CLASSICS ON TREND: BLACK LAMP SHADES

Since engaging on social media, I have met so many wonderful people - both online and in real life. One person I've met and have had the pleasure of collaborating with is Leslie Carothers, the CEO of The Kaleidoscope Partnership. Recently, Leslie referred me to a social media client of hers, Leslie Hendrix Wood, to be a blog contributor to the Hadley Court interior design blog. I also had the pleasure of meeting Leslie Hendrix Wood this past March in LA at the Design Bloggers Conference, where Leslie's blog Hadley Court was awarded Design Blog of the Year. Thrilled to collaborate with Leslie & Leslie, please be sure to stop by the Hadley Court blog to view my first contribution post: Trend Pin Tuesday: Black Lamp Shades, where you'll see the Top 5 most pinned images of rooms using black lamp shades, as well as tips to incorporate this trend into your own home...

 

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As stated by Interior Designer Jan Showers, "Every room needs a touch of black, just as it needs one antique piece" -- and one way to achieve this concept is with a black lamp shade...

 

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Happy to be blogging again after my trip back east, and thrilled to be collaborating with Leslie Hendrix Wood of Hadley Court...

About Leslie

Leslie Wood is the founding editor of Hadley Court. Leslie received her undergraduate degree in business. She worked briefly in banking and returned to school to earn her master’s degree in business. Upon graduation, she moved to Washington D.C. to work on a Presidential campaign and received a Presidential appointment to a position in International Trade. At the end of the administration, Leslie returned to her hometown and joined the family oil and gas business. Now that her children are grown, she has returned to school to pursue a lifelong passion to earn a degree in interior design. Leslie also works as an associate for Chancellor Interiors.

 For more, inspiration, information, and even sources of black shades, also be sure to visit the Trending Now: Black Shades board on Pinterest and stop by Hadley Court interior design blog for the top pins and tips to incorporate black lamp shades into your home...

 

Thanks for stopping by today...

SECONDHAND STYLE: FALL FINDS AT MY SISTER'S CLOSET

Someone recently asked me where my favorite place to shop is here in AZ -- and besides thrifting at Goodwill or Savers, I'd have to say it's shopping at My Sister's Closet! I have lucked out finding so many great deals for on trend fashion without doing serious damage to my wallet. Yes they have an assortment of higher priced designer goods - for example Louis Vuitton and  Chanel, (which Scottsdale does an excellent job at featuring separately) but even the everyday racks are easy to comb through and find what you're looking for. Two key Fall prints I've been hunting for lately are leopard and camo (see post at Fun Fall Finds) I have leopard scarves and even flats and a clutch, but I really wanted to find a leopard jacket for this fall (I love jackets!) Another piece for this fall I've been looking for was a camo jacket. Although I managed to find both, only one fit right, which means some other fashionista will luck out to that score....

 

At My Sister's Closet - Chandler, AZ 

 

Major Fall score: 3 Trends in 1 

Leopard, Leather Trim and Military coat for only $19!

 

LOVE!

 

LOVED this camo jacket - but it was one size too big!

Some other fashionista her in AZ will love :)

 

Too small - but still a great find - Military jacket for Fall...

 

GREAT core piece for anytime of year - but especially this Fall...

a DKNY denim jacket I got back in August (for just $10!), and will be taking with me on my upcoming trip back east (next week! Can. Not. Wait!) 

Leopard & Camo trend details are perfect additions for Fall - Brace yourself -- (You just may see this fashion trend merge into home decor too!)

Besides jackets for this fall's layered looks (and my trip!) I found a fantastic casual hobo style bag in leopard with tassels at My Sister's Closet - North Scottsdale location... too good to pass up (just $12!)

 

Speaking of bags at My Sister's Closet - 

They will be having a PURSE SALE this weekend!

FRIDAY September 27 - SUNDAY September 29

 

 

Shop online too at: MySistersCloset.com 

 If the My Sister's Closet Fall Unveiling lines are any indication to the crowds to expect, get there ASAP!

 My Sister's Closet - Fall Unveiling - August 27 - Lincoln Village, North Scottsdale

The perk and best part about living here in AZ: Getting to shop great on trend finds without breaking my wallet - at My Sister's Closet! 

... Back to packing for my trip, which has felt like doing a wardrobe pull for a fashion show! I'm super excited to be heading home to the east coast next week! It's been TWO YEARS since I've seen my mom and over TEN years since I've seen my Godmother - or been back to Jersey!

Here's a sneak peek at what I'm packing...

 

 

I may be going 'gaga' right now for leopard and camo, but I don't think I'll go here...

Yes: This is a Camo Chair - No doubt in part thanks to the Duck Dynasty craze... but I'm sure someone will thrift a chair and DIY this shortly!

Thanks for stopping by!

 

 

 

THRIFTY THURSDAY: FUN FALL FINDS

Back when I first starting blogging (late in '09) I had a regular post called "Thrifty Thursdays". I got away from it for a bit when we moved, but may need to re-dedicate Thursday's to some of the great thrift finds I have spotted (and scored!) here in AZ! The latest have been fashion additions for Fall - in my fave fall print: leopard - and the latest hot trend: camo. Last Saturday, I popped into my local Goodwill just to see what they had, and hoping to find a camo scarf - but found something better: A CAMO MAXI SKIRT for only $5!! Perfect for now paired with a black tunic tube top - and later paired with a black turtleneck and military jacket. Another fun find for fall was a little leopard cardi - another great piece to work with for fall layering...

 

$5 Goodwill SCORE for Fall!

 

Couldn't wait to get it home to wash it so I can wear it - Needed to add some salt to the water to stop the color from running...

 

Loved this little leopard cardi - a simple transitional piece to layer with here in AZ (it's still kind of toasty with temps in the 100s!)

 

Back in August, I had gone to My Sister's Closet during their Progressive Sale and scored this Ann Taylor Loft leopard cardi for 70% off (of $9.95!)

 

Another great transitional piece for fall... 

 

And whenever I pop into a thrift store, I always check out the jackets - Jackets are another great transitional piece to layer with - from a maxi dress to tee & jeans...

 

Polka Dots is also trending in fashion, and can work even as a transitional piece later from winter to Spring - just pair with white... but I'm sure I'll be taking this with me on my upcoming trip back east (CAN. NOT. WAIT!)

 

It FIT perfect and a super deal at only $7.99!

What makes these thrift deals here in AZ even sweeter is the additional 20% off I got by using my emailed September coupon!

 

Now - if I could just find a leopard COAT - I'd be in heaven!!

Gotta love the thrill of thrift!

Find what's trending on Pinterest - and go hunting in thrift shops for the look for less and still stay on trend!

What have you thrifted lately?

Thanks for stopping by!

Dorm Decor Inspiration From Back To School Denim Fashions

Whenever I think of back to school shopping, I immediately think of denim and right now, it's not too soon to be thinking of back to school shopping for your next dorm diggs. Late last August, I had collaborated with nine other design bloggers and we shared our dorm decor tips (You can link to them and read my tips and tricks at DORM DECOR: Planning Your Residence Hall Space.) With some schools starting school in early August, July is actually a great time to take advantage of extra savings from stores (like an extra 20% off your purchase Big Lots held yesterday) July is also a good time to stock up on other back to school basics (sheets & towels). Besides getting all the necessities (an iron, a mini fridge and extension cords) take a little time to plan out your dorm decor style. This year, as an alternative to the saturated brights and zebra prints, go for something different for your Dorm Diggs: Mix your love of denim with a pop of leopard. For storage, go for baskets and ottomans that can perform double duty: Storage ottomans can hold extra blankets plus be a comfortable foot rest, an extra seat for a friend or add a tray and an ottoman becomes a tabletop to hold your (non-alcoholic) beverage. Replace a single level open desk with vertical storage: a tall cabinet with doors and shelves can become an closet extension to store & display your stacks of denim. Mix your denim duds with wicker & wire baskets gathering necessities like the iron, toiletries or extension cords.(multipurpose your iron to melt a grill cheese or heat up yesterdays pizza!)

 

Merge & mix your fashion & decor for your next dorm diggs:

Your favorite blue & white stripe top can translated into a pillow. Add a pop of leopard just like an accessory: but don't over-do: just pick one or two items (at most) like an area rug or make your own leopard pillow covers from fabric you can pick up at a store like JoAnns.

For furniture finishes, go vintage: Think rustic & raw woods - weathered and worn. For sheets, back to school season is a good time to find the extra long twin sheets in a soft jersey (just like your favorite tee!) Pinterest can have a plethora of ideas for denim DIY projects -- from rugs to pillows to cushion covers for a chair. Shopping thrift you'll probably come by all the denim you'll need for your DIY projects, plus maybe even a few finds for your wardrobe - like a denim shirt you can dip in bleach to ombre or a cool new denim jacket to layer up with in the fall.

 

Splurge on a denim stripe euro pillow by Dash & Albert available at Layla Grayce. If you sign up for their email specials, you can get a coupon to save $25 off your purchase.

Online retailer House To Home has leopard toss pillows for only $34.99

On Trend - Dark Denim featured at Macy's

Besides fashion inspiration...

Here are a few other items and tips to layer into your dorm decor...

 Denim blue finds at Big Lots - Bowls are great to catch keys, rings, or hoops.

 

Add color to blank walls by making your own wall art.

Big Lots has several sizes of blank canvas available.

 

Make your own push-pin wall art...

Big Lots also has a GREAT 4x6 denim rag rug for only $20! 

 Anchor your dorm diggs with an area rug like this leopard rug from Martha Stewart...

Shop thrift for denim DIY projects and wardrobe updates.

Get inspired by a denim pillow and make your own patchwork pillow covers from denim pockets...

 

 Utilize corner space with stackable wicker storage trunks...

 

Just as comforting as your favorite tee shirt, so too can be some jersey sheets on sale at PBTeen...

 

 

Splurge at Zinc Door or make your own message center by painting an old globe with chalkboard paint.

Create your own unique suitcase drawers side table from collected vintage suitcases... 

Create the look of a denim ombre shirt from a DIY zip tie lamp...

 

Replace a single level open desk with plenty of vertical storage by making a stylish rustic bookshelf... 

For additional dorm decor tricks & tips, check out some of my Pinterest boards...

 

JEWELRY ORGANIZING

DORM DECOR

  

DOSE OF DENIM

 With a little pinspiration, planning, thrifting and DIY now, you'll have the most stylish dorm diggs you can create yourself inspired from home decor & fashion trends...

For additional dorm decor and back to school ideas and tips, see my previous posts:

TIPS TO GET YOUR BTS GROOVE ON 

STYLE STUDY SLEEP DORM DESIGN TIPS

 

ORGANIZING ON A BUDGET? SHOP BTS SUPPLIES NOW! 

PLANNING YOUR DORM SPACE 

 

 Take the time to plan your space.

 

Take notes and create your own stylish dorm decor!

Hope you're inspired!

Thanks for stopping by...