In the Studio

 It's been awhile since I updated you on what I have been working on in the studio.  This is a custom painting I did for my cousin to go above her mantle in her living room.  It measures 24"x48" and I have to say I love painting large...it's been a while!!!

up close detail of the painting

Below is a wooden panel painting I have been working on for what seems like forever...it's still a work in progress.....

I have had some fabric fun with these girls over the last two weeks.  Trying to hone in on the right fabrics for our living room chairs + pillows.  I'm loving the huge blue and white block print for our chairs.  I'm usually not so bold with pattern but I feel like these would be statement pieces in the room since it's what you are looking at straight away upon entering the house.  

Have you been following our Novel. blog???  You should be to keep up with the latest and greatest!!!!  Here's a peek at the ladies of Novel. out for drinks + dinner last week.  If you are local or plan to visit Charleston anytime soon, put Xiao Bao Biscuit on your list of restaurants!!!  The best "Asian Soul Food" in town!!!

Hannah, Lauren, Liza, Lucy, (Way Way snapping pics and missing sweet Jane)

Ashley Warnock Photography + Pout Pop Up

I have had the good fortune of being friends with so many creative and talented ladies in my life since moving to Charleston a little over ten years ago.  One of those crazy talented gals is Ashley Warnock who you may remember me blogging about in the past.  The girl can snap some photos like nobody's business!! She has an eye and a heart for what she does as a profession.  After flipping through some of the pictures she forwarded my way I was blown away with what she came away with in our two hour session at the studio!!!

I have  a little something up my sleeve that Ashley is helping me make into a reality...slowly but surely I hope to be telling more in the coming months.  So for now it's just some sneak peeks.



And speaking of Novel., don't forget to stop in the Pout pop up shop this Thursday 11-8pm!!!  Makeup and skin care products galore as well as mini consultations!!!  I cannot wait to get made oh-va!!!  Message me if you are in town (Charleston) and would like to make a 30 minute appointment for a mini makeover.  Slots are filling up quickly!!!

Deets on the last few weeks

Did I mention we went to Vermont a few weeks back?  

Gorgeous but Brrrrrrr.....  

Little R has been begging for bunk beds basically his whole life so HAPPY 6th Birthday to him!!!  Happiest boys on the block!!!!

**Got to be honest, we have a little bribery situation going on at the moment.  You see, little bruder wants so desperately to sleep with big bruder in his new bunk bed.  Deal is, he can when he gets potty trained.  It's been a disaster.  I've waited too long and now I'm going to have to wait even longer.  Just this week, while on the phone with my mom (for 4 minutes), I kid you not, the child tee teed in the dog's water bowl-in the house, went back to bunk bed bruder's room and pooped on the rug, tee teed again on the rug and colored crayons ALL over this ladder he is climbing below.  In 4 minutes. AAAARRRRRRRRRRR CHILD!!!!!  He's back in diapers.  I can't deal.

Now that I've unloaded about my baby, I'll tell you what my first baby has been up too.  We have been working hard trying to find fun new ways to learn the "same old boring stuff."  Thank goodness Pinterest is in my life for this reason!!!  Little R has been counting and sorting cars, trucks, emergency vehicles and then writing down the number he comes up with.  His attention span is not long but I find doing a little everyday has helped so much whether it's 5 minutes here and there or 30 minutes at one time.  Making it fun is key!  Tell me if you have any tricks up your sleeve for your kindergartner?!!!  Writing in shaving cream on the kitchen counter is another fun activity.

Hosted a Rikshaw trunk show at my house with my bud Brook.  Had the most amazing turnout-thanks to all you gals who stopped by!!!  Such fun catching up!!  If you haven't stopped by their website, check it out for all your Spring/Summer essentials!!!  Blue waves camp shirt is on it's way to my house...

Working on a painting for Sidney's new shop, Eclectic.  If you are living anywhere near Charleston you must stop in this shop on your way out to the beach!  She has the best finds for your house in there!!!

I just love this composition for a game room.  Wood plamked ceiling, lights, paint colors.

  Good times had by all later that evening....

On the hunt...

for a new sofa

and possibly new bedside tables...

Keep in mind all the unbeatable sales going on locally here in Charleston!!!!  

GDC 20% off upholstery

Celadon 20% off upholstery

SOM 25% off upholstery

(South of Market)

Working on a little DIY for our shop Novel.  Big show coming up at Novel. next Thursday, March 21 with our girls from Pout in Columbia.  Hope you will stop by to see us!!

  Open 11-8pm that day

Hope to be checking in more regularly...where does the time go.....

JPC + Balboa show

So, if you are following along with me, you knew that the Charleston Novel. girls hit the road to be with our fourth Novel. counterpart for her own studio opening featuring Balboa and Jane Pope Collection.  We carry a smaller assortment of her collections here at Novel. FYI.  I'm not just saying this because Jane is my cuz but she really is the most talented, stylish, gorgeous girls I know.  Check this little feature VOGUE did on her a while back..

(And yes, that's her looking stunning as ever!!!)

Click here to see all her unbelievable press!!  She is one of those gals that you want to be and be around!!!  Love her and was so happy to be with her for her grand opening!!!!  Her studio is AMAZE!!!!!!!!!  Beyond Amaze.  Huge, big, bright and white!!!  Perfect for showcasing her gorgeous jewels!!!  

One of my favorite Balboa necklaces

 Below are several necklaces around "Manni's" neck:)

The girlies

JPC is in the jewelry case on the bottom left of the picture below-too bad I did not manage to get any good closeups of the JPC.  

Liza perusing the cased jewelry...this may or may not have been totally staged...

And quickly fast forward to the end of our night...

Too much fun away from home for one night!!!!!!!

Such a fun night and what a show Jane had!!!  So proud of her and all she has accomplished!!!  Can't wait to go back in December for a Novel. holiday show, featuring all of our wares and works!!!  

Sea Foam

via

via

a la me

Old Navy

$22.94

via

And if you are local stop by Novel. tomorrow for BIG SALES!!!!

Thursday, September 20

12-7:30

341 King Street

Suite B

Charleston, SC

Novel. Organization

Feeling very inspired lately in several different areas of my life but one area that's in the forefront is our office/kitchen space at Novel.  Man, do you ever live/work in a space where you go through the motions day in and day out and you look around and a lot (a year) of time has gone by and suddenly you freak out and have to change it all.  "It" being all the clutter, junk, mess, things you need to throw away but don't because you fear you or someone may need it in the future type of place.  Well,  I am describing our space.  It was ridiculous what we had accumulated in there over time!!!  Lauren and I went to town yesterday after we both had internal freak outs with it all.  We literally ripped the whole room open and started over.  Feels good to do that sometimes.  Check and check.  Then you feel like you can breathe...again. 

Here are some inspiring pictures from our Novel. Pinterest page.  Hopefully I can get you some good pics of the "new office" this week.  I am so mad at myself because I totally forgot to take before pics-AGGG why do I do that??????  

Oh and don't forget to come to our SALE next Thursday, September 20!!!  Deep discounts not to be missed!!!!

Summer Loves

Loving this new to me color by Essie. 

"Poppy Art Pink"

I went crazy at the Walgreens at the beach and bought all kinds of unnecessary junk.  

This was by far my best purchase along with this...

"No Chips Ahead"

I have never been one to pull off the painted fingernail look.  It doesn't make much sense for me seeing that I always have paint all over my hands-permanently and I keep my fingernails too short.  They look so silly painted, I think!  So this clear polish is the perfect answer for my nails.  Adds the perfect natural glossy look!

Having serious addiction problems with this beverage and every flavor they have to offer.  Anyone else having this problem this summer?  I do not love drinking water, but these I can take down in a second flat!  Have you tried the grapefruit or the lemon flavors??!!!  So refreshing on a hot Southern day!!

Another serious problem for me are ripe peaches!  

Can't get enough.  

And the color.  

My goodness, just gorgeous!!!

John Robshaw textiles are pretty awesome too, don't you think? 

 Love this design and the color combo.

Novel. has a stamp and now a Tumblr account.  

Come follow along and see what we're are up too!!!

House Update

Totally been MIA this last week.  My apologies!  We have been trying to get all the finishing touches on the house completed before inspection day this Wednesday!  A few shots of what things looked like last week.  

Master Bath

Restoration Hardware Vanity

Dining Room and Foyer painted

What do you think?  Went really bold in the dining room but I'm loving it!  Especially since the whole house is primarily white!

Kitchen cabinets went in, faces put on and hardware installed. Today the countertops are coming , then the backsplash is going in!!  Cannot wait! 

Can you see the blue dining room peeking through....

Our living room looking into the kitchen.  We decided to do a built in media center for the tv and books.  TV will go where that cardboard box is.  Kitchen sink, dishwasher, etc are on the other side.

Blue stone patio went in the end of last week.  Door and stairs will go in this week...can't wait to show you what color the porch will be painted...any guesses?  My new color obsession....

*PS-when building or doing a house renovation, be sure to order all light fixtures at least 3 months in advance!  Lesson learned. All my fixtures are due to be delivered in JULY!!!!  So we're dealing with temp lights-aka light bulbs til then:)

And a few extra Iphone shots from the week...

Teacher gifts-stationery from Bon Vivant

Jane Pope Collection at Novel.

Balboa Jewelry's Sidney necklace

Blue Chickadee sea life trio 

Navy Blue slipcover option for our white sofa.  I can't take the "dirty" look anymore!!!!  My boys can't keep their dirty feet and hands off...wondering if navy blue would be  a better option?

Rikshaw Design trunk show held at Novel.

How adorable are these bloomers?!  If only I had a little girly tush to cover!!!!