Home Decor

Revisiting A 2013 Project, DesignLoveFest’s Apartment (+ What I Think About It Now)

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In our grown-up pursuit of “timelessness” (which gets more intense as we get older), it sure is fun to see a time capsule of our youth. The year was clearly 2013, and two “internet famous” bloggers collabbed on what now feels like OG vintage influencer content. When I stumbled on Bri Emery’s apartment from 2013, I gasped and then wanted to gossip about it with you. So much to talk about. It still pops so hard and is full of pieces that I love, while also just screaming “2010’s blogger time capsule”. It’s a real lesson in where to bring in trends as well as demonstrating the power of vintage and color. This was my last “blogger collab,” where I designed/styled famous blogger’s homes (who would be called influencers now) to cross promote, garner press, more followers, etc (I decorated Cup of Jo’s apartment, Oh Joy’s (multiple times), Nicolette Mason and then Bri Emery, aka DesignLoveFest, Green Wedding Shoes nursery, and many more). Bri redesigned our website (which has since been redesigned and is DESPERATE for a new redesign – coming soon, I hope), and I designed/styled her living and dining room. If you want to read the original post, check it out -it’s a funny read.

That’s Bri, aka DesignLoveFest, and if you haven’t seen her new kitchen in upstate New York, you MUST. She, like most OG design/style bloggers, made a lot of life shifts, and after taking a long creative/personal sabbatical from social media, she is posting again and collaborating with other old friends (which is so fun to watch on stories). She has always been wildly creative and such a visionary, so I’ll follow her forever. I dream of doing a “Bloggers: Where Are They Now” series because most of the OG crew that really took off in the 2010s, have changed careers and are thriving in such different and interesting ways (I think like 10 of us are still here, spoiler – social media caused burn out really fast). That’s a whole other story, but today let’s look at Bri’s 2013 apartment transformation:

I swear we didn’t try to take low-light befores back then… But here’s the super bright after! LOL

My first gut reaction: this room is undeniably still so fun. If I walked into this apartment now, I would think this person has so much style and creativity, an eclectic, even eccentric, point of view, and we are about to have fun. And then, of course, I’d want to edit it a bit, tweak it for 2025. So let’s talk through the main trends that were big then:

2013 Trend #1: Bright White With Pops Of Bright Colors

I was so guilty of this, doing it over and over in that decade (and still am!). The formula: all white walls, big pops of color, drenched in natural light. And the thing is, this still really works in Southern California. Of course, now we’d do a warmer neutral, and employ darker, more subtle greens and lots of muted pinks. Heck, my brother and SIL wanted a version of that in their bedroom (see here). I think for the most part it works, it’s just some of the colors here that make it feel a bit 2013. I would definitely get rid of that scalloped pillow on the sofa and reduce the amount of hot pink (the vintage ottoman could be more of a neutral).

2013 Trend #2: Fig Trees And Whimsical Plants Galore (In Whimsical Pots!)

Again, I still like fig trees, but my goodness, they were EVERYWHERE in the 2010s (mostly because of me, I think – remember DesignStar?), so I really don’t think we needed two here. And while having plants galore is more popular than ever, I don’t think doing it like this is working. I think it’s just a bit messy, the pots are a bit eclectic, and it feels generally over the top. If I could do it again, I’d do one big fig tree and a smaller green plant on the coffee table. Also, not sure we need a decorative piñata…

2013 Trend #3 Palm Springs Style Mid-Century Vintage Everything In Bright Colors

Again, I don’t mind this trend!! Mid-century is never out, and I don’t think that there is too much of it here. It’s just combined with the big saturated colors and the Moroccan rug and brass that make all the pieces feel 2013. But yes, in the 2010s, before any of us had a budget to buy investment pieces from adult stores, we bought anything from the Rose Bowl flea market, which was full of midcentury vintage from Palm Springs. None of these are dated; it’s just within the context of so much stuff and bright colors that it screams 2013.

What’s Not Working?? What Would I Get Rid Of?

That’s pretty easy – the black chair with the more Navajo-inspired woven pattern feels like we were trying hard to dip into that next trend (I’m not sure what to call it, I apologize if I’m not accurate here). At the time were really seeing the rise of African mudcloth and Aztec-style prints, and now we know better and to never buy them in a mass-produced fashion. Purchasing from the actual people whose culture these textiles belong to should always be a priority, like with my Boro fabrics. I do like the idea of the pattern, but it belongs somewhere with less bright, saturated colors or trendy pieces. I’d also nix the gold drum table (very 2013), and I’d reduce the amount of stuff by 1/3rd AT LEAST. And I really, really don’t like that colorful pillow on the sofa.

I think this was during my “miniatures” phase that I’ve never really grown out of, TBH, but I don’t force it on my friends as much now. Those flowers are WAY too big and busy in here, IMHO.

I still love those vintage lamps and would use them in the right project now. The art was from the flea market, and the Blu Dot table is so simple that it’s hard to call it in or out, but the collective vignette just feels very 2013 due to the color palette. Now I’d change the drum shades to be more tapered or pleated (or a color).

Nothing really dated here except all my EHD vintage whimsy, which I still love, but it’s a younger version of me. That lamp is still pretty darn cute.

The midcentury shelving unit is rad still, just needs to be styled with less stuff and with more grounding colors (i.e. less teal and yellow). So many plants shoved in this shot!!!

I really think the culprit here is mostly just the accessories and the styling, both of which were obviously 100% on me. And in a lot of ways, that is refreshing because those are the things that are less of an investment and easier to change.

I still really like this!!! It’s just a bit too much, too many small trends that inevitably read as 2013, and too much “stuff”. But those are almost all in the smaller pieces and would be so easy to tweak to make them work.

It’s visually so fun and stimulating,g so while it seems like I’m tearing my own work apart, it’s actually really easy to see that with a few tweaks it could feel 2025 really easily.

We kept with the same styles and colors in the dining room – that vintage dining set is still so rad, and Mid-century teak is having a big comeback right now, so do NOT sell your stuff, people.

Besides me holding the plant hostage in that cage, I think most of this works, but maybe just too much altogether.

The Brendan Ravennhill light fixture had just launched, and Max Wanger’s photography was so popular (they both pioneered a LOT of copycats).

hi, bri!

While I wouldn’t go back to 2013 Emily, I think this room actually has a lot of timelessness.

The Lessons In Trends And Timelessness:

You will not be able to avoid leaning into some trendy design elements if you are super into design (no one is immune to the zeitgeist), but if you want to avoid looking dated, buy the high quality version of it or just do it in accessories that aren’t as much of an investment to change out. I think the squiggle or amorphous shapes are great current examples – bring them in in limited amounts to avoid looking dated real fast.

Bright colors will always be more likely to be “dated”, but that doesn’t mean we should avoid what we love right now. Will they call 2022 the year of dark moody green everything? Yep! But I don’t know how you avoid any color trends without just being so boring. Will warm pinks, browns, and burgundies also be less exciting in 10 years? Probably, but again, there is no such thing as timeless colors, and for the most part, there is a way to make them still work with styling. A well-designed room with high-quality materials done in a balanced way will likely still be very pretty in 20 years. Sure, there are some navy blue tones that feel fresher than others, but for the most part, blues, greens, and neutrals are timeless (coming from someone who has and will always love blues and greens, so I’m very biased). Although if you live in Texas or Arizona it’s likely warmer tones that feel timeless there. It’s so nuanced, folks. Good luck! LOL.

Too much stuff can really overwhelm a room (and in this case, make it feel dated). I think this can be blamed on youth, especially when we are younger and we can’t afford the more expensive design elements, but we love to shop, we are drawn to smaller things that we love, because it’s what we can buy. Nothing wrong with this, but just know that displaying it all, on every surface, especially when they are all super eclectic, can just look a bit cuckoo. I had to learn this lesson over and over and over.

Authentic Vintage will always be in style – it’s just context, styling, and color combinations that can make the pieces look dated to the specific era that it “came back” in.

For the most part, I think that this room could be tweaked so fast to make it feel “in” right now – the main “dated” culprits are in the accessorizing, which feels pretty harmless to me. Thoughts????

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Home Decor

IT’S TIME TO ORGANIZE – Small Entry Organization Hacks For Those Of Us Who Are “Mudroom-Less”

My favorite mom quote goes as follows – “Without systems there is chaos. Without systems there is chaos“. One of you deserves credit for it, left sweetly in the comment section two years ago, and I chant it ALL THE TIME. This applies to every single part of our lives, and as someone who unfortunately isn’t innately gifted in the organization realm, and yet abhors visual mess, I HAVE to create systems, or else the house is so chaotic and messy and it actually affects my mental health (thus the choice to live more minimally with less stuff). Labels are my boss. Baskets make me feel safe. So when we were brainstorming about how to talk about organization in the New Year, I ranted about all my pain points at the mountain house – the “no mudroom entry,” the exploding vanity, the lack of linen closet, the hall utility closet that housed both the vacuum and the board games. All solvable, WITH A SYSTEM that includes starting with the right product. And even though we knew we were moving to Portland it still seemed like a good time to come up with some better solutions – both for guests that stay, my family when we return in winter/summer, and of course for the blog. So we partnered with Target to highlight their new and always loved organizational products to ease our chaos and make our homes and brains calmer after the holidays. Systems, it’s all about systems :) The “No Mudroom” Entry We packed in a lot of solutions up here, for ideas for all your pain points. Not everyone can enter and exit through a designated mudroom, especially apartment dwellers, and us. But walking into chaos, stepping over shoes and the visual pile of coats drives me NUTS. Now the elements that you MUST have here are simple – A Drop Zone (could be the bench or the tray on the shoe rack) – This is for mail, keys (if you don’t have hooks), and bags. Get yourself a tray, bowl, or basket (and a hook if you want to never have to look for your keys again). Shoe Storage – This could be a shoe shelf like this (which is nice because it can be wheeled away if you have guests over), a trunk, or a basket. While I prefer something more enclosed, getting my kids to “drop” is a challenge enough so ‘arranging’ is a monumental feat. Plus a shelf keeps them from getting scuffed up and you have less searching to the bottom of the basket time. Someday, crossing fingers, we’ll graduate to this. Don’t have a coat closet? ME NEITHER! So you need either hooks on your wall, a coat rack, or a freestanding piece of furniture. The first two are better for small spaces (plus wet coats can’t dry off in an armoire). 3. A Place to Hang Coats/Scarves, and Hats – Could be standing or to save space use a wall-mounted hook system like this. Use the anchors provided (I’ve skimped on those before), try to do a weekly depopulation based on the weather, and put away coats in hopefully a coat closet nearby, leaving just what you need here. 4. Designated Baskets for Daily Needs – Under the bench: 1. “House shoes/slippers” (easy to change into when you come home, 2. “Dog accessories” (leashes, bags, treats), and 3. “Hats and gloves”. I love these baskets with the wood on top, but opting for something more closed will make it look cleaner (just make sure you know what is in them so you don’t have to do the “search and bury”). Shout out to that bench – please note the good joinery under the seat!! So good. The “No Entry” Entry For those of us with even less space or perhaps at the back, side, or kitchen door we have a one-piece unit for all of those same needs – it’s pretty genius. At the top you have hooks for coats/hats and scarves, then a bench to sit on for shoes and a surface for a drop zone, with shoe storage underneath. ONE AND DONE. It’s a small space solution that packs a ton of function into one piece. All you need is a 4′ blank wall near your door and you can live a better life in a small space. Pretty sure someone should write a book with that title. So no, you don’t need “an entry” to have an entry. You just need a good, solid system and Target has truly made it even easier.

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Gardening

How to Grow and Care for Dragon Tree (Dracaena Marginata) Indoors

Dragon tree (Dracaena marginata), is a tall plant with green, sword-like, red-edged leaves. Native to Madagascar, the eye-catching spiky tree is a great entry plant for household gardeners wanting an indoor tree—it's easy to care for, drought-tolerant, and nearly indestructible. This slow-growing tree can take a decade to reach a few feet tall but can eventually grow to about 20 feet. However, it is generally grown as a potted houseplant and kept pruned to 6 feet or less. Keep the dragon tree away from pets because it's toxic to animals if ingested.1 Dragon Tree Tips for Beginners Where to Put It: Place your dragon tree in a spot that receives bright to medium indirect sunlight. How to Water It: Dragon trees are drought-tolerant plants, so give it a good watering once every three weeks. Soil Type: Use a loose, well-drained potting mix when growing dragon trees, as they'll thrive best in this mixture. Dragon Tree Care Dragon trees are very popular as large potted plants for homes and offices. Here are the most important care requirements. Plant in well-draining soil Water regularly during their growing season. Place in bright, indirect light, though they can thrive in a variety of light conditions. Fertilize conservatively at the beginning of spring. Light Place your dragon tree in an area with bright, indirect light. These plants can also survive in partial shade. Keep in mind that plants kept in lower light situations will grow slower and produce smaller leaves with less intense color. Additionally, take care not to place your dragon tree in a spot that receives direct rays of sunlight—its foliage can burn easily.2 Soil Use a loose, well-drained potting mix when growing a dragon tree as a potted plant—loamy soil amended with peat moss is ideal. Make sure the container you choose has room for the plant's extensive root system. Some varieties are imported from Hawaii and will arrive with lava rock—if this is the case, remove about a third of the rock and replace it with potting soil. Water Wait until the top half of the soil is dry before watering a dragon tree, which could take three weeks or more. Like many drought-tolerant plants, the dragon tree can be easily overwatered. Temperature and Humidity Keep your dragon tree in their preferred warmer temperatures of between 70°F and 80°F. Regular household humidity should be fine for them, but if your house is particularly dry, you can consider misting the plant lightly from a spray bottle every few days. Fertilizer Feed a dragon tree lightly at the beginning of spring with a balanced controlled-release liquid fertilizer. Although they have a relatively low need for fertilizer and it is not an essential component to having a thriving plant, it can support new growth. Types of Dragon Tree Although there are several varieties of dragon tree, the most commonly found at plant stores (and used as household plants) include: Dracaena marginata 'Tricolor': This varietal has dark red margins, green leaves, and an ivory stripe down the leaf center. D. marginata 'Colorama': This dragon tree may appear to be completely pink, but it's actually variegated with white and green stripes. It will need very bright light to keep its unique colors. D. marginata 'Bicolor': True to its name, this dragon tree varietal has red and green stripes. Tips for Buying In-Store Check for pests. Look underneath leaves and along the stem to make sure no critters follow you home. Avoid plants with brown spots on leaves. Read the plant label. Make sure that this plant works for you, your lifestyle, and your space. Pruning It's perfectly normal for a dragon tree to self-shed dead leaves—just pick them up and discard them. To keep the plant trimmed and neat, remove leaves that look like they are about to fall off or cut back stems with sterile, sharp pruning shears to tidy up the tree. Sterilize your pruning tool with a clean rag doused in a common household item, such as rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide, then rinse with water, and wipe the tool dry before using it on your plant. Pruning Tip No pruners? No problem! We've tested over 10 top-rated pruners to help you choose the right one for your comfort and personal needs—there's an option for everyone. Propagating Dragon Tree You can propagate your dragon tree using stem cuttings rooted in water. It's so easily done that the varietal is often used in dish gardens and readily propagated by nurseries and retailers. It's best to do this in the spring when the plant is growing vigorously. It takes just about three weeks for the cuttings to sprout roots, and using a rooting hormone isn’t necessary. Using a sterile, sharp scissor, cut a long length of stem that's about 8 inches. Remove any low-hanging leaves. Put the cutting in moistened potting soil. Place the cutting in bright, but indirect sunlight. Once new leaves have sprouted, you'll know the plant has grown some new roots, and you can care for the plant as usual. Potting and Repotting Dragon Tree Make sure to check your dragon tree at least once a year to see if it should be repotted into a bigger pot. Check the bottom of the container for roots coming through the drainage holes, which is a sign that the tree is root-bound and in need of a larger container. Choose a new pot with a diameter about 2 inches larger than its current container. Make sure that it has one or more drainage holes. Because these trees grow so slowly, they generally require repotting only every second—or even third—year. In the meantime, you can refresh the potting soil annually to replace any of the mixture that has become compacted. Planters for Dragon Tree Plants When checking your dragon tree plant annually, you'll likely have to size up a planter for repotting. Here are our favorite indoor planters to pick from. To prevent overwatering, you can also go with one of these self-watering planters. Common Pests Although they are fairly disease-resistant, dragon trees are susceptible to scale insects, mealybugs, and thrips.3 Mealybugs are easy to identify as they leave small, sticky, cottony deposits on the leaves of the tree. Dragon tree plants are also at risk of acquiring the common plant pest, spider mites.4 They tend to occur when temperatures are warm and the air is very dry; however, mites are very difficult to see until they have already damaged the plant. Pests to Watch If you spot any of these pests on your dragon tree, fight back with neem oil, insecticidal soap, or horticultural oil. Mix them with the recommended amount of water and spray on the leaves, stems, and soil. Common Problems with Dragon Tree While dragon trees are fairly easy to maintain, there are a few things to watch for. Leaves Falling Off Overwatering can cause the leaves of dragon trees to become yellow and fall off. These trees are sensitive to excessive moisture in their roots. To avoid this, check the soil regularly. If the top 2 inches of soil feel too wet, it's a sign that you may have gone too far with watering. Drooping Leaves If you notice the leaves of your dragon tree drooping, it could be a sign that the plant is thirsty. You should avoid waiting for the plant to dry out completely before watering it. If the lower leaves are drooping significantly more than the rest of the plant, it could be a symptom of root rot. To avoid any problems, also ensure that you are not over-watering the plant. Brown Leaves or Leaf Tips If the soil is too moist or too dry, dragon tree leaves may start to brown. Make sure you're striking the right balance when irrigating. Additionally, lack of humidity can lead to browning tips and eventual leaf loss. Improve humidity by placing the plant on a dish filled with pebbles and water or use a humidifier. If the plant develops brown tips on its leaves, that's usually a sign the water you're using has too much salt or fluoride, which can cause discoloration. Water your dragon tree with distilled or non-fluoridated water to avoid fluoride buildup. Crispy Leaves If you notice that the foliage on your dragon tree is crunchy, it could be a sign that the plant is receiving too much direct sunlight. When exposed to bright light, the leaves can curl and become crispy. Keep the plant in indirect sunlight or partial shade for best results. Yellowing Leaves In some instances, you may notice the leaves of your dragon tree turning yellow, which could be the result of too much direct sun. The leaves can scorch, become discolored, and start to droop.2 Move the plant to a spot receiving more indirect or filtered sun before excess light causes permanent damage. Yellowing leaves could also be a sign the plant needs more or less water. Make sure you strike the right balance.

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Gardening

Don’t Let a Wilting Tomato Plant Ruin Your Harvest—Here’s How to Save It Fast

Tomato plants are the most commonly grown vegetable in the garden because they thrive in summer temperatures and produce delicious fresh produce.1 Novice and experienced gardeners carefully plant and tend the tomato plants, only to discover the plants wilting and dying one day. The cause can be something as simple as a lack of water or more complex, like fungal wilt diseases, tomato wilt viruses, walnut toxicity, or boring insects. When you discover a wilting tomato plant, it's important to act quickly and decisively to protect your other tomato plants. Follow our guide on the causes of wilting tomatoes and suggested fixes. Lack of Water Healthy tomato plants planted in garden soil require approximately one inch of water per week, and container-grown plants require approximately one gallon of water daily. A lack of water will cause the tomato plants to wilt, but if that is the only cause, they will revive rapidly after watering. Solution: Regularly apply water directly to the soil with a garden or soaker hose. To maintain a consistent level of moisture stick your finger into the soil at the base of the plant. If the soil is moist at a depth of two inches, don’t water but check the soil again the next day. If the soil is dry to the touch at a depth of two inches, slowly apply water to the plants so the water seeps into the soil. If you must use an overhead sprinkler, water in the morning so the foliage dries quickly to help prevent disease. Fungal Wilt Diseases Striking without warning, verticillium and fusarium wilt are two common causes of a seemingly healthy tomato plant wilting and dying within a few days. Both diseases are caused by fungal spores in the garden soil. The spores enter the plant through the root system and block the movement of water and nutrients. This causes the plant to wilt, turn yellow, and die. Other fungal diseases, early tomato blight and southern blight may not kill the plants but will greatly inhibit their fruit production. Solution: Unfortunately there is no treatment for fungal wilt diseases. The infected tomato plants should be removed and discarded. Do not place the diseased plants in your compost pile to help prevent the spread of the fungi. To help ensure healthy plants in the garden, rotate crops and do not plant tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, or potato plants in the same location every year. Since the fungi can live for several years, consider container-grown tomatoes for several years. You can also select tomato varieties that are resistant to fungal wilts. Look for plants labeled with 'VF' on the plant tag. Tomato Wilt Viruses Dozens of tomato viruses can cause tomato plants to wilt and die.2 Two of the most common are Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus (TSWV) and Tomato Mosaic Virus (ToMV), which cause stunted growth, wilting, and unattractive fruit. The source of the virus can be other plants, seeds, or insects. The virus can be spread from one infected plant to others through your hands, gloves, or tools. Solution: There is no treatment for these viruses, and the plants should be removed and discarded to help prevent the spread of the virus. Look for virus-resistant varieties, rotate crops regularly, and wash your hands and garden tools after handling infected plants to help prevent the spread. Black Walnut Toxicity Black walnut trees and tomatoes do not belong together. All parts of the tree exude juglone, a toxin that causes stunted growth, wilting foliage, and death for tomato plants. Since the greatest concentration of juglone exists nearest the tree, plant tomatoes at least 20 to 25 feet away from the tree's dripline. Solution: Unfortunately, juglone cannot be eliminated from the soil and once tomatoes are affected, there is no treatment to save them. Removing the tree will not solve the problem because juglone can be found in the root system after the tree is cut down. If your gardening space is limited, consider container-grown tomatoes. Boring Insects The stalk borer is a purple and cream-striped caterpillar that can attack tomato plants and cause wilting and death of the plant. The caterpillar bores into the stem through a tiny hole and tunnels inside the plant destroying tissue. Solution: Once the borer has done its damage, the tomato plant should be removed and destroyed. There are no insecticides that will control the larva of this inconspicuous grayish-brown moth. To help prevent borers, keep weedy areas around the garden mowed well. How to Help Prevent Tomato Wilting Maintain a steady watering routine. Monitor weather conditions and provide one to two inches of water per week to the roots of the tomato plant. Do not allow the soil to become overly dry or overwater so the roots are left soggy. Provide adequate spacing between plants. Plant so that there is space between each tomato plant for air to flow freely to help prevent air-borne diseases. Practice crop rotation. Do not plant tomatoes in the same locations year after year. Rotate crops to allow soil-borne diseases to die. Maintain an orderly garden. Remove weeds that can attract harmful insects and spread diseases. Mulch to help maintain soil moisture. Cage or stake tomato plants to keep the fruit off the ground to limit disease spread. Buy disease-resistant seeds or transplants. Read seed packets, catalogs, and plant tags carefully to select disease-resistant tomato varieties. Cornell University maintains an excellent list to help you with plant selection.

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Fashion & Beauty

The Cool Slip-On-And-Go Shoes We Are Into – 25 Ballet Flats That Are Both Trendy And Comfortable

Guess who’s back on her ballet flat search?? Me:) But I’m not the only one on the team. Look. We love a cool boot, a fashionable sneaker, but sometimes you just want to slip on a cute flat to feel slightly more put together as you’re rushing out of the house. The last time I was all about ballet flats, I was on the hunt for the mesh version, and boy, did I find one I loved. Because of that deep love, I may have worn them a little too much. It’s kinda like when you only have/wear a single pair of jeans and the inevitable upper thigh hole emerges from constant friction. I want to avoid that intense amount of wear and tear and have a few more easy-to-wear, stylish shoe options. And to me, there’s nothing easier than slipping on a ballet flat. So come see what my research divulged as well as one pair I did purchase:) The Day Glove I wanted to start with the pair that Emily had not only in this color but also in navy. She bought them for our big shoot and loved how easy they were to pop on and off. I love how simple but slightly modern they are. I really like the toe shape and in case tan or navy aren’t your colors, they have 13 other options to choose from! They do recommend going up a half size from your normal size. These give a perfect classic basics look. Faux-Leather Ballet Flats But if we’re going to talk about classics then to me this ballet flat is the epitome of that. Ok, maybe if you added a strap then it would be “peak ballet flat” :) This is also a very sleek shape but has the addition of the traditional thin bow. I don’t think you could go wrong with these and they also come in three other neutral colors if pink isn’t your style. Oh, and did I mention they are $20!! Leather Ballet Flats + Sway Square Toe Ballet Flat This deep burgundy isn’t just a beautiful home color trend, it’s also very much happening in fashion. I am very in love with both of these options. The pair on the left this that classic style but really feels special in that dreamy color…plus that price is not bad. They do also come in tan. Then the pair on the right are on my list!! I learned about Alohas from Emily years ago and not only are their shoes extremely cool, I really love their commitment to sustainability. And while there’s the extra step of tying the bow, I think they are unique without being “too out there”. This pair also comes in two other colors and if you are a half size, they recommend sizing up. Oh, if you love this color I also found a really pretty woven version for $80! The Day Ballet Flat I love velvet. Like a lot. So these puppies are on my list too! Aside from the leather pair above, I’m not a huge ballet bow gal, but for whatever reason, I really like it when the flat is in a velvet. Just think how cute these would be with jeans and a white T-shirt?! Effortlessly cool. Plus, this version is on a great sale, which makes them that much more enticing… They also come in seven other colors, but not all are on sale. The Greta Ballet Flat What a beautiful blue! This shoe is a Madewell bestseller and Emily had their leather open-weave one from last year. She’s traditionally not a huge ballet flat wearer so I very much trust her when she likes one. These are great for either a dress-up or dress-down situation which is real nice – neutral enough but also a little pop of color. But if blue or velvet isn’t your style they have six other colors/designs at varying prices. Go check em out! Valley Black Sole Ballet Flat + Poppy Mary Jane Flat These might not totally be my cup of tea style-wise but at the same time they are so much fun! Those yellow ones are so freaking sweet but I think would also look rad paired with a simple jean and a plain tee. They are from a small shoe brand we love – Intentionally Blank. Emily has known them from when they first opened and I have two of their clogs I wear all of the time. So big stamp of approval from us. Oh, they do come in other colors if you aren’t a yellow person. Then the blue ones are made by Areosoles which makes me think they are likely very comfortable! These ones are also a bit more affordable and have that buckle so you don’t have to worry about tying the bow perfectly every time. It comes perfect! They also come black. Reyes Ballet Flats + Mary Jane Square-Toe Ballet Flats Now, when I first saw this white pair last year I almost hit purchase. I saw them on a gal I know and fell for them hard. They are really elongating which I also loved. I honestly don’t know why I hesitated so maybe I’ll fix that soon:) Also, white isn’t always the easiest color to care for but they come in eleven other colors and patterns in case you were curious. Now for the other pair that’s $100 cheaper (!), these Old Navy ones are so cute. I like that the toe is a little squared off, there’s no bow but still has the classic strap. Plus, that red color is so good and very fun. However, if red is not for you they come in six other colors. Leni Brown Suede I think I’m adding a fourth (OOPS!) to my list because wow wow I love these! I’ve always been a brown fan so these would work seamlessly with what I already own. Plus, these are real slip-on-and-go shoes. But why I really love them is the shape of the opening. Sleek and chic. I’m very impressed, Steve Madden. They also come in four other colors. Kasey Flat I know the point of a ballet flat is that it’s FLAT. But this heel is still pretty low and is the star of the whole shoe. I really really love it. Very quiet luxury but a statement, you know? They say, “I know style but I’m not in your face about it.” So yes, I want these too. And while this is just my opinion, I’ve always found Sam Edelman shoes comfortable. Oh, and they come in a cream that’s on sale for under $100. Vana Ballet Flat + Jessie Flat At some point, I’m going to get a sliver flat because it’s such an easy and fun way to make a simple outfit unexpected. And this one is so understated which I really love. Plus, the shape of this Franco Sarto flat is so beautiful. But if you love the shape but not the color it does also come in two other options. The Jessie Flat I just saw in person because my friend was in town and wore them. They are bolder statement but in such a fun way and the shape is also so good. They actually look even better in person. These are also from Freda Salvador which is an incredible brand but definitely pricey. And while these aren’t cheap by any means, they are about 50% which is a pretty big deal. Just saying in case you were interested:) Matilda Ballerinas I BOUGHT THESE!! The first thing you should know is that I’m not really a leopard print gal (shocking, I’m sure:)) But in high school/college I had a pair of Steve Madden leopard “fur” loafers that I loved. They just made any simple outfit a lot more fun. Sadly, they got too beat up and had to be trashed. This means I’ve been living sans leopard flats for over a decade now! Then for my birthday last year, my sweet (and very generous) cousin gave me a $100 gift card to Sezane. I was so excited but also so nervous to choose something which is very typical of me. When I would look I kept coming back to these flats, remembering the good times with my loafers (rip). So I did it, I bought them and they will arrive early next week! They also come in black, which I debated between, but knew my heart wanted to go for the leopard. Very excited to wear them if you can’t tell. The site does say that if you are between two shoe sizes, choose the size below. Otherwise, choose your usual size. Dream Team Mary Jane Flat This is the same shoe in two different colors because I liked them equally:) I love the pointed toe and thicker strap with the buckle. It makes it feel ever so slightly punk (?) lol. Basically, it has a little bit of edge that I’m into. Plus, that price is awesome! They also come in two other colors – light pink and silver. Mellie Mary Jane Flat Even though this one is sooo similar to the one right before, the toe on this one is more rounded. It’s totally a personal preference. I tend to prefer more of a square or a point. But a rounded toe is perfect for others. You really can’t go wrong with either…well, I guess you save $20 if you get these:) They also have two other material options. Arissa Woven Ballet Flat Now let’s get into my other favorite version of the ballet flat – the woven ballet flat! These are right up my alley! That brown leather is such a pretty, warm tone and the toe shape is a dream:) While a woven ballet flat could be considered more spring and summer, these leather ones are good easily through fall (weather permitting, of course). They also come in two other colors. Light Woven Denim Nina Flats Ever since I saw Em wearing her light blue suede over-the-knee boots (which I am saving up for) I haven’t been able to get light blue shoes out of my head. I think they are the perfect mix of fun and chic. These cuties are prefect for the spring and summer. Can’t you see it!? I think they may be a bit darker in person because of the styled photos on the site but honestly, that may make me love them more. Definitely go check out those shots because you WILL want them (or maybe don’t if you’re trying to not buy more shoes:)) They do come in five other colors but are in leather or velvet. Arissa Woven Ballet Flats + Bleached Beechwood Michaela Flats For my natural material lovers, the flats on the left are so pretty! Can’t you see yourself, strolling along in a beach town for spring break in these? Or feeling like you’re on spring break because these cuties on your feet? That’s at least where my head is at. Ha. The reviews do say that they run a little big so keep that in mind. Then the ones on the right, are also extremely cute and are ideal for the warmer days ahead. I had a pair of slip-on flats in a similar color and material and wore them so much. They went with everything! A big thumbs up and they also come in one other color. Ruby Buckle Ballet Flats + Woven Leather Ballet Flats If you’re someone who wants a woven look but something a little different/unique, the pair on the left is perfect! The color is what is unexpected about them. I think it’s just a cool color and a great shape. They also come in what they call “sunset ochre,” which is like a burnt orange-red. Also very cool. Then, for the final pair on the right, I know they are more in the “mesh ballet flat” category, but I loved them too much not to include:) The open weave is just enough to be super breathable but not too “look at my toes!” and the criss-cross straps are so freaking cute. And because my “list” is clearly endless, two of these (especially the white ones) are on it. Oh, those also come in two other colors, and the reviews say they run big. So while my ballet dancing days are far behind me, I will be cosplaying a ballerina for probably most of the year and beyond. There were also some stunning satin options, but even for me, those felt like they would get ruined after about one wear. But if you love the idea of that, these were my favorite:) Talk about looking like a ballerina! Ok, happy ballet flat shopping.

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