LIFE'S LITTLE DETAILS

"The details are not the details. They make the design." — Ray Eames

Hey, y'all! That phrase still doesn't sound natural when I say it, but I figured it was worth a whirl. When in Texas, right?!

All silliness aside, how are YOU? After being MIA for the past week or so, I thought it was time for me to pop in and give you the lowdown on what we've been up to. It honestly wouldn't be a military-style move unless we tried to cram as much stuff as possible into a 10-day period of time. I think we must get a rush out of it or something. Anywho, Flyboy graduated from his training course on time, so we loaded the pups in The Rig and headed from Texas to Missouri for a few days. Woo Hoo! While our stay was brief, we got some quality time with my sister and in-laws. It's always nice to see their smiling faces, even if it's only for a few days. From Missouri, Flyboy and I jetted off to Washington D.C. to see my parents. He'd never visited them out there, and I was itching for an opportunity to hug my mom and dad and laugh until my sides hurt. It was a success! After our trip to the Beltway, we flew back to Missouri and prepared for our journey to Swell Rio. Flyboy's truck had been stored in MO while we were in San Antone, so it was time for us to caravan both vehicles from Missouri to Texas. The entire trip takes about 18 hours, and since both of us were driving separately we split the journey into two days. Phew! That was probably the longest distance I've ever driven, and I'm SO glad that Flyboy typically does all the driving. While I prefer to be a wing man/navigator/source of moral support, the trip allowed me the opportunity to listen to obscene lyrics, play with the bass, and watch Tripp and Beesly's silhouettes move around in the back seat of Flyboy's truck. That's not so bad, if I do say so m'self, but I'm really glad it's OVER!

After our trek across the state of Texas, we finally arrived at Swell Rio. On Friday, our household goods were delivered, Internet and cable were installed, and the pups had their annual appointments. See what I mean about cramming as much into a day as possible? If you looked up the definition of GSD (get shit done), you would have seen our pictures. I'm sure of it! All this productivity was equal parts invigorating and stressful. We crossed tasks off our list, but we are still swimming in a pool of daunting to-dos and stacks of cardboard boxes. I have a feeling it might be like this for awhile! But that's what makes moving fun, right?!

Not much has changed since we left this base (Laughlin AFB) three years ago. Ha Ha! What else would you expect from Swell Rio? If anything, being here again makes us nostalgic for the dear friends we made while we were here for Flyboy's undergraduate pilot training. Oh, and we kind of miss the base housing unit we had before. All of our stuff fit perfectly! This new place has presented oodles of challenges that seem to push my creative buttons into overdrive. I've sobbed incessantly, shook my head countless times at the sight of all our stuff. We're both looking forward to the day we can sit down and feel somewhat settled. I'm sure it'll happen soon! On the bright side, my mom and sister are coming to visit in a few weeks and I can't wait to pick their decorative minds for a little inspiration. Hallelujah! Since I have my work cut out for me, I'm going to take the next few days off from the blog world to get my real life into order. I toyed around with the idea of blogging every day this week, but for my own sanity, I think it's best that I keep trudging through the last of the boxes and make this place feel like home. I promise I'll get back to the ol' routine soon! I appreciate your continued support and words of encouragement. It means so VERY much to me!

THE DETAILS:

• Throughout all the moving, Big Tex was a priority. He's still kicking, and rode alongside me in the passenger seat.
• My mom and I had a "Treat Yo Self!" moment and visited the Drybar in Georgetown. Who doesn't love a little pampering?!
• Seeing my sister play "Yankee Doodle" on her new banjo was life changing. Isn't she a-dorable?!
• We made a pit stop in Baltimore to visit our fave store, Trohv. If you're ever in the D.C. or Baltimore area, you MUST visit!
• My mom has the BEST style. I couldn't help but drool all over her fabulous Juju hat. I think I need one. Stat!
• Pardon my French, but the letterpress note card is EXACTLY how I felt when I turned down Hwy. 90 to Swell Rio. Yikes!
• Pardon me while I have a moment. I about fainted when I realized THE Mrs. Lilien is following me on Instagram.
• We christened our move to Swell Rio with a trip to Rudy's. Their jumbo smoked potato is EVERYTHING!

Alright, enough about me. How the heck are you? Do me a favor and tell me something that's been going on with you. Pretty please!

P.S. If you emailed me over the past 10 days, I plan to take time this week to respond. I promise!

THURS-DIY

Copper and Concrete Lamp via Brit + Co.

Sculptural Hand Dish via A Beautiful Mess

Rainbow Flower Wreath via The House That Lars Built

Chalkboard Planter Baskets via Lesley Graham

Letter-Shaped Boxes via Studio DIY

Just thought I'd pop in and say HOWDY! Oh, and maybe show you five DIYs that make me want to get m' craft on...

• ONE: Copper and Concrete Lamp via Brit + Co. — Simple and modern. I'm obsessed with the vintage feel of the bulb.
• TWO: Kelly Wearstler Inspired Sculptural Hand Dish via A Beautiful Mess — What an incredibly lovely idea! I want one.
• THREE: Rainbow Flower Wreath via The House That Lars Built — The most colorful and pretty way to welcome Spring.
• FOUR: Chalkboard Planter Baskets via Lesley Graham — I'm SO doing this once we get to Swell Rio. The stripes?! I die.
• FIVE: Letter-Shaped Boxes via Studio DIY — This would make an a-mazing gift! Wouldn't you flip if you received this?!

What sorts of crafty plans do you have up your sleeve these days? Do tell.

WISH LIST WEDNESDAY

SMEG Refrigerator via West Elm

Whenever I visit our fridge in my dreams (Ha!), it's always a mint green SMEG refrigerator—although, I must admit the color lime is a close second. Don't you just adore them?! The appliance is a classic. I love that it's perfectly simple with a bright pop of color. I should also note that whenever I grab something from our fictional fridge, it's incredibly organized (eat your heart out, Martha!), always stocked with my favorite foods, and calories don't count (Yup!). Oh, how I love dreams...

ART I HEART: MARY NELSON SINCLAIR

Magenta Pattern

Shades No. 2

Blue and Coral Diamonds

Deconstruction No. 2

Chartreuse & Coral Diamonds

After reading about Mary Nelson Sinclair's artwork in the latest issue of Domino, I've become obsessed! If you're as smitten as I am with the playful patterns and punchy palette, then you're going to want to check out her apartment tour via Lonny Magazine. Gah! It's just SO good. How can she be THIS talented with such impeccable taste? If Mary wants to throw some of her creativity my way, I wouldn't mind. I'd also take her lilac couch and the gallery wall above it—just whatever she's willing to give away! I'm not picky.

All silliness aside, you should hop on over and visit her website. It's the pop of color you need to make today a little more cheerful!

MONDAY MOODBOARD

A little virtual sunshine to jumpstart your week...

Rolling Pen Typeface via Alejandro Paul

Society Social Charlotte Sofa via Rue Magazine

'Spring Reveries' Nail Color via Deborah Lippmann

Everly Suede Pumps in Deep Chartreuse via J.Crew

Heart Illustration via Kate Sutton

The Eyes of Audrey Hepburn via Fashion Darling

Black Paint Swatch

Sheer Lip in Applause via Topshop

Graphic Stripe Postcard Set via Yes Ma'am

Light Bulb Illustration via Sarah Millin

Oh, and Happy St. Patty's Day!

LURVE LOAVE LUFF

Let's get right to it, shall we?

Here's what made me feel all twitterpated, smile contagiously, giggle uncontrollably, etc.

• Matte Multiple // I tried the Multiple from NARS, but it never seemed to work on me. This formula might be the answer!
• DIY Light Fixtures // Leave it to Martha to make me want to buy a bunch of funnels and turn them into overhead brights.
• Stripe Tote // Is there anything more timeless than a stripe?! Didn't think so. Now I want to go back to the beach.
• Jenna Lyons // Jennifer Vallez's work has me sporting a double-barrel grin. It's a gallery wall MUST!
• Olivine Lotion // You had me at HELLO! How a-dorable is the packaging? If it smells half as good as it looks, I'm in!
• Oh Joy for Target // Don't forget Joy Cho's Target collection hits stores this weekend. I'll be there with bells on!
• Ban.do's New Arrivals // I'll be honest, I placed an order before 6 am the day Ban.do debuted their gift line. I'm smitten!
• Emma Bow Ballet Flats // I recently gave the Emma flats another try. I've decided I can wear them and they're comfortable. I think the patent pair I initially tried left a bad impression. However, I'm still not sure if I'm sold. I really love the color choices and prints, but I keep staring at my feet trying to figure out what's missing when I put them on. I think it's the lack of toe cleavage. Now, I know there are just as many people who hate it as there are people who love it. The Emma covers ups EVERYTHING, and I've decided that's my hang up. Does this make me crazy?!

There you have it, m' dears! Cheers to a snazzy weekend. Make it count. 

P.S. Scheduled posts may be hit or miss in the coming week (or two). 

I'll do my best to post content as I find time. Thanks for your patience! In the meantime, you can find me 'Gramming here.

THURSDAY'S THOUGHTS

Jenna Lyons via New York Magazine

THINKING ABOUT: We had to move the stuff from our apartment to a temporary storage unit. As I packed everything, I couldn't help but wonder how we accumulated SO much stuff in just 5.5 months. Unpacking is going to be a real party! Invites are in the mail.

FEELING: I have moments where I'm elated about settling down at our next place, but I also get panicked about how everything is going to fit. I'm someone who loves to see quick results. I can't relax until everything is ideal (or my idea of perfection). I'll unpack, decorate, organize, and zhoosh until it's done. Well, I've been looking at the new floor plan and I think this place will take some work. In my mind, I've already rearranged the house a gazillion times. I can tell we're going to need to update some of our furniture pieces to accommodate the space. Because Swell Rio is pretty remote and about 3 hours from San Antone, I know I'm going to have to be patient. I'm going to have to let go of the idea that I can do it all right away. I'm sure this will be good for me, but weeks ahead of moving in, I'm already in a tizzy. Maybe this is just my way of preparing myself for what's to come... Patience, right?!

READING: Loved Joy Cho's job advice on Glamour.com. I'm pretty jazzed about the debut of her Target line this Sunday, March 16th. You know I'll show up at our local store with bells on. After all, my days of living near a Target are numbered—time to whoop it up!

EATING: I can't seem to get enough Granny Smith Apple slices paired with Pepper Jack Cheese. Emptying the refrigerator and pantry this past week has led to some creative snacking. I guess the pairing satisfies the salty and sweet side of things. 

WATCHING: We haven't discussed this season of How I Met Your Mother, have we?! We're just a few weeks away from the series finale and I'm so confused. I've always wanted Ted and Robin to get together. I had a theory about how the story would work in my favor, but it kind of flopped when they continued to develop the character of The Mother. Recently, they did some foreshadowing that left Flyboy and I scratching our heads. This season has been a bit slow, but that doesn't mean the finale won't be bittersweet. I want to fast forward and find out what happens already, but like any great show, there will definitely be a void once it's gone.

LISTENING TO: iTunes radio keeps me company as I scrub the tub and oven. The pups are at the kennel and this place is so quiet without them. I'm already looking forward to our reunion and we dropped them off on Tuesday. Can you say attached?!

THANKFUL FOR: Weeks like this make me grateful for laughter. I can always rely on Flyboy for a healthy dose of comic relief.

LOVING: The Definitive Ranking of Every 'Real Housewife' Ever—why didn't I come up with this list? I think they got it right because I kept shaking my head in agreement, felt a little bit nostalgic, and giggled over the hilarious GIFs. If you're a Bravo buff, you'll die!

 

What about you? How are you feeling today? What are you up to?

THE BLOGGER BUZZ

The Blogger Buzz is back. This month, we share which shoes will add a little pep to our step this Spring!

1. Meghan Anderson of Downtown Daydreams // I'm such a sucker for DV by Dolce Vita neutral-colored wedges. These fun shoes can be thrown on with white pants or sundresses and I love that they're so easy to walk and dance in. I run them into the ground every spring/summer!
2. Samantha Peterson via The Brunette One // I love 'The Lauryn' from Sole Society. I'm excited to bust out all of my favorite flats without worrying about them being ruined my the salt and snow!
3. Katherine Nolden of The Duchess of Plumewood // These Kate Spade 'Fab' Sandals are outstanding! A bow, bright punchy color, and they're jellies! Sign my feet up!
4. Laura Podlich of Beauty & the Beard // These Gap Striped Pointy Flats are beyond cute—they get me so excited for Spring!
5. Lauren Felix of La Petite Fashionista // I'm obsessed with these Lasercut Leather Heels. I can totally imagine them with all my sundresses (or packed in my luggage for a last-minute Mexico vacay)!
6. Ashley Fine of One Fine Day // These Kate Spade 'Josse' Flats make me want to jump for joy. That bow is major! 

A POSTAL PSA

If you're involved in the OFD Snail Mail Exchange, I thought I'd let you in on a few reminders...

• March pen pals have been assigned. The sooner you get your mail off to the recipient, the better!

• I continue to get emails from people who have not been receiving mail from their assigned pen pal. I don't intend to keep tabs on all 150+ participants. Hey, sometimes people forget! Focus on the fact that you brightened someone else's day.

• If you find life is too busy at the moment and you'd like to opt out of the Snail Mail Exchange, my feelings WILL NOT be hurt. Just send me an email and I'll take you off the roster for future months. Give a letter, get a letter—that's the point!

• Whether or not you want to continue to communicate with previous assigned pen pals is YOUR call. You're not obligated.

• To lighten the load on my end, pen pals are randomly selected each month by a list generator. If for some reason you're assigned the same person from a previous month, it must be a sign that you're meant to be besties.

• Flaunt that mail with #OFDGOINGPOSTAL! I'm so impressed by this postal lovin' crew. Keep those Instagram pics coming!

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the Snail Mail Exchange, send 'em my way!

IMAGE CREDITS: STATIONERY // PEN // STAMPS // PAPERCLIPS

LIFE'S LITTLE DETAILS

"The details are not the details. They make the design." — Charles Eames

Happy Monday, m' dears! How the heck are YOU? Can you believe we spent our last weekend at the apartment? Yippee! I've waited five long months to get to type those words. I'm clicking my heels! Saturday evening was spent in organizational heaven. I filled plastic bins with miscellaneous items we've collected since we moved here (How did we accumulate SO much stuff?), and labeled the tubs with Washi tape and a Sharpie. I couldn't help but beam at the finished product. It was orderly AND colorful, just the way I like it!

As we prepare to move out of our temporary digs this week and begin this next chapter, blogging may be hit or miss these next few weeks. I'd love to say I planned ahead and that I've got a boatload of fabulous posts ready to share while I'm away, but it just didn't happen. We're still not sure what to make of the next few weeks as Flyboy completes training and we wait to move into our new place at the end of the month. If I've got access to the Internet and a little downtime, you can bet I'll pop in to say "Howdy!"

THE DETAILS: 

• Flyboy got his hair cut this weekend. While he was tending to his coif, I visited Trader Joe's and got my first gel manicure. I shared this fun fact with the lady who did my nails and she proceeded to tell me how boring I was. I couldn't help but laugh. Her honesty was appreciated! For the record, I'm digging this gel stuff. It's been over 24 hours and I have NO chips or smudges. According to my mom, a gel connoisseur, it should last about two weeks. GET OUT!
• Speaking of TJ's, I finally grabbed a bag (or four) of Contemplates Inner Peas to try and I'm already a BIG fan. Just as my parents suggested, it tastes like you're munching on Cheetos. It's a bizarre, but delectable snackety snack. Are you a fan?
• Daylight Savings Time—we haven't had to do this for three years. I'm not sure how I feel about springing ahead, especially when Flyboy has to be up at 4:45 am. I guess I'll be up and at it on Pinterest this morning.
• The Art of Vintage Cocktails is a fabulous book. The illustrations are just so stinking cheerful! I have a handful of cocktails I'm itching to try. Too bad we've got this pesky computer screen separating us, otherwise I'd love to whip something up for you! It also wouldn't matter that it's 9 am on a Monday. I know a Billy Joel tune that sounds a lot like that... "Making love to her tonic and gin." I promise I'm not a lush, Hendrick's just always sounds good.
• I'm excited to report the latest issue of Domino lives up to the hype. What else would you expect? It's The Color Issue, and it's chock-full of eye candy! All 164 pages left me feeling twitterpated like the golden old'n days of Domino.
• No matter where we move, any place can feel like home once I start sending and receiving mail. I just wanted to thank all of you who have sent happy little notes my way these past five months. It's made all the difference! Visiting our mailbox has given me so much to look forward to. I have a feeling my postman is going to miss your decorated envelopes!
• I was glancing at my Instagram recently and I noticed it was lacking in moments that show the beauty of life and nature. There are so many THINGS, which are lovely, but it's a bit one dimensional. I don't want to blame it all on our temporary living sitch, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't feel a little bit stifled creatively these past few months. When we lived in Hawaii, we were constantly surrounded by the picturesque, and I don't think we've been able to move on since we left in October—everything has felt temporary. We keep looking back because we haven't got to start the next adventure yet. It's easy to turn to what's comfortable and Lil' Puna was the last place that really felt like home. I'm so excited about our move to Swell Rio because I look forward to finally closing the Puna chapter. I welcome this next adventure with open arms, and I can't wait to share it with you. While Swell Rio isn't quite as postcard perfect as The Aloha State, I can assure you there are oodles of beautiful moments that await. Stay tuned. I can promise that you're in for a whole lotta laughs! It's a town like no other. "We never noticed the beauty because we were too busy trying to create it." 

Enough about me, what did you do this weekend? What made you click your heels? As always, thanks for stopping by.

LURVE LOAVE LUFF

Let's get right to it, shall we?

Here's what made me feel all twitterpated, smile contagiously, giggle uncontrollably, etc.

• Dancing Girl // Yippee, it's Friday! Why don't you bust a move?! Sarah Jane illustrates the way I feel quite perfectly.
• Home Sweet Home Banner // In a few weeks, we'll get to say these exact words. That is the BEST feeling!
• Sole Society Pointed Toe Flats // If we have to spring forward, we might as well do it in cute shoes. Who's with me?!
• Large Sunflower Necklace // I love the simplicity. The price isn't bad either. And how about that sweet color combo?!
• Vintage Cotton Pajama Short Set // J.Crew claims it's the comfiest way to get your eight hours. I'm down with that!
• The Details // Flipping through old issues of Domino offers oodles of designspiration! How great is this lettering?
• Shopper with Pocket // Hubba Hubba! Zara always has the most delicious bags, but this one takes the cake.
• Storage Basket // Elated about our move-in date, I found myself browsing the H&M home section. Cuteness!
• Love. Luck. Kisses & Cake // You must check out Katelyn Wood's new shop. Fellow paper lovers, you'll swoon!

There you have it, m' dears! Cheers to a snazzy weekend. Make it count. 

THURSDAY'S THOUGHTS

A glimpse of the cocktail cart I curated for Society Social. Click here for more!

THINKING ABOUT: This one's a real doozy, because I can't seem to turn my brain OFF these days. What up with that? Flyboy's training class is behind a bit because of weather; this winter in TX has been cray cray. As a result, we'll be in San Antone for a little longer than we expected. This isn't a problem, but our lease is up next Wednesday. Yikes! Can you imagine my Kevin from Home Alone face, because it's happening!? I spent a little over two hours on the phone this morning trying to figure out the logistics of the next few weeks. The local base doesn't have any pet-friendly hotel rooms for us, so the dogs will be boarded and we'll be staying at a hotel. I'm not exactly sure how long it will be like this, and trying to get the kennel and hotel to accommodate our make-believe itinerary was a real hoot. They were very gracious, but I hate being that girl who can't really give them a definitive timeline to work from. Our problems are not their problems, but they were super accommodating. I hope I can give them a better idea of how the next few weeks are going to go down soon. When we originally moved here, we didn't think any of this would be an issue, so we had big plans to visit Missouri and D.C. before moving into our house at the end of the month. Depending on how much time we have in between training and Swell Rio, this may not be an option. I'm trying my best to not get too bummed about the situation because there are just too many variables that we can't control at this point. As my dad always says, Semper Gumby—always flexible!

FEELING: Moments after typing up that last bit about the stresses of this move, Flyboy called and told me that we'll receive our household goods on March 28th. In case you can't see it through the computer screen, I'm beaming!! I can't tell you the kind of relief that brings me. I was SO afraid that it would take them weeks to release our stuff and I didn't want to get my hopes up, so I was prepared for the worst. In this case, that's not a pessimistic approach, it's actually quite rational when you're working with the government. After spending so much time worrying about countless other details, it feels really nice to have a win.

READING: By now, you know how much I love Glennon from Momastery, and I was so excited to see that one of her blog posts from January was shared in a segment on the Today show this week. In Glennon's original post, she discusses a tactic her son's math teacher uses to analyze the disconnect some students in her classroom might feel as a result of bullying or feeling left out. Every Friday afternoon since Columbine, she's asked her students to write down who they'd like to sit by next week or who they'd nominate as an exceptional classroom helper. This strategy allows her to identify kids who are struggling, going unnoticed, and falling through the cracks socially. This all sounds so simple, but in an age where standardized tests seem to be the priority, it's refreshing to read about an educator whose primary focus is the basics—to ensure her students are, above all, brave and kind.

EATING: I'm pretty sure I've mentioned these tasty little devils before, but I feel it's important enough to say again. You need to make these Buffalo Chicken Meatball Sandwiches. They're SO delicious, and I'm not even a big fan of Buffalo-flavored stuff. Since I've made them multiple times, I opted to use ground turkey instead of ground chicken—it's easier to manage, less messy, and you can't taste a difference. My mom is probably rolling her eyes at this because I can't tell you how many times I've emailed her the recipe or texted her after making them with a message similar to this: "You NEED to make these. You and dad will LOVE them."

WATCHING: I'm all sorts of excited about the return of m' favorite Bravo shows. I'm talking to you Flipping Out and Real Housewives of New York City! When I think about what's been missing in 2014, I've decided it's the lack of Zoila and Ramona (crazy eyes) in my life. The idea of cozying up on the couch surrounded by Jeff, Jenny, and the Countess makes my heart flutter. March, you look good!

LISTENING TO: Two pups at my feet snoring with random doggy dreams. It's adorable, but I can't help but wonder where Tripp is running? I believe he's headed to Swell Rio to fetch our stuff. He's missed snuggling next to the chaise connected to our couch.

THANKFUL FOR: I know you're probably tired of me rattling on about the Cocktail Cart I curated for Society Social's blog, but it's an opportunity that means so much to me. I've been a huge fan of Roxy's work, and I was absolutely tickled to receive an email from her a few weeks ago asking me to assemble items for a guest post. Pinch me. Blogging definitely has its highs and lows—mostly highs—but I'd be lying if I said I didn't have moments where I question why I pour so much time and energy into this little space. Then something like this comes along and I'm inspired to just keep going. When I create, I feel fulfilled. That's the best feeling!

LOVING: Rachel from Pencil Shavings Studio added washi tape to her shop yesterday and I about fell out of my chair. It's SO good. As soon as we have a definitive mailing address, I'm SO adding this trio to my collection. I'm running low on washi and it's scary!

 

What about you? How are you feeling today? What are you up to?

Q&A: DECORATOR IN DISTRESS

QUESTION:

Dear Ashley,
I feel like I know how to put an outfit together, but I have the hardest time translating my personal style into my home decor. Help!

Sincerely,
Decorator in Distress

ANSWER:

When I read your email, I initially got excited and then I was stumped as to how I'd effectively answer your question. I know what I like, but how can I relay these ideas to my readers? After a rambling discussion with my mom, I grabbed my notepad and I couldn't jot down my thoughts fast enough. I get a rush whenever that happens, so thank you! I'm going to attempt to explain the thought process I go through as I approach decorating our house. There's no real right way to do decorate your abode, but this approach makes the most sense to me. Because you said you have a good grasp of expressing your style with clothes and accessories, I thought I could show you how key pieces from your wardrobe say something about the way you tackle interior decorating. Let's get right to it, shall we?!

Describe your personal style in FIVE words. Now pick five pieces from your closet that directly represent each of these traits—these need to be pieces that you'd go to the grave with if you had to. They're items that say something about YOU and that you never see yourself parting with. Like ever.

Here are five words that describe MY personal style and how I interpret them:

1. Colorful—Bright Hues
2. Playful—Cheeky, Polka Dots, Leopard
3. Comfortable—Cozy, Ease, Ballet Flats,
4. Classic—Stripes, Button Downs, Sweaters 
5. Layers—Accessories

When you approach your home, I think you should assemble pieces of inspiration and analyze them closely. Create an interior design board on Pinterest, collect tear sheets from magazines or catalogs, and fabric or paint swatches. Just as you might glean your favorite glossies, style guides, or blogs for outfit inspiration, you should do the same with shelter magazines, decor books, and Pinterest. Analyze what you've collected and think about the following questions:

1. What makes you happy? (Color, Art, Architecture, Typography, etc.)
2. What grabs your attention? (Color, Architectural Features, Texture, Clean Simple Lines, etc.)
3. How does it make you feel? (Comfortable, Chic, Feminine, Fun, Simple, etc.)
4. What does it say about YOU? (Interests, Family, Location, etc.)

I'll go ahead and share my answers. As you read them, I think you'll see how my responses correlate with the five words I chose to describe my personal style:

1. Color makes me happy. I thrive off of a punchy palette. When I stumble upon a room that I love, my eye always goes to the pop of color. When I throw together an outfit, I know it's not complete without a splash of color.
2. Always look for the WOW factor. Like any great outfit, what's the ONE thing that really sets this look apart from the rest. In each room, what makes a statement? What's unexpected? Where's the playful piece that sets your home/outfit apart from the rest or special to YOU?
3. I want our home to be comfortable and cozy. I want it to be a place where we can have fun and celebrate. I want it to be relaxing for family and friends. Even when life's a little mundane, I want to be surrounded by things that evoke favorite memories and bring us delight. I want the place to feel lived in with lots of pillows, books, happenstance gallery walls, etc. I think of these as the layers to a cozy home.
4. Classic pieces are a necessity in any home, but they don't tell a story about the people who live there. Invest in great basics, but incorporate details that show your interests, where you've traveled, where you come from, etc. When a stranger walks into your home, what would they learn about you? Does your decor describe you best? Just like an outfit, the way you present yourself to the world says a lot about who you are and what you want people to know about you.

What makes a great wardrobe? Quality pieces that are versatile. Now translate that to your home and focus on acquiring those key pieces. From there, embellish with accessories or knick-knacks. You don't always have to spend a lot of money, but sometimes it pays to invest in something really special. Just ONE item can be a real game changer. You'll know it's special when adding it to your home makes you want to do cartwheels, and it's the first thing that someone mentions when they visit your space. It's got the wow factor and adds pizazz to the design of your digs. Trust me, it will feel worth the investment. For some of us, it's easy to justify splurging on a fabulous pair of shoes or handbag. Well, great drapes or a phenomenal piece of artwork can make a real impact. Suddenly the aesthetic of a room filled with Ikea or Target furniture is elevated to something really unique and special. When you have timeless staples, you can swap out the old with new or trendy tchotchkes to change the look of your home. Your style should evolve and so should the look of your home. As your interests grow, let that be reflected in your decor or your wardrobe.

Discover your aesthetic and don't be afraid to experiment!

IMAGE CREDITS: DRESS: Classic // Layers (1, 2, 3) // Colorful // Comfortable (1, 2) // Playful (1, 2) // DECOR: Classic // Layers // Colorful // Comfortable // Playful

SHOP SPOTLIGHT: UNCOMMON GOODS

Love Birch Cuff courtesy of Uncommon Goods

After consistently creating blog content for the past 2.5 years, it was only a matter of time before collaborative opportunities would start coming my way. Hooray! However, most bloggers will tell you that for every dozen emails you receive with the most outlandish offers, there's eventually an opportunity that makes you giddy. That's precisely how I felt when Uncommon Goods reached out to me a month ago and asked if I would review one of their products. I responded with an emphatic "Yes!" and proceeded to pick out a piece of jewelry I'd been eyeing for quite some time—the Love Birch Cuff, handmade by artist Nancy Nelson.

Once my Uncommon Goods gift arrived in the mail, I couldn't tear it open fast enough. The opportunity alone made me feel like a fancy-schmancy blogger, and I was eager to see what the cuff looked like. I was beyond ecstatic! Upon catching a glimpse of the cute packaging inside, my ravenous approach turned into a dainty and methodical unveiling. I had to take a moment and just stare at the kraft cuteness and adorable twine. I pressed pause on Ashley's rammy mode and soaked up the loveliness in front of me. If the cuff turned out to be half as delightful as the presentation, then I'd be pleased as punch. Once I worked up the courage to remove the twine and open the box, I was instantly smitten. So many of my baubles are very colorful and ornate, but the Love Birch Cuff is simple. I'm especially drawn to the irregular shape and texture, which Nelson creates whenever she hand casts the brass band from real birch bark that she's collected. How cool is that? I have a feeling this is going to be one of those pieces I wear on repeat. It makes a statement on its own and looks darling stacked alongside other bracelets and bangles.

While I don't plan to make product reviews a habit on One Fine Day, the collaboration with Uncommon Goods felt like a great fit because I've purchased many gifts from their site and I've regularly included their merchandise in my Gift Guides. What I love most about Uncommon Goods is the variety of unique designs and the company's commitment to supporting artisans. If I'm ever in a pinch and I'm clueless as to what to give someone, I inevitably browse their website. You're bound to find something quirky and fun!

 P.S. Remember that Gin Kit I mentioned awhile back? The one my father-in-law gave my parents for Christmas, and I included a picture of my dad hard at work?! You can find that on the Uncommon Goods website, too! See, there's something for everyone.

MONDAY MOODBOARD

How about a little visual sunshine to jumpstart the work week?!

Words of Wisdom Notebook via LEIF

Pouch Wallet in Spot Dot via Madewell

Hamburg Hand-Painted Typeface

Erika Bow Flat via Club Monaco

Bird Doodle

Onward & Upward Water Bottle via Izola

Abstract Art by Hiroko Nakajima

Bite Agave Lip Mask

Ban.do Frills Print 

White Linen Schoolboy Blazer via J.Crew

Ban.do Mini Heart in Matte Black

Be Inspired.

Everyday by Albin Holmqvist

Ampersands via Eva Black Design

Spotted Cocktail Napkins via Furbish

Painterly Shapes Stamp Set by Ashley Goldberg