Viva Las Vegas

This week’s work adventure took me to Las Vegas for a conference.  As usual the pace was frantic but unlike most trips I didn’t build in any time for fun non-traditional Las Vegas exploration.  For some reason Las Vegas beyond the strip is a little intimidating to me.  I think there is so much action on the strip I can’t imagine life outside of it and am almost afraid I might be disappointed by the mundane everyday life of it. So, the strip it is….

There were so many inspiring visuals on my visit – such beautiful restaurants with accents that you could definitely incorporate into your home.  Lamps, rugs, art it would all work.

The first night we ate at Mix at Mandalay Bay – let me just say I’m not sure I’ve seen many restaurants more beautiful than this one.  It’s located at the top of the Mandalay Bay Hotel and has spectacular views of the Las Vegas skyline.  It almost feels like you’re eating in the clouds.  It’s very white and quite mod but sooooo pretty (and as a bonus the food was aaaammmmaaaazzzziiiinnnnggg)!

Mix at Mandalay - dining in a cloud
photo courtesy of yelp

photo courtesy of yelp

The blown glass bubbles were just fabulous! 
photo courtesy of yelp

Continuing on the mod theme…the next night we went to see the Cirque du Soleil Love show at The Mirage.  Oh-my-gosh I’m still trying to take all of it in 4 days later – so much visual stimulation!  I can’t say enough good things about this show.  I’m not sure I came away with any defined decor idea’s but I’m sure something will creep out of the recesses of my brain when I’m least expecting it and this spectacle will  be my primary reference point.

Cirque Du Soleil Love @ The Mirage
photo courtesy of google images

The costumes were just amazing - I can't even
imagine the creativity that came up with these.
photo courtesy of google images

This photo while a bit blurry encompassed much of my
impression of the show....lots of color, inspirational color
photo courtesy of google images

 On my third & last night in Las Vegas was the moment where I looked at a television mounted on the wall encased in a beautiful frame at Nove Italiano at The Palms and thought oh my, that is a fabulous idea that I will be stealing.  I don’t think this is a new idea but somehow I seem to have overlooked it until now. 

I love this - it takes some of the electronics look out of
the flat screen...photo courtesy of me (can't you tell by
the poor quality).

Nove Italiano was such a great restaurant in every way possible…décor, service, food.  The ultimate trifecta right?  We had such a good time and our waiter was so welcoming he literally made you feel like he was hosting you at a party in his home.   Highly recommend!

Aren't these possibly the most beautiful chandeliers
you have ever seen?  Those are all crystals reflecting that
pink light.

 Funny story about our experience at Nove...we were supposed to be a party of about 15 but it ended up only 5 of us could make it.  The desserts were pre-ordered when the dinner was initially planned and instead of cancelling them our host embraced the order and the treats just kept coming...all so yummy!  Many ended up as take out and let me tell you they were a welcome snack at 5 am on the red eye somewhere over Minneapolis!


This gives a whole new meaning to dessert
sampler!

Well, I’m finally looking at a break in my travel schedule for a while so look forward to some more regional New England posts upcoming.  It will be so nice to share some of my favorite things a little closer to home in my favorite season…Fall.

Lamp Addict

Hello, my name is Kelly and I am an addict.  This addiction has manifested itself in the form of home accessories, in particular lamps.

Since I introduced you to Rhoda a couple of posts ago
I thought I'd share her very pink apartment from
Mary Tyler Moore Show particularly because of the
awesome basket manequin floor lamp she had!
photo courtesy of sitcomsonline.com

I don’t know when my obsession with lamps started but it definitely seems to be growing to epic proportions lately.  It seems to have come to a head on my recent Charleston trip.  I had no idea this addiction had grown so out of control until I looked back at my photos from my Charleston adventure and just happened to notice a theme….

from Chic Antiques - Mt Pleasant SC

from Celadon - Charleston SC

another from Celadon - this time a pair

It’s a funny thing too because I have always had an affinity for accessories (shoes, handbags, jewelry, etc) – when nothing else fits or looks good a beautiful pump always feels good.  Apparently this general accessory trend has now bled over into my home…does that mean my home is having a fat day? 

Island Classic Interiors - Calabash NC

Zimmans - Lynn MA

Chic Antiques - Mt Pleasant SC

Either way, it’s clear from all of the pretty lamps I’m seeing these days that I am not the only one who is hooked on a beautiful lighting.

And one last fun
find from Miss Minnie's
in Calabash NC

Charleston...What's in a Name

So, I am still in search of the perfect wallpaper for a couple of offbeat places in my home and I am still striking out finding anywhere that stocks it.  I am determined though…I will persevere and find the perfect thing…somewhere, somehow.

I continued on this quest while I was in Charleston at a shop called Not Just Fabric.  I found this shop in Charleston Home & Design’s online magazine and they sounded like just what I was looking for…..carrying fabrics, vanities, window treatments, trims, wallpaper & furniture.  Awesome right?  Well, I hate to pop the bubble but I saw very little at Not Just Fabrics except….fabric.

Not Just Fabrics
1610 Sam Rittenberg Blvd., Charleston SC

If you are looking for beautiful upholstery or window treatment fabric at really great bargain prices this is a fabulous place.  There were so many patterns I was lured by…if I only had been prepared with some measurements and not been overwhelmed by the number of things I loved.  I will go back and next time, watch out!

Love the Green fabric in the middle - this would be
so fabulous for my Adirondack Chairs cushions

Oh my gosh that lobster fabric is so fun!  It
came in Navy too...

If you are looking for anything other than fabric and are counting on this to be your resource you’re likely out of luck.  They had a few wallpaper books you can order from (nothing in stock) and a few miscellaneous decorative items but Not Just Fabric was really “Just Fabric”.  Not necessarily a bad thing…they did offer up some really fabulous fabric options!

Am loving the oranges these days and
am especially loving all of the Sale tags
at Not Just Fabrics!

My next stop was Chic Antiques, a consignment antique boutique.  From their website I could tell this was just my kind of place – fun pretty vintage things.  When I arrived it was not at all what I expected – mostly vintage inspired newer pieces and repurposed consignment items. 

Chic Antiques

675-D Johnnie Dodds Blvd., Mt Pleasant, SC

There were many many items I drooled over but definitely not your traditional “antique” shop.  Again, not necessarily a bad thing….

This was what welcomed me...Love!

 One of the things that I really am inspired by these days is traditional furniture that is painted an unexpected color.  Chic Antiques had so many pieces that were such fun colors.  I mean I don’t think I would have the nerve to paint a huge china cabinet pink (a deep reddish pink but none-the-less pink) but the first vignette right up front at Chic Antiques featured just that and let me tell you…FABULOUS!

Such fun colors - this was more of a pink red in person

Chic Antiques also has a phenomenal selection of lamps & chandeliers.  Loved every single one of them!  It took everything in my being to restrain myself from buying all of them.  I guess its luck that I had just finished replacing the fixtures in my house so I couldn’t justify a purchase, don’t know if that’s good luck or bad luck though.

Feeding my Lamp Obsession

All in all neither store was what I expected from the name of the shop but both were definitely wonderful places.

Charming Charleston

I really don’t travel that much for my job but it seems like this summer has really been non-stop.  I have been lucky in that the places I have had to visit have all been really exceptional places.  My recent trip to Charleston was no different – such a lovely place I really think I could easily live there!

I was there to present to another group of co-workers.  When booking my travel I really was not sure what time my presentation was so flew in the day before and scheduled a late evening flight home after my meeting.  I ended up having a mid-afternoon timeslot so was lucky enough to have a bit time to explore.

Thanks to my good friend Mr. Bing I happened upon the online version of Charleston Home & Design Magazine and was from there able to scope out a whole list of “must see” Charleston shops.  It gave me a really great way to plot a plan of action to best utilize my time. 

It was also the catalyst for me to start my “shop bucket list” – a list of great places I read about.  I’m always making notes of these must see’s and then scampering to find my notes when I am actually planning a trip.  I put it in Excel so I can sort by town/state and I can also include things like shop hours, website, etc.  I feel more organized already.

So the first place on my new bucket list is a store named Celadon.  As I was heading toward the store from the airport a Celadon truck crossed my path – I took this as a sign that I was on the right path. 

Celadon
1015 Johnnie Dobbs Blvd., Mt Pleasant SC

Love the floor treatment - this is a very industrial
looking interior but don't be fooled - they have
such beautiful things!

Celadon is a local Charleston home furnishings store and let me tell you I could have easily spent hours and furnished several homes in this store.  The prices were awesome and there was literally something to appeal to pretty much everyone. 

I love the shape of these chairs - very chic

Isn't this just lovely - not your typical
"eco-friendly" look

Their look is pretty global rustic chic (if you can even imagine that).  According to a sign I saw at their shop Celadon is a founding member of the Sustainable Furniture Council and pride themselves on their eco-friendly mission.  I for one have a huge appreciation for this – I may not always take the eco-friendly route but I certainly greatly admire those who do!

Love the colors!

This is what made it into my still
way to small suitcase..great
for spoons & utensils

They also have an offsite warehouse where they sell their discontinued and overstock furniture items. The warehouse store is only open for 4-hours twice a week – can you even believe my luck that I just happened to be in the area when the warehouse store was open?  This place made me want to rent a U-Haul load it up and drive it home full of wonderful goodies.

Celadon Warehouse Store
2221 Noisette Blvd., North Charleston SC
open Wed & Sat 10-1 only

These were so cool - stools
made from sugar sacks!

This small trunk was tempting!  It would
look so great as an end table next to
my sofa.