Bridal Party Hairstyle Inspiration

I usually don't do a ton of posts on beauty, but I was excited when my cousin, R, asked me to put together some looks for an upcoming wedding she's in. Above, I love Sienna's look. If I were headed to something a bit less formal I think Alexa Chung's loose (somewhat messy) hairline braid would win over Sienna's milk maid braid. It feels softer to me.

Above, my favorite is Kelly Ripa

Lauren Conrad is queen of the ponytail in my book. However, America Ferrera's look is my favorite pictured.

What do you think? Would you wear any of these looks to an event?

Animal Print

I'm loving animal print not only in fashion but also in home decor. However, you have to be careful when using it. One wrong step and you've taken a turn into a bad episode of Jerseylicious. Gaudy amounts of animal print can be tragic (cue mental image of Peg Bundy). In moderation, it looks sophisticated and chic.

view sets here

HGTV features a few Lovely Bloggers!

HGTV featured three of my favorite bloggers in an article that looks at combining design styles to create an interesting, eclectic look. Congrats to Camilla of High-Heeled Foot in the Door, Nicole of me oh my!, and Caitlin of Caitlin Wilson Design: Style Files.

Swoon!

Obsessed over Camilla's dining room decor! I feel like it is the epitome of my style. Traditional influences with a modern update. Great colors, textures, and contrast.

Camilla's use of color is phenomenal here. Again, she has a vintage desk paired with a modern silhouette (floating shelves). And the color coded stacks of books? You're killin' me!

Camilla does it again. Traditional wingback settee, meet amazing fabric update.

Who says a kitchen can't be glamorous? Nicole creates a show-stopper with this stunning chandelier! A girl after my own heart... I believe that you can put a chandelier in ANY room!

Caitlin effectively incorporates a few different styles to create an intricate visual aesthetic that merges modern, ethnic, and traditional elements.

Check out the entire article (written by Camilla) on HGTV!

Last Call- Oxford & Oysters is this SATURDAY!

Sky Blue Events end-of-summer celebration at Little Havana in Baltimore is this
Saturday September 18th from 3-7 pm.

Grab your tickets to Oxfords & Oysters now and help sustain the Chesapeake Bay's oyster population as you enjoy:

Open Bar + Live Band (Burnt Sienna) + Oysters & Food + Waterfront View

General Admission: $75 At the door 9/18: $85

Deluxe VIP Swag Bag filled with goodies from our sponsors: $125

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS!

Pictured below is a sneak peak at some of the incredible merchandise in our VIP Ticket holders swag bags!

VIP tickets: $125.00 -Limited Number Remaining! Actual retail value: $500.00

VIP ticket holders will receive a large monogrammed O&O canvas tote bag filled with merchandise and gift certificates. From Red Door Spa beauty products and a full size Obagi Medical Elastiderm eye treatment to a sporty Southern Point polo shirt and a generous Elizabeth McKay gift certificate.

Hello Lover!

J. Brown Jewelers have generously donated a pair of pearl and diamond stud earrings. One lucky ticket holder will take these classic must-haves home with them!

The 18K white gold earrings with 7.5-8MM white cultured pearls and round diamonds weighing in at 0.10 total carats and valued at $475.00 will be raffled during the afternoon event for all ticket holders.

Don't miss out on this event!

See you there!
(Please note that you do need to be 21 or older to attend. ID will be checked at the door when you sign in and receive your commemorative cup and wristband)

Special Thanks to KAG

So excited that KAG of Monograms & Martinis asked me to style a few looks for her upcoming engagement photos. Her style is super classy, preppy, and refined. I asked her for a few hints on her comfort level (boots versus flats) and got to work.

In this look I wanted classic, affordable pieces. Each dress is under $100! The navy dress feels very nautical to me which pays homage to Nantucket where KAG got engaged!

The second dress adds a punch of color which is so important in photos. I like the clean silhouette and love the visual interest of the soft ruffles. I recommended she add a thin belt to really define the waist.

The last look is a bit of a gamble but I love to push the envelope just a little! I love how the animal print is set against an extremely conservative cut.

This second look screams fall in New England to me. It's relaxed, yet preppy, and classic. I can totally see KAG and MMB strolling down the cobblestone streets of Boston in their photos. KAG would sport the above, while MMB would clearly don some Castaway duds!

Lastly I wanted to add a little drama (while not going completely over the top). I recommend hair pulled back in a soft bun, red lips, and blue mascara. I'm obsessed with my blue YSL mascara and think it makes the eyes pop. The monotone colors of the outfit allows the focus to be on KAG! I think this look would be perfect shot first in color but then in black and white! The stripes on the shirt and the squiggle on the sweater add interest, but the subject gets to steal the spotlight.

Best Wishes to KAG and MMB as they plan their big day! Follow KAG along the way over on her awesome blog, Monograms and Martinis.

Cheers!

Shop the looks here.

Yellow and Grey Done Right

I absolutely love the use of yellow and grey in this home. It comes off as smart, sophisticated, and even a little edgy. The traditional chandelier set against the modern lines of the sofa and side table is dynamite!

Imperial trellis, and a grey and yellow book nook. Done.

images

via lonny

Love the soft hues Michelle Adams (editor of lonny) paired in her own home.

via

It's also an adorable color scheme for a couple!

Fall Fashion

I am so ready for the weather to change! The fall season is one of my favorite times. I love going apple picking, drinking pumpkin spice lattes, getting bundled up for baseball games, and taking long drives with the windows down and the sunroof open.

(I'm pretty sure I just accidentally wrote my match.com profile in the preceding cheesy sentences...)

Below, I've put together a few inspiration boards for fall fashion. I would wear each of these looks.

view sets here

Statement Staircases

playful yet elegant

bill kingston

The punch of color makes the staircase a focal point.

carefree and beachy

apartment therapy

The painted runner is the perfect shade of sky blue.

bold symmetry

canadian house and home via

The crisp color is mirrored on the wall's painted stripe.

unexpectedly edgy

via house and garden

The formal entryway is turned on its head with the playful animal print runner

DIY Darling

Camilla of high-heeled foot in the door created zebra-striped-stairs in her home using wall pops! decals.

Emiy Henderson

Emily Henderson is a very busy lady! She is a prop stylist working on editorial, catalogue, and advertising photography. She also pens the blog The Brass Petal. Having recently won HGTV Design Star she now has her very own show, Secrets From a Stylist.

On her first episode she styles Glee co-creator Ian Brennan's LA home. Emily helps Ian define his personal style and layers each space with three style influences: "FDR chic", "British invasion mod", and "backpacker traveler". Emily creates layers of interest and surprise in each room she touches. I am completely obsessed with her work and the show!

You can check out the entire set of before and after picks here at HGTV.

Clearly, she's a genius.

Mission Organization: IKEA to the Rescue!

My top priority upon returning from summer vacation was to reorganize my closet/bedroom. It's a fairly small space and I have a really hard time letting go of clothing that still fits me. I needed to call in major reinforcements....enter a visit from my Mother!

I had been storing my clothing in closets and wardrobes foregoing the traditional chest of drawers (due to space restraints). The wardrobe you see in the above picture was one of a set that I had placed in an L shape. I knew that in order to work in a chest I needed to seriously purge my clothing and make it fit into one wardrobe. Thankfully, my Mother was able to help my design concept become a reality! I tried to use all of the available space by stacking bins on top of the wardrobe filled with my handbags (I have a small obsession with bags). I found my storage bins at Linens-N-Things

I purchased some amazing finds at IKEA. I love that you don't have to spend a fortune to totally transform the feeling of a room. I decided on the HEMNES chest of drawers and also changed out my rug. The green rug was a steal at $39.99 and measures 5'11"x8'2"!

I absolutely ADORE the sheepskin rug because it creates a focal point, adds texture, and is so comfy cozy for bare feet! Again, I didn't break the bank: $39.99

My bedside table is also from the HEMNES collection at IKEA. I love that the door closes and hides all of my books.

Ultimately I decided that the west elm rug that I have been obsessing over was too overwhelming for the small space. In and effort to pay homage to the beauty I added the above rug. It totally satisfied my chevron craving for only $9.99!

I also added a huge HEMNES mirror just outside the bedroom. It really opens the space up, and provides a cute little catwalk as I head off to work each morning! :)

My last purchase was out of stock at the store. I can't wait to get my hands on the HEMNES shoe cabinet! It will make my life so much less chaotic! I'm certainly in need of a shoe purge before I purchase it!

What do you guys think? I know I'm in desperate need of curtains.

So far I've come up with two choices and am leaning towards the first.

Weigh-in, I'd love to hear from you.

Do you vote Paisley or Linen Ikat?