Monday Maven: Molly and Ginny Rae of {Rae and Mo}, and a GIVEAWAY!

For today, I have TWO Mavens - two of my high school friends, Molly and Ginny Rae, the sister duo that comprises the online accessories boutique Rae and Mo. 

From the get-go these two girls have had personality-plus, an inherent sense of taste and style, and a good time no matter what. I've been lucky enough to go to school with them both, have fun in college, and still keep in touch post-college. 

Their mama is just as fun, so running into the whole trio is a treat! 

Today, the sisters are guest posting for me, and offering a fun giveaway for my readers! 

Follow them on Instagram @raeandmo

On Facebook

And be sure to shop their darling website RaeAndMo

I pasted this cute little blurb below from their website - sums them up, I'd say! 

__________________________________________

OUR STORY: SORRY, MAMA

Rae&Mo is an online jewelry retailer that began from a simple, unassuming fervor for jewelry.  As kids, our Mom would take us into the jewelry store where we were able to try on any piece we liked.  Since childhood, our fondness for luminous pieces has only compounded.  

We have always dreamed of being able to drape women of the world in the latest accessories.  We truly believe that embellishments like jewelry, gloves, hats, and handbags give an outfit a punch that makes you stand out from everyone else in the crowd.  And that's what we are all about, setting ourselves apart with quality pieces.  Sorry ladies, this ain't your mama's jewelry box.

What inspires the pieces you carry for Rae and Mo? 

We have always loved jewelry. Our Mom took us into the jewelry store when we were kids and the sales people always let us try on any pieces that we wanted while we were in there.  I think those experiences definitely started our obsession with sparkle.

Walk into J.Crew, Anthropologie, Banana Republic, Nordstrom, Neimans, you name it and you are bound to see some absolutely gorgeous pieces that you can't live without…until you see the price tag. That's pretty much how we started. We love adding bold pieces to our outfits to really make it standout from the crowd but it won't hit your wallet so hard. Whether you are wearing a business suit, jeans, or an LBD it's easy to give your outfit a punch with bright accessories.  When you are wearing something simple, it's easy to dress it up with a simple long chain necklace and some earrings and a bracelet stack, of course.  If you are wearing a busier outfit like a LBD with high neckline, add some stunning stuff earrings and some sparkly bracelets with a fun clutch.  It's amazing how much some fun, colorful earrings or a bold statement necklace will really brighten up your face. 

What are your favorite accessory combos? Jewelry finishes? Gold, Gilver or silver? Trends that you especially love? 

If you look in our homes, our clothing, or jewelry collections you will see a lot of mixed metals, turquoise, and coral. We are obsessed. We really love to mix metals to add some texture. Gold, silver, and copper all blend well so you can layer jewelry. We think it's really important when you are dressing/accessorizing to blend colors instead of concentrating on finding an exact match to the color to the outfit you are wearing.  Have a dress in your closet that has been hanging there for months because you can't figure out what to wear with it?  Add on a necklace or earrings by picking out one of the subtle colors in the dress and going with a bolder, brighter version of that color. Is it navy? Add cobalt. Is it an olive shade? Add an emerald green.

Do you have any jewelry pieces in your personal collection that are heirlooms or extra special? 

Our great grandmother loved her jewelry too. (We keep telling our husbands that our love of sparkly things is hereditary and we can't be helped.) She had all of these fantastic broaches, rings, and bracelets that she used to wear. Both of us wore some of her jewelry that had been passed down to us on our wedding days(see picture). Now, we add those pieces into our wrist stack.  

How does your fashion sense translate into your home's style? 

Bright colors! Just as mentioned before, it's easy to wear something simple and punch it up with accessories. That same train of thought is true in our homes. We love to keep a room fresh with natural tones in the large furniture pieces but adding a lot of pattern, texture, and color to accompany them.  Once again the turquoise, coral, and gold colors really stand out in our homes.

___________________________________________________________________

Molly and Ginny Rae are so sweet to offer a fun giveaway to a lucky reader of mine...the lovely Callie necklace shown below! 

You guys comment as often as you can, and I'll announce the winner later this week - giveaway ends on 12.17.14 at midnight!

Thanks again to Molly and Ginny Rae! 

Monday Maven: Molly and Ginny Rae of {Rae and Mo}, and a GIVEAWAY!

For today, I have TWO Mavens - two of my high school friends, Molly and Ginny Rae, the sister duo that comprises the online accessories boutique Rae and Mo. 

From the get-go these two girls have had personality-plus, an inherent sense of taste and style, and a good time no matter what. I've been lucky enough to go to school with them both, have fun in college, and still keep in touch post-college. 

Their mama is just as fun, so running into the whole trio is a treat! 

Today, the sisters are guest posting for me, and offering a fun giveaway for my readers! 

Follow them on Instagram @raeandmo

On Facebook

And be sure to shop their darling website RaeAndMo

I pasted this cute little blurb below from their website - sums them up, I'd say! 

__________________________________________

OUR STORY: SORRY, MAMA

Rae&Mo is an online jewelry retailer that began from a simple, unassuming fervor for jewelry.  As kids, our Mom would take us into the jewelry store where we were able to try on any piece we liked.  Since childhood, our fondness for luminous pieces has only compounded.  

We have always dreamed of being able to drape women of the world in the latest accessories.  We truly believe that embellishments like jewelry, gloves, hats, and handbags give an outfit a punch that makes you stand out from everyone else in the crowd.  And that's what we are all about, setting ourselves apart with quality pieces.  Sorry ladies, this ain't your mama's jewelry box.

What inspires the pieces you carry for Rae and Mo? 

We have always loved jewelry. Our Mom took us into the jewelry store when we were kids and the sales people always let us try on any pieces that we wanted while we were in there.  I think those experiences definitely started our obsession with sparkle.

Walk into J.Crew, Anthropologie, Banana Republic, Nordstrom, Neimans, you name it and you are bound to see some absolutely gorgeous pieces that you can't live without…until you see the price tag. That's pretty much how we started. We love adding bold pieces to our outfits to really make it standout from the crowd but it won't hit your wallet so hard. Whether you are wearing a business suit, jeans, or an LBD it's easy to give your outfit a punch with bright accessories.  When you are wearing something simple, it's easy to dress it up with a simple long chain necklace and some earrings and a bracelet stack, of course.  If you are wearing a busier outfit like a LBD with high neckline, add some stunning stuff earrings and some sparkly bracelets with a fun clutch.  It's amazing how much some fun, colorful earrings or a bold statement necklace will really brighten up your face. 

What are your favorite accessory combos? Jewelry finishes? Gold, Gilver or silver? Trends that you especially love? 

If you look in our homes, our clothing, or jewelry collections you will see a lot of mixed metals, turquoise, and coral. We are obsessed. We really love to mix metals to add some texture. Gold, silver, and copper all blend well so you can layer jewelry. We think it's really important when you are dressing/accessorizing to blend colors instead of concentrating on finding an exact match to the color to the outfit you are wearing.  Have a dress in your closet that has been hanging there for months because you can't figure out what to wear with it?  Add on a necklace or earrings by picking out one of the subtle colors in the dress and going with a bolder, brighter version of that color. Is it navy? Add cobalt. Is it an olive shade? Add an emerald green.

Do you have any jewelry pieces in your personal collection that are heirlooms or extra special? 

Our great grandmother loved her jewelry too. (We keep telling our husbands that our love of sparkly things is hereditary and we can't be helped.) She had all of these fantastic broaches, rings, and bracelets that she used to wear. Both of us wore some of her jewelry that had been passed down to us on our wedding days(see picture). Now, we add those pieces into our wrist stack.  

How does your fashion sense translate into your home's style? 

Bright colors! Just as mentioned before, it's easy to wear something simple and punch it up with accessories. That same train of thought is true in our homes. We love to keep a room fresh with natural tones in the large furniture pieces but adding a lot of pattern, texture, and color to accompany them.  Once again the turquoise, coral, and gold colors really stand out in our homes.

___________________________________________________________________

Molly and Ginny Rae are so sweet to offer a fun giveaway to a lucky reader of mine...the lovely Callie necklace shown below! 

You guys comment as often as you can, and I'll announce the winner later this week - giveaway ends on 12.17.14 at midnight!

Thanks again to Molly and Ginny Rae! 

Monday Maven: Nine Oaks Way's Laura Sexton, and a GIVEAWAY!!!

My Thanksgiving Monday Maven is a super talented interior designer, floral designer, and artist. She also happens to be a friend of mine, having married a "Perry boy", one of my brother's high school classmates. 

Laura Sexton of Nine Oaks Way has just launched her own business, sharing her incredible artistic talent with all of us! Laura has fabulous taste, is the loveliest person, and happened to marry into one of my favorite fun families. :) 

I am crazy over her gorgeous prints and drawings, and am so thankful that she agreed to guest post today! 

Y'all enjoy...her interview is inspiring and touching. 

Thanks Laura! 

_______________________________________

Hi! I’m Laura – wife, mom, Interior Designer and creator/owner of my newest adventure, Nine Oaks Way! I’m so grateful to be here today and share a little about by design background and business story with you! 

{click here to see her incredible site: http://www.nineoaksway.com} 

{and here she is on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laura.d.sexton.9}

{oh, and don't forget Instagram: http://instagram.com/lauradsexton}

{her Pins are super fun too: http://www.pinterest.com/lauradsexton/}

Like many creatives, I’ve loved to draw, paint, and decorate since I could hold a crayon. After graduating from Auburn I started my own Interior Design business and did regular contract work with several talented designers. My primary focus was Residential Interior Design, but my design roles also involved drawing elevations, landscape and renovation plans, and illustrating “A Time to Plant” by James Farmer. When my husband’s career change resulted in a move, I specialized in floral design for weddings and operated an antique booth in an interiors market. Having a constant mix of projects, clients, and design mediums paved the way for Nine Oaks Way and my vision behind what I’m doing now.

In June 2013, we welcomed our son and I traded in my role as full time designer for new mom. Nine Oaks Way was born shortly after Sawyer. The collection of giclee botanical prints I’ve created were drawn and painted from actual leaves and acorns Sawyer and I collected on walks together in our neighborhood. I had a vision to provide a fresh, timeless, quality product to bless others in their home, while being at home with my family. 

So who is Laura, the artist? 

I have dirty dishes in my sink, boxes filling up our dining room (we just moved…again ☺) and laundry that needs folding. I don’t have a studio and end up painting wherever the natural light is best. My business story isn’t glamorous but it has the fingerprints of my Creator all over it. I’m proof that small goals and small increments of time matter! I worked during naptime and whenever I could until my product was ready to sell. I’m hopeful my story will encourage other creative women to schedule time for their craft in the middle of real life!

What inspires you to create? 

I know a woman who is overwhelmed by her stark walls and paralyzed when it comes to deciding what goes with her decor, how many pictures to hang, and how to frame on a budget. She is who inspired Nine Oaks Way. That might sound dramatic but, as a designer and friend, I have met this woman so many times! When inspiration advances to helping a specific person or solving a problem something amazing happens. 

I’m inspired by people’s lives, places, the detail of God’s creation, and what only comes into focus when I take time to rest and slow down. I am continually learning that the creative process requires discipline and sacrifice. Creating is an action. It’s a wonderful feeling to be inspired but what am I going to do with it? Who am I going to serve?  

What are your favorite color schemes? Mediums?

When it comes to interiors and art, I’ll never tire of neutrals and colors I can see out of my window. I love color but want everything in my home to fluidly transition from room to room. As far as mediums, I love the detail of pen and ink, the softness of watercolor and the depth of oils or acrylics. Some of each make a home interesting!

Do you have any art pieces that are particularly special to you? Favorite furniture pieces? 

Two of my favorite paintings are a pair of watercolor landscapes of Chattanooga, TN (where I grew up). My mom gave them to me and she found them at our favorite antique mall we visit when I’m in town. They have the original frame and are signed by the artist. They are small and simple, have all my favorite colors in them, and I literally breathe slower and deeper when I look at them…I’m a total sucker for the mountains. 

My first big purchase in college was a pine chest of drawers from Scotts Antique Market and a pair of antique blue and white hand painted urns. I won a design contest and wanted to purchase “forever” pieces to have in my home. They took up most of my room during my last year of Auburn and have made a place in our home ever since. One of my mantras to our generation is to save up and invest in quality pieces that last!

How does your style translate into your home?

I love mixing “forever” pieces with antique mall and estate sale steals. One of the best design complements I’ve been given is to walk into our living room and see family and friends with their feet on our coffee table. Yes, they have followed my husband’s lead but it’s important to me to create a beautiful, relaxed space where everyone feels welcome.

Nine Oaks Way is a wonderful example of my style and the fresh, timeless beauty of botanical prints! I worked so hard to custom mix colors that would complement real peoples’ homes and hope to demystify addressing large, lonely walls. When I spend money on art, I want to make sure it will transition with my home and style.

If you need direction for framing on a budget, I offer tips and recommendations of my favorite ways to frame! I also offer a Free Designer Consult on my website for those interested in starting a collection of their own, but need help in deciding what size print and what arrangement would work best in their space.

Although there is only one lucky winner for this giveaway, I wanted to let YOU know that Nine Oaks Way will be having a Cyber Monday Sale! I’ll be sharing the discount code with my Instagram and Facebook friends! You can find me through the social media icons at the bottom of http://www.nineoaksway.com.

Thank you again for inviting me into your homes today!

_________________________________

Guess what blog friends?!?!? 

IIIIIITTTTTT'SSSSSSS

:)))))))))))))))))))))))))))

Laura will be sending this beautiful print to one of my special readers! 

I love it's timeless quality and classic look. 

And you guys know what to do....comment on this post as many times as you like, and you'll get a chance to win this gorgeous print from Laura. 

I am thankful for each of my readers and happy that Laura joined me here on B&B today! 

Giveaway ends at midnight on Wednesday at midnight! 

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! 

xoxox

  

Monday Maven: Nine Oaks Way's Laura Sexton, and a GIVEAWAY!!!

My Thanksgiving Monday Maven is a super talented interior designer, floral designer, and artist. She also happens to be a friend of mine, having married a "Perry boy", one of my brother's high school classmates. 

Laura Sexton of Nine Oaks Way has just launched her own business, sharing her incredible artistic talent with all of us! Laura has fabulous taste, is the loveliest person, and happened to marry into one of my favorite fun families. :) 

I am crazy over her gorgeous prints and drawings, and am so thankful that she agreed to guest post today! 

Y'all enjoy...her interview is inspiring and touching. 

Thanks Laura! 

_______________________________________

Hi! I’m Laura – wife, mom, Interior Designer and creator/owner of my newest adventure, Nine Oaks Way! I’m so grateful to be here today and share a little about by design background and business story with you! 

{click here to see her incredible site: http://www.nineoaksway.com} 

{and here she is on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laura.d.sexton.9}

{oh, and don't forget Instagram: http://instagram.com/lauradsexton}

{her Pins are super fun too: http://www.pinterest.com/lauradsexton/}

Like many creatives, I’ve loved to draw, paint, and decorate since I could hold a crayon. After graduating from Auburn I started my own Interior Design business and did regular contract work with several talented designers. My primary focus was Residential Interior Design, but my design roles also involved drawing elevations, landscape and renovation plans, and illustrating “A Time to Plant” by James Farmer. When my husband’s career change resulted in a move, I specialized in floral design for weddings and operated an antique booth in an interiors market. Having a constant mix of projects, clients, and design mediums paved the way for Nine Oaks Way and my vision behind what I’m doing now.

In June 2013, we welcomed our son and I traded in my role as full time designer for new mom. Nine Oaks Way was born shortly after Sawyer. The collection of giclee botanical prints I’ve created were drawn and painted from actual leaves and acorns Sawyer and I collected on walks together in our neighborhood. I had a vision to provide a fresh, timeless, quality product to bless others in their home, while being at home with my family. 

So who is Laura, the artist? 

I have dirty dishes in my sink, boxes filling up our dining room (we just moved…again ☺) and laundry that needs folding. I don’t have a studio and end up painting wherever the natural light is best. My business story isn’t glamorous but it has the fingerprints of my Creator all over it. I’m proof that small goals and small increments of time matter! I worked during naptime and whenever I could until my product was ready to sell. I’m hopeful my story will encourage other creative women to schedule time for their craft in the middle of real life!

What inspires you to create? 

I know a woman who is overwhelmed by her stark walls and paralyzed when it comes to deciding what goes with her decor, how many pictures to hang, and how to frame on a budget. She is who inspired Nine Oaks Way. That might sound dramatic but, as a designer and friend, I have met this woman so many times! When inspiration advances to helping a specific person or solving a problem something amazing happens. 

I’m inspired by people’s lives, places, the detail of God’s creation, and what only comes into focus when I take time to rest and slow down. I am continually learning that the creative process requires discipline and sacrifice. Creating is an action. It’s a wonderful feeling to be inspired but what am I going to do with it? Who am I going to serve?  

What are your favorite color schemes? Mediums?

When it comes to interiors and art, I’ll never tire of neutrals and colors I can see out of my window. I love color but want everything in my home to fluidly transition from room to room. As far as mediums, I love the detail of pen and ink, the softness of watercolor and the depth of oils or acrylics. Some of each make a home interesting!

Do you have any art pieces that are particularly special to you? Favorite furniture pieces? 

Two of my favorite paintings are a pair of watercolor landscapes of Chattanooga, TN (where I grew up). My mom gave them to me and she found them at our favorite antique mall we visit when I’m in town. They have the original frame and are signed by the artist. They are small and simple, have all my favorite colors in them, and I literally breathe slower and deeper when I look at them…I’m a total sucker for the mountains. 

My first big purchase in college was a pine chest of drawers from Scotts Antique Market and a pair of antique blue and white hand painted urns. I won a design contest and wanted to purchase “forever” pieces to have in my home. They took up most of my room during my last year of Auburn and have made a place in our home ever since. One of my mantras to our generation is to save up and invest in quality pieces that last!

How does your style translate into your home?

I love mixing “forever” pieces with antique mall and estate sale steals. One of the best design complements I’ve been given is to walk into our living room and see family and friends with their feet on our coffee table. Yes, they have followed my husband’s lead but it’s important to me to create a beautiful, relaxed space where everyone feels welcome.

Nine Oaks Way is a wonderful example of my style and the fresh, timeless beauty of botanical prints! I worked so hard to custom mix colors that would complement real peoples’ homes and hope to demystify addressing large, lonely walls. When I spend money on art, I want to make sure it will transition with my home and style.

If you need direction for framing on a budget, I offer tips and recommendations of my favorite ways to frame! I also offer a Free Designer Consult on my website for those interested in starting a collection of their own, but need help in deciding what size print and what arrangement would work best in their space.

Although there is only one lucky winner for this giveaway, I wanted to let YOU know that Nine Oaks Way will be having a Cyber Monday Sale! I’ll be sharing the discount code with my Instagram and Facebook friends! You can find me through the social media icons at the bottom of http://www.nineoaksway.com.

Thank you again for inviting me into your homes today!

_________________________________

Guess what blog friends?!?!? 

IIIIIITTTTTT'SSSSSSS

:)))))))))))))))))))))))))))

Laura will be sending this beautiful print to one of my special readers! 

I love it's timeless quality and classic look. 

And you guys know what to do....comment on this post as many times as you like, and you'll get a chance to win this gorgeous print from Laura. 

I am thankful for each of my readers and happy that Laura joined me here on B&B today! 

Giveaway ends at midnight on Wednesday at midnight! 

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! 

xoxox