Arsenic Lace

Natalie

One Room Challenge Week 5 Lighting Nightmare

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Do you guys want the good news or the bad news? I pretty much have all bad news so I’m feeling a bit discouraged. One Room Challenge Week 5 is a lighting nightmare among many other nightmares. My cat Phil who made an appearance on the rug last week suddenly became ill and died over the weekend. I’m absolutely devasted, I’ve been crying for four days straight. Dealing with FedEx sent me into full breakdown mode on Monday. They have been impossible to deal with and also it’s been impossible for them to do their job which is to deliver my packages. UGH. There is some good news before I move on to the lighting nightmare — the wallpaper arrived!

I’m going to tackle the wallpaper over the weekend so hopefully, that helps me feel better. Right about now I’m ready to throw in the towel though. Thank GOD they extended the challenge by a week because there is just no way that I would be ready to do a photoshoot for a reveal. I had a friend come by last weekend to help me get the new fixture up but what we found when we took the old fixture down is trouble. The wiring has not been updated in who knows how long and the hole in the ceiling is larger than the canopy of the fixture. I know what you’re thinking, a ceiling medallion, right? WRONG! The wires are hanging out lower than the ceiling so we can’t get the fixture flush. It’s been impossible.

This is the original fixture without the glass bowl over the top. Sorry, I forgot to take that shot.

This is what was underneath the fixture. This possibly couldn’t have gone any worse.

This is the closest we could get the fixture to the ceiling and we ordered a medallion that we thought would cover the difference but it didn’t work. This was not a DIY project. Changing light fixtures is easy when the electric is modern but we have no idea what the hell to do. I made an appointment with an electrician on Saturday afternoon. Fingers crossed he can figure something out.

If we can’t come up with a way to make this fixture work then we’re going to have to put the old fixture back up. That is disappointing to me because I really loved the new fixture and it completely transforms the way the hallway looks. The wallpaper will look great but there isn’t a ton to do with the hallway so losing one of the main focuses of the design plan makes the end result less impactful. I also can’t return the fixture because I put it together and threw away the box. I had no idea that something this awful was going to happen.

I’m sick, my cat died, my car got a flat tire, and this challenge is turning into a failure. Please send all the good vibes my way to help me get through it. If you have any solutions I would LOVE to hear them. Please tell me in the comments below. Hoping for a better tomorrow and a completed Hallway Refresh. xo

 

Entertaining Notes with Chopin Vodka

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Hello everyone! Recently I was an interviewed about entertaining notes with Chopin Vodka. I’m putting my Halloween decorations aside and decking out my bar cart in all pink (that’s not hard) and featuring their limited edition pink bottle to raise awareness for breast cancer. Every October since 2011 Chopin has released the pink bottle and part of the proceeds are donated to breast cancer research. To date, Chopin has donated $70,000 in support of this important cause.

The only thing I love more than drinking is drinking with a cause. I was really happy to team up with Chopin to raise awareness about this matter. Both Chopin and I are committed to realizing a world without breast cancer and we hope you are too. Did you know that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month? It’s an annual campaign to increase awareness of the disease. Here are just a few of the ways you can help women in need from the National Breast Cancer Website:

  1. Sign up for this free breast health care guide here
  2. Share your story of how you or a loved one have been affected by breast cancer
  3. Host an in-person or virtual fundraiser
  4. Make a one-time or ongoing donation
  5. Share educational content on social media: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest

Please spread the word and help in any way you can. Head here to read my entertaining notes with Chopin Vodka and to see more photos of my pink bar cart for National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. If you or anyone you know has been affected by breast cancer I would love to hear about it in the comments below. The only way we can help each other is by sharing our stories, educating one another, early detection and supporting one another. I hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend. Cheers to stopping breast cancer! xo

 

One Room Challenge Week 4 of the Hallway Refresh

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There is not a whole lot to report. Week 4 of the One Room Challenge Hallway Refresh has been pretty slow because I’ve been waiting for the all the items to arrive. I unpacked everything that came last night. As you can see Phil my cat has already claimed the rug.

The wallpaper shipped and the shop assured me it would be here on time. It’s coming from overseas so I’m still a little nervous about the timeline. Luckily that email the participants got yesterday was a sigh of relief. They extended the One Room Challenge by a week to compensate for all the disasters that have happened recently. Final reveal will be Thursday, November 16th.

This week I received the rug, chandelier and coat hooks. I also put the bench together that I bought at IKEA last week. Well, Ethan really put the bench together ;). We are currently using it as a coffee table in the living room and I love it. It’s possible that I might buy another. The original plan was to do the DIY Plant Wall but the macrame plant holders haven’t come yet. Hopefully, they will arrive next week so I can get that done. It will be a fairly easy project and I get to take a trip to my favorite place — the plant store!

Once the wallpaper gets here I can install, hang the hooks, and put the bench in its proper home. Next week I’m concentrating on installing the light fixture. I wanted to save the stairs for last but I may have to get that done before the wallpaper depending on when it arrives. Stay tuned to see how the Hallway Refresh unfolds!

The Art of the Bar Cart + Giveaway

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I’ve read many blogs over the years, some of which inspired me to start my own blog. One of those blogs is Ashley Rose Conway’s Craft + Cocktails. Ashley has come out with a new book The Art of the Bar Cart and it is just as inspiring! She collaborated with design director and party planning expert Vanessa Dina to share some really fantastic tips for styling your home bar cart.

The Art of the Bar Cart features 20 different styled bar setups themed around spirits, personal style, and seasonal occasions. The book includes easy tips to re-create each look as well as recipes for the perfect drinks to pair with each bar cart. It is a gorgeously photographed guide for inspiring any reader to make a décor statement, and a drink to serve alongside. Sounds perfect for me, right? So perfect, I want to give you a copy!

I love this book so much because it’s such a good reference for styling tips and recipes. There really is a bar cart for everyone. That rum cart is practically my exact bar cart already! The Art of the Bar Cart shows you how to curate the perfect bar cart, essentials, and the ideal recipe to whip up alongside it. This is the perfect book for home entertaining and it couldn’t come at a more perfect time of the year. Holiday season!

I will definitely be using this book as a resource whenever I’m looking to spruce up my bar cart. I’ve even been using my credenza as a second bar station in my living room too. Do you have a designated bar area in your home? If you don’t its time to get one! Good luck and enter below.

From Art of the Bar Cart by Vanessa Dina, photographs by Antonis Achilleos, Text + Recipes by Ashley Rose Conway (Chronicle Books, 2017)

One Room Challenge Week 3 of the Hallway Refresh

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One Room Challenge Week 3 is upon us and things are speeding along. The Hallway Refresh has progressed a little bit and almost everything has been ordered but I’m still waiting to receive the items. Luckily there isn’t a ton to do once all the items get here (except the stairs and wallpaper). I’m going to update you on some changes I am making to the plan and what I put on order. Plus I picked out the colors for the stairs. Yay!

The bench from Ikea that I originally decided on was unavailable. I found a great substitute that is a little bit more compact and way more stylish.  I actually like it better. Everything happens for a reason, right? The bench is actually a coffee table, but I saw it styled at the foot of a bed and seating for a dining room table as well. It’s going to work great as a landing space for my purse and a home for shoes underneath. A cat will probably enjoy some naps on it as well.

I’m starting with a very soft pink at the top of the stairs and fading it into a dark coral that I will be painting in groups of 3 of each color.  I chose paints by Benjamin Moore in Soft Pink, Creamy Peach, Perky Peach, and Summer Sun Pink. The stairs are going to be so happy to look at, I can’t wait for this to come together!

I had to order the wallpaper in a custom size so I contacted the shop.  Hopefully, I hear back soon so I can place that order. I went ahead and ordered the hook rack, ceiling light, macrame plant hangers, and a rug. Also, I had to change the rug because the size I needed wasn’t available, but I found this one that is 2’3″ x 3’9″ which I think should work perfectly.

We’re in the middle of the One Room Challenge with 3 more weeks to go. I’m looking forward to seeing how it all turns out and finishing another space in my home. Full speed ahead! Check out my One Room Challenge Hallway Refresh board on Pinterest to stay up to date with my ideas and items.

Black Cherry Autumn Spritz

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I’m really excited to team up with Bai again to inspire your Fall cocktail creations. I love their products because they are super low in calories and sugar (only 5 calories & 1 gram of sugar per serving) and are filled with antioxidant goodness. Using their sparkling antioxidant infusions is great for making highballs and any cocktail you want to add a little fizz to. I’ve created the Black Cherry Autumn Spritz with their Bolivia Black Cherry option that goes perfectly with red wine for a Fall spin on a popular Summer beverage….

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Elderflower Concord Grape Cocktail

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Concord grapes are a true sign of fall. With thick, sour skins and a luscious, sweet interior, they’re harvested in September through late October. When I see them at the market I know exactly what I’m making — an Enzoni! If you’re not familiar with this drink it is a citrusy and fruity Negroni variation invented by Vincenzo Errico of Milk and Honey in NYC c. 2003. You can use any grape but my favorite is the Concord due to its rich flavor and vibrant hue. I’ve replaced the sugar with elderflower liqueur for a slightly more floral take for this Elderflower Concord Grape Cocktail….

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One Room Challenge | Design Plan + Budget

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Hi everyone! This week I’m sharing the Design Plan + Budget for the Hallway Refresh. I feel guilty for not being able to post a cocktail since my One Room Challenge post from last week but there are plenty of delicious things on the way. Plus, did you notice the refresh my site got? The hallway isn’t the only thing getting upgrades around here! I’m updating you on my progress for the One Room Challenge which I will be doing for the next six weeks. I hope you will join me in my efforts to stay motivated in finishing up the decor in my home.

I’m making final decisions on wallpaper and decor so that I can get the ordering process started. My one regret from the Spring One Room Challenge was that we ordered late and it caused me a lot of stress. I wasn’t sure if I was going to get everything in time and the wallpaper arrived two days before the final shoot. That means I had one day to get it installed and style the whole room. I almost had a breakdown but I pulled through and got it done. Thankfully there isn’t a ton to order but the stairs are going to be the most time-consuming thing which will be my last project before the reveal. I want those stairs to look super fresh for the photos.

The wallpaper was the hardest decision to make for the final design plan. At first, I wanted to do something geometric so that the wallpaper in the hallway didn’t compete with the wallpaper in the living room. Who am I kidding though? I couldn’t stay away from a tropical/botanical print and I have landed on this one from Boho Walls on Etsy. It is neutral with still adding a pop of color and some much-needed fun to this space.

The other hardest decision I had to make was what color to paint the stairs. Originally I wanted to go a dark teal because I thought it was bright enough to be colorful but dark enough to hide dirt. In the end, I didn’t think this color went with the rest of the house though. There are a lot of neutral tones in this house with touches of pink and a lot of green from the plants. I wanted to stay within these colors because I want the overall feel of the house to be cohesive. So what color did I land on for the stairs? Pink of course!

I know it isn’t the most practical because pink won’t hide dirt. I’m going to paint each stair a solid color instead of just each riser. It will be easier and the tops won’t be white at least. The paint that is on the stairs now is matte which was a bad choice because they’re really hard to get the dirt off of. I’m going to go with a semi-gloss or high gloss so that they’re easier to clean.

The light fixture definitely needs to be changed and I found one from Target that I love that doesn’t break the bank. All the products from the Project 62 line are amazing. It’s hard not to want everything! The bench I picked out is from Umbra but I’m not sold on it. I love the style but I think I could find something that’s more affordable so I’m going to keep my eyes peeled at HomeGoods. I could also get this one from IKEA for $39.99 and paint half of it white so that it looks like the Umbra bench or I really like this one as well. Both are great and a fraction of the price.

Same thing goes for the macrame plant hangers. I LOVE the ones from Anthro but if I need 3 or 4 at $58 the price adds up pretty quickly. I was thinking of doing this simple DIY one or I’ve found a ton of affordable options on Etsy. Head to my Hallway Refresh Pinterest board to see them all. Way too many to link to!

Here are the budget and order list. I can knock a few hundred dollars off if I decide to DIY the bench for $39.99 or buy the other one for $69.99. I can also make my own plant hangers or get affordable options from Etsy to save an additional $100 or so. That would bring my budget down $350 or more. Originally I only wanted to spend $5oo on this project and currently, I’m over budget so I think I may go with these two ideas. Doing this would knock off about $483 which means I’d come in under my budget!! Maybe I can get a piece of art framed for the top up the stairs with my savings? Stay tuned to find out! All items in the design plan linked below.

Rug // Plant Hanger // Ceiling Light // Wallpaper // Hooks // Bench // Paint

 

One Room Challenge | Introducing the Hallway Refresh

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One Room Challenge | Hallway Refresh Inspiration One Room Challenge | Hallway Refresh Inspiration

Hey Everyone! Most of you know that I took part in the One Room Challenge this past Spring in collaboration with Michelle Gage to design my living room. It was such a huge success and participating kept me motivated to finish the room within the six week timeframe. I’m happy to be doing the challenge again as a guest participant and to help speed along the process of me finishing the house. We’re in pretty good shape over here. I’ve been working on the kitchen and bedroom simultaneously and all they need to be completed is some final styling, wallpaper and art. I thought for the One Room Challenge this Fall I would focus on a part of the house that is much neglected. I’m happy to introduce you to the #HallwayRefresh.

Let’s take a look at the before photos!

For this project my main concern is the staircase. I would love to repaint it and make it more colorful. The skylight at the top of the stairs lets some really nice light in, but the bottom of the stairs in the hallway is pretty much the darkest place in the house.

My goal in the hallway is to create an accent wall that will brighten up the space. I would like to add wallpaper and an area to hang coats and keep things organized. This area gives me the most anxiety because it is always such a mess!

Here’s to another successful design challenge. I hope you will follow my progress for the next six weeks. You can check out my Pinterest board to see more inspiration and I will be using the hashtag #HallwayRefresh over on Instagram.

Sunday Kind of Love

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Happy Sunday everyone! I’m writing to you from terminal 5 at JFK en route to Charleston, SC for the SAVEUR Blog Awards. I’m super excited (and nervous) and can’t wait to see Charleston. I’ve always wanted to go to Charleston so this was the perfect opportunity to check it off my list. Thank you to everyone for your non stop support and to anyone that took the time to nominate Arsenic Lace for Best Drinks Blog. Wish me luck!

  • Not sure if you saw my Peach + Basil Whiskey Sour that went up on A Beautiful Mess last week. Get all my tips for making egg white drinks at home and why I love to drink them at this time of year. When I wrote that recipe peaches were still in season. The great thing about this recipe is you can swap out fruit and herbs for ones that are in season or you can enjoy something summery with a cold weather approved twist. You can always get peaches at the grocery store. 😉

  • My Gin + Tonic Popsicles that I did for A Beautiful Mess were featured on The Kitchn. Check out the article here. That caught me by surprise when I found it. I must have been in Paris when it was published and missed it. Such a fan of The Kitchn, so I was psyched that they liked my popsicles! If any of you live in a warmer weather climate or if you have been experiencing warmer than usual weather like we have in NYC, make these! They’re so easy and super refreshing.

  • I have a Banana + Kiwi Daiquiri that just went up on Palm Springs Style yesterday. The Daiquiri is my favorite classic cocktail and I love coming up with new ways to enjoy it. This recipe includes white rum, banana liqueur, fresh lime and a homemade kiwi syrup. While the weather gets cooler here and I’m planning out Fall and holiday cocktail posts, I really love the challenge of developing cocktails for a blog in California that doesn’t experience season change as drastically as we do over here in the North East. I guess you will get to live vicariously through my warm weather cocktails that I post on Palm Springs Style all Winter long. I’m a bi-coastal blogger, but can I just live in both places too?

  • If you followed along on the One Room Challenge I did with Michelle Gage this past Spring than you know about my livingroom + the many features it got. I’m in love with how the room turned out and am working on finishing up the rest of the house but it’s a slow process. Everything is pretty much done, I just need to put finishing touches, hang some wallpaper and maybe change a few light fixtures. I’ve decided to do to One Room Challenge by myself this Fall to motivate me to spruce up an area of the house that gets much neglected. Stay tuned this week to see what I will be working on. I’ll be writing about the process every Thursday for 6 weeks starting this week.

Make sure you’re following along on Instagram to keep up with my Charleston adventures. Cheers and happy October! xo