Inspiration, interiors, decorating, craft + diy, and thoughts on creativity and the sweet life
From the monthly archives:
Ah, summer. Just give me sun streaming through the windows, the soft whir of an old fashioned fan, a tall glass of lemonade and nothing to do but daydream…and maybe blog :)
Clockwise from top left: Gorgeous summer inspiration from Amy Butler; Sweet botanical bookend from Aurora Lee Hales; More from Amy Butler – I love everything she does!!; Perfect summer print by Yvette Inufio
{images: linked to individual sources above}
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I came across a feature in the August issue of Food & Wine magazine that I really enjoyed, and I wanted to share it with you in case you missed it. Usually, when food mags show “easy entertaining ideas” I can’t help but roll my eyes a bit. Do you know what I mean? I love looking at articles showing elaborate spreads that take days and days to make from scratch, but in reality those recipes just end up in my recycling bin. However. There is an article in Food & Wine crammed full of creative summer parties. Let’s have a look:
I think my favorite is the “We ♡ Julia” party, inspired by the movie coming out this month (I can’t wait to see it!). The meal is very simple: bacon & leek quiche, mixed greens with shallot-Dijon dressing and a bottle of wine. And the aprons and shirts they had made with favorite Julia Child quotes are adorable! You can make your own using Spreadshirt. I think it would be so much fun to round up a few girlfriends to go see the movie and then have a little party after :)
The recipe that we have tried so far was the Salade Niçoise from the French Riviera party and let me tell you, it was delicious. It’s my favorite sort of thing to make – just a little of this, a little of that, and very colorful and appealing on the plate. B & I just made it for ourselves on a lazy Sunday afternoon, but it would be perfect for a party because everything tastes just as good at room temperature if you want to make it in the morning for an afternoon party.
Happy Summer!!!
{images: Food & Wine; Laura Gaskill}
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I just can’t believe it: it seemed so far away, and now there are a mere 32 days until we move into our first house!! I am getting really excited but also a bit nervous about the many, many decisions that still need to be made and the work ahead of us. The first big decision? Paint colors! After so many years of renting, I am really excited to finally be able to choose the colors for my very own home. For the main room, which is a living/dining space, I am leaning towards a very soft pink. So I’ve collected some of my favorite images of pink rooms (these are all from House Beautiful) to use as inspiration…
I am really drawn to pink (remember this post?), from the palest almost-white to bold, rich berry tones. It’s just such a happy color! And it is very flattering on the skin – one apartment we lived in had a pea-green dining room (including the ceiling!) and it made everyone look slightly ill at dinner – so this is more important than you might think, especially in a dining area! I love the soft, creamy tone of the pink used in the living room above; this is pretty close to the shade I would like for my own living/dining area.
Decorator Alexa Hampton was quoted in House Beautiful saying, “When picking a pink, always go to the top of the card and get the palest version of what you’re dreaming of, because even if it looks subtle on the chip, it won’t be so subtle on the wall.” Ah, what words of wisdom! I think this holds true for so many colors. And after looking at the sitting rooms above, I realize that even though they are gorgeous, I don’t think I would be happy with walls quite that pink in such a large room.
Ah, but the bedroom on the other hand…did I mention I also want to paint the master bedroom pink? Oh, yes. And for the bedroom, I would like to go just a shade or two warmer and richer. It’s a very small room, so I think it will feel cozy and comforting. What do you think?
I think I can safely say after looking at these rooms that pink has a range that encompasses much more than bubblegum and fairy princesses! Pink can be sophisticated, grown-up and worldly – and in a very soft shade, it can even work as a neutral. Do you have any personal experience with pink rooms? Any words of wisdom to share? I would love to hear your input!
{images: House Beautiful}
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Today I am thinking of old, grand buildings with weathered facades; the sort we don’t have too many of here in the States. I am dreaming of travel and adventure! Of throwing a few things in a bag and just going. Anywhere! Everywhere! Where would you like to go? How about Venice to start? We can see an opera at La Fenice, eat risotto and walk around arm in arm, exploring every inch of the city…
{images: linked to individual sources above}
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The new August J. Crew catalog just landed in my mailbox and I was pleased to see that they shot most of it in gorgeous Monterey county, not too far from where I used to live in Santa Cruz. Looking at the lush rolling hills and quirky little cottages that form the backdrop to the catalog made me miss weekends drives up and down the California coast…but it also has me seriously craving a great big Harry Potter-size trunk full of J. Crew clothes (and jewelry, and shoes, and bags, oh my…)
I would literally love to scoop up everything pictured here and then some – well, maybe not the bright pink ankle socks! Cozy coats, crisp little blazers, ruffles and tassels and jewels…
The quality and creativity of the clothes and the styling of the catalogs keeps getting better and better at J. Crew, thanks in large part to Creative Director Jenna Lyons (pictured below, in her office), who just oozes style and vision. If you are at all curious about Jenna (or just want to see more photos of her cool office), check out this interview with the Huffington Post – thank you Jennifer of MadeByGirl for pointing it out :)
So, what do you think of J. Crew lately? Any thoughts? What’s on your wishlist?
{images: Jenna Lyons photo Huffington Post; all others J. Crew}
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