Concrete Floors at Home

I know it sounds odd at first, but I'm totally smitten by concrete floors. About a year ago (one of those many times when Dan and I talked about what we want in our future home) we got on the topic of flooring. I adore the look of hardwood floors. Seriously they are hands down fabulous, and I'd take that over carpet ANY DAY! Now the only problem is that we have quite an active, and hobby-filled, lifestyle and we worry that hardwood wouldn't work for us and all our gear. We also want some big puppies (and by puppies I mean BEASTS) and think they would scratch it to pieces! We would also want consistent flooring throughout our kitchen and adjoining rooms and think hardwood in our kitchen would be a very bad idea (we cook A LOT and host A LOT and inevitably we would drop some heavy something-or-other and bang them up to shreds). So I was at a loss for what kind of flooring we could have with all this in mind. And Dan said: "it's simple. concrete" At first I thought he was crazy (I don't want my house to look like Costco!), but I did some googling, and I've been smitten ever since.

The polished concrete is perfectly modern (especially when the concrete has a lot of natural cracks or speckling) and I would warm them up with big shaggy rugs (think sheepskin throws). It's kind of perfect for us, because I think we are a little bit modern/industrial meets traditional/cozy.

So I know that was a long-winded story, but I thought I'd share some beautiful inspiration pictures I have been saving. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do. Cheers to finding the perfect solution (even though a home purchase is far off into the future)! Any obsessions for you current or future home?

xox,

Bre

p.s. all images courtesy of House Beautiful. These are pictures of Amy Neunsinger's home featured in that magazine. If you want to see more of Neunsinger's photography click through to HERE.

Dear Side Bang,

(image via glammed blog)

Oh how I've missed you. I don't know why I ever decided to grow you out and abandon you. I think we had just been together for 4 years and I just wanted to try something new...but now I've been suffering from the blah's for quite some time and I know we were meant to be. Please forgive me.

This Friday when I get off the plane, I'll be running (not walking) to my cute little hair lady to bring you back! I can't wait! Until then, forgive this hot mess I've been calling my hair. ;)

xox,

Bre

p.s. Hi readers! I'll be in Chicago all week, and while it is a "work trip", I would still like to try and get out into the city a couple nights while I'm there. Anyone have any must-do's or great local spots? Last time I went we ended up at a place that sold $8 pitchers of Captain and Diet! $8!!! That is UNHEARD of where I'm from. So if you're a local and have some great advice, please feel free to fill me in.

Take care and Happy Monday!

*out sick*

I thought I was mostly better this weekend, but the ear aches started back up late Sunday night and I've been a dizzy mess today (my sinuses are throwing me out of equilibrium big time). Heading to the doc this afternoon, and hopefully will be back to blogland soon. For now, I'm too nauseous to stare at the computer screen.

Hope you all had a wonderful long weekend. Talk to you soon!

xox,

Bre

image via weheartit

The Bootie That (Almost) Got Away

(via Zappos.com) Steven Brinda, by Steve Madden $179

I Know it's Summer, but a few weeks ago I dreamt up a PERFECT bootie and I've been on the hunt for it ever since. My criteria for the Perfect Bootie you might ask? Taupe/Tan-ish in color, Suede, no laces, rounded toe, I kind of like the idea of a platform but nothing over the top, HIGH HIGH HEEL or maybe even a wedge (or a pair of both, it is a dream after all).

I think this color is beautiful and would go with so many things, and I could see myself wearing it with shorter dresses in late Summer and early Fall (it's still pretty warm here in So Cal in September). Maybe odd criteria, but I've had this vision in my head and off to searching I went. I finally found said perfect Bootie (well, this one doesn't have a platform, but I wasn't expecting to meet ALL my criteria): Brinda by Steven Steve Madden! Yes, it's (almost) everything I was looking for! Sadly, it is only left in size 6 & 9.5. I can't seem to find a 7 in this color to save my life. So there it is folks, the beautiful bootie that got away.

HOWEVER, while I was searching for this picture for this post I found what might be an even MORE perfect bootie! The color is a little off from what I wanted (but this actually matches my skin coloring better anyway), this has a higher heel and a platform too and I actually think I love the shape of this one even more (it's more what I had envisioned in my head).

Chelsey Blush Suede Bootie, by Steven Steve Madden $129.95

So what do you think? I'm over-joyed at the thought of these babies on my tootsies. I will most certainly be trying this on within the next couple of weeks and will be anxious to add this to my little shoe collection (and maybe even the grey version too, it's gorgeous as well). It just goes to show that persistence pays off!

Have any shoe dreams lately?

xox,

Bre

Casual Friday

Last Friday a miracle happened, for the first time in a LONG time I had a Friday where I didn't have to go see clients, which meant (WAIT FOR IT)...I could hide out at my desk and wear jeans. :) Simply Lovely. I was elated to show up in my comfy jeans (well, denim leggings) and the minute I showed up one of my cube-farm buddies really loved my outfit and told me I should put it on my blog. Well...OK. So here it is (sorry not the best photos after a long day of work and happy hour). And today is kind of the perfect day for a red, white, & blue post with Independence Day right around the corner.

This vintage clutch is my daily reminder of my momma. I can so remember you momma as a fashionable working woman sporting this clutch when I was a little girl. I found a receipt inside from 1993, which means you probably didn't use it much after that, and this clutch is SOOOO early 90's. It puts visions of super tight body con dresses in my head, which makes me adore this even more.

outfit credit:

Blouse - I don't know who made my blouse. I bought it a few years back at Nordstrom and took the tag off because it was too itchy. Sorry.

Denim Leggings - BDG (I'm really loving these bad boys)

Shoes - Christian Lacroix (so delicate and fun!)

vintage clutch - inherited from momma

Ring - vintage find. I wish I had taken a better close up of this one, will have to use it in another post. I've been wearing it A LOT lately so I don't think that will be a problem :)

Have a wonderful weekend! And if you're here in the States, then Happy 4th of July to you too! Have any great plans?

xox,

Bre