Mama.

A year ago on March 24th I lost my mama suddenly. It was the worst day of my life, the worst effing nightmare, and 2017 I must say, was the worst year I hope I'll ever have. I found it incomprehensible for life to ever feel whole again, and it pissed me off when people said it will get better as each day went by, because for a while, each day got worse. When reality sunk in it felt like someone was punching me in the gut, but I didn't know when the punch was coming. But most of the time reality just couldn't sink in, even when I tried to make it. It was as if she was just somewhere else and I needed to find her. A sick game of hide and seek.

But a year later, it turns out it does get easier. Thinking about her every second turned into every five seconds, until all of a sudden I realized there were times I hadn't thought about her for an hour. A part of me felt guilt when that happened, but I realized it also meant progress.

My family has always been more than close, the closest it comes, I would say. But turns out something like this can either separate you or bring you even closer, and I'm happy to say the latter happened for us. Something I'm so grateful for.

To mark this year passed, I decided to mark myself. I think to remember this year and who I am. I am me, and I'm also my mom, because I can feel her with me. In my dreams and memories. It's been a year and in some ways it feels like it was yesterday, but I know that I'm out of the fog, and progress has been made, and that is something to celebrate.

Laurie Gregory Francis. Legend. I miss you so fucking much.

Photos by Maddie Lismore

Walk of Shame

2017. WHAT A YEAR! Said no ever. Let's just admit it, this year sucked. It was so shit it was essentially equivalent to your worst walk of shame ever. Not that I know that feeling.......... ..... I'm just assuming it doesn't feel too good.

Good news is, I'm feeling good about 2018. Seven was a hideous number and eight is pretty. Insert the moment where we sing I GOTTA FEEELINNNNN! Coming clean i hate that song, but it has a time and a place, and that time is now.

So cheers to you, 2018. We've been waiting for you so you better brang it. God dammit I've walk of shamed it to you this entire year. I've barely stayed above water waiting for you. I've cried all the tears waiting for you. I've laid awake for far too many hours waiting for you. You are so precious to me that I even dressed up for your arrival. When one wears shoulder pads, you know they mean business. Come in for the real thing, 2018, because I'm a god damn hugger and it's so good to see you. 

Dress from Zara

Vans

Neon Bungalow's Main Squeeze

Neon Bungalow was born in 2014. Well, technically the bones of her were born in 1922, but I took ownership in 2014. A time that felt like prices were way too steep, but now my thankfulness is high given the following years of Seattle's crazy real estate market. I'll never forget standing in the living room saying to my mom, this is the house. "It's a good house" she said in that oh so specific way that I can hear so clearly. 

I've spent my time blogging about fashion - and just generally making fun of myself - the past few years, but I can't deny that interiors is a huge passion of mine as well, passed down, I like to think, from my grandmother to my mom and then to me. The latter human not nearly as talented, but a girl can try, amiright? I now have a goal of keeping their legacy alive, especially my mom. It makes me feel closer to her; a part of me. Which of course is what everyone says, but no one really talks about having to really try to keep that with you and not bury the memories and the pain away. But I'll do anything to stay close to you, mama.

To my readers, and any new readers (welcome!), I'm going to push a series of posts, a Neon Bungalow series if you will, for each room in the home aka Neon Bungalow. Each space has been its own separate design, experience, and journey for me with an ultimate goal of remembering to still maintain a healthy flow throughout the 'Bungalow. 

My first purchase for Neon Bungalow was the living room sofa - the room I chose to tackle first since I knew the fire, and let's be real, the TV, would keep most of my time in this space. The sofa is a Louis the XVI piece that I found at Pacific Galleries, a psycho (in the best way possible) vintage mall in Seattle with footage for days that I could spend five months in, seriously. At $1700 this piece was as cheap as it comes for its kind, a ridiculous score of a find, but not so cheap for my bank account. But, my heart had dreamt of owning such a piece since I can remember and it had to go down.

From there I had my focal piece, and over time when my bank account allowed and I found just what I was looking for, I gradually added to the room until completion. A feat no shorter than a year and a half. I took some risks mixing the sofa with a soft marble piece, bright moroccan rug, and even a midcentury media stand. I can confidently say that if someone saw me add all four of those items in a single checkout they'd probably call me cray cray, but it worked for me. So if anyone is looking for some advice from my experience with Neon Bungalow, it's take risks and wait for the pieces you're envisioning. Be patient and you'll find them, I promise. So here she is, Neon Bungalow's main squeeze. The place where all the magic happens. And by magic I mean countless episodes of Teen Mom, Life of Kylie, and most importantly, The Challenge. 

Photos by Ellie Lillstrom

Media console — Urban Outfitters
Vintage sofa, apricot sheepskin, candlesticks, lamp — Pacific Galleries
Wood vase — The Mine
Sheepskin rug — The Mine
Coffee table — West Elm (no longer available, but this one is similar)
Vintage Morocan rug — Loom + Field

Fallow me

Fallow me into Fall, my peeps! How the eff is it Fall? I'm pretty sure I say that when any new season comes because time is going by way too effing fast and I'm annoyed. I'm actually partially lying because this last season didn't really go by quickly for me, it was actually terribly slow, but I still feel like I somehow missed Summer. Maybe that's how Summer always feels? Like a blink. It's such a treasured little unicorn in Seattle that the moment it leaves you just feel almost...confused? It's possible that many of you are reading this and questioning my sanity (or sobriety), but that's okay. Per usual, I'm deeply saddened to say goodbye to shorts. Pants are just overrated, man. So here's to one last hurrah paired with my new favorite Fall sweater. Peep it!

Photos by Stephanie Severance

AALTO sweater 

Rue stiic shorts

Alexander Wang trifold shoulder bag

Serpent Sity

I'm not sure if I'm late to the game, but I've recently come across a new brand that I'm slightly (weirdly) obsessed with called Paloma Wool. I know right? Sweet name. Palomaaaa. Paloma. Who doesn't like saying Paloma? Anyway, the Spanish brand is filled with linen galore, and I can't get enough. I also weirdly have a love for serpents so when I stumbled across this two piece linen getup with serpents all over it, I said what up girl.... you're my new favorite go-to wedding fit, and I couldn't be happier. Thank you for serving me well, this wedding season. And another wedding season bites the dust. Peep it:

Photos by Maddie Lismore

Paloma Wool top in a different color

Paloma Wool pants in a different color

Mercedes Castillo kicks