Fashion Friday : Sparkle & Shine

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New Years Eve is around the corner!

Will you be sporting something sparkly??  

XO

Fashion Friday : The Power of the Tutu

Happy Friday Friends!

It's been an extra busy week but Friday has arrived and the weekend will be packed with fun!  Hubby, Blakely and I are on our way to Pismo Beach for the weekend to visit some of my favorite people in this world.

We plan to celebrate their soon-to-arrive precious little girl, Rylee.  Yes, a baby shower!

In honor of Rylee, I thought today's fashion segment would feature tutus!

I don't know what it is about a tutu, but for some reason, the moment a girl steps into one {no matter her age} her head is held a little higher, her stride is a little longer, her hips begin to sway and a smile reaches her face.  It doesn't get much more girly than that.

Maybe it's because tutus slightly resemble the shape and whimsy of a wedding gown, all cinderella-esque.  Or maybe it brings out the ballerina in us, poise and grace?  Whatever the case, no girl can deny that she's fallen completely in love with the feeling only a tutu can give.

While we can't be little girls forever, we can still have a little tutu in our lives.  Add a few extra inches of tulle and you're ready to twirl!  Check out these grown up tutus... 

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What do you think of the grown up version?  Would you twirl in it?

Happy Weekend!

XO

POTD

POTD??  Pin Of The Day of course!! :)

So snooping around pinterest today, I found this pic....

via andeelayne

...which launched me into a frantic internet search for a black maxi skirt and a leopard print blouse! {Terrible - I know!}

I simply adore this look - and yes, this beauty is holding a precious pregnant tummy - I can only hope, pray, dream, wish to look this amazing when carrying a child!  She is one chic momma.

Speaking of fabulous outfits...my sweet sister will be gracing the pages of PinkPeonyStyle tomorrow, inspiring us to keep it classy & chic in the work place.  You'll just adore her, I'm sure of it.  Check back tomorrow morning to meet her!

I'm off to a rehearsal this evening, but hope you're doing well!

XO 

Black & White Stripes - Of Course!

I don't know about you, but I just love black & white.  It's timeless.  Classy.  Eye-catching.  Clean.  And makes the perfect backdrop for just about anything - silver, gold, and metals of all types, bold bright colors and patterns, or simple muted and neutral tones.  It's oh so versatile! 

Add a little or a lot & watch your home or wardrobe pop with the addition of black and white...

{Click here to see this cute lamp shade diy project}

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What do you think?  Do you like a little or a lot, or none at all??

Home : Change it up!

I've always love to decorate.  Growing up my mom decorated my room, usually giving it a theme of my choice.  As a little girl I went through a pink/kitten phase, so she painted the room pink and gave it a kitty cat wallpaper boarder.  As I matured, my favorite flower was the sunflower {middle school I think}, so I graduated to white furnishings, cheery yellow walls and a boarder of sunflowers, complete with {I think handmade} poofy, yellow and white checked window coverings.

Then came high school - my parents built a home and gave me free reign to design my quarters as I chose.  {I wish I had pics...but sadly, I couldn't find any.}  I went sea foam on the walls, painted a thick dark brown stripe that ran along the top of the walls and finished it off with a hot pink bathroom! In the bedroom, I had a beautiful west elm pendant light that hung in the corner above a little brown corner chair and floating shelves that graced my walls filled with tchotchkes and picture frames.  I loved that room.

As I've grown into my 20's, it's been fun developing my own sense of design style.  I struggled a little with it in our first home, as we didn't have much money for decorating, and what extra we did have went to buying essentials these newlyweds lacked {such as a couch and dining room table}.  But I made do with what we did have - hand-me-downs from friends and family, handmade wreaths and artwork, TJMaxx goodies and rare craigslist finds.  Moving across the country forced us to sell all that we had accumulated and start completely from ground zero.  While this was a little heartbreaking in the thick of the move, it actually gave me the opportunity to start fresh.  New apartment + ZERO furnishings = a blank canvas!

The second time around, setting up home has given me more insight into my own sense of style.  I used to think I was rustic meets girly {think anthropologie - don't get me wrong, I adore me some anthro, but I have a more glamorous side to me that I just can't resist}, then I thought it was cottage meets modern {think west elm & pottery barn....love these too} but now I've realized {as of late} that my heart beats to bold bright colors, shiny metallics, geometric patters, repetitive shapes, and crisp designs {think hollywood regency}.

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That's what's so fun about decor and design - as you change, your style and personal taste changes - a space can always be recreated.  Change is an important part of growth {in life and in decor}.  Make sure to allow yourself moments and opportunities to change it up every once in a while, as a well manicured space tailored to your specific style can bring about so many great things - inspiration & creativity, peace & rest, discipline & productivity, the list goes on.  I encourage you to take a look at your surroundings and ask yourself, "Does the space I live in inspire me? Calm me? Help me be productive?"  It is important to define what your space is supposed to evoke and then figure out what you need to get it there!  {Or ask a friend who has a good eye for design - sometimes we need a little help.}

Happy decorating!

Fashion Friday : Maxi Skirts

Now I've always been a fan of the ultra comfortable, uber easy maxi dress.  I have a few of them hanging in my closet.  They're great for those "I ate too much last night" days, for the girlie days, for the "I need a quick outfit" days, or the days you just want to twirl in something.  I've recently discovered the just as fabulous maxi skirt!  I do not however, own a maxi skirt but I feel I may just need to add one to my wardrobe after finding these pretty pics.  

Maxi skirts are fabulous for all of the reasons listed above + they can be accessorized a little more than a maxi dress.  Pair with long sleeves, short sleeves or a tank, add a denim jacket or a blazer, belt it, accessorize with layers of long necklaces - heels, flats, sandals, wedges - they all work!  Have fun with it!  

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Are you a fan of the maxi skirt?  Do you have one {or three} in your closet?

Happy weekend!
Lots of love....

Home : Hand Painted Walls

Have a room that's lacking that extra "pop"?  Paint it!

Paint is such an inexpensive way to transform a space and add a touch of "wow".  While giving a space a face lift through a change of color is nice, don't be afraid to think outside the box - think geometric patterns, stencils, two toned walls, or even creatively free hand something.  

Accent walls are perfect for large shapes and busy patterns, while two toned walls or faux textures are perfect for entire rooms.

Below are a few fun and creative examples of hand painted masterpieces.  Enjoy!

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