Interiors // Lofty Sophistication

Not so sure about that hippo, but I otherwise want to roll around on everything and pee in all the corners of this amaaaaaaaazing space to mark it as my own. Can you imagine? I suddenly need my warm red brick loft walls back in a big way.

Nuevo Estilo

I'm also just sort of assuming these are all from the same space. I can't seem to find the original album on Nuevo Estilo, as I came across the images here (also via Jenny's Pinterest goodness). Blogger fail, I know.

Want in Every Color // 03

My spring wardrobe (yes, I know we're not there yet) is going to need some serious updates, and I'm all over button down blouses that you can dress up or down with almost zero effort. Casual day? Wear it with statement stud earrings, boyfriend jeans and flats. Need a look that can go from day to night? Pair it with a chic skirt or white flares (love these!) and simple heels. Going out? Get it with some bangin earrings (technical term) or a statement necklace, leather pants (affordable version, dah), clutch and heels that bring the hotness. I mean, a classic top that comes in this many colors should be a staple in any girl's closet, no?

Signature Equipment Blouse

Type Tuesday // Jess & Russ

I can't believe so many of you read all the way through yesterday's wordy post! Gosh, you guys are awesome. Your enthusiasm seriously means so much. Thank you!

Today, let's just peep the amazing details of Jessica Hische's wedding, shall we? Jessica is crazy talented, and someone that I've always admired as a typographer/lettering artist, being that I am employed in a very similar trade. If you think you've never heard of her, you've probably seen her work, you just don't realize it.

Long story short, she is responsible for the lettering on all of her beautiful reception elements, and the details could not be more impressive!

 

More delicious details over at 100 Layer Cake.

Monday Blues // 20

It's Monday, ya'll! For once, I'm actually kind of ready. Last week rocked, so I'm looking forward to seeing if this week can do the same. Or, hey, if it's in the mood to top the last 7 days, I'm certainly game.

Today's Monday Blues shot is going to shock you . . . Hey! It's another blue dining room! How does this keep happening? I don't know for sure, but I'm going to guess it has something to do with the fact that we just painted ours a very similar hue. Only ours has WICKED painted out trim and is going to look ridiculous once we hang a proper chandy and get things all dressed up.

In good time.

 McGill Design Group

Last Friday, I put together an Inspired By post that apparently didn't save. Here are a few of the highlights without the pretty pics:

1- Crazy inspired by my girl, Meg, and her new Manifesto line!!!! Cannot WAIT to see this collection as it rolls out each month. And, yes, that is her own amazing handwriting. Don't even call that shiz a font.

2- LOVED reading The Everygirl's Jamie Meares interview. I'm not really one to gush over people publicly, mostly because I think it's gross, but I admire Jamie on so many levels and this interview just demonstrates (yet again) how down to earth, loaded with talent and inspiring she is. The ultimate triple threat!

3- Really, Kimberly? First shot at painting since high school? Be serious. Me wants. Also, that bar is too full. I can help you with that. We can drink out of those pretty little gold rimmed glasses and discuss composition like we're sophisticated.


And just a bit of housekeeping . . .

1- If you follow BIA via Google Reader, you might be happily delighted to see that I've decided to enable full post viewing again. Or maybe you don't give a shit? I don't know. While this goes against everything I've learned about improving official traffic numbers, I have to admit that it drives me insane to have to click out and I've given up on a few blogs myself because of it. So, in the interest of maintaining maximum levels of awesome, there ya go.

2- I knoooooooooow that I keep pumpfaking about showing house updates here. I honestly have every intention of doing so. But it is winter and my daylight hours are scarce and the last thing I care about doing on my precious weekends is styling my house to shoot it unfinished. Sooooo if you really want to see shots of mi casa, I do a pretty good job of posting progress pics on Instagram (@tobe_reed) so follow me there. This is not me, trying to boost my Insta following. I'm just trying to give the people what they want. (And my house just got 20 years younger by going from deep gold to a foxy Parisian gray in the family room, and me thinks you want to see that biznass.)

3- Also, I jumped right on that Vine bandwagon. You?

3- I have big. ass. news to share with you guys very soon!!!!!!!!! And I hate it when people do the whole "exciting news but you have to wait for it" business, but I just cannot contain myself. Major news. Soon.

Whew. That's a lot of words. You still reading?

Happy Monday, playas!

House Guest // (BAD) Blog About Design

Today's house guest is a man after my own heart. He has a great eye for art (umm...holy gorgeous), loves vintage furniture and, as evidenced below, needs to be dressing me. With the cool weather we've been experiencing lately, I'm all over this spring inspiration!

http://www.elledecor.com

Hello Because It's Awesome readers! Brendan here of (BAD) Blog About Design. I want to thank Tobe for having me on today's house guest series. Living in NYC, I'm feeling the cold temperatures. So I wanted to take my mind to spring and out of the winter. The space above was featured in Elle Decor, I love all the pastel colors and bright pinks, oranges, and graphic art in the space. It's an inviting Living Room, that makes you want to kick your feet up and relax. My favorite pieces in the space are the two bright orange armchairs. I'm huge fan of anything vintage. I love the 1960s-80s and often find myself buying pieces from this period. The chairs have a strong form and really ground the seating area. If you want to give your Living Room some updating for the spring, stick to bright solid colors. Lamps, flowers, pillows, are a great way of giving your space a new look with minimal work. I'm kind of curious as to what the view is looking out those floor to ceiling windows? What do you think of the space? Below are a few fashion picks that have a similar look and feel to the space. They're all great pieces for the spring. 

(1) Moschino Cheap and Chic Floral Print Dress, (2) Ben-Amun Round Crystal Drop Earrings, (3) Iris & Ink Brushed Silk Shirt, (4) Jean-Michel Cazabat Ella Suede d'Orsay Pumps, (5) Christopher Kane Princess A-line Skirt, (6) Some White Sunnies (7) Michael Kors Gia Ostrich Embossed Clutch, (8) Erdem Floral Scarf, (9) K Jacques St Tropez Delta Suede Sandals, (10) Paris

Thanks for the warm up, Brendan! ox

Interiors // Heidi Merrick's (girly/not-so-girly) home

Just the other day, as I was perusing Glitter Guide's Style at Home archives, I came across Heidi Merrick's gorgeous abode. Even though I've seen it before and those beautiful shots have floated around Pinterest ever since, seeing it in its entirety let me view it with fresh eyes. And so I fell in love with each and every crisp, eclectic space all over again.

Heidi Merrick via Glitter Guide

Stylish, comfortable, simple, relaxed and not overtly feminine, although there are plenty of girly elements. Truth be told, this is something I've struggled with as I've decorated our home. I shy away from uber feminine looks because I don't want Eric to feel like he's living in an overstyled vagina. But without a few feminine elements, you have yourself a very cold and unapproachable space, and no one wants that either. Quite the balancing act really. 

Heidi's space reminded me of this bit more masculine one, which I've never been able to get quite enough of either.

St Louis Homes Mag

I'm probably just overthinking the whole thing. Fuchsia flowers seem to go a long way.

Artist // Marcel Christ

Master of still life photography, seems Marcel Christ can make anything look like art.

Check out these amazing pigment explosions!

 Marcel Christ, spotted via Good Design Makes Me Happy

Monday Blues // 19

STILL looking for that perfect set of dining chairs. Damn my poor person budget constraints! Why can't the Craigers gods send me a set of these?? I love the look and durability of that leather (which would prob be vinyl for our house.....)

Maison Luxe

Must. Adopt. All. The. Pets.

OMG, you guys, I can barely handle the awesomeness.

Please, dear God, replace that Sarah McLachlan mess with this and I will adopt 1,000,000 cats (not that I wouldn't do that anyway without an allergic husband).

Enjoy :)

SPCA Pet Adoption Video from Chester McPurrs on Vimeo.

Interiors // Guest Room Inspiration

I mentioned last week that Eric and I have made some great progress on the house since the holidays. (Two full weeks of vacation always helps.) I have a pretty good vision for where most of the rooms are going . . . with the exception of the family room and G's/the guest room. Which is soooooo frustrating because G's room was literally the first one actually furnished. There are a lot of decisions left to make about finishes. I think my struggle is in making it fit for a preteen's taste while still being somewhat neutral and welcoming for adult guests.

Not as easy as I thought it would be. Especially after covering the walls in Kalamata Olive.

But we will get there, I know this.

I stumbled upon this room the other night on Pinterest and am completely reinspired. I'm working with so many similar elements, it's uncanny (you know, with the exception of deep purple walls).

 

A Storied Style

I love how collected and perfectly undecorated it feels.

Time to get to work!

Etsy Crush // Vintage Luxe

I am constantly scouring this treasure trove for fabulous barware and beautiful trinkets.

items available via Vintage Luxe