SUMMER FLAIR! BRING ON A SUMMER OF FUN!

I cannot remember a time when I was MORE excited about the start of summer!  Perhaps, it is because, my daughter is finishing senior kindergarten and, as she is heading to first grade ('Real' school!) in the fall, I want this summer to be very memorable and fun-filled.  The temperature today in MEMPHIS, TN indicates the start of summer, over 90 degrees.  Bring on S~U~M~M~E~R!!  


What are your plans?  A special wedding? A wonderful vacation? Swimming with the children? A F*U*N summer party?  


I have a few FLAIR ideas to get you in the MOOD for summer...ENJOY!! 

ZAPPOS.  A very fresh and FUN summer look!   All of the items are available on ZAPPOS.   Very stylish! 

ONE KING'S LANE.   My latest home CRAZE!  I ADORE this company, available online.  LOOK at this FUN drink dispenser!   On sale NOW for $29!  SUPER convenient for summer cookouts!  

ONE KING'S LANE.  Available this week on this home goods website!  Only $25!   A great color! 

KATE SPADE.  Isn't this ring great?   A cute POP with any outfit!  

POTTERY BARN.  Awesome clay lanterns for outside.  Just light a candle and, enjoy the glow! 

These paper hanging lanterns make me want to throw a party...NOW!  LILLY PULITZER .

NORDSTROM.  By Report shoes.  Aren't these sandals DARLING??  Also available in black and ivory.  

BANANA REPUBLIC

WEST ELM .   Really hip drink dispensers for your next dinner party! 

SEPHORA.  Wonderful lip gloss by YSL.  Shimmery and SO SUMMER TIME!

ESSIE.   "Meet Me At Sunset".  This nail color screams "SUMMER"!

 PREPARE FOR SUMMER!  I am counting the days!!!  Summer 2011 is SURE to be the BEST one ever!!!  Make it a summer with FLAIR!!!  

GIVING GIFTS~ WITH FLAIR

There is truly JOY in giving gifts and, not only giving a gift....giving a well thought out gift.  Celebrating with others is truly a DELIGHT.  A wedding, a new baby, a friend's birthday....there are numerous wonderful occasions to celebrate all year long.  I have been keeping a "GIFT PANTRY" for over 17 years.  I find items all year long and, store them for family/friend birthdays, baby gifts, and  gifts to take to a hostess whenever we are invited over for a dinner or a party. 


Several times each year, my best girlfriends and I have celebrated one another's birthdays with a birthday breakfast or luncheon.  We ALWAYS exchange gifts....yes, even "big girls" need fun presents!  These birthday luncheons are one of the highlights of my year.


Take time for CELEBRATIONS in your life!  Give gifts, small or large and, for EVERY budget.  * You can find AMAZING items for less than $5 or, spend more.....gift giving is ALL ABOUT the thought!  Thoughtfulness in giving gifts is a wonderful way to make a friend or family member feel special.


Do not forget a wrapping station or a wrapping supply cabinet in your home.  My mother has always had a wrapping station in her garage and, she is able to wrap any gift in a quick minute.  Keep tissue paper, ribbon and gift bags on hand at all times.  Upon finding that perfect gift, you will have the supplies to wrap at your fingertips.  


Yes indeed, gift giving is truly an art form.  Why not cultivate this in yourself, starting today? 


Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Baby gifts that are personalized are SO special!  I have been ordering from ALPHABET SOUP GIFTS  for years!  They have quick shipping and, you can even request their wrapping and, they will send it to you in an adorable cellophane bag, complete with bow.  A GREAT website! 

From RED ENVELOPE . Who wouldn't LOVE a silver plated compact mirror with their name or monogram?  This would make a lovely graduation gift or, a birthday gift. 

Stationary!  ALWAYS a nice gift idea!  I love these notecards from KATE SPADE .

From SEPHORA.  A wonderful lipgloss set and, a great price, only $18.  This makes a GREAT birthday gift!  What girl doesn't LOVE her LIPGLOSS??
Age does not apply.....lipgloss is always a great gift!!

Do you have a special man in your life for whom you need a gift?  This money clip is CLASSY and, a great buy!  COACH.  This will be sure to please any man you need a gift for. 

A GREAT salad bowl from WEST ELM.  This would make a WONDERFUL wedding gift!  

Personalized gifts are an extremely thoughtful gesture.  Any time I receive something with our monogram on it,  my heart just melts.  SO THOUGHTFUL!  These cocktail napkins from WISTERIA would make an wonderful wedding gift, graduation gift or birthday gift for your best gal pal.  LOOK AT THIS COLOR!  AWESOME!

May you find pleasure and FUN in being a great and thoughtful gift giver!   GIVING GIFTS WITH FLAIR...NOTHING LIKE IT!   - KINDEST REGARDS, Beth 

DECORATING TIPS FOR A RENTED HOME

My friend, Beth Anderson, sent me a question the other day, regarding: ideas to decorate a new rental house.  She and her husband and sweet daughter recently moved to Cleveland, OHIO from Chicago.  Beth says that the walls in the rental house are off-white and, no painting is permitted.  No worries!  


Although painting a room a great new color can truly change a room, you can use art and accessories to shift the focal point.  Here are some items that can help to create a great effect and, the best part:  when you move from the rental house, you can pack them up and move along. *FLAIR TIP: A rented house or apartment can look like HOME as easily as a place that you own.  You may have to use a little more creativity, but, day-to-day, it is very worth your effort.

From HORCHOW.  You can never go wrong with silk panels on a window.  Hang them as high to the ceiling as possible.  Curtains hung higher to the ceiling make the room look bigger.  Do not worry if the curtains are too long, simply 'pool' the fabric, as shown in this photo.  You can easily hang these in a rented home and, feel great about your investment, because you can take them down when you move and hang in the next house. 

A GREAT lamp from PIER 1.   Great looking lamps instanty add a POP of color to a room.  Be sure and buy in sets of two, in order to give a more symmetrical and clean look.
I LOVE this color too! 

Nice book shelf from PIER 1.  A nice book shelf adds interest in a room and, this piece would look wonderful on a white wall.  I especially like the sides with the geometric design.  Place nice decorative vases and other decorative items
 on these shelves and, POOF.....you have a great look! 

One more item from PIER 1!  I LOVE this mirror!  Place it over a couch or over a great chair, an INSTANT focal point in a room.  The color is WONDERFUL!   I like the starburst design, very CHIC. 

A rug in front of a couch or under a coffee table looks AMAZING!  You can also place one of these great rugs from GARNET HILL under a dining table.
* Does the rental space have carpet?
No problem.  Place one of these accent rugs right
on top of the carpet for a neat look.
 *The geometric pattern adds interest. 

WEST ELM.    WEST ELM-  I cannot get enough of this HIP store!  From rugs, to furniture, to lamps.....a GREAT place to find items for your home.  I like the great texture of these pillows.  Buy them in pairs for a couch and, the gray is especially en vogue right now!  AWESOME! 

VERY cool colored bottles from WEST ELM .   Always think in terms of  a single item or in ODD numbers. These would look great on a coffee table.  Line up 3 or 5 bottles on a surface.  Getting prepared to have dinner guests?  Use 3 bottles down the center of the table with simple flowers in each one:  a single hydrangea in each or, a tulip, for example. 

 HAPPY DECORATING YOU ALL!   Kindest Regards,  Beth