change of scenery

4/100: a casual summer outfit idea fit for a ballgame.

2014-06-16T07:35:00.001-07:00

Nothing says "it's summer" like going to a ballgame. Peanuts, beer in a plastic cup, boys in tight pants... it all works for me. As long as I'm appropriately dressed:

Loose tops. Remember you'll be sitting on plastic fold out seats for majority of the game so think ahead and avoid the sweat marks.
Hair up. Nothing ruins a mood like heat rash from your hair being down.
Polarized sunglasses. That ball is tiny from far away!
Don't wear white shoes. Someone will step on your shoe at some point in time no matter how careful you are. Trust me.
Do not wear a dress. For no other reason than you'll look like an amateur.

braid tutorial by socialphy / tank / denim shorts / aviator sunglasses / gladiator sandals

tip: Always think about your tan lines. Slather on the SPF and choose a tank with thinner straps so you can keep wearing your summer clothes without having to worry about hiding horrible tan lines.

3/100: a classic outfit idea with a twist.

2014-06-13T05:00:00.000-07:00

This photo was really pretty, but really tough to translate. The vibrant colors of the flowers are what catches my attention at first glance and, the primary reason I snapped the shot. Then, after cruising Topshop for reasons other than this blog post (!!), I found the perfect orange midi skirt to design an outfit around.

I loved the texture and bright color, wanting to keep as the focal point of the look. Adding pastels helped accomplish that, opting for a crop top to modernize the silhouette. The deep purple sandals rounded out the outfit - making it perfect summer outfit that can go from day to night with a smoky eye.

necklace / crop top / sandal / midi skirt / clutch

tip: Pair a bright, warm color with a paler, cool one to keep the look from being too much. Balance the outfit with accessories that mix vibrant and subdued hues. And finally, head to the opposite side of the color wheel to make sure the look has enough contrast.

2/100 days of sunshine: garden inspired living room decor.

2014-06-12T05:00:00.000-07:00

While parking at work today, this fence and overgrown greenery caught my eye. I love the horizontal planking with muted coloring and defined wood grain. The bright greenery adds a fresh and vibrant contrast which is what I tried to do with the bold, graphic pillows in this living room idea. Balancing the chunky wood coffee table with metal and bamboo components keeps the space looking airy and whimsical. I also added a textured lamp to create visual interest without drawing too much attention away from the planked coffee table centerpiece.

This living room design makes me want to kick back, relax and pour a cup of Earl Grey. Or gossip with my girlfriends over a few Pimm's. DELISH!

couch / side table / lamp / coffee table / mirror / graphic pillow / striped pillow / bird pillow

tip: Don't stress about pillows matching exactly. Find a few colors in common, a similar subject (in this case birds) and they'll compliment without being identical.

BONUS: These pillows also happen to be reversible so flip them over when you need a change.

1/100 days of sunshine: a warm and inviting dining room design.

2014-06-11T05:00:00.000-07:00

I took this picture of my next door neighbor's Japenese Maple tree because I was immediately drawn to the color. I especially liked the way the shaded area, deep red and golden tones compliment each other in a way that was perfect to model a dining room idea after. The lightness of the photo is central to the overall composition which is exactly what I tried to do with the table centerpiece.

metal chairs / fabric chair / rug / artwork / bowl / chandelier / table

tip: Anchor a long dining table by using fabric chairs that have carry more weight. Fill the rest of the space with chairs that take up less space to keep the furniture arrangement from looking too clunky.

The 100 days of sunshine challenge: home decorating and fashion inspiration.

2014-06-09T20:08:00.000-07:00

To end the 3 month long hiatus, I've decided to put myself to a 100 day challenge like everyone in the social media world. I think it will be a great stamina builder and inspirational way to sit back and enjoy the Sacramento sunshine. For those that don't know, Sacramento is the sunniest place on Earth for months June through August. It's hot, there isn't a cloud in the sky and it never. ever. rains.

To celebrate, I'm going Roald Dahl on everyone, watching with glittering eyes for home decorating and fashion inspiration in the Sacramento sunshine. It's my way of kicking off the summer while collecting some great ideas along the way.

spring wedding photos and other mushy gushy stuff.

2014-06-09T19:52:00.002-07:00

After an unsuccessful search to find the perfect quote about how much time it takes to plan a wedding and how little time you feel you have after you've married, I'm afraid I'm left to my own abilities.

I'll start by saying that my hat goes off to those up for the task of planning a wedding in less than a year. It took me a year and a half and I can't imagine the amount of time needed to dedicate for anything less.

Next, for those wondering where the heck I've been for the last three months, it's been a mix between planning a wedding and enjoying being a newlywed. For the record: getting married is totally worth it. Even if you think you're the type of person that's not interested in everything that comes with a wedding, have one. I'm so grateful to have the opportunity to marry my best friend in front of our closest family and friends. It was absolutely magical.

room idea: radiant orchid and neutral patterns.

2014-03-19T05:00:00.000-07:00

It's official. Home residence = under a rock if this is the first time you've heard of this color.

Everywhere in 2014 fashion, I thought it'd be fun to try and translate into a bedroom. The trick is keeping the space feeling adult and balanced vs. princess palace for a 9 year old. To accomplish, I mixed modern floral patterns with neutral geometric ones. This allowed me to use a "pop of color" (phrase courtesy of my mother) without making the room feel overly vibrant or bold.

tip: Continue to balance bold color with neutrals when choosing artwork. Avoid competing with the patterns by opting for line drawing with a minimal color palette - like this ampersand or street print. Thank you, Society6!

headboard / duvet cover / poppy pillow / orchid pillow / floral pillow / side table / side table drawers

trend alert: bomber jackets.

2014-03-18T05:00:00.000-07:00

A bomber jacket is simply a zip front jacket with two pockets and - in most cases - elastic banding around the waist and cuffs. It was also one of the hottest jackets on the spring fashion runway. I need one of these immediately.

tip: Play with the masculine vs. feminine undertones where possible. Opt for a version that uses a more delicate fabric or has a floral pattern, pairing with boyfriend jeans and a sassy pump. Or, pair a bold jacket with a softer dress or skirt.

olive linen / geo and floral / sequins and beading / sheer panel / chambray / quilted floral

interior inspiration: mixed pattern outfit.

2014-03-14T05:00:00.000-07:00

It was really fun to browse all sorts of interior spaces in hopes of finding inspiration for an outfit. One of the big "aha" moments I had was with pattern mixing. I'm a huge fan of mixing patterns regardless, but with outfits I've been more hesitant to take risks because of the smaller canvas size. Using an interior space as inspiration gave me the direction I needed to pull something together that is cohesive yet visually interesting.

Oh - and this just in - totally fine to mix brown and black.

tip: Keep pattern styles similar to each other when mixing. It will help tie all of the fabrics together without having to match the color palettes exactly to each other.

interior / clutch / bracelet / sandal / blouse / skirt

three ways: using an ottoman as a coffee table.

2014-03-13T05:00:00.000-07:00

We have an ottoman instead of a coffee table. It's nice because - given the way our furniture is positioned - we can use to rest our feet on, Ruby can take a nap on it and we can even eat quick dinners on there.

So while we love having an ottoman instead of a coffee table, it would be nice to have the leather version to avoid staining. And I wish it was large enough to be able to rest our feet on while holding a tray for decor and resting drinks on.

tip: Limit tray to 2-3 objects, making sure one is relatively heavy to weigh down the ottoman padding.

ottoman / gray vase / white vase / yellow tray / watercolor vase

ottoman / owl vase / planter / blanket / mercury glass jar / raffia tray

ottoman / ceramic bird / tealight holder / mirrored tray / it / unbored

outfit idea: violet tulip blouses and cutoffs.

2014-03-12T05:00:00.000-07:00

In my exploration of Pantone's 2014 colors of the year, I've started to notice my initial need to pair these colors with something brighter. With this look, I decided to experiment with mixing casual and dressy components. The way to make it work was to find a shoe that blends the two together. And for some reason, this was a teal wedge. Can't explain why but if it ain't broke...

tip: Keep makeup natural when using bold colored accessories.

alexa chung / sandal / sunglasses / midi ring / blouse / shorts / bag

trend alert: icy pastel clothing.

2014-03-11T05:00:00.000-07:00

The best accessory for this trend is a tan. Icy pastels have had some serious exposure on the runways and I can't wait to give them a try. Pair with more saturated hues like coral, teal or cobalt to add boldness to an outfit. Try neutrals for a more crisp look or patterns for something more graphic.

tip: When choosing patterns, opt for ones that include only a small amount of the solid piece you're pairing it with. It will be more visually interesting and keep the look modern.

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8

makeover monday: dorothy draper inspired DIY chest.

2014-03-10T06:00:00.000-07:00

With my mid century dresser still in progress, I decided to pull together an idea instead of showing an unfinished project.

caviar black paint / brass metallic paint / brass handle (drawers) / brass pull (doors)

Dorothy Draper has been a huge inspiration to me as I continue to navigate my way through trial and error to find my style. Her use of bold patterns, brightly painted furniture and colored molding brought a fresh and unique perspective to the functional design process. Dorothy's designs remind me to have fun when decorating and to trust your personal style and aesthetic above anything else.

dorothy draper chest via 1st dibs

fashion inspiration: relaxed boho living room.

2014-03-07T05:00:00.000-08:00

Inspiration can come from anywhere. And for me, a lot of times that somewhere is fashion. Taking an outfit and using it to build your color palette or fabric profile could mean the difference of having a cohesive vision and a scattered idea.

First, look at each piece of clothing separately and list what they could bring to the space. Then, take the entire outfit and identify the proportions of each element to figure out how to bring balance to the room. Finally, add a couple of your favorite accessories to finish the space.

tip: Try not to be too literal about your inspiration. Take what you like about a look and transform it into something that could work for the space.

outfit / sofa / chandy / chair / navy pillow / side table / coffee table / ikat pillow / cream pillow / rug

three ways: how to wear floral shorts.

2014-03-06T05:00:00.000-08:00

It can be tough to come up with various outfits for one pair of flashy shorts. Especially when you buy them with one single event and one single outfit in mind. To let the piece out of your closet without people experiencing deja vu, try thinking of three different occasions and style around their needs. In this case, I picked wine tasting, a day party and girls night out.

tip: Mix up activity types (i.e. lots of walking, casual mingling, dancing) to enhance creativity.

FLORAL SHORTS at topshop

look 1: top / purse / sandals look 2: blouse / sandals / bracelet look 3: blouse / earrings / pumps

room idea: a dazzling blue bedroom.

2014-03-05T05:00:00.000-08:00

Intrigued by the 2014 colors of the year, I thought it'd be fun to design a room around them. This week: dazzling blue. A bright - albeit loud - blue is a color that requires a lot of grounding to make work.

For this look, I paired with white and tangerine. Focusing only on patterns, I was able to prevent this blue from overpowering the room and even added touches of natural stone and fibers to keep from feeling too modern.

tip: Look to the color opposite the featured hue on the color wheel to tone down the space.

art / wall sconce / duvet cover / square pillow / rectangular pillow / side table / rug

trend alert: crop tops and skirts five ways.

2014-03-04T05:00:00.000-08:00

I've been in love with the crop top trend for a while now and am so glad it's here to stay this year. Asos has by far the best selection - so much so I couldn't choose just one look.

The key to pulling them off is remembering to stay a bit modest, especially for women 30 years and older. This means no belly button ladies - I mean it.

tip: Use a crop top to sex up the hard-to-make-work midi skirt.

look 1: top / skirt / shoes look 2: top / skirt / shoes look 3: top / skirt / shoes

look 4: top / skirt / shoes look 5: top / skirt / shoes

makeover monday: redecorating the entryway.

2014-03-03T05:00:00.000-08:00

Meet our entryway.

The house opens straight up into the "great" room leaving me with a little, tiny piece of wall with a mail slot to use as the entryway. So I thought to focus on the height instead of the width.

Mixing different pattens and textures helped tie the bench to wall decor, creating a strong vertical. Spraying the tray with chalkboard paint added sleekness and featuring brightly colored artwork gave some much needed boldness to the look.

In the process of decorating, I came up with an idea to glue a postcard to a framed canvas I had wrapped in scrap book paper years before. I really loved how it turned out and was super easy to put together.

tip: Try experimenting with different ways to affix the postcard to the wrapped canvas. Sewing pins, washi tape and hand stitching are all great options that would give the art some dimension.

breakfast nook idea: using a muted color palette.

2014-01-29T21:12:00.000-08:00

Deep breaths everyone. I've strayed a little from my comfort zone and gone soft. To me, a breakfast nook is a space you drift over to half asleep and mostly hungry. Any sudden move or pop of color could create a hostile environment causing you to squint, snap or snarl. And no one wants that.

tip: Vary finishes and find a pattern with muted hues to bring visual interest without being overly bold.

plate / napkin / table / chair / lighting / bowl

room idea: yellow and gray bedroom.

2014-01-28T05:30:00.000-08:00

This board took me an exceptionally long time to create because I was trying to use my own bedroom as inspiration. Currently, there are only two things in my bedroom I adore - the lamps and the gallery wall. I'm only 1/4 of the way done with refinishing the furniture in there and all of the linens can get thrown out the window for all I care. Bottom line: it is in major need of a makeover.

tip: No need to be serious in the bedroom. Find something that makes you laugh to keep the energy fun, fresh and care free.

pillow 1 / pillow 2 / pillow 3 / lamp (thrifted) / gallery wall (collected) / curtains / duvet / night stand

trend alert: navy blue sofas.

2014-01-27T05:30:00.000-08:00

I've always wanted a navy blue velvet chesterfield sofa. There's something so chic the deep blue hue and when paired with a tufted back it makes me want to invite all my girlfriends over and drink copious amounts of wine.

tip: Balance the ornate upholstery with simply structured accent tables and pendant lighting to keep the space feeling modern. Mix patterns like ikat and floral with embroidery to create the perfect casually layered look.

sofa / table 1 / pendant light / table 2 / pillow 1 / pillow 2 / pillow 3 / pillow 4 / rug

trend alert: using a dresser as a nightstand.

2014-01-21T05:00:00.000-08:00

Dressers as nightstands feel very trendy to me lately - especially as spaces get smaller and storage gets more and more important. A great place for storing bedding, lingerie, pajamas or even socks, using a dresser as a nightstand feels like it might just be my next move.

bed frame / pillow 1 / pillow 2 / pillow 3 / dresser / accent table / trinket tray / rattan vase / lamp

And some extra photos for inspiration. I'm really liking the painted dressers for an added pop of color paired with a mirror to make the dresser super functional.

outfit idea: combat boots and blouses.

2014-01-20T19:13:00.001-08:00

I am on an all time, combat boot high. I wear them often. I wear them always. They go with skirts, shorts, jeans, leggings, dresses... It's the perfect accessory to make any outfit more casual and approachable. L. O. V. E.

necklace / blouse / combat boots / jeans / cardigan

room idea: boho bathroom decor.

2014-01-14T05:30:00.000-08:00

Today I was in the mood for a crisp, fresh bathroom. No particular reason, just felt like pulling one together. To ground this space, I added some wooden elements meant to be placed on either side of the room. Mint is my new "it" color and I'm loving it paired with coral and chartreuse.

tip: Replacing the mirror is one of the easiest ways to update your bathroom. So forget the lighting (if your budget needs you to) and find a mirror with personality.

mirror / shelf / soap dispenser / tumbler / shower curtain / sconce / bench / rug

golden globes outfit inspiration: cap sleeves 3 ways

2014-01-13T05:30:00.000-08:00

The Golden Globes fashion was off the chain this year. Out of all the gorgeous silhouettes, colors and styles, what I was most inspired by the cap sleeve trend. Unlike the previous years, 2014 feels like the year of the bicep and I couldn't be more excited. Be sure to keep up on those arm dips, ladies!

julianna margulies

blouse / midi skirt / solange knowles / leather tote / watch / bracelets / booties

julie bowen

blouse / rihanna / bag / pencil skirt / heels

elisabeth moss

dress / clutch / biana balti / necklace / heels