5 Easy Faux Marble DIYs

The look of marble is very on-trend right now. Marble countertops, marble cutting boards, white marble vases and decorative bowls... it's all over the decor world. The bad part? It's expensive. And being a natural stone, it's expensive because of just that. It's hard to come by, takes a whole 'lotta resources, and it's quite the process to get it to the state that us consumers want to purchase it at. But what if I told you that you could get that marble look in some ways that won't break the budget?

I love nothing more than a good DIY thats just as useful as it is pretty. But then again, who doesn't? Well, add in the golden word of DIY's; e-a-s-y and I don't know about you but I'm sold. You don't have to tell me twice! Without any further hesitation, here are my 5 favorite faux marble DIY's.

All DIY's are featured on the links below

Kitchen Decor // Cocktail Coasters // Accent Furniture // Shelf Space // Planter

This post is a part of the #DefineYourHome series by Defined Designs. The series is meant to bring inspiration, knowledge, and ideas to you for getting your home in top notch shape and ready for entertaining this summer. I encourage everyone to share a space in your home or something you took home with you from this series on social media using the hashtag #DefineYourHome

All about that Brass

Photo by Andi Perullo

During my time spend styling at West Elm a few weeks ago, I couldn't help but just fall in love with this little guy! I spotted this brass armadillo back when he was a new arrival online and he sat in my shopping cart for a few weeks until I very responsibly convinced myself that I didn't need him. They're all sold out now and I'm pretty sure he was the last one lingering in my local store here in Charlotte.

Well, while I sit here trying to convince myself it's totally acceptable to go back and buy him... Let's take a look at everything brass. Home decor could always use a little sparkle right?

Happy Shopping!

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?

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.

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:

Pineapple of My Eye

Ohh, don't you just love a good play on words? Today it's not who or what is the apple of my eye, it's the pineapple trend that got me good. I'm convinced you could find anything with a pineapple or pineapple print on it right about now. But besides the fashion frenzy thats all about this tropical fruit - we can't forget about the home decor! After all, the pineapple is a symbol for hospitality..it only make sense to have them in your home!

I've hunted down the best picks for pineapple products right here but first, let's look at some trendy inspiration - shall we?

via My World Apart | Shop {similar} pineapple

via Down that Little Lane

via Stylizmo | Shop {similar} pineapple

via Chinoiserie Chic | Shop {suggestion} pineapple tray

Shop my pineapple picks here:

Orange is the New Black

I'm hoping that today's splash of color will give everyone a little happiness on this Monday Morning. The word is out that the new season of Orange is the New Black is back on Netflix, and for those of you who are out of the loop - It's time to sit down and binge watch to catch up. It's the most addictive new guilty pleasure show of Netflix.

So, in honor of it's long awaited return.. Here's a little "Orange is the new Black" Moodboard:

Looks a lot prettier than a women's penitentiary right? Happy Monday!

Living Room Must Haves

Since moving into my new house, everything seems to be coming together very slowly. I'm not sure if it's because I've been very busy at work or if I'm just slacking a little but it's been slow progress.  Here are the last few little items and trinkets I think would make my new living room complete.

I'm also thinking a few of these can be DIY projects with items I already have.  And if you've been following along for a while, then you understand that me and some paint are BFFs when it comes to a little DIY project. Hopefully they'll actually work and I can share those here as well! 

But as for now, here's my wish list: {minus the DIY dreams}

Shop these Items:

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

Gold Digger

Gold Gold Gold. By now you all know my love for gold as an accent color - I feel like I could run the gold lovers bandwagon! So, for all of my fellow gold diggers {no pun intended} and for those of you who need some convincing still - Here are my 5 gold must haves for the week:

You can find these all at Target too!!

Shop These Gold Looks:

Have you hopped on the gold accessory bandwagon yet?

Inspired by

Today I'd love to share with you something that i've been loving lately. I recently saw a herringbone brick pattern being installed on an apartment building that is being built in uptown Charlotte. Right smack dab in the city, across the street from the new BB&T ball park {the home of the Charlotte Knights} After seeing that beautiful herringbone pattern scaling up the side of this building I couldn't help but notice it everywhere.

Like I've said before - I find inspiration in everything and anything I see on a daily basis. I take as many mental notes as my mind can fit,  I even snap pictures or make sure to note it in my notepad on my iPhone. Here are some herringbone floors I'm inspired by...

Decor Pad

homestilo

Daily Dream Decor

The Marion House Book

Flickr {this is glamorous}

Remodelista

And if you are as inspired as I am.. This Old House has an amazing tutorial for you to try your handiwork with!