Simple Can Be Pretty!!

I have talked about how I would rather have one simple real flower in a bud vase than a bouquet of faux flowers. I know there are two camps on this issue. I just can’t buy faux flowers for my home.

I know many will argue that they can not arrange a lovely arrangement, and that is why they purchase the pre-made faux floral arrangements. It does not have to be complicated to be beautiful. Just think of a beautiful white rose in a bud vase, simple and elegant.

I think putting the right flower in the right vase is key. I have a group of images that I have saved that I titled simple flowers.

They are simple in design and yet they are so stunning in their own right.
I am going to share some of the images that have taught me that simple is beautiful and also very doable……….

This appears to be two branches of a bougainvillea in a simple cobalt blue jar. Look at the composition. The beautiful blue washed wall and the soft patina of the fretwork. Simple, elegant and lovely. Using the right color combination made two branches of a garden flower become a gorgeous still life!!

Three matching shapes with different textures each holding a very simple flower from the yard and yet it makes a wonderful statement. Any one could pick up three white vases and put flowers in them. Simple is beautiful!!

This is a wonderful example of looking at the wall color and adding just the right color combination in front of it. One simple tulip in a simple bright yellow vase. It made me take pause, how about you?

We all have jars!!! These are filled with water and greenery from the yard. No cost,simple and beautiful.

This image is a great example of using just the right color combination. It is so soft and lovely and the  ruffled petals on the peonies are echoed in the soft ruffle on the curtain. Are you starting to see how the composition is more than the vase and the flower, it is everything that surrounds it.

For those of you that enjoy a little texture this is a wonderful combination of a lacy filler. When any arrangement is done in en masse it makes a wonderful statement.

These are kumquats, but I think it would be beautiful with any greenery from outside. Again, a no cost arrangement.

Using complimentary colors like blue and yellow make a stand-out arrangement.

via

Since it is summer I have to leave you with this adorable bunch of strawberries in a simple glass.

Do you bring in branches and greenery from your yard? What is your favorite combination? Do you have a fun and different container that is always a favorite to use? I think I would have to say my green and white striped pitcher has become a favorite of mine.

Even empty with fresh produce surrounding it, it still makes a nice composition.

I hope this post has inspired you to think of all the possibilities you have in your own home to add a simple natural element like flowers in a simple vase for the summer.

“Enjoy The Process” Of:

Bringing a bit of nature inside!

Kathysue

How Do YOU Shop??

I love to go shopping! I like to shop for clothes, shoes, make-up, but especially for my home. Today I am going to be talking about shopping for your home. Have you ever thought about your shopping style?

Yes, we all have a shopping style. I use to shop for, and with my clients. I would watch how they shopped, and what they were drawn too in order to get a better feel on how I could direct them in making choices.

I have found that we are all drawn to a particular  feature when shopping for our homes.

• color
• pattern
• texture/patina
• shape/size

I fall into the color category. I almost always shop by color. I am drawn to an object first by color. Let me give you an example that we can all relate too. Pillows!! We all love our pillows, don’t we?

First I will have a general idea of the colors I will be working with in a room. Of course it can change as the  design unfolds according to what is available. The first thing that will always draw me in is the color.

Next I will look at the pattern, texture, and shape or size.

 Years ago I read one of Rachel Ashwell’s books. She talked about how she shops at flea markets. She said she could scan a booth within seconds, and find the items she wanted to purchase. She did this by always looking for her signature soft color palette of creams, whites, pinks, greens, blues. 

We all know when something has a signature Rachel Ashwell look, after all she is  the one that coined the phrase, and the style of, “Shabby Chic.” She also said that she looked for texture as in cashmere sweaters, old blue jeans, which you would see her wear often. Then there is the patina or texture of her chippy white or off white furniture pieces and crystal chandeliers.

I was fascinated by how her mind worked. It made me think about my own shopping techniques. I realized that, I too shop by color. I mentioned in a previous post that when I was a teenager,  my Mom and I would go clothes shopping I would look at items based on a particular color of the day. It could be pink, blue, red, green etc.

We use to wonder what color mood would dictate our shopping day. As the day progressed it became very obvious to us both what was going to be the color of the day.   It was always fun to find out which was the color of the day. It was never forced it always just unfolded as the day went happily along.

On a shopping trip with my friend, Terri, from La Dolfina blog I observed how she shopped. She was unaware of my observations until I made her aware of them. If you have read Terri’s blog at all, you know she is a treasure hunter extraordinaire. She always finds such beauty in the unique.

I had so much fun watching her. She does not shop at a fast pace, but one of deep concentration. I discovered by observing her that she shopped by texture. If a piece stood out as having an interesting texture or patina, she was drawn to it. She would touch it, and I could see she was making up a story line in her mind about how special this piece was.

I told her of my observation, and she thought with a pause, and realized she did indeed shop by texture.

So think about it for awhile, do you shop by………

• color
• pattern
• texture/patina
• size/shape

However you shop I  hope you will always……..

“Enjoy the Process!”

Kathysue

LIP COLOR!!

My last post showed how I organized all my lipsticks and lip glosses. I had several emails asking which lip colors were my favorites. I was even asked to do a post on my favorites, so that is what I am doing today.

First, let me say I know all colors will look different on everyone. I have golden undertones in my skin. My hair is light brown with gold highlights and I have green eyes with lots of gold in them. My lips actually have a bit of blue undertone to them. I usually look for lip color with a pink/ brown undertone since I prefer a natural look. I will use different colors on an occasion when what I am wearing calls for a brighter or darker color. I am giving you this information in hopes it will make your own evaluation of lip color a bit easier.

My Go-To lipstick is very neutral on me. I would describe it as a browned base pink. This is the lipstick that I keep in the make-up bag I carry in my purse at all times.

Estee Lauder’s Rose Tea:

You can find this at any department store that carries Estee Lauder. I usually go to my local Macy’s or Nordstrom's. You can also find it HERE. It retails for $23.

When I am wearing neutrals and want a bronzie look I will grab Revlon Moondrops Bamboo Bronze.

You can find this at most drugstores for around $9 a tube. I have worn this color for years. I would describe it as a copper with a pink undertone. It has good stay-on power.

Of all the lipsticks that I have used over the years I think the lip colors by Bobbi Brown are over all the best colors for the look I like. I go for a more natural fresh look, and her colors have never disappointed me. They also don’t change color once they are applied. I have always had trouble with colors going orange on me, but Bobbi Brown’s stay true to the color that is applied. Each tube will cost $23

Here is the link to her lip color collections.

I highly recommend that you go into a store and try on the different colors. I usually go for a Brown with a pink undertone such as her color Brownie.

The colors I wear in the Bobbi Brown line are:

Roseberry: A darker rose/pink for when I need more color with a pop. I will usually wear this when going out at night.

Burnt Sugar: Another good bronze/nude color for that sun kissed look.

Kir: On the dark side for me but when I am wearing darker colors for evening this is a stunning neutral color, plum/brown.

I put one lip gloss over all of the above colors in every brand, and that is my all time favorite, Go-To lip gloss:

Every person that I have recommended this color too, has purchased it and loves it!!  The cost is $22.
This is Lilac sugar. It makes any lip color look better. It will give a sort of opalescence shimmer. It is glossy without being frosted looking. It stays on better than any lip gloss I have tried and I highly recommend any of Bobbi Browns lip glosses. You can find it HERE!

I hope this helps you all in finding your perfect lip color!!

One of my readers recommended Chanels All Day Color Wand gloss. I am going to check it out. If I buy some I will let you know how it works for me.

Leave a comment and let me know what are you Go-To favorite lip color products!! I am sure my other readers would love all the recommendations they can get!!

“Enjoy the Process!” Of:

Being a girl and playing with make-up!!

Kathysue