Lately, I’ve been drawn to decorating with color and elements that are not so serious. Something that is a little playful, unexpected, and fun. There is an interior designer that I found on Instagram with this style that I want to share with you.
Also, I’m sharing a protein bar that keeps you full for hours, a hot pink blouse that gets you noticed, and more. It’s time for our favorites with Annie and Cindy
Decorating With Color
Raili Clasen of Raili CA Design calls her work “great design with a wink.” The wink part shows some fearlessness. And I think creativity. Like with this yellow and green color palette.
The artwork adds a pop of color against a neutral background and the checked fabric on the host chairs is cute. Nice inspiration!
Photography by Karen Millet.
The tiles below are playful with complementary colors.
Below is a great Eames chair with a black accent wall as a focal point with the beamed ceiling. The black makes all the angles fade so you see the accessories more. It’s a nice high contrast look.
Love the textiles and the caramel color with black and white on the throw pillows.
Notice the rope on the beams detail below. Pretty sconces and stained, heavy window frame make it feel like art.
The upholstery on the chairs is fun as is the white hues against the stained built-in woodwork.
Below dark tiles and gold accent colors create a luxe mood and tranquility.
This is a good-looking coastal bedroom in primary colors.
How do you feel about using color and home decor that feels unexpected? What are your favorite shades?
An Easy Way To Add Color To Your Wardrobe With An Oversized Buttondown Shirt
This hot pink crisp button-down shirt from Anthropologie has a saturated color that makes it fun. I saw it in the store and It’s darker in person than on the website. People have stopped me like in the airport to say “I like that color.”
This is in front of our friends Mark and Mercedes’ house. Probably not the best angle for my “chins” 🙂
I am wearing a regular small and may purchase another color in the petite medium. It washes well in cold water. My off-white jeans are by Madewell (they come in regular, tall, plus and petite sizes). The wedge espadrille sandals are on sale now.
There are several colors in the shirt (below are some of them) and it comes in standard, petite, and plus sizes.
Anthropologie has an extra 40% off all sale items right now like these coasters, which would be a fun way to add color.
Pat Huber
Last week, Cindy featured her good friend, Pat Huber for Ageless Style. I got to spend time with Pat and Cindy when we went to Napa overnight to visit the Traditional Home Napa Show House. She is a wonderful person and a talented artist. Pat did the painting in our bedroom and several in Cindy’s home.
Check out Cindy’s post on Pat if you haven’t already.
A Snack On The Go — Peanut Butter Protein Bar
My sister’s very fit friend, Tammy recommends: Perfect Bar Original Refrigerated Protein Bar, Peanut Butter Lover’s Variety Pack. They aren’t low calorie but when I am short on time they keep me full from breakfast to late afternoon.
They don’t have preservatives so you must refrigerate them.
What To Read: Shantaram: A Novel by Gregory David Roberts
A few years ago, while in India we saw the massive slums of Mumbai. This lengthy novel delves into life there and more. “It took me a long time and most of the world to learn what I know about love and fate and the choices we make, but the heart of it came to me in an instant, while I was chained to a wall and being tortured.”
Last night, Mercedes and I were talking about the book and she said “It really could have been three separate books.” I would have read them all if they were sequels. I’m just saying that this is a time commitment and there is violence, but I am glad I read it.
Howard and I are going to watch the Apple TV+ series of it.
You may like Seven Amazing Things I Experienced In India.
If you are new here, each Sunday I share my top five favorite things along with my friends, Cindy and Annie. It’s like our weekly “catch-up” phone call. If you would like to receive this series every week, please sign up HERE.
Let’s see what Annie and Cindy’s Five Faves are this week:
Cindy Hattersley Design
Most Lovely Things
Enjoyed the post Love the shirt and the color is great on you! Pretty designs and thanks for the book recommendations. Always looking for the ‘next read’.
You’re so darling Mary Ann! I only see one chin btw…
Love the shirt and the bars. Great tip on the book going to AppleTv. It’s going on my list.
Fondly, Ellie
You know I love color … for home ant to wear. Your Anthro shirt is gorgeous! xo
When I’m going to be traveling I shop at thrift stores for outfits I can leave behind. I take older undies and bras to discard along the way as well. That way I can shop for beautiful things to wear on the trip and have room to bring to bring them home. Just leave the clothing (not the unders!) with a label that says please take or dispose of these items. Works like a charm.
Thanks so much for mentioning Pat. I have that anthro shirt in the same color. I read cutting for Stone but have not read the author’s latest. Cutting for Stone was a favorite of mine.
Well, I’m glad to be back. For some reason you stopped showing up in my email a couple of months ago and I re-subscribed and I’m happy to say I still enjoy your blog. I know the pain of packing light. I can do it when I travel with my husband (witness 5 weeks in Ireland with a carryon and backpack–true we had to buy a small holdall for the trip back, but still). But when I travel with my bestie, I would feel so dowdy wearing the same thing over and over while she always looks so put together with new outfits for everyday. Peer pressure!! Have a GREAT time in Italy and Spain. Italy is next on our bucket list (well revisiting Italy is on the bucket list).
Lovely post thank you Mary Ann and have a fantastic trip. That pink is so gorgeous on you ! l think l will try the purple thanks for the recommendation. I travel overseas quite frequently and l love buying a few things there so l never pack light. Inspiration is always calling:)
I KNOW. I love the Zara’s in Spain. And Max Mara in Rome. Soooo. I better leave some room.
You are quite the traveler! I myself leave this week for a month to travel all over France. It looks like the weather will be everything from hot to cool and rainy so packing is a challenge. Even with paring down my shoes significantly, my suitcase weighs 46 lbs with no room to buy anything while traveling! The designer, Raili, has done things I really like. I think you look great in the bright pink blouse. I just finished The Covenant of Water which also takes place in India. It’s by the author who wrote Cutting for Stone. Since I’ve been to the areas of India he writes about, it feels more alive for me. Also, my son and DIL have had those coasters for many years. They’re really different and fun. Thanks for the interesting reading this morning.
We will be in cities and at the sea, Wren…so that’s different. I loved the Covenant of Water, too. And I have Cutting For Stone on my list.
Great post! Looking forward to hearing about your vacay and what you wore because we’re hoping to make it to Tuscany next fall. You looked fabulous in Portugal but I would have felt the same if my friends were a parade of fashion. You also look great in color like the pink shirt. I also like the pop of color decor and other more subtle textures like the rope. Safe travels!
Thanks, Bess…I may take the pink shirt!
I packed light for a cruise but then was disappointed when the other ladies had a different dress for each night. I felt my repeats were boring. It was the last time I did that, instead taking a carry on plus a checked bag. I’ve had many trips since them and never lost a bag. Hope that didn’t jinx me. 🤞🏼
Thank you for the book recommendation. I’m always looking for a good read and this may be the book that prompts at trip to India. It has never been on my list of must visit places.
I can understand your pain 🙂
Hi Mary Ann, I will look into your espadrilles — very cute.
Pat Huber: beautiful work.
Shantaram: sounds like a great novel!
Your comment on packing resonates with me! It is always too much or too little! Hopefully your hubby doesn’t weigh in much on how (heavy) you pack; that can affect your decisions, as does your itinerary: how many times you will relocate on the trip, and whether you will be on and off a train w/ short station changes. Nonetheless, your light packing was inspirational! But what I gathered from your statements was this: “when traveling with well-dressed friends, pack a few more options, when traveling mostly with hubs, I might pare down!”
His suitcase always weighs more…so I am safe there 🙂
Thank you Mary Ann. You are always so supportive of others. I will look forward to how you pack for your next trip—it is always helpful to me. Thanks for suggesting ‘Shantaram.’ I plan to read it.
So are YOU, Pat.
I read Shantaram several years ago and I just loved it! I’ve read several books on India as a result of reading this. I kept looking for more books by this author that are as good as this one was.
Shantaram is one of the best books I’ve ever read. Definitely worth the commitment. So far the Apple TV version pales in comparison.
Oh no…we haven’t started it yet…but I think I will give it a whirl!
Hi Mary Ann. I’m interested in the shirt from Anthropologie but have a few questions. Is the overall length given on the website for the back length, and if so, the front length would be quite shorter? You mentioned two different sizes and I’m wondering if I should order petite or regular. I’m 5’0” with a short torso and long legs. I was surprised that you were wearing a regular size but maybe that works because the front is so much shorter than the back length. Did you consider sizing down like so many people suggested in the reviews?
Any help or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks . . .
I bought it in the store and they only had the regular size but I liked it on. I might buy the green one in a Petite medium. That would probably work for you too…or a petite small.