'Newly Married, Newly Drapes'

From birthdays and baby showers, I have exhausted every idea when it comes to finding the right gift.

This past weekend, I attended a beach wedding from one of my good friends from college. Slightly recovered, I have come back to my New York office to discover another of my coworkers is getting hitched.

Now what do I get her? Kitchen knives, martini glasses, bathroom accessories – I’ve gifted it all before!

I’ve started to think outside the wedding registry and build on a central theme, which inevitably led to my tackling of the drapes.

Drapes are often the most neglected and least replaced in the home. A set of curtains for the kitchen, living room and bedroom would tie in the design of each of the rooms to another, especially since the couple probably hasn’t purchased curtains since their single days.

Linen Grommet Curtains

These linen blackout curtains (now $34.99) measuring 63” with a tie-up shade are perfect for a relaxed, but kitchen chic look.

The multifunctional curtains can be tied up during the day to allow light to flood the space while cooking, or be let down at night to better insulate the home.

The unlined single curtain layer is made of a triple-weave, giving these curtains a light linen texture just in time for summer.

Linen grommet blackout curtains

These linen grommet blackout curtains (now $69.99), in a similar beige color as the tie-up curtains for the kitchen, are an understated look for the living room.

The same triple weave texture can be found in these curtains, which measure 104”x84”. And if you like to easily draw the curtains open or close, the grommets are easier to pull aside than other curtains.

For a married couple starting from scratch, a grommet pair of curtains is a wonderful starting point for their home.

Zebra print on blackout curtains

Multifunctional, understated and basic – these are qualities that we look for when decorating our home for the first time.

But when it comes to the bedroom, we all want to have a little fun. These zebra stripe blackout curtains ($69.99) are still functional in colors like beige, blue, burgundy and olive.

Yet, the zebra strip is a welcome detour from traditional curtains in an all-over color. And keeping eco-friendliness in mind, there is no better solution to reducing heating and cooling costs than a pair of blackout curtains.

And the newlyweds lived happily ever after…

-S. Gonzalez

*Photos courtesy of Decor Innovation

Premium Solid Grommet Top Thermal Insulated Blackout Curtain 84" Length 1 Pair-CHOCOLATE

Ahhhhhhh

I have purchased (and returned) at least 3 other curtains to various retailers that have advertised them to be "black-out" curtains. These are the real deal! The curtains truly block out the light very well. They are 100% polyester and the blue is a deep navy. They hang very well the wrinkles are slowly disappearing and they have a silky feel. They even come with tiebacks! I highly recommend them especially if you work the night shift or just like it dark for a good nap!



Just a follow up - we just got back from Vegas (May 2010) and our room darkening curtains in the hotel were not as DARK as the ones in our home bedroom! Still lovin' this purchase.More detail ...

'Packing It All In'

The Jersey Shore

The ritual sounding of honking trucks and cars along Hudson Street, all headed to the Holland Tunnel and as far away from New York City as we know it, began two hours earlier than expected yesterday.

This phenomenon could only mean one thing: the start of Memorial Day weekend.

From the time that I returned to the office post-lunch break and then headed home, each constant honk that could be heard outside my office windows made me think, “What was I going to pack to the shore?”

This Sunday, I will be headed to Long Branch in New Jersey for a beach wedding of one of my closest friends. From slinky bandeau bikinis to ripped denim shorts, here’s what I plan to pack in my suitcase to celebrate the weekend:

· Bandeau bikinis are the hottest commodity on the beach right now. To be worn with straps or not, bandeau bikinis are unlike triangle top bikinis because they can be worn by all bust sizes.

The monokini

· While I do not own one yet, monokinis are also on the rise as the sexiest version of a one piece. There are far more styles this season than the last, providing far more options for all body types to have their own version of the monokini. At Victoria’s Secret there’s the possibility of a wireless pushup monokini, a leopard wrap monokini, or even a tye-dye monokini.

· No need for designer shorts here. Comfort is everything at the beach. My $30 American Outfitters denim shorts (now buy one pair get the second 50% off) have survived endless summer days, vacations to Miami (and very soon my vacation to France), proving to be one of the best summer investments I’ve ever made.

Nicole Miller full-length, silk coral gown

· My silk coral Nicole Miller gown will be my gown of choice for the beach wedding ceremony of my once freshman college roommate and her fiancée (whom she met in college). With the sureness of wind at the beach, I ruled out a short dress that was privy to baring too much to the wedding party.

Diane Von Furstenberg jelly sandals

· Remember when jelly sandals were all the rage? I was probably 9 years old, but now they’re back. Designers like Givenchy (a couple seasons past), Diane Von Furstenberg and Vera Wang have their own chic version of the jelly sandal. The sandals are not only inexpensive, but because of its material can also withstand sand and water.

Wishing you lots of sun and this Memorial Day!

-S. Gonzalez

*Photo courtesy of www.photobucket.com; Victoria's Secret; Macy's; shopbop.com

Casual Home Grommet Top Window Panel - Ivory (54x95")

Large Grommet top window curtains

lot of yard goods for the money needed a second pair to cover sliding glass door thoroughly. Tops are floppy though plan to add a heavy strip of iron-on interfacing to add body to tops.More detail ...

'Wise-Up: Making the Most of Your Space'

A down economy forces us to do many things: adjust our budgets, examine our spending, and make cut-backs. This might result in doing without a monthly pedicure, bringing lunch to work more often, or riding a bicycle to work.

Making the most out of every dollar we spend is not just beneficial – it’s essential.

Why don’t we do the same for our living space? I admit that living while I love the openness that the 800 square foot ‘home’ of mine offers, I do not use the space to its full potential.

Even the small nook could be super-efficient and still have a sense of style.

Here’s how:

Small space becomes a perfect home office

· Transform that small nook or corner of your room into a work or hobby space. There is one such space in my home wedged between stairs and the bathroom that is my designated ‘work zone.’ Behind my office desk is a small bookshelf where I store most of fashion, literature and language books. Don’t need another home office? Try transforming the area into an art studio or sewing/knitting space.

Platform beds save space and provided extra storage

· For most of my adolescence, I never knew what it was like to be able to look under a bed. Why? My mattress rested on a bed frame that not only had a headboard complete with shelving, but it also had a base with built-in drawers. Living in a 2-bedroom apartment with my parents and sharing a small room with sister growing up, the storage space eliminated a lot of clutter. Don’t waste the space underneath your bed: keep things tidy with drawers.

A staircase doubles as a bookshelf

· Have a staircase with unused space underneath it? With some staggered shelving, you have the place to keep several rows of storage baskets. Keep your linens and other miscellaneous household items in these baskets and out of sight. Use some molding around the shelves to add architectural appeal to this space.

Furniture multi-tasking

· Ever worn a pretty three-quarter length skirt as a top? Or ever used a scarf as a belt? If pieces of clothing can double in use, then why not furniture? Let an ottoman serve as a coffee table and that sofa transform into a bed at night. Especially if you have a small living room, multi-tasking furniture is mandatory.

-S. Gonzalez

*Photos courtesy of www.unplggd.com; www.common.csnstores.com; http://freshome.com; www.countryhome.com

Casual Home Grommet Top Window Panel - White (54x95")

Should have paid attention to other reviews

This product is just OK. But I don't think it is worth the $$. I ordered 2 different pairs of curtains. One came from Target (the white grommet that I'm reviewing) the other from Walmart. The ones from Walmart were gorgeous. The Target ones cost the same amount but sure didn't have even half the quality. I wouldn't order the Target ones again.More detail ...