SUP yoga

I'm the kind of person who is pretty much always up for trying something new, so when my yoga instructor announced last week that she was teaching some paddleboard yoga classes at a lake just outside the city, I knew I had to sign up.  It's pretty popular right now, so it wasn't too hard to get my husband and friend in on the trip as well.  

Of course, I'd never even been on a paddleboard, and let me tell you it is harder than it looks!  We all wobbled around for quite a bit before getting our bearings, but by the end of the class, I had done a headstand on the board!  I wish I had a picture of that, but at least I ended up with some very cool shots of Jo and Darrell (and Darrell in an arm balance?!)  

I have to say, I think I still prefer yoga on solid ground, but taking the class has really given me the itch to get a paddleboard.  Sadly, they're not cheap, but I'll keep checking eBay and Craiglist religiously!  

If you're in St Louis, check out Alpine Shop's website to see about signing up for a class, they're going on until the end of summer!  Next week I'm planning a post about my favorite yoga studios in St Louis, and the instructors I love best at each of them, so make sure to check back!  

west elm store preview, and my new favorite decoration

Yesterday, July 25th 2013, one of my most ardent wishes came true (and one of my husband's bigger fears for our bank account was realized.)  West Elm opened in St. Louis!  Okay, okay, I over exaggerate a bit, but seriously I was excited!  I love West Elm.  Additionally, I was thrilled to be invited to a blogger preview of the store, and was fortunate enough to be shown around by Kendall Coleman, West Elm's PR manager for all 51 stores.  

In addition to the whole store being full of amazing furniture and decor, it was also full of ideas, and that was one of the things Kendall emphasized the most.  I took home inspiration for all parts of my house, and I intend to hit up the store often, because they're constantly reworking the items in the store to show the many ways they can work in your home.  

That coffee table to the right will be making its way into my living room in no time - it's only $500, a crazy reasonable price for such an awesome piece, not to mention a dream for someone like me, who works from home.  

Examples of the tablescape inspiration - I LOVED how they put the silverware in the glasses in the left image.  I'll definitely be doing that at my next dinner party.  Another adorable touch?  Little traces of "lived in" action on all the surfaces.  Cheerios on a desk?  Funny, since that's how most of my mornings start.  Its a smart touch, given that it really puts in your mind how you'd LIVE with the piece.  

I was really nuts about this chaise with the reading table.  Such a perfect spot, I could curl up there for hours.  I was also pretty impressed with the price point on the coffee table to the left - it's only $350, a ridiculous steal for a piece that makes such an impact.  

\

I love that even though West Elm is a chain, they do their best to bring city specific touches to each store.  One lovely idea they incorporate is mini Etsy shops throughout.  Here in St Louis we have ReAuthored, a company that makes iPad cases out of vintage books, and Sprouted Designs (one of my personal favorites) who sells hand stamped tea towels.  

Okay, I know I'm gushing at this point (have I mentioned I really love this company?)  but my favorite part of the store was what I took home.  I've been going on about greenery in my house for a while now (see here) and one thing I've really been wanting was a hanging terrarium for my shower.  Weird placement to put a plant in the shower, I know, but I love it.  West Elm was kind enough to give the visiting bloggers a little gift card to pick out something to take home, and I picked one of their adorable terrariums.  

I kind of hate showing off my bathroom here, it's the space in my house that still needs the most work (BLUE TILE, HELLO 80s!), but I do love the way it looks with a little more green!  

Thanks again to West Elm, and if you're living in STL, make sure you check out the new store soon!  

weekend link and love list

I did THIS yesterday, and yes, it was as cool as it looks.  I'm already strategizing when I can go back!

This snack looks delicious.

How cute is this idea for hanging guitars?  I might have to do this with my husband's collection. They're like art!

For those of us who are already lacking in counter space, this seems pretty genius.

I almost NEVER buy purses (I'd honestly rather buy stuff for my house) but I really wouldn't mind owning this one.

Okay, this seems a little labor intensive, but I could be pretty happy about one of them hanging from my ceiling.

I'm kind of dying over Peacock chairs.  I'm not sure where I'd put one, but if I found an affordable option, I'd find a spot!  Fingers crossed for the emails I sent out on a few Craigslist options....

a happy room

I'm normally not one to mess with natural light - I tend to like for it to stream in at all angles - but sometimes you need privacy, and privacy calls for curtains.  New curtains, in this case, because I was just SO OVER the stuffy damask ones I had previously installed for these doors.  It was a cost effective decision, but not a pretty one.  

But this may just be the year I remember as "the year I learned how to do it myself" and do it myself I did.  I picked out this fun yellow chevron at Hobby Lobby, brought it home and hemmed up the edges with hem tape.  A few clip rings later and I had new custom curtains, at the perfect length.  This has, of course, kind of a created a monster and now I've basically gone around putting new curtains in every room.  

Want the DIY?  Click over to Young House Love.  

most days

Most days, I wear something like this, that serves the purpose of running around for errands, doing a little blogging from the couch, and cooking dinner by the time Darrell gets home.  No makeup, hair in a topknot.  

It's super casual, super comfy, and I think still has a little personality.  

top - anthropologie, shorts - american eagle, espadrilles - soludos, necklace - gorjana