THE ART OF THE KITCHEN PENDANT

While selecting lighting for our new home, I've had a particularly difficult time choosing pendant lighting to hang over the island. There are so many looks I love... but a really particular overall design scheme which carries through the rest of the house... I love these commercial kitchenesque pendants that are slightly glamorized by their chrome finish...

These shades are slightly more decorative, and seem to add a little more warmth and depth to the space.

I love that these lights draw your eye upward, and seem so much more than kitchen pendants...

Which would you choose? 

MY 23RD YEAR...

I've been so busy in the last few months, weeks, and days - that I really forgot my birthday was upon me. It's kind of hard to believe another whole year has passed me by...

I didn't want to let today come and go without reflecting on this year - and what an amazing 365 days its been, blessed just to celebrate getting to live life.

This year I continued to grow my business, let it take me in new directions, and have accepted new and unexpected opportunities,  I got engaged and married my best friend, my biggest supporter and the love of my life, acquired a new and wonderful family, we bought a house and have started a remodel to make it a home of our dreams, our best friends brought their first beautiful child into the world, my parents celebrated 27 years of marriage... its been a year of amazing blessings and happiness.

Its exciting to be able to have a place where I can keep record of my reflections, and also share it with such a supportive and loving community. Thanks for following along and being part of my life that I so much enjoy.

If my 24th year is anything like my 23rd... its going to be an exciting and unexpected ride and I'm looking forward to every minute...

M IS FOR MASCARA

When it comes to makeup, I'm generally pretty habitual. Mascara is a completely different story. When I was younger, I bought into the idea that department store mascara was the superior product, while I no longer think thats the case - I try a new mascara nearly every single time I buy a new one. I'm currently using Maybelline Colossal Volume pictured above in yellow and it's really not my favorite. 

I want to know what your favorite mascaras are ?!

 Do you have one that is nice and smooth, that doesn't flake during the day, and isn't impossible to remove at night? [thats asking for perfection, I know]  

Have any of you tried any organically formulated mascaras?

WHEN OPPOSITES ATTRACT

I've never been particularly fond of leather furniture. To me, it just doesn't scream, "warm" or "cozy"... which take precedence in a living room in my opinion.  However, these living spaces which effortlessly mix and match upholstery with leather are putting this combination into a whole new light...

the clean lines of the leather pieces really do give a certain chicness to these rooms

they also provide texture which is a great way to create a well rounded visual space

and in this particular space... your getting the best of many worlds - leather, tufting, and upholstery. 

PREPPY + POLISHED

Lately, I have put more and more emphasis on defining my personal style. Trying to spend less frivolously while shopping for clothes, and rather putting together outfits, mix and match combinations... figuring out exactly what I want to be exuding when I get dressed everyday. 

I'm sure most of you are well familiar with Blair over at Atlantic-Pacific.. she's got simply flawless taste, and her outfits are absolutely inspiring. In my quest to be more well put together - I've taken a few pages from Blairs preppy handbook, if you will, as well as the j.crew catalogue ... and when it really comes down to it.. I love the mix of color, pattern and excitement that these outfits offer.

Would you wear these outfits?

A DREAM HOME

Today I'm finally sharing some big, exciting news that I have been waiting to share on my blog, and it comes in perfect time to be sharing my "Dream Home" today over at La Dolce Vita. So head over and check it out!!

I love love love! Paloma's "Dream Home" series, and I had a lot of fun putting mine together. While I was at it, I wanted to really put thought into the aesthetic of exactly what it is that I wanted. On any given day I could tell you I want a house inspired by the punchy colors and patterns of Palm Beach, and on another I might tell you I want Gray and white with reclaimed woods... 

However, I kept coming back to the JK Place hotels featured in Lonny Magazine's October/November issues, and I couldn't pull myself away. It seems they are the perfect combination of the dark and cozy tones, with light and bright finishes... they truly are a page out of the "dream home" book I have in my mind. So, today, I thought I would revisit them and what is so great about them...

White bathrooms always feel clean. Despite the small space of this one, it feels open and calm.

 The pops of color and pattern are welcoming and add excitement to the small vignettes...

Owner and designer of the JK Place Hotels says that these unique collections are what makes the spaces so different. I love these small statues...

IN LOVE WITH LEOPARD

I'm working on a new project which hopefully I will be sharing more about tomorrow,  and it has really got me thinking I need some more leopard print in my life...

Its so fun, and comes in such an array of styles, it would be easy to find a print that matches practically any room's aesthetic. Now - don't get me wrong, I don't plan on adding cheetah to every room, but a little bench or ottoman here or there sounds about perfect...

Where would you add some leopard print?