What's Trendy Wednesday...Dorm Room Style!

College was such a wonderful time of my life! So many sweet memories and lifetime friendships made! This time of year, I always think about all the freshman starting on their amazing college journey! And, I have to say, I'm a bit envious of the dorm room style revolution that has happened! I remember we would just try to coordinate colors-and who was going to bring the refrigerator and who was going to bring the microwave. Some girls had matching bedspreads, but really that was as "styled" as we got! Now...WOW! The very lucky ones bring in their own interior designer to make their space pop! The big box stores have had their dorm room essentials out for weeks! I've noticed the jewel tones are super hot right now-fuchsia, royal purple, and jade green. And, looking what is trending in the rest of the marketplaces, I'm sure that every well-put together dorm room will have those same elements!

Chalkboards are everywhere! I saw some super cute galvanized pails with a chalkboard star in the dollar spot at Target! These oh-so-chic modular tiles pictured below are from Pottery Barn!  These are so cute and would look great hanging on a door so all the peeps could leave messages.  These would also look great inside to write notes to yourself about all the stuff a college student needs to keep up with:  studying, games, dates, parties, etc.! :)   Of course, you could make your own!  Most brands of paint have a chalkboard paint in their line:  Krylon, Plaid Folk Art, Martha Stewart, Rustoleum.  There are also several tutorials out there about adding grout to paint to make a custom color of chalkboard paint.  And...you can paint chalkboard on so many surfaces--glass, MDF, plywood, etc. 

                      














CHEVRON!! Wow! It seems to be just as hot as it was last fall! Riley Blake has the most beautiful chevron fabric! If you are local, go see sweet Mrs. Sue at Sew Close to Home in Harpersville! I was just in her fabric paradise, and she told me that she had just placed an order that should be in soon!!!!   These just make me happy!!!!!


                     
I have seen this image floating around Pinterest world for several months now...and I've promised a sweet girl that we would make it for her room (not her dorm room...her Momma is  not ready for that!!!).  I'll post pics as soon as we make hers! 

                            


OMBRE! I saw on ombré cheetah print comforter at Belk the other day! It was a really fun print!   A little WILD for me--HA!--but super fun!

                                          
This one from Land Of Nod would have been more my speed in college.....
                         

or this from Anthropologie.  SWOON!  I think it's safe to say that my Momma would have been very happy that Anthro was not around when I was in college!

For the preppy girls, Lilly Pulitzer! I love the line they created for the sororities! I might just have this tumbler or this scarf!!!!  

                                           

                                             

And, for Squeal Day/Bid Day and the party scene-PHOTO BOOTHS! How much fun would it have been to have the "zap man" stationed at a photo booth?!?! They are becoming a party MUST! I found a super fun show on HGTV Saturday night-Junk Gypsies. To thank their customers, they threw a "Junk-A-Rama Prom". The Junk Gypsies created a totally presh photo booth with some old architectural doors, a bench, and some chandeliers. So much fun! Isn't that one of the best things about college..making and preserving memories???
Party City has an awesome photo booth selection that includes props, wigs, masks, and backdrops...and they are CHEAP very reasonably priced!  I've been thinking about doing a photo booth-type activity on the first day of school!  I think I might just do that, especially with a little help from Party City!

                 

Happy Dorm Room Shopping!!!

              

What's Trendy Wednesday: Summer Party

Welcome to my first edition of What's Trendy Wednesday!  It's kind of funny that I'm picking "Trendy" to write about each week because, for the most part, I am a traditionally classic kind of girl and am always a little cautious in the trends that I try.  I believe that every woman should have a classic trench, a LBD, a pair of classic black trousers and/or classic black skirt, a white blouse, a pair of black heels, and of course a strand of pearls in her wardrobe.  I have the same philosophy about "dressing" your home---purchase great quality neutrals in those big ticket pieces (couch, dining furniture, bedroom furniture, etc. ).  Accessorize with the trends!  I am not bold enough to purchase a zebra chaise (although often, I wish I could be a little crazy like that!) , but a zebra pillow.  Why not?  Through this series, I hope to run down the trends and become a little more adventurous in my own home!

I'm getting ready for a PartyLite Candle Party for my friend Sarah.  I can't wait!  It will be a great time to reconnect with college friends!  When I'm planning a party, I like to start with a color scheme.  LOVE LOVE LOVE that color is such a focus right now!  Often, I find a piece of fabric or ribbon that I build my party around.  This time, I find my inspiration in the oh-so-trendy feathers!  Feathers are everywhere---even in hair (which I have not been bold enough to try)!  But party and tablescapes...let's do it! Some of my favorites I've spotted were at my local HobLob.                                                           

                                                           

                                                           

How much fun to build a summer party around these colors?  Turquoise and lime green---those colors scream summer and fun!!!

Invitation Duck offers these super cute invites!  Love both of these!!!!



                         

Ombre fabrics are totally hot right now.  I saw this fabric from Mood fabrics.  Ties for chairs?

                                     

Love the utensils wrapped in the turquoise napkin with raffia wrapped around and the shell attached.  Too cute!!!  I also love the melamine plates!     

                                                     

I think an arrangement in a tall clear vase with sand and shells in the bottom and little green mums would be so cute!!  The peacock feather might be a bit much...but the colors picked up in a ribbon around the vase would be presh!
                                        

Menu:  maybe this shrimp and feta cobb salad and some pimento cheese???

                                   

Or these BLT wraps???  A dear friend makes these and they are soooooooo good!!  Steph---who stole your recipe???  It's all over Pinterest?!?!


                                                


This Peach Tea Punch looks delish....

                                                

as does this Pineapple Sangria!

                                                

I can't wait to see how it all turns out!   Have you thrown a party with turquoise and lime?  I'd love any ideas you have to share!!!