Hearth & Hand with Magnolia: Top Selections from Chip and Joanna Gaines' New Collection for Target

I'm late to the Fixer Upper craze. I don't watch very much HGTV, so it wasn't until very recently that I started to binge the show. I kept hearing the name Joanna Gaines all over sites like Pinterest and among my friends who are into home decor. I finally figured out what all the buzz was about and now, I get it. My mind is a bit blown by the fact that it took me so long to jump on this bandwagon. I've always been thrifty and appreciated the art of turning something old and unwanted into something new to be cherished. A lifelong thrifter (I inherited the genes from my parents), over the years I have developed a keen eye for quality craftsmanship. You couldn't pay me to live in a McMansion. While my style isn't a mirror image to Chip and Joanna's preferred, modern farmhouse aesthetic (I'm much more of a traditional eclectic), I can definitely appreciate a ton of what this design power couple has to offer.

Enter their newest collection with retail giant, Target. Hearth & Hand with Magnolia is everything you'd expect from Chip and Joanna Gaines: simplistic pottery, preppy plaids and galvanization galore. It's the quintessential array of products that will easily add a dash of down-home charm to your place. Best of all? The products are all very well-made and affordable. For fans of Fixer Upper and the Magnolia brand made famous by Chip and Joanna Gaines, this new collection for Target is sure to impress. Launch date is set for November 5th. While this is a permanent range, these items are sure to sell-out fast and you never know if or how quickly items will be restocked. Here are a few of the items from the collection that I thought stood out to me the most:



Galvanized Container 25 oz Candle 

While I absolutely adore the ambiance that only a candle can provide, when it comes to a jar of wax, I have a difficult time spending more than about $10. One way that I justify spending money on candles is knowing that I can repurpose the container. I have used the jars for holding everything from straws on a bar cart to pens on a desk or makeup brushes on a vanity. If the packaging is cute, the price of the candle is suddenly okay in my book. This galvanized container would be adorable for holiday crafting!



Galvanized Charger with Gold Welding

I love a good charger. I adore anything with a gold accent. These would be spectacular for Christmas dinner. I'm picturing a warm and cozy cabin in the mountains. The fireplace is crackling and the conversation around the table is engaging. I don't have a country house to display these beauties but it's fun to pretend, right?



Stoneware Pitcher

For some reason, black stoneware isn't easily found. This pitcher really sparked my fancy because not only is it black but it's the perfect shade and finish of black (yep, I'm crazy). I also like the contrasting trim on the bottom of the vessel.



Galvanized House Lanterns

Lanterns are definitely in my wheelhouse. I have been a fan for years. These adorable galvanized "houses" would be stunning indoors or on a patio. I envision these filled with candles, Christmas garland, twinkle lights, ornaments...the options are endless.



X-Patterned Glassware Goblet

I get my love of glassware from my Mom who has collected Depression glass since I was a little girl. I have amassed my own collection of beautiful drinkware. This particular design isn't exquisitely crafted like true antiques but the shade of green is dynamite for Christmas or even a St. Patrick's Day tablescape.



Moravian Star Tree Topper

I will forever be grateful to this collection for reminding me of the name of this design! I have been a fan of the MORAVIAN Star (use it in a sentence today!) for many years. Anytime I see an episode of Friends, I find myself lusting after the light fixture in the hallway of Monica's apartment. I have seen similar styles but never remember what to call the actual design. This galvanized Christmas tree topper would pair wonderfully with so many other items in the Hearth & Hand holiday collection. So rustic. So chic.



Stoneware Serving Platter and Plates

This is hands down, my favorite piece in the entire collection! I will absolutely be adding these plates to my shopping cart. Rae Dunn vibes for sure (not exactly cool to blatantly rip off another designer) but these beauties are everything.



Lidded Jar Container 8 oz Candle

Here we have another product that feels familiar. The poor man's Le Labo candle? Don't mind if I do.



Women's Pajama Union Suit Green Plaid

I love green and blue plaids. It takes me back to my optimistic childhood when as a young Irish girl, I thought that someday I'd go to Notre Dame (for the record, I never applied). My Mom always dressed me in these colors to complement my red hair and green eyes. Not only is this pajama absolutely adorable and festive, but it also comes in sizes for everyone in the family.



Round Acacia Wood Cutting Board

There's nothing particularly unique about this design but everyone needs a good wood cutting board. They make excellent hostess gifts (put a bow on it and pair it with some wine and cheese). I also like to use mine for serving appetizers, as a cheese board, or for layering home decor vignettes.



Round Wood and Wire Tray

I have a mild-severe obsession with trays (and boxes while we're on the subject). I adore using them for any and all purposes: displaying perfume, booze, seasonal accents, makeup, bath and body products, candles...the list goes on and on. I am not a minimalist. I have a lot of stuff that I've hoarded collected over the years. Trays are a stylish way to wrangle all of my found objects into a "safe space" in my home. Anything that can diminish being overwhelmed and help you stay organized is always good to have around.


Happy Shopping!










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(Yinzplosion! That's a Pittsburgh artist covering the late, great Mister Rogers)

Halloween Decor Shopping - Come Along!

Shopping for fall and Halloween decor is one of the things I look forward to most about this time of year! I spent a couple days traipsing around a few of my favorite haunts looking for new treasures to add to my collection. I had never been inside a Kirkland's store before but was impressed with quite a few of their seasonal selections including a stunning black and white 'Boo' pillar set. The shopping in Pittsburgh seems to be improving every year and it's getting overwhelming with all of the wonderful choices. I still appreciate my thrifted finds and upcycled crafts more than anything you could discover being mass-produced on the market today, but I can never resist a gorgeous velvet pumpkin, charming throw pillow or adorable country primitive black cat. Enjoy and please subscribe to my YouTube channel!














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Recently Purchased

Stone Houses: Traditional Homes of Pennsylvania's Bucks County and Brandywine Valley by Margaret Bye Richie
I've wanted this book for years. Having grown up and lived in a stone house for most of my life, I admire so much about this style of architecture. I also happen to have a small obsession with older houses in general. This is a hard book to find as it is out of print. There are even used copies on Amazon going for $2,000 and several others listed for hundreds. When I saw one for sale for a fair price with proceeds going to a local library in Mt. Lebanon, I jumped at the chance to finally add this to my collection.

Steelers vs. Dolphins Game Ticket
Our away trip this year will be to Miami. I'm admittedly not as excited as I usually get because I have been to Florida so many times but I've never been to this stadium. We didn't have many options this year as just about every opponent was located within a reasonable driving distance from Pittsburgh. Miami was the most exotic of our choices. At this point, I would happily go anywhere! I am looking forward to cocktails on the beach and late night dance parties. Our goal is to eventually make it to every NFL stadium in the league. As a group, I think we're about halfway there.

Stainless Steel Cold Cup Tumbler
I picked this up at the local Nordstrom Rack grand opening party. I have a similar bronze one from Starbucks that I constantly use so it's been a nice addition to have another version. It's listed as rose gold but it reminds me of copper. Love.

Kate Spade Stud Earrings Set
I also picked these up on sale at Nordstrom Rack. As much as I love to admire jewelry, I don't wear a lot of it. Stud earrings is usually where it begins and ends with me. I have amassed quite the collection. I lost count of how many Kate Spade pairs I own but I didn't have any black ones-- at least I don't think I did! Any girl from Pittsburgh could definitely get use out of these beauties. The stripes would especially look cute with Pirates gear. Completely justified.

Chanel Fall 2016 Eyeshadow Quad 268 Candeur et Experience
I have to give myself a slap on the wrist for this purchase. I am desperately trying to edit down my massive collection and stop buying more makeup but as a Chanel collector, this was too hard to resist. It is Chanel's first ever all matte palette and also the debut release from Lucia Pica. And those colors? It has my name written all over it. I was well-behaved and held off on getting another product (Illusion d'Ombre 128 Rouge Brûlé) from the collection but it has since sold out-- so disappointed. Lately, I haven't been wearing makeup much but am excited to play around with this when the time comes.

Tommy Hilfiger Baseball Cap
I'm a Tommy girl. It was the first perfume I remember wearing as a young girl (and I still think it smells good). Tommy Hilfiger is synonymous with my childhood. While the resurgence of 90s fashion has been somewhat eyeroll-inducing (these kids weren't even alive to know how good that decade was!), I can get behind anything TH. I initially came across this hat on ebay but when I went to purchase, it was sold. When I found the exact style and color at an outlet store in New York (the only one there was), I immediately took it home with me. This hat was simply meant to be in my closet. I'm a hat lover and also take well to this shade of green. Kismet.










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Get Lit: A Few of My Favorite Coffee Table Books

Please excuse the horrible lack of feng shui happening within this collage. Its asymmetry is most disappointing.

I collect a lot of things. A minimalist I am not. And there are few things in life that I love more than books. Some women dream of having a jewelry box full of diamonds or a closet stocked with designer shoes but I lust after a home library. I tend to gravitate toward non-fiction. I enjoy memoirs, satire/humor, essays and anything on the occult. But my biggest love is for coffee table books. Not only are they fascinating to read and visually admire but they're also one of my favorite things to decorate with. Nothing makes a room look more put together than a well-placed book. I appreciate a wide variety of subject matter: fashion, art, photography, beauty, architecture, music, design... The list is endless.

I mostly get my books used from various online retailers (Amazon, ebay, etc...) but am always scouring thrift stores as well. To check out my virtual bookshelves featuring thousands of my favorite titles, you can visit my Pinterest. In the mean time, I thought I'd share just a few of my favorites:

• Well-Read Women: Portraits of Fiction's Most-Beloved Heroines by Samantha Hahn.             If you're a fan of quotes and watercolor illustrations, you'll appreciate this book. It's a pretty book to flip through and especially nice as a gift for the woman in your life who loves literature.
• Louis Vuitton: Art, Fashion and Architecture                                                                            When this book was originally published several years ago, it was at the top of my Christmas list. For fans of architectural store design, this one is for you. Lovers of Takashi Murakami's iconic collaboration with Louis Vuitton will cherish having this book displayed in their homes. 
• Habitually Chic: Creativity at Work by Heather Clawson.                                                           If you follow the sensational style blog Habitually Chic, you must add this fabulous book to your collection. For those who have a passion for making a living out of doing what they love, you will take away much inspiration. Creatives will particularly be receptive to its content. Over the years, I've proudly displayed this book at the office, on my desk at home and anywhere that needs a touch of brightness. 
• Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has to Travel by Lisa Vreeland.                                                           If you grew up reading fashion magazines like I did, you will be familiar with Diana Vreeland's iconic career at Harper's Bazaar. For the most part, Vreeland was before my time (and her own for that matter) but this book provides a stellar glimpse into the fashion publishing world's past. This is mostly a visual photography book showcasing Vreeland's extraordinary contributions to the industry. 
• Face Paint: The Story of Makeup by Lisa Eldridge.                                                                     Surprisingly enough, before this book was published, there really wasn't anything on the market quite like it. It's hard to believe that no one had put together a book on the history of makeup. That might sound frivolous but the cosmetics industry is massively profitable and has a strong following. It's no surprise how popular this book has become. I adore the artistry and femininity behind makeup so of course I appreciate every page of this very well put together book. I'm also a major fan of Lisa Eldridge's work as well as her YouTube channel. If you're a beauty lover, this is a must-have. 
• Advanced Style by Ari Seth Cohen.                                                                                                 Here we have another incredible book that was spawned via a wonderful blog. This is a fantastic display of impeccable style at all ages. Our society tends to favor youth and beauty over the wisdom and elegance that comes with time but this book defies that stereotype. One of my all-time favorite style blogs brought to life in book form.
• Kate Spade New York: Things We Love - Twenty Years of Inspiration, Intriguing Bits and Other Curiosities                                                                                                                               I love Kate Spade's whimsical designs and affordable price points. For fans of the brand, this is a terrific book to add to your collection. It features a delightful selection of style inspiration that girlie girls of all ages can appreciate.
• Vogue Living: Houses, Gardens, People by Hamish Bowles.                                                       This was one of the first coffee table books I ever bought. When it comes to this sort of genre, no one does it better than Vogue. I have since purchased a number of books from the magazine and they're all worthy of the cost. As a particular lover of the subject matter, this is one of my favorites.
• Mark Ryden: The Tree Show by Holly Meyers & Mark Ryden.                                                   Mark Ryden is one of my favorite contemporary artists whose work is so unique and magical. Some of my favorite pieces are featured in this collection. If you're a fan of this style of art, I highly recommend owning this book. If I ever strike it rich, Mark Ryden would be the first artist I would contact to commission a painting for me. I hope to add another book by him into my collection in the near future. 

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