Busy Bee Lifestyle » Decorating

Mini Trend {Peacock Feathers}

Host Bee — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 02:01:00 +0000

Mini Trend: Peacock Feathers!

Rich, jewel toned peacock feathers are currently adorning clothing, home accessories and jewelry, as well as inspiring other products with their warm color palette. Peacock feathers are a great motif for adding instant style to your look or the look of your home! Have you noticed this trend too?

For You

A Great Tote: with a unique “fortune cookie” shape, this roomy tote bag features sequin strewn peacock feathers. A clutch size is also available. (Nordstrom, Gypsy Peacock Tote, on sale for $143.00)

Feather and Silver Bangle Set: two simple silver bangles, paired with a feather trimmed bangle, make for a perfect set and add just a touch of the peacock trend to your outfit! (Bluefly, Feathered Silver Bangle, set of 3 on sale for $40.99)

Peacock Blouse: from Boden, this silk blend blouse is a lovely way to try this new look. (Boden, Peacock Blouse, on sale for $46.00)

Nail Polishes: these beauty products are also taking inspiration from peacock feathers! Consider: Yara by Zoya Professional Lacquer (Zoya, Yara Nail Polish, on sale for $8.00)

Iceberg Lotus by OPI (Target, Nicole by OPI, on sale for $7.04-8.44)

Dive Bar by Essie. (Essie, Shimmer Nail Polish, on sale for $8.00)

Peacock Feather Necklace: with a vintage look, this necklace combines an actual feather with a rhinestone peacock charm. (PinkMascara, Feather Peacock Necklace, on sale for $24.00)

Peacock Pajamas: of 100% cotton, these ruffled front pajamas are colorful, comfortable and completely presentable when caught off guard! (RSH, Ruffled Peacock Pajamas, on sale for $109.90)

For Your Home

Linen Pillow: pillows are ideal for adding just a touch of any trend to your home and this 14” x 20” pillow from Burke Décor will do just that! (BurkeDecor, Peacock Pillow, on sale for $65.00)

Accent Rug: available in a variety of sizes and background colors, this rug offers a look of modern elegance and is a great combination of traditional and contemporary looks. (Home Decorator Collection, Peacock Plume Rug, on sale for $999.00)

Gorgeous Bedding: from Dwell Studios, this luxurious bedding set combines a traditional peacock image on a crisp, citrine background. Eye catching and inviting, the bedding is sold in sets that include the duvet cover and French back shams. (Dwell Studio, Peacock Citrine Bedding, on sale for $280.00)

Porcelain Plates: the peacock motif can even be added to your tabletop! These versatile dishes, as well as the coordinating teapot, cups and saucers, are attractive and well suited for tea or dessert. (RSH, Peacock Plates, set of 4 on sale for $27.90)

Always recognized as a symbol of luxury, peacock feathers can now be a part of everyday life!

A (Virtual) Visit to the Pantone Hotel

Host Bee — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 01:07:04 +0000

Tip of the Week: A (Virtual) Visit to the Pantone Hotel!

I love writing each year about the color trends predicted by the Pantone Institute. Not only are the colors always beautiful, but also the selection process reflects society’s current issues and trends. Now the iconic Pantone color swatches have been interpreted into a boutique hotel in Brussels!

Every aspect of this hotel, inside and out, features a bright white background accented with bold squares of color, much like the swatches themselves. Each of the seven floors has its own color scheme so guests can choose their room based upon their mood! Guests feeling warm and cheerful will like the yellow fourth floor, while those seeking tranquility may select the seventh, the turquoise floor! Room numbers mimic the Pantone swatch numbers and every detail, down to the coffee mugs, echoes these colored squares.

From bicycles to borrow to the glass walls of balconies to artwork on the walls, color rules the day and makes this hotel one of the most exceptional in the world!

You may also enjoy:

Note: Photo Courtesy of Sven Laurent

Over the Top Ribbon Wreaths

Host Bee — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 02:44:19 +0000

Look What I Found: Ribbon Wreaths by Polka Dot Market!

One of the many festive items sold at Polka Dot Market is called the “Front Door Party Wreath” and the name is perfect! Handcrafted from yards and yards of polka dotted grosgrain ribbon, these wreaths are made to your specifications! You can select ribbon colors to match a party theme, the arrival of a baby boy or girl, a seasonal holiday or favorite sports team.

These wreaths are unique and promise that a fun time waits behind your front door! This site also offers a wide array of decorations, party supplies and much more. (Polka Dot Market, Front Door Party Wreath, $60 to $68)

DIY Thanksgiving Table Decorations – Creating an Attractive Tablescape

Host Bee — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 01:43:45 +0000

Creating Fun Thanksgiving Tablescapes with DIY Decorations!

In my family, I share the Thanksgiving entertaining duties with my cousin, so I only host every other year! (Thank goodness!) Two years ago, I chose a crisp, modern look with white linens and dishes accented by gold pumpkins and sage green ribbon (take a look here). Most recently, I wanted a more rustic, natural feel and began to create this by renting burlap tablecloths and using my own pottery dishes.

Thanksgiving Table Centerpiece

My three centerpieces were tall glass vases filled with acorns and branches from my yard. Nestled between the branches was a birch bark cone, filled with fall flowers.

Thanksgiving Table Adult Place Settings

I tied miniature ears of Indian corn to each napkin and wrapped my favors, a Thanksgiving themed CD, in brown paper tied with burlap ribbon.

Thanksgiving Kids Table Decorations

At the kids’ table, the centerpiece was a set of ten glasses filled with dried beans. My children painted sticks and printed letters to spell out “give thanks” which we glued to the sticks and anchored in the glasses! (Instructions)

Each napkin ring was crafted from two acorn caps with a colored pompom glued to where the acorn once was and joined by a ribbon.

Thanksgiving Place Cards and Favors for Kids

Place cards were attached to a Thanksgiving version of a Christmas cracker! The cracker was made to look like an ear of corn, along with the requisite toys inside! (Instructions)

Although my decorations and crafts took a little bit of time, each was made from readily available products and not too costly! Our dinner was the perfect finishing touch to all of my tablescaping and happy, well fed relatives were the icing on the cake! (Thanksgiving Day Menu and Recipes)

The Best of Halloween Gifts and Decor

Host Bee — Sun, 25 Sep 2011 01:49:55 +0000

The Best of Halloween Gifts and Décor!

Halloween, well on its way to being some sort of national holiday, offers an endless array of terrific decorative items for your home. Here are my finds for 2011!

For Your Home:

The Halloween Parade

The Halloween Parade: hand cut from a single sheet of paper by Pamela Dalton, this charming piece of art will be a true heirloom. (Pamela Dalton, Halloween Picture, on sale for $175.00)

Spooky House Silhouettes

Spooky House Silhouettes: this set of three haunted homes is the perfect touch for a Halloween mantle! (Touchstone, Spooky Halloween Silhouettes, on sale for $75.00)

Vintage Flying Witch Plaque

Vintage Flying Witch Plaque: also perfect for over the mantle or on the front door, I love the visual impact of this piece! (Traditions, Vintage Witch Plaque)

Skull and Crossbones Decanter and Glasses

Skull and Crossbones Decanter and Glasses: crafted in black glass, this set will lend an eerie touch to your Halloween night! (Charleston Gardens, Skull Decanter, on sale for $30.00, set of 4 glasses for $35.00)

Halloween Candle Holders and Luminaries

One of my favorite catalogs, At West End, offers Halloween candle holders in white glass with cobwebs and ceramic luminaries in traditional orange and black! All are great additions to Halloween décor! (At West End, Spider Web cups, on sale for $79.00)

Jack-O-Lantern Luminaries

Jack o’lantern design: (At West End, Jack-O-Lantern, set of six on sale for $98.00)

Halloween Bat Luminaries

Bats design: (At West End, Bat Luminary, set of six on sale for $98.00)

Ceramic Dishes and Goblets:

Plates

Adding just the right amount of fright, these two sets of four different patterns will be a family favorite and great for guests. (Grandin Road, Halloween Plates, set of four on sale for $29.00)

Goblets

Goblets: (Grandin Road, Halloween Goblets, set of four on sale for $29.00)

Ribbon Trimmed Table Linens

Trim anything with a ribbon and I’m sold. This selection of bright orange linens includes a table cloth, runner and topper each embellished with a variety of black ribbon. (Grandin Road, Spirited Halloween Table Linens, on sale for $24.00-49.00)

Cat Studio Pillow

These embroidered pillows depicting the unique qualities of each state and many cities, has extended its reach to Transylvania in honor of Halloween. Love this! (Catstudio, Halloween Pillow, on sale for $149.00)