Huff Harrington, "What's In Your Travel Bag?"

Today's guests for "What's in Your Bag"  gives us double delight and moves the series into Fall. With Summer almost over, it's time to move forward with travel bags from other places, so who better to do that than the dynamic duo from Huff Harrington!  Have you met these ladies?  Do you know about their amazing store in Atlanta and their fabulous buying excursions to Paris?  If not, you need to take a minute and visit their website at the end of this post.

Meet Ann Huff and Meg Harrington!  

If you can't wait to see what these ladies do, go ahead and click over to their website now then read the post or read the post and click over but either way, don't miss out on what Huff Harrington has to offer.

I'm beyond excited I won a Buying Trip at the Design Bloggers Conference to France next March with this fun pair of design treasure hunters!   Don't you want to join us?  I can promise we will have a ball and find some amazing furniture and accessories along the way.  Rumour has it there will be a little French champagne involved as well!  I'll give you links at the bottom of the post in case you are interested in the details but for now....Let's go see what's in these ladies well-packed travel bags.

click here to read more....

Maria Killiam - "What's in Your Bag"

I'm so excited to have my dear friend and color expert, Maria Killam from Canadia here today to participate in my "What's In Your Bag" series.  I adore Maria and her brilliant "color" wisdom!  I read her blog daily and must say, I often learn something even though I have been in the business for almost 20 years and consider myself pretty color savvy.  Maria is true colour expert.  If you want to learn more about color, make sure to sign up for her blog "Colour Me Happy" or check out some of her e-commerce products and courses.   Let's go find out what's in her bag!

Maria Killiam "What's in Your Bag"?

1. Do you go to the beach or the pool? If beach, 

what's your favorite beach?

I prefer a pool, you're on a chaise lounge instead of a towel on the sand. And a private pool is a luxury like my client's beach house in Kauai where I've vacationed the last two years. You can see my sister Elizabeth through the garden.

2. What's your favorite beach /pool bag?

source

Well, I have an old one that is hot pink with black and white checks but if I were to buy a new one, I'm loving this one with the fringe! So fun.

3. What are necessities in your bag?

Salt & Vinegar Chips (my fav) iphone, my Kate Spade

 turquoise and white beach towel along with a good book.

4. What's Your Favorite Sunscreen?

I bought Aloe Up SPF30  while in Arizona last year and I

 like it,  it isn't greasy and all natural.

5. Favorite bathing suit?

I have about four or five bathing suits, but my favorite is this

 turquoise DKNY Maillot that I bought a few years ago. 

I would love to find another one.

Maria on vacation in Cabo

6. Do You Have a Favorite Coverup?

I like this one I recently saw at Joe Fresh. I also have a

 black and white striped cover up that goes with

 all my colorful suits.

7 . What is Your Favorite hat?

I just bought this hat from a tourist trap store on 

Granville Island in downtown Vancouver and paid over $100!! 

Snap it up here for only $40!

8. Sunglasses for Summer 2015

My new glasses for summer are these Aviators from Maui Jim. 

The style works on my face best because of the shape.

 Some of their styles are curved down and look slightly droopy 

on my face but these are perfect.

9. What book is in your bag?

This is one of my favorite books by Jude Devereux. I've had it

 for years and when I just can't find anything else I want to read on the beach,

 I'll re-read this one. A classic sweet love story that's reminds

 me of Outlander because she goes back in time.

10. Favorite beach/pool shoes?

I love black flip flops and wear them all the time.  But I'm into these slides right now because they are so comfortable. And I would have to say the sexiest pair of Crocs in the collection.

11. Favorite drink on the beach or by the pool?

Well if someone would bring me a Watermelon Wiggle from Jugo Juice, 

I would be very excited to sip it by the beach or the pool.

12. What is Your Favorite summer activity?

Photo was taken at dusk.

I've turned my covered back patio into a sanctuary that I love to spend time in during the summer. In the daytime when I'm working from home, you'll find me sitting on this sectional. On Sundays, you'll find me napping on it. It's like having another huge room attached to your house for six months of the year. When we moved in I wanted to rip out the deck because it was NOT pretty but we had a bigger project to work on the outside and that was completely transforming our front and back yard with landscaping. Now that I've decorated the patio, I hardly notice that it's not the deck of my dreams. 

Thanks Lisa for featuring me on your blog! Find me blogging about How to get Colour to Do What you Want™ at mariakillam.com     

Thank you, Maria, for participating!  Cannot wait to see you at High Point Market!  Readers make sure to check out Maria's website and blog.  She is the colormaster!  Traci Zeller and I love using Maria's large paint boards when working on projects.  Oversized paint boards make seeing color so easy!  

My husband and I are still on vacation in Nevis.  Today we move to other side of the island to Nisbet Plantation, which was an old sugar plantation.  We wanted to experience both sides of this magical island while here.  

Watch my instagram for "real time" photos here.  

Design Chic...."What's In Your Bag"

HAT/DEAR CAROLINA/COVERUP

FLIP FLOPS/BATHING SUIT/TOTE BAG

SUNGLASSES/TOWEL/PHONE/WATER

Thank you so very much, lovely Lisa, for having us today! We are just thrilled to be a part of one our favorite blogs and are even more excited to focus on everything we love about summer. Pool, beach, boat, sun, sand, surf... What's not to love? 

1. Do you go to the beach or the pool? If beach, 

what's your favorite beach? 

We have a place in Beaufort and spend pretty much every day in Atlantic Beach between the pool and the beach since they're right together where we go. We love both, but little Will pretty much calls the shots these days. It's a little less relaxing but more entertaining for sure! 

2. What's your favorite beach/pool bag?

We love a huge monogrammed Goyard tote for something super chic and think this Mar Y Sol Crocheted Tote with pom poms is just adorable! (Bonus points for the fact that it matches Dear Carolina!) 

3. What are necessities in your bag? 

We're obsessed with Turkish towels because they are so lightweight and fold up to nothing, snacks, Boogie Wipes, (or Boogie Wipies as Will calls them... He's obsessed and uses one every thirteen seconds.) book, sunscreen, cell phone, water, Annie's Bunnies, extra sunglasses, chapstick, granola bars, Superman underwear, goggles. That's just the beginning, so if you need something and see us on the beach, you're in luck! 

4. What's your favorite sunscreen? 

Kiss My Face spray! It's the best. It's lightweight and rubs in clear and smells yummy! It's good for the whole family and doesn't make our faces break out. 

5. Favorite bathing suit? 

Anything by Marysia. This one piece is gorgeous, but I'm loving their bikinis too! 

6. Favorite Coverup? 

This Miguelina crocheted tunic is so chic and goes with everything. 

7. Favorite hat? 

Eric Javits cutout wide brim hat. We tend to choose hats that are simple so they will pair with any color bathing suit! 

8. Sunglasses for Summer 2015? Tom Ford's

 Ivanna Wrap Sunglasses. 

There are really so many good choices this summer, but we think this frame is so flattering!

 9. What book is in your bag? 

Well, as you may have suspected, Dear Carolina, of course! People have been sending me shots of Dear Carolina in places all over the country this summer, and it is so thrilling to see it by pools and on beaches everywhere! 

10. Favorite beach/pool shoes? 

Ferragamo's jelly thong! It's the perfect color nude that goes with everything. And I love these because you can get them all sandy and they're a breeze to rinse off. 

11. Favorite drink on the beach or by the pool? 

Voss sparkling water. Hydrating, bubbly, so yummy! 

12. Favorite summer activity. 

We have a beach trip with Mom's family every year that is a favorite tradition. There are twenty-two of us in all and we keep expanding! We all stay in one house and have the best time. We look forward to it every single year and have done it since Mom and her sisters were born.

Thank you Design Chic for participating today!  I love your picks for beach or pool.  I'm online now checking everything out and ordering a few for myself!  

Readers, if you haven't picked up a copy of Kristy's new book "Dear Carolina" do so today!  It's a great summer read!  Click here to order and get your copy shipped today in time for reading this weekend!

Tobi Fairley, What's In Your Bag?

My guest this week for "What's in Your Bag" is Tobi Fairley.  If you are in the design industry, Tobi needs no introduction.  For those of you who aren't designers, many of you have heard of Tobi, but if you don't know her name already, you will soon because she is becoming a household name. 

This talented Little Rock designer has designed beautiful interiors which have graced the cover of most of our country's top shelter magazines.  She has created collections for well-known brands such as Soicher Marin, CR Laine and just announced a new collaboration with The Woodbridge Company.  She was recently named the new spokesperson for Thermador Appliances, which we all know I love.  Along with all these accolades, Tobi also leads a successful consulting business where she mentors interior designers and other industry professionals.  I was in her Mastermind group for a couple of years and cannot say enough about how it helped me professionally.  I value my relationship with Tobi as a friend and mentor.  When I say this woman works hard, I mean she works hard! Because of Tobi's work ethic and dedication to her business, I thought it would be fun to get her to spill the beans about what she does to relax and recharge.  This style maven gave me some great ideas of things I now need in my beach bag! 

 Let's go find out what Tobi has in her bag and what she loves to do during her down time...

1.  Do you like the beach or the pool?  If beach, what's

 your favorite beach? 

Seaside/Watercolor in Florida. Just got back from 2 glorious weeks there. Definitely on my bucket list to buy a house there. I also love the pool and have one in my own back yard. :)

2. What's your favorite beach /pool bag? 

Scout Bag

My new Scout beach bag is this pink and navy one that is super affordable but so great because it's waterproof, and sand just slides right off of it. It is this cute striped one from Scout. The side pockets perfectly fit my Kindle for beach reading and my phone for grabbing when I need to snap a cute photo of my family. 

3.  What are necessities in your bag?

Kindle Paperlight

 Definitely my Kindle Paperwhite. The screen is made for reading with no glare or reflection in the sun. Also must have my iphone. Even though I unplug from emails at the beach, I snap photos and often post to instagram in real time. Other things in my bag are Neutrogena sunscreen, Sunbum aftersun lotion, my Tory Sunglasses, my Madagascar sun hat or my monogramed Barbara Cobb beach hat, my sand spike drink holder and a plethora of sand and water toys. 

4. What's your favorite sunscreen? 

Neutrogena Wet Skin 70+

Neutrogena Wet Skin 70+ is the only sunscreen that doesn't make my 10-year-old scream. It's mild and doesn't burn but works great for sun protection. We also love their face stick. It goes on your face like a deodorant stick. 

5.  Favorite bathing suit?

Gottex Swimsuit

This black and white classic suit from Gottex is my favorite I have this year.  And since it's strapless I don't get any crazy suntan lines. 

6. What is Your Favorite Coverup this Summer?

Tory Burch Coverup

I am crazy about this Tory Burch animal print beach cover up! 

7 . Do you Have a Favorite hat?

  I actually have two favorite hats.  I love my Barbara Cobb monogrammed beach hat!

I also adore my Madagascar Beach hat that comes in lots of colors.

It rolls us for easy storage in my beach bag.

8. Sunglasses for Summer 2015

Tory Burch Sunglasses

These are my favorite sunglasses. I especially love anything from Tori with a "T" logo on it since it's my initial. And in orange, one of my favorite colors, these are perfect for me! 

9. What book(s) is in your bag?

Just finished reading a fabulous book called Carry-On Warrior by Glennon Doyle Melton. It's a must-read for any busy mom who thinks everyone has it together but her! 

At the beach I also read both The Rhythm of Life and Off-Balance: Getting Beyond the work life balance both by Matthew Kelly.  

And now I am reading It Starts with Food...it's the book by the creators of The Whole 30 food movement. It's all about resetting your body with whole foods so you can optimize your health and stamina. 

Next up--The Element by Ken Robinson.

10. Favorite beach/pool shoes? 

Tory Burch Flip Flops

The Tory thin enamel flip flop is perfect for the beach. It's so comfy and easy to shower sand right off. I have them in black and I love that they are available in nude this year too! It's my favorite summer shoe! 

11. Favorite drink on the beach or by the pool?

When I'm at the beach in Florida, I often enjoy a "Stress Free". 

It's has the perfect name, right? 

Watercolor Beach Club "Stress-Free" Drink:

New Amsterdam Vodka, DonQ Coconut Rum, peach schnapps, pineapple juice, cranberry juice

And for my "Stress-free" to keep the sand out, here is my must

 have drink holder 

The Spiker drink holder is perfect for keeping your drink out of the sand as well as the sand out of your drink.  Its nice to stick your phone in too. 

And back at the beach house, I love a Jalapeño Margarita that I was introduced to by my BFF designer Denise McGaha.  To make it even more exciting, I love this recipe with my VERY favorite fruit Watermelon added to it compliments of Coastal Living Magazine...

12. Favorite summer activity. 

We love the Seaside/Watercolor because there is SO much to do. We love biking around the quaint town. It's beautiful and GREAT exercise. And speaking of exercise, I love going on my 5-mile walk with family or girlfriends every morning in Seaside. There's something about ocean air, the view of the adorable beach cottages, and girl talk that makes exercise feel like anything but! 

And while in the ocean at the Watercolor Beach Club, we love riding the ocean waves on this fun and delicious inner tube from Big Mouth Toys, my daughter's favorite of this 

season... 

Sprinkle Donut Ring

Of course we can never visit the adorable airstream trailer housing Seaside's famed snow cone site Frost Bites too much! I love the coconut cream flavor and my daughter's pick is Blue Raspberry. YUM! 

And my other favorite summer activity is cooking big family breakfasts each morning and also cooking fresh seafood and veggies each night (preferably from the Seaside Farmer's market) for friends and family. And of course a big ole yummy Watermelon for dessert.  It's even better when our beach house has Thermador appliances so, my dishes come out perfectly every time! :) 

Here is a picture of Tobi enjoying time at the beach with her family.

I'm so happy Tobi decided to stick her toes in the sand and share the details with us.  Follow this design powerhouse on her social channels to see what new and exciting things she has coming down the pipe.

Tobi on instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and twitter

If you are a designer looking for a Mentor program, check out Tobi's Mastermind program here.  If you want to ask me questions about the program email Lisa@lisamende.com

Thank you, Tobi, for joining the fun and participating in "What's in Your Bag" on Lisa Mende Design!

What's in Your Bag...Holly Hollingsworth Phillips?

Today we continue our series "What's in Your Bag" with tastemaker,
Holly Hollingworth Phillips of The English Room.  

Holly is one of my fun designer friends and like me hails from Charlotte, NC. She
 has been designing elegant, eclectic and colorful interiors from her studio, The
 English Room for many years.  Her blog "Musings of a Design Aficionado" has
 developed quite the following due to Holly's chic style and on-trend decor talent and
 fashion trend eagle eye.  If you want to read all about Holly, you can do so here. 
 I caught up with Holly during one of her breaks between her many travels long
 enough to find out what was in her bag!  Enjoy!

1.  Do you go to the beach or the pool?

Both!  I LOVE Sullivan's Island, and any Tropical Isle. Le Sirenuse is on my

 must visit list for next summer. 

I go to the pool at my mountain house more than anywhere else.

The Eseeola Pool is so nice because it rarely gets hot. 

So Holly....What's in Your Favorite Bag and

 what chic things are in it?  

We are all dying to know!!!!

1/Turkish Towel Beach Towel  2/ SunBum Face Stick and Spray  3/ SugarLips 
 4/Marysia Malliot  4/ Vaha Cape  5/ Tula Hat  6/ House of Harlow "Chelsea" Glasses 
 5/ Yeti Insulated Cup  6/ LaCroix Lime Seltzer  7/ Hayden Reis Beach Bag

8/ Jack Rogers Neon Lime Sandals   9/ Paloma  10/  The KnockOff  
11/  Dear Carolina

2. What's your favorite beach /pool bag?

I have more totes than I can count.  The latest favorite is my Hayden Reis.

3.  What are necessities in your bag?  like phone, crossword puzzles, snacks,?

My iphone,  lots of mags- All the shelter..House Beautiful, Elle Decor,

 Trad Home, Garden and Gun, Town & Country, LaCroix lime seltzer, and Lip sugar

4. what's your favorite sunscreen?

I love Beach Bum products, and these are my favorite "must haves"! 

 I love the smell!

Beach Bum 50+ Spray & Beach Bum Face Stick

Beach Bum Face Stick

5.  Favorite bathing suit?

Marysia Mott Maillot is my favorite!  It's a simple, classic suit with

 a scallop edge.

6. What's your favorite Coverup?

6. Favorite Coverup?

Vaha Cape in orange trim  Love, Love, Love these coverups.

  Chic and comfy!

7. What's your favorite Hat?

7 .Favorite hat?

Tula Explorer Hat Spf 50 is my favorite hat.  It's perfect for the beach, 

pool or running around to keep your face out of the sun.

8. Sunglasses for Summer 2015

House of Harlow Chelsea  - I have been wearing these glasses for a couple of years.

  I have them in several colors.  

9. What book (s) are in your bag?

I am looking forward to reading Dear Carolina by Kristy Harvey and 

The Knockoff by Lucy Sykes and Jo Piazza.   

10. What are your Favorite beach/pool shoes?

My favs are  Jack Rogers Neon Lime Navajo Sandals

11. Favorite drink on the beach or by the pool?

A Paloma is a perfect drink to cool you off in the hot sun!

12. Favorite summer activity. 

Hanging out with my family at our Pixie Spring Cottage and traveling. 

Thank you so much, Holly, for participating in "What's In Your Bag Series" Today!  I loved all your fabulous choices in your bag!  

Please pop over to Holly's blog The English Room where she shares her love of interior design, exciting client projects, and her "Artists Spotlight Series" weekly.  You will love her blog!  Follow The English Room on all her social channels ( pinterest, twitter, Facebook, and instagram) to stay in the loop with this chic designer!  And for an bonus check out her instagram to see the cool sandals she just got from Greece here.  I'm personally dying over those!  

Also, if you missed last week's "What was In Your Bag" with Traci Zeller, Click Here!

Hope everyone is having a fabulous Summer!

Ciao Til Tomorrow!