This year keeps getting better.

Sorry for the radio silence last week...

The good news is I am alive! And on top of that, the reason I was a major slacker last week is because I had the most incredible trip to Boston. Sure, Danielle and I were putting in 15-hour work days and squeezed in nine photo shoots in three days on top of meeting up with a bunch of Everygirl readers. But like I said... what. a. trip.

It was so successful in large part because of Erin Gates. Anyone who has ever read this blog knows a big reason why I started LCY was due to the inspiration I got from reading Elements of Style, Erin's blog. Just type her name into the search bar. You'll see how frequently her name has been mentioned in posts on this site. Kinda ridic. Well, somehow over the past two years, we've gotten to know one another and she's been so kind and so supportive with the launch of The Everygirl. It was her who rallied all of the women in creative office space co-op to sign on for Everygirl features. So now we have an amazing freelance photographer, graphic designer, potter/homegoods designer, and another interior stylist, in addition to featuring Erin. That's right. The Everygirl will debut her office and home tour. Whaaaat? How did this happen? The site I launched will be the first to show my (and many people's) favorite blogger's home and studio tour? This whole year has been surreal. And it just continues to get better...

Here's a photo of Erin and I hanging with her pups, Baxter and Oliver. Loved them. She and her husband also joined Danielle and I for dinner at Stella. Italian at its finest. Think more along the lines of grilled swordfish and truffle linguini and less along the lines of overcooked lasagna and generic bruschetta. We (Danielle, Erin, Andrew, and myself) all highly recommend this restaurant if you're in Boston. There wasn't a single dish we tried we didn't loooove. And the service was top-notch.

The Buttery was another local eatery that came highly recommended from readers. It's right around the corner from Stella, and offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner - all with reasonable prices! Perfect stop mid-day for a sandwich and latte.

And as I mentioned, we met up with a number of Everygirl readers which was so so exciting. It was great learning more about the women - many of whom are entrepreneurs, all of whom have blogs - and hear what they like about the site and why they read it.

There are a lot more fun photos and trip details of our adventures in Boston over on The Everygirl!

Oh, and one more final item of note... remember my five goals for 2012? Well. I did something different with my hair. Four inches off. FOUR. The photos above from Boston show it at its longest. And below...

leaving the salon...

and at night with my girlfriends.

It's a big deal for me. Check it off the list!

stone textile

photo by Andi Hatch for The Everygirl

Yesterday on The Everygirl we featured a home tour and career profile interview of my friend Crystal Gentilello, the editor in chief of Rue Magazine. I absolutely love the dramatic, sexy decor of Crystal's San Francisco home, in particular that graphic pillow on her bed. It's called the tuxedo pillow and it's by one of my new favorite brands, Stone Textile.

1 | 2 | 3 | 4

It's amazing the dramatic effect you can create with no color at all. I'm thinking an assortment of these would look fantastic on my couch under my new Alicia Bock photo.

the summer cardigan

loving this bright featherweight cardigan for summer

perfect for girls brunches, lunch meetings, and date nights w/ my guy

I shall call her Bee.

my sister: [sends link] oh my god, this is your daughter.
me: if all goes as planned, yes!

and i shall call her Bee.

source

paris subway tile

my mom's been talking backsplash for her kitchen. how can she possibly go wrong with traditional subway tile with dark grout? sunday suppers just posted these photos and they perfectly depict this flawless look.

see?

just like the paris subway.

if you were to do white subway tile, would you do dark grout or white grout? do you think this look is overdone?

sunday supper photos source

paris subway photo source

word on the street

all good things to believe in.

as seen in the kate spade boutique on oak street

Her name is Kelly Wearstler.

...and she is a tiny peanut! Not to mention lovely, genuine, and so friendly. How do I know?

Because last night, Danielle and I took a wee lil' break from our computer screens and tagged along with our friend Kat to a private event at the Neiman Marcus on Michigan Avenue. Interior designer turned book author turned fashion designer - Kelly Wearstler - was there to chat with guests and display her new fashion line. The patterns, silhouettes, and materials were everything you'd expect from this designer extraordinaire: everything was bold, vibrant, and sexy. And the accessories were art in themselves. This clutch, in particular, was a personal favorite.

Yeah, that's right. Your eyes are NOT playing a trick on you. Kelly and I are both rocking the skinny pants with moto jackets and fancy heels. [Pats self on back for sartorial victory.] Of course, my jacket was $25 at Target... shhh...

Told you. How amazing are those prints?! And colors?! I'd expect nothing less.

The group of women at the party were uber stylish and most of them run their own fabulous business or work in the fashion industry. Love being surrounded by super-ladies. We ran into Sam Saifer-Berngard (second from right) - you might remember her career profile on The Everygirl last week! What a dynamite lady. She's the one who said, "Success is not easy - and is certainly not for the lazy." Hear hear!

Danielle showed up with two coffee table books in her purse and no pen. It's ok... our friend Kat saved the day when she whipped out a black Sharpie. Love the random surprises ladies keep in their handbags.

It was a wonderful evening, followed by dinner with the girls. 

Cheers to Kelly!

And thank you all so much for your feedback on The Everygirl site! It's very helpful hearing what you like and suggestions you have. Have a wonderful weekend!

My Sale on Joss and Main tonight!

So this is happening today!

Yep! A sale I curated on Joss and Main!

I was so honored when Joss and Main reached out to me to be a part of their Curator's Collection. I absolutely LOVE this sale site mainly because of the affordable home goods. And I immediately knew I wanted to create a sale for Everygirls - those on a budget, those not sure what direction to take their home decor, or those furnishing their first place. The idea behind the collection mirrors the guidelines I followed when decorating my own first home: neutral furniture pieces with colorful accents. Think white couches, grey headboards, wooden coffee tables with colorful pillows and kitchenware.

Let me just say... 
gold espresso maker
grey tufted headboard
teal Kitchenaid mixer
neon pink espresso machine
White parsons desk

Ok, if that doesn't tempt you, I don't know what will... the sale starts at 9pm tonight! Be sure to check it out!

And if you haven't already, sign up here to shop the sale!

The Everygirl Inspires

The most rewarding part about producing The Everygirl is hands-down hearing from readers who say the site inspires them, whether they leave a comment on the site or they take the time to send Danielle and me a personal e-mail. And then there are the readers who are actually living the things they see on the site! Just this morning, I sent up an Instagram from today's colorful fashion feature (perfectly styled by Nicole Levine of Frankie Hearts Fashion)...

...and a short while later, Everygirl Kathryn Elise of Chic-ography Instagrammed the following photo saying, "inspired by @theeverygirl_ feature today"

I mean - wow! How amazing! Not to mention, how fabulously chic does she look?! Now I want to color block some neon brights... [heads to closet to change]

Similarly, the food features are always a hit, and it's so fun to see people tweeting photos of our recipes from the 10 Meals for Less than $50. I particularly loved the styling of this risotto primavera by Katie Williamsen.

I definitely didn't mean to complain at all with yesterday's post. It's wonderful to know the site is doing exactly what we had hoped. Encouraging women to make chic style decisions without overspending, to try something new (cooking!), or to go out and find their passion and dream job.

Are you reading The Everygirl? What's your favorite part of the site? And please be honest - is there anything you see that can be improved? Or that we haven't offered yet but you'd love to see or need help with in your own life?

photo sources: 1, 2, 3

word on the street

drowning in work again. seems to be the norm. at least i'm loving what i'm doing and am so excited about all of the upcoming features for the everygirl. kind of seems like the stars are aligning...

also love this friendly reminder from kate spade. sometimes it's ok to escape for a day.

This pink quilt? Or that pink quilt?

Help! I am finally redoing my bedroom... after what... a year of planning? Here's what I'm going with.

Serena and Lily pink pillow shams (on sale for $25)

Jonathan Adler Lust pillow ($165)

West Elm grey striped sheets ($79 but I got for $25 with my DesignDollars)

Restoration Hardware Baby and Child quilt - but the question is which one?

1. the pinwheel quilt or 2. the heirloom quilt? 

Help!

And for all of you scoffing at the thought of a $165 pillow. I know. It's ridiculous. BUT, I've been thinking about it nonstop since I saw it in December. That's more than three months, and I still wish I had it. So, it's time to bite the bullet. It shall be my statement piece. And I will love it forever.

Coffee Tables Whoa

So this is happening over on The Everygirl.

And there's two more coffee tables where that came from.

It was a big task, but a worthwhile one. This may have been my biggest styling project to date, seeing as we styled three coffee tables three different ways at three different locations. Lots of running around. Lots of lugging furniture. Including a trek out to Ikea...

Well, what are you still doing here?! Go check it out!

photography by Danielle Moss

styling by yours truly

Be Present: The Everygirl for JessLC

frame | print | lamp | basket | bracelet | pants | rug | gold tray | keychain

I am so excited to share my collaboration with Jess LC on her new product line, Wells, a series of graphic, inspirational prints. I chose the Be Present print as a reminder to always give my full attention to whatever I'm doing - whether it's working on The Everygirl or a conversation with friends. The fact that it's neon pink only aids in my goal of adding color to my decor.

You also might notice a sneak peek at my new dining room rug from Rugs USA. It's pink. And awesome. More to come on that later.

Other Wells collection prints include Be Brave, Dream Bigger, and Just Keep Going. Which would you most like in your home and why?

Check out how the other bloggers styled their prints in their homes!
Danielle Moss of The Everygirl and Breakfast at Toast
Liz Schneider of Sequins and Stripes
Mackenzie Horan of Design Darling
Bryn Dunn of Bryn Alexandra Interiors
Erica Brechtel of Small Shop Studio
Morgan Georgie and Carrie Kiefer of Ampersand Design Studio

photography by Danielle Moss

word on the street

I have regularly been seeing wonderful quotes out and about in the world - in stores, on signs, on t-shirts - and have fortunately made a point to capture them on my trusty iPhone. Only the ones that really stand out with a worthwhile message. They inspire me, and hopefully they will inspire someone else. So henceworth, I will be sharing said quotes with you in this new series, word on the street - an add-on to the still-running words worth reading series.

Enjoy.