FRESH FALL FACE

Last week marked the first official day of fall, but its been feeling fall here for the past 2 weeks or so. It's my favorite season, and for me, the change in the air warrants other changes too.  Those changes should be going to Target less, or eating out less because the summer patios no longer call out - but really, my Target habits haven't changed, probably just gotten worse. No one can blame me if at least, I think, I'm looking better.. right? After hearing a few little dirty secrets about the difference between higher-end drugstore brands [think loreal, revlon] vs. department store brands I wandered into the makeup section and picked up a few new things that have quickly become my absoute favorites for a fresh and dewy face this fall...

 

 

I'm obsessing over this Garnier BB cream. It looks flawless, you can't feel it, and blends beautifully. A's across the board in my book.  I stand by a couple MAC mainstays that I will always love - like this Mineralize skinfinish and blush.  The new L'Oreal Power Volume Collagen mascara is magic my friends. My long eyelashes stay light, bright, and thick with this stuff. MAC paint pot in Painterly. A must have. Period. Next up is the lipstick I've sold all my friends on this Revlon lipstick in "Sweet Tart" the color is juicy but not barbie-style, and it goes on smoothly. My favorite eyeshadow is MAC "Satin Taupe" its got a little sheen to it, and compliments most skin tones beautifully. 

CURRENTLY COVETING: TUCKERNUCK

Much the same as selecting furniture, is my philosophy when clothes shopping. I like style, and comfort. Tuckernuck  provides exactly that. Classic pieces that are perfect as we move into much cooler temps here in the north. Their fall lookbook makes me want one of each of these cute outfits...

REPURPOSE DECORATING

Call me crazy, but decorating, re-decorating and re-arranging relax me. Last week was super busy - as will the weeks ahead be [more on that later] so this weekend we got to work on what we'll call the "media room".  Because we originally we'ren't going to finish that space and ended up psuedo doing so- I can't start from scratch just yet. But - I think a lot of people find themselves at this place and I wanted to share how I plan to make a big change on a small budget. 

Of course we all have ideas of how we would like a room to turn out in our perfect world - but I'm sure your pinboards are brimming with inspirations you might be just as thrilled with.

 For this particular project - I don't need tons of furniture. A sofa, coffee table, lamp, and a few accessories.  So I started by looking around, scoping out my storage closets and figuring out what I had [a lamp, pillows, a throw, and some bar accessories] If you need larger pieces, i.e. a sofa see what you can repurpose from other areas of your home, or surf your favorite second-hand sites. 

Next, I went through my pinboards and pulled aside pictures that I liked, and also knew I could use as inspiration based on the items I already own. 

Here is the one I chose...

Here's why: The room already has wainscoting which can easily be painted white. I have great cheetah pillows, silvery blue drapes, a worn wood coffee table, and the sofa I plan to use has a similar square but comfortable shape as those fab stools, 

Pick out the details in your pieces that match certain aspects in the room you like. The shape of cushions, the sheen of the drapery panels, the scale of the lighting fixtures, the pattern of the accessories. If you have your own pieces with those qualities but not necessarily on the same pieces - use them anyway!

pillows, throw, lamp, sofa, coffee table, silver tray, barset

WEEKEND EASY LIVING

I've always liked Lake Bell for her unique name, and equally unique beauty, so it really shouldn't have come as a surprise that her home is relaxed and easygoing with hints of glamour here and there. There is something to be said for its obvious down-to-earthness mixed with beautiful heirloom pieces from places like the Paris Flea...

That little chair is so perfect to me. The print mixed with the piping... two would make a great statement in an entry hall.

The lines and depth of this sofa have me drooling. I love the bolster pillows too.

[via] vogue

A BACKYARD MOMENT

Lately, black, white, and true grassy green are having a moment for me. We have the cutest, sweetest, most adorable little greenhouse in the backyard that is just begging to be refitted next spring. I'm thinking its got to the black, white, and green...

fifi cheek, decorpad, house beautiful, elle decor

I imagine it turning out something like one of these, with elaborate Gatsby style parties back there. But then I remember I'm a newlywed who lives on a city lot. A girl can dream, right? 

HAPPY LABOR DAY!

This weekend has been all about soaking up those extra few days of sun on the lake and relaxing...

I hope you're enjoying your long weekend, too! Happy Labor Day!