Mom of the year!

Miss A was sick on and off last week and after her fever spiked on Friday night, I took her to the doctor on Saturday morning. She has walking pneumonia and you could literally hear her little lungs crackling as she took a deep breath! Wowza! Yep, mom of the year here!!  I had no idea until Friday night-- I honestly just thought she had a nasty cold. Anyway, she has been on antibiotics and is well on her way to a full recovery, thank goodness! Tomorrow, she'll be off to school for at least half the day. I am wondering how much just a half day will wipe her out. We'll see....

Anyway, this has rendered me home for the last few days. Finishing up projects around the house and making a few things. I have been lounging in sweats and really enjoying that...gahhhh what is wrong with me?? I am usually not a fan of sweats! I did add a few embellishments to my cozies and once it is in tutorial form, I'll share them with you. We have also spray painted  one of  Avery's dress forms and painted another in a metallic flame stitch type pattern. I'll share photos of those when they are aired out and back in her room. Yes, I did allow Miss A to help with these projects....I'm sure the fumes certainly helped clear her lungs.... mom of the year! That's me! I also got Avery's gallery wall completed in her room.

We are just waiting on one print from Cozamia to pop in that 8x10 frame and we'll be all set there! Her headboard is still waiting.....for some reason it seems so daunting. I know it will end up not being that bad but I have chosen to do the smaller projects first. Sometimes that make me feel like I have accomplished more :) Silly ha?? This afternoon we're going on a hunt for a lampshade - which will mean my bribing Avery with frozen yogurt or something.  What's that?? Yes, yes I am mom of the year! Thank you for asking! 

Handmade boho chic.

Bags are a big deal around here and I guess that is to be expected with three females in the house-- one who particularly loves designing bags! Have you missed Gardenhouse bags? I was looking through blog posts from eons ago and I think every other entry was a bag-- sort of miss that! The bag is back today...and I have a weekend of sewing ahead so hopefully I'll have more bag and sewing posts to come!

Do you love this hobo? The bottom is an INSANE silk cut velvet in avocado and turquoise-- this is a real stretch for me as this fabric retails for over $100 a yard!!!  The ribbon is a french vintage woven jacquard and the quilting weight fabrics are of course Jennifer's - it's all so lush!  Have you seen Jennifer's new line, Crazy Love? It's another line that will so easily be able to hold it's own when paired with statement making trims and fabrics. I'm literally sitting on the edge of my seat waiting for Crazy Love to hit stores!  I think Jennifer and I are made from the same cloth.....that gal can do no wrong in my book!

Oh and her new line also fits amazingly well into J. Crews Spring looks...no? I think we should all make a pencil skirt and a pair of shorts out of this line! Pair with a stripe top, leopard print shoes....WORK it! Mixing prints is HUGE for 2012!  

Stylish. Colorful. Boho. Chic.

Happy Stylish Friday!

The life

Do you remember a while back I had mentioned that I had the urge to paint? Not paint as in paint a room, but paint as in art. Well, a few weeks ago I found this fantastic art set that one of the kids had that was pretty much untouched and it has been sitting there beckoning me to do something with it. Since Avery was sick this week, I decided to pull it out and have a little relaxed fun with her. She and I had a fabulous time painting. I think the fact that it is hard to tell which ones are mine and which ones are hers speaks to the fact that I should really stick to sewing. ;)

Although, I could get used to this....

I've been doing a lot of "stopping to smell the roses" lately and I have to say I am really enjoying it. I feel centered and am craving quiet time with less chaos, fewer distractions and meaningful time spent with people I love.  It's interesting to me as it seems a little out of character for me to want down time, but I'm just going with it. Evolving, I think! I have a stack of books to read too.. and a journal with one page full! lol. I'd love to have a creative journal full of all the inspiring things I read....but that means I will probably never get through a single book, because a page read would lead to a journal entry, a little picture to color or paint and then that would spur some sort of sewing project.....ahh ha! There I am! Still me, just a little more evolved.
ps- Do any of you have any great book suggestions?

Ruffle your feathers

Have you seen images floating around pinterest of feather lanterns?? I am dying to make one of these but have no clue how many feathers it will take.

Source: dwellerswithoutdecorators.blogspot.com via Simone on Pinterest

I can't imagine any local craft store having enough white feathers to cover one. What do you think? I might have to delve into this one....maybe it will be a slow project-- over time-- Because I think I might lose my mind sitting there gluing feathers...and I'm bad with the glue gun. I'm sure I'll be full of blisters when all is said and done. But I think it will be worth it! I'll add that one to the list....
ps-- Do you not die over that bed too?? LOVES it!!

The list

Three wet dogs

+

two days of rain

+

one sick kid

=

Source: 9gag.com via Simone on Pinterest

I'm so unmotivated today!! How's your Monday going? :)

Versatility is key

Don't you love one outfit that is so versatile it can go any way the wind blows? Since I am on the hunt to make-over a friends wardrobe...and one who has no idea how clothing really works for us....I thought it would be a good idea to focus on very versatile pieces so she doesn't have to put too much thought into it as well as not be stuck in the "outfit box." You know, the same top that you wear with the same pants, with the same accessories....boooorrrring! lol.

versatility by simonehowell featuring shop handbags

Beyond Vintage shirts blouse, £178
Maison Scotch leather jeans, $141
Leather clutch, $210
Clutch hand bag, $98
Shop handbag, $60
Sylvia Toledano gold plated jewelry, £150
House of Harlow 1960 14k jewelry, $75
J Crew 14k jewelry, $30
Jessica Simpson Cameo Matte Gold - 6pm.com, $28
Brigitte Bailey Maggie at 6pm.com, $30

Look how easily a lace top and jeans can go from a chic lunch date look, to a edgy girls night out to a flea market outing/ just running around town look. I love the versatility of this!! It's been an interesting and fun process so far....Cindy and I do not have the same taste in clothes so it is really making me work at finding pieces and price points she and I can both agree on. It's great fun!! {Move over Stacy London!! There's a new girl in town!) And it is feeding my shopping fire...which is always nice :) Mr. H couldn't agree more!

Have a fabulous stylish Friday.....the world is your runway!

Spots and sanity.

The girls are home after a long stay up at my parents and they are back to school tomorrow.  This morning I am unpacking them, doing some laundry and some random errands to get us organized for the week
 but before I head out, I wanted to share with you the finished product from my slip-covering escapade early last week. Two slipper chairs, in a grey sort of leopard dalmatian print nubby linen. I am LOVING these! Brian is loving that they are out of his garage after a 6 month stay in the holding pen before they were pretty enough to be invited in. Ha! Little does he know it just makes more room for something else ;)

Also, happy to report that Avery's room is coming together nicely! The pink walls are TDF! I'm going to be doing a fabric covered headboard in the same fabric I used for the chair slipcovers and will post photos as I go along with that. I'm also planning on torturing myself by painting an old dresser she has to look like this.....

Source: chiccheapnursery.com via Nicole on Pinterest

I showed Brian and he looked at me like I was insane.  I agree! I just need to commit to the colors I want to use...can you believe I am a total commitment phobe when it comes to making colors choices for our house...it's crazy! I think once her room is more put back together I'll post some photos and color options and maybe all of you can help me? please!?!

Source: shelterinteriordesign.blogspot.com via Simone on Pinterest

Avery also has me on the hunt for a lamp like the one above-- I love that as I was browsing for inspiration, this is something that jumped out to her. We'll see what I can find as I have scoured etsy and ebay and nothing so far-- I might have to find something similar and spray paint it gold.....I mean, what's one more thing to paint, right???

I'm linking up with Get your craft on! at todays Creative Blog. Go check it out for some fantastic crafting inspiration!

Ohh la la!

I've been knee deep in pink paint in Avery's room for the last 24 hours and still have another 24 ahead!! I think painting is like labor-- you forget how "not fun" it is when you see the beautiful finished product! The pink is perfect-- and the fun begins when the painting is finished. Putting it all together! I found this Kate Spade sweater --which I think I must have-- and just fell in love with it.

Kate Spade merino wool sweater, $117
House of Harlow 1960 leather jewelry, $100
Rose ring, €77
Sequin jewelry, $38
Drop earrings, $45
Chain necklace, $30
Kenneth Jay Lane 7065BBC Black/Rhodium/Rhinestone/Crystal - Zappos.com..., $313
Kenneth Jay Lane Horned Necklace Ivory - Zappos.com Free Shipping BOTH..., $95

Wouldn't it be fun to make a pillow inspired by this? Green, with Ohh la la! in White, piped in crisp white?? LOVE! Might be adding that project to Avery's room.   I love to apply home decor inspiration that is fashion based. Even pulling colors from jewelry. I hope you all have a fabulous Stylish Friday! I need to get back to the painting. I promise I'll share photos when all is said and done.

Inspired a la pinterest

The girls are spending the last full week of their winter break up at my parents place....which has freed up my time as you can image! Monday I spent a good portion of the day reading magazines and.....pinning, of course! Brian and I sat down to dinner and he asked what I had done during the day, with such an empty house.....I sort of chuckled...because I so rarely don't do much of anything. Walking the dogs was my main accomplishment for the day!  Oh and I was a pinning queeeennnnn!!  I found and ordered quite a few prints for Avery's room as well as for my gallery wall which I will be re-working in the near future.

Art for Avery by simonehowell on polyvore.com

Do you love these? Run Wild my Child and Rosie and her Bee will be living in Avery's room along with a few other pieces I have been collecting. Pure and Real will be included on my gallery wall. So excited to re-do that.  Are you wondering about the fabulous dress on green what I wore illustration? Isn't it TDF!!  I just discovered Danielle Kroll - via pinterest of course! She is a graphic designer and illustrator and her work is fantastic!! Love it! I'll  be tuning in to her blog daily for a little eye candy. All of this is inspiring me to do a little painting! Could be fun.......and what more do I have to do this week anyway??  Oh, yeah, paint Avery's room....was hoping for a little more creative painting... but it'll have to do for now. The babydoll is expecting to return home to a pink bedroom!

What not to wear

One of my best friends has lost a significant amount of weight recently and has asked me to make-over her wardrobe. I could not be more excited!  It's for sure going to be a lot of work as Cindy is one of those "you can lead a horse to water" types. I am literally going to have to spell everything out for her. I found this "How to Wear Jeans" tidbit that I find so great I had to share it with all of you! Now that just leaves me to explain to Cindy the difference between, boyfriend, skinny, and high waisted flair-- although she does know what the f-me pumps are! lol.

Source: 2.bp.blogspot.com via Simone on Pinterest

Cindy still has a few more pounds to go before I do the full on What not to wear-- Simone style-- but I am already making plans. I am starting to compile inspiration from pinterest and will be pinning outfits and clothes that I think will work for her over the next few weeks. Tune into my Wardrobe Makeover pinboard...it's going to be fun! Cindy has a bit of a wild personality so I know I'll be able to push the envelope a little bit-- at least with prints! Think animal!

d i y Scarf Ballet Flats -

I'm so excited about {Bespoke} being one of 2012's fashion trends! The thought of handmade and one of a kind  really making it's way to the forefront of fashion makes my heart sing - there has always been couture: custom made and made by hand clothing,  but homemade has always seemed to have a different undertone. I love to see that times are changing! This morning I found a fantastic tutorial to embellish ballet flats.  Do you remember seeing these at Anthropologie?

Source: starsforstreetlights.com via Simone on Pinterest

Stacey at Stars for Streetlights did a fabulous tutorial on how to make a pair of these using scarves and ballet flats-- how fabulous to be able to personalize a pair of shoes you already have, or even a pair that you buy specifically for this purpose. Customizing your own shoes?? Yes, please!!
Her tutorial is very well written and looks pretty easy if you have even basic sewing skills. If you would prefer to glue the scarf strips on to the shoe I would suggest using an epoxy glue or even E6000. If you need a little help getting started, here are some shoes choice along with vintage scarves that would work amazingly well with this project.

Etsy has a plethora of vintage scarves to choose from and 6pm.com always has more ballet flats than necessary! Enjoy! Happy bespoking your shoes!

Bespoke

You know me and my fabric obsession! I've been having a hard time not buying and persuing new fabrics.  I mean it's even on the TV! Maybe this was the universe talking to me....yeah, I think it was. I was watching the Today show last week while I was getting ready for the day (and by that I mean sitting on Pinterest and drinking coffee at 8am!!) They had  one of the editors of Daily Candy on the show and she was talking about the fashion trends of 2012. The first was patterns-- mixing patterns specifically-- YAY!!  The next was Old Hollywood Glamour (must be due to the Marilyn Movie that is coming out) Love that look....but what really got my attention was the third trend ...bespoke. Meaning do your own thing, a DIY approach to fashion, incuding a site where you can make your own make up and another where you can make your own fabric.

Source: spoonflower.com via Simone on Pinterest

Spoonflower is nothing new to me.... I've dabbled with the idea of making my own fabric but why on earth would I need to when Daily Candy has taken some of their quinessential whimsical illustraions and turned them into printed fabric!! Available on Spoonflower -- Oh MY!!

Source: spoonflower.com via Simone on Pinterest

I'm in love with them and I think the girls will die over them so I'm ordering a yard of each (and maybe even a yard of knit fabric)

Source: spoonflower.com via Simone on Pinterest

I'm debating between pillows or bags for the girls.....or upholstering a chair with them! Aren't the TDF??  Which one is your fave?

Girls Day

We are spoiled, we really are! Yesterday a friend and I took our girls down to Venice Beach for the day...since, you know, it's been 80 degrees here for the past few days.  Our plan was to rent bikes and ride from Venice to Santa Monica along the beach path, grab a bite to eat, ride back, hit Cold Stone and then head home.

As we were riding, working up our appetites one of the girls said "can we go to The Penthouse for lunch?" Her dad does some work for The Huntley Hotel so she is quite familiar with the place! Since she was the birthday girl, who were we to tell her no? So pedaling a bit quicker we headed north-- And  by a bit quicker I really mean a bit-- Avery and I opted for the tandem because our beach bike rides on separate bikes are usually filled with me yelling at her to watch where she is going! That girls loves to look a round-- everywhere but in front of her!! She walked into the back of a parked car a while back-- seriously! So we lumbered along-- me pedaling, her flailing her arms and legs around, making the girls behind her laugh.

Source: Uploaded by user via Cara on Pinterest

I have to say the work was worth it. The Huntley is TDF!!  Despite the amazing restaurant on the top floor, the lobby decor is beyond! It is the epitome of a privately owned boutique hotel. I could have moved into the bathroom in the restaurant - it had stacked quartz walls-- yes, it's that sort of chic.  All the booths in the restaurant have sheer curtains in between them.  Crisp white leather, fur pillows, gorgeous chandeliers and then a dash of rustic with croc embossed wing chairs and super modern wooden chairs. You should check out the virtual tour here.
Today is going to be equally as fabulous outside. Not sure what we are going to do....but I'm sure I need a work out in the form of a bike ride...and have you seen the Viceory Hotel in Santa Monica?? :)

Source: kellywearstler.com via Margot on Pinterest

I'm sure it's worth the ride! 

New Opportunities

“We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day.”  - Edith Lovejoy Pierce

I'm so excited for the New Year-- even Tuesday feels like Monday!  Today I'm working on slipcovers for some slipper chairs I have had sitting around for a few months. They are a super ugly worn blue velvet and I'm ready to give them a punch of chic!   (And I also need to get these chairs in the house as I've found new ones that I can't stop thinking about and they neeeeed to come home with me. But don't tell Mr. H as he is getting used to having more space in the garage :) Poor guy! 

It's another gorgeous day so I'm planning on something outside with the girls too....not sure what yet though.  I'm also mentally planning on how to re-work our front door table decor. I want something that I can keep through the summer. Maybe a sunburst mirror? And a few plants that I don't have to water! If there is such a thing.....

What are your plans for early this year?  I'd love to hear them!

Surprise Yourself

Source: sequinsandstripes.com via Simone on Pinterest

Happy 2012! Thank you for following along on this little blog of mine. I'm looking forward to a fantastic 2012 and I hope you are too. {This photo reminds me that we all got waaayyyy too wrapped up in good red wine last night and we never even opened the Champagne!! By the time the big ball dropped, so had most of the guys but the gals were playing a Just Dance 3 on the Kinect....we rocked it!  Such a blast! Hope you all had a fabulous time ringing in the new year.}