Tag Archives: inspiration

A Wild Trip for Spring


The weather is changing, the sun is out, flowers are popping up on every corner, and my Passport is asking to be used.  It is saying, throw me in a bag with a flowing dress, some bejeweled sandals, radiant sunglasses, and lets find some far off land, where spices are sold in burlap sacks, the food is hot and the people are beautiful.

Ashika Pratt in Vogue India
I pulled together these pieces that are all different but tied together but the vibrancy of the colors, the boldness of the print and the ease of wear. 
A Tribal Spring
A Tribal Spring, from L to R: Shine on Dress at Anthropologie, Gibillterra scarf-embellished printed swimsuit by Missoni Mare at Outnet, Belted Print Skirt at Barneys New York, Lottie patent-leather and raffia clutch by Jimmy Choo at Net A Porter, Frayed Straw Fedora at Forever 21

Bottom, from L to R: FALIERO SARTI Ios Sand/Multicolor Pompom Scarf at StyleBop, Alligator skin-print jersey dress by Tibi at Outnet, Alba Mini Skirt at AllSaint Spitalfields, Dollhouse Alfa Slingback Sandal at Endless, Knot intrecciato snakeskin clutch by Bottega Veneta at Net A Porter, Melbourne Sunglasses by Lacoste, Rainbow Ring by Citrine by the Stones at Charm and Chain

The trick for going big with color, prints and patterns is to not be afraid.  Find a silhouette you typically gravitate towards, a slim pant, a waist cinching wrap dress, a pencil dress and go bold.  Step away from the gray and black and add yellow, oranges, limes, cerulean, ruby.
I love the idea of making a splash in a bold and beautiful way, that’s as wild as it is sophisticated.

Inspired Princess Style


If everything old is new again, we have to find inspiration somewhere.  For Kate Middleton, there was no better inspiration than Grace Kelly, Princess of Monaco.

Kate Middleton, April 29, 2011 – Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen


Grace Kelly, April 19, 1956, Dress designed by MGM Costume designer, Helen Rose


I’ll Meet You at the Bar


I am not a big drinker, but I love a bar.  I love a cookie dunking, cheese cutting, drink making, ice cream cone stacking, pie slicing bar.  I love it so much that for our wedding I recruited family to make our favorite cookies which were artfully displayed in beautiful glass domes and trays.  

What inspired my cookie bar – Ariel Yve Wedding via StyleMePretty.com
The Viennese table of my bat mitzvah youth, and the all-you-can-eat buffet of my worst nightmares have been elevated to a chic level of sophistication and grace.  You can blame it on food bloggers, food stylists, but Amy Atlas is the pro who has made it an art.  
Gone are over flowing trays of cheddar cheese cubs and sad excuses for French pastries.  In their places are authentic foods, comfort foods, real foods in smaller portions and beautifully displayed.
Ice Cream is amazing, but how much sweeter do you think it tastes when this is how it looks?  Probably a thousand times sweeter is my guess. 

Ice Cream Parlour Chic by Eat Drink Chic
I don’t know too many studs who would be plussed by a spud bar, but perhaps the happy homemaker in all of us would make this for her spud loving stud (or little spud stud baby). 

Spud Bar by Botanic Flowers, Photo by TinyWater
Ahh, the cheese plate has grown into a cheese table!  Is this not the most simple and elegant display of some of nature and man’s best creations (honey and cheese)?  

Cheese Table by Sunday Suppers
We see a lot of cookies, cakes and pies, but how absolutely delightful to see fruits and vegetables (and their favorite dips) all beautifully displayed and taking center stage?  This shows that eating whole and healthily is beautiful.   

Fruit and Veggie Bar at Ohdeedoh

As I menu plan for the upcoming Passover holiday I can’t help but be inspired by the creative presentations and artful edibles.