P I S T O L daisie

19 May 2012

personal style

pattern mixing is one of my favorite things to do. it can make any outfit a bit more whimsical and it actually makes me more confident in myself. for some reason "matching" isn't my forte, but color coordinating is right up my alley.

i'm not quite sure why, but that's the way i have always been. you can even look back at child me and find photos of me wearing a blue gingham dress with hot pink and orange sandals with a big pink bow in my hair. even in ballet class i would wear bright hot pink tights rather than the light pinks ones... i mean hey, they said "pink tights" were required so i pushed that dress code a tad even at 6.

i can even vividly remember writing an opinion piece for the pta newsletter in forth grade on personal style. they were considering having our public elementary school wear uniforms. i was not okay with that. i wrote that the clothes we picked out every morning to wear to school was a way of expression and confidence and how uniforms would essentially kill that freedom. ahywhoo, they published my brief writing in the newsletter and to my liking we never wore uniforms.

needless to say i strongly believe that what you wear on the outside should reflect what's on the inside. so next time you consider if what you want to wear "matches," where it anyways and see how it makes you feel. your style is all your own. let the fashion trends inspire you, but don't let them persuade you of who you are.

"fashion fade, style is eternal."

-yves saint laurent

happy weekend!

xo, pistol daisie

skirt (worn as top): tjmaxx, jeans: ag jeans, headscarf: abc carpet & home, necklace: limited, shoes: anthroplogie

17 May 2012

wanderlust shadow box // DIY

get ready lovelies i have a fun do it yourself this week and i call it the wanderlust shadow box. this is a great way to add a fun art piece to your study, studio, bedroom, etc. or you can give it as a gift to a friend that has moved away or somewhere new! the concept is simple. all you need is a map and a dream of where you'd like to travel... with a needle and thread :)

supplies needed:
a shadow box or deep set frame
a world map (or map of your choice)
scissors
embroidery thread
embroidery needle
and tape

one. thread your needle with a color of your choice. make sure to tie a thick knot so it doesn't slide through the paper. two. slowly puncture the paper map and make sure not to space your stitches to closely together. before stitching you may also want to use a pencil to light draw a path to follow otherwise feel free to create your stitched line organically like i did. three. i choose to put a heart around georgia and have my paths around the world steam from that. why? because georgia is where i'm from and i wanted to show all the places i could travel to from there. you can stitch a heart as your starting place where you heart lies. four. after your done stitching tie a knot gently or simple tape the end of the thread to the back of the map. then start to fold your map so it resembles a map you would unfold as you travel to your wanderlust destinations. five. unfold map and lightly sand folded seams for a vintage feel. six. tape your map to the matting in your frame or shadow box.

and voila. a beautiful framed map of your wildest dream destinations.
xo, pistol daisie

16 May 2012

blooming brilliant no. 01

I have this thing for watercolor sketches. This indescribable thing that leaves me with that breathless, magical, inspired feeling. So when I recently came across the incredibly diverse and talented artist Alex Eben Meyer on Flickr, I was totally floored. These gorgeous images from his sketchbook are only one small part of his amazing body of work. He also does brilliant pencil drawings and colorful, witty and fun computer illustrations as well. His works have been published in the New York Times, featured on Design Sponge and seen just about everywhere else you can imagine... even on the cover of a textbook.

Buildings.

La Replublica Dominica.

I spent well over an hour pouring over pages and pages of his sketchblog and will be going back for more as soon as I get the chance. Do not deprive yourself of this guys amazing work any longer... you might be surprised at the incredible things you'll find.

Website//Flickr//Shop

15 May 2012

pretty bird

my latest motif obsession these days has been birds. any blouse, dress, skirt, pant made of a bird pattern has been calling, no, screaming my name. like screaming on the top of a mountain top kind of need for attention. so naturally i have walked by this blouse at anthro about 20 billion times and i finally gave it to myself as a gift, and i'm so glad i did. super comfy and perfect style and fit for this spring season. and it's the color fabulous!

what have you been in love with these days?

xo, pistol daisie

shirt from anthropologie, necklace by pistol daisie, jeans by ag jeans, boots by blowfish.

inspired interiors no. 01

I have a certain obsession with farmhouses. Or maybe it's makeovers. Or maybe it's white. Whatever the reason, I stopped dead in my tracks when I came across this 1,200 square foot stunner in Hudson Valley, New York. The owners, Raina and Robert, purchased the property that had seen better days and turned it into something really special. The stylist-and-architect duo began by contacting one very hesitant real estate agent (who admitted they would have never shown the house!) and after finalizing the sale and renovation, steadily made their way into semi-stardom with a features following in Apartment Therapy, Rue Magazine and Design Sponge. Who knew a house flip could be so rewarding?

One of my favorite aspects about this home is the medley of textures and materials. Sharp metals, frosted glass, natural woods, soft sheens and sparkly subway tiles are excellent pairings in a home so rustic and full of character. It's the perfect personification of metropolitan meets rural; a huge appeal in today's design trends.

Exposed shelving is another trending feature (here's Pinterest for proof)! Easy to install and captivating to look at, Raina and Robert's organization and styling techniques really come into play with no cabinet doors for dinnerware to hide behind.

The upstairs bathroom is crisp, airy and well stocked for visitors. I love the striped monogrammed hand towels from West Elm, a favorite brand in the couples home. Can you blame them?

And in case you believe I was being dramatic about the extent of the renovation, just take a peek at the kitchen before!

To see out more on Raina and Robert's fabulous farmhouse remodel, check out their full house tour at Apartment Therapy, and be sure to stop by Raina's blog, A Stylist's Life.

Have a wonderful week!

14 May 2012

the eagle has left the building

it's official. i successful walked across the stage at georgia southern university with out tripping. this mean this eagle has officially left the building... or campus... to start the next chapter of her life.

this past weekend was so thrilling. i have been done with classes since december, but i never really felt done... until i walked across that stage. now i feel like i am finally moving on and can start to create the life i have dreamed. i know it will take hard work and dedication, but i am s excited to put in the effort.

this eagle is about to soar :) watch out world!

xo, pistol daisie

10 May 2012

new faces & voices

the reason i started this blog was to be able to share my love for embracing inspiration and sharing my own personal creativity with others. so with that in mind, i am so excited to announce that the pistol daisie blog is growing my friends!

i want to introduce you to four lovely ladies. these ladies are now officially part of the pistol daisie family. why you ask? well i wanted a way to grow socially and give my readers a few different view points for a greater source of inspiration. so i brainstormed and decided the best way to do this was to actually have a few different voices. a few voices that stand for the same purpose: to embrace creativity and establish their own inspired selves.

so from here on out i will remain the main editor for the pistol daisie blog, but these fantastic woman will be writing their own columns on matters close to their hearts. you will surely love them!

here are the new pistol daisie ladies: