2012 Easter Weekend

Such a blog slacker! It's mid-June and I'm just posting from Easter. (I'm back-dating this post).  Ben and I had a wonderful Easter weekend.  Meghan and Cody came to town - and kicked it up a notch! We had dinner Friday at Roosters w/ them, Matt & McCall and Sara.  The following picture encapsulates the night.  Boys v. Girls.  We didn't mind so much... we were lost in gossip and laughter!

Saturday was the ward Easter egg hunt and our prep day for Easter... Dying eggs with Meghan and pretending to be a bunny.  This picture cracks me up. The Easter egg hunt was sort of lost on Blair. The park where the hunt was held had a playground... when the whistle blew she headed straight for the slide, instead of the eggs.  Two minutes later the big kids were let in and it was over pretty quickly.  She didn't seem to mind as much as I did.

 

Ben's family got together Sunday and Ben's mom Kathy hosted a fun "hunt" as well.  It was a perfect day - much warmer than Utah Easters I can remember.

Let the hunt begin!

Kathy hides some surprising non-candy items... never a dull moment!

I'll just go ahead and dispel the rumors that will undoubtedly ensue after this picture... no, I'm not pregnant.  It's all an illusion, or a little too much honey baked ham. I love that stuff.

Pool Day

Blair has been talking about swimming since she laid eyes on a pool a few weeks ago.  She spied some penguins swimming on Sesame Street last week and she ran straight to the door and said, "go inna water - granny house?!"  What a patient girl to wait five more days... we ventured to the pool on Saturday to swim with Granny and Mommacat who was in for the weekend.

Blair loved the water!  Knowing how independent she is, we found a few floaties that would allow her some freedom and she was in heaven. I think we were in the water for two hours straight. She loved it. Perfect weather and lots of new adventures in the water. Oh, and lots of attention from mom, grandma, and great grandma!  Yep, Granny's still got it! 

Blair's New Love : The Zoo

It's been years since we'd ventured to the zoo but on the encouragement of some friends we decided it was time to take Blair. She is at an age where she loves animals... saying their names, identifying them, mimicking their sounds... it's so cute to watch.  She LOVED the zoo.  She talks about it almost every day.  Highlights: the baby elephant, the rhino and the "choo choo train". 

A couple of weeks after her maiden voyage to the zoo, we went back on a mini field trip with some fun girls from the neighborhood. Perfect timing.  And talk about fun! It was pretty crazy as it was the opening day for the new arctic exhibit... debuting the polar bear, otters, sea lions. A very cool exhibit. 

 Here comes a sea lion!

wouldn't be any fun without a large DC... like mother like daughter!

the ladies : (l-r) Keri, Camille, Megan, me, Danielle, Krystal (Mandy was nearby)

the stroller brigade: Jett & Krue, Boston, Jack, Taylee, Blair, Kyson, Sienna & Paisley

 

HAD to ride the "choo choo train" - and of course, had to sit next to Mom, not on my lap.

 

 She loves flipping through the pics on my phone and always stops at this one. I think she's amazed that she rode a penguin!  She was a little wary of the carousel at first ... her penguin was a little rickety.  Most mornings since our outing she wakes up saying, "Go to the zoooo, tomorrow?!"  Maybe it's time to get some family passes to the zoo? I can hardly tell her no.

Studio 5 : Juxtaposition Home

 

Click here to redirect to Studio 5 and read my article there - or click above to watch now!

So you know your design sensibilities aren't modern, they're not rustic or traditional, they're not shabby chic or coastal either. Maybe you're a collector who loves to display your treasures and layer pieces in your home. Maybe you aren't so into color but love unusual objects and worn-in leather furniture. We've just pinpointed your style and we'd say it has a bit to do with juxtaposition!

The style realized in Juxtaposition Home (juxtapositionhome.com) to me is a mix of eclectic style, antique collectibles and textural, natural fabrics. A lot like Restoration Hardware's current product offering and style but with a world-traveled almost ‘steampunk/ industrial' mixed in. You may fit this category if you are drawn to the following five ideas. 

1. You are an eclectic collector.
This style relates to collecting things and pieces that are out of the ordinary. Black and white sketches of insects, antique metal letters or signage, mottled glass bottles or jars that are a hundred years old, an assortment of non-functioning industrial machine parts or tools, or even weathered clock faces. The only thing that unifies this style to me is how unusual the collections are. And they're ALL on display. No closets or attics here!

2. You're more into texture than color.
The look of the rooms featured in the store as well as any interior spaces that have been featured in design publications are all basically colorless. There is high contrast in light and dark fabrics and more emphasis placed on the architectural features of the space, (exposed ductwork or barn wood floors) and the collections that people who love this style connect with so well. The fabrics you do see are worn leathers, sack cloth, Belgian linens and heavy duck cotton with vintage washes and faded patterns.

3. In describing your collections you'd say: my new things look old, and old things look really old.
This particular style is all about PATINA. Patina is the clear bronze color that appears on a doorknob or faucet after years of use, the green that develops on an old penny, the bubbles behind your mercury glass collection. Patina gives things character and interest - turns everyday collections into conversation pieces.

4. You can't pass an antique store without going inside.
Maybe it all started with your grandmothers vanity collection of a silver hand mirror and a bristled brush, or possibly you inherited an old set of leather-bound encyclopedias… those who love the ‘juxtaposition' style are obsessed with things of the past. Something about things that tell a story resonates with you. They are continually on the lookout to further grow their collections - and usually it's for sentimental reasons.

5. You love the color black!
One of the most prevalent nuances in the ‘juxtaposition style' is the constant use of the color black. It is the frame on art pieces and old documents, it is the old rub on the metal letters you collect, it is the ironwork on a vintage lamp or light fixture, it is an old steam trunk that functions as a coffee table. As I mentioned before, this palette here is high contrast and is usually characterized chalk white (colorless) walls and black painted furniture pieces or metal shelving. It enhances the old, industrial chic look that defines this style.

*A Final Word:
To keep your home from looking like a cabinet of natural curiosities or an attic of old collections that would frighten your kids at night, follow this advise: use fresh greenery wherever you have the chance. Live plants or cut flowers, even if only green, give a life and livelihood to your spaces that keep these spaces feeling current and cobweb-free. It will not put a kink in your ‘juxtaposed' style. Also, try to incorporate mirrors or reflective accessories to encourage the movement of natural light and always, always use sconces, lamps and overhead incandescent lighting to warm up the space. 

Introducing Gwenyth Eileen

My little(est) sister Tessa and her husband Duffy welcomed their first baby into the world today.  Gwenyth Eileen weighed and measured the same as her three preceeding girl cousins (also first babies for me and my sisters), Reese, Olivia and Blair Kelly, at 19.5 inches at 7lbs 9oz.  What wonderful birthing genes our mother gave us! Baby Gwenyth was a week early but a healthy and beautiful little baby. I wish Cincinnati were just a little closer to Utah - I positively can't wait to meet her.  What a sweetie ... don't you agree?  Tessa wrote an email to Dean (on his mission) telling him about her labor and delivery and said, "I can't believe all I had to do was be pregnant for 9 months to have her here."  I love how she put it.  How perfectly sweet a brand new baby is to a loving mother and father - there is no more precious time I can think of in life (so far anyway!).  So happy for you Tessa and Duffy, here's to parenthood!

(p.s. Eileen is my Granny's first name, my mom's mom)

Bird on a Wire - Family Photoshoot

At the end of last summer I wanted to have some family pictures taken and it coincided with Blair turning one.  My friend Nicole, an old friend from the dorms (but an unforgettable one!) has a photography company based in Portland, Oregon and on a vacation to Utah she agreed to take our pictures.  I was thrilled! I have admired her (and co-photographer hubby Alma's) work since Bird on a Wire's first shoot.  Their photos have a casual beauty about them.  Wonderfully honest, un-doctored and yet still ethereal.  I knew we three were in good hands. 

It was so great reconnecting with Nicole and meeting Alma. We had a great afternoon at Memory Park in downtown Salt Lake.  I love that park. Ben and I would go there a lot when we were first married and lived nearby.  Part of our wedding video was filmed there too.  Loved going back, especially that time of year.

The pictures are wonderful.  Since having a baby I get really sentimental looking at family pictures.  Pictures of anyone's family, not just my own.  There's something wonderful about seeing what two people can create and also the moment in time those pictures capture.  These pictures are so special to me. I keep thanking Nicole for her talents but it never seems enough.  I'd recommend her a thousand times over.  Her website is great too.  The 'about us' page is awesome, totally 'Nicole'. She recently posted our shoot (graciously giving me time to send out our v-day card) so I thought I would too!  Here are a few pics from our shoot and if you really like us and want to see more, you can follow this link. Bird on a Wire : Lauren & Ben.

Studio 5 : "Tray Chic"

Today's segment was really great. I came up with the idea of "Tray Chic" and had a fun time exploring my creativity in pulling four displays together, each for a different area of the home. Enjoy! Click here  to redirect to the Studio 5 website and read my article below.

With the need for organization in our lives and the overabundance of stylish accessories and beautiful trinkets to put on display, we must have a way to be organized and still fashionable, don’t we?  Trays offer a wonderful opportunity to corral all sorts of objects that make things seem pulled together.  Instantly things become both beautiful and purposeful!

Today designer Lauren Oviatt gives us four ways to create beautiful vignettes on trays and shows four different spaces in which to use them. 

Entry -- There must be a catch-all somewhere in the house, best to keep it looking pretty!

Ideas: tray for keys, bowl for coins, note pad or space for letters in/out, live plant or fresh flowers, photo frame.

Family Room – Add something unexpected or decorative to bring out the ‘interesting’ amongst all the ‘functional’.

Ideas: covered box for remotes, magazines, board game or deck of cards, chic drink coasters, candy dish, preserved greenery

Kitchen – Make everyday items eye-catching by grouping them for visual impact while keeping them close at hand. Consider using coordinating colors in display and varying object size and height for overall appeal.

Ideas:  salt & pepper, salt pig, timer, olive oil, flower in bud vase, fruit, casual cut flower arrangement, spoon rest, kitchen towel

Guest Room -   No better way to thoughtfully welcome a guest than to carefully curate a personalized ‘welcome’ in the form of a lovely bedside or guest bathroom tray.  It will transform your guest room into a stylish boutique hotel suite.

Ideas: water carafe, books, note card & pen, fresh plant or flowers, candle, hand cream, midnight snack

Girls Getaway : Las Vegas

 My friend Keri has some pretty good connections.  Back in January she put out the feelers for a girls trip to Vegas to escape the cold... I think I was the first to respond... where do I sign up?  We took off for two nights and stayed atop Planet Hollywood in a high-roller's suite.  It was incredible.  I felt like the ultimate free-loader but it was amazing!  Keri, Danielle, Kenzie and I shopped a bit, ate a bit (a lot), walked a bit, and talked a lot over the course of a few days. It was so relaxing and energizing at the same time. I remember walking around the shops at Caesar's and remarking with the girls, "Isn't it strange and wonderful that we are really on our OWN timeframe? We don't have to rush here and there to appease our kids, we don't have to stop to change diapers or have a quick bite.  We don't even have to worry about getting home before our husbands go crazy on baby duty"... (there was no coming home, sorry guys!)

 

 

 view from our room - it was even more stunning at night watching the Bellagio fountains

our suite below - it was awesome but also kinda sparse... we could've had a party w/ 50 people here!

 lunch at Max Brenner - yum! worth ALL the sampling we did

 

 we stayed up chatting pretty late both nights and Keri fell asleep mid-coversation... poor dear!

 lunch at Cabo Wabo Cantina - amazing people watching from there...

I had a blast getting away and also getting to know these girls better - Kenzie is moving just up the street and Keri and Danielle are already on the street. :)  I am lucky to have wonderful, fun and generous friends! Thanks Keri for a wonderful time.... can I pencil an encore trip in for next year??

Blair Lately

I've been meaning to publish this post for a while... the 18 month stage of life is such a fun stage.  Trying new words every day, exploring new places, climbing new things, soaking up so much! I spilled milk on my shirt today and said, "oh shoot" - Blair immediately said, "oh shoooot!" I guess it's time to make sure I'm keepin it clean, right?  I recently synced my phone pics to the computer and wanted to post a few of my recent favorites of Blair.

You can't really see this in the pic but Blair was hunched over one day pointing to her belly button.  For a while, it was so cute. She pulled her shirt up to point to it,  you know, just making sure it was still there.

She is recently fascinated by shoes and loves to try on whatever shoes are around. If she finds my shoes, she'll bring them to me and say, "Shoo! Mon!"  over and over until I put them on. Now we have to hide shoes because how can we tell her no?

 In the evening when Ben is watching basketball downstairs or I'm up cleaning my closet (perpetually disastrous) I'll take Blair up for some quiet time.  She'll lay on our bed so quietly and always wants to watch "Caillou"... for some reason she only requests it when we're upstairs. Ever heard a tiny little voice say "caillou" ? - so cute.

Lindsey, Blair is ready for her summer on the farm.  Did Olivia get jealous when I texted you this pic?

Blair is very interested in utensils lately. Right after this meal I decided it was time to buy plastic forks.

She's still trying to figure out how to hold the spoon and fork to make sure the food gets into her mouth. Spoons are still posing a challenge.

Studio 5 : Designing with Prints

My friend Danielle graciously allowed us to use her living room today for what was to be a live segment 'on location'. Due to the political happenings in Salt Lake our sat truck was reassigned... as if design segments aren't more important than a session of congress?!  Instead we shot the segment ahead of schedule that morning and then I headed to the studio to chat about it live.  I'm still hoping for the opportunity to be live on-site.  I would totally hold a fake mic and say something official to wrap it up like, "now back to you!" 

I was thrilled with how the room came together. Danielle has innate design sensibilities... she must have been a stylist in a previous life! These are things I pictured her choosing anyway, which made the room feel that much more complete afterwards.

Click here to redirect to the Studio 5 page hosting the video or click below and read my article here.



 

Start with a LOT of color

When trying to inject more color into a space, I like to start with a broad color palette.  I try to find a fabric that has at least three different colors.  That way you can have fun pulling out those colors in other features in the room like accessories, throws and rugs.

Think beyond pillows

Pillows may be a quick fix, but there are so many more opportunities to play with prints and texture.  Think about going vertical with printed drapery.  Even a semi-sheer will add another dimension to the room that makes the space feel more polished and interesting.

Don’t forget the details

Once the foundation of color has been laid and the larger items are in place, think about the details.  Colorful accessories, lamps, throws and art in coordinating shades help the eye move around the room and enhance the color palette you’re putting in place.  Accessories are a MUST for adding the personality and character to every space.  

 Danielle and I were having a good laugh as I practiced my lines... should've snagged her for a pic to capture the memory together. thanks Danielle for letting us in!