Big News + Xmas List

The big day is getting closer! Christmas!! I love this time of year. Definitely one of those huge dorks listening to Christmas music already, sipping hot chocolate, and watching holiday Lifetime and Hallmark movies. Of course, I also have my Christmas list ready to rock and roll. But before I share that, I have some other big news to share:

We're having a baby! This ultrasound photo is back at 8 weeks and I'm currently at 16, so I can't wait for a new one! Only 3 more weeks until we find out if it's a boy or girl, which I'm DYING to know. Must. Design. Nursery. I can hardly contain my excitement. Like, literally to the point where I tell everyone I come across, i.e. the person scheduling my eyebrow wax, the checkout lady at the grocery store, and unfortunately the list goes on.

So, needless to say my Christmas list is full of things with baby in mind:

1. Tory Burch Eddie Bow Ballet Flats - as fancy as a stiletto, minus the heel of torture for my preggo back.

2. Cashmere Robe - Pretty sure this was on my list last year, too. I have a feeling this is all I'm going to want to wear in the next few months, so at least it's cashmere. Plus, you can get it monogrammed, which always sells me. The site has other super cute gift ideas for monogramming.

3. Nate Berkus book - I've heard such good things about his new book and can't wait to get my hands on it. Btw, did you check out his line at Target? I was beyond annoyed that it was set up like the Missoni collection, which was scattered all over the friggin store. I felt like I was on a scavenger hunt. Why can't they just put it all together in one aisle??

4. Zebra Tray - Right up my Scalamandre loving alley.

5. Spa Gift Certificate - What I'm really hoping for. Last month, my husband and I celebrated our 2nd wedding anniversary at a resort in Lake Placid, NY. I had a couples massage scheduled, only to find out you can't get a massage if you're in your first trimester. Since I'm now past that stage, mom to be massage must happen immediately. As well as facial, mani/pedi, blowout, and makeup. Ya know, the works.

6. French Press - I'm watching my caffeine intake since I'm only supposed to have 12 oz a day, but this is the prettiest french press I've seen. Plus, I have a feeling we'll have lots of long days together in May...
7. Diptyque Candle - I'm finally taking the plunge. I've wanted one for so long and it's time.

8. J.Crew Bracelet - Also something I've been admiring for awhile. It's time has also come. Join the arm party.

9. The Night Out Legging - If you've ever been with bun, have you heard of Hatch? I've never seen such cute maternity clothes in my life. Well, not that I've been looking my whole life, but still they design pieces that are meant to work for after baby, too. My leather pants are starting to scream at the zipper, so these leggings are going to have to be their replacement for awhile.

What are you hoping for this year?

Do I?

As mentioned in my last post, I love my booties I scored at Ann Taylor. I seem to be wearing booties more so than my knee high boots as of late. Which is why I'm in love:

From Madewell. Sale ends today. $100 off. Why do you taunt me so??

I know I would get a lot of use out of them. I have a pair of high heeled leopard loafers, but they're just not as warm in the winter as these little lovelies would be.

Here's how I'd wear them on the weekend and to the office (notice how they can be worn as a neutral):

Leopard Booties for the Weekend by Fashionable Interiors

Leopard Booties for the Workplace by Fashionable Interiors

So buy them, no? I knew it. Leopard print is just so versatile, aka the statement of this decade. I love how the below space threw in some leopard in the ottoman with floral pillows and on top of a patterned rug no less! Gasp! (blogger is being weird with my text alignment btw)

Also love:

Welp, guess you'll be seein' me in my leopard booties next week...

Eye-Catching Neutrals

I just I had to wipe cobwebs off my blog. How embarrassing that I haven't posted anything in close to 2 months! There's been tons going on, but today I just want to talk neutrals. We'll get back to all the crazy details of my life at a later date (hopefully not like 2 months later).

I scored my jacket in Italy while I was there over the summer. As soon as I saw it, I knew I had to have it. First, it's black and cream, always a winning color combo in my book and second, the zippers at the waist reminded me of this Burberry jacket a few seasons back:

And here's my no name Italian version:

To keep my neutral outfit interesting, I combined textures and shapes. My booties are suede with a patent leather cap toe. (from Ann Taylor 30% off right now!) I wore a girly peplum top paired with skinny jeans and a tough chain necklace from Sorrelli. There also was a boucle cardigan under there, but it's a little hard to see in these photos. That's it! Many women wouldn't be caught dead wearing pink or any other bright color for that matter, but that doesn't mean you're stuck looking boring in your beloved tans, blacks, and grays.

The same philosophy can be applied to a room.

I've always loved this space. I find it very difficult to design in neutral tones, but this is how it's done. The moldings, the stone fireplace, the pop of zebra all translate to a visually interesting space without a yawn in sight.

Hope to be back soon!

Outfit Updates

The weather where I'm from has been A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! And I've been burgundying it up all the live long day... (don't worry, the bugundy jeans will be making an appearance soon)

Express Blazer / Celine Bag / Ann Taylor heels (old) / Prada sunglasses (old)

 All things old (sorry) / Loft blouse / Cynthia Rowley bag / White House Black Market leather skirt / Mulberry heels / Sorrelli ring

 

Top Shop peplum top / Louboutin heels / Bauble Bar necklace / Philip Lim handbag / NY & Co blazer (old)

 

I need to talk about how much I love this peplum top. Trust me, you need to read the reviews. Everyone said it was super small and I normally would have ordered the size 2. I ordered the 6 and let me tell ya, it's snug. Just goes to show, read the reviews!

 

Also, I'm a little disappointed in the Philip Lim Pashli I've been lusting after for so long. It's rather HUGE and the clasp doesn't open and close very easily. I did zipper the sides last night and it seemed to get a lot smaller and manageable. We shall see Mr. Lim...

I'm Back!

Ah, it's been so long since I've posted! I was in Italy for the last 2 weeks of August and since I've been back, work has been super crazy! I really wanted to attend IFB's conference this past week, but just could not get away from the office. I hope it was amazing for all those who went!

Obviously, it's Fashion Week time, and even though designers are strutting their spring/summer styles down the runway, the rest of the world is thinking Fall. And I am beyond ready. Already have had multiple Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Lattes. And that nip in the air when night arrives? Bring. It. On. Here are some of my fall fashion favorites for this year:

1. Chelsea Boots: Love! And who doesn't like looking stylish while still being able to walk at the same time?

2. Didn't I tell ya burgundy was going to be a hit this fall?? I've admired this bag since its conception and now that it's in burgundy, I may have to give in... Also I'm loving burgundy paired with hot pink for an interesting pop of color:

3. Peter Pan Collars: EVERYWHERE...necklace versions, dresses, sweaters, jeweled, you name it, Peter Pan has its hand in it. I think the sweetness it adds to an outfit is perfection. Pairing it with something edgy keeps it interesting.

4. Scripty Sweatshirts: Seen all over the blog world from Atlantic-Pacific to Cheetah is the New Black, script sweatshirts are the closest thing I will ever come to wearing sweats. I really do need to add to my comfy clothing selection as I have pretty much nothing to wear when I'm at home, however I'm not on board with paying what they cost. I smell a DIY in my future...

5. Coated Denim: I think we're going to be seeing a lot more of this trend than last year. Way more affordable and easier to care for than leather, coated denim is the perfect solution. I picked up a pair last weekend (from Target!), so I'll let you know how it goes. Wouldn't it be lovely to have these burgundy ones??

6. Tie Prints: I keep seeing patterns that usually only existed on mens' ties popping up everywhere. Always a fan of incorporating menswear into my looks, this is a great way of doing so. Check out this top from Zara, too.

I'm sure there will plenty more where that came from, but one last thing before I go...how amazing is the preview of Emerson Fry's new fall collection? That girl knows what is up. Her clothes have a very high end design look to them without the prices you would assume to follow. Be sure to check it out!

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?