meeting ms. bonney.

When I heard that Design*Sponge founder Grace Bonney was coming to Charleston to promote her new book, I immediately requested an interview and a review copy. Design*Sponge at Home is being touted as the Bible for design aficionados, and it's chock full of home tours, DIY projects, and before-and-afters. I rarely buy books, preferring to check them out at the library instead, but this one definitely deserves a place on your shelf.

I interviewed Grace today and she was as smart and sweet as I imagined. We chatted about her favorite and least favorite design trends (don't put a bird on it!), the possibility of a TV show and more newspapers, and her intense love of the South. I'll be sure to link to my story when it comes out next week. Until then, pick up a copy of the book and plan to attend the signing at Dwelling on Oct. 26.

home gallery.

As we're drawing ever closer to closing on our house (I'll let you know if it ever actually happens), I've become a big fan of Young House Love. The Richmond-based bloggers are always working on their old house, doing everything from building a patio to refurbishing secondhand furniture. Lately I'm obsessed with their hallway, which they turned into a little gallery. We have a long, blank wall in the new house, and I love the idea of filling it with a ton of different photos and prints that will invite guests to just stand there and take it all in.

20x200 has a fun selection of affordable prints. Here are a few faves.

Martha Rich

Lisa Congdon

Alexander Beeching

blog love: kendi everyday.

I've given up on a lot of style blogs lately. They're fun to look at, but they don't really apply to my life in any useful way. Kendi Everyday is different. The Texas-based blogger posts daily outfits that are totally approachable and inspirational. Using pieces that I often already have in my closet, she builds outfits that I wouldn't have thought of on my own. And, like me, she's all about the bargains — she shops at Target, Gap, and Forever 21, proving that you don't have to spend a lot of money to look like a million bucks. 

fortune finders.

I just discovered Fortune, an Etsy jewelry shop by New Yorker Kim Dulaney. Her pieces are pretty and dainty with an almost industrial edge, and most are priced around $30. She blogs about her inspiration here.