Diving Into Decor

I've always been passionate about style and beauty, and since college, my interest in food has grown quickly, becoming a prominent factor in my life. But more recently, my interest in home decor and design has been emerging, creeping in, catching my eye more and more.

While I've enjoyed decorating in the past, helping my Mom choose wallpaper and paint colors, collecting swatches at Home Depot, giving my opinion on what item to place where, it has been as I've matured, developing my own sense of style, and as I've moved into my own apartments that I've had the opportunity to create something that truly represents me. 

Most recently, with my current apartment, my eagerness to create an authentic sense of home, one that reflects my personal style meshed with that of my (good sport of a) boyfriend, has grabbed ahold of me. Moving in together was a chance to take stock of the odd assortment of items we've each collected over the years, and since we weren't able purchase new versions of each and every item of furniture and appliance, it's taking time as I continue to streamline our aesthetic, slowly replacing old items from college with newer, better standing, more mature counterparts (goodbye plastic bins.)  

I'm eagerly diving into the depth of decor and design inspiration available, replying on my classic resources that arrive in my Inbox (One Kings Lane, Joss & Main) and excited to discover new sources (Pine Cone Hill and their gorgeous linens) and the endless amount of glorious design sites and blogs (Apartment Therapy, Elements of Style, Things That Sparkle & more.)

But as much as I'd love to dive into the deep end and start a full redecoration project in my little humble abode, it truly is one step at a time, one purchase at a time, and first up on my list is a new table lamp for our living room, one with adequate light for reading when the main ceiling lamp is off but nothing that takes attention away from our big, beautiful built-in window shelf unit.

Here are a few that caught my eye during a recent online browsing session, but I'm not ready to settle with just one yet...the searching continues, but I'm finding out that that is half the fun. 

Lamps sourced from:

Top Row, L to R: Pottery Barn for left and center images, Restoration Hardware

Bottom Row, L to R: One Kings Lane, Restoration Hardware, Ones Kings Lane

Top photo via Pinterest 

Blues & Browns, Stripes & Splashes

As I explore my late twenties, I've enjoyed discovering my own style, the looks that speak to me the most, those that truly represents my own aesthetic. 

In this process, I've often struggled to find the right words to use to describe my personal style, and in these situations I'm finding it best to take a step back and take in a broader view. 

Someday, in my own fabulous little home office, I will have inspiration boards that I can use to surround myself with images and words that I adore, but until then, Pinterest will have to do. I gather images there, collecting and organizing in the hope of making sense out of the chaotic clutter that is everything around us.

Style is part of our overall evolution, as we figure out our relationships, our beliefs, what we truly want to do for work, figuring out your true style, is just another facet to discover.

In taking a step back, and looking at all the little pieces that make up the style that I keep pinning, the fashions, the designs that I truly love, I hope to be able to better describe my overall vibe. 

Why search for the right words, why is it needed? Because I like to package things nicely, to quantify them and understand myself. I like being able to stamp a label on it, for better or worse. I like the 30 second elevator pitch concept applied to anything.

And so, here are some looks that I am consistently drawn to, no matter what may currently be on trend, these types of outfits I will always choose. 

As I look at this collection, my own trends stand out, and I'm able to put together a language to describe it: I adore stripes, anything with them, but especially blue. I like classic, but not always conservative, looks, clean shapes, not overly girly or feminine but often with a touch of whimsy.  

  

  

What best describes your style and how have you discovered it over time? I'd love to hear :)

all photos from Pinterest

Mid-Week Motivation

Because at the end of a rainy, cold, just plain yucky Tuesday, 

I need to get out of this quickly approaching rut I sense 

and so I call on Pinterest...

and because we all could use a little inspiration 

to tackle the rest of the week, 

whether it be with sundaes and streamers 

or sugar cookies and organized shelves.

all photos via Pinterest

Dreaming of Summer

While spring is poking its head around the corner ever so slightly, 

winter is still standing firm 

for at least a few more weeks here in the Northeast.

And so I've found my mind drifting off with thoughts of summer, 

of packing up boots and hats and gloves, 

and basking in the sun, 

of beach trips and picnics, 

of seashells and s'mores. 

I'm hungry for a holiday of sorts, 

a change of seasons, 

a celebration of warmth, 

and already looking forward

to embracing the upcoming months 

as much as possible 

and all the little joys that come along.

 

all photos via Tumblr & Pinterest

Pinterest Delivers Once Again

Last Friday arrived, with my alarm all set and ready to log on and purchase a ticket to Alt Summit NYC. I learned of Alt Summit awhile back, and eagerly follow their newsletters and site, full of blogging and design advice, class offerings and recaps from past Summits that they’ve hosted. With this upcoming event in NYC, at the Martha Stewart headquarters no less, I was excited to have the opportunity to actually attend myself, network, learn and get inspired. 

And then, due to the lovely nature that is technology, servers failed and tickets sold out, and I was left disappointed and frustrated.

Then...due to fantastic customer service and an email that absolutely made my day, I registered last night and will now be attending the Summit in NYC this June. 

But before I received this fabulous news, I spent a large part of Sunday evening hungry for design and style inspiration, feeling as dreary as this grey March weather. I scrolled through Pinterest, clicking one photo then another and anther, and started to reignite my creativity a little.

And so, in honor of Alt Summit NYC, here are some of the images that captured my attention this past weekend. I plan on doing this more often, spending more time exposing myself to everything that is available, pushing myself to push my own creativity on a daily basis. Whether it be food or fashion, home decor or stationery, flowers or art, there is so much around us waiting to be looked at, beautifully/oddly/in a new way.

A special shout out to the following stylish sources 

that I love exploring

 and can always rely on 

to give me a dose of design inspiration: 

Glitter Guide, Dallas Shaw, 

Joy the Baker, Camille Styles

all photos via Pinterest

Bring on the Hearts

I consider myself a very easy person to shop for.

I love a lot of pretty things and cozy comforts.

Head into any one of my favorite stores, 

or browse through any of my favorite online shops, 

pick something out, 

and there is a 99% chance I’ll love it.

I’m also one of the rare people that absolutely love Valentine’s Day.

It seems most people these days are anti-February 14th, 

filling the day with sarcasm, resentment, and eye-rolling. 

My love for this holiday has nothing to do with being in a relationship though, 

as many base their plans solely on that aspect. 
Case in point:

I’m in the middle of baking and crafting together treats for my girlfriends.

Since I was young, my parents have filled Valentine’s Day 

with sweet surprises and cards, and I have grown up loving 

the brownies my Mom shared with us and the sweet cards from my Dad. 

I remember fondly the year he bought a pack of children’s Valentine’s cards, 

filled out over 20 of them and hid them around the house 

for my sister and I to discover throughout our morning.

I love sweets and champagne, cards and carbs, little gifts and goodies on Valentine’s Day and I’m not embarrassed to admit it. 

And on that note, 

here are some gift ideas for the ladies in your life on this lovely day:

Kate Spade’s collection of whimsical jewelry 

J. Crew doesn’t disappoint with modern, preppy classics 

                                         

 Bauble Bar’s Valentine’s and Monogrammed collections are personal favorites 

Both Dogeared & Catbird are fantastic sites for more lovely, adorable jewelry & gifts 

Since the first time I saw these “love rings,” I’ve been in love with them. 

Variations can be found all over, including these from Etsy. 

  

You never say no to a sweet treat

And if comfort and a romantic experience is more your style, 

cozy throws, pillows, and thoughtful home items (found at One Kings Lane)

create a movie night on the couch that's fantastic to me.

And last, but never least, 

the gift of beautiful flowers is always special. 

all photos found on their respective online shots or  via Tumblr