I could seriously use a weekend getaway, so why not Vegas? I’m thinking of grabbing a few girls and hitting the pool by day then a show or two at night. Here’s what would be coming along with me.

Shopping guide: 1: Rebecca Minkoff tote // 2: Horizon Sleeveless dress // 3: L.A.M.B. Sandals  // 4: Victoria Beckham Sunglasses // 5: Marysia Swimsuit // 6: Sam Edelman Sandals // 7: Alexander McQueen Hat

It was a big weekend in the Samuel household. Four weeks after surgery, Rupert had his first trip out of the house. We finally got to share a meal together and in one of our favorite spots. I didn’t realize just how often we usually went out to eat until all of the sudden we couldn’t. Thank God we had some good friends that brought us meals those first few weeks.

When you go through anything that disrupts your usual schedule I think it makes you look at things a little differently. This time around it has me more thankful for things I’ve never given much thought to and has reminded me of what’s important.

It also made me realize that when I’m stressed I do very stupid things like when I stubbed my toe I thought it was a good idea to kick a chair in anger and ended up cutting my ankle as well, or like when I was leaving my house, I jumped in the car, turned it on, and slowly back into the still closed garage door. I think I have cursed more these past couple weeks then in my entire life combined. Please tell me that happens to someone else as well. I mean, not the cursing part but the absent minded happenings that come along when your head is so full you think it might pop.

Image by me via Instagram (I’m @sarahshermansamuel)

All these lemons have me wishing for a tropical holiday. If only I could grab that suit and head to… hmm Bora Bora?

1: lemon plates // 2: Topshop bathing suit // 3: Rifle print

Here is a better look at the shelving we made in the kitchen. Yay for all the extra storage space!

If you remember from the before photos originally the kitchen only had open shelving as the above counter storage. We knew we wanted to bring some of that back into the kitchen so here is how we did it.

Basically, we just picked up some poplar boards from Menards, cut them down to size with an angle at both ends as to not interfere with the window and the cupboards on either side, painted all the pieces, put up the brackets (made sure to find the studs), and then secured the boards to the brackets. It was one of our easier projects and I’m not sure why I waited so long to get it done.

It makes a big difference in the kitchen, especially since I was getting quite used to the blank space that was there for a while. Of course the best part of having the open shelving is that what goes up there is always changing, giving the room a space for a revolving display and making the stylist in me a little giddy. Right now, aside for the enamel dishes that we picked up at a vintage shop, everything up there is fairly new and I look forward to adding in some things with age and seeing how the collection evolves over time.

To see the kitchen before photos check here.
To see all the cabin progress thus far check here.

Images by Sarah Sherman Samuel

This weekend one of my nearest and dearest got married. It’s the best thing being able to contribute to a friends wedding day… it just seems all the more special when you are designing for someone you love. You know how they say food tastes better when it is made with love? Well, in the same vein, I think my table runners, paper goods, and even the smilebooth props looked extra good that night. :). Congrats to Bea & John.

Images by me via Instagram (I’m @sarahshermansamuel)

Shoes by Zara // Dress by bcbg

I’m going to let you guys in on a little secret, I never do find the time to match my socks let alone my bra to my undies, I have only had about 10 manicures in my entire life, and while I am at it I might as well confess that if it wasn’t for my husband my house would probably be a mess a lot of the time. But who’s perfect anyway right?

With all that said, I am happy to create my little dream worlds/mood boards on Pinterest and again, I have found beautiful style similarities in what I have been pinning lately. If I was to have matching underthings those would definitely be it, if I was to have a perfectly styled kitchen I sure wouldn’t mind it looking exactly like that, and if I was to have Sarah’s manicure… well finally today I am on top of that (Rupert’s mom came into town last night so I am off his nurse duty for a few days and am getting treated to mani/pedi number 11 for my first afternoon off. woo hoo!)

I do have to say, the bag above and the title “troublemaker” have my name written all over it.

Pinned images: Bralet set // Sarah’s manicure // “troublemaker” // bcbg bag // Heidi Lunsgaard Kitchen

Original sources: Bralet set // Sarah’s manicure // “troublemaker” by Lila Symons // bcbg bag // Heidi Lunsgaard Kitchen

You can me here on pinterest for more virtual pseudo perfectness ;) (I’m @sarahshermansamuel or @ssspins)

I’ve been on the hunt for a good statement necklace for quite a while now… you know the kind you can wear with a plain t-shirt and it instantly makes you feel put together? Well, I may have let out a little shriek when I received this one in the mail from 31 Bits… mission complete. It dresses up my distressed denim and brings color and a little more pattern (always a good thing ;)) to my white on white top & jacket.

If you haven’t heard about the great things 31 Bits is doing to support and empower women in Uganda head over to their site and read their mission.

Shop the look: Necklace by 31 Bits // Jeans by Adriano Goldschmied // Shoes by Sam Edelman // Lace top by Madewell // Jacket by Zara // Double bar ring from Forever 21 // Stacking rings from L.Frank Jewelry // Bag from Asos (old) find similar here

Images by Mike Carriero

We headed back down to orange county on Friday for Rupe’s first post-op check up since being released from the hospital and was happy to hear the doctor say everything is looking great and healing right on track. I was however a little less happy when we misplaced the car in the parking garage. oops! With Rupe getting along a little better everyday things are slowly starting to get back to normal and I was also excited to be able to get some work done, planning an upcoming shoot with Urbanic.

I just finished reading “An Object of Beauty“, which not only happens to have a gorgeous cover, but is filled with 20 something color reproductions of varied artworks that are woven into and definitely enhance the story. It took me right back to my art history classes in college… just much more entertaining and relevant. The book written by Steve Martin, follows the climbing career of an ambitious young woman (who seems to be missing a moral compass) in the New York City art world. It’s an interesting read for art lovers, New York lovers, and Steve Martin lovers. Bonus if you’re all three like me! Have any of you read it? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

… and how about this artful room, a match made in heaven I’d say.

Read: An Object of Beauty by Steve Martin // Room: Showroom of The Apartment