current crushes

Hey there.
I wanted to share a few style favorites I've been loving lately. There seems to be a specific theme capturing my attention.

Blue velvet, in a range of pretty hues, has always tugged at my heart strings ... but now more than ever, I'm hooked.
What is it about that luxe feel in luscious ocean shades that gets me every time?


Check-out these visions of velvet from COCOCO ...

Major sigh, right? This image is via bprhospitality, a luxury rental in DC. Don't you just want to live here? I do, virtually every day (It's my current screen saver). To me, it's Interior perfection. Lots of natural light, a mix of vintage + modern, simple + lush. Link here to order your very own SOHO Chesterfield (tufted goodness with a modern twist).

And then there's the power of pairs. This swoon-worthy interior features a striking set of Indigo velvet Arden Sofas flanking the fireplace. There is something irresistible about the sheer sophistication of pairs in interior spaces. And I'm loving the brass details on these babies (dunbar legs by Ferrous Hardware). 

So how about you, are you drawn to light + bright or a little more dark + moody? 

When it comes to style beyond interiors, indigo velvet translates so very beautifully to Fall + Winter fashions too. 

I am in love with this look from W by Worth. The off-the-shoulder chic mixed with a velvet pant. A look that will go so many places.

*****

More discoveries and special finds from Fall Market still to come {like these mod patterned pillows by Jill Seale Design Studio...hand-marbled beauties from a NC girl who learned the art of paper marbling in Florence. How cool is that?}

Tell me friend, what are you loving lately? What styles have caught your eye + captured your heart?

Here's to a Happy November! 
Wishing you sunny days, fall-color wonder, and flowers always + always.

xo

patti

etsy finds + summertime style

If you follow along with BeSoStyle, you know I'm an avid Etsy lover. I'm secretly gathering the supplies for an Etsy-inspired DIY project and can't wait to create my vision and show you the results... but until then, I wanted to share a few recent finds I'm coveting for some summertime fun + style ...

{link to Etsy}

To get yours, be sure to click on the specific links ...

{link here}

This Circular Straw Bag would look super chic with summer fashions, like this street style inspo from Domino. I so want to be this girl right now...

{via domino}

See more of what I'm loving lately on my pinboards (link here to the fun Domino article with lots of summer style inspiration). 

{link here}

For interiors + outdoor spaces, I always love adding fresh green elements. These Concrete Flower Pots are perfect for the current crush on succulents. I love the simple graphic detail + hint of color {ps. Trader Joe's has super sweet succulents on the regular}.

{link here}

And because we all still can't get enough of the pineapple obsession... this pineapple paper is a printable, perfect for summer party decor + crafts.

{link here}

And what would summertime be without a refreshing cocktail + a well-stocked and styled bar cart? I'm loving this Vintage Brass Bar Cart for the quintessential summer soiree.

Tell me, what style trends + interior loves are you infatuated with lately?

Can't wait to share more creations + styling tips soon.

xo,

patti

yoga, matcha + interior style

It was a beautiful weekend in Charlotte, and even more beautiful for me since my twin sister came into town for a visit. It was short, but sweet. It's always special to get sister connection time. We are both photo stylists + interior designers so our loves + passions are very much in sync.

We had some fun exploring the city; checking out a few of my fav places that always inspire; and indulging in matcha lattes at Luna's Living Kitchen.

I'm so in love with the vibe at Luna's ... it's the perfect mix of boho + mid-century, industrial + modern ... Such a fresh interior!

I also love their catch-phrase, "We believe that health, beauty + art can be served on a plate." 

Beautiful, healthy, artful food... Plus, very hip interior design. Who could ask for more? 

We also soaked in some visual inspiration at Anthropologie in South End (right next to Luna's) which is always a feast for a stylist's senses. 

...and finally, we took on hot yoga at Yoga One.  

In the midst of chaturangas, I learned a few lessons that have me reflecting on life + career pursuits... lessons that I think are really relevant to blogging + design ... so I just had to share a few thoughts.

{Link here for these yoga-inspired art prints}

{Link here for Lotus printable}

{image via pinterest}
{get a similar photo print here}

Lessons from yoga for life + design:

F O C U S

"Where the eye goes, the energy flows" ...the words of our yogi are still resonating in my mind. What we focus on is where our energy will take us. Our intention will drive us, move us, lead us. In yoga, the act of setting an intention is a dedication. It's a way to take your yoga practice beyond your mat and into your lifestyle. Having a focus is key in yoga + life. Lately I've realized how important it is to have focus + intent in the areas I want to grow, whether personally or professionally. 

Focus is also an important element in design. Focus, having a focal point, is what draws your eye to what's important, in an art composition or in a room interior. Consider your current design project and ask yourself, "Where's my focus?" Sometimes we have to edit, take away in order to bring the the focal point into focus. There are so many parallels. What do you need to edit in your interior? in your life?

{Link here for Mandala Printable}

B A L A N C E

Perhaps what's most evident in yoga + in life, is when we are out of balance. The practice of grounding your feet in position, having a specific stature + rhythm allow you to find your balance on the mat. In life, it can be more complicated... learning to balance self care, parenthood, career, relationships. It requires grounding too, and sometimes starting over. It requires flexibility and forgiveness, of self and others. In design + interior spaces, balance too brings peace + room-to-breathe. {See my last post on balancing an interior here.} 

What are you balancing lately? What ways do you need to ground yourself? I don't know about you, but I feel like I'm on a constant quest for balance. I crave it. If you have any secrets, share your thoughts in the comments. I'd love to hear your perspective. I wrote a post awhile back about the Artist's Way ... about pursuing the elements you want your life to look like. {Check-out that post here.} I'm always + forever seeking new strategies for obtaining better balance.

{Link here for Zen Art Printable}

M O M E N T U M

In yoga the movements between poses, or vinyases, keep the flow of movement going. The poses, motions and transitions build flexibility, strength and momentum. For some reason, my favorite move this weekend was rising up on my toes in downward dog and then jumping to the front of the mat. It dawned on me that the movement of my toes rising allowed me the momentum to jump rather than walk. Similarly, in life lately, I've seen how one move, even a small one, can build momentum toward more and more progress. 

I have been wanting to build this blog for a long time, but lately with a little focus, I have made some moves to begin to make it happen. Slowly, but surely I'm moving. I'm officially an affiliate with Etsy and Amazon. Two of my go-to sources for props, home and interior accents, fashion, DIY items, etc. {If you want to become an Etsy affilate too, click here.} That move propelled me to do more research at driving more traffic to my blog. I'm learning about SEO, rss feeds, pinging posts ... Oh the rabbit hole of possibilities.  I'm such a novice still ... I am wide open people. Share your insights. Here's to momentum taking us exciting places!

Thanks for taking the time to read my yoga reflections and see some interior + style inspiration from Charlotte, NC. 
If you love these yoga-inspired prints as much as I do, be sure to link here.

{Link here to purchase print}

{link here to purchase print}

My dream is for more 

FOCUS

BALANCE

and

MOMENTUM

in work + life.

More opps to connect with ones I love

+

places that inspire.

What are you dreaming of lately?

xo

patti

ps. all photo creds go to Pam + my daughter Sofi

{Follow me on pinterest for more interior inspo}

#shelfie 101 : styling tips

In the age of the Selfie, we design-obsessed have a version all our own ... the Shelfie. Oh how we love a perfectly styled shelf. 

What is it about a well-designed etagere or bookcase? Is it the sense of order, the pretty mix of layers + textures? What draws you in?

I admit it, I'm guilty. Every time I see Emily Henderson's freshly styled bookcases, I'm inspired. Granted, I'm a photo stylist. These are the things we live for... to style, decorate, accessorize. Give me an empty bookshelf any day, and I'm ready to dig in and style away. Call me crazy, but styling a shelf is my kind-of fun!

I just recently teamed up with two amazingly talented women, Kelley Vieregg of KVID {Interior Design} + Emily Decker of EA Decker Photography. We were on location in the Charlotte area, in a fabulous kitchen designed by Kelley. I had the chance to add a few styling touches, and Emily captured it all in beautiful images. 

A killer kitchen, right? I mean, this is what dreams are made of (especially for those of us who adore an all-white kitchen).

I so love collaborating with other creatives. I had such a sense of girl power with this shoot. These lady bosses have got it going on. So much talent, style + creativity.

This brief shoot has me craving more opportunities to style, play + collaborate. I also wanted to share a few behind-the-scenes shots and use this opportunity to share some styling insight. A mini Shelfie Styling 101.

I know there are plenty of tips out there for styling a beautiful shelf (like this one from Em Henderson + this one from Design Sponge), but I wanted to give you my spin on the subject. The first step with styling a shelf is to clear it of everything. That's right, take it all off. Start with a clean slate, and then start building with books + props.  I typically love adding artwork into the mix, but this time kept it super clean.

Here are a few Quick Tips 
for Styling a Simple + Chic Shelfie:

1. Balance the elements. When styling shelves, it's all about the balance. You want to balance the colors and weight of objects. For this one, I kept the color palette fresh + clean since the shelf resides in an all-white kitchen. I wanted to carry that white-on-white look throughout. I chose to balance the whites with metallic accents and added a few natural textures, like the raffia tray ... making sure the right and left side of the shelf got equal love with pretty white shapes.

My goal was simple + clean. Of course you can always add more props + layers. 

Here is where I started...

The balance was off for me. Sometimes you don't know until you start to play with the arrangement. I didn't like the groupings right on top of one another and needed to balance the shapes and colors a bit.  Just a few tweaks + edits ...

...and I liked the fresh result...

2. Keep the mix simple. I love a layered shelf with a mix of bohemian, eclectic elements, full of color + texture... but sometimes with shelf-styling, less is more. Streamlining the color scheme to a blend of two or three colors keeps the look fresh and gives the eye places to focus and places to rest.

3. Add something organic. In this scenario I mixed in fresh potted herbs since these shelves are in the kitchen. Plants like succulents are perfect for shelves because you don't have to water as frequently. You can also opt for adding organic shapes like driftwood or coral...or cut a fresh branch or two from outside and place them in a vase or jar (like I did for the kitchen island).

... Here's a glimpse from behind the scenes in this stunning kitchen, design by Kelley Vieregg, KVID {Interior Design}. Photo by Emily Decker of EA Decker Photography.. 


I hope you enjoyed this mini lesson in shelf styling. Share your secrets with me too + be sure to comment. I love hearing from you.

xo


patti

wednesday wish list

I've been dreaming of bronzed skin, white tee's + painted toes. And most of all, time with friends on the back porch. Can we say Mojitos, anyone? 

How about you ... what are you dreaming of lately? 

Here's to the seasons of warmth + sunshine ... to entertaining outdoors + living in sandals.

 As you know, spring + summer whites are always a favorite, with a little hint of blush of course.

I wanted to share a few of my most recent finds with ya'll in case you want in.

Here's what I'm wishin' for this week...

{click on links below to get yours}

Bobbi Brown Bronzer

White Lace-Up Tee

White Calvin Klein Crossbody Bag

Handmade White Beaded Bracelets

Succulent Geometric Copper Planter

Vintage Mid-Century Chair

Wishing you a blissful week, 
full of beautiful moments.

{find image source here}
{Link here for authentic Mohito recipe}

and beautiful cocktails.

xo

patti








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