Monthly Archives: October 2011

Sequin Season


In the last show of Spring 2012 Paris Fashion Week, Elie Saab sent models down the runway in every color under the rainbow.  In the evening wear dresses and gowns they wore vibrant jewel tones.

Elie Saab, Spring 2012

The fall 2011 runways showed plenty of sequined evening looks, but if there is ever a time to play with the glittery stuff in color, it’s now, as seen on Martha Plimpton, Amy Poehler and Evan Rachel Wood at the Primetime Emmy Awards.

Here are the top picks to glitter into Fall.

Sequins for Fall 2011

Shop: Blue, Green, Bordeaux, Violet, Gold, Blue, Red

 

Are you ready to shine at this season’s parties and events?

Champagne Wedding Inspiration


Is there nothing more festive than Champagne?  It’s seductive and whimsical, it’s bubbly and sparkly, it’s celebratory and grand.  Just like this wedding inspiration board.

Champagne Wedding Inspiration

Source: Print, Gown, Dress, Tutu, Flutes, Bouquet, Centerpiece, Cake, Salad, Shoes

There is no greater time to lavish yourself, your friends and family with a little extra sparkle.  The Champagne toast, or Prosecco, or sparkling water is a mainstay in the wedding reception and so why not carry that moment throughout the entire reception.

This inspiration board has a softened neutral color palette of blushes, sages, creams and butter play beautifully with the sparkle and effervescence of gold.  As a play on the whimsy that Champagne often induces the traditional wedding mainstays are made playful with details like clever prints, rock candy in Champagne flutes, delightful snacks, glittering bows and fluffy flower girl tutus.

What do you think, would you be inspired by a glass of Champagne for your wedding?

Jacket Season


We’re having some warmer temperatures this week – not complaining! – but fall and it’s brisk temperatures and cool breezes is soon to come.  Let’s fashionably plan ahead.

A must have item (or items) for fall, is definitely the blazer/tailored jacket.  I am having a bit of a blazer moment. I think a fitted jacket is to your wardrobe what mascara is to your makeup collection, an instant pick me-up, and a polished finish.

Jackets for Fall 2011

The core of my wardrobe is a pair of skinny jeans and a tank top and I would wear all of these jackets with that base.  Swap out different shoes and accessories and I am set for the season.

Be school girl chic in traditional styles featuring tartans, plaid, and elbow patches.  The fit here is slim and youthful, too structured and boxy and it may look like you borrowed a Captain’s jacket.  Tip: Shop the boy’s section for a snug fit with this look. 
Shop: Plaid, Patches, Tweed
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Make a statement in jackets with details that speak volumes.  Play with bold and bright colors, beaded details, and rich fabrics.  Pair these jackets with simple pieces so as to not look overly done or matronly.  Tip: Shop vintage and thrift stores to find great colors and patterns at great prices, a simple tailoring can update the fit.
Shop: Pink, Beaded, Satin
 
 
Be stylish on the weekend in Saturday perfect jackets.  Easy to add to an outfit, and not cumbersome for weekend errands, these jackets are warm and made from tough fabrics: leather, knits and velvets.  Find the right slim fit, too big and bulky you might as well wear sweats.  Tip: Shop in unexpected places like the active section as many fitness/casual brands also add non-workout clothes to the mix.
Shop: Velvet, Leather, Trench

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What is your jacket style this fall?

Sparkle for Fall


I recently got my West Elm catalog and I was delighted!  West Elm, Pottery Barn’s more modern and affordable sister, is offering a Fall and Holiday collection that I am swooning for.  It has everything I could hope for, some whimsy, some metallic and lots of sparkle.

Here is what I am loving for my home for this fall.

In the living room:

I love the texture on these pillows.  The sparkle is a luxe touch to the natural linen and canvas bases.  How fun would these be on our couch?  (hint, hint!)

Sequin Pillows

These frames, also match a set of small boxes, they have a fabulous pebbled texture and could look sleek and fresh at home.

Shagreen Frames

For the table:

These plates were a guaranteed winner: letterpress and gold?!  Sold.

Letterpress Plates

Is anyone else thinking what I am thinking?  Appetizer and dessert party for the holiday season?

Dessert Banded Plates

Do you decorate for the season with color or more traditional touches?

Saturday Wardrobe: Football Weekend


This weekend my favorite college football team, The Miami Hurricanes, come north to Blackburg, Virginia to play Virginia Tech.  I am not going to the game, but if I was, this is what I would want to wear.

Saturday Wardrobe: Fall Football

Shop: Football, Belt, Boots, Jacket, Sweater, Cords, Bracelet, Scarf, Backpack

I love this look for a number of reasons, the colors, the fall textures and most of all, the functionality.  When you’re at a football game, or outside and standing up and down for 3-4 hours you need to be as comfortable as you are cute.

This outfit is easy to wear, and the girl in this look is ready for the pregame, cool in the huddle, and fabulous at the after party.

Go ‘Canes!

Fig Season


Figs are funny kind of thing, well, not in the ha ha sense, but funny in the way that I never really knew what they were or what they tasted like.  I was definitely not a Fig Newton kind of kid, not fun enough.  But, now, my, oh, my – figs are such lovely delectable bites.

They’re delicious, not too sweet, full of flavor and pretty rich for a fruit, and right now they are in season… So, hello, don’t wait around too long, go and find some or make a delightful little snack – after finishing the blog 🙂

Some fig inspiration:

How amazing would homemade jam be?  Then you could make your own homemade Fig Newtons!

Fig Jam from Delicious Shots

Fig and Pig, Pig and Fig!  Open faced fig and prosciutto sandwich?  Molto bene!

Italian Fig Sandwich from Spoon Fork Bacon

Ooey, gooey cheese and drippy, sweet figs.  Seriously, this is the kind of “snack” I’d eat by the spoonful.  Is that bad?

Brie with Figs and Almonds the Enchanted Cook

This recipe is happening!  Gluten free and figgy!

Fig and Quinoa Cupcakes from The Cupcake Blog

The piece de resistance!  How stunning is this cake?  What a beautiful finale this would be for a dinner party.

Fig, Mascarpone and Pistachio Tart from Desserts for Breakfast

Have you tried figs, would you?  Are you intimidated by this “strange fruit”?

Some figgy history, from Serious Eats: The fig tree was a common theme in the Bible, and the Egyptians considered figs to be sacred, often burying the dead with baskets of figs. In ancient Greece, Plato wrote that athletes were fed figs to make them stronger. Fig culture spread to the northern Mediterranean and Adriatic shores until it reached southern Italy, and then the rest of Europe. When the Spanish planted figs in Mexico, and the Franciscan monks moved northward with pockets full of figs–that’s when they came to the States.

Haunted Houses


Welcome to October, it is nearly the bewitching hour and time to start thinking about All Hallow’s Eve.

There is something about Halloween, maybe the chocolates, or the “bloody” Mary’s that brings out the kooky and creepy in us all.  So, I started thinking about decorating for a spook-tacular Halloween.

There are lots of ways to decorate for Halloween, my three  favorite: the spooky, the sparkly, the seasonal.

The spooky:

Martha Stewart, Halloween 2011

Jack-O-Lantern Fireplace

The sparkly:

Wendy Addison with West Elm

Glitter Pumpkin from Sweet Paul

The seasonal:

Fall Harvest Mantle

No Carve Pumpkin Decor

Which of these are a treat for you?  And which are just a trick?

Unusual Homes


Our house is over a hundred years old, and so often I wonder about the people who lived here before we did, what the house and their lives within it looked like at the time.  But our house has always been a house.  What if your house was once a church, or lighthouse, or other functioning space.

Cool or weird?

Many months ago, while real estalking, I came across this “house” in San Francisco.  It was once a church, and if the spirits moved you and you had $6.6 million it might be a great deal.

Check out these very church-like details:

Stain glass windows

Altar and Living Room

Dining Room

Well, at least you’d know that there would be good acoustics and plenty of room for a crowd…

 

Would you ever live in an unconventional or converted home?