Details from the Designer - Vol. 14

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It’s been a while. It’s been since July…if you’re keeping track. I've had a wonderfully and extremely busy few months: hip surgery, home addition, moved studio, opened retail store. All new beautiful chapters of healing, building and growing.

The quick update on my hip is that I’m feeling fantastic and getting stronger every day. My goal is to be skiing by February. My home addition is cruising along. I’ve shared just a bit on Instagram, but owe you a lot more. The quick headline is: there are walls! Our new studio space and retail space are one and the same. Polished boutique up front, design party in the back. And if you haven’t had a chance to stop by and check it out, you’re just in time: November 16 from 1-4 pm is our official grand opening. More details below!

Styling Breakdown

I’m breaking down the coffee table (ottoman) from our Lincoln Living Room. As a general formula, it all starts with a tray. Then a meaningful book or three, add a plant and finish with a bowl or box for remotes. Bonus points for a dog statue and coasters.

 
 

Fashion Find

I recently asked for fashion influencer recommendations on Instagram stories. I opened my bin of winter clothes and felt very uninspired. Think: decade old GAP sweaters that even my magical depiller wasn’t going to revive. I haven’t quite found a whole new wardrobe yet, but I am having a lot of fun finding my favorite influencers and making my holiday list! One thing has become quickly clear to me: belts are a thing. So, I kicked off my belt era with this beauty. And I absolutely love it. It comes in black leather too.

 
 

Keeping Myself Busy

I think I’ve sufficiently shared how I’m keeping myself busy. But I’ll add one thing: The Dutch House. I’m almost finished reading this. I can’t tell if it’s riveting or about absolutely nothing. I’m going to need a book club to help me digest this one.

Local Fun

Please join me and my retail partner in crime, Sarah from Busy Bostonians, at the GRAND OPENING of Our Space on Saturday, November 16th from 1-4 pm at 12 Centre Court in Lynnfield. We are so excited to celebrate this new adventure with the amazing community that has cheered us on from the minute we announced this was coming. We will have treats and activities and music and giveaways and promotions. It will be part of a bigger block party with 3 other local, women owned businesses: Beyond Dance, Opulence and Vault Training. If you’re planning on it, register here so that we can get a head count and plan accordingly (we want to make sure there are enough treats!!!).

If all goes according to plan, I’m back on my regularly scheduled program and will be back with a new blog post on December 1. Between now and then I hope to see you at the Grand Opening!

Cheers, Leah

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Details from the Designer - Vol. 13

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Hello there and happy first of the month! Summer is officially here in both calendar date and weather. The first item on my bucket list has been completed - I tried a new ice cream shop: Lickety Split in North Conway, NH. The hilarious part of this taste test is that Lickety Split sells Richardson’s ice cream, which is our local ice cream spot! I think this means I need to try another new ice cream shop.

Styling Breakdown

In case you missed it in our Instagram stories a couple weeks ago, I shared a whole bunch of flush mount light fixtures. I received a direct message request for some ideas and I got very into it. Living and designing in New England means that I’m often working in midcentury built homes with low ceilings. Those big, beautiful fixtures that you see hanging from a 10 foot ceiling in a new build in Utah won’t work. By a long shot. But that doesn’t mean you have to accept defeat and keep a boob light.

When considering if a fixture will fit in your space, make sure there will be at least 7 feet of clearance below the fixture. Also compare the diameter of the fixture to the room size. As a general rule of thumb, you can add the lengths of two perpendicular wall in feet and that sum should be the diameter of your fixture in inches. For example, if you have a room that is 12’ x 14’ then your fixture should be approximately 26” in diameter. We will go a little smaller (maybe down to 22”) if we find the perfect fixture, but not typically bigger (there are always exceptions - i.e. vaulted ceilings make a space feel bigger and can handle bigger).

1) Woven 2) Fabric shade with metal cage 3) Green 4) Tiered shade 5) Blue 6) Black trim shade 7) Wood shade 8) White shade 9) Triple black shade

Fashion Find

I recently discovered a tanning spray thanks to Jillian Harris (it was featured in her seasonal Jilly bag). It’s for your face and neck. I gave it a whirl because I was feeling quite greenish/white-ish after a long winter. I absolutely love it. I use it about twice a week to keep myself looking a little glowy. I love that it’s made in Australia where standards for clean makeup are serious.

 
 

Keeping Myself Busy

For Father’s Day, my family headed to Portsmouth, New Hampshire for a day trip. The loose plan was to walk around and have a bite to eat. A “take it as it comes” day. Last minute, I got nervous that my kids were going to be bored and, in turn, whiny and, in turn, ruin Father’s Day. So, I found a scavenger hunt to keep them focused through the walk and the discovery. It can be done as a competition or as a team effort. And it worked wonders. It kept kids and adults alike happy and focused in between the destination site seeing (gardens, bridges, statues, etc,). I would highly recommend it for a true walking tour of a city. And, it’s free.

 
 

Local Fun

The Northshore Music Theater has a host of kid friendly shows later this month: Frozen, Beauty and the Beast Jr. and Mean Girls. Beauty and the Beast and Mean Girls are the kid versions (abbreviated) and are full kid casts. It’s a great activity to break up the outdoor marathon of the season. Not only is it fun for kids to see other kids perform, but the shorter show is particular nice for toddler and little kid viewers.

Have a wonderful month! Stay cool!

Cheers, Leah

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Details from the Designer - Vol. 12

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June is here and I’m so happy about it. I’ve been craving consistent warm weather. There is something emotionally (and physically) light about throwing on flip flops and getting out the door. I’m ready for a season of less is more.

Other summer bucket list items: nap in the sunshine, lots of evening walks, discover new icecream shops and flavors, Canobie Lake (!), New Hampshire hikes, slow weekends with friends. How about you?

Styling Breakdown

Today, rather than share a specific vignette, I’m going to share 3 frames that we use all the time. Big brass, small acrylic, all sizes black beveled.

Fashion Find

I have two new finds to share that I’m incredibly excited about. First, a $10 t-shirt at Target. I got this cotton tee in tan and black/white stripe. I wash them and wear them again, wash them and wear them again. Just love them.

The next is a concealer stick from Merit. It’s a new addition to my daily makeup routine. Just a swipe under each eye, gently blend and I feel more awake and ready to face the day. I love that it’s not powdery and doesn’t cluster in my fine lines of wisdom and grace (ha!). I did get help from a makeup expert in Sephora when choosing my correct skin match.

 
 

Keeping Myself Busy

I have been keeping myself busy with the Karen Read trial. Have you?!? What do you think? And if you know any of the involved parties or have random inside scoop, I want all the details. As a former criminal defense attorney I have a whole other layer of interest in the minutia of the trial. It’s utter madness.

Meanwhile, I just finished ready The Midnight Library, which was a very sweet book. It was an easy read and an uplifting read. Just the thing we need sometimes. My biggest takeaway is that we have all the potential in the world. It’s right at our finger tips…if we want it.

Next up - I’m about to start reading Remarkably Bright Creatures.

 
 

Local Fun

This is easy - this Saturday (June 8) I’m heading to the Rise + Shine spring market. My mom and I are heading to see some vendors we already love and learn about new vendors. I love, love, love Eeya cermanics and Noted candles. But I’m excited to try some treats from Healthy Nut (snacks), Gray Heron (the sweetest cotton blankets) and Porcelain & Stone (jewelry).

 
 

Tickets are $25 and include snacks and drinks. I hope to see you there!



Until July!!!

Cheers, Leah



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