At Home in Pink

So as they demolish my bedroom I can't help but think about what color to paint it since I wouldn't have to do it myself (silver lining!). And as you know I have a thing for pink. It just frightens me to think of it being everywhere. Here's some recent inspiration.

Woodson Rummerfeld via the scoop (find the WR link to the left in my favorites!)

I did some one stop shopping for images over at sfgirlbybay and found not only the greaqtest reference for pink but some ideas if I stay with the current green color pallette. Her new 'blushed' walls are the perfect shade of pink that isn't too much but is still very pink. Below are closer to my current color but with accessories that I really love. If I stick with the green in my bedroom I'll need to invest in a yellow chair like that. Anyone know where I can find a similar poster?

Let's review

I think, after going back and reading my own content, that this really is what I'd like to base my bathroom on color wise...or rather, this is already where my bathroom is going and i'd like to commit to getting it all the way there. yeah.

After spending time with the greatest hostesses of all time, I am beginning to like the idea of finishing projects. It feels nice to have a finished space...who knew?

At Home in the Bathroom

Here is what it looked like. And here is the direction I'm going:

Bathroom Blues

So I mentioned last week I went to West Elm to get a new bathmat. Once I saw the blue in person, I needed more. But didn't want to buy a WEST ELM BATHROOM. If you know what I mean. Lucky me, I found a little 2 tone bowl that perfectly matches the mat at a thrift store for $1. I put this on my tiny sink and then filled it with these pink gerbera daisies which are popping up everywhere (wink). So now I want more blue and a little bit of pink. Anyone have a miracle for hiding or incorporating a litter box into your bathroom's design scheme? the best I've done is that it's blue and it has a cover. (You can see the corner in the first picture).

My Favorite Blue and West Elm

There are a couple of shades of blue that absolutely make me melt. This is the bathmat I had to go and buy at West Elm last week because it is one of those blues and it was only $20. It was a little smaller than I thought it would be, but it works. It inspired me to subtley shift the overall tone in the bathroom. I'll take pics this weekend and post em.

La Douche Relaxante

Although it's an everyday brand like Dove or Oil of Olay, this Ushuaia Bodywash has a scent far more sophisticated than its price point. It bubbles up nicely in a bath, is smooth enough to shave with, has enough scent to gently relax you (as the name suggests) even if you're using it as shower gel, and it leaves exaclty the right amount of smell on your skin. I CANNOT live without it.

You can find it in any drugstore in France or you can buy it online here.

Better Than a Shower?

The best hot day perfume as brought to you by the hinter. I remember this as a kid's perfume. But thinking about it now, why would they have made a perfume for kids? Who knows. Those crazy french...

French Inspiration: Le Mepris

Godard made a lot of classics and Le Mepris is one of my favorites. It just epitomizes 60's french chic. The film is also a great inspiration for how to use pops of color for a chic, uncluttered look. And somehow the whole thing is playfully sophisticated. Mon Dieu.







I really like how yellow is used in these shots:



And how it can translate into modern day-- Joy's bedroom:




And in this bathroom from Marie Claire Maison:


And this bedroom from ATLA:

Basic French Online

It's the little things that make all the difference. Maybe that's why I can't get enough of everyday french products. When I go to France I fill up a whole suitcase with body wash, toothpaste, and notebooks. basic french online will save you some of the hassle (and the airline ticket) as they offer some of the best basics:


Mir Dish soap:


Fluocaril Toothpaste:


Every french kid's earliest candy memory: Carambars:


Lemon Verbena and Lavender Linen Water from La Compagnie de Provence:


Carte Noir Cafe:

La Vie en Rose

I am loving touches of a slightly darker, more sophisticated pink.

This photo in particular makes me smile. (From Marie Claire Maison)





This is small but it's a swath of pink in an all white bedroom. The blog is in french, but if you translate it, it's quite sweet.

Cleanliness is Godliness

Savon de Marseille is absolutely my favorite hand soap. I was first attracted to it for the packaging a couple of years ago and have found that the soap is smooth and mild and the dispenser is oddly satisfying. I currently use the scentless one but have loved the fig and the verbena. Overall, the experience is delicious. You can order it online at this new homewares shop, Abitare, based in Brooklyn. They've also started making candles:

Taking care of Home

It was a weekend of taking care of things around the house (that can get put off). Among the things I took care of, I am most proud of getting this lamp functioning in the bathroom. I loved the idea of a giant lamp filling up the high ceiling of my bathroom but wasn't totally sure how to get it wired up:
I was afraid that it would be complicated or impossible, but my mom helped me navigate at OSH and I had the right equipment. Success!

I also hung this painting that's been leaning against the wall for weeks:

Home smells good (hopefully)

I read this great air freshening tip over on marthastewart.com from Kevin Sharkey (one of the editors):

"Save money on air fresheners: Add a few drops of rose oil to a small dish of water, plus a solubilizer (sold in health food stores)."

I love simple solutions and my version is to put some rosemary oil (or really any oil that you love the smell of) from the health food store onto a cotton ball or even a piece of toilet paper and drop that in the bottom of the bathroom trashcan. I have the lidded kind so everytime I throw something away, it releases a little blast of fresh scent.