Color Story: The Power of Red

In case you missed it, I'm guest posting over on Paloma's La Dolce Vita today!!!  See you there!

Color Story: Going Green

Hi Everyone!!!  Today I am guest posting over on Paloma's blog La Dolce Vita.  Be sure to check out my post on all things green!!!  Hope you are having a Happy New Year!!!

Color Story: Maria Barros + Christmas

Today I have a new series called Color Story debuting over on Paloma's La Dolce Vita!  Read more about Maria Barros' style here.

The Baby Diaries Part 2: Barron + Serena's Nursery

 Happy Labor Day Weekend!!!  I hope you are enjoying the time off and soaking up the end of the Summer sun!  I've managed to spend most of my weekend in doors, enjoying the AC and laying around relaxing.  Just when I think I have the energy to do something, all I want to do is lay down again.  I'm a complete bum with a huge belly and officially over being pregnant!  I'm still working and plan on doing so till I give birth, which is probably stupid because I get even more exhausted but it keeps me busy and I like the company of my co-workers all day.  I have managed to get a few things done, like decorate the nursery Barron will be sharing with his Sissy (I have packed my hospital bag in case I do go into labor sooner than I expect!)  

 I wanted their room to be very calming and relaxing when we're in there.  I chose Behr's Dolphin Fin as the wall color.  It's seriously a gorgeous color and if I knew how to properly work my Canon EOS camera you could get a better idea of it, but I don't, so take my word, this color is gorgeous!  It's definitely on the lighter side, which I wanted.  Since Barron hasn't transitioned out of his crib yet, I haven't put the bumper pads or dust ruffle on yet, so it's lacking a bit of color there, but you get the idea.

I still have 2 silver picture frames to hang over the crib, one is Barron's birth announcement and once this little girl gets here, hers is going up on the wall too!  

 I made the changing table area for little Sissy.  All her clothes (and I mean all the drawers are packed with her clothes!) are stored here as well as diapers and supplies you need when changing diapers.  I gave in and ordered on Amazon some stupidly expensive diaper pail system since I will now be changing 2 kids' diapers and figured the plastic ghetto grocery bag method I've been using wasn't going to cut it anymore.

 Here's my solution to a glider or rocker...Ikea's Poang Chair in Black/Brown with a Granan White cushion.  First, the thing is cost effective at about $150 all in, second it bounces, and third it's really comfy!  I just couldn't justify spending $600 on a glider that I wasn't going to use that long.  I found this ottoman at a local thrift shop and the thing was totally beat down.  It was $20 out the door and I had my mom give it some tender loving care to bring it back to life!  I found this flamingo fabric at F&S and knew I wanted to use it somewhere in the nursery.  It brought in some coral pink without making the room too girly, so it works for both kids.  The gray leopard pillow I found online at C. Wonder  for about $30 for 2!   

I sadly had to move my white Expedit from my office and switched it with the 4x4 black/brown model that was in here before for more space.  It creates so much storage and the framed art is Barron's first piece that I bid on at his little art auction at daycare!  Kids art is my favorite thing and framed with a nice white matte makes it look even more special.    

 I created a little nook for Sissy's little shoes and growing hair bow collection!

 After countless hours on Pinterest, I was inspired to create a book wall for Barron.  I found these picture ledges at Ikea that were super easy to hang.  I love all the colors the books bring into the room and he can grab a book and we can hang out and read.  

 The chevron pillow was a Home Goods purchase...

I bought the blanket on the bed at Pottery Barn and had Barron's name monogrammed on it, and they don't carry it anymore, which I am super bummed about because I wanted to get a matching one for Sissy, but now I'm looking elsewhere.  The toddler bed was purchased online from Amazon, it's the Davinci Modena model.  It was a pain to put together but it uses a crib mattress and sheets, so it's a nice transition for now.

There are a few more things I want to add like a rug and some colorful pillows, but for now, we are good to go and I'm just glad that I was able to get it done!!!  Now I can relax....

See more inspiring nurseries here!

The Baby Diaries Part 2: Girl Names

I'm going on 35 weeks pregnant and it seems like it can't go fast enough!!!  I'm so sick of being sick, tired, nauseous, uncomfortable, and totally not like myself!  I swear this pregnancy with the little girl has been dramatically different than with my son and I want to meet her already!  We're pretty set on a name, but we keep going back and forth and I am torn because there are so many girl names I love.  Here are my favorites, which ones are yours???

Top 50 Baby Girl Names
Aerin
Alana
Alexandra (Alexa, Alexis)
Allegra
Arabella
Assisi
Blair
Blaine
Byrdie
Camden
Cameo
Carolina
Carrington
Cassina
Claiborne
Daisy
Delphine
Elizabeth
Esme
Fiona
Giorgia
Georgina
Gwyneth
Helena
India
Lauren
Lexington (Lexi)
Liv
Luella
Louisa
Mclaren
Natalia
Natasha
Nicholai (Nicky)

Oceana
Olympia

Paige

Philippa (Pippa)

Poppy

Sasha
Serena
Sloane
Simone
Talitha
Tatiana
Theodora
Valentina
Vanden
Victoria
Whitney

Glamour Obsession: Chic Maternity Style

Today I am guest posting over on La Dolce Vita!  Stop on by and check out my take on maternity style!  Oh by the way, I've got a little one on the way!  More on that to come!

Glamour Obsession: Neon

I'm currently obsessed with all things neon and bright so read more about it here today on La Dolce Vita!!!  I love to hear from you so leave a little comment too!  

Inspired

Hello again!  I know it's been a while since I last posted and well, I've been busy!  The holidays were lovely and I really enjoyed the time off the map, unplugged from the iphone, and taking a little break from my day job.  Nothing beats spending good quality time with my baby boy and of course, my husband.  But now, it's back to reality, the traffic has gotten heavier, and it's time to get focussed.  2011 was a year of transitions, personally and professionally, and I'm confident 2012 will be filled with inevitable unknown changes yet to come.  I find it really exciting not knowing what the future holds, and I love change.  Without it, we become stagnant, think we own the world, and therefore, can not progress.

{God, I want that couch, zebra rug, furry blanket, and dark espresso floors!}

So here's what's on my mind...we are currently looking to move soon (a good change) and I just finished reading Celerie Kemble's Black and White over the holidays.  I've decided that my new place is going to adhere to a strict color palette of black and white with lots of neutrals mixed in for good measure.  In the process, I've been sourcing rugs and furniture and here are a few pieces that are on my inspiration board.     

 I love the way white piping contrasts against the black fabric.  I have a pair of chairs that I have my eye on that I want to recover just like this!  How stunning would a custom monogram look on these??!!

 A houndstooth chair is a must!  It's so British and gentlemanly, yet playful at the same time.  Love a good houndstooth print!

I've been searching on Craigslist relentlessly to find the perfect pair of wing back chairs to recover in this large chevron print.  I'm going to sell my current round dining table and buy a rustic farmhouse table that expands to fit 10 people and I want these to flank both ends of the table!  

I just stumbled across this rug last night while flipping through the Crate and Barrel catalog and I love it! I've found rugs like this online, but you can't beat the price point of this one!  Here are a few more images of it from the catalog...

Adore...

Crushing on Tommy Smythe

Every saturday afternoon I religiously DVR all my favorite HGTV shows and lazily lounge on my couch relaxing.  My favorite shows (besides Color Splash and Candice Olsen) are Sarah's House and Design Inc. I love watching the dynamic duo, Sarah Richardson and Tommy Smythe, remodel and redecorate fabulous spaces.  I love their creativity and quirky personalities, and I especially love Tommy's quick wit (his dandy sense of style rocks too)!

I about fell over when I saw Tommy's recent project in House and Home.  I love how he mixes traditional elements with a gentleman's haberdashery.  Zebra, houndstooth, and gray wool fabrics are so warm and cozy, but I especially love how he offsets these with glossy black walls, crisp white trim and lots of dark wood.  

This gold mirror hangs perfectly over the sofa.

I love the look of round mirrors grouped together up the stairs, gives it an aged look.

This bathroom packs so much punch for such a small space!  I love when a small powder room has a surprise element like this zig-zag pattern in yellow, black and gray! 

Loving the pops of orange mixed with navy!  This is fast becoming one of my favorite color combos!

Are you dying over the kitchen yet?  He perfectly blended gold hardware with classic chrome faucets.  That floor is beyond stellar!

I want that red Chesterfield and I love the mix of gray, black and gold.  

 Lots of crisp black and white, seriously I want to move in here!!!!

Dior Suite

Everything about The Dior Suite at The St. Regis is perfect.  The light gray, cream, and gold touches has me dreaming of a light and airy place to rest my head.  As you may not know, I have a love affair for all things French and this room is my idea of heaven.  

Don't you want to just move in???

Glamour Obsession: French, Do It, Better

In case you missed my guest post over at LDV, check it out here!   

French really do, do it better!  Can I please own this little Vespa and cruise off into the city??!! 

Glamour Obsession: Bohemian Chic

Hey Everyone!  Blogging hasn't been on the top of my list these days since my day job and motherhood has literally eaten me alive!  It's all good though because business is booming and I'm super duper busy finding creatives jobs, which I love!  I'm contributing regularly over on Paloma's blog La Dolce Vita, so be sure to check out my post today about all things bohemian and glamorous!  See you there!!!

Rebirth of Cool: Saucy Glossie

I love fashion bloggers.  I stumbled upon Lindsey Calla's blog Saucy Glossie last summer while pregnant and was so inspired by all her adorable fashion ensembles that I couldn't wait to recreate them!

Well, a few weeks ago I was pleasantly surprised to see Lindsey on TV as the spokesperson for TJ MAXX!  How cool is that??!!  It really goes to show that regular individuals can have such a huge impact on advertising.

I will admit, that when I see Lindsey pair super cute wide legged pants from New York and Company on her blog, I actually do go into the stores to find the same exact items to create looks at more affordable prices.

I'm also curious to step inside a TJ MAXX to find affordable name brand pieces at lower prices, thanks to Lindsey.  So great job Lindsey and TJ Maxx for a really well executed ad campaign!  I'm pretty much sold and will definitely be stopping by some stores this Fall!

In My 'Hood

I've been meaning to write about Chris Barrett's Brentwood home that was on the cover of House Beautiful this summer, and here we are in Fall now and I figured, better late than never.  So here's the deal:  I about died when I saw this cover!  I walk by this house every time I take little Barron on our neighborhood walks (there's an adorable little 1200 sq. ft colonial style with a white picket fence on the same street listed for just under a million$ that I've had my eye on all summer).  So when I saw that front door with those crawling flowers I knew exactly which house was hers!

It got me thinking that I would love to live in a cozy little house, that was perfectly mapped out with little nooks to curl up in and read.  Everything has it's place and there's definitely no place for clutter and crap when you live in 1000 sq. ft, which I like.  I love a dining room that has built ins and lots of books.  It just creates conversation and thoughts and who doesn't love a banquette like the one above???

I love the dark rich woods and lots of white!  The perfect balance of texture and clean lines.  I would love to just lay here, light the fire and drink wine.

The kitchen is my favorite part by far!  The floor to ceiling subway tiles, white marble and dark cabinets are so homey.  Don't you just want to pick some oranges from the trees outside and juice them??  This is the California I love and this kitchen is the epitome of casual, healthy living that we love in California.

I love the open shelves with everything easily at hand.  I adore a white kitchen but this one makes me remember why I love dark rich woods as well.  There's something so earthy about this kitchen that feels really comfortable, yet refined and sophisticated at the same time.  It's romantic and I like that.

 White tufted bed and white sheets is perfection.

Dining al fresco year round with the cool breezes floating off the Pacific is what makes this whole picture perfect.  I can't describe to you how beautiful this neighborhood smells in the summer and winter.    There are fruit trees in everyone's yards, gardenias and night jasmines blooming, and the sun shines year round.  

The temperature rarely gets above 82 degrees and under 60, which (to me) perfectly justifies the million dollar plus price tag it costs to live in this adorable neighborhood.