Easy Home Updates for Summer

Hey everyone! It's been a full month since my last post. If I really want to stay on top of this blog thing, I really should post more, huh? Well, one of THE most amazing things has happened this month - I'm engaged! So naturally I'm pretty much non-stop thinking about what our wedding plans will be and believe me, I have a lot of ideas :) I will keep you posted on that, but in the meantime I've put together ways to update your home for summer. I love introducing more greenery, lightening up my bedding, and switching out candles for more summery scents. What are your go-to summer home updates??

1 / summer candle / white company

The White Company just opened by my job, and when I checked it out I fell in love. I LOVE their candles like this summer scent one and they also have a lavender one that is amazing.

2 / organic washed linen sheet sets / west elm

I love switching out my sheet sets to something lighter and more breathable - in the summer and winter, too. Something like a washed cotton or linen will have a lighter feel and keep you cooler at night.

3 / eva tassel + kyoto pillow covers / serena + lily

One thing is for sure - I love pillows. I think it's great to use lighter or darker neutrals for your main pillows so you have more versatility to mix in others when the seasons change.

4 / white stone terrarium / west elm

I absolutely love this terrarium collection! I have one that has the natural wood as the base. Each one is handmade and the glass is actually burned and then melted onto the wood. I would recommend going to a west elm if you can to pick yours in person like I did. 

5 / multi colored dish towels / anthropologie

Switching up your dishtowels in the kitchen is a small, fun way to get in the summer spirit.

6 / striped bath mat / target 

Changing out your bath accessories like your bath mat, towels and shower curtain is also another small, fun way to bring summer into your home.

7 / favorite fruit pot / anthropologie

I love how whimsical these planters are! Perfect for summer. 

xo,

Lauren

Dream Outdoor Oasis

Okay -- summer is right around the corner people! I mean, for me it's pretty much been summer since February living in SoCal (sorry my east coast loves). If you don't know already, I currently reside in 800 square feet of space in our 1 bedroom apartment in Orange County and that's including our patio. So, you can't blame me for coming up with my dream outdoor oasis, right? Plus, working at west elm and being around all the summer floorset has me dreaming every day at work. Now about this post -- I've chose some great finds from some of my favorite stores >> Anthropologie, west elm, cb2, One Kings Lane & more. See below for links to each item! 

1 // iris chevron planter and stand / $129 for medium size / west elm 
2 //markua outdoor sectional and table set / $1,299 / one kings lane
3 // outdoor idriss print lumbar pillow / $59.50 / pottery barn
4 // portland lanterns / $49 each / z gallerie
woven round rattan tray / $59 / west elm
5 // ja dora maar planter / $795 / jonathan adler
6 // huron lounge chair / $594 sale / west elm
huron ottoman / $195 sale / west elm
banana leaf outdoor lumbar pillow / $43 / home decorators
7 // magical thinking hand-knotted hanging planter / $29 / urban outfitters
8 // tam tam side table / $98 / urban outfitters
9 // saddlestitch all weather area rug 53x76" / $89 / home decorators
10 // sophia silver dining chair / $85 / cb2
11 // fuze gray bistro table / $599 / cb2
12 // john vogel teak lounger / $1,299 / west elm
13 // remy ceramic side table - white / $119.99 sale / west elm
14 // faceted lanterns / $39-49 / west elm

I'm seriously in love with it all. I know I chose many neutrals and not a lot of bold colors but that's nothing you couldn't switch up with some decor. I just love the relaxed vibe that these pieces have when put together.  The John Vogel teak loungers are probably my must have piece of them all! Which part is your favorite??





Xo,

Spring is Here!: West Elm Spring Mood Board

Happy Spring! Even though in SoCal the weather 90% of the time feels like spring or summer, I know my fellow NYer's back at home are enjoying the fact that winter is officially over! As some of you may know I work at west elm and as a home stylist there I have my own clients and in some cases I get to create really fun mood boards for them featuring our product whether it's all west elm or incorporating west elm with their existing furniture/decor. There are SO many new items coming in for summer so I thought of creating a mood board that featured some of these items. I'm just loving all the coral hues mixed with neutrals and brass -- it reminded me of a spring/summer color palette so I thought it was a perfect day to share :) I'm especially in love with the new Steven Alan summer line at west elm. The pillows in his collection that I incorporated into this design also come in a Blue Lagoon color palette that is equally worth drooling over. Not to mention this chenille/wool blend rug is amazing -- it's a certified fair trade rug which means not only is it handcrafted but it was also made in a safe working environment for the artisans AND gives back to the community where it was made with each fair trade purchase. Such a worth while purchase, don't ya think? I hope you all enjoy this design as much as I did putting it together. I already love it and it doesn't even have the finishing touches OR an owner -- anyone want to volunteer? ;)

1 / ice cube interior-exterior paint / sherwin-williams / west elm summer collection
2 / whitewashed wood wall art 
3 / peggy sectional 
4 / steven alan centered and colorblock ribbon pillow covers
jay street ashti pom pom pillow cover
woven metallic pillow cover
silk loomed pillow cover in rose bisque 
5 / oversized metal rod in antiqued brass
6 / sheer chevron curtains in stone white
7 / palmette chenille wool kilim rug
8 / marble pillar table lamp
9 / terrace side table in antiqued brass
10 / grid frame coffee table
11 / cube sculpture
12 / mid-century media console large - white  





Which piece is your favorite? 

PS. I have some really fun DIY abstract art tutorials in the works. I recently hurt my dominant thumb (stitches--ouch!) so when I'm all healed up that's one of the first things I will be finishing. Stay tuned!




Xo,

Outdoor Pillows: Fun, Stylish & Reasonable

You may have already purchased your outdoor pillows for this spring and summer season but if not here are a variety of fun, weather resistant pillows that would work in a bunch of different style outdoor spaces. What's great about pillows is that that you can buy new ones at any time and change the whole mood of your space. What's not to like about that?? 

1. Happy Chic by Jonathan Adler Outdoor Square Decorative Pillow / $12.49 / JC Penny

2. Outdoor Ogee Pillow / $39 / West Elm

3. Hello Yellow Pillow / $34.95 / CB2

4. Threshold Navy Chevron Pillow / $12.95 / Target

5. Pisa Square Outdoor Pillow / $18 / Home Decorators

6. Coral Outdoor Pillow / $35 / Grand In Road

7. Outdoor Stripe Tile Pillow / $12.95 / West Elm

8. Green and Aqua Dotted Ikat Outdoor Pillow / $24.99 / World Market

9. Calliope Jute Trim Pillow in Spice / $25 / Pier 1

10. Weverly Awning Stripe in Turquoise & Cream / $22 / Outdoor Pillows on Etsy  

There you have it - a bunch of my favorite outdoor pillows & they all come at a reasonable price. The list could of definitely went on but I think I gave you a good start :) Each site has tons more options you can check out also!

Xo,