Sale Alert!!! Great Sales at Serena and Lily & More!!!!

One of my favorite "go to" online sources for bedding and bath towels is

Serena and Lily.  I love their quality, selections and customer service is impeccable.

When summer comes I like to refresh my bed by adding new sheets or quilts and Serena and Lily always have something fresh and inviting that fits the bill. Luckily for you they are having a 20%off Sale on Bath and Bedding right now!  Click this link to visit their website and start saving on beautiful bath and bedding products for your home.  Simply enter the code SUNNYDAYS when you check out to save 20% off your purchase.

Here are some of my favorite items:

The Cherries Bedding for girls is adorable! Click here for pricing

The Ronan Collection for Boys is handsome and classic! Click for pricing!

Isn't this Summer collection calming?  I would love this at the beach or the lake.

I can just imagine coming in for a nap on this beautiful bed.  Is there anything better

in the summer than a crisp, fresh bed?

I adore the candy stripe bedding and just suggested a client to use this in

 her beach house in this light blue colorway for a guest room.

The Fouta shop offers these fab beach towels, bath towels and bedding.

 An all time favorite bath towel collection is the Gobi collection that comes in 

navy, berry, coral, grass, bark and aqua.  If you buy nothing but the hand towels and add to plain white Target towels, the design on the Gobi Hand Towels will add a designer touch to your bath without breaking the bank.

Serena and Lily have the market cornered on great looking shower curtains.  I love this
 fun pattern for a guest bath to add a pop of color and this one for a beach house bathroom.

I think the Georgia shower curtain is my favorite of all.

What about these adorable shower curtains for kid's bathrooms!  Don't you love the

French Tassel Curtain for girls and the Alligator pattern for boys?  These curtains are so cute I think you could use them in the bedroom. 

Hopefully, I have motivated you to refresh your bed and bath with a few of my favorite suggestions.  Pop over to Serena and Lily and see what you can find!  Order now while you can save 20%.  Don't forget to use the code SUNNYDAYS at checkout.  

Click here to go straight to the sale!

Take Advantage of these other great sales too....

You might want to check out Nordstrom's Summer Clearance Sale Here!

Enjoy an extra 25%off Kate Spade Here!

Horchow has 30%off the entire Site Here!

Neiman Marcus - One,Two, Three Sale!  Huge Savings click here!

Enjoy the sales!  

The Starburst Mirror - A Classic Iconic Mirror

Credit Amanda Carol Interiors

 There has been a lot of chatter as to whether the starburst mirror is a trend or a classic.  What do you think?  I think anything that has withstood the test of time like this iconic mirror is a classic.  This mirror has been around for centuries. Therefore, I don't consider it a trend.

There are many theories on the origin of the starburst mirror.  Many historians think it's popularity began when the starburst frames which were repurposed by collectors and antique dealers from religious icons that were in abundance after the French Revolution.  Some historians attribute the mirrors to Louis XIV, nicknamed "The Sun King."  Many claim that Louis chose the sun emblem as his personal icon because he loved the sun and its powerful rays but a recent trip to Chateau Vaux Le Vicomte challenges that theory.  When I was in Paris a couple of years ago, I visited Vaux Le Vicomte.  Our tour guide shared the history of the famous chateau.    Nicolas Fouquet, who built Vaux Le Vicomte, was Louis XIV's Superintendent of Finances.  I won't go into great detail here but let's just say Louis was threatened by Fouquet's opulent home and furnishings.  He feared that Fouquet was far more impressive than the King himself.  He was offended that Fouquet stood many feet above him on the steps of Vaux Le Vicomte when he greeted Louis XIV when he entered the grounds.  Noone was to stand above the King! He had Fouquet thrown in prison and stripped the chateaux of most of its furnishings.  He went to far as to steal Nicolas's personal emblems that were the sun and the squirrel.  I plan to write more about Vaux Le Vicomte in a later post.  There is a painting that shows the starburst mirror was used far before Vaux Le Vicomte or Louis XIV.  Shown below in a painting by famous artist Jan Van Eyck from the 15th century, which reveals a starburst mirror in the background of the  "Arnofini's Wedding" painted in 1493.  I remember studying this painting in Art History class when I was in design school.   This painting and many others that with symbolic meaning woven into the composition taught me to study great works of art for more than just the overall beauty. 
See the starburst convex mirror in the background?  If you look 
closely it reveals the artist himself in the reflection.

I'm not sure of the origin of the starburst mirror, but I can confidently say it isn't a trend that is going away.  Let's look at some of my favorite uses for a starburst mirror.

Credit Amanda Carol Interiors

 A large starburst commands attention as a great focal point on a wall over a mantle as shown here is a room designed by my friend Amanda Carol of Amanda Carol Interiors.  

Credit Traci Zeller Designs

My studio partner, Traci Zeller successfully used a trio of starburst mirrors in the guest room she designed in collaboration with Laura Ashley for Domino Magazine in her home.

Credit Rachel Cannon Lewis

My friend and Baton Rouge Designer, Rachel Cannon Lewis chose a painted version for this family room project mounted over a painting as an accent rather than the focal point.  The starburst mirror adds the perfect element to soften vertical lines of the room and pull the white trim and moldings together visually.

Credit via Rachel Cannon Lewis

Another great idea is to use a smaller starburst to capture light on a side table
 also by Rachel Cannon Lewis. 

Credit via Rachel Cannon Lewis

Rachel again uses the starburst mirror in a foyer grouping to create art interest and light.

Do you have a starburst?  I would love to see yours.  Feel free to post a picture on my Facebook page here and tell me the origin of your starburst mirror!
I have two starburst mirrors in my home.  I have a Worlds Away Starburst mirror over my bed and hand carved Julian Chichester's Hobbs Mirror in my dining room over a buffet.

Here are some of my favorite starburst mirrors.

The "Must Have" Gadget for Summer 2015!

Spiralizer from William-Sonoma

Have you jumped on the spiralized bandwagon yet?  I just got one and am really

 excited about trying it.  I bought the Paderno four blade spiralizer from William-Sonoma, but you can buy them places like Amazon, or Walmart too.  I bought the Paderno because it collapses for compact storage, which I find convenient especially at the beach house where storage is an issue.  This particular model is a little more expensive than most versions, but only a couple dollars more.  I like that it has four blades that store inside the unit.  The cheaper versions don't fold, but that's ok if you have room to store them or don't want to spring for the folding version because of the added expense.  Most models are about the size of your toaster, but the one I bought is much smaller when closed.  

This spiral vegetable slicer is great for making pasta dishes, stir fries, salads, shoestring fries—and lots more.  

Click here to keep reading....

I Met Prince Carl Phillip at Ambiente' and He Gave Me a Gift!

Prince Carl Philip of Sweden and Princess Sofia's wedding has been widely publicized in the media for the past week.  I had the opportunity to meet Prince Philip when I attended Ambiente', in Frankfurt last February with Modenus on Blogtour.  Ambiente' is the largest consumer trade show in the world and is held annually in Frankfurt, Germany.  The show is so massive it spans forty football fields in size. If you have never been, you should attend just for the experience.  Every year, Ambiente' announces a partner country for the show.  This year's partner was the good ole USA.  Ambiente' joined with Modenus as a media partner to cover the fair.  As a member of the Modenus Blogtour Ambiente' team, our job was to experience the show and attend important events.   Our first matter of business upon our arrival to Ambiente'. was a press conference where Prince Carl introduced his new spring collection with the Danish iconic brand Stelton, 

click here to continue reading and see what he gave me....

What's in Your Bag".....Traci Zeller?

1/Eric Javits Hat   2/Lemlem Coverup   3/ Saint Laurent Glasses 4/ Gap Flipflops 5/ Whale Bag   6/ Dear Carolina

Today starts a new Summer series here on the blog called "What's in your Bag?"  I will feature designers and design bloggers in this series who are willing to share their favorite items for summer.  Aren't we all dying to know what is in their bags?  I begin the series with my studio partner, Traci Zeller of Traci Zeller Designs. Traci, a fellow Charlotte designer, is known for crisp, classic and chic designs. Her signature style is very similar to how Traci dresses as well.  Let's see what this style maven has in her bag!

Do you prefer the beach or the pool? 

 Traci: I'm a pool girl.  I only like sand in theory. :-) 

What's your favorite beach /pool bag?
Traci: If I'm going to the pool by myself, I throw everything in a Goyard tote For my twin boys, there's nothing better than the Whale Bags from Saltwater Canvas.  They hold everything!

What are necessities in your bag?  
Traci: The latest fashion and interior design magazines, my iPhone and sunscreen!  

What's your favorite sunscreen? 

Traci: Anthelios 60 Ultra Light by La Roche-Posay.  If only it weren’t so expensive!  I have very sensitive skin, and it’s just about the only sunscreen I can tolerate.  It’s so much cheaper in France, and I stocked up the last time I was there (checking the expiration dates, of course!).  I also got an awesome Anthelios spray when I was there.   For my kids, I really like Kiss My Face spray sunscreens. 

What is your Favorite bathing suit?   

Traci: Ugggh, is “none" a fair answer?  Or “bring back the swim pantaloons”?  Ha!   I generally rock the tankini, but I don’t have one that I love, love, love.  

Do you have a favorite Coverup?  

 Traci: I’m obsessed with the new Lemlem cover-up I got through the Poole Shop here in Charlotte.  Plus, I love the story behind Lemlem and its support of artisans in Ethiopia.  I couldn’t find it online to show you, but the style is similar to this one … 

Do you have a favorite hat?

 Traci: Eric Javits “Squishee” Wide Brim Hat.  It’s pricey, but I promise it’s worth it.  I’ve had mine for years. 

What Sunglasses did you choose for Summer 2015?  

Traci: Well, I’m obsessed with sunglasses, so I wear them year-round and alternate between several pairs.  But my new pair for Summer 2015 is the gray Saint Laurent square sunglasses.  

What book do you recommend for beach/pool reading?

  Traci: I just finished Dear Carolina by Kristy Woodson Harvey.  I loved every minute!  

Favorite beach/pool shoes?

Traci:  I usually rotate Tory Burch flip-flops to match my swimsuit or cover-up.  But I’m still digging on these Gap leather flip-flops in “Tannery” that I blogged about. 

What's your favorite drink on the beach or by the pool?

Traci: It’s usually so hot that I’m dying for some water!  But I do love a mimosa in the morning or my good ole (regular) Coke.  

What your favorite summer activity? 

Traci: Ummmm, how about “staying inside.”  Seriously, it’s so hot!  Truly, though, my favorite summer activity is traveling with my family.  This summer, we are going to Montreal where my boys will (hopefully!) practice their French.  Or at least a language-loving mom can dream.  

Thank you, Traci, for sharing the contents of your bag

 with us today! 

 I know I'm going to check out some of these great products.  Make sure to pop over to Traci Zeller Designs to see Traci's beautiful work and read her blog.   Who knows you just might see Traci at the pool this summer if you are in Charlotte!

What's in your summer bag? Every Wednesday throughout the summer I will be featuring designers and design bloggers who are willing to let us take a peep inside their bag.  I have some great ones in store for you!

Here's hoping you are having a Happy Summer!