Even the dogs aren't safe...

My pickiness about my living room extends even to dog beds.  I don't know why they can't make them in colors that will look nice in someone's house.  I don't want a 36 inch bone-printed pillow in the corner.  Since Maggie's bed has seen better days, I've started looking for a new one.  Luckily, Amazon carries over 17,000 of them and I found some contenders:

The first four are actually duvet covers by Molly Mutt.  You put old pillows or towels inside and can throw them in the wash as needed.  The last two are by Laika Designs and come with the foam insert and are ridiculously expensive.

And if I decide to get really picky, I found that I can have a cover custom made from Amy Butler fabric from the Pipsqueak and Petunia shop on Etsy.

I'm leaning towards the duvet cover idea since every part of the bed would be washable and we can stuff an old comforter inside.  My favorite so far is the red one, but Maggie has white fur and I think it would always look dirty.  Decisions decisions...

Reader Request: Afternoon Wedding Guest Dress

When I put out my last call for requests, I got two asking about what to wear to weddings this summer, fall and winter.  I gave it lots of thought, especially since my own wedding is quickly approaching, and realized most of us do not attend so many weddings that we need a whole collection of dresses for each season.  Instead, I want to show how the right dress can work throughout the year for different kinds of weddings.  Today I focused on dresses for an afternoon ceremony and reception.  You want a short dress that doesn't look like you'd wear it to work, but nothing too over the top.  Easy, right?

First, I think that a sheath dress in a jewel tone like sapphire blue, deep purple, or emerald green can be worn year round.  Just because the wedding is in June doesn't mean you need to wear pink or sky blue.  Pairing the same dress with sandals and colorful jewelry looks summery, while adding a wrap and pumps and a bib necklace make it fit in when the weather is colder.  (Bonus: this cut will never look dated and is very forgiving)

If you prefer a strapless look, the same rules apply.  Pick something in a study fabric that's not too thin (not cotton) and you can wear it year round.  However, I'd stay away from satin or you might look a little overdressed (or like a bridesmaid). 

Later this week, I'll show what to wear for an evening ceremony regardless of the season.  What's your go-to wedding dress?  Mine is a light navy sheath dress with a slightly low back by Banana Republic Heritage Collection.  It's 3 years old and I get tons of compliments every time I wear it throughout the year. 

Getting the most out of $100: Decor

I like Canadian decorating shows better than the ones on American television because they don't try to make everything themselves out of particle board and frame wrapping paper as art.  I am all for saving money on decor, but don't want it to look like everything in my house is about to fall apart because I made it myself.

I've been shopping around a lot and have found some great items for around $100 that I think could be used for years.  I don't need all of them, but maybe some of you will:

Montego Bookcase (Small - $79, Large - $99)
I love the look of these bookcases.  They've very chic and are not the kind of piece that will get beaten up a lot (unless you have a library or something?) so they should look nice for a long time for very little money compared to comparable items.

X End Table - $99
I think this little table would work in a guest room as a night stand or in the living room as an end table

Studio Glass Cylinder Table Lamp- $89
I've mentioned it before, but I have no idea why lamps are all $200.  This one looks just like some other lamps that are about $90 more.  It's very classic and can easily fit it to lots of different rooms.

Linen Dining Chair - $129 for 2
I think these chairs would be great with our table (as head chairs) or as one of those living room accent chairs that rarely get sat in, just add a funky throw pillow.  The shape is never going to look dated, and they can go with most styles of dining table or decor unless you like country or traditional stuff.

Dwell Studio Coverlets - $79
Duvet covers can be around $60 for 200 thread count cotton, and you still need a comforter to put inside them.  That can get expensive, especially if you don't even use it to cover up with most nights or it's going to sit in a guest room and be used 10 times per year.   I found my Dwell quilt at Target for $79 and it can be layered over a solid comforter (try JCP for cheap options) so make the room look modern for much less than more elaborate bedding.

My battle against beige

I'm super excited to have my own office/gym/be by myself room at the new house.  It has a floor to ceiling bookshelf for my books and picture frames and plenty of room for my desk and a workout area.  However, it's a whole lot of beige walls with tan carpet that we won't be replacing for another year or so.  That means I need to find the right rug to jazz it up and keep it from becoming depressing.

My budget is low, and I want something that pops but not too crazy that I can't use it somewhere else one day.  I've been looking at some of the ones below and will hopefully be able to order something this fall once we're married and settled and I can devote more time to the house.

So far, the large rug on the bottom right ($139 at Target!) and the red zig zag are in the lead, but I change my mind a lot. 

Which is your favorite?  Or can you help me find a modern green rug that doesn't look like it belongs in an old lady's house?

Reader Request: Riding boots in the real world

Last week I mentioned riding boots as a fall item that could potentially get a lot of wear, and my friend Mandie has asked that I show some ways to style them for real life.  I put together some outfits on Polyvore in case you're wondering how to justify the purchase. 

And to prove my point, I've used the same boot for every outfit - it looks just like mine by Corso Como.  I chose a pair that's not too bulky around the ankles and without lots of detailing so it doesn't try to be the star of every outfit.

Tights and Sweater Dress
This is a no brainer.  My sweater dresses aren't this clingy, but it's the perfect cozy outfit for when you didn't shave, are cold, or running late.  The scarf keeps it interesting and makes it look like you thought about it.  I also substitute leggings for the tights if it's cold or I accidentally poked a hole in them.

With a dress (and coat)
I've noticed that Prince William's girlfriend Kate Middleton wears boots all the time, and does a great job of keeping them from looking too casual.  I love wearing my boots with my knee length coat in the winter.  Under the coat, and at the office, I wear bright dresses or skirts with knit tops to offset the black on my legs.  I think as long as you stay away from flimsy fabrics or lacy details, the boots go with more dresses than you'd think.

Foolproof Combination
I wear so many different combinations of this outfit - it's my running late, no time to think option.  From September to about March, I grab v-neck tops and a skirt with my black boots and a chunky necklace.   I've found that you look dressy by wearing a black or gray skirt and the same knit tops that you pair with your denim pencil skirt on more casual days.  When it starts to get warmer, I wear more yellows and light blues with the skirts to keep from looking too wintery.

With your jeans
This is obvious, but you'll wear your boots with your jeans a lot.  Tucking them in is an option, but keep in mind that doing so is like wearing skinny jeans.  If you can do that, tuck away! 

They've done it again - LOFT jewelry

This summer I was really impressed by the jewelry at Ann Taylor LOFT and wanted almost everything they had.  This fall, they did it again.  Their jewelry designer must be thinking of me when she puts the collection together.  I've got a 20% coupon just waiting for one of these pieces... if I could only choose.

So far the first necklace on the second row is in the lead.  

Update:  Use promo code FRIENDS when you check out and get 30% off for the LOFT Friends & Family event!  Now I'm definitely getting a necklace...

Dallas clothing swap - with wine!

Now that my moving day is fast approaching (August 21st, and all weekends before then are booked!) I am taking stock of my stuff and resolving to only pack and move the things I really like since N's house lacks walk-in closets and I don't want my clothing in multiple rooms.

This means I need to get rid of things that I only consider wearing and all shoes that hurt my feet.  It's a new day for me.  For real this time.  Goodbye studded Bandolino slingbacks that hurt like hell, and that skirt that I accidentally had hemmed too short. 

I'm going to be hosting a clothing swap.  If you're in Dallas and want to participate, shoot me an email and I'll send you the evite.  Here's how it will go down:

Bring all the clothing, shoes and jewelry that you don't wear and would like to see go to a new home.  To me, this is the stuff that's just a little too nice for the Goodwill bag but not worth the hassle of selling.  We'll have signs to separate things by size, and everyone who brought something can pick through the piles and take what they want.  At the end of the night, you can take your stuff back home or leave it for me to take to Goodwill.

If you do want to sell some of your stuff, like designer jeans, bags and shoes, you'll mark them with the price and your name and we'll have those on a separate table so they're clearly not for the taking.

Sound fun?  Sound like something you'd like be be a part of?  Let me know and I'll work to set a date/place that's right for everyone.  So far it looks like it will be a weeknight in August.  Email cardiganjunkie@gmail.com if you want details.

As Tim says in his book, your closet should be the happiest place in your house.  It's time to clean it out and leave the items you love and bring home new ones that make you look great!