Deep Dive


I am finding with extra time at home I am becoming more of a shopping sleuth. I have shopped on Amazon forever, but never really for 'fashion'.  I decided to do a deep dive and see what I could find in the way of a few fall updates. The thing I am liking about this exercise is I feel like I am on a treasure hunt. Or poking around a flea market. I like the art of the search. I'll be sharing my finds here from time to time. 

First up is this sweatshirt from The Drop. These items come and go so if you like it, go for it. I like it so much I am going to snag a black one before they are gone. It also comes in a dusty pink. 








AFTER & BEFORE

A few simple tricks for updating your space can go a long way. We moved in to a new house this year and the first thing we had to tackle before moving in was the kitchen. We still have bathrooms to gut, but hey, one step at a time.

I am a sucker for a good before and after. However, I like showing the afters first. Read on to see the befores and to hear how we did on a budget.

 


What we did: 
- chopped off the bar height island and created counter height island
- removed wall oven tower and upper cabinets, replaced those with open shelves
- removed tile backsplash behind stove and installed a slab of Silestone Statuario quartz 
- removed black countertops and installed Silestone Statuario quartz 
- spray painted cabinets (professionally) 
- installed white farmhouse sink
-refinished floors 


Decisions to use Quartz instead of marble and to paint the existing cabinets were ways in which we value engineered this remodel. The splurge was the Wolf range. We lucked in to one in our previous home and have been forever changed by it.

If you have been hesitating on a kitchen remodel because it seems daunting, start with painting your cabinets white. I recommend having them professionally sprayed. It is far less expensive than new cabinets and oh what a change it makes. 



INSTANT LOVE

It takes a lot for me to make a snap clothing purchase these days. Having just moved I'm in edit mode, not collect mode.

However, today I fell in love and there was no question that I was purchasing this dress.



No gut check, the gut just knew. This blind commitment happens less often, but is most certain. And these purchases are the ones that stay with me for years, like old friends. 

Pair it with sexy little gold sandals, wet hair in a bun. Summer. Done.

Shop sandals:

OVER IT

Confession: I used to wear overalls every Friday to work in both LA and SF. It was the 90's and yes I wore them literally every Friday. I was sort of famous for it. Well, not really but everyone knew it was Friday when they saw me. Working in Advertising and not in a client-facing role, overalls were my way of saying f*#@ ya, its the weekend. There is such a sense of relaxation in overalls. I have not worn them for many, many years. But they are calling my name and I'm going to rock them again. 


Find yours below. Me? I'm having trouble deciding between just one pair. 


RIDE FOR HOPE BAHAMAS

This weekend our sweet and determined friend India Hicks will be riding 100 miles on Eleuthera in memory of Wesley's mother who passed away from cancer. India and David have cared for Wes as one of their own and their love for him and India's dedication to this ride is worth sharing. 

Saturday March 10th she's on a bike for 100 miles and has been training quite literally, her ass off. I bet it looks really good. 

Consider a donation to Ride for Hope here
You can sponsor India directly by finding her name in the 'donate to' pull down menu

image via India Hicks 


About the charity:

The Bahamas Hope Foundation (BHF) was established in 2009 by a group of concerned individuals motivated to contribute to cancer care, treatment and research in The Bahamas. BHF’s goal is to help channel resources to critical programs and initiatives in The Bahamas which enhance the treatment and care of persons battling cancer and which advance research into the cause and possible cure for cancer. The Bahamas Hope Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) entity, therefore contributions receive US Tax credit.

MOODY

Today I am playing around with a mood board for our new home. Paint is going on the walls today and I'm getting my groove on playing with our  Canvas Interiors collection. Follow along on instagram @canvasinteriors  or visit the website to check out more of the CI vibe. 

My goal for this new decor chapter is to invoke the feeling we get when we are in Harbour Island. The new house lends itself beautifully to that which is super exciting for me. I am inspired by so many homes in Harbour Island I almost don't know where to start. I see more mood boards in my days ahead.  


RENOVATION NATION

We are full speed ahead on a kitchen renovation in our new home. The kitchen was brown. Really brown. And black. And did I mention brown? This image is where we are today. Click through for before pics. 


This past week the Ipe floors were stripped, sanded and refinished resulting in a beautiful matte vibe. 

Next week appliances arrive and the drywall folks, electrician, plumber all do the tango to get this wrapped up. We had the existing cabinets professionally sprayed. I will post about that process with some tips and advice at a later date. 


BEFORE/DURING
(crappy photos please excuse)

What we did: 
- chopped off the bar height island and created counter height island
- removed wall oven tower and upper cabinets, replaced those with open shelves
- removed tile backsplash behind stove and installed a slab of Silestone Statuario quartz 
- removed black countertops and installed Silestone Statuario quartz 
- spray painted cabinets (professionally) 
- installed white farmhouse sink

Design decisions still to come:
- deciding between brass or polished nickel hardware for the cabinets
- replace pendant lights
- choose a paint color for entire room, shifting from heavy cream to a warm but whiter white 

Stay tuned for refinished floors, finishing touches and final paint choices. White paint choices are keeping me up at night. 





BASICS

Ever the last-minute-run-out-the-door type I find my Carmen Clutch and leopard flats a comfort. With jeans and a white tee I run out the door feeling confident that I look dressed for some sort of activity not involving a lacrosse field or a pool deck. I highly recommend identifying your accessories that make you feel that way and putting them on repeat. Keep it simple I say. 



SHOP
left to right


(My loafers are from last season = scarce. The pair on the right are close in shape and style) 




BASICS

I consider these babies a basic. Leatherette jeans. Not too tight, not too fake looking and the first pair on the left is on sale, go for it. There is nothing like slipping on a pair of leatherette jeans with Converse. You feel like a badass. Give it a try.  




Left to Right shop here, here and here


PEEK A BOO VIEW

This little view is one of my favorites. This was once an open air porch off our master bedroom. Now enclosed and painted white, I cozied it up with a rug and of course velvet curtains. It is now a little jewel box where I sit (in that chair I found at a garage sale and spray painted), and dream. 


Deep Dive

I am finding with extra time at home I am becoming more of a shopping sleuth. I have shopped on Amazon forever, but never really for 'fa...