spring vibes + fresh finds

Hey all!
How are you holding up during this unconventional time? Hoping this post finds you safe at home. I wanted to share a few favorite finds and let you know what I've been up to, hoping to inspire you to create fresh spaces in your home despite the chaos going on around us. Thankfully, I've been busy collaborating with Isabella Style {see my recent blog posts here.} I miss being in the Isabella shop + studio, but grateful for an amazing creative team of women to connect with weekly on Zoom and daily via group texts. I've been pinning ideas, dreaming of minimal style for my interior + current loungy vibe. Here's a recent moodboard which gives you a sense of my style dreams (follow along on Instagram for more of what I'm lovin' lately)...

The mood is organic, fresh, simple. Do-able luxury with edited details. Currently craving French-inspired herringbone floors (a possible DIY in my future?). I've also been purging, streamlining and spring cleaning. I started with my porch and outdoor living areas (more spring cleaning + outdoor inspo here). Take a peek at my de-pollened porch which now serves as a family gathering spot, work-from-home office and study niche.

I also re-styled the living area for a bit of a re-fresh (for more interior ideas + inspiration link here)...

I cleared everything off the mantel. Added an organic branch and scavenged through old watercolor tablets to find one to frame. I love the color mix and always love the subtle statement of a watercolor. Isn't it fun how a mat and frame make any artwork totally legit?

I've been attempting to edit out the clutter and focus on clear surfaces. I've also been diffusing fresh aromas. Lemongrass + Sweet Orange are my go-to essentials. I love this set of essential oils in a cute compact package for tidy storing ... and currently coveting this ceramic diffuser ...

I've also been eyeing a few finds on the Isabella Shopify site, like these stunning abstracts by Kristin Endsley ...

... and this sweet straw bag with tassel, perfect for the spring + summer seasons and for shopping green ... 

... and these jewels from Noble Collective. I'm a sucker for white-on-white layers ...

And of course, I can never get enough candles to light-up the days + nights and create warm + cozy home feels.

What have you been dreaming of lately? ... What ways have you been coping with this time of isolation?  I'm super grateful for spring weather in NC and time outside.  Looking forward to connecting with friends in person again soon.  Until then, always over here dreaming, styling + creating whenever possible. Next up for getting my life in order, my home office (which sadly is currently a hoarder's episode of props and way too much stuff). 

Stay safe! Wishing you health, time for self care, and a little home refreshment.

xo

patti

like the cool kids

"I wish that I could be like the cool kids 

'Cause all the cool kids, they seem to fit in."

{Echosmith} 

Way back when, it was just about keeping up with the cool kids you knew... fast forward to now, and we are literally linked to the coolest of the cools across the planet on the daily. No pressure, right?

It's so easy to get caught up in the comparison game, but the reality is, it's our uniqueness (the way we don't fit the norm) that is ultimately cool. We all have something to give the world.

To be honest, even if I secretly get a little jealous from time to time, there are some very cool women who truly inspire me. Women who create, explore and make it happen. Girl power at its best.

Today I wanted to share a few of the Spring styles I'm currently craving, and one of my design crushes, who happens to be one of those very cool chicks.  

{image via Em Fashion Files + Pinterest}

For me, Spring weather means all the more reason to wear white (though I'm a big believer in wearing it year round). This is my Spring style inspiration. My Spring vibe. I just want to look that cool. 

I've been on the look-out for the perfect pair of sunnies (I'm currently crushing on these groovy pink shades via Amazon... 

...link here to purchase yours.)

Spring is also time for savoring the moments + capturing them in creative ways. I love this idea from the SF Bay Girl (that cool chick I mentioned) - creating chic mini photo books of instagram images with Artifact Uprising. It makes me want to document my life in much more interesting and unexpected ways ... even if it's just a trip to the local farmer's market. #summergoals

I also loved Victoria's recent take on the Terrazzo trend. See her post + all the pretty photos here.  I'm tellin' you, her instagram feed is definitely swoon-worthy. She has amazing travel pics + depths of design insights for all of us creative types. Promise, you'll be inspired.

When it comes to decorating for Spring + Summer, I love to add simple fresh elements that give a nod to the season. My most recent find on Minted is this pretty pink palm print (say that fast three times)...

{image via Minted: "Palm Study #2" - Art Print by Cindy Lackey}

I love adding fresh art (like this print) to an interior to give it a Spring fresh feel. Link here to check-out Limited Edition Art Prints by Minted.

In addition to finding inspiration online, my biggest source of inspo recently was a short weekend trip to NYC. There's nothing like city feels to feed the creative soul. One of my instagram snaps captured some great graphic street art (click over to follow along on my visual journey).

This image has me wanting to paint + create ... and actually reminds me of my JuJu Hat DIY. I still have some feathers left, so I just may need to make more! Link here for my video how-to. Be sure to get the perfect feathers for the job at Etsy {Kimonos Feathers}.

{JuJu Hats created by moi; feathers by Etsy}

Inspired by the JuJus, I made this moodboard with hints of blush, brass + great textures...

Find links to the Moroccan Pouf, Pom Pom Blanket and Runners, all available for purchase via Amazon.

 I hope this post finds ya'll enjoying all the goodness of Spring. Here's to cocktails on the back porch + cool moments with good friends.

{image via Thou Swell}

Wishing you good vibes this weekend! Here's to a beautiful Spring to you + yours!!!

{Link here for how-to create your own mood-board}

xo

patti

Amazon ,  Etsy  +  Minted  Affiliate

collage crazy

...okay. I admit it. I'm a bit obsessive sometimes. I think all stylists, designers + creative-types tend to be a tad OCD.

This weekend, I stumbled upon fieldstone hill's blog post on signature-style-boards. And I was hooked. I just had to do one of my very own style-boards or mood boards. Of course, one collage didn't quite feel like enough, so I did two.

A style-board (inspiration board, #moodboard) is a way of summing up your design style, pulling together images of inspiration that define your style. I loved the exercise and I think you might to.  It's a brilliant way to hone in on your loves so that when you're actually looking to tweak your interior or enhance your wardrobe, you know what to look for.

Here's how my style-boards turned out...

So...what do you think?

As you can tell from my style-boards, I love MIXING textures, like raw wood + high-gloss WHITE...I love NATURAL linens, LAYERS, faux FUR, LUCITE, CANDLES, ORGANIC elements, aqua + TURQUOISE, white + PINK, BRACELETS + STATEMENT RINGS, hints of MID-CENTURY modern, BOHEMIAN influences ... and TWINKLE lights.

What's your design style?

Click on over to this link for the quick how-to and make one or two of your own.  And PLEASE SHARE.  I'd love for you to comment below and share yours (You can upload it to one of your pinterest boards and copy + paste the link). 

THANKS for stopping by.  I hope this inspires you to define your style just a little bit more.

Have an incredible week!... and don't forget to COMMENT below. I seriously do a happy dance when I know people are actually reading these random thoughts of mine.

xo

patti

ps. If you like what you see, please follow me on instagram or twitter or pinterest ... or all of the above. :) Share your thoughts. I adore comments.