Mudrooms

I must admit, I've always wanted a mudroom.  I think they can be the perfect little space to throw your jacket and your shoes when you get home, and offer a great storage place for your winter gear, rain gear, etc.  A simple room to keep everything in order.  These two mudrooms make me drool.  

I love the idea of each family member having their own cubby.  Perfect place for shoes, jackets, backpacks, etc.  And it looks neat and organized.

Hello luxury mudroom.  Again, each family member can have their own space, but this is just true beauty.  And the extra cabinets offer even more storage...and who couldn't use more storage space?  So beautiful.

I hope everyone is enjoying a beautiful, very warm Memorial Day!!

Images via DecorPad

Please Help-Bone Marrow Transplant

I just received a comment on my blog from a fellow blogger asking for help because her friend's daughter needs a bone marrow transplant.  She has been diagnosed with a rare blood disease that will most likely progress to leukemia if untreated, but faces an 80% chance of cure with a bone marrow transplant.  None of her family members are a match, and there is only 1 potential match on the donor registry.  I don't know this blogger or this family, but I feel the need to share this story, and I encourage each and every one of you who are able to consider registering to be a bone marrow donor.  All you have to do is a simple cheek swab to get tested, and they will determine if you are a match. If you can do something this easy and possibly save someone's life...why wouldn't you?  It won't cost you anything, but really can save a life.  

You are eligible to be a donor if you meet the following:

• Be between the ages of 18 and 55
• Be in good general health
• Weigh more than 110lbs but not exceed BMI 40
• Not be HIV positive or have AIDS
• Not have had heart surgery or heart disease
• Not have an autoimmune disorders such lupus, rheumatoid arthritis or multiple sclerosis
• Not have sleep apnea, breathing problems or sever asthma (daily inhalers are acceptable)
• Not have diabetes requiring insulin
• Not have hepatitis B or C
• Not have a stroke (including TIA)
• Not have chronic or severe neck or back problems
• Not have epilepsy or have a had a seizure within one year
• Not have a blood clot or a bleeding disorder
• Not have a personal history of cancer (melanoma, breast, bladder, and cervical cancer)

Donors can request kits from around the country on their website https://www.dkmsamericas.org/register.  They will receive their free kit within 3 business days. 

If you are interested in helping this family, go to their FB page.  You can ask to receive more information about donating here, make a monetary donation if you are able, and stay updated on the current situation.  

Check out Haley's story here to lean more.  

Chicago

As you may or may not know, I am currently living in downtown Chicago.  When I was growing up, we lived in the Northwest Suburbs, about 40 minutes outside of the city.  When I began college, I moved downtown, and I absolutely love it!  I'm currently planning on moving to a different area of the city when my lease is up in July, and I am beyond excited about moving.

Anyways, I have decided to share my great love of Chicago with y'all.  I'm going to try to do at least a weekly post about my different "favorites" in the city...restaurants, bars, parks, etc. I think it will be a fun way to mix up the blog (and hopefully be a fun way to encourage me to further explore this fabulous city)! So stay tuned!!

Swooning for White...and Orange?!

So I'm pretty sure I tell you guys all the time how much I am OBSESSED with white kitchens.  Seriously...I am obsessed.  Look at this beautiful kitchen space

Dark wood floors + clean white cabinets + huge stainless steel range stove=my personal heaven.

And normally, orange is not a color I gravitate towards, but I love the orange stools around the island!  They add a beautiful unexpected pop!!

Image via DecorPad

Dining Room Difficulties

I love dining rooms.  They often have so much elegance and beauty, but I feel like they are frequently the formal room of the house that is never used, except for holidays and other special occasions.  When I was growing up, we never ever used our dining room.  If I had a beautiful dining space, I think I would try to use it a lot more than just on special occassions.  Why let such a beautiful space in the house go to waste?

I feel like I will have a lot of trouble decorating my future dining room.  There are so many different styles of furniture made for them, and I love so many different styles.  I have a huge file of dining rooms I love saved on my computer, and each time I flip through them I am amazed with the different styles.  However, I seem to love each style more than the next...I'll never be able to choose!  (good thing I've got some time before I've got a dining room of my own to decorate...)

Check out this pretty room.  I love the simplicity yet it definitely has an elegant feel.

There is one thing I am certain will be in my future dining room...a big beautiful chandelier!

Image via DecorPad

Desk Organization

I am still on an organizing kick(but unfortunately, not much organizing is actually getting done).  Maybe because I am supposed to be studying for the nursing licensure exam everyday, I would rather spend my time organizing, tossing things I don't need anymore, and get my life back together.  Martha Stewart has some great desk organization that I am lusting over.

I love the stacked boxes to offer organization for a drawer-less desk.  Plus all the containers for pencils, notecards, and other miscellaneous knick knacks offer bonus storage that is very eye-appealing.

The boxes look like simple bodes from Ikea, but they offer the ultimate organization for all your papers and random things.  These shelves are actually covered in wallpaper, which is an amazing idea to turn cheap boring shelves into personalized works of art!

Magazine holders covered in wallpaper.  Makes them look beautiful sitting next to one another in the bookshelf.

Check out more cheap organization ideas from Martha Stewart

Hiding Out

Well...Chicago is having a bit of a bout of bad weather...we are currently under a tornado watch until later tonight and I'm supposed to be picking up someone at the airport, so I'm just laying around waiting.  They're flight has already been delayed by 3 hours, so they're not due to land until almost midnight.  Maybe if this dang weather could clear up then they will be able to get in earlier, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that they do!

Check out this beautiful kitchen view.  How I wish I could look out my apartment everyday into a beautiful view like this one.

Simply stunning.  I can't get the other pictures to save onto my computer, but as you can imagine, the rest of the kitchen is just as beautiful.  Check it out here.

Image via Jenn Air Lookbook for Elle Decor

Seeing Blue

So I've told you all before how blue really was not my favorite color in decorating, but that it seems to be one of the new hot colors of the season.  Well of course, it is continuing to grow on me.  Still not sure how I feel about the basic blue shade, but I am really love turquoise colors and light blues as accent colors throughout a variety of rooms.  Check out these beauties:

In this room, I love the turquoise sofa.  I don't think I could ever bring myself to buy something like this for fear my taste would change too fast, but I really do love it.

The bright blue pillows make the perfect accent in this white room with the straight, clean lines.  It takes the room from sterile to warm and inviting.  

Love the blue pillows and lamp.  Such a simple accent really can do so much for an otherwise neutral colored room.

Again, the simple blue accent takes this neutral room from simple to absolutely stunning.  And I just adore that upholstered chair.  That color is literally the perfect blue.

I LOVE this dining room.  Literally everything about it.  Everything.

Whats your favorite accent color?

All images via DecorPad

Laundry Days

I don't know about you, but I'm pretty sure I've done about 15 loads of laundry this weekend.  And that was literally all for myself (yah...I haven't done laundry in about 3 weeks, oops!).  I feel that the laundry room is one of the most frequently overlooked rooms in a house, but we certainly do spend a lot of time there!  Why not make your laundry room another beautiful and inviting room, so that you don't mind being in there when you have to be?  Check out some of these beauties:

Love the yellow.  Seriously bright and cheery.  And that black sink is too cute.

I love all the different jars for laundry soap and what not.  The subway tiles give the space a clean feel.

Simple and clean, but a pretty space.

Hello beautiful sinks.  

Love the farmhouse sink.  And I love the wicker baskets for some extra storage.  It looks like the labels are made with chalkboard paint, so you can easily switch them up as your needs change.

So bright and airy with great storage!

This just makes me smile.  The skirt around the sink adds an unexpected feminine touch.

Pink laundry room.  Nothing more needs to be said :)

I like the different words on the cabinets.  Creative way to mix up the storage space a bit.

So simple but beautiful.  Anyone could do this.

Love the silver backsplash.  And the big jars holding the laundry soap.

Hello gorgeous.  A chandelier in the laundry room?  Now we're talking!

Just perfect.  I love the apothecary jars filled with soaps, and the metal buckets on the top shelf for storage.

Again...the apothecary jars for storage, and the other cute glass jars for all the knick knacks you end up with in the laundry.  Perfect place to keep all those lost buttons.  And the table makes the perfect folding and ironing station.

Who would have thought there were so many great laundry rooms out there?  Sorry for the picture overload, but I just love them all!

All images via DecorPad

Think Pink

Pink is one of my favorite colors ever, and I really love it in decorating.  I know that it is usually to feminine for most people, but sometimes, I think it offers the perfect punch to a room.  Check out this darling living area:

The pink and red gives it a feminine feel, but not too overwhelming.  I love love love the upholstered chair, it is just stunning.  I think this room offers the perfect example of a classy, well-balanced pink room.

Image via DecorPad

EdenFantasys

Okay...you all know how much I love EdenFantasys.  Seriously, it is one of those online sites where I can spend hours and hours browsing around, trying to figure out what to buy.  From lingerie, to massage kits and oils, toys, videos, etc. they have something for everyone!! I am not kidding...you will find at least something, and more like 5 or 10 things, that you want to try out!  EdenFantasys offers free shipping on all orders over $59, and free express delivery on orders $80+.  Perfect for ordering the last minute gift, or if you are just looking to spice up a lazy weekend!! Plus, they offer a free gift with every purchase!  How can you say no to that?

The lingerie at EdenFantasys is one of my favorite things to browse through.  There are so many different choices, it takes me forever to pick just one or two things to order.  My current favorite:

Apparently, I'm loving the pink and black right now.  :)

I could probably post 40 more things like that I love, but I think you get the picture!  They also have a great 50% clearance sale going on right now, where you are sure to find some great items!!

Check out EdenFantasys to spice up your love life, or to spice up your single life.  I guarantee you...you won't be disappointed!!

Bold Color

I've been browsing through some of my favorite magazine's websites tonights, check out the new beautiful designs they are currently sharing.  I have to admit...I get about 6 or 7 magazines per month, but I have been so busy they have literally piled themselves into a mountain waiting for me to read them.  I have like 5 months of magazines to catch up on.  Oops!

Anyways, check out this beautiful house shown by Traditional Home.  They are calling it "suburban house with great color," and my oh my...great it is.  I was literally drooling with each picture I looked at.  Here are some of my favorites:

Entry and the front hallway.  I absolutely adore that wallpaper.  And check out the beautiful design on the sides of the stairs.  Stunning

Hello gorgeous.  Love the sunburst mirror!  And the different shades and patterns of green are such a fun bright mix!

Again, same beautiful paper from before, and I just love the dresser.  I want to move this into my own house.  Pretty pleaseee

Guest bedroom.  Yellow and black make it so warm and inviting.  I would like to be a guest here

Back of the dining room chairs.  Love the unexpected pattern.

Love the master bedroom.  I need to figure out how to beautify my nightstand.

All images via Traditional Home