Spring Favorites

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This time of year I feel like we all have an underlying urge to start fresh- more so than even in the start of the new year!  We’ve got the seasons changing and Spring is the time for growth, to start fresh, to look forward to Summer and all the fun that brings.  So today I’ve rounded up some of my favorite things that are inspiring me, that I’ve been loving, that are perfect for Spring!  I hope you love!

From top left:

This Meli Melo bag.  It’s made an appearance on here once or twice already and I couldn’t think of a better bag for Spring- clean and fresh and the loveliest color!

Lavender essential oil.  I’ve been adding it to my baths and putting it on my temples after my yoga practices.  Growing up in Maine the smell of Lilacs in the Spring was pretty much my favorite thing ever, and since we don’t have them here in Southern CA I’m always on the hunt for lavender scented everything!

Astara Violet Flame Enzyme Mask- This mask energizes and rejuvenates cells, and you can feel it tingle while you have it on!  I’m pretty sure it’s shaving years off my face.

Pukka Chamomile, Vanilla and Manuka Honey tea.  A self proclaimed “soothing dip in an organic pool of calm”.  And that pretty much says it all.

This Miansai bracelet is on my wrist nonstop these days- it’s the perfect mix of masculine and feminine.

Lots of Candles Plenty of Cake- a book about life that will make your heart sing.  I’m only halfway through it and I’ve already ordered one for a friend and recommended it to three others.

EOS Lavender Jasmine Shaving cream- Anything that combines my two favorite scents is a must, and with my legs making an appearance most days this Spring- I love that it has so many moisturizing ingredients!

This bikini bottom and this top.  I’m all about mixing and matching this Spring- and with starting to get more beach time in I’ve been on the hunt for a great new bikini.  WINNER FOUND!

EOS Summer Fruit and Lemon Drop lip balms- I will never get over how cute these are. SPF 15 = bonus.

Winter citrus- it’s on it’s way out so I’m eating all the oranges I can get my paws on!!!!

This hair towel that dries without damaging!  Now that I’m inclined to skip the blowdry in favor of beachy locks this is especially appealing!

I found this copper cocktail shaker and have been on a cocktail craving kick ever since!  Pure goodness.

I’m keeping my yoga mat fresh and relaxing simultaneously with this multi-purpose spray that is oh so lovely!

And last but not least- this brightening complexion booster to get my face nice and glowy for all the outdoor fun that’s to come!

There you have it my friends, all that I’m loving for Spring.  Hope it inspires you in your own Springtime refresh!  xx- Sarah

What Do You Believe That Might Be Untrue?

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My mother was the self-described star of her high school basketball team and a fitness powerhouse in many ways throughout my childhood.  She brought me to sports camp once to try basketball and within minutes I’d been hit in the nose and sworn the sport off for good, much to her disappointment.  I started ballet classes around age 5 and I remember looking down at my round belly and then around the room at the girls who were not much more than legs and arms and bones and thinking, I’m just not a ballerina and I never will be.  I tried swimming in middle school and playing tennis in high school but didn’t really enjoy either and was just about as terrible at them as one who doesn’t enjoy a sport is likely to be.  I didn’t consciously know it but I had identified myself from the first incident with the basketball as “non-athletic”.  It was something I would come to both live into, and create.  It was something I would think about myself, tell people about myself, something I accepted as a truth.

When Tommy Bahama and SELF reached out about the swim, paddle board and fitness partnership I shared yesterday I kind of couldn’t believe it.  ME!  The non-athlete!  But I really wanted to try stand up paddle boarding, and I loved the idea of bringing something new and inspiring to the site.  So I said yes before I could say no, and I told that little voice in my head that was telling me that I was crazy to be quiet- I was going to have to just figure something out.

In late February/early March I reached out to January, teacher of the first yoga class I ever took- circa Spring 2008.  I hadn’t seen her since we left San Diego for LA, and then PS, but had followed along with her life via social media.  I knew that she’s a fitness trainer, teaches yoga still, is a genius about nutrition/health and would be the very best person to help me get in shape for the partnership in a way that felt good.  Still, I believed, she had only so much to work with, what with my complete lack of athletic ability and all.  When she accepted the challenge I wished her luck!  {Photos: Lou Mora}

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Tommy Bahama + Self Magazine #1

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Hello my friends!  I’m super excited about today’s post- it’s the kick off of a series of four and something I worked really long and hard to produce and am very proud of!  And by long and hard I mean 15 personally instructed yoga sessions with my very favorite yoga teacher, as well as 5 weeks of daily yoga sessions, a couple of training sessions with Tommy Bahama stand up paddle board expert Brennan Rose, and many hours of shooting at the beach.  I did all of this so that I could partner with Tommy Bahama and SELF to give you some inspiration for your wardrobes + beach days, introduce you to my new love Stand Up Paddle Boarding, pass along a few tips for those of you new to it who’d like to give it a shot, and instruct you on the exercises that I did to prepare my body for the super fun workout that paddle boarding is (it quickly became my FAVORITE way to get in a workout)!

So now that I’ve talked it up, see below for some beachy wardrobe inspiration (we had so much fun shooting this that I now think I only want to shoot on the beach!).  Also, click through to see a peek at my tutorial with Brennan, what he taught me, and the exercises with detailed instructions below.  And look forward to three more of these posts to come- each with exercises to strengthen a different part of your body.  Even if you’re not near any water or stand up paddle boarding is nowhere near your future- these exercises are perfect for an at-home workout to tone you up and build strength and flexibility. I hope you love!  xx- Sarah  {Photos: Lou Mora}

SHOP THIS POST: Shirt, Swimsuit, Sweater, Bracelet, Paddleboard, Sunscreen, Rashguard, Swimshorts,Bikini top

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Plaid Forever

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Hey pals!  Today I’d like you to meet my new BFF, plain linen high-waisted, flood length pants.  I think someone designed them just for me.  They’re outrageously good.  As in, try to get me out of them(or this entire outfit)- not happening.  High waisted flood length is my jam, I’m thanking the fashion Gods that it’s also having a moment.

In other news, next week I’m going to be starting to incorporate fitness into the site!  I don’t know if you can tell (well you probably can’t because it’s not like I’m flexing in these photos) but I’ve been working out for the past few months with January Wellness.  I think I mentioned already but I also recently did her sugar detox and am feeling like I’m totally in control of my eating again- that sweet tooth knows it’s place and only pops up every once in awhile (she’s starting another May 18th and I HIGHLY recommend.  And it can be done online for those of you not in SD).  So long  story short- fitness posts are coming to A House in the Hills!  And fitness fashion posts- because I’ve just recently discovered that there’s a whole insanely fun and inspiring world of workout wear- and feeling good in my clothes while pushing my body to do things my mind doesn’t necessarily want to has been SO helpful as I’ve been working hard towards my fitness goals.  So horray for that!  I hope it all inspires you in your own fitness/fashion/life.  Have such a happy weekend my friends!  xx- Sarah

Shop this outfit:  Pants: Whistles, bodysuit: American Apparel, Shoes: Joie, clutch: Clare Vivier, watch: Michael Kors, bracelet: Miansaia_house_in_the_hills_Spring_plaid_linen_pants-14a_house_in_the_hills_Spring_plaid_linen_pants-13a_house_in_the_hills_Spring_plaid_linen_pants-8

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Closet Makeover, Tour & Tips!

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When I shared our home empty home tour I mentioned that this is my first ever walk-in closet and that it’s life changing, right?  So it’s probably no surprise at all that the first room in the whole house to be fully decorated is MY CLOSET!  {monkey covering mouth emoji and twins doing high kick emoji with abandon right beside it}  I couldn’t wait to get my paws on this space and turn it into my absolute dream closet!  And in doing so I realized a few things about a dream closet- you have luxuries that a regular closet doesn’t afford- the space to make it as functional as it is pretty and to have things like CLOSET KITS!  So below, a tour of my finished closet, what I did to make it my own, and tips for dream closet must-haves!  I hope you love!

Sources:  Sheepskin rug (currently out of stock but will be back in shortly here), light, gold hardware (out of stock but will also be back in stock soon here…in the meantime, I also love these), laundry hampers, ottoman, copper waste bin, storage baskets (here and here), velvet jewelry display boxes, velvet ring holders, acrylic bracelet stands, “closet kit” organizer tray, copper sunglass tray (similar), books: here, here, and here, handbags: here, here, here, here, here, and here, our wedding photos  {if there’s something you see that I didn’t credit, ask me in the comments- I tried to think of everything but might have missed a thing or two!}

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Well, I’m going to start by confessing that I come in here randomly during my work day and lay on the sheepskin rug which is insanely soft/cozy and look around at all the lovely things and pinch myself.  I never dreamed I would have a closet like this, it wasn’t even on our wishlist for a house- it just sort of happened.  But I only hadn’t dreamed it because I didn’t know how good it could be!!!!  Getting dressed every day is like a playdate with my closet!  I took a lot of time organizing when we moved in, and then again before I photographed it, to make it as functional and pretty as I could.

The first thing I did was modify what I think of as the bones- the lighting, the hardware and the floor.  I wanted a crystal light fixture because- well this is the epitome of girliness and every other space in the house I take Lou into consideration when I’m designing, but this was a GIRLY FREE-FOR-ALL and I was determined to take full advantage.  The light makes rainbows when the sun hits it and at night it’s the softest, most romantic light (you know, for my dates with the closet).  Next up I wanted to replace the chrome hardware with something that would make the cabinetry feel more my style.  Shiny brass pulls were my answer to that!  And then the rug.  I only ever considered one rug- a giant sheepskin to add the warmth and cozy luxe-ness that the space so needed!

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Style Steals- Under $100

Spring is always that time of year when I start wanting to refresh- EVERYTHING.  The house, my closet, my food, my life.  That can get expensive quickly, so today I’ve scouted out some $100/under style steals.  Sometimes all you need is a new little something to give you that feeling of newness that Spring makes you crave.  Hope you find something you love!  Shop all of these items below, plus a few extra style steals I’m also loving.  Happy Spring shopping my friends!  xx- Sarah