I hope you have a day full of love planned for your loved ones. We enjoyed heart-shaped cinnamon rolls, hand-written love notes, and a good old gift exchange at breakfast. We even gave the dog some bacon. That’s how much love was in the air.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Darleen Meier designs simple, elegant jewelry pieces. This initial necklace is one of my favorites. So simple yet it adds the right amount of finish to any outfit. I’m loving the simple, no-fuss jewelry trend right now.

Check out Darleen’s shop and be ready for the brightest pink packaging to arrive at your door!

Shop this post:

Club Monaco dress // Madewell sandals // BaubleBar gold cuff // TopShop parka

{image pinned here, unable to locate original source}

I would like to start adding a couple of beauty posts into the mix of design & fashion posts. I’m always so curious what other people’s beauty routines are and beauty posts are usually the first ones I click through when I find a new blog. It’s like digging through their makeup bags! So please, dig through mine.

I worked for several cosmetic counters throughout college and became hooked on skincare. My mom made sure I was taking care of my skin and moisturizing from a young age (thanks Mom!) so I knew the basics. But, I didn’t realize just how important skincare was until I saw time and time again the consequences of neglecting your face. So many issues could have been avoided if these women would have been proactive. Wrinkling early, dry patches, certain types of acne, redness, dullness, and the list goes on. {Granted, sometimes you just have to work with what the Lord gave you.} One of the perks of working at the cosmetic counters was the free products and trying out the latest and greatest. I tried each and every one of them determined to find the miracle product for my skin {combination & prone to acne, especially cystic acne- yuck!}.

There were great benefits to all those products, but it wasn’t until my dermatologist suggested the Cerave skincare line that I finally feel like I’ve found my “miracle” product. {I tried Cetaphil, a similar price-point product, but it never seemed to quite work with my skin.} I’ve been using Cerave for about six months now, and {knock on wood} my skin has been the best it’s ever been. I use their cleanser, daytime moisturizer, nighttime moisturizer, and moisturizing creme {since it’s winter}. I love it and am completely converted.

My skin brightened, cleared up, and finally felt moisturized. So if you haven’t found your miracle skincare yet, do yourself a favor and buy some Cerave at your nearest drugstore. Another big perk is how inexpensive it is!

Cerave Hydrating Cleanser

Cerave AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion

Cerave PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion

Cerave Moisturizing Cream

*And in case you’re wondering, this is NOT a sponsored post, just my honest opinions I wanted to share!*

I wanted this bedroom to be light and airy, but still have some character. Our last bedroom was dark and had way too much packed in it. Space was very limited. In this room though, we have lots of natural light which has quickly become the number one item on my “must have in a house” list.

A couple usually has different tastes. Thankfully, JT and I agree most of the time and build on each other’s ideas. He wanted a very, very streamlined modern space- a low to ground bed, all white, etc. Our last bedroom had a bright coral headboard and it scared him a little too much I think. I wanted a modern look too (it just feels a lot cleaner and more freeing to me), but of course am drawn to more of a “glam” look. I just can’t completely suppress all my girly, “I wish I lived in Paris in the early 1900′s” urges. So, compromise.

There’s not a single touch of pink, but leopard velvet pillows add my necessary touch of glam. The mirror is very ornate and serves as the focal point in the room, but it is still clean and modern because of the white laquer finish. The bed is simple and I choose white floating shelves as our nightstands to seamlessly blend in. The linear wall lamps and curtains ground all the white with a good dose of black and balance out the ornateness of the mirror.

And of course, a poodle makes every room complete. Vincent approves.

I felt like I had so many directions I could have gone. I really relied on my Pinterest board to make sure I was sticking to looks I actually liked and not getting distracted!

Tip #1: Every space should have a touch of black. If you feel like your room isn’t quite there, double check to make sure it is grounded with some black accents.

Tip #2: Did you know animal print is considered a neutral in the design world?

Everywhere I turn, there it is: pink, and lots of it. It’s making me a little too ready for peonies on the table and some serious pool time. And, just enough ready for Valentine’s Day.

Wuthering Heights: Anthro penguin classic // Phone: Henri Bendel pop bluetooth // Notebook: Furbish pink lizard journal // Earrings: Kate Spade studs // Box: Furbish Iris Paper laquer box // Scarf: Jcrew wool-silk map scarf // Pillow: Furbish silk ikat pillow // Shoes: Jcrew Darby leather loafers // Je T’aime: Anthro stationery // Door: a Pinterest find by NestDecorating // Love: Furbish paperweight // Pillow: Furbish pink leopard lumbar

Hunter boots // J.Crew leggings // Madewell striped dress (sold out, but this ASOS dress is similar)  // Forever 21 leopard coat (on sale!) // J.Crew bracelet // Amazon watch // J.Crew lipstick // Essie ”canyon coral” nail polish

Sometimes rainy days and new cities just need a ridiculous coat. And red boots.

This past weekend we had an “oh no, you didn’t” and “we are no longer in Idaho” moment. We went to a creperie. They had gluten-free crepes {a first in Charlotte}, red velvet, and regular. They were absolutely delicious and all the sweet waitresses made you feel like the guest of honor {didn’t realize we were that special}. And, we didn’t even argue with the waitress when she said we had to order two each. Each dish came with macaroon, chocolate encrusted strawberry. Sooo good.

This is the apple strudel crepe, my favorite. It was tasted like it was filled with fresh, tart apple crisp and was drizzled with salted caramel.

So, next time you’re passing through Charlotte, make sure and stop at the Crispy Crepe. You’ll thank us.

I am really happy with the way our coffee table turned out. Everything is coming together! Lucite, greek key, gold accents, and lots of black and white- what more could I ask for? I’ll share more pictures of our home next week.

CB2: lucite coffee table // Target: gold sea urchin // Target: ram horns (sold out) // Nordstrom’s: horn magnifying glass // Amazon: 50 Years of Fashion Illustration // Amazon: Black and White // Target: greek key pillows // a Ross find: gold hand