Tip of the Week: Beige is Back

That's right, folks!  

I'm bringing back my Tip of the Week Tuesday!  Not that it ever really got off the ground in the first place, but I'm hoping I can make it stick this time around.  

If you've been following me since last fall, you might remember when I made a declaration about how I planned to go about my posting structure.  You might also remember that the posting structure I came up with nearly killed this poor little blogger who also works a 40-hour-per-week regular job.  Boo!

As much as I would truly love to be Super Woman, living without the need for food or rest, I just have to be realistic with myself about what I can actually accomplish.  My biggest problem with my Octoberfest posting structure was that I was spending more time writing than I was actually doing crafty things...and I don't just want to be that blog that blogs about other blogs.  I want to blog about my own adventures in the DIY world.

So, here's what I'm going to try...

• Tip of the Week Tuesdays
• Theme Thursdays (Yes!  I really like writing these.)
• Style Sunday (Inspiration Boards & Color Schemes)

To hold me accountable to these set posts, I'm going to start opening up these posts as a link party for each of you to share your latest projects.  I always love to see what you guys are up to.

Everything else that goes up on this blog will be completely random, and will cover the latest projects I'm working on, Craigslist finds, Best of Blogland, Window Shopping Finds, Guest Posts, etc.  I'm hoping this will be the perfect blend of accountability and flexability...but like always, I'm still experimenting to find the right balance.

For today's post, I wanted to take a few moments to bring back our love for beige.  I was working on an article for Sheknows.com (still in editing, I'll let you know when it's live) this weekend that talked about decorating with neutrals & it got me thinking about the transition neutrals have gone through over the years.

It used to be that tan was the "go-to" color when it came to paint, fabric, carpet...and pretty much anything that was too much of a committement to make the wrong choice.  It used to be the safe color, but now it's often viewed as the bland, or boring color.

I personally think that tan, beige, cream, and taupe can be quite lovely.  Here are some great product pics that bring the "sexy" back to all things neutral!

1.  Pure White Ceramic Vases, West Elm, $10-$89.00  2.  Nearly Natural Phalaenopsis Silk Flower Arrangement, Bed Bath & Beyond, $46.99  3.  Formosa White Tray Table, White, CB2.com, $49.95  4.  Lotus Garden Seat, White, Ballard Designs, $165.00  5.  Mariposa Table Lamp, Z-Gallerie, $149.00  6.  Siskal White Modern Cube, Set of 2, Overstock.com, $82.99

1.  Fern Vases, Uncommon Goods, $34.00-$48.00  2.  White Leather and Hemp Metador, 8x10 Rug, Amazon.com, $149.99  3.  Ribba Frames, Ikea, Sizes and prices vary  4.  Coral Stem, Cream, Z-Gallerie, $14.95  5.  Java Small Basket, Crate and Barrel, $29.95  6.  Bicycle Decorative Pillow Cover, 18x18, Lands End, $40.00

I think I'm feeling so inspired by neutrals lately because I'm finally seeing my vision for my master bedroom come together.  It's pieces like my two decorative bowls (here and here) and my new duvet cover that are helping me to see how the beige and cream accents are going to look against the green walls.  So far so good!

Is anyone else going for a neutral color scheme in one of the rooms in your house?  There are so many ways to use neutrals, and they really balance a design in the grand scheme of things.  Just because something is beige doesn't mean it is boring.  Nature itself gives us the most beautiful beiges and ivories (like wood bark and pearls), so it just goes to show how much of an impact a simple color can make in your home.

PS...I wasn't paid or perked to feature any of the products mentioned above.  These are just products I like, and I thought you might like them to. 

I've seen several link parties out there with all sorts of rules...but that's not how I role.  This isn't about me marketing my site on your site, this is about uniting as a community of DIY'ers and sharing ideas.  So here are my two simple rules...

Rule 1:

Your project must be applicable to the content of this blog.  That's a pretty open window, considering this blog covers a lot of things.  But, if I feel your submission is spammy or doesn't apply, I reserve the right to remove it from the link party.

Rule 2: 

Please check out a few of the other projects in the link party and give the blogger some comment love. Comments reassure us bloggers that we're not just crazy people who talk to ourselves...you know it's true!

Pretty simple, right?  Alright, then...link up!