Sunday, June 30, 2013

Four Legged's and a freebie




 Gibbs has an obsession with his stuffed pig






 and he is a nature lover, through and through.  I hope you all are enjoying your weekend and recharging your batteries for the week ahead!


Here's a free printable for you . I hope you're doing what you love today.









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Saturday, June 29, 2013

Family Reunion

We are headed to our Aunt's house Saturday for our annual Fourth of July reunion.  My husband has alot of family within a few hours radius and they come from out of state too for this grand picnic. We've had as many as 80 + people before! There are ribs cooking on an open fire pit all day, eating, swimming, games, eating, visiting, drinking and way too much eating, but it's a fun day and I wouldn't miss it for the world. I've been going to this reunion of my hubs family since I was 16, so that is 44 years! whoa.  It's usually sweltering hot and humid so nothing fancy fashion wise, just shorts and flip flops and a cool top.  I'll be taking some buffalo chicken dip and chips and maybe something like this:



I know the 4th of July isn't til next week, but this is when we're celebrating! Do you do anything fun for the 4th?  Have a great Saturday!


Friday, June 28, 2013

Fickle Pickle and MLB


If you know me, you know I love navy blue and turquoise.  At least that is what THIS PHASE of 1/2 of my house is all about.  The other 1/2 of the house is neutral.


I just saw Martin Lawrence Bullards new wallpapers and they would look so good in my home! 





 Some of you are going to say DO IT! But I can't...I'm already fantasizing about changing it all....again. But don't you love these? 


Obsessively fickle, I know.  Have a great Friday!  



Happy 38th Anniversary to the love of my life, my best friend and forever boyfriend!




Thursday, June 27, 2013

Designer Watch: Peter Mikic

If you're not familiar with this Aussie-turned-Londoner, Interior Designer Peter Mikic you should be.  His work is sophisticated and a portfolio you won't want to miss.  He is an animal lover as well, so I already adore him and his two handsome labs Bullitt and Hunter.


 These photos are from his renovated townhouse in Notting Hill as featured in Elle Decor. This custom  Prism Chandelier  designed by Mikic is featured in his lighting line.  His art collection is amazing.


I am dying over the moldings, the fireplace, the wall of mirror tiles and rug! 
In this library, the chairs are custom made, the art is by Sarah Morris, and the mid-century touches mixed with an antique venetian mirror make this room so glamourous.
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His breakfast room sports custom made furnishings and an etching by Lucien Freud!
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His work includes interior design for private yachts and private jets, and a line of bespoke furnishings, rugs and lighting.

I hope you enjoy his aesthetic as much as I do. 

P.S. If you saw this post yesterday, I screwed up the publish date! Bet you were thinking '2 posts in one day?' yes, we are superwomen!

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Words with Wilma



Wilma tends to look to the English for her inspirational pearls of wisdom. I saw this quote the other day and I was reminded why I love it.  We often second guess ourselves, especially in this profession. Does it look good enough? Will the client like it? Is it too out-there? Is it too common?  Is this the right palette?

Sometimes we have to remind ourselves that we aren't perfect but if we stay true to our vision, we will always have our integrity.  So what if not everyone likes you.  The only person who needs to like you is you. And maybe your significant other.  Be strong. Don't second guess yourself. And if someone doesn't like you, then good.  Means you're made of some good stuff.


Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Diet Update and Daydreaming

I have had years to ponder all of the things I would like to own if I could actually fit my toosh into them.  Years of envying bikinis at the beach, matchstick pants that fit perfectly and even tailored outdoor-wear!  I haven't been able to fit in things from regular stores for such a long time that I've had plenty of time to daydream about the things I would buy if I could.  


And now that I'm 50 pounds down, I am beginning to think I may actually be able to own these things one day! I still have a lot to go, but just being able to fit into jeans from stores other than Lane Bryant is such an incredible boost to my morale!

I am a horse-girl, I need a good Barbour waxed coat.  I had a Barbour quilted jacket about 10 years ago, but only because the men's sizes fit me.  I'd like a Patagonia puffy vest. I also want a decent pair of skinnies.  Gap would be just fine.  But the wash is key.  Being heavy, I've steered away from washes other than dark dark to smooth out my lower half!  I need a good shift for summer, a chunky sweater for winter and definitely some tall boots.  I couldn't do a chunky knit or a puffer before, because I just didn't want to draw any more attention to myself.  Lastly, I could use a sweet nighttime romper.  Nothing too out-there.  I see the light at the end of the tunnel.  Better get to work to afford a new wardrobe!

My next goal is to get 50 more pounds off by the winter. I've been hitting the gym and trying to stay on track, but I can tell my steadfastitude is wearing thin. Fingers crossed 'cuz I want that Barbour!


Monday, June 24, 2013

We all need to be pampered at times

Isn't that the truth? Oh I'd love someone to give me a vintage sportscar like this and pamper my inner Danika Patrick, but even if it's slipping away for a pedicure or lunch with friends, it feels good to be pampered. 

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Here are some lovely ideas for pampering a girl (designer) like me. I'd be happy some new decorating books,
or a day lounging at the pool,


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a ride on my horse in a river or ocean,


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French macarons and champagne, please
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a day at a spa ( top of the list)
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or a shopping spree.

(not that I need his permission!)
What do you like to do to pamper yourself? Whatever it is, you deserve it. I hope you've been pampered lately.

Take time for yourself to help you be the best you can be.  Have a wonderful day.



Sunday, June 23, 2013

Four Legged's




It's been a fun week enjoying the pool. Finally the rain stopped and we got a few great days in. The swimmer of the year goes to Wilma Applesauce Brower, who will get on the raft by herself at any time. She is wild about the pool, so we have to take the float out of the water when we're not there or she'll get on it.  Gibbs and Seamus don't share that unabashed love of the water (yet). Im shocked that Gibbs didn't even want to get in the baby pool.  Seamus didn't want to touch the water but would claw Bethany to death trying to get to high ground....too funny. 

Willie is always looking on.



Doing lots of yardwork this weekend in between dips in the pool... What are you doing? Have a great weekend.



Saturday, June 22, 2013

Rowan beads



I love these paper beads, and love the fact that all the money goes to help the Aids Network of widows and orphans of Rowan, Africa.  This is the perfect necklace when pearls are just a bit too much (although I rarely think pearls are a bit too much!)and youre using gold accessories with the outfit.

Please support this cause and go to www.loveROWAN.com.   Thanks MaryAnn at Classic Casual Home for spreading the love.

Friday, June 21, 2013

getting the collected over time look



When I first started decorating my home, I kept running into the same problem. Because I was a first-time homebuyer, I had to purchase a lot of first-time items like a sofa, a chair, a coffee table, etc all at once.  Everything ended up looking store-bought or decorated-at-once.  You know the look!  Like when you walk into a home and can identify every thing from a catalog you just thumbed through.

I think we can all agree that rooms that feel like they are decorated over time always feel much more curated than the store-bought rooms that just anyone and everyone can do!  We met with a client recently who told us she likes to walk into a store and say "I'll take this, this this, and one of those!"  That's just what worked best for her in order to complete a room.   

When I slowed down a little and started collecting things over time, I slowly dissolved the store-bought look.  But I had to layer in a lot of aged items.  Rustic beads (thanks to my friend and fave, Sherry Hart), antique Chinese porcelains, original art, and my personal fave, rugs. 

A good mix is like a good year for wine.  You want to keep it once you get it and slowly let it settle and age even more. And the trick is, you can still buy items from big-box stores and achieve a layered, curated look.  You just have to chose wisely.  Not too matchy-matchy or too perfect.  Sometimes perfection lies in the imperfect.

We see way too many store-bought rooms and vignettes styled after what's in the store windows so we're always in search of the unique, the slightly tattered, the used. I wish I could afford a million rugs to scatter all over my house.  Like this pretty here!


If I had all the money I wanted to decorate my own home with there are a few key items that top my list.  

An aged Chinese end-table. A tiger wood or burl wood chest of drawers like this one that I adore.


I need a hoofed-bench at some point.  Rugs, duh, rugs galore!  Original art - something moody and Dutch-master-y, like your friend and mine, Darryl Carter, does so well.


And lastly but probably very important to the aesthetic I dream of in my head, some antique olive jars to add some real grit.  These pups are pretty affordable, compared to the real thing, and would be terrific if converted into statement lamps!  Proof that store-bought and ready-made can still add age and layers if chosen wisely!



If you don't have the time or resources to source antiques, make sure to pepper in some things that feel older - like original art, antique rugs, a mixed set of furniture, an heirloom piece passed down from a relative.  Less glossy and fresh-out-of-the-box and a bit more dinged up.  A simple painted piece of furniture in an otherwise matched-set room will do wonders to add some life. Different colors of wood will also help break up some of the same same.  Prints under glass is one of the best ways to add life to your walls.  But adding in a canvas or something not behind glass will help take away the newness of it all.  Making statements on walls from old African gathering baskets instead of iron scrollwork from stores like Kirklands will give layers without stagnancy.  

Even if you plan to decorate in a day, using older things will ensure your room isn't static.  It breathes life and tells a story when you have items with a past.


Thursday, June 20, 2013

Hanging with the Powells


I dream of having a hanging bed under a poolside pergola. Wouldn't this be lovely?

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Add one of these inside.

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I'd never get any work done but at least I'd be in La La Land.