The Perfect Summer Little Black Dress

Hola chicas. Como estas? Muy tired? Yeah, me too. Today I am discussing something very near and dear to my heart, the little black dress. I am not really sure there is a limit on black items I can add to my repertoire, because no matter what pieces I rotate in, I am always wanting more. Enter, the little black dress. Just this summer, I have found numerous occasions where I was left needing the perfect little black dress to dress up with some crazy heels or funky accessories. Need, want, love.

With a trip to Chicago quickly approaching, this desire will quickly be a must for nights out on the town. So tell me girls, which one of these is a girl to choose? I need your opinion always and forever. Go. 

A collected bedroom design

So I haven't shared any of my current projects with y'all in ages. How dare I? I know. How dare I. I have a current client who had a lot of the pieces and makings of a terrific room but just needed the guidance and the push to make the room all it can be. Insert S+S. We are talking layers upon layers of pattern and subtle color. With a heron filled upholstered headboard, delicately graphic wallpaper, worldly patterns and unique art, this room is going to be THE ultimate. What say you?

If you want to take your space to the next level, email me on the world wide web at sadieandstella@gmail.com. Do it. Love you. Mean it. 

Monday Musings: Lantern Love

My lovelies, how are thou? I have missed you so greatly. This is starting to resemble a Shakespeare novel. Did you all enjoy your weekend and shower your father with gifts and love? Mine consisted of trying to get my tan on and failing immediately upon its commencement. Freaking Mother Nature. She is a bitch. In other news, pretty sure my handyman is breaking up with me. Could there be anything worse? And the worst? It was by text. I mean, at least it wasn't a post it?  I have got to get my greedy hands on another one of those, stat. We have work to do here, bro. 

Today is something I have been coveting for some time now. Something so near and oh so dear to my hear. Let's talk about the world of lanterns. Lighting once thought to only apply in outdoor spaces has now been translated into the interior design world and in a big way. I am not talking about a pansy small lantern. I am talking about the enormous and oversized lanterns that at first glance you may be uncertain if it is over the top and obnoxiously large for the space but then quickly realize you are smoking crack. Bigger is better. Always. Always. Always. Let's gander at some ridiculous large lanterns on the interior, shall we?

Smitten? I knew we might agree on this. 

Some DIY's for your weekend

While I used to be into the DIY's, I have been slacking majorly. Like essentially asleep at the wheel here, folks. I guess I can blame it on the lack of time that I have to spend on such projects but honestly, I really miss seeing the fruits of my labor. I have vowed to make a little more effort to fit these projects in to save money, create a unique product and most of all, show off to you all how crafty I really think I am. Try one of these amazing DIY's this weekend and report back. 

Pom Pom Pillow

DIY Acrylic Curtain Rod

Neon Striped Tablecloth

So the last one is not actually a byproduct of a DIY, but it certainly can be done and easily. How cool is that? It will definitely be occurring in my home. What are all of you fine ladies up to this weekend? Do share. XOXO

Totally Watching

So call it gluttonous or excessive but I totally feel like rocking 4 watches at a time lately. Maybe the 80's are back and that will be socially acceptable? Show of hands...who rocked multiple watches in the 80's? Do not make me stand alone in this. I am not certain what prompted my newest obsession with watches but we are full speed ahead my friends. I mean who doesn't need multiple watches for multiple occasions? Your daily go to classic that you wear to work and such. A girlie fun and not so serious watch. A boho watch for when you want to be boho?? Clever I know. And a casual chic boyfriend watch when you feel like cross dressing like your boyfriend. I mean we all have these events that necessitate this arm wear. Get it. 

Get it: Nixon Watch/Friendship Bracelet Watch/Striped Watch/Boyfriend Watch

Favorite Room Feature: Peonies & Brass

Who is in the mood for a bright, cheerful and eclectic aesthetic? I would expect nothing less on a Wednesday. Today, Elyse from Peonies & Brass is sharing her bedroom with us. Let me just tell you, the lyrics to the cheesy 80's song "Take My Breath Away," come to mind when I see this room. And although cheese, the room honestly takes it right out of me. If you do not read Elyse's blog, you need to get on board.  Let's just say it. Design genius. 

Hey there Sadie & Stella readers! I’m Elyse, Montreal native and blogger over at Peonies & Brass, the little corner of the web where I share my love of all things design, d.i.y and small space living. Like all of you, I'm a huge fan of all things S+S & Lindsay, so to say I'm excited to be visiting today . . . well, it would be a bit of an understatement.

To be honest, picking a favourite room in my place was an almost impossible task. In the end I decided to go with my bedroom, because it's where I go to unwind after a long day and where - laying in the morning sun that streams in my window - I feel most at peace.

It's also the most "me" centered space I've ever had. With marble, pinks, golds and an entire side of the room devoted to nothing but getting dressed, it's an unadulterated celebration of the fact that for the first time I'm living alone, and there is no one's needs to meet but mine. It's surprisingly freeing. At 500 sq ft my apartment is admittedly pretty small, but to me this room feels borderline luxurious.

If there's one thing you should know about me, it's that I just can't leave well enough alone. For as long as I can remember I've had an incessant, borderline obsessive need for a project, and it's why I've created, hacked or modified almost every thing in my home (at least once). The headboard in this room was one of the first big d.i.y projects I took on, and while I'd love to cut a few grooves into her à la Moroccan style, it has a strange sentimental value for me I can't explain. It was the beginning, and there's no end in sight.

I don't know what it is, but to me a story like that - no matter how big or small - has the power to make anything so much more special. Take my bedside lamp for example. It used to belong to my grandparents (big ups Grandma), and I discovered it one day while rummaging through my parents attic. With a new shade and some gold-leafing, it quickly became my favourite result of what my best friend refers to as my "lighting problem".

The little marble desk that I use as a nightstand made the trip all the way from Paris when it's previous owner immigrated, and found it's way to me when she had her first baby and desperately needed to free up space. It meant so much to her that I truly appreciated it. Even my La Fiorentina pillows are made all the more awesome by the fact that they used to belong to Christine of Bijou and Boheme - she mentioned she was making a change and I pounced!

The Plateau - my neighbourhood in Montreal - is full of apartments featuring what they call "double rooms", which are essentially just one big room divided by an arch. This design feature is what allowed me to create my distinct little "dressing room", complete with uber-feminine dresser, gold hardware and a plush vintage persian (my best ebay find to date).

Can you have too many ways to store and display jewelry? I think not.

The gold branches on top of my wardrobe are remnants of a styled shoot I did, and were surprisingly just what that space needed. Isn't it funny how you often find the perfect solution in the most unexpected places?

Finally, my favourite accessory of all: this guy. At the end of the day, the best room in my home will always be the one he's in. And given the pillow top mattress, I think you can guess which one that usually is . . .

Thanks so much again for having me Lindsay! I had so much fun participating in this awesome series! If you have any questions about sources, or just wanna say hello, you know where to find me! xoxo

Tuesday Eye Candy

I am keeping it short and sweet today as I am tired and worn out. Already. And it's only Tuesday. Tragic. How about a little eye candy for our Tuesday morning, hmm? I will be back on my A game later this week. Cross my heart. 

inspired design

Lulu & Georgia Winner

This announcement deserves some sort of a drumroll, please. The winner of the $100 credit to Lulu & Georgia is...

Erika Wycoff! Eat your hearts out. You lucky girl, you. I am wildly jealous. Thank you to all who entered in this fabulous giveaway!

Monday Musings: Dreamy Kitchens

You know it is going to be a long Monday when you wake up and the first thing that pops in your mind are the lyrics to "Manic Monday." Ahem. Did you all have a marvelous weekend? What did you do? Whatever it was, I hope it was splendid. Today I am jonesing over creamy and dreamy kitchens. Nothing ties these bad boys together other than complete loveliness. Even though revamping my kitchen is on the bottom of the to do list, a bitch can dream. Right? I am talking major lighting and bright and clean aesthetics. A place that would fit my current lifestyle of cooking a legit meal once a month. Waaaaa waaaaaa. Check it. 

I mean are we in love? How could we not be? Just a friendly reminder for you lovelies, today is the LAST day you can enter into the Lulu & Georgia giveaway. Do not miss out on the chance of winning $100 to spend however you should please at Lulu & Georgia. Love you. Mean it. 

Favorite Spot: Hattan Home

Are we all acquainted with Hattan Home? Please say yes. I am talking bright, colorful, bold and unique items for your home. And I am thinking yes, yes, yes and yes. Although my house is the equivalent to a house of pillows (if that should exist), I am quite taken with their pillow selection to tell you the honest to God truth. Maybe I could squeeze a few more in? Or maybe I could start a pillow rotation of some sort? Normal. Hattan Home has quickly become a new source for my clients to add serious style on a serious budget. Great prices = happy Lindsay. Oh and by the way, the owner of Hattan Home is also named Lindsay, and also Lindsay with an "A". You can imagine my instant gravitation. Check it. 

Get Hattan: Buffalo Check Pillow/Pagoda Pillow/Peony Pillow/Gold Piggy Bank/Greek Key Matches/Zebra Art/Towel/Toile Pillow

For you lovelies who want to deck their walls, couches and homes with some Hattan Home swag, use discount code "sadieandstella" for 10% off of your order from now until June 30th. Say what???? Go getcha some. 

JCPenney Say Hello to my Dream Home

Super jazzed to share a collaboration I have been working on with none other than jcpenney. A few months back, I shared with you all how much jcpenney is killing it. Between their Jonathan Adler Happy Chic collection and Martha Stewart, we have a stylish home decor pandemonium. To further my jcpenney excitement, they are hosting a Pinterest Contest, and the winner will receive $5,000 to make over your dream room. Oooohhh and ahhhh. Actually, each day a winner will also receive a $100 gift card. I mean get out of town. 

So you are wondering what you would spend your dough on if you should win the grand prize on this Pinterest Contest, are you? Let me show you a few items I have styled in my home from both of these collections. 

Charlotte Oblong Pillow

Jonathan Adler Vase

Charlotte Euro Sham

Martha Stewart Black Lacquer Lamp

So are we in love or not? To enter into the contest, all you have to do is create a Pinterest board and pin at least 4 items to your board from jcpenney. I mean how easy is that? Pretty certain Stella could manage. I am thinking of the many permutations of items I could score with $5K. Wanna see what I have pinned? Head over here. Maybe I shouldn't be letting you all in on this contest. I need to win! 

Favorite Room Feature: The Hunted Interior

So excited to share the lovely and serene retreat that The Hunted Interior has conjured up and implemented for us. Lots of pattern mix and match and dreamy colors. I could definitely lay my head down here at night. Wait until you see Kristin's major skills. 

Hey y'all!  My name is Kristin & I am the author & designer behind The Hunted Interior.  I'm so excited Lindsay asked me to share my favorite space today.  I am a bit of a stalker over at Sadie & Stella... not the scary kind I swear!  But definitely a fan.  Picking a favorite space is like picking a favorite color.  I just can't do it.  But I will say that I can actually relax & unwind in our bedroom.  Which is much needed after busy days of playing Interior Designer, Blogger & toddler wrangler (my most exhausting job!) 

Our bedroom was a sad room of blue and brown for the first five years we lived in our home.  Little on the walls... all Ikea furniture... now don't get me wrong, I love Ikea, but you need to mix it up a bit.  Now our room is an eclectic mix of furniture, patterns & textures.  All things that help make a space feel layered & put together I think.

We finally decided to get off the floor (I mean our platform bed) and get a real bed, but being me I wanted something custom.  So we got out the jigsaw & the staple gun & created our own.  It went with all white bedding for a while, but once I added the plum sheets & chevron West Elm Duvet my desire for patterns was officially fulfilled.

I finally got upgraded to a real nightstand too after our cousins were about to throw away this chest of drawers.  (yes! throw it away!) After a little tlc in the form of some white paint, some new hardware & some furniture polish this has become one of my favorite pieces in our home.  Plus I adore the extra storage! The top drawer has become my accessory drawer & the lock helps keep the toddler out of my jewels.  Super important as she is very fancy as well.

The art work was a scanned image of our hand lettered wedding invite.  I had been wanting to display it somehow & decided blowing it up on a canvas was the perfect solution.  Large & graphic really takes the invite to an unexpected level & turns it into a real statement.

Not having room for a bed bench at the foot of the bed, we were able to add an ottoman next to our full length mirror.  I created this fur ottoman using my mother in law's old fur & an end table we found on the side of the road.  Luckily, she gave me permission before I chopped it up!  It gets far more use in this form anyways.

Our Malm Dresser stayed thanks to a little paint & some flat metal L brackets.  And the TV was incorporated with a little gallery wall action.  

The TV is a necessary evil in the bedroom for an insomniac like myself, but it works with this eclectic mix of collected art & our giant vintage lamp.

Thanks again to Lindsay for letting me share (one of my) favorite spaces!

xo-Kristin | the Hunted Interior