If you are alive and breathing and went pretty much anywhere this past weekend you surely noticed the switch. Store shelves, magazine racks, decorative displays, they all went pumpkin on us one day last week, undoubtedly at the stroke of midnight, and are now squatting happily on summer’s territory before it’s technically time. And no matter how we feel about this annual assault, we all know the drill and we know fighting it is a losing battle. It may be hot outside but fall has no warm feelings for summer and has officially staged it’s coo. Now, if you’re like me, you just can’t fathom how you’d possibly manage to break out the pumpkins just yet but you’re willing…
3 Kid Friendly DIY Projects for Any Fiesta!
Before everything turns into a pumpkin, my kids and I decided to soak up the last remaining days of summer and give the prickly pineapple its’ fair share of fun in the sun. The occasion, my husbands birthday, our plans…a little BBQ before naptime, but shhh…it’s a surprise! His birthday was actually a couple of weeks ago but this is our first weekend in town to celebrate as a family. First up: Mason Jar Pineapple Planters 3 ways! This one is as easy as pineapple pie! For 2 of the 3 versions, we painted the inside of the jars by dropping in the paint, giving it a good shake (Sebastian’s favorite part) and then letting it sit overnight to…
When You’re Messy, You’re In the Moment
A few years ago when my husband and I were struggling to adjust to life with just one child, my mother-in-law sent me an email. It was one of those emails that had been passed from address book to address book and best friend to friend in need. And I could tell by the amount of “FW:’s” in the subject line (that no one bothered to erase) that it was most likely the kind of email that would have some funny caption accompanied by photos or video of puppies and babies in all kinds of predicaments. But it wasn’t, and I was pleasantly surprised by it’s simple but profound message. Now don’t get me wrong, it was still one of…
Make your Target “Run” Now, Don’t Walk!
The last thing I expected to be doing while making one of many trips to Target this week was whipping out my iphone and stepping tentatively over unpacked boxes and half full display shelves all while snapping photo after photo of unpacked product and immediately sending it to friends and family. But I simply had to. It’s here, it’s finally here, the much anticipated home collection from Target which has been written and blogged about for months now — even teased and sneekpeeked for us in a recent Instagram posts from my favorite celeb stylist/designer and reigning girl crush, Emily Henderson, Target’s Style Ambassador. So when I saw it roll by me in another shopper’s cart, I instantly knew…
The Summer Decor Icon Sticking Around For Fall
When you go to open any of the fall 2015 catalogues hitting your news stands this week (or perhaps last), you might be surprised to see one of this summer’s trends forging it’s way straight into your fall decor. Popping up in both the expected and unexpected ways, the pineapple is and endless summer enthusiast’s dream. Once reserved for only colonial or plantation style decor or as a quick shot of summer style that was stored away in a flash, this peculiar fruit has won us over in a major way and the powers that be have noticed our infatuation. Maybe it’s the tropical mood it sets that draws us in or maybe it’s the fruit’s deep connections to…
The One Design Trend That Will Take You Effortlessly Into Fall
If you’ve paid any attention this summer to all the brightly colored blankets adorning beds and couches, patio chairs and lounge chairs, and going from design on less than a dime to the better lives of the rich and famous, you’ve undoubtedly smiled and maybe even cheered for the familiar underdog. The serape, or Mexican blanket as it’s often referred to, has been living it up all summer, getting quite used to the spotlight and showing up in all sorts of unexpected places. And why not? These traditionally inexpensive long rectangular blankets full of colors and patterns can compliment any palate or style and just scream happy design – making them the ideal candidate to help you warm up to…
The Best of Summer Served On A Stick!
It’s here, Labor Day weekend, the official unofficial end of summer and whether you’re sick of sweating and ready for the fall to run it’s familiar chill down your spine or you simply cant believe it’s time to spare your shoulders any more rays and slip your toes into some socks, it is upon us like it or not. But have no fear, no matter which side of the meridian you fall on, lusting for additional lazy days bronzing or already unpacking cozy knits and chunky cottons, it’s time to celebrate. That’s right, celebrate — love it or hate it, you have to accept it, so either surprise yourself and muster up one last gangbusters weekend or save the tears…
Get Mindy Kaling’s New Office With Your Paycheck, Not Hers!
There’s no denying that Mindy Kaling is bold, bright and committed, so it makes perfect sense that her new office is exactly the same. It’s also fun, inviting and full of happy as far as the eye can see, like seriously deliriously happy spread over each and every inch of a perfectly curated home away home on the NBC lot. Full of vibrant colors and rich textiles, it looks more like and in inviting living room you never want to leave rather than an actual office, but who’d complain about that! If you can surround yourself with a space dripping with creativity and whimsy, then why not keep it polished while still being uber playful? I mean seriously, there’s a…
Mixing Words With Pinterest
With 3 new projects underway I decided to spend some serious time on Pinterest and add a whole collection of visual inspiration boards to my arsenal. Why? Because all too often, when talking to friends or clients, I find that words just get in the way for one of two reasons. The first is definition. What I consider modern or traditional is exactly that, what I consider the style overall to be. However, I will have a filter and an interpretation just like the next guy. And in most cases, especially if you’re seeking design help, you won’t know how to verbally communicate when something crosses the line from traditional to transitional or mid-century modern to just modern, so why…
What’s Your Style? The Ultimate Design Style Roundup
Many people would argue your personality and your style go hand in hand, that they are almost one in the same, inseparable. And while trends and trappings come and go, at the core, you remain true to what moves you. You can evolve and expand, but you don’t really ever change, hence all the well known adages about not being able to change a person. And I have to say I agree with this overall concept, but I would argue, like with anything, there are always exceptions. But for right here, right now, I’m going to make it easy and just say yes. I also believe if you understand what makes you tick, what gets you weak in the knees…
Bohemian Design Styled Your Way
With summer’s end quickly approaching I find myself gravitating towards anything and everything Bohemian. Perhaps I’ve been struck with some simple wunderlust and I just can’t comprehend the reality of the days getting shorter or maybe it’s all the boho chic design style I’ve been immersed in this week for my clients. Either way, I’m embracing it with joy and holding tight to my copy of Justina Blakeney’s The New Bohemians, Cool & Collected Homes for a quick fix. Why fight the free-spirit inside when it’s just as easy to dive in and channel my inner bohemian through rich and radiant design and style — even if it is just on the pages of a book or through an inspiration…
Gettin’ Set To Bat an Eyelash!
September is going to be a busy month, good thing the kids will be in school soon enough and I’ll be so busy that I (hopefully) won’t even have time to be sad. We shall see! But I have 3 projects that I’m currently working on and have been busy Pinning away for inspiration, ideas and products! The first is for a good friend of mine, an Emmy nominated make-up artist who is branching out and opening her own lash studio. I’m super excited to get my hands on this space because when something is small, it means every inch is easily manicured and nothing gets neglected. You’ve got the time, the energy and the budget to really make an…
My Designer Girl Crush Strikes Again!
When I convinced my husband to accept a navy blue velvet couch into our lives it was based on this photo (above) I stumbled across on the internet, somewhere. It’s bold and masculine while also being happy, refined and user friendly. But because things are pinned and re-pinned, tagged and re-tagged, and dare I say swiped and stolen, I had no idea at the time, the living room I was lusting over was an Emily Henderson living room. I simply loved it, took a snapshot from my phone and filed it away under my “one day” dream living room. Until one day, that one day came when West Elm, much to my dellight, featured this little beauty. The Peggy Mid-Century…
Lulu And Georgia Take Me Home (With You!)
One week ago today I was just getting back to Los Angeles after a whirlwind trip to the beautiful city of Chicago where I met all the lovely ladies from Create + Cultivate. And while the conference was filled with inspirational women taking charge and living their dreams in the digital world, I have to admit the one thing I cannot stop thinking about is Lulu and Gerogia, one of the event’s pop up shops. And to be honest I have no idea how I have survived so long without discovering this priceless gem of a home design resource that I actually had to ask my design minded friends if I failed epically or if L&G was just playing…
Dorms Done Right!
FIVE FAVORITES FRIDAY 8.22.2015 August is Back To School Season and there’s truly no escaping the endless barrage of inventive school supplies and academic inspiration no matter the grade or location. And for those of you heading off to college, maybe for the first time, or the fourth, dorm decor is always a cause for pause. But here are 5 of the best tricks of the trade to make your dorm room less like the sterile environment you enter and more like the happy home sweet home you crave (just without your parents, of course). Never underestimate the power of Washi Tape. It can transform a wall, deck out your door, keep you organized, spotlight your friends or simply help…
Add A Little Bling to Your Life and Your Outlook for under 10 Bucks!
While spending last month designing and decorating NiCasa Showroom in downtown Los Angeles for my friend and NiCasa owner, Nicole, I was reminded of a little motto of mine, when in doubt, spray it gold. I said it so often after hauling in truckloads of treasures that by the end of the week Nic herself was saying it in anticipation of my “plan” and I was no longer being met with the quite the same level of resistance over the idea. Or the sound of “Ok…sure…if…you…think…that…will…work?” Why? Because it did work and I made a believer out of her in record time. So when in doubt, spray it gold — and spray it gold we did — matte gold,…
“Your Brain is Your Bitch” – A Badass Cheat Sheet to Living an Awesome Life
If you haven’t read Jen Sincero’s You Are A Badass yet, chances are you know someone who has or at the very least you’ve been blinded by a copy in the bookstore or at a cafe. It’s everywhere, and for good reason. Making its’ way to the NYT Bestseller’s list for back to back weeks now, Badass is in your face honest, brutally straight forward and can’t put down funny page after page. And quite often Sincero is like your big sister or best friend telling you everything you don’t necessarily want to hear but absolutely must hear — and because it’s coming from love, you remain engaged. But don’t let that sweet stuff fool you, a no coddling message…
My 5 Favorites Friday is all about packing light!
As I’m mentally packing for Create + Cultivate while writing this and packed and flying by the time you’re reading this, I’m having trouble deciding between 2 different lists. 5 Things I Better not leave home without or 5 of the best traveling light tips I’ve found thus far. And being as neither one of these lists are necessarily my Favorites per say, they are timeless tips and tools and quite frankly I’m out of time. And to make up for what I’m lacking in originality here, I’ll give them to you both and go for quantity if you promise not to complain. Because let’s face it, I have kids, I don’t travel often and when I do, light is…
The Easiest Way to Squeeze the Happy Out of Your Day
Expect it. Yup, that’s it. If you were expecting more, I’m sorry to disappoint but I told you it was easy! Be happy it’s so simple because it is, truly. Simply setting your expectations high is even better than having an open mind, which too is helpful, no doubt. But expecting a good day or positive outcome and playing that out in your head is like asking the Universe to be the celebrity by your side. Doors will open and opportunities will appear because expecting things to go your way is announcing your desires to The Universe through intention. It’s an indirect way of being direct and getting what you want. Pile on some enthusiastic emotion and you’ve got Disneyland…
10 Tips From The Create + Cultivate Community to Make the Most out of Chicago!
With only 3 days left to Create + Cultivate Chicago, the buzz surrounding the female entrepreneur conference, or Badass GirlBoss conference as it’s been tagged, is only growing stronger. It’s sold out and fortunately, I’m one of the lucky ones making a whirlwind trip to the one and only Windy City. And I have to admit, watching the social media posts grow in anticipation of the event has been both widely exciting and a teensy weensy bit nerve racking. Customarily, when you put this many girls in a room it’s a cut or be cut mentality, a kind of every girl for herself, make it out alive and you’ve “made it” kind of party. But not this event, because what…
