True Brit

I'm clearly in a furniture re-furb mood this week. This has to happen somewhere in my house.

Source: sheridanfrench.blogspot.com via Simone on Pinterest

Have two pieces of furniture it could work with. You see why I have too much on my plate! ha! One more to add to the list! So there a little peek into my head that is clearly screwed on correctly! And if you have a little time to spare-- or no time to spare, go check out Sheridan French. My new fave blog, designer, soul sister! A clothing line, kids, an insane love of color and fantastic taste...she's my new BFF and she doesn't even know it! Love.

Vintage. Vogue.

Image via pinterest.

How amazing are vintage Vogue covers? I DIE! Soooo want to figure out how to work them into my decor. How amaze would it be get them blown up really big and mod-podge them onto a set of drawers?? Sort of like wallpapering drawers-- but better. Hmmmm. anyone have suggestions on how I might do that??

image via pinterest

We have a set of drawers that Brian and I inherited straight out of college and they have been with us ever since. I have painted and stripped them umpteen times. I'll never part with them. The first time I painted them I wrote B+S=TLA under on of the drawers. Keeping 4-eva'! They need a makeover though...a project like this might just be on the horizon. Which is totally what I need after spending the day yesterday feeling like I have wwaaay too much on my plate and wanting to simplify and move closer to family and to the country. Everything is a choice.....I choose to love vintage Vogue...and pile projects on my plate.

Happy Stylish Friday!

Botanika & The Bathroom

Blogging seems to be falling to the wayside this week. The girls are back and I have been dedicating a lot of time to doing fun things with them. Between that and getting orders out the door, something has to give...and here you have it -- No One of a Kind Wednesday post....and we'll see if the Inspiration Workshop post manages to squeeze it's way in today.

So, if I had another one of myself...what would I have shared for one of a kind Wednesday?? Custom, one of a kind towels I made for the girls bathroom...which is finally finished (minus the mirror which needs to be replaced with something else. With the addition of chair rail, the mirror is now a scosh too big. I refuse to pay full price from an online retailer and know what I want so am now playing a waiting game with Homegoods... we'll see how long that lasts. Anyway, I was fortunate enough to get a BIG box of Botanika from Paula Prass a week or so ago and let me tell you....LOVE!! love love love.

Could quite possibly by my favorite line of fabric eva' created! I want to wallpaper my house in it! lol. Anyway, it was a perfect fit for the girls bathroom, which I was in the middle of re-doing so I added some strips of fabric to the towels in their bathroom.

It was a very easy, very quick project and has a huge impact on the room! My type of project for sure! They are also really fun to make as gift...I often make them for the girls friends, with a strip of fabric and then applique their first initial on there. Pop it in a bag with a pair of flip flops and intsa- birthday present!! Maybe another tutorial is in order (who are we kidding...i can't even get my blog posts done with I'm supposed to!)

Goin' Country

Happy Monday morning! I was up early sewing....needing to get orders out the door so I can primp for the Sugarland concert tonight! It's the girls first concert...we cannot wait!

Hope ya'll have a fabulous Monday!

The Park

I'm missing my girls today-- a week is a long time! I've been thinking of a few fun things to do with them next week and a trip to Griffith Park might be in order. There as so many great things to do there - the observatory, botanical gardens and carousel and of course celeb spotting and then maybe a trip to the beach for dinner. LA is great (minus the traffic!)

In The Pink by simonehowell

The Griffith Park clutch is in the shop. Pair it with something pink!

Happy Stylish Friday

And then.

It's just a slouchy black tank and jeans until it's no longer just a slouchy black tank and jeans.



One of my all time fave bags. I've been carrying shoulder bags for most of the summer and it was nice to have a clutch back in my hand....love the way that feels. Sort of like holding hands. (can you tell I heart bags!?) Something similar in the shop for you to hold hands with.

The Patchwork Tent Tutorial

Finally! The Patchwork Tent Tutorial is up and running! For today's One of a Kind Wednesday -- you can make your own one of a kind patchwork tent. (If you make one, will you please send me a photo! I'd love to see it!)

There is a little history behind this tutorial. It started here, on the lil' boo blue blog, where the beautiful and very talented Ashley posted a fantastic tutorial on her version of this tent from Grosgrain and Cakies....found here. (You should go check it out before you start as she has very clear photos and I -- well, not so much!) I pinned a photo of the tutorial and the girls got a hold of it-- and the pleas began! Sooooo, what's a mom to do on a summer day with two girls who "Have nothing to do!" We head on over to Lowe's to gather the supplies we need. BUT-- once the girls realize that the tents are not big enough for them to stand up in, they start the hunt for bigger and better. So, this one is for those of you who would prefer to make a tent almost twice the size of the tent you originally intended to make! You will need more than a few fabric scraps for this one! I decided to cut some corners and purchase a sheet set from target as it worked out cheaper than buying actual fabric and quicker that patchworking together a gazillion scraps!

So, you can find The Patchwork Tent Tutorial here. Enjoy!! I'm working on making them soundproof....stay tuned to see how that one turns out! ha

Happy One of a Kind Wednesday!

A find and a cltuch

I've been so inspired by this photo of an outdoor room found over at Caitlin Creer {crazy inspiration over there! You must go see!) that I am on the quest to make our patio into something similar...but still with my style added to it.

The blue lattice is a must as is some form of stripes, some form or zebra, a geometric print and of course a sunburst mirror.

Yesterday I scored this table at a local thrift shop for $25! Made me sing just a little bit-- yes it did! And it is perfectly lit for photos of a new clutch - which is in the shop- and is a must have!! I cut a ton of new clutches yesterday. Sewing today in a quiet studio sans kids. Stay tuned for a well stocked shop in the next few days. I'm also doing a few fun facebook giveaways - silly random questions... head on over and check it out.

Have a fabulous week!

Home Tomorrow.

We are heading home tomorrow. We've had a fabulous vacation but I am ready to get back to the usual rhythm of chaos {although I am home without the girls for a week so it will be a bit more of a self centered rhythm.} I have a completely indulgent day planned for Wednesday and a few home projects planned for the week including finishing up the girls bathroom and hopefully getting my window seat finished in the kitchen. Can't wait!

Today you look lovely by simonehowell featuring heel pumps

Happy Stylish Friday!

Inspiration Workshop No.7 - Sunshine

This weeks prompt for the Gussy Sews Inspiration workshop is {Sunshine}

Art brings sunshine into my world each day. Here are a few of my faves

image via pinterest

The first painting that has ever affected this thought in me "I need to save my money for that! " It is an original oil from Sarah Ashley Longshore. I HEART her Audrey Series...AMAZING! She is currently showing at Gallery Orange in New Orleans. You should keep up on the Gallery Orange facebook page-- it's a really easy way to broaden your art horizons. Tracy Gielbert is the owner of Gallery orange and has a perfect eye for all things beautiful and modern.

This print is from The Wheatfield on etsy. I really love the colors in it.

And of course one from the fabulous Anne Harwell. She's on of my all time faves.

This hangs in my office area on a brown wall and really looks fabulous.
What brings sunshine to your world? Head on over to Gussy Sews for more Sunshine Inspiration!

White Water.

As you know, I am on vacay. The shop is closed and I am pining to sew something! I had a few stolen moments yesterday where I thought I would be able to sew a clutch for one of a kind Wednesday {I am serious when I say I packed half a suitcase full of fabric. I know, I have a problem!} but then I realized I didn't pack any magnetic snaps. Does that sound completely insane?? Who packs magnetic snaps when they go on vacation?? lol. So-- I ended up taking a nap!! THAT is a one of a kind for me. I often run on empty and although I could probably take a nap every day, I end up opting for a Rockstar or Red Bull instead..sigh. So yesterday I took a nap! 2 hours!!

image via pinterest

I woke up to fresh pizza cooked in dads outdoor wood burning pizza oven, great wine and a few games of bocce ball. Then I went back to bed! Vacay is good!

Today we went rafting on the not-so-tame American River. Serious adrenaline rush! And no joking around for sure....not a float trip at all.



Work. I LOVED it. And yes, that is our raft-- coming out of an insane rapid! Kids and all. I am seriously still on an adrenaline rush -- hours later! A one of a kind experience-- And now I want to go rafting again! After I take a nap and make a bag or two!

Happy one of a kind Wednesday!

Heading to the Country

The shop will be closing this evening for a week as I am heading North for some R&R, white water rafting, wine tasting, hiking and gold panning are all on the agenda. Work is not. I cannot remember the last time I actually was not working...and that's ok. I love being self employed. But I am really looking forward to a break. So It's relaxed style going in the weekender bag for me....

Country Living by simonehowell featuring short western boots

And maybe even a book. I read about this on Rue Mag's facebook page and think I might have to read it.....we'll see how that turns out. I'm notorious for starting books.

Happy Stylish Friday

Inspiration Workshop No. 6 {Pamper Yourself}

This weeks Gussy Sews inspiration workshop prompt is {Pamper Yourself}

I don't spend much time reading books, or getting pedicures so what is it that makes me feel pampered? What do I do to treat myself?? Flowers and Flea Markets....

(image via pinterest)

Fresh flowers in the house for sure are one of my indulgences. We have over 60 rose bushes so almost always have fresh cut fragrant roses in the house ~until August when it gets so hot that they have a hard time flowering so then I head downtown for flowers. That's always a real treat!! I feel indulgent and pampered during a tip to the LA Flower Market.

I also feel completely relaxed at flea markets....you're shocked right?? I know ;) I absolutely love perusing rows and rows of eye candy! When I hit my faves I don't put any time limit on myself and I feel completely indulgent in taking my time and not feeling like I have to rush home. So that's how I pamper myself....flowers and flea markets.


How about you? What's your favorite way to pamper yourself? Head on over to Gussy Sews for more pampered inspiration.

One of a Kind Wednesday No.6 - Chateau La Rue

If I were to crave a country getaway other than heading to my parents place...it would be at Chateau La Rue. Tori Spelling (yes, my long lost sister) Hollywood Regency-esque meets SoCal wine country. I'll take it!



The La Rue clutch is one of a kind and listed in the shop...do you not love just as much as you love Tori?? Me too! What's not to love?? A modern geometric accented with flocked linen (ya, I know!!) velvet flowers, vintage millinery leaves and rhinestone buttons. Yes, you must! It's in the shop.

Happy One of a Kind Wednesday!

Oh Hack!

I am sure you have noticed that I am on a bit of a home redecorating rampage. The play room-- no longer called the play room is finito! he black bathroom, done. The living room, done. Dining room...just waiting for the chandelier to be hung and now onto the girls bathroom.....chair rail and chalkboard paint is in the works. Not only do I lurrrve beautiful things, I luuuurrrrve beautiful things that don't cost a fortune. As I was perusing pinterest one day, I discovered the Ikea hack! Have you ever heard of such a thing?? It's an ikea piece of furniture that has been hacked into something FAB! Check these out!! Faboosh!! Love this light

Source: littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com via Simone on Pinterest

And this...pa-LEASE!

Source: None via Simone on Pinterest

And oohhh this about takes the cake!!

Source: timmythewienerdog.blogspot.com via Simone on Pinterest

What do you think? Aren't they fabulous! Designer chic on a dime and bit of imagination and elbow grease. Share worthy fo' sho'! Must run-- going to hunt around the house for a piece of furniture that needs a hack.

Thru the door. To the left

A while back I shared some corners of my home with you for Friday's style file and I recieved quite a few requests for shots of the entire room. You ask? You shall recieve!

If you walked thru my front door into our entryway and looked left, you would see this. Our living room complete with a little bit of everything. Eclectic chic with layered rugs-- the top one being a vintage peacock tapestry rug. LOVE!



I have grabbed an odd few hours here and there this week to make new pillows for the couch.


I need one more pillow for these chairs-- totally think and Hermes "H" pillow would be fitting but since we are not made of money I think I'll have to make one.

Plus, then I'll have more money for these things

interior lust by simonehowell featuring vintage style dresses

Happy Stylish Friday!