Gilded Mint Giveaway

The holiday gift giving season is upon us and I have a great gift for everyone. Brooke at Decor Great has put together a fabulous giveaway on her blog....a $150 gift card to my Etsy shop Gilded Mint. All available original artwork pieces are featured on the shop, so visit Decor Great today to enter in your chance to win. Hurry, the giveaway ends at 6pm EST Friday, 11/30!




And, don't forget today is the last day to pick up a print of my original artwork on the One Kings Lane Emerging Artist sale. Eight on my pieces are available at a huge discount, including two new features!

Warm Winter Whites

With the cool weather upon us, fluffy, soft white interiors that have a serene warmth to them seem so inviting. Throw in a crackling fire and it just seems so northern european. Here are a few favorites!

Simple, but just a little sheepskin warms up this space.

Neutrals and white

 

So chic academic like with the books stored spine side in to keep neutral.

A plush rug gives the expansive space a grounded softness.

 Heavy ivory curtains and a plush rug make this nursery super cozy.

Very serene and cozy with some chenille softness.

Lovely!!

And a few picks for your own warm winter whites!

Warm Winter Whites by gildedmint on Polyvore

A Departure of Sorts

So, this post is a semi-departure of what I currently blog about--art and home. With the holidays in full swing, gift giving season is in full affect. The convos from hubbies and boyfriends after we say, "So, do you know what you are getting me this Christmas?" are beginning. I grew up loving stocking stuffers. Not only did it extend my Christmas because we got to open stockings on Christmas Eve, but you get a lot of little things. Now, moms usually got you amazingly practical items like pink toothbrushes, gum or socks, but you still loved getting something! Here are a few of my favorites for stocking stuffers that are a few steps above practical for the discerning female taste and proven in my book:

Alterna's BAMBOO Volume 48 Hour Sustainable Volume Spray. I picked this up after reading a review in a fashion mag. Amazing for those with fine hair and A MUST for volume and thickness. $24 but save 20% at Skinstore.com with code GIFT20. 

There isn't a single chap stick or lip balm that compares to the Honey Burt's Bees. Maybe it's the honey, but it's super moisturizing, perfect consistency and doesn't need constant reapplication. IT JUST WORKS! Less than $3 so you can throw a couple in the stocking for yourself:-)

My sister got me a gift set last year that included this 100% Pure Vanilla Bean Nourishing Body Cream. It has anti-aging antioxidants, vitamins, skin softening fruit oils, and cocoa and avocado butters. I don't know what it is, but men can follow this scent anywhere and love it. It's not overpowering, so if you want an all natural moisturizer that men love, this is it! $15, but get 20% off with code CN20 at my home town store Charleston Naturally.

As if Kelly Wearstler needs to move out of Interior Design, she does so effortlessly with a new jewelry line. The horn pieces are to die for. They are not inexpensive, but would fit perfectly in a stocking;-) Shopbop has the line and save up to 35% with Code BIGEVENT12 and get free shipping. 

You may need a supersized stocking, but we need to also think about hostess gifts for holiday parties. Trader Joes stocks this delicious Valpolicella Ripasso by Pasqua that is so yummy and an all around pleaser. It does not taste like an $8.99 wine or one so young. If you can catch it before it runs out at your local TJ's, get a case!

I directed my sister to my favorite lengthening mascara the other day at ULTA, and I ended up selling 3 more tubes of Telescopic to ladies in the aisle curious to why I liked it. I expect my commission check any day now from Loreal:-) Now, I am not a makeup guru by any means and leave all of that to my friend Chloe, but I do know a good mascara when I use it!

And, for the home, a little gold and white. Absolutely cute and glam, these salt and pepper shakers from Jonathan Adler are $48. 

Quote of the Day

The Winter Closet

Twice a year, I switch out my seasonal clothes from storage tubs because I have an old house with very little closet space. Each time I do this, I think there has to be a better closet system and storage set up for me. Well, I know there is, so here are a few closets for inspiration!

I have always thought of putting a dresser or small chest in a closet. The curtains allow for this. Also loving the open decorative shelves and cork board. Too bad I have about 100 more items that would need to be hung in the small bar. 

If I had a large space, a center island is a must. 

Khloe Kardashian. I love the gray island and to the ceiling storage cubbies. 

Boots are a pain to store---this is the perfect solution if you have the hanger space. 

This isn't for me, but what a chic closet for a gentleman. 

I love a closet off of or in a bath. If I had the room in a bath, it's an excellent place to add some storage with a built-in mirror. 

Finally, something to do with that awkward attic space. I love the wallpaper on the ceiling.

Perfect for an apartment or room that has no closet. 

Installing drawers and storage below short hanging clothes is perfect...even if only on half of the closet. 

We leave so much wasted space up high in a room. I love this approach with the ladder. 

Separating out the long and short hanging items frees up space for shelves.

And, finally, if I had the space everything would be neatly tucked away behind closed doors and drawers in a very pretty, clutter free space with a few high end light fixtures. 

Beaufort Interiors

My mom and I took a little down time in coastal Beaufort, SC, this week to take in the historic town's sites. There are only a few shops in Beaufort, but we did pop into M Home & Garden & Interiors. Featured in Southern Living & Better Homes and Gardens, you can see they focus on traditional, comfortable and casual southern decor. They also have some awesome decor finds and accessories in the shop. Here's a few shots of their design work:

Coastal blue and white twin bedroom. 

If you need a new coffee table book on design, fashion, travel, anything...they have it in the shop.

Traditional, simple living room. I love the ladder to access high storage in the background.

Great neutrals with the heart pine floors and exposed beams in a civil war era home.

Great accessories for the home. 

They even did the interior for Wren restaurant where we ate our last night. I absolutely loved the burlap, weathered wood and industrial touches in this restaurant. Plus, the food was superb!

Have You Decorated For Thanksgiving Yet?

Just two weeks until Thanksgiving! If you are hosting the holiday at your house, or looking to bring a hostess gift to a friend or family member, the gold wishbone print is perfect. It was a tradition in my house that my mom would save the wishbone from the turkey and dry it out. Then, we would have the chance to each grab a side, make a wish, and whoever got the longest bone on the break got their wish! The wishbone is the third member of the great Euro-American lucky charm triumvirate -- the other two being the horseshoe and the four-leaf clover.

For decorating, whether it's Thanksgiving or not, the wishbone is perfect in gold to remind you that wishes do come true. Wishbones can now be found everywhere, from necklaces, bracelets, gold paperweights...you name it. 

You can get yours today via Etsy for only $28.