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

Hosting & Toasting: Part 3 {DIY & WINNER}

Today is the day! One lucky person is the new owner of the prettiest placemats of their choosing from The Blush Label! The winner will be announced at the end of this post but stick around a little bit and get comfortable because the fun is not over yet. {and next week will be the final post!}

Remember that adorable flower setting in the original post featuring the placemats? {check it out here} Today's quick little DIY will show you just how to recreate that lemon floral arrangement here:

Slice up your lemons as shown.

Make sure they are all the same thickness so they will stack nicely on top of each other.

Once you have all of your lemons sliced, {I sliced 4, and left 1 whole}

Line the bottom edge with your first level of lemons.

Place the whole lemon and a few ends {if needed} in the center to hold the lemons in place.

Next, continue to stack the lemons up the inside of your vase in a brick pattern.

Once you get your second level of lemons on the inside of the vase you can pour in water.

This will cause the lemons to float! You can rearrange them if needed and begin the next step:

Begin to transfer your flowers into your vase.

You might need to switch flowers/ lemons/ flowers/ lemons.

This method will help keep the lemons from floating. You can arrange the flower stems to wedge the lemons into the side of the vase.

Finish layering your lemons up the inside of the vase.

Fix the arrangement of your flowers to make them look full & You're done! Enjoy you're beautiful blooms and this taste worthy centerpiece!

Get yourself the perfect glass vase for this DIY here:

Check out these other great vases here:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Congrats to the lucky winner!! Sad you missed out on the Giveaway fun? Check out the amazing products The Blush Label has to offer here! Also, check out last week's Hosting & Toasting post if you missed it!

Hosting & Toasting: Part 1 {GIVEAWAY}

Hello and Happy Friday! I'm so happy to finally be able to announce this exciting collaboration I have been working on with the girls over at The Blush Label! If you have not heard of them yet, please drop everything and go check out their website - These two sisters are amazingly talented and their shop is filled with bright and beautiful products to make your home THE best place to entertain!

For the month of August, I will be here every friday with a new post for this Hosting and Toasting mini series. When the girls at The Blush Label announced that they were releasing a new line of placemats, I couldn't help but squeal like a little girl on Christmas morning when I saw the designs they had put together! In 2 weeks, {Friday, August 15th} I will be announcing the lucky winner of a set of placemats from the Blush Label's new collection! The winner gets to choose which design they would like a set of - So don't forget to enter to win below!

What do I love so much about these placemats..? Well, besides the fact that they are the prettiest things in my kitchen currently - They are made of a cotton/linen blend {that's right, machine washable!!} And better yet, they're made right here in North Carolina! Check out how I styled these beautiful Aqua and Orange placemats for a wine night with my roommate!

Shop the Look:

Below are the 4 beautiful designs that The Blush Label is offering and the lucky winner gets to choose which design they would like! Don't forget to enter below for your chance to win a set of these! You've got 50 entries waiting for you!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Creating a Vanity | One Kings Lane

I'm so happy to be working with One Kings Lane today bringing you my vanity essentials! One Kings Lane is hosting a blog campaign called "Reflect Your Style" where a variety of bloggers are given a selection of mirrors to choose from and design their dream vanity surrounding it! Sounds fun right? Well, this campaign hit home for me particularly because as most of you know I recently moved into a house.  Yes, not an apartment in the city like most post grads, an adorable little duplex in Charlotte within walking distance to the city and everything! The only thing about a house is not having the luxury of oversized walk in closets and each roommate having their own bathroom. So while there has been some compromises, I love my little house with a close up view of the Queen City Skyline.

I've been torturing myself with actually getting down to it and putting together my vanity in my bedroom {a compromise of sharing a bathroom} I have a writing desk and a vintage looking table lamp.. but how do I complete the look I want is the question I ask myself daily when I sit there to put on my makeup each morning. One Kings Lane's Reflect Your Style campaign was the perfect opportunity!! And not to mention how much I love One Kings Lane..

Here's my dream vanity inspired by their Line Mirror:

I love mixing vintage looking items with boho chic accessories and decor. And just can't get enough of these colors! This vanity would be my little oasis! Can we talk about this amazing ginger jar? If you ever find yourself stumped on how to incorporate a mirror into decorating a space, One Kings Lane has put together 7 great ways to help you out!!

See other great wall mirrors here & shop this look from One Kings Lane:

One Kings Lane has also worked with me to create an invite link for Defined Designs readers! Click here to sign up with your email and get your $15 credit! You don't want to miss out on the amazing items that are up for grabs!!

{All views and opinions are my own. I will not accept or review anything 

that does not represent myself or the foundation of Defined Designs.}

Color Splash: Emerald Green

Happy St. Patricks Day!! I hope everyone is well and recovering from the weekend's festivities! Jaime and I are back with a color splash collaboration on everything green for this magical holiday.  I'm sure you know the drill by now but for a recap... these are the posts where fashion meets design. 

Bright colors are a difficult breed. They're fun to shop for and pick out both in the fashion and decor world but when you get home it might be a little tricky to put something together that works. Today we're showing you how to go bold and not be afraid of the color!

Here are a few of my favorite ways to incorporate a bold splash of emerald green into your home:

via Little Blue Deer

via Horchow

via Shell Decor

via Dimplicity

via Belle Maison

via Simple, Everyday Glamour

Jaime's Look:

For more style information and outfit inspiration be sure to visit Jaime over at Sunflowers and Stilettos.