Amanda Carol at Home Archives - Satori Design for Living

Holiday Countdown Series Recap {Week Eight}

Dec

2012

Happy Friday! It’s less than 2 weeks to Christmas and I have to say I’m feeling more prepared this year than ever. My husband really jumped on board with the gift shopping this year, and has taken an entire month off from traveling for work which has been so nice. This week I managed to get some baking done, and I also finished off some handmade gift tags and other wrapping supplies I’ll be sharing within the next week or so. Now I just need to wrap those gifts!

As mentioned on Facebook, I was asked by SavvyMom to contribute my jingle bell ornaments to their project gallery. These easy DIY ornaments have become very popular, and I couldn’t be happier! As promised, the Christmas Decorating Ideas & Projects book I created these ornaments for will be available for you to download for free on Monday (A big thanks to Shannon of AKA Design for putting it together!).

If you’ve missed any weeks along the way, be sure to catch up on the full 2012 Holiday Countdown Series.

This Week:

Create a Tablescape.

Even if you’re not hosting Christmas, there’s something to be said about decorating your table. You can keep it simple or make it as opulent as you like. My table is the focal point when you’re looking from the front entrance, so it’s necessary for it to look good. I usually include a centerpiece, table runner and candles.

Here are some ideas for creating your tablescape:

White and silver

{via It’s Overflowing}

Summer Entertaining Al Fresco Style

May

2012

15 Comments

With the onset of warm weather, we find ourselves dining outside as much as possible. One of my favorite things to do over the summer months is entertain outside. I find it more casual and everyone just seems to relax and have a great time. Usually we start the party in the kitchen with beverages and appetizers, but we always dine al fresco (weather permitting), and as soon as it turns a bit chilly, we sit around a fire on our stone patio well in to the evening. It’s summer perfection!

We purchased our round table and chairs a few years ago, which work well for the size of our upper deck. (If you noticed the chairs are missing their wooden arms, it’s because I’m currently re-finishing them.)

This year I wanted to brighten my outdoor decor up a bit, incorporating blue and yellow along with the existing grey.

Join Our Upcoming Outdoor Link Parties

Apr

2012

1 Comment

Hello all! I’m so glad that warm weather is finally upon us and I’m thrilled to be spending more and more time outside. To celebrate outdoor living, my friends Amanda, Tiffany, Jean and I are all planning a round of outdoor link parties.

Although it’s my first time hosting, I’ve taken part in many link parties since I started my blog. I’ve stumbled across amazing blogs and projects as a source of inspiration. As a bonus, many people have found their way to Satori and I’ve made many new blogger friends.

We encourage you to join the party too! Be sure to mark your calendars- dates and themes are below. Remember it’s outdoor projects, so start working on them now. We’re talking gardening, outdoor lounge areas, lanterns, fences and more. I have a few fun DIY and decorating ideas to share as well and I can’t wait!

See you there!

Filed Under: News & Updates Tagged With: Amanda Carol at Home, Link Party, Living Savvy, Outdoor Extravaganza

Happy Valentine’s Day + Blogs I’m Crushin’ On

Feb

2012

9 Comments

Happy Valentine’s Day! Do you have any special plans? My husband is currently traveling and we’ve decided to celebrate when he gets back. Tonight it will just be my son and I and I’m going to make something chocolate to satisfy his sweet tooth (he gets that from me)! I’m also going to be having coffee with one of my dearest friends today. She’s a nutritionist and we love bouncing ideas off one another. After spending time with her, I’m always motivated to ramp up my health factor. Perhaps that dessert for my son will be dark chocolate covered strawberries.

A few weeks ago I was reading one of my favorite design blogs called In My Own Style. I love Diane’s approach and often read her blog for affordable DIY and decorating ideas. Anyway, she thought it would be fun to show a little love to the blogs we adore most this Valentine’s Day and I was totally on board!

I have to start by saying that I can’t include absolutely all of the blogs I love or I’d be here a while. There are just so many beautiful and inspirational blogs that it’s tough to pick only a few! What I decided to do is showcase the blogs of ladies I’ve grown to admire because of their kindness, willingness to help a girl out, ongoing support, and general sense of camaraderie and friendship. These ladies have fantastic style and the best part about their blogs is that they allow their personalities to shine through.

Although I’ve been blogging for less than 6 months, the interaction with the ladies behind these blogs has allowed me to accomplish and experience much more than if I had to go it alone! Many days I’m working alone in my office, but it feels like I am surrounded by amazing colleagues. I will be eternally grateful!

I encourage you to check each one of them out and see why I’m crushin’.

Designer Challenge: Which Area Rug? {Part One}

Jan

2012

12 Comments

It’s time once again for our Designer Challenge. This time I presented three gorgeous area rug options and asked each designer to select her favorite and tell us what she’d do with it. First up, I’m excited to introduce Amanda of Amanda Carol at Home. I stumbled upon Amanda’s blog last fall when I was asked to participate in Living Savvy’s Spray Painters Anonymous series and I immediately knew we would hit it off. She and I share a love of classic interiors with a bit of an edge and her home is stunning- be sure to check out her home tour.

I was so excited to be asked to participate in Shauna’s Designer Challenge. I have seen her other Designer Challenge posts and thought it would be so fun to do and here I am getting my chance! I was given 3 options for area rugs.

First up was the Dash & Albert Circle Fret Rug.