I've had this thing lately for lighter colored items, especially furniture, and namely white. There is just something so fresh and clean about white and when paired with light wood it takes on a very modern and minimal feel. Maybe it is due to moving and wanting to start fresh with some decor and furniture pieces, but I am just loving this look and hoping to snag a few pieces. Of course, as with most decorative trends moderation is key unless you want to wind up looking like a gallery or too staged. I think that a few statement pieces and knick knacks mixed with other modern and vintage items would keep the look from becoming overdone. Here are some of my favorite items and styling below. What is your take on this look? Love it? Loath it?

Y STOOL // OFFICE

CERAMIC + WOOD VESSELS

EX.T BATHROOM // NORMANN TABLE

GRATERS

RAFT DESK

ONE BY ONE BOOK // KETTLE

SUSANNA VENTO STYLING // FACETED CONTAINER

SIDE TABLE // BIRD

CB2 COFFEE TABLE

MILK LAMP // FRUIT BOWLS

MINI LIBRARY // LION NIGHT LIGHT

COAT RACK // LAMP

WEST ELM LAMP // DESK STYLING

FOX MUGS // SPOONS

It was a month ago today that I had to say goodbye to a beloved pet, Malik the cat. It was a very tough day and the weeks that followed were even harder. Spending 13 years with a pet and suddenly having them gone is gut wrenching, but I continue to remember the good times, how loved he was and how much he loved me. It has been pretty painful to sit and write about his passing up until now, but I feel it is the last step in my grieving process to create a little tribute to him. He was such a good boy, the best and most loving cat, and not a day goes by that I don't miss him. He's forever in my heart. So for this installment of Visually Speaking I am featuring a cat-themed round-up, in memory of Malik. MEOW!

Cat Washi Tape Dispenser // Cat Milk Carton House

Cool Cat Pocket Mirror

Cats Tea Towel // Cat Logo

Cat Ring // Cat Dishcloth

Cats Illustration

Cats Bookmarks // Cat Watch

Cat Dress

Cat Tank // Unknown Black Cat

Smoking Cat

I realized recently that I hadn't created a Visually Speaking roundup in months! Shame, shame. So today I bring you a roundup of images based on a black and white theme. I really do love and prefer color, but sometimes a simple desaturated palette can really pack a bold punch. I hope these images will provide you with a creative spark! You can also follow me on Pinterest for more inspiration.

GRAPHIC DOOR / PILLOW

LILY BRANDING / RUG

PRINTS / TAGS

WINE PACKAGING / HAPPY 2012 CARD

MINI CUPS / BLOUSE

COIN PURSE / WRAPPING PAPER

GEO PASTA BOOK / DIY STAMPS

DOOR / GATO TEE

GABBANI

ALPHABET PRINT / LOGO

Today I bring you a visual roundup of gorgeous Spring color pops to brighten up your week and hopefully inspire your own creativity!

Tokketok /// Neon & Neutral

Mochi Things /// Anthropologie

LBC Paper /// Iaonato

Griottes

Dwell Studio /// Avril Loreti

Boorashka /// Swoon Studio

RK Designs /// Quiet Design

Creature Comforts /// Refinery 29

Martha Stewart /// Design Mom

Sweetapolita /// Depeapa

Wow. I am just in love with the baby and kid's products I have been discovering online lately, and I don't even have kids! Of course a lot of it originates from or is inspired by  Scandinavian and Nordic countries where I don't think I have ever seen a poorly designed product or photo of a badly styled room! Let's be real. As a big fan of modern decor I think it is really special when that aesthetic spills over to nurseries and kid's rooms. There is definitely a difference between overly modern spaces (see this hilarious website) and keeping your contemporary taste while allowing playful and whimsical touches for the little ones. These images certainly strike that balance in my opinion. I may even have to do a part 2 of this theme as it was really fun rounding up all these kid-centric items! I hope you'll enjoy the images below and please pay a visit to the websites that these lovely products and images originated from.

 Amanda Teal- Styling /// Caribou Softie- Velvet Moustache

Zig Zag Romper-Organics For Kids /// Susanna Vento- Styling

room via Weekday Carnival

Elephant Hamper /// vignette via Weekday Carnival

Ferm Living /// Layette- Dwell Studio

Jodi Pudge via Covet Garden /// Sweater- Lucky Boy Sunday

Lena Corwin via Apartment Therapy /// Lamp- Jonathan Adler

Lion Coat- Little Goodall /// Ovo High Chair- Micuna

Open Closet via Tied With A Bow

Fox Sweater- Christopher Fischer /// room via Varpunen

Susanna Vento- styling /// Ingela P. Arrhenius via Lagom Design

Wow, you guys....February is here. We made it through the first month of 2012, woohoo! To commemorate February's arrival I've compiled a roundup of all things Valentine's Day. Now I know some of you may be like, ugh, Valentine's day (grumble, grumble) but I hope you'll try to look past the unfortunate "cheesiness" that the day receives, and embrace the beauty and general loveliness in the images below. Oh, and don't forget your Valentine's Day Cards! There are some really great ones here, wink wink.

PS- I will be announcing a special shop sale for February on Facebook later this week, so make sure to join me there so you don't miss it!

Bath Bomb Confections // Creature Comforts

Kiva Ford // BB Sweets

Oh Happy Day

The Whirlwind

The Merriweather Council // Sprinkle Bakes

Knot + Bow // Martha Stewart

Dentwood

The Lonely Heart

Eat Drink Chic // Tobi

So we recently made a big purchase for the studio (more on that in an upcoming post) and it has gotten me thinking of re-vamping and re-organizing our work space. I'm really into the Industrial Vintage look and I love wide open loft style spaces with touches of retro styling. I especially love when this look is accompanied by exposed brick and wood flooring as it adds warmth to what can come off as "cold" with the typical industrial feel. I always say that I am torn between lofts and bungalows as I like the characteristics of both. Someone recently turned me on to the modern farmhouse (here, here, and here) and I must say I think I am in love! Our current space is nowhere near the likes of a loft or a farmhouse, we do live in a cottage-style bungalow and all, but I always find that putting a 'mood board' together can help you accomplish the look in the spaces you have available.

As a side note, while Pinterest is awesome I'm a bit disappointed to notice images either with no credit at all or with links to someone else's blog, not the original source of the images. I try my best to seek out the sources, but sometimes it is impossible as it is just blog after tumblr after image bookmarking site, and so on. With that being said if you know the sources to the Pinterest-linking images let me know and I'll update them straight away. update- I used the Google Image search and it took a little digging but I found some of the sources. A few are missing but I'll be sure to use this tool from now on for images in question!

Desk Acccessories: Restoration Hardware & Vintage Fan: RustBeltThreads on Etsy

Left image: Josefine Home via Living Agency & Globe: Lackluster Co.

Number 5 Gas Station Sign: Lackluster Co. & Loft Interior: Ravosky Loft

Work Space: via Designspiration & Industrial Clock: Lackluster Co. 

Industrial Desk Accessories: Restoration Hardware Baby & Child & Desk Space: via Baubau Haus

Loft Space: Fishtown Loft on Apartment Therapy

Vintage Green Metal Drawers: Etsy & Pipe Shelving: Lark & Linen 

Work Space: via ChicTip & Vintage Industrial Lamps: Etsy 

The Vintage Cabin workspace: Apartment Therapy & Crate Shelf: Urban Outfitters

Loft Workspace: via Pinterest & Cash Register Price Flags: Lackluster Co.

It is no secret that I have a fondness for Owls. My shop features a few of them. They're so darn cute it is hard to resist anything adorned with an owl these days! I've rounded up some great Owl-themed products below. Maybe you'll get some inspiration for your holiday shopping!

1. Vases- Nood, 2. Toothbrush Holder- Urban Outfitters, 3. Cookies- Sweet Sugar Belle, 4. Light Switch Plate- Anthro,  5. Baby Hat- Sour Apple Stitches, 6. Ring-MadLady, 7. Vintage Bag- Unique Vintage, 8. Print- Charley Harper , 9. Scissors- Sublime Stitching, 10. Mug- Mod Cloth,

As summer begins to draw to a close I wanted to pay tribute to nautical-inspired items. I love the ocean. Plus, I've never met a stripe I didn't like. My two favorite quotes are below and I'd totally wear everything in the collection....with denim shorts...but probably not all at once, though it is tempting. (crazy stripe lady) Enjoy the collection and the rest of your summer!

1. Andrew Banneker- illustration

2. Night Owler Creative Co.- buttons

3. Saint James- striped tops

4. Son of a Sailor- bracelet

5. Banyan Hippo- bag

6. Dear Musketeer- Columbus Quote

7. Whipped Bakeshop- anchor cupcakes

8. Scout's Honor Co.- wedding invitations

9. Fieldguided- tote bag

10. Nautical- wall art

11. Crewcuts- shoes

I am in love with the color Mint, or Magic Mint if you are Crayola inclined. Its not quite green and not quite blue but the perfect frosted combination of the two. This color invokes pleasant feelings of cool calmness but is just punchy enough to make a powerful statement. I've got this color on my toes and in my feather extensions and am toying with the idea of dyeing a strip or two of hair in the shade! Summer is officially upon is and Mint is certainly the hot color of the season so below are some fun items you can purchase or be inspired by. Enjoy!

L-R: Mint mouth, Tribella Watch- Nixon, Envelope Clutch- H&M, Bridal Shower Invite- Moonscape Handmade, Runway Styling, "Create" Embroidered Art- Merriweather Council, Beach Days Button Soap- HelloCrafty, Hello Kitty Nail Polish- Sephora, Rose ring- Irregular Choice, Chair Painting-  Michele Maule

So I've decided to start a new series called "Visually Speaking" where I will be featuring photos of products and people with a particular theme or color story that I am currently obsessing over. It will basically be a collection of inspirational images, aka, a moodboard. I'm kicking off this week's "ViSp" with a palette of neon yellow that is popping up all over the place in fashion and decor.  I have always been a fan of unexpected pops of color and this use of neon totally takes the cake for me! I especially love it when paired with something dark or neutral. So much fun! I hope you will enjoy these posts as they are added to the blog and fee free to suggest a photo credit where I may have missed one.

L-R: Neon Rhino-The Good Machinery, Neon Socks-Unknown, Cambridge Satchel, A Merry Mishap Earrings, Amazing watch designer and my good friend Martine's La Mer Collections Wrap Watch, ASOS Wooden Bangle, Marni Necklace, Neon Unicorn Illustration-Unknown, American Apparel Neon Nail Polish image via the Daily Nail, Neon Yellow Skirt- Unknown