guest post : trendy interiors

My girl Sarah is one talented lady that has a keen eye for design . . . interiors that is. I asked her to make a list of five trends that are raging in the interior design world and how to make them work in your very own home/apartment/dorm room.

 

Wall Art
Frames in all different shapes and sizes are a perfect way to make a room feel more homey. You can hang them in various spaces to fill up an entire wall or you could do a simple double line {3 frames per line} with the frame tops matching with a straight edge across. The photos can be either all color, black and white, or mix and match!

Peonies
This trendy flower has gotten lots of attention because of its delicate petals and pretty shape. They're a great way to brighten a room and brings nature inside. Next time you're at the farmers market, pick up a bouquet to spruce up any room at home!

 

Kelly Green

This fresh color is the new black. Don't shy away from it being such a bright hue, tone it down by mixing it with other neutrals like cream and black. Kelly green is also a great color to use in the kitchen, as it is one of the most appetizing colors.

Vintage Furniture
Hello weekend projects! Re-purposing vintage finds is a great way to salvage old finds from a grandmother's attic or a flea market. They're usually cheaper and all they need is some love {fresh coat of paint or reupholster}. Not only are they pretty, but these styles are classics.

Mix and Match Pillows
Ah, the accessories of a room are my favorite! You can bring out your own personality with pillows by mix and matching different colors and prints. This is also a good way to bring out those trendy patterns {i.e. chevron} with pillows that when the trend has stopped are easily recoverable with new fabric.

morning routine

Do you have a morning routine? One reason I love going back to school {I know, call me crazy} is because it gives me a definite routine in the mornings. No lazy summer mornings waking up late or staying in a t-shirt all day. It forces me out of bed, to shower, and start the day off bright and early {and by bright and early I mean 8am}. I feel like I get more accomplished when I have a set routine.

1. Brush teeth and if my teeth are lucky, floss.
2. Read out of my devotional. Seriously, it's the best thing in the world. Starting my day off in the Word makes me in such a better mood.
3. Enjoy a nice cup of coffee or in most cases, hot green tea and honey. I just ran out of the fresh honey I use and am having serious withdrawals. Good thing I get to see the sister next weekend to get more from the farm!
4. Mentally make a to do list. Then type the list out on my phone in order of importance to minuscule ones like painting my nails and organizing my pin boards {yes, you read correctly. I'm a bit OCD sometimes}.
5. Call or text my sister or brother {or both}. A little sibling time is always needed in the morning for daily encouragement.
6. Make the bed, if possible. Normally, I would make my bed every morning, but considering my living conditions now, it depends if the roomie is still asleep, ha!
7. And lastly, get ready for the day. Shower, wash my hair, and even paint my face {that's what my grandmother used to say when she was applying her make up}. I trade in the t-shirt and norts for something a little nicer {that being a simple shirt and jeans or cute shorts}. Getting "dressed up" in the morning always makes me feel a little better. And when you feel a little better, you perform a little better, right?

Do y'all have a morning routine or is it just me? Have a great weekend, and check out these links from around the web . . .

Song of the weekend.

Ever heard of The Warehouse from Amazon.com. Staley found a great steal!

I'm guilty on this.

This guy is rad. Be sure to check out his poems.

JG-L makes denim on denim look good, real good.

Smitten by peach pie.

This is definitely on my DIY list for carrying around those pumpkin spice latte's this fall!

Olsen hair envy.

Want a fun short read? Letters of Note will do the trick!

Legends says . . .

stuffed mushrooms

I grew up with my mom making stuffed mushrooms and never ate them until in high school. That was when I feel in love with this simple appetizer or meal. They're easy to make and are so versatile, you could add just about anything and they would be delicious! My go to favorites on lump {fresh, and real" crab meat and a sausage and cream cheese mix.

Crab

Ingredients:
1 lb of mushrooms, wiped clean, and stems removed
1 lb of fresh crab meat
1 small lemon, juiced
1/4 cup bread crumbs
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
2 tbsp olive oil

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Wipe a baking dish with 1 tsp of oil and put mushrooms, facing upward. In a bowl mix the crab meat, lemon, bread crumbs, cheese, salt, and pepper. Stuff the mushrooms with the mixture. Sprinkle the remainder of the olive oil. Bake for about 30 minutes or until mushrooms are tender and mixture is golden.

Ingredients:
1 pound mushrooms, wiped clean, stems removed
1 pound of lean, mild sausage
1 8 oz fat free cream cheese

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a pan, cook sausage until brown. Drain the oil. Add the cream cheese to the sausage. Stuff the mushrooms with the sausage mixture. Bake in the oven for about 25 minutes until mushrooms are tender.

For the Gentlemen

We made it to Friday! A lot was accomplished this week {which is always a huge plus} and hopefully it will continue for the weekend. This won't be your typical Friday post because today it's all about men . . . fashion, sports, music, and entertainment. Thank you fellas who encouraged this post {and will probably make fun of later} and let me add that this was not easy.

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Let's talk fashion. Weekend wear is all about being casual. Thanks to the monsoon we've had the past couple of days the weather has cooled off a bit which has inspired looks for the fall. I love a guy in a cardigan, and James Bond {aka Daniel Craig} proves that it can look effortless with out it being too feminine. If that doesn't work for you, then try adding a casual blazer instead. Other looks that the ladies love {take my word for it} skinny ties, gingham shirts, oxfords and don't forget to accessorize.  Not as in the man purse, but watches and glasses. They get us every time.

 

Fall is quickly approaching which means football, beer, and food. Here's a guide of 5 beers you should consider for this seasons tailgates.
1) Boulevard Unfiltered Wheat Beer

Why you'll love this Midwest brew:
It's sweet, has a low hop bitterness, and has a slight citrus taste.
Visit Boulevard Brewing Co. for more information.







2) Harpoon's UFO White

This Massachusetts based brewery is one of my favorite. It taste like sweet oranges and is smooth from the first sip to the last.

Fact: it's the first beer I drank and finished the whole bottle.
Visit Harpoon Brewery here.






3) Southern Pecan

Thanks to Mississippi we have a nutty and rich brew that is roasted with southern grown pecans. Lazy Magnolia was the first to concoct this beer in the world.

4) Virgin Islands Liquid Summer

 

I got to taste this beer down in St. Thomas and it was delicious! It reminds me a lot of Blue Moon {I guess I have a thing for orange-y tasting brews}. Want to try it out? I found it at World Market. Visit St. John Brewers for more information.

5) G'Knight Imperial Red Ale

I have to be honest, I've never tried this one. Oskar Blues is based out of Colorado, but recently just opened a brewery in Birmingham, Alabama. I have a cousin who works at a PR firm that represent OB so I've got to try this sweet toffee tasting beer.

Song of the weekend.

Tim Tebow even has to have an accountability partner.

Are you more of a Ford Mustang GT '66 or an Aston Martin DB9 '12?

An Apple television? I'd love to hear what Steve Jobs would have thought about this.

Need help finding a gift for yourself, the lady, parents, or a friend? Mr. Porter is just a click away.

Do you like your burgers thick or thin?

Hmmm, is this true guys?

Paul Ryan's workout.

Interesting fact about Winston Churchill.

Fast as lightening.

Finally Friday

currently wearing a variation of this outfit.

Happy Friday! It's been a long week and I finally  have the day off {woohoo}! My plans for the weekend are the usual . . . work and then catching up with friends on the off hours. Lucky for me two old friends will be in town today so I'm sure I'll have stories {and pictures} to show next week. Have a fun weekend and here are a few links that inspired me this week!

Song of the weekend.

Theme of the weekend.

Cute little prepsters.

Would you take an outdoor shower?

Yummy pancake bites.

One top, four ways.

Someone, anyone, teach me to skateboard.

Loving this young photographer's work.

Boots, boots, boots. I'd like each in an 8 1/2!

Well, isn't this cute?

f r i d a y | m u s e

Happy Friday! We're all just about settled in to the new apartment {PRAISE THE LORD} and I've rested up for a big retail weekend . . . hellloooo tax free weekend in Alabama! It's our second most voluminous weekend {1st up is Black Friday} thanks to back-to-school. So moms, students, and shopaholics, come out and shop this weekend!

To make this weekend have a little more punch than usual, I'm thinking bright colors, patterns, and showering every morning {yes, it is that simple to having an awesome weekend}. Weekend inspiration starts with:

colored denim & dots
via cupcakes and cashmere

a lustful manicure
via a cup of jo

patterns done right
more from ALA > NYC

And cheers for a great rest of the weekend!

Album of the weekend. Forgot how much I love these guys.

How to: drink wine

Favorite fall patterns

Ryan Lochte bites the gold

Dress like an intern

Would you wear a peplum wedding dress?

The Olympics : London in photographs

July 29th post makes me sad. Ready for 2013 already.

Hilarious words from the queen. Here, here, here, and here.

Impeccably well dressed men

Pizza from a truck?