Well, we've missed you too! It's been a crazy 6 weeks since we started shooting photography for the coffee table book. Between photo shoots, keeping up with client projects, styling, a quick trip for Shauna and the fam to Disneyland, it's been a whirlwind! We are taking a pause in the book project to catch our breath, see where we are and what we still need, but we wanted to give you a sneak peek in to what a photo shoot day is like. ​

9 am: Shauna and the team arrive to the home loaded up with pillows, rugs, and accessories to freshen up the space for photography. Fresh flowers, plants, food, candy, and anything else we need as props are also brought in. It seriously looks like we are moving in to stay. Someone takes pics of the client's home before we start re-styling so we remember how it needs to be put back together.
10 am: The photographers arrive and Shauna goes over the shoot lists, determines which photographer will shoot which room and the shot sequence. Shauna works ahead of us, styling the room to get ready for photographers to slide on in and do their magic. 
10:30 am: Shooting begins. Style. Shoot. Tweak. Shoot. Tweak some more. Shoot. Shauna reviews. Tweak some more. Shoot. You see where this is going. We usually have no fewer than 25 shots before we get to the one where everyone agrees, "that's it!" 
12:30 pm: Everyone starts rumbling about lunch so someone (usually Riley) is voted to go get food. We stand up in the client's kitchen and scarf down Whataburger (if we are feeling indulgent), an Eatzi's salad (if we are feeling fat) or the charcuterie board we just finished shooting for the Entertaining section.
12:45 pm: Lunch break over, back to work. 
1:30 pm: This is when we start getting a little wacky. Need to let off stome steam, be a bit silly, walk away from the set just for a minute so we can come back to it with fresh eyes. Sometimes we get the insane idea to include the family pet in the photo and then either cry or cheer based on the result. 
3:00 pm: Time to start wrapping up. Our creative brains are fried and we have a shit-show of a mess to clean up. Here is when those photos we took of the client's home before we started come in handy. Sometimes, the client loves the re-style so much that they want to keep the rug/pillows/bedding/whatever and well, we always love it when that happens.
4:00 pm: Loading up. Our photographers killed it, yet again. Now to prep for the next one!

It's always exciting to get a call from Meda at 360 West looking for content for the magazine. We shared with her the Cox project that we worked on last year and after meeting the home owners (and their precious pooch), she was sold on the story. What we love about the Cox project is that it was something completely out of the box for Shauna. The bold, colorful, eclectic style she is known for was replaced with a light, refreshing, subdued palette accented by great art, pops of color, and unexpected details. "I admit when I looked at her website, I wasn't sure if we would be a good fit. But she stepped in, took over, and we have never looked back," says homeowner Erin Cox. Read more about the transformation in the March 2019 issue of 360 West Magazine, and check out our before and after photos below.

Isn't it amazing what a coat of white paint can do? Painting these bookshelves was the first step in transforming this dated living room to a modern, airy space.

The homeowners felt that the dining room was a space better used to entertain so we transformed it to a chic lounge. Read more about the lounge here. 

Gary was thrilled to see an updated recliner included in the design for his den. See? Comfort CAN be stylish! 

Updated wallpaper from Hygge & West, new light fixtures and mirror were all that were needed to give this powder bath a chic new look. 

This space just to the right of the front door was an awkward spot that provided a challenge to Shauna. Now it's a cozy nook to chat on the phone, go through the mail, or wait for your husband who can't find his keys yet again. 

Wallpaper with metallic accents and white drapes and bedding allow a colorful rug and artwork to pop while still keeping a serene vibe.

The master bath was completely reconfigured to create a zen-like wet room for shower and tub. Brass fixtures and mirrors in vanity with it's subtle floral wallpaper provide a glamorous contrast to the tub area. Bathroom resources here. 

Our latest Friday Finds from Anthropologie are just the remedy for these chilly February days. Hope you enjoyed those few days in the mid 70s, they will return, we promise. In the meantime, freshen up your home with these bright, beautiful finds.

1. Kendra Tasmin Dining Chair
2. Raven Placemat
3.Painted Elza Vases
4. Seraphina Cheese Board
5. Amira Napkins
6. Alicia Galer Juliette Lamp Shade
7. Rose Wilder Vases
8. Sunburst Placemat

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Ok, so I have to admit, I didn't know the specifics of Galentine's Day. Much to the chagrin of my daughter's I do not watch Parks & Recreation so when researching for this blog I did not realize that IT WAS YESTERDAY! Ugh. Whatever. It's OK because the cocktail recipe I wanted to share with you is so good, you can use it tonight for a Valentine's Day celebration. Or just make up a new holiday. In Japan, Valentine's Day is specifically for women to give gifts to men. White Day, which is on March 14 is when men give gifts to women. So, there you go. Just go make this drink and celebrate the fact that you made it to Friday. 

FR Distilling Sparkling Gal recipe:
1oz TX Whiskey
2oz Prosecco
½ oz Cranberry Juice
½ oz Blood Orange Juice
¼ oz Lemon Juice
¼ oz Simple Syrup
Mix whiskey, juices and simple syrup in shaker with ice. Pour in to glass and top with prosecco. Garnish with orange peel curl. 

Before we get in to the nitty gritty of this post, a little disclaimer. None of us here in the SGD office are fans of Valentine's Day. We don't celebrate, we don't expect a gift, we think it is a bit ridiculous and to be quite honest, our significant other should not need a day on the calendar to tell us how much we mean to them. I mean, do that on February 25th, or June 6th because you WANT to, not because there's a store full of pink and red overpriced flowers and crappy candy boxes that are making you feel obligated to. 
BUT, we know that there are those of you out there who, well, feel otherwise. And the retail industry loves you and your significant others for spending loads of cash on gifts. It would be neglectful of us to not share with you some of our favorite things from Anthropologie that you can subtlely suggest to said person as the perfect thing to show you how much they love you. 

At this point in the calendar, you are probably sick of all your winter clothes. So, these fun, springy accessories are just the thing to get you geared up for warmer weather. 

Girls love stuff that smells good. Stuff for her body, stuff for her room, stuff for the shower. And you can't go wrong with these fragrances from Calypso St. Barth, our favorite art glass candle and lavender bath soaks. Throw in a bottle of Veuve Clicquot and she will be in heaven!

Easy, peasy dressing is your girl's best friend. That's why we love this kimono. Jeans and a white T just got way more interesting. This silk sleep set checks all the boxes for even non V-Day fans. Cute, cool and sexy. Way better than a sleep romper. Yes, that's a thing and I just can't even. 

Of course we would be remiss if we didn't share stuff for her home. Cuddle up under this cozy throw with a cuppa tea and dream about all the cities you will travel to together. And don't forget June 6th.

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So, Super Bowl on Sunday. I mean, the Pats again? Haven't they won enough? Isn't Tom Brady like a grandpa? A fairly hot grandpa, but a grandpa just the same. Honestly, it doesn't really matter who is playing, the commercials are what everyone cares about. And the halftime show. And how many different ways we can eat bacon. 
Fun fact #1: Super Bowl Sunday hold the record for the most avocados consumed on any given day. 
Fun fact #2: Super Bowl Sunday also sees an increase in the number of emergency room visits due to hand injuries. 
I'll wait while you put two and two together. 
So, pro tip, use a cutting board for that guacamole. We want you to save your hands for bigger and better things. Speaking of guac, substitute it for the avocado on top of this Crockpot White Chicken Chili for an extra kick. 

I know you can go online and see all the Super Bowl ads in advance but that is cheating. In my house everyone knows that you can chat away all you want during the game but silence is required during the commercials. So, if you come to my house to watch the game, just be prepared. Lots of shushing will be happening. And eating. I can't wait to try this Pickleback Chicken Wing recipe. I'm telling Jeff right now to not drink all the pickle juice. Or the bourbon. 

You can't have a Super Bowl party without queso. My favorite recipe is here, but I cheat to make it a little easier and substitute Velveeta queso blanco for the grated cheese, half-and-half and cornstarch. Really, it's just all about the chorizo. 

Here's another recipe I can't wait to try. Not your every day sliders, these are mini French Dip sandwiches with that awesome au jus. Pretty sure I can eat about a dozen all by myself. 

Now that we are completely stuffed, let's talk about the halftime show. Maroon 5 y'all! I'm so excited. I strongly encourage you to record it because you will want to watch it at least 2 times. Maybe 10 depending on how amazing Adam is. 
So, let's recap:
1. Don't cheat on commercials
2. Cutting board
3. Queso
4. Maroon 5 on replay
5. Cheer for whoever is not the Pats
#gocowboys

Quick quiz: What's the easiest and cheapest way to update your space? Well, based on the title of the blog, I think you know the answer. With pillow covers as low as $29, you can have a fresh new look for less than $200. Want another tip? Buying separate pillow covers and inserts make for super easy switch outs.  For nice full pillows, go up a size in your insert. So, if your pillow is 18 x 18", buy a 20 x 20" insert. Our favorite inserts are from Amazon and come in every size imaginable. Now, for the fun stuff. West Elm and Crate & Barrel have some really amazing pillows right now. Shauna has been updating her living room and well, we are totally inspired. Shop the look below.

1. Fuentes Plaid Pillow 
2. Luana Striped Pillow
3. Embroidered House Plant Pillow Cover
4. Brenner Velvet Pillow
5. Moyano Black Patterned Pillow
6. Mongolian Lamb Pillow Cover
7. Corded Rippled Circles Pillow Cover
8. Taavi Turkish Silk Pillow
9. Embroidered Jeweled Chevron Pillow Covers
Bonus! All pillows, bedding and throws at West Elm are 25% off. Get shopping!

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As I mentioned last week, we have been on a shopping spree lately. In fact, we now need a storage unit to hold all the goodies we are buying for you, our future client.  In fact, it behooves you to check these out because several of the things we shared with you from Anthropologie a few weeks ago are SOLD OUT! This week, we hit West Elm. Colorful and modern, it checks the boxes when you need something cool without breaking the bank. AND everything is an extra 20% off with code GIVEME20. Don't wait, friends, we don't need another Anthropologie episode. 

1. Pastel Speckle Salad Plates
​2. Corded Rippled Circles Pillow Cover
3. Totem Colored Glass Vases
4. Terracotta Wallscape Planters
5. Cosmo Side Table
​6. Mirrored Block Throws
7. Optic Blocks Rug in CORAL!
8. Color Pop Crystal Bookends
9. Watercolor Garden Pillow Covers
10. Embroidered Jewel Chevron Pillow Covers
11. Minted Half Dome Wall Art

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When we did a trend story on the color coral last year, we were not anticipating being so ahead of the design curve in our love affair with this color. Recently, Pantone announced it's Color of the Year  for 2019 as Living Coral and we are a little bit giddy with the potential of new and fabulous products for our clients. 

So, naturally, this led us to check out some of our favorite resources to see what new and exciting coral pieces they have to offer. Enjoy!

Pillows are one of the easiest ways to update a space. We love this hair on hide pillow with the coral accent stitching. Coral and aqua have always played well together. This pillow is made to go outdoors but use it anywhere! The Kuba cloth pillow is a traditional African fabric that is one of our favorites from St. Frank.

It's no secret that we love colorful rugs. The Anamura Rug from Lulu & Georgia is the perfect balance to a neutral sofa.

Coral accents add a pop of color anywhere in your home. Tuck two of these garden stools under a console table for extra seating that can be pulled out anytime. This modern lamp from One Kings Lane is sleek and bold with its stylized Greek Key designed base. And we love this chinoiserie style mirror for a powder bath! 

The Ariana Bedding from Ballard has detailed embroidery and finished off with tassel ends on duvet cover and pillow shams. Jump off from the coral or navy base with a plethora of colorful accent pillows. 

Jazz up plain white dinnerware with these amazing tabletop pieces. We love Otomi patterns and well, in coral just makes us swoon. These plates are from Katie Kime and I need them now. Macrame fringe adds a boho vibe to the Darcy coral napkins from Lulu & Georgia. Lucite trays with a leopards on a coral background come in a variety of sizes and can be used in your living space or bedroom. Also from Katie Kime. Roar! 

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