Details from the Designer - Vol. 10

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If April showers bring May flowers, what do March showers bring? What a wet month we had around here. Cold and gray and wet. Yuck. But I’m optimistic/hopeful/desperately wishful that April will be lovely.

Our April at the studio will be relatively quiet. Big bursts of excitement right away, then some much needed (and unplugged) downtime with our families, then finish with a bang. As always, the best way to keep up with our projects is on Instagram. I am absolutely horrible about logging into Facebook and saying hello. But I’m all over Instagram. And, yes, it’s actually me (Leah) doing the logging in and hello-ing. I’m on the otherside of those DMs!

On Instagram, we have something fun planned for when we hit 7,000 followers (we’re at 6,944 as I type). So, give us a follow if you haven’t already or share us with a friend or coworker or neighbor or aunt! We also gave you a little Easter egg a week ago about something happening in the stockroom. We will be following up on that teaser this week. AND, speaking of Easter eggs, if you celebrated yesterday I hope it was wonderful and chocolatey.

Styling Breakdown

We recently had someone DM us on Instagram asking for a link to this console (case in point - we’re on top of our Instagram DMs). So, today’s styling breakdown has that link and some of the details. It’s from the living room of our Norden Project.

Sources

Fashion Find

My fashion choices are by and large casual. The fact that sneakers and wide leg jeans are on trend has been heavenly. I can be at a client meeting feeling fashionable and comfortable at the same time. JOY. And so it’s no surprise that I love a good t-shirt. I found this “Ciao Bella” t-shirt on Z Supply and didn’t hesitate to click purchase. I often put something in my cart and wait…and wait. But this was an immediate YES for me. It’s fitted, but very comfortable and I love the big, graphic letters. Almost gives it a pattern feel.

 
 

Keeping Myself Busy

I mentioned in Instagram Stories the other day that I’m about halfway through The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. It took me a hot minute to get into it (I wasn’t enthusiastic about the protagonist…I’m still not sure I am), but it got good. I’m excited to finish and watch the movie. If you’re a Hunger Games fan, did you like it?

I also listened to Lisa Damour on the Armchair Expert podcast and was reminded of how much I love her podcast (Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Parenting). She is a child psychologist that covers practical topics: Will social media harm my kid? Should I worry that my teen is so introverted? Should I bribe my kid? Lots of topics focus on teens, but there is plenty for parents of younger kids. Each episode is less than 30 minutes. And I love that she doesn’t parent shame! I finish an episode feeling informed, and not guilty.

 
 

Local Fun

Paper & Clay is hosting a pop-up marketplace on Saturday, April 6 in Melrose. Details on their website (HERE). I’m thinking it’s a great place to shop for Mother’s Day gifts, graduate gifts and host gifts (Memorial Day parties and summer bbqs). Also just a fun thing to do on a spring Saturday!

That’s all for this month. May is going to be MAJOR. Can’t wait to share more!

Cheers, Leah

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Details from the Designer - Vol. 9

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For the second month in a row I have failed to share a new blog post on the planned date - 1st of the month. As you may have read on our Instagram stories, January and February were filled beyond the brim with illness for everyone in my family. We had multiple bouts of strep throat, a round of the regular old stomach bug and a horrific week of norovirus, several stints of the common cold and a couple ER visits for allergic reactions. It was just about too much and everything else in life became less important.

That said, we are all feeling much better. And I’m optimistic that spring will bring good health and many other good things. That is a little Easter egg…keep your eye on our Instagram page because an announcement is coming…

Styling Breakdown

Today’s styling breakdown is very simple - art. We had a ton of interest in this piece when we recently posted a carousel of images from the tween girl’s bedroom of our Sevinor Project. It is a digital image and you can print it is large as you would like - link HERE.

 
 

Fashion Find

I just bought this Nike yoga pullover and I’m obsessed. I love snagging end of season sales like this one - link HERE. And I love wearing clothes that bridge the gap between comfortable and cute without looking like I’m actually heading to the gym. I may be fooling myself with the latter part of that sentence.

 
 

Keeping Myself Busy

I’m in the car A LOT. Just last week I made the journey from Lynnfield to Watertown and then straight up to Marblehead. If you’re not from around here, it’s not a particularly efficient plan and I was in the car for the better part of my afternoon. I try to multi-task with calls to clients and vendors and customer service (my least favorite), but I also listen to books and podcasts. And I’m constantly looking for new content to keep me entertained.

I recently asked our Instagram followers to share their favorite true crime podcasts, one of my favorite genres. And now, I’m very excited to share the wealth with you. First, here are three podcasts that I have listened to and highly recommend: The Retrievals, S-Town, Bear Brook. Second, here are what followers shared:

Runaway Princesses

Crime of the Truest Kind

Dr. Death

Dirty John

Serial

Crime Junkies

My Favorite Murder

Local Fun

I don’t have anything particularly unique to share for local fun in March. Truth be told, I’m just trying to stay healthy. But I did discover that Lynnfield Marketstreet has an events page and I love a lot of the March events. There is a code (BYOB) to get a free manicure for your bestie at Miniluxe. There is a special dinner at Burton’s in celebration of Women’s History month. Banana Republic is having a friends and family sale (40% off). And a lot more.

There you have it. Until April (which is 2 weeks away!!!).

Cheers, Leah

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Details from the Designer - Vol. 8

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Happy start of February, a few days late! I’ve officially missed my goal of having a new blog post ready for you on the first of every month. In my defense, January was the sickest my family has been in a long, long time. Maybe ever. We had a bunch of the stomach bug, conveniently spread out of the course of 2 weeks. We had strep throat. We had common colds with some uncommon side effects. The full smorgasbord.

With all that, I’m catching up on everything else. Work, laundry, etc. But, I have known for a while all the fun stuff I would be sharing this month. So, I’m excited to finally share it!

Styling Breakdown

We recently shared a reel on Instagram about a simple formula for styling your coffee table in a beautiful, functional way: Tray + coffee table book + pretty box for remotes + decorative object/plant. This works on round, rectangular, glass, wood, big, small, black, natural, etc. coffee tables. The key is to find add the colors and personality that work best for your home and family.

As a short cut to a finding a great coffee table book, we now have an Amazon Storefront with a huge section full of our favorites.

 

This is from our roslindale project that will be fully revealed this spring.

 

Source List

Fashion Find

I love this time of year for some great sweater sales. These sweater is in my Nordstrom basket at the moment.

 
 

I own this sweater in this color and I love it.

 
 

I just bought this sweater after seeing it featured on The Extra Petit blog (PS - I’m not extra petite…she is, but she shares clothes that work for everyone). Waiting for it to arrive and I’ll report back!

 
 

Keeping Myself Busy

I’m currently juggling way too many books: The Nightingale, The Meritocracy Trap, The Covenant of Water (this is on the back burner for now…so long…even though I’m listening). I finished the limited series BEEF on Netflix after watching The Golden Globes and seeing all the accolades. It was a lot of fun. Quick episodes, fast moving plot, twists and turns, funny. I’m now watching the limited series True Crime with Jodi Foster on Max. Only one episode in and I’m intrigued.

Local Fun

On Saturday, February 17th, The Merry Lion is having a big warehouse sale from 9 am - 12 pm. They are located at 6 Albion Street in Wakefield. All their adorable stuff will be up to 80% off. Fine Print: cash only, bring your own bag, all sales final. I’ll see you there!!!


 

Until March! Stay healthy!!!

- Leah

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