Featured Sponsor Post -- Nahla Giveaway

Ever since posting about my beauty routine earlier this year, I've been in the process of reevaluating the things I use on my skin each day and have felt compelled to try and replace some of my conventional mainstays with organic alternatives. This is something I've been really passionate about (more on that later), so I'm excited to have the organic beauty line Nahla as a Simple Lovely sponsor.

Founded in 2001 by Santa Cruz native, Nicole Maust, Nahla products are handmade in small batches with artisanal processes that take weeks to complete. Using the purest, organic ingredients sourced from small farms and cooperatives, Nahla products are always 100% free of parabens, phthalates, synthetics and petrochemicals.

And, they're offering up a little "pick your pair" giveaway for one of my readers... Just visit the Nahala site and leave a comment by Wednesday, October 5th at midnight CST about the two products you'd most like to try. I'll announce a winner next Thursday, October 6th.

Good luck!

{Drop me a line for more information about becoming a Simple Lovely sponsor...}

Summer Sponsors

I wanted to introduce some new Simple Lovely summer sponsors that I'm super jazzed about. Feel free to show them some love ;-)

Welcome Proud Mary Textiles, A. Cheng, PUBLIC Bikes and HABIT Bags.... So happy to have you guys on board.


{interested in becoming a Simple Lovely sponsor? Drop me a line!}

{Featured Sponsor Post -- Chakra}

I'm so excited to formally introduce Simple Lovely sponsor, CHAKRA for children...

The line was founded by two Dallas moms Bindu Kasinadhuni and Sara Hignite who set out to create high quality garments for children (including their own adorable daughters), which are not only stylish and wearable, but also responsibly manufactured, which is the best possible combination...

From their site:

"Each garment produced at CHAKRA starts in a small coastal village in the southern part of India, where artisans weave beautiful, fabrics and practice ancient techniques of Kalamkari dyeing and block printing. These fabrics are then expertly sewn by seamstresses employed through a non-profit organization that trains under-privileged Indian women in the art of sewing and needlework. In short, we established this line to send out positive energy into the world. We hope you will enjoy clothing your child - your soul - in our garments as much as we enjoy creating them."

I love their sweet boho pieces for the girlies...but I'm not above donning their clothes myself. Just saying ;-)

CHAKRA is offering my readers a 20% discount on all items through the month of November. Just use the code sl20 at checkout. You can peek at their full lookbook here + shop here.

{Interested in becoming a Simple Lovely sponsor? Contact me for more information...}

{Featured Sponsor Post -- Lesley Evers}

I love so many things about Simple Lovely sponsor, Lesley Evers...

I love that her line of über-lovely dresses, tunics and skirts is inspired by her chic and well-dressed mother... Per Lesley:

"I distinctly remember my mom wearing that dress and so many other cute cotton shifts like it. She wore those dresses all day long–to the park or school, while making meals or doing housework. Like most girls and boys, I thought my mom was beautiful no matter what she was doing."

I also love that her business is built on the strength of a team of incredible women... Again in her words:

"I couldn't do any of it without the team of women that work on it with me. Building this business is complex and thankfully I have a dream team, who one by one I recruited on the playground while our children ran around after school. Aside from normal business hours, we’ve all worked late nights, early mornings and weekends to pull it all together. I truly believe that my team is what really makes this business special."

But I really, really love that "Pauline" dress above (especially in the heather gray and camel) oh and I love that gorgeous, classic "Tess" number too. I'd wear that bad boy all. the. time. It's fantastic!

{Interested in becoming a Simple Lovely sponsor? Contact me for more information...}

{Featured Sponsor Post -- Debbie Carlos}

Even before the uttery genius Chicago-based photographer Debbie Carlos came on board as a Simple Lovely sponsor, I was a huge (huge) fan of her interesting, a little edgy, dreamy, inspired work.

Debbie's bunny poster hangs proudly in Millie's room (it's one of her favorite things...), and I've just ordered the Ranunculus poster for a spot in our living room.

In fact the hardest part about pulling together her "featured sponsor" post was deciding which images to use, as I love every. single thing. she does.

It's seriously fantastic...take a peek.

Also if you're in the Chicago area, Debbie will have her work at Renegade Craft Fair this weekend so definitely stop by!

{Interested in becoming a Simple Lovely sponsor? Contact me for more information...}

{Featured Sponsor Post -- Hijkids Sale}

One of my fantastic Simple Lovely sponsors, Hijkids, is having a big summer sale through this Saturday, August 7th... 25% off all clothing, including sale items(!)

Perfect timing if you happen to be doing a bit of back-to-school shopping…

Just use the code summer at checkout.

{Featured Sponsor Spotlight -- Project Wedding}

Just a few favorite projects/images from Simple Lovely sponsor, Project Wedding…

Clockwise from top: easy flower centerpieces, a garden inspired table, backyard bridal shower, genius s’mores kits

Be sure to check out all their stellar wedding ideas and take a peek at their fantastic “DIY Wedding” section!


{Interested in becoming a Simple Lovely sponsor? Contact me for more information...}

Some Sponsor Specials...

First up, Peek Aren't You Curious is offering an extra 25% off all of their sale items...including these genius little calypso dresses.

Next, the lovely ladies at Lesley Evers are offering Simple Lovely readers an extra 10% off all tunics (which are already 30% off, so quite a steal)

The offer runs through July 30th. Just use the code sloffer and the discount will be reflected at checkout...

Happy shopping!

{Featured Sponsor Spotlight -- f. is for frank}

I first met the (incredibly) lovely and cool ladies behind f. is for frank, Shannah Frank and Casey Melton, at The White Rock Local Market on an ridiculously sweltering day last summer. I walked into their booth and pretty much instantly fell in love.

But the love fest was about more than just their jewelry (although I do love their jewelry... love.it. case in point, that bracelet on the lower left that I wear, well, pretty much every single day.) I kinda fell in love with how funny and mellow and nice they were. They had a little space set-up near their booth where kids could play with clay. It was hot and crowded and a little nutty, but Shannah and Casey were infinitely patient and kind to all the kiddos clamoring to make their own little creations.

That pretty much sealed the deal for me...but then again nice always seals the deal, no?

So of course, I'm thrilled to have f. is for frank on board as a Simple Lovely sponsor... Be sure to take a peek at their lovely things.


{Interested in becoming a Simple Lovely sponsor? Contact me for more information...}

A Little Giveaway (+ A Sale)

One my utterly fantastic Simple Lovely sponsors, Hij Kids is offering up a sweet little giveaway to one of my U.S. readers...the above "Orla" a beautiful handmade doll by Simpli Jessi.

Just leave a comment on this post by this Sunday the 11th at midnight telling us what your favorite item at Hij Kids is or who you plan to give the doll to if you win.

I'll announce the winner on Monday!

Also the lovely Kristine of Hij Kids is offering 20% off the entire P is for Play section of her shop through Friday, June 9th...Take a peek.

{Featured Sponsor Spotlight -- Project Wedding}

Some favorite project wedding images... fall wedding + thread bridesmaid dresses

Aussie wedding + Perfect succulents

Despite the fact that I’m not actually, well…planning a wedding, I am awfully smitten with Project Wedding and their rather stellar blog, One Lovely Day.

I loved planning our wedding… So much so in fact, that I actually mourned the end of the planning once we were back from our honeymoon. (Truth be told, I probably still mourn the end of the planning…I love planning a party. Love. It.)

So 10 years later (Bryan and I celebrate our 10th anniversary this October which really blows me away quite frankly) I now find myself channeling all my wedding planning energy into the girlies' birthday parties. It’s actually a nice (read: more mellow + cheaper) replacement.

I currently have no less than five DIY ideas culled from Project Wedding for upcoming soirees…Jordan’s vellum mobiles are inspiring a rainbow/unicorn themed bash for Millie later this year, and there are entire dinner parties rolling around in my brain solely based on some lovely flower arrangement or table setting spotted on the site.

It’s good stuff friends…take a peek.

{Interested in becoming a Simple Lovely sponsor? Contact me for more information...}

{Featured Sponsor Spotlight -- Hijkids}

I am smitten with every. single thing. at Hijkids...the dresses, the tops, the skirts...the dolls and little accessories... Yep pretty much all of it.

And I am thrilled to have them as a Simple Lovely sponsor, as I've loved their stuff for a long time, and I'm awfully fond of the fantastic lady behind the shop, Kristine Vazquez. But it's even more fun to have them on board, as there's a little back story...here goes, just in case you're wondering ;-)

Once upon a time (or a little over a year ago), I took a sewing class solely based on the goal of turning out all the pretty things on offer at Hijkids... It was a lofty goal, I admit.

I swore for much of the class (much to the chagrin of my fellow classmates) and left with a bag I'd managed to cobble together and the realization that sewing is hard. For me at least, it's really hard.

After a couple more swear inducing attempts at wrestling with my sewing machine, I reasoned that maybe it would be better for me to just buy all those lovely frocks and tops and skirts at Hijkids... Or at least it would certainly help curb my potty mouth.

And seriously friends, (if I could) I would buy all of it. Kristine has fantastic taste (just check out all that goodness above), and the pieces she selects for her shop are interesting and sophisticated and different and lovely while still managing to be totally kid-appropriate, which is not always such an easy feat.

So go take a peek + as an added bonus, for one week, Kristine is offering 25% off all apparel (including sale items!) for Simple Lovely readers. The discount is only available for U.S. orders only and runs through end of day, Thursday, June 3rd. Just enter "simplelovely" at checkout to redeem. Happy shopping ;-)

{Interested in becoming a Simple Lovely sponsor? Contact me for more information...}

{Featured Sponsor Spotlight -- Souchi}

Souchi is a line of gorgeous handmade knits made in Portland, Oregon by designer Suzi Johnson…it’s also a fantastically curated store located on NW 23rd in Portland, Oregon, boasting hard-to-find lines like Christina Lehr, Jackson, Johnston and Roe, Bruce and Page Sargisson.

Oh and Souchi was also one of my very first Simple Lovely sponsors…

So I wanted to do a little something different with this post. Suzi has such a great eye and is so incredibly creative, I thought it would interesting to learn more about what inspires her -- the things that get her wheels turning when she’s designing for the Souchi line or buying for the store.

So without further ado, herewith Suzi’s inspirations. Enjoy!

eyes -- when i was 9 my little brother (he LOVES when i tell this story) and i had 'borrowed' our stepdads golf club and thought we learn to play in the front yarn or our new home. things were going well until it was my turn, and he swung the club to keep it away from me, accidentally connecting with my eye socket and nose, resulting in a torn eye socket, severed nerves in the eye and a broken nose. i was told i'd be disfigured and blind in my left eye and the right would be blind by the time i was 20. i was lucky i had a risk taker mom and a grandmother who prayed 24/7, and we went with a new surgery technique, resulting in no scar and 20/20 vision. forever, my eyes will be my greatest inspiration. it really just takes opening your eyes to the things around you. my friends tease me that i miss the elephant in the room but somehow spot the ant...

inspiring designers -- my fave go to inspirational designers: lanvin, dries van noten and ports 1961. these designers never let me down! i love the simplicity in form but the free spirit in color, proportions or accessories that makes it both interesting and timeless.

nature -- not only do i love sunset, clouds, trees, flowers, succulents, etc but the chaos, noise and power of nature. a loud angry sky, a torrential downpour to a tragedy of natural disasters. the thing with nature is it has the power to bring people together and drive them apart. an interesting trunk of a tree, to a bright beautiful flower, to people helping others in times of crisis all can make me cry and make me smile.

beatriz milhazes -- i stumbled across a book on beatriz at powels. the vibrancy of the cover stopped me in my tracks. she is now my favorite artist. her sense of shapes and color is so beautiful. her palette have inspired a few collections and certainly my eye for buying accessories. if i could have her paint every wall in my house i'd be so happy!!

doors -- i love that they have the obvious function (like clothes) but there are so many options...i am always taking pictures of doors.

patch nyc -- don and john are great friends of my. two spirits that have changed my life personally and professionally and the way i shop! less is never more with patch and that makes me so happy. there is no 'but where will i put this' or 'will it work' they simply find a place and do so in the most cohesive and incredible manner. being in their home and in their life is to walk in a dream...i love to visit and just linger over every inch of their space.

travel -- i love to be on a plane. i love to get lost and wander and stumble onto things. i like to stay places and not rush through a city. i like to go back to the same places. once in paris, i ate at the same place 3 nights in a row. it seems to make me feel like i live there. for work, the most inspirational so far has been tunisia, paris and playa del carmen.

food -- i haven't always loved food. well, not in the way that would make it an inspiration. i grew up on meat and potatoes with some pasta thrown in for 'something different'. now, i love the colors, the shapes, the different tastes, the plates and the way good, fresh food not only tastes but makes me feel. i like to use that same philosophy to my designs (color, shape and how it makes me feel.)

my dog billy brown -- my love. my baby. my monster. he inspires me every single day to take pleasure in everything new and familiar over and over again. billy lives most days as ground hog day. yet, the same things cause the same reaction and non-stop tail way. it makes me wonder if he finds something new in the same toy, plant, treat, etc or if it's as simple as it just always makes him happy.

color -- after doing this exercise, i realize my greatest inspiration is color! it evokes so many different moods, moments, memories and places...

{Interested in becoming a Simple Lovely sponsor? Contact me for more information...}

{Featured Sponsor Spotlight -- Shakshuka}

mini rodini blue paint dress...

Shakshuka is (in my humble opinion) a pretty much perfect kid's shop.

The owner, Joslyn (yes, her name is also Joslyn, exact same spelling, crazy, no?) has fantastic taste, so it's no surprise that she's created an impeccably edited space filled with lovely, interesting and cool environmentally friendly finds...)

I love everything in Shakshuka, but managed (after much consternation) to pick a few of my very favorite things to feature.


clockwise from top: butterfly dress, silver Moroccan pouf, elephant mask, peace t shirt, origami butterfly garland, aqua Kimono

Fantastic, no?

{Featured Sponsor Spotlight -- Pretty Mommy}

A few of my favorites from Pretty Mommy, clockwise from top: john robshaw pillow, alternative apparel slummy tee dress, matta swami scarf, lizzie fortunato the sun also rises necklace

Ok full disclosure. I loved Michelle of Pretty Mommy long before she became one of my Featured Sponsors.

And really it's hard not too -- she's hip, she has great taste, she's witty (+ she's married to a music writer...bonus points for that.) Every time I visit her excellent blog, I am reminded that it's altogether possible to be a chic mom...I am not destined to a life of bad haircuts and pleated jeans. No siree.



more favorites, clockwise from top: stewart + brown camellia dress, john robshaw pillow, matta samsara shawl, lizzie fortunato new dawn fades necklace

Her shop of the same name is perfectly edited and seriously tempting (as evidenced by all the lovelies above.) She carries all the very best, lovely, most interesting things from the likes of Virginia Johnson and Matta and Lina Rennell and Lizzie Fortunato... you get the idea.

And because Michelle is so cool, she's offering you guys 15% off any purchase using the code "simplelovely" at checkout.

So go take a peek!

{interested in becoming a Simple Lovely sponsor? Contact me for more information...}

{Featured Sponsor Spotlight -- Polarn O. Pyret}

I’ve long loved the sweet (and virtually indestructible) kiddo clothes that Polarn O. Pyret turns out… The girlies have a couple of their knit dresses, and they're in heavy rotation despite the fact that they aren’t festooned with red lace and sequins, which is saying something, no?

So I’m pretty psyched to have Polarn O. Pyret on board as a Simple Lovely sponsor.

And there’s a little something in it for you guys too. From today through Saturday PO.P is offering 20% off for Simple Lovely readers when you use the code LOVELYPOP…so it’s a perfect time to get one of the lovelies above…or some of their striped goodness (I have my eye on those striped bathing suits for the girlies, post-hiatus of course!)

{interested in becoming a Simple Lovely sponsor? Contact me for more information...}

{Featured Sponsor Spotlight -- Spacify}

clockwise from top: santa and cole cesta lamps, saarinen side table, offi mini drawer chair, lidia thermo jug, lina teardrop lamp, bertoia wire chair

One of the newest Simple Lovely Featured Sponsors is modern furniture company, Spacify.

"Spacify presents a variety of collections in home & office furniture, bedroom furnishings (including modern platform beds), and home décor accessories with the latest offerings in styling and functionality from the Italian and European furniture companies."


Spacify's pick: the Matrix Ebony Platform Bed

They have an especially great selection of modern kid's pieces, including loads of swoon worthy beds. The picks above are some of my favorites...How cool is that groovy, modern black thermos!?

{interested in becoming a Simple Lovely sponsor? Contact me for more information...}