detailsanddanielle

Peel & Stick Wallpaper Tips!

August 20, 2020by detailsanddanielleLeave a Comment

Hello friends! We finally put up our peel and stick wallpaper yesterday and I am so in love with the finished result! The exact wallpaper I picked out can be found here, and my full round up of favorite wallpapers I was deciding between can be found here!

If I’m being honest, the process of putting the wallpaper up was a bit stressful and more difficult than I anticipated. The specific wallpaper I bought did not come with the best instructions, so we just took it upon ourselves to figure out the best approach! Our specific wallpaper is patterned and came in 4 separate vertical panels, so lining up the panels exactly to match the pattern on the wall presented a bit of a challenge! I will leave my top tips below that helped us during the process!

Tip #1 – Ensure the top of your wallpaper is level

This is the MOST important tip I have for installing your peel and stick wallpaper. We definitely ran into some issues because our panels were not perfectly level at the top of our wall. If the top of the panel is not level, as you continue to peel and stick the wallpaper down the wall it will ever so slightly veer diagonally. This will result in creasing, and will also make it more difficult to line up the pattern for the next panels.

Tip #2 – Squeegee

To prevent and erase any bubbles use a squeegee to really press the paper down as you peel it. It definitely helps to have two people working on each panel. As one person peels and sticks the paper down, the other person runs the squeegee over the paper to evenly press through any bubbles!

Tip #3 – Pattern Alignment

The hardest part for us when putting the wallpaper up was aligning the pattern for each panel. Similar to the squeegee, it is helpful if one person focuses on peeling and sticking the wallpaper and the other person focuses on aligning the pattern. Since our panels were not perfectly level (tip #1), it was nearly impossible to get the pattern to line up exactly. I intentionally creased some areas of the wallpaper if the pattern was not lining up as we continued peeling down the panel. While we were applying the wallpaper I thought it was not matching up great and there were quite a few creases, but to my surprise when I stepped back you could not see any imperfections!

Although applying the patterned wallpaper was a bit tricky, I highly recommend a busy pattern because it camouflages any imperfections, and the pattern really does blend together even if it is not lined up perfectly!

Travel

Mini New England Getaways!

August 16, 2020August 16, 2020by detailsanddanielleLeave a Comment

Hello friends! Joey and I are celebrating our second wedding anniversary next month, can you even believe it?! I am not sure where the past two years have gone, but we want to plan a mini getaway to celebrate! Due to covid, we want to stay within New England, so I took to instagram to see if you all had any suggestions! We received so many wonderful suggestions, so I decided to round them all up!

Maine

Joey and I took a trip up to Portland in the winter and loved it! The food was incredible and we had so much fun strolling through the snowy streets. After taking a look at the Cliff House, we will definitely be planning another trip back up very soon!

Top Suggestions:
Cliff House – Many suggestions for this resort, looks stunning!
Bar Harbor – Such an adorable town!
Portland – We loved Portland, many breweries and amazing restaurants!

New Hampshire

Joey and I have traveled to quite a few places in New Hampshire in the fall and winter, and they are always gorgeous! Our top favorite is North Conway, followed by the Omni Mount Washington Resort.

Top Suggestions:
North Conway – One of our favorite New Hampshire spots! Great hikes, fall activities, and shopping!
Getaway House – We wanted to book this for our anniversary but it was all booked up! Looks so relaxing and peaceful!
Omni Mount Washington Resort – We’ve traveled here in the winter and have always wanted to go back in the fall! If you are going in the winter make sure you book a sleigh ride!
Mountain View Grand – I’ve had friends who have traveled here in the past and say it is incredible!

Rhode Island

I could write an entire blog post on spots here in Rhode Island, but I will keep it short! Check out Newport (of course), Jamestown, Narragansett, and Block Island!

Top Suggestions:
Block Island – Be sure to rent mopeds and drive around the Island!
Newport – Definitely stop by Castle Hill Inn or the OceanHouse for a drink, take a stroll down the cliff walk, and check out the nearby Beavertail Lighthouse in Jamestown!

Vermont

We have been dying to go to Stowe during fall! We went to Burlington last winter and it was so charming and romantic!

Top Suggestions:
Burlington – Church Street is absolutely adorable! We loved it!
Stowe (Green Mountain Inn, Stowe Mountain Lodge) – I cannot wait to visit Stowe, looks like the most gorgeous fall scenery!
Woodstock, VT (Woodstock Inn) – Many suggestions for the Woodstock Inn, so quaint and beautiful!

Connecticut

Although we are so close to Connecticut, we haven’t explored it too much! Looking forward to checking out some of the wineries here!

Top Suggestions:
Stonington & Mystic – Lots of cute coffee shops & stores!
Saltwater Farm Vineyard – Most suggested winery in CT
Gouveia Vineyards

New York

While we have never been to these spots in New York, they were highly suggested and I cannot wait to check them out!

Top Suggestions:
The Finger Lakes – Highly recommended for wineries!
Lake Placid
Lake George

Beauty, Uncategorized

Mask up, but make it cute!

August 13, 2020by detailsanddanielleLeave a Comment

Hello friends! Long time no chat! I have been away from the blog a bit working on all things Details and Swirls, but I am back and ready to share so many topics with you all! Unfortunately as we all know our world is looking quite different these days. Leaving the house without a face mask is as bad as leaving the house without our wallet. We need a face mask essentially everywhere we go, and I feel like this is going to become our new normal for the foreseeable future. I’m not sure about you all, but I am determined to find some “cute” face mask to wear! There is nothing worse than putting on a cute outfit, and then putting your face mask on and the whole outfit is ruined, anyone else feel the same way? Or is this just my OCD kicking in? Well in any case, I set out to find some cute face masks that will have me feeling put together and matching throughout this time! ***Please note, these are not medical grade face masks and we are not making any medical or health claims with our suggestions***

Gold Lip Face Mask
Face Mask Chain – How cute are these chains to adhere your face mask?! I love this idea because when you need to take your mask off you can just wear it around your neck by the chain!
Chain Option 2
Chain Option 3
Pink Ruffle Face Mask – just ordered this one! Also comes in white and a beautiful dusty blue!
Pink Heart Face Mask – If face masks are still a thing around Valentine’s Day, which I am sure they will be, I absolutely need this one!
Pink/Teal Beaded Heart Face Mask – How precious are these with the beads?! Set of 2
Old Navy Adjustable Face Masks – I am ordering a bunch of these to keep in my bag, car, gym bag, etc.! These are the perfect adjustable face masks and come in so many adorable prints! From tie dye to animal print and everything in between! Set of 5

Beauty

Skincare Routine

July 19, 2020by detailsanddanielleLeave a Comment

Hi loves! Today I am finally breaking down my full AM and PM skincare routines! I am not a skincare fanatic, but I have tried quite a few products over the years and really narrowed down my favorites and exactly what works for me. If you are just starting off with skincare and on a tight budget, check out Trader Joe’s line of skincare products! I still use many of their items, but starting out I used their toners, serums, and more and really love their products (especially their rose line)! I personally have a normal-oily skin type and very, very sensitive skin. I am allergic to many skincare products (especially those with heavy fragrance). I’ve tried Tula, Drunk Elephant, and more, and they all had products that I either had a reaction to or broke out from. I discovered Paula’s Choice around three years ago, and I have loved every product I’ve tried from them! Without going into too much detail on the brand, all of their products and formulas are backed by scientific research. There are so many skincare brands that draw you in with pretty packaging and branding, and I was so excited when I found Paula’s Choice and started reading up on how every single one of their products is science-backed! This is in no way sponsored, I am just so happy with the brand and the positive effects it’s had on my sensitive skin, and I’m excited to share all of my favorites! 🙂

FASH WASH: Soap & Glory – Vitamin C Facial Wash – I use this face wash morning and night and it is perfect! It does not leave a film or residue on my skin, and leaves my skin feeling fresh and clean. I love the Vitamin C component, and my skin always feels so smooth after using it!

TEA TREE: Trader Joe’s Tea Tree Cleansing Pads – These are hands down the BEST skincare product I use! I could not live without these tea tree wipes! Tea tree oil is a natural anti-inflammatory, and it calms redness while also preventing breakouts. I’ve been using these wipes for years, and they have definitely helped my skin in terms of breakouts. I use these directly after I wash my face, and you will be amazed at how much dirt is still left on the pad. I’ve gotten my friends and family hooked on these wipes as well, they are truly the best! I linked them through amazon, but I recommend purchasing them directly in your local store.

EXFOLIANT: Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant – This is another product I absolutely swear by! I have been using this liquid exfoliant for around 3 years now, and I’ve seen drastic differences in my skin. This product has definitely minimized my pores and improved the overall texture of my skin! I use this every single morning and night, and it keeps my skin smooth and bright! I cannot say enough good things about this product!

VITAMIN C: Paula’s Choice Vitamin C Super Booster – I recently started adding Vitamin C into my skincare routine and I have been loving this super booster! This product is a concentrated 15% pure Vitamin C, and it visibly brightens skin and improves fine lines and wrinkles! This product is one I use more as a preventative skincare product to take care of my skin now for the future.

MORNING MOISTURIZER: Paula’s Choice Super Light Wrinkle Defense SPF 30 – This morning moisturizer is incredible! It is really important for me to wear SPF every day, while also having a daily moisturizer that is not oily or greasy and can be worn under makeup. This product has a silk like texture and leaves the most beautiful soft finish on the skin. It actually has a slight tint to it as well!

FACE WASH: Soap & Glory – Vitamin C Facial Wash

TEA TREE: Trader Joe’s Tea Tree Cleansing Pads

EXFOLIANT: Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant

RETINOL: Paula’s Choice 1% Retinol Treatment – I recently added in a retinol treatment to my evening skincare routine! Retinol is clinically proven to diminish and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, and I have been loving this serum! I only use this product once a week (I will be building up to 2-3 times a week as my skin is ready). Skin can be very sensitive to retinol (redness, peeling, etc.), so it is important to slowly introduce retinol into your skincare routine overtime.

EVENING MOISTURIZER: Belif – The True Cream Moisturizing Balm – This moisturizer is AMAZING! I have been using this product for about 5 years now, and I still have yet to find anything I like better. The consistency is the perfect thickness, and it leaves my skin feeling so plump and fresh! They also make an aqua balm which is their water based version which I also love in the warmer months!

LIP MASK: Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask – I know this sounds dramatic, but I actually cannot go to sleep without using this product. If you have not tried this lip mask, RUN AND TRY IT! My lips literally have not been chapped since using it, and I do not need to use chap stick AT ALL throughout the day. It has made the biggest difference in the texture of my lips, and my husband and I both cannot go to bed without putting it on! My favorite flavors are the original, vanilla, and sweet candy!

Beauty

Everyday No Foundation Summer Makeup

July 3, 2020July 3, 2020by detailsanddanielleLeave a Comment

Hi loves! Today I am sharing my everyday no foundation summer makeup! This is the makeup I have on 99.9% of the time in the summer and it is quick and easy! Most of these products are my go-to favorite makeup products, and it only takes 5 minutes! I linked everything below, but if you would like to see a walkthrough you can head over to my saved instagram highlight!

Primer: Tula Filter Blurring Primer
Concealer: Nars Soft Matte (Custard)
Cream Blush: Fenty Beauty Cheeks Out (Cool Berry)
Blush: Kiko Cosmetics Sicilian Notes Bake Blush (Panarea Mauve)
Bronzer: Tarte Breezy Cream Bronzer (Seychelles)
Powder: Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish (Fair)
Eyeshadow (blush): Laura Mercier Strawber ry Blush
Eyeshadow (lid): Hourglass Scattered Light (Reflect)
Mascara: Lash Paradise
Lip Liner: ColourPop Lippie Pencil (Lumiere)
Lipstick: Mac Amplified Lipstick (Blankety)https://rstyle.me/+4HVv4-DSfJ1VWoIF2tIjiA

Home Decor

Neutral Farmhouse Peel & Stick Wallpaper!

June 29, 2020by detailsanddanielle1 Comment

Hi loves! We are in the process of doing a cosmetic renovation to our bedroom and I could not be more excited. I am creating a cozy corner in our room with an egg chair, adorable pillows, fluffy rug, and an accent wall! I started my search for our accent wall first. I knew I wanted some type of muted patterned wallpaper and came across the new trend of peel and stick wallpaper! I have no idea which pattern I want to go with, but I wanted to share some of the patterns I am deciding between. I’ve discovered some amazing brands during this search, and I cannot wait to try them out! Even if you are in the market for a bolder pattern, there is no shortage of adorable prints and colors to bring your walls to life!

Magnolia Home – I had NO idea Joanna Gaines had her own peel and stick wallpaper line, but are we surprised at how gorgeous it is?! This pattern may be a bit too bright for what I’m personally going for, but I feel like I need to find a space in my home to put it because it’s just too pretty!
RoomMates – I am SO happy I discovered this brand! This specific pattern I think would look really cute in a bathroom, but they also have so many other adorable patterns like this blue tiled pattern, which if you know me you know I am just obsessed!
Loomwell – Barlow – This brand is seriously out of a magazine! I fell in love with all of their patterns, especially their adorable floral nursery designs! Seriously saving them in my back pocket for nursery decor one day! My other two favorites from this brand for my bedroom space are the Oakley and Ivy.
Etsy – WatercolourWorkshop – This is a top contender for our bedroom accent wall! I am in love with the muted colors and the herringbone pattern.
Etsy – TimberleaMinimal – Another gorgeous tile-like pattern! It may be slightly busy for the large area we need, but I still think I am going to order a sample to test it out!
Etsy – IPInteriors – I am seriously kicking myself for not discovering this before finishing my office! This is definitely too feminine for our bedroom, but I am in love with the floral pattern and gold tones, it would have been absolutely perfect for my office!
Etsy – artlinkwallpaper – Similar to #2, I think this pattern would look great in a bathroom behind a mirror! I am loving this trend, and now I am seriously thinking of adding some wallpaper like this to our downstairs bath!
Etsy – AccentuWall – In love with this pattern, and this company has many other beautiful prints!

I will be deciding on a wallpaper over the next few days, let me know which one is your favorite!

Home Decor

Choosing The Perfect Paint Colors!

June 26, 2020by detailsanddanielleLeave a Comment

Hi friends! We are finally, FINALLY nearing the end of our big home renovations (YAY)! While we did not professionally renovate every room in our house, we did redo the interiors of each room to match my style and interior design vision. This cosmetic renovation came along with painting each room in our home to attain a cohesive look! Simply painting the walls and trim in our home made the biggest difference in making the space look fresh and new!

The two colors we used throughout our entire home are Benjamin Moore Collingwood and Sherwin William Oyster Bay. We used Oyster Bay for our kitchen and dining areas, and Collingwood for the living space, stairwell, bathrooms, and office. Both colors can be seen below!

While I absolutely LOVE these colors for our home, it is so tricky to pick out paint colors based upon someone else’s photos because every single home is different! The way paint looks in once space can look completely different in another based upon the lighting, wall surface area, shadows, and more! I am listing my top three tips when it comes to choosing a wall color, I hope is is helpful in your decision making process!

Tip #1 – Decide Yellow or Blue

Now I know what you’re thinking, “I don’t want yellow or blue on my walls…”! Deciding between “yellow” or “blue” is just deciding the undertone of your wall color. Do you want a warm undertone (yellow) or a cool undertone (blue)? Even the most similar of colors can look SO incredibly different in a room if the undertones are different. The undertones can sometimes be difficult to identify, so I put some examples below to help!

Tip #2 – Bottom of the Color Wheel

If you are having trouble identifying the undertone of the paint color, grab a color wheel from your local paint shop and start flipping through. I find it challenging to identify undertones of very light colors, so once I spot a color I like I trace the color all the way down the strip to the darkest variation of the color. From here it is much easier to see the true root of the color. I find this especially helpful when looking at grey paint colors. When you trace a grey paint color down the wheel it could actually be very blue or very yellow!

Top #3 – Big swatches!

My final tip is to narrow down your options to around 3 colors and paint big swatches on all different sides of the room you are painting! It is absolutely impossible to pick a paint color based upon the tiny paper sample you find in the color wheel or store. The best way to see how the color will look in your room is to manually paint a swatch on the wall and see how it looks with the light and structure of your room!

I hope these tips help, if you use any of them when choosing your paint colors be sure to let me know!

Beauty

8 Everyday Sunscreens!

June 18, 2020by detailsanddanielleLeave a Comment

Hi loves! Today I am back with a blog post talking all about sunscreen. I am not one to put sunscreen on my body every single day, and I have been working outside much more often than usual these days. I do put facial sunscreen on everyday since it is built into my morning moisturizer, but since I used to work in an office every day I never got into the habit of putting on a daily body sunscreen! Now that I am outside much more often, I went on the hunt to find a daily body sunscreen I can feel comfortable wearing every day. While I have my favorite beach sunscreens, I wanted to find something a bit different that felt more like lotion, and less like a coconut beach day! Below are some suggestions you sent in as well as some I found during my research!

Face Sunscreens:
Tula
S upergoop! (This is my go to face sunscreen!)
EltaMD
Paula’s Choice (This is the daytime moisturizer I use everyday with SPF!)

Body Sunscreens:
EltaMD (Most highly recommended!)
SunBum (My go-to beach sunscreen!)
Coola
Supergoop! (Body butter with SPF?! Sign me up!)

Fashion

Red Dress MDW Sale!

May 23, 2020by detailsanddanielleLeave a Comment

Hi loves! My favorite boutique is having their MDW sale, and I needed to share all of my favorite picks! I placed an order last night for some of these pieces, and I am too excited! Let me know which is your favorite!

1) White Jumpsuit

2) Lemon Swim

3) Sweater Romper

4) Cropped Puff Sleeve Cardigan (I have this and it is a staple for me!)

5) Floral Sage Midi Dress (just ordered last night!)

6) Dusty Rose 2 Piece (just order last night, and I still can’t get over the price!)

7) White Studded Loafers (only $10! also scooped them up last night!)

8) White Sweater (the last thing I picked up last night, perfect for spring/chilly summer nights!)

9) Peach Midi Dress (I was SO tempted to get this, but I definitely have too many fancy dresses and no place to wear them, but I still may just have to get it!)

Home Decor

Finding Ornate Gold Mirrors!

May 20, 2020by detailsanddanielleLeave a Comment

Hello loves! Today I am writing a much long overdue post! When I began my wedding sign rental business Details and Swirls, I fell in love with ornate gold mirrors. I started collecting beautiful mirrors to add to my rental collection, and this obsession grew and quickly took over the decor in our home. Along the way I’ve picked up many tips and tricks on where to search for these pieces, and how to find them for the best price! Today I am walking you through exactly how and where I find all of my beautiful mirrors!

Facebook Marketplace

This is my NUMBER ONE secret when it comes to finding vintage gold mirrors! Believe it or not, there is an overwhelming number of mirrors on facebook marketplace. Now, this approach definitely takes some time and effort. If you are on the hunt for mirrors I suggest checking facebook marketplace around 3 times a day consistently, and reach out immediately when you see something you are interested in. These pieces go very quickly, and I am still kicking myself on some mirrors that I missed! Browsing facebook marketplace definitely takes some imagination. Many times the photos are poor, but you have to picture how the piece would look once it is cleaned and in a well lit space! Half of my mirrors (especially my really big ones) are all from facebook for a fraction of the price! I once found a $1,000 mirror I was eyeing for months online for just under $300 on marketplace (coming to my rental collection soon!), just keep checking consistently and they will appear!

Antique Stores

The next place I shop for my mirrors are antique and vintage stores. I have purchased 3-4 of my mirrors from antique shops and there are pros and cons. The pros are the quality and history. All of my antique store mirrors are my best quality pieces, and they most often come with a story of how old the piece is and the origination. The main con is the price. Unfortunately many mirrors at antique stores are quite expensive, so while you may be able to barter, you probably will not get the cheapest mirror at a vintage store.

Online

While I absolutely love searching marketplace and antique stores for mirrors, sometimes I do not have months to wait for the perfect piece to magically appear. Luckily after lots and lots and lots of digging, I’ve found numerous beautiful mirrors online (many of which I own)! Some are more expensive than others, and I will list them below based upon price!