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The Power of a Good Mood(board)!

After I wrote Love Life Like Lindsey, I got to work on creating the vision board or mood board for Lindsey’s space, or one similar as this is currently on my wall and doesn’t surround a vanity.  But I did so because I wanted a test run before installing her actual wall for several reasons, the most important being it’s tone.  I wanted to have an actual reference sample so that we could have a meaningful conversation on what she wants her inspiration board to look like and find out what images do the best job for creating the emotions and feeling that truly inspire her.   And I wanted to do this because like me, she doesn’t take these…

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Love Life Like Lindsey – Inspiration Provided!

As I work on making sure Lindsey’s Hughes (a.k.a. BeautyBaby44) new loft is everything her heart desires plus all she never knew she wanted or needed, I find myself in very familiar territory — scouring Pinterest and the design blogs du jour in search of new ways to capture her creative spirit and nail them to the wall, literally. Maybe you guessed it — I’m dreaming up her collage wall.  And I say this is familiar territory because it was less than 6 months ago that I carved out my own little office space and filled it with happy reminders of what makes me tick, what keeps me engaged and what keeps me connected to a life filled with bliss….

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10 Chalkboard Tricks To Elevate Your Black and White

One of my favorite additions to Lindsey’s loft update is the chalkboard painted walls.  Not only do they allow Lindsey and all her friends a fun way to constantly update and personalize her space, but they are seriously functional and can be high on style as well.  And a simple google search will confirm just how serious some people take their chalk!  But fear not, to achieve a stunning black and white is actually pretty easy, so if you want to up your chalkboard game, here are a few tricks and tips to do just that.  Our kitchen is one giant chalkboard so I can promise these tips are tired and true and help you achieve any look you’re after!…

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It’s a Beauty, Baby!

I wish I had the words to describe how crazy the last 3 weeks of life has been but even now, searching for them, I simply can’t find any to do it justice.  I guess it’s more of an undefined feeling that lies somewhere between sheer exhaustion and utter exhilaration that accounts for most of the blur, but truth be told, it was all in good messy fun!  And when presented with the opportunity to work with Lindsey Hughes, Beauty Baby 44, I knew I wasn’t going to let myself off easy.  So I guess I had it coming! But let’s get to the reason why you’re here, the transformation of Lindsey’s newly renovated downtown loft.  When I first met…

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“Decorate For The Life You Want”

In case you missed it, a much anticipated interior design book hit the shelves last week much to the delight of myself and interior enthusiasts everywhere.  And although mine was pre-orered and delivered promptly by Amazon prime, I’m a little embarrassed to say I just opened it for the first time last night.   Now, I knew I was in love with Anne Sage’s first frolic into bound pages from the instant it’s title seeped into my consciousness, but with every flip of the wrist and turn of the page, my devotion grew ever deeper.    But let’s start at the beginning, Sage Living |Decorate for the Life You Want, “Your best life starts at home.” Simply and eloquently put….

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60 Pretty Pumpkins We’ve FALLen Hard For!

It’s officially Fall in just 2 days, and while I was set to keep my porch pumpkin free for at least another 3 weeks, my sister went ahead and picked a patch of the prettiest pumpkins I ever did see.  And when I say pretty pumpkins, I mean just that- p r e t t y pumpkins.  Think glam squad for the gourds at your doors people!  As in a serious upgrade to last year’s pumpkins without ever going under the knife, these pretty ‘kins will have you falling in love OPI style and seeds free!  Just think pretty in pink or peach or pumpkin and then some!  And without a whisper or a whiff of Halloween, just the prettiest in…

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Painted Pumpkin Donut DIY

This painted donut DIY is easy as pumpkin pie!  Seriously, if you can hold a paintbrush, you got this. It’s easy on skill but huge on style!  Pick your pumpkins, your paints and your donut style.  Paint your “donuts.” Let ’em dry.  “Ice” your donuts.  Let ’em dry.  Sprinkle on some happy, don’t be shy.  Let ’em dry.  Stack and style your DIY pumpkin donuts to trick or to treat or simply look good   enough to eat!      For more ways to style a pumpkin check out the ultimate no carve pretty pumpkin round up here!  

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Celebrity Stylist Talks Fall: What to Buy Now, Wear Now, Layer In Later !

In deciding what to post about Fall Fashion, perhaps the most anticipated season in the industry, and by in large the biggest delivery for most labels, I decided to leave it to a true expert.  Because lets’ face, it may be fall inside but it is still sweltering outside.  And so here’s some great advice from my personal friend and celebrity stylist Kristi Brooks on how to handle this tricky time of year, what you can buy now to satisfy your cravings for what’s come down the runway and layer into your wardrobe later, when the real Fall shows up, fashionably late as always. Working the summer to fall fashion transition Ugh… It’s hot, very hot. It’s hard to imagine Fall…

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The Best Apps to Help you Save Time, Money and Advil

There really is an app for everything.  But I had no idea life could be THIS EASY…so easy I’m kind of speechless — and therefore out of words, which is probably a good thing.  So I’ll let the apps do the talking via my favorite time saving trick, the Pinterest Board.  Click the board and do yourself a HUGE favor. Follow Messy By Design’s board There really is an app for everything! on Pinterest. The highlights: Already you feel lighter, don’t you?  

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25 Chic and Cheap Ways to Decorate for Fall with ZERO Pumpkins!

   If you are alive and breathing and went pretty much anywhere this past weekend you surely noticed the switch.  Store shelves, magazine racks, decorative displays, they all went pumpkin on us one day last week, undoubtedly at the stroke of midnight, and are now squatting happily on summer’s territory before it’s technically time.  And no matter how we feel about this annual assault, we all know the drill and we know fighting it is a losing battle.  It may be hot outside but fall has no warm feelings for summer and has officially staged it’s coo. Now, if you’re like me, you just can’t fathom how you’d possibly manage to break out the pumpkins just yet but you’re willing…

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3 Kid Friendly DIY Projects for Any Fiesta!

   Before everything turns into a pumpkin, my kids and I decided to soak up the last remaining days of summer and give the prickly pineapple its’ fair share of fun in the sun.  The occasion, my husbands birthday, our plans…a little BBQ before naptime, but shhh…it’s a surprise!  His birthday was actually a couple of weeks ago but this is our first weekend in town to celebrate as a family. First up: Mason Jar Pineapple Planters 3 ways!  This one is as easy as pineapple pie! For 2 of the 3 versions, we painted the inside of the jars by dropping in the paint, giving it a good shake (Sebastian’s favorite part) and then letting it sit overnight to…

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When You’re Messy, You’re In the Moment

A few years ago when my husband and I were struggling to adjust to life with just one child, my mother-in-law sent me an email.  It was one of those emails that had been passed from address book to address book and best friend to friend in need.  And I could tell by the amount of “FW:’s” in the subject line (that no one bothered to erase) that it was most likely the kind of email that would have some funny caption accompanied by photos or video of puppies and babies in all kinds of predicaments.  But it wasn’t, and I was pleasantly surprised by it’s simple but profound message. Now don’t get me wrong, it was still one of…

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Make your Target “Run” Now, Don’t Walk!

  The last thing I expected to be doing while making one of many trips to Target this week was whipping out my iphone and stepping tentatively over unpacked boxes and half full display shelves all while snapping photo after photo of unpacked product and immediately sending it to friends and family.  But I simply had to.  It’s here, it’s finally here, the much anticipated home collection from Target which has been written and blogged about for months now — even teased and sneekpeeked for us in a recent Instagram posts from my favorite celeb stylist/designer and reigning girl crush, Emily Henderson, Target’s Style Ambassador.  So when I saw it roll by me in another shopper’s cart, I instantly knew…

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The Summer Decor Icon Sticking Around For Fall

When you go to open any of the fall 2015 catalogues hitting your news stands this week (or perhaps last), you might be surprised to see one of this summer’s trends forging it’s way straight into your fall decor.  Popping up in both the expected and unexpected ways, the pineapple is and endless summer enthusiast’s dream.  Once reserved for only colonial or plantation style decor or as a quick shot of summer style that was stored away in a flash, this peculiar fruit has won us over in a major way and the powers that be have noticed our infatuation.    Maybe it’s the tropical mood it sets that draws us in or maybe it’s the fruit’s deep connections to…

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The One Design Trend That Will Take You Effortlessly Into Fall

If you’ve paid any attention this summer to all the brightly colored blankets adorning beds and couches, patio chairs and lounge chairs, and going from design on less than a dime to the better lives of the rich and famous, you’ve undoubtedly smiled and maybe even cheered for the familiar underdog.  The serape, or Mexican blanket as it’s often referred to, has been living it up all summer, getting quite used to the spotlight and showing up in all sorts of unexpected places.  And why not?  These traditionally inexpensive long rectangular blankets full of colors and patterns can compliment any palate or style and just scream happy design – making them the ideal candidate to help you warm up to…

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The Best of Summer Served On A Stick!

It’s here, Labor Day weekend, the official unofficial end of summer and whether you’re sick of sweating and ready for the fall to run it’s familiar chill down your spine or you simply cant believe it’s time to spare your shoulders any more rays and slip your toes into some socks, it is upon us like it or not.  But have no fear, no matter which side of the meridian you fall on, lusting for additional lazy days bronzing or already unpacking cozy knits and chunky cottons, it’s time to celebrate.  That’s right, celebrate — love it or hate it, you have to accept it, so either surprise yourself and muster up one last gangbusters weekend or save the tears…

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Get Mindy Kaling’s New Office With Your Paycheck, Not Hers!

There’s no denying that Mindy Kaling is bold, bright and committed, so it makes perfect sense that her new office is exactly the same.  It’s also fun, inviting and full of happy as far as the eye can see, like seriously deliriously happy spread over each and every inch of a perfectly curated home away home on the NBC lot.  Full of vibrant colors and rich textiles, it looks more like and in inviting living room you never want to leave rather than an actual office, but who’d complain about that!  If you can surround yourself with a space dripping with creativity and whimsy, then why not keep it polished while still being uber playful?  I mean seriously, there’s a…

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Mixing Words With Pinterest

With 3 new projects underway I decided to spend some serious time on Pinterest and add a whole collection of visual inspiration boards to my arsenal.  Why?  Because all too often, when talking to friends or clients, I find that words just get in the way for one of two reasons. The first is definition. What I consider modern or traditional is exactly that, what I consider the style overall to be. However, I will have a filter and an interpretation just like the next guy.  And in most cases, especially if you’re seeking design help, you won’t know how to verbally communicate when something crosses the line from traditional to transitional or mid-century modern to just modern, so why…

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What’s Your Style? The Ultimate Design Style Roundup

Many people would argue your personality and your style go hand in hand, that they are almost one in the same, inseparable.  And while trends and trappings come and go, at the core, you remain true to what moves you.  You can evolve and expand, but you don’t really ever change, hence all the well known adages about not being able to change a person.  And I have to say I agree with this overall concept, but I would argue, like with anything, there are always exceptions.  But for right here, right now,  I’m going to make it easy and just say yes. I also believe if you understand what makes you tick, what gets you weak in the knees…

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Bohemian Design Styled Your Way

With summer’s end quickly approaching I find myself gravitating towards anything and everything Bohemian.  Perhaps I’ve been struck with some simple wunderlust and I just can’t comprehend the reality of the days getting shorter or maybe it’s all the boho chic design style I’ve been immersed in this week for my clients.  Either way, I’m embracing it with joy and holding tight to my copy of Justina Blakeney’s The New Bohemians, Cool & Collected Homes for a quick fix.  Why fight the free-spirit inside when it’s just as easy to dive in and channel my inner bohemian through rich and radiant design and style — even if it is just on the pages of a book or through an inspiration…

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