Do you ever notice that once you read something, you seem to see it everywhere. Consider it trending, even if it's only happening to you, in your own head. I was recently reading T-Magazine's A Narrative Thread and the next thing I know, I'm attuned to all things wall paper. As a friend mentioned her quest for affordable options over drinks, I got to thinking that maybe wallpaper is one those items you should have in your home by the time you're thirty, like a true piece of art and plants that require care. Here are a few I've recently discovered:
Friday Finds
Here are a few things about excited about this week:
- Girl Power - Here are some inspirational words from the Fashion Industry's most brilliant ladies.
- This week, we lost a great beauty. This is a beautiful tribute to her.
- We've been hot on the idea of traveling to Scotland, and I've been dreaming of Celtic fisherman sweaters. This one is gorgeous!
- Feeling tired of the endless reel of "what-ifs"? This breaks down why we can be our own worst enemy.
- Stumbled on these beauties recently. Could they be more gorgeous?! I'm dreaming in pineapple.
Happy Weekend!
Friday Finds
Here are a few things catching my eye this week:
- I have unabashed girl crush on Jessica Alba. I love the transformation she recently shared of her bedroom.
- Summers is synonymous with pie. This one is total eye candy.
- Ever get overwhelmed by Farmer's Markets.? Consider this your cheat sheet.
- Think you know how many hours of sleep you should be getting? Think again!
- Vintage cookbooks? Sign me up!
Scent of Style
A while back the New York Times featured an incredible story about the next wave in scent. Similar to how hotels have been piping in scent through their air systems to delivery a specific atmosphere, companies are now offering a chic at-home option. Consider this scent 2.0. Designed to go way beyond a simple candle or room diffuser, companies are creating fully customized scents - taking into account one's lifestyle (do they want a cozy relaxing environment or something clean and energized? How much do they entertain?) plus other distinguishing factors such as the typical temperature and preferred shaped (yes, seriously).
This got me thinking - what scent would I want? I looked to existing home fragrances (clean, light, fresh) and perfumes (light, some floral). I was certainly seeing a pattern and decided to do some digging to see what exactly elements I was drawn to. Turns out I'm all about white florals with greenery, yuzu, peonies, bergamot, geranium, bamboo and jasmine. Be it perfume or for the home, which really is an extension of yourself, I like fragrances to be subtle and fresh. I like scent to add another layer of intrigue, not steal the show. I'm still trying to determine what shape I am.
Here are a few fragrances I have scattered about:
Friday Finds
Photo Credit - Photography By William Waldron/ Styled By JC Garcia-Lavin
I'm still playing catch-up from our long weekend on the West Coast, but here are a few things I'm excited about this week:
- I love Dill Pickles, but the idea of making them has been a bit intimidating and time consuming. This recipe seems super easy, and is on my list for this weekend!
- I'm loving the humid days of summer, but these have me looking forward to fall. (And these are pretty swoon-worthy too.)
- I (obviously) adore a well curated list. This one bullets out all the items you should toss by the time your 30.
- This dreamy apartment makes a historic home feel entirely fresh and airy.
Happy Friday!
Friday Finds
Here is what I'm loving on this week:
- Have a design crush on Jonathan Adler? Here are his basic principles for creating beautiful spaces.
- I'm slightly obsessed with this magazine and can't wait to pour over the latest issue.
- These photos are the definition of cool.
- Achieving a envy-inducing red lip can take a few steps - evidently 9. Are you doing them all?
- Do you dream in vintage? Check out this interview on up your antique IQ.
Enjoy the weekend!
Friday Finds
This week has been a busy one to say the least. (And the pace doesn't seem to be slowing any time soon!) However, it's starting to really heat up (bring on the humidity!), and that alone is cause for celebration in my book. Here are a few things I'm excited about this week:
- These summer salads are beyond gorgeous. I want to try them all - especially this one and this one.
- Trying to have a sense of style in small space is undeniably hard. This guide makes breaks it down.
- June marks the beginning of wedding season. Ensure your complexion looks fab for the big day (even if it's not YOUR big day).
- Sharon Tate seems to be having another moment. This photo is my favorite.
- I'm a serious low-maintenance hair girl. However, this topsy-tail throw-back style has me intrigued.
Friday Finds: Hostess Gifts
Memorial Day Weekend is the official kick off to the summer season, and means attending brunches, BBQs and long weekends. While a bottle of wine is never amiss, especially if it's the hostess' favorite, here a few fresh ideas to show your thanks:
1. Coffee Table Books. Purchasing them for yourself can feel a bit indulgent, but getting them as a gift feels just right! It also shows you know her taste and style, double win. (image)
2. Kitchen Accessories. I love a pretty apron (no sayings please!). Done right, these are fashionable meets function = an invite back. Pair with a fun ice-cube tray for the hostess who loves a fabulous cocktail (nothing dresses up a cocktail like a pineapple ice cube!). (image, image)
3. Cin Cin! Champagne is always a good idea, so is a summer rosado for dining al fresco. (image)
4. Monogrammed Anything. Show your appreciation by going the extra mile with a well placed monogram. Who could resist these? (image)
5. Say It With Flowers. Who doesn't love a big bouquet of their favorite flowers? Not sure what hers are? You can't go wrong with peonies in the spring or sunflowers or lilacs in the summer.
Friday Finds
Image via TownandCounntryMag.com
This week has certainly been a busy one! Here are a few great finds I've recently discovered:
- With Summer vacation on the horizon, check out how to travel in style.
- I love a Bronte sister classic. Recently I'm all about Wuthering Heights. Oh, Heathcliff.
- A how-to guide on creating Instagram-worthy vingettes.
- How clean is your home, really? Check out this site for achieving a seriously healthy clean.
- My India Hicks style crush continues. Here is a look into her stylish childhood home.
Floral Forecast
Nothing is more welcoming or uplifting than fresh-cut flowers. Bold and bright or pale and demure, a well-place bouquet instantly breathes freshness into a room. However, after a few days, the bloom may be, quite literally, off the rose. Extend the life of your next arrangement, even by just a day or two, with a few easy tweaks.
- Change the water daily. Seems easy, but it's also easy to overlook. Just think about how your skin would feel without water for a day. Enough said.
- Trim the stems everyday. Be sure to cut them on an angle, preferably under a running faucet. I like to use kitchen shears for a precise cut. Be sure to remove leaves after they start to look limp.
- Add a pinch of sugar. Flowers need food to stay alive. By adding a bit of sugar to the water, which is drawn up through the stem, you're giving the flowers the energy it needs to bloom.
- Drop in a penny. The copper in a penny helps ward off bacteria, which can cause flowers to die more quickly.
- Switch up the vase. As the arrangement gets smaller and the blooms get wider, switch out a tall vase for shorter, rounder one. This play on proportion makes the flowers look artfully full.
- Keep flowers out of the elements. Seems a bit counter-intuitive, but freshly cut flowers do best when not in direct sunlight or excessive wind.