TGIF!

A little Retail Therapy on a Friday goes a long way, when trying to keep your sanity intact... :)

Happy Friday, Y'all!!
Natasha

Image via The Everygirl, Hattie Sparks Boutique in New Orleans

Blog Love!

As someone in the know, I am sure you have heard the buzz about the newly opened Serena & Lily store in Wainscott... Well, there is a new blog to go with that, for all of us who wants to follow from afar, it's called The Story.

Here's to wishing I could visit in person, looks amazing, inviting, fun and very Hampton's! 

Admittedly I am a total sucker for well done displays, and this little color story totally caught my eye! 

There was a great little summer entertaining story on the blog a few days back, makes me want to have a garden party... BUT, considering I live in Florida, we will have to wait... too hot, even in the evenings, too muggy, humidity is thick, and the mosquitos are deadly... :) so we will wait a little!

At the end of the month the new Serena & Lily Fall Catalog will launch, here is a little look behind the scenes.

Until then... Happy web-shopping to me :)

Natasha

All images via The Story by Serena & Lily

Inspired!

How often do you open your fridge?? Think about it... Wouldn't it be nice if you could actually see what you have?? I came across this image on a blog the other day (didn't write down the source, Sorry!), and I started laughing to my self. Not only had the person written something like "not.going.to.happen", which in it self is funny, but I had just had a conversation a few days prior with my visiting father, about the obscene amount of containers we had in our fridge at the time....

While I have had my "new" refrigerator for a few years now, I LOVE the French Doors and bottom freezer, works so well for us! The fridge is high gloss white & super cool, but the inside leaves something to be desired!! BUT now that this image is on my radar, I will have to make more of an effort for sure :)

While I do already own the One Dozen Egg Crates above, and one of the Farmers Market Baskets as well, I am thinking I could use a few more. They come in a few different sizes and colors, so whatever color you like, go for it!! White is always fresh and clean, and looks good with any kind of food in it... those grapes look yummy!

I have one of these aqua containers filled with black licorice... And now that I have had a visit from home, it's filled to the brim! :) If you look closely at the images on the Anthropology website, you will notice that the containers are imprinted with the texture of the original cardboard, and then glazed.

I was unable to locate the top egg crate for you on the site, but this is their new Half Dozen Egg Crate... Like the coral color a lot!!

Let the organizing begin, and remember that you will eat more of the healthy stuff if it's in front of you, and presented like this there is just no excuse!!

Could you imagine if you had a glass front fridge?

"Not.going.to.happen"  :)

Natasha

Image #1 ?, Image #2 - #4 via Anthropology

E-nuf is e-nuf!!

I have been in a Coral mood as of late! Typically I am a Spaghetti Strap girl, but e-nuf is e-nuf, literally :) I am all over this color... I do not do well with Reds, Orange nail polish is soooo not my thing, love Hot Pinks, and now I have graduated to this Coral!

What do you think??

And fun custom cushion by the way... this project will be photographed on Friday, so consider this a teaser image. Girly post today, hope you can stand it :)

Natasha

Image #1 & #2 via Essie, Image #3 NHH for Northern Light Blog

Sunday Flowers (on Monday)

It's no secret that I adore hydrangeas,  so much volume for not a lot of money, such pretty colors and they last so long once cut. The best tip I ever read on how to keep hydrangeas alive and well, came from non other than Martha Stewart... If your blooms start to fall, simply cut a fresh cut on the stem, and submerge the entire flower in cold water, and voila... after an hour or so, it will spring right back! Trust me, it works like a charm :)

Another reason to love hydrangeas are the beautiful dusty colors as above! 

Fall-y & moody colors, don't you think??

Natasha

Image via Livet Hjemme

Weekend Craving

House of Harlow & Goop has teamed up to create this super chic clutch. The embossed leather has been dyed turquoise, then brown and has the head of a "badass jaguar" as a clasp!

Want, love & it can totally be yours, just in time for fall entertaining!!

Natasha

Images via goop

Happy Monday!

Color makes me happy! ... well, almost as happy as white :)

This little still life combines so many of my favorites;
White, pink, turquoise, hydrangea, sea shells, candle light, amethyst and lacquer. So pretty!!
Hope your Monday starts your week on a happy note :)

Natasha

Image via Northern Light Blog on Pinterest

Stack 'em high!

Every once in a while you just need something new for the house, right?
Well, that time has come for me! I am on the lookout for new pillows...
They will go on our new sofa (that I have not purchased just yet ;) ) but I guess it never hurts to look!

I came across a beautiful advertisement in the new Ivy & Piper March / April issue for Heidi & Home, and just had to take a closer look.

Those cheerful blue and white zig zag pillows "had me at Hello", so summery and pretty!!

Turns out there are so many to choose from... take a look here!
And while you are on the Heidi & Home site, you should read the About section;
I want to be her "when I grow up" ;) !!

Happy shopping!
Natasha

Images via Heidi&Home

One of those days...

... just need a little space...
I'll be back in a few days :)

Natasha

Image via Table Tonic

It's a Nice Day for a White...

... Wedding (Shower)! (Love that Billy Idol song, remember?)

As promised, here are a few images from this weekends Wedding Shower! It was SO MUCH FUN to plan, and I am very pleased about the outcome as well, but you be the judge....

The setting was spectacular; We set up the table at the end of the garden, under a large tree with the lake as a backdrop. The weather was wonderful, warm and with a slight breeze in the early hours, and a little windy in the afternoon.... We used two huge white damask tablecloths, white (rented) chairs, turquoise plates*, turquoise linen napkins with white embroidery and the decoration down the middle of the table were tiny white orchids in clay pots. (I covered the clay pots in plain white tissue paper and tied a bow with a thin turquoise ribbon).

A work in progress... In the large tree shading the table, we hung white paper lanterns. This idea proved to be far more encompassing than anticipated, as the lawn slopes towards the lake, so... scaling the tree was the only option!

Almost there.... we used five different size lanterns, and when we were done with all eighteen of them it looked really pretty!! .... this is about half way through :)

Closer to the house, in the shade, we set up the food table, complete with this little swan, dutifully holding up three more small white orchids. Some may recognize this planter from Anthropology a while back...

The beautiful and sweet Bride-to-be, looking stunning in her coral and white. Everyone else were wearing white from head to toe, and she was asked to wear coral...

... more white orchids :) They were given out as party favors, so everyone could be reminded of what a beautiful day it had been!! The colorful painting is an original, painted by the owner of the house, and a perfect pop of color to an otherwise all white party!

We did have just a little color, but it all came from the food... in this case the colorful macaroons, perched high on the most gorgeous, white, milk-glass, pedestal cake stand. They tasted as good as they look, and were quickly gone :)

And by now you know I just can not walk by a hibiscus flower without snapping a picture...

Hope you enjoyed this little sneak peek, we had a wonderful day! We couldn't have asked for better weather, better company or a sweeter person to honor! 

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding, Christie, you and Nathan are perfect for each other!!!!

Natasha

All images NHH for the Northern Light Blog

*(I picked those (the plates) up at Pottery Barn a few summers back, and when they went on clearance, I picked up a bunch more... 16 in total to be exact)

It's the Weekend...

... and very slowly am I filling the house with Christmas spirit!

For some reason it seems a little difficult to get started, but that's probably just because it's been an insanely busy week this past week.... I have a few Christmas ornaments clustered together and tied with a beautiful ribbon in my kitchen window, but that's as far as I have gotten.... for now.

Also, I have been invited to participate in a Guest-Post Series "Talk To Me About Christmas", presented by Charlotta of Sweden :) Space For Inspiration. My post will go up on December 20th, looking forward to sharing with all of you!

Have a wonderful Weekend,

Natasha

Image unknown, sorry...

Remember the Foyer!

This week - in the US - it's all about entertaining, and while I am sure we will see our share of table top inspired posts - I might even do one, who knows - I don't want you to forget about the first thing guest see when arriving at your house; The Foyer!

Clean it up! Put away the old mail and all the shoes!! Make sure there is a pretty chair or stool for your guests. Something pretty for the eye, perhaps a candle to set the mood! Love the leaning artwork below, easy to prop for the event, and easy to move afterwards, no holes in the wall!

Fresh flowers goes a long way, but if they are not in the budget.... cut a few branches and arrange in a glass cylinder for sculptural effect!

Remember... this is where your guest start their experience, so start off your holiday celebration right, by doing something outrageous and fun here! Get the conversation going.

Natasha

Both Images via House Beautiful Magazine

100,000 and counting...

 

I have some super exciting news to share with you today!

Northern Light blew by the 100,000 page view mark yesterday, and I must confess... I am totally excited about that!! YEAH! :)

Thank you to all of you who have signed up for emails, to all of you follow the blog, to the Northern Light Facebook friends, and to all of you who stop by from time to time to check in.
I am so happy when you leave me a comment, even when you send me an email from time to time!!! Lately I have seen "new faces" trickle in via Northern Light on Pinterest, all very exciting!

Have a wonderful day,  I'm all smiles today!! :)

Natasha

Image via Northern Light on Pinterest

Just a pretty picture...

Natasha

Image via Northern Light on Pinterest

Shell Shock

I came across this beautiful image the other day; what caught my eye was the striking color of the Limpet shells... this fantastic turquoise color, in all the different variations. This image really show how a few simple shells can make a big impact, don't you think?

Limpets do not only come one shade, there are also White versions and Pink versions (they are sub tidal) as well as Grey and Brown versions (that are an intertidal species). And guess what... you can actually eat them! They are sought to be a delicacy in both Hawaii and Portugal! Have you ever tried one of these??

OK, so you might not want to eat these little guys, but appreciating their beauty, that we can all agree on, right? What about using the shells in artwork?

I see this as a wonderful DIY project for all you shell collectors out there!! Get your self set up with a shadow box frame, a glue gun and some of these beautiful shells and go to town. I suggest measuring out the space first and marking where to place the shells.... but that's just the designer in me :)

Depending on how may shells you have collected, or the size of them, decide on the size of your frame.

Hope this has inspired you to use some of those shells you have collected over the summer?!
But if you - like me - have not had a beach vacation, but want a little beach decor anyhow, a few of these beautiful Shells in Shadows can be purchased here.

Have fun!
Natasha

Image #1 & #2 via Google search, Image #3 & #4 Via Shells in Shadows

(Summer) House Love

Just a quick image of a wonderful pool area! Liking the pop of orange from the pillows...
It's been quite hectic the last couple of days, so I can only dream of relaxing in a space like this!!

Have a beautiful day,

Natasha

Image via Skona Hem

Friday blues...

Today I am dreaming of vacation time... So many things are happening, that I have not scheduled a vacation for this summer yet! This image remind me of a vacation I took many years ago with two girlfriends. We went to Croatia, and I swear the water was this dark turquoise, and the beach was all rocks, it was FAN.TAS.TIC!!!

So... I guess if I am not able to get away just yet, with my Mr. Wonderful, at least I can pretend that summer is coming to me every time I open the closet!

Do you love this idea, or what? I know painting the inside of a closet is not a new idea, but this just makes me smile... so glossy and pretty!

TGIF!

Natasha

Image #1 via Bo Bedre, Image #2 ?

The View

Since I will be at work for an extra day this week, I can only day dream of this beautiful view...

Have a fun weekend y'all, I'll be seeing you next week :)

Natasha

Image via ALT for Damerne

I spy...

Taking a clue from nature, these beautiful bursts of color "came at me" on a recent trip to Bal Harbour (outdoor, upscale shopping in Miami area), and look how the colors can be translated into your home below!

Rustic, crackled turquoise pottery, and a beautiful coral piece adorn a mantle...

... and how pretty is this little side table?  Not only are the colors fantastic, and the flowers are sooo pretty, but take a look at this image, really take a look, it's so well thought out....

First of all, the wallpaper is busy, subtle and elegant all at once, lending a wonderful back drop and setting the scene for the curves in the lamp base, in the flower dome as well as the cabriole leg on the table, the carved table top and skirt.. then there is the vases, playing of off each other with their fun curves and edged designs.

Lovely, just lovely!

Natasha

PS. the wallpaper is by Thibaut
Image #1 via Bal Harbor, Image #2 via Made by Girl, Image #3 via My Paradissi

Island Hopping

Since I've been island hopping this week, I figured I would invite you back to St. Barth!
Can you imagine how cool this would be, lounging here, enjoying the view and the warm sun..

The weekend is (almost) upon us, so why not just relax and dream ourselves away to this beautiful, tropical spot....
Love the strong, vibrant colors and that fan palm right there!

 




Come on in! I'm happy to share :)

Have a wonderful weekend what ever you do; I am planning a trip to the green market, dinner guests on Saturday evening, and brunch with friends on Sunday. YEAH!   TGIF!!

Natasha

Images via Coastal Living