May 30, 2013

Master Bedroom Revamp: Get back the magic...

Master Bedroom...

Master Bedroom... by hchdesigns on Polyvore


You know that moment when the pile of laundry is crawling out of the hamper on to the floor.. and there is an inch of dust on the dresser and like bajillion pairs of shoes to trip over on your way to the bathroom in the middle of the night... No? Only me? Well, that's been my world lately...  It isn't so much about the "messiness" of the bedroom.. all though that definitely plays a role.. it's that there isn't a place for things... Big sigh of frustration...  I said to Seth a couple of days ago "either we do like a MAJOR purge or we need to move..." It's not that I don't love our place I really do... it's been our happy little home for 3 years now... that's like a record for me having moved like all of my adult life... But its really astonishing the amount of stuff 2 people accumulate over time and all to be stored in 650sqft... it can be a challenge...

So, I'm determined to get my house back... I am going to start in the master... The master bedroom plays a HUGE role in your sanity... it is your escape, your haven, a place to unwind and recharge... But usually it's completely forgotten about and it receives the leftover attention at the end of the day...
The space should be a peaceful reflection of your personality... For example, one of my favorite colors is red... I've loved it for years...but I don't want it in my bedroom because of how stimulating that color can feel... So I want to go towards more of a modern neutral palette...

  • I will start with de-cluttering all surface areas... no more random scraps of paper or hair ties, empty tissue boxes and items that do not serve a purpose or isn't decor... I will be ruthless... nothing is safe...  If I haven't thought of it in a year then I don't need it... 
  • I will clean out from under the bed... gasp... nooo... oh the sheer horror.... I'm for real here folks.. nothing is safe... random lonely sock that's covered in dust, I'm coming for ya...
It's all about being creative to find new spaces and places for things.. one area hardly ever used properly is under the bed... Which I hate cleaning but it's time to be a grown up and bite the bullet!  Also, if something like a piece of furniture can be moved, move it! It will make a world of difference.. Try some new bed linens, fresh of silk greenery.. Ikea is a great place for some greenery a great price... Home Goods is another great option... I have to do silk because if I do fresh, I'll kill it in like 3-4 months... It's my specialty.. Just call me house plant assassin... , add some personal touches of photos and snap shots... but keep it all B&W.. it will help it to feel calm and classy...Lastly, if your able... revamp that lighting! Lighting is like the magic in decorating... some cute matching lamps for your night stands or something hanging from the ceiling? The options are really endless... it wont make a bit of difference how beautiful your bedroom looks if you can't see it... 

Just like how in fashion accessorizing is so important, it's the same in decorating... all that's needed to revamp the look is with little touches and accessories.... It can make all the difference in the world! 

May 28, 2013

Camping Convert? Our Trip To Yosemite....

























Two sisters... two husbands... two tents... three bottles of wine.. a lot of food... and an Astro van...  was the adventure that happened this last weekend...  Nothing quite says high roller like a white Astro van... Which we are incredible thankful to Seth's parent's for loaning that to us... We had an absolutely wonderful time...  Thursday -Saturday we were camping in Yosemite National Park... You couldn't have asked for more beautiful weather... except I froze my assets off at night...  brrr.... So, chic... my two layers of pants, over sized sweatshirt... and thick socks.... Oh I was stylin....go ahead be jealous... 

The campground didn't have showers... gasp... I know, I know.. lets just say that baby wipes and dry shampoo was the star of the show... I did have lofty intentions to have a sincere "glamping" experience.. but..  Well, it's hard to feel "glam-ified" when you haven't showered and you smell like wood smoke.. A little makeup and a  lot of deodorant I felt a little more human... You should have seen me with my makeup brushes in the ladies bathroom making sure my foundation was blended... and deciding that I was going to use mostly matte eye shadow that day..Haven't had a shower but choosing the right eye shadow was a priority.... I got a few looks...  But I must confess I think I might be a camping convert... I will definitely do this again.. and change a few things... Here's what I would do differently...

1-Buy air mattress that doesn't deflate in the middle of the night...
2- Bring real wine glasses... . sipping our $2 Chuck out of Styrofoam just doesn't cut it...
3-Camp where they have showers.. 

Otherwise, laughing alot.....drinking wine, seeing the scenery.. laughing some more.. being with some simply fabulous people... drinking more wine, roasting marshmallows ..  laughing about our classy Styrofoam cups ... and being in an area that doesn't get cell reception created a lovely relaxing experience... One for the books... 

May 21, 2013

Oh Pinterest ...I really like you...





Don't you think that whoever created Pinterest probably thought that chocolate covered pretzels were divine and that puppies make the world a better place... And that breakfast in bed heavenly .. I'm pretty sure that that they should be my friend, we would get along smashingly! Pinterest is probably hands down one of the funnest ways I waste time.. ;) Not to mention they just installed this new thing that alerts you when your about to Pin the same thing twice! Mind blown...

I find the most incredible recipes for food right around lunch time when my coffee and yogurt have sufficiently
worn off and I need a pinata cake like pronto..  Or some fabulous inspiration to my wardrobe (wouldn't be amazing if it actually ended up in my closet?) I would die! I mean how rockin is that leopard print clutch?? gosh..I pretty fairly certain I live out some form of dream while I'm pinning away! I want to travel? Done.. Pinned the Eiffel Tower.... I want to have kids someday? Done, pinned that ridiculously cute picture of a baby with puppies.. Want to cook amazing tasty food? Done.. Pinned that hazelnut crepe recipe.. I mean the options are really endless!.If you would like to see more of what I'm pinning over on the ol Pinterest account... who doesn't? ...click here

May 18, 2013

White Denim & Fried Chicken....









Top-Old Navy (similar)
Jeans- Old Navy
Heels -BCBGirls via Marshalls
Sunglasses- HM

Is there nothing more magical than white denim and leopard print... it's like combining two epic neutrals for one spectacular finish....  I read somewhere that wearing white creates an emotional response of feeling alert and alive..  Well I'm not sure about that unless of course we are talking about that I'm extremely alert to all the potential coffee spills and stains... It's a gift I have a real gift... however I would like to thank Clorox bleach and Shout pre-wash for making my white denim dreams come true!

I put together this little ensemble for ya'll... and of course a little Friday night date to KFC... yeah, that was a low moment... however I do not regret it... I had been craving fried chicken all and day and the only way to get some was (other than making it myself which we all knew was not going to happen).. yup KFC...  Seth was like, "are we going in?" to which I responded "OH NO...we are using the drive through"...  I'm not sure how this whole running to KFC got out of control but it felt like we were cheating on our healthy lifestyle just a bit... Only we would start juicing and go to KFC in the same week! Uhhh... I judge myself...  I must say... it was delicious.... and I don't regret it... well maybe a little... I wanted to feel young a free and how I do that is going through the KFC drive through... 

So enough about our poor decisions... and back to fashion... If you don't  own any white denim... put down the coffee.. close the computer and run, don't walk to your closest Old Navy...   Tons of choices in white denim and they are on sale! The jeans I got are in the Flirt line and for a girl with some curve it's heaven sent.. with a little stretch to help the fit.. I paired it with a silky leopard print top... I wish I could say this is still available but it's from a couple of seasons ago... however a leopard print top, shoes or clutch is the perfect pop to any outfit.. I feel that leopard print can easily fit into the classic "must haves" for any closet... I put on a pair of black pointy stilettos (because they make me feel powerful)... and I was ready for my night with a bucket of fried chicken! Because that's how I roll...

May 15, 2013

What's in my makeup bag...

What's in my makeup bag...

What's in my makeup bag... by hchdesigns featuring mac cosmetics makeup

What the what? I'm posting on the blog!! Geesh... I sincerely apologize for the lack of posts lately.. I swear I've thought about you often and almost everyday I wear something cute.. however you would never know because just like John Lennon said "life happens when your busy making other plans.." Boy aint that the truth! Busy busy busy... anyhoo... enough about that... I'm already boring myself...

There has been a trend running around the blogging world of taking a picture of what is in your bag/purse... Well I would love to join in on that trend however there really isn't anything too interesting about random scraps of paper and bobby pins...  Sooo.... I thought I would do a little twist on that and share about what is in my makeup bag!

So obviously I love Urban Decay.. I'm always amazed at the quality of their product.. but one brand that I love just as much is Arbonne.. similar to Avon or Mary Kay it is only available through a distributor... however it is 100% vegan and cruelty free! See their ingredient and product details here...
Now, I'm not saying I'm going all "granola" on you.. I can eat a good steak along with the best of them.. I just don't like to rub it on my face...  Great visual huh?
Also it doesn't hurt that their product is hands down some of the best I've tried.. and what I'm really excited about is their newest addition to their cosmetic line..

Is their It’s a Long Story™ Mascara!! I love it.. totally lengthening, stays on forever, no flaking, and yet washes off with complete ease..totally crushes the other competition...

So that's my makeup bag... what is missing you might ask? Skincare... Ugh.. here's where I need your help..
I've got a problem.. all of a sudden like out of nowhere my skin is wicked dry... like ridiculously dry... I'm used to "normal" amounts of dry skin sometimes but this is unreal...  I feel like I need a tub of face cream just to get by.. Does anyone else deal with this? Or do you have a favorite skincare product you swear by? I'd love to know!

May 6, 2013

Insta What? & Five to Ten Things....

my makeup, selfie,  Dutch Bros... heaven, wedding day of my friends
Selfie aka..good hair day, lunch, Hot Tameles, where I work....
My husband doing the duck face, going for a walk, The Bucks, Our besties..

Five, six or ten things you don't know about me... mostly all of them embarrassing....
  • I'm only 5'1... that's wicked short for everyone that doesn't know... and I need help reaching things at the back of my top cupboards... It looks a little pathetic...
  • When I was 17, I wrote, directed and starred in the lead role of Anne of Green Gables play... SUPER embarrassing now but at the time I was a rock star... and yes I can quote the movie in my sleep.
  • I like to sing...my neighbors are quite aware of this fact...cleaning the bathroom and Mariah Carey go so well together...
  • I pretty much hate going to the fitting room when shopping... if I can avoid it I will... Who can blame me when the lighting in there makes you look like you've got 5 chins instead of 2? Old Navy I'm looking at you.
  • One time in my life I walked into a red pole at Walmart while I was waiving at a guy, everyone at the entrance noticed including the guy...the pole was just as tall as me.
  • Sometimes when I can't remember how to spell some something I spell it incorrect on purpose so the "spell check" will show me the correct version... lazy? maybe.
  • My favorite candy is Hot Tamales... they make me happy.
  • I've got a slight addiction to sparkling water.. Ahh... Pellegrino... Perrier....Trader Joe's...
  • I don't like to get out of bed in the morning until I know what I'm going to wear... it's a great mix of style and procrastination.
  • Favorite movie... Fools Gold... I never get tired of it.. 
The rest of me will remain a mystery...