Outfit Serendipity
Well, this is a funny coincidence. I’ve been holding onto this post for the past couple weeks due to the oddly warm weather we’ve been having and the fact that this outfit is more suited for cooler temps. Yes, even this mildly bundled ensemble would’ve been too warm for what we’ve been experiencing in Texas...
Bright Winter
Boy, oh boy, oh boy… It’s been a while since I’ve let an entire week float by without a blog post. What can I say? A lot has been happening!! But enough of that. You’ll hear more from me on “the secret subject” later. Right now, I’m focusing on positivity, confidence, and a bright, cheerful...
Trends vs Personal Style
I’ve been mulling over the ideas of trends versus personal style recently. This time of year lends itself to that sort of discussion… “what’s in, what’s out, what’s the next hot thing”. When I sat down to compose a list of my own, though, I bumped against a funny obstacle. With every “passe” trend I...
Out for the Holidays
Hello, hello dear readers… I’m back!! As you’ve noticed, for the past week and some I’ve been purposefully absent from the blog. It was time to step away for some fresh air. Amidst Christmas gatherings and family visits, my absentee roles included cook, cleaner, hostess, cuddle-bug, Christmas elf, conversationalist, and puppy manager (to name a...
Christmas at Preston & Richard’s
Our household experienced a bit of a crisis over the weekend. I didn’t mention it yesterday because I was still in the processing mode of “omg, did that really just happen”. Our sweet puppy Ives unsuccessfully chased a very frightened black cat over our fence and into the outside yard, which could also now be...
Less Than 24 Hours in… Hot Springs
I fell asleep last night to sweet dreams of family, friends, and less than 24 hours in Hot Springs, AK. I believe I was smiling as I drifted off. All I could think about was how wonderful the past week has been! David and I returned to Fort Worth on Saturday after a heart-warming trip...
Autumnal Ambers
Golden turning leaves, smoldering camp fires, the warm glow of late afternoon light… it’s all part of the seasonal tide from Summer to Fall. Recently, our seasonal “tides” have been ebbing and flowing back and forth especially quickly. If I’m being honest, it’s kind of a nuisance. One day you’re in wool knits and cozy leggings...
Pumpkin Floral
Pumpkin carving is not for the weak of heart. Apparently it takes grit, endurance, and plenty of elbow grease (or whatever that odd saying refers to). So I learned when an attempt was made to carve the prettiest little gourd yesterday in preparation for today’s post. Reader beware… you’ll get you hands dirty with this...
Shifting Seasons
If I was recently afraid that Fall wouldn’t arrive, my fears have been unquestionably calmed. This weekend, the air turned suddenly chill and the typically overbearing sun disappeared all together above a thick cloud cover. It’s been more than cool… it’s been cold!! This vignette from a corner of our living room felt particularly Fall-ish. Louis...
Speckled Leaves
Color seems a little scarce these days. Most outdoor greenery in my corner of the world is either shriveled up or lacking in vibrance and, of course, none of the leaves have begun to change colors (thank you, two-season Texas). As a former resident of the Southeastern United States, I’m still sore over the lack...
Weekend Cheers
The temps are slowly creeping back up to their usual high self but they are never the less lower than they were a couple weeks ago. We’re making improvements! David has a little extra time off this weekend (no football game or band competitions) so I plan on taking full advantage of our free time...
Rainy, Dreary
The weather over the weekend shifted suddenly from what was cool and breezy to rainy and dreary. Not the most welcome change considering that we’ve all been enduring regular 100 degree + temperatures with the one hope that Fall would be here soon and finally we would have some pleasant weather. But then, of course,...
Weekend Cheers
New York Fashion Week officially ended yesterday. And what does this mean for me besides my mini “Fashion Moment” series coming to an end? (ok, yes, i’ll still be blogging about fashion) Not much, actually, except that I’ll now be getting my runway photo feed from across the pond in fashion’s next destination, London. Backtage hustle, streetstyle...
Back to School… Shabby Apple Giveaway
This giveaway is now closed. Let’s all take a minute and step back into our childhood memories. Remember what it was like as a kid to go back to school after summer vacation? First, there was the anticipation of seeing all your old friends. Then, the excitement of purchasing new school supplies and clothes. (organizing all...
Fashion Moment… Fall Arrival
Is it obvious yet? I’m SO ready for Fall to be here!! With all it’s seasonal cliches (crisp mornings, golden leaves, bonfires, school books, leather boots, plaid shirts, scarves, and pumpkin roasting… to name a few), it’s perhaps my favorite time of the year. Spring is fresh and happy. Summer is hot and relaxed. Winter...
Pastels for Fall
Continuing with last week’s focus on fashion, today’s Color Study highlights the feminine palette of a favorite blouse from my closet. The colors, although mostly pastel, are slightly muted and a tad earthy. Combined with the antiqued bronze buttons and muddy moss green border, it’s a fantastic color combination for this upcoming Fall. Now, I...
Color Study… Ep. 17
Today, my Color Study column gets a bit of a facelift and reimagined direction. Over the past several weeks, I’d lost a lot of interest in the series despite the fact that I still really loved the idea. After some review, though, I decided to simplify things by narrowing my focus down to one photo...
Weekend Cheers
Thankfully I can say that this week ended on a much better note than the last. A few highlights included the celebration of my sixth wedding anniversary on Sunday, the launch of an online resale store for my discarded clothes and accessories on Monday, and my participation in this month’s PULP Design Duel post with my...
Urban Oasis
After yesterday’s “hefty” subject matter about the importance of art, today I find myself in the mood to simplify. Easy enough! Recently, I visited the Fort Worth Water Gardens and found them to be the perfect place to escape for a quiet moment of reflection or mindless relaxation. I’ll let the photographs do most of...
Color Study… Ep. 13
Yesterday afternoon David and I took a walk around the neighborhood with Ives. It was shortly after a brief summer shower and all the colors were popping! This color scheme feels perfect right now… fresh, vibrant, slightly beach-y, and definitely on the cool side. Great start for the week!
Color Study… Ep. 12
This past weekend really started to feel like Summer. I know, I know… Summer doesn’t actually begin until June 21st, but let me tell you, it might as well be here already! Perhaps it was our more relaxed schedule finally catching up with us or maybe it was simply the color of the clothes I...
{long} Weekend Cheers
The best holidays seem to always come after the longest stretches of work. This past week was full both in my “day job” and here on Hilary Inspired. Here’s a quick look at the week’s highlights: Front porch facelift for The Home Depot Special feature on The Everygirl ShoeMint giveaway for Hilary Inspired readers Since...
Hilary Inspired Style Challenge for The Home Depot
Today’s the day that I finally unveil my most recent collaboration and decode a few of the mysterious Instagram posts I’ve been sharing over the past several weeks. Yesterday’s teaser hopefully peaked your interest. Now, today, I’m coming out with the entire affair! Several months ago, Caroline from The Home Depot Apron Blog approached me about...
Patio Escape – The Teaser
I mentioned in last week’s closing post that I had several irons in the fire – projects that I’ve been working on for a while and will see the fruits of soon. Tomorrow will mark the launch of one such project that I am terribly excited to share. The result of my work far exceeded...
Color Study… Ep. 8
Spring time is well on it’s way to peaking here in Texas! I missed the blooming trees that Tennessee so spectacularly produces but regardless, I’m enjoying the fresh breeze, mild temperatures, and relentlessly chirping birds – they seriously never stop. A few colors that have seemed especially prevalent are the ivory and white-washed hues as...
The Flowers
Last week I posted about my lovely experience in a floral arranging class at Bows and Arrows in Dallas. Today I’m sharing the product of my efforts as photographed in their final resting place. I relished every last minute that they sat on my dining room table!! I don’t believe a girl ever felt so...
Color Study… Ep. 7
My week has been a beautiful mix of flowers, turtlenecks, and vintage jewelry… three of my favorite things!! The subsequent color scheme couldn’t have been more lovely either. Blush pink, mustard yellow, and emerald green feel incredibly fresh and unique together, not to mention the perfect color recipe for this in-between season we’re in. What...
The Season – Spring 2012 Line-up
In continuation of my similar post this past Fall, I’m sharing a recap of my favorite Spring 2012 runway collections amidst the flurry of fashion week taking place in New York right now. In case you’re not aware, next Fall’s collections are currently being shown at New York fashion week and will continue through the...
A Touch of Winter
The crunch and crisp of Winter has begun to set in. Early mornings are frost bitten and late evenings have a chill that will bite you to the bone. The mid day is still relatively mild here in Texas but cold none the less. I took this photograph earlier in the season and it caught...
Style Story… Ada Smith
Simply put, today’s post is very special to me. My grandmother, Ada Smith, mother of my mother Jessee and known by her grandchildren as “Day-Day”, has been a precious and profound role model for me all my life! She is gracious, kind, elegant, and humble. When I asked her if I could photograph her apartment, a place in...
Christmas Cheer!
Merry belated Christmas, everyone! I am writing this post from a cozy place on my in-law’s sofa with a belly full of Southern-style Cracker Barrel breakfast and sitting beside my husband. It’s wonderful! Between my plate full of work projects and David’s busy school schedule, we’ve been hustling quite a lot for the past several months....
Small Shop {out-takes}
In case you missed my guest post for Erika of small shop talk earlier this week, here are a few out-takes from my “One Dress, Three Ways” post. David helped me tremendously with the photography (he’s becoming quite the pro!). While editing is an important part of the publishing process, I thought it was still...
One Dress – Three Ways
I love an excuse to get dressed up!! So naturally the winter holiday season is one of my favorite times of year. As you’ll see below, today’s post is a teaser for my guest feature on fellow-blogger Erika Bretchel’s blog, small shop talk. Take a moment to visit her site and learn how I styled...
Autumn Appearances
Despite growing older every year and seeing the “same” seasonal changes time and time again, I am still so smitten with the colors and textures of Fall. Although I’ve mentioned it many times in the past several weeks, I have yet to dedicate an entire post to what is my most favorite seasonal change of...
A Gift Guide with Modern Eve
I have recently had the pleasure of getting to know Katie Anderson of Modern Eve, a Dallas based “lifestyle blog that provides a personal, inside look into {Katie’s} life as a modern wife living in Dallas, TX”. Keeping up with her blog was lots of fun but then I got this sweet email with an...
A Moment for Thanks
Photo by David Walker Just wanted to take this moment to thank you ALL for your support, readership, and comments. It means more to me than you probably realize. I love writing this blog and having readers that enjoy it also is so special. THANK YOU! For those in the United States, I hope you...
Color Study… Ep. 3
Autumn has fully arrived and I couldn’t be happier. I’ve started carrying my camera with me almost every where for the chance that I might come across a brilliantly colored tree to photograph. I love this time of the year for it’s color, so it seemed fitting to include a scattering of golden leaves in...
Into the Garden
Because I have been so remiss in posting this week, today will be an extra full dose of Hilary Inspired for your viewing pleasure! This time of year is so perfect for spending an afternoon outdoors – cool breezes, mild temperatures, beautiful changing scenery – which is why I chose to visit the Fort Worth...
The Gate is Asway
Out of the blue and for no apparent reason other than momentary curiosity, I picked up an old book of poems sitting on a near-by bookshelf last week. While turning through the brittle, age worn pages, I came across this capsule sized poem entitled “October”. It seemed an appropriate feature for today’s post – can...
A Slow Fall
I’m learning that the transition from Summer to Fall is a very slow process here in Texas. Literally! One day and small degree at a time, our temperatures are dropping. But mid-way through September we’ll still hovering around the 90′s! So, as you can imagine, my ever-growing desire to dress in plaid circle skirts, corduroy...
The Season – Fall 2011
Autumn gives me so many reasons to love it… hot apple cider, cozy sweaters, crunchy fallen leaves, bon-fires, cool breezes, and a bevy of new collections during the month of fashion, of course! Currently, Spring 2012 exhibitions are being shown in London after a successful week in New York. Paris and Milan are still to...
Labor (less) Day
This is a simple reminder (if you even need reminding) to celebrate today with the friends and family that you find yourself nearest to. Many of us work hard, sleep little, and need a break. Well, today’s our day! As we transition from the season of vacations and school breaks to another year of work...
Fading Colors
I hesitated to post today’s images. I’m sure by now you’re tired of seeing my country bouquet of late summer flowers since their first appearance in THIS post. But I’ve completely enjoyed watching their evolution from fresh, peppy buds to rich, full blooms and now softly faded shadows of those initial blossoms. Surprisingly, I think...
Summer in the South
Summertime in the South (now the Southwest) evokes very specific emotions and memories, all of which seem to be tied up with relaxing and staying cool. For those of you that live there, you know exactly what I mean! In today’s post, which is less about words and more images, I attempt to capture a...
New Month… Fresh Slate
Since my days of school, which revolved around a semester based schedule, I have adjusted to a slightly different arrangement of time… the monthly schedule. Now, most all of my deadlines and short-term goals hinge on the beginning and end of the month. Needless to say, my wall calendar has become quite important. It stands...
Finishing Touches
I’m happy to say that my plan to begin sketching and drawing again has not fallen to the wayside like the fate of so many other projects. (…ahem, trying to shirk that reputation). So, here is a recent glimpse behind the scenes of my easel. I chose to work with water color pencils, a favorite...
Artist’s Corner
Each week a new list of to-do’s are crossed off my list. Most recently, I have hung curtains, organized more unpacked clutter, and picked-up a fabulous accent chair at you know where (more on that later). While considering this next week’s tasks, I have also committed myself to retrieving the sketchpad and pencil and fine...
