Spring is coming!

March 20th ushers in the official Spring season, but we are ready to introduce sunshine and freshness now. What we love most about Spring is the approaching of warmer weather, the emergence of new life, and watching nature bloom just outside my window. It’s a season of refreshment and rejuvenation. Our corner of the world turns over a new leaf, delicate pastel hued flowers emerge from the ground, everything leaves us with a sense of anew and wonder. With the changing of seasons, there are a few things we are loving stylistically this Spring…

Image Sources: Mike Moser Studio - Interior with Armoire, Pinterest - Runner Ducks, @carlypage IG - Mother and Child, ,- Pinterest - Boots in Field, @pigsty IG - Floral Arrangement, @parqueridleycreek IG - Plaster Work.

Spring in Bloom

There are so many things you can do to to give your home a Spring refresh. Each Spring ushers in new florals…whether they’re freshly cut and stationed in a vase or a pattern on a dress. Florals can be literal, or implied throughout the home to give a subtle nod to spring influence. Fresh-cut flowers, a vintage floral pillow adorning the sofa, a tulip lipped vase resting on the side table - are all accessible ways to bring the outdoors in. Adding a stunning floral wallcovering to your interior is a more permanent way to embrace Spring year round. Delicate fabrics like lace and linen are Spring’s soul mate. They’re light and airy and add visual, textural interest to our blouses and abodes. Wood, jute, and wicker are all natural elements that are easily incorporated into our spaces - relieving us of drudgery and stuffiness. With all of these light and bright colors and materials it’s best to add in a little bit of contrast with the help of a foundational, dark stained piece. This bit of contrast keeps the eye moving throughout the room without wondering aimlessly or getting stuck. There are endless options to choose from to give your home a refresh just in time for Spring!

A Spring refresh doesn’t have to be all or nothing! The above-mentioned themes and materials are a fantastic way to add a feeling of freshness to our interiors and wardrobes without a whole home renovation. Emphasizing pastels, warmth, and natural materials is a sure-fire way to usher in the Spring season.

Image Sources: Pinterest - “Pray for Us” Lace Curtain, Kiko Design - Floral Arrangement, @marieannedervulle IG - Yellow Interior, @mariecher IG - Yellow Outfit, Pinterest - Street View Portrait, @alexandragrecco IG Lace Pillow Case, Rebecca Elaine Goddard - Plaster Work.

Spring in Butter

The buzz on butter is rapidly picking up momentum with each passing day. Butter is officially being projected as the IT color for Spring and we couldn’t be more excited to subtly add in this soft and decadent sister of primary yellow. Butter’s complimentary companion can be found in petite floral patterns, a flash of implied warmth in brass accents, or in an overall color drenched blouse or darted pants. Controversial to some, beloved by most, this creamy hue is permanently slated to overwhelm and impress within the worlds of fashion and design this Spring and we happen to think it’s going to stick around a lot longer than just this season. Often found in French painted murals, Spring garden beds, and 17th century textiles, butter yellow has always been a mainstay throughout the years and we are thrilled that 2025 is the year for her to shine. Below are all the buttery products we’ve been ogling this week as we look ahead to Spring.

Spring is the perfect time to play with color and material! All of our picks for Spring have us dreaming of warmer weather and sunshine. Whether welcoming butter yellow into your pallet, or sticking to the basics of a Spring refresh, you are sure to find something that catches your eye. Everything listed here is supposed to feel effortless, warm, and breezy. Just like our favorite season.

Until next time,

xo

Getting in the mood for Valentine's Day

February is here and romance is in the air!

This month’s edition of Happy Hunting is an ode to Valentine’s Day and all things romance. Not only is Valentine’s Day a personal favorite holiday of ours, its also a great chance to elevate our wardrobes and interiors with that signature V-Day pop of red we start to see as soon as the calendar switches to February 1st. Layer in color-drenched, whimsical materials to these areas of your life and you will undoubtedly up the romance ante this month (and on). Keep scrolling for a glimpse of how we’re embracing romance, bold red hues, and whimsy this February.

Image Sources; Floral and Apple Arrangement - Lisa Cooper: Florist, Mood Lighting - FARE INC.; Photographer - Claire Menary, Candles Drapped with Ribbon - @havonhaus IG, Vintage Car with Florals - @nourashraf_official IG, Roses with Satin - @preajames_bridal IG, Red Outfit Inspiration - @aceatthebeach Pinterest, Champagne Tower - Pinterest.

FOR HER

We are loving the luxurious materials used on the pieces below! Whether gravitating towards demure neutrals or bold reddish hues, dressing your look up with dramatic jewelry and sleek accessories will give major impact during your Valentine’s date night.

FOR HIM

We couldn’t forget the gents! These classic, clean-cut looks will keep your date looking just as dapper as you. After all, there isn’t anything more romantic than a well coordinated couple, right?

FOR THE MOOD

Staying in this Valentine’s Day? Layer these understated pieces throughout your home to add that extra warmth and romance we so crave this month. Plush pillows and silver serving bowls are jewelry for the home. You’ll want to use these pieces long after the holiday’s end!

We hope you were able to see the romance and whimsy in the pieces we’ve shared above; enjoy this season of romance!

xoxo

Happy Hunting January 2025

The air is crisp and it is so cold outside! When things get so cold we have create spaces and wardrobes that keep us cozy. Sometimes it’s as simple as lighting a candle, putting your lights on a dimmer, listening to music on vinyl, or lighting the fireplace. We all do different things to create a sense of warm during these dark winter months. Below is the cozy dark chocolate mocha brown aesthetic that we are loving this winter. Brown has warm undertones and immediately adds a certain level of cozy to our lives.

Image Sources: @omergilony IG - Tablescape, @jasmineslh IG - Silk Skirt/Sweater, Hello Lovely Studio - Gate Scene, Zara - Lamp, @megangeiber IG - Hutch Styling, Snow Scene at York Minster, @frigg_farms IG- Mantle with Florals, Snow Scene & Woman with Scarf - Pinterest.

MOCHA MOUSSE is the pantone color of the year for 2025 and we love it! On our Instagram, we predicted that chocolate brown was going to be a BIG color in 2024, and it was. This warm neutral is going to definitely stay around for 2025 and many years to come. It’s a versatile staple for your home and wardrobe.

A TOUCH OF RED adds visual warmth to any space because red is well- warm! We’re loving deep dark reds because they feel more indulgent and decadent. Red is an easy color to mix into your existing neutrals. We love this deep merlot red blended with beige and mocha tones. Dark garnet gives a sense of elevated luxury to any color palette. We love it!

Packing for Paris

Paris was a blast! Here’s how I shopped for it.

Paris is my favorite city in the world for so many reasons. The art and the architecture alone are enough to make my heart skip a beat. The hotels and the food are amazing too!! Last time I went to Paris, I visited in the summer time. The high season. Busy busy! This time I went in November when it is much colder and slower. I liked the pace, but I had to pack extra layers! If you’ve been to Paris (or anywhere in Europe) you know that you do A TON more walking overseas than you do stateside. So explore the options with me as I show you what I looked at, and what I ultimately packed for my recent trip to Paris.

First are foremost, you NEED a good walking shoe. I’m a boot lover so of course I had to throw in some boots too. But I mainly wore my Dr. Scholl’s sneakers. GASP. Yes. Dr. Scholl’s. They’ve come a long way and I was shocked how stylish and comfortable they were. It felt like I was walking on clouds! Which is great when you opt to walk up the steps on the Eiffel tower. I ended up buying the brown faux leather jacket from Abercrombie and packed an old black winter trench that I had in the closet. That way I could choose if I wanted to dress in the brown or black category for the day. I packed my super affordable amazon shades, a cozy hat and tons of cozy sweaters for layering.

All in all, you can’t go wrong when you go to Paris. Just be sure to pack a good pair of walking shoes and warm coat if you go in the winter time. You won’t regret it. I promise.

Because Paris is my favorite city, I decided to make a “Paris Guide” E-booklet that lists all of my favorite hotels, restaurants, tips and tricks for museums and getting round the city. It is 61 pages long and I put so much thought into it. I wanted to make a perfect Paris Guide for both the first timer and the veteran. I put in my favorite little secret spots like a tea shop and a taxidermy shop! There is something for everyone in this digital download PDF. I promise you will love it! I even included a custom map of Paris where I highlight my favorite places and things. I made it with love. I hope you enjoy it and I hope it helps you feel confident and have a memorable time in Paris.

OUR PARIS GUIDE E-BOOK IS AVAILABLE FOR SALE!

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE.

As always, thank you so much for your love and support.

Happy Hunting 03.22.2024

Spring is finally here!

Spring officially arrived on March 19th and we couldn’t be happier. Goodbye frigid winter woes and hello spring showers! The warmer weather and sunnier evenings make us smile. We are so thankful for the spring rain showers that bring us flowers. There are so many wonderful things about the spring time. There are new babies born in the wild, changes to dance in the rain and time to make fresh fruity desserts.

 
 

One thing that’s fun to do in the spring time is to refresh your closet with some lighter pieces. We recently found some fresh pices to add to your wardrobe. From flowy dresses to trendy tops, these pieces are sure to put a spring in your step. We love bright whites and pastel floral hues.

What is your favorite part about spring? Mine is the rain. My son particularly loves jumping in puddles with his rain boots on. I also love the smell of rain. Spring time is a good time. Don’t you think? I’ve also been pinning a lot of refreshing recipes to our Pinterest boards lately. If you want to whip up something new in the kitchen, check out Pinterst page for inspo! I’m trying to decide what I’ll make for Easter. Either a lemon pie with blueberry meringue, or a pistachio ganache cake. They are very different, but they both excite me! Maybe I’ll try both. :)

Happy Hunting 02.06.2024

Valentine's Day Edition: Outfit Ideas for Date Night and Gift Ideas for Him

What to Wear on Date Night? We love to jazz it up with deep red hues, plush velvet and a little bit of sparkle. No matter what your style is, we have everything you need to look and feel your best this Valentine’s Day. We’re loving bow details on shoes and organic raw pearls because they add a sense of softness to your look. You can’t go wrong with a classic Valentine’s Day red color, but we’re also loving deeper reds like merlot, zinfandel, ruby, burgundy and chianti. These deeper tones set a deeper darker vibe and we are loving it.

Are you looking for the perfect Valentine's Day gift for the man in your life? We are too. Guys can be soooo tough to buy for because they seem to have everything they want. And if they think of something new they want, they just buy it. So we took time to think outside the box and curate a list of items he might not have but will definitely love!

We tried our best to think of the many different interests your guy might have. Whether he's an outdoor enthusiast who loves golfing or fishing, or a man who enjoys self-care and grooming, we found some great items for him. If he’s into cuisine, we found items for a grill master and a cocktail connoisseur. Maybe your man is 100% into fitness enthusiast, or simply seeking to up his wardrobe game. We've got some fantastic ideas that are sure to make him feel loved, appreciated and seen this Valentine’s Day. Enjoy!

How to Make Your Home More Romantic...

Ah, love is in the air! Valentine's Day is approaching, and it's time to turn up the heat. With this holiday in mind, we want to show you how to take your home from plain to passion with just a few simple tricks. Consider a sunken lounge for those cozy cuddles, a warm fireplace, a library, curved furniture, indirect lighting to set the mood, and soft fabrics to sink into.

Credits in photos linked below per section. Click photos in sections below to find the respective designer.

Sunken Lounge…

Having a sunken lounge in your space instantly adds a romantic and playful vibe, but you do have to plan ahead with this one. It’s easiest to implement a sunken lounge when you’re building a new construction project and it’s slightly more difficult to add into a renovation, but it is still possible. Be sure to plan ahead and hire a designer if you want to include a seductive sunken lounge in your next project. You can play with the level changes, the materiality and the sheer number of seats. Don’t forget important things like the view, surround sound and mood lighting as well. (More on mood lighting later in this post.) Sunken lounges are also known as ‘conversation pits’ and we love that this retro trend is booming again.

Swings…

Indoor swings and hanging daybeds are a great way to add some romance to your home. Not only do they create a playful and whimsical atmosphere, but they also provide a cozy spot for relaxation. Imagine curling up on a hanging daybed with a good book, or a mid-day nap with a loved one. These unique pieces of furniture are not only functional, but they also add a touch of sexiness to any room. Playfulness is an important element to consider in lasting relationships.

Curvy Furniture & Ultra Soft Fabrics…

When it comes to creating a romantic atmosphere in your home, choosing the right furniture is key. Selecting the right fabrics is equally as important. Curvilinear furniture makes your space feel less strict and stuffy. It adds a hint of feminine softness that can help make a space feel more relaxing. Ultra-plush textiles, plush area rugs, velvet curtains, and silk bedding can give your home a luxurious and inviting feel. The combination of curved furniture and soft fabrics creates a cozy and intimate space that is perfect for curling up with a loved one or enjoying a romantic evening at home. So, if you want to add some romance to your home, consider incorporating curved furniture and soft fabrics into your decor.

“Everyone loves to explore with their sense of touch. Explore your space by layering different types of textiles throughout.” - Tara Miller

Cozy Fireplaces…

There is something undeniably alluring about the warm, flickering glow of a wood-burning fireplace. It has a way of transforming even the most mundane of living spaces into a space that is both romantic and intimate. Whether you're snuggled up with your significant other, enjoying a glass of wine and conversation, or simply basking in the quiet solitude of a crackling fire, a fireplace has a way of making you feel connected, grounded, and at peace.

Mood Lighting…

The right lighting can create an alluring and romantic atmosphere in any space. Indirect lighting softly illuminates the space, creating a cozy ambiance. Backlighting can highlight objects and add depth to a space, making it feel larger and more dramatic. Uplighting, on the other hand, can add a touch of elegance and sophistication, especially when used to highlight artwork or architectural features. And of course, there's nothing quite as romantic as the warm glow of candlelight. We suggest scentless candles and we prefer beeswax if possible.

Library Aesthetic…

Creating a home library can be a wonderful addition to any household. Not only does it provide an aesthetic appeal, but it also creates a cozy and intimate atmosphere that is perfect for reading… and other activities. A home library can be designed in various styles, from modern and sleek, to traditional and ornate. A library is a highly personal room because you fill i with your own personal collection of literature.

“The books you have on your shelf say a lot about you. Showing someone your personal library is like showing them a piece of your soul.” - Tara Miller

Overall, incorporating these elements into your home can help create a romantic and inviting space that promotes relaxation and intimacy. By adding softness, warmth, and playfulness to your decor, you can create a space that feels like a romantic getaway right in your own home.

Happy Hunting 01.15.2024

Prioritizing Your Well-being: A New Year's Resolution

When life gets busy, it's easy to neglect your own well-being while juggling work, family, and other responsibilities. However, the start of a new year provides an opportunity to start fresh, reflect, and make adjustments that will help you become the best version of yourself.

Whether you want to elevate your living spaces, read more books, adopt a new workout regimen, or simply improve the quality of your sleep, we've got you covered with some amazing product recommendations.

 

Good Lighting

Lighting can make your break your space. What do I mean by this? Number one- lighting illuminates you and your space. I personally love that “golden hour” glow at sunset time. It’s a moody warm light and you can actually accomplish that in your space! Choose a light bulb that has the Kelvin temperature of 2700. That will give off the warm glowy light that you want. Number two- put your lights on dimmers. If you can put all of your lighting on dimmer switches, that allows you to be in full control. Do you want the lights on super blast? Or would you like it a little dimmer as you wind down for the night? Number three- materiality and filtration. The material you choose to place in front of your light source will inevitably filter the light. So ask yourself, do you want clear glass in front of it? Or would you like a linen shade to slightly diffuse the light? There are so many options when it comes to lighting and I love a good mix of vintage and new. Mixing finishes and materials gives your space a cozy acquired look.

 

Good Books - Cook Books

New recipes add new soul to the kitchen. My husband is German so when I stumbled up on this dreamy German cookbook, I knew I had to add it into this blog post. I’ll need to buy it soon. The best vacation my husband and I ever had was our trip to Italy because the food was incredible! No shade to Olive Garden, I love Olive Garden, but I did not know what real authentic Italian cuisine was until we went to Italy and it’s incredible! So this EATLY cookbook is a must. What kinds of dishes are you making these days? I’d love to know because it’s winter and I’m in my “need to make new recipes” era.

 

Good Beds

Good sleep can transform your year. It’s so true. Your bed is the last thing you see at night and the first thing you see when you wake up. So don’t you want to love it? There’s nothing like having a soft bed to rest your head against at the end of the night and read a book. You can opt for the fully upholstered headboard, siderails and foot board, or you can choose to purchase a wall-mounted headboard. That is a great affordable option that still adds a wonderful look to your room. I’m currently loving the Noah Headboard from Urban Outfitters and want to buy it so bad! But I don’t have a room to put it in right now haha. Can I please design one of your rooms with this wall-mounted headboard? It would be so stunning!

 

Good Bedding

People! I am not lying to you when I say that we got the Cotton Cloud Quilt from Parachute for Christmas and it has changed my life. Haha okay not like a complete 180 but it has made me so happy! I never realized that my previous bedding was such poor quality until this cotton cloud quilt showed up. It is the softest thing ever and is surprisingly warm. I typically wear sweatpants, sweatshirt, and socks to bed. Then I pile on the sheet, our quilt AND the heavy denim quilt from grandma. Why? Because I’m usually so cold! But I love this blanket and it keeps heat in really well. Even my husband loves it and he tends to sleep on the warmer side. So it must be breathable enough for him too. Gotta love that! I also love the oversized linen cover trend that we’re seeing everywhere on social media. Hot tip for that: Size up! Buy the size up so that the cover drapes elegantly onto the floor. Scallops and pleats are in. We know it, we love it! I love the subtle scallop on the pillow cases that Sara Sherman Samuel designed for Lulu and Georgia. I also love the Linen Box Pleat Bed Skirt that Jake Arnold designed for Parachute. These are great ways to elevate the look of your bed.

 

Good Workout Gear

Moving my body has transformed my mental health. Yes! My mental health! I had really bad postpartum depression and anxiety after I had my son…. until I started Brazilian jiu jitsu, then POOF! It all went away. I still worry and stress and get down now and then, but I have escaped from the mental fog that had consumed my brain. Brazilian jiu jitsu miiiight not be for you and that’s okay. One thing that always inspires me to workout is cute workout gear! When I saw these python boxing gloves I was like, “yes pleeeease!” I did not buy them, but I want to. So I began curating workout equipment around that aesthetic and came up with this grouping. I love the wood handles because I’m big on connecting with nature in whatever capacity you are able. Can’t get outside on a walk that day? No worries. Use your wooden weights or wooden jump rope. Then I Iove the neutral colors of the yoga mat and kettle bell balls. You might not use them at the same time, haha I wouldn’t even recommend that you do. But I like how they are complimentary. Then rounding it out with my favorite material: Leather! This leather boxing bag is stunning! It’s so good looking it could be a piece of sculptural artwork.

 

Good Books - Self Growth

If you’re anything like me, I am always trying to grow, learn and become a better person. It’s an endless pursuit but an important one because I never want to stay stagnant. I believe that if you want to grow in your business, you also need to be growing in your personal life. Growth is a lifestyle. The first “growth” book I read years ago was “The Four Agreements” by Don Miguel Ruiz and it rocked my perspective. The main takeaway I got from that book was other people’s perceptions and reactions have nothing to do with me. Read the book to find out more. I promise it’s a great steppingstone to be more aware and take things less personally. Next up, I strongly believe that every health class should be required to read “Come As You Are” by Emily Nagoski in leu of the sex ed curriculum they actually teach. (Not middle school level, but perhaps high school and definitely college age+.) All I’m saying is this book was incredibly informative to me as a grown adult woman and explored concepts I’d never even heard of. I’m so thankful I read this book and I’m trying to get my husband to read it as well, because like I said, I believe everyone should read this book. “Everybody Fights” is a book written by Kim and Penn Holderness but they quote SO MANY doctors and psychologists in their book. It is jam packed with helpful information on how to navigate conflict resolution. We all learned how to handle conflict by watching our parents, guardians or teachers as we grew up. I believe it is our it is our responsibility as adults to educate ourselves on alternate ways of coping and dealing with the inevitable issues that life throws our way. Every family struggles. No marriage is without disagreement. This book is a great place to start if you’d like to learn more about how to approach conflict resolution in a healthy way. I wish we could all read, understand and apply the principles in this book to our lives. Thank you Kim and Penn for writing a book that so many of us truly need.

Happy Hunting 09.23.2023

Happy First day of Fall! Fall is officially here and WE LOVE FALL! :) Nothing is better than the crisp cool smell of the air, the crunch of the leaves and a hot drink in your hand. My favorite thing about fall is that it is officially jean jacket weather so I decided to share some of my favorite jean jackets. If you know me, you also know that I love boots. So of course I included some of my favorite boots right now. When people think of fall, they often think of cozying up with a blanket, but have you ever considered your area rug? Adding an area rug instantly cozies up any space! We made some of our favorite fall pairings for you below. Enjoy!

Okay so we threw in a leather jacket at the end instead of a jean jacket. We just had to! It’s so stinkin cute! I’m a HUGE fan on fringe. Do you love fringe? I like it on jackets, rugs, sofas, anything! Below are some images from my cousin Heather and I on the Nebraska Angus tour. When I tell you EVERYONE was wearing denim jackets, I meant it. Then we went to Joe’s Honky Tonk in Kearny, NE and the band that was playing, was LITERALLY called the “Fall Denim Jacket” Band. I kid you not!

Next up is cozy kitchen items to help you celebrate fall at home! We love brass so we shared a few brass favorites like a dinner bell, salt mill, and measuring cups! Plus the two cutest champagne glasses we ever saw.

Summer 2023 Mood Board

Summertime. What does the word “summer” make you think of? For me, it’s heat. Heat and humidity. It also makes me think of sun-kissed skin, beautiful sunsets later in the evening, and sandy beaches. Last year we went to Greece and this year we went to Tulum so those two locations are heavily influencing my vision of what summer looks like. Check out our three summer mood boards below. I made one general mood board, one Tulum mood board and our team member Lara made one mood board as well. We hope you love it and get that summertime feeling.

 

Sources: Our Pinterst Page. A Little Bit Southern. Bali Interiors. Ann Lauer. Hotel Panamera. Altar Tulum.

 

Relaxation. Purity. Natural materials. Connection with nature. These are the things I envisioned while making the neutral Summer mood board above. I love the textural white plaster walls. I love the heavy shadows that a sunset casts on everything. I love a good book. Books literally feed the soul and help us grow as human beings. Relaxing by the water with a book is the epitome of a luxurious relaxing vacation to me. Thick thatched roofs and thatched beach umbrellas is a textural vibe I’m loving. Linen drapery blowing in the ocean breeze with the smell of salt in the air is such a vibe too. Everything in my neutral Summer mood board is about ease, relaxation and connection with nature. Do you dig it?

 

Sources: Photography by Ryan and Tara Miller

 

Tulum, Mexico. Have you been? Do you plan to go? It was a MUST see on my bucket list and I’m so glad we were able to go. Not only is it a place with an abundance of natural food, the architecture and interior design is phenomenal. There are a few different styles in Tulum but I was drawn to Hotel Panamera because they seamlessly blended texture, color and nature together in a way that felt balanced and invigorating. The views were amazing, the subtle green color fed my heart, and simplicity made me feel at ease. The pool is over-the-top with tons of color and pattern and I love it! Everything from the tiles to the lounge chairs is vibrant and fun. But that is balanced with the entire rest of the property being laid back and chill. I love that there are different areas depending on what mood you’re in. Wanna relax? They have a space for that. Wanna socialize? There’s a space for that. That is good programming. I love Hotel Panamera, this is not sponsored, but if you’re going to Tulum, I highly recommend you stay there. (They have AC, the staff is super nice, the food is SUPERB, etc etc etc.) Enjoy!

Happy Hunting 07.11.2023

This month we’re leaning into our neutral side. While bold colors do inspire and invigorate us, we love neutrals because they calm us. They give us a sense of serenity and relaxation. A nice neutral palette calms the senses and creates an atmosphere of ease. This month’s edition of Happy Hunting showcases treasures we’ve found while hunting around for hidden gems. It just so happened that everything appeared in threes! So this month’s edition is also “things in threes.” We hope you enjoy!

What is your favorite category? Clothing? Furnishings? Hard finishes like tiles? Lighting? Accessories? What would you like to see more of? We find new and exciting things all the time and we want to share things that you are interested in. Please let us know what you like best and what you want to see more of. Thank you!

Happy Hunting 06.21.2023

Spring has turned into summer and we’ve had garden fever lately. Tara started her first raised bed garden and is having fun watching seedlings grow into plants. Her son is having fun watering them (even if sometimes it turns into over-watering lol.) Tara purchased the copper name tags below so she could throw away the plant tags that come with the plants. Once the copper tags arrived, she wrote the name of the plant on the copper tag and it looks much better. Below is a roundup of super cute garden accessories that might add a little fun to your backyard garden. Enjoy!

Do gardening supplies and oven mitts go hand in hand? Haha not really, but it’s okay. Tara’s old oven mitt got burnt to a crisp and it’s time for a new one! That sparked the search for a new oven mitt that was cute and durable. Below are a few favorites. Click the image to be redirected to the vendors website. Which one is your favorite?

That’s all for this edition of Happy Hunting. Whenever we write a blog post about “Happy Hunting” we share links to fun items that have brough us joy lately. This could be furniture, fashion, home goods or anything that we’ve found inspiring. What do you want to see next? We’d love to know!

Happy Hunting 5.25.2023

Welcome to another edition of Happy Hunting where we show you all the hidden gems we’ve discovered lately. We love sharing items we love with you! We share home decor, lighting, clothing, accessories and more! We hope you enjoy this month’s colorful edition of fun finds. Enjoy!

Lately we’ve been inspired by colorful natural stone, burnished brass, vintage linen, and raw clay. All of these pieces look stunning alone or brilliant in a group. They are items that you can easily add into your existing space or create an entirely new look out of. It’s up to you! What does your space need right now? A little spring refresh? A pop of color? Some warmth? What do you like the best? What draws your eye in? I love finding unique curious pieces that could be a great conversation starter when people see it. I also love knowing the back story behind the artist and the materials used.

We hope you love all these colorfully refreshing pieces that can add vibrant life into any space. Being playful is the fun part of life. Adding a little color and an organic form to a space can easily infuse a little playfulness. It could be a small stone vessel or a large wood console table. Click on the images above to be transported to their websites for additional details & purchasing. We do not use any commission plug-ins on this blog, so you’ll notice you go directly to the vendor’s website. We don’t use r.style.me or ltk or any other third party linking source, which means we do not get commissions from our “happy hunting” blog posts. We simply want to share some of the favorite things we’ve found lately. We hope you enjoy!

Spring 2023 Mood Board

Yay!! Spring is here and it feels so good! The sun is shining a little brighter, the air is warming up, the trees are green and flowers are blooming. What’s not to love about spring time? It’s a seasonal delight to see life finding it’s way back into our lives. We’re leaving the cold dullness of winter behind and straining onwards toward brighter days with this fun & colorful edition of our Spring Mood Boards! 2023 Let’s do this! :)

 

Sources: Humphrey Residence by Olson Kundig & Daniel Hinkley found via Pinterest, Sink via @edeneats Instagram page designed by Montana Burnett Designs and built by Chait Homes, Pinterest, the building at Provence Le Mas Des Poiriers, Threads and Blooms Blog, the grounds of Provence Le Mas Des Poiriers.

 

“I absolutely love the color spring palette associated with springtime. Of course there’s soft pastels and lush greenery, but I also enjoy adding in brass because it’s warmth is reminiscent of the sun. The warm golden undertones of brass make any room feel warmer and I love that! Spring is a time when we can finally escape our winter hibernation and spend longer amounts of time outside. My son and I are particularly enjoying spending time swinging in the hammock and feeding baby carrots to bunnies in our backyard. I created the mood board above to highlight French architecture, colorful stone countertops, gardens in bloom and time spent outdoors with our little ones. All these images feel rejuvenating and life-giving to me. I love the personality of natural stone- especially when it has a playful color in it. I also love natural, unstructured gardens that seem to dance along the ground in a playful way. I love spring time and I’m so happy it’s here!” - Tara Miller.

 

Sources: Cotswolds, England by We Dream of Travel, Bike riding photographed by Elizabeth Chlouber found via Pinterest, “Bridge over a Pond of Water Lilies” painting by Claude Monet, Macarons by Laduree, Daughter’s bedroom designed by Sophie Paterson, Palace of Versailles, Sundress from Lait Collection, Mayfair project bedroom designed by Sophie Paterson, House in Basel, Switzerland photographed by Sarah Tucker.

 

“When painting a picture of Spring, the first image that comes to mind is frolicking in a field of flowers and living in a little cottage surrounded by the beauty of nature. I was inspired by the traditional little villages in Cotswolds, England. It makes me want to bake macarons and take a bike ride though Claude Monet’s luscious garden. Florals are a big aspect of Spring, so I love the idea of bringing nature inside one’s space. My favorite interior designer is Sophie Paterson, and she does an exquisite job of incorporating elegant nature wallpapers in her spaces. Overall, I enjoy the earthy tones and materials with pops of color to make the space come to life and Spring really encapsulates that idea.” - Lara Parker.

DESIGN DETECTIVES Second Edition: Alex Cooper's Podcast Studio. Call Her Daddy Interior Design Renovation Recap.

Welcome! Here you’ll find all the sources for Alex Cooper’s recently renovated podcast studio for Call Her Daddy.

Blurry screenshots from Call Her Daddy’s Instagram REEL.

I hate that I love doing this. I love interior design so much. It is my life. I am constantly consuming design, reading about it, traveling for it, digging into all my old college books like Architecture History, studying the current building codes, reading the magazines, being in IIDA, etc etc etc. I love design so much that when I see a space that excites me, I get REALLY excited lol. So if you’ve been here for a minute, you know that I did not know who Emma Chamberlain was (sorry I’m out of the loop lol, I know who she is now, a Youtuber) and when Architectural Digest featured her home (I watch all their videos) I was like “oh I know what that light fixture is, that tile, that chair…” and the list went on and on. The space was so fun that I started diving in and before you knew it, I became a Design Detective and sourced aaaaaall the things for you. I also felt terrible because her designers obviously spent a lot of time researching, designing, sourcing & installing for her, then here I am writing another blog post just like it. I’m sorry, but just like Britney, oops I did it again.

Blurry screenshots from Call Her Daddy’s Instagram REEL.

This time, I was searching something on Instagram and this REEL came up: it was a before & after of a podcast space and the after was DOPE! So then I start digging and fond out this is the #2 podcaster in the WORLD and of course I’d never heard of it or her. (Do I live on MARS?! Apparently.) The “after” of the studio was so incredible that I knew, I felt it in my soul that I absolutely had to do the second edition of Design Detectives. Same as the first time, some items are exact, and some are similar. This time, we added some alternates for you as well. I hope you enjoy!!

  1. Ceiling Paint. 2. Wall Paint. 3. Wall Sconce. 4. Pendant Light. 5. Lounge Chair. 6. Lounge Chair Fabric. 7. Side Table. 8. Area Rug. 9. Coffee Table. 10. Moss Bowl.

Of course, everything here is absolutely stunning! If you know who the designer is, please tell me so I can give credit where credit is due. I feel like the goal of the renovation was to create an elevated feminine aesthetic. They left behind tons of white and went for a warmer & softer approach.

Grounding the space with this ruby-colored rug is brilliant, bold and feminine. Then there is the coziest curvy lounge chair that looks as cuddly as a teddy bear. When you click on the link for the chair, you may think this is the wrong chair, but I promise you it is correct. It just looks totally different in a different fabric. That’s why I also linked the fabric I think the chair is in. If it’s not a Mohair, it could be a velvet. But this color of mohair is very hot right now, so I do believe it is that. The side table was extremely hard to find, and it is not exact, but it is very close. I have tooooons of alternates but the thing I’m missing is the raised edge on the top of the side table. But the asymmetrical base is right.

The two light fixtures were super easy to find, especially the pendant because I’ve had that saved on our Pinterest for years. It’s such a dreamy fixture that adds softness to any room. Absolutely stunning and the perfect addition to this room because it adds to the elevated feminine vibe. The wall sconces are nice because they direct light both up and down but not straight into the camera. The coffee table is a stunning natural stone but warmer than her last coffee table. I think the last coffee table she had was a faux Calacatta marble with the white background and soft grey veining. But the new stone is so hot right now and adds warmth because Calacatta Viola has warmer deep red, sometimes purple-ish veins depending on the stone.

The biggest change was building out the walls for shelves, and a focal wall with raked plaster. Every wall was covered in a soft pink paint. LOVE! I think it’s a roman clay product since the back wall is plaster raked but we’ll get into that more later.

  1. Chain Link Decor. 2. Candle. 3. Similar Match Holder. 4. Matches. 5. Wood Riser. 6. Moss Bowl.

I love that they furred out the walls to create bookshelves, but not just any bookshelves. They have oversized white-oak bookshelves that look visually heavy and are accessorized wonderfully. Since the bookshelves themselves are so large, it means you don’t have to accessorize them as much. There is mainly books (which I love) and some nice sculpture objects and pots & vases. On the coffee table they kept it simple with a moss filled bowl, a wood riser with a candle and match holder/ striker on top.

  1. Art Book. 2. Book Ends. 3. Big Book of Chic. 4. Vital Voices. 5. Pussy Pedia.

Books books books. I love books and so does everyone else. Books are a necessity when styling shelves so don’t sleep on them. When we did our first edition of DESIGN DETECTIVES on Emma Chamberlain’s house, we ID’d soooo many books, but today we just have 4. These screenshots were so blurry and it was really hard to see most of the books, but we identified a few for you.

  1. Sexiest floor lamp alive.

Boop! Out of the corner of your eye you can spot a stylish lamp… found it! Link above. It’s a beautiful asymmetrical lamp made of polished brass with a leather grip and a fabric shade. It was designed in Austria and is now at home in Alex Cooper’s podcast studio.

  1. Wall Paint. 2. Brass Letters. 3. Fluted Plaster Inspiration Pic. 4. White Oak Inspiration Pic.

Let’s talk FINISHES. Walls, ceilings, bookshelves, floating shelves, focal wall, etc. We talked about the wall color earlier in this post, but now we’re focusing on the focal wall that has her Call Her Daddy logo on it. At first glance you might think it’s a painted tambour, but it’s not. I believe it is hand raked plaster that created the soft undulating texture on the wall. It takes a truly talented artisan to create this simple yet elegant wall texture and they use specialized tools. So it’s not an easy DIY accent wall. It’s stunning and I absolutely love it. Then they pressed custom metal letters into it to create her logo. They could have used any metal fabricator, but to give you a visual I linked some metal letters from Etsy. I think the floating shelf & bookshelves are white oak with a custom stain but there’s no way of knowing what mixture of stains/ glazes they used. It is a stunning final color on the wood so hats off to the talented painter who achieved that stain. And of course, hats off to the designers who pulled all these lovely finishes together.

I think it’s important to briefly talk about what they left behind. We kissed GOODBYE to the white on white on white on white vibe. (White walls, gone. White boucle chair, gone. White coffe table, gone. White shaggy rug, gone!) GONE is the brass & glass console table. GONE is the bulky square boucle chair. They opted for a new chair with a more organic, curvilinear form for the remodel. The pink & grey marble side table is gone for a more minimal, black asymmetrical side table. The circular, cool grey + white coffee table is GONE for the rectangular coffee table with much warmer veining. Gone is the fiddle leaf fig pot holder and leather Moroccan pouf. I feel like it’s 2023 and those 2 items are incredibly overdone now. My son has a Moroccan pouf in his nursery that I still love, and I do think if the vibe of the space is Moroccan, go for it. But we never use ours anymore and I see why they nixed it here too. It feels dated. And GOODBYE to that rust + teal wallpaper, goodbye to the harsh black cabinets & goodbye to the stark white paint. Buh-bye.

If you want to know how you can find all the new items faster, I highly suggest you follow us on Pinterest here. We are constantly inspired and we pin tons of different things from lighting, to tile, to architecture. It’s so fun and we updated it all the time. If you like interior design, please give us a follow on Pinterest and Instagram. We also have a YouTube Channel where we show our Project Tours and really cool hotels we travel to because we’re obsessed.

I hope you enjoyed this blog post and I hope that both Alex & her designer are not mad at me for basically writing a studio design tell all.

 

Below are a bunch of alternate items at varying price points if you want to implement similar pieces into your space. Enjoy!

 
 

Happy Hunting - 03.21.2023

Welcome to another Happy Hunting blog post! Spring is here and we couldn’t be happier! Yesterday was the first official day of Spring and the sun was shining here in Nebraska. I loved it! I’m always inspired by Spring’s freshness & the promise of greenery returning to the dry outdoors. I created this blog post purely out of inspiration for spring. I wanted to share some fresh new ideas, looks and favorite products with you all. Enjoy!

Follow our Pinterest Account for more inspiration.

Above is a mood board / collage of images that have been inspiring us from our recent Pinterest Pins. If you aren’t following us on Pinterest, we highly recommend following along. Below is a handful of items we’re swooning over.

We decided to try something new for this month’s edition of Happy Hunting. Rather than use our template and show you 8 inspiring images and 1 quote, we decided not to limit ourselves. We went with what felt right and what made us feel happy…. which turned out to be a lot of different products! Some favorites include a floral print dress (as seen in our recent YouTube video), wicker and rattan light fixtures, gold jewelry & hardware, Tara’s favorite jeans, cotton bedding and cotton robes.

We even included our own custom candle scent! If you haven’t heard, most candles are full of paraben & synthetic scents that have horribly negative effects on our indoor air quality and our hormones. My hormones are not something I want to mess with so I turned toward finding a clean candle solution. I worked with the local vendor Oak Creek Farmhouse to create these clean-burning soy candles. But why are they clean burning? They are soy based with natural scents and the wick itself is 100% cotton. So you can burn it, enjoy the smell and not worry about releasing toxins into your air. Our candles are available for purchase here.

All of the products make us feel refreshed, lighter, and ready for spring. I hope you enjoy them as much as we do!

Sincerely,

Tara

Tips for People Who Think They Can’t Afford to Travel Abroad / How to Travel Internationally on a Budget

So you want to travel overseas but you don’t think you can afford it. I am familiar with this mindset and there was a time in my life when I thought traveling abroad was only for the ultra wealthy, but I was wrong. I’m writing this to share my travel story with you & share some of the travel secrets I’ve discovered. Today we will be discussing how to travel on a budget. Before we dive into it, let me share a little bit of my story with you and why I believe you can afford to travel abroad.  

Paris, France.

I grew up in the Midwest and I absolutely love it here. My childhood family vacations consisted of tent camping and I am totally good with that. However, in high school two things happened that opened my eyes the wide world of travel: 1- I became friends with lots of the foreign exchange students and 2- My grandpa flew us down to Costa Rica for his birthday. I was meeting people who lived outside of the US for the first time in my life. Those life experiences, combined with my deep love for interior design, led me on my journey to international travel. #willtravelfordesign. I remember promising my friend that I would visit her in Paris even if I had to save my money for 10 years.

Fast-forward to college. I went to school for interior design so some of my required classes were Art History, Architecture History and Furniture History. I freaking loved every one of those classes. Architecture History I & II were my favorite classes in all of college and had a huge impact on my desire to travel. I will never forget when I was able to put names to the styles I’d seen in print or online. Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque (be still my heart), Neo Classical (love!!), Art Deco (SUPERB!) and the list goes on and on. I was entranced as I learned about different time periods, different countries and different styles of art & architecture. Especially Versailles. I could write a 15 page paper on Versailles (and I did, in college). But today we are talking about how YOU can travel overseas to see anything you want. Of course I suggest ancient wonders and architectural gems that we just don’t have here in the US. But you can travel wherever your heart desires. (As long as you’re safe.)

So far I’ve been to Mexico, Costa Rica, the Bahamas, Ireland, Northern Ireland (it’s recognized as a separate country), France, Denmark, Italy, and Greece. So not tons of places, but a handful. Each time I travel I feel a deeper connection to the world. It is truly a wonderful experience to be immersed in other cultures. My favorite thing I learned is that there are people JUST like me in other countries. I see a mother at a subway station holding her baby and I see myself. A lot of times we see other countries in the way our news media portrays their governments, but I believe it is so good to go somewhere and form our own opinion.

Antinori nel Chianti Classico Winery in Tuscany, Italy.

A common thing that people say to me is, “I don’t need to travel abroad because America is so big. There’s still stuff I haven’t seen here.” You’re not wrong. Geographically, America is rather large and we do have multiple different ecosystems. But there is a lot we don’t have. While we do have some “old” things here in America, but we don’t have “ancient” things. For example, in Greece, the Parthenon dates back to 448-432 BC! And in Rome, the Pantheon dates back to 126-128 AD. (The Parthenon and Pantheon are two different structures, in two separate countries, but are commonly confused because they sound very similar.)

ANYWAY- you’re here for HOW TO TRAVEL ON A BUDGET. And boy am I going to deliver that information to you. The FIRST tip I have is one that is hard to swallow. If you don’t like this first tip, you will probably stop reading this blog post and not travel abroad. You are missing out. I hope every single person has the opportunity to travel abroad at some point in their life because it is truly a life changing experience.

Cliffs of Moher in Ireland.

TIP #1- Be smart with your money and save it. If traveling abroad is truly a goal of yours, make it a priority. This includes being financially smart. Quit going out to eat. Make food at home. Quit going out for coffee. Make coffee at home. Feel free to go out for “drinks” with your friends, but order waters. If that doesn’t add up to the number you need, then I suggest taking some time off from entertainment (concerts, sports, comedy shows etc) and save your money to TRAVEL. It’s that easy: save your money. Quit spending it on pointless things like expensive coffee every morning. Imagine drinking wine in Italy instead. Which story will you remember to tell your grand kids? Your daily morning Starbucks order, or an incredible trip to Italy? (I’ll let you decide.)  There are hundreds of ways to save money, but these basic things add up real fast and before you know it, aaaaall that money you used to throw away, is now saved up for a trip to Europe, or wherever you want to go.

TIP #2- Travel in the OFF season. What is the off season? Different countries have different tourist seasons. They are sometimes referred to as the “high” season (busy season) or the “low” season (not many tourists at this time.) I’ve found these seasons are mostly due to weather and time of year. For example, in Europe, the summer is a big tourist season and therefore the “high” season. (June is the busiest also because most Europeans take their ‘holiday’ then.) First and foremost, your FLIGHTS are going to be substantially more affordable in the off season. (Example: we flew to Italy round trip in December for $400, but when we went to Denmark in July it was $1,800 per ticket.) So be sure to do your research and find the high season and the low season for where you want to go. Then book your flights when ticket prices are low. Some apps even specialize in this like The Hopper App. If you travel abroad during the “high” season, the HOTELS are going to be charging their highest prices of the year. Whereas if you go in the low season, it will be some of the cheapest prices of the year. For example, my husband and I went to Paris in July and our hotel was very pricey. (We were new to international travel at that point in our lives and it was my husbands first time ever outside of the USA.) But when we went to Italy in December, we stayed at stunning hotels for $68/ night. These hotels had crystal chandeliers, velvet swag drapery, vintage runners down their marble staircases, etc. So it was not a hostel. I(f you want to stay at the cheapest places around, google “hostels” but know that bedbugs can be an issue.) Off season also means that food, drinks, ticket prices and excursions are usually at a lower price point than high season. It’s classic supply and demand. If a boat tour can only fit 12 people, and 1,000 people want on the boat in the summer, they’re going to charge whatever they want, but if 6 people want a boat tour in December, they’re probably just happy to still be in business that month.

The Colosseum in Rome, Italy.

TIP #3- Ditch the luggage. Gasp! Yes. Do you know how easy it is to get around Europe with a backpack? First of all, you save money by NOT checking a bag with your airline. Then you save yourself the weight of carrying/ dragging your heavy suitcase along the uneven cobblestones hills of Europe. Plus, airlines love to lose bags when you fly internationally, and this way you have the peace of mind of always having your backpack in the overhead bin. BUT there is one ultra important note that I cannot stress enough: European carry-on sizes are SMALLER than American carry-on sizes. Whichever country you plan to go to, do your research ahead of time for the size that their flights deem “carry on.” For Europe, theirs goes by liters. My husband and I both have 40-liter backpacks that fit in the smaller overhead compartments of common European airlines. (We have had our bags weighed & measured before, so size is important here.) We’ve taken these backpacks all over the world with us because we personally care more about the experience than the clothes. And we pack cute outfits! We just plan our outfits out ahead of time. I generally pack tops & bottoms that can be interchangeable with each other to create different looks. We also roll our clothes & pack them in packing cubes to get the most out of the space we have. That was an absolute game changer and made me a much more efficient packer. You can also wash your clothes abroad. We even used backpacks when we went to Italy in December. We both wore our heaviest / thickest layers on the plane, and then rolled all of our sweaters, pants, wool socks, etc and put them into the packing cubes. It’s easy! Here’s a link to the backpacks and packing cubes we use. Here is the link to all our must have travel items. (The backpack, the packing cubes, charger adapter for your phone, passport holders & more.)

TIP #4- BREAKFAST INCLUDED. It was very important to my husband that breakfast was included in our hotel costs. At first I really wanted to stay at airbnb’s because it was the hip cool thing to do, and while we’ve done both, we do prefer hotels because the breakfast is included. (Check your hotel because every hotel is different.) We love booking hotels where breakfast is included because then you don’t have to worry about navigating a foreign country first thing in the morning when you’re jet legged or tired. (Yes jet-leg is a real thing. I thought it was a fake thing that people complained about, but it is real. Another story for another time.) My husband also likes it because the price of breakfast is included with the hotel so its just one less thing he has to think about spending money on during the day. (I don’t think about this at all, but he’s a math-minded man so this is the type of thing on his brain.) I have to be honest, every single breakfast we’ve had on our travels has been far better than breakfasts in America. It’s not like the included breakfasts we have here. They’re fresh and scrumptious. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.

Oia Santorini.

TIP #5- GROUPS TOURS & EXCURSIONS.  If you are traveling abroad, I’m sure you’re drawn to something specific. Maybe you want to see the Colosseum in Rome, the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland, the heart-stopping Palace of Versailles, or take a boat tour around an island of Greece. Whatever it is, group tours have amazing benefits over private tours or solo tours. Group tours save you money, but they also save you time. Depending on where you are going, the lines can be extremely long. If you are wanting to go to a certain museum, gallery, historical site, or famous landmark, they call the lines “queues” (pronounced like “Q”) and you could be waiting in the queue for 4+ hours (depending on the spot). Booking a group tour is how you can get a phenomenal experience from a local expert, meet other cool travelers, skip ques and fully enjoy the experience. For example, when we went to the Palace of Versailles, the group tours had a completely separate entrance that individual tours and the group entrance had a much shorter queue. It felt like we got in a matter of minutes instead of a matter of hours. Praise the Lord!

Group tours are low stress because everything is all taken care of. You don’t have to spend endless hours figuring out the history of a place, or where to eat or where the best view is. The guide who is running your group tour will be able to tell you all of this. And you can ask any questions you like! For example, after we finished a bus tour of Northern Ireland, we landed back in Dublin Ireland and asked our tour guide where the best spot was for live Irish music. She gave us a great recommendation that was far better than any local tourist trap we would have found if we were just searching on our own. My husband specifically loves to use Viator to book our group tours because there are lots of reviews and we haven’t had a bad Viator experience yet. One thing I suggest is to read fine print if any additional fees will come up. For example, when we were looking to go to Chichen Itza, we saw Viator trips for as low $41, and some that were hundreds of dollars. After I read the fine print, I saw that some tours didn’t include tax, the Chichen Itza ticket, the crossing the boarder fee, etc etc etc and that they would add all that on in person at the end of the tour. Imagine if you weren’t expecting that! So be sure to read the fine print. But, like I said, we’ve never had a bad experience with Viator. Some of the Viator group excursions we’ve been on include but is not limited to: Vespa Tours of Italy, Boat Tours of Greek Islands, Tuscany Wine Tasting + Pisa town Tour, Northern Ireland Bus Tour, etc. This is not sponsored by Viator but that would be sweet if it was haha!

Honestly some of our BEST experiences were from Viator because we were able to meet other travels from other countries and become friends. For example, on the wine tasting tour in Santorini we became friends with 3 other couples and we all got together for dinner and drinks after the wine tour was over. We all had a WhatsApp group message so we could communicate and meet back up. There was 2 couples from England and then 2 couples from America. It was so much fun because we were able to openly ask each other questions about the other person’s home country and see their perspectives. I love learning about a country from someone who lives there instead of just hearing about a country on the news. It’s so refreshing. It’s also amazing how long we’ve stayed in contact with some of the friend we’ve made on Viator trips. These are truly memories and connections you will never forget.

Copenhagen, Denmark

Winter 2023

Burrrrr. Baby it’s cold outside! Actually it’s freezing! It was -1 yesterday for goodness sakes, and with the windchill it “felt” like -25! In order to warm us up, we made our cozy winter mood boards! Enjoy!

 

Sources: Instagram Account @lojsanwallin, Angela Jo Smith Photography, Pinterest, COCOCZY, Instagram Account @clairerose, Maiden Home, Greenwich Hotel Penthouse designed by Axel Vervoordt. Photo by Nikolas Koenig.

 

“I’m going to be honest with you. Winter is not my favorite season because I am always cold. So the focus of my mood board was warmth. Warmth in Winter. Warm color tones, heavy textiles, insulated clothing, and the general feeling of warmth.” - Tara Miller

I swear my hands and feet are always freezing in the winter haha. So I find myself layering on the wool socks, wearing my clunky (yet incredibly warm) Ugg boots, the thickets/ fluffiest sweater I can find, and I plop myself in front of the fireplace with a blanket & a cup of hot cocoa. I’m drawn to the warmth that the "lived-in” look provides. The blackened soot inside of a fireplace shows that it has provided warmth throughout many cold seasons. I love the color and texture of raw wood used inside for a mantle, or wall cladding. Throwing fur pelts (real or faux) over a chair, or over the arm of a sofa adds that extra layer of insulation. I love the cozy attire that not only keeps you warm, but is soft to the touch like those cute fluffy earmuffs. I also love the warmth that earth tones give us. Browns range from nutmeg to sealskin and they all feel warmer than the stark coldness of the color black. Ivory and cream give us more warmth than a pure white color as well. It’s these little intentional shifts that help contribute to a warmer aesthetic. That is what I focused on for my Witner 2023 Mood Board: warmth in the Witner.

 

Sources: Etsy, Insider Magazine, Pinterest, Nordstrom, Instagram user @Freddy, Blogger Kara Layne and Blogger This is Glamorous.

 

"Winter - the season that is the coldest, but keeps me the warmest with of all its cozy joys and holiday spirit" - Lara Parker

Winter may be the gloomiest time of the year, but for me, it is the happiest time of year with all the holiday festivities, the warm comfort foods, the music, the fashion, and my favorite, the decorations that can be experienced with all. I love all the cozy vibes associated with winter, from the elegant warm fashion coats, to snuggling up by the fireplace and watching the snow fall. For me, winter is my Breakfast at Tiffany's, a moment of time where I can escape and get lost within all of its glory. - Lara.

Shop the Look: What I wore to the Round Top Texas Antique Show

Thank you to everyone who messaged & commented about the outfits I wore to Round Top. The majority of the messages I received were in regards to the graphic tee’s I wore and I am happy to give you all the details. Please note that some of the items I’ve had for years so there are no links for them. But I did search to find good alternates.

 
 
 
 

Hat / White Top / Jean Shorts /
Similar Boot 1 / Similar Boot 2 / Similar Boot 3

I freaking loved this outfit so I wore it on Day 1 at the Round Top Antique Show. I bought myself those red boots as my “push present” when I gave birth to our son back in 2020. They were from Dan Post and I got them on sale for roughly $180, but they no longer make these gorgeous red boots. When I searched the internet, I found many lovely red boots but none of them were near the original price point I paid. Below are some boots that look similar, but cost a lot more than what I paid for them. The Thelma & Louise T-shirt is a fave because who doesn’t love that dynamic duo? The Levi jean shorts are a comfortable staple & you can get them at tons of stores or online on Amazon. The tie-dye cowgirl hat was a splurge. I originally wanted the Marco Delli Tie-dye wool hat from Boot Barn, but it was out of stock. So I scoured the internet until I found this tie-dye hat from Free People. (And it’s a lot less $$ Than the Boot Barn one. It’s currently on SALE for $69.95!)

 
 
 
 

Similar Hat / Jean Shorts / Black Boots /
Madewell Jean Jacket / Similar Top

In 2022 I started watching the ORIGINAL season of Gossip Girl. (Yup, the 2007 version.) Needless to say, I fell in love with the series. (I’m only on season 3 now so please don’t give me any spoilers!) I wanted a black graphic tee for day 2 so I found this epic Chuck Bass one on etsy. The original one I found is no longer for sale, but I found a different Etsy vendor selling the same graphic so we linked it below. I wore the same Levi jean shorts for day 2 because I’m a light packer and I love re-wearing items to create different outfits. The black Ariat boots were a Christmas gift that my husband gave me a few years ago. Honestly, I’m surprised they’re still for sale! There are tons of black boots out there for sale, but few with the stark contrast of a white stitch. Warning: if you buy these, the bottoms are VERY slippery so be sure to scuff them up on rough concrete/ gravel before you go walking around. You’ll need the traction. Trust me. That black wool cowgirl hat was something I found at a Bass Pro Shop down in Weston MO back in 2017. The band has changed slightly since then, but they are still making a very similar style. The weather was chilly on Day 2 so I put a jacket on. Might as well be denim on denim. So I threw on my Madewell jean jacket and I was ready to go antiquing.

Important note: the reason I chose to wear boots was 1- because duh, it’s Texas, and 2- you are walking in a lot of dirt, dust and gravel. The walkways are uneven terrain and boots provided me good ankle support & I don’t mind if they get all dusty/ dirty. They are easy for me to wipe down at the end of the day. They are also a comfortable footwear choice for me. Since you do TONS of miles worth of walking at Round Top, you want to be sure to wear shoes that you are comfortable standing in all day long.

I’m happy with the outfits I wore at Round Top because they were comfortable and easy to pack. I did see a lot of ladies in dresses. All the power to them! But I was flying in with my tiny bag of clothes, and I didn’t want the maintenance of ironing/ steaming anything. I just pulled my t-shirts and shorts out of the bag, slid on my boots and I was ready to go. Easy peasy. That worked for me. Be sure to pack a hat or sunglasses because you’ll be doing an lot of squinting. (And it rained one time so the hat came in handy for that since I didn’t have an umbrella.) Then be sure to pack a light jacket because the weather can change in an instant and you don’t want to be cold.