Something New

I have decided to try my hand at stationary. This is a sampling of what I did for Valentine's Day. Sweet, simple, and to the point. And who doesn't love goats? I'll keep at it and keep you posted with where this new venture takes me.

A Woodland Retreat

Things are happening! Now that the walls are freshly painted, I am ready to decorate. I started out by going to all the local flea markets and thrift shops and the theme just took shape. Behold, our baby's woodland retreat. All I need now is this teepee and the crib (kind of important). Hope he likes it!

Home Update // The Sofa

Find all of these images here

Another big purchase down on the seemingly never-ending home project. This lovely sofa from West Elm will accompany our custom beer barrel table and still in progress DIY dining chairs. We can't wait until it arrives 8-10 weeks from now and when it does, hopefully we will be well on our way in getting these amazing items to accent the sofa centerpiece.

I am dreaming of black and white in pillows and rugs, cognac leather chairs, vintage landscape paintings, and hits of natural wood and gold. I'm pretty sure these things will make our new couch (and us) feel right at home.

Found // Artifact Uprising

I finally am inspired to do something with our wedding photos...only 3 1/2 years later!! I love the look of everything this company helps create. Your photos + their clean, simple, and beautiful vessels = magic. Photo books, postcards, woodblock calendars...I need it all!

It All Started With A Dining Room Table...

Inspiration Image // My Revelment 1. Ethan Allen (I photoshopped the stain and added the black)

 2. Kitchenadining

 Inspiration Images // Design Sponge and Emmas DesignBlogg 

3. Dot & Bo Park Slope Chair

Inspiration Image // Scandinavian Retreat 4. Dot & Bo Curved Back Shaker 

5. Dot & Bo Woven Shaker

So our house is still in need of a full-on remodel, but that didn't stop us from getting our dream dining room table. We had it made at a local salvage yard from Anheuser-Busch beer barrels that were used before the prohibition and later turned into wood for the horse barn. I worked with the wonderful people there to have the base made from blackened steel.  It turned out frick'n stunning if I don't say so myself.

Next step was to get chairs to complement the beauty that is this table. I narrowed it down by finding inspiration images and then finding the chairs (in our price range) to match. While I love all the options, I have decided to go with either 1 or 2 - the classic windsor modernized with black at the top or all over.

Last step: Craigslist. I found these awesome chairs and will get them on Thursday. Here's hoping I can get this little DIY project done by Thanksgiving because I am hosting this year. The table made me do it.

Fall Obsession // Buffalo Check

Every new season, I usually get pumped about one new thing that I am going to make into my "statement." Last year at this time it was black leather and a wine lip. This Fall season, it's all about the buffalo check. I'm seeing it every where in every way and I want it all. Just hoping that I can fit into that Crew Cuts capelet. Cross your fingers.

1. Rag & Bone Plaid Portobello Pant

2. Crew Cuts Reversible Capelet

3. This Is How I Roam Wall Art

4. Asos Bobble Beanie Hat with Buffalo Check 

5. Madewell Tomboy Work Shirt in Check

Saana ja Olli and their Wild Northland

I love this photo shoot for Saana ja Olli's newest collection called The Wild Northland. The shadows and the light play off the soft but graphic patterns oh so well. I want it all. Definitely a success.

NYFW Faves of the Faves

It was a tough decision, but I did it. I found my faves of the faves. Such an inspiring NYFW and these four show stoppers feel like they were designed for me. How lucky am I?

1. J. Crew

2. Marni

3. Marc by Marc Jacobs

4. Creatures of Comfort

Hello Again...It's Been a While

Collage is of photos me or my hubby have taken during the little break from the blog. Bottom right is an original design by me for my BFF's bridal shower and bachelorette party

I'm baaa-ack! As you may have noticed, I have taken a little hiatus. Along with being insanely busy, I wanted to spend some time to really think about what I wanted to post and how I wanted to present myself to the blogosphere. As far as content; I decided to not change much, be more thoughtful and personal in what I share, and really embrace the reason for why I started this blog in the first place - my love for both city life and country livin.

I realize since I live in the country now and there are so many new experiences from that to share (we got goats...see above), but I don't want to leave out my city side and will definitely be sharing more about that.  

I'm glad to be back posting, but am still working on re-vamping the blog and finding a look that fits me and my big blogging plans. Stay tuned, because once I figure out my design and trudge my way though some lovely html code, it will be amazing!

So, to recap: more thought, more city, more me. Planning parties, picking outfits, meeting people (discovered a local artist who makes the abalone plant hangers above), constantly thrifting, spending time with family, and of course, still taking time to smell the flowers. 

Foodie Friday

 Recipeace

1. The Candid Appetite 2. Southern Living

DesignSponge

1. Ace & Jig 2.WhoWhatWear

We threw our first party at our new place in the country on 4th of July and it was such a fun time being the host. It got me thinking...I like food, I like parties, and I like to dress up. Oh my goodness, I should be doing this ALL THE TIME!

So to save our wallets and my husband's sanity, I thought I would let out some of my new found party planning love in blog form. Introducing: Foodie Fridays. I pick a dish that I would love to serve, a table setting to match, and an outfit I would wear to top it off! 

First up, fried chicken & waffles in sandwich or appetizer form. I would serve them on a long rustic wooden table with wild flowers and gingham napkins, and I would wear an easy shift dress with a pop of coral. Enjoy my imaginary party! There are many more to come!

Before and Hopefully After: Master Bedroom

All images found here

As much as it embarrasses me to post a pic of our drab bedroom, I want to accurately document our progress with our humble home. We are in decorating limbo as we wait to start the renovations in the rest of the house, but as I am brought down to earth with all our upcoming reno costs, it's becoming more and more clear that new windows and floors in our bedroom will have to wait. I'm actually not that bummed though, because that means I can start decorating! Might as well, right? I desperately am missing texture, color, and art up on the walls.

I couldn't find one image that clearly captures the look I want, but I feel like this little collage sums it up! Turkish-inspired rugs, bamboo/rattan furniture, and white. I love me some white. And as you can see, I've got a good start on that!

Oh and remember our house-warming gift we picked out? Can't you just see that beautiful buffalo right at home in any of these inspiration bedrooms? Oh yeah.

4th Festivities

Getting ready for 4th of July celebrations. So many food choices, outfit options, and activities need to be decided. It was tough, but I narrowed it down. I plan to sip a watermelon cocktail while wearing white and waving sparklers in the air. Nailed it.

EAT (FROM TOP LEFT):

1. frozen watermelon slush

2. Arcanja 

3. AHeirloom's cutting board

4. Beautiful Reverly paper straws

WEAR (FROM TOP LEFT):

1. Need Supply Co mistaken identity top

2. ASOS mini linen skirt

3. FP long sleeve swing dress

4. MiH star print top 

 

DO (FROM TOP LEFT):

1. Sparklers

2. United States of Americana

3. croquet  

4. freunde von freunden

 

 

Good Stock via Mercy Vintage

 Pics from Dana's home

 Vintage floral skirt & Isaac Mizrahi calf skin booties

 Vintage pants, Cynthia Vincent platforms

 The owner of Good Stock in a vintage poncho

 

Had a lovely weekend shopping across the bay and discovered two new must stop spots. Mercy Vintage and Good Stock. Picked up two ahh-mazing STRIPED items (styled pics to come soon) at Mercy and was utterly inspired by everything in the shop next store, Good Stock. 

Naturally, I went home to find out more about these places and discovered that they had a collaboration! Mercy's blog featured the incredible style of Dana, the owner of Good Stock. So, of course, I had to share some images from the post. Enjoy!

Thinking Green

 Inunomimi

 Jerome Goignard, provence style of Living

 Skonahem

Inunomimi

Bought a plant for my desk at work (named him Chevy) and it got me thinking green. Our country place has a deck going across the whole side of the house, lending to endless possibilities to decorate with foliage. Just one request I told to my husband. We live in California. We will have at least one palm tree. That is all.

Black, White, & Peach!

Hey! I created a color board! Like everybody else, I am having a very black and white moment, but something was missing...something to soften my looks. Answer? Peach! I wasn't the only one to think of this, though, look at the amazing color inspiration I found. Obsessed.

1. Natalie Nicklin

2. Suburbly Chic

3. Journelle

4. Let It Be

5. Let It Be

6. Decor8

7. Reality Bites

When in Doubt

Refinery29 instagram

So I saw this instagram pic by Refinery29 a couple weeks ago and and it still makes me laugh. Why? The title of the post...When in doubt, put a baby pineapple on it. Wise words, Refinery29, wise words.

Since then, I have gotten slightly obsessed with pineapples. I want to put them on my shirt, on my shelves, and on my shoulder. Oh, and let's not forget...they are quite tasty too.

Refinery29 head scarves shoot, tee from H&M

Pinned via Phoebe Romanovski

Found on The Shiny Squirrel

White on White

 Handmade placemats from Etsy

 Velvet blanket from Etsy

Toulon bath mats from Remodelista

I need all these things! White on white with textures and cutouts will look perfect in my modern country home. I have "wanted" these things on my Svpply account, and account that's more eye candy for me than an actually purchasing venue, but these items should change that.

For more fashion, home, and lovely randomness that I have "wanted" on Svpply, check out my profile here.

Wedding Love from Modern Hearts

 Pieter & Theresa // wedding

 Katrin & Matthew // wedding

My BFF's wedding is coming up in September, so I have weddings on the brain. I stumbled upon Modern Hearts through one of my fave sites Miss Moss. They capture the most beautiful wedding moments I've ever seen and these images are just a peek into what they do.