A Fourth Of July Celebration

Tomorrow, I will be with family and friends eating, drinking and watching fireworks as I am sure most of you will be, for the observance of our nations independence day. In honor of America's favorite summer holiday, please join me for...

Have a splendid long weekend everyone! See you on Monday! Happy 4th!

A Passion For Purple

Every time my hubby and I visit my in-laws we stay in what we jokingly call "the purple people eater" room. The guest room at my in-laws has the prettiest Hepplewhite bow front dresser and coordinating full sized bed. It has a big window that lets in a ton of natural light. It also has really purple walls... like, obnoxiously purple (hints our nickname). In addition to the purple walls, it also has purple drapery panels, purple bedding, purple lamp shades, purple accessories...

Whenever I am staying in the room I think about all of the potential it has and I begin to construct an inspiration board in my mind. My version of the room would host all the same furniture but instead of being a loud lilac it's a softer, lovelier lavender (see color swatch for Benjamin Moore's Ophelia Violet below). It is dressed with punchy coordinating fabrics, crystal lamps and white coral accessories. Even some chartreuse is introduced to infuse life and character into the boudoir via the bed linens.

Do you ever see a space and instantly imagine it's hidden potential? Who do you know that has a room you wish to revamp? I'd love to hear about it!

Cruel Summer

So I'd say the start to my summer definitely did not turn out as I had hoped. After returning from a lovely and all too quick jaunt to Mexico, Derek and I unfortunately had a funeral to attend. It wasn't quite the "welcome home" we were expecting. Now that I have taken some time to cope and rejoin society by beginning to work, shower and blog again (I even put on makeup too! Sometimes...) I have decided to take a hold of this seemingly cruel summer and spin it into some inspiration. First the soundtrack. This song has always made me feel like a "badass". You know those uber-cool gals who stomp down the street like it's a catwalk, looking fierce as all get out? Yeah... that's me pretending I'm 6 feet tall in platforms, jamming Bananarama on my ipod. Badass indeed!

(Sorry for the lame video, all of the official ones have been removed for copyright blah blah.)

Second, the look... If your going to be acting all tough in the streets of your city this summer, you're going to have to look the part yes? Of course. So take a cue from this collage via WhoWhatWear Daily.

Here is my "real world" interpretation on the look: I have curves, so I love the denim blouse with the peplum. Very flattering with it's cinched waist. The accessories and shoes are inexpensive and cool, all from Forever 21.

So yes, I am back to blogging. A little harder, a little tougher, still healing from recent tragedy and ready to face this cruel summer like an angsty teenager.

Absent

Hello All,

Sorry for the absence. As soon as Derek and I returned from Mexico we were made aware of two tragedies in our family. One being a personal matter I rather not disclose and the other being the passing of our beloved Grandfather. Please bare with me at this time, I have received quite a few emails, facebook messages, etc. and I honestly am too destraught to go through them. I promise that I will get back to you all by next week, but right now I am really just not up to much of anything besides spontaneously bawling my eyes out when it's least appropriate or drinking too much wine while cooking dinner. I will be back, and I will be okay. Just not right now. Thank you for understanding.

Sincerely,
Sarah Danielle

Craigslist DIY- Austin Addition

Why, hello jeune marie readers! Bryn from bryn alexandra here. I'm so happy to have the opportunity to guest blog for one of my favorite blog friends while she's basking in the sun on vacation (okay I'm a little jealous, I won't lie).


Today I'm paying homage to Sarah's hometown of Austin, Texas by scouring her local Craigslist to see if I can find anything decor-worthy. I personally love checking out Craigslist for amazing deals and potential DIY projects. When you open your mind to creativity, you'll be amazed at how many items have great potention.

I did my own little Craigslist re-do on these chairs I purchased from my local Orange County Craigslist:

They look pretty gross, don't they? They were. I sanded them down, added a fresh coat of white paint and some pretty gray linen fabric for the seat cushions (along with some new padding). Here is the after:

Voila! SO much better!

And here are some of my current favorite Austin Craigslist finds...

Ugly Chair - $100

Wow. This chair is pretty ugly and beaten up. But check out the modern, elegant lines and pretty little legs. Done in the right graphic fabric, this chair could be pretty amazing. Similar to this "After" from Design Sponge:

Bowfront Hepplewhite-like Dresser - $325

I've had a love affair with these types of dressers for a while (I even did a post about them on my own blog recently).

Here is a similar style dresser, beautifully done by Elements of Style:

Vintage End Tables - $10 each

These end tables have great lines AND great hardware. I think they'd be so perfect painting a light gray.

You could even paint a cool graphic design on the top of them to give them even more interest and sit them side by side for a unique console table. Similar to the side tables below, found via Home Sweet Home.

And there you have it! I hope this has inspired you to check out your local Craigslist (or thrift store) to find some old furniture that's just looking for some love! Thanks again to Sarah for letting me guest blog.

Have a great weekend everyone!!

Summer Soiree

Hi Everyone,

It's Camila from High-Heeled Foot in the door and I was so excited when Sarah emailed and asked me to do a guest blog for her. Excitement soon turned into complete panic, because I had no idea what I was going to write about. I wanted to make Sarah proud so I racked my brain and decided against interiors and finally picked a little how-to on a summer soiree.

Summer parties have been on my mind constantly these last couple of weeks. We are planning on finally having a house warming party and company launch (for my design biz) in our backyard. We are aiming to have all our house projects finished by the end of July and then a big fete in August. Fingers crossed all goes smoothly.

When my sister’s friend sent me a little inspiration board for her sister’s wedding (got all that?) I knew it would be a perfect jumping off point for a party on a much smaller scale as well.

Citron green, orange, flowers and impeccable taste equal a good time for me.

I then hit up Polyvore and made up a little inspiration board myself:

Summer Soiree by cpavone0107 on Polyvore.com


1. That orange and white striped fabric would look fab as a table cloth. Buy a couple of yards and voila done. If you buy a little extra you can even make some napkins! (I’m learning to sew this summer so this should be a breeze)

2. Centerpieces: No need to get too fancy go to the local deli/supermarket/trader joes and pick up some inexpensive flowers. Get a bunch of bright colors and mix it up! Now if you don’t have vintage cans laying around simply take the ones you have and remove the paper. You can either leave them silver or get some wrapping paper in coordinating colors and make bands to put around each. Easy peasy.

3. You know I love hitting the International food aisle at the Supermarket. I’m making this soriee a Mexican feast so pick up some Jarriotos. They come in some amazing colors/flavors. Plus they are multipurpose they’ll decorate and then be used.

4. Decor: You are going to be outdoors so Mother Nature already helped in most of the decor with your lush green grass and flowers galore from your garden, but to add a little mood lighting and a punch of color and fun I would get some paper lanterns. Very inexpensive and you can use them time and time again.

5. For those of us over 21 pick up a glass beverage dispenser. I picked one up at Christmas Tree Shops for $13 this weekend. I should have gotten two! Maybe I’ll go back. Fill it up with some White Sangria and make sure you have plenty of limes, lemons and orange slices floating around.

6. For dessert how about some festive Margarita Cupcakes they are vegan too! Or a yummy traditional Mexican dessert that I love is Churros!

7. Tabletop: For your plates and cup needs I say go with something that you can reuse. Target, Walmart and Kmart are always great go-to places for inexpensive Melamine plates. Or if price is not object I would totally be getting these. I know this option is more expensive that paper plates, but you’ll get more use out of them and save the environment.

8. Seating: There is no need to run out and buy brand new chairs, but I do love the idea of colorful seating. I was just at the hardware store yesterday and they have spray-paint for plastic. If you want go ahead and spray paint those white or hunter green outdoor chairs that everyone has laying around their backyard.

We even have tree stumps outside that we use as seating. Right now they are just natural wood, but with a couple of coats of spray paint they could look like this:

9. Main event aka Food: I would do a yummy fajita station. Have grilled chicken, meat and steak ready to go. Then have all the fixings on the table like shredded cheeses, peppers, onions, gucamole, salsa, spanish rice, refried beans, tortillas. Everyone can go to town and custom make their own dish. I would also put out some beans and cornbread, taco ring, 7 layer dip along with some homemade tortilla chips.

10. Relax and enjoy. With prepping the food before hand and having everyone help themselves you won’t be stuck in the kitchen or by the grill. You can enjoy your company and eat up!

Thanks again Sarah! I had a great time over in Virtual Austin, TX. Can’t wait for you and Derek to return!

What makes your summer?

Hi all, I'm Sarah from Sarah's Fab Day and now that summer is in full swing I'm going to share with you the things that scream summer to me. Not necessarily my must have summer dress but those things that bring on a trip to summers past.

The beach. Every summer we head out of the Arizona heat and go to San Diego. Cooler temps and fun things to do, a vacation that everyone can enjoy.

{the last days summer by Alicia Bock}

A cold beer, preferably Dos Equis. Lots of great summer memories have been made with one of these and I think it tastes the best when it's hot outside.

Beers and BBQ's go hand in hand. Some of the best summer parties I have attended have been impromptu BBQ's. The sun and happy go lucky attitude always make it fun for everyone.

{Coffee-Rubbed Cheeseburger with Texas BBQ Sauce via Epicurious}

The scent of sunscreen is practically my summer perfume. It not only makes me nostalgic I adore the way it smells on my kids, it makes me want to gobble them up.

My favorite summer flavor is Rhubarb. Seasonal and so summery.

{pie recipe can be found here}

Catching fireflies was one of my favorite summer activities as a child. I don't live someplace where this nightly ritual exists but seeing the excitement on my children's faces last summer when they got to do it reminded me that I have to make it happen for them as often as possible.

{image via Flickr}

These are the things that make summer for me, I just have to have them. I think that usually it's a combination of flavors, fragrances and places that create those lasting memories. I'm curious what makes it for you. Is it a favorite vacay spot, snow cones or maybe just a good summer read? Whatever it may be the hot weather and good times always make summer a season to look forward to.