This past weekend I visited the Serena and Lily store in Bethesda, MD. It was such a dreamy experience! Serena and Lily is one of my biggest inspirations for how I decorate, though I tend to hunt for more affordable options and thrift store finds to get me a similar look for less. Since we’re moving into a new house soon and we will no longer be renting, I really wanted to be able to see some of the things I plan to invest in and purchase from Serena and Lily. Visiting the store was so helpful because I was able to feel and see all of the fabrics and wallpapers, and get samples of the things I am considering. I now plan to use this performance fabric to recover my two wingback chairs, this green and white striped performance fabric on an antique cane chair, and after talking to a salesperson and sitting on the bar stools I’ve decided that the wipeable navy and white bar stools definitely make the most sense for the phase of life we’re in.
Eating: Last weekend we made these biscuit air fryer donuts by Bruch with Babs and they could not have been easier! 6 total minutes of cooking and we all devoured them (they’re dusted in cinnamon sugar). Use a heart cookie cutter to make them for Valentine’s Day!
Drinking: I’m trying to start drinking more tea so have been having a cup of organic Earl Gray or green tea in the afternoon. I typically like it with cream and sugar but that kind of negates all the health benefits so last week I tried it just plan for the first time ever and I’m kind of surprised I actually like it.
Watching: When I run on the treadmill I’ve really been enjoying season 2 of Emily in Paris. It’s totally mindless and fun and makes even hard interval runs fly by!
Reading: I’ve been browsing my favorite design books at night, studying the little details to learn what draws me to certain things. I’m so excited to decorate the new house and this is a great way to really hone my skills and help me figure out what I want to do. Beautiful and More Beautiful by Mark D. Sikes are so dreamy and they always provide the best inspiration! For the kids, we’ve just finished up book 9 of the Magic Treehouse series– Dolphins at Daybreak. On to book 10 next.
Listening: I love to listen to Podcasts when I’m in the car alone or tidying the house, and there are 2 episodes that come to mind that I really enjoyed this past week. First is the You Know How to Live Podcast with Kate Hammer episode with Maggie York. Maggie (@margaretofyork on Instagram) is one of my favorites to follow on Instagram and her interiors are always so calming and beautiful. We’ve become Instagram friends over the past couple of years and it was great to learn more about her and her work! I also really enjoyed the How to Decorate Podcast episode with Organization Expert Sabrina Gardner. She had so many great tips and it really inspired me to have a true plan for organizing our new house so that it works smartly for our family. Our current house is kind of a disaster when it comes to organization because I knew we’d only be there for 2 years and due to the lack of closet space in bedrooms, and storage space in the kitchen and bathroom. I’m very motivated to start off strong once we move!
Wearing: Navy Bleu recently sent me their block print pajamas and I absolutely love them. They’re lightweight and so beautiful! They do run small, so size up if you get them.
Loving: This quilted monogrammed tote from the Monogram Corner is a new favorite bag! Simple, classic and can hold all the random mom stuff I need or don’t need but carry around anyway, lol.
Shopping: On Sunday Jack and I went to the At Home store in Lanham, MD after he had tennis lessons and I got some great things for the new house! These scalloped lamp shades are only $12.99, which is incredible compared to how expensive some similar ones are at Serena and Lily and Caitlin Wilson. I also got some nice pillows for our future living room, and some blue and white lamps that were half off! This week I also bought 3 seagrass wrapped soap dispensers at Target for the bathrooms in the new house. At only $10 a piece they add such a cute touch of texture to a room that is traditionally full of so many hard surfaces.
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Love this door paint color! I just found your blog. Would love to know that color if possible.
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Thank you! It was a rental, and unfortunately I don’t know the color. Benjamin Moore Newportbury Blue is quite close though!