My New Blogging Gig

Earlier this week, I announced that I had been invited to be a contributing editor on Circa Lighting’s blog. It’s no secret that I simply love Circa and their gorgeous lighting. They are the best in the industry and have the designers (Suzanne Kasler, Thomas O’Brien, Barbara Barry, Alexa Hampton, and David Easton are just a few) to prove it. As most of you know, Circa is famous for their beautiful array of lighting which is a favorite of many top designers and has been featured in countless television shows and movies.

 My first contribution for Circa’s blog just went live last night and it features the inspiring set design of the movie It’s Complicated which included several Circa Lighting pieces. Please hop over to the Circa Blog when you have a minute to read the article. Thanks for your support! I am very excited about this new partnership as we have many exciting things in store for our readers.

 

Image Credits: Circa Lighting and Universal Pictures

The Love List Library

My talented friend, Jessica of Front Porch Studio and The Love List recently launched a new and very exciting project. The Love List Library is “a carefully curated list (which we hope to see grow by leaps and bounds) of designers, bloggers, tastemakers, and other creatives who have been kind enough to shine some light on the books, music, and films that inspire them. Under each person spotlighted, you fill find picks and commentary to explore. All links will take you directly to Amazon.com so you can easily shop through the site if you see something you have to have.”

So far the library features a wonderful round-up of style bloggers, interior designers, artists, and socialites including Katie Denham, Courtney Barnes, Seleta Hayes, Lauren Leiss, and Anne Sage. Jessica graciously invited me to submit some of my favorites to the library. To read about a few of my favorite books, movies, and music, click here. The library is still open for submissions, so be sure to contact Jessica if you’d like to participate.

 

Image Credit: Christina Murphy Interiors and The Love List Library

Perfectly Patterned

While organizing my office recently, I was flipping through an old issue of Domino and came across a gorgeous kitchen designed by Christina Murphy. I found it so alluring that I immediately got online to find more of her work. Was I in for a treat! I absolutely love patterns, so browsing through Murphy’s portfolio was like hitting the jackpot! She has employed so many of my favorite patterns in her designs. From La Fiorentina to ikat to chevron to Imperial Trellis, it’s all there and is often coupled with a use of saturated color to produce stunning results.

{This floor is bananas.}

  

{Chevron flooring in the shower? Yes, please!}

{I love the use of color and pattern in this nursery. So darling and fresh!}

 

All Images via Christina Murphy Interiors

I left my heart in…

I am currently loving these gorgeous laser cut-outs by London-based artist, Julene Harrison. Whether you have a fancy house in London town, love Paris in the spring time or if the streets make you feel brand new, chances are these prints will inspire you. Did you catch the three songs I weaved into that last run-on? Seeing as how I love all three cities so, SO much, it is impossible to pick a favorite! Of New York, Paris, and London, which city is your favorite?

10 Things I Can’t Live Without: Emily of Material Girls

Thank you to all of the talented bloggers and wonderful readers who have made the “10 Things I Can’t Live Without” series such a success! I know that I certainly enjoy seeing what some of my favorite bloggers consider to be their “must-have” items. Today, we have the lovely Emily Johnston, founder of the popular Material Girls blog and principal of EJ Interiors, based out of Dallas. With her keen eye for style and charming and approachable personality, it’s no wonder that so many people love her!

1) OJ

Every morning before heading out for the day, I drink a teacup filled with orange juice with my breakfast. I have never been a coffee drinker (or a morning person) so orange juice is the next best thing to get me going in the A.M.! I drink it out of a small, old teacup with no handle and think of it as my "faux coffee". I would love to get this black and white monogrammed mug (above) from Anthro for my daily OJ drinking habits. It's cute and best of all, it has a nice, functioning handle!

2) Weekly Planner

I LIVE by my Silver Lining Weekly Planner and anyone who knows me, is already aware that I am very planner-obsessed. Each December, I go to Barnes & Noble to pick up the same planner refills to start prepping my planner for the next year. Sadly, it is something I look forward to every year (I even map out my haircuts for the next twelve months!) Oy. I know, a little obsessive, but since I have the worst memory in the world, the best way for me to keep organized is by writing everything down. Then, when December rolls around again, I retire the past year's planner into a "planner archives" in my file cabinet. (hey, you just never know when you might need to pull them out for reference! ;)

 

3) My Family and Friends

Family and friends mean the world to me. I come from a pretty big extended family (most all who live in Dallas) and I can't imagine my life without them. My core group of friends in Dallas are girls I've known since high school and we try to get together for BYOD's (Bring Your Own Dinners) as often as we can. And of course my life wouldn't be the same without my boyfriend and best friend, Ben, who can always make me laugh and supports me in everything that I do.

 

4) Robes

I usually work weekdays on and off from about 8:30 AM to 1 AM the next morning, so comfort is key when I'm working after-hours. I usually come home from my work errands around dinnertime and immediately get into my pajamas and robe to start my work on the computer. Robes, believe it or not, are my favorite piece of clothing! I collect them so I have different types for different seasons. For winter, I have a few fleece ones and for summer I have terry cloth. My latest (and most favorite) is a robe that I got for Christmas. It's the Lacoste "Smash" Hooded Robe in white terrycloth. I'm actually wearing it right now- imagine that!

 

5) Jazzercise

Ok, I admit it- I'm a frequent Jazzerciser! I know what you are thinking- leotards, sweatbands, and leg warmers. But it couldn't be further from that! I promise the classes are not like THIS anymore (although it would be pretty funny if they were!) I try to go a few times a week to dance around and relieve some stress! I even brought my boyfriend to "Sweathearts Day" on Valentine's a few weeks ago (but don't tell him I told you that!)

 

6) EJ Interiors/Material Girls

I started my own interior design business, EJ Interiors, about three years ago on a whim. At about the same time, I started the Material Girls blog and never thought either would really turn into anything. I am so glad I followed my dreams and can't imagine doing anything else but interior design for the rest of my life! It's a hobby, a passion, and a profession, and I am so very grateful for the opportunities that have come from it.

 

7) Fresh Cookies

I get serious cravings for chocolate chip and M&M cookies so I keep Tiff's Treats, in downtown Dallas, practically on speed dial! They make their cookies from scratch every day and they are available for pick up (or delivery) right out of the oven. My mouth is watering just thinking about them!

 

8) Fabrics and Wallpaper

Oh how I love fabrics and wallpaper! They are what I most look forward to picking out when working on a project. The possibilities are endless with them and they can really make or break a room.

 

9) Hand Soap

I keep a nice smelling hand soap next to every sink in my home. Currently I have Bath and Body Works Aromatherapy Lavender Vanilla "Sleep" soap in my bathroom and it smells great! (I am also hoping that some of the "sleep" ingredient in it will start to rub off on me!)

 

10) The Movie Grill

I'm not big on watching TV, but I love a good movie; however, the showtimes always coincide with my dinner plans (or I'm already asleep by the late showing) so that is why I prefer going to the movie grill. You can eat dinner, drink a glass of wine, and watch a movie all at once. The food and service aren't the best, I'll admit, but somehow the wine and leather chairs keep me coming back!

Urban Grace, Brooklyn Limestone, & Circa Lighting

A huge congratulations goes out to the amazingly talented, Erika of Urban Grace! Three gorgeous kitchens that she designed are featured in the March issue of Coastal Living. It’s a gorgeous spread and the press is so well-deserved. I am positive that Erika has a very bright future ahead of her. You can see the spread on Erika’s blog here.

Thanks to Stefanie of Brooklyn Limestone for inviting me to guest blog today. I am participating in her new series, “My Favorite Nook” and am showcasing my family room where I spend a lot of time with my husband and our cute pup, Tate. Take a peek…

And lastly, I am thrilled to have been invited to be an official contributing editor on Circa Lighting’s blog! I’ll be sure to let you know when my first post goes up. Until then, I wanted to share a very exciting event that will be taking place at each of the Circa locations on March 25th.

Save the Date!

Circa Lighting will host a cocktail reception with a rare opportunity to "Meet the Designers" in our showrooms on Thursday, March 25th from 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm.

Our special guests are among the most influential names in the industry.  Each of these designers brings their own unique talent and defining design innovation to the Circa Lighting collection.  

Suzanne Kasler - Atlanta
Eric Cohler - Charleston
Randy Powers - Houston
Alexa Hampton - Savannah

For more information, click here. This is an event you certainly won’t want to miss!

This Week’s Quote

Practice makes perfect…or at the very least awesome. If you find that you’re doubting yourself and your awesomeness this week, think of this quote. :)

 

In case you missed it, here’s the past week in review:

My very talented reader, Hallie shared her fabulously chic home that she designed on a budget!

Lauren of Rock Paper Scissors shared her “10 Things” with us.

A collection of stylish bars helps me get inspired to create my own.

All Things Moroccan and Lovely

Runway to Room: Amanda Wakeley meets ELLE DECOR

My Favorite Designer DuJour’s Amazing Studio Space

 

Image Credit: Quotable Cards