Fashion Friday: Flared Jeans

Lately I have been seeing quite a bit of this flared jean trend all over Pinterest, fashion blogs, and in magazines.  Apparently this is a really big Spring trend and it just goes to show you that everything will come back in style at some point or another.

Screen Shot 2017-03-15 at 3.24.54 AM

Screen Shot 2017-03-15 at 3.25.32 AM

Screen Shot 2017-03-15 at 3.26.04 AM

Screen Shot 2017-03-15 at 3.26.34 AM

Screen Shot 2017-03-15 at 3.27.12 AM

Screen Shot 2017-03-15 at 3.27.46 AM

 Not usually a fan of light-wash jeans but Heidi Klum could make a paper bag look chic.

Screen Shot 2017-03-15 at 3.28.34 AM

 A more bohemian approach.

Screen Shot 2017-03-15 at 3.29.15 AM

This look is very chic because of the way she has put herself together, but I feel like if the average person went out in public like this, people would just think their jeans were too short.  But hey, what do I know?  Fashion blogger I am not.

Screen Shot 2017-03-15 at 3.29.50 AM

 This I love.

Screen Shot 2017-03-15 at 3.30.37 AM

We’ll end on a high note.

Have a great weekend!

Spring Outdoors

Screen Shot 2017-03-15 at 3.04.45 AMNine quail eggs rest in a pot by the front door.

There are quail eggs at the front entrance and quail eggs in the backyard this year.  My in-laws always have nests full of eggs somewhere outside, and this year is no exception.  Here’s hoping these little birdies make it through their birth and safely leave the nest.  Just more proof of Spring in Arizona.  🙂

Spring Appetizers

Spring is in full force, and thus begins the time of al fresco dining, cocktails and magazines by the pool, and a new outlook on entertaining with lighter food choices and fresh ingredients.  Pretty appetizers are my favorite, and sometimes the best thing to do on a warm night is to just create some heavy apps, open a bottle of San Pellegrino, and call it good!  Sharing some appetizers that inspired me today on the blog.

Screen Shot 2017-03-15 at 2.51.27 AMMelon, Prosciutto, and Mozzarella Skewers

Screen Shot 2017-03-15 at 2.52.30 AM
Pears with Bleu Cheese and Prosciutto

Honestly, if there is anything better than good, salty prosciutto, I haven’t met it yet.

Screen Shot 2017-03-15 at 2.53.41 AM
Tomato, Mozzarella, and Tortellini Skewers

Screen Shot 2017-03-15 at 2.54.48 AM
Individual Veggie Dippers

Screen Shot 2017-03-15 at 2.55.41 AM
Herbed Feta

Serve with good, crusty bread.  That’s a meal in itself, in my opinion.

Screen Shot 2017-03-15 at 2.56.36 AM
Tomato Crostini with Whipped Feta

Screen Shot 2017-03-15 at 2.57.25 AM
Broccoli Rabe Crostini with Burrata and Prosciutto

Screen Shot 2017-03-15 at 2.58.32 AM
And then there’s this, which I just think is stunning.

It’s All Fun and Games

Someday I would love to have the opportunity to custom-build a home for our family.  Right now, that consists of just the two of us, three if you count our fur-baby (which, of course, we do), but eventually the plan is to add 2-3 kids to the mix.  From a perspective of fun, I would really like to have a designated game room in our house that could fit a pool table or some other table game; a bar/kitchenette area for snacks, sodas, etc; and some seating.  It would need to be a multipurpose room — a place where the kids could hang out with friends, do their homework, and also a place that allowed us to spread out for parties or get-togethers.  I have pretty traditional decorating taste, so I would want to keep that vibe while still selecting comfortable and durable fabrics and finishes to accommodate family life.

Screen Shot 2017-03-15 at 2.42.43 AMHomedit

This is an image that I have pinned, and I love that it is a space that works seamlessly with the decor while still being comfortable.  Also, for the bar, I would not have the alcohol displayed front-and-center like that, rather tucked away (or not at all) in cabinets with some fun decor pieces on those open shelves.  I am really drawn to the lighting in this space, too.

Screen Shot 2017-03-15 at 2.43.37 AMThe Enchanted Home

Here’s another really pretty one.  I love that brick floor — it would be nice not to have to worry about carpet in the room if there were teenagers or get-togethers where spills would be inevitable.  Again, really love the lighting.

Screen Shot 2017-03-15 at 2.44.31 AMHouzz

This is really lovely.  The colors are refreshing, the decor is transitional, and it truly looks like a family space.  I really love the kitchenette/bar area.  And the projector!  That would be fun.  🙂

Screen Shot 2017-03-15 at 2.45.32 AMKiki’s List

This is completely stunning.  I love the little table and chairs area that is perfect for eating, doing homework, or providing extra comfortable seating.  And that pool table!  That’s got to be custom-made.  It’s incredible!  The color palette in this room is airy and light — my favorite.

Screen Shot 2017-03-15 at 2.46.27 AMHome Bunch

I have worked on one game room project during my time as an interior designer, and this was the client’s inspiration photo for the space.  Since then, I have always loved it.  It’s classic, it’s comfortable, and it’s still keeping with my traditional decorating roots.  Out of all of these spaces — and it pains me to have to choose — I think this is the one that is most in tune with what I would do with a space like this.

What are your thoughts on game rooms?  Would you design with a more modern/contemporary vibe, or do you like the comfort of a traditional space?

Spring Has Sprung

Blooming season is in full force here in Arizona, and along with the allergies comes flowers and cacti blossoms, rabbits and birds.  It’s a beautiful time of the year here — arguably the most beautiful we see — and before we know it, it’ll be summer and the heat will endure for what seems like ages.  Needless to say, we’re enjoying time outside lately, and there are little vignettes of Spring throughout the house to remind us of this joyous time.

Screen Shot 2017-03-15 at 2.36.20 AMA pretty orchid in the foyer. 

Screen Shot 2017-03-15 at 2.37.32 AM
 A bird, antler, and nest create an organic scene.

Screen Shot 2017-03-15 at 2.38.20 AMSpring flowers decorate the breakfast bar.  The middle roses were picked from outside!

Screen Shot 2017-03-15 at 2.39.15 AM
Eggs and moss in a silver bowl. 

I hope you are enjoying Spring weather wherever you may be!

Easter

Hey there.  🙂

I hope you all had a very blessed Easter.  Greyson ended up getting the day off of work, and it was so nice to have him there with us.

Screen Shot 2017-03-15 at 2.29.19 AMOur Easter lunch table.

We spent the daytime hours at home with my in-laws, Greyson’s brother, sister, and her husband, and our baby nephew.  It was his first Easter, and that was very exciting.  🙂  After that, we went to my parents’ house where we grilled some chicken and spent time outside.  It was a great day.

Screen Shot 2017-03-15 at 2.30.42 AMVegetable appetizer in a silver urn.

Screen Shot 2017-03-15 at 2.31.28 AM
 Cheesecakes baked in jars with a graham cracker topping and assorted fruit.

Screen Shot 2017-03-15 at 2.32.25 AMEaster feast remnants; photo by my father-in-law.

I hope your day was relaxing and spent with friends, family, or both.  What a great day to celebrate!  He is Risen!

Spring Arrangements

Hey there, everyone — and Happy St. Patrick’s Day.  I left my house this morning and saw a leprechaun — no joke.  He was dressed in a green tuxedo, had on a green tophat, and was carrying a bouquet of green flowers.  You think I’m kidding, but it’s true!  🙂

Here in Arizona, Spring is in full effect.  For all of you on the East Coast… I’m sorry.  I really am.  But it’s time for me to start writing about some Spring subjects here on this blog, because pretty soon the temperatures are going to be well above one hundred degrees, and by then I might as well just start talking about Summer!  Spring in Arizona lasts a couple of months at best usually.  But it’s the best time of the year weather-wise, and I’m trying to revel in it, spend a lot of time outdoors, and take in each moment because during the Summer we all basically stay indoors and pine for Fall.  🙂

I put up a few Spring decorations yesterday at my in-laws’ house — I found some tucked in a cupboard and thought I would get to zhushing.  My mom-in-law has some really pretty things that she puts out for Easter and I’m looking forward to sharing some photos with you.  But in the meantime, let’s take a look at some pretty Spring centerpieces and floral arrangements to get us inspired and dreaming about this lovely season.

Screen Shot 2017-03-15 at 2.14.29 AMMichaela Noelle Designs

Screen Shot 2017-03-15 at 2.15.21 AM
The Inspired Room

Screen Shot 2017-03-15 at 2.16.07 AM
Southern Living

Screen Shot 2017-03-15 at 2.16.50 AM
Flickr

Screen Shot 2017-03-15 at 2.17.34 AM
Urban Comfort

Screen Shot 2017-03-15 at 2.18.28 AM
Johnston Imports

Screen Shot 2017-03-15 at 2.19.23 AM
A Pair & a Spare

Screen Shot 2017-03-15 at 2.20.13 AM
Southern Living

Screen Shot 2017-03-15 at 2.21.04 AM
Original Source Unknown

Screen Shot 2017-03-15 at 2.21.53 AM
Stacy Risenmay

Screen Shot 2017-03-15 at 2.22.55 AM
Bower Power

Screen Shot 2017-03-15 at 2.23.47 AM
Classic Casual Home

Subtle Statements

Wallpaper is no longer a thing of the past, and I love that.  It’s such a great way to add texture, color, and impact to a room.  One of my favorite ways to use wallpaper is as a subtle statement — an example of this would be a bolder pattern in a lighter color.  Using wallpaper like this is a sure way to create a space with personality without it being too over the top.

Screen Shot 2017-03-15 at 2.02.53 AMHuffington Post

A delicate pattern rests on the ceiling of this nursery.

Screen Shot 2017-03-15 at 2.03.57 AM
Project Nursery

And speaking of ceilings, how about this pretty pattern?

Screen Shot 2017-03-15 at 2.04.57 AM
South Shore Decorating Blog

How gorgeous is the textured paper in this office?  And that lucite Zig Zag chair — I want it desperately.

Screen Shot 2017-03-15 at 2.05.58 AMHouse Beautiful

So cute.  A little floral motif.  🙂

Screen Shot 2017-03-15 at 2.06.54 AM
Elements of Style

LOVE this laundry room papered in toile by Erin Gates.  A seriously perfect choice.

Screen Shot 2017-03-15 at 2.07.49 AM
Home Bunch

And while we’re on the subject of laundry rooms, how pretty is this?  The calming, subtle blue is lovely.

Screen Shot 2017-03-15 at 2.08.38 AMTraditional Home

Another amazing toile rendition.  This one, in a little girls’ room, is used expertly — a grown-up pattern in a colorway that can be both young and mature.  This is a pattern that truly will grow with your child.

Screen Shot 2017-03-15 at 2.09.43 AMMichael Hunter

I seriously could not love this space more.  Do you see how the chair backs are sort of repeated on the walls?  Beautiful use of three-dimensional design.

Screen Shot 2017-03-15 at 2.10.48 AMHome Bunch

And in a more traditional light…  🙂

Quatrefoil Details

If there is a shape that I consistently love, it’s the quatrefoil (also called an arabesque).  And right now when soft contemporary styles are so popular in home decor, you see a lot of these!  Lucky me.  🙂

Screen Shot 2017-03-15 at 1.54.06 AMDesign In the Woods

Screen Shot 2017-03-15 at 1.54.55 AM
Ashley Goforth Design

See that delicate floor lamp in the corner?

Screen Shot 2017-03-15 at 1.56.37 AM
Style Me Pretty

Screen Shot 2017-03-15 at 1.57.29 AM
Luxe

I love the quatrefoil design on a chandelier.  So pretty.

Screen Shot 2017-03-15 at 1.58.29 AM
Domino

Screen Shot 2017-03-15 at 1.59.17 AM
Home Bunch

Screen Shot 2017-03-15 at 2.00.21 AM
Design Chic