Prepare for Thanksgiving: Must-haves

multi colored block set // Bocce Ball // Anthropologie Throw // Red Stool // floor lantern //cozy modcloth sweater //faux fur coat //gold plated studded bracelet // camo skinny jean // glitter booties//nikes // Polaroid Camera // extra film // more fun must haves

Color alert: Going…Going…Green

Can’t get green off my mind. Everywhere I look I’m loving every shade of lime to mint to retro avocado. Anywhere between a hint of parsley and kelley is where you’ll find me living this season. I’m not typically a green girl, so the media has taken over my senses. Here are some of the greens that are inspiring me as of late.

RETRO FIND

THESE CAN BE RENTED.

If you’re having a holiday party this year &

you live in the UK (you know who you are), this GLISS chair would be a show stopper. To find it permanently in your collection you can find it here.

NONCOMMITTAL POP of COLOR 

Stack on a staircase or hang from a chandelier

 

Splash of Life in the Snow. Thank You MARC JACOBS. 

T TahariDark Tote | Mint Tote | Cala and Jade Kelley Green Tote | Fossil Bucket Bag

I’m going to find a wall in my house to paint GREEN.  Stay tuned.

 Parker Zip Jacket | Michele Saulson Necklace| Target Stud earrings| MIA loafers | House of Harlow Bangle

The Buzz: Featured in Daily Buzz

I’m so excited to share I was featured in Daily Buzz Moms Top 9 for my Satur “day” look post. Check it out!! Other recent Top 9 features include Daily Buzz Luxe and Daily Buzz Style.

 

Daily Buzz Luxe Surf and Sun, Luxury Cabanas:Bring the Beach Home

Daily Buzz Style: Mini Shorts

Daily Buzz Moms: HB Contemporary Beach Cottage

Daily Buzz Luxe: Ian Baguskas Atlantic Series

Daily Buzz Style: Creative Island Ideas

Daily Buzz Luxe: Shop Today’s Faves

 

Painted Envy and Found Objects

An easy go to for style inspiration is Artwork.  My 2 year old painted this painting the other night and I love it, because most adults don’t use the freedom of vibrant colors and brush strokes.

One of my favorite types of artwork is, that which is created from found objects. Using something out of the realm of it’s original purpose, I find to be fascinating. Here are two artist who nailed it.  The photo below is an image from Crystal Gayle Photography  of plastic straws. It’s the essence of the beauty in found objects for creative inspiration.

Below, Xu Bing did a tobacco project in Richmond in 2011, createing a faux tiger skin rug purely out of cigarettes. The rug weighed in at 440 pounds total. A much better use for cigarettes I think. Image via tumblr. for more projects by Xu Bing visit xubingdotcom.

Anouk Kruithof’s wall of found books is just that. Each exhibtion is built in a different fashion and it is said that there are about 3500 books in total within the wall. They are, for the most part, made up of Eastern European books in the DDR, so were completely dismissed. via . For other book projects visit.

On the road again: Las Vegas

Another successful trip and now all the wonderful things I saw, learned and loved. Here’s a little glimpse of the beginning. I headed out to Vegas for a convention, by way of a quick beach trip up the Northeast coast with family and fellow bloggers. I had the most relaxing week of family, fun, indulgence and believe it or not productivity.

As a bonus, after returning with jet lag and the lack of sleep similar to having a newborn, waiting for me was my Give Away gift! Pictures of the sweet little chair from Stylish Furniture and Decor and Le Zoe Musings, coming soon.

What’s in…

Check out this amazing shop Minty! It does a wonderful job of combining all three of my loves, Art, Fashion and Furniture.

Faux Cheetah

So…one of my sweet Bugs, Hollywood, thinks he deserves to make a home on my faux Cheetah pillow. What do you think? He’s saving the Cheetah’s one faux pillow at a time. He is also the one helping with all of the whole digging for earth week. Thanks to Hollywood, we have gotten 3 wintergeens in the ground, in 3 days.

Eco Collage – Repurposed Mags

Today is the first day of Earth Week, which is traditionally celebrated with Earth Day on April 22nd. Alas, my Eco roots run deep (thank you family) and I’m going to celebrate with my other Eco friends all week-long. Every post is going to be an ecofriendly post and my little tots and I are going to plant a bush or tree everyday this week.

Recycled Magazine Collage Artist Patrick Bremer

Magazine Collage Art – Patrick Bremer

I feel the world is a better place with Patrick Bremer’s Art in it. The flow and dynamic function of the repurposed magazines gives me great satisfaction. Successful collage is not an easy task and one that can relay emotion is even further more difficult. I think I probably have a keen eye for his work as well because the toddler looks like my son Wyatt and the boy like my son Hayden.

Magazines…I have a million. Every subject in the title of this blog I have about 20 magazines for off-hand. Here are some ideas to reuse/recycle your mags. I’m currently trying to switch over all my mags to either emags or ipad editions, but I still splurge on the ones I love because there is just something about a piece of print in your finger tips. Other recycled Mag ideas.

recycled bag via 

Two ways to be green. Mag planter. Another plant has a home. via

DIY magazine baskets via.

Obsession with Being Blue

My very healthy obsession with being Blue. Enjoy.

Jonathan Adler – within reach?

If you had the opportunity to interview Jonathan Adler, would you take it? I sure as heck would!! I have two days left and I’m about 1000 votes away from having the chance of a lifetime. The contest to win the interview with Jonathan Alder has almost come to an end, but it’s still within reach.  If you click here, you can go to the Cottonelle Facebook page and vote for me, Mary Beth. Click the thumbs up and share. Thank you for all your support!! If I win, I wouldn’t disappoint!

image via luxist.com

Click here to vote.

Your votes are still counting!

Like a lot of you designers out there, I’m dying to do an interview with Jonathan Adler, but can’t get to New York City with out your votes. Click image below to take you to the Cottonelle Voting facebook page.

Your votes are still counting and you can share the link after you vote. The contest goes until April 2.  You can vote once a day everyday.

image via HGTV blog

Blog Lovin- click here to vote

To vote click on the photo above and find my name, Mary Beth Rust. Then, click the ‘thumbs up ‘ button to the right of my name. Thank you for your support!!

 

 

Champagne dreams on a budget

Given the state of…well…everything, a night out on the town isn’t always an option. Here’s a fun read to enrich your life. 

Please vote!

Please help me wipe up the votes!

The voting for the Cottonelle contest is still on! If you have a second to click a thumbs up for me on the Cottonelle video voting page, I’d really appreciate it! You can vote everyday, once a day until April 2.

Like a lot of you designers out there, I’m dying to do an interview with Jonathan Adler. Thanks for your support! Click image below to take you to the Cottonelle Voting facebook page.

image via HGTV blog

To vote click on the photo above and find my name, Mary Beth Rust. Then, click the ‘thumbs up ‘ button to the right of my name. Thank you for your support!!

Please Vote!

While I was out in Utah I did an interview with Maxwell from Apartment Therapy and now it’s out in the open. The time has come to vote! If I win, I get the opportunity to interview Jonathan Adler in New York. Pretty please click vote for me!

To vote click on the photo above and find my name, Mary Beth Rust. Then, click the ‘thumbs up ‘ button to the right of my name. Thank you for your support!!

Ralph Rucci & using your fine things

One of my guilty pleasures is to read design books and mags before lights out. I love it! I escape into the beautiful world of design before my dreams. It’s the best! It’s like a holiday every night. So last night, I was reading So Chic and I found what Fashion Designer Ralph Rucci said interesting and directly applicable to everyday life in the world of Design. Actually, I found many things interesting about his outlook, but you’ll have to get the book to find out. The one thing I like to translate across the board is the notion of using fine things. They were created to be enjoyed.

“There is a conception in the country about luxurious things, that we have to save them for a time that’s right. But an object is only luxurious if you allow it to be, if you use it. When you live with beautiful things, you stimulate your mind, you enjoy life a little bit more.”

-Ralph Rucci

So tonight when you’re preparing for an event, bring out the best. If you’re have a weekend in, find a reason to use your silver or china. Break out your 20-year-old scotch or  10-year-old burgundy and use the beautiful tumblers like they were made for you. Burn the candle that smells so yummy, but it’s too nice to use. Wear the earrings you’ve been dying to wear. Pull out your grandfathers  ornate trunk or watch and wear it. Enjoy it!

What will today bring?

I have so many ideas going through my head that I’m wondering what you all want to see today. Art? Fashion? Furniture? Something totally different?

Wednesday Wild Card – Wake up with Emags

Good Morning! Looking for a quick read on your way to work or on your lunch break? Find fun ideas in these ipad/iphone accessible E-Mags.

Currently Obsessed Style

I’m SO pleased to announce that I have been invited to work with the new site Currently Obsessed.ME. It’s a live site that shows all the latest fashion trends and styles. If you are wondering about all the fashion ideas rattling around in my head, it’s your opportunity to get inside and see my wish list. What I dream about, what I’m considering and what I’m getting.  It’s everything from Accessories to Home Decor. Find out all the items I’m stalking and adding, as we speak (don’t tell Bobby).  Once a week I’ll post a sneak peek of all the pieces I can’t live with out.

Here’s your first sneak peek. Enjoy!

So it’s Saturday…

So, it’s Saturday, what is there to do? VINTAGE shop! Some of the best pieces come in right before the first weekend of the month, so you’re already behind. Throw on your coolest pair of earrings, put your hair in a high bun or throw on some old torn trousers, blazer and your toms and hit the second hand shops. It’s the perfect time before Valentine’s Day to find a special sweet gift for someone you love. If you’re in the DC Metro area, you need to get up, leave your computer and GET IN THE CAR!

The Old Lucketts Store is having their biggest sale of the year this weekend, Feb 4&5. In Addition, adjacent to Lucketts is the Gem, The Design House, only open on weekend a month and it’s THIS WEEKEND.

Don’t forget to look up, over, under and behind. They hide stuff everywhere. Happy Hunting! 

 

photos via Lucketts Store

 

Top 10 Things I learned

 

Follow me via twitter @AFF_MBRust for tips and links loved by AFF.