Monday, December 31, 2012

Do you like me?

How pitiful does that sound? Allow me to clarify. Do you like me on Facebook? Stella does. Just see below. Yes. She has her own Facebook account. She is computer savvy like that. I keep telling her she has to share her account with her sister, Billie. She does not listen. Anyhoo. I digress. Let's connect on the FB. Wouldn't it be something if I could hit 1,000 followers by the new year? Quite a lofty goal.
While we are at it, hit me up on the Twitter. Oh. My. Gawwwdd. I sound like a senior citizen. "Hit me up on the Twitter." Kids these days. You can listen to my nonsensical design rants on the reg. Who wouldn't want that for themselves in the new year? Who I ask you? 

Monday Musings: NYE Glitz and Glam

Ladies. Ladies. Ladies. Put on your sparkliest of outfits. Paint your nails. Put on those eyelashes. Pop the finest of champagne (ahem Cook's). That's right. It's New Years Eve. Leave it to me to wait until the day of to let you girls know what you need for the big event. People. I live in a constant state of reaction lately. I cannot help it. Just roll with it. Blame it on the fact that the Mayan's were wrong. Blame it on the fact that I am one of the only losers who has to work on New Year's Eve. Bitter? Just a tad. 

Who is ready to ring in 2013? Do you all remember back in the early 90's, thinking about the 2000+ years and visualizing it to be futuristic? Show of hands. I mean am I alone here? I thought by 2013 we would be wearing metallic space suits and everyone would be driving a flying car. Jetson style. While we are falling short in that regard as a society, I am looking forward to all of the adventures and events that a new year will bring. You all have made 2012 a fantastically eventful year for me and I look forward to the next year to come. 

Let's get jazzed and sparkled out. 


For those of us who are NYE procrastinators, here are some last minute items we can scrounge up for tonight's festivities. All sequined, glitzed and glammed. Of course. If it isn't a metallic, and doesn't shine or sparkle, I am not interested. Naturally. 

Friday, December 28, 2012

An Asian Inspired Entry: Get the look

It has been quite sometime that I have done a copy cat/get the look segment. But I have to tell you, once I saw this entryway, I knew that it had to be done. I newly found this blog, Gypsy Soul Interiors by way of my girl Jenny at LGN. After browsing through Kristen's home, I came across this Asian inspired entryway and instantly fell in love with the whimsical feel. From the bamboo mirror, to the foo dog lamps, to the milk glass hanging plates...I loved it all. Girl is not afraid to layer a little color on color. You know what I'm sayin'? You know I like my designer's bold. 
Are you with me on this? The only element I would love to add would be a showstopper Turkish rug, or maybe something as bold as an antelope rug. Let's get the look. 

Thursday, December 27, 2012

Someone is a winner...

It is about damn time that I announce the winner for the Birdaria giveaway. Right? Without further adieu. Jackie Jade you win! Thank you to each and everyone of your for entering in the giveaway. Loves!

Biggest let down of 2012

Ok. So maybe I am slightly guilty of speaking in hyperboles this morning, but a every girl needs a fox. They do. They don't call us foxy ladies for nothing. So when I saw this sweater, I was instantly curious as to where I would be purchasing it from. Old Navy you say? I was blown away. I quickly rushed there on my lunch hour to fight tooth and nail for this thing. All to find that it was completely sold out. I couldn't even find it in a completely wrong size in effort to make it work. I started calling all of the Old Navy's in a 50 mile radius (one track mind, much?). They are sold out EVERYWHERE. What is a girl to do? I will tell you what this girl will not do, pay $60.00 on eBay for an Old Navy sweater. Someone help a sister out here. This is a seriously desperate want ad. Anyone seen one of these at their local Old Navy? We need it!

Let's eat: Breakfast Sandwich

So I know you all thought I a. forgot to cook or b. had the pizza delivery guy, Rob, on speed dial but have no fear, I have gotten my head out of the sand. While hosting guests over the holidays, I took it upon myself to make breakfast at home at least a couple of times. On Christmas morning, I wanted to concoct something delicious and something that only required 4 eggs. I kept saying I was going to make a breakfast casserole, but seriously, with 4 eggs? Come on Linz. We are not feeding the Keebler elf clan. After raiding my refrigerator and racking Stella's brain, I came up with a breakfast sandwich. Eat your heart out Mc D's. But seriously, let's eat. 
4 eggs
16 pieces of prosciutto
12 slices of thin sharp white cheddar cheese
Italian loaf of bread

Preheat oven to 425. 

In 6 cups of the muffin tin, crack one egg per cup. Add salt and pepper to season. In the remaining 6 cups of the muffin tin, line each cup with two pieces of prosciutto overlapping. Bake 12-15 minutes. Until prosciutto is crispy, and eggs are to your liking. I don't like mine runny, so the longer the better. 

In a skillet, add butter and brown toast on each side. Add white cheddar cheese slices and melt. On top of the cheese, layer 4 slices of prosciutto and top off with the egg. 

Muy. Delicious. Swear. Are you drooling? If I had 4 eggs and random ingredients in my refrigerator on the reg, this would be a staple. Truly. 

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Favorite Room Feature: A Year in Review

Can we say food hangover this morning? Who is as unlucky as I and has to show up for work the rest of this week? I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas and Santa better have been good to you. If not, he is going to get it from me. Next year. Next year. 

Don't I love a montage? I cannot believe we are rounding the corner to the end of yet another year in Favorite Room Feature. It is truly unbelievable. In true form to tradition, I am playing back every one of my favorite rooms from 2012. Each and every blogger that participates in this feature, has talent out the you know what. These are just a few of my favorite throw backs. 
Holtwood Hipster
Was 2012 FRF not ridiculous? I mean seriously. These peeps fabulousness exhausts me this early in the morning. Truth. Love you. Mean it. XOXO

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Merry Christmas to you and yours

Merry Christmas to the loveliest of readers a girl could ever ask for. I love you all more than words can say and I hope you all have a wonderful day with friends and family.

Monday, December 24, 2012

If my house had a Christmas list...

Did you think you were getting away without me today? Not going to happen. Want to see the Christmas list that my greedy house conjured up? Check it out at Jamie Meares' blog, Isuwannee

Friday, December 21, 2012

Let's catch up

Let us praise baby Jesus. It is Friday and I am on the cusp of a 4 day weekend. Hoo. Ray. Also worthy of an honorable mention, my family is on their way for the holidays. I will take them. As I have mentioned, I have not really been in the Christmas spirit this year, but that is quickly being turned around. I mean look, I am even posting Christmas inspiration photos. See below. As lovely and magical as this image is, doesn't it look like a fire hazard? Kinda. 
So let's catch up on my week. Ok. So don't let the bah humbug attitude fools ya. I finally got my act together and wrapped some presents. I usually put more thought into the design and execution of my present wrapping. I like it funky and unique, but time and resources didn't allow this year. I think it turned out well, all things considered. 
Favorite space of the week. Actually. Correction. Favorite space of the month. I spotted this space designed by Tobi Fairley in Southern Living back in November and I have been salivating ever since. I must recreate the ceiling. It is a must. And anytime a lantern is at play, I am on board. What a foyer. What a foyer.
Big azzzz news to report. The Target + Nieman Marcus Collection has finally taken a rollback (Walmart lingo) to 50%. I have to admit, this is a more suitable and accurate price point in my opinion. Now that we are more appropriately priced, I can consider the following for purchase.
Favorite new site of the week. Found this new Etsy site that I might barter my unborn child for a piece of. I am quite certain I have fallen in love with these colored gemstone earrings. I mean how can anyone argue with the fact that I need these? How?
My favorite DIY of the week. It is no shock that this next to genius project hails from one of my bloggy besties, Linda from My Crafty Home Life. I mean she blows me away time and time again. She took an ordinary tray from Lowe's and made it super glam glam (in the words of Martyn Bullard Lawrence). God I love that woman. I bought two and will be making one for me and one for my mom.
And I leave you with this. The reason I do not use Instagram to catalog my day, contrary to popular opinion. Many of you may not know, I spend my day job as an insurance broker. What you see below is from a continuing education class that I am required to attend on a yearly basis to maintain my license and designations.  This image exemplifies the people and fashion that I encounter on the reg. I mean show of hands, who wouldn't love to get hourly fashion updates from me such as this?  I mean where did he get that sweater and that dickie? What is crazy is that I am the one who sticks out like a sore thumb here. 
I will check in with you sweets early next week. But until then, I hope you all have a wonderful weekend with  friends, family, check out lines, baking, wrapping and the like. Love you. Really, really, mean it. XOXO

Thursday, December 20, 2012

A Client's Office Space

Not the Office Space you are thinking of. We are not bashing copiers up in here, or shamelessly listening to rap music. On this fine Thursday before Christmas, no pressure, I am sharing one of my newest clients design plans with you all. She needed a functional and unisex office space that lent itself to work and storage but also allowed for curling up with a good book. I like the way she thinks. Her hubs is a lawyer so has a serious need for book storage. One of their walls will be completely lined with these bookshelves and it is going to be fabulous.  Instant in home library. Don't we think? Obviously library sconces were in order as well. 
I wanted to keep the color palette neutral as it is a very calming space, but obviously add a few punchy elements. You know my style. This right herrr folks is their reading nook. Not going to lie, I could get some major pages read in this space. Speaking of which, know any good books lately?
I just need to share with you all, an incredible design element in this space that makes my job easy as pie. Look at these existing coffered ceilings. Get out of town. Seriously. Going to need those immediately. Everywhere. Now.
This space is going to be emulate a total library mentality and I cannot wait for her to get started. What do we think? Need a space done in your house? Contact me here and I will hook a sista/brotha up. Love you. Mean it. XOXO

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Birdaria Giveaway Reminder

Ladies. Ladies. Ladies. Let us not miss out on this amazing giveaway by Birdaria. Let's not. Your choice of the Falling 4 U Collection. Choose. Now.


Favorite Room Feature: Holtwood Hipster

I am incredibly jazzed for today's FRF guest. Jazzed. Erin from Holtwood Hipster is sharing her in home studio with us. The space is full of life, inspiration and glamour. Let me tell you. This space would inspire me to get down to business. It just might inspire me to learn how to sew. A girl can dream, loves. Erin is hip and stylish in every way and I know you will agree. Take it away Erin!

What an honor to be featured today on Sadie + Stella. My name is Erin and I blog over at Holtwood Hipster. Today I'm finally sharing the room I'm most excited about - my in-home studio. While my blog posts have touched on individual aspects and projects throughout my home, I've never shared a room in its entirety. So it feels particularly good to pull the curtain back and share the reveal with you all today on one of my favorite daily reads.
My husband and I have been renovating our 1967 ranch-style home inside and out for nearly two years now. As we started to renovate, this room was the first to be addressed. I home office and really needed to create an inspiring workspace, as this is where the majority of my day is spent. I set out to create a multi-functional space, anchored by my signature black and white color scheme and have continued to fill it with things I truly love- many of which I handmade.

When I'm not working on my day job, I'm creating. I really think of this area as my design lab of sorts. It's probably the most finished space in the house, but truth be told, its face is ever evolving. The artwork has been swapped out several times as have the window panels. Case in point- these striped little numbers  I recently whipped up from remnant fabric used at one of our summer house parties.
They say to fill a space with what you love.  Well, accessories have often started here in my favorite room only to be moved elsewhere in our home. I'm currently loving the objects in this vignette, styled up with beloved flea market finds. I scored that brass bar cart and the mid-century style horse art in a single trip to the Long Beach Flea Market. The North African inspired painting with its saturated color palette and original round frame was also sourced from the flea and is one of my most treasured pieces in our home.
Prone to have several projects going at once, this space allows me to house and organize all of my supplies in one place- something I had not had prior to moving into our home. I recently outfitted what had once been intended as a large closet and created this project nook. The glossy black pegboard system and brass toned hooks were up cycled from materials left in our garage by the previous owners.  We're still looking to power it with overhead lighting, but an extension cord is working just fine for the time being. I honestly couldn't be happier than while sewing up some new creation in my little nook.
Some more treasured objects in my favorite room. I originally painted this large scale piece of art for our living room, but found it worked better in the studio. I spotted this DIY coral lighting fixture during blog-land perusing one day and decided to whip up a similar one for my own space as well. While I love it in its current incarnation, I'm slowly moving towards a larger scale evolution of this piece, with black branching and bigger, clear bulbs. The shelving in the project nook was created by pairing high grade African Mahogany boards with inexpensive IKEA brackets sprayed gold to mimic my beloved brass. 

How 'bout a few wide shots of my favorite room so you can see how these details come together? The light and breeze coming through the front facing windows helps me feel productive all day long. As I sit here working, I especially love how the warm grey paint on the wall changes color throughout the day. 

A big thank you to Lindsay for hosting me here today for my big reveal! I'm ever so grateful and it's been the most fun sharing my favorite room with you all today.