Uncorked + Unwined Link Up!!

It's LINK UP time again for our Uncorked + Unwined Party.  And this time I hosted the wine party at my home!! 

{for more information on what this 'link up' party is all about, see here}

Since our new UNCORKED vision is geared toward a more low-key, casual get-together with girlfriends, drinking wine of course, we gathered at my home for a viewing of 'The American Blogger.'  If you are a blogger yourself, you HAVE to watch this movie.  There were a lot of mixed reviews about this movie, but personally I enjoyed it!  I related to a lot of the bloggers' stories about what they love about blogging and why they decided to have a blog.  You can download and watch the documentary on American Blogger site.

Erin from Living in Yellow is a local Indiana blogger on the movie!!  She's so famous!!!

Here are some snippets of our party!  I love to entertain!  It's not very often that we have friends over to our home, so for me, it is so fun to dig out my nice serving trays, make some h'ordeurves and have a fun little wine tasting party!  

because you can't get your wine glasses mixed up!!

personal cheesecakes -- strawberries at the bottom + cheesecake + graham cracker crumbs = easy and YUMMY dessert!

we all brought a bottle of wine so that we could all taste new + different wines!  Tisdale is one of my all time favorite, inexpensive wines from Earthfare.  This Chardonnay is under $10 a bottle.  

I wore my new shirt from Dottie Couture Boutique!!  Necklace from Jane.com and skirt from Loft Outlet.  

BLOGGERS!!  we were missing a few ladies who couldn't make it! :( 

 Aleks from A Slocum Story

Kelly from Sequins and Scissors

ME

Val from Chicken Scratch

....but we had some new ladies join this time and we are talking them into starting a Blog!!!  Just do it!!

I had some good reviews on my pasta salad so I thought I would just share the recipe.  It is the perfect Summer pasta salad!  Light and refreshing!  (I had to use parsley this time in place of basil, but basil is so much better for this!!)

You can always follow along with the prep of our events and the pictures from the events with hashtag #uncorkedandwined on Instagram.  Or hashtag your own wine events so we can see how you like to enjoy your wine -- with or without your girlfriends!!  

The next link up party will be posted on Monday September 29!!  Plan an event before then and you can link-up with us!!  

See everyone's linked up post below!! 

The Shine Project

Recently I came across The Shine Project through social media.  Their fun, graphic t-shirts caught my eye and then I realized that one of my favorite local artists, Erin Barrett from For The Love of Letters, was involved, so I knew I had to look into this more.  What I found was amazing!  What I also found was this tee with an inspiring quote handwritten by the lovely Erin Barrett!!

The Shine Project, founded by a 26 year old, is handmade jewelry and apparel with a cause.  Not only is all of the jewelry adorable and every tee has a special meaning behind it, each item sold benefits at risk youth.  This entrepreneur started by making bracelets.  She employed youth to help mentor and help pay their way through college while creating funding for their schooling.

From the site The Shine Project:

"Threads is a cause driven business that changes the future of at risk youth. They come from various backgrounds, but all have one thing in common; they want to break the cycle. By employing them, we instill values of self reliance and hard work. They are paid fair wages for the bracelets they make and in turn are able to pay their way their way through school.  Many Threads employees are first generation college students. They dream of becoming nurses, broadcasters, writers, and engineers."

(THREADS is the business of The Shine Project which is mass marketed and sold online at Store Envy!  Got all that?!?!)

 Not only do I LOVE the apparel, these tees all have amazing words of inspiration, but I LOVE that by buying this product you are supporting these youths.  And their jewelry is just as beautiful!  The t-shirt I purchased was true to fit and great quality.

Check out all of the fun and quirky collections on Store Envy!!  The Shine Project is part of their Featured Brands. 

If a 26 year old entrepreneur can do something this amazing, shouldn't we all be making a change and doing something incredible with our lives?!?

This post was not sponsored and are all of my own opinions, just because I love this cause and story behind this company.  

Tween Study & Lounge Design

As much as we hate to think about it, unfortunately, summer is ending and school is right away the corner.  I always hated this time of year as a kid.  I loved just waking up and swimming in my pool everyday and not having a care in the world!!!  Whether you have little ones starting their first big day of school, teenagers heading to high school, or one headed to college, they could all benefit from having a fun reading space, homework corner, or hangout lounge to inspire them to stay motivated in school throughout the year.  Kids grow up so fast, so I know how important it is to keep these areas as low cost as possible.

Recently I was asked to put together some ideas for a tween space.  It is a smaller loft/landing area on the second floor that they are looking to turn into a study/reading/hangout space for their daughter.

Accent Chair - $279.00

Chevron Rug - $130.00

Desk - $117.00

Bookcase/TV Console - $140.00

Metal Cart - $80.00

Gold Polka Dot Pillow - $58.00

HELLO Pillow - $24.00

Purple Striped Pouf - $60.00

"HAPPY GIRLS ARE THE PRETTIEST" sign - $42.00

Floor Lamp - $80.00

The accent chair is comfy enough to curl up in and read a book without taking up a lot of space.  A tall floor lamp is the perfect task lighting while reading.  The Nate Berkus chevron rug defines the space while adding a fun pop of color and pattern.  The purple and white striped pouf is great for propping your feet up or additional seating for a friend.  Whether television is allowed in this 'homework' space or not, the white bookcase can serve dual functions as storage for books and games and hold the television.  My friend and local artist Erin created this sign for girls "to remind them what really matters."  The metal cart is great for storing craft supplies!

For this client, we plan on doing custom cabinets for the work area.  It will include a space for homework and a lot of hidden storage, as well as some cubbies with baskets for everyday items.  The wasted space of the nook area will become a great space for homework and crafting.  Here are the plans for their space.

This would be a great design for a tween, teenage girl, or even a dorm room space for a college student!  You can do the same idea for both girls and boys of any age with similar pieces in any color scheme.

What do you think?

Do you have a favorite reading/homework station for your kids or maybe one for yourself??

Summer Home Tour Series

My home and my design style is always evolving.  I love that my house evolves as my life evolves.  I love that my home is a total mismatch of patterns and colors most of the time, but it all works together.  I am not afraid to try something new or to be a little adventurous with my decorating.  That's what makes for an interesting, inspiring, evolving home.  I love that my home feels warm and cozy and inviting.  My second-hand coffee table is perfect for propping your feet up and not caring to use a coaster.  My built-in bookcases are constantly changing with vacation souvenirs or serving as a 'storage' area for items that get moved around within my home constantly.  My guest bedroom is simple and inviting for friends and family.  But getting to this point hasn't been easy....or quick.  My husband and I have lived here for 3 years now and when we originally bought the place we immediately made a trip to IKEA and bought at much as we could fit into our car to fill up the home with furniture.  It was a great 'start' to the home, but the decorating has really taken a lot of time.  A home doesn't get completed over night.  It takes a lot of time and patience.  It doesn't have to take a lot of money though.  I always wait for sales, and love the hunt of used pieces at yard sales and thrift stores.  My home will never be completely finished because good design is always evolving!!

I have showed most of the areas within my home here on my blog in the past.  But these are my favorite spaces of my home, spaces that have changed since the last post, and even a few areas I haven't shown here on my blog yet!  Come on in!!! Welcome!!!

You can still see the other rooms in my home from other posts.  The Master Bedroom was shown here.   My home office was shown here.  

{Entry Way}

paint:  Sherwin Williams Oregon Coast

table is decorated with old, vintage items mixed with new items

{Living Room & Dining Room}

paint:  Sherwin Williams Sea Salt, stripe on wall Sherwin Williams Topsail

coffee table:  $40 second-hand store find

accent chair:  $10 yard sale purchase

pillows:  IKEA, Z Gallerie, Etsy

buffet table:  antique piece I painted yellow with my mom

gallery wall:  frames from IKEA and Crate & Barrel

This "Rock Me Mama....." print from Etsy.com was one of the very first things I bought to start our gallery wall.  My father-in-law learned this song for our wedding and sang it for us with our wedding band.

{Kitchen}

paint:  Valspar Coastal Villa

butcher artwork:  Z Gallerie

canisters with chalk label:  Target

(see more of my recent kitchen remodel here & here & here)

{Den aka Man Cave} 

{this is how the space usually looks on a day-to-day basis - storing furniture and accessories for clients}

{Guest Bedroom}

gold dot decals: Etsy.com

table lamp:  base from Goodwill and spray painted white, shade from Target

pillow:  IKEA

{guest bedroom before}

Thank you for touring my home.  If you missed the other tours on the Series, visit all of the other homes of my friends on their blogs.  

Val's Home from Chicken Scratch Blog

Elise's Home from Sunday Charm

Kelly's Home from Sequins & Scissors

Courtney's Home featured on Chicken Scratch Blog

Aleks' Home from A Slocum Story