My Grateful Candle

My store hosts events and trunk shows to help support local artists, makers and entrepreneurs -- especially during the holidays when we help to raise money for St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital! This past Saturday we had Evolyn from In My Solitude which is a Los Angeles based boutique with handmade spa products. They have everything -- - room fragrance, pillows, eye shades, sugar scrubs, body creams and not to mention candles. Since I'm a sucker for an amazing scented candle, I went with their small "grateful" candle (which was only $13!). It now has a home on my coffee table but it smells soooo good so I plan on getting more to put in my bathroom. They are made of soy wax which helps keep the air cleaner and candle burn longer. If you are in search of a thoughtful holiday gift going local and handmade is the way to go. Check out In My Solitude and find your perfect gift or you can even treat yourself :) 

Xo,

10 Holiday Gift Ideas for 2014

Happy Thursday! Such a beautiful day here in SoCal but feeling sorry for all my fellow New Yorkers with the cold weather and the snow -- not here! While I was on a few websites I came across quite a few items that would be great gift ideas (that I would love myself). So if you're 25 like me or know someone who is or someone who would love any of these items than no need to look any further for their gift this holiday. These are definitely a win if you have no idea what to get -- they will surely love any one of these. There are SO many to choose from so it was a tough call picking 10 but here they are:

1. An item that's charming to look at.

These candle holders aren't only holding candles, they are 

their own mini sculpture and will spruce up any space -- office

desk, bathroom, display shelf, bedroom, the list is endless!

2-piece dahlia candle holders / cb2 / $19.95

2. A seasonal scented candle.

These animal candles are so adorable -- you can pick

your friend's favorite animal and inside is a candle with

a seasonal pine scent. I'll take the owl, please!

animal doll candles / west elm / $16 - $22

3. A gift that one can wear.

Stone jewelry is quite trendy right now but I don't

see it going out of style any time soon. I'm loving the 

jade/hemlock color of this stone. I can definitely

picture it in my wardrobe :) 

crystal pendant necklace / urban outfitters / $24

4. Everyone loves decorative and functional storage.

And especially this one. It comes in two sizes and you

don't only have to use this for jewelry. This can be a catch all, 

recipe box, note holder -- pretty much a lot of things. 

faux shagreen box - natural / west elm / $49 - $79

5. A functional kitchen item.

 This utensil holder is part of west elm's collaboration

with FEED. By purchasing any of their items you give back

by providing meals to people in need -- this one specifically 

will provide 42 meals! Their utensils, mason jars, dinnerware, 

and more are also all great gift ideas.

FEED utensil caddy / west elm / $89

6. A place to take notes.

This notebook by Sugar Paper LA is the perfect little

notebook for someone like me (eh em) who likes to stay

organized and likes to have a place to write things down. I 

keep in a little planner/notebook in my bag always because 

1) I design/draw and 2) I'm a list maker. It's a win.

gold star notebook / sugarpaperla / $18

7. A functional item that's pretty to look at.

I LOVE anthropologie's coasters. I currently have their white broken 

glass ones and I'm obsessed. You just can't go wrong -- they look pretty 

on your table while keeping glass marks off of it.

celestial coaster set / anthropologie / $32 set of 4

8. Something to remind them of home.

Have friends or family living out of state? Being from NY I know I would 

love this -- Hemlock and Heather is the maker based in Texas and

 they have other states or you can customize a piece. They have their own

 site or you can buy from west elm. Definitely worth checking out and

you may even want one for yourself. I love original, handmade pieces.

new york wood wall hanging / hemlock and heather for west elm / $130

9. A place to hold pictures.

Yes, that would be a frame. This one I just love the

patterns and colors. Give this to someone as is or place a 

memorable photo inside to make it more personal.

artfully cubed frame / lulu and georgia / $56

10. Something to snuggle up in.

Loving the new Nate Berkus line at Target -- as always-- and who doesn't

love a soft AND stylish throw? Check out this one that is stylish and affordable.

Woven Throw - Dark Gray  / nate berkus for target  / $29.99

There it is - 10 items, 10 perfect gifts. Of course some of these you won't

be giving to a guy friend or family member of yours but I hope this was still able

to give you ideas on what to get any one! I know I would love to get any of these items

this holiday. Feel free to check out each website for tons more great gift ideas.

Xo,

My Abstract Art

Hi there! For those who do not know, I love to paint! My style is abstract, coastal and colorful although I have done many custom pieces as well. For the first time ever, I displayed my art at a local vendor event at west elm where I work. My art was for sale and I donated $10 from each painting towards St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital as part of their Thanks and Giving campaign. Other local artists and vendors were there as well that are so talented so it was an honor to have my art alongside theirs. I was also working during the event so I couldn't stay at my table to talk to too many people about my art but I did sell a painting and get my name and art out there! There were a few handfuls of inquiries about doing custom pieces as well which I love doing and am currently working on a few right now. I wanted to share some of my art with you that is still for sale unless stated otherwise but I can customize any piece you want! Let me know if you're interested! You can reach out to me via email, lmaiorana1014@gmail.com. I'm starting a new instagram for my art and interior design work separate from my personal account so i'll keep you posted on that, too! I hope you like my paintings as much as I enjoy creating them :)

{abstract waterfall SOLD / will recreate to order - price varies with size, email to inquire}

{desert / 12x16in staple back canvas / acrylic paint / gloss sealer / $45}

{waves / 9x11in staple back canvas / acrylic paint / gloss sealer / }

{ocean / SOLD / will recreate to order - price varies with size, email to inquire}

{energy / 12x12in staple back canvas / acrylic paint / gloss sealer / $50}

{carribean / 18x24in gallery wrapped canvas / acrylic paint / gloss sealer / $85}

 {feather / 10x10in staple back canvas / SOLD / will recreate to order - price varies with size, email to inquire}

{ikat / 12x16in staple back canvas / acrylic paint / gloss sealer / $45}

 {lovebirds / 12x16in staple back canvas / acrylic paint / gloss sealer / $45}

{pink clouds / 10x10in staple back canvas / acrylic paint / gloss sealer / $35}

{lips / SOLD / will recreate to order - price varies with size, email to inquire}

{sugar skull / SOLD /will recreate to order - price varies with size, email to inquire}

{nyc skyline / SOLD / will recreate to order - price varies with size, email to inquire}

{abstract flowers / SOLD / will recreate to order - price varies, email to inquire}

At the west elm south coast plaza event this Saturday! 

I will recreate any piece if you would like a different size, colors, anything. Just shoot me an email so we can go over what you want and then I will be able to give a price! Thanks everyone who has supported me thus far - I love to paint but never thought people would love it so much to buy. I will also be at another west elm orange county event soon so stay tuned :) 

Xo,

Give Thanks: DIY Fall Garland

Now that we are in November I've been thinking of ways to decorate our apartment for Thanksgiving -- our first Thanksgiving in our new apartment! There's not much space to work with and we don't have a mantle to decorate but we do have a cute little spot to hang a garland. I had went to Michaels to purchase items for a fall centerpiece I am making (post to come) and walked out with some twine, fake eucalyptus, hydrangea and leaves. I had extra twine and leaves from that project so I cut the leaves off the stem. All the items I ended up needing were:

>> twine

>> hot glue gun and glue sticks

>> fake leaves 

>> scissors

>> white craft paint

>> paint brush

>> palette or a paper plate

>> letter stencils (optional)

Lucky for me I already had the rest of the materials I needed which if you're a painter and DIYer like me than you most likely have them, too. Let's get started.

1. Cut out 10 leaves that would end up spelling "Give Thanks" -- you can spell out whatever phrase you like -- "Happy Thanksgiving", "Be Thankful", "Family", the list goes on. 

2. You can unwind the garland to however long you need, you will know how long after the leaves are layed out -- add at least 5 extra inches for each side of the garland which will be helpful when attaching this wherever you plan to put it.

3. Add the paint to your paper plate and you can use stencils to paint each letter on each leaf or you can hand paint them like I did. 

4. After all the leaves are painted and dry lay them out to spell your phrase and start hotgluing the leaves to the twine. I used two pieces of the same length twine so the little tip of the stem gets hotglued between them. You may have to hold it in place until it is completely dry from one leaf to the next. I had an extra set of hands help me do this step. We then hung it under a shelf by taping it to the bottom with clear package tape we had.

DONE. Here's the finish product -- we placed our garland under our display shelf right in our living room. I'm planning on making a Christmas garland when December comes along. This is super easy to make and not to mention inexpensive. The total for this project cost me less than $5! 

Happy garland making! 

Xo,

Falling for Metallics

Happy November! It's that time of year to take out your fall decorations  -- deep red and burnt orange hues -- or you can incorporate metallics into your existing decor that will last until after the new year. Metallics are always an eye-catcher and they can be especially appropriate when decorating and entertaining for the fall and winter holidays -- they create a warm, inviting and sophisticated look. Here are some of my favorite metallic items -- from decorative accents to dinnerware -- that will transform your home just in time for Thanksgiving!

1. 

You can't go wrong with some brass candle

holders. These would look great as part of your

dining room table centerpiece or on your mantle.

Denby Candleholders / Crate & Barrel

2.

These hurricanes have beautiful detailing and will

also look great as your table centerpiece or as decor 

on your mantle.

Frosted Deco Mercury Hurricanes / west elm

3.

Right now west elm has some gorgeous metallic beaded

pillows in cool and warm colors that will fit with other 

holiday decor you may have. You can purchase the cover

separate so you can switch up the look of your pillows 

whenever you want.

Metallic Sequin Pillows / west elm

4.

If you're looking for a simple yet festive table runner this fall then

this metallic stripe runner is it. It has a touch of silver -- picture 

this paired with those west elm hurricanes above as a centerpiece. 

Can't say I'm not into it, can you?

Metallic Striped Table Runner / Anthropologie

5.

This is one of many metallic frames Zara Home has that I'm

falling in love with. Obviously these are great year round if you 

like this sophisticated glam look. Otherwise, these are perfect

to replace your current frames with during the holidays to 

have a more festive look without having to get too many 

extra decorations.

Resin and Mirrored Frame / Zara Home

6.

I love these trays! They are so versatile and can be used 

on a coffee table, ottoman, dining table, entryway, or even a 

bar cart when put on a stand. This particular finish, antiqued silver, 

looks great with other metallic items and is great for holidays and 

entertaining. Currently tabletop and trays are 20% off at west elm.

Large Rectangle Lacquer Tray / west elm

7.

This dinnerware set looks amazing when paired with gold

flatware (like pictured). You could also switch up your dinnerware

and do this ikat metallic dinner plate with a white salad plate or

vise versa -- the options are endless. Incorporating even just

one item from this set will bring a touch of the

holidays to your tabletop.

Palette Dinnerware Set - Gold and Silver / west elm

8.

This cake stand is just so cute. You don't have to only serve 

cake on this either! 

 Polka Dot Cake Stand - Gold and Silver / C Wonder

9.

This glassware just makes sense for the holidays.  The 

gold rim on these glasses would look great with the Palette 

Dinnerware Set in Gold/Silver!

Metallic Rimmed Glassware - Gold / west elm

10.

Herringbone pattern + metallic = yes, please. This beautiful

combo happens to be sold on these placements at Target

and adds an instant holiday look to your dining table.

 Threshold Metallic Herringbone Placemat / Target

If you're looking for some new holiday decor and items for entertaining then these metallic finds will do the trick! Not only for the fall but will last through the holiday season. Who wouldn't like that?

Xo,