Monday, April 30, 2012

The Past Few Weeks

Goodness goodness how April has flown by! I have lots of outfit and design job updates for you!










Kelly Wearstler is seriously rockin it lately. Love her latest fabric line. I definitely have her on my list of people to meet someday. (Ok I don't physically have a creepy list like that, you know what I mean)


Found this GORGEOUS wood chandelier with ornate crystals while looking for a client's foyer light. It was on sale for $3500, BUT regularly $6,000. Total deal, no?


I'm so excited about a client's bathroom design finally coming together. It's a coastal/beachy vibe:


Here's a little sneak peek of the kitchen being installed I mentioned in a prior post. I'm ready to propose to those countertops I'm so in love. I'm also really pleased with the antique brass hardware against the dark cabinets. They pull from the gold toned accents running through the countertop:


And here's another kitchen we just completed in a cute little semi we built. Isn't that white faux marble countertop insane?! I will always have a soft spot in my heart for carrera marble, real or not. If we had the budget, I'd so install a subway tile backsplash:



 And it's lilac season! From my office to my house, I'm smelling lilacs all day long:





I also hosted a family lunch on Sunday featuring scrumptious Italian fare:


And got to spend time with the cutest baby nephew ever:


Less than 1 month until BlogFest 2012! I cannot wait! What to wear???

Also, please check out my giveaway, you're going to love what I have for you!
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Thursday, April 26, 2012

Giveaway!!

Finally! I have myself together and can tell you about this totally amazing giveaway I have for you! I am so excited to have found this unique online store. It's called Novica and is in association with National Geographic, a staple magazine in our household growing up. Which by the way, I'm totally planning on raiding my parents' basement for their old issues. Have you seen the newest trend? Decorating with these yellow spined treasures! They add the perfect dose of color:

Marcus Design

Traditional Home


Apartment Therapy



http://meagancamp.blogspot.com/

Anyway, this is what Novica is all about:

We want to give artists and artisans around the world a global platform to express their true artistic talents and to spur their creativity. And, we want to provide you with access to unique, hard-to-find items at great values that only the Internet infrastructure can allow.



At the deepest essence of our philosophy, we want to create a bridge between you and the many talented artisans across the globe.


We want you to know about who you're buying from. We want you to feel that attachment to the product and to the hands that created it.


In the spirit of the Internet, let us bring you together.


NOVICA. The World is Your Market.

How cool!? You're totally getting handmade goodies from all over the globe without even booking a plane ticket. Shhh... no one has to know you didn't actually stand in front of the Taj Mahal. And if that's not cool enough, check out this testimonial from a wood sculptor in Bali:

"Before working with Novica, I sold my work at our local art market, with only a few months of good sales per year. There, buyers didn't seem interested in knowing about the artist. They just bargained for a souvenir - for a memory of Bali, at the cheapest price. At that time, my main concern was just to earn enough to support my family. Everything began to change when I joined Novica. Now, I'm directly connected to interested customers around the world. They know my name, and they read my biography. I now enjoy reading compliments written by my customers, especially those who explain how certain of my carvings carry important meanings for them. Now Novica accounts for half of my income and the respect Novica has brought me, as an artist, is priceless.

Seriously? Kind of makes you want to ditch that crappy imposter wood bowl you bought at Pottery Barn, doesn't it?

And if you still aren't convinced, how does a $75 gift certificate sound? Yep, totally for you! There's so much to choose, whether it be decor for your home or fashion for your closet. I'm loving these silk shawls handmade in India and this blue batik silk one from Bali:

 And this gorgeous porcelain jar from Thailand would be so pretty on a bookshelf:



The photo frames are absolutely beautiful, especially this one from India carved from horn:


The possibilities are endless from this site! All you have to do is visit Novica, be a follower of Fashionable Interiors, and comment on this post with what you would love to own or give as a gift. You have until next Friday, May 4th at which point we will choose a random comment to be the winner of the $75 gift card! Good luck and happy travels :)
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Sunday, April 15, 2012

Life Updates

I finally have a free moment, just me and my laptop. I actually stayed home the WHOLE weekend, which was miraculous. A bit of a staycation if you will. I ate breakfast at home versus grabbing something on the run (gasp!):



And yes, that's cheese in the corner. Didn't realize it was acceptable to have cheese in the morning until I went to Paris.

I walked my little pup and did some yard work cleanup to prep for spring flowers:


And found the new Domino! Needless to say, it's already been devoured (as well as that Starbucks Caramel Macchiato ice cream)...


It was a productive/relaxing weekend that I'm definitely in a hurry to repeat, especially after a hectic work week. My interior decorating company had a table at a women's expo for a women's organization in my area this past Friday. The theme was Spring Renewal:



Btw, those tulips are the coolest thing ever. They're called indoor tulips and last way longer than fresh ones. So pretty, right?

The only crappy portion of the weekend was when the topic of money came up in our household. Yea, I know... Anyway, it's no secret that I love to shop. And that we want to build our house next year. Obviously these two things don't add up to a nice equation. It doesn't help when we have all these lovely fashion blogs (ahem) and pinterest, etc. to feed the desire of owning the latest and greatest in fashion and interiors. But what happens when after you buy that 100th purse or throw pillow you didn't need and start to feel that surge in your gut. Yea, that's guilt my friends. The shopping guilt. We've all had it. Some of us more than others, like yours truly. 

I'm tired of having this guilt after a purchase. I actually want to start wearing the clothes I have in my wardrobe instead of adding more to it until I have no idea what to wear. Trust me, it's possible to have so much clothing you feel overwhelmed when getting dressed. So my dear Fashionable Interiors readers, with you I'm going to share my quest to wear what I have/decorate with what I own and be content with it. Of course I can't quit shopping cold turkey, but it's absolutely possible to add trendy pieces here and there without spending a fortune. It's so hard when stores are coming out with new things on a weekly basis and emailing you so you can know all about it. Here's my plan:
  • Step 1: Get my email off the all these stores' email list. No I do not need to know your tops are now buy 1 get 1 50% off for the third time this month. I'm good thanks.
  • Step 2: Use cash. I've decided to take a lump sum of cash at the beginning of the month and when it's gone, it's gone. Everyone knows you spend less when you have to use cash. I do have store cards that come with great perks, but most allow you to pay off the card at the store immediately after you make a purchase. Rewards plus no credit card bill? Perfect!
  • Step 3: Find inspiration and use what you have. I've always been a huge proponent of this. And here's my take:

I loved the above look from a recent Zara lookbook. The skirt was $80. I already had a red pencil skirt, so did I really need to buy another one, just because it had the super cute peplum vibe going on? Sure, if I want to live in our little townhome forever. So here's what I accomplished by using what I already have:



I also wanted to do some redecorating for Spring, and just repurposed some of the things I already had:




I have to say I'm disappointed in myself for not following some advice I've mentioned on the blog before from my one of my favorite books, Entre Nous - A Women's Guide to Finding Her Inner French Girl:

When the French girl shops, it isn't a solitary act of buying something new. It's part of a lifelong process of editing her environment, making small but meaningful additions to her home, her closet, her life.

So here's to only adding small but meaningful things to our lives. I'll keep you posted on my journey :)

P.S. If you'd like to follow me on instagram, I'd love for you to! My name is tendenzafi. Thanks!
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Monday, April 9, 2012

Manic Mondays

I'm designing up a storm over here lately, trying to get our showroom going. I initially had planned on opening a whole big showroom under my interior decorating company, but realized my life is already hectic as it is and I didn't want to get in over my head at the moment. All in good time. So what is happening is we are designing a small space that is off of our office to become the new Folino Homes (our home building company) / Tendenza Fashion & Interiors (my interior decorating company) showroom. I'm working on the design board at the moment and couldn't be happier with what it's becoming! I'll be sure to share when it's further along.

I also had to choose the kitchen selections for our spec home (which is a home we build and put up for sale). I cannot wait to see the countertop. Formica has come out with some amazing color selections lately. The main kitchen cabinets will be the darker color and the island will be brown. I'm also excited to try using antique bronze hardware on the cabinets. I am so over everything matching, from the lighting fixtures to the kitchen faucet. It's 2012, let's get some excitement in our kitchens:
Aren't the countertops insane?!! Oooo boy I can hardly keep it together waiting for these bad boys to arrive.

And nothing too exciting for you on this Manic Monday, but here are some shots of a recent outfit taken during the "Golden Hour". I totally get while they call it that now...




And yea, I know I've been dangling this giveaway all last week and I still don't have my act together for it yet, which = me being the worst blogger ever. It's coming, I promise!! Hope you all had a Happy Easter!
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Thursday, April 5, 2012

Classic & Simple

Sometimes, there's nothing better than a great fitting pair of jeans, a classic trench, and black pointy toe pumps:



P.S. I'm so happy I found the above black and tan blazer at H&M over the weekend. My poor black and white one needs a break...

The same philosophy applies in interior design. Sometimes, the best designed rooms are the ones that you don't overthink, but turn out looking fabulous:


Enjoy the GORGEOUS day if you're local! I'll be meeting up with a friend tonight to attempt a DIY succulent wreath. I'll be sure to share the finished product! (if it looks good, otherwise forget I mentioned it...)
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Monday, April 2, 2012

Crepe Party

As promised, here are the pics from the crepe party I threw last weekend! I highly suggest a party like this. It's so fun because your guests can join in and it doesn't require a ton of prep work prior. I also made macarons and had little chinese takout containers as party favors.  It felt just like a summer night in Paris! (Ok, maybe not exactly like Paris, but a girl can pretend...)


My kitchen island was covered with butcher block paper which A. Was a cute way to write suggested recipes, etc. and B. An amazing way to clean up. Here's me and my friend Lily, enjoying my spiked Pink Lemonade!

I also just got this book from Amazon today and cannot wait to devour it. I am a little concerned, however, I'll end up on the phone with my travel agent by the end.



I'll be posting my giveaway this week!
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