to do in 2010

When I make goals, I'm careful not to commit to anything that I won't actually do or follow through on. Here is my carefully edited list of what I'm really trying to focus on this year:

1. Be less critical

2. Do a better job of balancing work/family time

3. Cook more

4. Think twice before buying (I'm such a hoarder of things, you should see my storage room)

5. Finish one project before starting another

6. Get my new site up and running

7. Maintain organization habits so that things don't get too messy

8. Build more blog friendships, stay in touch with friends better

9. Get caught up on photo albums

10. Spend more time outside

big plans

I'm in the process of moving out some old furniture to make room for the new. I spotted these dining chairs at a local consignment store and my heart went a flutter. Oh the possibilities.A set of 6. When I looked the price tag of $35 I was sold. Eventually I'll paint and reupholster these babies, but for now they're getting a good steam cleaning and a wipe down. 

I envision them evolving in to some thing glamorous but fun like the images below. 

Aren't good deals just the best? 

double take

If you like these industrial tolix bar stools, then you will love these and their fabulous price.

10 things I can't live without

My pal Paloma over at La Dolce Vita has to be one of my favorite bloggers. She

is gorgeous and genuine to the core. I just adore her. 

She's featuring me today in her series, 10 things I can't live without. 

Head on over and say hello. 

Wouldn't it be great to live at the plaza?

I grew up reading a dog eared copy of Eloise that belonged to my mother when she was a child. This was long before our little Eloise gained the popularity she has today. Ah how times have changed. 

Now she has her very own store at the recently refurbished Plaza Hotel. 

Lucky girl. 

I think Dorothy Draper would have loved this place.

Just fake it: Do it yourself wallpaper

Every time I go to my local design center I thumb through the gorgeous wallpapers and stare with envy. My current living situation is temporary meaning no paint, no wallpaper. SO what's a girl to do? Get creative. 

There is one wall in particular that just needed a little something fun, and I decided green would do the trick. A few drops of glue, a roll of floral tape and voila, wallpaper in an hour for the cost of a latte. 

Don't you love it when I get all creative on you? 

I'll post a play by play in the next few days. 

Merci Beaucoup

I owe a joyful public thanks to 2 wonderful sites that I feel flattered to be mentioned on. 

The first thank you goes to Jo over at Desire to inspire who included CC Interiors in her holiday reading guide of new blogs to watch. I feel flattered to be included in such a great group of bloggers. It was a true Christmas surprise for me to read her blog (one of my faves) and discover my little header on there. Thank you so much for the mention.

The second thanks is to whoever nominated me for the Apartment Therapy 2009 Homies. What a compliment. Thanks to all of you who read and comment on this blog and help remind me why I put so much time & effort into it. I love hearing from you!

I've got lots of goodies coming up for you in 2010, including some awesome giveaways. 

And just maybe a blog makeover with lots of style.

Here comes the sun

You may have noticed that sunburst mirrors seem to be popping up in every nook and cranny of the design world these days. I happen to love this trend and I always seem to a get a little butterfly in my stomach when I spot one in a beautiful room. 

The problem is, that these gorgeous mirrors usually seem to come with a matching price tag, which doesn't always work for the budget minded. 

Lucky for all of us, I had a little moment in the antique store a few weeks ago when I spotted this vintage syrocco clock. Suddenly I had an idea, what if I took this piece swapped out the clock piece with a precut mirror and voila, instant chicness. 

I was giddy just thinking about it. 

I took the piece home and began to deconstruct it. Once the clock face was off I sponged the whole face of the clock with liquid silver leaf since the gold tones wouldn't really work in my bedroom. I bought a precut mirror at my local craft store and with a couple of drops of glue, we were good to go. 

This was the stage at which I noticed my adorable toddler decided to break off one of the rays but we won't get in to that. I still love the result and the broken ray has since been mended. 

All in all this project cost me about $32.00. 

$24.00 for the clock

$3.50 for the silver leaf paint

$2.99 for the precut mirror

Not bad for a days work. 

If you're interested in trying to recreate this there are a handful of great clock options on ebay. Mine was vintage Syroco. 

Have yourself a merry little Christmas

Thanks for all your support and interest in this little old blog. 

I've got lots of great things in store for 2010 that I can't wait to share. 

I'm so glad to take you all along for the ride! 

Hope you are curled up by a fire somewhere with people you love. 

Merry Christmas.

xoxo,

Caitlin

image via house and home

(don't you love that darling little scooter on the wall?)

mistletoe

Look at these adorable neighbor gifts Stephanie put together. It is enough to motivate me to get my act together this Christmas. Maybe next year. 

a random sampling

I'm crazy with Christmas but I didn't want to leave the blog totally neglected. Here is a random sampling from my interiors file (of over 3,000 images, yikes!) of red and green rooms. I'm terrible about sourcing images so if you know who some of these belong to, let me know. 

domino?

carla lane

Vanessa De Vargas

Canadian House & Home? 

Barrie Benson

coastal living?

Ruthie Sommers

Kelly Wearstler @ The Viceroy

Anne Coyle

Windsor Smith from Traditional Home

gift ideas # 21 Something for the Mom

My Mom would LOVE this mother of pearl tray as a spot to set all her perfume and lovelies.

New York

John Steinbeck said that once New york has become your home, no other place is good enough. And right now, that is sort of how I feel. This week marks the one year anniversary since we moved from our darling little apartment on the Upper East Side.  It's been a whole year. I can hardly believe it. I still miss New York every single day. It makes me sad to think that every day it becomes more a place where we used to live, inching into the past.

Anyway, I love you dear New York. Especially at Christmas. 

deal of the day

Look at my pretty new armoire I bought today! 

Only $50 and it has the most amazing patina on the wood. I felt like I was stealing at that price. 

Merry and Bright

It was a crazy busy night but I managed to grab a few pictures of this cheap and chic event before the party started. Let's be honest there is only so much you can do to dress up a gym for the holidays but all in all it really came together with some simple elements:

wrapping paper in fun bold prints (table runners)

tissue paper pom poms (a great tutorial here)

christmas candy (the kids were on a sugar high all night)

poinsettias (26 to be exact)

fun striped napkins (michaels)

and my milk glass collection

Happy Holidays! 

Answering your questions

Just so you know, I'm not hoarding a 5 year old Picasso. I just happen to have a client that has adorable children who love art. We thought we'd put those talents to good use to lighten up our formal family room with their self portraits. The project cost about $25 for paint and canvases and it just makes that room! 

I just couldn't LOVE them more! 

To answer a few other questions:

Couches-from a local big box furniture store. But similar ones can be purchased on overstock

Bookcases-Craigslist find that we painted and added some thrift store accessories to. 

Coffee table-Thrift store buy that we painted a steely blue. 

Pillows-custom

Stay tuned-I just might have some pictures from a certain holiday party in store. 

gift ideas # 18, 19, 20

I've had a busy weekend so I'm trying to catch up. 

I know I would love to redecorate a bathroom around this darling little poster;

And I also wouldn't mind one of these sassy benches (they even have storage);

But my heart is really set on one of these darling bowling sets for little Winston. I'm sure this would entertain any little child for hours!