GIVEAWAY: PERSONALIZED LUCITE TRAY & IPHONE CASE

Hi again!

We're back with another giveaway! Today we're giving away a personalized lucite tray & an iPhone case to 1 lucky winner from Pretty Smitten. Click HERE to customize your tray- everything from the the design element to the monogram font! {You can also choose from the other designs!} And click HERE to customize your iPhone case! 

THE PRIZE:
One personalized 12"x 12" lucite tray + one personalized iPhone case (4 or 5)! Total prize worth $135.

HOW TO ENTER:
It's EASY.  Leave a comment here with your email then TWEET about this giveaway + link to this giveaway on twitter.  

DON'T HAVE A TWITTER?:
It's okay, you can still enter by leaving your email- so we can contact you.

GIVEAWAY ENDS ON:
Tuesday, October 16th! The winner's will be listed here on my blog, so come back to see if YOU won!

{Cheetah Rugby Stripe Tray}

{IKAT Collection Tray}

{Cheetah iPhone 4 or 5 case!}

{IKAT Collection Platter}

Pretty Smitten personalized trays and iPhone cases make the perfect gift. Check out their Etsy shop here for more personalized items!

Good luck & make sure to come back to see if YOU won!

 
-images via pretty smitten

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Upper East Side

I'm crazy about the Upper East side. Hoping to stay in this area when we finally find an apartment. I'm not sure why I love this neighborhood so much. Perhaps it has something to do with all the cool architecture? The people here can be so-so, of course depending on which direction you go. I love Madison AVENUE. It's great for shopping - but 'some' of the people there can be a bit too snooooooty for my taste. Not that I dislike them or anything. No offense to those living on Madison AVE. - that's why I said 'some' people. 

Anyhow - every so often I frequent real estate sites & came across a gorgeous town home here on the Upper East side. You can actually check out all the details here on StreetEasy. Way beyond affordable in my world, but no ONE says I can't look & say "WOW".

Anyone else in LOVE with the East side of NYC? Or do you have another favorite area in NY you prefer?

Anyone else in LOVE with the East side of NYC? Or do you have another favorite area in NY you prefer?

 
 
-images via street easy

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Design: How To Add Color

Drew here, with a how to on adding color to a room.

There are many ways to incorporate color into a room, but the most important thing to remember is: 

too much color is never too much!

I've provided a few examples on how adding certain elements with color, such as lighting, pillows, furniture, artwork and rugs can really make a complete impact on brightening up a room.

Whether you have lots of lighting or minimal lighting, a bold color used in either a chandelier or floor and table lamps will add such a strong impact to a room. The picture above is a perfect example. The aqua, crystal chandelier becomes the focal point of the entire room.

Erinn V Maison via Decorista

1) Puji Lamp

2) Decorexi Chandelier

3) Zinc Door Lamp

A simple way to add touches of color to a room is by adding fun and playful, patterned pillows.

They are easy to mix and match and even cheap alternatives to changing up the look and feel of a room.

Southern Charm Tumblr

1) Joss & Main Pillow 2) Histoire Pillow

3) One Kings Lane Pillow

Feeling bold? Purchase or paint your own furniture. With a neutral background, the furniture will set the stage for a room full of color.

Joss & Main Couch

Joss & Main Chair

Society Social Table & Chairs

Wanting to spice up your space or leave a unique, lasting impression? Try hanging original works of art and paintings to your wall. There's nothing greater than a full sized painting taking color control over an entire room!

Designed Interiors Tumblr

1) Jennifer Moreman via Etsy

2) Wink of Pink via Etsy

3) Paulina 722 via Etsy

Rugs tend to be viewed as a neutral foundation. Why not step it up and give your floors a punch of color! Don't just stop at one...add two or three, or even layer rugs to give your room an impressionable statement.

The Apartment via Wolf Eyebrows

1) Anthropologie Rug

2) Neiman Marcus Rug

3) Rug via Polyvor

However you decide to use color in your house, be bold and gutsy! 

Nothing shows more personality in a house than bright hues and a colorful layout!

-post by drew humphries

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Small Apt. Inspiration

Hey! wow this apartment search has been interesting, I've been out on my own looking for a few places & NYC is a TOUGH city to find the right place. Meaning if you're looking for a perfect apartment - it doesn't seem to come up. Well, not in our budget at least. In the meanwhile, a reader sent me this cute link to a cozy & small apartment - & how the designers made it all work!!

I have to honestly say, getting a smaller apartment (if we did) would be a tremendous challenge to decorate. Cramping things into small spaces means probably getting rid of some of my furniture - something I don't want to do. Anyway -I'll keep you updated on what happens. 

However, just know this, we will NOT be paying a 15% brokers fee. That is what most brokers ask for here in the city, it's insane! There are many no fee apts & brokers willing to lower their fees, so no need to scoop out such a large amount! Know what I mean?

-images via freshhome

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Reader Inspired By My Closet

I got these cool photos from a reader named Sommer. She was so inspired by the IKEA closet system I have in my bedroom - she decided to put one together for her home office. I absolutely love my closet, it comes in handy living in NYC! What do you think of hers??

                                                                         Nice right?

Above is the closet in my room & below is Sommer's IKEA closet system.

Love the marbled paper she used. You can find them via paper mojo.   

If I ever decide to change the animal print paper in my drawers - I'd choose something like this. The gold hardware we both used can be purchased at My Knobs.

- top 2 images by janis nicolay
- bottom 3 images by sommer parvino

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Design: Fall Decor Trends

Hello MBG readers! It's Monday, welcome back! Amanda here with a roundup of a few fall trends and some pieces to show you how to transition back into richer jewel tones, textured fabrics and heavier materials. 

With fall in full swing, it's hard to miss the burgundy, all shades of green and leather trend for fashion - but what about interiors? We're seeing similar trends for the home, but more tiger prints! 

Angie Hranowsky

Miles Redd

Architectural Digest

Nuevo-Estilo

Chandelier | Pavilion Globe | Print - A Good Read | Print - Stay A While | Painting | Zebra Throw Pillow | Velvet Cushion | Zari Pillow | Tiger Velvet Pillow | Nailhead X Bench | Zebra Rug | Louis Armless Chair | Oversized Mirror | Holiday Chair

-post by amanda dietz

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Fashion: Shoes For Fall

Hi - it's Casie Mace. As Jen get back from her travels and settles in - I'll be here today. I'm sure I speak for us all when I say, I'm so excited about fall shopping! Truthfully, fall shopping is the only thing that softens the blow of the summer ending. Usually around this time, though, I can't bring myself to invest in too many sweaters and coats--not just yet. 

So I get my pre-fall fix with shoes!! It's so fun to start mixing plums and hunter greens in with the whites and lights of summer. Here's a few fall shoes I've eyeing. How versatile will those fringed western boots be?! And with denim shorts until it's too chilly  to stand it!

  

tall boots: Rachel Roy Tall Platform Bootis - Giselle | KORS MICHAEL KORS Wystan suede knee boots ankle boots: Jude by Report | High Heel Ankle Boot by Pura Lopez | Steve Madden Pistoll Fringed Western Boots pointy heels: Boutique 9 Justine Pumps | Sergio Rossi Godiva Pointy Toe High Heel Pump | Pallassino by Enzo Angiolini statement flats: Nine West Speakup Speakup | Helen by Sigerson Morrison

-post by casie mace

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