Backyard Fiesta

It's been warm enough to eat outside here in So Cal and this mama has been craving tacos!  We decided to invite some friends over for a little Taco Tuesday and to add to the fun I made the table extra festive.

I whipped up my favorite Pine Nut and Mango guacamole and threw together an easy Sangria to sip on.  

Add lots of bougainvillea to your table for a pop of color and throw some limes and oranges on the table to complete your centerpiece.

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Photos: Corey Morgan

Easter

Wreath, Navy blue dress, Hat, Candles, Glasses, Placemat, Floral Girl's dress, Egg placeholders, Bunny platter, White Girl's dress

"Someone you love"

"Stand here and think of someone you love" - Dallas Clayton.

So I did.   I thought of my biggest gifts of all time my baby girls. I thought vividly of their perfect little faces and sweet little hands.  I thought of my handsome husband, who at any moments notice sweeps in and protects me from everything scary and can make me laugh until my tummy hurts.  I thought of my parents, who constantly and unconditionally support my every thought and whim.  I thought of my friends who endlessly listen to my gibberish about fashion and makeup until their eyes glaze over.   This could take a long time...

This week I attended my second ALT Summit conference, Dallas Clayton spoke at our last keynote and to be honest I hadn't heard of him. He casually jogs up the stairs with messy, long hair, rainbow sneakers and old sweater with his illustration on it. He begins to ramble on, looking at the floor and pacing around the room about funny and nonsensical topics about his adventures.  Where was he going with all of this? He goes on to say there are " no rules" which seems very fitting considering his casual approach to this whole thing. He says "have an adventure".  Again not surprised by this.  He goes on and that's when it clicks and we all feel it.  He encourages us to get our noses out of our phones and computers and live our lives.  Go get lost.  Go have an adventure.  Have stories to tell.

He finishes his talk with a portion of his still untitled new book.  I was moved to tears.  The man writes the most incredible, moving, hilarious children's books I've ever heard.  He is the modern day Dr. Suess.

I can't get my hands on his books quick enough.  I want my girls to hear what I heard and feel what I feel.  I want us to have stories to tell.  I've decided to give my littles each of his books on Valentine's Day.  I can't think of a better way to "think of someone I love".

to order your own click the pics..

    

     

Gift Wrap party with Simply Made

It's time to put some pretty things under the tree and I've enlisted my dear friend and "gift wrap queen" Stephanie from Simply Made to come play with me.  Cheers to the holidays!  

Polar Express movie night

We kicked off December right with a perfect movie night featuring The Polar Express.  This is such a sweet movie and the girls love it!  I tried to incorporate as much from the movie as I could remember and it was a hit!  The girls were surprised with cozy plaid pj's , fresh baked cookies, popcorn and their very own "Believe" tickets just like in the movie.  One of my favorite symbols of the movie was the bell.  I made sure to add plenty of gold bells to my spread.     

Photos: Corey Morgan [show_shopthepost_widget id="442807"]

Living room inspiration with Modani Modern Furniture

When it comes to home decor I think a lot can be inspired from fashion.  Fashion is such a fun way to show your sense of  personal style and what you gravitate too. I believe your home can be the same.   My home has always been my oasis and my safe place.  It was a welcome hug after a long day. I love to come home to all the little personal things that  made me happy and the people shoe I love the most. We have lived in our home for almost 8 years and we are still trying to completely make it our own.  I find our family room to be the nucleus of our home.  It's where the kids play with theirs toys and books.  It's where my office has been built in. It's where the dogs snore on their overstuffed dog beds.  It's where my hubby and snuggle in with a glass of wine at the end of the day and watch our favorite shows.  It's the center of our play and relaxing time together.  Although this room is beyond functional, I think every room in our home should be beautiful as well.  Modani Modern Furniture's pieces are classic yet with a clean, modern twist.  I love the structure of Modani Modern Furniture's collections and consider them basics.  Just like a basic go to outfit a great room needs great bones.  The accessories can be changed out to create a different feel but the basic pieces stay classic.

I've inspired my new living room by my love for this simple neutral and white ensemble.  I love the freshness of white with the coziness of the rich tan.  It's dressy but still totally comfortable and lived in.  Just like this room will be.  

Visit Modani Modern Furniture stores to find the pieces I've showcased  or visit any of their  Modani Modern Furniture stores in many of the major metropolitan areas across the United States and Canada. I featured Onyx White Sofa, Boden floor lamp,Savina lounge Chair, Valentino mirror,Lugano library Bookcase, books.

Pins of the week

So at the end of each night, I grab my glass of wine after dinner and start my little personal pin party of prettiness.  I pin all sorts of things from home inspo, diy, to recipes to man candy.  The best part of this time for me is that it is completely indulgent of all things gorgeous.  It's the most gorgeous places in the world to travel to, the most succulent meals and swoon worth soirees to the most down in the trenches cleaning regimes.  I love it all!  I hope you follow along on my pin craziness. To follow along with my fun nightly parties visit my Pinterest page.

This week's top picks:

Bathroom, Notebook quote, Cream Cashmere and denim, Sailboat ride and  Watermelon Coconut cocktail

Room renovation

So it's time for a bi girl bed for Peyton.  I loved changing Capri's room over and yet I am having a sad mommy moment over changing over Peyton's .  It's so final. Tears wiped aside, I am working up some great decor to make the little princess super excited about the transition.  I am swooning over tufted headboards, patterned walls and bold color.  I feel like her room should be whimsy, fun and all girly.  Stay tuned for our transformation.   image via

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One tray 3 ways

This sunny tray by Rebecca Allen for Deny Designs caught my eye right away and I knew I loved it immediately! Not only did it bring a ray of sunshine to my home but I found it beyond versatile!  Deny Designs gorgeous products are so fun and I love that they support local artists or create your own custom designs .   How cool is that?!  Custom piece for your home! I'm in! I having been using this tray like mad and I wanted to share how amazingly versatile it has become in my own home. 1. Entryway spruce

I added my Deny tray to my entry way table for pop of color. I also think this would be cool hung on a wall for splash or fun.

2. Hostess with the mostess

I recently used this gorgeous tray at a backyard fiesta to serve up mocktails.  It is the perfect accessory for any fabulous hostess.

3.  Coffee Table

I adored garnishing up this gorgeous tray with fresh roses from our mutant rose bushes, conch shell from our travels, the best smelling Voluspa candles  and my favorite eye candy in coffee table books.  

Powder room reno

Sort of on a whim, we decided to tackle our upstairs guest bathroom.  It did need some TLC and what came from fixing  some tiles in the tub area  turned into repainting, new floor tile, new vanity, and mirror.  It's such a small space but I wanted it to be lovely yet still super functional  since it's my little ladies main bathroom.  I always gravitate towards lovely wallpaper in bathrooms and of course my Pinterest board is full of it! Here are some of my favorites when it came to gathering inspiration!  For even more pretty follow along on my Pinterest page.

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Silver Lining

It's party time!  It's time for the shimmer and sparkle of the holiday's to come out and make itself shine in our table decor!  I love a gorgeous party and beautiful tables cape.   I added to the already nautical feel of the dining room by adding red pops of color as well as sparkly sea horses and silver accents. By using the silver and white, it created a neutral shimmery pallet that allowed to keep the nautical feel yet still feel Christmassy.     

Photos: Corey Morgan

Dress: J.Crew Factory, Necklace: older similar here  and love this Shoes: Jimmy Choo Tablescape: ZGallerie