New House Files: Vol 1. (yes, already)….

I've already made 2 major scores on items for the new house. The first came a while ago when I was messing around on the internet and found these Shades of Light sconces at a major discount. So naturally I bought them without thinking twice.

Shades of Light Star Sconce

I'm thinking they will go in the powder room, which I am envisioning to look a lot like this guy…

Full disclosure: We've known we would we building this house for about a year now, which is why I've started buying hoarding things. I also have 2 french style bergere chairs that are headed to the reupholsterer later. Which, since I'm sharing, will be upholstered in Schumacher's Plaisirs de la Chine on the back..which is a crazy large scale pattern, but this is a small excerpt….

And pink velvet on the front. You heard me. 

The other "so crazy it would be ridiculous not to do it" score came yesterday when I came across this Schumacher linen wallpaper for $40 A ROLL. This stuff retails for $350 a roll. I ordered 10 rolls about as fast as you could say Mastercard. It will either go in the master bedroom or the dining room. I am so excited about this I could die. I mean, seriously, its gorgeous. The texture of this wallpaper is something that paint could never replicate. It looks just like grasscloth, but it's linen so the texture is soft and cozy. Like a wall blanket. New term? I think so.

Schumacher Kohana Linen weave in flax

Oh man, this is going to be fun.

Big News!

Sorry for the silence around here. To say things have been crazy is an understatement. I've been super busy with clients and jobs (which is wonderful, don't get me wrong) and we put our house on the market 2 weeks ago. And we got a contract in 24 hours. Which is also wonderful, but now has me scrambling to find out where we are going to live.

The fun and exciting news is that we are building again and I plan to post lots of updates on this here blog about what's gonna be happening…ideas, design boards, photos, etc. The not-so-exciting news is that we are renting for a year or so while we build. I'm not super stoked about this, but it's what was best for us to do in this situation. Finding a rental home is….interesting. That's an adventure all in itself. Decorating a rental home poses its own set of challenges. Do I store most of our stuff and just go bare minimum? Do I just decorate it as I would any other house? Decisions. Most likely, that house won't be making any appearances on this blog. I have a feeling we will be using the hubby's brown leather reclining sofa and our pots and pans and call it a day.

I have all kinds of emotions about this process. Leaving this house is sad. We built it from nothing, we brought our daughter home to it, she's crawled, walked, and run in it. It's the only home she's known. But I also want her to realize that change is a part of life. Even big, scary changes. And knowing her, these next 2 houses will be home to her as well.

So now that I've made myself cry at 9 am, here are a few photos I've gathered as a little inspiration. I'm calling it Modern European. A little French, a little English, a little farmhouse, a little American (as in huge closets). Hold on to your hats folks…building a house is a bumpy ride.

Yep. This range is happening.






You get it, right?

Thawing Out

It's like a cruel joke when stores start releasing their spring and summer wares when we are still dead in the middle of winter. We just finished with a major snow situation here in the South and I am looking at bathing suits online (for the little one, not me, I choose to endure that torture closer to summer about 12 hours before I actually have to wear said bathing suit). Needless to say, I am loving everything that J Crew in putting out for the season. The good news is most of these things will be on sale by the time you or I can actually wear them.

Mara Hoffman released a collection for Crewcuts and it is beyond. I am obsessed with it all.

Ananda Rash Guard

Ganesh Bikini

Tiger Romper

See the whole collection here.

There are also some pretty awesome selections for the ladies as well.

Crepe Shift Dress

I actually may have to go ahead and buy this.
Merino Tunic Sweater

Tank Dress

Lace Stripe Tunic

Linen Baseball Tee

Stoneburst Necklace

Who else is totally psyched for spring?

Pretty in Pink

Who else is ready for winter to hurry up and be on its merry way? I have been wistfully staring at the sandals in my closet. I'm also digging these spring-ey interior spaces. Which all noticeably have one thing in common: pink. It's my new favorite color to decorate with. It just seems to work everywhere with any color.

Now, while I would probably never suggest anyone paint their kitchen cabinets hot pink…here it just works. These folks are ballsy…and I dig it….I dig it hard.

Now go get a pink pillow or something. It will work. I promise.

Ruthie Sommers is my Spirit Guide

Her house is amazing. Others people's houses she designs are amazing. Basically, she's amazing.

Here is her California home….

It's everything interior design should be. Life is too short to live in a boring home. 

I'm Not a Beauty Expert...but I Play One on This Blog

This isn't a beauty blog by any stretch of the imagination, but I always love hearing what other people use. And then I make a mad dash to Sephora and scoop up what I think will work for me. Lets face it, I'm not getting any younger and in the last year or two I have really stepped up my skincare game. Here are my current faves...

Clarisonic Mia

I got this for Christmas and I can already tell a difference in my skin. It works. Get it.

Philosophy Exfoliating Wash

This stuff is amazing. It's gentle enough to use everyday, but I stick to every 2 days or so.

Philosophy Hope in a Jar

If you have dry skin like me (it's so dryyyyy) this stuff works miracles.

Josie Maran 100% Argan Oil

At first I was scared to put oil on my face. Why would one do that? Because it makes your skin soft and amazing, that's why. Put it on over your moisturizer to lock it in all day.

Oscar Blandi Dry Shampoo

I only wash my hair every 2-3 days. I started doing that after I had a baby (really because I didn't have time to wash my hair) but I noticed a huge difference in the texture and frizz. This dry shampoo is the bees knees. And it smells fantastic.

Benefit They're Real Mascara

Best. Mascara. Ever. Enough said.


So that's everything I am loving right now. I am always trying out new things so every few months I'll try and post what I find. Happy Saturday everyone!