Bursts of Sage and Blue with MyDomaine in Santa Barbara, CA

Recently, I traveled to Santa Barbara to photograph a sweet little jewel box of a space by the lovely Taylor Anne Interiors. It's always such a treat to work in Taylor's spaces, which are so full of light and are a constant reminder that sentiments of The New Southern are everywhere especially with Taylor's Texas roots.

Ahead of the shoot, I made sure to create tiny moments of happiness throughout that make each image a little more special. You'll see bright pink snapdragons and blue hydrangeas for a color moment, and lush greenery in larger vases to make a vignette feel more serene and fresh. One styling trick I have been doing for years is — filler is the new floral! I love to pick up bunches of greenery that a fussy florist would use as filler and instead fill an entire vase or jar with it. Some of my favorites to pick up from the local supplier are sage, eucalyptus, and Israeli ruscus. You'll also notice we chose to leave the windows wide open, which evokes a sense of hospitality, warmth, and calm. I can definitely feel the warm California air and those joyous creative vibes as if I was still standing in the living room looking back through this gallery!

Speaking of California, I'd love for each of you to consider donating to the relief efforts benefitting wildfire and mudslide victims in this very region of the country. So many families have lost their homes and their precious belongings, and every small amount counts. Join me in donating to United Way's efforts to help the victims of the wildfires, mudslides, and floods. Our hearts go out to the victims and their loved ones!

To view the entire gallery of this  Santa Barbara Jewel Box, head to MyDomaine Xx

Photo: ©AlyssaRosenheck

Photo: ©AlyssaRosenheck

Photo: ©AlyssaRosenheck

Photo: ©AlyssaRosenheck

Photo: ©AlyssaRosenheck

Photo: ©AlyssaRosenheck

Photo: ©AlyssaRosenheck

Photo: ©AlyssaRosenheck

Photo: ©AlyssaRosenheck

Photo: ©AlyssaRosenheck

Photo: ©AlyssaRosenheck

The New Southern | Coffee Table Styling Tips Plus 35 of the Best Coffee Table Books

More than just a simple piece of furniture, a coffee table often acts as a highlight reel — The New Southern’s NEW version of the mantel. It is meant to tell a story, to be loved and lived in with visual consistency and appeal, rather than being topped with prized possessions that you don’t touch. It’s a spot to showcase new loves, old treasures, and sentimental ornaments… It’s also where we will go with family and friends to catch up, set down drinks, and relax. The charming vignette that we display gives us an opportunity to welcome guests not only into our homes but into our lives.

As the foundation to a space that is meant for gathering, I feel that it is essential to decorate with this in mind. Styling can be deeply personal and because of that I carry an intrinsic interest in focusing on what matters most to my client and their homeowner clients. While southern design is traditionally known for its rules and strict adherence to the past, The New Southern highlights creative differences within the south and all across the country. The top of a coffee table can be filled with a variety of visual elements that all work together as personal renderings. This is our chance to transform traditional concepts of design in our own fresh NEW way. There are no rules here and we can take a deep breath in and a big exhale out as we toss out all of the guidelines and start implementing personal moments and what I like to call "proof of life".

My secret sauce to a flawless coffee table is in every piece of the jigsaw puzzle. It is the whole and all of its parts. There are no bounds in The New Southern’s world of design and coffee tables truly capture this message. Whether it may be my own home or that of a client’s, here are my coffee table must-haves! Xx

Photo + Styling: ©AlyssaRosenheck Design: Raquel Garcia

THE ANCHOR

This is the focal point of the table and something that I cannot do without. I suggest choosing your anchor based on ceiling height and the shape of your table. You can go with a low anchor that has a lot of surface area or a high one with a bit less. Think short hydrangeas in a short bowl or a tall vase with airy branches! In the above image, I used a low profile bowl with a lip to support casual layered tulips. 

LONG, LINEAR & ROUND

If you want that jigsaw puzzle to come together you’re going to need to play around with pieces of all shapes and sizes in order for them to fit. Get creative and add some dimension. Staying true to The New Southern, I always seek to mix the old with the new. Maybe consider a super contemporary bowl alongside a more boxy, vintage find. 

PROOF OF LIFE

This can be anything from an open book, a necklace, or sentimental piece. Lately, I have been loving layering with large wooden necklaces and mixing family heirlooms like an antique tray or modern bowl. Styling with an open book is one tip in particular that truly speaks to me. Choose a page that holds meaning or showcases a sentiment of value for you. It’s a soulful moment that will give those entering your home a glimpse into who you are.

TEXTURE FOR VISUAL INTEREST

Incorporating personal elements and pulling organic moments are key when it comes to styling coffee tables. I love greenery of all kinds! Pears and fruits are a fun way to add texture and are especially great during the holiday season. 

CLICK ALL BOOKS TO SHOP

The New Southern | Beauty Tips, Part II: MAKEUP

Recently, I shared with you that my favorite accessory is a healthy dose of humble confidence (HERE). Believing in yourself and what you stand for is a sure-fire way toward a happier outlook, a positive essence, and productive a workflow. In the most non-superficial way, I ultimately feel my best when I’m working hard, I’m taking care of my body and mind, and when I feel, well, put together.

All illustrations by the talented and fabulous Hayley Mitchell

We all get so busy and it’s easy to lose track of those priorities. But I often joke that caffeine, some positivity, and a lot of concealer get me through the day, and I know many of you are in the same boat! Because so many of you asked, I’m excited to share my tried and true beauty routine for a look that will last and let my focus be on the task at hand while tackling a full and rewarding day... from meetings, to cross-continent flights, to 15-hour shoots and throwing in the occasional speaking engagement.... this is a clean look that will be the constant through all of our shifts and turns... and I am happy to share one of my constants with you!

I’ve partnered with the the oh-so-talented Hayley Mitchell, the Austin-based artist known for her graphic, punchy portraits, to help illustrate my step-by-step beauty routine. I hope you’ll check out her work and give her a follow; her aesthetic and creative drive so represents The New Southern, and I’m so fortunate to have connected with her on this journey. I also hope you’ll give my tricks a try and share the look with me on Instagram! I can't wait to hear your thoughts and please feel free to comment below. Sending you all LOVE this week. Xx

MOISTURIZER

To prep, I apply NeoStrata Bionic Face Cream 12 Bionic PHA everywhere except my eyes. A little goes a long way, and a tiny dollop provides complete coverage, so it’s good to be conservative.

TINTED MOISTURIZER + SPF

Next I use Revisions Intellishade Original tinted moisturizer SPF 45, again all over my face with the exception of my eyes. I love this product because it gives me a subtle dewy look with some coverage, but be careful, as applying too much will make you look pretty greasy. 

CONCEALER

Using a damp Beauty Blender, I apply Mac’s Studio Finish Concealer in NW 20 SPF 35 very liberally under my eyes. Genetically I have dark undereye circles, and this concealer is the absolute best for all-day wear, especially on shoot days when I’m constantly moving between inside and the outdoors and then off to client dinners when I wrap on set. 

SETTING POWDER

I then take a small brush to Laura Mercier’s Translucent Loose Setting Powder in Natural Finish and conservatively set the concealer underneath my eyes. You can also use it to set the tinted Revisions Intellishade moisturizer around your nose, as necessary. I recently discovered the major benefits of setting powder. I’m all about a quick morning makeup routine, and although it adds an extra step, this stuff ensures the look stays all day long. It saves me so much time at the end of the day if I’m finishing up a shoot and going straight into a dinner meeting or to an event.

POWDER

To even everything out, I apply Bobbi Brown’s Skin Weightless Powder Foundation in Warm Ivory 1 with a large brush. Because I don’t wear foundation, this is a perfect weightless alternative to give my face a smooth texture and healthy glow. Throughout the day, I’ll reapply this to touch up or eliminate shininess between meetings.

BRONZER + BLUSH

I have a little confession--I have never taken the time to learn to contour! Instead, I have a go-to bronzer and blush, which I sometimes wear separately and other times, together. You must try NARS Laguna and Bare Minerals Sunkissed, which I apply liberally with a blush brush under my cheekbones, on the bridge of my nose, on my forehead, and sometimes in the crease of my eyes. Naturally I’m very fair (like a translucent baby fish that you can see their heart beating), so both of these shades offer a subtle, not-too-pink glow without having to sit there and chisel my face with 6 different contouring shades. When you’re a busy gal like me, you have to color outside the lines when you contour!

EYESHADOW

I usually choose to wear a single eyeshadow shade to avoid all the time and precision a heavy-duty look requires. My all time favorite shadow is Urban Decay’s Toasted, which is perfect to transition from day to night. I apply my eyeshadow conservatively in the crease of my eye and leave my eyelid pretty bare. 

EYELINER

Because my complexion is so fair, I had trouble finding an eyeliner that wasn’t too harsh for a long time. That is, until recently when I discovered NARS Larger Than Life Long Wear Eyeliner in “Via De’Martelli.” I use just a touch, only applying on the outer top corner of my lid.

MASCARA

I swear by Benefit’s They’re Real mascara—it’s one of the best mascaras I’ve ever used and I wear this daily. Apply two coats pretty liberally in order to fully coat your lashes and achieve maximum volume. But beware, at the end of the day, gently and very patiently remove it from your lashes with warm water and face soap. If you’re in a hurry, you may miss a few lashes and wake up with mascara….everywhere.

LIPS

Figuratively and literally, I like to keep my lip color pretty simple and light. These days, I’ve reached for NARS Turkish Delight Lip gloss, which has great lasting coverage and is both conditioning and moisturizing. If I want a little bit more definition, I’ll apply MAC Pro Longwear Lip Pencil in Cultured and top it off with a dab of Mac Lustre Lipstick in Pretty Please.

The New Southern | Beauty Tips, Part I: INNER BEAUTY

For a while now, many of you have asked me daily about my beauty and make-up routine. I’m excited to finally share all of those tips with you HERE. But before I get into my makeup bag, I want to talk about another kind of makeup.

All of you, every single one, have your own individual makeup. Who you are and who you’re growing to become is completely unique, and you have a very special gift to offer this world. For me, it took having cancer and breaking free of the corporate grind to fully understand and embrace my creativity. I’ve realized that it’s my special gift, and I must harness it in order to spread light and love through my photography collaborations and through The New Southern. As I learned (and continue to learn!) how to use my gift for good, I’ve begun to love myself and others more and more.

Through this amazing, interconnected web of conversations that we call social media, I’ve personally connected with so many of you. Your story and your own special makeup pushes me to work harder and share beautiful things with you every day. But without fully knowing and loving myself, I wouldn’t be able to open up, be vulnerable, and above all, be completely authentic with you. Connecting to my inner beauty and wellbeing has allowed me to reach a higher potential than I could’ve imagined. Here, find a few of my tips for completely knowing and loving yourself. It makes all the difference. Promise.

ALLOW YOURSELF TO BE PRESENT…

The most powerful tool in life is being completely present in the current moment. Over the years, I’ve learned to let go of the past with love and appreciation, and to not worry so much about what lies ahead. Truly embrace what’s right in front of you, set aside time for stillness..... and it is within these moments connection to the world around you happens and ultimate self care. The power is in the present.... great connection with your work, family and opportunity can result when you choose to focus on the current moment. Right now,  I hope my words are touching your heart and set the tone for the rest of your day. 

Allow yourself self-love…

Be kind to yourself. Throughout the day, it is so important to be aware of the inner dialogue you have with yourself. It’s crucial that your personal thoughts come from a place of kindness and grace rather than judgement. We all are doing the best we can—try not to beat yourself up about every minute detail. There is beauty in the smallest of completed tasks. When you complete them, give yourself a pat on the back, or look into the mirror and tell yourself how special you are. Self-love comes in many forms.... Being kind to yourself, selecting healthy foods to feed your body, hydrating, cultivating time for play and creativity throughout the day (even if it is just 5 minutes), and the one I believe in most.. is getting enough sleep. These small supporting actions are the simplest forms of self love. They work for me and I hope they work for you. 

And always keep humble confidence….

I remember on my last podcast interview, the very first question the show host asked was “What’s your favorite fashion accessory?” To be honest, I was a little peeved, considering the question was unrelated to my field or passion, and I don’t ever want to be someone defined by my favorite handbag or a pair of heels. Calmly, and with grace, I responded that my favorite accessory is confidence. And more and more, I’m realizing that humble confidence is truly key in my world right now.

So often, I’m really scared. You may not believe me, but I am. My businesses are rapidly growing, and I now have to be more decisive and forward-thinking than ever. I make tough decisions every day. But because I face this decision-filled time with self-confidence in myself and my work, I know that whatever the outcome is, I’ve got this. Having this faith deep down inside, and constantly reminding myself that I’ve survived life thus far, the corporate world, and cancer, I can safely say I can take on anything. To each of you, especially the mothers out there, who are thriving at the most difficult job in the world, I commend you. And I encourage you to exercise this self-assurance. Even when you stumble, it’ll help you pick right back up where you left off.