The move may cause some interrupted service. I’m not sure if I’ll be able to post on Monday as planned.

Also, if you subscribe to my Feedburner e-mails, I believe that you will need to resubscribe. Please follow me on Twitter to keep abreast of the changes. I’ll post a notice there once the move is complete!

And before I forget, the winner of the Joss & Main $50 e-spree giveaway was lucky comment #2, Andi, who won with a tweet!

Have a lovely weekend, everyone!

1. It’s a souvenir from an exotic local, whether or not you’ve been there.

I’ve been fortunate to visit Istanbul several times for business, and on two of those occasions I had time to shop and see the sights. My favorite purchase (even more than the handmade prayer rug I brought home), is a small ceramic plate hand painted in an intricate print reminiscent of traditional embroidered suzanis. I spotted the bright colors from across the little shop, and it was worth the $175 I spent on it.

Since most people don’t have the opportunity to visit the countries in central Asia where the suzanis come from, a pillow, rug, curtains, and other accessories will make you feel just a little more worldly.

2. It’s so colorful that it can fit with any decor you already have, or set the tone for a whole space.
Here in my entryway, the suzani print valances that my mom made for me set the tone for the rest of the entryway’s color palette, from the dresser to the pillows, and artwork in the other hallway that’s out of view. With so many colors and patterns it’s easy to add something suzani to your existing decor, or decorate an entire room around it.

3. It makes a traditional room more interesting.
This bedroom, designed by Krista Ewart, has a country cottage vibe to me – a hip country cottage, mind you. The pitch of the ceiling and simple patterns add to the traditional feel, but the bench covered in a suzani fabric brings a bit of global flair into the room. I love it paired with the Madeline Weinrib zig-zag rug. Someday I will own one of those!
 

4. It softens a modern space.

The curves of suzani prints, and the soft fabrics, help to break up the straight lines of modern rooms. In this office designed by Bryn Alexandra, the fabric pin board combined with the soft printed curtains softens the lines of the desk and pendant. I really like how the suzani print mimics the round lampshade.

5. It adds warmth to a cold room.

Personally, I’m not a fan of extremely neutral spaces. I definitely like more color and pattern than Kara Mann chose to use in this living room, which is part of a stunning oceanfront villa with a view that is artwork in and of itself. The suzani pillows in the living room and adjacent outdoor space provide the only color, and in my opinion keep the rooms from being too bland to the eye.

6. It’s glamorous.

Actress Megan Mullally’s dining room, designed by Ames Ingham, is a great example of how suzanis can add drama and glamor to a room. The chandelier makes a big statement, but the dark vintage suzanis are what draws the eye in. Find vintage suzanis on Ebay and Etsy, or try the cheaper alternative of framing suzani printed fabric.

Ok, so a giant embroidered suzani for your bed or your wall isn’t in the cards, but there are plenty of ways to add this vibrant print to your home. All these choices are under $80.

Appetizer Plates, Pier 1 Imports: $5 (I really want these to hang on my kitchen wall!)
Pillow, 3BMod Living: $22.95
Notecards, Whitney English at Lemon Tree Paperie: $65 for 25 (Yikes!)
Vase, Z Gallerie: $79.95
Purse, Yurdan: $71.40 (on sale)
Passport wallet, Gracie Designs: $17

What do you think? Are you over suzani, or will you happily keep it in your home for years to come?
P.S. I’m finally on Twitter! I planned to wait until my new blog design was rolled out in a few weeks, but what the heck – why not start now? I’m still getting the hang of it and am happily accepting tips! Follow me: @journeychic.

Bracelet, Kenneth Jay Lane: $40 at Zappos
iPhone case, Zazzle: $42.30
Booties, Pour La Victoire: $216.75 at Zappos
Tray, Multi Chic: $30
Tote, Jessica Simpson, $98 at Zappos

I am seriously dying over those booties. They are way too expensive for me, but they are so friggin’ sexy, aren’t they? I spotted them at a few other sites, but it seems like they’re being discontinued and sizes are very limited. Snakeskin (preferably faux, of course) is a fantastic neutral. I’ve had a pair of Guess pointy-toe flats in a faux python for years and they still look great and make so many of my basic pieces look cooler.

For all the traditionalists out there (myself included), I couldn’t skip St. Patty’s day without sharing a selection of green items for both wardrobe and home.

Cardigan, Banana Republic: $66.99
Dishtowel, Crate & Barrel: $3.95
Glass handle, Anthropologie: $7.95
Door mat, Wisteria: $34
Picture frames, Z Gallerie: $12.95-$19.95
Party dress, ModCloth: $119.99

That dress is so fun; it can be worn with or without straps, and the fabric is actually a polka-dotted pattern.

Since the JourneyChic family is indeed Irish (my ancestors and my in-laws, who still have brogues even after decades in US), it was appropriate for Junior to wear this to “school” today. He has the most kissable little Irish cheeks!

Have a happy St. Patrick’s Day!
 
Today’s the last day to enter the giveaway for a $50 shopping spree at Joss & Main. Go to the giveaway page to enter before 5pm EDT today!

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We love the little bird’s nests on the place settings. The budding branches are a nice alternative to flowers.
Daisies & Gingham

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Dining al fresco is one of the best parts of Spring. The blue gingham runner reminds us of picnic blankets. We like how the gingham is also used on the ribbons and cushions. The daisies are an inexpensive and happy accent.
Bulbs

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How nice to give your guest a small pot of grape hyacinth to take home! Grape hyacinth is one of the earliest spring flowers to pop up. This is a great idea for an early Spring brunch or party.
Spring Green

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Pink and green is a classic color combination. We think this is a fun, modern take for a Spring party.
Yellow & White

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Daffodils, yellow tulips or even daisies combined with white and yellow linens and place settings create a warm, inviting table.
Posies

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We love the small flower arrangements called posies used on this table. Blues, pinks and greens combined with white accents are fresh for table decor.
Daffodils

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Daffodils and tulips are the most popular Spring flowers. Subtle and muted tones in the place settings and linens allow the focus to be on the lovely mixed daffodil centerpiece.
Moss

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Another way to introduce green into your Spring tablescape is moss. We think the moss runner is adorable. The green Bells of Ireland are another terrific green accent.
This content is provided by Design Shuffle, where you can find top tier interior designs from around the world – from New York Interior Designers, Los Angeles Interior Designers, and more, check out Design Shuffle.
I love the bird’s nest idea with those cool melamine plates. Perfect if you live in a warm climate and can have your spring celebrations outdoors! The pinks, aquas, and purples of the setting that incorporates posies reminds me of pastel Easter eggs. Which one is your favorite?

About a  month ago Junior had his first ride in the grocery cart. He loved every minute of it, taking in all the colors, sounds and people – and touching everything within his reach. That includes the grocery cart, which he eagerly licked. Fortunately, we put a cart cover in the seat so his tongue wouldn’t directly touch the nastiness. USA Today reported earlier this month that a University of Arizona researcher found that 72% of grocery carts that he tested had trace amounts of fecal matter on them. Ew

Our cart cover was a shower gift, and although I’m grateful for it and it’s definitely better than putting Junior in direct contact with flecks of other people’s poop, it has a few problematic features:

It leaves some parts of the cart exposed to baby’s reach, meaning the car still requires a thorough swipe of an antibacterial wipe.
Two adults are required to put it in: one holds the baby, while the other fiddles with the strap and about eight pieces of Velcro.

Foolishly, I didn’t take advantage of the 50% off sale on Buggy Baggs that showed up on Baby Steals the other day, and I’m kicking myself for it. What’s nice about these products (which are not cheap, retailing for around $50) is that they thoroughly cover the whole seat. Bonus: they feature designs that moms like, too.
 

The “Junior” model has fewer bells and whistles (no pillow), but honestly: if your kid is so tired that he needs to put his head down on the shopping cart, you need to go home and put him down for a nap.
 

But wait, you don’t want to pay $50+ for a cart cover? Neither do I, which is why I wish I had jumped on that sale! Here are some others that I found on Etsy:
 

How about a little animal print, for your little animal?

If you sew but don’t know how to make a cart cover, some Etsy shops also sell patterns. I found them here ($3), here ($6.50), and here ($5), but there are a few more options as well.

Do you keep your munchkin separated from the cartful of germs with a physical barrier, or do you rely on antibacterial wipes? No judgment, just curious. This weekend I didn’t want to wrangle with the seat cover, so I tucked Junior under my arm and went to town with the wipes before he sat down. He survived.
 

A light, breezy take on this color palette comes from Jonathan Adler as featured in House Beautiful. A variety of blues softens the space, but there are only a few hints of purple in the fresh flower arrangements.
Designed by Jonathan Adler, featured on housebeautiful.com
I wanted to try something a bit more dramatic and glamorous.

Although I typically like lighter colors in the bedroom, I think there’s something to be said for a deep blue that’s so dark it could help ease you into a lengthy slumber. Goodness knows my insomniac self could use some extra slumber. For this mood board, I chose Benjamin Moore’s Symphony Blue purely because it looked good on my monitor, although I was originally thinking about Van Deusen Blue instead which we have in our half bath. But for some reason it looked really gray on my screen, so hopefully right now you’re looking at a nice, dark, rich blue!

On the floor, this wool rug from Overstock ($355.29 for approx. 8×10′) adds a cool tonal pattern. The bed is from Target (609.99 for queen), believe it or not, and is reminiscent of Crate & Barrel’s pricey “Colette”. I would top it with a feminine pleated duvet, also from Target ($69.99 for queen), because the fluffiness reminds me of the paper’s white flowers. On the bed are cheap purple pillows from Urban Outfitters ($19.99), and an expensive green pillow from Z Gallerie ($69.95), which frankly I would never pay for and would look for something similar at TJ Maxx or HomeGoods.
 

target.com
On the nightstands, which are accent tables from Crate & Barrel ($299 each), are ceramic lamps ($159.91) from Lamps Plus that bring in the Japanese paper’s leaves. While I like gourd lamps and that would have been the obvious choice, I’m sort of sick of them. This skinny shape takes up less space on the tables and is a nice change from the trendy gourds, but they’re also a bit on the pricey side. Always check HomeGoods for colorful lamps (or spray paint one if you find a shape you like) before laying down more than $100 for a single lamp.

Finally, the art above the bed would be three sheets of the inspirational paper, framed in large simple white Ikea Ribba frames. I actually did the same thing with Paper Source paper above my TV, and it’s both cheap and packs a nice visual punch.

Total cost of this room: $2146.99 (includes 3 Ribba frames and 3 sheets of paper)

I hope you all have a nice weekend! I’m looking forward to having some of my best girls over for Sunday lunch.

Don’t forget to enter the giveaway for a $50 e-shopping spree at Joss & Main! Visit the giveaway page for details on how to enter.

Some of the great items coming up for sale at great prices include pretty pillows, gorgeous mirrors, fun wall decals and loads more!
 

So what’s up for grabs? A $50 e-shopping spree! Hooray!

The Rules:

Click on this link or the Joss & Main badge in the sidebar in the “Join + Shop” section.
Join Joss & Main, snoop around, and come back and leave a comment about what you’d spend your $50 on or towards. If you’re already a member, simply log on and report back here on what you love.
Blog, Tweet, or post on Facebook about this giveaway to earn yourself extra entries. When tweeting, please use the “@jossandmain” handle. Be sure to come back here and leave an additional comment for each one!
Giveaway closes at 5pm Eastern on March 17 (Happy St. Patrick’s Day!)
The winner will be chosen through random.org and must be a Joss & Main member.
Your prize will be credited to your account for you to spend at any time.

Good luck!

<<This giveaway is now closed>>

With a pretty, soft shade of purple, mossy green, gold, and white on dark navy background, this paper just screams “Spring!!” to me. Here’s a look that’s perfect for attending a springtime wedding:
 
Dress, J. Crew: $175 in Newport Navy
Wrap, J. Crew: $75 in Antique Lavender
Sandals, Nine West at DSW.com: $49.95
Crocus Visa Post Earrings, Anthropologie: $28
Wild Rose Hair Clip, $42, EmersonMade

Total cost: $369.95

No special functions coming up this spring? That’s okay, because our paper doll can go casual, too. Keep the chill out with a versatile trench but add some sparkle to your feet with gold flats, and add the earrings from the previous outfit for a simple, put-together look.

Embellished Tee, Old Navy: $10.50
Trench, Old Navy: $49.50
Jeans, Gap: $69.50
Flats, Fossil at Zappos: $68.00

Total cost: $197.50

Am I the only one who wants to go shopping now???

After blogging for so long, sometimes I can’t remember how I filed a particular project, decorating or fashion idea that I’d like to revisit. So over the weekend I added a few more pages to the blog that I hope you’ll find useful and fun to look at.

DIY: From refinishing furniture to organizing the pantry, from sewing a pillow cover to making easy holiday crafts, my favorite posts are linked here.

Decorate: I have a lot of fun putting together mood boards for both real and imaginary rooms. Just click on one of the images to find out more about the products I’ve show.

Wear: Sometimes getting dressed in the morning can be so darn difficult. In my dream house, my closet is big enough for my own days of the week clothes rack so I can put all my outfits out on Sunday night and not have to worry about it. Until then, I enjoy creating outfit boards (could these be called mood boards too??) to help think of new ways to put basics together and find new pieces to put on my shopping list.

I also did some housekeeping: the blogroll now has it’s own page, called Read. This allows me much more space to link up to your blogs. So if you have a blog about fashion, decor, or generally living stylishly (or heck, trying to – I think that’s what most of us are doing), please let me know so we can exchange links!

After all my blogging business was done, I enjoyed the warm-ish weather by taking a neighborhood stroll with Mr. JC and Junior, and we discovered a brand new fabric and knitting store! They have some fun fabrics and patterns, and I already have one in mind to try.

Hope you all had a great weekend!