Sailboat Themed Room

I have been a fan of this boat bed by Pottery Barn for almost a decade now.  I just love it.   After living in San Francisco and Seattle, I fell in love with sailing and sailboats. 

I always pictured this bed for a girl, not a boy though.  I guess Pottery Barn caught up to me ; ) with it's Nantucket bedding shown below.  You could do two beds for boy/girl twins or close together boy/girl siblings and do both sets of bedding.  So cute.

I also love this sailing-esque shirt for boys by MiniBoden. {on sale now from $46 to $27}

God Bless America

I think sometimes we can get wrapped up in the "festivities" of the holiday and forget about it's meaning. 

Crafts are always a good excuse to teach kids about....anything.  I love this unique twist adding the American Eagle to a patriotic tee. 

I also love the fan crafts which serve a two-fold purpose of patriotic flare and function. 

Let's not forget the attire for the holiday weekend.  We wore ours two years in a row and I think they are a 4th of July staple for Hartstrings.  I just love these bermudas. 

I must also mention my two new iTunes I added to my playlist this week.  I love, love, love them.  

 {1} Celine Dion.........."God Bless America"

 {2} LeAnn Rimes....."The Star-Spangled Banner"

I especially love "....the bombs bursting in air gave proof through the night, that our flag was still there."

I remember when I first heard the reason for those words because of the brave efforts to keep the flag waving all through the night.  Beautiful!  

How blessed we are to live in this great country. 

Pillow Obsessed

Between my home and my friend's newly renovated and amazing house (her husband has great taste and has done most of it!......we're doing finishing touches),  I am all about PILLOWS, PILLOWS, PILLOWS. 

This one just made me extra happy this morning.  DwellStudio is designing for Target and I love it!  I just might need it for myself, although we've been on the hunt for yellow for her. : )

Photographers and Their Photos

I am obsessed with photography blogs.  I love looking at all the fun ideas and creativity.  Photography is such artwork to me.......if done right.  Here's a sneak peak at our little tea party and 5 year old photo session with a pretty dang cute photographer.

I really wanted to capture who Tennessee is at 5 years old and I'm excited to sift through all the proofs.

More to come on the photo preparation on the fashion side of things : ) It was a lot of fun.  Especially because our photographer is the sweetest ever and loves what she does!

{Click on the photo collages to view them for better quality.  

They really are edited so beautifully due to the talents of our photographer 

and thanks to Mother Nature, 

we had great sunlight and location. }

Life Is Wonderful!....and Busy!

I love to collect pineapples for two specific reasons special to me and I love their meaning of "WELCOME".  

Have you ever noticed people who make you feel "welcomed" are generally happy people?

I just love that.

{love this photo of a pineapple fountain in the South a few years back}

Life is wonderful and I've had the good fortune to "welcome" new opportunities as of late to learn and grow and I'm so thankful for the all the great things I have going on.

I've got to prioritize, so The Swanky Isis will be on hiatus for a bit!  

Not sure when I'll be back...TTFN!

 

 

 

Really Can't Get These Off My Mind

I'm off to be a part of a local "Women's Resource Expo" today.  With a towel wrapped around my head and makeup needing to be done, I just had to stop to say....

I'm obsessed with patent nude shoes.  They are everywhere and I love them.  Ok, maybe not everywhere because I've been on a hunt for some that are not over $200. {actually $100}  I've been seeing celebrities wear them on TV and in magazines, but couldn't find any not in the Christian Louboutin and Jimmy Choo categories. Very classy, sleek and go with everything.  

        Jimmy Choo $655  {top}     Christian Louboutin $795 {bottom}

During Oprah's Mother's Day fashion show they featured several styles and commented a nude shoe makes you look leaner because it goes with your skin tone. I FINALLY found a pair I can afford.  So excited!  So they are what, maybe $600+ less than these designer ones?  Honestly, you'd have to charge people to look at you to be able to justify those shoes.  Oh wait, movie stars pretty much do. : )

Eliane et Lena

I am in love with a fairly new line called Eliane et Lena.   Each piece is made with such precision and detail.  The fabric is usually soft and flows freely; making the clothing extremely feminine. I purchased a top wondering if I would regret the price {because this is a higher end line} and I have not had an ounce of buyer's remorse.  Plus, I think you should have a few "splurge" items a couple times a year.

This dress in the above photo is even more beautiful in real life.  The darling model is the daughter of one of my best and dearest friends. {her mother continues to teach me many things in life....childrens' fashion being one of them}  She was picked up by a great go-to, online boutique for the latest in kid's styles, Darling Divas Boutique.  I have featured them before, but they really are a great source for high-end lines. 

Spring! Spring! Spring!

Our family has been loving the series "Life" narrated by Oprah.  It makes for great family TV especially on a Sunday afternoon.  We also love "Planet Earth".  I think it is so important to establish a love of nature with children.  There are so many electronic distractions for their generation.  There is such simple grandeur to be had from it and one really can't comprehend how amazing it is when we realize where it comes from and that it is not man made.  

I took these photos about 3 weeks ago just outside my back door.  It is so relaxing to be surrounded by a serene and mature yard. I have always marveled at Mother Nature.  I used to enjoy my early morning, 45 minute commute to school back in my college days when I was able to see the sunrise before those early 7 a.m classes.  

These photos were taken 24 hours apart.  I wish I had time stamped video documenting the buds to the blooms.  So amazing!  I love them. 

Tennessee and I love see our little birdie friends as well.  We are especially fond of the blue jay and the quail family. Below is a picture of our trees and one of the many birds we watch. 

I really do need Photoshop, but I think you can still see the beauty in the nature.  

The More I Learn, The More I Learn

I just can't help but to recognize the more I learn.......the more I learn.

This morning while on the treadmill at the gym I switched form iPod mode to TV mode because the subtitles were intriguing to me. I usually hate to do that because music makes me go faster and TV makes me slow down.   I was amazed at the story they were relaying.  

Nine months ago I would have reacted VERY differently.  However, life experiences will do that to you.  They give you greater understanding and sometimes a profound empathy for others.  Getting older really does have its advantages.  I guess if you can make it through life's experiences, you can gain a lot......usually for good, whether the experiences were negative or positive. 

A couple quotes I love: 

(1) From my father......I don't know who it originated from:

      Often when a man with money meets a man with experience, it isn't long before the man with experience has the money and the man with the money has the experience

(2) Experience is what you get when you didn't get what you want - Randy Pausch, The Last Lecture

What Rock Have I Been Living Under?!?

I just discovered today that one of my all time favorite stores has been in Utah for THREE YEARS.  What?!?  Where have I been?!?  I swore I wouldn't leave my duties of unpacking and cleaning today, but I already knew I had at least one thing I wanted.

                

While living in Walnut Creek, CA. I would spend at least one night a week parking two blocks from my apartment building because I decided to stop at Cost Plus on the way home.  If I left work between 4:50 and 5:03, I could usually get a spot within 100 yards of the front door of my building.  Otherwise, I was one of the many stuck parking and walking. However, I LOVED Cost Plus.  

It also was an after work staple when I moved to Bellevue WA......as was Trader Joes, but I've heard they'll never come to UT. {Their keylime pie is too die for}  Maybe they've been here for years and I just haven't found them yet either.

Ok, so now it is called COST PLUS WORLD MARKET.  I googled the store today to order this pillow: 

AND, my Google browser pulled up the Salt Lake City location.  I am in heaven.  Great to have the store back.  All this time.....I can't believe it. 

You Say "Old", I Say "Vintage"

So I've decided I don't have a specific style, just a "me" style.  People ask me what my decor theme, genre, style etc is and I can't explain it.  I guess it's because I love to mix and match.  I think a lot of people probably think it is random, but it suits me.

I like what I have on my walls to be meaningful to me and my family.  I rarely just hang a random picture.  It really has to be sentimental.  

Sometimes being sentimental means you hold on to way too much......or so say one of my best friends and my husband.  I believe someday they will host an intervention in my behalf to get rid of my "sentimental" treasures.  

Then there are the "treasures" you find that are rare or one of a kind.  One of the best places to go for that is an architectural salvage or antique shop.   I love "Georges" in Salt Lake City.

Both a friend and I recently found amazing pieces at our local architectural salvage.  Mine are MATCHING {rare to find} and each about 5 feet high...I'm combining these "vintage" pieces with new sconces.

IT'S NOT FOR EVERYBODY.  As you can see by this picture below..... and I'm pretty sure a mouse or a rat might jump out at any minute other than the 3 huge bags of kitty litter in the back of the store.   The kitty litter and the thrill of the "hunt" keep me going back.

I love finding vintage pieces, but many may just call them old.  My sweet husband has humored me the last month, but my new rule {from him} is no more buying things with "flecked" paint or if it looks "old".  It's "vintage" I say.

Elsa Bags and Vanilla Pie

Back in December when The Swanky Isis spotlighted some holiday fashions on our local NBC affiliate, KSL Studio 5, one of our vendors/designers we featured was "Vanilla Pie."  Adorable embellished shirts as well as other little odds and ends adorned our baby models.  So, so darling.

Well, Vanilla Pie designer, Nicole Choules has other little treasures up her sleeve.  Check out her fun blog and darling Elsa bags here.

I love the embellished tees.  So simple, yet they have a fun flare that make fabric turn into FABulous!   

Here are a few more of her creations. 

You can contact Nicole via her blog or if you are local to Utah, visit her at this week's Beehive Bazaar.

Nicole doesn't know this, but I re-visit one post on her blog just to goo and gah over her creation for her baby.  I LOVE this dress.  She is so talented.  Check it out here.

One Word: Anthropologie

I instantly fell in love with this wall at Anthropologie and it's making an appearance soon in my home.  Probably Tennessee's room.  It is made out of moss, but I can think of other options for materials and other rooms.  I love these types of projects and can't wait to finish unpacking so I can start!

Storytelling Wall

I love this idea.  I am working on putting something together for my new home.  However, I am wrapping it between two walls.......I think!!!! {if that makes sense}  We'll see, but I'm totally copying the idea from the creative Elizabeth Kartchner. 

BTW,  I don't like to waste, nor do I have  THE TIME to waste perusing endless blogs, but I love Elizabeth Kartchner's.  The photos are from a blog featuring her wall here, but you can go to her exact blog here.

Half Full or Half Empty?

Do you look at life with a half full or 
half empty attitude?  

I'm am so grateful for those in my life who live with a half full attitude.  They exude a quality of greatness and goodness.  They are positive people to be around.  They inspire and live life according to core values they have set for themselves and are unwavering in them. If I'm thinking out loud, maybe it is that firmness that gives them confidence to be who they are....or vice versa.

I have realized the last several months there is a great deal of goodness out there in the world and in people. Goodness is easy to be around and comfortable.

I remember hearing when I was in high school, "You may not remember what people say, but you will always remember how they make you feel."  

People with a half full attitude almost always have goodness about them and make you want to keep coming around.  

Who are the half full people in your life?  I love how I feel like I want to be a better person when I'm around these people.

Soup 'ta Nuts: Great Weekend

So what does it take for you to have a great weekend?  Usually it's the simple things for us. Soup to nuts, we had a great weekend.  Think about what made yours great.

It started with last minute pedicures for me and Tennessee and finished with some breezy backyard golf for her and her dad.  I was trying to capture these great pink blossoms in our new surroundings and caught her giving the ball a whack. 

Island Way Sorbet

There are many little treasures of sugar and sweetness I pine for, but I really just get happy when I see these Island Way Sorbet's in real fruit bowls at Costco.  They are seasonal, so snatch them up while you can. Kids love them too.

Not too bad calorie wise except the coconut, which happens to be my favorite....of course!

Throwback To The 80's: Coral

{Nordstrom}

{Dress and Shoes: "Pale Coral", JCrew/Crewcuts}

 
These fashions above have inspired and spilled over into design. You can see it everywhere. Coral in various hues is all the rage again.

I'm so busy these days, so for the sake of time, I'm not looking for all my decor photos online which I'm using for inspiration, but the coral is out there and I love it. 

I dream about design and decor all day long.  Especially now that I am in my new house and the I see possibilities everywhere.  I didn't really realize how much I love design and decorating until my late 20's, but I think that is because I was too busy.....being busy "growing up" with school and a career. Decorating my little Tennessee's nursery was my first real project.  I love to see what others do as well.  Even if it isn't my style, I love it.  I could tour homes all day long.  I love, love, love it.

OK, so I am really into color, color, color right now.  I would never say I am a coral or orange-ee person, HOWEVER, it must be the "pink" hue which turns orange into coral that does it for me as of late. {I do have to say I remember one of the classiest women I knew growing up had a blue and orange sitting room in her killer home and I always adored it.}

Coral is popping up everywhere. Can you say Circa 1982?   I even found a beautiful coral/turquoise beach wedding.  That's so Miami Vice, but I am loving it.  Check it out here.  Isn't that gate and those flowers to die for?

I wish I could find a photo online, but I saw a color scheme of coral, purple and violet.  I've decided to give it a go in my laundry/office room.  I'll post pictures when it is complete.  Excited to be a little "out there".

Pillow Heaven

I love pillows. My husband thinks I am over-the-top, but what guy loves them as much as we do? The more, the merrier I say. 

I must have been out of sorts thinking I would leave my new couch bare. What?  That's not me.   I started throwing on pillows yesterday and now, I love it.  

I am a bit excited about the leopard print one. Slipped it in just to see if I could get away with it.  Alex loves the overall look, so I think that's why he let the fact it is pink AND leopard.....slide.

I day dream all the time about how I want things to look and then I try to figure out how to get them there.  Or, I see a piece I can't live without, and that becomes my new inspiration. Eventually I will have a cream ottoman (shape TBD) with a pleated skirt. 

 {Pictures via iPhone}

My personal guidelines for decorating with pillows:

1.  I am not an heiress nor a rock star, so I do have a budget to follow.  I think the key is buying a few custom tailored or high-end designer pieces.  They can't all be....nor should they be pricey.  

I love a a very comfortable environment in my home so I want someone to feel they can grab a pillow when they want.    Also, I think you can train your family to use the "less expensive" ones for leisure......especially if you have lots of options. If there is a variety and only two are off limits, they'll stay nice longer.  SO....spend your $$$ on a few key pillows.

2.  Stain protect them.  Bi-annually keeps them easy to wipe off and keeps you less freaky about them getting dirty.  I love Camp Dry in the blue can.  I can't remember what the other Camp Dry ones are, but they stink....literally.   This one smells good.  You can find it in the shoe section at Target.  Always do a test patch first.

3.  Go for feather-filled, preferably goose-down. They just look nicer, are generally more well made and you an cut them. 

cut: make a slight karate chop in the middle for fluff and form

4.  Use pillows to capture the elements and shapes you've used in the room.  Round or square for ottomans, picture frames and clocks.  

My piano is an apparent part of my new home.  I so appreciate it {inherited} and I love the beauty of it, but it is dated.  One aspect of the piano contributing to it's dated look is the lattice music rest.  I incorporated a pillow on the couch in the same room {see picture} with a lattice design and I love the subtle difference it makes. Now....I just need to figure out how I'm going to refinish it.

Things That Make Me Feel Grown Up

A stack of "finals" waiting to be graded on my husband's desk.  It is weird he is the professor...not the student.  It is so fun to see him teach, but strange we've been out of the student phase for so long. 

It really does make a difference if I buy "clinical strength" deodorant.  OK, I said it.  You might get this,  if you are 32+....if you don't get it, 2 in 4 of you will.  I gave my friend a hard time a few years back when she stopped wearing deodorant because nothing worked and she didn't see the point.  Sadly, I understand it all too well now.  It's not a marketing gimmick.  It does make a difference AND work.

Books like "How Not To Look Old"  are totally on my radar.  AND I do actually do some of the no-no's.