Banquettes oh my

I always wished that we could have a banquette at my house growing up. I love the idea of grabbing a big bowl of cereal, curling up in the corner of the kitchen and eating while looking out the window. I realized that after looking through the images that I found, all of them have a giant window to look out. 

Here is why I just adore banquettes:

1. They are more custom than just a table and chairs. 
2. They make awkward space usable.
3. The built-ins can be used for storage also.
4. They feel more cozy like a sofa and allow you to cuddle (with the husband hehe)
5. They can be an extension to your kitchen design.

These images all have a wonderfully wide variety of chairs, chandeliers/lighting, tables, pillows, and cushions. I hope that I can be that bold when I get to design my own banquette for my own home one day.

I guess I used to think that banquettes were very traditional, but these spaces show that they can be very stylish and modern. It shows you don't have to go to a furniture store and buy a set of table and chairs. You can buy individual pieces that you love and mix them together to create the perfect eat-in kitchen banquette space.

I think my absolute favorite of these is the 2nd image. The yellow, orange and teal pillows and accessories perfectly complement the ghost chairs and rustic farmhouse table. The round table softens the corner and makes it more inviting. (and this one has the storage underneath too!!)

Digs Design Company

Better Homes and Gardens

Apartment Therapy

Gillian Lefkowitz

Pinterest

Pinterest

Better Homes and Gardens

Better Homes and Gardens

Houzz

Houzz

Houzz

Better Homes and Gardens

Mix and Chic

Tracery Interiors

Which ones are your favorites? Do you like eat-in kitchens? Do you think I'm a little too obsessed? Haha! 

XO Samantha

2 Months

I have been a "blogger" for exactly 2 months today! Woo :) Haha so I know that is a very small milestone in the blogging world but I figured it would be appropriate to share some blog statistics with you readers! I have some (what I think are cool) post series coming up that I can't wait to get started on. I already told you about the interior design student one and I also want to do an "Ode to the South" week. Who knows? I have really become immersed and exposed to so many wonderful blogs since starting my own. Some of my favorites include:

Fashion Blogs:
http://www.jseverydayfashion.com/
http://simplyme091909.blogspot.com/
http://work-it-blog.blogspot.com/

Food Blogs:
http://highheelsandgrills.blogspot.com/
http://www.beckybakes.net/

DIY/Home/Craft Blogs:
http://7thhouseontheleft.com/
http://www.designstashblog.com/

Overall:
http://www.younghouselove.com/ Celebrating their 5 year blog anniversary!!!
http://iheartorganizing.blogspot.com/

p.s. if you start loving/following all of these blogs please don't forget about mine :) thanks


I hope you will continue on this blogging/journaling/rambling adventure that I have been on for 2 months. I really encourage you to comment on posts that you really enjoy or spark your interest so that I can gear by blog more toward what you want to hear. (although sometimes I will include my crazy random posts that I just need to get out there)

Here are some interesting google searches that have lead you to my blog somehow:

• pug baby wallpaper
• twig decorated chandelier
• some ecards crockpot
• etsy grey and yellow crib quilt
• modern rustic barns

Most of you use these browers:

1. Firefox
2. Internet Explorer
3. Safari
4. Chrome

I have readers from these countries (most views):

• U.S
• Russia
• United Kingdom
• Canada
• Germany
• India
• Italy
• Australia

These are my most popular posts (so if you haven't read them, check them out now):

1. Color and Lots of It
2. Hutch- Before and After
3. Back to school...or not
4. Fall...when the leaves turn maroon and orange
5. Summer Summary
6. Organization

Also, if you want to know why I started this blog, check back to my first post of 30.

And one last statistic: there have been over 1,000 views for this month :D (this is a big deal to me, especially since I figured only my family and friends would read this blog)

And since this post is mostly words, I'm gonna throw in some pictures of my new home "Richmond" just because! Enjoy :)

All of these images belong to Designer in Teal. Please give photo credit if reposting/using these images.  Thank you.

XO
Samantha

I am inspired by

Hey there! I just wanted to do a quick, spur of the moment post to hopefully get you readers excited!! I just wanted to post a few things that are inspiring me right now:
I would love to hear what is inspiring/motivating you!

1. Craft Inspiration

DIY table from tv stand

DIY Mason Jar lamp

(planning to do this one soon!)

Tin Can Lanterns

2. Weddings (for friends of course)

Bridal party w/teal truck- Pinterest

Gorgeous Bouquet

Rings in Bible- Pinterest

3. Design

Teal, Citron, Chevron Dining Room

(love this space, been wanting to post about it)

Girly bright bathroom

Eclectic living room

4. Quotes

Blessed

The Help (reading right now)- Pinterest

Beautiful- Etsy

Hope you've been inspired!

XO Samantha

Saturday Shopping Trip

This weekend my hubby and I went home to visit. Today is my mother in laws birthday so Happy Birthday Vicki! It is such a gift that home is so close by and we can go pretty often and even more so that we are from the same hometown and only live 15 minutes apart.
I knew Old Navy had been having pretty good sales lately and I had been missing them. What? Me miss a sale? No way! So Eva, my mom and I headed out. I tried on more than I ever have at one time I do believe.
I was pleasantly surprised with all the pretty things. It is usually a hit or a miss for me with Old Navy. P.S. I apologize if this post doesn't interest you, but it is a portion of my blog and my life. I LOVE fashion and SHOPPING!
Now moving on to the good stuff. I had a coupon for $15 off $50 if you use your card which I have (well a gap card, which is good for Old Navy and Banana Republic as well).
This was our only stop of the day. However, I got a few more "surprises" as well.

I got my teal bubble necklace from Poke a Dot shop. It took a longggg time to come in, but it was WORTH IT! Now I want all of the other colors too and the earrings!! (My other favorites are the navy, hot pink, and yellow) My mom got me some stuff at the J.Crew clearance sale including a teal cardigan, yellow cardigan, and mint green sperrys :D

At this point, you probably think I have a shopping problem and you would be pretty accurate. Here is a compilation of everything that I got minus my dress that I forgot to lay out until after the pictures were taken. I love that the pieces are bright but can still be versatile. They are some of my favorite colors and will hopefully become new staples in my wardrobe.

Now I just have to get rid of some other clothes so that I can fit all of the fall/winter clothes and new clothes into my closet. To that I say "May the odds be ever in my favor" haha- Hunger games reference for anyone who doesn't know, you should read it ;)

Please click on the image to enlarge

Old Navy Striped Color Block Jersey Dress

(I actually forgot to take my own picture of this, sorry)

What are your favorite fall trends? Have you noticed that you have been shopping a lot at one particular store? Do you own any of these pieces? Did you shop at any good sales this weekend?

* This post was not sponsored by any of these stores. It is strictly my love for the brands and my opinions!

Happy Monday!

XO Samantha

Mood Board: Dining Room

I loved doing the mood board so much I am making another one. Except this time its based on design. I am actually used to doing something similar when planning a concept for a space to design. However, this is more of my personal taste. I get so inspired at work seeing new fabrics and pieces that I would LOVE to use, but we may not have a client that would love them too. So I want to pull some of those AMAZING pieces and make my own design in hopes that one day I can use them to maybe design my own dream home??
And now coming back to reality...I also hope to start posting about getting a "look" for less. Certain styles that are very popular may be wayyy to expensive to reproduce. So I want to help you out by showing you comparable designs to give you the same "look" for a lot less.
Moving on, this mood board is designed as a chic, yet rustic space. I would definitely strive to achieve this look if/when I get to design my own dining room (or maybe a friend that loves this too??). The color palette is fun but soothing. Its sophisticated and updated but not so formal that I couldn't eat in there every night. I love mixing textures and I think the polished look of the lighting and mirror contrast in such a nice way against the table. And of course the pop of color is teal :D

Wallcolor: Benjamin Moore- Gray Horse
Rug: Shades of Light- Floating Medallion Hand Tufted
Chairs: Shop Ten 25- White Chippendale Arm Chair
Wallcovering: Eykon Sequins Bicentennial
Mirror: Sanctuary Boutique Home: Silver Leaf Quatrefoil Mirror
Chandelier: Shop Ten 25 Antique Mirror Lantern
Table: Reclaimed Wood Herringbone Dining Table
Curtains: Urban Outfitters Magical Thinking Dotted Medallion
Gallery Wall DIY
Dishes: Rachel Bilson Edie Rose Collection (I have some of these pieces already!)

Accessories:
Shop Ten 25- Pebble Double Bulb Vases

What do you think of this space? Would you live in it?? Do you like this mood board better?? I would love to hear from YOU!

XO Samantha

Mood Board: Autumn

I love mood boards/collages/inspiration boards/whatever you want to call them! I know my blog has been full of all things fall and I promise I will post design things once I get out of this phase. However, today was such a nice "fall" day even though it hasn't officially started yet.
I have been trying to keep up with my goals. If you refer back to that post here you can see what those goals were if you missed it. So, September is flying by too and I have yet to 100% finish any of these goals yet :0

• I am almost halfway through The Help and I am loving it. 
• I have not been exercising anymore than just walking :( 
• I am still forgetting to take my camera everywhere with me. 
• I have to print pictures for scrapbooking and hanging in the apartment. 
• Still haven't finished the last of the name change. 
• Curtains are all taped and ready to paint so that is ALMOST done and will follow up with a post!! 
• I did skype with Sammi :) YAY but I still want to catch up with a few more friends before I mark that as complete.

To make myself feel a little bit better about this I have been making small to do lists and completing those. I did get my fall decor put up this weekend so I WILL take pictures at some point and post those!! Anyways hope y'all had a great weekend and Monday and I hope this mood board brightens your "fall" day.

1. Fall Tablescapes-Pinterest 2. Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte 3. Apples- Pinterest 

4. Fall Engagement Sessions- Photography by Lani Patrick 

5. Boots, Coats, Scarves, Leather-Pinterest 6. Inspiration Photo-Pinterest

7. Pumpkin Pancakes 8. Fall Scented Candles-Pinterest 9. J.Crew Cashmere Sweaters 

10. Pumpkins- Pinterest 11. Leaves changing color and falling-Pinterest

Is this how you envision fall? Would you add anything? What other mood boards would you like to see me create?

XO Samantha

Friday Favorites #2

I really enjoyed doing a Friday favorites post last time, so I figured I'd give it another go and who knows it could become a regular post.

Things I am super excited about:

1. Denise asked me to be her bridesmaid! and with an adorable infinity ring from Etsy :)
2. We are starting on a modern kitchen project at work!! I love kitchen design (probably because I love to cook)
3. Erin gave me a cute Go Hokies sign! another maroon and orange addition to our apartment (and just in time for the game tomorrow!)
4. I get to skype with Sammi and Olivia this weekend!! Love and miss them soooo much :D

Sites/blogs that I am obsessing over:

1. My Semi-Charmed Life (love your blog Anna)-http://annassemicharmedlife.blogspot.com/
2. J's Everyday Fashion-http://www.jseverydayfashion.com/
3. Life with the Hawleys- http://lifewiththehawleys.blogspot.com/

Current Favorite Shows:

1. Diner's Drive-Ins and Dives (always love this show, but especially in the fall)
2. The Voice- loved the first season and its at my favorite part (the blind auditions)
3. and well House still.... (this will probably never change or maybe it will when Vampire Diaries season 4 starts)

Current Favorite Songs:

1. Maroon 5- One More Night
2. Fun- Some Nights
3. Phillip Phillips- Home

Current Favorite Stores:

1. Red Dress Boutique- especially their jewelry
2. Target- love all of their stuff but especially seasonal stuff!!
3. Clementine- boutique shop in Carytown :)

No need to write a wish list this time since I just did a post on that here.

What are your favorite shows, songs, stores, etc. right now?? Be sure to check out these other blogs and give them a shout out too! Do you enjoy the friday favorites post? I am always discovering new things that I love especially since I started blogging and I love to share these things with you (like the Red Dress Boutique- I found that from J's everyday fashion blog)

XO Samantha