What to Wear for Winter Adventures

Fashion

Call me crazy, but winter is my favorite fashion season of the year. Winter fashion let’s you play with thick textured layers, dusty colors and luscious fabrics. And I’ve never met a sweater or coat I didn’t love. Case in point: the latest installment of my post-baby personal style.

While it may look like I took a jaunt across the pond to Wales – that was the inspiration for my styling choices with this look – don’t be fooled!

This beautifully rustic location is a park a mere five minutes from our loft! A hike up a grassy hill delivers some of the best views in all of San Francisco. My Hunter Boots from Zappos look right at home don’t they? There’s nothing better than a wardrobe staple that’s as functional as it is beautifully designed. The heritage of Hunter Boots feels timeless. The modern updates like the leather strap detailing makes Hunters as relevant today as they were when founded over 150 years ago.

It’s been fun to get out of my leggings and back to exploring my own closet in the last couple months. Now that I’ve taken little mini adventures around San Francisco, I may venture even further. All the more reason to come up with another good outfit, right?

If you need to catch up, check out my latest personal style posts HERE! And follow Apartment 34 on Snapchat (apartment34) to get some behind the scenes peeks into my closet and day to day styling choices. I’m thinking a morning outfit update would be fun, don’t you??

original photography for apartment 34 by suzanna scott

This post is in partnership with Zappos and Hunter Boots. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own. Thanks for supporting partnerships that we’re excited about and that have kept Apartment 34’s doors open.

One Room Challenge: The Reveal!

Decor

If you visited this post two years ago, you would have seen that I made the naive decision to participate in the six week One Room Challenge – on a historic house I was gut renovating. Relying on contractors, hardwood floor installs and major electrical to be completed in a six week window was a wee bit over my head at the time. It only took seven more months to actually finish our renovations. Lesson learned. But, I did finally manage to finish our media room and wanted to make sure you saw the completed space. Scroll for the final look!

Well, it’s here. The sixth week in the One Room Challenge – alla reveal day! So I’ve got some good news and bad news. The good news is that our media room design is complete! The bad news is that it’s only done in my head. Apparently, the old adage in major home renovation is quite true: things will take twice as long { and always cost twice as much!} as you anticipate. Since we bought this 145 year old house nearly a year and half ago and started construction back in February(!), I thought there might be a chance for our renovation would be complete in time for the end of our challenge. Alas, we still have quite a long way to go.

But I would never leave you high and dry! I can see the final media room in my mind’s eye, so I thought I’d do my best to show you everything I’m seeing. Remember when we were trying to pick a paint color? The crowd favorite in this post was actually Benjamin Moore’s Almost Black.

Well, we were able to get our future media room painted. Here’s how things were looking in 2015.

Can you tell which color we selected?? We ended up going with the Benjamin Moore Gravel Gray in flat. It’s a bit hard to tell in a photo, but it turned out to be a richly hued gray – it has a navy undertone that I absolutely love. It’s dramatic but it doesn’t feel ominous.

Here’s how the room ultimately turned out!

SHOP THE LOOK: cactus / pendant light / brass table lamps / black throw / sectional / coffee table / marble & wood bookend / pillow 1, pillow 2 / brass & marble cocktail table / wood tray

If you’ve been following along with my inspiration posts, then you’ve seen how I wanted to create a space that’s comfortable – perfect for movie nights – but also an elevated and a touch dramatic. I think this final design and product selection is going to help me do just that.

The space is a little tight, the room is only about 10 feet across, so the Room & Board sectional is the perfect solution. I’m not typically a fan of the chaise style, but with limited space it’s the perfect way to create a cozy place to snuggle up. The round brass coffee table is practically perfect in every way.

Of course the media storage is a big sticking point with the hubby, but we both agreed that the Blu Dot Console is modern and chic, but understated. I’m trying to keep the attention away from the ginormous TV as much as possible {wish me luck!}.

With little room for side tables or other lighting, I hung a classic George Nelson Cigar Pendant in the far corner of the room. It’ll give the space a nice golden glow. It’s all about ambient light people. A few choice pillows and a luxe throw are really all we’re going to need to make the space feel homey. The gorgeous Arhaus Rug will pull all the blues and grays together beautifully.

You can catch up on the entire six week One Room Challenge HERE.

And of course you have to check out everyone else’s big reveals! This is the ultimate in interior inspiration. I feel lucky to have been involved in such a great group.

Tasty Tuesday: {A Cozy Roasted Veggie Risotto}

Recipes

Our resident food contributor Zoe is here again to share a mind-blowingly beautiful cauliflower risotto. It’s doused in creamy Kerrygold butter and cheese and topped with roasted sage and hazelnuts. We’re running to the store to make this recipe immediately!!

The crisp air of autumn takes a while to arrive in San Francisco and I found myself daydreaming of falling leaves and the smell of veggies roasting in the oven. I particularly love them with olive oil, burnt sage and roasted nuts. Luckily, I took a trip to Seattle where the colors around the city pointed to the transition from summer to winter with perfection and I have been cooking cozy dishes everyday since then!

This creamy roasted cauliflower risotto with sage and hazelnuts is my favorite! I made it twice in the last few days and served it for a casual dinner party with my closest friends last weekend. It’s a cold-weather winner. Now that fall storms have arrived in San Francisco I think I just might have to whip it up yet again!

Roasted Cauliflower, Sage and Hazelnut Risotto with Kerrygold Cheese

Ingredients (serves 4 larges portions or 6 small)

1 cauliflower head, trimmed and chopped
4 Tbsp olive oil
Salt & Pepper
¼ cup chopped hazelnuts
1 bunch sage, leaves picked
1.5 litres hot vegetable broth
60g Kerrygold Pure Irish butter
1 small red onion, finely chopped
1 ½ cup aborio rice
1 cup grated Skellig Kerrygold sweet cheddar

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 425°F. Place the cauliflower, oil, salt and pepper on a baking sheet and toss to coat. Roast for 15 minutes, add the hazelnuts and half the sage and roast for a further 10 minutes or until golden.
2. Place the stock in a saucepan over medium heat and bring to a simmer. Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until translucent, about 5min.
3. Chop the remaining sage and add to the pan with the rice. Gradually add the broth, 1 cup at a time, stirring continuously for 20 to 25 minutes or until the stock is absorbed and rice is al dente.
4. Stir through cheddar, cauliflower mixture, salt and pepper and serve.

This dish has us daydreaming not only of falling leaves and roasted veggies like Zoe, but also of our trip to Ireland with Kerrygold earlier this year! The cheese in the risotto, the idea of a heart-warming, home-cooked meal brings us right back to those Irish farms where we shared some of the most delicious dishes with friends. You can check out more details of our trip to the Irish countryside here.

original food styling + recipe for apartment 34 by zoe armbruster

If A Furniture Collection Were A Sexy Supermodel…

Decor

Anna Karlin’s latest collection would be it! Sleek, smooth and seductive, we’re not embarrassed to admit that these light fixtures, chairs and fine objects get us all hot and bothered. Each piece, handcrafted in Anna’s New York studio, recently made its debut at ICFF and is absolutely stunning. We have a crush on furniture like we’ve never crushed before. Hello, gorgeous.

Good, right?? Suspended in the air, we’re so obsessed with how those daring, asymmetrical brass light fixtures balance a touch of delicacy and boldness. The stools, inspired by chess pieces, are pure genius. We’ll take one in every dreamy stain. And the curvaceous glass vases make the perfect barely there statement. If we were forced to pick, that first shaded arm wall light fixture is our probably the favorite. Which is yours?

Did you spy any other exciting designs coming out of ICFF this year?
images c/o Anna Karlin

Share Your Flare this Weekend

Fashion

I’ve often been accused of being overly sentimental. I can have a hard time throwing things out. I kept a shoe box of notes passed in freshman algebra, books that I haven’t read in years but love, and clothes. My tendency to hold onto things has caused overstuffed drawers and overflowing closets. I’ve tried to get on the purge bandwagon – capsule wardrobes being the rage at the moment – but with fashion’s pendulum swing, I know it’s only a matter of time before styles from the past come back around.

Case in point, flared denim. I rocked this look hard circa… 2000 I’d say. Then the jeans had an had overly dramatic bell bottom – and a lot of sparkly butt pocket detailing. I was in college. It kinda worked. Ok, ok, probably not my best choice. But low and behold, after a decade of nothing but skinnies (with the occasional boyfriend jean) here comes flared denim again and I’m loving the modern update.

I snagged a new pair of Hudson Jeans from Zappos recently. I know a lot of people hesitate to buy jeans online but I haven’t been in a single store since Carter was born! Plus who ever has fun trying on jeans in a dressing room?? With free shipping and free returns (for a year – holla) you can order and try on to your heart’s content. It’s like Christmas everyday.

But back to these flares. I gotta say I’m into the look. Dark classic denim, understated detail, high waist and a bit of stretch – perfect for the upcoming holiday season. {As is my attempt at a fashion face in the pic below. Did I pull it off??}

If I was going to caution you about anything when it comes to this look, it helps to be taller than about 5’6″ or 5’7.” It can be hard to get the taper right if you’re petite. But if you can find the right fit, you’ll suddenly look six feet tall!

You know the adage. What once was old will become new again. As I round the corner heading further from 30 and closer to 40 this weekend – yes, I just typed four zero. gulp. – it feels a little odd to think about styles I wore in junior high being back in vogue (choker necklaces anyone?!). Thankfully, I think this flare look will stick around for quite some time. There will be no need to purge at the end of the season.

And that gives me ammunition when the husband asks why I need that walk-in closet in our new house.

what i’m wearing: hudson jeans | jcrew blazer | madewell scarf | celine bag | emerson fry pumps | sunnies | tw steel watch {similar}

original photography for apartment 34 by emily scott

This post is in partnership with Zappos and Hudson Jeans. Thoughts and opinions are 100% my own. Thanks for supporting collaborations we’re excited about and that have kept Apartment 34’s doors open.

One Room Challenge Week 5: {Finishing Touches}

Decor

So we’re getting down to the wire. We’ve gone through five weeks of the One Room Challenge. The big decisions – paint color, lighting, selection of core furniture pieces – have been made. The piéce de résistance is just around the corner, but the it’s the final details that really bring the puzzle together. Adding personal mementos mixed with an eye-catching accessory or two are the icing on your design cake.

As the baby stuff continue to pile up around the loft, I’m looking to keep accessories in the new house to an absolute minimum. I only want to see things that make me smile every time I look at them. I feel like your stuff recedes into the background when it’s too crowded. Guys don’t like a lot of crap laying around anyway right!? A choice throw, a striking vase & air plant {cuz they’re really hard to kill!} and perhaps a high-style speaker could be all the media room needs to feel complete.

Get Your Shop On:

1. > Wood Candlestick
2. > Striped Throw
3. > Rebecca Atwood Pillow
4. > D.S. & Durga Candle
5. > Air Plant Art Print
6. > Sauda Basket
7. > White Vase
8. > Wireless Sound System

Now the count down is really on! Be sure to check out everyone’s final sneak peeks by clicking the links below!!

image 1 via Stadshem // 2 April & May // 3 via Broste Copenhagen

Hello, November {Mood}

Decor

It’s official. We’ve turned the corner into the heart of fall. Can you feel it? The light is changing – blue, cold-weather-tinged hues are coming in strong – the air is turning crisp and the leaves have proceeded to show off their autumnal spirit. All of these November changes have us in the mood to hunker down, sip on tea, sneak some extra seconds in bed under worn-in linen covers and cozy up our style with layers of texture and our favorite color of the month – silver!

We’re loving all of these greige tones with a monochromatic pop of silver. It feels cooly fresh and modern {who’s ready to shy away from gold or brass this season?} and a perfect inspirational palette to take us deeper into the holiday months. We’re going to savor its calming and cozy effect as we prepare for the craze ahead!

images left to right: 1, 4 + 6 via Linkdeco // 2 via Canelle et Vanille // 3 via Collage Vintage // 5 via Tracie Cheng // 7 via // 8 via My Paradissi

Elevate Your Monday with Nespresso

Decor

We all know the old adage: breakfast if the most important meal of the day. You can’t fight the science – properly fueling up before you head out helps your health, helps your brain power and is just generally more civilized.

See, doesn’t that look lovely? But in those early months of motherhood, lovely went out the window. The days were all about survival. Very little attention was paid to my morning routine. But now that Carter is six months old, I’m attempting to add a little more sanity to daily life. I’ve recommitted myself to enjoying my mornings again. This includes something warm to eat, a nice place setting and a perfect cup of coffee!

Coffee is such a soothing morning ritual. I’m still drinking decaf after giving up caffeine last year, but it’s actually the taste – the experience – that I crave, not the jolt. In the past I would always go out to get my coffee. Even with an old school manual espresso machine sitting on my counter {a long dormant wedding gift}, I never felt like I could make something as good as a barista brewed. But standing in line for your espresso in your pajamas {and running into your neighbors!} is not a good look!

Thankfully, the Nespresso VertuoLineTM Evoluo is here to save me and my coffee loving soul. It brews both large-cup coffee and authentic espresso at the touch of a button – aka it’s fool-proof. That’s very necessary for this continually sleep-deprived mama. I need as much automation as the world can offer me right now!

So rather than run all around, I’m making a point to carve out a few minutes of my morning for me. It feels so nice to have a bit of time back to leisurely enjoy an amazing cup of coffee and a gorgeous spread. Ok, ok, I cannot tell a lie. I haven’t figured out how to have leisurely morning yet. I probably only get about five minutes max, my table rarely looks so beautifully set and while I am now making my own blissful cup of coffee at home, I have my pastries delivered from Craftsmen & Wolves! Regardless, if you can find a few minutes to elevate your everyday, you’ll be amazed how it helps you get through the grind.

Maybe next month I’ll recommit myself to actually cooking!

PS: If you need a little extra convincing, you don’t have to take my advice. Take George Clooney’s! He’s signed onto Nepresso’s Experience A Cup Above campaign and as I always say, WWGD?!

styling by bianca sotelo // original photography for apartment34 by suzanna scott

This post was created in connection with my appointment as a Nespresso “A Cup Above” participant. Thoughts and opinions are 100% my own. Thanks for supporting collaborations that have kept Apartment 34’s doors open.

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