New favorite shop: shopMACK

Y'all know that I love the latest and greatest. I mean if you are not in the know about the newest shops on the block, you are not living. Enter shopMACK. I mean I love nothing more than good home decor at an acceptable price point. I would deem it as an edgy coastal vibe, if such a thing ever existed. I am talking creamy, dreamy mixed with funky conversational pieces. I mean what is not to love? Look at these fabulous spaces crafted by the shopMACK team. 

I mean who doesn't want to get that look? shopMACK is offering 15% off of their entire Summer Collection to all of you lovely people by using promo code: EASYLIVING. Here are a few of my favorite things. 

Get the shopMACK look: Jonathan Chandelier Pendant / Bathing Suit Print / Michelle Armas Abstract / Striped Pillow / Greek Key Coaster / Bag/ Coral pieces

Be sure to check back next week as we might have a little related giveaway in store for you lovely ladies. Love you. Mean it. 

New Favorite Artist: Lisa Golightly

What is up my pretty little ladies? Did you have a swell Easter weekend? I would tell you that I was MIA yesterday due to a killer Easter Monday celebration, but that would be a blatant lie. So let's just say I was working tirelessly. K? So I recently stumbled across some amazing paintings while perusing a One Kings Lane sale and of course, the painting was out of stock. Feel me on the frustration with that gals? Seems like when one of their items goes out of stock, they fail to tell you the actual designer/artist name. It is a dirty little game they play. So finally after some serious Pinterest recon, I found the identity of this amazing artist. Lisa Golightly. I am obsessed with the anonymity of these paintings. Like who are they and what are they all about? Anyone who knows me, knows I love a little mystery. 

The Boy with the Orange Bow Tie

Night Swimmer

Hold Fast

Four Men on a Bench

Root Pink

Green Beyond

Jessica Waks for Style at Home

Hi babes. A happy Tuesday to you. Sorry for the radio silence yesterday but I spent most of my day in a haze of confusion considering it was 80 degrees on Saturday and Sunday and I was rocking my daisy dukes and then yesterday we got snow. I mean what in the hell? Mother Nature needs to get back on her meds quick, fast and in a hurry. 

Sooooo recently I came across the AHMAZING of Jessica Walks from Style at Home. With her exotic and eclectic glamour, and pops of color, I am clearly waiting for my formal invite to move in. I mean Jessica, I am sure you need another fabulous gal to share this abode with you, right? Every room is a separate bold statement, and we all know how I am into that. Check out these digs. 

Style at Home

I mean who doesn't want to practice what Jessica is preaching? I got your back. Get the look. 

Get it: Scarf/Mirror/Dogs/Coffee Table/Chairs/Malachite box/Pillows

Beauty Product Essentials

Well my darlings, it appears we have made it to the oh so coveted Friday. To kick off your weekend right, I wanted to talk about something very near and dear to my heart, beauty products. Ladies, I don't use a ton of products, but those that I do use, I am very loyal to. You know, the kind of loyalty where you are telling every Tom, Dick and Harry to get on board? That is how I feel about my beauty regimen. Let's discuss. 

Freckles

Egyptian Magic. So. This is THE best unknown skin hydration product on the planet. I am not even shitting you. When you open it, it appears to be a little like petroleum jelly but people, this stuff can clear up just about anything. I was using a new skin product which made my face break out and dry up. Insert Egyptian Magic, and it was cleared up in a matter of days. No wonder Cleopatra was a dime.

Chloe Parfum. Best parfum on the planet. This fragrance sparks total and complete creepiness. When I first discovered it from a friend, I was smelling her up and down on the regular. Now I have complete strangers doing the same. Weirdly flattering. 

No. 7 Cleanser. Best skin cleanser on the market. I am totally digging all of Target's No7 products by Boots. Price is right as well as my skin after usage. Get it. 

St. Tropez Tanner. Since I am fair skinned, I have been trying to use the self tanner approach as opposed to the aggressive laying out skin cancer approach. At first it was a difficult transition, but I look more bronze than I ever did before. This shiz works miracles. 

YSL Touche Eclat. Best under eye product that ever walked. I am not even kidding people. Apply this in a triangle formation in a one shade lighter than your foundation, under your eye for immediate definition. People constantly ask me how much sleep I am getting. I am fooling them. Trust me. 

Lipquench. Totally happened upon this product by mistake. I work with a young guy who went to the dermatologist who gave him free samples. He was completely uninterested and dropped this on my desk. This stuff hydrates your lips and also gives them the perfect glow. Thank you for the discards. 

Nars Blush in Orgasm. Best blush ever for every skin type ever made. Ever. Period. 

Mascara. Who doesn't want long luscious lashes? I rest my case. 

Nars Lip in Cruising Pink. So call me behind the times, but I cannot get on board with the red/coral lipstick craze y'all are rocking. It just doesn't work for me. I stick with the light pink and nude lip colors. When it comes to lips, I go for the barely there look. Sorry not sorry. 

What your bar needs but is too polite to ask for

What's up pretty ladies? I need to talk about THE most important space in any home. Want to take a stab? How about the bar? Ooooohhh and ahhhhh. Folks, the bar is the symbolic for friendship and relaxation if you ask me. Dress it right and it will treat you right.  I have compiled a list of what your bar needs but is too polite to ask you for. Yes, your bar can talk. To me. Just call me the Manhattan Medium. Have no fear. I will be your translator. 

Art/Napkins/Matches/Glitter Coasters/Tray/Straws/Moscow Mules/Glasses/Zebra Glasses/Ice bucket/Book

Monday Musings: Trim it in black

What's up with you little love muffins? Did you have a nice weekend? Mine was full of design, design and more design.Which means more client updates on the horizon for y'all. Do you love? So today I am talking about a subject that has recently reared its extremely attractive (I know the saying is generally "ugly" but there is nothing ugly about this) head. Black trim. 

So I know that y'all know that my house is essentially finished. I mean the only thing left really is the kitchen, but at this very moment it is "done." Which means, I am ready to go ahead and start redecorating everything. I know, I know. Designer ADD. I am now moving on to trims. In Kansas City, we have an area called Brookside, where the homes are 9 times out of 10 tudor style. That is all fine and well, but from the inside these babies are decked out with the most obscene amount of pecan wood. And when I say pecan, I am talking moldings, floors and trim completely adorned in that disgusting 80's orangina pecan wood. Many times clients have tried to tell me that it is "of the period" as I continue to shake my head.  Do me a solid people, paint your walls white and the trim black. You may be a non-believer now, but trust me when I say, you will thank me later. And in advance, you're welcome. 

While my home does not have orangina pecan wood vomit all over it, it does have white moldings, which are also lovely. But talk about framing a room, people. The stark differential between the black trim and the white walls, is oh so chic and oh so attractive. I told you. Black trim is rearing its extremely attractive head. Check it. 

maison

Peppermint Bliss

Desire to Inspire

Vogue

Stuff I love

Can we talk about the disorganized and creative chaos that is occupying my brain right now? I mean, get real. None of it makes sense, there is absolutely no method to the madness. It is just what occupies my brain at this very moment. Ready? 

This bathroom. I mean does it even need an introduction? I have to tell y'all, I am jonesing over orange in home decor like you wouldn't believe lately, so this completely explains all of that. 

This bedroom. Holler. The obnoxious mixing of stripes and polka dots really completes me. Notice the stripes are actually part of a curtain, not a wallpaper. I mean tricky, folks. Tricky. 

Try and tell me these colors are not off the chain. I visualize these baskets being housed in the middle of a spice market in Marrakesh or something magical like that, even though they could very well be in the middle of a thrift store in the middle of Arkansas. And that is what we call story telling.  

This little set up. It is bright and beachy and I am loving it. I need someone to serve me this type of breakfast. Any takers? 

Design Love Fest

Which leads me to the stuff I love right now. Each and every one of these pieces is chic, y'all. I mean get it. 

Get it: Art/Necklace/Clutch/Shoes/X-bench/Agate box/Pillow

Katie Rosenfeld in Traditional Home

Shalom my sweets. You know me lately, you see me and then you don't. I have been traveling and working my tail off. I can promise you this, once we are in mid May, you will be seeing me a lot more regularly. This I promise you. So while on my way home from my bestie Sam's wedding this weekend, I stumbled upon the newest Traditional Home magazine. I was immediately glued to the colorful and whimsical design that Katie Rosenfeld had so effortlessly designed. Pattern, texture and color galore. As we know, nothing warms my heart more. Just try and tell me this house doesn't steal the show. 

Charles Emerson Designs $100 Giveaway!

So this giveaway hails from one of my dearest friends back in the RVA, whom I miss always and forever. Charles Emerson Designs has THE cutest accessories on any given moment, on any given day. No. Serious. If you are not privy to the site, I suggest you update yourself. Not only do we have cutting edge fashion, it is offered at seriously affordable prices. I mean, who could ask for anything more?? Just a few of my favorites on this given moment, on this given day.

The Arianna

The Betty

The Ruby

The Abbie

The Cloe

The Karen

The Rachel

I mean have we seen enough? Proof is in the pudding y'all. Soooo go ahead and enter yourselves in this beyond fabulous giveaway for the chance to receive $100 (yes US dollars not pesos or shillings) to spend however you see fit. Do it now. Love you. Definitely mean it. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Monday Musings: Real men let their ladies decorate in pink

Hey ladies! Vat's up? I have missed you so. Admittedly, this is the worst time of the year in my real J-O-B. I can assure you, you don't want to hear all of the gory details but let's just say 13 hour days are being had. Between my work schedule and my newest addiction of Candy Mania (I know. Embarrassing), my time is limited. Help me (insert sheepish voice). That being said, stick with me gang. I will be back in the full swing of things in no time. Until then, enjoy my sporadic and unpredictable posting. 

So in addition to my crazy work schedule, I still have about 3 design clients happening right at this moment. No fears ladies, that is actually my stress relief. What is not my stress relief are the men in the client equation. No offense. Boys. Do you really and truly hate pink? Or are you just trying to make my life difficult? Resist the resistance. I currently have a client, who is beyond fabulous, and when we met for our consult, her husband was maybe the coolest client I have encountered. Our conversation went a little like this:

Me: "So do you have any design boundaries?"

Him: "Whatever my wife wants." 

My inner dialogue: "Where in the hell has this design client been all of my life?"

Me: "What if your wife wants pink and we also nix the ceiling fan?" 

Him: "Pink I can live with. Lack of ceiling fan? I cannot. Don't push your luck."

We can't win them all ladies. But if I am going to win one, it is going to be that pop of pink.  As the saying goes, real men let their ladies decorate in pink. I know you thought it was "real men wear pink," but it's not. 

Lonny

Domino