Sunday, August 30, 2015

Be Right Back....soaking up the last summer days


We're enjoying our last few days before school starts but I have some exciting new projects I've been working on that I can't wait to share with you. 

Hope everyone is having a great weekend! 

Friday, August 21, 2015

FEATURE FRIDAY WITH BLOGGER UNBORED HOUSEWIFE



I had the honor of meeting Leah back in our college years at our sorority. She is such a sweetheart and I was so lucky to have crossed paths with her. Leah doesn't know this but I had college apartment envy. Don't get me wrong our Ben Affleck posters adorning our walls were hot but hers was waaaay better, like grown up better. 

Leah's a wife and wonderful mom to 3 beautiful littles....I mean how cute are they? She has written a great blog called Unbored Housewife, where she shares yummy recipes and daily life with the littles. Her basil strawberry ice cream recipe sounds delish. She's honest and real and I know you will enjoy reading her blog as much as I do.

Meet Leah from Unbored Housewife


Allie Skylar Photography



What made you decide to start a blog?


I worked as a lawyer for many years and although I spent a lot of my time writing, it was in a confined and restricted way.  I craved an outlet for creative writing.  After quitting my legal job to be a stay-at-home parent, I submitted an article to MOPS International's blog, Hello, Dearest, on a whim.  They chose my piece for publication, which was thrilling.  However, I realized that most of the women writing for Hello, Dearest were legit writers with fancy blogs of their own. I decided to carpe diem and start my own blog to include in my byline. That is how Unbored Housewife was born, and since then it has been an absolute joy to write about food, fitness, family, friends and God. 



What is your favorite dish to cook?

Red beans and rice.  As a Louisiana native, I grew up eating this down home staple, and now it's my kids' favorite comfort food.  It's the dish they ask for most often and it's also surprisingly simple to prepare - dried red beans, smoked sausage, onions, garlic, bay leaves, salt and pepper - and you're in business.


What is one beauty item you can't live without?

Mascara.  Always mascara.  I have blonde lashes and I feel positively naked without it.  I use the classic Maybelline Great Lash Washable Mascara in Blackest Black.  That pink and green tube has been around forever.  It's tried and true and I heart it.


What would you say your decorating style is?  And if you could make one room your dream room which would it be?

My decorating style is a modern farmhouse vibe.  I love the look of combining rustic, primitive pieces with shiny chrome accents and clean lines.  And although I enjoy color, I tend to decorate most of my home in shades of white with muted, neutral grays and tans and pops of black.  Nothing makes me happier than an all-white kitchen, no colorful accents required.


If I could makeover one room of my home it would be my master bedroom.  With two dogs and three little kids - aged six, four and two - my bed is usually overflowing, and my bedroom always manages to be the last spot in the house to receive attention.  I would love my master bedroom to be an organized, peaceful retreat, with crisp white linens and fresh flowers on my nightstand.  Maybe one day!


Favorite store to shop at?



The two stores where I draw the most inspiration are Anthropologie and Terrain (both of which are owned by the parent company Urban Outfitters).  The folks who style both stores are wildly creative and adept at creating an intoxicating look, smell and feel that inspires.  At Anthro I can pick up a unique outfit (complete with cool accessories), gorgeous tableware, eclectic home decor accents and the most fragrant candles around, all in one trip.  During my visits to Terrain, sometimes I browse for hours, soaking in the detailed and inspirational home and garden displays.  Then afterwards I grab lunch at Terrain's Garden Cafe, where they use hand-selected seasonal produce, dairy and meats sourced from local farmers.  I leave feeling fresh, creative and pleasantly full.

Thursday, August 20, 2015

Painting with High Gloss Black Paint

I've been on a high gloss paint high (no pun intended) for awhile now. Since the majority of my house was professionally painted I only have a few rooms left to experiment with. The bathrooms and the boys rooms. Since they like to decorate their walls with stickers I won't be touching those for awhile, although my sons houndstooth wallpaper would look amazing with black lacquer trim. So that leaves me with my bathrooms and one was in need of a touch up anyway. It's a room I'm trying to salvage because the black and white basket weave tile is probably what I would have chosen if redoing it anyway and I'm kind of digging the library wallpaper. The trim was painted a matte gray and I thought of doing a high gloss gray but wanted to go bolder. So black it is. My 6 year old even got in on the action. I had a moment where I said no you can't paint wth black paint and then something came over me and I decided this is a great opportunity to teach him about painting, why not start with black. Razors can scrape paint off the doorknob, right?! 

Now that it's painted I'm not so sure I like the wallpaper anymore and debating a different window treatment. Since I have bold graphic wallpaper in the kitchen I'm debating a simple grasscloth or this Philip Jefferies I've been wanting to use somewhere. 




The toilet and sink need to be replaced but finding one that fits this space that I like has been a challenge. Off to Pinterest and Houzz I went to get some high gloss black inspiration to help out with my decisions for this bathroom and I came upon these great uses of high gloss paint.

Here are a couple bathroom looks I'm loving 



 

I'd love to do a sink like this but not sure they exist in airplane bathroom sink size. 

Apartment therapy 

I LOVE black front doors!!! Especially when they're glossy and have a pop of color or on a brick house. 

Postcardsfromtheridge

My favorite and My best 

Paloma81 

A little hallway or entryway is a great place to use a high gloss for a dramatic impact on a small space. Or using it on the ceiling in the entrance of this home. 

Laurel Been Interiors 

Justine Taylor

Windsor Smith

Country Living 

Nate Berkus 

Turn simple white closet doors into the statement piece of the room. 

Jessica Helgerson Design 

Highlight amazing woodwork in a home with a gloss finish paint. 



This makes me want to rip out my office shelves and redo them like this. The solid color makes your eyes go to the items displayed on the shelves. 


Centsationalgirl

One of the easiest updates with high gloss paint is on furniture. If you're not ready to take the plunge on a room in your house this is a great way to add a little glam. Remember you can always change paint and it's the easiest way to update a space! 

Friday, August 14, 2015

Fall Fashion Trends to Try

Plaid, suede and fringe, bring on the Fall Trends! Blanket coats, which I adore and lots of fringe which I'm slowly growing to like. Beautiful suede ladylike midi skirts and backpack handbags. Flare jeans in washed and dark finishes. A combined look of 90's preppy with 70's Boho Chic. Layered gold rings and statement jewelry. All things to try this fall! 




Ahhhh....Can I get one with my initials please? (last years style but still loving it)




Perfectly paired! 








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