5 Easy Tips for Styling Built-Ins

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!

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
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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

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And last but not least:

365. Put $10 into my savings account for each item completed!

5 Last Minute NYE Party Ideas

Happy New Years Eve! WOW, it's the last day of 2014 - can you believe it? Where has the time gone? I feel like just yesterday I was reminiscing on how amazing 2013 was for me and now it's time to do it all over again! Here are a few of my favorite last minute ways to ring in the new year! They're all super easy and won't take too long to pull together {so they're perfect for those of you procrastinators like me} Until next year!

1. Add some confetti to the balloons before you fill them up with helium. They make for a festive special touch and would even be fun to pop with friends and family when the clock hits midnight!

2. Top champagne glasses with fortune cookies. This is a quick and easy way to add some fun to your bubbly. Stop by your local Chinese take out and grab a handful to open after a toast to the new year!

3. Fill martini glasses with store bought cupcakes. And then tell your friends how you slaved over them for hours! Only kidding! When you're in a crunch and don't have enough time to bake up some treats, this is a great way to hide the store bought packaging and create a decorative display. {Also great for individual portions so guests can stand and mingle while indulging in sweet treats}

4. Don't forget the party hats! Spice up those plain old party hats with some sparkly scrapbook paper and some left over tinsel from the Christmas tree and you've got yourself a party. You could even set out all the paper, tinsel and other supplies and create a "make your own party hat" table if you're cutting it close on time. {tutorial included}

5. DIY Glitter cups. This one is probably my favorite, and it could get messy... but how cute are these and who doesn't love glitter? Grab some plain plastic party cups, some mod podge and glitter from the craft store and make sure to let them set for a few hours before you pop open the bubbly. {tutorial included}

Christmas

It's Here, It's Here! Christmas is this week! I'm so excited to see my family this week and share such a happy and festive time of year with them! Today's moldboard touches a little bit on the red and green but also shares a little peek into my holiday style... festive, rustic and simple. I hope everyone enjoys their week and time spent with friends & family.

Mix and Match

Today I'm sharing a little peek into one of my new favorite spaces in my house. Simplifying the gallery wall and isolating it to a singular photo ledge gives you the ability to change out picture frames and artwork with minimal effort. And if you're anything like me and are completely indecisive then this is the perfect concept. I can tell you for a fact though... the one item that is not changing from my photo wall is this beautiful custom painting. Let me introduce you to the The Painted Elephant. The creative mastermind behind The Painted Elephant and a local to Charlotte, Alysa Wayland is truly an amazing artist. My ginger jar painting should say it all {similar painting here}

I finally took my love of ginger jars to my bedroom, bringing in the whites and blues found in the  timeless chinoiserie jars with an Anthropologie twist. I've paired this beautiful painting with a variety of frames in different sizes and materials. Combining wood, ceramic, and painted frames {and a touch of gold} create the mix & match/ anthro feel that we all know and love. I also mixed both photos and artwork with the painting to continue the look I was going for.

Alysa could not have done a better job with this painting - the use of bright colors and the depth and light perceived with brushstrokes just blows my mind. I can't help but think of it as a combination of Lilly Pulitzer meets Andy Warhol... and I LOVEE both, especially Andy Warhol. {there's the art student in me coming out} Below are the images that I shared with Alysa when we were discussing what kind of painting I was thinking of for this space. I'm sure by now we all know my love for ginger jars, and some of my favorite paintings of Alysa's are of her beautiful hand painted blooms. I sent her these images thinking that I could combine the two and she did not disappoint.

Alysa's artwork is available on her etsy shop, she also offers custom signs and artwork perfect for baby showers, wedding gifts, or personal gifts if you want one for yourself! 

Follow along with The Painted Elephant

website // instagram // facebook // blog

Shop & Contact The Painted Elephant

etsy // email

9 Ways to Use Metallic This Christmas

It's that time of year again! The holidays are here... I know I said that last week {and probably the week before} but they are really here now! Thanksgiving was a much needed time for relaxing and spending some quality time with family and now December is here and it's time to decorate! And what more do I love than to decorate. I'm so excited to have my own christmas tree this year, posts on that and all of the fun things I'm planning for the holidays will be up soon! But for now, how about a few ideas on how to use metallics in your home this Christmas/ Holiday season? Here are 9 great ways to use metallic this year:

1. Prop Gifts - Don't leave the underneath of your tree bare until Santa comes to town, wrap a few unwanted boxes with some pretty metallic paper and ribbon and set them right underneath the beautiful tree for display.

2. Table Settings - Having the table set nicely isn't only for fancy dinners and get-togethers. Set a few place settings for some  added decoration in the dining room or kitchen and add some metallic chargers or ribbon around the plates.

3. Pinecones - Pinecones are easy to find up and down the holiday aisles this time of year. Grab a can of metallic spray paint and you could use a handful these in a vase for display or string them to some twine for a garland.

4. Candleholders - Candleholders are easy to find especially when they don't need to be a specific material or color. Spray painting different shapes and sizes will bring in the metallic and bring in a unique touch to your holiday decor. Add different size white candles to each for added contrast. {See here, here, and here}

5. Ornament Displays - Mixed metallic ornaments or ornaments that are spray painted metallic colors - doesn't matter which. Lay them out randomly in a tray or vases to put on display. This would be great for a coffee table or dining table.

6. Wreath - The easiest way to bring metallics into a wreath during the holidays would be with ornaments. You can add them to a traditional wreath with greenery or create a handmade ornament wreath if you're up to the task! {super easy tutorial here}

7. Tree Ornaments - Add some metallic ornaments to your Christmas tree this holiday. This is a little more of a traditional approach but still brings that metallic splash into your home!

8. Stockings - Stockings come in all different colors materials and sizes now. Whether you want to branch out from the traditional red and white and get creative or just add a metallic monogram to it - this is another easy way to add some metallic to your space.

9. Votive Centerpiece - Like the candleholders, you can find an arrangement of votives that are already metallic and scatter them across a table as a centerpiece or find a random variety of glasses and glass vases and spray paint them metallic to all match. Tea light candles are easy to find (and buy in bulk) so you can spend a little more on the glasses and create a fun spread.

Friday Favorites

I've been obsessing over setting the table for thanksgiving and entertaining for the holidays lately... Prepare yourselves for a whole lot of entertaining posts coming up! It's acceptable because of the holiday season right? Well, tis the season so let's kick it off with some of my favorite Thanksgiving tables capes I've been seeing on Pinterest lately. And if you missed my holiday drink recipe yesterday, check it out here - You don't want to miss out on this one!

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Gift Guide: Gal Pals

Tis the season... To get started on your holiday shopping! I didn't think I would be thinking about all my holiday shopping this early but I went to Starbucks the other day and when they gave me a red cup a little bit of that holiday cheer went right through me! I don't know about you but I just love buying gifts and shopping for all of my girlfriends. I'm starting my shopping lists early this year to be sure that they can all use their gifts to the fullest.... not to mention that I'm a huge procrastinator and last year one of my girlfriends didn't get her gift until March. Whoopsie! Check out my favorite gifts for all of your best girlfriends this year, and of course they are great for home and apartment living!!

Shop the Post:

5 Fall DIY's

Happy Friday! The weather is getting colder, Sundays are soon to be spent curled up on the couch watching movies with friends instead of sitting on patios enjoying the warm weather.  Let's embrace the sun setting early and the leaves falling to the ground by spending those chilly days inside doing a few DIY's. One more thing... Most of these DIY's would also make great gifts for the holidays!

1. Gold Leaf Bowls - These beauties will bring back those middle school art days with a little bit of paper mach and a whole lot of gold leaf! Great for holding jewelry!

2. Chai Candles - Hostess gifts, dinner party favors, or even just for yourself around the house.. bring that Starbucks chai tea into the home this winter season!

3. Gold Initial Ornament - You cannot go wrong with a little gold leaf this season. Or a lot, your choice. Personalize your christmas tree with these pretty little things or give one as a winter house warming gift!!

4. Watercolor Mugs - These mugs. oh my. They're so easy I want to make them in stock and send one to every single one of my friends! They're soooo adorable I just can't handle them!

5. Polka Dot Napkins - I know, I know, enough with the gold. I'm sorry! But how perfect are these DIY napkins. You could also turn these into placemats for an adorable table setting that could double into New Years Eve!

Which one of these will you be gifting this year?

White With A Pop

In most cases, you'll find yourself stuck with stark white walls if you are living in an apartment or a rental property. Rental communities and landlords always seem to stick with the basic and bland "builders white" paint colors for every room. Which brings up the age old question... What do you do with the white walls? How do you make them look pretty? Growing up I always wanted crazy colors for my room. Since then, I've learned to love the look of those stark white walls and embrace the bright and blank canvas that comes with such a space. Check out a few different spaces that might inspire you to get creative with those stark white walls!

A few things to think about when trying to bring pops of color into a white space:

• Don't be afraid to mix wood tones & color together
• Don't be afraid to mix multiple colors
• Colorful Artwork is an easy way to bring color into the space
• Add a colorful upholstery piece to brighten up the space
• Textiles such as rugs, curtains or pillows are an easy, fool proof way to bring in color
• Don't be afraid to layer white on white (but don't forget to still add color!)

via The Design Files

via Pinterest

via SchoolHouse

via Riches For Rags

How would you add a pop of color to your white rooms?

Creating a Reading Nook

Nina Chair

The other day a few of my close girlfriends and I were talking about starting a book club. Nothing special or too much of a commitment, but it sounds like something fun and hey, it's a great excuse to get together and drink wine right?

Well even though I'm the last person you'd catch leisurely reading a book on a given night, I've always loved the idea of having a little reading nook. And when I saw this beautiful fuchsia chair at World Market the other day, I just couldn't stop staring.  So, I've decided.. this chair will be mine someday.  Doesn't it create the perfect pop of color? This chair would make that space complete - Somewhere you can go to just sit there and enjoy a cup of coffee and a good book. {maybe i'd actually get to put a dent into my never ending reading list...} Here's what I'd put into my reading nook to make it my cozy little getaway:

1. Bright, comfy chair
2. Small side table
3. Table lamp
4. Small bench
5. Coffee mug
6. Decorative pillow
7. Cozy throw
8. Candles
9. Basket for extra throws or books

Styling a Tray with Mintwood Home {Giveaway}

Orange & Green // Blue & Yellow // Pink & Green

I'm so excited to be partnering with Mintwood Home this week to bring you ideas for using trays within your home. If you haven't heard of Mintwood Home before, I'll forgive you... They're kind of the new kids on the block. So I'm here to introduce you - and you can thank me later when you realize that you've been browsing through their website for hours and haven't actually gotten anything productive done... Been there, done that.

If you haven't noticed by now, I absolutely love trays. They're so versatile, come in every size and shape you can imagine and they can be used many {i mean many} ways. Most commonly known for their use on bar carts and coffee tables; they're great for holding books, remotes, and decorative objects as well as organizing your favorite liquors. The one thing most people don't think about are the other fun uses for trays.

So, You've got guests coming over for the holidays and you want to welcome them into your home in a creative way... Set a tray by the window in the guest room and display shampoo, conditioner, a candle and any other bath & beauty accessories they could use while they're there! I know my cousins and college girlfriends would love to have access to the latest Essie nail colors.

This tray would be the perfect pairing for your coffee mug on a sunday morning when you just don't want to get out of bed yet. Set it by the window with style and not just on the window sill like you would have in college... {just me?} 

With a larger tray, you've got more room to play and get creative. Set your guests up with the book you just finished, a candle, and don't forget that wifi password! How many times have you gone to someones house and asked for their password? We are in a world now where internet and social media are must haves and sometimes, you just have to embrace it. Sharing your wifi password with your guests this way adds some creativity to their stay and makes them feel right at home!

Make yourself feel like a guest in your own home and enjoy a good book, with a cup of coffee and a nice candle. All those things that might be cluttering your nightstand can make you feel pampered for an afternoon when you set them up on a tray and enjoy some time relaxing! 

Shop this Post:

Orange & Green Tray // Blue & Yellow Tray // Pink & Green Tray

Blue & White Candle // Gray Candle{similar} // Gray Matches // Pink Matches

Coffee Mug // Gold Sea Urchins // Coffee Table Books

A huge thanks to Mintwood Home for sponsoring this post. Enter Below for a chance to win the Canary Yellow & Cobalt Blue Ikat Tray photographed above! Giveaway ends Tuesday 11/4 and the winner will be announced on Wednesday 11/5!

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Words of Wisdom

It's been a long week of traveling for me, but I'm finally home and happy for the weekend to be here! Who's with me? Weekends are my time to wind down from a long work week. I usually love to keep myself busy, hanging out with friends, doing some shopping, exploring the city and sometimes even enjoying a patio or two! I think I'll play this weekend by ear and enjoy some down time from all of my work travels. But first - How about a few of my favorite fun words of wisdom to get us through friday??

For more words of wisdom that I've been collecting.. Check out my Pinterest board, here.