Tuesday, May 31, 2011

One Accessory Said to the Other: Sweet Dreams

The Fashion Accessory

 Marimekko BonBon Necklace-Orange & Pink Melooni by Tigerlily Dream on Etsy
It's my friend's shop, check out the rest of Tigerlily Dream's Bonbon Collection here!!

The Home Accessory

Kaveri Quilt designed by Rebekah Maysles from Anthropologie

Currently Loving: Cristina Rozas's Favorite Things for Spring 2011

photo by SCAD second year photo student, Maria Rozas

Cristina is a former classmate of mine. I run into her at concerts and "see" her regularly on Facebook. She is one of the nicest people I met in school, she's cool, she's talented and she's got great taste too!! I asked Cristina to tell us a little about herself and what she's up to these days, here's what she said...

Hmm. Well, I got my Bachelor's in Interior Design at the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale where I took summers off to travel around Europe. Traveling made me become extremely passionate about Architecture, Textiles, and Industrial Design. I'm currently continuing my education in the Art Institute by taking classes on Environmental/Sustainable Design and experimenting with Furniture Design. Also, I've recently started renovating a house in Guatemala which is really exciting because I get to design a couple more custom furniture pieces. Finally, next year I'll be moving to Switzerland to pursue a job opportunity in a textile company and/or to continue my education on Sustainable Products and Design.  I'm hoping to one day start my own company with a focus on safe and sustainable living. Also, I would love to come out with a line of chairs made from recycled plastics and reclaimed wood. 
 
My inspiration comes from all branches of design with an emphasis on environmentally friendly and people friendly products. This is the first piece I’ve designed and created, all made from reclaimed wood with a non-toxic finish.

1. Feminine Frocks.  Spring is the best time to be feminine, and a great way to do so is with the perfect dress. The one that caught my eye is the Mompos Dress by Tracy Reese. Its classic design is universally flattering and, with the right accessories, can take you anywhere this spring. I recommend pairing it with flats and retro sunglasses for a sunny picnic, or with a cardigan and wedges for a cool night. Mompos Dress, $228 via Anthropologie

2. Mochi Ice Cream. A Japanese treat made from pounded sticky rice and ice cream filling, Mochi ice cream is a delicious way to cool down. It’s refreshing, yummy, and comes in a variety of flavors. My personal favorite is green tea. Mochi Ice Cream, $6.99 www.traderjoes.com

3. Little Joy. Even though it’s been a couple of years since Little Joy’s self-titled album was released, it’s still perfect for this season. Formed by The Stroke’s drummer Fabrizio Moretti, Los Hermanos singer Rodrigo Amarante, and LA chanteuse Binki Shapiro, Little Joy resonates with indie rock sounds from the band member’s previous musical ventures while paying homage to Brazilian Bossa Nova. Their songs are simple and sweet, making it the ideal soundtrack for spring. Little Joy, $9.77. www.amazon.com

4. Peony. Every season I like try a new scent, mostly because a season is how long a fragrance will last me, and because it’s an inexpensive change from season to season. A friend of mine gave me a vial of Pivoine Flora from L’Occitane a while back and I haven’t stopped using it since. The smell is subtle and fresh and the packaging is perfect; a small roll-on vial that goes a long way and is perfect to freshen up on the go. Pivoine Flora Eau de Toilette Roll-On, $16. www.loccitane.com

5. Mirrors. Whether they be in geometric designs circa the Art Deco era, or in opulent frames reminiscent of the Galerie des Glaces in the Palace at Versailles, mirrors have become a design staple once again. They add glamour to any room and, depending on the design, go great in all homes. They’re on trend this spring but they’ve proven to be a lasting piece throughout the years. I’m recently in search of one for a remodeling project and I think I’ve finally found it! Venetian Mirror, $965 Neiman Marcus

Saturday, May 28, 2011

This Week: The Unofficial Start of Summer


And just like that it's Memorial Day Weekend! This year is flying by, isn't it?! As of this weekend, it officially feels like Summer. We have left sunny South Beach and checked into my mom's house in the suburbs for the weekend. Our plans consist of lots of lounging, BBQ, a graduation party, splish splashing in the pool and visiting with friends. So excited to have three whole days off! What are your long weekend plans?! I'm excited to wake up to a big breakfast made by my mom!! So this week...
1. Daily Candy and NPR released Summer Beach Reading lists, I'm not sure if I'll read any of these but perhaps you'll find it useful if you're stuck on selecting a light easy beach read;) 
2. I watched The Hangover 2 and was terribly disappointed:( I figured it would not live up to the first, why even try? Have any of you watched it? Thoughts?
3. Sofia Coppola is getting married!! 
4. Am craving some delicious Rum Punch, it's so yummy that it sneaks up on you, doesn't it?! Bobby Flay's Rum Punch recipe sounds delicious:) 
5. Am about to start reading The Happiness Project. Have any of you read it? Will let you know how it goes:)
 Have a safe, happy, looooong weekend!!! xo 


Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Spring 2011: Pantone's Top 10 Colors for Mens Fashion for Spring 2011

As promised, here are Pantone's Top 10 Colors for Men's Fashion for Spring 2011. They are almost the same as Pantone's Top 10 Colors for Women's Fashion for Spring 2011, except Honeysuckle, Coral Rose, Peapod, Silver Peony, and Silver Cloud have been replaced by Barberry, Firecracker, Turf Green, Linen and Flint Gray. I think I will try to get my husband to wear Barberry and Linen:) Do you have a favorite? Will you be recommending any of these colors to the man in your life? xo

Saturday, May 21, 2011

This Week: The Joys of Girlhood

photo on card my sister gave me by Lee Anne Brooke

We went to watch Bridesmaids tonight and it was soooo funny! It felt so good to laugh so hard! At dinner afterwards, I was talking with my sister about how wonderful it was/is to be a girl. I'm sure boys have fun too, but girls, we have so much fun! It's funny because we're intelligent, well rounded, educated women and though girly topics still interest and amuse us, we're definitely not bimbos! I'm still friends with girls I played Barbie with (my goodness has she evolved, she has her own website now:) We enjoy talking about serious topics, and life but also have fun talking about decor or nail polish, showing each other the new clothes and make-up we buy, and sharing recipes. My husband once commented on how funny it was that my sister and I can skip from serious topics in conversation to say, mascara and be equally excited and interested in the conversation!   I don't know why, but every little thing can be fun when you share it with your girlfriends, don't you agree?! Thinking back on all the funny (too embarrassing to talk about in detail here) little snippets I can recall perfectly from my girlhood (and womanhood thus far) makes me feel so lucky to have always had such great friends:) And just like that we're all grown women with careers and responsibilities and I get to see some of them become wonderful mothers, and we still have our girly conversations and laugh together. I just love quality girly time with my lovely friends (you know who you are;) So this week...

1. Two of my friends had their baby girls!! Congratulations to "L" and "J"!!!
2. I fell in love with Keri Russell's Brownstone in Brooklyn in the latest issue of Elle Decor Magazine!!!!
3. I would love to go here!! Isn't it dreamy?!
4. In the coming weeks some of my Currently Loving posts will feature some wonderful, creative people I know and they will be sharing a couple of the things they are Currently Loving!
5. Memorial Day weekend is around the corner?! Any big plans?! Do tell!!

Have a lovely weekend!!! xo

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Currently Loving: Reclaimed Wood in Design

One of the things I enjoyed most during my recent trip to New York City was how lovely and charmingly old everything is. Old like in Europe, meaning old but well maintained, timeless! As I sat in the sun-filled dining room at Prime Meats in Brooklyn, I overheard a gentleman telling another that the space we were in was a recent addition to the restaurant, and he went on to explain that they had used reclaimed wood for the floors and walls. The space felt so rich, the slight echo as our server walked to our table and away, the sun coming in through the skylight, the old table tops and chairs, the old window in the dining room in front of us, right then I fell in love with reclaimed/re-purposed wood like never before. Not only is it a more sustainable approach but it is truly lovely with it's charming weather and charm, isn't it? Here are a few lovely examples of reclaimed woods in Industrial and Interior Design.

from left to right: Deger Cengiz's Leaning Shelves via 3-Rings, Silkscreen on Reclaimed Wood Bookmarks via Nicola and the Newfoundlander, Reclaimed Wood Stairs via Trendir, side table/stool by Nicolai Czumaj-Bront via Modecodesign, Bodhi Desk from Anthropologie, Organic Coil Cherry wood bracelet by Gustav Reyes via Artful Home, LV Wood Floors via Interior Design

Monday, May 16, 2011

Outfit to Outfitted: Just Peachy

Outfit

look from Aquilano.Rimondi SS2011 Fashion Show during Milan Fashion Week, photo via Marie Claire

Outfitted

photo of Master Bedroom designed by Martha Angus by Grey Crawford via Elle Decor

Friday, May 13, 2011

This Week: Brooklyn and the Best Burger!


photos of Brooklyn Bridge and the Best Burger Ever by me

So, I must tell you...I'm in LOVE!! During our mini break in NYC last week I fell madly in love with Brooklyn!! Especially the Carroll Gardens area but loved every area I visited too. Our first stop after walking the Brooklyn Bridge was lunch at Prime Meats, a beautiful, sunny, farm to table restaurant where I had what may very well be the BEST, most juicy burger I have ever had!! Which was perfect since a) I was loving Brooklyn so much already by then that it was great to add a delicious lunch to our already wonderful experience and b) I had already decided to partake in the celebration of National Burger Month!! The cocktail I had was great too, I had the Jamaican Rum Punch which was delicious! I must say that I had some of the most delicious cocktails on this trip! I love that so much creativity is going into mixing drinks, I am a huge fan of cocktails that taste good! I had a fabulous Birthday dinner at Buttermilk Channel right down the street from Prime Meats. There, we indulged in the Fried Chicken and Cheddar Cheese Waffles with a side of amazing mashed potatoes and more delicious cocktails...soooo good! For dessert we had an apple tart and homemade vanilla ice cream. They were so friendly and everything was so delicious, it was a perfect end to a wonderful day in my new favorite place, Brooklyn, NY. We loved it so much that we were thrilled to meet up with friends for drinks in Williamsburg on Saturday night.We had more yummy drinks at the Roebling Tea Room  and visited  Maison Premiere a lovely Oyster Bar. I will post some pictures from my trip in another post soon! So this week...

1. I am 31!! And as I've mentioned before, have started to stress (a little) about the signs of aging. I have been using a Lancome night/wrinkle cream and eye cream before bed every night since Monday and see a huge difference already!
2. I'm wishing I was en route to ICFF too:(
3. Am loving Designers & Books, a site that offers book recommendations from some of our favorite designers!
4. I was so happy to visit the MET during our trip and thrilled that I got to see the Alexander McQueen exhibition Savage Beauty. I was familiar with a lot of his work but to see it all together, so beautifully curated was such a treat. If you're in or visiting NYC and have any interest in Fashion Design, you have to go!
5. I treated myself to the book Food Fashion Friends for my birthday and it arrived!! Oh my goodness, what a beautiful book!! I plan to try out a few of the recipes soon, will let you know how it goes!

Have a beautiful, sunshine-filled weekend!! xo

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Ad Campaigns I Love: Larsen Fabrics Collection 2011


Last week I received a lovely package from Larsen Fabrics. Enclosed were these lovely postcards above (and a couple more) along with a bundle of dark chocolates, each individually wrapped with papers printed with the different patterns from the collection (see them in top left photo). Their collection is great, full of neutral colors, simple (linen-like) textures and bold patterns, lovely! And the whole presentation was so lovely and delicious! If only all product lines were this detail-oriented in their presentation. Did any of you receive this package too?

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Spring 2011: Silver Cloud Pantone 15-4502

It's true, I'm pretty partial to grays but isn't Silver Cloud the loveliest gray?! It is the last, and quite possibly my very favorite of Pantone's Top 10 Colors for Women's Fashion for Spring 2011! It's not your usual gray because it has a lovely lightness to it, doesn't it? Silver Cloud is the perfect neutral for spring and so lovely with Honeysuckle, Coral Rose, Beeswax, and Peapod! So tell me, which are your top 3? Is Silver Cloud one of your favorites?!


photo of beautiful balloons via Glamour Weddings

Look from Dries Van Noten Spring 2011-RTW via Elle

bedroom by designer Alex Papachristidis from Elle Decor via Decorpad

Tassel Garland-Neutrals via Confetti Systems, Strapless floral romper from Forever 21, photo and DIY doily envelope idea via Martha Stewart Weddings, Karen Walker pleated skirt via Marie Claire

photo from Bergdorf Goodman Spring 2011 Look Book via Fashion Lover

dress from Alexander McQueen SS11 Runway via Harpers Bazaar

 
photos via Shabby Chic  

 look from Marc by Marc Jacobs SS11 Runway via Harpers Bazaar

*Click on photo to shop these items:)




Thursday, May 5, 2011

This Week: Celebrate Burgers and Birthdays!

photo of one of my favorite burgers, the very naughty Big Mac
Did you know that May is National Burger Month?! It's an unofficial holiday, but I'm thrilled to partake in the celebration;) I LOVE LOVE LOVE  burgers! I will order a burger almost any where and I never get tired of eating them...yay for burgers!!! I turn 31 years old today! Am spending my birthday wandering NYC with my wonderful husband, endulging in burgers and cocktails and baked treats, exploring Brooklyn and going wherever else the day takes us!
Will be slacking for the rest of the week, first on our list... Lunch and cocktails! Have a great weekend:) xo

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Gift Guide: Mother's Day 2011

Help Save the Honey Bee!

some work inspired by the work of Honey Bees (left to right): photo of Sweet Honeycomb Home designed by Ofis Architects via Archithings, photo of Honeycomb light designed by Kazuyuki KAWASE via link-design, honeycomb store design by Kengo Kuma & Associates, Lucien Pellat-Finet, Osaka via Interior Design
  
As you may have already heard, Honey Bees are endangered:( The loss of the Honey Bee would be disastrous, there are many factors involved, the use of pesticides is just one of the many issues affecting them. Please sign this petition urging the EPA to pull pesticides that are harmful to Honey Bees. Thanks:)
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