Inspire Style

Photos from Cupcakes and Cashmere, Brooklyn Blonde, Atlantic-Pacific

These photos make me want to play in my closet.

I can't get enough

Some of you may have seen this post where I posted the first "fashion girls" video...they just keep coming and I keep DYING.

I'm obsessed with him.

"It was a lot of look, but you pulled it off."

"I'm starting the Master Cleanse TOMORROW."

"Hashtag chic-to-the-next-lev."

"These are curb to cab shoes ONLY."

Guest Post from Arcadian Lighting

Today I'd like to introduce y'all to Jessica, a guest blogger from Arcadian Lighting.  When Jessica contacted me about guest blogging on home decor and shared some of the beautiful photos of different glass pendants for the home (which we all know I LOVE), I knew that I had to have her guest post...if anything, just for my enjoyment.  How GORGE are these photos?  It amazes me how much a light fixture can change the look of the room.  Anywho....meet Jessica!!!! XO--

Hi everyone! I'm Jessica from Arcadian Lighting, a website and blog where I get to write about the latest in interior design and all the different types of light fixtures that go with them. I'm delighted to be guest posting for Kathleen today because I'm going to be sharing some beautiful, sparkling glass pendants. There's nothing that transforms a room like perfect lighting, and glass pendants add a lovely romantic quality to any room. I hope you enjoy!

The lovely pastel blue and pink color palette in this bedroom is sweet and casual. The glittering pendant light adds a bit of drama and glamour.

This chic bathroom is complemented by a stunning mini pendant light. The octagon shaped mirror picks up on the shape of the crystal accents on the pendant.

A single sparkling pendant light is ideal for entryways and make a wonderful first impression. This room alone is full of lovely lighting fixtures.

Crystal decanters provide the perfect shade for pendant lights. A collection of decanters strung up with bare bulbs can instantly transform a room.

The contrast between the rustic, industrial design of this home and the dramatic pendant light is fun and unexpected. The sleek modern furnishings are sophisticated and inviting.

A rich orangey red color palette throughout this home office is energetic and vibrant. The elegant floral pendant light is sure to add glamour while working, while the table lamps give another hint of elegance.

A similarly unexpected pendant light gives this traditional living room a fun, sparkling atmosphere. The floral patterns and warm colors are all beautiful together.

The beautiful crystaline pendant light hangs like a large bouquet of flowers over this lovely bedroom. The sculptural lamps are classic and sophisticated touches.


What do you think of these beautiful lights? Stop by Arcadian Lighting and find the right lighting fixtures to fit your style!

Update: Hair & Makeup Part II

I think we all knew this day would come.  In order to properly complete Hair & Makeup/a diva's dream dressing room, I was going to need a chandelier.  Carrie Bradshaw would totes agree.

After finding the perfect sparkler for a great price on eBay (check out the seller's eBay store here), I received a little something in the mail from my precious Grammy.

Isn't she the sweetest!? Grammy wanted to give me the chandelier of my dreams for Hair & Makeup. 

Grammy = DA BOMB

In order to not ruffle CHBoo's delicate lady feathers, I thought I would also attempt to put together this beauty myself.  When it came in from New Jersey (shoutout to my Real Housewives -- Caroline Manzo I love your new haircut) in 294723939874 pieces...I called CHBoo on speed dial.

Why you gotta be so sassy, son?  Although let's be honest, he learned from the best.  And I learned from the best of the best, Karen.  It's really just a vicious cycle and I'm not apologizing for it because sass makes me happy.

It's gorge.  I'm obsessed with it.  Sometimes I open the door to Hair & Makeup and just stare at it.  Sometimes I also hit my head on the dangly crystal ball part but I'm fine with that.  The point is that is was TOTALLY worth all Christian's whining, complaining and making me promise him this is my last house project for a while.  And it was definitely worth him almost electrocuting himself because now I'm a real diva with a bling BLING chandelier in her dressing room and everytime I look in my vanity mirror I see Mariah Carey (the ultimate diva) looking back at me.  Last time I think I even heard her whisper, "You're on your way to becoming a real diva, Kathleen...but you can't sing like me so you'll never be apart of the VH1 Divas Concert."

Update: Hair & Makeup Part I

A few things have changed in Hair & Makeup that I am excited to share!!! 

Today in Part I I will be sharing my new lovely clothing rack.  I decided to replace the old hanging rack with a Ballard Designs beauty I found on Craigslist (special shoutout to my new friend Alice).

After having three different people suggest this amazing Ballard Designs Coat Rack, I thought I needed to do some research.  I was magically able to find this exact clothing rack *brand new* on Craigslist for half the price!!  That was a sign from the decorating gods.

Reminder:  My decorating gods (also mentioned here) are from Bravo (duh) and look like this:

Ballard Designs Niles Double Coat Rack (please note that the text in the upper lefthand corner reads, "this year I vow to create my fantasy closet in the spare bedroom no one ever uses."  Dear Ballard Designs, are you looking into my soul??):

I met up with Alice in the Fresh Market parking lot (after e mailing with her 27438947134x because it was her first experience with Craigslist) and picked up my prized possession.

I put this together myself because I was too scared to ask CHBoo to help me.  During this whole new home--make/create/sophisticate--put this together please--what time does Lowe's close- experience, CHBoo's true colors in the handyman-house projects department have come out. 

It's not pretty, it's not great and I gotta say I'm not loving it. 

It's like my clothing rack got a facelift, right?  It's like my clothing rack went all Real Housewives of Beverly Hills on me and I like it.  I can display all my pretty purses and cocktail dresses!!!

Get excited y'all...Part II of the Hair & Makeup Update is tomorrow and it's finally CHANDELIER TIME!

Some exciting news...

He surprised me when I came home from work and proposed in the house that we will share together once we are married.  He absolutely blew me away!  

We have been together over 5 years (Christian did the math of how many days we have been together and of course I forgot the number after 1,500) and I can't imagine anything better than spending the next 50+ years with my best friend. 

The timing is perfect for us and after several conversations about marriage and even a little book club between the two of us...we just knew that this was it.  I feel so blessed.

I wanted to share some photos from the weekend!

Christian designed the ring himself and I am just blown away.  It's perfection and beyond!!!  I love letting him show me all the details and reasons he chose for this particular part to look like this and so on.

I couldn't have come up with anything more fabulous.  I stare at it everyday, I just adore it!

Thank you to all of you who called, left voicemails, e-mailed, texted, tweeted, facebooked and of course those who helped us celebrate Friday night!!  I am on cloud 9 and more and more excited every minute.

As my future father-in-law told me, now I just need one of these guys to help me plan this shindig, as I know very little about wedding shenanigans...or is that what I have my bff Jeremy for?

PS -- And welcome welcome WELCOME to those of you who have wandered over here from SkinnyRunner!! I'm so appreciative that you have come over to visit CBL and hope this in-your-face engagement post isn't an overload...I promise this is not the usual content of CBL -- tomorrow the blog content will go on per usual!!

Guest Post on SkinnyRunner TODAY!

So honored and thrilled to be a cat lady blogger on SkinnyRunner today!!!  Please check it out and click around on this awesome site.

SR's blog is the perfect combination of exercise and fitness motivation, humor and of course insight into her fabulous marriage and family life.  I discovered her blog through my friend Cassie and have been a reader ever since!  Her blog is such an easy and entertaining read and will make you second-guess ordering the Chinese food that you've been craving...not that I do that or anything.

Please check it out here!!  Trust me, you'll be glad you did.  And if you came here from SkinnyRunner, WELCOME!! So glad to have you.  Would be thrilled for you to become a follower and friend of CBL.