Favorite Fridays

July 4th is my favorite holiday, so this coming week is one of my favorite weeks of the year! It's about 100 degrees outside, so Tilley-Gray and I are headed to the Splash Pad for a play date.
(Officially a mommy thing to do these days!)

Favorite Outfit

It's necessary to wear red, white, and blue on July 4th. I found this dress for only $53.00! Perfect for the holiday and afterwards!

Dress / Bag / Bracelet / Shoes

Favorite Outdoor Space

Favorite Treat

I have been eating my weight in watermelon this week. It's just too hot outside not to! I'm trying this tomorrow night when some of our best friends will be in town. Soaking watermelon in tequila and then dipping it in salt. An edible margarita? Yes, please!

Favorite Photo

We had Tilley-Gray's 6 month photos taken this week and Millie snapped this photo on her iPhone right after we finished. It was almost 9pm, well past her bed time, but she was such a little trooper and giggled and squeled in the sand. Everyday with her is more full of love and more fun. 

We are heading to Ocean Isle Beach tonight to visit with Gray's parents and see The Holiday Band.
Hope y'all have a great weekend!
xoxo

Lime + Lemon

My favorite drinks in the summer time revolve around limes and lemon. Vodka with a lemon twist or a lime infused mojito are my go to summer drinks. 

 There is nothing like matching your cockail of choice, right? 

Lime

Kenneth Jay Lane Drop Earrings / Swim Suit / Notebook

Cocktail Dress / Cocktail Book / Sparkling Water

Lemon

Sparkling Water / Stud Earrings / Shorts

Swim Suit / Tunic / Lip Butter

Lately, we have been cocktailing it up around the Cheek house, and not in a bad way. The days are longer and the heat hasn't been too bad, so we have been taking advantage of our front porch. Dinner may consist of cheese and crackers some nights, but I can promise you the drinks are homemade with mint from our garden. Wife of the year, right? 

Goodness Gracious Gorgeous

This is the home of Peppermint Bliss blogger, Bailey McCarthy. Her and her husband bought a home in Austin, Texas and renovated it to their liking. The bathrooms alone are worth talking about.

You can see the before/after photos here and the entire house on Design Sponge. 

Bailey's blog is hysterical, not to mention full of great design, so go and check it out!

Favorite Fridays

Happy Friday y'all! How has your week been? 

Our  neighbors are getting married tomorrow and guess who got ordained so that he could officiate? Grayson is officially, at least in North Carolina, a Reverend. 

Kind of ridiculous, but it's what they wanted and we aim to please. 

I have been searching for interior inspiration this week and have found so many. 

Here are some of my favorites. 

I love these modern chairs with the more traditional accessories. 

Everything in this set-up is perfect. The cabana, the striped pillows, the towels, the plants.

 I'm adding this to my "future house" file. 

 A tiny galley kitchen with gorgeous wallpaper. 

This house is gorgeous. I love the tiny details of the shingles on the side and the courtyard. 

Think of the parties that could be in that space. The possibilities are endless.

These girls with their style and hair. I love that they are unapologetic about being glam. 

 It's about 100 degrees in Wilmington and this dress by Rachel Pally is the perfect mix of cut and color. It comes in black, white, and striped, but the red is my favorite.

These bracelets are so cute, especially when they are stacked.  

Favorite Photo

Not the best picture of me, but Tilley-Gray... I could just eat her up. She is so precious and has started to get her own little personality. 

My grandparents came in town this weekend to keep Tilley-Gray while Grayson and I attend to the wedding festivities. It's so special to see Tilley-Gray with her great-grandparents.  My grandmother is rocking her to sleep right now, singing the same songs she sang to me when I was little. They were a huge part of my life growing up and to see them with her makes my heart so full.

I hope you all have a great weekend! 

xoxo

Dining Room / Kitchen / House / Patio / Girls

My Baby is Crawling...

Tilley-Gray is crawling and my life, as I knew it, is over. She's into everything. She isn't interested in her toys or blocks or any kind of mechanical dancing dog toy that I spent too much money on. She would rather put the zebra rug directly in her mouth or try to reach for the internet modem under my desk. She wants to grab the dog's tails and their ears. (Thank you, in advance, for your warnings on how the dogs may snap. I've been warned and I'm taking your advice.)   I can't turn my head for a second. She isn't content with sitting still these days, so I'm enjoying my time with her, keeping her out of the dog's food and out of trouble.  And working on Poplin & Queen. We found some gorgeous fabrics last week and we hit the motherload of vintage furniture. That's why I haven't blogged. Oh, and my nanny is taking a week off to go to some fancy wedding in Aspen. God love her, I don't know what I would do with out her. 
(Giselle and Tom Brady are there and she is sending me photos. I can't wait to see!)

This week, I thought about other working mommas. It can be done, right? It's not about balance, it's about getting it done. Kelly Wearstler does it, no doubt with an army of talented people behind her. 

It's nice to have role models. like Kelly Wearstler, that are strong business woman, creative power houses, and mothers that can also fit Barry's bootcamp and healthy eating in a 24 hour day. 

In other news, Jamie suggested the book gilt by invitation only last week when we met. The book is really good and is an easy read.  Are any of you reading it? I'd love to hear what you think!

Back tomorrow with lots of favorites! Do you have any from this week?

currently coveting

this monogram bracelet

It's only $48.00 and you can get free shipping with code Fifi. Now go and get one! 

I think I might order one with my monogram and one with Tilley-Gray's monogram.

I just love a big stack of monograms.

A little eye candy this Monday morning

Happy Monday!

This past weekend, Shannon and I blazed through Raleigh and then Chapel Hill. We met up with one of our favorite interior designer/shop owners/blogger and all around cool girl, Jamie Meares at her store Furbish and then had a lovely lunch to talk shop. I had never met her before and she was seriously so sweet and nice. It was definitely the best blind date I have been on! 

Shannon and I went fabric shopping and then did our own version of treasure hunting. We found gorgeous things that I'll post later this week. In the meantime, take a look at Society Social's new magalog. Roxy and her team did an amazing job and the spaces shown are gorgeous. 

It's just the inspiration you need for a Monday morning!

For good reason, the Fifi chair is my favorite. 

This Duchess chair is a close second and I love all of the new pillows they are offering!

I love this spotted wallpaper. I bought my own spotted pillow at Furbish on Friday that is a great addition to my sofa pillows. Spots go with everything, right? 

Hope you all have a great Monday!

xoxo

A little bit country

I read an article last night in Garden & Gun about a young guy named Cabell Cox that recently opened a landscape architect firm in Charlottesville, Virgina. His firm, the Grow, Co., specializes in creating "fashionable, edible gardens" and takes the grunt work and the research off the homeowner's to-do list. Last year, the squirrels beat me to my tomatoes, but I would be willing to give it another chance if my garden could look like this. 

After reading the article, my mind did what it normally does, and thought bigger. If I had a garden, I would certainly need a chicken coop, and maybe even a barn, right? We live on a busy street and have a teeny, tiny yard. To move out of the city, I would loose the convenience of the park and Whole Foods, but I could have Whole Foods at my backyard! 

I did a little research, and liked what I found. A white barn, a gorgeous chicken coop, a manicured garden? I'm in. (Hopefully it will all come with a set of directions and a few helping hands!)

A barn big enough for horses and pretty enough for parties.

A chicken coop that's not an eye sore!

A well organized garden.

Chickens and raised flower beds would be so charming.

What do you think? Could you and would you live (and do the work) on a farm? 

1/2/3/4

Treasure Hunting

Yesterday, Shannon and I went on a little treasure hunt. We found some goods and have added them to our list for clients. There is nothing more thrilling to me than finding a "find."

When I see spaces that inspire me, they are never from big box catalogs or perfectly designed rooms. While we were running in and out of warehouses in the pouring rain yesterday, climbing over furniture and digging through piles, we found some gorgeous things for our clients. It takes time and patience to curate a room, and I can't wait to share what we found!

A few inspiring rooms on my radar these days? 

This chest could work in so many different styles.

The modern chairs and the rustic table have a perfect, unexpected balance. 

It takes time to put something like this together, but I'm well on my way to my own butler's pantry. It's on my list for my next house. 

The abstract art by Cocoa & Hearts makes this room a little less serious.

I'm a sucker for bamboo and love this night stand.

 Instead of Marilyn, I found a sketch of one of  my heros, Dolly Parton, yesterday that would look perfect in my office. I like a little humor and Dolly brings it in that department. 

1/2/3/4/5/

And the Winner is...

Last Monday, I posted one of my favorite giveaways yet from Ashley Brooke Designs. After entering in all of your names, the lucky winner is Lindsay, entry #4. 

Lindsay, just promise that you will share your sketch!

This past weekend was full of parties and I'm wiped out on this rainy day. Tomorrow, I'm back at it, hustling away. Hope you all have a great Monday!

Image

Coco Kelley

PS: DKM Accessories is offering free shipping through July 4. Just enter Fifi at checkout! 

Favorite Fridays

How has your week been?  We (Poplin & Queen) have our first clients, hired an intern, and have been working on new projects all week, so this week has been wonderful!
 Tomorrow I am hosting a couples baby shower for dear friends, so my house is full of paper products and flowers right now in preparation. I hope you all have a great Friday! Here are some favorites from this week!

Favorite Shoe

It seems crazy to think about boots right now, but I've learned my lesson in the past and know that now is the time to buy boots for Fall. 

Rag and Bone gets it right in this little booty. This is the kind of shoe I would wear all Fall, Winter, and into Spring. Skinny jeans, long maxi dresses, flirty short dresses, and tweed shorts would all look great with these. I'm a big believer in investing in shoes because you can tell quality of a shoe and how it wears more so than a top or dress. 

Favorite Find

Very French Gangsters is a children's eye wear company that I have become slightly obsessed with. Other than the name being adorable, the glasses and the children featured couldn't be more precious. My  brother wore glasses when he was little, and the options then were so limited. Thanks to Poplin & Queen's new intern, Abby, for sending this my way!

Favorite Gate
Grayson and I have big plans to build a house one day, and I love these gates by Pierrick Verny leading out to patio area. 

Favorite Kitchen

I like the washed floors against the dark cabinets. A bit masculine but I love it. 

Favorite Hostess Gift

I'm always looking for a great hostess gift and think that these bottle openers by forge de laguiole would be perfect. 

Favorite Photo

Tilley-Gray is getting is sitting up and army crawling. She had her first cold the beginning of this week, but was a trooper during her doctor's appointment.

Desk Obsessed on Ashley Brooke Designs

I am always so interested (some may call it nosy) about how other people work, live, dress, eat, etc. Do other bloggers work from their sofas and coffee shops or do they have an official home office? Ashley Brooke Designs asked Shannon and I to participate in their series, "Desk Obsessed," that answers some of those questions. 

Pop over today and you can read what keeps us inspired, our favorite desk accessories, what we snack on, and exactly how we work. 

Emily from Southern Weddings Magazine, Sarah Lederman of Chevron & Stripes, and Mackenzie Horan of Design Darling are have shared their favorites desk accessories in this series as well!

Thanks so much to the girls at ABD for having us!

Currently Coveting

I admit I'm in a bit of a fashion rut. After the husband called me out on wearing my work out clothes without actually working out, I reverted back to my next safest outfit, either a striped or chambray shirt and white jeans or some type of printed short. I love Chambray shirts and have a few that I rotate through. What do you think about this look?

1. MiH Cotton Shirt 2. MiH Classic Chambray 3. Faith Connection Striped Shirt 4. Maison Scotch Chambray Shirt 5. Aubin & Willis Shirt

It pulls together an outfit and checks all the boxes - not too pricey, chic, and easy to laundry. I'm not the only one that loves this shirt!

Do you have a go-to outfit? I'm in need of some new staples. What are some of your new favorites?

PS: You can find me over at Oh Beaute blog today sharing my daily beauty regimen. Pop over and say hello! They are giving a $300 giveaway as well that you should check out!

images

1/2/3/4

GIVEAWAY: Ashley Brooke Designs

A few weeks back, I told you just how smitten I was with Ashley Brooke Designs. The sweet girls at ABD and I have been emailing back and forth over the past few weeks, and I am so happy to finally share what they have been working on. I love custom stationary, but the girls at ABD take it to a whole different level. They asked me to put together a style board for myself and Tilley-Gray so that they could create a custom illustration for my new stationary. It turned out better than I could have ever imagined. 

What I love most about this is that I'll be able to show Tilley-Gray this sketch when she is older. When I showed it to my mom, she said it reminded her of the paper dolls that I played with when I was little. When I opened up their email, I was standing in line at Target and literally squealed loud enough that people around me started staring. I think it was worth the squeal, don't you?

I can't wait to send these cards out to my friends and family. I've been putting off writing thank-you notes for a few weeks because I want to wait until these come in. I'm saving a few for myself and will more than likely add one to our gallery wall in a pretty frame. 

This is one of my favorite gifts I have ever been given, which is why I am so thrilled that Ashley Brooke Designs is giving one lucky reader a custom illustration and 25 note cards. Here is how you enter: 

1. "Like" Ashley Brooke Designs on Facebook and follow them on twitter.  

Let them know how darling you think they are!

2. "Like" Poplin & Queen (my new business) on Facebook and follow us on twitter. 

Big things are coming up that you don't want to miss. 

3. Follow Fifi Cheek and leave a comment telling me how you will use your new stationary!

Giveaway ends Monday, June 11th.

PS: This is my 500th blog post. Thanks so much for reading and for all of your support!
xoxo

Poplin & Queen + Favorite Fridays

Shannon and I are putting the finishing touches on Poplin & Queen and I can't wait to share more details with you next week. Poplin & Queen specializes in two different things, interior design and social media consulting. This means that we can help you style or design your house or help you get the most out of your social media. If you’re interested in either, just email us at poplinandqueen@gmail.com for now. 

I also want to thank you all for the tremendous support that you have given us. We know that great things are ahead of us and we could not do it without your support! I promise more details next week, but until then, here is a sneak peek of our new website!

Favorite Wallpaper

Anna Spiro, one of my favorite designers, has recently launched a wallpaper line in collaboration with Porter's Paints. I love the colors and the graphics. I can't wait to see them in person!

Favorite House

I love white houses and think this one is so stately. As classic and stately as it is on the outside, I would love to put graphic wallpaper, bright artwork, and cozy furniture in this house. I think painting the front door a bold color would also be fabulous. What do you think?

Favorite (this is a first) Laundry Room

Doing laundry is my least favorite chore, but this room is so pretty I don't think I would mind as much. 

Favorite Swim Suit

 I have had the hardest time finding a cute one piece suit (I'm not quite ready to bare my post pregnancy belly). This Marc by Marc Jacobs suit just came in the mail and I absolutely love it. 

Favorite Accessory

This zebra belt by Kate Spade is beyond cute. I tuck in shirts to high waisted jeans and shorts, or belt my dresses all the time. This would be great with so many things that I already own. 

It also reminds me of one of my favorite wallpapers by Scalamandre!

Favorite Recipe

I love sandwiches, and this grilled sandwich by Ezra Pound Cake is right on point for summer. 

Favorite Photos

Tilley-Gray (left) is 6 months old today and debuted her first bikini with her friend, Abby, last weekend. I can't believe how fast she is growing up!

Grayson is one proud papa. She was a trooper on her first boat ride, even with her life jacket on! 

What are your plans this weekend? My mom and step-dad are coming in town so we are spending the weekend with them, relaxing on the beach, cooking, and drinking wine on our front porch! 

I hope you all have a great weekend!

xoxo