Clean & Serene Bedroom Retreats

Ever since Amber (of Amber Interiors) shared with us her latest project, I've been swooning over bedrooms with clean, delicate colors.  How beautiful is her design?

The pattern and texture use is perfect and makes the room visually enticing despite the softer colors. 

 I've been on the hunt for inspiring bedrooms that feel like a retreat, but remain interesting and special, just like Amber's.  Here's what I've found so far...

I love the bronze table and fur chairs juxtaposed against a nearly all-white bedroom here.  It's a fab combination:

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The artwork displayed in this bedroom is so unexpected- which is what I love about it.  Paired with the white and blue bedding, it balances out the room well:

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This room mixes French elements with chinoiserie (chests).  I love the soft blue wall color and the zebra rug.

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The glitter mannequin and moroccan lantern make this basic white bedroom pop.

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Hello leopard carpeting!

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Who knew beiges and whites could be so delicious?

Happy Friday, loves!!

Aspen, CO Nuptials

I've got some serious eye candy for you today. Lauren Jones, a friend and fellow Houstonian, is one of the most stylish women I know.  To this day, her wedding pictures continue to wow me, although I've looked through them multiple times.  I knew you would find them inspiring too, so when I asked if I could share them she graciously agreed.

Lauren and Stanley Jones wed in Aspen, Colorado in August of 2008.  Lauren comes from a talented family.  Her mother, Helen Jancik, made her wedding dress, wedding coat, veil and headpiece, the flower girl's dress, the bridesmaids' earrings and shawls, the reception tablecloths, and the reception chair covers.  Can you believe that?  Helen is an extremely talented seamstress and designer.  

Let's start with a few bridal portraits of Lauren:

Lauren and Stanley began dating when they both lived in New York City, so it was only appropriate that a few bridals were taken while she strolled through Central Park:

Her veil is breathtaking.  The lace detail on the edges complements her long sleeved lace wedding dress that goes beautifully over her silk gown.  

Now let's move on to the Aspen, CO ceremony...

Lauren, with her talented mother, Helen:

Lauren's bridesmaids:

Groomsmen & Ushers:

The reception was held at the Aspen Sundeck.  At the reception sign-in table, various pictures of Lauren & Stanley during their relationship and bridal portraits are displayed in beautiful frames.

Twig lanterns lined the reception hall:

Yellow roses and candles lined the head table:

               Centerpieces consisted of horns, pheasant feathers, oak leaves, and acorns:

Absolutely beautiful.  I love that Lauren kept the overall aesthetic of her wedding natural- lots of wood accents and greens.  It was perfect for the mountain setting.

If you love her taste as much as me, then you'll be delighted to hear she's a Stella & Dot Director & Founding Leader!  I'm a big fan of S&D jewels, and with their new fall line out, I really need to hide my wallet.  Have you seen it? 

Go check out Lauren's site to peruse the collection, and if you live in the Houston area, book a trunk show with her for free jewels!

Happy Thursday!

Favorite Fall Accessory Trends

I'm not typically this excited for fall fashion.  I've admitted many times that I don't believe in following trends- I think it's best to stick with classic pieces that will stand the test of time and that you know work well for you.  But this season I'm breaking my own rules. Because the "trends" are soooooo yummy.  Here are my top 4 favorites in the accessories category-

1.)Tom Ford Nail Lacquer in Bourdeaux Lust/Bobbi Brown Rich Lip Color in Crimson/Chanel Lip Color in Le Fascinante

2.) Charles Philip Tassel Suede Loafers/Lanvin Tassel Pom Pon Earrings/Rachel Zoe Tassel Bracelet

3.) Valentino Rockstud Handbag/Valentino Rockstud Leopard Gloves/Rowen Hindman Studded Loafer

4.) Zara Black High-Heeled Boot/J Crew Ainsley High Heel Boot

Which piece is your favorite?  Did I miss anything you find lust-worthy?  Let me know so I don't miss out!

8 Things I Loved & Learned Last Week: 4

Happy Tuesday!  How's the week going so far? Sorry for my lack of presence yesterday.  In case it wasn't apparent by my numerous instagram pics and tweets (my apologies for clogging your newsfeed), I was hangin with my parental units back in my hometown of OKC.  Sam & I went up for the weekend primarily so I could help them choose finishes for their new home, but also to see the OU game.  Too bad the Sooners didn't win.  I still had a blast doing what I love to do best~ working on interiors!  Which brings me to #1...

1.) LOVED selecting all the finishes for their new build.  The aesthetic we are shooting for is serene, spa-like, and clean.  We chose dark wood floors, and gray toned travertine for the flooring:

This picture truly doesn't do our selections justice.  When you are working with an iphone camera, there's only so much you can do to capture the beauty.

Here's the master bath shower wall tile, and the stones we are going to do for the entire shower flooring.  Despite what you might think, the stones are not uncomfortable at all.  They actually feel really good on your feet- but if you are skeptical, they are also offered in a flattened out variation.  Perfect for the spa environment we are trying to create:

2.) Loved rummaging through my mother's "give away" stack.  Truth be told, my mom is more stylish than me.  Honestly.  These Chanel flats were too small for her feet, but magically just perfect for mine.  I was happy to take them off her hands! :)

3.) I loved seeing Jessie Miller (of the Design Daredevil, who happens to be a great blog friend), do her thing on HGTV's "The White Room Challenge" Friday night.  She absolutely killed it, and I loved that her bubbly and confident personality shined through.  If you missed the episode, you have to watch it.

She's pretty fab.

4.) Because I am seemingly forgetting things I used to not forget, I learned I needed to invest in a planner that wasn't my iphone.  After discovering the Maybooks website, I was sold.  They have a plethora of beautiful patterns to pick from when designing your notebook or planner, and you can add a cute monogram, too! 

That adorable pencil came from Design Darling's "Things We Love" pencil set.  Another great office accessory. 

5.) I went to get a pedicure before hopping on my flight back to Houston yesterday, and guess who I sat next to?  None other than James Harden, NBA player for the Oklahoma City Thunder.  I was starstruck, but that didn't keep me from talking about our shared love of Houston, TX and pearl exfoliating pedicures. Fear the beard!

6.) I loved catching up with my brother and sister-in-law over a Sunday morning brunch.  They are probably the world's cutest couple- absolutely perfect for each other. 

7.) After brunch, the whole family went out to the pumpkin patch.  I was shocked to learn it was the first time my sister-in-law or boyfriend had EVER been to a pumpkin patch.  Clearly we had to give them the full experience.  When we got lost in the corn maze, I learned I am not a fan of them.  Whether it be my claustrophobia or my resulting itchy feet, I was pretty frantic to get the hell out of that maze.  Nonetheless, we stopped for a few photo ops.

7.) These flowers took my breath away.  Natural beauty at it's best.

Later Alligators

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Morning sunshine!  I hope you don't have a case of the Mondays and are enjoying your day so far.  I am visiting my parents today and want to savor the moment...

 

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I'll be back later today with my planned post.  Big X's and O's!

Sam

 

College Gameday!

College gameday.  There really isn't anything like it.  Tailgating, catching up with friends, and cheering on my alma mater (Boomer Sooner!) is how I plan to spend the day tomorrow.  I'm headed back to Norman, Oklahoma to watch my Sooners play Kansas State.  From a fashion perspective, the best thing about OU is that their colors are crimson & cream. Burberry attire is perfect.  In fact, just about my entire sorority house had the Burberry patterned headband.  I'm also excited that all the burgundy we have been seeing this fall will be perfect for showing my spirit.  Since the weather is expected to be in the low 80s during the day and the high 60s at night, jeans with a light tank is probably the look I'll go for.  Sprucing up the look with my new riding boots, a Burberry scarf, and J Crew studs will add just the right amount of color.

J Crew Tiered Crystal Earrings $68/Splendid Jersey tank $58/

Burberry Giant Checked Gauze Scarf $350/Michael Kors Mid-Size Hudson Watch $275/MOTO Martha Jeans $80  Willow Riding Boot $198/Chloe Mini Marci Shoulder Bag $695

What team do you root for?  What's your go-to look for gameday?

Watch The Notebook Under the Stars!

Hello lovelies!  With the weekend quickly approaching, I wanted to inform you about a fab event taking place at Discovery Green in Houston this Friday at 7:30 pm.  Entitled "Girls Night Out", the Alzheimer's Association has put together a wonderful awareness event for "Alzheimer's Action Day" including free purple (the official color of the AA) manicures, a Stella and Dot showcase, food & wine discounts from The Lakehouse Restaurant, and a movie screening of The Notebook!

Jewelry, a free manicure, and sexy Ryan Gosling???  How can I turn this one down?? I hope you can come out and support an amazing organization, too!

More info here.

Also, a big thank you to The Edit for featuring me as their "Style Muse" today.  Such a great feature!  The Edit is Shoptiques' blog.  Shoptiques (as I mentioned in my earlier post today) is a fab site featuring the country's best boutiques and favorite pieces.  Buy curated, special pieces online to create a unqiue look.  Here's my interview.

Splurge Worthy Totes

My boyfriend asked me what I wanted for my upcoming 25th birthday yesterday, and I had no idea a million ideas to share with him.  Anyone in my family will tell you it's not too hard to shop for me- I'm never shy about sharing what material good my heart is lusting over.  Lately, my eye has been spying the handbag department of Neiman Marcus and just taking a spin through it makes my knees weak.  In reality, I most certainly don't have 2 grand lying around to splurge on a sexy handbag.  But, if I get all my loved ones gathered and explain that they can all go in on a leather tote with a designer label, I just might have a new bag.  Granted that bag will also be my Christmas, Valentine's Day AND Easter present... but you get the picture.  Here are a few bags (on the arms of stylish bloggers) that have me swooning...

Bradley of Luella & June carrying a Celine shopper tote.  Absolutely classic.

Kat, from With Love From, Kat sporting her YSL tote at NYFW.  I love the gold detailing.

And a few great looks from The Blonde Salad.  That Prada is super yum.

Top Row: Fendi Peekabo Satchel tote/YSL tote

Middle Row: Prada Saffiano tote/Valentino Rockstud Tote

Bottom Row: Chloe Marcie Tote/Lanvin Miss Sartorial Bag

Help me decide- which one is your fave?!

In other delightful news, I am guest posting on the Shoptiques blog today.  If you haven't heard of Shoptiques- you need to check them out.  It's a one-of-kind online destination for discovering and exploring local boutiques across the country.  "Offering an expertly curated selection of top boutiques with one-of-a-kind pieces, Shoptiques.com helps women discover, celebrate and even reinvent their personal style with ease by eliminating the hassle of searching through hundreds of sites for the perfect item."  I love boutique shopping, and being able to do it online is even sweeter.  Pretty cool, no?  Here's my post.