Having recently moved into a new apartment, I’ve been on the prowl for some pretty things to decorate the living room. Mirrors have always been a necessity for me when it comes to decor. Whether you’re trying to make a small space appear larger or trying to add an elegant decorative touch to a hallway, a mirror is the perfect solution. Doing a quick search under the home decor section on beso.com gave me more than 3,000 results on mirrors! Here are a few of my favorite mirrors from beso:

If you love the mid-century/retro look, this Sunlight Mirror from Horchow is a great statement piece.  It even has a built in light so you can brighten up any dark walls with a bit of sunshine.

Sunlight Mirror from Horchow, $143.90

How cute is this next mirror? It’s the Antiqued Birdcage Mirror from Ballard Designs. This is a great piece to add a bit of that rustic, vintage feel to any home.  Plus, I can’t resist the little birds resting on the metal birdcage.

This Shell Mirror from Country Curtains has me thinking about shabby chic, beach-house decor. I love the scalloped edges; they remind me of a dainty white doily.

Mirrors can also make a bold statement piece, like this Edward Floor Mirror from Neiman Marcus. It’s oversized antique frame gives it an elegant finish, and it’d be perfect near the front door so you can take a quick, full length look at yourself before you’re out the door.

Edward Floor Mirror by Neiman Marcus, $1,119

Sometimes it’s nice to keep things simple. Here is a minimalist approach to updating your home with a fresh look with year-round appeal.

This Nautica Blue Grass duvet cover comes in the perfect shade of pale blue for a soothing addition to any bedroom.

Sharp, clean lines in your bathroom hardware and accessories are also a great minimalistic way to update the home.  This American Standard soap dispenser would be a nice touch to any bathroom.

Minimalist makes me think sleek, and this glass coffee table is definitely that. A metal criss-cross base and no fuss make it an easy piece to incorporate into your living room.

For as long as I can remember, my mom has been giving me keepsake boxes for birthdays, holidays, or simply just because. I’ve grown quite a collection over the years since I tend to fall a little on the sentimental side and just can’t bring myself to part with all of them. When I was younger, they were mostly religious-themed or included some image or figure of a cat. Thankfully, in recent years, my mom has grasped a better understanding of my style and sticks to flowery designs or something more traditional. This past Christmas, she sent me a (much needed) classic wood jewelry box with a photo display on the lid. And, whether it was her intention or not, I think of her whenever I put on a pair of earrings.

If you’re looking for a gift or just need a place to store your own little treasures, here are some wonderful little boxes available at beso.

Handmade Black Leather Chinese Empire Jewelry Box
Overstock.com
$49.99
I absolutely love the curvature of this box as well as the detailed imagery.

 

 

Personalized Vintage Glass Jewelry Box With Custom Poem
personalization.com
$35.95
This vintage style trinket box would make a great gift since you can add a custom poem to make it really special.

Lily Pad Jewelry Stand
RedEnvelope
$39.95
I love, love, love this piece! It’s so simple yet graceful and would definitely add a nice touch to any bureau or nightstand.

Looking for something sweet to do for your honey this weekend?  Yes, Valentine’s Day was last weekend, but romance should be spontaneous and not just a one time of year event.  What about breakfast in bed?! Need a little inspiration? Well, that’s what your beso buddies are here for!

When planning the perfect way to pamper your significant other, the first thing to think about is the menu. To that end, I’ve included a scrumptious recipe for buttermilk pancakes, from Bon Appetite. If you want to make them a little pinkish, substitute raspberries or strawberries instead of blueberries, or add a little berry yogurt and hold back a bit of the buttermilk:

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 1/3 cups all purpose flour
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/4 cups buttermilk
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) unsalted butter, melted, plus more for cooking
• 2 cups fresh blueberries
• Pure maple syrup

PREPARATION:

Preheat oven to 250°F. Place baking sheet in oven. Whisk first 4 ingredients in large bowl. Whisk buttermilk, eggs, and 2 tablespoons butter in medium bowl; stir into dry ingredients. Fold in berries.

Heat large nonstick griddle or skillet over medium heat; brush with butter. Drop batter by 1/3 cupfuls onto griddle. Cook pancakes until brown, brushing griddle with more butter as needed, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer to sheet in oven to keep warm. Serve pancakes with maple syrup.

To make this an even better surprise, try cooking the pancakes in a heart-shaped mold, such as these, from Norpro:

To add balance, I suggest pairing the pancakes with a protein of some sort – whether that’s turkey/chicken, pork or tofu sausage, bacon or eggs is up to you. A nice dish of fruit, in addition to the fruit in the pancakes, makes a lovely side. So does a champagne cocktail!

So…how to serve…

First, you will need a tray, like this Bamboo serving table:

If you’re making a breakfast meat, you can present this on the same plate as the pancakes, but the fruit ought to be plated separately, in its own little dish. Not only will this add a pretty distribution of color on the serving tray, it will also keep the syrup from coating the fruit and making a big, goopy, too-sweet mess!

Warm the syrup and pour it into a graceful creamer or sauce pitcher, like this one from Mikasa:

Place a single red rose into a bud vase. Depending on your style, you might like either crystal or brushed stainless steel:

Tuck a delicate napkin to the left side of the pancake plate. Top with a fork, and place a knife and spoon on the other side of the plate.

Fill a champagne flute with a beverage of choice (sparkling wine/champagne alone or with orange or cranberry juice). Add a fresh violet, to rest just on top of the liquid, if available in your area (yes! they’re edible!).

Add a cup of coffee or tea, if that is what your true love’s heart desires.

Viola! If your sugar didn’t love you before, this ought to do the trick.

I’ve been a big fan of Jonathan Adler and his colorful, chic, retro designs for years, so I’m uber excited to find him on beso. Adler developed a love for pottery at a young age and after dabbling in the movie business for a few years back in the early ’90s, found his way back to designing amazing home décor. Shop his collections of everything from pottery and pillows to furniture and fun little handcrafted tchotchkes.

I’m personally obsessed with Adler’s groovy Ojai dinnerware collection. Each piece is adorned with a Japanese reactive glaze that results in an intoxicating depth of color and richness. Of course, the available colors just happen to be my favorite scheme: orange, yellow, and green. I’m the type that prefers to mix and match pieces so that each of my guests’ place settings include a variety of bold color. Did I mention that the entire collection is on sale for up to 60% off?! Snag your very own complete set or maybe accent your existing table service with a fun serving tray for just $19.20.

I was ecstatic when Johnathan Adler was chosen to design the real-life Barbie Malibu Dream House last year, but oh so disappointed that the house wasn’t available for public viewing. Good thing his collections are widely available so I can create my own dream house. I’m loving the ‘design your own’ feature and can’t wait to see those fabulous throw pillows on my couch. Unleash your inner Adler and create your own custom pillows and rugs from a variety of his designs and color palettes.

In my opinion, no home is complete without at least one irreverent tchotchke. Add a touch of humor to any room with a banana bud vase, squirrel candleholder, or adorable dachshund bookends. Of course, if you prefer a more sophisticated style, Adler’s Versailles collection might be a little more suitable for your home. Regardless, with the variety of pieces available from this incredibly talented designer, you’re sure to find something for everyone.