Sunshine Girl

three things

what i'm feeling inspired by today...

gorgeous print | cozy scene | hat attack

dynamic duo: words at home

i love the idea of words in homes. if they're in unexpected places (like on a staircase), even better.

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dynamic duo: outlined headboards

i love the idea of outlined headboards. perfect for the decorator on a budget, or the one who can't commit to buying a real headboard yet (ahem, me). these headboards can be easily painted on, or blik sells some pretty cool decal ones as well. i've posted about them here before, but it's only because they keep coming back to me as an easy (and affordable) decorating idea. definitely considering this for my room right now. of course, i would love to inject a dose of neon into the design, like the hot pink below. my kind of style.

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dynamic duo: polaroid heart

i would love to have one of these hanging over my bed. i have always had a soft spot for polaroids, and in the shape of a heart, these collages look even better.  what a clever solution for a headboard too. i may have to attempt this in my new room soon, once everything really gets settled. for now, some inspiration...

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dream office

i've been working from home for the past day or so, and i have to say that it is kind of awesome. i like going to the office too, of course, but i've found that working from home can also be comfortable and productive. but my home office set-up, not so much. granted, i am living in nyc and space doesn't exactly come cheap here, so my hopes of a home office, for work or for blogging, are not coming true any time soon, but i can at least think about it, no?

i definitely want a clean space with natural light, and without clutter (much harder to actually do than just say, as i'm currently sitting at the dining table in my apartment surrounded by a stack of 30+ magazines, yeah, yeah, i'm just a little behind on my reading). dashes of color and some textural elements would be nice too. i'm kind of loving the three examples below and will definitely look to them for inspiration when the time comes to set up my little workspace at home. which won't be for awhile. but it's ok, i say, let the inspiration flow in the meantime.

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peek inside: a cozy LA home

i saw this home tour on sfgirlbybay and was instantly in awe. the home belongs to dabito of old brand new, and i love his warm, cozy, downtown LA loft. the collection of vintage items, warm colors, and funky prints lend a retro-cool vibe to dab's home, and his pup is pretty cute too! a somewhat edited collection of favorites below...although, it was really too hard to edit very much out. i kind of want to move in!

desert fashion, inspiring offices, sea-themed parties

it's all a part of rue issue 4, which i just love! i think it's one of the best yet. there were so many inspiring spreads, from a sneak peek of the kate spade bedding collection to a blissful desert fashion shoot, a spring and sea themed party and the most inspiring office space i've ever seen. i loved flipping every page (and was even greeted by a pleasant surprise on page 18) and wanted to share a few favorites below. but hopefully, you'll head over there and see for yourself. happy reading!

kriste michelini's inspiring space, full of flowers and frames

a fun, seascape inspired party to start spring right, designed by david stark

an inspiring fashion shoot in the dessert, featuring happy happy, beautiful models

and the prettiest offices i've ever seen, home of bash please--that chevron print wallpaper, chalkboard (good grief), and the wall collages (not to mention, everything else in the office!!), i think i'm in love

and last, but i hope not least, i spotted myself and my friend claire in a candid from the rue nyc launch party a couple of months ago in the showroom of the new traditionalists :)

z gallerie goodness

somehow, i just discovered z gallerie today. and now i'm obsessed. it's a furniture/home decor store that's west elm-esque, but not quite so modern. unfortunately (or maybe this is a good thing), there are no locations around nyc-nj, but online shopping is always a quick fix.

sometimes, i really wish i had a home to decorate, so i could buy all the stuff that i'm dying to stock in my cupboards and hang on my walls. the home part might have to wait, but i just might have to buy some things from them in the meantime, to incorporate into my tiny-nyc apartment. after looking through the site, the only question is, how do i narrow down my choices? some of my favorites below:

1. perfect white antlers | 2. a punchy orange lacquered tray | 3. fun, vintage camera print

4. a bold stand-up clock | 5. fun, printed rug with muted colors | 6. robin s+p shakers

7. lime lanterns | 8. silver starfish bowl | 9. bright aquamarine stool

the opposite house, beijing

now this is a hotel that i'm dying to stay at. the opposite house in beijing offers modern architectural juxtaposition in one of the oldest cities in the world. everything about beijing is historical, classic and ornate--the opposite house is well, just that, the opposite. sleek, modern, bright and new, the hotel offers a chic place to stay in the big chinese city. i love the zen rooms and the bright, airy public spaces. i am actually headed to china this year for a family wedding, but unfortunately, i'll only have time to stop in shanghai. next time i'm in beijing though, opposite house, i'm yours.

images via mr. and mrs. smith

rue magazine

the new crop of online magazines that are popping up is inspiring and exciting. i'll never believe print is dying because i love things in print, but i can't complain about the new online glossies like lonny and rue. luckily, the newest issue of rue (issue 2!) came out yesterday, and i had a great time flipping through. amazing house tours, fall/winter inspiration and perfect holiday gifts were all included, along with serious eye candy. going through issue 2 was a nice little late afternoon treat for me. i've included some of my favorite pages below, just to give you a taste of the magazine, but you should really just get a big cup of tea and flip through yourselves.

a cozy room, my favorite is the light up peace sign

white, bright, airy, a refreshing, uncluttered vanity

a fashionista's bedroom that's equally impressive as her wardrobe

an open, airy living space, grounded by dark colors and neutrals

...and a perfect ladder on the side