Julie & Ev Launches Signature Linen Collection

Beautifully designed by Julie Paulino, our hand block printed linen collection is made to celebrate being together again.

Our Floret linen collection as seen here in Villa Mahal in the Turkish Riviera.

It’s been a long time coming and our Julie & Ev signature linen collection is finally available. Our hand block tablecloths, placemats, and napkins are printed on 100% cotton by artisans in Jaipur, India. With three different design styles that range from blue and white to pink and neutrals, Julie & Ev hand block print linen collection is sure to delight everyone around the table.

At the table is when we pass our values to our children, share with them our most valuable advice, and celebrate our joyous moments. This linen collection was made to celebrate amongst our loved ones and friends. Whether it is a promptus Sunday brunch, a formal dinner, or a solo dine-in at home, the designs of this Julie & Ev new linen collection is an appreciation of good life.

27Apr

Dress Like Kate Middleton: A Super Human Mother

You might have seen the images of Kate Middleton coming out of the hospital seven hours after giving birth to her third baby looking as if she had just come out of a spa. The superhuman mother looked spotless, in a mid-length red dress, perfect posture as well as perfect hair and in heels. Yes, in heels, you read that correctly. I remember after giving birth to Lucas, my first thought was if the hospital would allow me to pay extra, in cash… so I can just stay for an extra day. I was in pain, fat and tired. Like most of the mothers I know.

Of course, this is not the first time Kate has shown her superhuman powers, the same happened with her two previous childbirths as well. I randomly came across an article at Buzzfeed a couple of nights ago and had a lot of fun while reading about how social media has taken this phenomenon of Kate Middleton superpowers. There’ve been mothers who have posted side by side photos of Kate and them after giving birth and it’s really hilarious. One of the mothers was wheeled out of the hospital while holding the baby in a baby carriage, another mother was practically passed out with the baby in her arms and so many other cases which show reality vs. expectation.

Of course, I can’t give any advice as to how to accomplish such high expectations but at least we can all dress like Kate Middleton or sort of. We know that Kate likes mid-length two-pieces and dresses, but she prefers them fitted to her upper body with usually wider skirts. She is not afraid of colors and she keeps her jeans tight which she wears beautifully with her beautiful body.

25Apr

How These Millennials Became Millionaire And Other Inspiring Links

This new digital-native generation has proven to be smart and overachievers. Many young people are achieving millionaire status before they even reach their thirties. This article gives an insightful look into what it takes to become a millionaire and the pieces of advice given in the article can be applied by anyone, even by those who are not millennials. Hint, you should be prepared to sacrifice social life and friends, and yes that includes Instagram. At least for a while…

There are different opinions about whether or not alcohol is indeed beneficial. On one side the industry claims that a glass of wine, especially red wine is good for the heart on the other side, studies show a direct link between alcohol consumption and cancer. There have been over 100 studies that have confirmed the link with steady results. This journalist claims that drinking alcohol gave her breast cancer. I found the article very compelling and full of information and research conclusions I never heard of before.

If you like modern design and stay abreast of what is happening in the design world… you don’t have to love modern and innovating design to be able to appreciate it. Inspiration can be anywhere. Salone del Mobile 2018, the annual celebration of global design which happens for one week every April just took place, but you can see 9 of the Most Captivating Installations at Salone del Mobile.

24Apr

From Tabletops to Lighting, The Special Deals of the Week

Another week, another wonderful sale with stylish pieces for entertaining. Because life is meant to be joyful, fun and light. Happy shopping!

Outdoor entertaining will be far from boring with these pretty set of botanical tabletops, a similar set here.

I’m a big fan of casual elegance entertaining and these colorful glasses represent that just beautifully. Use them on top of a patterned tablecloth to bring out the colors, as on this table setting. They are so charming

I can see this bistro table in a foyer of a modern country home or in a small entryway. As in this modern cool unisex foyer.

place card holder set

A decadence and glamorous chainmail sconce that has an old world nostalgia to it.

23Apr

A Beach Home Decorated With Blue and Rattan: Bahama Style

Tom Scheerer has designed many a beach home in the Bahamas. In fact, Tom says he prefers them because homeowners tend to be more open to trying new things in a vacation home. It makes perfect sense although a house like this one, I wouldn’t mind to call it a permanent residence. Waking up to sunny days and walking on talc-pink-powder-like beaches would be anyone’s ultimate dream. I was happy to find one of his latest Bahama style projects in the current issue of House Beautiful.

The architecture of this Bahama home is a traditional Colonial home which Scherrer designed for modern life. The color palette is composed of different shades of blues, sprinkles of purple and rattan furniture. The kitchen especially is quintessentially Scheerer’s style with graphic cement tiles as the backsplash and no upper cabinets as to avert any form of formality. A beach house should be free-spirited and airy with durable fabrics and materials.

I especially love whitewashed wood in a beach home, in this case, Tom used a wood called pickled pecky cypress in various spaces in the house to bring cohesiveness to the open rooms. All the fabrics in the house are indoor/outdoor… practicality is everything.
beach home, bahama style, rattan, blue, living room

The living room has white shiplap on walls and the tray ceiling is clad in beautiful pickled pecky cypress. Notice how the striped rug picks up the different shades of blue, brown and beige in the room…

20Apr

5 Winter-to-Spring Transitional Pieces for Unpredictable Temperatures

winter-to-spring transitonal pieces denim jacket

Formally Spring is here. Spring officially started on March 20th which means that it’s exactly one month old today, yet here we are talking about winter-to-spring transitional pieces when we should be moving forward. Nevertheless, there is no question that sooner than later it’ll be time to put the coats away and replace them with light cardigans or denim jackets. Spring weather is no stranger to volatile temperatures which can make transitioning from winter rather challenging but with the right proper clothing items at our disposal, we can be ready for whatever nature throws at us.

I tend to be very cold on multiple occasions, even in the summer when everywhere I go the air conditioner makes it really difficult for me to not want to be outside. For that reason, it’s all about layering for me as for many others when transitioning to Spring weather, and the more skin that gets to be covered the better. Even my ankles can get cold sometimes if there is a slight cool air touching them. Below, 5 winter-to-spring transitional pieces anyone can count on.

18Apr

Amazon Will Clean Your Home For A Charge & Other Links

It’s hard to avoid mentioning Amazon at least once during the day. Amazon has become the daily supplier of everything to millions of people. Who doesn’t receive a package from the online retailer at least once a week? We get one almost every day… Now Amazon is also offering cleaning service, really… read more about it here.

Who is ready to start winding down at an outdoor restaurant terrace while enjoying good food. Food and Wine recently listed The Restaurants of the Year 2018. “The restaurants we fell in love with this year were the ones that offer a rich portrait of the people who made them. They remind us that a good meal can capture the spirit of a place as sharply as a postcard” F&W. Get to know them here.

One of my favorite authors has always been Gabriel Garcia Marquez. I have read many of his books and One Hundred Years of Solitude about three times in my life. Twice in Spanish and once in English. If you haven’t yet, you have to read it. If you don’t believe me, believe William Kennedy when declared that the novel should be required reading for the human race. It’s that good. And while you are there get to know other Latin American authors by reading one of these 7 Life-Altering Books by Latino Authors, here.

Sometimes I feel that I became an adult after giving birth to my son. After having him my whole life perspective and feelings changed for the better. I feel I have to thank him for the maturity I owned today. Claiborne Swanson Frank’s new book Mother and Child captures motherhood by photographing 70 iconic modern mothers. In this interview, she explains what motivated her to make this book.