In The Houzz: Babyccino & Co.

This month,

I hit the jackpot

when getting to do 

a Houzz hometour 

of the Adamo Family.

If you aren't family with the Babyccino Kids site,

well, you should be.

Even if you don't have kids,

Courtney's instagram will win you over.

Her life/family/style is just...  gorgeous.

So it was no surprise to find 

that her home in North London

near Hampstead Heath

was anything other than charming.

I got to go with my friend, Noah,

for the home shoot

and we had such a nice morning

working around the house

while the Adamos ate breakfast

and got ready for a weekend in the country.

Go on and check out the home tour...

and, in the meantime,

 enjoy a few outtakes 

from our fun morning 

with the Adamo family.

Check out my other home tours 

as Houzz' London contributor here.

*photography by Noah Darnell for Houzz

In The Houzz (Sabrina + Sasha)

Since I have been so bored lately

and wihout much to do

(read: complete sarcasm),

I decided to take on a new role

as the London contributor for Houzz.

(I'll sleep when I'm dead.)

As the contributor,

I get to take a peek in people's houses 

and see what their lives are like...

and then I shoot them

-the houses, not the people-

and write about them for all the world to see

on Houzz's lovely site.

The first home that I had the privilege to feature

was the new digs of a sweet couple that I met

at the "7th of July" block party this summer.

The couple lives next to my friend, Lolly...

and I walked away from meeting them

and seeing their new home with stars in my eyes.

Sasha (Russian) + Sabrina (Canadian-American)

are two attorneys who are starting their lives together

in a really cute mews flat in South Kensington.

Not only are they attractive smarties (both are attorneys)

and their home ridiculously well curated,

but they are genuinely nice people, too.

Check out more snaps from their home tour here.

(And, okay, fine... if you wanted to leave a nice comment encouraging them

it probably wouldn't be a bad thing.)

*photography by Lauren Bryan Knight for Houzz

In Your Dreams, Baby Mama.

My good friend Beth Dotolo

is kind of famous.

At least,

you won't be able 

to convince me otherwise.

You've probably heard of her 

super cool totally unique design company,

PULP Design Studios.

{If not, now you have!}

She designed our little nursery

which you may have seen

on the Apartment Therapy tour

of our tiny flat from earlier this year.

{If not, now you have!}

You've probably already seen

that they are currently doing a giveaway

for a gorgeous nursery

worth $6000

together with Tottini.

{If not, now you have!}

The giveaway is open to US residents

and you can sign up

for your chance to win!

So what do you think?

Have you put your name in the hat to win?

{If not, now you should!!}

*    *   *

*photography by Kevin Dotolo

Peacock Alley: Lights, Camera... Hide.

Does anyone actually like to be filmed?

I think movie stars should be paid high salaries

because to be able to act normal while being taped

is one of the most impossible tasks I've ever encountered.

Skinny dipping?

Truth or dare?

The cinnamon challenge?

I'll step up to almost anything...

but ask me to stare in a camera and talk to myself?

Errr.... you might as well ask me to do it in Mandarin

while I'm at it.

* * *

Luckily, my day filming a little video

at Peacock Alley was a lot of fun.

The type of day that is right up my alley.

{Some pun with Peacock Alley should be made, but I can't think of it. Help?}

I got to play around the pretty linens,

catch up with my old friend, Laura,

and dream about what my house would have looked like

had I married an actual Kennedy

instead of that hot guy from my Business Law class.

{Since, obviously, so many of the actual Kennedy's were pursuing me.}

The only drawback was that I couldn't actually roll around in the beds

and take ridiculous pictures for your enjoyment/horror

since, apparently, showroom beds aren't exactly sturdy.

I know, I know...

I was just as disappointed as you are.

* * *

The video we shot is being edited by some cool people

and I'll share it with you when it's finished...

Unless my suspicions aren't confirmed

and I am indeed the world's biggest tool

with the most terrible voice in the world.

If that's the case,

just forget I ever mentioned it.

But don't forget how awesome Peacock Alley's line is.

Seriously, I wasn't the only one drooling on the stuff....

But the BEST part of the day?

Viola got a new line of bedding named after her.

That's right...
their new, gorgeous collection is called 
"Viola."

I mean I'm swelling with motherly pride.

I'm not sure she could win an Olympic gold medal
and I be any prouder.

She felt pretty awesome about it, too. 

It's coming soon... and you better believe

that it isn't going to be hidden on here. :)

*images original to Aspiring Kennedy

Pillow Giveaway? Happy Monday.

Unless you are in one of the royal residences,

living in London

forces you to become

selective on what items

enter your home.

I'd like to attribute my selective purchasing skills

to a cool, minimalist mentality...

but the truth is,

we just don't have the space!

With the absence of garages, attics, spare bedrooms, & closets,

comes the necessity to keep your life simplified.

Buying in bulk

is a concept I used to relish...

but now, we stock things 

in small quantities 

and on a need-to-have basis.

Otherwise, our tiny cabinets would pop open

and we would be swimming in random objects.

I've become relatively good at this.

except for one area:

pillows.

I love pillows,

I can't stop adding them to our home,

& I can't throw any old ones away.

It's getting slightly awkward.

So luckily,

when a blog reader, Brittany,

showed me her new pillow line, BELQUIST,

my heart fluttered a bit.

With names like "Cyprus, "Lucerne," & "Bombay,"

it's clear to see how Brittany's travels have influenced 

her work designing the pillows.

She has done a fantastic job of creating 

a well-edited collection that goes well together...

and, in my opinion,

 would look great in most any room of my house.

Which is good

as I have two Belquist pillows 

that now need to find a space there.

And now one of you can share in my dilemma, too.

Enter below for your chance to score one.

As its open to US readers only,

I have no doubt the winner 

will have plenty of square footage

to give this prize ample room.

{Lucky you.}

{Editor's Note: I love when readers get to win prizes on here. Makes me happy.}

*I was given pillows as a product review for this giveaway. 

Just so you know. I really do like them, too!

Pulp Home Pillows are Pretty (&) Cheap.

I'm cheap.

I can't help it.

I love pretty things,

but I just can't justify shelling out top dollar for them.

I mean,

I think Gap at full price is kind of expensive.

And isn't Gap supposed to be, like, an affordable, low-end store?

If I'm going to pay $80 for something,

it won't be on the regular racks of a chain store at the mall.

It will be a hidden gem crammed in a back corner

of a designer sample sale

or outlet store,

thank you very much.

Or I'll shop on designer sale sites 

like Gilt Groupe 

or One Kings Lane.

So combine discount shopping

with one of my favorite companies, Peacock Alley

and a pillow line offering you two color different looks

that was designed by one of my best friends, Beth Dotolo,

and her partner in crime, Carolina Gentry-
the two brains behind Pulp Design Studios.

Whaddaya get?

Well, I get excited.

I bet you will, too.

These pillows have a reversible band

that gives you two options...

which, in my mind, says =

two pillows for the price of one at half off.

That's some solid math, people.

Go on, check out the sale, & snag one for your home

and support a fellow blogger!

{Do you read Beth's lifestyle blog Hello, Splendor? It's good stuff.}

Happy Weekend!!

Patch Hits the Target

A few months ago, 

I was really excited to see

that my once-friend/colleague, Don Carney

was doing a collaboration for Target

from his studio, Patch.

I was lucky enough to get to know Don 

while working my old job in the States

and I have to say,

he is a sweet, old soul.

And he always smelled... so yummy. 

I was eager to see his collection debut

(especially after the amazing work he did with West Elm)

but to be honest...

life distracted me

and I forgot about it

until browsing the clearance section

on Target's home tab today.

First of all, the collection is REALLY cute.

I love how the collection blends dark, moodiness

with bright gem colors.

Perfection, I tell you.

Second of all, now that it has been out for a few months

you can get about half of it on clearance.

So, obviously, I did just that.

gold candlestick holder $15 | rug, $12.50 | glass tumblers $6.99 | teal & black pillow $8.74 | geometric triangle pillow $8.74

See what I mean?

Prices are so good on these awesome pieces...

and, in my opinion, the perfect way to spend that

little bit of remaining Christmas cash 

that Santa left for you in your stocking.

Happy Shopping!

Juicy News from PULP.

Our flat is really cute

...if I may say so myself.

With it's big bright windows,

white walls & hardwood floors...

it just feel exactly like

a flat in Notting Hill should.

While it may have a winning bone structure,

it has a long way to go in the finish out.

{Editor's Note: Yes, that would be my fault entirely.}

When you live in a rented space,

it's always tough to balance what you want to do

and what you are allowed to do in someone else's space.

After hours of clicking through Pinterest,

wasting nearly an entire tree from sketching out ideas on printing paper,

and wandering aimlessly around IKEA,

I gave up and

decided it was time to call in the experts.

I emailed Pulp Design Studios

 and begged principal designer, Beth Dotolo, 

to take on our tiny nursery

and our even-smaller budget for the room.

I was just hoping that our space could have a PULP look-

one that would be both clean & luxe all at the same time.

Guess what?

Not only is Beth helping us,

but she's done an awesome job

of staying in our budget

and creating a look that, I think,

is out of this world.

It's perfect for our style,

for our rental constraints,

and... well, we can totally afford it

which makes me happy.

{Editor's Note: It's all still in the works- but once it's finished, I'll share it with you!}

So what does all of this baby room nonsense have to do with you?

Well, this morning

PULP Design Studios

has had a little baby of their own...

PULP HOME.

Yes, a store that sells luxe+modern merchandise 

that they have designed and produced.

The shop is stocked full of amazing pieces 

-both large & small-

that you've seen dotted around their spaces

in press mentions or on your home board on Pinterest.

The best part is-

Beth is a fellow blogger (Hello, Splendor)

and there is very little that makes me happier

than to see a fellow blogger grow their dreams.

I love when people in our community succeed

and their businesses thrive...

kinda leaves me with a lump in my throat.

.

Congratulations, Pulp Home!

{Remember us little guys when you're famous. }

*photography by Kevin Dotolo

Flat Land

You might have seen from my instagrams 

that we moved into a new hood.

We are now living in Notting Hill...

but not only that,

we are living in, pretty much, the cutest place ever.

We have stumbled upon our own 900 square feet of heaven.

It's just what you'd expect a London flat to look like.

It's filled with light from big windows,

has pretty tan hardwoods,

little sprinklings of character like built-in bookshelves,

and the best part is:

it has a second bedroom.

Everything just feels so cozy, which I love.

In fact, as a kid

I used to try and convince my parents

that they should sell our house

and move all six of us into an apartment.

The idea of us all being smashed in there together

seemed really appealing...

plus, I was pretty sure that all apartments would give me

walking distance to 7-11 for unlimited after-school Slurpees.

I'm finally getting to live out those dreams...

except I have Ottolenghi at the end of our block

that I can walk to for snacks.

We feel so fortunate 

to have this little chunk of space

as our new permanent home.

{Especially after living out of suitcases & temporary housing for a year!}

I'll have some "real" pictures to show you of our house once it feels finished,

but until that time

here are some Pinterest finds that are keeping me moving...

apparently in the direction of crowded bookshelves & pops of yellow

and away from any chance of being called a minimalist.

Sue me.

What feels like home to you?

PS. I get internet installed Monday, 

so that means: I can get back to blogging like a real person!

*instagram name: aspiringkennedy
*images via

Why I Love: Fashion For Home

While I often find myself in a hotel room

& sleeping cuddled up to my purse

on an overnight train...

I actually do have a sense of home.

In fact, I've always felt that it's because 

of this solid sense of having a place to belong

that I feel to free to roam this pretty planet.

I know that, regardless of what may happen, 

I always have a good home base that I can return to.

{Editor's Note: I know you aren't supposed to end sentences with "to,"

but I can't reword it in a way that doesn't sound stupid. Please forgive me.}

With Pinterest bubbling over with dreamy interiors

and designers (like my friend like Beth) whizzing up gorgeous pads for clients,

it's hard not to set your standards high

on what your own home should look like.

The only problem is: 

my bank account never matches these aspirations.

That's why I really dig Fashion for Home.

This site has really great pieces

that can transition into modern or transitional spaces,

has super functional pieces for urban living,

and is, drumroll..... affordable!

Yay!

The mid-century inspired range is really cool...

and so many of the couches & chairs extend into beds!

How cool is that?

Beyond the furniture,

they also feature some really cool furnishings & accents.

{Honestly, I want that fire fixture... I'm thinking tableside s'mores.}

So there it is: Fashion for Home...

have you ever heard of this line before

or is it as sweet sounding to your ears as it was to mine?

*This post was sponsored by Fashion for Home. However, I only partner with companies I actually like & want to recommend... so go on, give it a try. I honestly think you'll like them!

It's fun having cool friends...

... because when you have cool friends, 

you get to do cool things with them

instead of sitting around your flat

clicking through Suri's Burn Book, 

eating yoghurt that is past it's expiration

while waiting for your pants to finish drying on the radiator.

I mean not like I do that or anything.... 

at least, not every day.

A good example of this

was when I got to help Helena style her flat

for a shoot for The Everygirl.

And when I say "style," 

you realize that actually, basically, means:

eat almond croissants, chat up the photographer 

& root through Helena's make up & jewelry while she tried on clothes.

Yeah, it was super fun.

photos by lbk

Sarah Hogan, the photographer, was amazing.

Not only are her pictures fantastic, 

but she is way fun to work with...

like, I want to go buy a huge house,

spend tons to decorate it

get in disastrous debt...

just to give me another excuse to spend the day 

hanging out with her.

I stole a few shots from the piece to show off her skills...

photos by Sarah Hogan

So, go on.

Click through to see the entire shoot

and fall more in love with Helena 

for being the incredible mix of exotically fabulous

(Greek girl- raised in Spain- who went to French school & works in London?)

and completely down-to-earth

You'll love seeing how NORMAL her house is.

It makes me happy to see her pretty life showcased this way.

I, in the meantime, will be sitting here...

drinking a tepid cup of chamomile tea & moving files to my external hard-drive.

Seriously. 

Annnnnnd that is why I'm thankful to have friends that are actually not losers.

Decorate This Space!

As you may have noticed,

I'm not exactly an interiors blogger.

I mean, I blog from inside everyday....

but other than that,

I leave the design work to the professionals.

Why would I try to compete with all the amazing decor blogs out there

when I could blog about completely random things?

Today though,

I get to design my dream space.

I'm not going to call it a mood board,

or an inspiration board,

or anything other than

"How I would decorate my house... if money wasn't an option."

{Sidenote: I really wish it wasn't sometimes.}

Thank you Jillian,

the sweet lady behind Cornflake Dreams

 for inviting me to participate in your fun blog crawl,
and thanks to Kristin of Ten Scenic Drive 
for passing on the blog crawl this way.

pendant light | don carney original art | penguin books 

grey velvet sofa | jonathan adler capri pillow 

kartell gold bourgie lamp | missoni rug

Well... how did I do?

Would you come over for tea?

Pop on to Styles 'n Cream tomorrow

when Rali continues our

 Decorate This Space blog crawl!