small bathrooms with limited tile

My sister is renovating her bathroom this week. In an effort to keep costs down she would like to try to keep the tile limited to the floors. The current trend is to do tile (or beadboard) halfway up the walls. Here is the proof that you can have a nice bathroom without that.


I think one of the keys is to paint the walls.




via porch light interiors, persian tea, old house journal, luxury interior design, house beautiful

baby gift

I love to give board books as baby shower gifts. My problem is that I have a limited knowledge of children's books that dates back to my days as a nanny 4-8 years ago. These were some of my favorites back then, any suggestions on books to add to the gift list?

Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown

Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? By Eric Carle

Barnyard Dance by Sandra Boynton

Jamberry by Bruce Degen

Good Night Gorilla by Peggy Rathmann

and the winner is...

via house beautiful

Rach and Todd! Send me your info at paperwhitejewelry@gmail.com

pink pout

I will admit it, I am not a lipstick girl. Actually, any day that I put on anything besides chapstick (Burt's Bee's is the only way to go) is a fancy day. That being said, sometimes I like to throw on lipstick to feel like an adult. I often wonder when you cross that threshold. For me, if I start wearing lipstick every day it would signify my transfer to adulthood. Probably because it is something I associate with my Mother.

When I do wear lipstick my favorite (out of the three tubes I own) is the in your face red. Now I want to add a fourth, these pinks are gorgeous.

Do you wear lipstick? How do you keep it from coming off 15 minutes after application?

via glamour, the daybook, the shine, marie claire

getting geared up

via google images
I am jet-setting to San Fran this weekend (doesn't this picture bring the opening credits of Full House to mind?). A couple of days for pleasure, then an appointment with the specialists at Stanford. An added bonus, time spent with my parents and a good friend. I can't wait...

lighting and giveaway

My bedroom has two bedside lamps. They don't match, but I would like them to. Or at least have them look like they belong in the same room. I started perusing CSN's lighting store because they have every sort of lights options out there. If you would like a chance to win $35 to spend at ANY CSN store leave a comment. Here are some of my favorite bedside lamp options.

My Mom bought a similar Tiffany Lamp for my old bedroom. I was somewhat surprised to find that I absolutely loved it.


This lamp looks like a dream come true. The ability to move the light would be perfect for a bedside lamp!

I like this retro-looking glass lamp.

I love the look of this lamp. Would it work for a bedside table?

some recipes

These recipes have spiked my interest. Hamburgers with grated zucchini and beef? Baked, egg-less egg rolls? I want to try them...

Sirloin Burgers with Roasted Garlic & Rosemary


Baked Southwest Egg Rolls

P.S. There will be a giveaway later this week!

P.P.S. I made it through the wedding (pictures to come) and my graduate presentation. I am now one 20-30 page paper from graduation!!

missing in action

Sorry for the light posting. I am in the middle of wedding mania. My sister gets married in the morning and we have been DIYing our minds out. Well, mostly my Mom and sister and in-laws have- I am trying to finish my school project for Monday. Here are some of the flowers for tomorrow. Isn't my Mom amazing?

red tights

This picture makes me miss my red tights. Perhaps it is time to invest in another pair.
Via Ali loves Curtis

summer's coming

I love this dress from Issa. I am so ready for summer.

a royal update

The web is buzzing about which tiara Kate will wear for the wedding. Queen Elizabeth traditionally presents the bride with a tiara. Most "royal watchers" are predicting that Kate will receive and heirloom tiara rather than have a new one made for her like Fergie and Sophie. Here are my predictions for the top contenders.

The Hanover Fringe Tiara

Duchess of Teck Rose and Crescent Tiara

The Scroll Diamond Tiara

Rumor has it that Kate is going with Alexander McQueen's designer Sarah Burton for the wedding dress. If that is true, I can't wait to see what it looks like. I have to assume it would be an understated version of the usual McQueen style but with all the detailing.

via Hello Magazine, Telegraph Fashion, Aetheticus Rex,

part two

More nursery wall art...









via kenziepoo, apartment therapy, ohdeedoh, design crisis, cheap and chic nursery,

nursery wall art, part 1

My sister is deciding what to put on the walls of her nursery. A friend of hers will be painting her a picture of her choice and she wants ideas on what the picture should be. While researching this, I came across several pictures of nurseries with children's art on the wall (including one of my nephews room). I love this idea. It is endearing and playful, perfect for a babies room!



via little moth, spearmint baby, Danielle O.

finally!

My friends and I are making hats to wear while watching the Royal wedding. I finally found a shop on Etsy that sells hat bases in the United States! I found some instructions on how to make a fascinator here. Let the millinery commence!

fencing

I love this take on a fence.

bathroom design

My sister and I do trade offs. She edits every single school paper I write and I do searches for her home improvement projects. This is her bathroom, lovely as the mint green tile accented with black is, Camille wants a change. With a preference for subway tiles, and a love for neutral whites and grays and clean looks, this is what I found.

Many of the rooms used octagonal tiles on the floor, I prefer the gray floor paired with the white subway tiles halfway up the wall.


These have more stark color contrasts which I would tone down, but I like the idea of using a little more color.


My personal favorite from Brooklyn Limestone's remodel.

via Brooklyn Limestone, Arch Library, Houzz, Styling with Children, House Beautiful, Desire to Inspire