Lonny Inspiration: Office Space

I was recently going through the archives of Lonny to find some more inspiration to add to my office design. 

Stripes have always been in my plan, but I was initially going to to horizontal stripes, but these shown vertically are equally as cool. What do you like better?

I love animals. Especially horses and elephants (and doggies!). I would love to incorporate some sort of art or photography like this to be displayed in my office.

Adding wooden beams would be probably be a little over the top for my office, but I think they add so much character to the space. I would love to add a little vintage JFK or Jackie Kennedy photography though!

Adding a design board like this s a MUST! It would be a perfect place to display all my magazine cut-outs and fabric swatches.

{images via Lonny}

Tuesday Table-Scape

Doesn't drinking out of vintage glass water bottles always make water taste fresher? Well, it does for me.    When entertaining, I feel it is necessary to serve water out of glass bottles rather then plastic. It is just more elegant. I buy mine at Home Goods.

On another note, for all the bloggers out there, did you hear that Google is "retiring" Google Friend Connect? This could mean that all bloggers that use GFC, can potentially lose all of their followers. What are your thoughts? Do you care to lose GFC, or will it not affect you and your blog?

Holiday Eyes

I fell in love with this sparkly, glittery eye-shadow when I watched the how-to on This Is Glamorous a few weeks ago. It's all about the sparkle and glamour this holiday season, so if you have a party to go to- this look will be perfect! You can watch the how-to video HERE

I had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend with family and friends. Of course I totally over-ate and indulged- so this week I will be focusing on detoxing and running off some of these calories on the treadmill!

How was your holiday?

Quote of the Day

"I think that your entire life is a process of sorting out some of those early messages that you got."

Bruce Springsteen

{via weheartit}

Thankful {Part Deux}

Orange...

You..

It's Thanksgiving!

I want you all to know how much I genuinely appreciate your daily readership, comments, and e-mails! It makes me feel wonderful that this blog is an inspiration for some and that I am not just writing into thin air.  I am blessed to be a part of this wonderful blog community that continues to inspire me everyday, I am truly thankful.

Now...

{image 1 via this is glamourous | image 2 via weheartit image 3 via | this is glamourous}

Still Lovin'

1. Balenciaga Key Simple
2. Neon Orange Satchel
3. Fenton Flo Bib Necklace
4. Neon Detail Leather Watch
5. Matthew Williamson Ankle Boots
6. Karen Walker Black/Neon Yellow Sunglasses

Tuesday Table-Scape {Thanksgiving}

I am not really a "turkey girl." My favorite part of Thanksgiving dinner is all of the side dishes like sweet potato casserole, stuffing, fresh cranberry sauce, broccoli cheese casserole..yada yada yada. I am also not a "dessert girl" either (nope not a sweet tooth in this mouth). However, I do love PIES!

If you missed last Saturday's post, here is the recipe I use for my sweet potato casserole. I would also love for you to share your favorite recipe too!

{photo 1 via Once Wed, Style Me Pretty, The Sweetest Occasion}

Thankful

{via}

As Thanksgiving is upon us, it is the little things that I am thankful for...

My little family, Kevin and Boomeranian

My extended Family and Friends

My blog, Lilac and Grey

My Real Estate Business

Our House

My Book {that I am writing, yep, still writing it}

My Nonna's tomato sauce

My yoga practice

Our wood burning fireplace

My new vintage python cocktail purse

Just to name a few...now it is your turn, What are you thankful for?

Designer Spotlight: Reiko Kaneko

Our everyday china is all white, but I have been adding some whimsical pieces here and there to dress it up a bit. When I saw these "driptease" and "liptease" sets by London based ceramic designer Reiko Kaneko I thought "Perfect!"

Quote of the Day

Pillow available HERE

"I once had a leather jacket that got ruined in the rain. Why does moisture ruin leather? Aren't cows outside a lot of the time? When it's raining, do cows go up to the farmhouse, "Let us in! We're all wearing leather! Open the door! We're going to ruin the whole outfit here!" 

Jerry Seinfeld

 {image via Skinny Laminx}

Thanksgiving Recipe: Sweet Potato Casserole

A few years back I posted a recipe for Thanksgiving and then asked my readers to share one of their favorites.  Betsy posted a sweet potato casserole recipe in the comment section, and I have been making it ever since!

Sweet Potato Casserole

serves 6-12
Ingredients:
3 cups mashed sweet potato (about 6-7 potatoes)
½ cup sugar
½ cup milk
1 and a ½ Tbsp. Vanilla
2 eggs beaten
½ cup butter
Cinnamon to taste
Topping:
1 cup brown sugar
½ cup butter
½ cup flour
1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (I use pecans - it tastes better to me)
Mix all ingredients together; except topping and pour into a casserole dish sprayed with Pam. Sprinkle with Cinnamon.
**Can be prepared the day before up to this point**
Cover and store in fridge over night.
Topping:
Made the day you are serving the dish**
Mix all ingredients together and cover entire top of potatoes.
Bring to room temp. if made the day before.**
Bake casserole @ 350 for 25-30 minutes

I would LOVE to hear your favorite Thanksgiving dish! Have a recipe? Please Share!

Love List

WOW! What a life-changing and dramatic week I had...after some reflection, what could have other-wise brought me way down, in fact has pushed me a light year forward. Now I know I can conquer anything, and I am a lot stronger and confident then I have ever been. Lessons learned, stand for what you believe in, and stay true to yourself.

I have posted the Stella McCartney Falabella bag many times before, but this faux python one with the neon pink detail is my all time FAVE!! MUST HAVE!

Add a little edgy drama to any space with this rabbit fur pillow ...

I love this asymmetric sweater by Alexander Wang (also available in black.) Want to know the best part? It is on sale!

ENJOY YOUR WEEKEND!

Winner!

The VERY LUCKY winner of the Visual Comfort Giveaway offered by Melissa from Veranda Interiors is...

Jillian from..

Congratulations! We would love if you shared with us what you get!

Tuesday Table-Scape {Thanksgiving}

Table linens available at EmersonMade

It's hard to believe that Thanksgiving is a week away! Now is the time to gear up our menus. I always make a candied mashed sweet potato dish (recipe to come later this week). Most people focus so much on food that they completely forget the importance of wine pairing (if you like wine of course).

Our good friends and wine connoisseurs wrote an article on their site International Wine Report, suggesting some of the best wines to pair with Thanksgiving dinner. They recommend choosing a California Syrah or Australian Shiraz. I will be purchasing this Tensley 2009 Syrah. You can check out the rest of the article HERE for some more wine pairing suggestions.

PS. Only ONE more day to enter this AMAZING Giveaway!

What I Love About Lonny

This past weekend I had the chance to relax with a cup of coffee and read the newest issue of the online magazine Lonny. This maggie has the ability to wisk me away into a design dream (even if it is just for an hour). Here is a little peek at the article Urban Renewal that stole my heart from the pages of Lonny...

This Upper East Side apartment designed by Celerie Kemble could quite possibly been designed exactly for me! I am in LOVE with all of the patterns, details, and colors..

This dining space is to die for! Loving the blush pink walls...

I adore all of the soft hues accented by black lacquer pieces. The gold details add the perfect hint of glam...

You can read the rest of this story and many more fabulous ones HERE in Lonny.

Don't Forget To Enter this MAJOR Giveaway!

{all photos via Lonny}

Quote of the Day

"The world is changing very fast. Big will not beat small anymore. It will be the fast beating the slow."

Rupert Murdoch

{photo via}

G-Man

There are really no words to describe my grandpa Larry, or as he is known on the streets "G-man." All I know is that he has had an amazing life full of stories that could fill a library! He is still livin it up down in Port St. Lucie Florida, watching his sports on television everyday. God bless him!

Today, I want to honor all of our veterans who have, and continue to fight on our behalf. Happy Veterans Day!

PS. Don't forget to enter this MAJOR giveaway! You could be as lucky as I was!

Guest Post: Veranda Interiors

Hi y'all (I've always wanted to say that, hehe)! A few months back I won the most amazing giveaway on Melissa's blog Veranda Interiors. It was a gift certificate to Visual Comfort. I chose the Hicks Pendent (which you may remember from this post) and when it shipped a few weeks ago I was over joyed! Here is is hanging in all of it's glory...

I am pleased to have Melissa guest posting today, and offering Lilac and Grey readers a little treat (I should say BIG treat!)...

Hi everyone, to those of you that do not know me my name is Melissa from Veranda Interiors. My husband & I are custom home builders in Calgary and my blog documents the progress of the homes we build, my obsessions, and trying desperately to put the finishing touches on our own pad that we recently finished. Here is a little peek of work that we have done in the past. As you can see there is a bit of everything, just another reason why I love what I do, every client is SO different!!

One thing to know about me is my love for lighting. I am obsessed. Would I sit down to read a book? No. Would I sit down to brows through a new catalog of lighting? You bet! Since I love lighting OH SO MUCH I had a little giveaway a while back that the lovely Cara won, a sweet credit to a Visual Comfort light. VC is one of my favorite brands, in fact their designs grace 90% of our new home. Here are a few of my favorite items from Visual Comfort...

 {Simple Scallop Pendant & Small Bryant Chandelier}

 {Henry Pendant & Small All Aglow Chandelier}

 {Hicks Pendant & Large Farlane Chandelier}

Lovely, right? Their sister company is called Circa Lighting, so if you want to take a peek at what they do head over there. Oh, and while you are at it I might want to let you know that I am doing a giveaway with Cara for $100 towards any Visual Comfort light! 

Here are the rules...

1. Must be a follower of Lilac & Gray -and- Veranda Interiors, please let us know!!

2. Tell us which light(s) you would order, we wanna know!

3. One entry for following us on Twitter here & here

4. One entry for following us on Facebook here & here

5. Oh, don't forget to Tweet or Facebook the giveaway, there 5 ways, BONUS!

*Be sure to leave ONE comment for each entry*

*All Entries Must be in by November 16, 2011 and Winner Will be Announced November 17, 2011

Open to US residents only

Lighting must be order through Melissa @ Veranda Interiors by December 15, 2011

Thanks for having me over here Cara and good luck to everyone who enters, can't wait to read your picks!!

Ekkk! Now you can be as lucky as I was to win! Good luck to all my fabulous readers!

PS. Melissa and her hisband build (and decorate) the most AMAZING houses! One day they will build Kevin and I's 2nd home *sigh* Don't forget to check out their portfolio!

Pop of Pink

I have a lot of colorful pieces in my closet, but I always tend to wear neutrals. That's why I love a pop of color when choosing accessories...

I am in love with this Dolce and Gabbana jewel embellished fringed silk satin clutch. The fringe detail is so hot!

Mathias Chaize designs the most adorable bracelets! I love this one with the little skull...

These are the perfect "under the dress" shoes! These Valentino bow and crystal heels are the perfect shade of blush bridal pink!

PS. Be sure to pop back in tomorrow for a BIG surprise!! Hint..it's something for YOU!

{All photos via Net-a-porter.com}