Baylor Says...

There is a Light that Never Goes Out

Lauren — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 13:02:28 +0000

Where have I been….where have I been….I wish I had a fascinating story to tell you, something about tigers and travels and amnesia? What? Can’t say, really. But here’s what.

Blogging is hard. And it’s only made harder by the complete saturation of decorating ideas/trends/advice via 4,794,023 decor blogs out there right now. But the killer? Pinterest.

Pinterest RULES. Please don’t get me wrong. Before Pinterest I could count on one hand the number of people I knew that gave two rips about decorating their home (or had any idea they wanted to or knew how to go about it outside of a Rooms To Go showroom).

Because that’s why I started blogging. I suddenly became very interested in making my home pretty pretty pretty, but really never believed I could have an amazing and fabulous home without a designer and money in the bank. Not true! I learned what I liked, learned how to put things together and suddenly yearned to share that info with others….my progress, my successes and many failures.

And it is so fun, it is. I love hearing back from y’all! And not just for approval…I don’t think all bloggers are narcissistic jerks who want to hear “awesome! you rock! that’s AMAZEBALLS!” all the time. Maybe sometimes, but it’s not really the point.

Lauren, what is the point? Slow down, what you don’t like to read? Hey, so the reason for such an extended break is twofold:

I really REALLY am working on something. In just a few short weeks I should have my new site up, and it will be a virtual vintage warehouse of lovelies. Well warehouse is a strong word, although I have a storage unit and garage that would beg to differ. Junk In The Trunk (TM! TM! TM!) will be a special place, in that I’ll have one unique find, once a day. Thrilling, yes? Just you wait.

And the other reason? Like I said, blogging is no joke. And it is even tougher now that everything is old news 5 minutes before it’s even news. Do you really want to see the same pictures you just saw on Pinterest this morning? I don’t even want to see them anymore. I haven’t pinned anything since….hang on….5 weeks ago! Yowzas. And I’m the one that’s supposed to be into this stuff.

PS (pre PS?): This confession was stirred up by Jenny’s post (Katy bar the door…she’s salty)…not sure I even knew completely why I ducked out for so long.

All the wonderful, innovative bloggers that I’ve loved for years? Haven’t been reading them either. Honesty (and hoping there are no hurt feelings here): Other than a very very select few, they’re all posting the same stuff over and over too. I don’t want to see another $5000 end table. No I can’t be bothered to click through your affiliate link to see where you purchased that $300 tshirt. And I read Lonny YESTERDAY. Not sure I need a recap (guilty! Blogging is hard.).

Sooooo……all that to say, I’m still going to blog. And I hope you’ll still read. Thank you for all the emails, tweets, texts (Hi Mom!) and facebook messages asking where I’ve been and when I’ll be back. I love that there is a small handful of you who think I’ve ever added something valuable to the conversation. Because that’s really the point.

Original content, personal triumphs, changes, shopping (!!) and genius insight. That’s all you can expect from me going forward. Oh and Baylor is still hilarious.

Master Bedroom Sneak Peek

Lauren — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 16:30:49 +0000

I can’t call this an ‘after’ quite yet. Mainly because I used my iphone camera, I didn’t make my bed very Martha Stewarty, and I haven’t fluffed up my bedside tables to appear as though I lounge around reading Sartre and sipping Pellegrino Lemoncello (which I totally do). But I did get new lampshades! So brace yourselves for the excitement that follows.

Needs art. And an end of bed bench. And someone to shake me out of my lazy stupor so I’ll do something with those urchins that have been on my side table since God was a boy. (I think I might hang them on the wall to the left of the curtains. Yesnomaybe?)

Overall, I love it. Love it can’t live without it, want to marry it and make little bonus room babies. The pale lilac of the walls really puts off an ethereal glow at night that is yummy. I love that it’s girly without being too much so. Shouldn’t bedrooms be girly?

I’m nutso over the bolster fabric.

Do you see what I see? Boo.

Yeah, those are custom gold foil lined buckskin lampshades. They are simultaneously bringing a wonderful masculine touch to the room, and CLASHING HIDEOUSLY with my chrome lamps. Mother. Why? Why is every mistake I make so epically stupid.

So I haven’t decided what’s going to happen there…maybe the lamps will move. I could always switch the shades out with the ivory linen ones I originally bought for this room (why are my pictures gone? too abruptly stressed to deal with that now).

They live down here in the living room. I think the cream might be too boring for the boudoir.

That is not a really old pic, but I’m flabbergasted that I change things so often…the room is so different now. Geez, now I have to update y’all on that too. I’m so behind.

Comments, criticisms, what have yous?

And Then She Was Back…

Lauren — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 20:07:56 +0000

My unannounced sabbatical is coming to an end…

via Amber Interiors

Next week will bring a new site design (fingers and toes crossed), some new happenings in my home (and some grasscloth!), and some newsy news (big news!).

Is this thing on???

Outdoor Chic With Overstock

Lauren — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 15:15:35 +0000

Just a quick note to let you know that Overstock is offering FREE SHIPPING on all of their patio/garden items today. Is that a huge deal considering it’s only $2 on the reg? Not really, but it gave me an excuse to goof around for a little while.

wicker bar cart /copper hammock / delmar dining set /garden stool/ poolside rug/ outdoor sheers /green fern cushions/ japanese bamboo lounger / hanging lantern/ green foliage pillow

Overstock is not paying me for this post, though they probably should be. (Call me!)

How Much is TOO Much?

Lauren — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 19:45:52 +0000

The WORST is when I actually have the remote control to myself for 5 nanoseconds and I’m all out of DVR’d goodness. Happened this weekend and through random guide scrolling I landed on Four Houses. Have y’all seen this? It’s a brand new show on TLC with a somewhat interesting premise. Oh please, anytime I can nose my way into someone else’s home, I’m fascinated.

Anyway….briefly, Four Houses takes four homeowners (duh to the duh) and makes them tour and grade each other’s spaces based on certain criteria. Originality, livability…blah blah blah. They have to rank the others 1, 2 and 3 to keep it fair.

So the first house we saw was Jennifer’s. I’ve stalked TLC’s site and Google images like it’s my job and this is the only one of her house I can come up with.

At first glance I thought cool, totally my style. There was brass, wallpaper EVERYWHERE, tons of fabric and shiny and look at me and mix and match. But as I kept watching….holy bananas this woman had every trend I’ve ever seen on every blog I’ve ever read in the history of ever. It was too. much. Wasn’t it?

Trust me when I tell you there were more than these things, but I caught all of these in one room.

And I love everything here, really I do. Well maybe not coral so much, never was my bag. And I don’t really do poufs. Girlfriend loves her some Kelly Wearstler fabric. Don’t blame her, it’s all fab.

We all want these things, right? All of it. And I’m totally all for trends….I think adding something trendy to a room can instantly update it. And inexpensively too.

But all at once? This is the issue I guess. I’m not hating. Listen, it annoys me to tears that everytime a new trend comes along there is a tidal wave of bloggers breaking their necks and tripping over each other to be the first one to poo poo all over it.

I’m not like that at all. If you think it’s cool do it. But only if you really like it.

And can you really call a vintage brass reading lamp a ‘trend’? I don’t think that’s fair.

Since my very first impression of Jennifer’s home was a like, I’m trembling with anxiety that I too have trend overloaded in my home. So tomorrow we’re going to take a little photojournalistic tour around my abode and play Count the Trends. FUN!

HEY! I’m newly obsessed (read: OBSESSED) with Instagram, come follow me here. It’s where I’ll be logging my shopping trips.

I Love Thrifting Day 2012 ~ The Recap!

Lauren — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 10:35:04 +0000

Totally thrilled that I heard about Mr. Goodwill Hunting’s I Love Thrifting Day and swiftly decided to host the Palm Beach crew! Granted, I had no idea what I was doing and I’m not so much a thrifter as I am thrifty. No matter, I know my way around a thrift store, so I jumped in with both feet. Now I can’t wait until next year when I’ll have a much better idea of what to do and what to expect and how to promote it.

Here’s a little glimpse into the Palm Beach crew’s day of hearting thrifting!

I started my morning by tweeting and facebooking a self portrait in my official leader shirt. Dorky? Glad you asked, about as uncomfortable as Glenn Beck at a GLAAD convention.

Get over yourself, you’re about to make new friends. Thrifting friends, as it were.

We all met up at Howley’s, a fabulous little diner on Dixie Highway, for some breakfast and meeting and greeting and whatnot.

You should believe me when I tell you that Paulette showed up. Paulette who literally wrote the book on thrifting in Palm Beach County. Are you for real? Yes I am. And she gave a little speech, which was hilarious and insightful. And she was wearing a scottie dog shirt for goodness sakes. I think she paid $4 for it. Her book? Bought it.

Then it was off to the shops…our first stop was the Animal Rescue League Thrift Store.

GROUP PIC before we sweat off our makeup ladies.

Cannot say thank you enough to my sweet friend Ashley, the editor of Just Ask Boo Palm Beach (find a JAB in your area….it rocks!), who brought the majority of girls to the event. She is awesome! Blog hiatus doesn’t correspond well with gathering the masses…

I forewent the opportunity to get my thrift on and decided to make everyone really uncomfortable with candid picture taking instead. Yay!

Robin and Keri were checking out the art, one of my main go-to’s when thrifting. Sorry you blinked Keri, the pic stands. XOXO

Aww, would you just look at what Cissy and Jenifer found upon entering the store? I do thank God for girlfriends. New and thrifty ones.

Liz and Jenn do not shy away from the candid shot as they check out some dishes…nay, Liz feigns hot tea fanning. That’s the spirit!

Liz engages Keri in admiration of a music box that did not, in fact, play music.

Grace scored some clear glassware, yes! Clear and white glass are my #1 thrifting buys. As somewhat of a fabric junkie, I need neutral dishes.

Everyone settled up and headed off to our next destination, the Salvation Army (my favorite furniture thrift, it’s HUGE.)

Well that’s a really tiny picture and poor little me over here all WordPress-differently-abled. Such is life.

Sidebar: Is Robin one of the most photogenic people you have ever? I mean really, enough already. Here she is again with adorable Ashley…they were checking out these darling little club chairs. Don’t think anyone took the bait.

Since none of us had had enough, we decided to head over to the Palm Beach Goodwill. The Embassy Boutique. Code for fancy people castoffs.

Lots of hobnail to be had…at a 4,400% markup from, say, a WEST Palm Beach thrift.

All in all it was a super fun morning! Met lots of fun girls and loved hearing everyone’s thrifting tips and scores. I really didn’t browse a whole lot, but I had my eye on a few things. As Keri pointed out, how great would that crib look painted a high gloss navy for a boy? A FRIEND’S boy…settle.

Thanks everyone who came out! Can’t WAIT for next year….I’m thinking charter bus, cocktails, Paulette in a kitty tee. I’m totally in.

Let’s Go Ladies!

Lauren — Mon, 02 Jul 2012 18:53:29 +0000

It’s happening!! We’ll have OODLES of fun! Is oodles the most old-fashioned word I have used on this blog to date? Probs.

And a SUPER SECRET 3rd location TBA if you’re still hanging in there…

See you Saturday!!

So Hot.

Lauren — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 20:10:36 +0000

Is it sticky and awful where you are? Good. Misery loves company.

We are living in the pool, only slightly less fabulously than a Slim Aarons setup.

Is it terrible that I have zero motivation to bring the prettiness here until this ACTUAL PAGE is pretty? It’s an eyesore, boo. Still working on the logo for a new venture and, as I said before, then I’ll get this little area of my internet life jazzed up a bit. Why can’t I be more self sufficient? I bet every 17 year old on the planet knows how to do this. Hmmph.

I’ve caught up a bit with just a few of my blog idols, but for the most part am design-mum.

Y’all local girls, don’t forget about this! Lest I be walking around talking to myself.

NEXT Saturday, July 7th…I’ll be hosting the Palm Beach crew for International I Love Thrifting Day. Send me an email at baylorsays at gmail dot com, and I’ll send you an itinerary and all my love.

Thrift on, thrifters.

No Worries…

Lauren — Tue, 26 Jun 2012 23:59:10 +0000

I’m alive! And I’m coming back, promise. I’ve just extended my break a wee bit. I’m enjoying it so much and planning for so much more upon my return. Just a little changerooski coming.

Here’s how breaky my break is…I haven’t even READ a design blog in almost 2 weeks. Mind blown.

AND. I’ve got a big stack of magazines just waiting to be thumbed through, but this is sitting on top.

I’m scared! What if her house is full of crazy little tablescapes and canned food?

No thanks.

I love and miss you all!!! All two of you still clicking back over here since I pulled my disappearing act. XOXO

I Heart Thrifting Day…Palm Beach HOLLA!

Lauren — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 19:07:17 +0000

I do, I so do.

For those unawares, Mr. Goodwill Hunting has started an annual event that is sweeping the nation…I Love Thrifting Day #Ilovethrifting. This year the national shopping holiday is taking place on Saturday, July 7th in cities all over the place.

And I’m hosting the Palm Beach crew!! So mark your calendars and bring it. The largest group will win a partay thrown by Mr. Hunting himself. How dapper is he?

I’ll let you know the details when ~~I figure out what the heck I’m doing~~ we are approaching the big day, but plan for a meetup around 9:00am and then I’ll drag you around town to all my favorite haunts. PLEASE shoot me an email at baylorsays at gmail dot com so I can know how many of you lovelies will be joining in the fun.

It shall rock.

Want a t-shirt too? Click here, and look to your left. Sorry for the late notice kids, I think today’s the last day to order.

So here’s the deets on the blog right now…the layout and design are giving me a headache and I’m wordpress brain stupid and can’t do a tiny thing about it. It’s break time! I’ll be vacationing with my huge family (9 kids yay! I didn’t contribute proportionately.) all next week and then going straight into a MUCH NEEDED girls weekend woohooooo!!! I need to blog-recharge so that I can bring you better content and more funzies. Thanks for sticking around through this awkward tweeny braces kinda transition period with me. UGGH! Promise exciting and new things to come if you’ll still love me.

OH and through the magic of Facebook greed (and probably lazy posting), I’ve lost like half my readers. Do you still want to know what’s going on here? Please pretty please subscribe by email at the top left of the page.

I love you longtime.

Baylor Says…

3 years, 5 months, 21 days

“Daddy has a pea head. Me and Mommy have a Big Head Todd.”