Spotted: Dalmation Print

I've been seeing more and more dalmation prints popping up in the design world, and obviously I love it. If it's black and white, I'm sold:

littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com

michaelgraydon.ca

Lonny

If you're interested in making some pillows, here is some great dalmation print fabric, or check out these on Etsy:

Extra Petite

Atlantic-Pacific

http://www.loveandlaceblog.com/

I have to say I'm pretty in love with these smoking slippers by Steve Madden, on major sale:

Here is another pair by Steve Madden and one from Macys with tassles.


Look out Cruella, here I come!

Reflecting Today

ilovephoto.info

Today's post is a little heavy, no fashion or interior design here. This past weekend was one of those weekends where I reflected on my life these past 26 years. I discovered my new favorite chick lit author, Sarah Pekkanan, and can't get enough of her books. I'm on her latest novel, These Girls, and have already sped through Skipping A Beat and just finished The Opposite of Me on Saturday. What I love about her writing is each of the main characters in her books are going through life altering events and discovering who they really are. There was an excerpt in The Opposite of Me that I fell in love with, especially as the time comes when you wonder if you should take the next step in a marriage:

"I think we're all constantly reinventing ourselves. First we change from babies into little kids, and then teenagers, which are a whole separate species that probably belong in a zoo. We barely have a chance to try out being young adults before there's pressure on us to find a partner and a new identity as a couple, and then most of us turn into parents. The next thing you know time is moving faster and faster and middle age is upon us. Those of us who have kids are dropping them off at college, and the rest of us are looking at strangers in the mirror with crow's feet and gray hair, and wondering how we've managed to morph overnight into our parents. But I think if we don't fight it too hard - if we don't cling to the person we used to be and instead let go of the paralyzing fear and turn into who we're meant to be next - it's easier."

Problem is how do you define the timing of who you're meant to be next? Age? Money? Success? I think it's ultimately a feeling you yourself have. It doesn't do any good comparing yourselves to others at your age and wondering if you're making or have made the right decision. Each of us are on our own paths. We shouldn't criticize ourselves or others for not being on that same path. And honestly, the grass is always greener on the other side.

There was another section where the main character was reflecting on her life:

"How did you know which life was the right one for you when there were so many to choose from? How did you know if you were in the right place, or whether there was somewhere else entirely you were supposed to be?"

I can resonate with her when it comes to my career. I never thought I'd be a real estate agent working with my husband. I have always had the dream to open my own boutique. And I think it will come someday, when the timing is right. However, if I never got into real estate or building homes, I may have never discovered my love for interior design. Or ensured opening a boutique is really what I'm meant to do.

I don't think we're giving ourselves enough credit in life. The decisions we made were for a reason, maybe reasons we don't fully understand at the moment or ever will. But in some greater universe, there was a reason. You're only given one life in this world. I say live it for yourself and only yourself and be happy with the decisions you have already made. Because that's all we really can do, no?

Lo & Sons

Being a huge supporter of entrepreneurship and obviously being one myself, I'm so in love with the company Lo&Sons. Here's the founder, Helen Lo's, story:

When Helen Lo had back issues and needed a carryall that kept up with her frequent travels, she decided to invent one that was lightweight, durable, and stylish. But as a woman in her mid-60s, she wondered how she would ever get from Point A to Point B. Devoted sons Derek and Jan left behind careers in advertising and product design research by day and DJing by night to help make Helen's dream a reality. The three tapped into their distinct talents to create a collection of timeless bags that would appeal to every traveler - regardless of age, gender, or final destination.One and a half years, many prototypes, and one intact family later, Lo & Sons offers gorgeous bags that are specifically designed to help you travel light. Because when a journey from Point A to Point B seems overwhelming, isn't it comforting to lighten the load?
Love that story! Right now, if you like their facebook page, you can get a code for 25% off. I couldn't resist and ordered the OG bag for our upcoming Italy trip! Here's the super cute video:
                              

So great right? I ordered the black one with lilac lining:

joannagoddard.blogspot.com

And I'm totally adding myself to the wait list on this bag:

Amazeballs! Starting my Christmas list now...

Dorothy Draper Madness

The Dorothy Draper Madness started over the weekend when I was at my sister's house for my nephew's birthday party. I went in the basement to grab a drink and there, under the dart board, sat a Dorothy Draper Espana nightstand. I was aghast. After explaining to everyone that this was a travesty that it was sitting in the basement, I began a search to find its value. Now, I'm not sure if it was real or not, but it had me on a kick to own one for our upcoming home. Low and behold, there was one on eBay claiming to be an original and located in the next town over from me! I had to have it. Long story short, I sat in front of my computer last night screaming and panting over winning this dresser and it's all mine! I paid a cool $500 for it (a little higher than I wanted to go), while it's being sold on 1st Dibs for $4800 (which makes me feel a whole lot better about the $500) Here's another one on Etsy going for $675, which is also not a bad deal. Seriously, what a hot piece of furniture she is:

A little background on Dorothy Draper , she was an American interior decorator from the 1920s - her death in 1962. A seriously interesting woman, she was married to the personal doctor of Teddy Roosevelt when he was diagnosed with polio. She was also the cousin to amazing designer, Sister Parish. Her style was very anti-minimalist and used bright colors and large prints in her designs. She was quoted as saying: "Never look back, except for an occasional glance, look ahead and plan for the future. Success is not built on past laurels, but rather on a continuous activity. Keep busy searching out new ideas and, experimentally, keep ahead of the times, or at least up with them."

She was said to always be trying new things and pushing people to their limits. Dorothy was the founder of the style "Modern Baroque", adding modern flares to classic styles. She's even said to be to decorating what Chanel was to fashion. How cool is that?

One of my destinations in life is to get to The Greenbrier Hotel in White Sulpher Springs, West Virginia. Can you imagine staying in this paradise?

One of my favorite design blogs, Marcus Design, even used her espana chest in her logo:

And if you're a serious DIYer, you can follow her directions on how to Ikea hack your own espana night stands! They're gorgeous!

I can't wait to choose my dresser's location in our new home! Maybe Sex and the City style in my home office:

Lust List

Here are a couple things I'm lusting after lately:

1. Circa Lighting Industrial Pendant // 2. Kate Spade Wallet // 3. J.Crew Bracelet // 4. Mossimo Loafers // 5. Gold Pig Bank

Notice a theme? Fuschia + gold/tan tones are such a lovely combo:

cocokelley.blogspot.com

somuchtosmileabout.com

Have a nice weekend!

Things to Look Forward to: Summer 2012

Yes, I'm well aware we are halfway through summer and I'm only just talking about what to look forward to now. I had this post waiting on the sidelines since June, but better late then never!

Woody Allen's new  movie To Rome with Love is at the very top of my list. I loved Midnight in Paris and Vicky Cristina Barcelona, and set in Rome? Right up my alley:

         

Any Baby Boomer movie with Meryl Streep, you can count on me watching, and I really don't care that I'm only 26. It's Complicated was one of my favorite movies, so Hope Springs is sure to please:

        
        

We're headed to see the fam in Italia this year! CANNOT WAIT. Our little beach condo is in Calabria. It's the perfect relaxation spot. Nothing to do but beach it and eat. Perfecto!

I'm also trying to squeeze in a little jaunt to Paris. Please oh please let it happen:

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I've been wanting to have a clam bake since January. I have to make this happen.

My hubster and I are trying our hands at making our own wine. Pinot Noir is currently fermenting in our dining room. A wine infused popsicle? Yes.

I'll provide more details on the wine making as we progress :)

I currently have a meyer lemon tree growing like crazy! I don't want to get my hopes up since I don't have the greenest of thumbs. I'd say my thumb is more of a black/green color. If they work out, I'll definitely be making lemon macarons and lemon creams: (p.s. I have a bowl of them sitting on my counter right now. If people think I grew them,  so be it.)

Shorts, shorts, and more shorts. I can't seem to get enough of them this year so far. They're so versatile and can be worn for the office or on the weekends:

http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/set?id=53199085

I'm especially in love with crochet shorts. I scored a pair at Zara (on sale!). Here are some other super cute ways to wear them:

 becauseimaddicted.net

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That's all for me! What are your hopes and dreams for the rest of your summer?  

Burgundy: Fall 2012

I can't even call myself a blogger after this terrible hiatus, but I have a post for you nonetheless.  I sat in on the really informative and inspirational webinar Graphic Design for Bloggers give by Alt Design. Right after, I was super inspired to carve out a chunk of time, no phone calls, no interruptions, and design a board based on my favorite Fall color, burgundy, or as the fancies call it, bordeaux. Mark my words readers, burgundy is in for Fall 2012. At least it will be for me.

1. Velvet burgundy chairs? Drooling... | 2. Perfect fall lipcolor | 3. Burgundy blazer is totally happening for me asap | 4. Ikat burgundy pillows for the home. | 5. Zoya polish in Paris | 6. Burgundy jeans in my cart now. | 7. Why not paint a room burgundy? My recommendation would be a dining room. Mmm so lush. | 8. Mulberry bag, you are mine. | 9. Christian, you are the man.

And do not even get me started on burgundy + leopard:

herwaisechoice.com

Atlantic-Pacific


 

Burgundy Jeans by Fashionable Interiors 

I also love the idea of pairing burgundy with a peachy color. I used this combo in one of my interior designs for a client. The table is burgundy, it's a little tricky to see in the photo:

That's all for today, hope to be back soon!