Holy Chic: Cute and Affordable Graphic Tees

Holy Chic you guys! I have been wanting some graphic tees for awhile now, and I just found the cutest ones from Old Navy Canada! Best part? The website is currently offering 20% off orders over $100 (25% if you are in the US!) until tomorrow, making these tees just under $12 each. Graphic tees are so versatile! They can be paired with jeans, an a-line midi skirt, even a pencil skirt!
I couldn't believe these were Old Navy! They feel very JCrew, no? I have a feeling these are going to fly off the shelf, so get yours while you can! (I myself, bought all four...ooops!). This is not a sponsored post, I just loved these tees and wanted to share!

xox

Sophisticated Styling: A Narrow Mantle

Today I'm sharing a seldom seen area of my living situation. I've mentioned before that I live in a student building where I have my own studio-style apartment, complete with living room/bedroom area, large walk in closet, and my own bathroom. My kitchen accommodations, however, are shared with the five other girls living in my building. Beside the kitchen, there is also a small community TV area. 

I was inspired by the mantle (on the non-working fireplace) down there the other day and decided to give it a quick makeover using found items from my apartment. Before, it was covered in junk mail and strange odds and ends such as batteries and a spool of thread. 

It's amazing what a ten minutes of styling can do!

The tricky part about styling a narrow mantle is that you only have a few inches of depth to make it count. This eliminates the possibility of any big, sculptural pieces. Instead, I've chosen to layer leaning art for easy switch-out in an asymmetrical layout to break up the formality of the more traditional fireplace. All of the art pieces used are my original paintings. I've added one small, interestingly shaped vase to the vignette to add some 3 dimensionality and a curvilinear form, and threw a couple decorative match boxes to complete the vignette with a 'lived-in' atmosphere.

Is there an area in your house that could use a little extra styling love?
xox

Coffee Table Tuesday with The Peak of Tres Chic

Today's Coffee Table Tuesday features one of the first friends that I made in the blogging world, Sam of The Peak of Tres Chic. Like me, Sam is currently in school studying Interior Design. This lady has a big career ahead of her, as evidenced by her amazing Rose Creek project. Sam participated in my Favourite Furniture Fridays series way back when, and I am so thrilled to welcome her back for this new series. So grab a cup of coffee and enjoy Sam's styling tips!

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I also love her tufted sofa, so amazing! Be sure to check out Sam's blog and instagram for more daily inspiration! Thanks so much for sharing Sam.
xo

Pink Houses

For my studio project this term, we are designing a boutique hotel in an old Victorian mansion, complete with corner tower.

In my hunt for some inspiration for the exterior, I came across some pretty stunning pink houses. Although this is not direction we are taking our hotel, it most certainly is the direction that I am taking my daydreaming this Monday morning! Enjoy!

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via Elizabeth Anne Designs

 It's my dream to live in a century home such as a Victorian. While I'm not sure I would paint it pink, it is fun to daydream!
xox

Starry-Eyed: Astrological Decor

Have you ever heard the saying 'it was written in the stars'? How about the line in Romeo and Juliette that terms them 'star-crossed lovers'? Well, whether you believe that astrology plays a role in our fate or not, there is no denying the chicness of astrologically inspired decor pieces.

Thomas O'Brien via Elle Decor

Hand Painted Galaxy Wall via A Beautiful Mess

 via The Aestate

I have a little taste of astrology in my own apartment with my darling little Astrological hand jewelry holder from Urban Outfitters. I love it! It is sort of creepy which contrasts with the sugary sweetness of the rest of the space.

So tell me, what do you think of this starry eyed trend?
 

Coffee Table Tuesday with Jana Bek Design

Tuesdays have always kind of been a blah day, you know what I mean? But with this new series I'm finding myself more and more excited about Tuesdays! This week we have the very inspirational and talented Jana of Jana Bek Design here to share her coffee table styling. I have been a fan of Jana for years, since she was an assistant for Caitlin Wilson. Since then, Jana has launched her own fabulous E-Design Business and has charmed us all with her gorgeous portfolio. I am so honoured to have this lady on the blog today!

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Isn't Jana's space so fabulous? I love her settee, and the brass sailboats are the perfect detail for her coffee table. See more of her terrific styling on her instagram and blog as well!
Thanks so much for sharing with us Jana!
xox

(Silk) Pillow Talk

Between blogging from bed, reading in bed, occasionally watching my shows from bed, and sleeping in bed, I am a girl who knows the importance of soft, comfortable bedding. But, I did not realize the importance of silk pillow cases until recently, when my friends at Silksleep sent me two glorious 100% Silk pillow cases. Let me just tell you - total game changer.

Sleeping on silk has so many benefits!
1. It is great for preventing wrinkles as your skin doesn't 'tug' throughout the night. Silk's tightly woven structure also helps to keep moisture close to the skin, as opposed to other fabrics that will absorb your night cream. This means a hydrated, glowing face in the mornings.

2. It's great for your hair! You've heard the expression 'silky smooth' hair before haven't you?! Bedhead is much diminished by sleeping on silk, since it slides rather than bunching and knotting.

3. Silk has temperature control properties. This is great for someone like me who suffers from night sweats (does anyone else have this issue?!).

Plus, silk is just a small luxury that makes going to bed and even making the bed somehow feel glamorous.

And of course, I'm still absolutely loving my 100% silk sleep mask from Silksleep. It's also wrinkle preventative, and allows me to sleep in way past the morning light flooding my room at 6 am.

Get your own pillows here. Sleep mask here.
 A big thanks again to my friends at Silksleep!

Sophisticated Decor Touch: A Chess Set

My father taught me to play chess. When he was a boy in school, he signed up for a chess tournament...the trouble is, he had no idea how to play. He went home, and his father taught him the basics. My dad won that entire tournament.

There is something so sophisticated and elegant about a chess set. Maybe it's the classic checkerboard pattern, maybe it's the elegant, sculptural pieces (which is your favourite? I like the knight), or maybe it's the harkening back to a time before video games. Either way, I'm always on the look out at antique stores and flea markets for the perfect marble chess set.

I think its presence adds a strikingly smart addition to a room.

Kelly Wearstler via The Coveteur

Alaina Kaczmarski via The EveryGirl

Elle Decor Showhouse via California Home Design

 Do you know how to play chess?
 xox
 

Coffee Table Tuesday with Elliven Studio

Hi loves! Welcome to Round 2 of Coffee Table Tuesday, a new weekly series here on TLID that shares the ways that some of my blogging friends style their coffee tables. This week, you're in for a real treat because we have the lovely and talented Julie from Elliven Studio joining us. I met Julie last year at Blogpodium, and have loved following along her journey to decorate her house ever since. Her space is painted in the most perfect shade of grey, and her entire instagram feed is a daily dose of pretty.

Please join me in drooling while we snoop her coffee table style!

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 Don't you just love everything going on in these pictures? I mean, that gold garden stool alone! I can't! Be sure to head on over to Elliven Studio and say hi! And Julie, thank you so much for sharing.

xox
 

Old Parquet - Yay or nay?

One thing that I love to do in my spare time is apartment hunt online. Is that weird since I have no immediate plans of moving?....Probably.
Hopefully by next summer I will be getting a new rental (with my very own kitchen that I don't have to share with five other girls), and I love seeing what my predicted budget will get me. Most of the apartments I'm drawn to (and can afford) have one thing in common....old, square parquet flooring. If you had shown me this a few years ago, I would have cringed, but now, I don't mind it at all! I actually kind of like it. Think about the craftsmanship and time to install that! There is something kind of charming about it and miles better than the laminate I have in my current rental.

via Lonny Mag May/June 2011

Michelle Adams via Decor8

Michelle Adams via Decor8

Elle Decor UK via Lee Stanton Blog

So what do you think? Has parquet flooring come back into style? Or do you still consider it outdated?
xox