behind the scenes Archives - Page 16 of 49

April 1, 2015

This One Time, At Texas Style Council CAMP

The week before last I headed to Texas Hill Country, just outside Austin, to attend the fifth and final Texas Style Council. What had started as a group of like-minded people brunching on quiche a few years ago had grown huge in size, and this year was stripped back down to the basics. Two hundred women staying at a Girl Scout camp for a long weekend and leaving everything else at the door was the bare agenda.

Photos Chelsea Laine Francis

Vintage camping elements set the scene as we made our way between cabins, sessions, and activities. Permission to only occasionally shower or brush your hair was granted as we all gathered to discuss the deeply buried stuff: vulnerability, keeping connections real, and creating a meaningful presence.

Photo Chelsea Laine Francis

Photo Kelly Beall

I was flattered to be asked to speak by TxSC founder, Indiana Adams, who I connected with back in January. (We were both on our way to Alt Summit in Salt Lake City and on the same delayed flight.) Speakers were asked to arrive a day early to have a little extra time to connect with the amazing sponsors on hand, as well as enjoy some outdoor activities.

Photo Chelsea Laine Francis

Photo Kelly Beall

I’d been looking forward to horseback riding and zip lining for over a month, so much so that not even the pouring rain could stop me. I have a difficult time stepping away from the screen and actually relaxing, so I’m taking it as a sign and looking into taking some horseback riding lessons. This weekend was a great reminder that it’s just as important to make time for yourself as it is to kick ass and take names at the office.

Photo Chelsea Laine Francis

Throughout the weekend campers collected “badges” (pins) for completing projects, attending sessions, etc. I never got to be a Girl Scout as a kid and my competitive spirit took over – I had to collect them all! It wasn’t at all about the end result, almost more like a baseball card situation, but I happily accepted the Eagle Scout award at the badge ceremony Sunday afternoon for collecting the most pins!

I was lucky enough to spend my nights sharing snacks and sleeping on a rock hard mattress in the same room as these girls – Chloe Mitchell of Hello Society, Cyndie Spiegel, and Joanna Hawley of Jojotastic.

Photos Kelly Beall

The last day of camp showed up suddenly, as it always seemed to when I was growing up. TxSC was refreshing in a way few conferences are, full of women without pretensions or agendas. Women who I most likely never would have crossed paths with otherwise. A big thank you to Indiana for creating this labor of love that we all had the benefit of taking part in.

Posted In my life

March 30, 2015

Wine Awesomeness + a Free Month of Wine!

A miraculous thing happened at my house a few weeks ago. Three bottles of wine showed up on my porch stoop safely packed in their own little suitcase. The good folks over at Wine Awesomeness made it possible with their monthly subscription service that aims to prove that wine is for everyone, wine is everywhere, and wine is discovery.

Good wine is for the masses, and not just at dinner parties. Wine Awesomeness is a monthly journey in wine education that’s curated for adventurous souls. Sound like you? Read on. Every month their sommeliers dream up a wine-fueled adventure and send it right to your door. They comb the globe to find the coolest, tastiest wines that you just don’t see everyday.

They’re so confident in Wine Awesomeness that if you can recreate their box for less, you’ll receive an entire year on them! But to start, they’re offering your first month’s box for free (just pay shipping and handling). Click here to get this week off to a grand start.

Posted In food, sponsored post

March 20, 2015

Chairish Art + Design Crush (+ a Giveaway)

I don’t live anywhere near a good flea market, so there’s little haggling in my life unless it’s on the internet. That also means there’s little vintage/such a find/bargain deal art in my home and that’s something that I’m really gunning to change. The hard truth is that sometimes it’s more affordable to find an amazing older piece than to buy and frame a new one; fortunately, the result is often richer in character and style.

But back to my conundrum of not being near any good shopping grounds. Chairish, the beloved online location to shop and sell vintage (the iPhone app is a dream), has a fantastic collection of art as well – over 4,500 pieces and growing daily. That’s a lot of art at all different price points. They asked me to choose 50 of my favorite pieces to create The Design Crush Collection and, well, who says no to that? (Answer: No one.) Want a peek at my 12 favorites?

Mike Kelley’s Bjarnarneskirkja Floating Print // Original Painting Pink Abyss //
Pablo Picasso Portrait D’Homme Lithograph // Vintage USA Maritime Yacht Ensign Boat Flag

1960s Framed Vintage Portrait // Jessica Wilson’s Nicholas, NYC Framed Photo Print //
Alan Sonfist’s Tree Trunk Series Pink 2 Litho // Kristi Kohut’s Imagine Peace Print

Haha Ink Drawing // Antique Medical Teaching Device // Dani Schafer’s Humilis 2014 Abstract Wall Hanging // Cheryl Maeder’s Cloud Nine IV Art Photograph

What’s even better is that Chairish wants to give one of you $100 to spend on some unique art of your own. Click here to enter for a chance to win $100 to spruce up your walls this spring!

PS: Tune in to Chairish’s Instagram account Sunday, March 22nd for an Insta Art Sale. Seven emerging artists – Jaime Derringer, Emily Katz, Dana Haim, Kate Roebuck, Deann Art, Michele Spane, and Kristi Kohut – will be selling original pieces of their own. But get this, each piece will be sold for an all-in price of $125 (art + packing + shipping). WHOA. Pieces sell in a matter of seconds, so be ready and waiting 9 to 11 AM PST/Noon to 2 EST!

I received compensation for this post. All words and opinions are my own, as always. Thank you for supporting the brands that support Design Crush!

Posted In create, sponsored post, win it

March 18, 2015

Olivia + Joy

Spring means different things to different people – buying a new scent to wear, changing up the accessories in the living room, or being able to shed some extra layers. For me it means my yearly purse purge and choosing a new bag. My current one is a cross-body, cappuccino-colored leather number that’s simple and wearing extremely well. But it’s time for something new. A different shape, a different color, a different look.

I was introduced to Olivia + Joy a few weeks ago and was immediately drawn to some of their more structured pieces. The line offers something for everyone, from the edgy girl who likes metal accents to muted pastels for a more feminine look. No matter what your style, all of Olivia + Joy’s bags are affordable. I went with the blue Rory Perf Tote for a pop of color. It has plenty of room to carry my business essentials by day and still looks casual and chic for evening.

Maddie Satchel // Maddie Tote // Valerie Double Handle // Cyprus Tote //
Seattle Tote // Cary Tote

I received product in exchange for this post. All words and opinions are my own, as always. Thank you for supporting the brands that support Design Crush!

Posted In bags, sponsored post, wear it

March 17, 2015

DIY Stamped Pet Bowls

If you have pets and an aesthetic above a 6th grade level, you must feel my pain when it comes to the pet dish aisle. I don’t want fish skeletons or dog bones – I want something that fits my style and doesn’t stand out like a sore thumb in my home. While my three cats may not notice what they’re eating out of, I’d like to think that I’m WOW-ing them a little with my effort. It would also be nice if it didn’t cost more than one of the dishes that I eat off of myself, meaning it’s time to dust off my do-it-yourself game.

Supplies
• small, plain ceramic or glass bowls
• acrylic craft paints
• paper plates
• sponge
• scissors
• pencil
• paper towels

I decided on two modern patterns to create in fun, playful color palettes for both a food and water bowl. Before I started I made sure to wash and dry the bowls thoroughly to remove any debris. After squirting some paints (neon pink, olive green, and black) on a paper dish I dove right into the first – a grid-like dot pattern. Using a pencil eraser dipped into the paint I freehanded a pattern of five by four dots in the olive green. I then repeated the process with the neon pink and black, staggering the grid by skipping a dot-sized width and moving the pattern down one row.

The end result reminded me of that pure sugar dot candy of our childhoods! And I’d be lying if I didn’t admit I kind of want my own bowl now just like this.

For the second design I came up with an updated take on a citrus pattern, just want these last weeks of winter called for. I began by cutting out a circle shaped piece of sponge that measured about an inch wide. After prepping my paint – bright orange, robin’s egg blue, and neon pink this time – I got stamping in a random layout. I gave the orange plenty of time to dry (about 20 minutes), then followed suit with the blue. After some more drying time I trimmed out a small leaf-shaped piece of sponge and finished up with some unexpected neon pink foliage.

We happily teamed up with Fancy Feast and their new Broths with Chicken on this project as part of their #WaystoWow campaign. My pets are part of my family, and I love finding new ways to show my love and affection. Aside from well-designed bowls, beds, and toys I also like to WOW my three finicky felines by laying super soft blankets in their favorite sunning spots and placing bird feeders outside of lower windows for entertainment. Broths are full of real, recognizable ingredients and come perfectly portioned for a reward or treat, so you can feel good about indulging your cat kids. My girl Rainey absolutely loves them – two paws up. Sign up to try a bowl on Fancy Feast!

This post is in partnership with Fancy Feast Broths. All words and opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that support Design Crush!

Posted In make it, pets, sponsored post

March 10, 2015

Back in the ‘Burgh: 6 Months Later

Several of you who took this year’s Reader Survey mentioned you wanted to see more of Pittsburgh, hear how it differs from my years spent in Oklahoma City, and generally just know how I’m adjusting to living back in my hometown. I’m 100% happy to share all of those thing with you, and so glad to hear (read?) there’s interest! I’ll be rolling out local maker profiles and tours in the next few months as well as highlighting my favorite spots as I discover them. But until then, March 8th marked six months since the move so I thought I’d reflect a little on how things have been going.

It’s been easier than I’d anticipated. Prior to relocating I honestly thought I might end up in therapy from reverse culture shock, but nothing could have been further from the truth. Turns out my small hometown still felt just like, well, home. It’s been going through a bit of a renaissance and the downtown area has been turning over slowly to some welcome new businesses. (Case in point: a juice bar opened last month!) It’s so nice being near family and the few friends I’ve kept in contact with through the years, as well as being able to see out-of-town friends who come back to visit. The anxiety that’s plagued me since college has decreased dramatically, and I feel more grounded here than anywhere which has been a discovery in itself. I’m absolutely in love with my home, it feels like the space I’ve always dreamed of creating for myself and it makes me proud.

It’s been different than expected. I’d gotten so used to not living near family that I need to remind myself to make time to visit and take advantage of my new proximity. I get frustrated that I haven’t learned my go-to brunch place, favorite restaurants, or where to pick up that perfect gift just yet. The same goes for not having immediately built a community to immerse myself in. (I tend to forget that I built the foundation for one years ago by staying connected to the city online.) It’s a bit strange to live about 25 miles from downtown Pittsburgh as opposed to the 10 from Oklahoma City, so I’m in the car a bit more. I miss being 2 minutes away from Super Target (true story). My 115 year old house has had some issues – leaking roof, sewage in the basement from settled pipes, hot water tank died – that I wasn’t financially anticipating this soon.

All in all I know I made the right decision to move back. I’d been gone since leaving for college and I love getting to know this city as an adult.

Posted In my life

February 26, 2015

4 Ways to Give a Traditional Space a Modern Touch

The biggest issue I faced when picking up and moving halfway across the country into my new home was that it was 114 years old. It doesn’t get much more traditional than this colonial beast, but when you fall in love with a space that’s the opposite of your aesthetic what’s there to do? I’m partnering with HP x360 #BendTheRules + Meghan Trainor’s That Bass Tour to talk it out and share four ways I’ve modernized my home.

Add Contemporary Art. This tip is first for a reason, and that’s because it adds the biggest dose of personality right off the bat. I’ve added pieces and prints of all shapes and sizes through my home, grouping the smaller together and leaving the oversized to stand on their own. One thing I abided by was sticking to the same frame style and color – simple and white. It helps to pull everything together and achieve the sleekness I was after.

Embrace Clean Lines. Furniture, light fixtures, all of it. I love how the simplicity of almost all of my dining room in particular is the polar opposite of the ornate banister on the stairway and the 10-inch moldings throughout the house. It allows you to appreciate what the space does best without competing with it, which should really be the end goal of every design decision you make.

Go Light and Bright. Before I moved in the moldings and framework were thankfully already painted white, but the walls were a buttercream yellow. Safe for staging, but not even a little bit my taste. So within two months I had painted the entire interior (you read that right, all of it) a lovely white-grey/grey-white. The natural light bounces throughout now, creating an almost gallery-like feel that makes every room feel bigger.

Use Modern Patterns. I like to keep my patterns in check by using them sparingly and choosing modern global repeats. It keeps things feeling fresh and contemporary while breaking up the monotony of large fields of color for your eye. I prefer to neutral tones, but that doesn’t mean you should shy away from color if that’s your aesthetic.

The HP x360 has four great things going on for it, too. Actually four modes – notebook/laptop, tablet, stand, and tent – in one device. I’ve especially loved using tent mode in the kitchen, it’s so convenient to have my favorite recipes at arm’s length while I make dinner. Its touchscreen properties also make the tablet mode perfect for flipping through my emails in bed first thing in the morning (bad habit, I know). The compact size and weight are perfect for carrying the x360 around the house from one room to another like I tend to do through the day. See all four modes here, along with more info on HP + Meghan Trainor’s That Bass Tour and episodes from the fan-generated documentary being created using the HP x360 Convertible PC.

This post sponsored by HP. Be sure to follow along with the Meghan Trainor tour by watching Behind The Scenes episodes or following @HP for updates. Thank you for supporting the brands that support Design Crush!

Posted In house and home, sponsored post, technology, tips + tricks

February 17, 2015

Casper

Last week a beautiful thing showed up on my doorstep in a large cardboard box. A MATTRESS.

It’s pure magic that something as large as a queen size mattress can be folded over upon itself and delivered on a doorstep. My 8-year-old spring mattress had seen better days and my lower back was letting me know about it. Because mail delivery mattresses are a popular thing lately I looked into a few different options, but one came out on top – Casper.

After I hauled the burrito-like bedroll out of the box (and took a breather, because let’s be honest), I hauled it onto my box spring and cut along the spot they indicated. And then I stood back and watched as it grew, and grew, AND GREW. It was like an air mattress inflating without the air!

Then voila – I had a new mattress.

I laid down on the thing immediately and basked in the glory of my brilliance and handiwork. When I was finished I noticed that the Casper mattress was supporting my body in all the right places. There was no pressure on my hips or shoulders, my lower back wasn’t arched in space, and I wasn’t sinking.

Each Casper is made from support foam topped with memory foam topped with an inch and a half of high-performace latex that helps keep the bed cool as you sleep. (I can hardly wait to test this out come summer.) Going a step further in sourcing, the knit fabrics come from South Carolina, the wovens from Belgium, and they’re all sewn together in Illinois and South Carolina before being distributed out of New York. And it doesn’t hurt that both Casper‘s site and social media presence have a great sense of humor about them, an all around great brand that I’m happy to support.

Each mattress is backed by a 100-night, no-hassle return policy, and 10-year full warranty. Oh, and free shipping both ways even if you decide to return it. So if you think a Casper mattress might be for you and want to give it a go, email me at designcrushing@gmail.com and I’ll help you out with a code for $50 off!

I received product in exchange for this post. All words and opinions are my own, as always. Thank you for supporting the brands that help keep Design Crush going!

Posted In house and home, sponsored post

February 11, 2015

2015 Survey Results

About a month ago I asked you all to take a few minutes to take the 2015 Reader Survey, and today I wanted to share the results. Thanks to each of you who did! I read every last entry and comment and really put thought into how I can give you all more of what you want – to see more of my own design work, a few more personal posts, some fashion, how my move back to Pittsburgh has gone and about the city itself. As we roll out a redesign in the next few months I’ll be addressing these things further. Until then, thanks so much for reading!

(If you’re not to type to enjoy a little statistical nerding out feel free to skip the rest, I promise not to be offended.)

Posted In my design

February 9, 2015

Texas Style Council 2015

One of my favorite things is when you click with someone the instant you meet. That’s basically what happened while waiting for a delayed flight to Salt Lake City last month when I met Indiana Adams. She’s a fellow blogger and the brainchild behind the Texas Style Council conference.

I’d heard about TxSC in the past, but sort of assumed – due to the name – that it was for the fashion crowd. Turns out it’s actually for female lifestyle bloggers, as well as business owners and independent designers in women-centric industries who use new media to connect with readers and customers. If that’s not right up my alley I’m not exactly sure what is.

Long story short, I’m now on board to be a part of 2015‘s TxSC next month! This year’s conference is going back to basics and being held at Camp Texlake, a Girl Scout camp about 45 minutes outside of Austin in one of my favorite places on earth – Texas hill country. We’ll be staying in dormitories and doing awesome things like sitting around bonfires and watching midnight movies in between all of the creating, connecting, and conquering that will fill our days.

If all of this sounds like something you want to be a part of you can check out the speakers and staff, peek at the schedule, then register here! Hope to see you in Spicewood next month!

Posted In shameless plug