Well remember when I said I needed my wisdom teeth out in a couple weeks? Its become a nonnegotiable fact… they are coming out this morning. I’ve got my posts for today and tomorrow set up (because they are too good not to share) but I am going to be taking off Thursday and Friday. Hope you don’t mind too much!

Today I am sharing a very special “Your Favorites”, Julia and I grew up next to each other! We didn’t know each other very well when we were neighbors but connected recently via blogging. Such a small little world. Julia has recently started her own amazing blog, The Urban Slant, that you definitely need to suggest. Its her take on living in NYC, so much goodness! And one very special part of this, Julia was my very first E-Design client! I gave her a little direction for her living room but she really took it ran!

So here it is, her favorites! Oh and PS I am over at Julia’s blog today sharing my holiday wish list!

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Hi! I’m Julia from the lifestyle blog the Urban Slant! I was absolutely thrilled, and honored, when Alex asked me to participate in “Your Favorites”. It is one of my favorite blogger series, and this post has extra special love behind it. When I moved to NYC, I desperately needed interior design advice. Now who should I turn to…?? That was the easy part! Alex, of course. Alex and I were neighbors growing up, and I’ve loved seeing her turn her passion for design into a reality. After many email exchanges, she helped me find cute odds and ends for my place, as well as a rug to anchor it all together, and some furniture, too! It has taken me six months to get my apartment to a place where I’m thrilled to photograph it. I was totally OCD with everything I picked out, and while it will always be a work in progress (thanks to my new passion for design), I’m ecstatic with how it all turned out. Given that Alex had a special part in designing my apartment, I thought her blog would be the perfect place to “reveal” it, if you will. I’m just so lucky she said yes!

I chose my Society Social “Marilyn” chair as my favorite piece because it is the last thing I bought — just a few weeks ago! I had a dinky old Ikea chair that saw its last life in college, and it had to go. I love how simple this chair is, yet SO feminine with the pink trim. Not to mention it goes swimmingly with the #livesparkly pillow. 

The one thing I knew I wanted in my apartment was a gallery wall. I found myself daydreaming about what prints to include, and how to arrange them. Confession: I just hung it up this weekend! Better late than never, right? I love the mix of prints — including a special piece my Mom painted. I anchored the wall around a Leigh Viner print — she’s SO talented. I also have a print by Alaina, a local Brooklyn Artist (not sure who since I bought it at the flea market), and Nicole Cohen. 

Now that I live in NYC, I love having a few reminders of where I came from: Chicago! My Mom sent me this subway sign that is on an old piece of linen, and I love it. It hangs in my tiny kitchen, and makes me smile each time I see it. Oh, and I had to add one of the prints I have that hangs above my couch — how cute (I also have a Dallas one)? (via) 

My favorite miscellaneous items are actually two — sorry, I couldn’t pick! The first are the Zhush sunbursts that I bought in all three sizes in. They are meant to be hung on a wall, but I found they were much happier as book toppers. They are one of my favorite purchases, and they are very well priced too! The horn is a super random thing I picked up at the Brooklyn Flea market this summer. I just love how rustic it is. 

Finally, my favorite room is the living/dining room. Since I live in NYC, I don’t have separate rooms for these. I am blessed to have enough space however. I love how the rooms flow together. The rug is so gorgeous, and I am obsessed with my ghost chairs. Buying four of them was a little damaging to my wallet, but I know I will have them forever. They are the best thing I did for the table. The mirror I purchased on One Kings Lane, and weighs about 2 tons – seriously, I had to have someone come hang it for me (even my Dad couldn’t do it — sorry Dad!). I leave you with another favorite that keeps me going each day, and makes me count each and every one of my blessings: the view out my window. I don’t know how I scored such a picturesque view, but I’ll take it! 

I have to give a HUGE thank you to the talented Elizabeth O’Brien who spent her Sunday generously photographing my apartment. She knew exactly the angles to capture, and should seriously quit her day job and pursue a career in photography — am I right?! I highly recommend any New Yorkers who need photos of their apartments, or of anything, contact Liz! I hope you all enjoyed my favorites, and that you’ll follow along with me over at the Urban Slant (where I’ll reveal more apartment photos in the coming weeks). xoxo

Today I have a very talented lady here to share her beautiful apartment. Kristin, from Simply Smitten, is sort of a superhero. She went through the same program as I did at Harrington College of Design, all while continuing her full time job. I barely survived while giving 100% of my time to school, can’t imagine balancing it with a job!! So very impressive. And here is her gorgeous home:

Oh and PS, today is my 700th post, and I’m just a couple people away from 700 followers. Makes me smile. Thanks to all of you.

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Hello Things That Sparkle readers! I’m Kristin from Simply Smitten and I’m absolutely thrilled that Alex invited me share with you a few of my favorite things. If you are familiar with my blog then you know that I love to mix vintage, antique and modern pieces to create a cozy, layered look.  I moved into my apartment in July so it’s still a work in progress but I wanted to share with you my vision so far!

My living room is by far my favorite space.  It’s the one room in the apartment that feels the most complete.  It’s the very first room people see when they walk into my home so I really wanted it to reflect me and be filled with the things I love. The architecture is far more modern than anything I ever thought I would like but it’s a great space and the 10ft windows offer lots of natural light. I kept the walls bright white (I rent and didn’t want to have to repaint when I move) and added color and texture with my rotating collection of art, pillows, throws and fresh flowers. I love each and every piece in it, including…

this gorgeous 1950′s velvet chair that I inherited from my great aunt. The chair doesn’t really match anything in the room but that’s why I love it.  I think every room should have one great odd chair.  

I like for the artwork in my apartment to have some kind of meaning.  This painting holds a special place in my heart not only because it was given to me by my mother but because it almost feels like it was made just for me.  I have the world’s cutest Boston Terrier named Pinkie (note the pink background) so every time I look at this piece I think of her and it makes me smile.  It hangs next to my bed so it’s the first thing I see when I wake up and the last thing I see before I go to bed at night.

My favorite object has to be this Haeger urn I scored at the Broadway Antique Market for a mere $20.  It’s quite possibly the most useful thing I own.  You can put just about anything in it and it will instantly look chic.  Here it holds a bunch of magnolia leaves but it also makes a great ice bucket!

My home continues to evolve with every new purchase and treasure I find.  You can follow along on the changes by checking out the “My Home” section of my blog…I hope you’ll follow along!

Thanks for having me, Alex! xo