Must Reads

  • A All of my favorite books
  • A Stolen Life,
  • Angela's Ashes,
  • Crank,
  • Fallout,
  • Glass,
  • Memoirs of a Geisha,
  • Razors Edge,
  • The Grapes of Wrath,
  • The Help,
  • The Nanny Diaries,
  • To Kill A Mockingbird,
  • Undomestic Goddess,
  • Water for Elephants,
  • Will Grayson, Will Grayson,

Monday, September 26, 2011

Sofas & Chairs

SOFAS 


When choosing a sofa, think of it as a commitment. Here are some tips before you buy.


The average person buys a sofa every 10 years, so don't go too trendy. It's much easier to change out pillows with the new trends then to buy a new sofa. 


Durability/Comfort - Invest in a hardwood frame (poplar/maple). It's sturdy and durable. A sofa with a well-made frame and springs can last 30 years. MDF or soft woods, while less expensive, can breakdown and crack.
This sofa is from Crate and Barrel. Its well made, classic, comes in a variety of colors and a great investment. http://www.crateandbarrel.com/furniture/sofas/petrie-apartment-sofa/s668268


Cushions - High density foam is the least expensive. A full spring core with a poly or feather and down casing will cost more but last longer. 100% Down is the most expensive choice but it requires fluffing and more maintenance. 


Get a classic shape - Reupholstering generally costs less than half the price of a new sofa and will create a whole new look. 


Before you buy - Ask yourself will I love this sofa in 5 years, 10 years...And make sure you measure not on the space where your sofa will live, but measure your doorway and stairs.




CHAIRS


Urban Home is my favorite place to buy Occasional Chairs for my clients (and myself!)
These 2 chairs are a steal for under $200 each. 

Have a little fun with your side chairs. Someone once told me that an occasional chair is like the spice in fried chicken. Don't be afraid to use a fun pattern, bold color or blend another style into the room.  

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Just Married


Some of you may know that I recently got married. Here are some tips to keep you on track when planning a wedding;

Get a wedding planner - Even if it is not in your budget to hire a wedding planner for the entire event, hire one for the week of your wedding or at the very least the day of.




The benefits of a wedding planner;

A Neutral Voice - Trust me this is important. Everyone will be giving you advice. Some good and some questionable. Sometimes it will feel like they are telling you what to do. A wedding planner will know your vision and keep you on track. You won't hurt anyone's feelings if you say "thanks
I'll run that by my wedding planner."

Details - A wedding planner will relieve you handling all the details. It's sometimes hard to let go of control, but the more you do the more you will actually enjoy "your day".

The Bad Guy - Everyone of your guests are important, but the day of your wedding you only want certain people to see you before the main event ie, your mom, your attendants...Your wedding planner will be the bad guy and make sure you get ready at your own time with only the closest people at hand.

Budget Keeper - It is important to have a clear budget. This is the hardest to keep track of. Make sure your budget is communicated to your planner. Use the vendors they suggest, this will give them the power to negotiate the best deal and will give you the most bang for your buck.

Time Is On Your Side - On the day of the event, the planner will keep track of time for you. You wont ever have look at your watch and will be on time for your first dance, cutting the cake,
toasts...This will also allow you to enjoy your guests.

Some other quick tips;

Be true to your and your future husbands tastes.

Don't get pressured by sales people.

Hire a florist. Some people think they will save money by doing their own flowers. Unless you are a professional florist, this usually ends up looking unprofessional and doesn't save a lot of money considering the amount of time it will take.


Less is definitely more. When inviting guests, keep in mind that you will need to greet each and everyone of them. This will take lots of time. I heard many brides say they don't remember their reception saying its a blur. Keep guests to a minimum so you create a more intimate event allowing you to not only greet them but also have fun and enjoy their company.



My Amazing Wedding Planner & Florist: www.floralfields.net

My Amazing Photographer www.tylerfreear.com