Recently Featured in HGTV Magazine!

At last!  I finally get to explain the last numerous months of veiled references, looney behavior, not so subtle hints, and general holding-out on my lovely readers.  My reason?  I've been working with the ever famous group of super stars at HGTV Magazine to bring you "Don't buy it, DIY it!" in the July/August edition (out now!)

Is it obvious that I'm grinning from ear to ear?  I am.  Not only because it's my first ever magazine appearance, (dream come true) but also because of what a flat-out fabulous experience it was.

What makes it even better?  My projects are also on the HGTV website as we speak.  Yep, three of my favorite projects ever in high gloss and digital editions for your viewing pleasure.  I mean...Is this real life?  It's almost too good to be true!

In your issue, you'll find my fabric covered snakeskin table/shelves, moroccan stenciled breakfast table, and my most favorite new project- the gold-dotted lamp base.  Does the lamp look a little familiar?  It might, because I modeled it after this Arteriors lamp that I fell in love with after seeing it in Lonny Mag.  The beauty of this lamp DIY is that the original has natural variations in pattern, so making your own version is easy!  Here's how mine looks now, next to my bed:

And a close up view: Notice how the dots are slightly irregular, and the pattern is random.  No two lamps are alike, so the possibilities are endless.

I'm so in love with it.  I added an acrylic base at the bottom, and I think it gave it just the right amount of "extra" it needed.  As you'll see in the HGTV spread, I used it without the base as well, and it looked great that way too.  

If you haven't already, get yourself to your favorite newsstand pronto and pick up your July/August HGTV mag.  It's another knockout issue, but I expected no less!

Also, I want to say a very special thank you to the outstanding team at HGTV Magazine, including Rachel Barker, Jessica Dodell Feder, and the best editor on the planet, Rae McConville.  

Check out the links below to visit my projects on hgtv.com:

How-to: Gold-Dotted Lamp Base // How-to: Mosaic-Style Tabletop 
How-to: Fabric-Wrapped Shelves

PS: I'll be talking more about the projects in future posts, as well as sharing sources, etc., so be sure to follow along!
recently on twitter // recently on instagram // recently on facebook // recently on pinterest 

Weekend Wear: Dressing for Family Pictures

One of the main questions I get regarding family photos is "What do we wear?"  There's never a one size fits all answer, but I thought I'd round up a few ideas, and give some suggestions to help you make your outfit choices.

First, pattern is OK!  I think many of us believe patterns will look too "busy" in a photo, but that's far from the truth.  Patterns, when used sparingly (not everyone wearing a bold pattern) will add visual interest and depth to your images.

Next- Layers!  I adore layers in a family portrait.  I know in the summer months it can be hard to incorporate very many- but think vests, belts, ties or light scarfs and you'll be on the right track.  Accessories are a big part of the layers picture, but don't go overboard.  A simple flower crown, belt, or a great piece of jewelry can add just the amount of visual interest you need.

Does your husband get grouchy when he wears a tie?  Is your little one fussy in a collared shirt?  No fears, work with what you've got!  Forced, unhappy smiles are never pretty in a photo, no matter how great the clothes look.  Of course you don't want to look sloppy, but don't feel pushed to make everyone look just "so."   You want your portraits to reflect your family's true colors!

That's the most important part, I think, is finding what works for your family.  Don't stress if it's not perfect, opt for simplicity if all else fails, and of course- have fun!

GET PICTURE PERFECT:

baby girl dress: zara // baby girl sandals: zara 

PS- Be sure to check back Monday, when I'll give all the details about my big news. If you haven't heard, check my Instagram, or Twitter, where I spilled the beans yesterday!

Estate Sale Tips and Tricks

Estate sales used to terrify me.  It took me ages to summon up the nerve to attend my first sale, and I'm pretty sure I made myself physically ill beforehand.  I'm happy to report that my nerves eventually subsided- as I waited in line for a good thirty minutes while the pros grabbed the good stuff.  Yes, I learned quickly that an early arrival is key.  

I've also learned a few other tips and tricks along the way, so I thought I'd share them with you today- just in case you're like me and keep putting off the greatness of estate sales for fear of being mauled by a pack of hungry antique dealers.  

As you'll see from my oh so handy list above, one of the most important things in any estate sale bag of tricks is preparation.  Do your research beforehand, and you're bound to have some luck.

The best bit of preparation advice ever came to me from Kathy of My Interior Life.  She advised searching online for companies in your city that deal exclusively in estate sales and appraisals.  A quick Google search brought up a ton of options, and now I'm on a few email lists to be notified of upcoming sales, which leads me to my next subject- preview pictures.

Preview photos are everything y'all.  If you can find them- use them.  Scope out the goods, then scope them out again.  

Do you see the mirror in the photo above?  That one was scored by using preview photos.  I used my best sleuthing skills and determined that the mirror would most likely be in the entry.  On the day of the sale, I tried to arrive as early as possible, but there were still about twenty people in line ahead of me before it opened.  I remember spying one girl who I just knew was there for my mirror.  My mirror!

My previewing paid off though, when I saw the mirror hidden behind the door in the front hall.  I snatched it up (for $25!!!) and knew that I would have been searching for much longer had I not determined its location beforehand.  Trickaayyy.  See how that works?

A note on preview photos- They're a big bonus, but not a necessity.  If you see an estate sale pop up in your neighborhood, by all means, take a look!  Even if you're late, or it's the last day, you never know what could be waiting.

That's the beauty of estate sales- everyone has different taste and different needs. Each new sale has new potential for great stuff, so try, try and try again!  The more sales you visit, the better you'll get at scoping out the goods, which will lead to some great finds.

One last word- don't be intimidated.  I remember thinking that everyone else knew what they were doing, and I didn't.  Not true.  Yes, there will be a lot of pros, but everyone is usually focused on their own hunt and I've never seen anyone get mauled- promise.  (Maybe a few pushes and shoves though, so be tough, but in the sweetest way possible of course!)

So now you're all estate sale savvy and ready to shop right?  I see a great weekend of finds in your future, so let me know if you score some gems!

A Styled Shoot: Boho Princess

Have I ever told you that I have five nieces?  Five truly incredible and beautiful nieces.  I always feel crazy lucky to have been blessed with all of them, especially when it comes time to do excessively girly things, like wedding showers, baby showers, and, of course, pretty pictures.

My youngest niece stayed with us over the weekend, so I took the opportunity to bring to life a photo shoot I've had in my head for a while.  We dressed her up in stuff from my closet, grabbed a few things from my house, and headed outside...