COLOR WATCH: MINT GREEN

... not just reserved for your ice cream anymore, this subtle pastel is popping up all across the trend spectrum for spring. Fresh and fun, mint can certainly add a jolt of life to any space [or outfit]- even if its just in the form of a few great candlesticks!

this bookshelf is the perfect example of bringing a little color into a calm space without overwhelming it...

outdoor mesh balloon chairs? yes, please!

[via] pinterest [sketch 42, jami goldsmith]

WEEKEND WISHES

Here are some pretty pictures, wishing you a beautiful and relaxing weekend!

My sweet boy is finally home after a stressful 2 weeks getting unexpectedly stuck in Switzerland with an immigration issue. 

I'm so happy to have him home, and will be enjoying spending time with him this weekend!

[via] we heart it, pinterest

FROM SOMMER'S DESK...

I'm so pleased to have my friend Sommer here from Paper Anniversary Co. be sure to check out her awesome blog!To share her experience at Alt Summit with us. I met Sommer years ago through our mutual good friends Hi V + R!, and she and I instantly bonded over our love of all things creative, blogging- and much more. Sommer has an amazing knack for putting creativity on paper, and I thought she would be the perfect person to share some of the secrets she learned from Alt...

A BIG Thank you to Keely for having me over today to share my experience at the recent Altitude Design Summit. I couldn’t be more delighted to be here!

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The girl in the photo above - that would be yours truly – the girl behind Paper. Not my most flattering photo; however, I feel its worth sharing. It’s a snapshot of me listening (quite intently I might add) to my girls Alix and Dottie fromModern Kiddo. When I met Dottie the evening before in the Alt Lounge – we share a love for vintage eyewear - she encouraged me to attend her round table the next morning, and I did.

These ‘kiddos’ hosted a discussion entitled “Happiness is a better blog: Simple marketing & PR tips to benefit your blog” focusing on the importance finding and communicating your unique blog style. They also provided a well-crafted outline featuring fabulous advertisements such as this one…

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As you can see, this wasn’t your typical round table and Altitude Design Summit (Alt) was your typical conference either. Many of my fellow Alt attendees have referred to the Summit as a blogger summer camp. I couldn’t think of a better descriptor myself. We worked, we played, and we bonded. In the end, we left better prepared to face a new year.

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Here are a few things I took away from ‘camp’:

·      A better insight into how I can create a true sense of community with my blog

·      Options and alternatives for advertising on your blog

·      An unofficial guide to ethics and etiquette from the modern Emily Posts Emily, Grace, and Joy

·      Tips for hosting a successful event (to build your offline community) such as selecting “Invitations that Shine” according to party planner extraordinaire Jordan Ferney

·      Print is not dead! Whew! There is a basic human nostalgia toward print leaving room for digital and print to coexist symbiotically…perfect examples Rue and Anthology

But, the best thing I took away from Alt (much like summer camp) was the new friendships. I met some wonderfully kind and talented women who I look forward to learning from and collaborating with in the future. And, in the process I realized, the key to being a better blogger: be true to yourself and kind to others.

THE HUE IS BLUE

We use high gloss paints to bounce light off of furniture, give it a pretty finish, and to make things around our house look  brand new. Why not use it on the walls? These blue walls are are striking and stunning, and the high gloss adds a truly "polished" feel. 

Miles Redd can do no wrong. The walls are a perfect shade paired with the red and fun floors!

This apartment just beckons you in. The buttery velvet sofa, classical touches, and subtle pops of color are beautiful. 

[via] miles redd, elle decor, simply smitten

WELL STYLED

I love well styled spaces, in fact, they just might be one thing that inspires me most.

And, Rita Konig, shes a queen of well styled spaces...

[via] strikes our fancy

P.S. Today Im over at Look, Linger, Love sharing my 5 favorite things around my home...

AT HOME WITH NICOLE FULLER

Ever since I saw Nicole Fuller's Chelsea, NY apartment in the december issue of Living Etc. - it has lingered in the back of my mind. Each room is quirky and exuberant, and full of visual excitement...

This bedroom may be initially what was so captivating, I love the Kelly Wearstler-esque wallpaper. 

Fuller says that the color palette for her home was inspired by Christian Dior's couture collections. It seems that more than the color was inspired by the french. I love that stunning entryway table with the flowing lines. This hallways just seems so perfectly executed - its a space unto itself rather than simply a pass through. 

The quirky elements in her home are never ending. This kitchen is small, but functional seeming. I love the way she has made the end of the counter top feel like a little butlers section.

Accessorizing a kitchen can be difficult. With all the small kitchen appliance, cookbooks, containers, etc- it can end up looking mishmashed and overwhelming. Fuller was able to make her kitchen look decorated without being taken over by kitchen paraphernalia.

PATIENTLY PLANTED

... Most of you are thinking "it doesn't, we're in the dead of winter!" Here in Minneapolis, were in what they call "a deep freeze"... I call it "the ice age". While everything outside is frozen, a little life indoors can bring in a renewed sense of spring being right around the corner. I have long dreamed of a perfectly planted corner of my home, where I can grow some fresh herbs to cook with, some beautiful flowers to look at, and just a little greenery to freshen up the surroundings...

 a dream come true to me.. the simplicity of white with punchy and pretty orange trees.

those perfectly planted little corners.

the look of bulbs in a wide glass vase has such a contemporary feel. plant a few tulips, or paperwhites around your home for a look that lasts beyond a week!

the idea of a center entryway table with a statement plant is super stunning.

fig leaf trees are so beautiful. their large and textured leaves can't be beat...

[via] pinterest

PERFECTLY POLISHED

Perfect nails are my new must have accessory. I love how the little punch of color is clean and polished...

Essie is my favorite by far. Their colors are always spot on, and it stays on for so long without chipping. Essie's spring line "A French Affair" certainly has some gorgeous colors that are keeping in line with Spring's muted pastel color ways, but I substituted in some of my other favorites...

Nice is Nice: Such a lovely shade of lavender, don't you think?

Turquoise and Caicos: I have been wearing this one all winter, its almost a spot on Tiffany Blue, and oh so fun.

Flawless: Slightly more muted than the photo shows, I picked this one up at J.Crew. It's feminine and flirty, and I can't wait to wear it.

Sand Tropez: This color has been all the rage lately in the form of Chanel's Particulière. I wore this color during most of my stay in Europe, and adored it. It's the perfect shade for any ensemble.

[via] stylist, become gorgeous

Coat Azure: For the days when you're feeling "blue"!

What is you're favorite shade for spring?

SNAPSHOTS FROM EUROPE

Since I was gone for so long, I thought I would share a few photos of what I have been up to...

We started the trip in St. Moritz, Switzerland. Something I love about the Swiss is their sense of tradition, many of which we enjoyed while ringing in the new year with M's family. The sleigh ride was one of my favorites...

I always look forward to eating a few of these delights from Lindt & Sprungli...

Another thing that has a renewed importance to me is meal times. Three a day plus tea in the afternoon. I so enjoyed the time spent during these hours with family and friends over delicious foods...

After two weeks in the mountains, it was so lovely to feel the warm sun, and see a few palm trees in Mallorca...

Finally, M's stepmother and I spent one afternoon in Seville, Spain. What an amazingly historical city. Being the design freak that I am, I loved the intricate detail and attention that was paid to every bit of architecture in the city. This scene is gossip girl-esque, don't you think?

One of my favorite things of any city I've been to, was how almost every street in Seville was lined with orange trees. It was so charming...

HAPPY [COLORFUL] MONDAY!

I am so thrilled for the start of this week. For me, it really marks the beginning of a new year...

First, let me say- welcome. I see so many new faces here, which I am really excited about. For those of you who haven't been here long- I was in Europe the past three weeks with limited internet access [if you are expecting an email from me, I promise it's coming soon!]. I love getting around to all of your blogs, and will be doing so in the coming weeks...

Second- after being away for so long, I definitely missed certain things. With spring around the corner, one of those things is the unabashed use of color, pattern, texture, and overall overlap in interiors that are so unique...

I'm talking pink, yellow, and orange in the same room...

flowers, and more flowers in fabulous, albeit mismatched vases...

bright, brights + whites...

the use of pink- in general

pattern, upon pattern...

and subtle touches of glamour...

 [via] absolutely beautiful things, the decorista, sensational girl, lonny mag

Have a happy Monday!