DECOR CRUSH: COFFEE TABLE BOOKS.

At this point in our online relationship, you guys know how crazed I am when it comes to decorating the 796 square feet that Coco and I call home. Since I can't do what I really want in a rental(rip up the carpet!), I love to switch things up in other ways so that I don't get tired of looking at my little sanctuary. 

One of my favorite ways to update my mini-home's style is by adding and/or swapping out accessories. I just gave up my beloved Christmas scented candle for this little caged beauty, but I have also been playing around with my book collection. 

Coffee table books are a super easy update that make your living room (or bedside table!) look a little extra chic, and add interest without adding the bulk of actual furniture. The only rule you need to follow is stacks on stacks on stacks. Stack city, bitch. Tyga understands me.

1. BOOK OF CHIC 2. ELEMENTS OF STYLE 3. CELEBRATE 4. THE FASHION BOOK 5. GOOD TASTE

6. TOM FORD 7. LIVING IN STYLE 8. JIMMY CHOO 9. PLACES TO GO

I just got this new one for Christmas and it's so pretty, it basically inspired me to redo my entire tablescape. Go figure. When shopping for new books I definitely recommend springing for the hardback versions. They can be a little pricier, but they will last longer and remain structured over time. A lot of them even have fun prints hidden underneath their jackets! Bonus. 

LOUIS VUITTON BOOK / CANDLE / MARBLE TRAY

GIFT GUIDE 2: HOME(BODY).

FOR THE HOME: 1. INITIAL PILLOW 2. WOODEN STAR 3. CANDLE 4. FAUX FUR THROW 5. POUF 6. 'LOVE' BANNER  

FOR YOUR BOD: 1. FAUX FUR COAT 2. EARRING SET 3. TASSEL NECKLACE 4. POM POM BEANIE 5. SWEATER 6. RAIN BOOTIES

More of my top gift picks coming in hot tonight! Almost all of these things are on my personal wishlist, aside from the ones I already have. Ahem.

This Nest candle is my go-to in holiday hostess gifting. It smells like a real Christmas tree and I have been known to burn through multiples in just one season. Makes my little apartment feel so cozy. So does the Comcast Yule Log channel, which I currently have crackling in the background.

Now, if someone could just make sure that sweater ends up under my tree alongside one (er..two?) of those initial pillows, everything will be fine. Well, now I want wine.

RECIPE: A COZY HOME UPDATE.

This is a very VERY good time of year for dressing yourself, but it's equally as good for dressing up your space. As you guys know, I have zero self-control when it comes to decorating, shopping for decor, looking at decor, touching decor, thinking about decor. There is not one free inch of space in my apartment, so now I have taken to decorating under things. You guys, UNDER things. This is very bad.

There are a ton of super easy ways to change things up without buying any new major furniture. Have you guys seen the new West Elm catalog? Throw game is strongggg. I chose one of my faves and put together this little fallish update for you and your square footage.

'LADIES' PRINT / NICKI MINAJ PRINT / WEEKND PRINT / GOLD CANDLE / MARBLE CANDLE / MATCHES / FEATHER PEN / GLOBE / THROW / ANTLER / WOOD COASTERS / SIDE TABLE / TRAY / BASKET

Yesterday I found some extra frames under my bed (???) and framed some old cards I had been saving for legit years. Clearly I have a very hard time letting go. Can you imagine how bad this is gonna get for me when I actually have more than 1 bedroom to address? I am losing sleep over it already. Thanks for putting up with me.

GOT A BIG PURSE WITH A PURSE IN IT.

What a productive little Monday, here at GILTY HQ. I slept in (praises!), gymmed it up, had a grand slam at Arden's Garden and followed it up with my fave spinach smoothie + banana. "She really has her life together!" one might think, but the reality is I ordered $37 worth of chinese food last night for myself and then drank wine while watching Intervention. Everything in moderation guys, it's fine.

I snuck out of ATL for one night this weekend to visit my friend Elisabeth's old stomping grounds in Athens, GA. Packing lightly is not my forte, so naturally I brought 5 pairs of shoes and bags full of other smaller bags. My little flat leopard is an easy new favorite! I found this Dana Gibson beaut while bopping around Buckhead antiquing with my mom. I beelined for it, because I cannot say no to a pouchlet OR a leopard of any kind. 

ORANGE & PINK AVAILABLE HERE 

PINK PILLOW / ORANGE PILLOW

WEEK IN REVIEW: EIGHT GREATS.

We just had a majorly downpourish summery thunderstorm. Isn't that the best!? While it was all boom boom clap outside my window, I pulled together a little week in review for you to feast on.

1. SUNNIES / 2. YSL EYELINER (CHEAPIE VERSION HERE!) / 3. LINER BRUSH / 4. SWEATER  /  5. FUR JACKET / 6. GLADIATORS / 7. GIGI RUG / 8. NYX BUTTER GLOSS

1. Express is ON POINT this year with their sunglasses. I've bought two pairs (including this one) in the past three weeks.

2. Ashley convinced me to try this magical little glory-pot last time she was in town. Long story short, I love it, especially the longer-wear it gives my water line on the bottom. The Loreal brand is just as good if you want to test-drive it first!

3. I prefer an angled brush like this one, but any liner brush will do. Hint: choose a finer tip to leave less room for error/panda-eye.

4 & 5. Sooo, my friends and I are planning a wine-tasting tour in October, which naturally led to me shopping for the occasion. This sweater and this fur jacket are both UNDER TWENTY DOLLARS. weeee! Bring it on, Fall.

6. I have worn my tan Sam Edelman gladiators so much this year,  these black beauties are absolutely going to be one of my last summer buys. 

7. I have mentally redecorated my entire living room around this girly rug. Get on my floor, Gigi.

8. These drugstore glosses rival my beloved NARS collection. I scooped up Creme Brulee this week and it smells as good as it looks.

We made it GILTIES, Friday is upon us. Let's celebrate with some Thursday bevs, shall we?

RECIPE: GALLERY WALL.

I got a few great prints for Christmas and have been trying to get motivated to rearrange my gallery wall above my couch ever since. I have never been totally happy with it, because I just sort of eye-balled it and threw the pictures up there, but here is how it has looked up until now:

I'll post an after picture once I get it all together, but for now, here are a few pinspirational pictures that I am loving.

All images from Pinterest

 I painted two pieces of my own that I can't wait to incorporate, but here are a few of my favorite affordable pieces out there right now from local beaut, Waiting on Martha:

1. CHANEL 2. LEOPARD 3. PALM 4. PINEAPPLE

FALL IN LOVE AT HOME.

Happy Sunday! Are we all very excited about the work week ahead!? No. No we are not. Sundays are for cuddling. Cuddling and mimosas. When I think of Sundays in the fall, I think of furry blankets, football snoozes in cozy PJs & spicy scented candles. Just like your closet, your home should change with the seasons. There are some super easy (and affordable) ways to take your living space from summer to fall with very little effort. Here are a few of my favorite picks from Target and Crate & Barrel:

THRESHOLD RUG / SKULL CANDLE / FUR STOOL / ACCENT TABLE / PILLOW / CURTAINS

Please pardon this brief Sunday interruption. Back to your regularly scheduled programming.

SOMEDAY MY PRINTS WILL COME.

Can we talk about my Etsy obsession? I can't get enough. Chances are, if you can dream up something, someone on there has probably made it and will sell it to you for $15. I kid you not. One of my favorite things to buy from Etsy is art prints. Here are a few from my most current wishlist:

All Images from Etsy

Hello Gorgeous / Lips / PRADA Marfa / Pop Culture Lolipop Red / Chanel Art Print / Louboutin Art Print / More Issues Than Vogue / Pop Fizz Clink / Vintage Film Canisters

How good would these look in a home office OR on a bar cart?! It's too good. I'm gonna need a few more rooms.

IT'S 5 O'CLOCK SOMEWHERE.

The bar cart is by far one of my favorite styling essentials for any home, big or small. Basically, it gives me an excuse to use one of my favorite things ever: trays. <squeal>

In my decor-crazed opinion, building your bar cart can be just as much fun as using it & this list from Matchbook Magazine is the perfect place to start:

Print your own here!

Feeling overwhelmed? Pour a drink. My recipe for a perfectly styled bar goes a little something like this:

World Market Glass / Restoration Hardware Bar Set / Marquis by Waterford Wine Cooler / Kelly Wearstler Cocktail Napkin / Wooden Bar Cart / Bar Tool / Agate Coaster / C.Wonder Highball Glass / C.Wonder Bar Tool / C.Wonder Wine Stopper / CB2 Kitchen / Python Tray / Urbancase Liquor Cabinet

Top it off & pull everything together with a fun print or small gallery wall. All of these are from MADE BY GIRL and I die over all of her stuff on the reg. I have the vertical LOVE print on the bottom.

MADE BY GIRL

Are you inspired yet, because all this talk has made me want to shop & create a brand new watering hole like NOW. I am all out of corners (literally) to fill at my place, so you know what that means...off to the boyfriend's! Cheers to Friday.

LET'S SLEEP IN.

I had the best time with my family at the lake, but am so happy to be back home tonight in the A with my babies, both fur & human. There is definitely something to be said about getting back to your routine. Driving home after spending all day in the sun had me dreaming of my bed, which naturally led to me dreaming of upgrading it. Here's a little pinspiration for your very own glam boudoir.

 

I have always been in love with these Jonathan Adler pillows

Kourtney Kardashian's Bedroom

All images from Pinterest

With rooms like these, you may not ever want to close your eyes. Sweet dreams, babies.

POP MORE CORKS.

 

Ok gal pals, I've had my coffee(s) and am feeling sentimental. Time for a little DIY action. I love this idea, brought to you by Houzz via Pinterest, because let's be honest...where else? It's easy, meaningful and encourages drinking. What more could you ask for in a project?

What you will need:

-Three shadowbox frames. The deeper, the better. I got mine at Target, because again, where else?

-Old corks you have saved from special dates: anniversaries, your cat's birthday etc.

-Hot glue gun.

-Gold paint pen, or color of your choice.

That's it.

No shortage of corks at my place.

What to do:

Step 1: Center each cork on the white backing of the frame (you may have to saw off a portion of the cork to make it fit, depending on the depth of your frame. I used a serrated knife for mine) and hot glue it into place.

Step 2: Use the paint pen to write the date underneath the cork that corresponds with the special occasion you are trying to remember. I chose the dates from my first anniversary with my boyfriend and our first Christmas together. Collective "Aww." My third frame is still empty, which clearly means we need to start chugging, no?

Step 3: Put your frame back together and voila! Instant art. Please hold your applause, I know that was tough for a Wednesday morning.

Now, if I could just figure out where to hang mine...first world problems.