such a hit yesterday I figured why not follow it up with a little peek into a few of my favorite mixed neutral looks {and a cute puppy}

What are your favorite neutrals to mix?

Tuesday, January 6, 2015

How To: Gifting Event Tickets


This year I got my parents the ULTIMATE Christmas gift. Being a small family of three, we decided to keep Christmas simple this year and focus on spending time with each other rather than loading the tree with materialistic gifts. I stuck with my plan in not getting them gifts that will never be used, and really wanted to get them something that they would use and remember for a lifetime. And boy did I find the holy grail of gifts when Garth Brooks announced that he was bringing his tour to Boston, MA this January.

Now, my parents don't really do a lot for themselves... they're very casual, easy to please and love to have fun. They would never think to buy themselves concert tickets, but they've been known to enjoy themselves at events like Jimmy Buffet, comedy shows, and a NASCAR race or two. {Another side note: my mom LOVES Garth} The day the tickets went on sale I had an alarm on my phone set, my computer set to Ticketmaster and a phone in my hand pre-dialed. I was getting these tickets. Once I got them, my excitement burst and my mind started going in a million different directions on fun ways to gift these exciting tickets to them. Opening an envelope is easy, and where's the fun in that? I decided to grab a few small gifts that fit each of their personalities, create a riddle that they each read parts of, added in a $50 gift card for dinner before hand to make it an entire day in Boston for them, and BAM the gift turned into an experience.

It was both an experience for them to open, and will be an even better experience for them to enjoy in just a few short weeks! If you're looking to gift someone event tickets in the future, they don't have to be for the Holidays, here are my 5 tips to gifting those bad boys.



Tips to gifting event tickets:

1. Make it an experience - Add in a $50 visa gift card for dinner the night of the concert or wrap up a case of their favorite beer to bring to the tailgate for that football game. Adding something additional to go with the event tickets will make the experience of the tickets complete and show all of the thought and effort that went into the gift!
2. Make it enjoyable - Create a storyline, or a fun way to open the gift. Opening an envelope is easy, but why not have some fun with it. Write a riddle to have them guess, or use the box within a box trick {that one never gets old}
3. Make it special - Adding hand written notes or clues, even a picture of the view from their seats or some kind of print out to give them a little preview will make the whole thing that much more. {Not going to lie, my mom and I teared a little when she opened the tickets! That's how I knew it was perfect!}
4. Have a plan - Plan out how your gifts will be opened; if there are multiple gifts, write numbers on the bottom of each gifts to know the order they need to be opened. If you have a riddle, have it written in the notes on your phone so you can follow along as they read it to make sure it goes as planned!
5. Go in on it with a group - Don't be afraid to join forces with siblings, friends, or family {especially if it's a pricey gift} Splitting the cost of a gift like this would be a great way to be able to get the gift without breaking the bank!

All in all - Have fun with it!

Monday, January 5, 2015

2014 in Color


I love sharing different splashes of color and bringing brightness to you all on Monday. Let's take a look back at 2014 in color today. It's fun to see how the seasons affect my moodboard choices each week. {note: the moodboards above are in order starting with most recent} I can't wait to bring you more moodboards filled with lots of color to brighten your days! Now not every Monday had a new splash of color, but here are 25 of my favorites from last year. Which one was your favorite?

This also means I can cross off #45 on my 365 in 365 list! Check that out here.

1. Christmas
2. Marsala
3. Army Green
4. Mint
5. Maroons
6. Slate
7. Breast Cancer Awareness
8. Black & White
9. Pumpkin Spice Latte
10. Blueberries
11. Alma Matter
12. Green
13. Blue & White
14. Pink Lemonade
15. Fifty Shades of Gray
16. Brown/Neutral
17. Turquoise
18. Orange is the New Black
19. Fuchsia
20. Pastels & Peonies
21. Navy & Orange
22. Chartreuse
23. Radiant Orchid
24. Sunshine Showers
25. Crushing on Coral

Friday, January 2, 2015

365 in 365

Warning: This is going to be a long post!

Happy New Year!! I hope everyone had a great NYE and had a great time welcoming in 2015. I feel like most New Years Resolutions become daunting lists of things that become really easy to set aside and forget about until December 31st comes around again and you rethink all the things you told yourself you were going to do. This year I'm taking a different approach to those New Years Resolutions and creating a 365 things in 365 days. 1 year to do and accomplish oh so many things.

I've been following Mackenzie Horan of Design Darling and her list of 101 things in 1001 days. She says it best describing her list as a happy medium between a to-do list and a bucket list. Her list has inspired me to create my own, however I'm making one for one year. 365 days. I'm going to think of this as a different approach on New Years Resolutions. I'll be keeping track of the list here, and you can keep track of my progress too! The image above will be in my sidebar {working on that this weekend} for you to keep tabs on my list throughout the year if you would like! I've separated my list into two sections {blog & personal} Here it goes...

Note: This list is a work in progress & I plan on completing coming up with all 365 things {see #1} within the next week or so! I'll also try to document as much as possible on my Instagram with the hashtag #DefinedDesigns365 {see #29}

1. Come up with 365 things
2. Post about my progress every month
3. Post about the completion/ almost completion on December 31st 2015
4. Inspire someone to create a list of their own
5. Successfully complete all 365 things


6. Work on adding more content{i.e. lifestyle/ hosting/ travel posts}
7. Write 10 how-to posts
8. Write 10 DIY posts
9. Create a complete media kit
10. Start an Etsy shop
11. Send out blog Christmas cards
12. Use Hootsuite for social media scheduling for an entire week
13. Refurbish a piece of furniture
14. Participate in a Loop Giveaway
15. Comment on 5 blogs a day for a month straight
16. Collaborate with a local photographer
17. Collaborate with another blogger
18. Host a giveaway
19. Start a new blog series
20. Design and manufacture my on product
21. Start a design & decor look book
22. Upgrade my camera
23. Have my next apartment professionally photographed
24. Reach 1,000 followers on Instagram {yes, really}
25. Reach 500 followers on Facebook
26. Buy a Pantone color book
27. Participate in the One Room Challenge
28. Start a video series
29. Start a hashtag {#DefinedDesigns365}
30. Get invited/ accepted to RewardStyle {i'm trying!}
31. Go to Spring High Point Furniture Market
32. Go to Fall High Point Furniture Market
33. Create a Charlotte Shopping Guide
34. Buy 5 new coffee table books
35. Read 5 new books
36. Attend a networking event
37. Start a 'services' page to start working with clients
38. Take on an Interior Design client
39. Decorate & document my office at work
40. Help a reader with a blog post
41. Create a gallery wall & document it for the blog
42. Start a 'How to Host' blog series
43. Use my sewing machine for a DIY
44. Write Moodboard Monday posts for 5 weeks straight
45. Compile all of my Moodboard Monday posts from 2014 into one post
46. Schedule and prepare all my blog posts for an entire week ahead of time
47. Start using an editorial calendar
48. Write a list of future post ideas
49. Design my dream apartment & post about it
50. Have a Holiday Photoshoot
51. Post about my Blog Business Cards
52. Host a blog/ brand event
53. Attend a blog conference
54. Attend a local blogger meet-up
55. Publish an e-book
56. Host an Instagram giveaway
57. Post a home tour
58. Post a holiday home tour
59. Learn about Wine glasses & write a post about it
60. Learn about Beer glasses & write a post about it
61.
62.
63.
64.
65.
66.
67.
68.
69.
70.
71.
72.
73.
74.
75.
76.
77.
78.
79.
80.
81.
82.
83.
84.
85.
86.
87.
88.
89.
90.
91.
92.
93.
94.
95.
96.
97.
98.
99.
100.
101.
102.
103.
104.
105.
106.
107.
108.
109.
110.
111.
112.
113.
114.
115.
116.
117.
118.
119.
120.
121.
122.
123.
124.
125.
126.
127.
128.
129.
130.
131.
132.
133.
134.
135.
136.
137.
138.
139.
140.
141.
142.
143.
144.
145.
146.
147.
148.
149.
150.
151.
152.
153.
154.
155.
156.
157.
158.
159.
160.
161.
162.
163.
164.
165.
166.
167.
168.
169.
170.
171.
172.
173.
174.
175. Be featured/ published on a blog/ website/ magazine


176. Host a Dinner party
177. Host a Super Bowl party
178. Take an arial yoga class
179. Visit New York City
180. Visit California
181. Watch the sun rise
182. Visit a city I've never been before
183. See a comedy show
184. See a play
185. Treat a friend to dinner
186. Buy coffee for a friend January 2015
187. Go to Las Vegas
188. Go on a hike
189. Try Pure Barre
190. Visit Asheville, NC
191. Visit Wilmington, NC
192. Visit Nashville, TN
193. Attend a themed bar crawl
194. Attend a sporting event
195. See 5 live concerts
196. Take a weekend road trip for fun
197. Complete a 5k
198. Read all of the Harry Potter Books {i only made it through the first one back in the day}
199. Visit a zoo
200. Go to a friends wedding
201. Get a blowout
202. Go camping
203. Donate a bag of clothes I don't wear
204. Visit a flea market
205. Organize all of the business cards I've collected over the years
206. Refrain from shopping for myself for a month
207. Donate to a cause/ fund/ charity
208. Visit a shooting range
209. Go fishing
210. Go on a cruise
211. Go to a NASCAR race
212. Tour a vineyard or brewery
213. See Garth Brooks in concert
214. Throw a surprise party for a friend
215. Take a self defense class {my dad will really appreciate this one}
216. Take a stay-cation in Charlotte
217. Invest in grown up luggage
218. Eat gluten free for a month
219. Try 10 new restaurants
220. Travel outside of the country
221. Play in the Pacific Ocean
222. Play in the Atlantic ocean
223. Pay for a strangers coffee
224. Learn how to make candles
225. Volunteer at an animal shelter
226. Read a new book series
227. Try 10 new Pinterest recipes
228. Reach my goal weight
229. Refrain from eating fast food for a month straight
230. Send 10 'Just Because' gifts
231. Send 10 'Just Because' cards
232. Get personalized stationary/ note cards
233. Take a calligraphy class
234. Get a mani/pedi
235. Get a gel manicure
236. Take a vacation with friends
237. Go on a family vacation
238. Make & Drink 'green' smoothies everyday for a month
239. Make a one pot pasta dish
240. Save $100 in loose change
241. Find and maintain a skin care routine for 2 weeks straight
242. Get my car detailed
243. Pay more than the minimum payment towards my student loans 3 times in a row
244. Apply for a credit card with cash back bonuses
245. Make my lunch for work for an entire week straight
246. Purchase an investment piece of furniture
247. Purchase an investment piece for my wardrobe
248. Have fresh flowers in the house for a month straight
249. Buy a plant for my office at work
250. Start a gym routine & go for 14 days straight
251. Take 2 gym classes in one day
252. Go to a Farmers Market
253. Go Pumpkin/ Apple/ Berry Picking
254. Go to a fair
255. Go to a music festival
256. Finish an entire TV Series on Netflix
257. Find a way to document all the places I've traveled
258. Start a retirement fund
259. Read a book before seeing the movie
260. Re-read a book series
261. Subscribe to a magazine
262. Send an edible arrangement to someone
263. Send flowers to someone
264. Update & organize my iPad
265. Host a second annual Friendsgiving
266. Host a Holiday Party
267. Get my eyebrows professionally waxed {i'm a sad excuse for a girl}
268. De-clutter my life, throw out or donate things I don't use or need
269. Invest in a new set of towels
270. Visit 2 new coffee spots in Charlotte
271. Get enough miles for a free flight
272. Get my car detailed
273. Make a gift wrapping kit
274. Find out my credit score
275. Go tubing on a river
276. 
277. 
278. 
279. 
280. 
281. 
282. 
283. 
284. 
285. 
286. 
287. 
288. 
289. 
290. 
291. 
292. 
293. 
294. 
295. 
296. 
297. 
298. 
299. 
300. 
301. 
302. 
303. 
304. 
305. 
306. 
307. 
308. 
309. 
310. 
311. 
312. 
313. 
314. 
315. 
316. 
317. 
318. 
319. 
320. 
321. 
322. 
323. 
324.
325. 
326. 
327. 
328. 
329. 
330. 
331. 
332. 
333. 
334.
335. 
336. 
337. 
338. 
339. 
340. 
341. 
342. 
343. 
344.
345. 
346. 
347. 
348. 
349. 
350. 
351. 
352. 
353. 
354.
355. 
356. 
357. 
358. 
359. 
360. 
361. 
362. 
363. 
364.
And last but not least:
365. Put $10 into my savings account for each item completed!