Search Results for: fashion style

Favorites Of The Week {a little of this & a little of that}

August 19, 2017

This is going to be an exciting (and stressful) weekend. My brother is going to be setting up all of our electronic and computer stuff today (which always results in a few new gadgets) and we’ve got a little more packing to do. And tomorrow the movers come to move all our furniture. As of Monday we’ll officially be in our new house and the unpacking will begin.

Even though I didn’t manage to do a lot of blogging this week, I did find some down time to round-up my favorites of the week.

Enjoy and have a great weekend!

Liz Strong Style

Enjoy a few of my favorite links from the week…

Maybe the most gorgeous laundry room I’ve ever seen.

A great tutorial on How to Style Flat Lay Photographs. And don’t forget to pre-order KariAnn’s new book, So Close To Amazing. It’s fabulous!

Here’s a great design portfolio that will have you swooning. So many ideas!

It’s never to early to start Christmas shopping so check out all the goodies in this sale. I just ordered these and this.

A gorgeous dutch door.

Great tips for hanging wallpaper in a bathroom.

Are you ready for fall? This beautiful fall tablescape and fall decor might get you in the mood.

I just discovered this new online store which has everything from home decor to fashion.

On The Bookshelf: New Design & Entertaining Books

August 1, 2017

One of the things I love to do during the Atlanta Gift & Home Furnishings Market is to shop for new design, entertaining and coffee table books. It gives me an opportunity to preview the books before they are released and available in stores or online.

I’ve always loved books (a by-product of a mom who was an English teacher) and have amassed quite a collection over the years. These days most of my book purchases are design and entertaining books so that’s what I look for at market. And boy was I excited to see so many fabulous books scheduled for release in the fall and winter.

Here’s a round-up of what I have on order. And to make ordering easy for you, I’ve included links (affiliate links) to all of the titles so you can pre-order your copies today.

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My Take On The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale {and what I bought}

July 25, 2017

Have you been reading the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale recaps that have been popping up on blogs lately? For some, the Nordstrom sale is a big deal…a really big deal.

Nordstrom is based in Seattle and I lived and worked near their flagship store for 16 years. I’d anxiously await the first day of the sale and would take the day off from work to go shopping. Back then the idea of buying pre-season items at discounted prices thrilled me. Today…not so much.

Moving to Atlanta where summer temperatures can last well into September, I’m in no hurry to buy fall and winter items early. So now I shop the Anniversary Sale in a different way. I buy fashion accessories that I can wear year-round, I stock up on basics like tees and I take advantage of the deals on cosmetics. And to keep my gift closet fully stocked, I buy a few gift items too.

I did spent some time on the Nordstrom website and spotted a few things I liked. Then I made a visit to the store to see the items in person and make my purchases. Wanna see what I bought? Check it out below…

WHAT I BOUGHT AT THE NORDSTROM ANNIVERSARY SALE

I love a Long Open Front Cardigan and this one is a classic, light weight style that can be worn year round. During summer I’ll wear the cardigan with a tank and in the winter with a long sleeve tee. The cardigan is available in 7 colors and is a deal at just $49.90.

Every woman needs a basic cross body bag like this Pebbled Leather Crossbody Bag ($78.90). It’s a great size of daily use or travel and I love the roomy interior and outside zip pocket. Available in black and chino brown.

What’s not to love about this black and white striped Monogram Stripe Tote? Anything monogrammed is a winner in my book and the size of this tote makes is perfect for work or weekend. It’s available in red, green, blue and black with white stripes. $31.90

All of a sudden I’m into these modern necklace styles so I bought this Golden Crossing Necklace which is on sale for $35.90. I think it will be perfect to wear with tees and sweaters and will also look great under a blazer.

I’m loving the ruffle sleeve trend that is happening right now so this Bell Sleeve Cozy Fleece Pullover was a must have. The simple styling makes it easy to dress the top up or down and I loved the $39.90 price tag. And there are 11 colors to choose from. I’d recommend picking up a basic color like black or grey along with a fashion color like olive or burgundy.

I always keep candles in my gift closet so I bought the Voluspa Maison Blanc Two-Wick Candle Set. I’ve been a fan of Voluspa for year and for just $29.50 this is a great gift item. p.s. break the set up and you’ll have three gifts instead of one

These Floral Drop Earrings are so pretty in person and I just couldn’t resist them. Their from Bauble Bar and the colors and 3-d detail are what makes them so special. $48.00. Also available in a solid pink.

If I had to choose just one candle to live with for the rest of time it would be the Votivo Soziety Soy Wax Candle in Red Currant. The scent of this candle is amazing and it is one of the cleanest burning candles on the market. The Nordstrom sale is a great time to stock up and save. $21.90

I usually wear MAC eyeliner and buy my lip gloss at one of the big box stores but I wanted to try the Stila Stay All Day Liner & Lipstick after spotting them online. The eyeliner is fantastic and I love the tip which it easy for the eyeliner to glide on. The lipstick has nice coverage and nude pink color is very wearable by lots of skin tones. $20.00

You can shop the entire anniversary sale here.

Life Lately In 5 Photos {designing, shopping & reading}

July 24, 2017

Happy Monday! I hope you had a great weekend and were able to stay cool with the summer heat that’s plaguing the country. It was hot as blazes here in Atlanta and I feel like I drank about 10 gallons of water every day just to stay cool and hydrated.

My life has been a fast-moving train the last few weeks and I feel like a juggler with lots of balls in the air. But it’s all good stuff including a little secret I’ll be sharing on Thursday. For now, let me get you up to speed on some of the things that have been going on in my world and keeping me so busy.

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Life lately…

No. 1–This is the beginnings of a design plan that I’ve been working on and one that is very personal to me. The main floor of this home is an open concept with hardwood floors, white walls and a soft grey ceilings. The goal is to create a space that is sophisticated with traditional undertones and pops of color. I’m love where the design plan is going with grey and black as the foundation and a little animal print and brass to jazz things up.

No. 2–This fabric is for furniture for client who wants to spruce up her living room. The client found a sofa she loved at Haverty’s so we went shopping there the other night to pull together the fabric plan. The natural fabric will be used on the sofa and the navy will go on two accent chairs. And the abstract fabric is for pillows for the sofa. The iron side table with black granite top below will sit between the chairs.

p.s. Haverty’s has some nice accent furniture pieces at good prices if you’re doing some decorating.

No. 3–In route to an appointment the other day, I popped into one of my favorite consignment stores. It’s been a while since I’ve been thrifting and the thrill of the hunt hit me the minute I walked in the door. Right off the bat I found these two beautiful urns which were only $7.50 each. This was a major score because the urns are about 14″ tall and are in great condition. I also picked up this pretty brass bowl for $5.00.

No. 4–I’m sure you all have been seeing this bamboo purse on every fashion bloggers blog. I’ve wanted one ever since I first saw it but didn’t want to pay the over $100 price that most people were paying. After a little research, I found a great source on Ebay that sells both the small and the large size. And you won’t believe the price…the small is $32.99 and the medium is $34.99.

I have to tell you that I had never ordered from Ebay before so I was a little nervous about ordering this bag. And because the purse was shipping from China, I was nervous about the quality. The shop and the product had good reviews so I went ahead and placed the order and when it arrived, I jumped for joy. The quality is great and the purse is exactly as described. I love it so much that I just ordered the larger size in black.

p.s. I place my order on July 8th and my package arrived on Saturday, 7/21. Pretty fast coming from China and getting through customs.

No. 5–After an exhausting weekend, I took some time last night to flip through the July issue of BH&G. So many inspiring ideas starting with the cover image. I want those chairs, that coffee table and that ottoman. #ilovebamboo

Those are just a few highlights of my life lately. I’m off to shop for carpeting and then I’ll be back at my desk tackling my mile long to-do list.

I’m wishing you all a fantastic week. I’ll be back here tomorrow with my take on the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale since it’s the talk of the town.

Stylish Summer Bags For Every Budget

June 26, 2017

Hi friends. I skipped out on you last week because I needed to devote every waking minute to design work. I’ve gotten over the hump and I back today with a post to usher in summer.

Now that summer is here I’m looking forward to wearing summer dresses and switching my leather handbag for a more casual style. My collection of straw bags includes everything from a classic tote and oversized shopper to a simple woven clutch. My newest bag is this black and tan shopper that my brother gave me for my birthday. It’s the perfect size to accommodate all my stuff and I love the drawstring liner that keeps my contents secure.

When it comes to summer fashions, a straw bag (or two) is one wardrobe essential I think every woman needs to own. Whether you’re carrying it to the beach or out to dinner, a straw bag is perfect for any summer outfit. Here’s a round-up of my favorite straw bags to fit every budget and every style need.

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SUMMER BAGS FOR EVERY BUDGET

1 // 2 // 3 //4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8 // 9 // 10 // 11 // 12

Under $25: All three of these bags are great options for everyday use but I especially love the round tote. The only thing missing is a cute bag charm but you can add this tassel charm and still be under $ 40.

Under $50: The floral clutch is perfect to add a pop of color to a little black dress. And I love the size and shape of the black and tan tote.

Under $100: Isn’t that pom pom trimmed bag the cutest thing ever? I love the size and how colorful it is. And it has a drawstring liner to keep your contents under wrap. p.s. it’s should actually be in the under $50 group because this cutie is only $32.

Splurge: I’ve been known to splurge on a handbag every now and then and I’m tempted to pull the trigger on #11. I love the slim shape and leather handles and the tassels are pretty cute too.

So if you had to pick a favorite, which bag would it be?

2017 FATHER’S DAY GIFT GUIDE {inspired by my dad}

June 5, 2017

Happy Monday friends. Did you have a great weekend? We had a whirlwind weekend that started with a trip to Alabama for a wedding. About 30 minutes from our destination we realized we had left the garment bag that contained my husbands suit and my dress for the wedding at home. After a moment of panic we forged ahead and made a quick pit stop at Dillard’s to do a little shopping. Thirty minutes later, a new dress and new digs for the hubby and all was good with the world again.

After a night of celebrating and hanging with family, we headed back home yesterday to more rain. But today’s another day and I’m hoping for a bit of sunshine. 🙂

I have lots of fun stuff to share with you this week on the blog starting with my Father’s Day Gift Guide. I lost my dad in 1983 and there isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t think of and miss him. So in honor of Father’s Day, all of the gifts I’ve included in this years gift guide are inspired by the memory of my dad. He loved to have fun, had impeccable style and always had the newest and latest gadgets. I hope there’s a gift on my list that perfect for the special man in your life!

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ONE. Wooden Fractal Puzzle. Such a cool gift to keep dad busy and challenged for hours. p.s. I love the design style of this puzzle–kinda looks like a fun greek key design.

TWO. Men’s Emergency Kit. A great travel companion for the work or leisure travel. This is also a great gift of a recent college grad!

THREE. 50 Life and Business Lessons from Steve Jobs. I’ve read this book and it contains loads of wisdom to inspire dad (or anyone) in work and in life. A great read.

FOUR. Father’s Day Shave Kit. My hubby recently tried the Harry’s shave kit and gave the products and razor rave reviews. He loved it so much that I’m sharing more about Harry’s in another post later this week.

FIVE. Amazon Echo. We received one of these as a gift a couple of years ago and use it everyday. The Echo is an amazing piece of technology.

SIX. Nylon Travel Bags. These bags help keep everything in your suitcase organized and they also cut down on the wrinkles. And the monogram is such a classy detail. p.s. I want a set for me too!

SEVEN. Monogrammed Handkerchiefs! One of the essential accessories I think every man needs to carry.

EIGHT. Fitbit Blaze Smart Fitness Watch. Help dad stay fit and healthy in style.

NINE. The Leather Accessories Traveler. This case keep ties, collar stays and jewelry organized and safe. And it’s comeback if dad travels with only a carry on.

2017 Father’s Day Gift Guide

Shopping Etsy | Tassel Jewelry & Accessories

May 24, 2017

We’re in for another day of clouds and rain here in Atlanta so I went on the hunt for something to brighten the day. I headed over to Etsy and stumbled upon a couple of shops with a great selection of tassel items.

When it comes to summer fashions, tassels appears to the be look of the season. This fashion trend has been going strong for several years now and the selection of styles and colors just keeps getting better. Etsy is a great source for tassel jewelry and decor so I rounded up a few of the amazing finds for you. Let’s go shopping!

BEST OF ETSY: TASSEL JEWELRY & ACCESSORIES

from left to right..

STATEMENT NECKLACE: A statement necklace is a great way to dress up a maxi dress or tee for summer and this Tiered Tassel Necklace is too cute for words. I love the colorful tassel charm and paired with the white glass beads. This necklace is a statement piece and will only set you back $26.

BAG CHARM: A great way to dress up a tote bag or clutch for summer is with one of these Tassel Bag Charms. These cuties are just $12.00 and there are 13 bold and bright color combos to choose from. tip: these would be a cute embellishment on a gift

TIERED EARRINGS: Beaded tassel jewelry is still popular but cotton tassels are what I’m seeing as the big trend for summer. These adorable Tiered Tassel Earrings are from the Etsy shop TheKnottyTassel. At just $20 per pair they are a great price. And you have tons of colors to choose from including solids, ombre and multi-color combos.

TASSEL KEY CHAIN: If your handbag needs a little more pop, the Pom Pom and Tassel Keychain will do the trick. I love the 4 color combos and at just $13.90 you might want to pick up more than one.

MULTI-TASSEL NECKLACE: This Blue Boho Tassel Necklace is a piece you’ll wear long after summer ends. The royal blue is really pretty but I love, love, love the green color. And if you want a more subdued statement there’s a grey option as well. This is a great statement jewelry piece for just $38.00.

While we’re on the subject of shopping, the Nordstrom Half Yearly Sale is going on now thru June 4th.

Happy shopping!

Bohemian Inspired Tablescape | & Styling Tips

May 23, 2017

On my long list of ‘Things I Love To Do’, designing tablescapes would be one of the top 10. I love dreaming up table settings using beautiful china, linens and tabletop items. It’s usually a pretty tablecloth or dinner plate that serves as my inspiration and that was definitely the case with todays Bohemian Inspired Spring Tablescape.

Before I show you the table setting, first let me tell you about the source for these gorgeous plates. A few weeks ago a UK-based company called Amara contacted me about doing a product review. I knew Amara was a company I wanted to work with and share with you after spending some time on their website.

If you’re like me, you may not have heard of Amara before so let me tall you about them. The company started in 2005 as an interior design business in the UK. After achieving success with interior design, the company opened a luxury homewares retail shop. The retail store was followed by an online business which has grown into a leading source for home decor, lifestyle products and gifts. The expansion of their business into e-commerce now enables them to ship their products worldwide.

Over the years Amara had grown to include over 300 brands and over 35,000 products. Their product offering includes high-end home and tabletop brands like Missoni Home, William Yeoward Crystal and Ted Baker. And many of the brands are exclusive to Amara including Ralph Lauren Home, who selected Amara as the only online store to distribute their home collections.

p.s. The tabletop and dining product selection from Amara is just amazing so if you love to entertain and create tablescapes you’ll want to check it out.

Ok, let’s get to my spring tablescape…

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