ROUND UP: HEARTH AND HAND’S FIRST COLLECTION

UPDATE: This post was originally written at the launch of Hearth and Hand for Target. Many of the items are no longer available but head to my pinterest for more of my favorite items for the home!

I'll admit I was hesitant the check out Hearth and Hand - the new collection from Chip and Joanna Gaines' that launched at Target earlier this week. I don't really need anything and our tiny apartment is SO overcrowded as is, but then oops I was in Target making a return, I clearly blacked out, and woke up with 3 ceramic houses in my cart. We've all been there. So, why not share some of my favorite pieces from the collection so you can make the same wonderful mistakes I did? Now, I've heard some complaints about the monochromatic feel of the collection but isn't that so inline with Joanna's signature style? This collection is edited, simple, and just the essentials. The handmade, natural feel is completely on trend and no one but Joanna could have created a successful, budget friendly version of the California-cool minimalism that has taken instagram and pinterest by storm.

What I'm Loving:

I think the entire dinnerware collection is magical - I love the organic hand-moulded look of these pieces. The incorporation of black throughout the collection is refreshing; with the overabundance of bright white interiors these days a few moments of black help to anchor a space. The vases are all amazing, particularly the metal boxes that include a grate on the inside to help support the florals (which are now sold out, boo), making arranging a breeze. Now, I've seen the smoked glassware trend a few places this season and these pretty glass vases are spot on. These oversized glass vases would be gorgeous used as hurricanes with a big pillar candle (or a couple) inside on a front stoop or on your patio! (IRL NOTE : I tried to put candles inside the vases at Target today: the openings are too small! You would need skinnier-than-normal pillars - I still think it would be really pretty so if you DO try this let me know.) I wish I had wood floors because this tree skirt is fabulous (just not on my beige carpet, sigh, one day). I should have put those pot holders on my "I'm going to buy" list because the more I look at them the more I need them in my kitchen. Striped? Leather details? Yes and yes. Finally this log storage house is hands down my favorite piece in the collection. I wish I had more reasons to keep firewood around the house here in Southern Texas. 

What I'm Buying:

This sweet little black house budvase will live on my desk at work. Same with this handmade-look mug for pens and such (any excuse to buy a new mug). I may really need this tote. This sweet little brass bell door hanger was the very first thing I bought - it makes the prettiest sound (and I've hung a similar-to-this looking wreath from a past Threshold Christmas collection on it. And yes I already hung up my Christmas wreath. What?) Oh and those salt and pepper shakers somehow jumped into my cart too. They'd make a perfect little stocking stuffer or hostess gift.

I know I left out almost all the Christmas stuff. That part of the collection just didn't do it for me, but that may have been because I already have way too much Christmas decor. If I was starting from scratch I might be more inclined to buy some. The bags and wrapping are fun but in the end skewed too rustic for me. Overall the collection is very Pottery Barn-esque, but at a far better price point. Now it's your turn! What are your favorite pieces? What are you CRUSHED already sold out?

A COLORFUL CLEMSON LIVING ROOM

You did it Clemson. This week you are #1 - will it last? I guess we'll see tomorrow but to honor this moment in time - it's your time to shine! Gather close all your Clemson Orange and Regalia (I know you're probably already decked out in orange, it is Friday after all). This blog post is almost more exciting than that moment you got your t-shirt at Tiger Town Tavern. Almost. So what are my first impressions of Clemson? For one, I know you're rabid football fans, next I know that you live in an absolutely gorgeous state. I had the honor of spending some time in South Carolina recently and let me tell you  wow. I never wanted to leave. Those blue ridge mountains y'all. We don't have mountains here in Texas, that was a real treat. That and everyone was so, so friendly. So lets see, friendly southern hospitality, football fanatics, and fabulous outdoorsy-ness? I'm sold. This one is pretty wild - an orange and purple color palette will do that - so lets dive right in: 

1 - Since from what I can gather it seems that all of your Clemson bars close at midnight, how about bringing the party back to the house, and while you're at it, class it up a bit. These beautifully packaged small batch mixers  from Jack Rudy Cocktail Co deserve a place on any bar cart, but since their made in Charlston, South Carolina they're extra special. Drink up Tigers!

2 - These pillows from One Kings Lane and Manor inject pattern and color and help break up that great, orange, expansive couch.

3 - South Carolina is a beautifully artistic state. These pieces from Minted are a beautiful, colorful addition to the space and for me the images evoke the feelings of being immersed in the beautiful natural surroundings of South Carolina. Clockwise from the left they are Sunset Fade 2 by Kelly Ventura, Cacophonic by Kelly Witmer, and Midnight Mountains by Holly Royval.

4 - Make sure everyone who comes over on gameday cheers at 110%. This River Rock side table and planter are from a fascinating little (oh but really not at all little) shop out of San Jose - which is even better because - for those not in the know - Howard's rock was originally a gift from Death Valley, California. Fitting. Buy it and you, too, can stroke it lovingly on game day hopefully securing yet another Tiger win.

5 - The orange couch. I went for it. Clemson. Orange. You can't miss it; this couch packs a powerful, midcentury punch. Not for the faint of heart this orange couch would shout your school spirit from the rooftops of Tillman Hall and is definitely giving 110%. Not to mention that it will easily seat all your rowdy orange-clad friends.

6 - This coffee table from West Elm encourages resting your feet, drinks, and eyes (that orange couch though!). It has a rustic mid-century vibe and is big enough to hold it's own against the Joybird couch and visually heavy enough to ground the space. Style it up with a tray full of tailgating snacks!

7 - Finally a rug because I can't do a space without a soft little guy underfoot. This rug from Lulu & Georgia not only defines space but gives little nod to tiger stripes with it's subtle Moroccan inspired pattern.

Alright Tigers! I hope you liked it, it's a little wild but hey, so are you! Good luck holding on to that #1 spot this weekend! 

A NOTRE DAME LIVING ROOM

I've been literally dying to do a Notre Dame living room. Navy and Gold are BAE. Thats the second time I've used BAE on this blog - and funny enough, the second time I've used BAE ever. You know that it means "before anyone else" or something like that? It's an aconym, not a short form of babe, and that makes it marginally less obnoxious. But I digress. We're gonna get a little crazy with this room. I think a lot of people think of Notre Dame as a very traditional school - and since I'm all about contrast, funky and contemporary seemed like the way to go. This is the perfect room from which to listen to a chortling Lou Holtz predict another Notre Dame win.

1 | I always have to address the bar y'all. This set of glasses and decanter are from Anthropologie and right off the bat get you thinking about the Fighting Irish. Whiskey? Irish. Drinking? Irish. Impossibly shiney gold helmets? Irish. Someone give me the tiniest reason to style this set on a bar. *insert heart-eye emojii*.

2 | Surviving those South Bend winters is no easy feat but a cozy living room can make it a little bit better. And a cozy living room isn't complete without pillows! You can snuggle up with your significant other and watch Rudy for the 939,485th time. I've been drooling over The Citizenry's amazing collection of worldly textural pieces and Lulu & Georgia is always a good source...and H&M Home is without a doubt my go-to for solid pillows in any color I need!

3 | Always gotta have a rug - it ties the room together, visually organizes the space, and keeps things soft underfoot for all those little ones running around (because everyone you went to college with has long since gotten married - you know thats how those Irish roll.) I tried this scheme with two different rugs from Lulu & Georgia this one and the one I chose.

4 | This couch is from Bryght Furniture. I love the golden burnished leather on this beauty. It looks so warm and masculine but also inviting - and I can tell you from first hand experience that they make super comfortable furniture. I think this would please men and women alike - and a great piece for couples decorating together.

5 | This coffee table might be the craziest, most incredible thing I've ever seen. Not to mention it's the perfect coffee table for a house full of little rug-rats - they might put their eye out on those side chairs, but this big ol' guy would softly caress them as they fell. If this coffee table doesn't scream GOLDEN DOME you're clearly not listening - it might even become a family tradition to rub it's shining form after every touchdown. I know how you Irish love your traditions.

6 | Referencing the dome again is this Milo Baughman Style shelving unit from Charish. A great place to keep all your books and momentos and if you could get your hands on one of those shiney gold helmets it would look so good styled on these shelves. 

7 | Finally this custom upholstered chair from West Elm (that is actually very Baughman-esque too) brings in that navy punch. I would get two and have them on either side of that couch facing each other. Below is another layout I was working with that pulls a bunch of the pieces together so you can get a feel for what I'm thinking with the furniture. Floating in the middle of a generous living room....

As always I'd love to know what you think about the room and I would love if you have some Fighting Irish friends and family if you'd share with them as well. Look for a post in the coming weeks about Bryght too, if you're in the market for some furniture you should probably check it out. I just received my first order from them and I'm completely smitten.