It's time. Time I shed some of my belongings. The great closet rebuild is in full swing and now I'm digging into the muscle. Along the way I've discovered I have some ridiculous pieces that have never seen the light of day. I'm thinking some of you fashionistas might offer a new home for them. Louis Vuitton, Rachel Pally Alexis Bittar, Rebecce Taylor... it's just a few pieces, but I do have one or two more to add. But once these select items are gone, they are gone for good.
All this daybed needs is a nearby swimming pool, a stack of fresh magazines, a tall bottle of Evian...and me! Hope your week is gong well. Just thought you'd enjoy a mid-week mental break. Let's look at a few dreamy places to take a nap, shall we?...
A citrusy bed with silk linens...
A dreamy four poster bed with a stack of well-worn books nearby. Perfect for a mid-week nap. The above images are all courtesy of Lombok. Please to enjoy ;)
(exhibit A)
Have you shopped any of the "private" sales via Gilt or Hautelook or RueLaLa? Today I finally won something. I say "won" because there's more to it than simply clicking "add to bag" and checking out. First, it's very hard to find anything that isn't already in someone's shopping cart. Other shoppers (referred to as members) have 10 minutes (on Gilt at least) to complete their transaction or that item goes back into circulation. So...you feel like a cat waiting to pounce. In the meantime, you must scurry about looking for anything you can possibly find to put in your own cart.
(exhibit B)
Today I found an adorable Milly chiffon floral top (exhibit B) and was lucky enough to snag it. Bag it. Add it to my cart (woohoo!). But then I noticed an even cuter Milly blouson top (exhibit A) that I just "had to have" - and it was in someone's cart. So here I am, knowing I only have 10 minutes (9:15 and some change now...) to score this other top. In the meantime, if my 10 minutes passes, the top I've already secured goes back into rotation. So how do you "win" this new top? You keep hitting "buy it now" repeatedly until it happens to expire in someone else's cart.
And I did it! I actually did it. So there I am... in the homestretch, checking out. And all of a sudden I begin to second guess my first top. (You can see where this is going.. right?) So here I am...clock still ticking, because now I could lose BOTH tops if I don't hurry. I go back and forth and finally decide I can live without that first AWESOME (what was I thinking?) top. So... I deleted it from the cart and checked out. Suffice it to say, by the time I realized I regretted the decision, this lovely number was gone, baby, gone.
Ladies...can you send me a virtual slap? Two of them. One for each side of my face. What was I thinking?
In my defense, there were no witnesses to this fashion crime. But this is my confession. I hereby sentence myself to a month of no second guesses. Trust the gut....trust the gut.
So.... to all you Gilt'ers out there. If you WON this top in my size and do not like it, I will buy it off you no questions asked. Help a sister out. I had a momentary bout of insanity and this is added to the list of ones that got away.
Are shoes the new lipstick? Seems to be the case. This is an excellent article on Second City Style about what we're spending money on right now. And you know what? They are right. I'm focusing on investment pieces exclusively right now. Which doesn't mean I'm spending less. It just means I'm not interested in buying this season's vintage tees or experimenting with new shades of gloss. I'm completely focused on quality. Cashmere. Perfectly fitted jackets and classic yet fabulous pieces. But then again, I am in the midst of a massive closet rebuild, so it makes sense I'm starting with my foundation pieces.
But when pressed, industry insiders reveal that women are absolutely having fun with their purchases. Cocktail rings, bracelets, scarves, handbags, shoes (shoes!), vintage tees (yes, vintage tees) and red lipstick. If women's shopping preferences are any indication of the financial climate of the world, it's clear we are motivated by and large by what makes us happy. It is referred to as the Lipstick Effect.
So I ask... what are you buying? Is happiness the determining factor?
Hmmm...I'm on the fence with this pair. I know some of you Saturday Night Fever lovers are salivating. But I like to shine just a bit more brightly than my shoes. Know what I mean? Imagine how painful the sun glare would be off of these bad boys? You'd be walking down 5th avenue causing traffic jams for miles. Who am I kidding? Traffic is already jammed. On the bright side (pun intended) you wouldn't need overhead lighting anymore in your shoe closet. ;)
And...easy to do those mid-day lipstick checks, right? So... tell me, dear glamour girls... are these your Holy Grail of Louboutins? Or are we all just going to use the for makeup touch-ups?
Hey kids... a few fun things happening at Ideeli this week. First...the giveaways. There's a YSL, Roger Vivier, Vera Wang and this fabulous fashion accessory book above.
But if you're an Escada girl, be sure to jump online Monday to see if you can snag yourself some accessories. If you need an invite, here you go. Happy shopping!
It's Rioja Restaurant week April 26-May 2. What does that mean? Some of the city's most talked about chefs are offering some fantastic prix fixe menus. The Rioja wine will be offered at up to 20% off as well. Grab the gang and head out. Here's the link to see if your favorite spot is participating in the fun.
DesignSponge has an excellent interview with ecofabulous founder Zem Joaquin. It was refreshing to read that she once rejected her enviro-friendly upbringing. It brought me to fully appreciate what she's trying to accomplish with he ecofabulous brand... basically, that you don't have to live in a teepee in the woods and reject all advancements made my mankind to be environmentally sensitive. Best of all, I didn't see the issue of partisan politics mentioned once in the article.
So two thumbs up for a great interview. And be sure to check out ecofabulous. Even I, a meat-eating, leather-wearing, non-hybrid driving fashionista, can get beind the blended lifestyle she's promoting. Now... go forth and be a bit better to the world this weekend without once compromising your style.
Here's a roundup of posts I hope you didn't miss this week:
Tata for now, everyone. Go enjoy the sunshine this weekend!
XOXO!
Franki
{photo via 100layercake}
Regular readers of Decor8 have already seen these photos...but the rest of you can pick your collective jaws off the floor once you've had plenty of time admiring these beautiful photos. And those of you who read this blog and decor8, I'm certain you didn't mind seeing these twice in one week! They are the impressive work of Nato Welton, whose work I did not previously know until, oh, ten minutes ago. Be sure to explore the rest of his online portfolio for yourself.
{images: nato welton via sarah kaye...The talented Mr. Welton is represented by Sarah Kaye in London. }
I'm beginning to think so. Everywhere I look the heels are rising. Five inches. Five fabulous leg lengthening inches. At this point I know some of you are thinking you might fall on your face and make a fool of yourself. But if I may be so bold, I'd say it's your right, no...your duty, your privilege as a woman to learn to walk in heels.
They don't have to be stiletto heels. But how about a nice pair of wedges? Give me a fat platform and towering heels and I'm a happy girl. And - let's face it - done right, these make your legs appear to go on for miles. Miles, I say!
So before you start whining and telling me you "just can't do it"...give wedges a shot. Pair these with a pair of short shorts, a flowy chiffon top and a colorful clutch then head out the door. But I'm warning you, ladies... be prepared to get compliments on your great legs.
Becky of the Bubb Report (which, by the way, you should be reading) actually made me drool yesterday. Okay, I didn't actually drool, but my eyes certainly were wide open as I saw the lovely interior living spaces of Ali Wentworth and George Stephanopolous.
The home was featured in Elle Decor this month. As she points out, the home is ripe with overused designer "tricks" (coral, anyone?) and trends. We see Moroccan poufs, preserved wood tables, and - yes - an abundance of coral. But I'm willing to be money that those items weren't just picked up last week at their local Pottery Barn. There's a good chance they brought these back from the Great Barrier Reef or have amazing tales of snorkeling near a remote island few have ever known.
If these beautiful rooms are considered trite in the eyes of the designerati, then so be it. I still love looking at the photos. I certainly don't like everything about the place. In some areas it looks as though it's been decorated to within an inch of it's life. But overall it's a very soothing home (check out that cool light fixture in the foyer a few photos up) and I suspect they actually do love the beach. Therefore they get a pass on the excessive collection of coral.
George, Ali. What a lovely home you have. And if you need someone to keep an eye on the place when you go snorkelling again this summer, feel free to text me.
Whenever I see in someone's bio that they are "self taught" I am instantly riveted. For purely personal reasons I love to champion those people. Sometimes formal training beats the creativity right out of a individual. For some, the best way to learn is by doing, not by reading and training. And if you think about it, have you ever seen the portfolio of a self taught artist you didn't like?
So when Manvi of the delicious blog Mochatini wrote this post about Justin Patrick describing him as "a self-taught photographer. Based in Capetown, South Africa" I knew I would love his work. And I do.
Here's a guy who understands lighting, angles, perspective and composition. Self taught and proud of it. So the next time you're looking at someone's story and you see that they trained themselves...I challenge you to decide for yourself whether their work is any less fabulous just because they didn't receive formal training. In the meantime, go have yourself a Mochatini.
For some reason, I just can't sit down to work unless everything in my vision looks "just right." I love bright light, preferably sunlight. Clean surroundings. Order. Perfection. (That's normal... right?)
Because of this, I'm constantly on the lookout for inspiring images of work spaces. I have these images on my refrigerator right now (I'm using it as a huge stainless steel vision board at the moment). The bright, airy rooms just make me so happy.
Fresh flowers, streaming sunlight. Paned glass windows. No clutter. Nearby artwork. Upholstered chairs. Oh, I could squeal!
I'd say the top image (from WS Home) is more my style as a professional office. But if I just wanted a sweet little space in my home to work, this one at the bottom has me sold. The feminine chair, the brightness of the room. (*sigh*) Don't you think?
What would Kelly do? She'd add yellow. No matter the challenge, Kelly Wearstler would add yellow. But revisiting the photos of the Viceroy in Palm Springs, I'd say she's on to something. How can you possibly feel anything less than invigorated when you look at the surroundings? Bright, bold, unapologetic, in-your-face, lemon yellow. Add a dash of black. Set it off with white. *poof!* ... fabulosity.
Kelly, send some of that sunshine my way. Will you, dear? April seems to be full of showers this year.
It just seemed cute to me that Nicole Balch of Making it Lovely and Pink Loves Brown is on maternity leave. This is exactly why it's wonderful to run your own business. You simply take off when you need to do so. In the meantime, enjoy her adorable designs. I'm typically lean more towards full on glam, but these are just too sweet to go unseen.
If she's new to you, sign up to be notified when Pink Loves Brown is back in action.
Well get ready to get your smile on. Pure Dental is one of the country's very first eco-friendly practices. How, you might ask? The office is
paperless and stocked with recycled, natural materials. Better yet, you don't have to wear Birkenstocks or forget to wash your hair to feel at home, because this joint is outfitted with a sleek
interior that features a Mac bar in the lobby and iPod docks at each
patient chair. Um, yes. It's just that cool.
{Maybe they also have cards as cool as these.}
My suspicions have been confirmed (if you consider a post on BagSnob to be factual confirmation)...Markets take a dive, expect Coach stock to rise. Why? Talk to any Coach sales person and they'll tell you their clients "move on" to LV and the likes. It's a starter brand. There's a reason you see tweens carrying bags with the oversize "C" pattern... in the context of designer bags, this brand is affordable and an entry level bag (sorry, Coach lovers...you know it's true).
So in my WeSeed account I added in a ton of Coach stock. Yeppers, it's going up, up and away. Trust me, those $300-$700 bags start looking mighty good when you pop open your latest 401K statement (as an aside, we simply don't look at those statements anymore). And while I'm not a Coach fan myself these days, it seems I'm in the minority.
Continue reading "First Class? No Thanks. I'm Flying (er, Buying) Coach." »
Oh, Herve....I love the verve with which you serve up these dresses I do deserve. How dare you constantly churn out dress, after dress, after dress that I covet. You've sure got some nerve Herve.
{Saks has these aplenty if you're interested.}
The "things to do before I die" list continues to grow. I've decided that being street stalked by The Sartorialist would be nice. I particularly adore the repeat appearances that many fashionistas and fashionistos make on his blog. How grand to have Scott title a post "Franki on the streets of Milan" or "On the Street...Franki!" I think we can all agree it'd would be quite the thrill. So...until then, please enjoy these fine specimens from his recent excursions.
This post, courtesy of your Prada loving girlfriend...moi.
Hard to believe I grew up in the Carolinas but never recognized the unique beauty of Charleston. Thank goodness My Notting Hill took these fine photos for us to drool over. (Hmmm... maybe I should have done more to make sure I attended that high school reunion.)
I particularly like the theme of doors and gates. Somewhere in my digital files I have a huge collection of photos of doors and door knockers. I just love the unique personality an entrance can project. It's often overlooked as a design feature. But a "humble" entry doesn't have to be humble at all.
The next time you take a walk, be sure to notice how your neighborhood doors and gates make statements about the homes and homeowners themselves. It can be quite telling.
Is it just me, or does this Emily Blunt photo shoot remind you more of Blair & Chuck that it does of Queen Victoria? Yes, Emily (gorgeous as Queen V) is surrounded by adoring suitors in this photo shoot from the May issue of Vanity Fair.
I have to thank Isabel of Le Mode & Vintage for showcasing these juicy Gossip Girl worthy images. Yet, how sad is it that Emily - dressed in Dior Haute Couture - is promoting British royalty, and yet all I can see is Blair Waldorf and that lovely fop Chuck? I blame Dorota.
Alex from FreshHome has me dreaming of less saturated interiors today. Just look at these dreamy spaces by French design Firm Hand. I just love the endless sea of offwhite. But the real kicker to the living room is how lowslung everything is. The furnishings are so low to the ground that you immediately feel a sense of height in the room. There are no obstructions to conversation.
But really? For me this room is begging for a lazy rainy day, a good book and a nap. Am I alone on this one? That long sofa is just asking me to rearrange the pillows, turn off my ringer, grab Elle Decor and fall into a deep, lazy slumber. I wonder if that's what the designers at Hand had in mind?
The outNet is live. Now. Yes, this is net-a-porter.com's outlet. Choo. Louboutin. Derek Lam. Missoni. Listen, I've gotta go... I'm off to shop!
Heather's post about the Kips Bay Decorator Show House had me thinking of Brad Ford's delicious designs this week. Even though I've blogged about him before, I couldn't contain myself.
Isn't his work just yummy? He turns four spare walls into a respite from the world. Your own private retreat. Isn't that what home should be? The answer is yes.
I want my spaces to inspire great thought. They should welcome you home but encourage you to be an adventurer. An artistic canvas for your own great story.
If you look closely, it seems Brad's secret is neutral background elements (walls, furnishings, etc) and vibrant transient objects. Think how easily you could swap out those silk pillows and flowers and adjust the room for seasons or changing color palettes.
And he's clearly a designer who understands that the art you've invested in should be allowed to assume center stage. The furnishings never outshine the art. That, and his use of fresh floral arrangements gives it a warm "I had no idea you were coming with a camera crew" appeal. LOL.
I'm on to your wise ways, Brad. I'm definitely on to you. I hope you're still hip to decorate my next home. It wouldn't be the same without you! Be sure to check out his blog Design Therapy.
Just in case you missed this post on Another Cup of Jo, I thought the design was worthy of a bit more press. Check out this sharp card for a dentist. If that doesn't get your attention (and ensure that you floss each day) you may want to consider having your eyes examined as well.
I just can't help at marvel at the creativity behind this design. Not to mention the courage the dentist had for trusting the designer's daring approach to the traditionally staid business card. Bravo to both.
Are you noticing the return of the canopy bed? I noticed this a year or so ago when some good friends of mine were decorating their new home. They purchased a chic, modern version of the four poster canopy. No top, just to posts and rails. I was actually surprised to see so many options on the market at the time. And now Patricia Gray has a great post on the topic, discussing the various styles available.
For children's bedrooms it seems the trend never completely goes away. Oddly enough, I just wrote a post on the topic at Sippy Cup. There must be something appealing about the cocoon-like environment it creates. Or maybe little girls just like to feel like princesses. A bit of both, I'd have to guess.
But when it comes to adult bedrooms I'm always surprised to see the canopy bed as the bed of choice. You see, I'm a "no footboard" kind of girl. One less thing to walk around in the middle of the night. And in terms of making the bed, posts and/or a footboard only complicate matters. I love the freedom of "headboard only" styles. So although canopy beds and four poster styles look grand in catalogues and glossy magazines, I can't imagine having one in my home.
What about you?
Yesterday I was over at Decorno and discovered that Elaine is heading to Italy this summer. As I furiously typed in my recommendations, my mind began to flood with memories of our trips. It's my absolute favorite place to linger. With that in mind, I thought I'd give you my take on SpaWeek with this post...
Le Sirenuse: It isn't likely to be participating in Spa Week, but that isn't stopping me from imagining I'm there. So if you not are in the midst of your facials, massages and mani/pedi sessions at your local salons, as your more die-hard spa-loving sisters, take a mini jaunt with me to Positano, won't you?
Amazingly, this historic hotel nestled in the Amalfi Coast has a modern Aveda concept salon tucked neatly inside, a major plus for me. (I guess I should explain that I'm a lifetime Aveda devotee. Massages, hair color, you name it. I go out of my way for their treatments.) And if that isn't enough, have you seen the location? The views?
My advice? Stay a few nights at the incredible hotel. Venture out to Capri one day by boat and enjoy lunch with the beautiful people. Stroll the streets of Sorrento later in the afternoon, making sure to pick up the requisite lemon-scented candles and soaps for those back home (you'll have plenty of limoncello to drink if you dine out for dinner). Take another day or two to explore Amalfi and the rest of Positano.Get lazy. Let it sink into your soul.
But the experience you should not miss on your trip is indulging in the spa at Le Sirenuse long enough to reach that point where yu wnder why you haven't done this sooner. Italy. Positano. La dolce vita.
Finish your night off with a dinner overlooking the water, the take in a late night swim in the pool. For just a moment, you'll consider quitting your job and living a more fabulous life right there on the Amalfi Coast. And if you don't have this experience, go right back the next day and have another treatment at the spa. Enough unwinding and you're sure to finally feel like you belong there.Works every time for us.
Too cute to keep from you. I'm still investigating the site, but by the looks of it Do It In Paris offers we Americanos a quick way to up our chic factor, Parisienne-style. Honestly, it looks like Daily Candy for Francophiles - not that it makes in any less adorable. But a quick glance at the cast of producers tells me we may be in le presence of an ingénue or two.
I liked the Top 10 Ways to Show Off Your Legs and Juliette's insider guide to Paris. But there is enough content there to keep you busy for a while. I'm off to continue investigation... au revoir!
As I got my blogging on this morning, I stumbled across a few posts I wanted to be sure the rest of you didn't miss...
I've got to hand it to Williams-Sonoma Home. They've got moxie. Remember the issue of Domino that declared coral is over and designers should back away, far away from the motif? Quickly? Well, here we are in Spring '09 and they've got plenty of it.In fact, it appears they are single-handedly hoping to resuscitate the trend.
To be honest, I actually love coral in small doses. In these photos it's clearly overkill, as most merchandising shots are prone to be. But a little dash of coral - be it the color or the silhouette - I actually find quite appealing in the summer. But then again, I grew up near beaches and pieces of coral are just part of the summertime experience.
Granted, if you live longer than a 4 hour flight to the coast - any coast - it may be a bit odd to have pieces of coral in your home. But I'm willing to bet even the powers that be at Domino would have given you a pass if you acquired the coral objet de art on in the Maldives or Canary Islands.
That's what I love about design 'rules' though... they are meant to be ignored, broken, and twisted. The trick to coral? Inject the color into your summer palette with reckless abandon, but use the motif judiciously lest your designer friends poke fun at you for being so gauche. Unless of course, you can back those coral place settings up with tales of your snorkeling expedition off The Great Barrier Reef. In which case, feel free to go a bit wild.
It was bound to happen. Give me a year of discovering, shopping for, examining, returning and once in a great while falling in love with children's products and I was bound to become an expert. Trust me, it's a surprise to me as much as it is to you.
Trying to find gems in the glut of products available has been a real adventure. And while it's easy to be disappointed at what is available mass market, if you look closely you'll discover incredible brands and very thoughtful products. Yes, in fact, children's products can indeed be stylish.
And what kind of girlfriend would I be if I kept all that knowledge from you? So, as of this morning, Life in a Sippy Cup has launched. Whether you're expecting a bundle of joy, have a little one of your own or just need a chic gift for an upcoming baby shower - I've got you covered. No kids, no interest? Stick to Venti Cup and you'll be baby free :)
Sippy Cup will offer reviews and highlights of design-conscious children's clothing, innovative products, intelligently crafted gadgets and just genuinely wonderful things to make motherhood as stylish and chic as possible. Think of it as Life in a Venti Cup for the littlest among us and the glam moms out there looking for stylish options.
And please don't be shy if you have a great boutique collection to promote, fashionable products you've designed or even if you just know of an item that could use some exposure. I'd love to hear about it, so don't hesitate to get in touch.
Life in a Sippy Cup: because style doesn't have to be small.
My wrist has never felt so naked. It serves me right for going back through my emails from Vivre. Blammo! Here is this beauty staring up at me like my long lost best friend. And the product description does nothing to sate my (now newly awakened) need for this bracelet. It begins like a novel, "Like a luminous molten lattice..." or a J. Peterman catalogue.
This woven beauty is by Kara Ross, gemologist and designer of jewelry and handbags. I'll be darned if she isn't just the cutest thing you've ever seen. In case you don't know her luxury brand, she won the FGI Rising Star Accessories Award in 2008.
I'll admit, I didn't know anything about her until I chased down this bracelet. But I love her style philosophy:
Makes me want that lovely molten latticework piece even more. For more on Kara, check out kararossny.com. I'm betting you'll soon be a fan as well.
Months ago someone from bloglovin.com sent me an email announcing the service. Why on earth did I wait so long to make use of this app? I've grown so tired of my many RSS readers. They just take the life out of every post. (Am I the only one who thinks so?)
Bloglovin' lets me see your site and get a bit from each post and - from the main screen - save a post to go back and read. This way I can clear off that screen to see new posts without forgetting which ones I wanted to go back to for further reading. Smart. I'm just too visual for a traditional reader. All that lifeless text without a mental picture of your blog. It's a personal thing, but I'm not a fan of any reader I've ever used except (apparently now) this one.
Anyhoo, check out the site. And please, follow my blog with bloglovin´ to see what all the fuss is about. I'm no where near done completing my list of blogs to follow. So if I've missed yours, I hope to be adding it soon.
iPhone users: it even looks & works great on our phones. I created a shortcut to my account and put it on my main screen as a shortcut. Now I don't even have to log in. It's right there with all my fave blogs. *sigh* I'm very, very happy.
Crisp white button up shirt. Chino shorts. Thin gold bracelets. A bag that offers a pop of color and texture. Or maybe just a nice metallic bag like the Ferragamo Marisa Tina found this week. And these Chinese Laundry Bounty platforms. Ahhh, spring!
All this needs is a crystal clear swimming pool, a cabana, a group of my girlfriends and some tall glasses of lemonade. I've already got my bathing suit ready to go. Ahh, summer is coming! Have a lovely weekend.
{Images courtesy of DrapeStyle... it's their new outdoor collection, Newport.}
