The Big Reveal...My Home Office

Here it is! My home office! I completed it this week, with my dad's help, and I love it! I've been working in the space for a little over a week, but I wanted to hang a few things before I showed you all the final product. I think it's perfection. Keep reading to get all the details on how I pulled this space together.

As you know, this is what the space looked like before I got started. I loved this space, for it's original purpose, but I needed a place to call my own. A space where my laptop wasn't always on my lap. Where I wasn't using my coffee table as my daily desk top. I place where I felt like I was a little more organized while still being a part of the daily family grind.

I was inspired by this HomeGoods Instagram photo when I starting thinking about my initial design scheme. I loved the mix of colors and eclectic design. I started my search at our local, and favorite, antique store, but never really found what I was looking for. We went to a couple of other local places, but again nothing screamed "take me home." My first purchase was the black writing desk from Target. I blogged about it in my original Wednesday Wants and it was honestly the best fit!

My mom and I actually got the bulk of the room from HomeGoods. After we had the desk, I knew I wanted to add fun pops of color to contrast against the black. I literally set up a space in the aisles of HomeGoods and loved getting feedback from others who passed by. It was all very favorable. I was heading in the right direction! Yellow and gray is one of my favorite color combos and the touch of blue just pulled it all together. 

My dad was the painter. He insisted. I told him I would help, but he said it was a small space and a one person job. I let him do it. I wasn't going to argue. I love the color. It's Winter Solstice from Benjamin Moore and I find it to be such a soothing shade of gray. 

As for the accents on the desk, I didn't want a lot. It's not a huge space to begin with, but I wanted to make it personal. A letter "A" for obvious reasons, a sweet reminder of needing daily glitz from my friend Julie, a candy dish for moments of weakness, a coaster, and fun pens in a cute holder rounds it out.

     

The knobs that came with the desk were perfectly fine, a brushed nickel that goes with the rest of the room, but I wanted something a little more me. I went with vintage inspired crystal knobs and they are simply divine! The yellow cabinet is actually my parents, a piece I have coveted for years, and when they couldn't make it fit in their house, I basically stole it from their basement! It's the perfect place to hide all my clutter. Printer paper, extra catalogs, and other work necessities all fit neatly behind closed doors. And, the rustic piece is lovely!

 

 

In addition to the mirror, a style I've always admired, I knew I wanted to add a few extras to the wall. I decided to frame my first catalog with the company. I wanted something to remind of where I started.

And lastly, my daily motivation! Who doesn't need a little something to keep them going in the right direction, even if they feel as though they are running off track! This saying resounds with me. In taking my Leap, I believed I could, so I did! 

And there you have it! My home office. What do you think? Did I nail it? I totally believe I did! It's everything I thought it could be and more. I'm happy here. I feel motivated to work from here daily. And I find I could stay here long past the time I need to take McKinley to school or head to bed at the end of the night. I've finally found my space!

It's Friday!! We have another full weekend and I can't wait to get started. I hope you all have a fashionable weekend that brings you joy!

See back here on Monday!

Muah!

My DIY - Bar Cart

  Does anyone remember this cart? I blogged about it a couple of weeks ago, but I hadn't really done anything with it. Between rain, windy days, and just no time, it sat all alone in my garage. I even packed it up and took it over to my parents house thinking I would get to it over there. Didn't happen. Then my son got this wild hair to spend the entire day on Sunday outside. That's right! It was 90+ and we spent the entire day outdoors. So what does one do after they've weeded the flower beds and hoed the garden? Work on a bar cart!

Here are the materials I'm planning to use on the cart.

I got to work on the legs. After consulting with my husband, we thought the best approach would be to take the legs off and work on each piece separately. Since I plan to spray paint the whole thing, it's best to do it in individual pieces than trying to cover up things and painting them by accident. The legs were attached by screws and nuts so I originally went at them with an adjustable wrench. Then my husband reminded me that he had a ratcheting screwdriver. Perfect! However, the nuts had rusted so it made it a little harder to remove. I was able to get four of the eight while Joel helped loosen the rest. Or should I say, I loosened them... Let's just say, I finally got it all removed.

  

The legs are now removed and looking rather rough around the edges. This little guy is full of rust, but in spots, not all over. I decided to see what a little fine grade steel wool would do. See for yourself. It made a world of difference. There are still specks of rust, but really hard to detect. And they would be fine, if I were going to leave them silver, but I'm not!

  

I painted them glossy black! Here's what I did. I took drop paint cloths and cardboard out in the yard and placed the legs a pretty decent width apart. I proceeded to spray lightly back and forth across each leg making sure it covered nicely without drips. Then I moved each leg so it wouldn't stick to the spot where I painted. I let it dry for several hours before I rotated each leg to spray on the other side. I will continue to do that until all sides are complete. 

I also sprayed the carts handle. I love, love, love the contrast against the yellow! Can you imagine what the red will look like? I'm thinking amazing! I plan to really cover the top to ensure no black paint gets on the yellow.

 

 Up next? Cleaning the shelves and prepping them for paint. And my dad and I have a game plan for the mirrored back. I honestly think this bar cart is going to be so chic! 

Stay tuned...

Lilly Pulitzer Continued....For the Home

As you know from yesterday's post, I'm so excited for the Lilly Pulitzer collection for Target that begins on April 19th! I've favorited 25 pieces, and though I probably won't buy them all, a girl can only hope and wish right! Yesterday was all about the clothing and accessories, which were so maj, and today's picks are even better! It's all about items for the home and I'm thinking I need to re-do my kitchen so it all flows! 

Check out today's picks and let me know which ones you might be eyeing!!

Top Row: 1/2/3

Middle Row: 4/5/6

Bottom Row: 7/8/9

Fabulous, no?! I love it all!! See why I need to make changes to my kitchen? Or....this would all look amazing as my patio decor. My outdoor buffet would look vibrant and so chic! What pieces do you think you might add?

Hope you're having a chic day, Fashionista's! Happy April!

As always, see something you have to have? Shop the links!!

Trending Tuesday - Lilly Pulitzer for Target

I have loved Lilly Pulitzer for probably 15 years! Pale pink and mint green are synonymous with the brand as is the tropical vibe within their prints. And with the Target collaboration they are sparing no expense in either department!! When I took a look at the Look Book, I have flagged no less than 25 items that I have to have!! And because I love so much of the collection, I am breaking this post into three parts. Today's post is all about the clothing and accessories. Then it's home decor followed by beauty! So many incredible pieces that this launch needed a week of discussion.

So without further ado, I bring you Lilly Pulitzer for Target!!

Top Row:1/2/3

Middle Row:5/6/7/8

Bottom Row:9/10/11/12

Mark your calendar, Fashionista's!! This sale starts Sunday April 19th and you are going to want to set your alerts and alarms!

I'm planning to be up early and online that Sunday morning and possibly in the store later that day! If you see anything you need, shop those links girls! You don't want to miss out!

Designer Series - Janna Conner Designs

 
I first discovered Janna Conner on Instagram with this awesome photo! I fell in love with the pyramid ring and nail art! I professed my love via a comment and an Instagram match was made. We've been following each other ever since. If you aren't following her, you should!

Janna's pieces are so unique, so charming, so chic, and so wearable. From earrings to necklaces to bracelets, and rings, each piece is as cool as the next. Janna is a native to Los Angeles, holds a degree in Chinese History from UCLA, lived in Hong Kong, travels to Paris to visit family, and travels throughout the rest of the world honing her philosophy and aesthetic for her jewelry designs. And, being a native Californian, her jewelry is inspired by the vivid colors and mutlicultural richness of her home state. She founded her company in 1999 where each piece is handcrafted  in her design studio using only high quality, semi precious stones and natural minerals. Her motto, "I design for women like myself who are influenced by trends yet are not ruled exclusively by them."

In my social media relationship with Janna, I asked her if she worked with bloggers who weren't local to Los Angeles, and when she said yes, I jumped at the chance to work together. I felt the need to introduce her, the company, and her work to all of you. Yes, her pieces are sold nationwide at Roseark, Kitson, Henri Bendel and Fred Segal, but we aren't home to any of those stores here in the Midwest. So the next best way to introduce her? Blog about her! Oh, and borrow an amazing pair of earrings, style them as many ways as I can in two weeks, and ship them safely home. 

I am wearing the Gold Jessamyn Earring which is made of Geode. Geode naturally varies in size, shape, and color. How amazing are they! The color is so rich and intense. The perfect hue to celebrate the week of love, no? And, what a great gift they would make! They aren't heavy at all. In fact, I hardly notice them on my ear. However, you will notice them due to how chic they are!

Janna Conner Designs has been featured in such publications as Glamour, Lucky, Instyle, Self, and The Knot. And, they have been seen on celebrities like Kate Bosworth, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Debra Messing, and Lauren Conrad. Pretty impressive! And now on Style My Way! 

Thank you Janna for loaning these gorgeous gems to me! I've thoroughly enjoyed styling them, especially during the special week leading up to Valentine's Day. Guys, if you don't have your special someone a gift, check these out! She won't be disappointed.  

Stay tuned this week as you will see other ways I've styled these beauties. I can't get enough of them! 

Photos courtesy of Richard Lawson.

Saturday Night Bingo

Cape: Laura Kathleen (similar); Sweater: Ann Taylor; Jeans: LOFT;

Boots: Steven by Steve Madden (similar); Handbag: Steven by Steve Madden;

Necklace: Tori Spelling; Rings: Gorjana

Last weekend I attended a birthday celebration for a sweet friend at Hamburger Mary's. I had never been and was dying to go! It was everything I thought it would be and so much more. Bingo, great apps, meeting new people, catching up with old friends, and a fabulous Drag Queen who was gorgeous and incredibly entertaining. I can't wait to take the hubby!

It was a rainy, dreary day and I wasn't really sure what to wear. So glad I opted for skinny jeans and over-the-knee boots. Then I remembered my Laura Kathleen cape, a perfect piece to combat the rain while looking chic at the same time.

 

The Boots: Before and After

I also applied my first smokey eye for the evening! A beauty how-to post coming later this week! Stay tuned!

Dream to Reality - Wearing a Laura Kathleen Design

 Top: Ann Taylor (on maj sale); Pants: Laura Kathleen; Heels: Calvin Klein (on sale);

Necklaces: Ann Taylor (on sale)/Tori Spelling; Bracelet: Ann Taylor

I never in a million years thought I would wear something that a designer created for a fashion week runway, but that's exactly what happened! Earlier in the spring, Laura Kathleen featured these pants in her KCFW runway for F/W 2014 and we were able to purchase pieces from the line. I jumped at the opportunity to nab them! That city scene! I think that's what drew me to them. I love how slimming they are and they're comfortably chic!

Laura and I chatted via Twitter before her arrival a couple of weeks ago and she hoped that the pants would ship and arrive before fashion week. Turns out, she brought them with her! Nothing like having your piece brought to you by the designer themselves. I went into immediate styling mode as I knew I would wear them for the Saturday evening shows. I wanted a top that would be as edgy as the pants. And something that would make a subtle statement. This top had all the elements I was looking for! Sleek, feminine, and it definitely left a statement!

 

 

  

 

I'm obsessed with creating my own statement necklace. The top one was purchased specifically for this look. The bottom is an all time fav. I love how it looks like one necklace. Play around with your pieces to create the statement you're going for. The best looks are the ones that happen by accident.

Thank you, Laura Kathleen, for designing such an amazing piece! Thank you for hand delivering it! It was an honor to wear your label during KCFW! I can't wait for more pieces to be added. And thanks for the sweet friendship! This was truly a Dream to Reality for this girl!

Photos courtesy of Megan of Chasing Davies.

KCFW Project Runway Shows - Laura Kathleen

  Saturday night's runway shows featured six past Project Runway designers and there was no way I could write just one blog about all six shows. You will have to bear with me this week as I talk about each show and provide all the photos I was able to capture. But what you will see is pretty incredible!

 The show started off with one of my personal favorites, Laura Kathleen. I met her earlier in the year during the spring shows, and believe me when I tell you, she's awesome! I've really enjoyed the time I've been able to spend with her, whether it was last spring or over the weekend, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed for some additional time together. I also consider myself incredibly lucky to own a couple of her pieces and I really want to add a few pieces from this collection to my wardrobe. See why!

      

   

     

 

    

    

 

 

    

    

Simply amazing! I loved everything and this isn't the whole collection.! My wants? The gray, blue, and black satin jumpsuits! I love the white asymmetrical white blazer. So chic and so versatile. And how luxe is that toffee cover-up? Now I just need a magical trip in which to pack it! 

I can't wait to share with you my look featuring a Laura Kathleen original! A true Dream to Reality for this girl!