Nothing Rhymes with Orange

And, according to Geoff, nothing goes with orange either. When we decided to live in sin, we each brought one bedside table to the mix. These bedside tables don't even come close to matching. Mine is painted black with a black & white striped top, and Geoff's is honey-colored wood. Lets just say neither goes with our chocolate leather upholstered headboard and blue-gray bedding. I love the eclectic look, and prefer things not to be too matchy-matchy, but these tables are so far out of left field that something must be done. So, I have been fantasizing about painting them both orange. Yes, orange. "Lauren, that's not very bedroom-y or soothing," you say...(and Geoff would agree) but I really think it might work. Besides, I've been dying to paint some piece of furniture in our bedroom orange since I saw this photo (below) of a room by amazing designer Ruthie Sommers. Awesome.

Her work was featured on the very first cover of (the now defunct) Domino Magazine (sob) and I've been obsessed with her work ever since. Perhaps when all the wedding madness blows over, I will tackle the beside tables. I'll let you know what happens. In the meantime, have a lovely Tuesday!

XO
-L

A Ruthie Sommers bedroom from her book The L.A. House

Painted Dresser by Dallas's own Again & Again. LOVE this store!

Stunning Orange Dresser via Flickr

Ok, so its not a piece of painted furniture, but I adore the striking orange wall as a backdrop to soothing cream tones. Photo via Living Etc.

And last, but not least, another example of a perfect color story in this bedroom designed by Betsy Burham. Yum. Photo via Lonny Magazine (pg 127 of the current issue.) If you have not checked out this online home publication, you must! Go now!

R is for Ruffles (not the delicious potato chip ones...)

Good Monday Morning all! I hope you had a lovely, romantic Valentines weekend. We did! Dallas even got a record FOOT of snow- so it was a snow day for me and G on Friday. We even ventured outside to make an Abominable Snow Westie (complete with Oreo Cookie eyes and nose.) He looks just like Calvin, right? Except that Cal is gross and sort of a yellowish shade, and Geoff says he smells like a Cheeto...anyway, I digress...

On to the ruffles! (Which, by the way, I can't seem to get enough of.) And lucky for me-they are everywhere. These sunny, yummy, girly numbers are the antidote to all the blucky weather we've been having. Spring-are you almost here?

XO
-L

Tutu Tank from Anthropologie

Colorblock Ruffle Romper at Arden B
Definitely need tyhis one for the honeymoon :)

Ruffled Shower Curtain from India Rose
If I didn't have to share my bathroom with a boy, I would already have this in fushcia...

Kensie Confetti Streaks Ruffle Bottom Dress from Piperlime
 

Waterfall Ruffle Curtain from Urban Outfitters

Ruffle Front Blouse from Victorias Secret

Fashiony-Girl Crushes

Good Monday Morning all! It is totally disgusting in Dallas today-all rainy and such. Gag. It was such a chore to get to work this morning-it was like national "run-Lauren-down-in-your-big-hunting-truck-day." Seriously?Sheesh. Anyway, I arrived alive and well and promptly began slurping down coffee & checking my morning blogs. I have to say, I always read my design blogs later in the day (ie. Decor 8, Creature Comforts, Design Sponge, Made by Girl, Making it Lovely...I could go on forever...(check my "blogs i heart" link for a full list) but I am ALWAYS dying to read the fashion blogs first. Nothing starts my day off better. Join me, won't you? 

XO
-L 

I cannot get enough of Chloe (above) over at The Chloe Conspiracy.
I adore her writing style-she is hysterical & very honest & her style is so fabulous!
Plus, she has to of the cutest long haired chihuahuas ever! 

Also totally addicted to Emily (above) at Cupcakes and Cashmere.
Could she be anymore stunning, funny, and fashionable?
I think not. 

Next is one of my fave Indie fashion bloggers, the fabulous face behind Second Skin.
She is the queen of affordable & inspiring. 

Anh over at 9 to 5 Chic is on the other side of the coin.
I visit her when I need pulled-together, more corporate looks.
She nails it every time. And could she be prettier?

Vintage Valentine

Love it or hate it, Valentine's day is on the way. I've been in both categories, but this year, being engaged and all, I am (of course) the poster child for all things love. Well, within reason. We will definitely have a yummy dinner (Bailey's Prime Plus, here we come!) but thats about it. Anything extra we spend will just come out of the honeymoon spa fund, and I am so not down with that. How does a girl express her soppy-mushy-loviness to her fiance without breaking the bank? With a good old-fashioned Valentine card-that's how.
Good thing there are plenty of cool options all over the place-enjoy some of my faves:

XO
-L 

What a gorgeous keepsake!
Think Of Me Handkerchief Valentine from Anthropologie

Vintage Valentine Postcards from Anthropologie

"So Sweet" Wooden Valentine from Urban Outfitters

What says I heart you better than Mexican wrestlers? Nothing, thats what.
LUCHE LOVE VIVA EL VALENTINO WRESTLER LETTERPRESS VALENTINES by YeeHaw on Etsy

Ok, so maybe this one's not vintage, but in our house-this means a lot!
I Love You More Than my iPhone Valentines Day Card by tisascreations on Etsy

And last but not least...

This little guy might not be the exact same, but he reminds me of the cutest animal video ever, so he gets a special mention. Plus, it gives me an excuse to watch this another 40 times!

Big Eyes - Be Mine Card by franticmeerkat on Etsy

Slow loris loves getting tickled on YouTube
Squeal!

Lets just choose the cake, ok?

Does anyone remember that line from Father of the Bride? Martin Short? Anyone? Well, Franck the wedding planner makes it clear that the cake sets the tone for the wedding. Which I think puts a lot of pressure on a yummy baked good, right? Its main job is to be delicious (ie. NO FONDANT-ew.) And while I'm not centering the wedding decor around the cake, I do want it to fit in and be gorgeous. And I definitely believe that simple is better. Here are some of my inspirations in the great wedding cake hunt- hope you enjoy!

XO
-L

 

Photos from The Knot & Martha Stewart Weddings