28 February 2011

Give-a-way.

Good morning, sunshines! Hope you had the most wonderful weekend. I, for one, am exhausted and for some reason decided to lay off the coffee this morning, so waking up is not coming so easy.

But--I may have the perfect morning fix. As promised, a Monday morning give-a-way! Remember my post about my KeepCup and how utterly obsessed I am? Well...that certainly hasn't changed....in fact, it's only grown. And, to add to it, the people behind KeepCup are just as amazing--they've happily sponsored one medium-sized turquoise KeepCup as a give-away for you Maple and Shade readers. She's sitting in my house and ohhh she's a beauty. Just look at her:
Want K.C. for yourself? Yeah, I thought so. Well, here's how to win her:

FOR ONE ENTRY:
Simply leave me a comment under this post with your name and email address.

FOR TWO ENTRIES:
Become a follower of Maple and Shade (over on the sidebar OR on bloglovin) and tell me in the comment section you've done so. (Don't worry you already-existing followers--this applies to you, too. Just tell me in your comment you're already a follower!)

FOR THREE ENTRIES:
Re-post this give-away on your blog, facebook or tweet about it and tell me in your comment you've done so!

GIVE-A-WAY ENDS SATURDAY MARCH 5 AT MIDNIGHT.
WINNER TO-BE ANNOUNCED MONDAY MARCH 7.

GOOD LUCK!
HAPPY MONDAY.

25 February 2011

It's the weekend.


Today's posting is short but sweet--we're running off to the NC mountains to meet up with Maple's fam for the weekend. I couldn't be more excited for strawberry muffins, french toast, farm-fresh greens and eggs (really...from the farm we are staying on), playing by the gorgeous lake (or maybe it's a pond), taking lots of pretty photos, waking up to good coffee, great family and best friends, and just hanging out in my PJs all day.

Also running around the house trying to get the car all loaded up and apartment straightened because (eek) they are showing our place tonight. That hits home--it's real--we are moving--we are leaving our quaint, downtown abode (sad...but excited...).

Anyway, HAPPY WEEKEND!

Oh, and check back in first thing on Monday...I have a pretty exciting give-way lined up for my dear readers :)

24 February 2011

Dark...and light.

 {source unknown}








Finding these photos especially pretty today. Love the rich hues mixed with a light and airy contrast, and how perfectly styled each pic is. And how amazingly eclectic is that top photo? If I tried to pull that off my house would only look cluttered. And the long, gray pleated skirt? Yes, that would swallow me whole. But I'm certainly glad someone can look ultra-chic in a hard-to-pull-off number.

Happy reading.
HAPPY THURSDAY.



23 February 2011

Room...and...things.

 { Jenna Lyon's bathroom;  La Garconne lingerie; Fay Andrara Earings; Anthropologie bracelet; Rupert Sanderson shoes;  Celine clutch }

Meant for one another...wouldn't you say?

Let me introduce you...

...to my morning obsession. Her name is Sydney and her blog is The Day Book and she pretty much rocks. Not only does she have amazing, thrifty style (finally...a girl with a real-life budget), her photography and sense of design is top-notch, and she and her hubby and their married adventures are beyond cute. Oh, and that black bag on her arm? It's for her camera. And yes, they are sold out.









Anyway...she's pretty perfect with a morning cup of coffee...especially if you're thinking about slacking for the day and bumming it (the temptation I fight..everyday). She'll be sending you to your closet with a whole new mission in mind.

*Enjoy*

21 February 2011

h.i.m. (happy in the morning): simple shades.

Hello, pretties. Hope your weekend was just perfect. Ours certainly was--it involved good food, ample couch time, a bit of work (sigh...when will it not?), mingling with good friends, watching cute pups launch themselves into the water at a "retrieving" contest, (random...yes...but true) Sunday morning church, 75 and sunny weather (today will be 79!), and...lounging in the sunny backyard with a quilt, the hubby and a good beer in hand.

Yes...magnificent...now back. to. work.

On another note...loving the classic palette of black and white at the moment. Just scored a black and white striped sequined tee on sale (yay) that inspired this morning's H.I.M. Just look at these pretty things--and how about that hardware from Anthro? Can't wait to move into this new house of ours and start prettying old pieces of furniture and bare walls with those stunners. Oh, and...I think I need that umbrella. Summer showers are just around the corner, after all.

Okay, readers--happy perusing.
HAPPY DAY.

18 February 2011

Garden roundup.

So, a lot of you probably know that I do some freelance work for Charleston Home Magazine...I'm kind of what you would call the DIY-er.  I was assigned two sections for this upcoming issue (hitting newsstands the middle of March...can't wait!), and although I won't reveal just yet what I designed and styled, the photoshoots for both of my "things" went down yesterday (hence the reason for not blogging).

Anyway, one of the shoots just happened to take place across the street from me, in this to-die-for downtown charmer that I drool over every time I look out the window. I finally got a peek into the backyard that's of course complete with a two-story piazza, herringbone-brick patios, and a gorgeous, simple pool. Reminiscent of something you'd see in the english countryside. Since the shoot took place in a "garden" setting, I've had backyards on the brain and thought it only appropriate to ramble on about them today :)





{found via pinterest}

The bottom photo belongs to Thomas O'Brien. Of course it does.

Anyway, the home we're under contract for has a giant backyard...just giant...which we are thrilled about...but it's definitely a blank slate. And, when I mean blank, I mean it has two trees and a fence, and this shabby little patio that maybe shouldn't have been built (oops, did I say that?)

So yes, a garden will be the very first addition which I. can. not. wait. to. do. I'm over lackluster produce that's been shipped across the globe, ripened in a giant bin that's had strange hands groping it...not to mention is either over-ripe or very much under and entirely over-priced. So yes, I think I will grow my own. And how divine that will be. Honey, I need a tomato. Can you fetch it from the garden for me? No more running to Harris Teeter...yay. 

Maple will be building his Men-Den (think macho garden shed), complete with a wood-burning stove (I'm jealous) and whatever else amazing things he designs for it (because he really is amazing with those things). But, he's promised I can have a little, bitty corner/backwall/shelf/something for my gardening things. 

And, a patio is in order. But not just any patio--we want it to be nooked off (is that a word?) with a few of my dad's trellises separating it from the expansive yard (I'm all about cozy, secluded spaces). We'll have a fire-pit...a definite must...and a table to fit all of our friends...and who knows what else. All I know is we are beyond excited to have this home, and this yard, of our own. Our very own. To do whatever we so choose. Yay.

Okay--off to work.
HAPPY FRIDAY!
Happy weekend.




16 February 2011

h.i.m. (happy in the morning): prettied spring palette.

 A. valentino dress   B. pretty garland found here   C. Rennes money pouch  
D. Elaine Turner shoes  E. art by spencer finch


IT'S STARTING TO WARM UP AROUND HERE. THERE'S DEFINITELY A REASON PEOPLE MIGRATE TO THE SOUTH. I DO MISS WAKING UP TO A BLANKET OF SNOW AT TIMES, BUT THE PAYOFF IS QUITE NICE: IT'S FEBRUARY--AND 55 DEGREES AT THE MOMENT. IT'S SURE TO BE SUNNY AND NEARLY 70 TODAY...BECKONING THE ENTIRE CITY TO THE OUTDOORS. 

SO,THIS SPRINGTIME SUNSHINE IS MAKING ME FEEL ALL PASTEL INSIDE (WHHHAT?!). I'M SUCH A GRAY, BROWN + ARMY GREEN GIRL, BUT LOVING THE PALETTE I PUT TOGETHER ABOVE. LIGHT, BRIGHT AND AIRY COLOR WITH AN EDGE. SO READY TO SPRUCE UP MY WINTER WARDROBE AND HIT THE CITY STREETS IN SOME PRETTIED COLOR.

WHAT ABOUT YOU? 
READY TO BID-GOODBYE TO WINTER WEATHER?



HAPPY WEDNESDAY.

14 February 2011

2.14.11


{ above photos via Once Wed Mary Ruffle; pancake photo is mine }




AND TONIGHT WE ARE MAKING ADOBO-MARINATED MAHI MAHI TACOS WITH RED CABBAGE, AVOCADO AND A CHIPOTLE-CITRUS CREAM SAUCE. WE'RE WHIPPING UP THE RECIPE OURSELVES, BUT I'LL BE SURE TO POST IF ALL GOES WELL.


I'M NOT ENTIRELY INTO THE FRILLS OF THE "HOLIDAY," BUT I'LL TOTALLY TAKE IT AS AN EXCUSE TO COOK SUPER DELICIOUS FOOD AND HANG OUT WITH MY 1 AND ONLY.


WHAT ARE YOU DOING FOR V-DAY? 







11 February 2011

It's the weekend


Therefore I'm going to:
*Make a mess of my kitchen...in a good way...baking and cooking and whipping up treats.
*Conquer the indoor rockwall with my hubby...our newest Saturday morning tradition.
*Shop the goods at an estate sale right down the street...hoping to score some finds for the new house.
*Finish building a headboard for an NYC apartment design I'm working on.
*Go fabric scouting for the same apartment...and for our new casa... :)
*Work, work...and do some more work...my freelance projects are piling up (yay!)
*Round up styling props for a mag photoshoot I have next week
*Eat a scrumptious, homecooked din (with amazing friends) at our very first monthly Supper Club meal
*do our Sunday morning church thing
*maybe, just maybe start packing a few things (am I getting ahead of myself here? We haven't officially closed on the new diggs yet...)
*hope there's some time left for lounging around on the couch with Maple, the pup, a good book and a frothy espresso.

Oh my...oh-so-busy...but that's a good thing :)
HAPPY WEEKEND.

Perfect for your pocketbook: Zara

One thing I love about the brink of spring?
Massive sales on cozy winter goods. I love stocking up for the upcoming season--especially on items that aren't too trendy so you won't be dawning last year's duds the next time the air turns cold. Anyway, I've been doing just that--searching for sales that are too good to pass up, and let me tell you: Zara has just that. Lucky enough to live near the Euro-chic retailer? If so (I'm entirely envious) you need to go to there:

Perfection--I know.
The best part? All these finds are super cheap--like $50 or less.
And...I adore the luxe detailing they give to their budget-friendly pieces. They certainly don't skimp when it comes to design.

The perfect weekend shopping spree? A big yes, if you live in a big city (which right now I'm wishing I did). So, if you are in fact lucky enough to be Zara-bound...think of me while you're replenishing your wardrobe on the cheapo.

HAPPY FRIDAY.
Thank goodness :)

10 February 2011

Inspired by: pretty things.










*How striking is Kate Winslet? Loving her chic, messy up-do.
*And those flowers...
*European architecture--I'd give anything to go back to those wonder-filled streets.
*Almost beach weather...itching to stick my toes in the sand and feel that salty breeze.
*Then again...winter I really will miss. Wishing our  landscape was enchanted like these snow-covered,   tree-speckled hills.
*Prettied workspace: I like you.
*Europe--again--they sure know how to do design their dwellings.
*Hmm...I think I need glasses...especially those pretties :)
*I wouldn't mind getting lost in a berry-covered thicket...in fact...maybe I will try someday.

Hope your morning's just as pretty.
HAPPY THURSDAY.

09 February 2011

Antique 8-foot farm table:

We need a decent dining table...and a pretty big one at that. So I've been perusing Craigslist, assuming I'd be sorting through a lot of overpriced junk that would probably never make it through our new front door. And then I found her:

FOR $325. 
DIRT. CHEAP. 


I fell in love.
I emailed the owner...feverishly.
He said he'd "sold" it, but the guy had never come back to get it.
I thought about offering more. I guess maybe I should have...
So I followed up on her yesterday, and yes...
she's gone.


Sad, right? She would've been oh-so-pretty in our new place.

07 February 2011

h.i.m. (happy in the morning): fabulous France.

Hello, Monday! And hello, my pretty readers! My morning blog run-through was short and sweet (finishing up some freelance work this morning before heading into my actual work), but I came across this little beauty via dress, design, decor that might make your morning a wee bit brighter (and possibly convince you to jump on a plane to France).


EF - Live The Language - Paris from Albin Holmqvist on Vimeo.

Just look at that typography--it's beyond perfect. And the colors...the music...the culture...the food. The videography is brilliant. Bravo, EF, you've accomplished what you intended: I want to learn French and scoot off to Paris...tomorrow.

Happy Monday :)

04 February 2011

Morning admiration: West Elm.






Is it just me, or has West Elm really stepped it up a notch?

I've always admired their products, but now it seems as if they've made a valiant effort to fuse their sleek, modern designs with eclectic pairings--I love how they've made modern (which can be completely austere) so cozy and warm. Their photo-styling is on-point, and those paint colors! Love the dark gray in the first photo--and I'm seriously considering emailing the company to find out where that stunning accordion swing lamp came from. I've somewhat stalked their site--it's got to be an outside find.

Well done, West Elm...I'm now more of a fan than ever.
My bank account certainly won't thank you.

03 February 2011

Work from home--and do it well.

Working from home today on several looming deadlines (and therefore procrastinating a bit), which got me thinking--or dreaming--of our soon-to-be home office. This new house has my mind reeling--Maple and I can't wait to settle in, get organized, and spread out. We'll finally have some space to work, and best of all--it will be in a room that's totally dedicated to that (verses our current office/living room/dining room combo). 

So here it is: a home office inspiration board that makes days spent working at home so totally worth it.

So, what do you think?
Do any of you work from home...even if only on occasion (like me)?
If so, what's your office like? What do you love about it? What do you recommend?
Would so love to hear!



Here to Keep.

Hello lovelies! I have someone I'd just love for you to meet. He's tall, dark, Australian, and ever-so handsome. He's sturdy, reliable, well-kempt...even warm...and he really loves a good latte.

Perfection? 
I sure think so...

He is my new Keep Cup (a big thank you to my big brother)...and he's almost up to par with my Maple (sorry, Keep Cup, you don't fix breakfast in bed...or do you?).

I can be a wee bit picky about things (my coffee mugs are one of those peculiarities), and I. just. love. this. one. I wanted something that's sleek (no handles, please), easy to clean, lightweight, good quality, and BPA-free. And this, fellow coffee-connesiuers, is it.  And the best part? You can mix + match the colors and it's totally dishwasher and microwave safe. SOLD.

Plus...he looks good on my desk.



02 February 2011

THIS IS KY.

I stumbled across an Elle Decor spread last night (entirely unsure how I've never seen this before) that made my heart pine for Kentucky. Yes, Charleston is amazing in all of its charm and glory, and it's now our home--but my everything still belongs to Lexington. It's beyond describable; I try, but it's impossible for outsiders to grasp the beauty of the rolling hills, stately houses, rows of stone walls and painted fences, bright green pastures dotted with blue-blooded thoroughbreds, massive oak trees, and happy red barns.

There's no place in the world like it (and no, sometimes we don't wear shoes)...and apparently designer royalty duo Badgley & Mischka feel the same, for they reside in the boundaries of my home city--Lexington. Their diggs are a bit fancy for my tastes, but I'm loving the contrast between black, white, and dark-stained wood. Masculine...but totally refined, if not elegant. And ohh...to live on that million-dollar land...













Thank you, Elle Decor. This was so fun to see.

I think it's safe to say I'm terribly missing Lexington today, and all my family and friends.
XOXO. Miss you ALL.