Color Translation: Blue Skies

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The sky has captured my heart and soul lately. Maybe it is the majesty, wonder, and novelty of bright blue, melting sunsets, and the ever rearranging clouds. I feel like God puts things in perspective a bit for me when I look up at the sky and realize how vast and wide open it is, and how small and singular I am. One moment it is sunny and hot, and the next moment the thunderclouds roll in to put on a spectacle, changing the bright blue to muted grey. This weekend we rode bikes all over, played volleyball at the park, drove up into the mountains, and went on walks. The sky was bright blue, and the neutral tones of the city with its pavement, washed out brick, and other hardwares paralleled the natural colors of the dirt, rocks, fall turning trees, and brush in the mountains. Regardless of the undertones, the blue skies stood out as the beauty of my surroundings. This post translates just that, beautiful blue skies with hints of neutral tones and pops of sunny hues into home design, decor, and style. How have you been enjoying the sky lately? 

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[Above] I love the idea of a painted blue floor. Especially the hue of blue in this design. The Rugs and blankets are reminiscent of a sunset, while adding texture and warmth to the space. [Below] The bright blazer and sky blue necklace are the perfect accessories to go along with a warm and bright smile.

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[Above] Not only is this embroidery just darling, but the clouds cut out of graph paper make this photograph so perfect! The vintage feel of this room, it seems effortless, lived in, practical for a child's space, and that embroidery would be a cute addition to the space, don't you think?

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Bright blue, peely, rusty, and weathered reminds me so much of our ride through Denver this past weekend. I think this tin and kitchen space are perfect color translations.(And I want to know where I can find a dish rack like that green one below!) A color pairing that works flawlessly is vintage sky blue with cherry red (refer to the counter in this last photo and the kettle to see what I mean).

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Maybe the sky where you live has been muted, grey, rainy, or cloudless, hot and blindingly bright. Or maybe you've been stuck inside and too busy to notice. I challenge you to take 5 minutes at least to tilt your head back and peer up at the beauty above you. Cloud watch. Enjoy the sunset, sunrise, or fog passing by (oh how I miss the coastal California fog!) Maybe you'll be inspired like I was, to translate your sky into home design, decor, and stylings. 

Lovely Locks Summer Round Up.

Autumn is here, but I am not quite ready to give up my summer hairstyles. What were a few of your favorites from the season? Here is a look back on a few of my favorites. I was seeing twists, waves, and braids galore. The sock bun and inside out braid I loved the most, and have hopes to master the fishtail braid as my hair grows a bit longer come fall and winter. Have you checked out the series Braids of Glory at Thoughts by Natalie yet? You should--over here!

From top to bottom: Twisted and pinned/ Waterfall braid to bun/ Side pinned waterfall braid/ Boho thrifted scarves/ Flat iron waves/ Waterfall braid to bun. You can read archived posts, Lovely Locks HERE, and Scarves in the Summertime HERE.

{And, on another note: I had my first day of work in the city today! Seeing as it is my very first week at a new job, my free time is drastically cut back, so you may be seeing a little bit of a change around the blog as I transition. I do promise to keep Pearls Poppies Pinkies Up going and growing! I appreciate each and every one of my readers and so love this little creative outlet of mine. There may just be a few changes here and there, ie. a few more articles like this one sending you to my blog faves, highlighting past posts/archives, round ups, or maybe a missed day or two at times! I so appreciate your input and patience during this exciting time in my career! XO, Lauren}

Pearls Poppies PICKERS.

Traveling the backroads of America looking for rusty gold is quite possibly one of my dream jobs. I love the show American Pickers with Mike and Frank, and getting to pick myself when the opportunity comes along is something I never pass up. It happens very few and far between seeing as though I've typically lived in a big city, or near a big city, with slim to none in the "backroads of America" category. And typically the times I happen upon a junk yard of treasure, it is very unplanned. Hence, this Saturday. I tagged along with the men {Matt and our neighbor} for a bit of offroading and to scout out some great camping spots. After a day of bumpy roads, driving through rivers, and Yankee Doodle Lake, we stopped for some food which was right next to a plethora of rusty gold in this little indoor/outdoor shop. I did not buy a single thing, but I LOVED and savored the experience of rummaging through this mercantile junk yard antique shop. And I will definitely go back to this spot. I thought you might enjoy perusing and picking too ("window picking" we'll call it), and gathering up a few tips for braving the rusty venture of a bargain hunting pick...

Wouldn't this chair be great on a big porch or deck, painted navy with mustard yellow striped cushions? It was only $15, which I would have been all over if I had the place or space for it! And note the orange chair in the left photo. It was so darling as well!

Here are a fewTips that I have picked up from Mike and Frank, the American Pickers themselves, which I love to lean on at all picks/ garage sales/ bargain hunts {You don't just have to be on the backroads to do this! Try it out at your next neighborhood garage sale!}: 

• Break the ice with the vender/junk owner by paying the suggested price for the first item. Get the ball rolling and prove that you are serious about buying and know a gem when you see one!
• Save negotiating for the item that is just so-so. If you find an item that is a decent price, and you just love it, buckle down and pay the marked price.
• Bundle items. Find two or three items that you want and offer a single price for the group. When you bundle you often end up paying a lot less and the seller typically loves this because you are buying more of their treasures!

• Look high, look low. Sometimes you won't even realize it until you look up that chairs, photographs, frames, baskets, and light fixtures are right above your head when on a pick. And don't be afraid to look under chairs and in trunks and boxes. Often, antiques and junk are being literally stacked up as the collector or seller is getting more and more in their space, so things are everywhere!

• Venture outside and don't be overwhelmed by junk. Often, there is something so wonderful hidden in there that is hard to see from just scanning the outdoor area. Things kept outside get rusty and peely from weather, but be optimistic about a fresh coat of paint or some tuning up! These are the deals that are the best finds, because outside junk is big, bulky, and often overlooked by the average passer by. 

• Have a pickin' buddy. There's nothing better than having a partner in crime to sift through junk with. A second set of eyes can find things you might pass up, offer good advice, and help you break the ice, bundle, and negotiate. The roads traveled can be long and windy, and having a friend there along with the stories to tell is vital. What would picking be without this essential piece?

Do you have any pickin' adventures to share? Any tips you've learned to rely on? 

{Fabric & Threads} Borrowed, Bargained, Black & Tan

New series alert: I thought it might be fun to share with you my favorite outfits every once and awhile! The rules are simple. Whatever I share with you must be a look that that was frugal {either thrifted, hand-me-down, borrowed, or on super sale}, brings together vintage with modern, or that has some other element of style fitting to Pearls Poppies Pinkies Up (DIY, handmade, etc). I'd love to know your thoughts on this type of series!

The Look: Sushi Date Night
Teal Purse UO $10, Polka Dot Sweater OLD NAVY, Baubles DIY

I just loved this polkadot sweater, first noticed at Happily Grey. I was not even planning on the purchase until I was in Old Navy while revamping my fall work wardrobe and realized with the sale they had going on that the top only cost $15! Tired of summer clothing, yet still warding off the heat, I paired this top with dark denim shorts, my diy colorblocked necklace, and an old teal UO purse. 

The Look: Dressy Downtown Work Event

Black Dress GAP sale, Vintage Necklace BORROWED, Tan Wedges URBAN OUTFITTERS sale

What to wear to an awards breakfast at the aquarium, that just so happens to also be your first day of work? I went for a classy neckline and neutral tones. Black, tan, with a pop of gold. I definitely did not want to be the new girl that sticks out of the crowd, but I did want to be the new girl who is remembered for grace, personality, and sincerity (and a classy fashion sense). My favorite black dress left me feeling confident (as well as the confidence in my heart and soul, of course) while meeting all of my new coworkers. And the gold and black beaded necklace (borrowed from my lovely neighbor!) added a touch of vintage feel. And did I mention that there was also a tiger show? Yes, there was. There was a tiger show on my first day of work. 

Three month Blogiversary,100th post, and a feature!

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This post is significant because it is the first of triple digits! Post ONE HUNDRED! Let's celebrate! Because it is also this little blog's three month anniversary! Boy have we been busy or what? Thank you so much to all of you loyal readers and fellow bloggers for loving and caring for this creative outlet. Affordable design, diy, thrifting, old meets new, pretty meets functional, design inspiration, frugal fashion and other bits of lovely have found their home here. Now, go share with your friends about Pearls Poppies Pinkies Up! {As a milestone marker, a fun new board was created on Pinterest--over here. AND to top it off, today the hand painted hour glass tea towel was featured at Hi Sugarplum!--over here}. Happy Friday!

Thoughts for Thursday: Leopard Print.

This weekend, these shoes found me. I had fallen for a similar pair back in March when reading this post by Jenny at The Little Green Notebook. Now, compliments of Target, there is a little bit of leopard print in my life. And now for a bit of color {print} translation:

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I just love this rug! I think that leopard print can really bring some interest to an otherwise neutral palette. The clover shape of that chair back is darling also. I am craving a scoop of vanilla icecream in a cone after looking at this one.

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And what about this print for fall? This dress would be lovely with tights (black or navy) and boots. And I also love the messy twist the girl in this photo has done with her hair. We should ask the ladies at Le Coeur De La Vie what they think.

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The mix of leopard on the staircase combined with the red plaid rug in the hallway, large artwork, orange upholstered chair, and classic decor items like the vase creates a very modern yet traditional mix.

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Not only do I love the end of the bed bench (and how wide it is!), the print, books, and frames on the wall make me so curious about the couple who lives here! And I must ask this simple question, what are your thoughts on leopard print? 

My Morning Cup.

This week I have been sharing with you a few simple things related to design, diy, organization, thrifting, style, etc. In case you missed the short, sweet, and simple posts this weekso far, you can check them out here and here. Life has been so full and so lively, I've had to set my paintbrush, organizing, and thrifting aside a bit {Because I recently was offered a new job and start this Friday!}. I am sure you can relate to crazy busy. 

Confession, coffee has become my latest vice. I'm not sure when this turn came about in my life. But its here. And although I am so busy lately, I still try to enjoy my coffee time each morning. I love that warm cup of Jo--yet, if you are like me, the start of your day is on this sort of time table where every minute counts, and sometimes making coffee can take too much of that time! I have had to compromise my a.m. routine a bit so that I can enjoy a few minutes out front with my lab-shepherd mix Shelby each morning before I head off to work. During these minutes out front, this is vital: Warm cup in hand, cool breeze to start the day, and a  9 year old pup running about the dewy grass. 

A system that has really worked to give me that extra morning time and still provide me with a warm cup of coffee, is to have an organized prep area and coffee grounds at the ready. We buy our coffee as whole beans, and in bulk, to be a bit more frugal. I love my beans whole, because I can taste the freshness, which I love {don't you?}. But this means the beans need to meet the grinder. We've gotten in the habit of grinding beans for a few days worth and storing them in an air tight container {it still keeps the freshness!}. This takes away the entire grinding process in the morning. One less step means more time for something else! Keeping all of our mugs, beans, filters, and french press in one place also helps with coffee prep. Less time moving about the kitchen!

 

On the topic of coffee and breakfast {and to show you that Potterybarn style can be thrifted} check out these darling letter pressed plates I found at the Goodwill. For one dollar even! It is little lovelies like this that make an 'in a hurry breakfast' not lacking design delight and thrifted elements. Do you find time at the start of each day to enjoy five minutes of a warm morning cup, devotionals, or fresh air? What have you made efficient and organized within your morning routine?