flirty finds for valentine's

Hey there, Valentine! Looking for that finishing touch to glam up your V-Day?  Opt for a flirty headband courtesy of one of my favorite sites, ban.do.  With fabulous 'french poufs', glitzy shoe clips and bows that scream drama, ban.do takes accessorizing to a new level with a bit of tongue-in-cheek glamour.  Keep all eyes on you (including his) with a fabulous hot pink find like the Pop Flower pin or the Two Tone Satin Sash headband.  Whatever you choose to "be yours," you'll certainly have more than one secret admirer after a prance in a ban.do pretty!

All photos courtesy of ban.do.

chic reads.

A unique assortment of coffee table books is one of my favorite things about someone's home.  Accessories and decor say a lot, but there's something about the books that a person openly displays (and usually only a few at a time) that really sum up true, individual style.  These over-sized, over-the-top reads exude a lifestyle essence that they seem to bestow on their owners once they are stacked nonchalantly atop one another. Here are a few of my favorites that are not only artistic displays of beautiful content, but timeless finds that I could flip through over and over again...all designed and written, of course, in very good taste.  

 

Have a favorite "chic read?" Share by leaving a comment below!

We could all use another gorgeous book or two...xx

sparkling words of wisdom...

I came across this beautiful note with a quote from the one-and-only Roald Dahl on on of my favorite blogs, {this is glamorous}. Aside from the gorgeous blog that it came from, I thought it was such a special piece of wisdom to share...

clink! clink! cheers to retro revelry

Thanks to Mad Men, I think its safe to say that the traditional cocktail hour is back in style.  Grab your pearls and champagne coupe and start clinking to the good life.  Vintage cocktail glasses aren't just unique, I think they make for great home accessories as well.  Search for great Culver finds, glistening with grapic gold prints, or opt for some whimsical rocks glasses with bold stripes. Place on a pretty cocktail tray and, voila!, the perfect side table accessory. Retro chic is all about bold patterns and bright colors, so take some risks and have some fun.  Try mixing and matching for a quirky happy hour full of style!

For a little inspiration...

 

All "Mad Men"photos courtesy of AMCTV.com. Vintage glassware [top right] via the BorrowedAbode blog. Champagne and vintage glassware from Lonny Magazine. Gold Bamboo glasses from the Sleepy Poet via Matters of Style blog. Purple vintage bar set: ebay.com

Gimlets, Manhattans, and Old Fashioneds, Oh My!  Click here and cheers to the good life!

 

All "Mad Men"photos courtesy of AMCTV.com. Pink cocktail glasses: The Hour Cocktail Collection. Culver glasses on red backdrop: Ruby Lane.com. Culver gold trim bar glasses: ebay.com. Green-striped rocks glasses: esty.com 

For those in the mid-Atlantic area, The Hour cocktail shop in Alexandria, Virginia is an amazing little spot brimming with chic bar accessories and fabulous vintage cocktail finds - including retro artwork and jewelry (because every girl needs that perfect cocktail ring to partner with her punch!).  Here are a few samples of their fun inventory...

All photos and images courtesy of The Hour Cocktail Shop (Alexandria, VA)

coming soon: vintage happy hour!

Hellooo there, Don Draper...

After coming across these great shots of the dapper Jon Hamm, I just had to do a 1960s-inspired cocktail party, a la Mad Men. I'm convinced there's nothing better than vintage glamor - and nothing pairs better with an A-line dress than a retro rocks glass for that perfect punch of panache.

Stay tuned for HAPPY HOUR on Monday...

In the meantime, feel free to start drooling over this little montage of Don Draper eye candy...

HAPPY FRIDAY, LADIES!

Photos courtesy of Best Life Magazine via The Neotraditionalist

good taste resolution: start saving with style!

With each coming new year we seem to gain new experiences, new friends, and new decisions to better ourselves for the road ahead.  As we embrace 2011, during these lovely economic times, we could all benefit from the resolution to start saving more (my least favorite thing!).  As always, gorgeous designer temptations always seem to break the bank, so I decided to dig deeper and see if it really is possible to still look polished and put-together on a serious budget. With a little creativity and some great resources for fresh finds, I think it just may be possible...

Look 1: Pearl Studs - $6.  Hive & Honey Pearl Necklace - $68. Modcloth Coming Up Buttercups Dress - $85.
Enzo Angiolini 'Sweetness' Sandal - $99. Look 2: Modcloth Try This for Sighs Cardigan - $60.
Kate Spade Signature Spade Studs - $38. Steve Madden Hard Case Clutch - $61.
Modcloth Rum Raisin Cupcake Skirt - $40. Kate Spade Date Night Solid Ring - $55.

GOOD TASTE GIFT GUIDE 2010

Since we are well into the holiday shopping season, I thought I would do a little personalized GOOD TASTE GIFT GUIDE to get everyone motivated to scoop up those last minute items on your list.  Play Santa for a bit and grab some of these perfect finds for that special friend or loved one. Here are some ideas based on certain preferences and personality types to hopefully save you from the chaos of scrounging an overcrowded mall for that last person on your list!

For that domestic goddess with expensive tastes...

1. Truffle Salts,. 2. Himalayan Salt Slabs (also available at Sur La Table).3. Rougie Fois Gras. 4. Le Creuset Signature Round Dutch Oven. 5. "Barefoot Contessa: How Easy is That?".  6. Tsar Nicolai Infused Roe Sampler. 7. Chef's Choice 120 Diamond Hone 3-Stage Professional Knife Sharpener. 8. Nigella Lawson Blue Ceramic Measuring Cups. 9. Michel Bras 9-Inch Hollow Ground Slicing Knife.

For the girl who loves the glitz, the glitter

and everything a little "over-the-top"...

1. Vintage Leopard Freeman Furs 1940s Swing Coat (link shows similar find).  2. Chanel Rouge Allure Lipstick. 3. Christian Louboutin Anemone Stiletto Pumps. 4. Linda Farrow Luxe Cat-Eye Frame Snakeskin Sunglasses. 5. Navette Cluster Ring by Elizabeth Cole Jewelry. 6. Kate Spade Palace of Mirrors Bib Necklace. 7. Anita Ko Rose Gold Snake Earrings. 8. Rick Owens Fox Rings Gloves. 9. Gold Milk Jug. 10. Kate Spade Twirl Larabee Dot Fete Mini Saucers.

For the gadget queen with serious style...

1. Diane von Furstenberg Kiss My iPhone Cover. 2. Apple iPad. 3. Polaroid ProGo Instant Digital Camera.

4. Kate Spade iPhone 4 Hard Cover. 5. Portable Balloon iPod Speaker. 6. Kate Spade iTouch Case.

7. Abbi Laptop Bags. 8. Tory Burch Mirrored Crinkle E-Tablet Case. 9. Urbanears Headphones.

And for the one who is always pinned up and put together...

1. Kate Spade Deluxe Plush Scottie Bag. 2. Tuxedo Pearl Studs. 3. Yellow Gold Plated Cartier Pen.

4. Haute Papier Grand Silk Letterpress Stationary Box. 5. Navy & White Needlepoint Ballet Flats. 6. Gold Monogram Necklace. 7. Penguin Classics by Coralie Bickford-Smith. 8. Tory Burch Small Jaden Nylon Tote.

9. "Encyclopedia of the Exquisite: An Anecdotal History of Elegant Delights."

HAPPY HOLIDAYS! xx

[interior] infatuation: elizabeth bauer

On a recent trip to New York, I was strolling the West Village when a tiny shop with huge curb appeal caught my eye.  With a very chic chair covered in a bold pink print staring at me from a prominent spot in the quaint bay window, I knew I had to stop into Elizabeth Bauer's store.

Later, after running into a 'Bauer-obsessed' friend next door at equally colorful, Jonathan Adler, I had a feeling I would soon join the club and decided to do a little research on the designer. Named one of Traditional Homes,' "20 Young Designers to Watch" this year, Bauer's style is described as "modern in a traditional silhouette," but I instantly thought of Palm Beach chic when I saw her collection. I love how she adds a bit of playful whimsy to the mix with bold layering of patterns (love her candy-striped couch with geometric pillows, below) and unexpected color choices. With summers spent designing with a firm in Nantucket, its no wonder Bauer's design choices always incorporate a bit of "preppy chic" into a more modern, sophisticated form. Just take a look at some of her fabulous designs....I think I just about died when I saw the navy and white zebra print wallpaper paired with the coral lampshades (one of my favorite color combinations) that Bauer used in her own NYC studio...

 

Elizabeth Bauer

All photos courtesy of Elizbeth Bauer Design and Lonny Magazine

freshen up that holiday color scheme

I've always been a firm believer that you can find inspiration in almost anything.  Take a trip to an art museum, a quirky little antique shop, or simply browse through a colorful coffee table book.  Whatever you choose, document things that jump out at you - I like to keep an inspiration book where I paste all my design, fashion, food and color tidbits that I happen to come across so that I can refer back to them for other uses later.  Last year I threw a holiday party inspired by a linen that I was using at an event - a fabulously whimsical magenta and red damask - so fun!  Although that was last year, I still think this bold color scheme gives the holidays a fresh face.  Try using vibrant red Amaryllis mixed with hot pink accent flowers (roses, tulips, etc.). I love using pink poinsettia instead of (or mixed with) the traditional red for a pop of color. Here is the swatch I was inspired by, followed by an "Inspiration Board" I created to visualize this holiday look:

 

Photos courtesy of: Amaryllis: Voila Fete. Room with red curtain: Country Living. Candy: Gifted.

Pink ornament tier: Country Living. Poinsettia centerpiece: Southern Living. Room with tree: Country Living.

Invitations: Jean M. Magenta ornaments: Better Homes & Gardens. Candy Canes: Phyllis Asher. 

Champagne: Delicious Magazine. Roses: Jean M.

For those looking for a little less color and a little more sophistication, I absolutely LOVE mercury glass and am constantly looking for ways to use it.  While browsing for more pieces to add to my collection, I came across this great urn from Wisteria.  Styled with the fresh evergreen, I was immediately inspired to look into a green and white scheme, accented with glistening mercury glass accessories.  This is a great option for those who tend to have cooler tones in their homes or those who prefer an updated traditional feel. For this look, I would recommend using fresh evergreen, magnolia or boxwood and accenting with white Hydrangea, white Amaryllis or Paper Whites. For a use of green with an unexpected texture, I adore the moss wreath below...

 

Photos courtesy of: Mantle: Better Homes & Gardens. Tabletop: Pottery Barn. Banister garland: William Waldron. Wreath with mercury glass: Martha Stewart. Doorway: Martha Stewart. Mercury glass ornaments: Pottery Barn. Chair with snowflake detail: Country Living. Champagne glasses: Country Living. Lit Boxwood arrangement: Kaboodle. 

try succulents this season!

Instead of using traditional cut evergreens this year, try incorporating some living succulents into your holiday decor. These tough little plants are known for growing in arid climates, characteristically storing water in their leaves (think cactus, aloe plants, etc.).  Recently, I've been seeing them used in much more prominent ways and I think they offer such a fresh, unexpected touch to wreaths, indoor arrangements and table setttings.  A good family friend recently used them in arrangements mixed with amazing florals and other unique fruits and vegetables for a post-wedding celebration party - so elegant! (see picture below). The great thing about succulents is they aren't terribly expensive and last for up to three to four years (with a half to full day of sunlight)! Just look how gorgeous and different they are!

 Photo courtesy of Snippet & Ink

 Photo courtesy of Snippet & Ink 

 Succulent Wedding Favors from Martha Stewart Weddings

 

 Photo courtesy of Martha Stewart

 

Succulent wreath by Fiona Grubb via Design Sponge 

Photo courtesy of NK Photography

 How gorgeous is Anne's arrangement?!  This is only a portion 

of the whole thing which was about 4 feet long!