Sunday, July 31, 2011

Fall is coming! Bring on the Fashions

The is my very favorite time of year - when the fall fashions start rolling in.  I am already starting to put away some of my super summery items and pulling out some transition-into-fall pieces.  It's a great jump start for me to assess what fall/winter items I have are keepers, consigners and ready for donation.  Once I get that figured out I can see where I may have holes or may be ready for some updates.  Let's consider some key pieces for fall - coat, statement printed blouse, versatile dress, trousers and a sweater.  I've gathered some photos of some of my droolworthy, wishlist items - truly these are investment pieces of high quality and classic styling that will not just be great this year, but serve you well for years to come.  I also gathered photos of similar pieces (still good quality) at a more approachable price point.

Burberry Coat - truly I am in love

Tibi dress - I love that you could start wearing this now and when it gets colder wear tights and boots as shown.  I also would rock this dress into the office and then out for dinner/drinks

Vince - makes some of the best sweaters ever.  Will look great over dresses and with denim and trousers.  Also can serve as outerwear until the really cold weather sets in.

Tucker Blouse - Confession...I already bought this.  In person the color is a beautiful deep coral not so bubblegum pink.  Fabulous transition piece - I wore it out to dinner with a long necklace, shorts and wedges.  Will be great when the weather cools with a pencil skirt and denim.  LOVE

DVF trouser - beautiful camel color, featuring a flared bottom that is very on trend with the 70's inspirations we are seeing this fall.  I have always been a fan of a slightly flared trouser leg - some wedges with this and your legs will look a mile long

I covet all of these items.  The grand total comes in at approximately $2200 for all 5 pieces.  A great investment if it is in the budget, but not to worry if it isn't.  See below for some of the more budget friendly counterparts:
via Nordstroms - beautiful classic camel colored lambswool coat.  This is on anniversary sale right now for $170, normally priced at $260

Dress via Anthropologie - great now, throw on tights, boots and a sweater or leather jacket going into fall

Aqua for Bloomingdales - I am a stickler for fabrics - this is a wool/silk/cashmere blend.  Beautiful.

via Piperlime

via J Crew - consistently delivers some great styling, quality fabrics at approachable points
The grand total for these 5 pieces comes in at $740.  The idea with this is not to run out and drop a bunch of money on all of these items, but to think about what you really need in your wardrobe.  Maybe you already have a great coat and trousers, but the dress or blouse would be a great addition.  Maybe you have a little money to spend and splurge so the Buberry coat is a great investment for you, but the Piperlime blouse (at $78) gives you the same feel as the Tucker blouse ($260).  To me that's part of the fun of styling - mixing pieces at different price points to achieve a look that is comfortable for you.

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Kitchens

So I have to admit I am a bit jealous - I have several friends who are doing home renovations than involve kitchens.  When I bought the lovely 1950's ranch that is my current home my now husband's first question was, "How's the kitchen?"  We didn't have to touch the kitchen - it is a lovely modern kitchen with stainless steel appliances, granite counters and custom cabinetry.  But I didn't get to pick it out.  I do enjoy my kitchen, but I am sooo jealous of my friends who are getting to choose all of their cabinetry, tile, flooring etc.  Please enjoy some of my current favorite kitchen images - stay tuned for another post dedicated to eat in kitchen areas!

My new favorite - I love the gray/green cabinets.  Via Veranda - House of Windsor (cannot wait for  the September issue to come out with a spread of the whole house!)

via M Elle Designs


via Thomas O'Brien

via Elle Decor - designer Stephen Volpe

via House Beautiful - designer Waldo Fernandez
via Lonny - Kitchen by Christina Murphy








Friday, July 1, 2011

Summer Festivals

Tis the season for festivals - food, music, movies, beverages!  Indoor, outdoor either way the heat and humidity will leave you sweltering.  You want to look chic while remaining as cool as possible.  What to wear?  Choose which look is right for you...casual chic, bohemian, cool elegance:

Cynthia Vincent via Bloomingdales

Sanctuary Shorts via Piperlime

Sandals via Anthropologie


Marc by Marc Jacobs Hobo via Saks



Amanda Uprichard dress via Cusp



Frye Short Boot via Zappos



Three Dot Dress via Shopbop
Foley + Corinna Mid City Tote via Pink Mascara


Ippolita Rose Gold and Clear Quartz earrings





Don't forget the organic bug spray:)

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Working from Home Today! - The Home Office

I am so happy that I am working somewhere that has flexibility to work from home.  This is giving me new motivation to get my home office up to par.  I finally got the Jonathan Adler desk I have been drooling over.  And I have a couple of fun pieces of art thanks to 20x200, now I just need a chair, rug, lighting, oh will I ever be done?  See below some of my favorite home offices:
Miles Redd via Elle Decor


Thomas O'Brien via Elle Decor



via Domino Magazine

from the set of Gossip Girl (yes I have posted this photo before, but it is one of my favorite home office looks!)

via M Elle 

Monique Lhullier Home Office

Office via Nate Berkus

Image via Decorpad
Aerin Lauder home office - Hamptons (I think she is endlessly chic!)