Rogue Wave over size photograph by John Michael Smith, available at Perch.
And conjuring up decor of warm browns, terracottas, pale aquas and sea greens:
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Good Bones
Yesterday, I curled up on the couch on a dreary afternoon with a delicious buttery pastry and a giant cup of coffee to enjoy the latest issue of Rue. There I found a story on the home of one of my favorite bloggers, Bailey McCarthy of Peppermint Bliss. Not only does Bailey have an incredible eye for style (check out her wedding - unbelievable!), she is seriously hilarious. Her posts perk up my mornings like a venti quad non-fat peppermint latte (and pastry).
Recognizing the good foundation but poor layout of their new home, Bailey and her husband, Peter, gutted the late-1800s brick townhouse and made it all their own. The result? A cozy and livable yet stylish study in reworked furniture and repurposed artifacts. But where this house actually becomes a home is in the signature touches of humor. "It's decorating," says Bailey, who has aptly named her home Clifford the Big Red House. "It's not that serious but it can be really great."
(A custom designed Kelly green tufted velvet sofa in the living room.)
(Love this little vignette. I own an old writing desk exactly like this one. I was ready to put it up on Craigslist until I saw this photo. Now with a little paint and some new hardware, I'm inspired to breathe new life into that baby!)
(This bathroom is wonderfully traditional, except for the cheeky placement of the painting-turned-blind over the window. The perfect personal touch.)
(Saved the best for last...Bailey's closet! Note the gold hangers and colorful sparkly frocks. To.die.for.)
Check out the rest of this spunky home and the March/April issue of Rue here.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Spring Transition
As I perused through the mall on a quiet Tuesday evening and made my way through eyelet, white cotton, sandals and sundresses, I realized that I've gotten a little ahead of myself. Last week's burst of warm temperatures and sunshine gave us an unfair peak into what's to come and had me wearing linen pants and tank tops. But for now it's freaking snowing. To get through the next month or so of roller coaster weather, we'll need transitional pieces designed for layering. Then I spotted this little buddy in J.Crew and thought oh, hello, I need you. Yesterday.
On warm summer days, I'd throw him on over a white sundress to keep away the chill from office AC or a more casual pair of shorts, a striped sailor tee and sandals for an al fresco dinner. But for the next few weeks, as spring quickly approaches but many of us can't quite justify shorts or sundresses, here's what I'd pair it with:
Monday, March 21, 2011
Fashion to Furniture: Lilly Pulitzer
While winter blows it's last breath on us here in the northeast, my mind is wandering elsewhere - specifically the iconic colorful Lilly Pulitzer dresses that are now being translated into the brand's first home furnishings collection. As my summer wardrobe waits with baited breath in the back of my closet, we'll soon be able to enjoy the springlike prints of Lilly Pulitzer all year long. Introduced by HFI Brands, the collection debuted at High Point in October and will launch in stores this summer. The line will feature 200 pieces for the bedroom, living room and dining room and will include a fabric line for Lee Jofa and accent pieces. Umm, I'm already scheming for my fake house. While the classically shaped furniture pieces will come in finishes ranging from Palm Beach white to colorful lacquers and mahogany veneer to woven, they all have that same Lilly theme in common - a lust for a colorful life. I'm all for that!
(Vintage LP prints lining the stairway at the Madison Avenue store, via inspired.talk)
Says Creative Director for HFI Brands, Britt Albright, "The Lilly Pulitzer Home collection promises to deliver Lilly's same style, inspired color palette and unique sense of fun to consumers' everyday lives."
Certainly a brand we'll never tire of! And while the complete Lilly look may not be for everyone (even me), the pieces are wonderfully modern and transitional and work in an eclectic mix of styles.
Images via Home Accents Today and HFI Brands.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Luck of the Irish
Happy St. Patrick's Day to all! Join me in celebrating my Irish heritage with this classic cocktail:
Irish Coffee
8 tsp. sugar
1/2 cup whiskey
2 cups hot brewed coffee
1/2 cup heavy cream
Beat heavy cream to form soft peaks. Place 2 tsp. sugar in each of 4 mugs. Add 2 Tbsp. whiskey to each mug. Fill each mug almost to the top with coffee. Using a spoon, float cream on top of the coffee.
"May your thoughts be as glad as the shamrocks,
May your heart be light as a song,
May each day bring you bright, happy hours,
That stay with you all the year long."
-Irish Blessing
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Girl on a Budget: Spring Wardrobe
I'm back from a great weekend. I hope you all enjoyed a weekend full of friends, cocktails, laughs, sunshine and warmer temps, just like I did:)
A few days ago, a good friend asked for my help in finding new wardrobe items for spring but at LOW prices. I am, shall we say, overly excited to whip out sundresses, loose cottons, bright colors, tanks, shorts and sandals for spring and summer. This winter has done a number on me and i. am. over it. In fact, I am wearing flip-flops and a neon short sleeve shirt today. Yes, I do realize it's 50 degrees and raining here in NJ and that people are looking at me funny (the cast on my arm doesn't help matters), but I don't care - March is the beginning of flip-flop season in my book. I also just got word that ice cream is being delivered to my favorite ice cream shop down the shore, Skipper Dipper, which means that summer is a'comin!!! See, I told you I live in the wrong state. That said, like most of us, I need to keep my springtime shopping budget to a minimum. So I got straight to work in finding the most budget-friendly wardrobe updates for spring. My best advice is to take good inventory of what you already have in your closet, make note of the basics and classics you'll need and spend a little more money on those pieces (make a list and stick to it!), then infuse some of these less expensive, fun and trendy pieces in there. Don't be afraid of color and pattern and keep in mind what's big for spring - pretty florals, printed dresses, crochet, stripes, 70s, longer hemlines, tribal prints, wide legs and flares. Voila! Spring has sprung.
Forever 21:
A few days ago, a good friend asked for my help in finding new wardrobe items for spring but at LOW prices. I am, shall we say, overly excited to whip out sundresses, loose cottons, bright colors, tanks, shorts and sandals for spring and summer. This winter has done a number on me and i. am. over it. In fact, I am wearing flip-flops and a neon short sleeve shirt today. Yes, I do realize it's 50 degrees and raining here in NJ and that people are looking at me funny (the cast on my arm doesn't help matters), but I don't care - March is the beginning of flip-flop season in my book. I also just got word that ice cream is being delivered to my favorite ice cream shop down the shore, Skipper Dipper, which means that summer is a'comin!!! See, I told you I live in the wrong state. That said, like most of us, I need to keep my springtime shopping budget to a minimum. So I got straight to work in finding the most budget-friendly wardrobe updates for spring. My best advice is to take good inventory of what you already have in your closet, make note of the basics and classics you'll need and spend a little more money on those pieces (make a list and stick to it!), then infuse some of these less expensive, fun and trendy pieces in there. Don't be afraid of color and pattern and keep in mind what's big for spring - pretty florals, printed dresses, crochet, stripes, 70s, longer hemlines, tribal prints, wide legs and flares. Voila! Spring has sprung.
Forever 21:
Zara:
Modcloth:
Target (Target has brought back their most popular dresses from their GO International Designer Collective lines. Take advantage!):
ASOS:
Urban Outfitters:
Piperlime:
H&M:
Dress, $29.95
Pants, $24.95
Blazer, $34.95
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