Style Lush

Fun and Whimsical: Sack Pillows

By Lauren

You already know that throw pillows are one of the quickest and easiest ways to change up your family room or living room, right? They're a fast and fun way to change an accent color, add layers of texture, and warm up the space.

But what about using vintage or vintage-inspired sack pillows, made from or based on old flour, sugar, coffee, grain, or feed sacks? They certainly have more personality than your standard accent pillow, and they come in a wide variety of prices and patterns.

The splurge:

Williams Sonoma Vintage Grain Bold Stripe Pillow Covers, $98-$128

The steal:

Privet House at Target Sugar Sack Pillow, $24.99

The basic:

Pottery Barn Grain Sack Stripe Pillow Cover, $29.50

My favorite:

Carrot Seeds Feed Sack Pillow from Ramona Owen Designs on Etsy, $35

And this one holds a special place in my heart, because the Order of the Eastern Star symbol reminds me of my grandparents, who were always active in Eastern Star:

American Ruralist Vintage Flour Sack Calendar Tea Towel Pillow from I'm So Vintage on Etsy, $38

Fun, right?

{Image credits: Williams Sonoma, Target, Pottery Barn, Etsy}

I Adore Sarah Richardson

By Lauren

A couple of years ago, I was watching a lot of home design shows. HGTV was my diversion of choice while endlessly nusring my newborn, who thought nothing of leisurely 40-minute meals at least eight times each day.

Sometimes, I'd get a little annoyed at the shows. I loved seeing the before-and-after comparisons, but I found myself wanting to skip over the hiccups and not-so-witty banter in the middle of the show.

Then I found Sarah's House, and oh, let me tell you. I could watch Sarah's House all the live long day.

Sarah's House (and the most recent version, Sarah's Summer House) features Toronto-based interior designer Sarah Richardson, star of the Canadian design world and mom of two little girls. I'd seen her in a couple of her earlier shows, Room Service and design, inc., and I liked her style. But enjoying a designer's aesthetic doesn't always translate for me into enjoying a television show featuring that designer.

Sarah's House, though is an absolute joy to watch. In each of the first three seasons, Sarah finds a house desperately in need of massive renovation, from a mid-century backsplit to a Victorian country farmhouse. She works through the renovation room by room, each episode featuring a room or two (or perhaps yard or curb appeal issues). In the fourth season, Sarah's Summer House (called Sarah's Cottage for its Canadian run), she tackles the solar-powered, off-the-grid island cottage where she and her family spend their weekends, with jaw-dropping results. 

The dining area and bar in Sarah's island cottage

Her process generally starts with choosing one or more gorgeous fabrics as a "jumping-off point" for the rest of her design, and her finished rooms tend to feature richly layered coordinating fabrics. She has an amazing knack for finding secondhand and antique pieces, having them refinished and re-upholstered, and using them to give her rooms warmth and individuality.

Nursery in the mid-century backsplit featured in the second season of Sarah's House

What elevates the show from simply informative to fun, though, is the ineteraction between Sarah and her "design sidekick," Tommy Smythe. They are completely hilarious together, genuinely witty, and their affection for one another shines through. (My favorite conversation from Sarah's Summer House featured Sarah and Tommy studying pine paneling as Sarah asks, "And is knotty okay?" "Always, darling," Tommy replies with a smirk. Get it? Ahem.)

Main bathroom in Sarah's island cottage

Throw in Sarah's terrific clothes (her maternity wardrobe in Season 2 of Sarah's House and in Sarah's Summer House makes me weep with envy) and her positively adorable Canadian accent (my husband and I call the show "Sarah's Hoo-se"), and her shows are pure enjoyment for the design-minded.

Full episodes from Seasons 2 and 3 of Sarah's House, as well as Sarah's Summer House, are currently available on HGTV's website. Watch them! You won't regret it.

{Image credits: sarahrichardsondesign.com}

Diaper Bags for Dads

By Lauren

My little sister had her first baby last month, a gorgeous little girl. She's currently enjoying her maternity leave, but this summer she'll be heading back to work, and her husband will be stepping into the role of stay-at-home dad.

They're still on the hunt for the perfect diaper bag for him. I couldn't resist splurging and getting my sister an adorable bag that she can carry to work (half off of the outlet price at the Kate Spade outlet last fall, woo!), but dad needs a bag, pronto.

Here are some handsome contenders that fit the bill for style and function:

Diaper Dude Messenger I in Grey Pinstripe, $65

Diaper Dude Messenger II in Grey, $98

Skip Hop Via Messenger in Black, $80

Columbia Baby Backpack with Ripstop Trim, $139.99

Scout by Petunia Pickle Bottom Satellite Sling, $99

And one tremendous splurge, in lovely distressed leather:

Scout by Petunia Pickle Bottom Rubicon Rucksack in Distressed Black Leather, $271

{Photos from: diaperdude.com, skiphop.com, amazon.com, petunia.com}

Classic and Comfortable: A Perfect Summer Dress

By Lauren

I've noticed an interesting thing about my wardrobe: it skews dressier or more casual depending on the season. I have an abundance of casual outfits for the colder months, when boots, jeans, and cozy sweaters prevail. Ask me to go dressier in the wintertime, though, and I'm stumped.

Summer swings the opposite direction. I shy away from things like short shorts, spaghetti straps, and halter tops, so my casual summer wardrobe can tend toward the bland and basic. Invite me to a summer party, though, and I'm all set. I love pairing white pants with a bright top and wedges. I feel confident and feminine in summer skirts.

Dresses, though, are my favorite thing to shop for in the warmer months, and I recently found one that hits it out of the park in every respect.

LL Bean Signature Poplin Dress in Bright Navy

This little navy number is perfect for Saturday brunch, Sunday church, or dinner out. It would be beyond perfect for a June graduation or a wedding or baby shower. With the right shoes and jewelry, it could easily read dressy enough for an outdoor wedding--although I have my eye on its orange-and-cream-striped cousin for a friend's beach wedding later this year.

LL Bean Signature Poplin Dress in Stripe

I wore the navy dress for the first time last Sunday, and received multiple compliments. The full skirt has a feminine, almost retro feeling, and it hides a multitude of sins in the hip and thigh area. (It's worth noting that this silhouette will be most flattering on those with a linear or pear-shaped figure. The bodice is quite straight and fitted, and might not be the best choice for someone on the bustier side. I'm not blessed up top, so to speak, so it's perfect for me.) You can knot the included sash in the front or the back, or swap in a different belt to change up the look. And it has pockets, which I absolutely adore in a full skirt.

All in all, it's a huge winner. I may have found my perfect summer dress.

{Image credits: LL Bean Signature}

Summer-weight fabrics: When do you wear them?

By Lauren

Easter has come and gone, and although the weather in my town is on the chilly side today, I'm confident that we'll have lovely summer-like temperatures well before Memorial Day. Which brings up my annual question: When is it appropriate to wear summer-weight fabrics like linen, poplin, and seersucker, as well as distinctively summery items like true white pants, skirts, and dresses?

Lands End Canvas 5-inch seersucker shorts

I grew up in the Deep South, where Easter seems to be the generally accepted opening day for warm-weather wear. Little girls typically sport white shoes to Easter Sunday church services, and light colors and fabrics continue on through the summer. It makes sense; the average high temperature in my home state in May is eighty degrees.

In my new mid-Atlantic home, though, Easter can be downright chilly--and we're still south of the Mason-Dixon line! I have friends for whom April snow is more likelihood than possibility, and for whom my fashion conundrum would be completely irrelevant as a practical matter. I've heard it said that in cooler climes, it's frowned upon to break out the lightweight fabrics until summer unofficially starts on Memorial Day, but it seems an earlier premire would be impractical, regardless. If you find yourself facing an eighty-plus degree day in late April or early May, though, what do you do?

J Crew Lined Cafe Trouser in Linen

It seems obvious that there are some climates in which warm-weather weaves are truly appropriate year-round. After all, tropical temperatures should certainly trump arbitrary fashion rules.

For those of us with four seasons, though, I'm curious how folks handle this question in different parts of the country. If it's warm enough, would you wear your seersucker after Easter, or do you resolutely restrain yourself until Memorial Day? I've heard a few creative souls propose Derby Day (the first Saturday in May) as a happy compromise, making nearly all of May a summer fabric-friendly month. At the other end of the season, do you hold yourself to a hard and fast Labor Day cutoff? This one kills me, as September in my neck of the woods is downright steamy, and yet there seems to be near-universal agreement on not wearing summer fabrics when it is actually still summer. Gah.

Or do you simply maintain that rules are made to be broken, dressing for the temperature rather than the calendar?

{Image credits: landsend.com, jcrew.com}

Caress Evenly Body Wash: My New Favorite Body Wash

By Lauren

I believe it's important for women, and especially for mothers of small children, to have little indulgences in their lives. For some it's drinking tea out of a beautiful cup or mug. For others it's writing notes to friends on gorgeous little cards. For many of us, it's chocolate. Oh, heavenly chocolate.

My latest indulgence, though, is an inexpensive, delicious-smelling exfoliating body wash, Caress Evenly Gorgeous Exfoliating Body Wash. I was a little wary when I initially saw that the scent is described as "Burnt Brown Sugar," but it's a lovely smell--slightly sweet without being cloying, and enough scent to linger slightly without being strong. (You really can't smell it at all once it's rinsed off, unless you actually smell your skin.

It lathers beautifully, exfoliates a little bit, and makes my daily shower a little less utilitarian and a little more pampering. Not a bad way to start the day.

{Image credit: amazon.com}

A Skincare Update

By Lauren

Several weeks ago I posted about my quest for skincare that would address both my persistent adult acne as well as the light fine lines I'm beginning to see. I received a lot of excellent advice (thank you for that!), and, as suggested, hightailed it to Sephora to see what they recommended.

Turns out, there is a line of products actually formulated to deal with both acne and aging issues. Exactly what I needed! The sales consultant set me up with three products from Murad's Anti-Aging Acne Regimen. She recommended that I use a basic, no-frills cleanser to remove my makeup, then wash with Murad's Time Release Acne Cleanser. I follow up with the Acne and Wrinkle Reducer, then finish with the Anti-Aging Moisturizer (which contains SPF 20).

The whole routine is simple, the products smell pleasant and feel nice, and I'm beginning to notice some really positive changes in my skin. It's only been a couple of weeks, but I think we may have a winner!

If you're facing the stubborn acne and fine lines that I am, I'd recommend giving these Murad products a go. They're a little on the pricey side--$119 for a 90-day supply on Murad's website--but really not much more expensive than some of the higher-priced drugstore anti-aging products I've seen. And, as a friend, recently reminded me, we're not afraid to spend on clothes and accessories, but we wear our skin every day; doesn't it deserve the same investment?

{Image credit: murad.com}

The Divided Hamper: My Favorite Laundry Tool

By Lauren

I have never been a fan of doing laundry. I do manage to dress myself and my family in clean clothes, but I'm not one of those people who relishes folding stacks of warm, clean laundry. I guess I never will be.

Several years ago, I began trying to take some advice from the FlyLady to keep my home clean and orderly with less hassle. One of her suggestions is to run a complete load of laundry each day--wash, dry, fold, and put away--so that you're never facing a veritable mountain of dirty clothes (or clean clothes wrinkling in baskets). Because my house lacks a dedicated laundry room (we have a laundry closet in the upstairs hallway), her method seems like a godsend for me; I simply don't have the space to let lots of in-process laundry build up.

The kink in the works for me, though, was in the sorting: A load a day meant that I was endlessly dumping my hamper out onto the bedroom floor to sort through the dirty clothes for a load of whites or colors or towels. But no more, my friends, for I've acquired this little beauty:

The Container Store Heavy-Duty 3-Bin Laundry Sorter

Now, instead of sorting through a huge pile of clothes nearly every day, I just empty one section of the laundry sorter and start a load. This particular model is a bit pricey at $59.99, but The Container Store (and lots of other stores, I'm sure) offers an array of options that all serve this same purpose, including very inexpensive plastic hampers that separate to allow you to just upend the entire hamper section into the washer.

Sadly, I know of no home organizing store that offers a product that will fold the clothes for me, but when it comes to laundry, I'll take any bit of help I can find!

{Image credit: The Container Store}

Adele: Real, Retro, and Fabulous

By Lauren

If you're anything like me, you were blown away by Adele's performance at Sunday night's Grammy Awards. The girl can flat out sing, and I was impressed that she only needs her rich, husky voice to command the stage, rather than ridiculous, over-the-top theatrics. (I'm looking at you, Katy Perry and Nicki Minaj. Take a lesson, ladies.)

I love, too, that this British beauty has real curves, and that she chose an understated, retro-inspired dress for her performance. In an age when too many dresses are slit up to here, plunge down to there, or look like they won't cover a starlet's derierre when she sits down, it's refresing to see some restraint.

In honor of Adele's big win on Sunday, I thought I'd share a few winning dresses inspired by her restrained retro flair:

When Night Comes Dress, ModCloth

I'm Late! I'm Late! Dress, Shabby Apple

Midnight Gleam Shift, Anthropologie

The World Looks Red Dress, ModCloth

Mulholland Dress, Shabby Apple

Even if we emulate her sound, at least we can get her look!

{Image Credits: cbslocal.com, shabbyapple.com, modcloth.com, anthropologie.com}

Corralling Countertop Clutter: Inno Art Steel Bread Basket

By Lauren

There's one end of my kitchen countertop that never gets used for cooking. It holds our cordless phone charger, the picture frame dry erase board that I made, and, too frequently, a pile of clutter. It seems there are always a handful of items I need to save temporarily, but not for so long that it makes sense to find them a permanent home. You know the kind of clutter I'm talking about: party invitations, appointment reminder cards, soon-to-be-used coupons. Right now I'm holding onto two cards with survey codes to redeem for free meals at a local Tex-Mex restaurant.

This little pile of clutter always annoyed me, not because it was taking up space, but because it didn't have any sort of official home.

Then one day I was, unsurprisingly, at Target, when I saw the perfect container amidst the kitchen aisles.

Inno Art Steel Bread Basket

This basket may be designed to hold bread, but I absolutely love it for holding the little papers that end up on my kitchen counter. I love that its aesthetic doesn't read "office," given its location, and I love that its graceful lines are actually pretty.

My husband teased me about it, and he's right that my go-to clutter solution is to buy a basket, but hey . . . it works for me.

{Image credit; target.com}