Spiritual Refreshment

Spending time outdoors, in natural settings, is so so important to me. It is where I can really connect with my soul and realize and appreciate the beauty of life. When I walk through the woods or lay on the beach, I quiet down listen to the sounds of mother nature, and let go. I think about all of the important things in life, which aren't streaming in through my blackberry, and thank God that I am alive with so much love around me.

One of Brian and my favorite things to do in the fall is hike. It is of course, too chilly for the beach in New England, and hiking is the next best thing. Well no, skiing, then hiking...

Here are some photos of Devil's Den in Weston, CT I took last weekend. What a nice day it was walking through the woods with my love and admiring the foliage and all the little miracles of life (sorry for being cheesy!!).

where we leave our polluted moter vehicles.

Spiritual Refreshment, I love that...

looking up and the pretty little leaves, swaying to the music of the wind...

some green I thought was cool!

Me and B, so happy to be spending our day together in peace

the sounds of the stream could put you to sleep.

the reflection is so neat, like the biggest mirror you've ever seen

pretty country homes decked our for Halloween

If you can, take time this weekend for some spiritual refreshment, you have it wherever you are in this world!

New Client Inspiration

I am thrilled to have been given the opportunity to work with a new home-owner in the decoration of her fabulous new home in Connecticut. I shouldn't say her because she has a beautiful family, but I will mostly be working with her on the decision making and coordination. She wants glam, spectacular, and electic. As she and her family have lived life as world travelers, the art and furniture collection is magnificent and I am looking forward to working with and around these existing pieces and incorporating new in the overall design.

Getting all excited I had to browse around for inspiration this morning:

I would say this foyer is pretty glam, you?

love the color of the walls here for the formal living room

and this...

Her teenage daughter is very much into the anthropologie look, I like this photo to inspire the decor in her bedroom

love this for the family room which needs to be brightened up

ahh, dining room

powder room downstairs, may be a little girly for her taste, but I love it!

Being a Part of Breast Cancer Awareness

You know, with a cause comes great organizations and energy. I'm not sure any cause does that better than breast cancer awareness and what a very cool and inspiring movement it is. Everyone wants to be a part of PINK: football players wearing pink helmets, Ralph Lauren and his Pink Pony, one of my best friends, Lexie, running in the NYC marathon with The Pink Agenda,  Irwin Feld Design's Pretty in Pink 4 Life, and Stamford, Connecticut's very own Paint the Town Pink which I will be participating in tonight. The list could go on and on, but it makes me so happy that all of these people want to be a part of something so good, saving lives: mothers, sisters, friends, grandmothers, teachers, fathers, brothers of people going through this struggle. 

SO tonight, if you are in the Stamford, CT area, please become a part of Paint the Town Pink and attend Treats & Treasures at the United House Wrecking from 6-9. A large portion of all proceeds will go to Stamford Hospital's Mobile Mammography program and I will be there selling all sorts of Shorely Chic goodies and discounted Design Services! 

Hope to see you there!!! 

Old-House Online

I was so excited to hear that Old-House Online wanted to sponsor the Shorely Chic blog. I am such a fan of their publications and it was really flattering to learn of their interest in sponsoring my little old blog! I love Old-House Online for...can you guess...my love for old homes. I find nothing more visually pleasing than an old home revamped for modern day living, combining the original architecture and charming characterisitcs with new touches and finishes, it's perfection in my book and Old-House Online is the one place I can be guaranteed such eye-candy.


Old-House Online is the hub site for four Old-House magazines: Old-House Journal, which focuses on DIY/restoration for old houses, Old-House Interiors, which focuses on vintage interior design, Early Homes, which features homes from the 1800's and earlier, and New Old House, which features new homes built in the style of old homes - can you stand it? For people like me, this is quite the website!


My favorite story at the moment is California Beach Cottage by Laurel Kornheiser and photos by Eric Roth

"The best beach houses evolve over time. They often start as simple shingled structures, solid and shuttered for when the waves whip to a froth. As seaside memories are made, as more sand is tracked across the floors, as more dripping swimsuits leave their marks, as more wicker is added and more books are left behind, the beach houses accumulate their character. Textures become densely layered, shells and stones scramble for space on shelves and windowsills, dining tables extend to accommodate friends of friends, and flea market finds and hand-me-downs fill the spaces."


I couldn't have said it any better so thank you, Laurel, like music to my ears...

Please stop by Old-House Online when you have a free moment (if you haven't already) and feast your eyes with their delightful images and stories!

Coral & Aqua

In thinking of two colors I like most, paired together that is, I think it has to be coral and aqua. I think the combination is fun and refreshing, whimsical in way!

shopshorelychic.com

etsy.com

shopshorelychic.com

shopshorelychic.com

love it! 

Farmhouse Sinks

I love the look of farmhouse sinks, or apron-style front sinks - they add such a soft vintage look to a kitchen mixed in with modern day stainless steel appliances, chrome lighting fixtures, etc...

There is absolutely nothing wrong with the kitchen below - it is my dream kitchen, white cabinets, wood floor, bamboo shades, a little greenery in the form of a chic topiary, carrara marble and stainless appliances. HEAVEN...

I'm really into farmhouse sinks, I love their vintage look and paired with a pretty fuacet nothing could be better in my book...

not sure why there are two here, but okay!

source

Have a great weekend everyone, Brian and I have movers coming to our apartment tomorrow so I will be a busy little bee!

Sponsorships Open!!

Morning Friends! I am going to begin a sponsorship program on my blog for those interested in placing a button sized advertisement on the top right column to gain exposure for their business, blog, etsy shop, whatever! At this point, I feel that Shorely Chic is ready for this next step, and I hope I am able to spread the love to the sponsors by having my visitors, visit them!

Below are all of the details, and if you or anyone you know might be interested, please direct them to this post. Thank you!!!


>>Welcome to Shorely Chic advertising! I am so glad you are considering this opportunity to grow your business with me. I have a strong relationship with my followers on blogger, twitter, and facebook and I would love to introduce them to you. Listed below are the details involved in purchasing an advertisement, and I would encourage you to participate in this sponsorship opportunity to gain greater exposure in the online community and beyond!


What:

1. A button size ad of size 125 x 125 which will be posted on my blog, right below my own button of the same size on a monthly basis

2. A blog post at the start of your sponsorship introducing you to my blog readers

3. A facebook post linking to your business’ facebook page and website

4. Twitter updates throughout the month about your business

Where:

1. Shorely Chic Blog with an average of 325 visitors/day

2. Shorely Chic Facebook page with over 1850+ fans

3. Shorely Chic Twitter with over 1400 followers

Who:

You, Me, and approximately 3500 others who follow me

How Much:

20.00 USD per month

OR

50.00 USD per three months
Please email shorelychic@gmail.com to get started!

**I am offering 50% off of these rates as a first time offer to help us get started until Sunday, October 24**

New Shop - New Idols

I was reading one of my favorite blogs the other day, Seagrass Interiors, and was so thrilled to see that Melissa and her new business partner Betsy opened a shop, Bixby & Ball! As this is a dream of my own I am so inspired by their story and how real and fast they made their dream come true. I immediately forwarded the post to my friend Lauren, who said she would open one with me.

Check out their lovely blog, and keep your eye on this shop - with Melissa's personality and style (and I'm sure Besty's as well though I don't know her) this store is shore to be on the map!!

it's so beautiful isn't it?? Everything I would want in a store <3

Closing Time...

This weekend was an interesting one - due to some unforeseen circumstances with some of our newest and intolerable neighbors and scum bag landlord (yes, I said it), we will be moving out of our little abode that we've rented for over two years.We made the decision to get out this weekend and have to be out before November 1, so I have been a busy bee packing up the many decorations, furnishings, and Shorely Chic inventory that fills our home.

As much as moving is a dreaded process, the positives are cleaning out, donating, and getting a grasp of the many material goods we actually have - sheesh! At times like these, I wish I were a minimalist!

Brian and I are both excited for this next chapter where we will move in to my parents' inlaw suite until we are financially comfortable to buy the home of our dreams! God works in mysterious ways and this troubled weekend at our current apartment gave us the kick in the tush we needed to get out of renting and into the real estate market!

I will be posting as often as I can, but know that these next two weeks are pretty crazed with packing, coordinating, and unpacking!

eek!

Room of the Week

This photo was in my last post about 'non-white' sofas, I don't know, somehow it made its way in, even though there is a big white sofa in the center!

I could not resist this room, have been thinking about it since I found it, so much I thought I'd highlight it today.

 baby pink walls in the backdrop of an ethnic and eclectic, yet refreshing room - now THAT is talent! Designer: Windsor Smith Home

I have started adding to my collection in shopshorelychic.com and I've recently added this print in a bamboo frame that would look magnificent:

http://www.shopshorelychic.com/servlet/the-130/Dharmakaya-Framed-Print/Detail

Do you like it? How about the shop? I know there is not a lot of inventory yet, but I am taking my time so that it is just perfect! It is open by the way :)

xoxox Happy Friday

Family Room Project - Help?

A part of Shorely Chic has led me to take part in little projects here and there helping people, guiding them through their choices and execution of redecorating their homes. I'm working on a family room right now, and I was totally set on slip covered white couches as they are my go-to for the beach chic look. She was convinced too, until the thought of washing the slipcovers every week (4 kids) became a realization, and we are now at the point of looking at other options.

SO I've looked at a bunch of photos, with non-white couches, I'm expanding! But seriously, I came across probably 10 white couches to 2 non-whites during my search, no wonder I like them so much!!

I need your help, what do you think I should present? stripes, khaki, bold patterns? remember, child-friendly! Thanks lovelies :)

Sources:
Coastalliving.com
decorpad.com
myhomeideas.com
thestamfordwife.blogspot.com