Where the Heart Is

 pillows, window treatments, accessories--mantle, coffee table, bookshelves (Adele of Lexington), 

lucite coffee table ( CB2 similar HERE), jeans (7FAM see similar HERE), sweater (Lilla P c/o), belt (J.Crew old see Similar), rings (Lagos, Anna Beck), bracelets (Morton James, Omar + Elsie, Kate Spade), necklace (Gorjana c/o)

girls bedding & Hedgehog/Racoon (Land of Nod), C Pillow (Serena & Lilly love THIS MONOGRAMMED PILLOW), girls' twin beds (Land of Nod), bp sheets (Nate Berkus), mirror nightstand (West Elm), sunburst mirror (Z Gallerie), pink rug (Land of Nod), lucite entryway table (CB2)

Long Post Alert (brace yourself)----You know, during the course of my divorce last year, I felt VERY strongly about needing a fresh start for the girls and myself.  Trust me, I loved our home what with all its space (read:  closet), function, storage, etc, but I know myself and when one chapter of my life closes--it is sealed shut in every sense of the word.  The gals and I were in the market for a new adventure and there is the most charming and quaint neighborhood in Lexington that I knew would be just perfect for us.  Here's the kicker, unless you're prepared to gut the hell outta one of the character homes (which I was not) that occupies this neighborhood, you're going to be sacrificing previously said space and function (which is why unless I can work a miracle and convert my garage, y'all will never see my closet).  But being able to walk to restaurants, grocery stores, ice cream shops, parks and have a slew of the girls' friends within walking distance of us was invaluable and well, screw the space, right?  So rewind to last year when I had this blank canvas of a space with a fresh coat of Paint on the walls and more or less needed to accessorize the entire space.  I have made the mistake in the past of furnishing everything all at once only to realize 6 months later I actually wasn't all that fond of the pieces I originally chose.  So I knew I wanted this to be a process, a room by room situation if you will, and I also knew I needed to enlist the help of a pro.  Funny enough, I can put an outfit together in my sleep, but outfitting a home ain't my forte--I know exactly what I like, can pick out the accessories, colors, etc, but have no dang clue where to place everything.  

Enter Meghann from Adele.  I had seen her work many a time before and absolutely adored it (just check out the way she curates the shop and you'll be in love)!  I approached her about helping me start small with pillows, curtains, and bookshelf accessories--and this is what I love about Meghann, she just kinda gets it--she gets you--she got a read on me and what I wanted right out of the shoot.  She knew I was in Single Momville and was in no position to be forking over thousands and thousands of dollars all in one fell swoop and I needed to pace myself.  And so with the description I gave her of, "I want some Florida.  I want airy and inviting.  I want girly.  I want flamingos,"  she worked her magic and gave me my light, airy, girly, and cozy living room--with flamingos.  Consider this phase 1 and next we are venturing into my bedroom which is currently a mix of this and that--cozy enough but I need a little more flow.  The girls' rooms also will get the Meghann facelift in due time but for now, Land of Nod outfits their nests.  Which, by the way, if you're really on a budget, Meghann will consult and do an online design with you---for instance, she just helped a client with resources such as Pottery Barn, West Elm, and the like.  She can also work her magic virtually so if you're non Kentuckian, don't fret, she can do what she does from afar.  

Few little reminders, Fabric and Wallpaper are 25% off suggested retail ALWAYS.  And if not in the market for an abode update, remember Adele is chock full of jewels, gifts, and baby (see HERE).  Mention s + s and receive 15% off full price items. 

Hope y'all have enjoyed a little mini tour of our nest--stay tuned for more pics as we move through the decorating process.  And also, if you see something specifically pictured above that I did not link, please shoot me a comment and I'll let you know where it's from--did my best but with all the deets, I'm sure I missed a few!  Cheers to a wonderful week, gang!

photos courtesy of Kristin Tatem