Word! ---- Art

Hi! Alyson here... Head to Statements in Fashion to see moi profiled by awesome fashionista blogger, Collette, for Twitter Tuesday. So honored and excited! And, be sure to stay wonder around her blog; it's a personal favorite!
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Truth: I'm totally interior design challenged.

I see photos of spaces I love, yet mine doesn't turn out like that. I love my home, yet we have some major improvements that need to be made (hello, new carpet). And, we need cool stuff on the walls.

The walls are just crazy bare... and we've lived here four years!
Remedy:

WORD ART!

I'm obsessed. I first discovered some awesome artwork solely comprised of words in cool typography from Made by Girl's Jen Ramos while watching the Nate Berkus show.
I definitely could buy every one of her prints (oh, and she has an awesome blog, too). 
Since having a million words all over might be excessive, I'm currently narrowing down my finds from her site and others. Right now the major focus is my office and our bedroom so I'm all about love and inspiring creativity and productivity!

The bold colors, creative messages, modern feel and affordable prices have me smitten.

Here's a few that I'm totally loving. Do you like word art?
Check out etsy for more words that you can imagine.

 Love, Made by Girl, $25 (photo credit: Jen Ramos)

 Good Hair Days, Yellow Heart Art, $18.50

Keep Calm & Carry On, Keep Calm Shop, $18.50

 Hello, The Ink Society, $14.95

Circle Word Puzzle, My Sweet Prints, $25.00
(how cool if you made this for a kid's room with their name in it??)

 

Love, UUPP, $18.00

And, a personal favorite....

I Love You Blogs & Coffee, Made by Girl, $25.00

Found it: Console Table with Storage

My eyes having been glazing looking for furniture online.

I'm the WORST at interior decorating and major decision making: a lethal combination!

It's almost overwhelming how much is out there.

Since I'm over being frustrated every time I look around my digs, I finally purchased a console table to go under a mirror in our family room. It's a much-needed home for my daughter's toys, which have been driving this mama up a wall as they're scattered all over the place! 

We finally got this -- from Amazon no less for about $500 -- and I'm absolutely thrilled with it!

It looks nearly identical to this from Pottery Barn, which is $200 more! Plus, it comes with those baskets you see in the pic... nice touch! It's also more of an espresso color, which matches our interior better. Yay! I was nervous about ordering furniture on Amazon, but I've been so thrilled. Here's the Pottery Barn option:

Biggest furniture tip:
know your measurements before looking!

There were so many pieces I totally adored but while the picture looked great, the specs were actually totally wrong once I checked. What the pic looked like and actual size? NOT A MATCH!
Waste of time.

And when it comes to purchasing, don't be afraid to negotiate. Ask nicely what specials a place has (new homeowner, perhaps?); if they'll waive the shipping; or something along those lines.

Often places will give if you ask!

PS: If you love this console table as much as we do, be prepared for a massive 150 lb. box outside your door. However it's a gorgeous piece without one scratch or dent. yay!

Fab Find: Pre-sale on Designers for Target

Who doesn’t go crazy – sometimes counting down the days – until Target unveils the latest line from an awe-inspiring designer? Less than $40 for a Zac Posen dress? Yes, please. Well, before Target puts the latest designer duds on sale this October you have a chance to get them months in advance. Score! Gilt Groupe, an online sample sale site I mentioned in last week’s post about savvy shopping, will have a 36-hour sale starting this Friday, Aug. 20 before three major labels hit Target stores. Look for Tucker by Gaby Basora, John Derian, and Mulberry. Here's the site.

Designer lines for Target are awesome; the styles are true to their brands, are up-to-the-minute stylish (yet can last through quite a few seasons) and super affordable. I still adore my Loeffler Randal rose-colored clutch with oversized flower; Temperley by London black flowered dress and more recently, Cynthia Vincent gold studded, white leather sandals (see pic).

To register for gilt, visit gilt.com.