Color Translation: Snowy, Two Ways.

Last Friday we had our first snow as Colorado residents. Being from California, and this my first October living states away from my sunny beginnings, the autumn snow was a stark contrast from what I am used to from falls past. It was light, crisp, cold, and made me want to sip tea and stay in my slippers all day. I did not stay locked up inside, but rather faced the lovely white that danced around from above, melting as it hit the ground. And of course, boots and knits were brought out all over the city for the few days of cold and bit of snow that fell. For a color translation inspired by this snowy  autumn weekend, here are two snowy day looks that are easily translated into home design, decor, and other girly accessories. 

Snowy, Neutrals, and the Black & White Stripe.

Neutrals, stripes, cozy knits, and a bright snowy contrast translate to worn in, plush couches, white pillow accents, black and white lines, a steaming cup of tea, and that feeling of morning air on a crisp autumn's day. There is a feel of modern, nautical, and vintage combined in one.

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Subtle Snowfall, Mint, and Pink.

There is something charming about combining mint and light pink. It tells a story of femininity, somewhat lost in a 1950's past. The muted tones and subtle hues are sweet and innocent in this first photo. When out of the cold, I like to think this girl's home smells freshly of apple pie with mason jars collecting the last bits of fall blooms and a cast iron stove warming the green and pink knits she wears.  There are feminine details scattered throughout her home, just as in these photographs.This combination may be one of my all time favorite combinations in home design, especially for a girl's room or when wanting a retro feel. Which of these would be your snowy day look or color translation favorite?

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Color {and taste} Translation: Pumpkins!

You know you have succumbed to the pumpkin obsession when you make a trip to the grocery store with the sole mission to find pumpkin flavored cream cheese and pumpkin bagels. It is only just September and the pumpkin craze is full force. I feel it in my bones, and in the air, as I walk past Starbucks each day and see a many pumpkin spice chai warming up a cup. It's not quite time to carve the guard and make art and decor with this little orange vegetable, but it is quite time to be inspired by pumpkins in the kitchen and home (and on pinterest, yes?).

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I love the pinkish pumpkin colored wall paper in this retro design shot. This room beams fall, yet it is the lightness of the wall paper, white detailing, and decor that make it appropriate year round. Doesn't this print make you feel brave enough to paste some wallpaper in your home? You can check out more patterns and prints in the home on my growing Pinterest board--over here.

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I absolutely LOVE the idea of using a pumpkin as a vase or bowl. These two ideas are my favorite upcycled pumpkin finds as of late. I had to look twice at the pumpkin flower holders, they are so subtle you almost miss that those are pumpkins! This weekend is going to be kitchen happy as I am going to try many of these delicious pumpkin recipes I have been seeing popping up all over. Here are a few I am super excited about:

Pumpkin Spice Cream Cheese - A Beautiful Mess
Pumpkin Pie Protein Shake- 20minutemom
Pumpkin French Toast- Recipes for a Quarterlife
Pumpkin Beer Bars with Streussel Topping - Espresso and Cream
Baked Pumpkin & Butternut Mac n' Cheese- Dot in the City
{As good as Starbucks} Pumpkin Scones- Nancy Creative

Mmmmmm Spicey Pumpkins!

xo, Lauren

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. 

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?