Hand-made Pottery Giveaway

Today at Fresh Quince I am offering my own hand built pottery as a giveaway. A huge thank you to Lauren at Pure Style Home for linking to Fresh Quince...thanks Lauren, you're the best!!!! 

Here are your choices (all images courtesy Peter Vanderpoel): 

Calla Lily Vase

Sun Rising Over Mountains Container

Striped Vase

 4 Antique Indian Block Print Dessert Plates

Seashell Inspired Blue Bowl

Here's how to enter:

1. Leave a comment here with the name of the item you would like before December 15 at 5pm Eastern Time. Be sure to leave your e-mail address so I can reach you to get your mailing address if you win!!!

2. Follow Fresh Quince (unless you already do so) or Like Fresh Quince via Facebook (again unless you already do so).

3. If you want a second chance of winning...link this post on Facebook or Twitter, then leave a second comment here to let me know.

The winner will be chosen by Random.org and announced next Thursday, December 16. 

Good Luck!!!!

What to Wear Wednesdays

BCBG black burnout with grey and shiny gold strapless dress $84.95

MaxStudio black leather strappy pump $48.95

Black leather purse with rosette detailing $46.95

Black matte stones on ribbon $16.95

Another beautiful holiday dress and gorgeous accessories found at Current Boutique in Arlington! It's simple, yet elegant! 

Elsa Pataky on the Red Carpet...she looks stunning and I think the consignment dress from Current Boutique is quite similar to the one she wore to the awards, don't you agree?  

Remember to head over to the Current Boutique blog to see what Kat chose in the Alexandria location for $150 or less! She's doing a great job matching body types to outfits!

P.S. My giveaway is tomorrow!!!!!

Before & After. my chandelier.

I bought this mini chandelier years ago and had it above my soaking tub...I miss that bathtub so much because in my current home I barely fit in my tub. I would light the candles and let Calgon take me away, actually I have never ever used Calgon in my life...I prefer bathing salts. Okay, I am sure you are sick of or not interested in my bathing habits, so I shall get to the point. After seeing the image below, I decided to spray paint my chandelier red...

Courtesy: Eddie Ross (to see the before and how he put it all together, go here...he did a spectacular job and used many second hand items...my favorite!)

Here is my after:

Yes, I know, after seeing the Eddie Ross bedroom, my living room doesn't look as dazzling, but it is me and I love it. With my picture gallery to the right, my 1950's Asian man lamp from a fabulous vintage store around the corner (will do a post on that store because the owner is adorable and has the coolest vintage items) , the side table I saved from the trash and painted avocado green and added a curtain where doors were broken, my Craigslist chair and the unpainted wood Salvation Army chair that I got for $6, it makes me happy!

Just in case you were curious, I used Krylon H2O (low VOC spray paint) in Red Sea...

Have you all ever spray painted a light fixture and were happy with the results?

P.S. Remember to stop by Thursday for my pottery give-a-way!!!

The Cool Club. Part 1.

Well, we think we're all cool at least ;). I belong to a pottery studio, that I have been apart of for over 3 years and it has given me so much joy that I need to share it with you all. It is so humbling and inspiring at the same time to be in a room with so many talented and extremely creative people. I remember the first time I came there was the most majestic ceramic horse that a sculptor made (wish I took a picture)...it was incredible!

Here are some of my buddies at the wheel:

Pat at the wheel creating a masterpiece...she is amazing and I especially love her teapots! And every Christmas she is hard at work to make lovely bowls, pots, etc. for her family...very lucky family indeed. 

And Nancy creates the most gorgeous bowls, cups, plates and is always willing to try something new when it comes to glazing, as evidenced below.... 

Cosmopolitan's work...

This is one of many incredible pieces my good friend has made. She doesn't want her picture or name published, so let's call her Cosmopolitan...she'll get the joke. Cosmo has been creating hand built pottery for over 20 years and it shows in her level of creativity and expertise. We all are in awe of her glazing ability and call her our National Treasure. And I personally love chatting with her because we have the same dry sense of humor. Below are some pieces she is glazing, even pre-glaze they are awesome...

The new kid...

This is Marianne, she' the new kid on the block, but definitely not new to pottery. See her lovely pieces below...

These are traditional Japanese Tea Bowls and I plan on purchasing a few (I haven't mastered the wheel yet) this holiday.

Some more of her items from her Etsy shop Jutsu Studio..

 Luckily for you all, Marianne has an Etsy store called Jutsu Studio that is filled to the brim with lovely pottery.

Lastly is an image of what people have created in my studio...

Beautiful don't you think? And that is just the tip of the iceberg. 

I hope you all enjoyed a small tour of my studio and look forward to Part 2, where I introduce more friends and more incredible pieces!!

Please stop by this Thursday for my own personal pottery give-a-way!!

Fridays Finest

Here are my picks for this weeks 'best of' DC's Craigslist...

Gold Carved Wall Mirror 2x3 $75 (gold...I am diggin' it)

Pair of Gold Table Lamps $10 (for this price, even if the electrical wiring is bad, it still is well below anything you could find out there and if you need any help replacing the wires, let me know b/c I can help or do it for you)

Round Coffee Table $50 (simple and sweet)

Large Mid Century Sofa $125 (this is a beauty and looks so incredibly sturdy)

Yellow Leather Accent Chair $25 (the price and simplicity of this chair are what i find appealing...maybe even a little re-upholstery down the line)

4 metal faux bamboo chairs $89/piece (not too pricey and since they are metal they would be fine in a covered outdoor setting)

Here's what I would do with the chairs above, paint them pagoda red and add black/white striped outdoor fabric cushions. Here is a gorgeous example of how stunning they could look (i am so loving red, black and white right now)...

Designer: Jamie Herzlinger

Another inspirational image...

Image: via Lonny

Bamboo settee $425 (this could be an accent piece for a cream and black living room...add a cream with black piping cushion for comfort)

Here's an inspirational photo for the settee above...

Hollywood Regency Upholstered Chair $260 (I would offer less, especially if you want to re-upholster and I have a feeling this girl has some pretty legs, so take off her skirt)

Orange Vinyl Couch $150 (i am not a big fan of pleather b/c it is made out of vinyl, but this is a beauty for sure...I see it in a dude's place with semi dark grey walls and black/white striped pillows)

Mid Century Modern Sideboard $60 (uh...wow this is a great price and a lovely piece, I like the wood, but I can't help imagine it in a high gloss black which will make the brass really shine and leave the insert alone, believe me...it'll look hot)...

Mid Century Modern End Table $40 (i have seen these for triple the amount, so this is a steal and oh so glossy)

Modern West Elm Sofa $300 (these peeps are on the right track...grey walls, bird decals, zebra rug and splashes of bright yellow...copy them, but take better pictures)

Cane and Upholstery Chairs $39/each (are these people nuts, $39 is cheap for these beauties. please forgive me for saying this again, but i see black with cream or mustard yellow velvet upholstery...oh so hot)

Do you see the chair in the image below? Does it remind you (not exact of course) of the chair above...see how cool black and yellow can be...

Kashini Perera

5 Modern Chairs $25/chair (inexpensive...great if you're just starting out)

All of the following inspirational images for the chairs above were found via Decor8's blog post on Fritz Hansen.  One could paint the above chairs in many different colors, as evidenced below (or you could leave them as is because they are just fine, but paint is so much fun)...

West Elm Mirror Wall Art $25 (so many love the star burst wall art right now)

Side Table $100/pair (umm..paint white and attach a piece of green or black fabric to the inside behind the moorish design, so it actually pops, as my friend Jim would say)


Dining Table and 4 chairs $50 (even if the table is formica, this is still a steal...have I mentioned paint before???...and dining chairs are so easy to reupholster. ikea has some fun fabrics for seriously dirt cheap, even black and white stripes...i'm just sayin')...

Exotic Fireplace Chairs $700/pair (had to put this in...what do yo think about the chairs? i personally am not liking the fabric...hot pink velvet and I am game)


Hope you enjoyed and please leave a comment if I forgot to link an item that you would like. Have a wonderful weekend!!!!

What to Wear Wednesdays

Close-up of the stunning shirt...

Ralph Lauren Black Label black silk shirt $328.95

BB Dakota blue cotton skirt $15.95

BCBG black suede peep toes 8 $61.95

Vintage hard black clutch $58.95

Today is the first day of Hanukkah and I thought this gorgeous ensemble would be perfect for dinner parties and festivities galore! The top is even more stunning in person and could be worn with pants...I think worn with a pair of Tuxedo pants would be absolutely beautiful. If you are interested, please stop by Current Boutique in Arlington...it is filled to the brim with holiday dresses, shoes, purses and jewelry!!!! And the lovely ladies that work there are always willing to help you choose the perfect outfit! 

To all those that celebrate, I wish you a super Happy Hanukkah!!!

To see what Kat has picked out for $150 or less at the Alexandria store, please go here.