Bryan's Birthday Bash

We celebrated Bryan's First Birthday on the 20th. In keeping with the invitation that Soyoung designed, the decor was simple and crafty. Bryan loves pinwheels and anything that spins, so aside from the animal theme, I added some homemade pinhweel centerpieces. The feel is fall but not overtly halloween.  The guests enjoyed fall treats and a wonderful carrot cake.  And judging by the photos and the post-cake outfit change, Bryan enjoyed it too (maybe not eating it, but certainly playing with it).

Keaton Row Closet Envy

Today I'm over at the Keaton Row blog guest posting with a new series I've created for them called Closet Envy.  Keaton Row is a great new online shopping and styling platform, and it's the perfect way to shop for us busy working moms.  I'm happy to announce that I'm one of their fifty founding stylists.  Check out the full post (including my stylist profile) here.  A little sneak peak below at my J Crew lookbook inspired closet concept:

Art that looks like interiors...

1. Stairway by Unknown
2. Outdoor Living Room at the Saguaro Hotel
3. Bedroom by Unknown
4. Bathroom by Windsor Smith

- Lauren

Dogear Press on Minted

As many of you know, my sister-in-law Soyoung does graphic design as a hobby along with her wonderful blog Dogear Press. Recently, she created Bryan's fun first birthday invites.  She's also submitted a few designs to Minted and a couple days ago, had one of her submissions selected as an Editor's Pick in their “Happy 2013 Challenge”.  It's a fun design - simple and current (no, that is not a picture of her family).  You can purchase her design here.  Congrats Soyoung!

Photos courtesy of Minted

Now if only I could get around to taking some photos and actually sending out cards.

Stylin' Mamma: One Outfit, Work to Weekend

Fall is upon us, which means cozy elegance: a soft sweater, a softer skirt, a belt and Investment Boots (I have never, ever regretted my Fryes, dear though they were).  This is one of those outfits that I would definitely wear to work but might like to rock on the weekend...if the weekend, meant, say brunch and shopping with friends (and not standing around the sandbox).  I am flirting with colorblocking these days, and I like the contrast between the pink in the sweater and the orange in the skirt...while the camel keeps it neutral.

Under most circumstances, I say the shoes make the outfit, but in this case I think it's more about the outerwear...a ladylike statement tote and a coat (and watch) your chic grandmother would approve of for the office, versus a slightly Sienna Miller (but I'll forgive it) boho vest with belt and an easy cross-body satchel for trolling the antique shops.  

(Of course, if you are unconvinced on the shoes, a ballet flat would be a no-miss.)

- Jaime

Apartment Therapy: Bright and Beachy

Well, I don't think I can trump the amazing feature yesterday in the New York Times, but I am super excited to have my work featured on Apartment Therapy.  Some of you loyal readers may remember my friends Kellie and Adam's home which I designed and featured on the blog a while back.  Well, Kellie took it upon herself to enter their "Bright and Beachy" Living Room into the Apartment Therapy Room for Color 2012 Contest, and so far she's doing really well.  You can vote for her here.  Congrats Kellie. Glad you're still enjoying your fun space!

Nest Studio in the press

I am so excited to share with you the press that the Nest Studio hardware line has gotten recently.  Today, we were featured by Maria Newman in the New York Times Home & Garden Section.  Very big news indeed. I am so honored to have been mentioned.

And up north, we were featured in a blurb in Canada's Style at Home Magazine.  Also incredibly exciting. 

I'm pinching myself that we've gotten so much great publicity in such a short time.  Thanks to everyone who has made it possible!

Art that looks like interiors...

1. Dining Room by Windsor Smith
2. Drapery via Poppy Talk
3. Bedroom by Unknown

- Lauren

Hardware Update: We're Expanding!

Thanks to all of you guys out there pinning and re-pinning my hardware, we've done a good amount of sales in the first three months since Nest Studio's launch.  I've even run low on some items and had to do a second production run. Good problems to have!  Up next are a few additions to the line coming in the new year.

And one of the most exciting pieces of news is that we've been picked up by three showrooms, two in my home state of Texas and one in Georgia: Fixtures and Fittings in Houston, TKO in Dallas, and Matthew Quinn Collection in Atlanta.  Definitely been feeling the southern love.  So all of y'all down south, you now have a place to go and see the hardware in person.  Now it's time to find Nest Studio a home up here in the chilly Northeast and back on the West Coast. Any ideas?

photo courtesy of Matthew Quinn Collection

Fall Family Fun

This past weekend we went out to Riamede Farms in Chester, NJ with our friends the Langners for some fall apple picking.  It was nice to get out of our mess of a house, especially while the contractor was epoxying the basement floor. We came home with a hefty bag of apples (just in time for my mother in law to arrive and put her baking skills to use), some apple butter, and apple cider. We stopped in historic Chester for lunch and did a little antiques shopping, coming home with a steal of a mirror for the powder room at $70 - I can't wait to show you how it looks with the wallpaper.  Here are some photos from the day.

A little exterior update

I realize that I've been so busy with the house that I haven't even updated you all on the outside of the house. The painting is more or less done, new shutters are on. It's pretty true to my concept, I'd say.  Just waiting for the big reveal of the new front door and sidelites and new sconces and then dressing it up with some mums and pumpkins. Here was the original.

And the photoshopped version.

And now.

Art that looks like interiors...

1. Bedroom by Lilly Pulitzer
2. Foyer by Black Crow Studios
3. Bedroom by Unknown

- Lauren

Stylin' Mammas: When my Ship Comes In

The rest of the world bids farewell to Summer over Labor Day, but we here in San Francisco do it during Fleet Week.  The temps soared to triple digits this first week in October, and every roof deck in town springs to life for the Blue Angels defying gravity over San Francisco Bay.  This year, we are also graced by the America's Cup, so I'm inspired by nautical trends with a late-season touch.  Now break out the binoculars (or a necklace that looks like them), slather the SPF 50 on the wee ones, pour a cold one -- and I'll see you on the roof!

I am *sold* on the peplum top.  (Have you had a baby?  Do you have a tummy?  Who cares?  Look at that peplum!!)

The antidote to skinnies: a sailor jean.

This is San Francisco.  Plus it's October.  Which means the fog's a'comin' sometime, sister.  Is anything more patriotic than Tommy Hilfiger?  (Okay, you got me: Ralph Lauren.  But I'm digging Tommy today.)

Red shoes would be too obvious, dontcha think?  But I am a sucker for orange and the suede gives a nod to the Fall season.

 

And a little cheeky nod to seafarer's binoculars at the collarbone.

Is it a clutch?  NO!  It's a diaper bag.  With just enough room for your iPhone -- to take pictures of kidlets in nautical gear-- and your wallet (in case you need to dash out for a bottle of rose).  

 

- Jaime

Bryan's First Birthday

I can't believe it's right around the corner. Our little guy will be turning 1!  We're planning an animal themed fete to ring in his first year.  Soyoung from Dogear Press helped us design this interactive invite (unfortunately the links don't show up on blogger) and Kelly from Studio DIY is helping us with the concepting (craft paper pinwheels and spray painted plastic animals are on the agenda). Can't wait to show you all the party in full swing.

The giraffe icon was obtained through the Noun Project and designed by Saman Bemel-Benrud, Organization MapBox

Art that looks like interiors...

1. Living Room Photo by Damina Russell  

2. Living Room by Florence Lopez  

3. Living Room by Anthropologie

- Lauren

Jess's Fetes: When I Was Born

The talented Jess Houlemard is back today with a baby shower she threw inspired by the Portuguese children’s book “When I  Was Born”. The book is about the exploration of a child’s first discoveries through senses.  For the decor, Jess stuck with bright red, orange, yellow, green, and a background of black and white, with rustic and textural accents. Here is the story board Jess put together for the event:

And here are the photos from the event itself (I love the creative use of an old palette!):

Thanks for sharing Jess!
 

Party Design by Jessica Houlemard

Floral Design by Scarlet Flowers. 

Photography: Robert Vega 

Cupcake and Cake Desserts: Made by friends Christina Ellison and Jessica Houlemard.

Goodbye JC

I know a number of you have asked or have been wondering: Where have they been living through this whole ordeal of buying a house and renovating?  Well now that we're settled in Millburn, I feel a little more comfortable sharing our accomodations for the past three months (and giving you some understanding of why I am SO relieved to be in our house even though it is nowhere near done).  Our Jersey City apartment served us well. It was large and.... well, it was large. Oh, and it had this amazing view.

Otherwise, I'm glad to be out of there (and Bryan is glad to have his high chair back)

And happy to have more than 2 square feet of counter space and a sink that doesn't leak into the apartment below.

And elated that my child can sleep in his crib again (it gets a little unnerving when the pediatrician keeps asking if he's pulling himself up in the crib and the answer is "no, because he's been in a pack-and-play for the past three months).

And so glad to not have paper blinds that are sopping wet each time it rains (yes, we have temporary paper blinds in the house right now, but don't have the same water problems).

And probably the best part is that I live IN our house which means I don't have to drive back and forth every day to monitor our renovation and attempt to find local places to feed Bryan and eat lunch (lunch at home - yay!).  Can't wait to share more of our new place with you as we get settled.  Hurrah to be over the JC hump.