A product review and a giveaway- Coton Colors Dinnerware!

I bet you already know that I have a love for all things chic and colorful! So when Coton Colors contacted me if I would love to do a product review for their products, of course I said yes!

Coton Colors is a manufacturer of colorful, handcrafted pottery, creative giftware and seasonal pieces inspired by the celebrations of life. With its unique, chic sophistication and fun personalized designs, Coton Colors products are some of the most coveted pieces for discerning hostesses and original gift seekers across the nation. 

Now let's take a look at some of my favorite Coton Colors products, shall we?

Bargello Mix Salt And Pepper Shaker ($25.95)

Green Knob Candlestick ($35.95)

Bargello Mix Pitcher ($45.95)

Cobble Dot Small Bowl (Set of 4) ($69.95)

Bargello Mix Warm Oven Mitt ($14.95)

Neutral Dot Cake Stand ($79.95)

Bargello Mix Table Cloth ($60.95)

While browsing Coton Color's products, I came across a special feature named "Swap Tableware: Design Your Table" on their website. Before I knew it, I was happily mixing and swapping dinnerware on their website for the next hour or so.

Without a doubt, mixing dinnerware is one of the latest trend  in entertaining. Personally, I love this trend because you can express your personal style and creativity through setting your own table. And Coton Colors Swap Tabletop Dinnerware lets you play mix and match to create a tabletop that you like.

Below are some of my favorite tabletop combinations:

Green Chevron Bowl ($17.95)

Bargello Square Platter ($49.95)

Red Stitch Dinner Plate ($29.95)

Cobble Ruffle Plate ($19.95)

Punchy Green Dot Napkin (Set of 4) $32.95)

Bargello Mix Mug ($17.95)

Cobble Bowl (Red) ($17.95)

Red Chevron Square Platter ($49.95)

Cobble Dinner Plate ($29.95)

Green Stitch Salad Plate ($19.95)

Punchy Green Dot Napkin (Set of 4) $32.95)

Red Stitch Mug ($17.95)

Red Stitch Bowl ($17.95)

Black Chevron Square Platter ($49.95)

Red Stitch Dinner Plate ($29.95)

Cobble Ruffle Plate ($19.95)

Punchy Green Dot Napkin (Set of 4) $32.95)

Black Chevron Mug ($17.95)

When it comes to mixing and matching dinnerware, it is always a good idea to have a preview before deciding on what to purchase. You can create your own unique tabletop here.

For this review, I have received two Bargello Mix Dinner Plate ($29.95 each), two Bargello Mix Salad Plate ($19.95 each) two Bargello Mix Bowl ($17.95 each), two Cobble Ruffle Plate ($19.95 each), 3 Bargello Mix Mug ($17.95 each) and Punchy Green Dot Napkin (Set of 4) ($32.95).

Here is how I styled my table by using the fabulous products I received from Coton Colors.

To give my tabletop a layered look, I started by setting my table with a simple white cotton tablecloth and a green chevron table runner. Since the Bargello product line has a fun and playful pattern, I decided to add my own whimsical touch by adding a moss bunny and moss squirrel to the mix. To finish the look, I added a faux silk plant to complement my design.

A close up of my Bargello Mix Dinnerware.

A close up of the Bargello Mix Mug.

A full view of my table setting.

Changing things up by using my Cobble Ruffle Plate.

A close up of the Cobble Ruffle Plate.

What do you think of my table setting? Do you prefer the original set of Bargello dinnerware together or the one that I swap with the Cobble Ruffle Plate?

I can't tell you how much I love my Coton Colors products! The dinnerware are gorgeous and the colors are so vibrant. Made in ceramic, the dinnerware are food safe, microwave safe and dishwasher safe. One of the things I noticed quickly when I held the dinnerware was how much thicker and more solid they felt compared to the average dinnerware. Since these are handcrafted products, none of the two same items are exactly alike but I like them for their charm.

*I received these products to review for free but the views and opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Can you tell that I am a fan of Coton Colors? Are you a fan as well? If you are, then great news because Coton Colors is giving away a $50 gift certificate to one lucky reader!

This giveaway is open to US readers only (sorry, my international readers).

To enter:

 Must be a follower of Mix And Chic via Google Friend Connect.

Must sign up for Coton Colors "special offers" emails on the homepage of the website (located at the top of the page).

After you have done both, please leave a comment. (For example: I am now a follower of Mix And Chic via GFC and I just signed up for Coton Colors "special offers" email.) 

***Don't forget to include your email with your entry so I can contact you if you win.***

Additional entry:

'Like' Coton Colors on Facebook and leave a comment below. On their Facebook page, let them know that I sent you. (For example: I was sent by Mix And Chic.)

The last day for entries is July 31, 2013. The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced on Thursday, August 1, 2013. Good luck, everyone! 

And the winner of the giveaway is ..........

Announcing the winner of the recent giveaway brought to you by Mujjo. 

I used random.org to draw a winner and here it is! The lucky winner to win an item of their choice from Mujjo (from their sleeve collection) is

the lovely Linda from Calling It Home.

Congratulations, Linda! I will contact you soon. A big thank you to everyone who entered this giveaway. There will be more fun giveaways in the future, so don't forget to check back from time to time! Have a fabulous day, everyone!

Guest post: Five ways to decorate on a budget!

This post is brought to you by Amy Shawley.

The prospect of decorating your home can either cause huge problems or produce a feeling of complete satisfaction. It is possible to refurbish a house even if you are on limited financial means, you will just have to employ a little lateral thinking and imagination.

Master plan

If you stick to your budget and your master plan you would not go far wrong. There may be one room that needs total refurbishment so that you should allocate funds for that project. It might prove useful to take a look at every room in the house and see which one could do with a total makeover.

Many people convert their standard bathrooms to hydrovescence spas and after all the hard work on the rest of the house you will certainly appreciate the benefits of this fantastically relaxing room.

Thrift

The current economic problems faced by many High Street stores could prove to work to your advantage. Recently some famous DIY stores have announced forthcoming closures and this is the time to take advantage of cheap paint, tools and any other products that you will need for redecorating your house.

Soft fabrics

A very simple way to effect a change is to take a look at a room’s soft furnishings. If you have had curtains, why not try some simple blinds, many of which you can make yourself with a kit.

A sofa can prove to be highly expensive but some new cushions can really make all of the difference. It might be time to take some sewing lessons at a local college as this will really cut down on your expenditure and give you a feeling of pride.

Kitchens

A remarkably competitive way of smartening up a kitchen is to simply replace the doors on the existing units. If you are very handy, you can do this yourself. Or just look online or in a local paper to source any deals. Add a lick of paint to the walls and you will have created a totally new room.

Accessorize

It is quite amazing how the addition of some new accessories to any room can give it a new lease of life. Boot fairs are wonderful places for scavenging furniture that can be sanded down, painted and then added as your prized new possession in your dining room or sitting room. A little imagination can go a very long way.

Disclaimer: I have received compensation in return for publishing this article.

Guest post- From Tiny To Trendy: How To Enhance A Small Space!

This post is brought to you by Nabeel Khan.

In recent years there has been a huge shift in the living styles of urbanites. Thanks to major developments in architecture and technology, it is easier than ever to live in a significantly smaller space. Interestingly enough, this phenomenon is not driven by dwindling finances, but by the desire to live a minimalist lifestyle that allows for the freedom to move. There are some great options for individuals and families who are looking to purchase a small space while also creating a haven for comfort and functionality.

Newer houses are architecturally designed to minimize any extra space. Think about it: when you first walk into a house, you do not usually see an awkward corner whose only purpose is to collect dust or grow mold. There are a lot of tricks and tactics contractors and home designers use when building houses to make the most of space. One drawback to this kind of design is the heightened importance on paying attention to every design detail.

If you feel like you have moved into a space that is smaller than average, you are probably interested in finding out how to make the small space both comfortable and functional. Here are some small changes you can make that can have a huge impact on the structure of your new home.

Go Small:

Opting for smaller pieces of furniture is good way to create extra space. If you have a small space and want to avoid overstuffing it, you can choose smaller pieces of furniture. A lot of the time, you can swap out a sofa and love seat with a sofa and chair combination that looks great. You could also switch out a larger desk for a more compact working area with a built-in hutch or shelf above. Large desktops are not a necessity; especially in this digital age when going paperless is the norm.

Sliding vs. Swinging:

A big style trend that has been taking over many households is installing sliding doors or even retro-chic barn doors instead of traditional swinging doors. This is great because a) it can give your house a modern feel and b) allow you to create extra space where a traditional door would sway and swing.

Keep “Your-shelf” in Mind:

Shelves are a great way to create more surface space and if placed properly can even serve as substitutes for drawers, dressers, closets and even night stands. What is great about shelves is that you can place them wherever you like and make them as tall or short as you like. Some types of shelves that have been appearing in many households are folding shelves that are attached to window sills and suspended shelves that are practical and tasteful.

Think Vertical:

If you are in the market for a house, look for vaulted ceilings, windows that touch the ceiling and tall built-in book shelves. These are just some of the ways you can make a small space appear a lot larger and visually appealing to anyone who walks in. This will give the illusion of a larger home and keep your house from looking like it is stuffed with bulky pieces.

There are tons of different ways to optimize your space. It just takes a little creativity and a little thinking outside the box. If you have a small house and need to make it look comfortable and functional it might be time to upgrade the items within the house. The smallest changes can have the greatest impact. 

Disclaimer: I have received compensation in return for publishing this article.

A product review and a giveaway- Mujjo (Sleeve For Apple Device)

A few weeks ago, I have received a fabulous sleeve from Mujjo for a product review.

Mujjo is a Dutch designer label for mobile accessories, founded in 2011 by Robin and Tom. Mujjo started out making hand stitched winter gloves that work on touchscreens. In 2012, Mujjo began making sleeves for apple devices, featuring a unique combination of wool felt and high quality leather. Each item is beautifully crafted by hand with a minimalistic design.

For this product review, I picked this sleeve.

Macbook Pro 13 " Sleeve White Wool Felt

Front

A closer look.

Interior

Back

I love my Macbook Pro 13" sleeve for its minimal yet ultra stylish design. The combination of high quality leather and soft wool creates a wonderful contrast in color and texture. This product is beautifully hand-crafted (love the design details and stitch work). The storage compartment is an added bonus where you can easily store a magazine or documents, if needed.

Overall, this product is top-notch. Highly recommended!

*I received this product to review for free but the views and opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Check out other gorgeous products from Mujjo!

iphone 5 Sleeve White

iPhone 5 Wallet Brown

iPad Mini Sleeve Brown

iPad Sleeve White

Macbook Pro 13" Sleeve Brown

 Macbook Air 11" Sleeve White

I am swooning over these cool products from Mujjo, what about you? 

If you have an Apple product at home and is looking for a chic case or sleeve, you will love this giveaway! Mujjo is giving away an item of your choice (except for gloves) to one lucky reader! Better yet, this giveaway is open to readers worldwide!

To enter:

1. Be a follower of Mix And Chic via Google Friend Connect and let me know your favorite item from Mujjo (with a link included). (one basic entry)

***Don't forget to include your email with your entry so I can contact you if you win.***

For additional entries (an extra entry for each of the following):

2. 'Like' Mujjo on Facebook and leave a separate comment.

3. 'Like' Mix And Chic on Facebook and leave a separate comment. (If you are already following, please leave a separate comment to let me know as well.)

4. 'Follow' Mujjo on Twitter and leave a separate comment.

5. 'Follow' Mix And Chic on Twitter and leave a separate comment. (If you are already following, please leave a separate comment to let me know as well.)

6. 'Follow' Mix And Chic on Pinterest and leave a separate comment. (If you are already following, please leave a separate comment to let me know as well.)

7. Mention this giveaway on your Facebook status (include a link back to this post and leave a separate comment.)

8. Tweet about this giveaway (include a link back to this post and leave a separate comment.)

The last day for entries is July 17, 2013. The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced on Thursday, July 18, 2013. Good luck!

Guest post- Ten ideas for organising tools in the garage.

This post is brought to you by shelving and storage specialists: www.esedirect.co.uk.

Anyone who does DIY on a regular basis will know the frustration of not being able to find the right tool for the job. Worse still is discovering that the necessary tool is unusable because it is rusty or damaged. Here are ten ideas to keep your tools well-organised and in top condition.

Basics

1. Keep things clean. Your tools should be stored in a clean, dry, dust-free environment, well out of the way of any children. Keep the sharpest and most dangerous ones furthest out of reach. Never put tools away when they are dirty, wet or dusty – clean them off and make sure they are dry and properly greased/oiled if necessary. Do not store petrol-driven tools like lawnmowers or chainsaws with the fuel still in them – it can evaporate and is an explosion risk in a confined space.

2. Prioritise. You will use some tools frequently – typically the simplest ones like hammers, screwdrivers and Stanley knives. Make sure these are most accessible. Others will only be needed occasionally, and can be tucked out of the way (and out of sight) to save space.

3. Storage. Buy or make some decent shelving or racking, or at least a large plastic cabinet with several drawers. Keep tools of the same type (hand tools, power tools, battery-operated tools) on the same shelf. That way you will always know where a certain tool ought to be. If you are going to be out and about, it is worth investing in a good toolbox with a strong handle for transporting your tools and keeping them organised on the move.

4. Large, heavy tools like circular saws, sanders and drills can take up a lot of space. Especially if you only use these occasionally, it is often worth storing them in large, slide-out bins on the floor. That way, you can just roll them under the bottom shelf when you are done, knowing they will stay clean and dry until next time. Alternatively, you can hang them from a set of robust hooks on the ceiling. Make sure you buy large, strong hooks and screw them properly into the centre of the ceiling’s beams (use a joist detector if you are not sure where the beams are).

5. Keep accessories together. A drill is no good without its chuck and bits. If you are not storing them next to the tool itself, keep everything in the same place and close by – ideally in a labelled drawer or box.

Tips and tricks

6. A drilled length of wood, with a series of different-sized holes along it, is a good way of keeping a small number of tools and other useful bits and pieces in the same place but visible and accessible. Find a piece of two-by-three or two-by-four and use ordinary wood bits to make holes for screwdrivers, pencils, Allen keys and so on. You can also screw in hooks to hang pliers, torches and other items from. Fix the wood to the wall or the underside of a shelf.

7. Make a tool wall. This is the same principle, taken to its logical conclusion. Use a sheet of pegboard along with hooks, wire and cable ties to hang all your tools on – except for the very heaviest ones. DIY stores often display whole ranges of tools like this, and the overall effect is great.

8. Hang jars for screws and nails. Find a set of glass jars with plastic or metal lids. You can fix the lid of each jar to the underside of a shelf using a couple of short screws or strong glue. When you need the contents, just unscrew the jar and lift it down.

9. Funnels screwed to a wall make excellent string dispensers. Thread the end of the ball of string through the funnel and it should never get tangled again. Alternatively, you can fix length of dowelling or bamboo in front of a wall using brackets. Slide on balls of string and reels of wire and solder for easy access, as well as using them to hang gloves and other items on.

10. Magnetic strips, similar to a knife rack, are a convenient way to store paintbrushes and other metal tools. Hang paintbrushes with the brush facing downwards, to encourage them to dry properly and prevent dust from lodging in the heads.

Disclaimer: I have received compensation in return for publishing this article.