Project Inspiration Week .....The Ornate Mirror

Still undecided on the trunk from yesterday's post...kinda leaning on leaving it alone (just giving it a nice clean) till I tire of it then I'll paint it. Ok, but on to the inspiration for my next project...the ornate mirror. The plan is to give it a good lacquer, most likely in black. Really wanted it white, to hang it on a black wall...but I really don't need painting walls as a project right now. My babe has had this mirror before we started dating, so I kinda feel bad and I'm a little afraid to ruin it...but he swore to me he didn't care...um, ok :-)

I'm pretty decided on black...but check out some of these colorful mirrors among the black and white ones, they are pretty cool too.

Wish me luck...might get this one going this weekend.

XoXo,

Iris

{images via horchow.com, honeywerehome.blogspot, blog.wayfair, marcusdesigninc., mirrormirrorsss, living with white, knight moves blog, Etsy, Martha Stewart, Splenderosa}

Project Inspiration Week...The Trunk

Hello...Happy Week. I have so so many projects I want to get done by the next few weeks, but I should say that end of the year is probably more realistic for me. I am going to try really hard to post the inspiration for each of my projects this week. I need to get on it...and where better to start than with some eye catching pretty inspiration to get the motivation juices flowing.

So the first of the projects that I want to get done is to re-do this trunk that we found last year at a flea market and replace our current coffee table with this. It's pretty beat up...totally have to tackle the inside (pretty much cover with velvet fabric..thinking black), then I have to add wood to the bottom of the trunk as the original one if about to give. So this is where I am totally torn...was initially thinking of painting it white with the hardware either gold or silver, then I wanted to silver or gold leaf the top and have a glass made to cover top to use as the coffee table (will place the glass regardless.)

BUT then I came across all of this inspiration....and I am kinda loving the natural/original look. I don't know now. I look at my trunk and it just looks dirty to me in it's original state...but then other days I love it. Oh what to do. Would love any ideas on this. Ugh...loving black with gold too. Oh boy, decisions, decisions.

THEN I saw this too...look beyond the hot guy ladies...to the T.V. stand. Very cool to use the trunk as a T.V. stand. Hmm, actually now that I think of it, we bought the trunk originally for the T.V. Wonder what happen to that idea. lol. But T.V. stand will be later this week as another project.

So please help...what do you all think? Paint white? Paint black? Clean it up and leave original? Gold leaf/silver leaf? Oh, and I probably should mention that I just bought a black and white chevron rug that I plan to put under the trunk.

XoXo,

Iris

{images via delight by design, the little corner.tumblr, housetohome, Elle Decor, Design Sponge (Peppermint Bliss), thepursuitaesthetic, Apartment therapy, Pinterest}

Last Minute Father's Day Shopping

One more week for Father's day and if you are stressing about what to give that special man in your life, or haven't had time to even think about what to get, here are a few ideas.

I love these cuff links. Very unique. Found HERE.

And how cool is this brass iPhone cover? I think I want one of these for myself. Find it HERE.

How about a fancy pocket square? The pattern is perfect even for the most masculine gentleman. Go HERE.

Chef in the house? THIS cutting board would be a perfect addition to his kitchen "man tools."

And what man doesn't like a lovely smelling home (especially if you have dogs like us). This is one of my babe's favorites. Love THESE amazing candles.

Any cool dad needs some cool sunglasses. Love Prada for men's sunglasses and THESE aviator style are way cool.

THIS is probably one of my favorite cologne for men...love it. It's sexy, soft, masculine....and well anything John Varvatos is pretty darn cool if you ask me.

Have fun shopping.

XoXo, Iris

All Cuteness using a Canon Macro Lens

How cute is my little niece?? Ugh, love her. So I took her newborn photos this past weekend...ohmigosh, so much harder than I thought. First of all, they recommend taking newborn photos within the first 10 days after birth, um, how about the first 3 days better. This little girl was so active at 5 days. Would not stay still for one of those cute "in a basket" kind of photos. I kid you not, she was kicking herself out of the basket. Anyway, I googled tips on taking newborn photos before the day and found many recommendations to use a Macro lens. Looked it up...wowsers...500-900 buckaroos for a lens. Then I remembered that I can rent a lens. So I went HERE and rented that little sucker for $20. I rented the Canon 60mm Macro f2 Tamron lens, really wanted the 100mm f2.8 Macro as this was highly recommended for newborn photos, but it wasn't available...so the 60mm would have to do since I totally thought of this all last minute. I am pretty satisfied with how the photos turned out, considering I am no where close to being a photographer (nor do I claim to be, just something I love to do for fun.) Oh, and I have to add that it was my first time using the manual setting, woo hoo, I am not afraid of it anymore. Yeah!! So set your eyes on this beauty and awww and oooh away. Love You my sweet Catalina!

The photo above is my absolute favorite. I love how she looks like a little porcelain doll (and this was not edited at all). She is perfection.

Photos below were taken with a gorgeous pink chevron quilt my late grandmother made. We borrowed it from my aunt for the photos, failed at convincing her to give to me...(sad face). It's big enough to cover a twin bed.

So many other poses and outfits I had in mind, but she was just too fussy. You would never guess from these photos right?

XoXo,

Iris

In Love with Mr. Banks

Holy Sh*t...Bailey has done it again. I posted bits of her previous home HERE and HERE because I just love love loved it. She inspired me to buy my "boobie monkey" painting that I found at a flea market last year. My heart skips a beat for her quirky and dramatic style. Her and her very supportive "sure honey, do what you want" kinda husband Pete moved to Texas a few months ago leaving behind a gorgeous home they had just finished remodeling in Chicago...Oh but don't be sad, this house is even better. I can't say WOW enough when I look at the pictures of their home, which they call Mr. Banks. Here are a few photos, but check out the rest over at Design Sponge...and you can check out the before & afters (because we all love B&A's rights?) over at Bailey's blog Peppermint Bliss. Enjoy! -------------------------Are you in love? I don't know about you, but I can't stop staring...so excuse me while I gawk on. XoXo, Iris