Love and Lion

style

5 STEPS TO A STYLISH, KID-FRIENDLY HOME

We’re so excited to have Miriam Bornstein from Zillow help us make our own homes kid-friendly all while keeping it stylish! Miriam writes about lifestyle, home improvement and design for Zillow Blog. 
MIRIAM:

Designing a home around children comes with limitations, but that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your personal style. Embrace living with children by creating rooms that encourage you to think outside of the box and incorporate your child’s whimsical view of the world.

Here are five ways to create a stylish, kid-friendly home.

1. ORGANIZE STORAGE

Clutter and scattered toys are certainly an unavoidable part of family life, but your child’s toys don’t have to become part of your home décor. Establish order and organization by storing your children’s toys and art supplies in one designated place. Slide boxes or baskets into open shelves, place wicker toy bins next to standing lamps or use the extra storage in a hollow foot rest. Adding storage not only provides you with peace of mind, but also helps you establish a less cluttered lifestyle.

2. INVEST IN TIMELESS FURNITURE

Kids outgrow their clothes, but they don’t have to outgrow their furniture at the same rapid pace. Create a room that your child can grow with by investing in neutral furniture and timeless pieces. Avoid kid-themed furniture and décor, eliminating the need to update your child’s room every couple of years. Instead, invest in a black dresser, brass lamp or white nightstand – all functional items that a child needs for years, regardless of age.

3. INVOLVE YOUR CHILDREN

Embrace your child’s creativity by involving them in the home decorating process. What patterns and colors does your kid like? Let your child have a say in the kind of bathroom tile to buy, or the color of paint for the front door. Even flipping through magazines together can spark inspiration and creativity. Collaborating with your child on a project not only encourages quality family time, but also allows the whole family to create an environment that everyone can enjoy.

4. PURCHASE A DINING ROOM TABLE

Bring the family together by purchasing a dining room table equipped for the whole family. Look for tables accompanied by benches that can double as storage, or find a table that expands as your family grows. If you’re looking for function and style, purchase a table that you can refurbish. One way to do this is by purchasing a secondhand table to repaint and retouch.

5. DECORATE WITH DECALS

Incorporating playful decals is one fool-proof way to add character to your child’s room without having to paint or renovate. Decals are an exceptional option for renters because they’re safe over painted walls, removable and don’t involve a can of paint. Because decals are interchangeable, they’re great for a child with evolving interests. Swap out an animal display for images of the solar system, or combine the two for an exciting wall display.

Decorating with children may be a challenge, but it shouldn’t stop you from designing your dream home. Creating a home that’s both stylish and kid-friendly is attainable through organization, collaboration and investing in timeless pieces. For more inspiration, check out Zillow Digs.

HOLIDAY LOOKS / HIS & HERS

Got a holiday party coming up? Do you know what you are wearing yet? You might be last minute fashionistas like Leah and I, but these looks will have you dressing like you picked your outfit waaaaay in advance. 
Meet Damien and Lisa Wong-Ken! These are dear friends of mine who happen to be professional stylists. Lucky me, right? They have styled for big events such as the Dove Awards, AMAs, Grammys and Billboard Awards. They have been faithful texters when my husband or I are having a fashion crisis. Bless them!
We asked each of them to put together a look for you and the special guy in your life so that when you hit the holiday parties, you will do it in style and with confidence.
Outfit (top & bottom) / Booties / Ring / Studs / Coat / Tights / Clutch
Lisa says…. 
I went for a matching top and bottom. It’s the look of a dress without being one. This 
gives you the opportunity to get different sizes to fit your unique body shape. You can 
also wear each piece as a separate later on. Pair the top with your favorite denim and the bottom 
with a white T-shirt!
Booties are a must have! These are sleek and have a great texture. I’m all about pieces
being able to transition into different looks. I love statement jewelry!! This ring has such an interesting look and unconventional shape! Being that it’s winter, opaque tights add the right amount of warmth. These tights go the extra mile by slimming you down. It’s the perfect companion to a pencil skirt.
The front and back look of these studs are perfect for any hair do. With the top and bottom of the outfit
being all over lace, this is just the right amount of subtlety.

Statement coats are really big this year, and I love it. If you are going to cover up your 
amazing outfit do it with a great topper. This amazing burgundy wrapper the perfect 
contrast with the gold. Last, but not least….. the clutch. When I’m going dancing I like to carry a cross body bag. I hate leaving my purse, and a strapless clutch becomes cumbersome. I love the 3D effect of 
the sequins and that it’s multi-colored.
Jeans / Dress shirt / Tie / Pocket Square / V-Neck sweater / Sport Jacket / Shoes
MEN!!!! Take note. I know for my husband,  dressing up is an intimidating thing because when it comes to hems, layers, accessories, etc., there are “rules” that he is just unaware of, and it can be overwhelming. Damien gives such great tips on every little detail you need to pull off your look with style.
Damien says….
Slim cuts, layers, patterns, and colors are the go-to looks for the season, and are always the
most versatile during the cooler (and sometimes colder) weather – no matter where you 
are in the country.
Unless it is a formal event that you are attending (in which case a dark suit is always 
appropriate), go with a dark blue denim that is tailored and slimming.  Even if you’re a 
“big boy”, don’t shy away from slim cut jeans!  If they are hemmed correctly, they will 
make anyone look a few pounds lighter. A good tailor will know exactly how to give you the 
perfect amount of “break in the leg”.
Next, go for a mid-to-dark grey or black unconstructed sport jacket that fits right.  This 
simply means that there is little to no padding in the shoulders, and sometimes no lining.  
The seam should land at the top of the ball of your shoulder.  This will make it 
look slimmer and more flattering. The sleeves should be 
shortened to about a half of an inch just above your first thumb knuckle (the bump by your 
wrist).  It may seem short, but it’s right, and will add a touch of style to the end image as 
you show a little shirt cuff.

Shirts, ties, and pocket squares are preferences.  Patterns are always great so don’t be 
afraid of mixing them with colors.  A good rule of thumb as you start off is to have a 
printed shirt (let’s say a fine check) paired with a solid tie of a contrasting color 
(example: a blue and white fine check, with lighter/darker blue, a red, or yellow tie).  The 
tie should be about 2-3 inches at its widest point, tied in a 4-in-hand knot. When tied, 
the tip should land at the very top of your belt (Please! Wear a belt!!)  Cotton pocket 
squares are not for everyone, but they do break up a huge piece of blank canvas, and are a 
great accessory that doesn’t over do it.  If anything, just use a plain white cotton 
handkerchief and fold it into a square, exposing only a sliver.  No matter the 
shirt and tie, it’s a perfect compliment.
Socks and shoes are very personal items.  Socks can be as unique as you are, and shoes 
should always be clean.  For this particular look, I would go for a basic oxford. 
  Brown or black would look great. Matching a belt is not necessary either, as long as it’s “close enough”.
This look may not be your forte, but believe me, when people compliment you on how
you look, you’ll feel more comfortable and confident than ever!
EXTRA: Damien & Lisa’s roster of clients includes:

TobyMac, Newsboys, Chris Tomlin, Brandon Heath, Capital Kings, Ryan Stevenson, Run Kid Run
Finding Favor, B. Reith, Brit Nicole, Nicole C. Mullen, Mandisa, Journey’s Group (Journeys, SHI)

FASHION FRIDAY!

It’s Friday!!! Totally throwing my hands up in the air like I just don’t care…. and spilling my cocktail while doing so. Leah and I are wrapping up party details, and helping a sweet mama set up for her son’s special day on this lovely Friday evening. We can’t wait to share details on za bloog next week! We worked hard this week, and I think we are both ready for a little relaxation.
Anyway, I had my lovely husband shoot one of my favorite looks right now! He was able to come off of the road today for a couple of hours, so I showered, and did my hair (btw, when it is 95 degrees out, creating a bun is considered “doing your hair”)….. ya know… stuff you maybe DON’T do when your man is gone. No? Must be just Leah and I. I wanted to look nice for a lunch out with him and the little, so I went for the super comfy boyfriend jeans ($20 bucks!) and a new top I also picked up at Forever 21. I personally loved the idea of a black cami underneath the white. If you are bold, and want to go there….rock the black bra. Not this girl! I don’t want all of the old southern women staring me down at the local mexican restaurant.

I paired it with an old clutch and strappy wedges from last summer, but I am really loving this pair right now… drool! Also, I have been rocking my gold hoops almost everyday! They are super lightweight, and go with everything. I can’t find them online, but any pair would do. My go to Michael Kors watch is on repeat as well. I know everyone has these watches it seems, but I sure do love them! They don’t break the bank, and they are practical and stylish. Mine is not available anymore, but this one is stunning.
Still love love loving my bright pink lip (NARS in Schiap). I only do a super thin liner and mascara when I do the bold lip. I hate feeling too “overdone”
SIDENOTE: I read an article the other day about things you should give up at 27. It made me laugh, which I loved, but among those things was Forever21 and Urban Outfitters. I am sorry, but I just can’t. I seriously think you can shop ANYWHERE as long as you are picking out the right things for your body and lifestyle. 
Enjoy your weekend ladies!! We are so grateful for your readership and support…. can’t say it enough.
XO!

Subscribe to Love & Lion

Recent Posts

This error message is only visible to WordPress admins

Error: No feed found.

Please go to the Instagram Feed settings page to create a feed.