i suwannee

closet cravings

2018-12-07T07:30:00.000-05:00

1 - jumpsuit madewell // 2 - heart earrings Rebecca de ravenel // 3 - black dress shopbop // 4 - cable-knit sweater jcrew // 5 - floral pants h&m // 6 - Valentino clutch nordstrom // 7 - boots shopbop // 8 - metallic skirt goop // 9 - jeans madewell // 10 - blouse free people // 11 - sweater dress asos

Mexico - playa del carmen and Tulum

2018-12-06T13:03:00.003-05:00

it's been a doozy of a week with the giveaway goings on, and we're in nyc setting up the new apartment. it has come to my attention that I have many things to speak of with you, so let's talk thanksgiving in mexico, and judge my times according to my iphone pics.

before we get to Mexico - two quick notes about Venice, ca. we had a wedding in Southern California before we headed south, and stopped in Venice for a couple of nights. dinner at mtn was one of the very best meals I've had in a long time. the charred Japanese sweet potato I decreed THE TASTE OF FALL 2018. also, we stayed in a very cute airbnb that I'd recommend. great location and so perfectly Californian. little things, like the penny tile in the shower and the way the light hit the concrete floors inspired me for projects I'm currently working on.

ok - let's go to Mexico. so tad and I have been to playa del carmen a few times now, particularly at thanksgiving, because his sister lives there. while it's an odd little town because it's super-touristy (the cruise ships drop off there), there are some amazing gems, and plenty to do and see for a few days. we have a few restaurants we love - the cuisine in playa is surprisingly diverse, and more than a few of the restaurants are thoughtfully decorated and really well done.

I love wandering down the Main Street - la Quinta Avenida and taking in all the amazing colors. the tourist trap souvenir shops are chock full of amazing tchotchkes in rainbow colors. even the most ubiquitous items, like the woven fans, the velvet sombreros and the dia de los muertos skulls thrill me. also, there's a beautiful, pristine peaceful Zara at the end of the playa and I go daily, taking the store in quadrants of discovery. today, its back left, tomorrow, the bohemian section of tassels, and the next day, sparkly dresses in the corner. (clearly I like to establish routines wherever I end up)

after a couple of days of eating, catching up on sleep, and wandering about for inspiration, we head to Tulum. tad's sister drives us down - it's about 40 minutes south of playa del carmen. this is the second time we've stayed at ahau, and we're happy there. it's got a good little vibe, it's right in the middle of the jungle strip of happenings and doings, the food is good, and their are dogs abundant. oh, and the people watching is EVERYTHING. this is our little beach bungalow for the week. what. a. view.

on the reg: right across the street from Tulum is casa jaguar. hipper than hip, absolutely beautiful and chic, positioned right in the middle of the jungle, lit by candles and so very loud after midnight (it's the klerb to klerb at). and right up the beach, a 10 minute walk on the sand, is the real coconut, the restaurant at 'eco-chic luxury resort's (i'm not saying that with a straight face) sanara Tulum. we'd hit this up once a day in the afternoon for a smoothie and maybe a salad. perfectly fresh and healthy, it was a feel-good way to catch up each day and find a little routine in the relaxation. also, people watching.

if I'm not people watching, I'm a dog ambassador for the americas.

let's elaborate on the people watching. it's not news to you there's a lot of 'influencing' going down in Tulum-town. check out this chick on the right. I watched her daily photoshoots go down and then would stalk her on IG to see the finished (filtered) results. what a time she's having! tad would force a few pictures on me, and this is really the best I can do. so many blessings. on my heart. but I this is one of the bathing suits I ordered and felt happy about, and I wore these pants from h&m (and these) every day because they embodied jungle-chic meets amish-modesty (btw - these for vacation, and then for christmas parties, right?)

my everyday essential for the beach. I discovered this bathing suit in playa, at the cutest boutique biuriful - it's Carolina k and has the cutest little sleeves (how cute is this one?). the mirrored sunglasses are my fave from barton Perriera, but so damn distracting if you're talking with anyone because they're literally a mirror. the scent is vacation vibe - just the tiniest squirt though, it's strong! the cover-up is a scarf I always pick up at caravan in playa for like $5, and the bag was a street score as well. this book was SO good. it was one of the highlights of my vacation, and it might just be one I read again, like this week. earrings are new pepper train, and I just love the color palette in her new collection.

I also got this print in the Carolina k suit - love so much. this is where I would wear it if I was an outdoor beach club namaste girl. instead I ate French fries and worked on my laptop. tomato tomatoe.

shopping in Tulum is good - but the road is a real bare. it's the only thoroughfare through the jungle, to the hotels and restaurants and it's heavily trafficked by huge construction trucks, delivery vehicles and cabs. the pot-holes are otherworldly in size, so everyone is sort of swerving their own path. it's dangerous and not my best life, so more often than not, we stayed put at ahau, or would walk to beach to check out new spots. notable finds - a new hotel (next to ahau) called delek, which had the most beautiful bathroom I've ever seen in my life (outdoors, trees, concrete bath tub), and those great little wicker floor lamps. the boutique at the spa at sanara is right on with some great easy breezy dresses and pants, and the gift shop at ahau is a little tea-spot plus a little of everything else, including a friendly cat and a very small dog that gives nose-licks freely.

this was thanksgiving lunch at delek. legit. good fish tacos and excellent Esquites

and a few more spots of note in Tulum - posada margarita for eating, shopping, living your very best life (it's amazing), and the upstairs bar at be Tulum - great view, so colorful, and really great pillows (seriously).

if you do venture out, and you should, there's definitely inspo to catch around every corner in Tulum. take cabs, wear sunscreen, try to turn the inside of your head off, drink water out of coconuts, pet dogs, and read a book. you'll be great.

shop my Mexico stylez

I'm giving it all away

2018-12-02T23:33:00.000-05:00

apparently I'm feeling oprahish -- but also i'm just trying to be grateful, so in the spirit of excited giving, i want to tell you about an extra-real-big giveaway that i've put together for my readers. starting tonight, for the next 12 days i'm giving away so many of my favorite things, my best-loved brands and my favorite experiences. over the last few years, i've been #soblessed to make some amazing friends, meet truly interesting, talented people, experience the most remarkable places and i want to share them with you.

to thank you for supporting me, and my business, and really, allowing me to live my life the way I do -- engaged in sharing with you guys, traveling, always discovering and making a living doing what I truly love.

so - starting tonight, at 8pm, on furbish's instagram account, i'm launching the first of 12, and i am not one bit kidding you - every single giveaway in this series is freaking legit. you'll see.

the details - each giveaway will be posted nightly on furbish's IG at 8pm est. you'll have 24 hours to enter, and each post will have a different set of requirements - so make sure you read the caption carefully. i'll announce the winner on furbish's IG stories, and then the next one will go live in our feed. you can enter all of them, as many times as you'd like, by tagging friends in the post (plus the other requirements).

Ii'm terrible at gift giving, because i always make everyone open their gifts early. i can't wait. this is the same - i just want to tell you it all! but i've wrapped them all so pretty, and i'm as excited as can be to share them for the next two weeks with you.

good luck, and here's a hint for tomorrow -- it's just a few less than 6 geese a-laying.

not a lot of things, but a few of them.

2018-11-30T21:51:00.002-05:00

one - this feels like my next move for a bath mat. i've been stepping out of the tub right onto the tile for three weeks now (remember operation wait for the new stylish me to appear?). then i remember, i own a store, and it has some cute things. go get a damn rug.

two - this is a lovely idea ... displaying shells and corals in a curiosity cabinet. would be easy to execute. also that wallpaper never disappoints does it?

three - leopard on the bottom, chunky knit on the top. this is it. gotta add tights because it's cold AF already, but fine.

four - kayce hughes art, especially framed, strikes a happy little cord with me. she's such a pleasure to work with - seriously a treat. i totally respect her, and i really like her work.

five - i think i'd like red sconces in the bedroom - that would really be fun against the white brick walls. isn't this shape so sweet? it's 1million dollar units though.

six - such a charming floor lamp. considering for kondo. with all the modernity, and such (concrete, white box) i think a little wicker and rattan would go a long way.

seven - this vibe feels very Spanish. maybe that's me now? i think i'm just all Scottish, but any pig can get the right amount of lipstick.

eight - the kondo de tigre has been weighing me down. what a project. but we're still close, and will be friendly soon, i think

nine - mobiles. i'm calling it for 2019. I got this one.

the real raleigh :: dana waldron

2018-11-28T19:04:00.000-05:00

Name Dana Waldron
Occupation Interior Designer / Mom

Who do you live with My husband, two girls and a kitty - Dan, Nell, Annie & Toonces
How long have you lived here 1 year

Where did you move from Brooklyn

Describe your style in 3 words I think it depends on the project, this house is a 1940s ranch and has gone through several updates but we’ve renovated areas to make it more contemporary and practical for our lifestyle

What do you collect Design/Architecture books
Favorite places to score finds for your home Mantiques Modern, Cafiero Select, my parent’s house '

Favorite piece of clothing right now Levis Jorts

Favorite cocktail Bourbon + Blenheims (with the red top)

What’s always in your refrigerator 5 different kinds of hot sauce
Book you're reading right now Angle of Repose by Wallace Stegner (Dad recommendation)

What can you not stop thinking about What I should be doing, trying to keep up!
What’s your newest music discovery new to me “I’ll be around” by Yo La Tengo

What do you bring with you everywhere you go Tape Measure
Favorite place to buy clothes No.6, Rouje, Zara

What’s the most important thing you’ve learned this year Our family is happy in NC!
What’s really important to you right now My kids sleeping through the night

3 favorite things about your house The natural light, wood siding, ranch layout

What do you like to do in your home Play with kids, chill, bake

The farthest you have been from home Vienna

Impromptu talent show - how do you win My taco tuesday spread is solid

Favorite hotel Lone Hotel in Croatia was beautiful. It’s a very modern building in the historic city of Rovinj, and the location on the coast is the best part. You can take a bike ride along the water with great views and little beach huts to stop for drinks.

Favorite song to dance to Land of 1000 dances by Wilson Picket or Boot Scootin Boogie!
Favorite restaurant Right now would be Littler in Durham

Favorite Artist Ellsworth Kelly, Sonia Delaunay, Joseph Beuys

Movie Set Design The most recent one I loved was Atomic Blonde set in the 80s, super cool

Favorite city to visit Paris
Favorite Museum Neue Gallery or Guggenheim

Best concert you've ever been to Ghostface Killah in a small NYC venue was so fun. And saw Tom Petty last summer :(

Netflix obsession The Crown

A book you've read more than once Every popular children’s book, 1000 times

Top 3 things you attribute your success to Supportive family, travel and work experience, growing up playing sports

What’s your sign Taurus

If you were a boxer, what song would you walk out to Wild Thing
You know you can always count on My husband

Dream dinner party guests Paul Rudd, Sebastian Maniscalco, and Lucille Bluth from Arrested Development

Color you never tire of Tissue Pink by Benjamin Moore
Go-to flower Peonies

Who would you want to play you in your biopic ha a hotter cooler version of me, Olivia Wilde
Fool proof dinner party tip Have Dan cook for you, he’s the BEST. And good music

What would be your perfect weekend Lake trip with people I love
What do you do first thing after you wake up Coffee if I wake up before the girls.

Where is the last place you traveled NYC
What did you bring back a puzzle for Nell

What smell do you love Babies
How do you unwind Wine

What do you attribute your success in business to Working for amazing Interior Designers.. I learned so much about the industry and the craft that goes into creating a space that has purpose and a lasting aesthetic.

One piece of advice you’d give an aspiring entrepreneur Stick with it, there’s so much to learn, keep going… as I’m only 1 year in with my own business HA!
Two things you love about your job It’s creative (sometimes) and something I’ve always wanted to do

Indispensable design element Craftsmanship
Dream fabric/textile Fortuny or antique textiles or really anything without synthetics is usually lovely

holiday gift guide no. 5 - for the boys

2018-11-27T22:33:00.001-05:00

this one's gotta be good because tad and jeff helped me nail it down, and they're two stylish dudes.

socks // fleece // card case // tattoo book // sunglasses // scarf // belt // hat // dinner jacket // cologne // keychain // plaid pants / north face boots // Ferrari book // corduroy jacket // toothpaste // robe

it'll all be different.

2018-11-26T19:25:00.002-05:00

from here

i hope everyone has enjoyed their who cares about climate change cyber monday. did you accomplish some stylish scores? take advantage of the deluge of discounts?

i actually did - we pulled the trigger on two headboards for aspen - scored this one and this one for pretty sweet deal at 30% off.

and i did a consult at a client's home this afternoon - she just needed a quick holiday zhush, like a new pair of lamps, some new solid pillows, a big round modern mirror and a lucite coffee table. we found it all on sale. we even got a few things from Hollywood at Home who's surprisingly offering 20% off through tonight.

i also bought a bed for myself. for the kondo. because i have to say, my whole entire decorating philosophy changed this week. let me tell you. (I also looked at this!)

i've been pouting around this kondo for the last month, sort of waiting for some metamorphic style upgrade to just descend on me. in my head: oh now you've made it! you're ready for this grown up, amazingly editorial perfectly executed place that everyone will photograph and tell their grandchildren about the time they saw a 12' tiger sofa on a blog and you're pretty much Chiara Ferragni (who's wiki, btw, has her profession as: an Italian fashion businessperson. same, see?)! this process should take about, oh, 3.5 months.

whelp.

i put all my stuff in storage, and now i'm going to get it back out. i've been scooting my few remaining things around this huge place for weeks now, with the thought, well they won't be here long! i guess i was thinking my life would be altered in a substantial enough way that i'd literally have all new things. i'm not kidding.

so, it's not. i have plenty of nice things i love, and i also can't afford many new things, so it's time for #operationgetreal. did this happen to any of you during your last move. you sort of pranced around your new place with shit in boxes and things all awry, waiting, and trusting that somehow (new) things would get arranged, and it would be perfect and done, and different? we all need to get a life.

patience. i'm counter-clockwise to it.

the real challenge of this isn't going to be becoming a different person via all new things, it's going to be incorporating all the things i love into this new modern shell, and making some thoughtful decisions along the way when i can, based on my experiences thus far. i'll be toting around a fancy new house on my back (big white box), but it's the same ole snippety turtle on the inside with too many pom poms, hello kitties and houseplants.

i'm starting to see how this can work. how the old can fit in with the new. i admit, i was having a real tough time with it.

so i'm gonna go unbox my shit like a normal person. brb.

holiday gift guide no. 4 - for your fancy most-fun friend

2018-11-25T17:45:00.001-05:00

tic tac toe set // extra large outdoor planter // cabana anthology // appliquéd sham // radio turn table // days of the week sock set // skull paperweight // leopard rug // lip and cheek tint // mix master earring kit // rainbow bookends // Scandinavia candle set // ginger jar ornament set

closet cravings - black friday deals of one entire lifetime.

2018-11-23T06:00:00.000-05:00

well hey there. how was thanksgiving? I hope it was full of delicious items in your mouth, lots of gratitude in your heart, and some friends and family to share it with.

i'm headed home today - back to raleigh - feeling refreshed, ready to love on my schnauzies and dig back into the working. and the kondo. we got lots to talk about there.

lemme get on this plane, and we'll catch up next week. if you're like me, cruising around, checking out all the steals and deals today on your phone, then a little guidance may not hurt. it's overwhelming. what's worth the splurge? what works and where do i wear that?? my two cents on my fave retailer's big sale: my shop bop hits that i've purchased and can thoughtfully say, you might ought to as well. you spend more, you save more, so if you need a coat, a fancy pair of sneaks, or a pretty dress, now's your moment to shine.

1 boots / 2 cropped tee / 3 overalls / 4 jeans / 5 blouse / 6 sneakers / 7 - skirt / 8 tote / 9 bracelets / 10 sweater

holiday gift guide no. 3 - for the luxe lady

2018-11-21T22:28:00.001-05:00

i've always had the softest spot for a gift guide. they get me every year, the same way packing for a vacation, or dreaming about a room re-do can inspire you, to be a little better edited version of yourself, as reflected by the things you pick. ridiculous, yes i know, but so very fun this holiday season to aspire and inspire, and gift those you love with thoughtful treats that show them who you think they are at their very best.

iPhone case // striped tapers // shearling mule // face balm // glass bowl // pitcher // tiger door hanger // soap // emoji calendar // necklace // blanket

holiday gift guide no. 2 - for the kooky it-girl

2018-11-21T21:41:00.001-05:00

this girl, also me. all the things that tickled my fancy this year and would be wonderfully welcome in my stocking

shirt // ornament // evil eye // coasters // candles // pjs // glasses // bag // tray // pillow // frame // turtleneck

holiday gift guide no. 1 - for your posh pal

2018-11-20T12:51:00.000-05:00

the girl who this gift guide is intended for is me. all the items i've had my eye on this year and would be more than happy to find under my tree.

slippers // vase // throw // frames // sweatshirt // pjs // bracelets // towels // pillow // winter set // book // coat

top ten : hayley mitchell

2018-11-19T18:08:00.000-05:00

with a highly anticipated pop-up shop launching tomorrow, how about learning a little bit more about austin artist hayley mitchell?

favorite hotel soho house, and movie set great Gatsby? I'm intrigued...

the sale goes live at 12pm est right here - 35 original paintings, and 10 limited edition ornaments

boho blouse // ainsley givhan / block print wallpaper / le labo rose 31 / Kendra Scott studs

whatchudoin

2018-11-18T17:17:00.002-05:00

hola amigos. it's a lovely afternoon Mexico - I just of now like one second ago recovered from a terrible illness that over the last 48 hours only allowed me to eat one of one half of a grilled cheese sandwich and 3 French fries.

if you've ever been on a trip with me, you know the detriment to my spirit this causes. i eat. i'm an eater. i get excited about food. i put it in my mouth, i talk about it, i get more of it, i plan around it and i want it.

we do about 4 things in playa del carman: sleep, drink iced coffees with tad's sister and her polite spotted dog stella (front paws always crossed), shop at Zara, and EAT. we eat the most amazing northern italian food, we eat crusty pizza with hot sauce from street vendors, we eat sushi, and scrape salty shrimp paella from the bottom of the pan at a fantastic spanish restaurant, and queso fundita with mushrooms, and eggs, lord, we eat the most delicious fluffy scrambled eggs with boursin from a french bakery. so this was a blow.

i laid in bed with dh Khaled (aren't they all him now?) hits thumping from the pool below, watching cnn on mute and pretty much dying of stomach death, head death and body ache death and i missed two days of eating. but as of this afternoon, i've paid my dues to the karma gods for my continued failure to go get my car renewed (I just can't make it happen), and i made it to tulum, alive and a little bit hungry and working on my laptop by the ocean in a zip up one-piece looking like damn carmen electra in Baywatch because I'm maybe probably lost 1 pound. SO I AM THRIVING.

that's just me. what else. furbish's pop-up artist this week is Hayley Mitchell. we've had the pleasure of working with her for several pop-ups now, and it's great that her art keeps evolving, and it seems like she's really finding her vibe. i did it. this collection of faces -- i want to call them busts, because her work is taking on this cool classical vibe, and the subjects just feel more statue-esque to me. more greek and yet more modern. i think a few hung in a set in the right frame would be killer. there are several sizes, smallest around 6", and largest around $2500 (the big ones are such an amazing size for a statement piece - 22" x 30").

aren't these pretty?

the sale goes live this tuesday at 12pm est. the last thing to tell you is that i am working on the most epic series of giveaways for my blog readers this december. and i do not play. i'm putting together the raddest collection of gifts, all 115% things i love (and things i do) ((and places go))! and 12 lucky winners are gonna get to share some of my absolute favorites - here's a hint: from head to toe, from coast to coast, and from tiny splurges to extra-large luxuries, it's gonna be a fun time.

closet cravings

2018-11-13T16:01:00.000-05:00

these pants feel very Melania trump to me, like on her best day when she has something to offer, and it's pants inspiration. // this green tiger number may be my holiday jam // I picked these boots up for LA because they feel very fancy urban current not-too-expensive. I wore them to dinners with the Levi's below and felt that I had come close to stylishness.

you can catch me just about all winter in a sweater exactly like this. nailing it. // I'll never get tired of a cat-eye tortoise pair of sunglasses - these are just right // take a walk on the wild side with these animal print golden goose sneakers

you'd be the belle of the turkey day ball in this blouse // and go ahead and pair it with these jeans for maximum stylez // loving all things asymmetrical this season and this dress is a steal

when Alex refreshed my closet last week, I asked her 'which Levi's am I supposed to get again?", and she said these. she's right. // this whole row really - I'd wear the whole winter long. such a fun sweater // my sneaker game is going up a notch with these simple and sleek vejas

updates

2018-11-12T17:55:00.001-05:00

good morning friends of the internet. let's catch up.

i've been in southern california celebrating tad's cousin's wedding this past weekend. it's a bit surreal to be toasting and taking photos while a monster fire rages just miles from us. several fires - california is really having a time. do what you can for these people - wherever you are, and however you can help. 7000 buildings and homes completely burned to the ground - schools, hospitals, retirement homes, farms, businesses - these communities are going to need help, and hope.

the humane society of ventura county is accepting animals evacuating from the hill and woolsey fires. you can also donate directly to the organization or purchase items like food and toys through their amazon wish list.

the los angeles fire department foundation supports the first responders fighting on the frontlines of the wildfires. They are currently requesting donations to put towards hydration backpacks for the firefighters.

american red cross workers have set up temporary shelters and food sites across the state. donate to the efforts by visiting redcross.org or texting REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. donors can even specifically request their monies go towards california relief efforts by writing the specific disaster name in the memo line of a check made out to the organization.

in the particular news of what i'm doing - all that talk of new dresses and i just wore one that i had from a school of old. it's tibi. it was fine. no one cared.

also, there are many and assorted new items on the site, and we're gonna keep them coming through the holidays. all the gifts, so many stocking stuffers, a few treat yourself tid bits, and a lot of awesome new finds. go check it out. my current faves are these suzani pillows - we just have a few, but your entire bed could be made with two (they're a great size), these tiny little table lamps that DON'T HAVE A CORD!, and this super-fancy candle set - perfect to give as a really rad holiday gift, or break them apart for easy hostess gifts all season - just grab one and gift!

i'll be in and out the next few days - we're flying tomorrow from lax to mexico where my main goal is to not use my hands.

the real raleigh :: Harriet Mills

2018-11-09T05:53:00.000-05:00

name harriet mills
occupation ceo / co-founder of wine & design
what’s your sign pisces

who do you live with my husband patrick, and my three kids patrick jr. - 9, abigail - 7 and cooper - 1, and hallie, my sweet golden retriever who passed away right after this shoot

what do you collect i like to keep my old designer things that i can pass down to my daughter. my first pair of jimmy choos , and my first louis v. i have designer dresses and outfits i have also stored for her in hopes she will love them as much as i do one day.

describe your style in 3 words classic, artsy, chic

fool proof dinner party tip a good 90s playlist is a must, great flowers and when i say flowers i mean flowers everywhere, bathroom, side tables, center pieces etc. flowers bring anything to life ;)

what would be your perfect weekend at the beach, on a boat with my family and my brother and sister in law and niece and nephew

favorite piece of clothing right now i am loving all of ulla johnson things right now! but just bought a pair of vejas and feel pretty hip in them! Oooo and since leopard print is my favorite and it’s apparently hot right now i have gone on a leopard print buying spree and loving every piece so far

dream dinner party guests bradley cooper (have you heard him sing? ..WOW) ...snoop dog, prince harry and princess megan, will smith, rebel wilson, joan rivers

favorite cocktail champagne..or vodka water with two lemons!
what’s always in your refrigerator milk, because i have a 1 year old who could be a cow he drinks so much. and of champagne!

what do you attribute your success in business to being brave, confident and motivated and always being ON TIME! also, my husbands support, the love for my franchise partners and my amazing team.

two things you love about your job my team and finding creative solutions to help my franchisees make more money and do their jobs easier

your favorite 3 things in your house my interior designer, betsy anderson and katie o'neal helped me and love everything they did, so finding 3 things will be hard. but i love my designers guild wall paper in my dining room, with the pink velvet seats. i also love the painting i did in my hallway - it has holes in it from where my son and his friends shot darts through it -- so i incorporated that into painting and love it even more. lastly I would say my photos of my family. it can looks cluttered, but i like to look up and see photos of my grandmother, mom & dad, brother and sister in law, etc. makes you remember them when you don’t get to see them every day.

best concert you've ever been to U2. one of the first dates my husband took me too. he had me hooked from there.
favorite song to dance to mustang sally

3 favorite things about your house i love love love our neighborhood and neighbors. i love the fact that I have children in and out of my house at all times of the day. it's so great that I can just let my kids run out and not have to worry. plus my neighbors are pretty awesome as well. i also love the french modern feel of my house.

favorite restaurant pooles diner
what smell do you love roses

what would people be surprised to learn about you i love sports.

what do you like to do in your home i actually like to cook when i have time. then sit on my back porch and eat as a family. it’s a tradition that my family did when i grew up, and it just brings back a little bit of “home” for me.

one piece of advice you’d give an aspiring entrepreneur get a mentor and listen to everything they say, line up meetings and stick with them. i have been lucky to have the CEO of great clips who has taken me under her wing and really has helped me along the way.
what’s the most important thing you’ve learned this year that life is short. try to take out the drama and focus on the important things around you.

what’s really important to you right now family -- i always thought it was funny hearing your parents and grandparents say they grow up so fast, but honestly i have no idea what and how 9 years have gone by and i have a 9 and 7 year old.

favorite place to get coffee in raleigh third place

what surprises you about raleigh we don’t have a neimans yet!

netflix obsession sharp objects
what can you not stop thinking about my trip to italy next year!

book you're reading right now circle maker, 100 days to brave, thrive
favorite hotel greenwich hotel NYC

what do you bring with you everywhere you go lip gloss and my work notebook and my jesus calling prayer book
favorite place to buy clothes vermillion, fleur, shopbop, moda operandi, zara

who would you want to play you in your biopic whoever the modern day Scarlett o'hara would be today.

shop harriet's style!

flings

2018-11-07T09:40:00.004-05:00

my friends Matt and Nicole are the proprietors of Raleigh's newest boutique hotel, guest house, and they graciously extended an invite to several of my friends and me this weekend to enjoy the house with them before it opens for online booking. what. a time. a true indulgence - it was a little staycation in raleigh, and such a lovely experience to share it with the owners. we filled the 8 bedrooms with lots of laughs, some really loud 90s music and a contagious optimism for the current vibe in raleigh. they are opening their online booking later this week, and I couldn't be more convinced that this is the spot to be. a gorgeous restored historic home with 8 thoughtfully furnished rooms, several communal spaces for socializing, and a beautiful back garden for lounging, plus the MOST comfortable mattress I've ever slept on - treat yourself to night away from the everyday at Matt and Nicole's magical new spot.

remember all those cropped wool pants I dug out of the closet in aspen? they're tad's mom's - she literally left a treasure trove of vintage finds that I'm slowly working into my wardrobe. these rust colored ones are giving me autumnal life, and I've got a gray, navy, and khaki pair ready to move into rotation. Asher stole/borrowed the pink ones, and I can't wait to her angle on our new vintage-aspen lewk.

I've got a few small spaces in the kondo that need some love - the laundry room being a total eyesore right now that can use all the help it can get. I brought home this vintage rug, thinking it would do the trick, but it's just a touch too big. my loss, maybe your laundry room's gain. it's so soft and the color palette is perfection.

extra-into both of these nikes for the winter-timez. love the shoelaces on the side. top pair here, and bottom pair here.

last night I saw the new queen documentary and it had me grinning from ear to ear when I left the theatre. I'm so glad I learned some of the history of the band, and of Freddy mercury. I think it's important to layer the story over the music. it all makes sense now - that it never really needed to make sense.

I've had a consistent girl crush on Sara Kate little for a long time. her shop in Oklahoma City seems like a jewel box of pretty little bits. I haven't been able to go, but I did send tad in for a FaceTime visit so I could virtually geek out on her color-filled world. I love following her IG feed for an insta-dose of happiness, and always leave inspired.

top ten : Willa heart

2018-11-05T18:06:00.000-05:00

get to know tomorrow's pop-up shop artist just a bit better (and maybe get you some leopard pants too - rawr!)

pants // kiehl's musk // Parker Palm Springs // scalamandre pillow // Henry darger book // wtrmln wtr

Willa heart xx furbish

2018-11-05T11:30:00.000-05:00

tomorrow we're launching a really freaking-fun pop-up shop with willa heart, and i think it can preemptively solve every christmas gifting dilemma you've ever had. alyssa jill harris, the magic behind the brand, creates delightfully cheeky animal portraits that are equal parts chic southern charm, wonky wes anderson and preppy palm beach.

we've worked with her to create an exclusive collection just for furbish's customers - tomorrow you can shop small original paintings (we made them stocking size!), plus affordable prints, super-cute clutches, fun cocktail napkins and tasseled throw pillows.

take a little dive into willa heart's instagram and get ready for a major girl crush. we'll go live with the pop-up shop tomorrow at noon! have your christmas list ready, because seriously, you can go ahead and knock out a ton with the perfect hostess gifts, stocking stuffs, and surprise surcies for the design-lover on your list!

dresses for a fall southern cali wedding

2018-11-03T21:29:00.004-04:00

i mentioned a post or so back that i'm headed on a little vacay for t-day. tad and i are going to southern california for his cousin's wedding, then spending a few days in venice before we head to playa del carman and then tulum for turkey day.

this whole wedding in the foreign country of california in the fall (do they even celebrate fall there!?) is tripping me out. i instagrammed about the cute off the shoulder cynthia rowley dress but honestly, i just didn't feel it enough to pull the trigger.

it's black tie optional (wtf, life is life-optional. you can eat breakfast, you can't. you can like dogs, you can like cats. you can wear athletic wear leisurely, you can support him or her or it. we've got so many OPTIONALS. so i'm just gonna wear what i want. once i decide what pray tell that is. i have three days left to decide.

and sidebar, my therapist and i are working on this fun little concept that some people choose to accept already - that everyone isn't paying attention to you all of the time. or really, any of the time! (this is news to me - i'm the archetype of an only child, i literally think i am at the epicenter of everyone's focus, for better or oftentimes, worse) so once i embrace that, perhaps i can start caring less about what i'm wearing to this wedding where i know 3 people, and more about, well. more about who to vote for? i have about .01% of my brain occupied for that (how does one find the time to fully educate themselves on who to vote for so they can make an informed decision, and then what happens when you think you understand that person and then they change?). oh bother.

MAYBE JUST DRESSES THEN.

first row 1 // 2 // 3
second row 1 // 2 // 3
third row 1 // 2 // 3

what happened to furbish?

2018-11-01T14:51:00.005-04:00

guys, i have some exciting news - furbish is joining the holder goods family here in raleigh, and we're going to share their retail space on south street. you'll now be able to shop our vintage rugs in person.

we've never sat down and really caught up on how the store has evolved in the past ten years. now seems like as good a time as any. you got a minute?

next year will really be 10 years of furbishing. crazy, right? when i tell the story of me, and of the brand, it all starts with this blog. almost 12 years ago, after voraciously consuming my friend Jordan Ferney's blog cover to cover weekly from my desk at an advertising agency, i wrote my first post on I Suwannee, positive that i was too late to the game, that blogs were over, and that it would just be a silly diary for me to chronicle my life as a twenty-something newlywed who loved domino magazine, hot sauce and donkeys, all the while dreaming of exotic vacations, pink sofas and fancy feasts (not for the cats).

well that combo seemed to resonate at the right time with a few of the right people, and now a decade later, I’m still sharing the silliness of my everyday life and my domino daydreams with you right here.

over the course of that journey, furbish was born when i saw an opportunity to make an aspirational lifestyle achievable by creating an inspirational place to purchase pretty things for our homes that had previously only been coveted on pinterest, decorating blogs or glossy mags.

it was an interesting time to start a lifestyle business via a brick and mortar store. a lot of my peers took a different route than me - they were early to embrace influencer opportunities, and they built their personal blogs into brands with collaborations, affiliate partnership strategies and promotional opportunities. a lot of them turned into mini-media brands, offering advertising, editorial viewpoints, shopping, etc. and as they positioned themselves accordingly, affiliate marketing programs like rewardstyle were born, and in turn, bloggers were able to generate significant amounts of revenue by monetizing their influence with their readers and followers.

specifically, i mean bloggers didn't have to become traditional 'stores' to sell what they liked. they could simply point you to their favorite shirt at nordstrom, or their new chandelier from west elm without ever having to stock it, sell it themselves, ship it, or even touch it in real life, and they could make a commission when you bought it, or bought anything really.

i was not an early adapter to this strategy. i took a different route, for better or worse, and started a company in the traditional retail model, where i sourced the product, purchased it at wholesale, hosted it in store and online, managed the inventory and then shipped it directly to the consumer. i thought this was the right way - it felt safer. established. known. it felt legit.

i opened my 'real' company, furbish in the tiny little light-filled shop on glenwood - the corner store across from the park, where rowdy and i worked every single day for two years there, painting furniture in the basement, making pillows out of scraps, flying nick olsen in to host DIY workshops, selling my favorite designer fabrics and wallpapers to raleigh peeps, and trying to actualize all my katy perry teenage dreams of mexican serape upholstered chairs, disco balls, greek key door mats, statement! jewelry (i loved a big plastic necklace) and ginger jar vases for days.

and raleigh showed up! i was busy. the store was vibrant and full of life, and it was working!

and it worked so well i took it online, after just to months, and it worked so well i had to hire my first employee. and it kept working - we had to move - to a huge warehouse downtown to hold all of our inventory. and i hired more employees, and we did all the things all the time, and boy, was it working. furbish was an established brand in the sea of fly-by-night bloggers who didn't have 'real' stores, and it was going to grow and grow.

then i got tired. really tired, and confused and ambitious, and a little crazy and scared, and curious, and lazy and too big for my britches. i pushed the company to grow, but I checked out. i got real busy trying to distract myself from problems associated with growth that i didn't think i knew how to solve, i threw too much money at what i thought were magic solutions to the problems (NEWSFLASH THERE ISN'T ONE - IT'S JUST HARD AND SMART WORK), and i got laser focused on imploding my personal life all to shreds - maybe for some reason, that seemed more controllable. i handed a lot over to my staff and i took my finger off the pulse.

a brand born from my brain, a product of my picks, the edit exclusively me all of a sudden had no cook in the kitchen -- and the natives went a little wild. the brand at times jumped the rails. the systems backfired. the best practices weren't practiced and the culture of furbish took a tremendous hit.

bricks and mortar retail particularly cannot work without a community. a brand can't be island, a owner can't be cold, and you can't forget the staff has to be invested and included. it simply won't work otherwise. you stand a better chance online, but it's still going to be tough. now more than ever, the story is what resonates with the brands you choose to spend your money with. and without that story - and someone living that story, the odds are not in your favor. because i needed to weather some storms for a while, my remaining team and i took in our sails, we battened down, and we protected ourselves to survive the shitstorm of a confused founder floundering.

in hindsight, i can say that blessed be the fruit, the lord opened on his own time when he told me in '14 that our big ole 'i might as well be nasty gal' warehouse at Johnson Street was being bulldozed to make way for a high-rise condo project. we were out and had 6 months to find a new home for the store, the staff of 12, the warehouse and the workshop. 7000 sq. feet + a huge parking lot in downtown raleigh. start over.

this hit while I was just bopping around the world on the implosion tour, so accordingly, our strategy was not strategic. we tried a retail shop in cameron village. wasn't right. people missed our bigger-than-anthropologie showroom where they could wonder for hours, catch a nicki minaj slideshow and pet at least two dogs. it was the experience they came for, and we didn't recapture it in cameron village.

then we tried the spot over babylon. it was charming and huge and maybe this would be it! but it was hard to find for even the most seasoned raleigh folks, and near impossible for new-comers, which the city is chock full of. the landlord was an out-of-touch opportunist, the building costs loads of dollars to move into and the sales were way down.

morale was low because the staff was shrinking. the staff was shrinking because the owner was full of shit. the owner was full of shit because she didn't trust herself anymore. the dish ran away with the spoon, we closed the babylon spot quietly in the night without really telling anyone, we moved to a shipping warehouse and took the whole shebang to online only, and we shrank away from raleigh without much of an explanation. for that, i apologize. i really do.

here's the good news. WHAT A MOTHERFUCKING LESSON right? i can tell you more about what i have learned through perceived failure than could ever tell you i gleaned from success.

i am still here.

i understand my company now more than ever, i understand what it takes, what it requires, and i'm doing better at doing it - taking care of it. i have stripped it naked and looked at it in the bright light, with a sharpie, and a magnifying glass and a measuring tape. i know what i'm working with, and I'm figuring out what I'm working towards.. i also know there's no magic solution. i know i need my people. my community. i know i need raleigh.

furbish is ok. we're really good actually - the business is sound, and profitable. online feels better than ever to me - i like how it looks, it feels relevant, authentic, and importantly different than anything else out there - it's unique, still, even in today's marketplace. and that's the magic I think. our instagram is good - i'm proud of it, and we're engaging with our audience in new ways. for example, we've introduced editor's picks on the site, which is a weekly round-up of the things i'm shopping for from brands i enjoy. i want you to know that a funny little commes des garçons button-up from barneys can change your whole vibe, and i'll let barney's handle that.

but you'll certainly want to wear that shirt to the causal chic editorial just-because dinner party you throw where you use a crazy laura ashley meets dolce and gabbana prairie floral placemat. so i made those, and that's furbish.

that shirt and those placemats tickled me, the combination. i'm recommending you try it, and i'm showing you how to. that's what i think furbish can be good at.

i've wanted furbish to be part of raleigh again for a while - i think i needed to preen my feathers a bit and tend to my beat-up pride, but i'm up for it now. i'm ready. and it's remarkable how things have worked out -- i'm going to join one of my favorite people, bryan costello in his shop - holder goods, on south street - where our entire vintage rug collection will be shoppable, in person.

we're focusing on rugs right now because raleigh has asked enough times that i'd best be listening. they want to shop our rugs in person, see the colors up close, try the textiles in their homes, and they want to get out of their houses, off their phones, lose their laptops and go somewhere. they wanna talk to people, and hear their stories.

there's absolutely no better place in this town for me to try this again. bryan's store is full of charming curiosities that you never knew you needed until that oh-so-special moment of discovery where you are changed simply by the notion that you could do something different. i'm positive you've seen on my instagram stories that if i am in raleigh, and it's the weekend, i'll be at holder goods. it's my happy place.

and after i'm there, you've also seen me bop next door to boulted bread, get a morning bun and a coffee, then i'm down at sir castle tees spray painting high-top vans, or customizing a pair of converse.

these are my people. this is going to be my place right now. and i want you to join me. come by this sunday and try out my tastes. see why i think this is the coolest block in raleigh right now, and why i am so grateful to be a part of it. we're hosting a little open-house block party from 1 - 4. we'll have champagne, i'll drink two glasses but not three (probably), the weather is supposed to be miraculous, wear a cute sweater and we'll all ask you where you got it, and you can stroll the block for an hour or so and chat with folks who like some of the stuff you do, and some other stuff too that you can ask them about. there are also great murals and graffiti to take the instagrams in front of. plus scooters.

so that's me now. and here's the thing - furbish will keep evolving and changing, just like me, because furbish is me. and i live in raleigh. i'm really glad to be back.

I went shopping for vacation and found some things

2018-10-29T19:02:00.003-04:00

i went on a quick and deliberate hunt for black one-piece bathing suits this am -- i'm headed to tulum to give thanks for pilgrims running into land, to eat tacos instead of turkey and to sleep. a lot.

i can usually pop over to asos or revolve and scratch the black suit itch pretty easily. i was tickled to see the founding fathers were shining on me this am because everything at asos is 15% off. i did a little dive and found some other items worth considering for your times spent in america, as well as mexico. let's look, shall we?

I think this sweater looks reasonably fancy, especially for under $40 // let's agree this skirt is a chic look - and I like that it's not real leather // these pants are coming on vacation with a cropped white blouse

i'm digging a two-piece situation right now and this feels like an updated day-time lewk // this denim jumpsuit looks like a fantastic fit // one of the bathing suits i got to try, we'll see

again with the two-piece. I'm intrigued. I think I want to try. // this will be me on vacation // you'e listened to me talk about these enough. now they're on sale. try them.

I love the shape of this dress // TWO damn PIECES! welcome // trying this suit too. dunno.

these are dope // trends. we set them // love this big cable knit cropped sweater so much

you always need another leopard cardigan, I believe this to be true // how freaking cute is this tiger jumpsuit! got it! // super-fun stripey sweater

witchy woman

2018-10-28T21:33:00.000-04:00

flowers make us happy

2018-10-26T12:36:00.000-04:00

my apologies for the lack of inspirational, pintastic, lifesytling content this week. this move for some reason turned me into a hateful, ill-tempered whiny old person - and i'm trying to put my finger on exactly why i failed to cope gracefully (like, at all) with this one. i feel like i've been moving around now for a few years, and i can do it easily, for the most part - so to my surprise, my spirit became brittle and i felt disgusted with everything this particular time. it hit me hard.

today's a new day though. a good day to pull it together. get grateful, feel happy, act brave and really, just adult a bit better.

so hi!

and some good news for all of us -- i'm very happy to share this fun tid bit that i just learned about, on behalf of the society of american florists :

did you know that to help people across the country start their day with a smile, yesterday florists nationwide hit the streets in more than 400 cities in all 50 states, surprising busy commuters with two free flower bouquets -- one to keep and one to give to a friend, family member, colleague or a complete stranger. through this random-acts-of-kindness-style effort called petal it forward, tens of thousands of flowers were gifted to reaffirm the science behind flowers’ ability to improve moods and bring people together.

i think this is really lovely. i spent the last two days listening to AM talk radio in my car (it's fascinating right?? i grew up with it constantly on in the background and it's got this weird nostalgia / train wreck allure to it), wondering wtf is going on with pipe bombs at robert de niro's house, why everyone is so dang upset at everyone else, and how irrational this election has so many people acting. no wonder I'm all out of sorts. we're all out of sorts. can you imagine a free bouquet of flowers on the street, for you, and then also getting the opportunity to make someone else's day with a second? genius. more of that please.

“research shows that receiving flowers makes us happy and that giving flowers makes us even

happier,” said jennifer sparks, SAF vice president of marketing. “the floral industry wants to

share positivity and kindness toward others, and to give people the chance to do that for someone else,” she said.

it seems that a state of frenzy is a fairly normal thing for so many of us these days. research from the university of north florida shows that something as simple as flowers can help. the findings show that people who lived with flowers in their homes for just a few days reported a significant decrease in their levels of stress and improvements in their moods.

send mom a bouquet. make some arrangements to get an arrangement to your bff from growing up. if your friend started a new biz, get them some blooms. move a muscle, change a thought. gift some flowers, feel some feels. one hundred percent, i'm in. a few of my fave insta-worthy shots of flowers i'd pick up on the reg to keep the home harmonious (it works!). now it's time to get some for these new digs, don't ya think?