Inside my Home

I love when my favorite bloggers share a little insight on their personal life. Nothing too personal, just little things. For me in particular I always get a little giddy when I see Instagrams that showcase little pieces of their home.... a new rug, their favorite little decor piece, a properly arranged tray, or even a great angle of their custom kitchen. Call me a nerd? Sure. But I just love seeing those little insights.

Today, unfortunately my home is not photo ready... but why not share some insight into a few shiny and sparkly things that have made their way into my home recently? 

1. Alarm Clock - I've been wanting to paint this little pint sized clock gold since I brought it home.. but the more I look at it the more I like it how it is! Decisions, Decisions..

2. Candlesticks - These white candlesticks are so perfect I bought two pairs - Yes, two pairs! One for my living room and one for my bedroom!

3. Vase - Here's another great white piece that has made it's way into my home. It looks so pretty with bright colored blooms in it too!

4. Sea Urchins - These. Let me tell you, I went through hell to get my hands on a set of these. I searched about 5 or 6 targets to try and get these and I'm so happy I didn't give up! I didn't hand them though... They're topping my books on my nightstands, and coffee table!

5. Task Lamp - This lamp is perfection. It's the best addition to my desk/vanity for when I am working late at night or putting my makeup on for the day.

6. Pear Salt & Pepper Shakers - How adorable are these!? They've been sitting on my dining table for over a month now and I just got around to filling them up. Too pretty to eat? Try too pretty to use!

7. Candles - These candles are the perfect size to fit on top of the candlesticks. They look great and the glass keeps the wax from melting all over the place as bare candles would.

8. Gold Pineapple - I've been swooning over the pineapple trend for a while now and I just knew that I had to have one. When I saw that Mintwood Home was running this giveaway I didn't even think twice before entering! It's pure perfection!

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: Bedding

Can you believe it's already August?? It's that time of year again where summer is coming to an end and you're gearing up to move back into school! Whether you're going to be living on campus in a dorm, or you've got your own digs off campus somewhere - There's no place like home. And you can't have a home without the decor. Can I get an amen? If this doesn't apply to you and you're a big bad college grad like myself then hey, stick around {everyone's welcome} and you might still find something for yourself anyways!

Well, while my fellow bloggers who know their stuff about fashion and can assist you right down to what to wear every night of sorority recruitment {check out Caitlin's post here} I'm here to give all of my advice and shopping finds on everything dorm/apartment. Don't know where to go to get a new duvet cover or bedding set? Got it. Don't know where to get a sofa thats inexpensive but doesn't look cheap? Got that too! Want the best picture frames to create a gallery wall in your new living room with your roommates. Well, needless to say - you've come to the right place!

Here are my top picks on everything bedding for your back to school needs:

Lazybones Rosette Polka Dot Quilt, Anthropologie

Magical Thinking River Medallion Duvet Cover, Urban Outfitters

Darcey Duvet, Nordstrom

Anthropologie Bedding:

Urban Outfitters Bedding:

Nordstrom Bedding:

Looking for anything specific but can't seem to find it? Leave a comment below or contact me privately and I would be happy to help find it or something similar!

Happy Shopping!!

Celebrate

I'm so happy to say that Defined Designs turns 1 today!! This little blog that I started just a month out of college has turned into something so much more than I ever expected! I'm so grateful for the blogging world in itself - It has opened up so many great opportunities, I've met so many amazing people, and I have discovered so much about myself let alone the design & blogging world! With that, I'm so happy to announce some exciting news!!!

But don't worry!! The blogspot address still works also! {it just redirects you back to here!!!}For today's festivities, I'll be keeping it simple and showing you a few of my recent loves for a good floral design.

Decor8
I love the idea of using that anthropologie coffee mug for flowers!!

Image Source

Waiting on Martha
See the link for some amazing tips on how to create a perfect bouquet for a hostess gift!!

Like always, thanks for stopping by!! This blog wouldn't be what it is today without readers like you popping in, keeping up with what I'm posting, and leaving your lovely comments!! I love to hear from you all!

Trending Tuesday: Exposed

Let's chat about apartments today... Specifically industrial style apartments. I have a slight weakness for industrial apartment lofts that have exposed brick walls. I don't know how to describe it but there's something about the exposed brick and exposed duct work that makes the entire feel of those type of apartments.

Most everyone of my friends right now are living the apartment lifestyle so I'm sure most of my readers can relate to this post in some way shape or form also.  Apartment living can be quite the adjustment from good ole' mom and dads house.  A cozy, comfortable house with all the furniture already provided for you. Now you're on to paying rent and buying furniture - Decisions, decisions...

If I have one advice for picking an apartment or making living arrangement decisions - Go with you're gut. Make a decision based on what will make you happy. After all, it is going to be your home over the next 12 or so months! I know, I know, budget has to come into play somewhere in there but enough about my advice giving abilities - Let me show you all about those exposed brick apartments I've been swooning over.

Badass Bedrooms

Image Source

Lushome

Mixathem

Mi Casa Es Su Casa

Apartment Therapy

Tumblr

What are your thoughts on the exposed brick trend? Do you live in an apartment or home with exposed brick? I'd love to hear some thoughts on this style!

Moodboard Monday

Monday Monday Monday... I started sharing moodboards on Mondays not only because it sounded catchy, but because living the post grad life, living a grown up life, and even life in school or on an internship lets face it - Most everyone dreads Mondays. I love sharing a little splash of color or pattern inspiration to help brighten up your day and bring a little smile to that dreadful Monday morning!

Hows it working? Have you been following along each monday?
Either way - here's a little dose of turquoise to brighten your day!

Look for Less: His & Hers

House Tweaking

The past few months have been a whirlwind for me. I know I keep saying this {and I know, excuses excuses} but between working, traveling for work, and moving into a new house, I seemed to have forgotten my manners in treating my parents for their "appreciation" days. So for all of you working young professionals like me who want to show their parents how much you appreciate them with a kind and creative gesture - This one's for you!

I know it's father's day this weekend but why not treat mom too? Here's a little way to spruce up their master bedroom and give them styled "His & Hers" nightstands:

These beautiful his & hers nightstands are from a blog called House Tweaking. You can read the entire post here, and find out how Dana styled them and even where she shopped to create these. If you have a minute, check out her other posts.. her house is a walking Pinterest board. It's actually perfect. 

On a side note, I took these perfect Pinterest images and re-created the concept of his and hers nightstands in a way that I would style them and with pieces that I would most likely choose if I were to do this for my parents. As for now, they're thinking of selling so maybe at your next house mom & dad! Here are the links to shop for each look:

Get Her Look:

Get His Look:

Flawless Kitchens

I love everything about kitchens. They are the heart of the home... think about it. Cooking, entertaining,  every meal of the day happens in the kitchen! I love the brightness that you can bring into a kitchen but you have to know how to pair your cabinets with the countertops and then don't forget the floors! These kitchens have got it all going on - Which one is your favorite?

Martha Stewart

Better Homes & Gardens

Domaine

Style Me Pretty

Live Simply