FarmHouseUrban

Fall 2016 Fashion - Navigating the Trends

With September comes fashion - September Vogue, runway shows and colder weather all contribute to our desire to think about our wardrobe. My favorite pieces this month ranged from classic to edgy and everything in between. Trying to find a common thread made me realize there is no longer 'a look' for that season. It's become a pupu platter of options - colors, hem lengths, etc that allow us the pleasure of picking and choosing whatever we like. 

  

I thought Marc Jacobs' collection was fantastic and filled with inspiration. While haute couture is not in my budget, nor could this look work in my world, there are some major take aways to be had -- the high neck lace blouse, a blazer and high waisted pants, and those silver jeans.... 

On the flip side, another of my favorites is the neutral palette by Bottega Veneta. Layers of tone on tone with texture and drape doing the talking.

For Fall, the trends that I'm drawn to and will be incorperating into my wardrobe are:

1.  Combat boots & stacked heels.

2.  Merlot & red

3. Shorter skirt length

4. Military & camo

5. Metallic

Here are some looks that incorporate the trends above and I'll be working into my own closet.... 

 

 Happy October to you! 

xo

S

 

Things I'm Digging - Men's Addition

Hi you.... What a moon last night! It makes me smile to know we are all looking at the same one. The world feels smaller and the space between us a whole lot closer when you picture it that way.

I have been collecting some gift ideas ... thought i'd share a few favorites.

 

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 Did you know that Titanium is the best metal for beverage containers because it doesn't produce any metal taste? It's also one of the strongest metals and has a really manly and superhero-ish name. 

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I just discovered this company because they kindly sent me a press release telling me about their super cool, fully weatherproof day pack that fits into your palm. Now that glove boxes are no longer storing maps, there is room for one (or more) of these for those unexpected stops to the farmers market or wherever.

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There is nothing like perfectly fitted clothing to up your game from good to outstanding. I take most of my clothes to a seamstress who often makes suggestions I didn't even think of. The end result are clothes that fit me exactly. This shirting company has literally mastered how to do it online. Forget going to Hong Kong to get your custom shirts - you can now get the same hand tailored fit, and luxurious fabrics from the comfort of your own home. Be sure to take a look at the 2016 Flannel Shirt Collection -  so comfy and cozy.

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Simply fantastic products. A guy's shower staple. 

 

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Speaking of shower and bathroom products, the masculine packaging of this company will appeal to those Y chromosome bearing loves in your life.

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Not everyone has a turntable (formerly known as a record player) but for those who do, this is a great gift. I love blank-of-the-month gifts, don't you?  They are the gift that keeps on giving. What's particularly fun about this record-of-the-month club is that each record comes with a poster based on the album and a cocktail recipe to match the vibe.

 

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 A special gift but worth it. Other finishes available, as well as headphones too. 

Next post - fall fashion.... see you soon.

xo

s

 

 

The Kids are Back to School - Let's grab coffee

It happens without warning. You go from counting down the days until school starts, doing a happy dance the minute you step into the quiet house after dropping your children off and attending the Parent Breakfast (which, sadly, I have missed due to scheduling conflicts for the past 5-6 years or more) to stepping into the quiet house, plopping down on the sofa that so recently had piles of kids on it and wishing for just a few more days of summer.  There's no gradual progression. No transitional period. So begins Lily's senior year of high school...Where did the time go?

The one silver lining with back-to-school week is catching up with friends over coffee. It's nice to think that this tradition can (and will) continue, even after the kids have left the nest. It got me thinking about coffee shops, having coffee with friends at home and all that goes with both... Here are some of my inspirations. 

coffee shop

 

 

Product Sources (click for link):

1. Ceramic French Press

2. Cutting Board

3. Individual Sugar + Creamer Set

4. Brass Coffee Spoon

5. Graphite Linen Napkins

6. Coffee Mug

7. Linen French Press Cozy

8. Lazy Susan

9. Teapot with Leather + Copper Handle

Sunday Blues

I've been listening to a new Pandora station lately - Lauryn Hill Radio.  It gets confusing, sorting out all of the music choices out there - Spotify, Pandora, Soundcloud, etc. I don't really get what makes one better than the other or how they differ, so I just stick to the one I know. The music on Lauryn Hill Radio is a mix of present day artists as well as oldies, but it's all Rhythm & Blues.  I heard "Misty Blue" by Dorothy Moore for the first time tonight. What a beautiful song. I'm a sucker for soulful ballads that stir emotions...But then again, it's Sunday night, so maybe that's why....

  

Oh, it's been such a long, long time

Looks like I can get you off my mind

Oh, but I can't

Just the thought of you,

Turns my whole world

A misty blue.

That it does.

Right after I heard this song tonight, I watched a show on Netflix and it played during the credits... I love coincidences.

Here are some misty blues for you's :)

 

 

 

 

A Flower Exchange Party with Girlfriends and Deconstructed Nicoise Salad

Several weeks ago  I had a group of girlfriends over for lunch. The common thread that binds us is that we met through our kids and all live in the same neighborhood. There were 10 of us which is a great size for full table conversations as well as multiple smaller ones. I had the same group of lovelies over for a cookie exchange at Christmas, which was a big hit - the amount of wine consumed had absolutely nothing to do with it.  because who doesn't like cookies?  So, I wanted to do a summer version and came up with a flower exchange theme. Everyone brought about a dozen stems of their choosing and at the end of the party everyone took home a gorgeous mixed bouquet.  

The plan was to eat outside, but it was cold and started sprinkling that morning, so I brought everything inside at the last minute, thus no table pics.

For lunch, I made a deconstructed nicoise salad meaning all of the ingredients were singled out and people could take what they wanted. 

I used salmon instead of tuna and had the most serendipitous discovery that morning. I was planning on baking the salmon, but I happened to notice a never opened box of parchment baking bags in a drawer with a picture of salmon filets on it. I decided to try it out and followed the recipe in the box: Preheat oven to 400 degrees, put the salmon in the bag (I put 3 pieces in each bag) with some lemon, dill and a tsp of water. Bake for 10 minutes and open the bag gently to release steam. Omg - foolproof! You can get the bags here.

 

I also made this ricotta and roasted tomato galette from the Macrina Bakery cookbook. You can get the cookbook here.

There were a few extra flowers left over after everyone left. Lucky Lily and me!

Happy Wednesday!

xo

s
 

At First Blush

Hi.  I was working on this post when the horrendous situation in Orlando happened... the resounding message that rose from this act of hate is that love is love is love. If I had one super power it would be for every person on the planet to find their soul mate, be together forever in glorious heart pounding love and overcome any and all judgement or adversity. We all deserve that love. There is no other reason we are here. It's our birthright.

 

After this second spring bloom of the all white roses planted along my entry, one little bush has produced it's second consecutive crop of mostly white flowers with the slighted pink blush color on just a few petals... A sweet unexpected gift from mother nature :)

 

 It has influenced me. Blush is my new black...

Happy summer to you...

xo

s

The past couple of weeks in review

 Hi you. I'll let the photos do the talking. I've missed you.

xo

s

The Rihanna Concert was amazing.

My sweet Lily and her prom date Will. It was drama free I'm happy to report.

 

My Mother's Day gifts. 

They know me so well.

 

 Bonus gift - Luke was home for a week over Mother's Day!

I was in New York recently for a work meeting and attended the ICFF trade show which coincided with Design Week. It was fantastic. Here are some of my favorite new discoveries. Please leave a comment below if you would like the vendor information on a particular piece and I'll reply in the comments. Thank you :)

It's hard to see, but this lighting company offers several unusual finishes (like rust - real rust) and the option to use multiple in one fixture which I thought was really cool.

 These outdoor, fully weatherproof chairs are the bomb! Beach house owners - these are for you!

 From the same company - these beanbag benches for around a fire pit are also great.

I really, really like that sconce on the left... Great design. All the pieces from this French lighting company are terrific.

This floating bathroom vanity is sleek and modern with no pulls, open cabinetry and a sink + countertop made of one piece. At the same time, the wood frame keeps it from being austere and cold. Stunning.

If you can take your eyes away from the faucet, notice the drain. It's on the outer edge of the sink bottom.

This is colored moss. Hear me out. This is not like the fake flowers of yesteryear. It's not meant to look real and living. The first thing I thought of when I saw it, is how cool a giant logo on an office wall would look. The moss can be made into any shape, pattern, and color way you can think of. Like a big crayon box for adults.

This well know tabletop company, introduced a new collection of pieces made of cork. 

I loved these vintage concert posters made into art pieces. 

Lions and tigers and chairs.

Happy Wednesday! 

Wallpaper Love

Hi sweet people. Happy Friday to all of you. This is going to be a relatively quiet weekend for me. The highlight being my daughter Lily's prom or as I like to call it "Prom Drom" as in, short for drama. There's a whole lot more at play for girls regarding the prom - whoa. When Luke went (I think he went every year he was in high school...) all that was involved was renting his tuxedo and getting the girl a corsage. With girls, the preparation starts right after Christmas vacation. Suffice it to say, I will be happy when she comes back home well before her 10pm curfew, so we can all move on! If she lets me, I will post a photo of her and her date on the next post. Parents are invited to a pre-prom cocktail party at the home of one of the boys in the group she is going with. Should be fun...

So, wallpaper... It's a little controversial because it requires making a commitment that paint simply does not. You have to really like it, because it's a bold design statement that isn't easy to take down. In addition, it dictates the style direction of the other pieces in the room. Despite all that, wallpaper seems to be gaining in popularity these days and I must say I'm loving the gorgeous colors, textures and materials that are out there. Small spaces that don't involve furnishings are the best places for wallpaper. It in itself being the star of the show.

 

Still life's get me every time. This one is so incredibly stunning.

A fun way to add some interest to a room is to wallpaper the back of bookshelves. 

Kids rooms are another place that I've seen a trend in wallpaper emerging.

The color combination is so quirky, yet it totally works.

I love the idea of wallpapering the ceiling. If you didn't see it done, it would be daunting, but how sweet that the little one whose room this is can look up and see the birds?

How adorable is this bunny wallpaper with the little pink stars?

 

Happy weekend!

xo

Serena 

 

Daydreaming

Hi you. As I type, I'm looking out at such a beautiful view! The window I am facing looks out at Marin County's majestic mountain - Mt. Tamalpais. If I squint and tilt my head I can block out the houses and pretend I'm away from civilization. I like the sound of that and am always inspired by women who venture off to find solitude or even travel to far away places all alone and call it an adventure. The reality is, I am just not wired up that way. I've tried - sort of - and perhaps shouldn't admit this publicly, but I really do prefer company. Not sure where I was going with this...  :-) I actually thought I would post about creativity and inspiration. Then I got daydreaming...

So, if one day I get bitten by the solo adventure bug, it might look something like this...

A charming little shingled beach cottage in a quaint coastal town.

 

Covered in flowers.

With comfy furniture to read in and listen to the fire crackle. *Note to self: learn how to make a fire.

And a bright clean kitchen.

A small bathroom perhaps with shiplap.

Hearing the ocean from bed.

Morning tea here would be nice.

I'd do a lot of this.

And this.

Might even finally learn to surf!

Then I'd wash off here.

Dinner on the beach.

Or here.

Here's to daydreaming...

xo,

s

 ps - more beach house photos here 

 

When Only A Dress Will Do - Spring Fashion

Hi beautiful people. I hope this post finds you enjoying a lovely Spring + Easter weekend. I'm looking forward to getting away for some nice, long overdue downtime. One thing that makes me happy is going through my closet at the end of each season, making edits and thinking about what I would like to add to the mix. So here are some Spring pieces that I've been coveting lately...It's all about the dress.

There is no clothing option more supremely feminine than a dress. And as such, there are days when only a dress will do :) In fact, I wear dresses or skirts to work on most days and almost always for special nights out.
As I was perusing my favorite online shops this week, and happy to see that dresses abound this season, I noticed a few trends:

1. Patterns - this is a tough one for me. I rarely wear anything with a pattern. Other than a few plaid shirts, everything is solid. That said, there are some really beautiful options right now that are giving me second thoughts. 
2. White -  An all white dress can sometimes be too stark. I'm intrigued by the interesting fabrics and styles this season that eliminate the plain, nurse-ish feel that can be an issue with all white.
3. Lace & Cut-Outs - Love it. Girly with an edge.
4. Off-the-shoulder - Obsessed.

Here are my fav's:

 

 

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My absolute favorite (above). omg omg

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Max Mara Dress (sold out)

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