Be My Guest: Design Manifest

27 Jan

Naomi is the only one of my guest bloggers who I haven’t met in person. Come to LA, Nay Nay!

Naomi is a super talented Interior Designer and was actually my first design blog crush. The way she’s able to put color and pattern together really gets me going. And now she probably thinks I’m a lezzy. But seriously, when she put brilliant blue and very berry together it had me going like, Whaaa, I thought I was a color queen. Clearly, I’ve got some learning to do.

Today Naomi is sharing her South American dream home.

 

Hey I’m Naomi from Design Manifest and I’m thrilled to filling in for Irene while she’s on her tropical vacay.  Actually, I’m not thrilled, I’m pretty pissed off that I’m in Frigidelphia while she is probably swimming up to some pool bar and sleeping in late.  Since I can’t be frolicking through South America in my real life, I thought it would be fun to put together my dream vacation home- South American style.

What goes into my dream vacay home?  Lots of views, clean white walls, a tad rustic, a dollop of bohemian, a good dose of modern, and not a bit of fussy.  Honestly it’s like my normal style just a little looser.  Remember, it’s vacation, I’m probably tipsy.

For my living room I want the feel of nature at my feet and a huge daybed full of pillows when I want to get cozy.

 
 
Is a view too much to ask for?


When it comes to meals, I better be outside, or damn close.  This would do…

(Rees Roberts)

In my fantasies, the kitchen actually does get used and it’s a totally fabulous mix of rustic and modern.  Where better to take kitchen risks than a vacation home?  No white cabinets here!
 
 
Nothing fancy in a bedroom, just some pretty, please.  Oh and black-out curtains.
 
When it comes to time for my daily soak, I wouldn’t mind scrub-a-dub-dubbing here…
 
 
Or maybe I’d just skip the bath and hop in the pool.

Aren’t imaginary vacation homes fun?  Almost as cool as going away for real.  Ok not really, but I’ll use anything to warm myself up on this chilly day.

Mrs. stILes, I hope you are having a wonderful trip.  And to the rest of you, thanks for indulging my fantasies!  Pop over to my blog, if you’re new-to-me.  I like sharing fantasy spaces and real-live projects too.

Off to my imaginary pool-bar!

Thanks Naomi, they always say dream big. And if this dream home comes true, I’m visiting!

Happy Weekend.

 

(images are source from my pinterest, but most were found on the lovely blog, Head Over Heels.)

 

Be My Guest: The Lonely Wife Project

26 Jan

Today I have Sabra! Man I wish we lived closer to each other. We would definitely get into some crazy. There would probably also be a wine drought in our area so maybe it’s for the best we don’t.

On her blog, she also shares some tasty recipes (vegetarian for you veggies out there) and her photography skills improve by the hour. Oh yeah, and she cracks me up. Never met a funny girl I didn’t like.

Bring it on Sabra!

Why hello there friends of designstILes. I’m Sabra from the Lonely Wife Project. Just because we’re not in South America with Ms. Fancy Pants Irene doesn’t mean we can’t eat like we are. Thus I bring you what I hope is an authentic South American recipe (according to AllRecipes).

I took a simple black beans and quinoa dish and added bell peppers and jalapenos because I have a problem following directions exactly. If you’re not familiar with quinoa then I feel sorry for you.

Seriously, this grain is healthy and stuff and satiates your carb craving. I promise you will love it. Also, this recipe is low-fat. I now understand why Gisele looks the way she does. Quinoa and black beans people…quinoa and black beans.

Recipe:

1 teaspoon olive oil
1 onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 bell pepper, diced
1 jalapeno pepper, diced
1 or 2 cans of black beans
3/4 cups quinoa
1 1/2 cups vegetable broth
1 teaspoon cumin
cayenne pepper, salt and pepper to taste
Fresh chopped cilantro

Saute onions and garlic in olive oil until slightly brown, add bell and jalapeno peppers and cook for a few more minutes. Add quinoa, vegetable broth and spices. Bring to a boil, cover and simmer for 20 minutes. Add black beans and cilantro and cook for a few more minutes or until quinoa is done. Serve with alcohol.

Come visit me at the Lonely Wife Project for other healthy recipes and random stuff. Thanks for having me Irene. Come back tan and happy!

Thank you Sabra!

I’ll probably have to eat only this for about two weeks after I come back, so I’m glad I have it saved here in this blog of mine.

PS – Your pictures are fantastic.

Happy Thursday!

Be My Guest: Small Shop

25 Jan

Erika always amazes me. Her blog posts are always so creative and eye-pleasing. She’s a woman of many talents and she’s one of the nicest people in the blogosphere. I’ve hung out with her in real life a few times now, so I can totally vouch.

Today I’m having her share some wardrobe items I wish I would’ve purchased before my trip.

Summer will be here before we know it, so I’ll be seeing you soon, 4, 5 and 7. And probably 3.

Welcome Erika!

Hello stILers! It’s Irene’s bud Erika from small shop, filling in for her as she jets off on a romantic getaway with her main squeeze. Peru – how amazing is that?!

Since it’s summer there, I thought it would be fun to pack Irene’s suitcase with colorful ensembles that she can mix and match for sightseeing, shopping, sunbathing, and lots of romantic dinners. And because you never know when you might get back to your hotel, day-to-night looks are what it’s all about when traveling!

1. Topshop Iris playsuit, $92 2. JCrew Panama hat, $58 3. Topshop Mint Twist Leather Bag, $116 4. Michael Angel slip dress, $610 5. Topshop Keyhole Round sunglasses, $32 6. Ralph Lauren Uma espadrilles, $295 7. Mara Hoffman bikiki, $195 8. ASOS suede fringe bag, $53.72 9. Current/Elliot ankle skinny jeans, $198 10. ASOS FAST leather whipstitch sandals, $57.30 11. Topshop roll sleeve white tee, $20 and Tilo ombre cashmere scarf, $198 12. Rag & Bone cut-off shorts, $154

Throw in some hiking gear for Machu Picchu and she’s ready to go!

Hope you have a wonderfully adventurous and romantic anniversary, Irene!

Thank you Erika!

Visit her blog. This girl’s got lots o’ stile.

Happy Wednesday!

Be My Guest: Vmac + Cheese

24 Jan

Victoria and I go way back, to this post. Actually, way more back than that but that could result in a lot of distracting posts for one day.

Vmac is awesome. She’s got chef skills, graphic skills, photography skills, and pretty much has this whole blogging thing down pat. I can always rely on her to give me some delicious recipes and keep me up to current trends.

Today I’m having her share her travel essentials. While we have a lot of similar ones, there were a few I had to integrate into my current trip.

Here’s Vmac:

Hey everyone! Victoria from vmac+cheese here, sharing the travel essentials I absolutely cannot board a plane without. I have to admit, flying is not my favorite thing in the world. It might be, if it was a touch more glamorous as it was in the last century, but these days, let’s face it, it can be a somewhat unpleasant experience. For long flights — especially like the one Irene is about to embark on — everything below would be a necessity. Not pictured: the pre-boarding cocktail or glass of wine I try to enjoy at the airport bar before hand (me: mmmmm hmmm). Also a necessity.
One. Airplanes are pretty much the only place I publicly display my affection for trashy magazines like People and Us Weekly. It seems totally permissible to read these on an airplane. Don’t ask me why. Silly, because I completely cop to keeping up with celebrity gossip online, but I can’t bring myself to purchase one of these when I see them in line at the grocery store. To bring things up a bit, after I get the scoop on why Ali left Roberto, you can often find me reading this month’s Vanity Fair. It’s one of my favorite mags!
Two. It can be difficult to sleep on planes, but a pretty sleeping mask like this can help you drift away to dream land. By Mary Green, $25
Three. Earplugs. Whether it’s the drunk lady behind you who won’t stop yapping, or the screaming baby across the aisle, these things are a godsend when you’re stuck in a less than ideal seat.
Four. Despite my pre-boarding beverage, I really try not to drink on a flight. Flying is dehydrating enough as it is, and alcohol won’t help the situation (or your skin). Be sure to buy a gigantic water for the long flight.
Five. Last year I bought a NOOK color and it’s been so handy when traveling. I can download all the books I want beforehand to keep me entertained, and I can also feed my addiction to Angry Birds. I once played this for four hours straight on a flight.
Six. If things get REALLY boring, I’ve downloaded a few games that can be played with multiple players. If you’re traveling with a significant other, it can be fun to pass an iPad or an iPod back and forth.
Seven. I like traveling with a small can of Avene thermal spring water spray. It can help ward off dehydration, and also just feels very refreshing when you’re five hours into a ten hour flight. I actually use this stuff on the regular when I’m on solid ground, before moisturizing. It works wonders at softening the skin.
Eight. Nothing is worse than being without lip balm when you feel dry, chapped lips coming on. Be sure to pack your Burt’s Bees!
Nine. I find that after a long flight, I just feel gross. A little bit of perfume can help you feel refreshed and more like yourself. These rollerball ones are great to pack into your purse!
Ten. For whatever reason, sometimes my best ideas come to me when I’m 35,000 feet in the air. Maybe it’s that I’m finally able to sit still in one place and start reflecting on things. I like to keep a little notebook on hand to jot down any and all genius ideas. Archie Grand notebooks, $10-11
What about you? What’s the one travel essential you can’t leave home without?
Thanks for having me today, Irene!! I hope you have a fantastic time in Peru and I can’t wait to see where your adventures took you.
Thank you Vmac!!!
Visit her blog. Always something interesting going on.
Happy Tuesday!

Be My Guest: Arianna Belle

23 Jan

Arianna was my very first blogging buddy. She used to live like 2 miles away from me but then she moved. Womp.

Her blog always makes me feel so at ease. Her focus is organization and I’m always so surprised at how many things she manages to find organizational. And she does it in such a way that always looks stylish.

Today she’s sharing some tips on organizing that pesky task of packing for a trip. I hate packing more than the dentist.

Take it away, Ari.

Hi all! Arianna here of Arianna Belle Organized Interiors filing in for my amiga Irene today while she’s away in beautiful Peru and Costa Rica. When I travel there are a few things I like to keep in mind that makes packing a bit more efficient. Hope any of you that may also soon be jetting off somewhere find them useful!

  • Make a list of outfits you’ll wear each day. Doing so will help prevent over-packing.
  • Choose versatile pieces that you can mix and match.
  • Save space by tightly rolling as much of your clothing as possible. Line the botton of the suitcase with your heaviest items first, then put lighter items on top of that.
  • Fill nooks and crannies with smaller items -socks, belts, etc.
  • Since shoes can take up a lot of space, try to wear on the plane your bulkiest pair.
  • Always put toiletries in a plastic bag. Believe me, you definitely don’t want to open your suitcase and find that the shampoo (or lotion, or body wash) exploded all over your clothes.
  • Leave some space for anything you might want to bring back!

Thank you so much for filling in for me, Ari.

Make sure to visit her blog if you need to put your organizational skills in check.

Happy Monday!

 

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