Home Decor // Art Inspired

Found myself pretty inspired by that last Reagan Geschardt painting. . .

art // floor lamp (major want!!!) // sofa // side table // zebra pillow (similar) // suzani pillow sold (similar)

credenza // lamp (always always something blue) // sculpture // coffee table

Artist // Reagan Geschardt

No surprise that these abstracts from Reagan Geschardt absolutely slay me.

Sands at Sunset

Fields of Lavendar

Fuscia

Water Lilies

Strangely, even though I am wildly attracted to the glorious brights above, I see this one working out best at home.
Stunning over a sofa or dining room buffet, no??

Sunrise

Wishing you an equally glorious weekend! ox

House Guest // Peonies and Brass

I'm excited to welcome today's house guest, whose style always appeals to the girly decorator in me. Her DIY skills are truly enviable and her taste in rugs is top notch (how do you score them, Elyse?!)

She's brought a little bit of spring our way and since we're rocking snow on the ground in Kansas City, I'm taking as much of that as I can get! Thanks for stopping by, Elyse!

. . . . . . .

Hey BIA lovers, Elyse from Peonies & Brass here, feeling positively giddy to be Tobe's house guest today!

If you follow Tobe on Instagram (and if you don't, you should!) then you know that it's not looking much like spring where she is. Two feet of fresh snow does not pretty new blooms make! Sadly, the same is true for a lot of us, but if you're anything like me you're still itching to usher old man winter out the door. So today I thought I'd bring you my tips/picks for fakin' it until we make it - Mother Nature be damned!

For me, welcoming spring is all about bringing luscious colour back into our lives - from watery blues, to berry pinks, to lemonade yellows. Take these two gorgeous spaces, for example. Don't they just scream sing spring?

These pretty ladies are all about taking a blank (dare I say wintry) white canvas and injecting pure joy into it, using nothing but punchy new textiles and natural textures. The best part? Maximum impact with minimum commitment. No new sofas or wallpaper paste required - just some well chosen accessories to add some serious drama. Even that stunner of a headboard is actually just a pretty scarf thrown over a neutral one!

Here are some of my pieces to help to get this season started, and quick:

1. If you're on board with the switch-up, but not with a full-on rainbow, try cool blues and greens in patterns that evoke all kinds of life - from jungle cats to fig trees! 
2. Baskets are a great way to bring in natural texture, plus they'll help you organize after that big spring cleaning. Nate's new offerings for Target are cheap and cheery, a total win win!
3. Not afraid of a little boom boom pow? Then these bold pillows -from three of my fave etsy sellers - might be right up your alley! {hot pink // ikat // gold zig zag}
4. I came across these vintage Bolivian blankets in the most recent Lonny, and they completely stole my heart! They'd be perfect as a pop of colour at the end of the bed, or to cover a boring banquette. Kantha quilts are another great option! 
5. If you can't have fresh flowers, grab the next best thing. A change of seasons is just the excuse I need to indulge in a whole host of pretty new scents!
6. West Elm's Soumake Jute rug is totally on point and easy on the wallet. Want something with a little (or a lot) more colour? Check out my fave turkish kilim vendor on ebay - you won't believe the selection and prices.

Thanks so much for having me Tobe! Here's hoping we all get a little real sunshine soon! xoxoxo

Interiors // Neutral Nurseries

 Jamie Meares via Lonny magazine

Since Eric and I have our 20 week sonogram today (!!!!), it seemed appropriate to talk baby. In case you missed that, we are actually going to see our little nugget in there!! So amazing. I have been waiting for this day for ages. Things are definitely starting to get real around here. My belly is expanding enough that my current pants are just a wee too tight (for all of you other preggers ladies out there, Joe's maternity jeans are a dream), there's always something new happening with my body, we're looking at day care options and, frankly, I'm starting to freak out. Who decided that I should be responsible for a life?!

We've opted not to find out whether we have a Mini Me or Mini E on the way (I know. We're crazy like that.) which means nursery decor will need to remain pretty neutral. I'm not ready to divulge details just yet -- mostly because the room is still acting as a catchall -- but there are a few standout spaces that are seriously inspiring me lately.

Estee Stanley via Lonny magazine

I love the idea of staying pretty light and bright. Pure white may be out of the question as the room just doesn't get that kind of natural light and I don't want it feeling dingy, but I have some colorways in mind.

Design Crisis

Erin killed it in her little man's room. Kid friendly but keeps true to the rest of her amazing home's eclectic, vintage inspired style.

Laura Garcia via Lonny magazine

Per usual, part of me still leans in the exact opposite direction. Dark and moody.

The Cottage Mix

The Glow

Think dark vs light has any effect on a little one's psyche?

* Also, unless you guys tell me differently in the comments, yesterday was my one and only recipe post. Since I usually gauge post popularity by comments and other social media reactions, doesn't seem like that went over too well. Which is totally fine. I'm no food blogger. But speak now or forever hold your peace...

Awesome Eats 01 // No Fail Vegetarian Chili

While I would never in a million years try to trick you into thinking that I'm a master in the kitchen, there are just a few super easy, no-fail recipes that stay on steady rotation at our house. Since I get some interest when I instagram them, I thought I would go ahead and share a few here. You should know that I'm not big on handling raw meat so if I take on dinner duty, it's usually of the vegetarian variety. Sorry meat eaters!

My mom introduced us to this chili a month or two back and we just made it for the third time. The words easy and delicious both come to mind. And both are serious understatements! Most of these ingredients are likely hiding in your pantry, just itching to be thrown together for one of the best meals ever!

NO FAIL VEGETARIAN CHILI

You'll need:

- 2 T canola oil
- 2 thinly sliced carrots
- 1 coarsely chopped bell pepper
- 1 diced zucchini
- 1 28oz can of crushed tomatoes
- 2 15oz cans of beans (we use whatever we have on hand; kidney, pinto and black beans all work well)
- 1 15oz can corn with liquid
- 6oz tomato paste
- 4oz chopped green chiles with liquid
- 1 T chili powder (more if you like it hot)
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 T ground cumin
- 1 T sugar
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- garnish*

Directions (so easy):

1 // Heat oil over medium heat. Add onion, carrots and bell pepper and saute for 8 minutes.
2 // Add zucchini and saute for another 7 minutes.
3 // Stir in tomatoes, beans, corn, tomato paste, green chiles, chili powder, oregano, cumin, sugar and black pepper. Bring to a boil then reduce to simmer for 45 minutes.
4 // Serve with your choice of garnish.

* It's AMAZING with fresh chopped cilantro if you're a fan. We also like to sprinkle a bit of shredded cheese as evidenced above. Sometimes I like elbow pasta with my chili. And I haven't tried it, but crushed crackers are a sure winner. If you have other garnish suggestions, would love to see them in the comments!

Monday Blues // 28

Holy. Amazing.

What a beautifully fresh juxtaposition of modern and traditional.

Anyone have an extra 4.7 mil laying around for me?

1050 Filbert Street via Grey and Scout

That natural light is truly enviable, no?
And those turquoise chairs? I die.

Getting Personal // Five Things

My dearest Jacquelyn tagged me to participate in the Five Things phenom floating around the blogsphere, and as one of my very first blogger friends, I find her hard to turn down. Then Elizabeth went and did the same so I officially haaaaave to do it! So here goes . . . five things you may or may not care to know about me:

ONE

 Bev Cooks

I could probably eat pasta for every meal. I looooooooove it in all of its glutenous glory. Sometimes I'm good and go the gluten free or spaghetti squash route, but usually I just opt for the whole wheat version and pat myself on the back.

Mexican is a close second.

TWO

 Fash for Fashion

Unlike much of blogland, I care very little about clothes. As in, it pains me to buy them. I would 1,000x rather spend money on my home or a great night out than anything that goes on my person, and I would quite willingly pay good money to have someone else tell me what to put in my closet and how to wear it. Any takers for a trade? :)

When I am making purchases, I tend to err on the casual side and just pray it doesn't look too sloppy. I would rock this look everyday! And I do get excited about accessories, so please don't shun me completely . . .

THREE

 These Are Things world map

I read maps upside down. For some reason, my quirky little brain pictures north at the bottom instead of the top. It causes a lot of problems when on roadtrips. Left. NO RIGHT. NO LEFT.

 FOUR

 one of my favorite captured moments, well into the evening of our wedding day

I never wanted to get married . . . but I always wanted children. Maybe it was because my parents divorced when I was young or maybe because I just never had great luck with men boys, but I insisted that I would never marry from a shockingly young age. The idea just didn't appeal to me. I fell in love repeatedly and even hoped that a couple of them would last foreverever, but it wasn't until Eric came into the picture that it felt like actual legal marriage could (and would!) mean something.

Goes without saying that I was never one of those girls that dreamed about their wedding day either. But I think we did all right.

I did write a paper in seventh grade suggesting that I would be a foster parent so kids were apparently always a go?! I was also going to be a radiologist, so what did I know?

FIVE

 Society 6

I love cats. Like, psychotically love them. If I hadn't fallen for a man with allergies, I would probably be on my way to becoming a straight up cat lady.

And (gasp!) I really don't like dogs.

I know. Inhuman.

Happy Friday, friends! ox

Interiors // David Jimenez's Kansas City Condo

Soooo . . . in the interest of not laying things on too thick, I'm nothing short of obsessed with David Jimenez's style. The man calls on my masculine tendencies like none other. If you haven't seen his portfolio of gorgeous homes (including two Palm Springs residences and his previous KC Hyde Park abode), then you really should take a peek.

Only natural that when Jaclyn told me his latest condo reno is featured in this month's Architectural Digest, stalking immediately commenced. Needless to say, Mr. Jimenez does not disappoint.

David Jimenez, Architectural Digest

That second shot demonstrates how beautiful this would look with a smoked glass top, no??

A couple of fun facts: David is a fellow Hallmarker, although I have yet to formally meet him.

The credenza in our dining room is from his estate sale right before the move to this beautiful new space.

Want in Every Color // 05

I suspect that some of us are feeling a little bit over the whole agate trend.

By some of us, I do not mean me.

Because let's talk about one of these beauties under a famously delicious dish looking dead sexy in the center of your table, hmmmm?

That's what I thought, too. GIMME.

Type Tuesday // Eat.Drink.Americano.

Give me a restaurant where I can nosh on some great food and stare at a wall like this during my meal, and I think you have yourself a repeat customer.

Eat.Drink.Americano. as captured by Bonnie Tsang

Talk to me, people. Have we visited the sale???

Monday Blues // 27

Monday Monday Monday . . . only, this is one I've actually been looking forward to! For those of you interested in shopping the One Kings Lane Tastemaker Sale (seriously, pinch me), that bad boy will go live at 6p PST / 8p CST. Prepare to get your shop on!

If you're not already a member of One Kings Lane (and that would be cray), you can earn a $15 credit towards your first purchase by joining here. Bonus!

Mary McDonald via Traditional Home

One Kings Lane Blogger Tastemaker Sale

So this is only one of the most exciting posts I've ever written. No big deal. Except that I finally get to tell you that I will be joining six other obscenely amazing individuals in a One Kings Lane Blogger Tastemaker Sale launching next Monday, March 18!!

Obviously not peeing myself at all. Just another day in the life, ya'll.

I am beyond honored to be among these fine folk, and I really think there will be something for everyone in this sale. Here's just a tiny peek at what I'll have up for grabs:

full 143 pc gold bamboo flatware // Amy Kligman original art // lucite and glass coffee table

set of 3 turquoise glass canisters // brass faux bamboo nesting tables // marbled ginger jar lamps

Brass, turquoise, colorful art . . . Shocking, I know.

I hope you'll check out the sale!!! If you're not already signed up, you can do that here.

Happy weekend! ox

Photography // Steve Back, Hutt Lagoon

Just.

Completely unreal.

Steve Back Photography

Sidenote: Did anyone else see that Google Reader will be no more after July of this year?! What the whaaaaaa? I am going to have to start preparing now. If you don't follow BIA via Facebook, Bloglovin or Twitter (dah - you obviously should be), how do you follow? Please share since many of us will be seeking out and/or accommodating new methods!

Home Decor // Loving Lately

rug // chandelier // bolster pillow // lamp // sofa // horn tray // cocktail table // dining table

Perfect Package // Circle 21 Candles

Ever the sucker for a pretty package, I am smitten with this beautiful Circle 21 candle collection and simple branding.

Circle 21 via Lovely Package, design by Nudge

Monday Blues // 26

Apologies for the little hiatus last week. Things be gettin busy around here! This week is shaping up to be much the same.

You may have seen out there in the blogsphere that one of those things keeping me busy (mostly praying to Mother Nature for some actual spring weather) is the upcoming Home Depot Patio Style Challenge. I'm excited to be participating this year, and have lots of plans for pulling our patio together at lightning speed once we're able.

Since right now our patio looks like a lotta this, we have a way to go. I'm excited to see what these other fine folks put together as well! You can see our collected inspiration on the Style Challenge Pinterest board.

As I've been pulling inspiration of my own, I've realized that I am very much about the casual, weathered old world garden look. (A la half of Arch Digest's outdoor gallery.)

Architectural Digest

But I'm also all about bright, lively and modern outdoor rooms like these.

1 // 2 & 3 // 4

Ultimately, my recipe for success is comfort, style and lots of potted plants. Probably some turquoise.

Now if we could just get the weather to turn so we can get the patio furniture out, we'll have a good start.

Happy Monday!

Monday Blues // 25

Eric Linebarger Photography for Because It's Awesome

Dining room snippet. Woop!

Happy Monday!