X Benches

Seems like these things are popping up everywhere in magazines and blogs, but for clearly great reasons. They're great in every room, can be upholstered to complement any decor, and are stylish and functional.

At the foot of a bed, as a coffee table in a living room, extra seating in the great room, or even as an accessory in an entry way, x benches are versatile little things.

What would you say if I told you I had a pair of these?? With prices ranging up to $1200 for 1, you better hurry in and see the pair I have for $225!

Be Brave.

Here's a bit of unusual color for you. Brings me back to my Clemson days...

I kinda like this purple dining room. Saturated color, but yet the room feels fresh and bright. Would you ever go for it??

Can't get Enough...

Of this statement mirror. I'll have to try this one day...

Of this DIY headboard.

Of the simplistic awesomeness of this hotel lobby lounge.

Of my new purse!

Of our new fish-tank-cozy-loungey room. Here's a sneak peek. More to come this week.

Sorry I've Been MIA.

When it rains, it pours. Well actually, it showers. Bridal showers to be exact. (Lame joke, I know.)

I must be at that age or something, but I've gotten more invitations this summer than I think I have in my whole life combined. I'll be heading to my 3rd bridal shower this weekend - 3rd in a row, might I add. (Although I'm super excited Julie!!) Not to mention bachlorette parties, bridal luncheons and the weddings themselves - this makes for a busy couple of months!

You can't beat a wedding though - cheers to love, friends and families gathering together, and a fabulous party to celebrate!

House Plants

With this room as my inspiration, I'm on the hunt for some great house plants. I really, really love these fiddle leaf figs shown below. I've searched everywhere around town but can only find them on-line. Does anyone know a local shop that has these?

A great tree can really make a statement in a lonely corner...

I'm feeling a bit rebellious.

Once upon a time our home’s second guest bedroom served as my office (I worked from home before I opened my little shop). I used to live in this room. Well, for 40 hours every week anyways. So, I built this super huge long desk (11ft to be exact) to give me plenty of space to work my day job, moonlighting as a work station to accommodate my projects.

The desk was awesome – a sawhorse from Ikea and a couple sheets of plywood and I was one happy girl. Once the shop opened though, I rarely stepped foot in this room. It sat unused for a good couple of months before my man talked me into a fish tank.

I agreed to support a community of little fishies in our unused room under one condition: it had to be a pretty fish tank, and I wasn’t referring to the stuff inside the glass walls – I was concerned with all the junk that goes along with these wonderful pets.

We decided that in order to have a pretty fish tank, it would take some planning and might I add designing to get a tank set-up that we both would be happy with. I must say my man has done just that – he’s topped a nice white chest (that hides all the pumps and gadgets) with a rimless 57 gallon salt water tank, complete with hanging lights over top. It’s great! (and that comes from the not-so-fish-enthusiast)

With the tank up and running, we needed a place to sit and enjoy our little reef friends. Mission accomplished, thanks to Craigslist and our new friends who sold us their awesome leather couch. Now, the room needs some personality.

I know I should probably stick with the flow of the rest of the rooms in our house, but I’m so against that right now. I’m feeling a bit rebellious, if I must say so. A bit edgy, unexpected, and dare I say bohemian? Ok I’ll cut to the chase: I want to paint our room dark. Not like a dark shade of green or blue, but dark. As in almost black. I just feel like it makes everything in the room pop, especially an awesome fish tank. It’s almost a neutral, but has more personality than white. More soul.

When the thought first popped in my head, I began searching my books and magazines for inspiration – for those who have gone to the dark side, if you will. Much to my surprise, I found tons of inspiration. Check out some of these rooms.

Images courtesy of coco & kelley and Domino

What do you think? Am I crazy? Can I pull it off in my house? I'm thinking of adding the pops of aqua like you see in the last couple of photos - I'm hoping that will help unite our home, as that aqua color is found throughout our house. I especially love this last photo. Not that I want my room to look like that, but I like the feel. I love the live trees and the random art. The richness of a gentleman’s cigar lounge with a bohemian flair.

That’s it. I’m going for it. It’s just paint, right? I’ll keep you updated… :/

So Refreshing

What is it about blue and white that just screams summer? Just looking at these rooms conjures up watermelon filled sunshiney afternoons lounging in the pool with popsicles. And it's also making me want to add pops of these gorgeous hues to my own rooms for a summer-y look.

How great is this sea animal print? Would love to see it on a cobalt blue wall in a little boy's room!

Can't Get Enough...

Maybe because it's summer time and the living is easy, or maybe because I just got back from a 1 night trip at the gorgeous, historical Biltmore Hotel, or maybe it's because the sun finally peeked its face out for the first time in days, but something has me longing to be lounging on one of these fabulous verandas.

Especially this last one - anyone want to take me to the Amalfi Coast this weekend?

The Palm Beach Post "Boutique of the Week!"

I'm very proud to announce that petite surprise was featured in the paper yesterday as the"Boutique of the Week" for The Palm Beach Post!

Hope to see you Palm-Beachers in here soon!

Happy 4th!

I must say the 4th of July tops the charts for "Prettiest Holiday Desserts." Don't these photos get you in the celebration spirit? Bring something beautiful (and delicious!) to your neighborhood BBQ this weekend!

Images courtesy of marthastewart.com