GIFT GUIDE | VALENTINES DAY

I adore anything pink and Valentine's Day is the perfect holiday to celebrate this happy color.  I hope you enjoy shopping with this gift guide I put together.  Such adorable things for the ladies in your life.  

1.  Personalized Bedding, Napkins or guest towels.

Leontine linens is the epitome of chic.  Their coloring and monogram styling are just beautiful.  I would love that bottom pink number in my guest bathroom.

2.  Heart Jammies 

Roberta Roller Rabbit has the most comfortable, Pima Cotton PJ's you'll ever touch.  How obsessed would you be with your husband if he got matching, pink heart pajamas for you and your little one?  The perfect gift.

3.  A sweet pink friend

Pottery Barn Kids has the most adorable little doll.  Dressed in pink and white stripes, it is a great gift for your little one to cuddle with while eating a delicious heart cookie on Valentines Day.

4.  A Bright Fedora

Net-A-Porte updates a classic with this fun ribbon.  I usually wear solid bathing suits or bikini's on the beach so this would be a great accent.  

5.  Stationary

Parker Thatch nails it with this adorable elephant note card.  A fun gift for someone any age.

6.  Mini Resort Wear

Minnow Swim is my new go to for Georgia's swimwear.  The ruffles are so adorable on her chubby little body and the neutral palette is classic and perfect.  The above is my absolute favorite that she will be wearing all summer long.

7.  Earrings

Rebecca de Ravenel's drop earrings are still a go to of mine, even though they have been around for a while now.  I always try to scoop them up on sale through Moda when I can.  This color is pretty and will be great for spring wedding season and summer cocktails.

xx

FRIDAY FAVORITES | SUMMER PREGGERS PICKS

I love being preggers.  I adore the cute belly and the sweet little movements of my baby girl... That being said, summer is HOT to have the extra weight.  So, I've had to adjust my wardrobe to basically strictly dresses, wraps and comfortable, stylish shoes.  People have been asking me what are my favorites and above are my must haves.  My #1 has to be the Mama Mio Tummy Butter.  Everyone has suggested the Palmer's and this is a little more pricey, but it has been my savior.   It smells delicious and isn't as thick as the other body butters.  Also, my MDS stripes dress (which was a gift from my bestie) when I first got pregnant has been my most stylish way to cover the bump.   

Enjoy! Listed from top left...

1.  Espadrilles - Soludo's 

2. Woven Mono Bag - Lindroth Design

3. Striped Dress - MDS Stripes

4.  Body Butter - Mama Mio

5. Swimsuit - Vix

6.  Wrap - Roberta Roller Rabbit

CLIENT INSPIRATION | NURSERY

Dee & I adore designing nurseries.  There is nothing sweeter and more innocent.  It is the first place he or she will spend their days and a place that a new mommy will spend most of her time in those first few months.  It should be special, calming and pretty.  Above are some spaces that we just can't get enough of and our inspiration board for a new client meeting this week.  We'll keep you posted on progress.

IDEA'S FOR DAD

Fathers day is right around the corner and decorators best asked me to post some gift ideas.  My dad is pretty easy to shop for.  He loves golf with my brother, a scotch on the rocks at sundown, "time pieces", his stubb collection and a great, worn in hat.  That being said, he would enjoy nothing more on fathers day than to hang out, have a bbq and spend the entire day with his family... nothing makes him happier than his family and that is why we love him so dearly.  Love you, Pauly!

Gifts Above:

1. Double old fashion glasses | Waterford - Lismore

2. The World's Most Expensive Watches book | Barneys

3. Whales Tale Pale Ale hat | Cisco Brewers

4. Raffia Stubbs | Stubbs & Wooton

5. Monogrammed golf balls | Etsy

BEACH HOUSE SHOOT

We had a fun time this morning shooting with Newsday for an upcoming feature in their "Design Editions".  It was an interesting staging being that it was raining buckets, but we think it turned out adorable.  We were asked to pair inexpensive bedding with an overall chic, sophisticated look.  This is what we came up with.  Check it out in next Friday's paper.

BATHROOM INSPIRATION

This week my main focus is to shop wallpapers for a client's mudroom bathroom.  We want something not too serious like a stripe or a fun chinoiserie print.  The client is traditional, but will let us take the lead when it comes to color and really trusts us which is amazing.  Here are a few pictures I have up on my inspiration board.  Let me know which is your fav.  Have a great week!

 Don't love the color palette, but I love the ginger jar wallpaper.

Love the paper, ginger jar & monogramming

Just adorable.

Sophisticated and fun.

CURRENTLY LOVING

I really can't believe that Christmas is right around the corner.  If you're the ultimate procrastinator, like me, you still need some last minute gift ideas.  Here are a few of our favorite things this holiday season...

1. monogrammed pocket square (for him or her)

2. pink prada i-pad case

3. the perfect stubbs

4. coffee table book

5. snugly pjs

6. a lion cuff

7. little dude's patagonia

8. malachite i-phone cover

9. needle point belt (for him)

10. tortoise servers (for the host)

11.  monogram cocktail ring

MARRIED- NOW TO MATCH

I grew up with parents that always had matching luggage, it never even occurred to them not too (my mom is an interior designer and my dad is an amaze dresser- so it's a given).  While registering I brought the subject up to my fiancé.  Do we match?  Yes, it was obvious to me.  He kept saying it was silly and unnecessary, but I ended up winning that fight. 

Now, what about a weekender?  Do we keep it matching since now we decided to match with the luggage? Or do I go with something fun like this amaze Stubbs, leopard, woven bag and he get a preppy, green CV?  Do we both get the adorbs monogrammed J McLaughlin that doesn't match the luggage?  Or do we both get the classic T Anthony black, matching both each other and our luggage?  I can't decide.  Is this a ridiculous problem to have?  Probably, but I'd like to hear your opinions anyway.

1. Clare Vivier

2. J McLaughlin

3. T Anthony

4. Stubbs & Wooton

WEDDING MONOGRAM OVERLOAD

So, as you can see I went a little monogram crazy at the wedding... the photographer actually missed a few of items if you can believe it.  I knew from the beginning of the planning that our new initials would be a big part of our reception.  I just love the cute, preppiness of it.  

From top to bottom, the robes were one of the gifts for my bridesmaids.  I love the idea of everyone having a personalized item to get ready in- it makes for adorable pictures.  Then, there were our church programs which we decided to tie with stripped ribbon- I loved the way they came out.  I thought I went a little overboard with the monogrammed pillows, but after looking at the pictures, I actually think I needed a few more of them.  Obviously, I had to mono the menu's which I thought were too small, but I'm sure no one noticed.  This is something I realized after the fact... don't stress too much about the little details because no one notices then anyway haha.  Lastly, were the stickers for the paper bags which were filled with donuts for our guests to grab with coffee on their way out.  Missing from photo's were cocktail & guest napkins, coffee cozies aaaand I think that's it.  Yes, nuts.

If you need any sources let me know...

LUSTING AFTER FOR SUMMER

Summer is upon us and I hate everything in my closet.  Alex & I are trying to save for a house so I clearly can't go out and buy a new wardrobe.  I figured new jacks, some neon, the bag I've always wanted and a tunic spruce things up a bit.  Also, I just ordered the iomoi makeup bag and I cannot wait to get my hands on it.  My business cards are this brand as well and I'm completely obsessed.  It's the perfect mix of preppy and modern.

From Top left

1. iomoi makeup bag

2. crew neon ballet flats

3. tory tunic

4. white goyard shopper

5. cream/ white jacks 

A NEW PROJECT

It was a year of many things.  Our wedding was last month which obviously took up a lot of my time.  I  will definitely be doing some posts on the details as well as a slew of amazing vendor recommendations.  Also, I've spent the last few months building my interior design firm, The Rinfret Group. We have a few new, fun projects that I intend on sharing with you guys.  I would love your input & feedback on my ideas and inspiration.  Here is a little glimpse of a project I'm working on in NYC.  This is for a teenage girls room.  It's just a start, we still need a few pieces, but I thought I'd share it anyway.  Off to enjoy date night with my hubs!

WEDDING FAV'S - MY MAIDS

I adore this photo.  All the girls having a blast getting ready and drinking champs.  I was going to go the traditional monogrammed robe route for my bridesmaids, but I think this is soo much cuter.  Who doesn't love a good white, crisp, popped collar... add over sized and a monogram and it's just about perfect.  I hope my ladies are smiling this wide next year... What do you guys think about the menswear inspired shirt idea for pre-wedding pics?  There are great options here from shop momento and they are very well priced!  Have a great weekend ladies!

Wedding Favorites- The Monogram

Alex thinks I'm NUTS with my monogram obsession.  If I could monogram my underwear (actually that's a cute idea) for the day of the wedding I would.  I think it's so adorable to proudly display your new initials at the reception.  Here are a few idea's of how to do so (obviously choose one or two, not all).  They are all such fab idea's... I think the menu's and napkins are my fav.  What about you girls?  Have a lovely weekend!

Guest Posting Tease & Winner

Congrats to Alison from the Blog Givers for her hysterical frappuccino reference yesterday.  I'll be sending you the gorg earrings asap!!  Head on over to Monograms & Martini's later today to check out my guest post.  I will be penny pinching the hell out of this preps dream bedroom!  Enjoy this gorgeous weather!

Wedding Favorites- The New Initials

image courtesy of anne's virtual closet

I love the idea of proudly displaying your new initials after the nuptials.   I know I will be so excited to rock my new, super Italian last name and initials.  My future mother in law had such a sweet idea.  She gave her daughter a monogrammed, gold necklace (similar to the one above) as her shower present.  That way, as soon as she got married she was able to wear it.  I absolutely love this idea!  It's so thoughtful and sweet.  My favorite version of the necklace is by Jennifer Miller.  I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Adorable, Needle Point Shoes (mini!)

If you've read my blog before, you probably know that I have a love of needle point loafers.  They are classic, cute and can be made trendy if you pair them with the right duds.  I was perusing one of my favorite preppy websites a few weeks back when I stumbled upon the cutest thing I've probably ever seen.  Needlepoint baby booties?!  They come monogrammed, with bee's, sail boats, lobsters... one is cuter than the next.   The price point is anywhere from $40-65 which is expensive for a baby gift, but you're little one will be the best dressed tot in town!

Needlepoint Loafers

To monogram or not to monogram?  My answer is always, unequivocally, yes.  But are these worth the money?  I think so.  Yes, they're $165, but they are beyond adorable!  You can purchase them at A&L where they have a variety of options to choose from.

I am going back and forth on this and would appreciate any feedback.

Hope everyone fared well with the storm this weekend.

I can't get enough stripes...

If you ask my bf, Alex, he will tell you that he is so over my stripe addiction.  I can't help myself.  The french, sailor shirt & all things striped have been a forever classic.  Grace Kelly with a fabulous beach hat and chic, white bikini... it doesn't get more beautiful. My current favorites are

1. JCrew Maritime Dress- $88

2. Pink Seersucker Soludos- $28

3. Iomoi Custom Bags- Starts at $100 depending on size