Magnolia Styles

4 Ideas for your Memorial Day Party!

Memorial Day weekend is just around the corner and we'll all be celebrating the official (or un-official if you like to hold out for that summer solstice) start of summer! Here are a couple of ideas to help you prep for an amazing Memorial Day Party!

1. Let the Cocktails Flow!

As everyone knows, it's important be on top of your cocktail game on holidays like Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Halloween, St. Patty's Day, Christmas... OK on every holiday. Memorial Day is a great day to whip up a signature cocktail, but allowing guests to make their own cocktails along side a berry bar can also be fun! Remember that since it's the start of summer, keep your cocktails and mixers light and fresh! Beers for the boys are fine, but ladies are getting ready to be in a swimsuit for the next 3 months. Here are a couple Cocktail Recipes I like for Memorial Day...

Blueberry Lemonade (recipe from Damn Delicious)

for my touch on the Blueberry Lemonade, add 1 part vodka!

The Paloma (recipe from Drizzle & Dip)

Strawberry Gin Smash (recipe from the kitchn)

Black & White Living

Feeling inspired by black and white today. Here are a few beautiful rooms and a few affordable black and white pieces to help decorate your home.

sophisticated black and white bedroom (via Houzz)

old world meets new black & white bathroom (via Etxeko Deco)

Black and white luxury (via Design Indulgences)

Feminine chic (via Houzz)

backyard billiards (via Houzz)

contemporary geo workspace (via Houzz)

crisp and clean living (via STYLIZIMO)

Get your own affordable Black & White Decor...

Tripod Black Nickel Table Lamp ($90) | | Black & White Striped Chair ($275) |

Cowhide Rug ($210) | Chevron Pouf ($149) | African Kilim Print Love Seat (GDP 899) |

Pedestal Table ($128) | Treble Clef Trinket Box ($15) | Nantucket Striped Rug ($159)

(Clockwise)

Hang, Sit, Relax. Indoor Hammock Inspiration

Nothing says relaxation like a hammock. Check out this inspiration for some instant relaxation in your home.

Living room Nicaraguan Hammock from Cakies. Get a similar style for a great price here or here.

Love these natural hanging chairs from Houzz. Does the pup come with hammock? Get a similar version here.

Love this comfy, cushy hammock styled by Lotta Agaton via Chic Tip.

What a great idea to bring the tree indoors with this natural beachwood hammock. Get the original "Chillout Chair" here.

Mad Men Decor

Sunday night was the Season 7 premier of Mad Men. Two words... Pete Campbell. What a nut! I loved getting to know the new L.A. Pete and would like to thank him for the following gem, "The city's flat and ugly, the air is brown, but I love the vibrations." Great description of L.A.

Anyways, what did you think of Megan's new Hollywood Hills home? It's a far cry from the Draper's mid-century modern apartment in Manhattan, but I kind of liked it for her. Here are a few screenshots in case you missed it.

Get Megan's 60's style below...

clockwise from top left

Floor lamp ($129) | Silk Sari Curtains ($49each) | Jewel Lamp ($119) |

Tie Dyed Hanging Planter ($29) | Rainbow Lantern ($129) | Swing Chair ($229) |

Woven Fringe Wall Hanging ($169) | Patchwork Chair ($298) | Peruvian Textile ($289) |

Owl Bank ($8) | Songbird Radio & Speaker ($50) | Shift Shelf ($269) |

Geo Record Player ($160) | Woven Stripe Blanket ($34)

Sunday Special: Fresh from the Farmer's Market

Walking over to the Brentwood Farmer's Market is a great way to start a Sunday and get ready for the week ahead. I don't know about you, but I feel great when I eat fresh and natural foods. Matt and I did a cleanse (of sorts) a couple weeks ago and are thinking about doing another one, but until then our fresh finds from the farmer's market will do:

We got a Red Cure from The Raw Juicery to share while we walked around
3 Ruby Red Grapefruits (one of which I am eating right now)
Oyster Mushrooms
Mixed Berries (blueberries, raspberries and blackberries). I love berries for snacking and for topping my greek yogurt (plus a bit of honey, of course)
A bunch of Thai Basil. We'll use this for adding flavor to meals throughout the week and maybe even make some fresh pesto.
Avocado... duh.
Alfalfa sprouts to top avocado toast and put on sandwiches
Last, but not least, a bunch of White Snap Dragons. These are one of my favorite flowers and they will last a full week in vase.

And now off to do my taxes. Yes, I have waited until almost the last possible day.

Friday Favorites

Happy Friday! I've been so bogged down with work lately, but I always find time to browse the web :) Here are a few of my favorite links from this week....

Loving this neon and floral look from Brooklyn Blonde. It's a perfect spring look! (and that skirt is one more reason I love asos!!!)

Do Less, Get More - Toward the end of each week, I find myself wishing that I could cancel all weekend plans and just relax. As life gets more and more busy, it's hard to unwind and regroup. I love Houzz's 10 tips to boost creativity and productivity by simplifying.

Is it weird that I think I could live in a world of White & Beige? Ok, maybe not a world... but definitely a home. Inspiration from The Decorista.

Such a cool way to make the most of your instagram photos from A Beautiful Mess.

Inspiration for the Perfect Workspace

A few ideas to create the perfect workspace...

Workspace with chalk board wall via Pinterest | Desk & gold accessories via Lauren Conrad |

Bookcase and Inspiration board via Style Me Pretty

Workspace with metallic accents via Oh I Design Blog

Sawhorse desk and pink accents via Dwellings by Devore

Chic neutral workspace with fiddle leaf fig trees via Style Me Pretty

Inspiration board via Style Me Pretty

Crisp white workspace via Style Me Pretty

Bar Carts for Every Budget

Well, I am finally ready to buy a bar cart! I have been yearning for a pretty bar cart for a couple of years now, but didn't feel like I had a good spot in my apartment to put it. In my new apartment I've got room to spare, so here I go on my bar cart hunt. Here are some bar carts I've found at different price levels (Dream, Splurge & Steal). Unless I find a vintage cart for the right price, I'll likely be buying a bar cart from the "Steal" list.

Arteriors Emory Bar Cart, on sale for $1094 (from Horchow)

Worlds Away Gerald Polished Stainless Steel Bar Cart, $1247 (from Houzz)

Jonathan Adler Jacques Bar Cart, on sale for $1724 (from Horchow)

Worlds Away Emery Gold Leaf and Marble Bar Car, $1345 (from Houzz)

Lisbon Vintage Bar Cart, $1200 (from Harlow's Nest)

Chinoiserie Bart Cart, on sale for $596 (from Horchow)

Hamilton Bar Cart, on sale for $524 (from Horchow)

Beckett Bar Cart, $799 (from Williams-Sonoma)

Libations Bar Cart, $599 (from Crate & Barrel)

Burgundy Bar Cart, $429 (from Soft Surroundings)

Parker Mid-Century Bar Cart, $349 (from West Elm)

Monarch Bar Cart, on sale for $80 (from Wayfair)

Powell World Map Serving Cart, $100 (from Wayfair)

Colin Cowie Bar Cart, $290 (from HSN)

Jill Bar Cart, $349 (from Ballard Designs)

Olivia Bar Cart, $349 (from Ballard Designs)

Friday Favorites

Are you making any of these 12 Deadly Decorating Sins?

Get healthy this weekend with these 5 Easy and Delicious Kale Recipes from FitSugar.

I'm loving Inspired By Charm's DIY Colorful Artwork inspired by this Melbourne home.

Starting to think about summer vacations? Check out these beautiful Italian Beaches. If you can't plan a trip, at least you can buy a print!

Get ready for the weekend with this guide to the Ultimate Nude Lip.

Don't miss J.Crew's 25% off your full-price purchase and 30% off sale items with coupon code HEYSPRING.

What's In My Bag

On any day of the week my purse is probably stocked with a few more things than I'd like to admit, but here are my the necessities...

Phillip Lim Pashli Satchel (similar steals here, here and here)
Chanel Quilted Wallet (similar here): This wallet was a gift to myself that I bought in Paris about 5 years ago. It has been favorite accessory ever since.
L'Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream
iPhone 5s in Gold
Vaseline: We all know how important Vaseline is, especially after Tyra told us so! Nothing is better than Vaseline for soft lips
Ray Ban Aviators in Gold: When I was blonder, these were perfect for me. Now that I am more of a dirty blonde/light brown, I think I will need to buy a pair with black lenses.
Chanel Glossimer Lipgloss (Favorites are 46 Giggle & 165 Volupte)
Gum Soft-Picks: Gotta have clean teeth!
5 Gum (Cobalt is my favorite)
Luxxe Bands Hair Ties: I have thinner hair, so I can't do much with it. But these hair ties help give me a great bun... way better than standard rubberbands.
Hello Kitty Band-Aids: Safety first!

Unique Shelves

I have an empty wall in my living room and was trying to think of a way to fill it. Instead of buying a traditional bookshelf, I was thinking of adding some unique shelving built into the wall. From wooden box shelves to industrial upcycled pipe shelves, here is my inspiration...

DIY box shelves are like a piece of art.

The picture below is of a kitchen, but I can see putting a few of these floating wood beam shelves in my living room too.

Driftwood shelves can add a rustic touch to your living space.

I love these perfect square corner shelves. What an easy way to style and otherwise dull corner.

LOVE these white lacquer shelves with gold wall mounts. Though I might lean more toward the bedroom for these shelves.

I first saw the wraparound shelves on HGTV. This style is so cool. It makes it look like the shelves are actually built into the wall.

As always, I love the rustic charm that these upcylced pipe shelves add to the space.

(click on image for source)

Elegant Exposed Brick

My ideal home would have original hardwood floors, lots of windows and a bit of exposed brick. I love the feeling exposed brick can give space. Without any other decoration in a room brick pulls in a rustic, and at times modern industrial, style. It's amazing how much charm and character a few bricks can add!

Since I live in an apartment, I am out of luck when it comes to doing any type of reno. But when I have a house (one day) I would definitely like to remove drywall, if need be, to have an exposed brick wall or space.

(click image for source)

Spring Stripes

With the start of spring just a day away, I figured it's time to start thinking about our spring style. Stripes are an essential part of my wardrobe all year round, but I'm loving these spring looks.

1. Elements Play Suit by Bec & Bridge (RevolveClothing)

2. Peggy Striped Round-Frame Acetate Sunglasses by House of Holland (Net-A-Porter)

3. Striped Cotton Jersey Peplum Tank by Bec & Bridge (Saks)

4. Stripe Panama Fedora by Noel Stewart (Barneys NY)

5. Mesh Back Stripe Dress by Pencey (Shopbop)

6. Becca Stripe Sweater by Whistles (Shopbop)

7. Natalie Mitre Stripe Swim Suit by Vitamin A (RevolveClothing)

8. Tamika Metallica Splitback Sweater by Aiko (Lyst)

9. Color Stripe Infinity Scarf (Nordstrom)

10. Marine Stripe Balle Flat by Anniel (FarFetch)

11. Solvang Navy Stripe Sneaker by Splendid (Zappos)

12. Mini Rider Bag by Loeffler Randall (Shopbop)

Emerald Green Decor

Happy St Patty's Day!!

Since I've been sick, I had to miss my grandma's annual Saint Patrick's day party yesterday (she's 100% Irish). Luckily work had a St. Patty's Day potluck, so I've gotten my fill of Irish goodies. Speaking of green, what did you think of SJP's green living room in the 73 questions video? As someone who likes to keep a neutral palette, I was surprised by how much I loved the emerald green decor.