Love this Halloween Quote...

Wishing you a very happy and safe Halloween!

xo,

*first image from Gump’s

You’ve Been Boo’d – Happy Halloween!

Getting boo’d is a fun tradition in our neighborhood we look forward to. This year my kids were really into helping make the baskets for the families we were going to “boo.” Candies and other Halloween trinkets went in the baskets, but I thought my oldest had the best idea to wrap them in fake spider webs. Isn’t that so creative?

Once you’ve been “boo’d” you place the sign on your front door to let other neighbors know. Our boo sign somehow disappeared. My youngest said that the oldest threw it away hoping we would be boo’d again. {smile} So, we made our own boo sign {above}, but below is a darling you can download at {grey square designs} via Pinterest.

Have you been boo’d?

Wishing you a Happy Halloween!

Best Daily Planners for 2012

Planning for 2012? Like it or not, it will be here before you know it. And keeping a daily planner is essential to getting 2012 off on the right foot. By logging appointments, events and other important dates in a daily planner, you can reduce stress by knowing that you aren't forgetting anything. When kept up-to-date, a planner allows you to find needed information quickly, prioritize effectively and schedule appointments immediately.

Even though there are great online calendar options, I still enjoy writing down our household schedule in a  traditional daily planner. 

With so many stylish designs available, the tough part is selecting one! Here’s my list of favorite planners for 2012:

{Erin Condren’s Life Planner – this was my personal choice!}

{Kate Spade’s Tudor City Debra – love the metallic!}

{Lilly Pulitzer’s Large Agenda – fresh pattern & color as always!}

{Jonathan Adler’s Jet Set Agenda – who can’t resist JA?}

{Sarah Pinto’s Weekly Planners – they’re eco-friendly!}

{Kikki.k’s daily planner – the cover is the cutest!}

{momAgenda’s planners – so popular, many are already sold out!}

(Cavallini & Co.’s “Keep Calm Weekly Planner” via Paper Source – need I say more?}

Do you still use a traditional day planner? If so, what’s your favorite brand?

Happy organizing!

It’s Here! My Joss & Main Curator’s Collection Sale

Ready, set, shop! It’s here… the Curator's Collection event at Joss & Main! Carefully hand-picked, the collection’s oriental-infused designs are refreshing, yet have timeless appeal.  The Indochine-inspired collection showcases nearly eighty items including chic mirrors, beautiful ceramics, graphic wallpaper and openly framed furniture. I already gave a sneak peak of some of my favorite items, but here are a few more…

And if you aren't a Joss & Main member yet, here’s an invite. The sale is for a limited time, so don’t delay! 

Happy shopping,

Sneak Peak: My Joss & Main Curator’s Collection Sale

Have you heard about the new Curator's Collection series happening over at Joss & Main?  I’m thrilled to be curating a sale next Tuesday, October 25th!

While living in San Francisco, my love for Asian inspired home décor has grown. I am most fond of "Indochine Style" which is an eclectic mix Chinese, French and European styles. So it was a natural choice when the folks at Joss & Main asked me to pick a theme for the sale. I've hand-selected some beautiful Indochine-inspired pieces for this special event. Here's a little sneak peek of a few items that will be for sale at amazing discounts:

And if you aren’t already a Joss & Main member, here’s an invite so you can shop without delay on Tuesday!

Book Giveaway: Southern Living Style

Gracious hospitality, monograms and effortless elegance are what come to mind when I think of Southern style. Southern Living magazine has long been an inspiration of approachable interiors with Southern sensibility. Last month, the magazine released Southern Living Style, a new home décor book. Not only does it offer inspirational photographs of gorgeous interiors, it provides room-by-room decorating solutions and advice that can easily be adapted to your own personal style and budget. I especially love the before and afters – it’s always amazing how a fresh coat of paint or graphic upholstery can transform a dated piece of furniture.

Here’s a sneak peek of this great book:

The folks at Southern Living generously gave me a copy of the book to giveaway to a lucky Simplified Bee reader.

Entering is simple. Here’s how:
• Leave a comment. {provide your email if I don't have a way to contact you}.
• Extra Entry - become a new follower of Simplified Bee's Blog, Twitter or Facebook Page.
• Extra Entry - mention this giveaway in a blog post, FB link or tweet, then leave a comment letting me know.
• Please post a separate comment for each extra entry.
• Entry period closes at midnight PST on Wednesday, October 26, 2011. The winner will be chosen by Random.org and will be announced on the Simplified Bee Facebook page on Thursday, October 27, 2011.

Thank you so much for reading Simplified Bee & good luck!

*All photographs used with permission from Southern Living

Decorating Trend: Fox Décor

We’ve seen lots of home décor items featuring elephants, owls and horses. So, what’s the next hottest animal you may be wondering. It just might be the sly, bushy tailed fox. Check out all the cute foxy items I found!

{fox throw pillow by Gingiber}

{fox dish towel from Anthropologie}

{fox doormat from West Elm}

{red fox tray by New House Textiles}

{fox art- "Autumn Jig" by Amber Alexander}

{fox doorknocker from Anthropologie}

{fox baby blanket by Petunias}

{fox throw pillow by Donna Wilson}

{bamboo fox wall clock by Graphic Spaces}

This darling fax table lamp was a diy project at Matsutake. Here’s the sewing pattern download for free.

What do you think? Love the fox decorating trend or not?

Friday Find: Lucile’s Kitchen Artwork {French}

I love Etsy! It’s one of my favorite spots to find artwork for clients. So I was thrilled when I stumbled upon Lucile’s Kitchen. The Parisian artist has a wonderful ability to illustrate some of our favorite sweets, recipes and teatime rituals. These prints would be darling hung in the kitchen individually or in a series. 

How cute are those cupcakes?

Kids soccer game, birthday parties and yard work. This is how I will spend my weekend. How about you?

Bathroom Accessory Tips from Waterworks

The right artwork, mirror or throw pillow can elevate the style of a room.  Home décor accessories are often forgotten and can be easily overdone. Striking the right balance is key.

Accessories are important design elements in any space and this of course includes powder and bathrooms. If you are struggling to finish off your bathroom with just the right accessories, you are in luck.

Today, I have the pleasure of interviewing Barbara Sallick, the Co-Founder and Senior Vice President of Design of Waterworks. In 1978, Barbara and her husband, Robert founded the luxury bath company which is known for craftsmanship and artisanal designs. I am excited to have her share tips on accessorizing the bathroom in style.

Simplified Bee: What are some new materials being used in bathroom accessories?

Barbara Sallick: I love natural linen – a material that has long been a tradition in the European bath, but is not as popular in the U.S. Linen is durable and only grows softer and more absorbent with age—many are surprised that it’s more absorbent than cotton. This fall we are launching many natural linens that are hand loomed and quite lovely. From elegant guest towels to crocheted bath mats to richly textured shower curtains.

I have not seen new materials for the bath recently.  However, resin continues to be a great material for the bath.  It is heat and water resistant, is available in great colors (I love our new fall color, purple) and very easy to keep clean.  Resin lends itself to clean modern shapes and is at home in any space.

I also love ceramic accessories for the bath. Here is an opportunity to search for great vintage pieces such as soap dishes, toothbrush holders repurposed as containers for jewelry and waste bins often the output of old English ceramics factories. But there are wonderful new handmade ceramics that add that personal touch as well.  Our new Chatham accessories have clean shapes, slightly irregular surfaces in tones of gray and white. These add an artisanal touch to any space.

SB: What is the best way to bring in bathroom accessories without being too matchy?

BS: I much prefer the personal touch of handmade or found objects that don't match when used as bathroom accessories. Many of our new accessory and textile collections are handmade so that no two pieces are exactly alike. For example, Chatam is kiln fired porcelain that is handmade in a small studio. Beautiful oversized white ceramic soap dishes look great on a counter as partners to more utilitarian nickel towel bars. A small vintage table is useful for candles and well packaged apothacary and more interesting than built in cabinets that resemble the ones in the kitchen.  It is the mixing and matching that makes any space more interesting.

SB: Do you have any creative tips for displaying towels?

BS: I love to layer towels on towel bars.  I start with thick rich white Gotham bath towels folded in thirds; I then add a different but neutral colored hand towel on top of the bath towel; the final layer is usually vintage linen towel with long fringe for additional texture. This inspired many of our new linen towels.

Sometimes I roll towels and place them in a beautiful woven basket and mix the palette for an added color splash in the bath.  Our Waterworks Jute basket is a perfect way to neatly store towels. I am very careful about how I fold the towels and often pile them up on the bathtub ledge. I recommend that all towels need to be folded very neatly and the assortment is limited.

SB: What are you favorite bathroom scents, soaps?

BS: I am not a flowery kind of person.  I think scents that suit my personality  are "outdoorsy and fresh". I love lemon verbena, vervaine, eucalyptus and a hint of mint. Our new apothecary diffusers are a perfect way to diffuse a lovely scent without overwhelming.

SB: You have a guest staying over – what are the three most important things that need to be done in a bath before they arrive?

BS: The bathroom must be sparkling clean for guests from the grout to the water closet. All light bulbs must be in working order and the mirrors clean.  Install a fresh roll of toilet paper, new bars of soap for the sink and the shower. Make sure there is a clean drinking glass.  It goes without saying that your towels are fluffy and newly washed.  And, don't forget to place a container of your favorite body lotion on the shelf over the sink or on the counter. Our new Fresh Linen apothecary scent is reminiscent of how any guest bath should be: clean, welcoming and elegant.

Thanks Barbara for the great tips! All of the home furnishings and accessories pictured above are currently available on Waterworks online store. 

What special ways do you prepare your bathroom for guests?

Pink and Orange Girls Designer Bedrooms

I adore a pink and orange color scheme for a little girl’s bedroom. Paired with a neutral white, the color palette can be sophisticated, yet fun and fresh. Here are some beautiful designer girl’s bedroom and products that you might just fall in love with too.

{designed by Eileen Kathryn Boyd via Lonny Magazine}

{Angelica Hanging Lamp in Gomez Pink and Orange from Rosenberry Rooms}

{Designed by Stephen Shubel via Houzz}

{Ming Style Dresser in orange from Pieces}

{designed by Palmer Weiss via Lonny Magazine}

{Beach Pillow from Clayton Gray Home}

{Designed by Mona Ross Berman via House Beautiful}

For more products in this beautiful color combo, please visit my Ideabook on Houzz.

Hope & The Pink Swan Project for Breast Cancer

{Elissa Hudson’s Etsy Shop}

It’s October and that means it’s breast cancer awareness month. Did you know the two most important risk factors of breast cancer are being female and getting older? Did you know there will be over 230,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer this year? Did you also know nearly 40,000 people will die of breast cancer in 2011? Shocked?

It’s true, early detection saves lives. Here are breast cancer early detection guidelines by the American Cancer Society:

• Yearly mammograms are recommended starting at age 40 and continuing for as long as a woman is in good health
• Clinical breast exam (CBE) about every 3 years for women in their 20s and 30s and every year for women 40 and over
• Women should know how their breasts normally look and feel and report any breast change promptly to their health care provider. Breast self-exam (BSE) is an option for women starting in their 20s. Here are the five steps of a breast self-exam. Do not skip step #4.

And although there is no cure, here are recommendations for helping prevent the disease:

{image from cancer.org’s Breast Cancer Fact & Figures 2011-2012}

Is there hope for a cure? You bet. Research is advancing everyday. In September, we heard the news that a nondisease-causing virus killed human breast cancer cells in the laboratory which creates the potential for new therapies.

{swan chair by Madeline Weinrib}

This is why supporting breast cancer research projects is so important. There are a ton of “pink” promotions out there this month, but The Pink Swan Project is one of my favorites. Donated by Fritz Hansen, the  a series of swan chairs have been designed by 18 internationally-recognized designers including Madeline Weinrib, Jonathan Adler, Vincente Wolfe, Nate Berkus and Windsor Smith. Each chair will be auctioned off to benefit The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF). Throughout the month, a weekly rotation of chairs will be on display in the Gagosian Shop on Madison Avenue in New York City.

{swan chair by Vincente Wolf}

{swan chair by Jonathan Adler}

{swan chair by David Mann}

{swan chair by Windsor Smith}

{swan chair by Nate Berkus}

{swan chair by Jamie Drake}

Which is chair is your favorite?

And please do me a favor and feel your boobies this month.

Be well,

* references from Susan B. Komen and cancer.org

*this post is in loving memory of my grandmother {passed at age 46} & friend D {passed at age 41}