Color Me {Coastal Christmas}

While a white Christmas sounds lovely, the only kind of Christmas for me is a coastal Christmas. I'm the kind of person who gets cold when temperatures drop below 70, the kind of person who can't imagine having to scrape ice off my windshield in the morning, the kind of person who doesn't really own a "coat", and I prefer to keep it that way. A coastal Christmas means starfish tree toppers and more aqua than red and green.

It's no secret I'm a beach fanatic. For now though, we are living in a landlocked city meaning I have to bring the beach to me. Even if you don't live near the coast you can create a coastal Christmas wherever you are. Keep the color scheme light and bright with beige, silver and shades of blue. Create homemade ornaments out of starfish and skirt the tree with loose burlap. I'll share my coastal Christmas details with you later in the week, but here's a little inspiration board to get you started!

Have a great Monday!

Color Me {Splash Zone}

After a month of rain, I guess I should be jumping for joy over the amount of sunshine we've had this weekend. Don't get me wrong, I am really excited about the excessive sun, but with that comes ridiculous heat. This past weekend has to have been one of the hottest we've had all summer. The simplest of tasks was accompanied by pure exhaustion from the heat. It left me longing for a big body of water to help beat the heat. The chill would be refreshing on such a day accompanied by an ice cold beverage. Just looking at the cool water even helps with the scorcher. So, as we gear up for an equally hot day today, I'm going to remembering these images hoping to stay just the slightest bit cooler!

Have a chill Monday!

Party DIY {Star Spangled Table Runner}

Another day another DIY. We've decorated our windows, now it's time to add a splash to the food tables. I love to use table runners to give that pop of color and pattern. You don't have to worry about food spilling on them either making for easy clean-up. I keep a stash of them for every occasion but when one doesn't fit the bill, making a custom one is always fun. For this Fourth of July holiday, I was looking for a runner with a bit of flair. I wanted something with a traditional feel but in an unconventional way. The stars give that undoubtedly patriotic look but the aqua and artistic royal stars give it the updated look I was going for. Here's the how to...

:: Supplies ::
Table Runner
Royal Blue Acrylic Paint
Aqua Acrylic Paint
Red Acrylic Paint
Star Stencil
Pencil
Paint Brush

:: Directions ::
1. Trace star stencil with pencil on to table runner in desired pattern.
2. Paint 1/3 of the stars aqua and 1/3 red.  Paint the remaining 1/3 with the royal paint. To achieve the abstract look, use the tip of your paint brush to paint the outline of the star feathering out the ends.

Happy Wednesday!

Color Me {Red, White & Blue}

Happy Monday! It's Fourth of July week and we are gearing up for a week full of patriotic goodness. Over the next couple days, I will be posting some fun all American DIYs to make your July 4th gathering stand out. Today, though, I'm sharing the inspiration behind the celebration. Stars and stripes provide not only great pattern but symbolic meaning accompanied by signature shades of red, white, and blue. I plan to fill the house with bundles of red carnations and blue hydrangeas, DIY flag garland, star spangled table runners, and more. July 4th is the quintessential All American summer holiday, and one of my favorites I must say. I can't wait for the week of festive posts and the big celebration on Thursday. Until then, let's just enjoy the inspiration and dream of fireworks to come...

Have a happy day!

Color Me {Sea Life}

I've been craving a vacation for a while now, dreaming of going back to the days where summer meant sleeping in, hanging at the beach, and riding bikes. But, the real world ruins those plans after college graduation unfortunately. Early mornings, late nights and weekends have left me exhausted. I find solace though staring at images of everything I imagine summer to be. Shades of bright blue, pictures of pools, cocktails, the sun shining, afternoon thunderstorms, and sea creatures have me imagining I've transported myself back to the days where how defined my tan lines were was the biggest worry. Seeing as how I have yet to win the lottery, reliving those days is far away. Until then, I will continue to stare at these amazing renditions of sea creatures and believe that when I step out my front door I'll be at the beach (my happy place!) with a cocktail in hand. So raise a glass and let's all toast to being on an imaginary vacation this week! Have a great Monday y'all!

Happy Memorial Day!

Happy Memorial Day friends. I hope everyone is enjoying their long holiday weekend. Today’s post is going to be short and sweet so you can all get back to the party! While today is full of celebration and fun, it’s about more than just BBQs and pool parties. Take some time today to remember those who have fought for our country, those who have made the ultimate sacrifice giving you to ability to celebrate today.  Without those individuals, we would not be the country we are. Thank you to all the veterans and those currently serving in our armed forces. Words could never express how grateful I truly am for you!

Have a safe Memorial Day! 

Beach Brunching

If you haven't checked out the latest issue of LPF Mag yet, shame on you. But if you have, then you probably saw my feature on brunching in style. I wanted to create three very different brunch experiences that you can replicate at home on as big or small of a scale as you want. In the article, I gave style tips on creating your own beach brunch by using shades of blue and gathered black shells as a centerpiece. You don't have to set up a table on the beach like I did to create a lovely beach themed brunch at home! Serve up chicken biscuits, yogurt parfaits, fresh fruit and scones.  With relaxing colors, bold patterns, and bloody mary's, this brunch is a perfect way to ring in beach season.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas! Hopefully by the time you are reading this, you have already seen the goodies Santa brought and indulged in a little Christmas morning brunch. I'm forgoing a regular post today so that I can celebrate with loved ones. So with a mimosa in hand, I wish you a happy celebration and a joyous day with family and friends! I will see you right back here tomorrow as we start to prepare for the new year! 

Merry Christmas dolls!

Color Me {Navy Blue}

Fall is a colorful time of year filled with reds, oranges, and browns. And, while those colors have beauty in there own right, I'm ready to take over fall and create a whole new chic color pallet for the season. I'm thinking navy, gray, camel, and burgundy are the perfect shades for a modern fall revolution. Navy has been one of my favorites for a while now. It transitions beautifully between all seasons and a wonderfully interesting neutral. It pairs well with other neutrals like gray, cream, and black but helps shades like eggplant, burgundy, and mustard pop. Which ever way you pair it, I vote to inaugurate navy into the fall pallet!

Happy Labor Day!

Happy Labor Day y'all! It's been a long, great summer and I'm very sad to see it come to an end. With traveling about and celebrating many milestones with great friends, I have sure made some memories to last. So, with the summer officially over, let's all send it out with a big bang today. I am hosting a beer tasting party a bit later today that will be featured in the next issue of LPF Mag. I can't wait to see it all brought together and spend one last summer night with friends. Instead of creating a whole new inspiration board for you today, I wanted to share one of my favorites centered around the dream of an endless summer.

Hope you all have a great holiday. How will you be celebrating the end of summer?

Color Me {Stars & Stripes}

I know it might look like I'm trying to celebrate the 4th of July all over again, but I'm not. It's time to celebrate my favorite athletic event (or series of events), The Olympics! It only comes around once every four years, so it's time to do it big and bust out the stars and stripes and root on the U.S. in true American style.  For your Olympics viewing party, stars and stripes are a must. Not only is it fun pattern play, but incredibly patriotic. If you can't be there in person, I must say that this is definitely the best way to celebrate! Striped linens, flag cupcake or burger toppers, and star shaped foods will complete the setting in perfect patriotism.

Color Me {Indigo}

Hi lovlies and happy Monday! I'm feeling major inspiration today from the classics. Whether it be old movies, timeless books, or a pair of blue jeans, you just can't go wrong with something that never goes out of style. Whenever I'm in a bind for design inspiration or the perfect outfit, I always reach for the staples like a little black dress, a pair of dark skinny jeans, or a nice sailor stripe. Well, today, I was feeling in quite a bind for the perfect color. Nothing was really inspiring me, until I began to think about my go-tos and realized that the unmistakable shade of denim indigo was just what I was hoping for. This dark shade of blue brings a classic casual touch to any event. Reminiscent of your favorite pair of blue jeans, the hue can be incorporated in a number of ways. You can keep it as the focal point or simply use it to accent brighter colors like yellow or pink. Either way you use it, it is sure to bring a timeless feel to the room. 

Essentially {4th of July}

Happy almost 4th! It's time to start making those final party plans and preparing for a patriotic celebration. There are so many things I naturally associate with the 4th of July that it can be hard to pin down a specific focus for a get together. For this party, I wanted to focus on American classics, you know, the things that represent American tradition. Here are some of my must haves for classic patriotic  celebration...

1. Sparklers: No Independence Day is complete without an outstanding fireworks show. But, if you are anything like me, you are too scared to set them off yourself. Sparklers are the perfect compromise and it's so fun to see what shapes you can make before they burn out!

2. Hot Dogs: A true American favorite. Whether you like it topped with chili and cheese or mustard and relish, this handheld dish is great for large gatherings. Make it fun for guests and do a hot dog bar featuring all the toppings they could imagine like ketchup, mustard, onions, relish, chili, cheese and whatever else you can thing of.

3. Cracker Jacks: This fun snack even comes with a prize inside. Serve it up as an appetizer or give each guest a box as they leave. Either way, the ball park delicacy should find a home at your soiree.

4. Red, White, & Blue Decor: Incorporate our nation's colors wherever possible such as in your food, in banners or signs, or even on the table. Make up cute sayings like "Sweet Liberty" to top off cupcakes or other sweet treats. 

5. The American Flag: No explanation necessary. The symbol of our great nation should be the focus of the event. Get creative and incorporate the different flags throughout the years.

6. Mason Jars: A true Southern American classic. While the clear jars get the point across, if you have some vintage blue jars lying around use them as vases, silverware holders, or even cups. The shade of blue is gorgeous and keeps with your color theme. 

Color Me {Red, White, & Blue}

Hi dolls! I hope everyone had a fabulous last week. Mine was amazingly relaxing and I wish I was back in the Islands already. But, another holiday is upon us and it's time to celebrate. When I was a kid, I used to hate the 4th of July because the fireworks scared the living daylights out of me. But, the older I got, the more I realized what an amazing holiday it is and how much fun it can be. I love incorporating the patriotic stars and stripes in any way possible. Striped linens topped with star shaped treats in the traditional red, white, and blue will make for one chic event. Add in new favorited American traditions like bandanas and mason jars to complete the decor. Serve up cracker jacks, hamburgers and hot dogs to make for the perfect red, white, and blue celebration! 

Celebrate in Style {La Petite Fashionista's Guide to 4th of July Style}

 Fourth of July is the one day of the year you can really show your American spirit and wear all the red, white, and blue you want. I like to add a little bit of sparkle to my looks because after all, you can't let the sparklers glitter more than you!I love the idea of mixing girly and tomboy with a sequin tank and an all-American baseball cap.  I'm also dying to DIY the American flag shorts & Free People has an awesome tutorial for them (http://blog.freepeople.com/2012/06/american-flag-shorts-diy/). It seems like the 4th always falls on one of the hottest days of the year, so make sure whatever you wear is chic & comfortable and save the heels for another day, unless you'll be the one sitting and staking out seats at the 4th of July Parade.

I hope everyone has a fun & safe Independence Day! Thanks for letting me guest post Sarah!

xoxo, lauren

Fabulous 4th of July Looks by lapetitefashionistablog featuring flats

Monki dress
€30 - monki.com

J Crew sequin top
$55 - jcrew.com

J Crew stripe shirt
$78 - jcrew.com

J Crew chambray skirt
$55 - jcrew.com

Jack Wills leather shoes
$90 - jackwills.com

Keds ballet shoes
$55 - endless.com

Flat
$20 - bakersshoes.com

Andrew Hamilton Crawford yellow gold ring
$98 - endless.com

Earrings
$42 - swellcaroline.com

Ebbets Field Flannels® for J.Crew twill ball cap
$45 - jcrew.com

Color Me {Tropical}

Hi sweets! Hope everyone had a relaxing weekend. I am off this week for a much needed vacation in the Bahamas. Feeling inspired today by my tropical destination, I'm lacing this post with the many shades of the Sea of Abaco. From light turquoise to deep blue to clear shades of green, the color combo is one that instantly relaxes me. While I'm exploring the crystal clear waters and relaxing with drink in hand, I've got some great posts lined up for you like 4th of July style pointers from Lauren at La Petite Fashionista and a yummy dish from Jocelyn at Saucy Jocey's Kitchen as well as a few other posts I know you're going to love. 

Hope you all have a fabulous week and I will see you back here in a week!

xoxo

Happy Memorial Day!

Hi dolls! I hope you are enjoying your 3 day weekend as much as I am. I'm spending this bonus day off waiting out the storm in hopes that the rain stops long enough for us to catch some rays by the pool and grill out on the back deck. But even if it doesn't I'm sure we will find some way to celebrate the real meaning of this holiday and honor those who fight for our country everyday. What do you all have planned for today? Hopefully something fun!

I'll be back tomorrow with a fun DIY that screams summer!

Essentially {Memorial Day}

If you stopped by yesterday, you know I gave you some great inspiration to throw your best Memorial Day bash yet. And, today I'm going to give you my essentials for helping make it fantastic. While a grill, delicious food, and laughs are a must, here are some great outdoor dining and party essentials that just happen to be patriotic!

1. Star Napkins (Pottery Barn): These linens are reminiscent of the American flag and almost too pretty to use. I love using linen napkins for a party for a couple reasons. One, they are always more festive and fit your theme. While you do have to do a load of laundry after using them, they are much more absorbent and people don't waste dozens of napkins when they could have used only one. 

2. Claudia Pearson Summer Plates (West Elm): I've always been anti disposables for a party. Especially a small festive gathering in the back yard. By using melamine, you get the same impact as real glassware but without the worry. Melamine can be dropped and tossed around and you don't have to worry about it breaking. Plus, it's 100% dishwasher safe. And, how can you beat the design that can also carry you through the Fourth of July and Labor Day?

3. Red, White, and Blue Bunting (Etsy): While I do always encourage the hanging of the American Flag, especially on patriotic holidays, it can be a little overkill to have it be the main decor item. Try keeping color scheme constant and hanging red, white, and blue bunting across the backyard in All American patterns like gingham and polka dots. 

4. Woven Pitcher (West Elm): Serve up guests delicious cocktails out of the this pitcher that will not only get you through the holiday, but all your summer soirees. The woven outer shell keeps it from sweating all over the table and is nice change from that boring old plastic pitcher everyone is used to. 

5. Crab Party Tub (World Market): Perfect for keeping beers and other drinks iced down in the hot summer heat. The blue stripes and bright red crab, both symbolic of summer, are a cute way to incorporate the colors of the day. It's also a much more eye pleasing alternative to the traditional plain cooler! 

What are you summer party essentials? I'd love to know so I can add them to my list! 

Color Me {All American}

Hi dolls! Happy Monday. I hope everyone had a great weekend. I'm starting to get really excited because one of my favorite holidays is just a week a way. To me, Memorial Day is more than just another day off of work, it symbolizes the start of summer and is an amazing way to remember all the amazing things men and women have stood up for in honor of our country over the years. While the official beginning of summer won't come until the middle of June, I can't help but think of Memorial Day as the unofficial beginning of sun and fun. And, what better way than a patriotic backyard BBQ to welcome in the next couple months of outdoor celebrations. I'm imagining a yard full of friends and family indulging in fresh slices of watermelon, BBQ chicken, homemade ice cream and ice cold beers. Decorate with red, white, and blue accents and throw in touches of the stars and stripes to complete the soiree. If you are lucky, begin the whole fete with a celebration at the beach. After all, Memorial Day does symbolize the official opening of the beaches!

How will you celebrate this amazing and fun holiday next week?

Color Me {Robin's Egg}

The first step is admitting you have a problem, right? Well, here goes nothing. I, Sarah, am addicted to the color blue. Swear. I'm a little too obsessed. I'm constantly having to remind my self that there are other colors to use that are just as lovely. Sometimes it can be a little hard, but I am slowly making steps to ease my obsession. Step 1: branch out from my traditional navy and aqua color scheme that seems to have taken over my home and life. And what better way to branch out than with this gorgeous shade of Robin's Egg. Still a shade of blue, I know, but we are taking baby steps here people. While it's still a little close to aqua, it's subtle grey tint makes it a brilliant shade for spring. Plus, it's neutral enough to not be over the top girly yet still be glamourous. It's perfect to use it in your home, in your wardrobe, or as the color scheme for your next soiree. Try it on your bridesmaids, in your centerpieces, the color inspo for your cake, or even go literal and use candied robin's eggs (like Cadbury Eggs) as escort cards!