10 Things I Can’t Live Without: Bryn Alexandra Interiors

The wonderfully sweet and talented, Bryn Dunn of Bryn Alexandra Interiors will be sharing her “10 Things” list with us today. Bryn works as an interior designer and also writes an inspiring blog filled with fabulous ideas, great DIY projects, and amazing bargains for infusing style into one’s home without emptying out the bank account. I find her outlook to be so refreshing and charming and I am pretty sure that you will agree!

1. My Husband
I know husbands have graced the 10 Things list a lot so I'll keep this one short and sweet. He's my lifeline, my best friend, my everything. He makes me coffee every morning, makes me laugh, and is my biggest fan. He's completely opposite of me which works perfectly. I love him so much!

2. Blogging
Where would I be without blogging? I'd be unhappily working a job I hated in a career that wasn't for me. Blogging has opened opportunities to allow me to live my dream. Not to mention - it's a source for never ending inspiration.

3. Charlotte - The Dog
I can't describe how much I love this dog. I rescued her in college and she's been with me through everything. Last year she broke her back and my husband and I were given two options - a very expensive surgery or death. We chose the surgery even though we could barely afford it. But for us there was not a second option - she's everything to us!

4. Charlotte - The City
We just moved to Charlotte, North Carolina. Although I've only been here 3 months, it already feels like home. We are closing on a house this Friday, so we definitely plan to stay here a while. It's such a great city - small yet has everything you need (along with a really awesome downtown area), and clean and beautiful.

5. Fabric
I looove fabric. It's what I use as the starting off point when designing a room. I like to use at least three different patterns in each room I design. It's not really a rule of thumb, but when I look at my finished rooms, there is almost always three. I love everything about fabric - the patterns, the texture, the colors. I'm big on texture. Mixing silk with linen, burlap with velvet. This picture is a stack of fabric currently on my dining room table. In my new home office, I plan on having bins and bins of fabric, coordinated by color, on a bookshelf. Preferably in acrylic bins so I can see all the beautiful patterns :)

6. Comfort Food & Desserts
I'm such a sucker for comfort food and sweets. I'm either picking at my dinner just to get to dessert or eating a huge bowl of macaroni and cheese while others go for the salad. I'll always be 5-10 lbs away from my goal weight because of this, but I'm totally A-OK with that!

7. Upcycling Furniture
I love finding furniture at thrift stores and Craigslist and then upgrading them with paint and fabric. It's one of my favorite things to do!  Pictured is a $75 Salvation Army chair that got gold leafed and reupholstered. It's really thrilling when I step back and see the transformation that has occurred.

8. Old Stuff
Old Stuff - it's pretty broad, but yes, I love old stuff. I love going to flea markets and just looking at old stuff. I love collecting old stuff. Pictured is one of my many collections of old stuff.

9. Home Goods
If my accessories are not "old stuff" found at flea markets and antique shops, then they are most likely from Home Goods. I LOVE Home Goods. It's one of my go to places for both myself and my clients. Pictured is a mirror I recently saw at Home Goods.

10. My Laptop
I really can't write this list without including my 5th appendage, I mean my laptop. I've been told that an intervention may be needed for my laptop usage. As a side note, I've been a loyal Mac user for 10 years and will never go back.

10 Things I Can’t Live Without: Nicole of SoHaute

Fresh off of mentions in both Lonny and House Beautiful, the beautiful and talented Nicole Gibbons of SoHaute is here to share the “10 Things” she can’t live without today. Nicole is a New York-based interior designer with an knack for creating beautiful spaces combining classic touches and modern details. She also happens to be one of the most gracious bloggers I’ve had the pleasure of interacting with. Like Nicole, her “10 Things” list is thoughtful, charming, and fun!

My passport affords me the opportunity to travel the world and my absolute favorite vacation destination is the Caribbean. I've been seduced by the natural beauty of the islands...the colors, the crystal clear water, the lush tropical landscaping and the tranquil ocean breeze. There's no place on earth I'd rather be!

My idea of the perfect night out is enjoying a low-key dinner with friends. There's nothing better than great conversation, laughter, amazing food and plenty of wine. I'm a sucker for Italian and one of my favorite restaurants is Gusto Ristorante in the West Village. Their pastas are heavenly!

I love my best friends Lizzy, Evita and Deidra more than anything and I'm so lucky to have these three incredibly smart, talented and beautiful women in my life! I've known Lizzy & Evita since we were six and Deidra since we were 18 and I couldn't imagine life without them!

My friends jokingly refer to me as Martha because I bake something just about every weekend! I savor anything lemon, crave chocolate and recently I've developed a new found obsession with peanut butter cookies. I live for this recipe.

I love an old-school comedy and my favorite movie of all-time is Coming to America starring Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall. I can recite just about every word line for line! No matter how many times I watch that movie, it's guaranteed to have me in stitches!

My favorite accessories are three gold watches (similar to the ones above) that I inherited from my grandfather after he passed away several years ago. They're hands down my most prized possessions. Not only do they remind me of my grandfather every time I put them on, there also incredibly chic.

Like Paloma I'm crazy for anything Greek key! I also love Chinoiserie and both of my decorative obsessions are captured in this lovely photo of Ruthie Sommers in her now defunct LA shop Chapman & Radcliffe Home. The desk, the framed de Gournay wallpaper panels...in the words of Rachel Zoe, I die!

I couldn't possibly function without the various gadgets that are a part of my daily life...my Macbook, iPad, Blackberry and Canon G10 camera enable me to blog, help me to capture inspiration, keep me organized and allow me to stay connected. I have to add the internet to this list too...I'd feel lost without the world wide web!

I thrive on inspiration and am inspired by so many things from architecture, nature, books and magazines to the work of interior design legends of the past, my travels, culture, blogs...you name it. I'm constantly surrounded by inspiring things which help fuel my creativity on a daily basis.

There's nothing like coming home every day to a comfortable home that I love. My apartment provides a quiet and relaxing respite from the hectic pace of New York City and is filled with beautiful things that have deep personal meaning. My reflects who I am and is a place that truly makes me happy.

10 Things I Can’t Live Without: Crystal of Plush Palate

I’ve often said that one of my favorite things about blogging is the fact that it has allowed me to meet so many people who share my same interests and has given me the opportunity to foster friendships that I probably would not have made otherwise. Crystal, founder of the lovely blog, Plush Palate is no exception. It is almost uncanny how much she and I have in common. We share a similar aesthetic and both have an undying love for all things Italian. Yesterday, we were chatting about the fact that I felt like I could have written her “10 Things” list because I can identify with all of it!

As you may know, I spoke at the Kravet Social Media and Design Panel last week and Crystal spoke on the same panel in Chicago last month. Beth Greene, the VP of Social Media and Marketing for Kravet told us both that we reminded her so much of each other! It’s amazing how the world of blogging brings together kindred spirits. Though I haven’t had the chance to meet Crystal in person yet, I can tell you that she is driven, incredibly genuine and kind, and has gorgeous taste. I hope that you’ll enjoy her “10 Things” list as much as I did!

 

* Following My Passion: Sometimes it takes time to find it or courage to follow it, but I cannot imagine living a life without passion for what I do. It gets me out of bed in the morning and is what keeps me going in difficult times. Bringing beauty and inspiration to others through the world of interior design gives me great joy and fulfillment.

* Alone Time: I find great comfort and relaxation in being alone. It allows me the quiet time I need to hear my thoughts and connect with my feelings after a long day. Too often, I feel people don't take time to invest in the relationship they have with themselves, which in my opinion, is one of the most important relationships you'll ever cultivate.

 

* Traveling: For as long as I can remember, curiosity for travel has been at the core of who I am. Growing up, my father's career took him all over the world for speaking engagements. Believing that what my brothers and I could learn through seeing the world was more informative than what we'd learn in a week of school, my parents often let us join them on those trips. And how glad I am that they did! Ask me about any give week of school and I can't recall, but I can vividly remember each one of those trips -- the conversations I had, the foods I tasted, the feelings I felt, the things I saw, and the people I met. I thank my parents for instilling a lifelong love of travel and open mind to new cultures in me.

* Appreciating Beauty: In all its forms, I find great value in taking time to appreciate the beauty around me. Whether it be in the presentation of a meal, the tailoring of a dress, the lyricism in a poem, or the complexity of an emotion, I look for beauty wherever I go. Sometimes it's less obvious to see, but I find that if I seek it, I will find it, even in the most unexpected of places.

* Journaling: I love to write and have been keeping journals since I was thirteen years old. I have a box filled with all the journals I've filled up over the years. They are my most prized possessions as they document my life -- the feeling I've felt, the discoveries I've made, and the ups and downs I've experienced. Journaling is so therapeutic and eye opening for me and I can't imagine ever stopping.

* A Home I Love: Like many design enthusiasts, I am very effected by my surroundings. I find it hard to be productive in a place that doesn't feel right or inspire me. So, I couldn't imagine living in a home that I didn't take the time to make a place I love. To me, the right decor and furniture is money well spent because it's something that will make me happy each time I come home.

* Learning: I have a very curious mind, and the older I get the more I see the areas of my interests broadening. Education was always an important value in my household growing up, and so I'm committed to being a lifelong learner and seeker of knowledge.

 

* Spending Time with Others: As much as I love being alone, I couldn't live without the community and camaraderie of friends and family. Truly connecting with other people through love, compassion, and kindness is one of the best feelings in life and why we are here after all.

* Reading: I love to read and adore my books! I love escaping into a good novel, curled up in bed, and unwind for the evening. Nothing is more relaxing or engaging than that.

* Blogging: In many ways, I credit blogging for helping me find my passion and directing my path. It's opened so many doors for me and more importantly, introduced me to inspiring people who have become lifelong friends. I am continually inspired by the intelligence, creativity, and kindness of other bloggers and feel so fortunate to be amongst this wonderful community.

 

Images: 1. This Is Glamorous 2., 4. Haute Design 3. Ryan Wynn Creative 5., 8. We Heart It 6. Dress Design Decor 7. Luigi Cassinelli 9. Escapade 10. West Elm

10 Things I Can’t Live Without: This is Glamorous

Today’s “10 Things” guest blogger doesn’t need an introduction as she seems to be a favorite of most blog readers. Roseline Lohr of This is Glamorous creates some of the most thoughtful and visually stunning posts in the blogosphere. The press has definitely taken notice of this blogger’s enormous talent as she was recently featured in Lucky Magazine.

 {celebrations}
. . . whether a new pair of shoes or a new career, a lovely blog comment or a magazine feature, life is short and sweet and every moment -- however small or grand-scale -- is worth celebrating.

 {pretty, girly things}
. . . smokey eyes and upswept hair, diamonds, pearls, and fluttering eyelashes, pink and lace and ruffles -- have always adored these and all wonderfully feminine and perfectly romantic things . . .

 {memories}
. . . film tickets from late-summer nights, champagne corks and boarding passes, hazy photographs and beautiful love letters -- always keep small remembrances and nearly always a camera on hand to capture life's many beautiful moments . . .

 {seaside dreams}
. . . there is nothing quite like the intoxicating lull of crashing, crashing waves and soft, sandy shores on sunlit afternoons to fill the world with endless possibilities . . .

 {traveling}
. . . whether a weekend away or a week in paris, beautiful adventures in far-off places is one of life's loveliest things . . .

 {everyday luxuries}
. . . a weekly bouquet of fresh flowers or a glass of vintage champagne, a perfectly scented candle or a new pair of heels — everyday luxuries add a little elegance to busy, busy days . . .

{glittering things}
. . . sequins and lucite, gold and glass, mirrors and chandeliers -- glittering things have the wonderful affect of transforming anything into pure glamour . . .

{summertime}
. . . adore all the seasons, but a summer girl at heart -- butterflies and fireflies, and late afternoon gardens, picnics and sultry evening breezes -- there's nothing quite like summertime . . .

 {hopes & dreams}
. . . fairytales and daydreams, and most of all, happily ever after are the things that make the world go round . . .

 {love, love, love}
. . . because there is nothing quite like coming home at the end of a hectic day to the warmth and wonder of love

{images: one; two; three; four; five; six; seven; eight; nine; ten}

10 Things I Can’t Live Without: Haven & Home

Yipee! It’s time for this week’s installment of the “10 Things I Can’t Live Without” series. Today, Marianne, of Haven and Home will share her list with us. She is a very talented designer with a great eye and a huge heart that comes through in her work. I love that her list is equal parts practical and fun. Enjoy!

First I would like to thank Paloma for including me in this series.  Since I seem to fall in love with something new everyday it was a challenge to make my 10 Things I Can't Live Without list.  Here it is in no particular order:

1.  Nail polish- I love the way nails look with a manicure and if I don't have polish on my nails they are destined to the ugly fate of being bitten.

2.  Technology- I am sure anyone reading this list would agree.  I don't know how I would live without my computer or phone.  There is no way I would be able to do my job without a camera on hand at all times.  Since I am in my car a lot I would be miserable without XM radio and I don't know what I would do without the TiVo to assist me with my guilty pleasure- an assortment of shows.

3.  A Power Drill

4.  Good writing instruments.  In particular anything from Sharpie and these from Papermate.

 
5.  Gallery Walls- I can't get enough of them.  There are an infinite number of variations and I love them all.  These are 2 walls in my home (neither are very good pictures but they are all I have saved on my computer at the moment).

6.  Magazines- I love blogs but nothing can beat a magazine.  I study them really taking in every detail, for example this tub.  Being able to tear it out and save it in my "One Day House" folder is a huge plus for me.
Image House Beautiful

7.  Target- Where else can you go with the intention of buying nothing and leave $125 later with everything from light bulbs, ice cream, shoes, wine, duct tape, dog treats and printer paper?  It is home to many of my other favorite things- Chapstick (the original in black) and of course Dr. Pepper.

8. Gray-  I know it is everywhere right now and that makes me very happy.  I loved it before and I will love it after the trend is gone, it is my perfect neutral.
Image Canadian House & Home

9. Geometric and/or textured fabric- a favorite being velvet stripes.  A great example is Philip Gorrivan's collection for Highland Court.

10.  Last and certainly not least my Husband, Family and Friends.  I thank God every day for all of them, I honestly would not be able to function without all the support and love I receive.  I can't believe it but this is one of two photos that I have of Patrick, Harry and I...