Moroccan Rugs: April 2022

Saturday 30 April 2022

The Wedding Guest Dresses We Scoured The Internet To Find…Because Wedding Season In 2022 Is About To Go OFF

Since the year began, I’ve already attended two weddings, I have one next month, and then one almost every other month for the rest of the year (including my own). With 2020 and the majority of 2021 postponing weddings left and right, it seems EVERYONE is trying to squeeze their wedding into 2022. I get it, and no one besides a completely unprecedented pandemic is to blame, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that wedding season is about to get pretty nuts. So, because most of us at EHD have been googling “wedding guest dresses” for the past few months, we all decided this is a post we needed to write, in hopes that it’ll help keep a little bit of the attending-a-wedding-stress at bay. So we all got together and pinned the wedding guest appropriate dresses that we would want to wear, and broke them up into their appropriate dress code categories. If you have a wedding (or several) coming up on your calendar, we hope this post will help you check one thing off your list.

When it comes to a casual wedding dress code, this is where (I believe) you should get a dress that you would absolutely wear again. It should be dressy enough that it’s not an “everyday” dress, but casual enough that you could also wear it to non-wedding events. I love black so I am extremely attracted to #2 and #4, but if I were a color gal, I wouldn’t skip #13. #7 is also a very sweet option, by a brand called Selkie that I’ve recently discovered and love.

From what I understand, a cocktail wedding dress code means you can wear shorter-length dress but it must still be fancy and a bit formal. This is actually the most popular wedding attire choice, so here’s to hoping one dress in this category will get you through all of wedding season. I personally love midi dresses so #2, #12, and #15 are all on my list. But for a short option, I can’t help but love a one-shoulder look like #6.

I think semi-formal is the most confusing wedding guest attire category. Semi?? Formal??? I don’t know what’s happening. But after much research it has come to my attention that it is very similar to a cocktail dress attire, except with semi-formal the length of the dress should be at least below the knee. Also, according to brides.com, a semi-formal wedding calls for “darker, more formal colors for an evening wedding, and light colors and fabrics for a daytime event”. Fair enough. For this category, I am loving #2 but if I were a person that the color yellow looked good on, I would absolutely go for #5. For a nighttime wedding that might get a little chilly, #11 is a great long sleeve option.

A formal dress is either a floor-length gown or a fancy cocktail dress. I think of this category as what you would wear to prom but make it #matureadult. You don’t want your dress to scream “I am in the running for prom queen” but the level of “fancy” is about the same. I wore #9 to a wedding last month and received a ton of compliments on it. It’s very tight and form-fitting, so just know that you have to feel confident about flaunting your curves :). If I had to buy another formal dress though, I’d go for #14 or #15. Which one is up your alley?

Black tie weddings are intimidating. A black-tie dress is a floor-length gown, full stop. If you have a black-tie affair coming up, and don’t see yourself wearing a gown more than once, I cannot recommend services like Rent The Runway enough. It was literally created for instances like this and will save you from buying something you’ll never have the chance to wear again. And they have HUNDREDS of designer dresses to choose from. But if you do have multiple fancy affairs going on, any of these dresses will have you looking perfect for the part. Mallory wore #3 to a formal event last weekend and loves it. It’s affordable but dressy so it’s completely appropriate for black tie events. I am a sucker for black or red dresses so #1, #4, and #11 are living rent free in my head. Oh, and #12 is so chic it almost hurts.

So there you have it. If you are wedding guest dress shopping we hope this post helped to narrow down some options. Cheers to surviving wedding season!

Opener Image Credit: Photo by Veronica Crawford

The post The Wedding Guest Dresses We Scoured The Internet To Find…Because Wedding Season In 2022 Is About To Go OFF appeared first on Emily Henderson.

from Emily Henderson https://stylebyemilyhenderson.com/blog/best-wedding-guest-dresses-2022

Friday 29 April 2022

Our Top 10 Picks From The New Studio McGee X Target Collection (There’s A Mirror We Think Everyone Is Going To Want)

Happy Friday, cuties! First up: we just shared an AWESOME feel good makeover, so be sure to go check that out first. Second up: The new summer Studio McGee collection just landed at Target and it’s destined to sell out in like…I don’t know, probably 4 minutes MAX, so we convened as a team, pulled the 10 best picks, and I’m sharing them with you now. It’s a decor-heavy drop, which RULES as any of these pieces could make a BIG change in the feel of your home for not a lot of cash. Can I show you what caught our eye?

Abstract Framed Wall Canvas

The impact:price ratio on this piece is OFF THE CHARTS, gang. This canvas is huge – 36″ x 36″ – and the whole thing comes in at a sweet $85, which feels really reasonable for such a huge piece of art. The quality is impressive, too – Em actually grabbed this super moody Studio McGee landscape piece last year for the Mountain House last year, and it still looks like a million bucks up on that fireplace mantel. This is a great finishing touch that won’t break the bank – what else could a gal ask for? (PS. If you love the size of this piece but you’re not crazy about the actual art, there are a few more great options right here that are all in the same price range. Well done, product design team!)

Washed Cream Vase

It’s wabi-sabi, it’s luxe, and it’s 10% off through Saturday!!! The vintage-inspired finish on this is so well done – it looks like something that our team would have scooped at the Rose Bowl Flea Market, right? – and the shape is so timeless and classic. This vase is pretty freakin’ big, too, so it’d be a great (and grounding) vessel choice for those looking to style out some big, dramatic branches (aaannnddd here’s our how-to guide that’ll turn you into an expert branch arranger, in case you missed it).

Oversized Cotton Woven Striped Square Throw Pillow

WE LOVE A PILLOW WITH OPTIONS. This one comes in green, blue, and cognac (the blue is pictured above, but the green actually reads pretty gray to me – it’d be a great choice for those who want to try bringing in a liiiiiittle bit of color in their home for the first time!). Its oversized proportions make it SO easy to play with, too – it’ll look great next to any tinier pillows you already have at home. The texture is also even better up close – there are like, 5 or 6 different stitches going on – and the cover is removable, so you can wash it after someone absentmindedly rubs their microwave popcorn butter fingers all over it. (I have never done that.) (I actually may have done that.)

Miringa Artificial Tree Green

I KNOW, I KNOW. If possible, you should buy a real plant! But hear me out on this one for a second: I recently realized (like, within the past 3 months – I was working on an estate clean-out) that there are a lot of folks who don’t necessarily have the mobility or strength to actually take care of plants (like, hauling water around your home gets tough when you’re using a walker, you know?). To that end: do I think that we should all rush out to buy fake plants? NO! But do I think that this is a great, beautiful, cheery option if you aren’t currently in a place to keep up with a real, living thing for whatever reason? Yes! (There’s only one review right now, but they included photos and it does look great IRL, for what that’s worth.)

Light Woven Oval Mirror

Where couldn’t this go? The more I look at this mirror, the more I think that it may be like, the decor equivalent of the titular pants from the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants books. It’s classic AND fresh, graphic AND quiet, neutral AND statement-making. It’d look great with any of Em’s new paint choices, or against ANY of the super-loud wallpapers in my home, or in Jess’ elevated modern office, or in Ryann’s dark and moody living room…like, you get it, right? It’s hands down my favorite piece from the new collection – I feel like we’ll be seeing this one in IG posts for years to come.

Sand Dune Framed Wall Art

UM, OKAY. When Jess threw me this link, I for sure thought this 36″ x 24″ piece was gonna be at least ~$200 – the frame and matting and glass alone are worth more than that! – and I was BOWLED OVER when I opened up the product page. I can see this above a credenza in a super high-end mid-century-inspired dining room with lots of bright touches (but it looks great in this living room, too. Also, that’s also the green pillow I mentioned earlier! It reads as gray-ish, right?!). Oh and for those that remember Cup of Jo’s old living room that Em designed there’s a super similar piece on the tv gallery wall!

Striped Gauze Throw Blanket

This one also comes in cream and taupe, but that sage-y/olive-y green is SO good. It can work anywhere! I love the textured finish on the side (it’s easier to see on their website, TBH) and the construction on the bottom tassels looks so luxe – feel like we’d see this blanket marked WAY up in one of the ~fancy~ design stores on La Cienega here in LA. It’s not a big “snuggle up” blanket (I mean, unless you’re into something that’s a little lighter, in which case it may be perfect!) but it’ll be the perfect touch thrown over the arm of some seating or at the end of a bed.

Oversized Cotton Slub Woven Jacquard Lumbar Throw Pillow

I mean, this just feels like CLASSIC Studio McGee to me. An elevated print, a classic neutral, in a goes-anywhere shape…what else is there to say? This would be the perfect finishing touch in any pillow-scape (BRB will I trademark that word).

Oversized Textured Asymmetric Striped Square Throw Pillow

This one’s my favorite pillow from the new collection!!! I love the size, the broken stripe, and the texture is AWESOME. This pillow is enormous – 24″ x 24″ – so while it looks great on a sofa, it would also be a great choice for those looking for a bigger decorative bed pillow. I wish this came in more saturated colors, because I WOULD BUY OUT TARGET’S INVENTORY. (Is anyone listening??? Can I get this in some brights, please???)

Melamine Rectangular Serving Platter

Nothing says “OMG CUTE” like a sweet little irregular edge in a soft blue!!! This feels surprisingly grandmillennial for the collection IMO – like, a little more English-leaning than the CA cool I’ve come to expect from this collaboration – but I LOVE IT. I’m especially stoked that this is in melamine instead of stoneware, because (a.) I have been known to break ceramics and (b.) melamine’s a great, outdoor-friendly, dishwasher-safe option which makes this PERFECT for all your summer soirees. It’s cute to see outdoor-friendly dinnerware that like, doesn’t have a bunch of pictures of flowers or illustrations of bugs on it or whatever. 10/10 MORE OF THIS, PLEASE.

That’s where I’ll leave you – HAPPY FRIDAY, MY PERFECT PALS. I have a bunch of friends in town this weekend (from Vermont and Texas!), but I’m still trying to squeeze a little Target trip in there to grab a few things IRL (mainly that freakin’ mirror!!!). What’s on your docket? (Or we could, like, talk about this decor drop. Either way.) See you down in the comments – LET’S CHAT, YEAH? xx

*Photos via Target

The post Our Top 10 Picks From The New Studio McGee X Target Collection (There’s A Mirror We Think Everyone Is Going To Want) appeared first on Emily Henderson.

from Emily Henderson https://stylebyemilyhenderson.com/blog/our-top-10-picks-from-the-new-studio-mcgee-x-target-collection

The Latest Feel Good Makeover Reveal By Pen + Napkin x CherishedLA Is Here

We always say The Feel Good Makeovers are our absolute favorite part of this job. In the past, we’ve worked with the amazing Pen + Napkin team to furnish and decorate homes for families transitioning out of homelessness, and last year we partnered with them to help these Feel Good Makeover Takeovers go national. Recently our friends at Pen + Napkin wrapped another project where they completely furnished and decorated two four-bedroom houses in partnership with another amazing organization called CherishedLA. If this project sounds at all familiar, you may have seen it promoted on our Instagram stories, and if you are one of the many who donated, THANK YOU.

If up until now you haven’t heard of CherishedLA, I want to first highlight the incredible work they do. I chatted with Kayla, their program coordinator, to get the story behind this organization that changes lives:

She explained, “CherishedLA is a two-year, faith-based residential program for single, female adult survivors of sex trafficking. We walk alongside women on their journey to recovery, healing, and stability. Our Founder, Kate Wedell, is a survivor herself and we emphasize trauma-focused narrative therapy in our programming. Kate started CherishedLA in 2011 with outreach and support groups to help other women in similar situations to what she had experienced. We have since grown to include our residential program and a social enterprise. In the social enterprise, residents receive job training making organic bath and body products, fair-trade jewelry, and clothing.”

After seeing and hearing about the work they do, we were not at all surprised that CherishedLA and Pen + Napkin would make a great team.

When I asked how the two organizations came together, I learned Catie (Founder of Pen + Napkin) saw Kate (Founder of CherishedLA) speak years ago before Pen + Napkin even came to exist. She felt that God was connecting them even back then. When CherishedLA needed help with their two safe houses, Kate spoke with the Pen + Napkin team about what a partnership would look like. She explained the importance of creating beautiful spaces for survivors to have, to do their healing during transition. This sentiment obviously resonated with Pen + Napkin who know how a furnished home can change lives. Catie presented the project to their Pen + Napkin 101 Class that is full of passionate designers eager for project assignments and soon had enough people sign up for both installs. Then they got to work.

Both homes were mostly empty and needed some love. The first home was completed by two design students who go to SFSU (which speaks to the fact that you don’t have to be a professional designer – you just have to be willing). This second home design that you are about to see was led by Catie, with help from CherishedLA and eager volunteers. Together, they created a fully furnished and decorated home for the residents to heal and enjoy.

Sofas | Coffee Table

Poly & Bark donated all the large pieces for the living and dining room. The two sofas and accent chairs create a cozy conversational space that is big enough for all residents to enjoy. A large area rug adds another layer of warmth.

Bright and happy colors were essential to creating an inviting oasis, which was achieved through art, decor, greenery, and of course, paint.

Oh, how CUTE are these place settings? I love the multicolor floral napkins and that flower arrangement centerpiece is a beautiful touch.

Each bedroom is painted a different color because when the project began, several residents who had been with the program for a while wanted to get involved with the design. Each resident chose the color for their room and painted it themselves. Then the designers who helped with the project worked within the color palette to build designs that would be happy and welcoming.

catie’s daughter, on the right, helped arrange some of the decor

Catie and the Pen + Napkin team wanted to do more than just furnish the home. Furniture is obviously important in making a house feel like a home, but decor is also essential to bring personality and life to a space. She wanted to transform a generic room to a room that can really provide an environment for hope and healing with beauty and intention. We love the neon light signs and plants that bring literal light and life to the rooms.

Not only is each room a different color, but they are also decorated differently to feel welcoming and personal. Each room has its own display of art including motivational typography, photos of different cities, and abstract paintings.

There’s Pen + Napkin’s fearless leader, Catie, hanging some art in one of the bedrooms.

Motivational art and typography are sprinkled throughout the home to encourage the residents to stay positive. This area of the home is equipped with art supplies so the residents can create art and explore their creativity.

Neon Light

This “Never Give Up” neon sign adds a playful touch and acts as an uplifting reminder to the residents.

The last thing they did was create a beautiful garden (unfortunately not pictured) that was a dream of the CherishedLA team ever since they opened the homes. They had a painting of this dream backyard and one of the designers (Jenae Noonan) saw the painting and decided to help make it a reality. She took several of the elements in the painting and created an amazing garden.

It is always our honor to promote Pen + Napkin and share their mission and work with the world, and today that’s especially true because we’ve been introduced to another incredible organization. We know these two homes will bring so much joy and healing to the residents, thanks to the devoted staff and volunteers from both organizations.

Now we’d like to give a huge, tremendous, overwhelming thank you to everyone at CherishedLA and Pen + Napkin for devoting their time, energy, and focus to make the world a better place and for allowing us to have a small part in sharing their incredible work. We cannot sing their praises enough and encourage everyone to follow both CherishedLA and Pen + Napkin, and consider volunteering or donating if you can. You can check out Pen + Napkin’s next project here.

*Lead Design by Catie of Pen + Napkin
**Photos by Mirimage Photography

The post The Latest Feel Good Makeover Reveal By Pen + Napkin x CherishedLA Is Here appeared first on Emily Henderson.

from Emily Henderson https://stylebyemilyhenderson.com/blog/the-latest-feel-good-makeover-reveal-by-pen-napkin-x-cherishedla

Moroccan Rugs