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

Making It Your Own

Who doesn't love a good shopping trip to IKEA? Well, if you just shouted at your cubicle reading this - then you're going to love this. Today I'm featuring 10 Ikea products that are great for spray painting! Did you see my bar cart hack the other day?? Go check it out and see for yourself what a can {or two} of gold spray paint and some matte finish can do!

But really - that desk lamp doesn't come in the bright fuchsia color you really want? Grab the desk lamp and a can of good ole' spray paint and make a weekend project out of it! Now, next question.... Why Ikea products? Well, because in most cases they come unassembled and in a million parts {i know sounds treacherous..} but that's actually the good part. In most of those cases, you can spray them down with a few coats and THEN put the furniture together and BAM, it looks like a professional did it!

A few of these are on my list...Which of these are on yours??

Shop these Ikea Products:

Wish List Wednesday

World Market

I bought this beautiful mosaic shower curtain from World Market about six months ago. This might sound a little odd but I still stare at the bohemian chic medallion print on it just like I did when I saw it in the store and knew I had to have it. Love at first sight? Maybe a little. I've always been a fan of the bohemian chic design style, and knowing that medallions are one of the pattern that creates the style just makes it even better.

Who doesn't love a good medallion print? Colorful or not, they're great. I love the muted colors of this shower curtain specifically. It's such an easy piece to mix with bold green and eggplant colors along with whites and metallics. And we all know how I love to mix metallics. Here's a few medallion inspired pieces for today's Wish List Wednesday:

Shop the Look:

Shop all of the World Market shower curtains here. You don't want to miss all of their beautiful patterns and colors!

Wish List Wednesday: Chairs

It's Wednesday - Which means it's Wish List Wednesday! But today I feel the need to get some opinions..

DISCLAIMER: this post is going to make you think I'm not an interior designer. LIES. I am - But you know what they say... A designer's home is never finished [And their never satisfied with their own home] TRUTH. I can't make decisions for myself. ha.

Okay, I'm having a really hard time making a decision on buying a club chair for my apartment. I've wanted one for a while, and I have this wild idea in my head that I want my apartment to look like a beautiful urban/upscale New York Loft [Pshhh someday- not on my budget] So, I keep telling myself these things take time but the designer in me won't be satisfied until its perfect.

Long story short - I think I'm ready to make the splurge and buy a chair. But of course, the struggle is real. The money struggle that is. World Market has this adorable chair [on sale now..] and it does come in a few colors. [I should note that my living room is grey navy/ceruean-esq & deep mustard yellow] A blue chair would be ideal. The rest of these chairs are from the new target furniture collection[s] and I love them but they're never on sale.

Here's where I need opinions!! What are your thoughts?

Club Chair Decisions by defineddesigns featuring a grey chair

I love the blue chair from target - But I can't decide!! Should I Save some money and get the Chair on sale? or is it worth it to wait a few weeks and splurge on a chair I LOVE!?

Free Shipping!

Did you know that yesterday was National Free Shipping Day? I don't know who came up with that one... But whoever you are - I'd like to give you a big pat on the back. [insert hand clapping emoji here] Yesterday I purchased a Gorgeous statement necklace for my NYE outfit. [Originally $48 - Paid $14 with yep, FREE SHIPPING. BOOM]

So friends, if you missed it, don't you worry. It's not over. Whether you are still looking for those last minute christmas gifts for friends and family. Or you want to do some shopping for yourself. [Santa won't mind..]

Here's the Scoop:

[Crate & Barrel] Free Shipping & Christmas delivery

Order before noon Dec. 20th here

[Anthropologie] Standard Shipping & Christmas Delivery

Order before 1pm Today here

[CB2] Free Shipping & Christmas delivery

Order before noon Dec. 20th here

[Target] Free Shipping & Christmas Delivery

Order by Today here

[World Market] Free Shipping on $100 or more CODE: JINGLES

Christmas Delivery for only $9.95

24 Days of Deals here

[Wisteria] Holiday Shipping Schedule here

Countdown to Christmas Deals here

[West Elm] Holiday Shipping Schedule here

40% off throws through Dec. 20th here

[Hint Hint: MOM & DAD]

Happy Shopping!

Black Friday: Online Edition

The rush of the 5am Black Friday Shopping is slowing down. You're back at home trying to figure out what to do with all the christmas gifts you just bought. But are you really done? You've accomplished [or.. pretty much] all of your christmas shopping. What now?

You wish you could spice up the house before the holidays when the inn is packed full of friends and family [and in most cases-even more people than yesterday] But furniture can be so expensive... And it's not so easy to just go out and buy things for the house to spice it up [I'm sure everyone thinks I make it look easier than it really is..]  

Well, don't you worry because the Black Friday shopping is not over yet. And the best part is you can do it right from the comfort of your home That's right - Online Shopping! [The online sales aren't just on Cyber Monday]

Here are a few of my favorite stores and their Black Friday sales:

West Elm

Ends Sunday 12.1 In Store + Online

10% off $100 | 15% off $250 | 20% off $500 | 25% off $1000

[Code: STOCKUP]

This sale excludes their clearance items... But hey, those are already up to 70% off so it's all worth it!

Crate & Barrel

Ends Monday 12.2 In Store + Online

15% off entire order

[Code: SAVE15]

Also - They're including Free Shipping and Free in home [local] delivery!

World Market

Friday Only!! In Store + Online

Deals differ between products - Some of my Favorites:

Towels [Buy 1 Get 1 in store | 50% off online]

Baskets [50% off in store + online]

Wall Art [50% off in store + online]

Target

Friday Only!! Online Sales [Featured]

Deals differ between products - Some of my Favorites:

Mirrored Side Table | Burke Slipper Chair | Windham Cabinet | Griffin Dining Chair Set

Also - Spend $75 and get a 20% off coupon for Dec 1-7!

Whether you've spent the day fighting the Black friday crowds or not, I hope everyone has saved some time for these awesome online deals. May the Black Friday odds be in your favor. Happy Shopping!!