This week’s IN HER SHOESis the lovely lady behind this week’s Treat yo self post.When I fell in love with Brittany’spillow line I knew I needed to learn more about her and what a typical day is for her while she balances interior design clients and a shop. Truth be told I have something product/shop related in the works so I was eager to see how she does it all.
I hope you enjoy a peak into the life of Brittany from Classically Band Belquist.
Please read to the very end where you will get a little surprise!
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Hi Effortless style readers, Brittany here from Classically B and Belquist Interior Decor. I am so excited that Camila invited me to participate in her fabulous ‘In Her Shoes’ feature since it is one of my faves!
I just launched an interior decor boutique and I also do freelance interior design so each day is very different from the next. I hope you enjoy a little glimpse into my life 🙂
7:45AM: My alarm goes off, and while I would normally press snooze, I just got back from Boston the other day so I am still running on east coast time. I work from home so I hop out of bed and throw on my workout clothes in anticipation of my morning hike a little later on.
8 AM: Time to make breakfast which is usually something hearty like a power smoothie or oatmeal since I never know when I will get around to having lunch. While my oatmeal is cooking I scoot to the backyard to grab a lemon and admire the roses that have just started to bloom. I realize it is already close to 70 which means I am definitely going to eat breakfast and do my morning work outside.
8:10AM: I Spend the next two hours checking emails, organizing orders, catching up on blogs and tweaking a few designs I have been working on. I like taking care of all my emails in the morning because I am 3 hours behind the east coast and want to catch up with everyone who is already well into their day! I also juggle 3 email accounts (personal, Belquist, and my interior design/buying business) so if I don’t tackle them early then I just get frazzled checking emails when I am out running around all day.
10AM: I’ve taken care of the morning computer tasks so I print out the orders that need to be sent out today. I love packaging my pillows and I get excited thinking about each piece in its new home! Fed Ex doesn’t pick up until 6pm but I like to take care of orders in the morning so I don’t have to rush the process at 5pm (although that sometimes still happens).
10:45 AM: Time to take a hike! Living in Los Angeles means I am lucky enough to be able to spend lots of time outdoors all year round. These days I am hitting the hiking trails instead of the gym. Working for myself allows me to create my own schedule and I take this time hiking to plan the rest of my day, brainstorm new ideas and soak in a little sun 🙂
11:30 AM: I’m back from my hike so I pop in the shower and then get ready to go out for the rest of the day. Even on days when I stay in my ‘home office’ to do work I still make sure I put on a cute outfit and throw on a little make-up; it makes me feel put-together and ready to take on any task. Today I am wearing my favorite wedges, mint pants (colored pants are a staple in my wardrobe) and a flowy top.
12:15 PM: I quickly eat lunch and then it is time to start checking things off my ‘To Do’ list that I made earlier! First stop is Downtown Los Angeles to pick out some trim samples for product development, as well as scope out fabric for a couple of interior design projects. I am a bit obsessed with trim and pick out a few cords, pom-pom fringe and ball trim to play around with for some potential pillow designs. I also check out a pretty velvet fabric that I want to use for drapery or possibly use to upholster a settee.
2:45PM: Before I know it I have spent 2 hours picking out trim and fabric samples. I always spend more time than anticipated when I shop downtown but I can’t help myself; its like designer Disneyland! On my way back to the car I wander through the flower district and look at all the gorgeous blooms. I am a sucker for fresh flowers and pick up some pretties to take home.
3:20 PM: On my way home I stop and peruse the aisles of Home Goods to look for props for an upcoming photo shoot. I love shopping here as well as at thrift stores/Craigslist/Estate sales and pretty much any place I might find a great deal or anything vintage. I came across this beauty by Ralph Lauren (it was under $100) but sadly I don’t have any need for it.
4:30 PM: Finally make it home (LA traffic drives me nuts!) and I hop on the computer to take care of emails that came in while I was out. I also make sure to jot down product ideas that I thought of while downtown and want to sketch out later.
5 pm: Time to have some fun playing around with fabrics and trim samples while I enjoy a little snack of cheese and crackers. I love product development and have so many pillows and other other home decor pieces I am designing and sourcing for Belquist (think blankets, barware, trays, rugs, and much more!)
6:15 PM: Time for the best part of my day, a Skype date with my boyfriend who lives in Boston. It’s nice to step away from the boutique and design world for a little while and just talk about anything and everything.
7:30 PM: Time for dinner with a friend! I Make a quick outfit change and head over to Old Town Pasadena to have dinner and drinks with a good friend. Nothing beats a glass of white wine (yes I put ice in my wine), fried calamari and some girl talk to unwind after a busy day.
10:15 PM: When I get home I get ready for bed, put on my pj’s, and then its time to relax! I like to unwind at the end of the day watching a tv show while checking random things like real estate listings in Alabama & Texas or searching Craigslist in hopes of finding something amazing, My last score was an adorable chrome vanity with a matching art deco seat! I also write tomorrow’s blog post and make sure it is all ready to go off in the morning.
12 AM: Time for lights out!
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A big thanks to Brittany for sharing her day. As a special treat she is offering one of her stylish pillows for a give-away! Take a peek at what you could win:
In order to enter use the Rafflecopter widget below:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Don’t want to wait for the give-away? No worries use code ES20 and 20% off your total order!
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Loved this feature!! I seriously need one of those glam pillows that you added to your collection!
I have no set place for the pillow. It will probably roam between the living room, office/library or guest room. All 3 rooms are “in process” of being done up! Awesome giveaway!!
LOVE that pillow! It would look awessome with the colors in my living room
Would love Luxor pillow in wheat for my bedroom!
Oh, how I miss shopping in L.A.! Beautiful pillows 🙂
I’d put the pillow on my couch in the living room! Love that they’re all classy but still fun!
i am looking for a pillow for our master bedroom and would love to add one of these pretties to my house!
I love all the geometric patterns. Too hard to choose!
Gorgeous pillows!!!
I could definitely use a few new ones in my family room!
Pretty! I would love to add a pillow to my new living room couch!
Loved doing this post, thanks again for having me Camila!!
Love love love these pillows! I have a new couch desperately in need of pillows!
I’d put it front and center on my bed. I’ve been needing a touch a magenta on it 🙂
All of that trim – I am in heaven!! How I would adore this pillow!
Beautiful pillows! Would love one for my Master bedroom!
Oh the lucerene in citron would sit nicely on my sectional couch! Love it!
On my sofa!
I’m redoing my master bedroom right now and that pink pillow like you got would look fab on the bed!
My master bed could use some sprucing up with a snazzy pillow
That pink pillow is everything!! I love Brittany’s blog and am insanely jealous of her amazing Craiglist vanity and stool!!
I’m building a new house and going glam with it. Absolutely love your pillows and will definitely check out your entire collection! Thanks for a glimpse into your daily design life!
thanks for the intro to this great shop!
Would love one of these great pillows for my sofa!
I would love to add some sparkle to my dorm room with one of these Belquist pillows. They are beautiful!
I just love your blog, just found it. By any chance, do you happen to know the color/brand of paint pictured above on the chest that the pillow is sitting on? That deep green would go perfect with my theme. 🙂