Sweaters to Love

Sweaters are getting a lot of play this winter. It is freaking cold. Maybe not so much for you ladies in the winter that is summer area of the West, but for the rest of us, winter blows. My sweaters are all starting to look a little ragged and frankly the thought of investing in sweaters and not in fun, flirty spring dresses does not make me happy. 

Enter Topshop for Nordstrom. I love that you can now shop Topshop in the place where you probably buy everything else in your life. Their sweater game is on point and the options are all under $200 with quality that shocks me a bit, frankly. Here are some of the best, but there are much more on the site. 

1. A chic cape for indoors or out $52 / 2. A sweet ruffle hem to go with your skinnies $68 / 3. Merino wool and a modern aesthetic $160 / 4. White and sporty $95 / 5. Love me a striped sweater dress $68 (non stripe version here) / 6. Cozy shelling on the outside $70

Happy Weekend to you all! I hope you stay cozy and don't forget to watch the Oscars on Sunday (or at least the red carpet), I will have my full run down on Monday. 

xo

Erin 

Formal Affair

Sometimes the invitation says black tie and a gown is necessary. While I am advocate for the formal short dress, there is something about wearing an elegant long dress that makes an event extra special. With the holiday party season and winter weddings creeping up on the calendar, all of the options can be overwhelming. Here are my favorites that would work for anyone, really...

1. So gorgeous. My fave Anthropologie $348 / 2. A sophisticated way to do sparkle Parker $572 / 3. Fun take on a strapless peplum BCBG $239 / 4. The draping and color are gorgeous BCBG $498

5. A classic column in front, open in back Alice + Olivia $396 / 6. The beading and draping is beautiful BCBG $448 / 7. Love a graphic black and white BCBG $368 / 8. Channeling Princess Kate BHLDN $260 (other colors)

9. The red and gold is a great combo Asos $521 / 10. Gorgeous draping Zimmerman $350 (other colors) / 11. I love a long sleeve and the 70s vibe Halston $495 / 12. Totally obsessed with this. Satin detail on crepe. Asos $295

13. This actually looks comfortable Zimmerman $332 (other colors) / 14. If you are going for bling, this has a great deco feel Aiden Mattox $420 / 15. Stunning emerald color Halston $237 / 16. Cobalt is so pretty and love it with pleats and a draped sleeve Asos $161

xo

Erin  

Puddle Jumpers

Since I have already gotten excited about coats for Fall, you know that boots are following close behind. I have a great pair of fur lined moto boots that I live in come winter, but I think some new rain boots for that in between time of it being cold and there actually being snow on the ground would be a nice addition. Hunters are the logical choice, but they have some new styles this year and there are some other brands that have my eye.  

1. This beige pair by Sloosh Italy are kind of amazing. The color and buckles are gorge. $220

2. This Gucci pair would be an investment, but the shape is perfection. $450

3. Coral is my jam. These would brighten up a cold day. Hunter $148

4. Snakeskin gives this pair by Dav a chic look $80

5. The shape of these Hunter's would be very flattering on anyone. $175

6. I am a sucker for a equestrian stripe and buckle. Dav $110

7. The classic Hunter, but in a great moody navy $148

8. These new glossy black Hunter's have an adjustable back for better sizing (i.e: perfect for people like me with larger calves) $152

And because I cannot resist, although she may not be able to sport them anytime soon, how cute are these for Miss Mary? 

The glossy black are to die and the sweet yellow pair would be adorable on rainy days. 

xo

Erin 

Recovered and Refreshed

No, I did not just return from a spa trip, I wish. But, I did just return from a trip to the reupholster man that I recently discovered. I have had two of the original chairs from our dining room set (from Matt's grandmother) for years with the original fabric. While the mauve plaid was really "vintage," it was not cute. I have looked at hundreds of fabrics trying to pick one. Why is fabric so hard??? My biggest concern was that the rest of the room was not done at all, so I had to pick something I liked, but was also neutral enough to be incorporated into whatever design decisions were made down the road. I came across Mally Skok and her fantastic fabric a few months ago. If I chose one of her fabrics, I could then use another pattern in the same colors for other options for the room later (drapes, other chairs, pillows, etc.) So I went with a simple stripe in shades of blue....

When in doubt, go with stripes, right? I think it turned out fab. My next move for the dining room is going to be paint. Or possibly wall paper. The darker navy in the stripe of the fabric is my inspiration and I am fairly certain I would like to do dark navy grass cloth above the chair rail and white below with some wainscoting. I found this photo for inspiration. 

If the grasscloth ends up being too pricey, I will go with a paint. Any favorites? Here is the room as is today. I really need to figure out how to use my DSLR, these are awful. ha 

Yep, that is a changing table in our dining room. 

I need to do something with that built in hutch as well. New hardware and a patterned paper on the inside possibly. 

Think I am headed in the right direction. We leave town for a couple weeks in April, might be a good time to do some painting. 

xo

Erin 

Baby Girl Nursery

I am so excited to share pictures of the finished nursery. Given that I had a boy the first go around, the girliness in me really came out. But, I did not want it to be too sweet and reflect a calming space that was also fun. I combined modern and classic touches so it combined different styles that I love. It came together how I envisioned and now I am excited to actually use it, hopefully soon!  

I love having a twin bed in Tommy's room for extra space for him to hang out, change his clothes, etc. So I kept one for her room as well. 

(Crate & Barrel Twin Bed, Land of Nod duvet, PB Teen rug)

I have always loved the Jenny Lind style crib and the combination of pink, navy and coral. 

(Jenny Lind Crib, Pottery Barn Kids Sheets, Crib Skirt)

I am completely obsessed with the dresser. The antique mirror was a thrift store find that was a steal. 

(Campaign Dresser,  Changing pad, Wallpaper)

My mom preserved many of my outfits as a baby and these rompers are too sweet to hang in the closet. She found some antique hooks to display them and they function well next to the changing table. 

These little prints are from my old room. They still have a note scrolled on the back to the original owner from Grandma. 

I really tried to edit down myself when planning the room. There are so many cute nursery prints and art, but a large gallery wall felt like too much and just one painting I loved felt right. I am trying to get a baby to sleep in this room and not go crazy in it. 

I love the modern prints, chair and soft rug paired with the floor lamp chandalier. 

(Ottoman, Room & Board Glider, Land of Nod throw, Restoration Hardware Lamp, Painting Artist)

It was so fun decorating this space and I hope it inspires you a bit. Now let's do this baby girl! 

xo

Erin 

Classic Stripes

I always feel myself gravitating towards blue stripes in the summer. There is something so "I am headed to the Hamptons" about anything that is printed this way. Note: Never been to the Hamptons. But I bet a lot of these girls have or may be headed there right now. 

Fresh and classic, right? I know you may be afraid of horizontal stripes, but I swear if worn the right way they are actually super flattering. Take it from me, who is wearing a lot of them and has a basketball under her dress. 

1. Gap slouchy sweater $44

2. Flattering dress from Anthropologie $78

3. Silky chevron dress by Tbags $171

4. Love this breezy Joie dress $268

5. Cute one piece from Kushcush $165

6. Polished striped skirt by Zara $59

7. Easy dress from Heidi Merrick $437

8. Beachy tunic from J. Crew $78

9. Bold striped button down from Anthropologie $198

10. Comfy espadrilles from Kirna Zabete $78

11. Soft shirt from Gap $37

12. Madewell skirt to wear with anything $49

xo

Erin 

Nursery Update

How come the weekend has to go by so freaking fast when you are on a trip with your friends? It was so hard to say good bye yesterday and now I am only left with my random giggles throughout the day remembering some of the hilarious moments. I guess it always gets you excited for the next time. 

I have made some actually progress on the nursery design and have ordered a few things. I feel like once the room is painted next month and the wallpaper goes up, I will be able to figure a little more out. For now, most of the big stuff is done. 

I ordered a custom campaign dresser from The Papaya Tree on Etsy. I decided a dresser/changer is something I am going to get use out of forever and splurged. The photo above is just an example and the coral color next to it is similar to what it will be painted. It will have a glossy, lacquered finish and will be such a great pop in the room. 

The wallpaper I got on an insane discount from this site. It is a York wall covering, but they no longer make it in this color. I am going to just paper one wall and paint the rest of the room white. 

The crib was also on sale at Wayfair. Just a classic Jenny Lind with its charming spindles. Hopefully the quality is good. 

I have been eyeing this chandelier lamp at Restoration Hardware Baby & Child for awhile. Today it went on sale and I went for it. The room does not have any overhead lighting, so floor lamps will be all the lighting for the entire room. It is so girlie and classic, so a good mix with the modern pieces. 

I already own this glider from Room & Board. It lives in Tommy's room, but I am going to steal it for baby girl and get him something else. Gliders can be so pricey and he could care less about rocking now. I worship this glider and it was worth every penny. It is large and comfortable, even for Dad, and the fabric cleans really well. 

Things are coming along! Bedding for the crib and the twin bed we have in the room is next, along with a rug. I found this soft one for such a great price, but need to see it in person. 

xo

Erin 

Decorating the Nursery...

Though it seems like a long way off that this baby girl will be here, in decorating terms it really is not that much time. I have already been obsessing over ideas and have come up with two concepts. Since it is fun to share and hear your feedback, it was time to post them and see what you think. I could change my mind any second on what I want this room to look like, but these two ideas are what is sticking in my head right now. Each room has one room of wallpaper, which I am super excited to try out in the house. 

A more modern nursery, with girlie touches....

dresser, wallpaper, floral monogram prints, crib, bedding, glider, rug, pouf

And then a more traditional super-girlie room in pinks and mint...

dresser, wallpaper, crib, bedding, glider, table, pouf, Degas print, rug

Any thoughts? The items themselves are not the final products I would probably use, but a good starting point. I would love to know which you liked better or if you have any suggestions. 

xo

Erin 

Master (Bedroom) Plan

It still feels like there is so much to do at the house, like an endless list that I will never get to the bottom of. We have an empty living room, a dark hallway that is in desperate need of light, door knobs that need to be installed, runners to be picked out, a barren guest room, and on and on. I have settled on that fact that this will all take years. And it is okay. 

The one room that needs attention next, since we use it every single day, is the master bedroom. We have lived without a headboard and the furniture we brought with us since June. With just a few more pieces and some paint, the room will finally become more like home to us. I have been looking at many, many pictures on Pinterest to settle on a room that mixes our already masculine furniture with some softer touches. I like rooms to have that mix and it only seems fitting for the master. 

Here is the finished product, or at least a mock of what it will look like. I hope. 

Already owned: the dressers, bench, rug, and lamps. 

What I need to get: coral trimmed bedding, tufted nailhead headboard, Gray Shower Benjamin Moore paint

I wanted a moody color on the walls since the attached bath is all white with white marble counters. Those gray boxes are actually windows. The rug was the old one from the family room and I love how it looks with the dark floors. For just a slight punch of color, I love coral with the gray and navy. 

What do you think? Should I stick with these choices? It is not that much to get, but pulling the trigger is so hard! 

xo

Erin