May, 2018 | A Lovely Living

Monthly Archives for May 2018

May 7, 2018

Mother’s Day Gift Guide 2018

May is here and Mother’s Day is just around the corner, just in case you needed a reminder ;) May is one of the most hectic months of the year for me, coming in close, if not passing December. We have school concerts, a dance recital, a wedding, Mother’s Day, end of the school year parties, teachers gifts to plan, field trips to chaperone and we also celebrate both of my daughter’s as well as my husband’s birthdays this month. No joke, right?! And I know many of you are in this boat with me, so know that you aren’t alone and we will successfully make it through!

With that being said, is anyone still struggling to find a sweet little something for your loving mothers this year? I’m still putting things together myself, I openly admit. I did manage to pull together a fun assortment of gifts that I’m guessing would all be greatly appreciated! Scroll down to read a bit more about what I selected…

1. Monogram necklace: You’ve likely seen me wearing this necklace time and time again. It’s simple enough for everyday wear, yet makes a statement and always leaves people asking me about it.

2. Magnolia Table recipe book: I’ve passed by this book a few times now at Target and have been so tempted to grab it. Guaranteed to be a winner I know, and it also is pretty enough to display in your (I mean their) kitchen.

3. Scarf: I don’t know many women that wouldn’t love being gifted a pretty new scarf. I find myself buying at least one new one every spring.

4. Apron: I realize not all moms love to cook, but for this that cook, I find this one absolutely adorable! And witty too ;)

5. Diffuser: Any diffusing moms out there? I love the look of this one.

6. Gel polish: I used this gel polish for the first time a few weeks ago and not only did it last much longer than any normal polish, but the rounded shape of the brush made it so incredibly easy to apply! I don’t know why they haven’t been making them this way all along! A great gift for all of your polish wearing mamma’s.

7. One Line A Day: I’ve shared this one before and I could honestly share it every year because this is one of the best Mother’s Day gifts. This sweet book allows momma’s to jot down one quick memory from each day that one day they’ll eventually have the time to look back and smile on ;)

8. ‘I’ll Wash, You Dry’ towels: I love these cute towels to brighten up a kitchen. Add some tea or coffee and fresh flowers to pull together a sweet little gift.

9. Pot: this pretty pot comes in a few different shapes and sizes. Fill it with your mom’s favorite plant and leaving a lasting memory for her to admire everyday.

May 4, 2018

Denim Refresh

Denim is an essential part of every wardrobe. One that can be worth every penny when you take the time to find those pieces that have the perfect fit and will last for years to come. Some of these include denims that I’ve shared time and again because they’re really that good. I know I rave about this jacket all the time for its slim fit, angled back (that keeps it from becoming boxy) and perfect amount of stretch. And these overalls that I’ve worn for years now and still look brand new! Some investment pieces really do pay off ;)

Other items like a cute ball cap or some chambray shorts can prove to be some of your most worn pieces during the warmer months. I shared some other chambray dresses on Monday, including this shirtdress that is basically summer’s best friend.

There’s something about exposed buttons that I’m so drawn to on denim. I have this skirt from last year and I love that they brought it back again! I also have a pair of denim shorts similar to these that were my go-to’s last year and will undoubtedly be again this year.

Denim/chambray shirts are always something you’ll find in my closet. I have one similar to this that I wear year-round, pairing it with jeans, white denim, skirts etc. I also think a top like this one would be beneficial to have for spring/summer. Simple but playful.

Is there a denim staple in your wardrobe that you can’t live without?

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May 2, 2018

True Color Expert

It’s true, I’m now an official True Color Expert! I have been following Maria Killam’s blog (at the direction of my MIL) for years now. I love her timeless and classic, yet bold, design style, and I’ve obviously admired her for her color expertise. I have always loved color in every regard. As it pertains to clothing and analyzing what colors work best for women to homes and the way we style and decorate each and every room. It really is an art and one that I’m finding many struggle with.

Over the past few years, I’ve been getting my hands on more and more design projects locally thanks to word of mouth and living in a relatively small town where word seems to get around. When I would get approached and asked if I’m a designer, I’ve had a difficult time answering that….”yes, well, kind of…I mean, I’m doing it, but I don’t exactly have any certification” type of response. Very professional, right? When I saw that Maria was going to be offering her course along the east coast this Spring, I knew it was my chance to jump on something. Paint can set the whole tone of a home and I’ve had so much fun seeking out the perfects shades for a number of people around our area. I have an eye for what works and what doesn’t but I never knew the answer as to why. That was the main reason I was eager to take Maria’s course. She promised to answer that why question, and she honestly went above and beyond.

(with Maria Millam receiving my True Color Expert Certificate)

Not only did I get to attend, but I managed to talk my best friend into joining me. She has an amazing eye for design and I know that this course is going to be the start of something big for her as well! We are in no way related but we certainly lost track of how many times we were asked if we were sisters! We talked color day and night and didn’t even begin to tire of it!

We spent three full days studying color, neutrals in particular and the intricacies of the undertones that they carry. She managed to open our eyes to the world of undertones so that we are now able to diagnose undertones in paint, furniture, rugs, counters etc. and understand why some things work well together and others not so much.

(The ballroom at the Allegria Hotel in Long Beach, NY)

In addition to all of the teachings, Maria also helped me to understand that designers / decorators / color specialists are not just a luxury. On the contrary, they are here to help create the ‘look and the feel’ that their client’s desire but aren’t able to pull together on their own. She helped us realize that making a wrong decision on paint, furniture, countertops etc. can end up costing one exponentially more than the fee that would be charged to get it right the first time. I’m not a high-end decorator by any means, nor do I have a desire to do so, so those words were all the more comforting.

There were plenty of hands on exercises that we worked on individually as well as in groups. Sometimes there was a clear right and wrong and other times we were able to listen to the opinions of others and learn from their perspective. Maria’s color wheel is still in trial mode, but it is a fantastic tool that we were all able to utilize and return home with.

One other tool that I returned with was a pack of Maria’s color boards. She offers both Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams most useful colors on painted 11×14 boards. I can’t tell you what a difference these boards make when you are trying to specify paint color for a wall. Being able to move it around and compare it to various hard finishes in a room is such a huge benefit. I’ve already seen them used in two houses since I’ve been home and it was so easy make selections!

I’m now more confidant than I’ve been before when it comes to specifying color for clients and I’m excited to help many more of you locally to create that perfect look and feel that you’ve been craving for your home. There’s also the potential to one day tackle some e-consulting, but I’m still taking baby steps here ;) I’ll keep you posted on that!

Thank you, Maria for giving me the confidence that I was lacking and the tools I need to take these next steps forward, allowing me to approach my clients in a much more effective and professional manner. I’m forever grateful!!