I really do enjoy getting to see most of my relatives over the holidays, especially my three sister, as we're spread over the east coast. However, ever since I was a child, a room or house full of people can start to leave me feeling a bit suffocated after awhile. Whether or not you're like me in this characteristic, it's still important to take a little time for yourself to recharge. My personal favorite is a hot bath with some candles, because it's so comforting and peaceful.

love this quaint, vintage bathroom.

I don't know if I'd ever pick such bright colors for my own bathroom, but I still think it's really striking.

I've never seen a bathtub at an angle like this!  I love "real" furniture in the bathroom, like the upholstered seat you see here.

*Love* this tile and the chocolate

Okay, so I'm not sure if I actually like this bathroom or not.   The color palette is interesting - maybe it's all just a bit too country for me.  What do you think?  Do you like this palette? Like the style?

so luxurious! I could spend a long time in here.

Which bathroom is your favorite?  Do you use the bathroom as a personal sanctuary?

via BHG

Bamboo! I got Chris a pair of silky smooth bamboo pajama pants, and if he weren't wearing them almost every night, I would be. They're super light weight, and really soft. Understandably, I was really excited when the folks over at Pure Fiber offered me a set of bamboo towels to try out. Here's a little bit of info about Pure Fiber's bamboo towels:

"Unlike cotton towels which are slow to absorb water, bamboo terry soaks up that excess moisture in a flash. The difference is unmistakable, but you have to feel it for yourself to truly appreciate the wonderful bamboo fabric.

And bamboo isn’t all about a cashmere-like softness. Bamboo’s natural properties help to combat the accumulation of unpleasant odors from your bath towel. You will be able to use this towel for much longer during those warm summer months before that mildew smell starts to creep up.

Cotton towels typically get thicker to increase absorbency – all of that extra fabric can feel like you are wrapping yourself in a thick blanket. Bamboo does more with less! A bamboo towel can soak up more moisture than a thicker cotton towel, while remaining lightweight and extraordinarily soft."

The first thing I noticed when I opened the towels was "wow, they are really, really, smooth." They are also much lighter and thinner than typical towels. Chris said, "They are so soft they feel slippery."

So, the claim to super softness and being lightweight: True.
I've been using the towel for a little over a week now, and do not notice any odor. Granted, it's not technically summer anymore, but it's been extremely humid here in MD, and we've been having lots of rainy days.

I was most doubtful about the towel being able to absorb as well as my normal towels, but they actually dry me off just as well and in the same amount of time.

Long story short, if you have been thinking about trying out bamboo towels - go for it. The softness is unreal, and their performance is up to par with traditional towels.

Here are some photos of mine:

The bamboo towels are thinner than traditional towels



The washcloth.  This washcloth is wet now, but one thing I noticed is that the bamboo washcloth doesn't get crunchy after it air dries (which my normal towels do), they dry to the same softness as they are after being freshly laundered.

A close up of the texture.

Want some? You can purchase them at Amazon

Does anyone have any bamboo linens? If so, what do you think of them?


*disclosure: I received a set of Pure Fiber towels as a sample

Right now I have been sharing a teeny, tiny bathroom with 5 other people while living with my boyfriend in Spain (we live with two other couples). I'm heading back to the states on Friday, where I will stay with my parents until my boyfriend and I go apartment hunting in DC in August. My parents just beautifully renovated their bathroom and I can't wait to go back to using that one for a little while!


This tub looks so wonderfully deep - and the chandelier above it is a great idea...
via Apartment Therapy


I don't know if I've ever seen a tub positioned in a corner like that, but I love the view from the windows and the blue on the wall



4 images above via Eric Roth


Love those doors and the blue of the tiles
via Interior Design Styles

I'm a little over the cold now. This home however is so bright and beautiful - it's like a little piece of spring.




I love this living room





via Casa Diez

I think these photos speak for themselves...

I love the color on the walls, but I don't know if I'd ever have the guts to use it on a wall...maybe I'd test it out in a bathroom or hall...have you used a color this bold?

...soooo pretty




What do you think of these?


All photography property of Dan Duchars

Hi guys. So I thought we might do a little Homeowners 101 post and get back to basics. So the great folks that are sponsoring this post have put together an article on the proper way to install a towel bar. Also find some yummy bathroom eye candy below.

Before installing a towel bar you should do a little pre-planning. Here
are some of the important points that you need to keep in mind-

• the towel bar should be placed in such a way, that all the family
members including the children could readily access it.

• make sure the towel bar is placed somewhere the towels won't get wet

• keep in mind that if you install it behind the bathroom door, the bar might become damaged or, damage the door and the adjoining walls since repetitive opening and closing

The standard height at which the bar should be places is 48 inches or about 4 feet off the ground. This height is recommended especially when you have smaller children. Any higher and they won’t be able to reach the towel bar on their own. Any lower and the towel bar can get in the way
of mobility.

Read the instructions for the installation of the towel bar to install. Use a measuring tape and mark with a pencil the four points or the two points where the fasteners or the screws for the towel bar will be.

After that, hold the hand drill straight and make small holes for the screws. Now install the screws and the fasteners, securing them well.

Terrys Fabrics is online store where you will get range of quality products of ready made curtains and curtain fabrics to compliment with curtain poles and window blinds available at the best value for money.



I really like "regular" furniture in the bathroom - like the sideboard you see on the left.
via BHG

via Elle Decor

via Kitchen Details and Design




Above 4 via House Beautiful


Disclosure: This is a sponsored post

modern batroom


bathroom remodel


bathroom shower unit


bathroom renovations

Installing new light fixtures can also improve and modernize the bathroom, A change in color to white, black, or neutral is something that is more modern and will stay up to date longer. If there is seventies-era inspired avocado colored tile in your bathroom there is still hope as a few companies specialize in painting tile. A coat of paint or discarding that rust pink wallpaper can have a very great impact on the overall appearance of the bathroom.

Basic renovations still have a high return on investment. Bathroom renovations do not have to always cost a lot of money. The fact that bathroom renovations also tend to be expensive can have an effect on a purchaser's decision to pass or purchase a home. The bathroom is one of the rooms that is hidden and can be isolated by a door, and unlike the living room or kitchen it is not visible and can often be ignored and not renovated until it is very old-fashioned. While the bathroom can be the most essential consideration in a potential home buyer's decision, sadly in used homes it is often a negative factor.

While every bathroom has a sink and bath tub and toilet, not every one contain whirlpool tubs, recessed lighting or extravagant features such as heated tile. Bathrooms can positively contribute to the value of the house by their luxurious features. Many real estate experts speculate that the bathroom is one of the most important factors determining the resale value of your home and one of the top considerations of prospective home buyers.

Ask questions and gain the most out of your home! For simple repairs and updates your local hardware store is often a good source of information, as is an expert installation firm. While many of our investments are negative right now, a return over 100 percent is huge, especially when it pertains to the value of your home. A return on equity estimator calculated that a simple bathroom remodel would have a 102.2 percent return!

Gutting the bathroom and installing new shower units, toilets, and sinks would create an entire new bathroom that can increase the selling price and the likelihood of selling your home. While all these alterations would affect the appearance and the value of your house, more radical alterations would have an even greater effect. Products like tile or wood floor paneling can be bought and installed for little or no heartache. Bathroom renovation is much easier nowadays because there are merchandise made for do-it-yourself homeowners.