Friday Favorites

Happy Friday! Who's ready for another weekend? I know I slipped up a little on the St. Patrick's Day shenanigans but I promise this post and others to come will make up for it. As for this post... can you tell that I'm excited for summer? I'm loving everything bright, white, summery and warm! If it looks and screams happy, it must be happy -  I'm all about it! Let's check out what I'm obsessing over on Pinterest this week. {and don't forget to follow me here.}

1. Bar Cart - I love bar carts. I also love pineapples. So what's not to love about this photo. It also screams summer.. and as we already covered, I'm all about it. {via Pinterest, site not found}

2. Vintage White Chair - Now this is a great piece of furniture. If I ever see a chair like this in a thrift store, I'm snagging it and doing exactly this. A little restoration and a whole lot of bleach can go a long way.. {via Pinterest, site not found}

3. Shared Workspace - I love this workspace, it's so large and open it definitely doesn't feel cramped like most shared spaces. I also love the open shelving for getting the junk off the tabletop and adding height to the space. {via Casa E Jardim}

4. Mirrored Nightstand - LOVE LOVE LOVE mirrored furniture. It's especially great for making small spaces look and appear larger. This is also one of the '25 Nightstands worth sleeping next to' {via Style Me Pretty}

5. Aztec Bench Entryway - This entryway is so simple but very put together I just love it! I also spotted the aztec bench and couldn't resist pinning. {via Style Me Pretty}

6. St. Patrick's Day Poppers - I know, I know, late to the game.. these poppers would have been perfect for the occasion, but I missed the boat. I'm saving these for next time. 'Pin now, read later' {via Studio DIY}

Moodboard Monday: Mint

Happy Monday! Today's moodboard is a little bit of a sneak preview for what is to come this week here at Defined Designs. Personally, I love the color mint, pair it with white, gold, or even wood tones and it just pops oh-so perfectly. What colors do you love to pair with mint?

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.

Pendant Lighting

You'll never realize what a difference lighting will make to a space until you see it. You may be thinking yeah, yeah, lighting is boring..and unless you are a complete and utter nerd like me, the last thing you would want to do when you move, or buy a home is shop for lighting. Well, let me change your mind a little today. A few weeks ago, a new restaurant opened up in Charlotte called Bakersfield. If you're in the area you might have heard of it or even visited for a margarita and some tacos. But if you haven't been by - You must stop in and try it. Not only for the amazing tacos and pitchers of margs in mason jars, but the lighting is simply captivating. Endless amounts of strategically placed pendant bulbs hanging from the ceiling created such a warm and edgy atmosphere all at the same time.. and did I mention the Margs? YUM.

Check out some of my favorites:

via Remodelista

via House of Turquoise

via Lonny

via Purodeco

via my paradissi

Save the Ta Ta's

October is filled with a lot of things. While most people are talking about everything fall.. colder weather, halloween, and obviously pumpkins, it's hard not to notice all of the pink that's out and about this month. Pink fountains, pink banners, pink balloons, and even pink lights at night shining on buildings. If you haven't noticed by now it's breast cancer awareness month!

Today's moodboard is dedicated to everything pink in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Wear something pink, grab a ribbon from a fundraiser, walk in a 5k for a cause, and keep fighting until pink is just another color!

Black & White

Happy Monday! Let's add a little drama to this week by starting off with none other than one of my favorite color combinations... Black and White. I don't even know how to describe it... or even justify it really.  If I could wear black, white and neutral everyday... and have everything in my house be black white and neutral as well... I would. Is this acceptable? or just an unhealthy obsession? Who knows.

Oh and maybe also because Scandal is back on for another season and Olivia Pope is my main bi*%$ er... woman. If you're a fan too then you know that she's always looking amazing in her Black and White combos. Does anyone else love Olivia Pope as much as I do?

9 Fall Must Haves

Instead of providing you with a wish list for all those fall items I'm loving right now... and yes, there's a lot of them! I figured why not prep you with a few items I'm pretty sure will be heavily trending this fall. Trending to the point where you should put them on your wish list ASAP. I mean that.. Most of these items are already on mine. {don't tell my bank account cause it won't know what hit it in a few weeks}

1. Gold Starburst Mirrors - These bad boys are not going anywhere out of trend anytime soon! If you don't have one yet.. go get one! This one is on sale right now!

2. Cozy Textiles - Faux furs are a great item not only to cozy up to on the couch on a chilly night but they look great draped over a side chair or sofa as well!

3. Skull Decor - Remember this post from last season? Time to take out those decorative skulls because they'll be coming back without a doubt.

4. Coffee Table Trays - The little things are always better in groups! I love seeing a nicely staged tray on a coffee table. No matter the material, it always makes your remotes, books, and candles look very well put together.

5. White Bedding - Ahhh, white bedding.. My one true love! You can never go wrong with stark white bedding on a sunday morning when you open up your windows and grab a cup of coffee and a book. That is all.

6. Magazines/ Coffee Table Books - Any kind of mindless reading material is great and easy decor to pile up in a side basket, on a bookshelf, or on a coffee table neatly stacked.

7. Smaller Coffee Tray - Great way to drink a cup of joe in bed on a chilly fall morning, or to use in staging a guest room for when you have company.

8. Candles - No need to explain this one. A grouping of candles is such a joy to see in someones home, makes it feel so cozy and welcoming!

9. Bar Carts - If you've been wanting to invest in a bar cart and just haven't had the chance to... now is definitely the time! Stock the top of your bar cart with a few bottles of wine and your favorite liquor to warm your insides during the fall season! Don't forget the festive cocktail napkins and agate coasters!

Which of these items are going on your wish list for this fall season?

Pumpkin Spice Latte

HAPPY FALL! It's that time of year again! Tis the season of yoga pants, over the knee boots, infinity scarves, and warm Starbucks lattes. For me, I'm a sucker for a plain jane caramel latte but I know how girls get when the PSL's hit Starbucks. {girls go crazy for PSL's} So, in typical trendy fashion - why not dedicate todays Moodboard Monday to the oh-so-popular PSL itself. I mean, it is that time of year right?

Who else is excited for the other important things like over the knee boots and infinity scarves..? I know I am!

Trending: Cheetah Print

image via Lonny

I know at first glance you might be thinking that cheetah print is so 90's style.. well, think again. I personally love the neutral yet fierce pattern that cheetah print brings to the table. But, it must be mixed together correctly and doing so might be a little tricky without making it seem too.... well, tacky. {we were all thinking it right?}

Here are a few trendy ideas on how to incorporate that glamorous dose of animal print into your home this Fall & Winter season. Tip: Find an accent or focal piece and mix it with blacks, browns, white and gold and you are guaranteed to achieve a chic look!

accent chair & a pop of color | via issuu

neutral living space with a neutral print pillow | via Domaine Home

throw pillow for the bedroom | via The Hunted Interior

another neutral accent chair | via Julia Ryan

cheetah accent ottomans | via Lonny

last but not least, the amazing office/closet space of Rach Parcell of Pink Peonies

Can we just take a minute and talk about how amazing Rach Parcell's dream closet/office is? I've been following her blog for a while now and I just about die every time she posts little sneak peaks into her new home, or the decor at her house. Her closet is nothing less than perfect, I highly recommend checking the entire post out here.

Alma Mater

In honor of school being back in session and fall classes in full swing, today's moodboard monday goes out to my alma mater.  High Point University brought me down to North Carolina, gave me my amazing education, and assisted with opening doors into the Interior Design and Home Furnishings world. It also brought me to Charlotte with the job I have today! For more purple color inspiration, check out my purple Pinterest board here.

Friday Favorites

Happy Friday! I know I've been MIA this week a little - I'm sorry!! I've been helping another fellow blogger learn the ropes {my momma is a blogger now guys!!} Today she's launching her very own job recruiting firm and with her website she's decided to start a blog! It'll be filled with everything she knows and has learned over the past 25+ years she has been in the HR world! So for all of my friends in search of a job, or their next job.. Check her out!!

Besides all that exciting news, I also haven't shared a Friday Favorites post in a while..

I've been loving on all things acrylic lately - How perfect is this acrylic coffee table? via MadeByGirl

One day i'll have a guest room that looks as simple and perfect as this.. via Crystalin Marie

I've also been scouring Pinterest for all things desk du jour, I'm obsessed with this set up - via CASASUGAR

Desk Lovelies in a tray via The Everygirl

Another Home Office I'm obsessing over via The Glitter Guide

It's that time of year again where I get to start designing more student housing furniture - I'm loving this metal bookshelf via DigsDigs

Agate Affair

A huge trend in home decor as of recently has been the colorful accents of agate. They can grace your home in many different ways. A few of the most popular would be in the version of drink coasters stacked on your coffee table, or chunky bookends bringing color and sparkle to your reading collections. Check out a few of my favorite agate affairs and how they're inspiring home decor today:

Bookends:

via Cupcakes and Cashmere | via Centsational Girl

Coasters:

via m prssion | via etsy

Framed:

via hometalk | via Moth Design

Shop the agate products below:

Back to School: Desk Du Jour

Merriam-Webster Online

It's back to school season and wether you're all moved in or you're still trying to pack everything into the U-Haul to head back -  we all need a place to study up for all of those good grades.. right? Well, if you remember the last back to school post about bedding {read it here} you'll follow along with this one just fine!

Making our way around the bedroom in your dorm or apartment for the next year, let's hit the books and talk about everything to grace the top of your desk. And no, I don't mean all of your clothes. Fingers crossed that you will be using your desk to partake in some studying .. Here's the latest and greatest desk du jour to make your study space a pretty place for you to spend your time at.

via With Love From Kat | via The Everygirl

via Design Sponge | via Style Me Pretty

Shop the links below for all of your desk du jour needs! Want more? Add some fresh blooms and a tray to gather your things in one spot!

Shop Desk Accessories:

Shop Cork Boards & Decor:

Moodboard Monday

Squeezing in the last few weeks of summer seems to be the best time of year to me. I love when it finally gets cool enough at night that you can actually sit on a patio with your friends for hours and hours. Yet, your days are still sweltering hot and best spent by the pool.  With August here, school almost in session and the trees still green - Why not tribute todays moodboard monday to just that. The greenery that we still have for a few more weeks!

Pinterest

Happy Monday!

Hosting & Toasting: Part 4

via Style Me Pretty

There are numerous ways you can set a table for an event. No matter what you may be hosting, when there's a will there's a way, right? To finish out this wonderful little mini series with The Blush Label, why not give you some inspiration and shopping ideas so you can bring the party into your home and be prepared to host and toast with your friends and family!

via The Perfect Palette

via Design Love Fest {includes placemat tutorial}

image

Here's are ideas for setting your table depending on whether your event is formal or informal. It's a great cheat sheet if you ask me! You'll look like a pro if you follow this!

via Alexan Events

Shop Dinnerware:

Shop Glassware:

Shop Dinner Party Extras:

And don't forget to check out The Blush Label for all of the table linens you could need! Placemats, cocktail napkins, they've got some darling patterns and colors!

Eclectic Essentials

Image via Design Love Fest

I'm almost positive I've had this Pinterest image pinned and tucked away for just about six months now. I LOVE all of the bright and bold colors that come together to make this mix and match living room have such a cozy eclectic feel.  All of these pieces are very easy to at a budget friendly price - Especially since they are not all part of a matching set! I'm all about mixing and matching recently... {see yesterday's post} This look would be great in a small apartment space whether it's a New York loft or just a quaint little studio apartment in the city somewhere, smaller sofas and high legged chairs and furniture pieces are great for making a small space appear larger! 

Side Note: mint, navy ANNND gold..? Don't tempt me.

Shop the Look: