My Favorite Color is Leopard

Leopard has for some reason always held a dear little place in my heart for fashion. It has come and gone and come again, often gaining a bad rep for being ostentatious and a bit tacky. It comes in many shades and while it can be a bit much at times, when worn right it adds an unexpected twist and a chicness to any outfit. I recently acquired an awesome pair of Jeffrey Campbell leopard loafers which have since made permanent residence on my feet.

I am in love with them. My style can be a little plain and simple at times and I love what a splash of leopard has done to it! I throw those puppies on and a bounce inhabits my step. I've gotten a taste of the wild side and I can't stop, and why should I? Especially when it's all over J.Crew's fall line and I wish to own it all.

Wear with neutrals, earthy tones.

J.Crew

Or with brights.

J. Crew

Bianca Brandolini

Apps shmapps, I would actually turn in my Crackberry just for this cover.

J. Crew

love love love love.

Alexander Wang

And of course, everything old is new again..and again...and again.

Ann Bancroft, The Graduate

Lemonade out of Library Visits

The topic of this post is a pretty good indication as to why I have been MIA lately. My new obsession are those little index card drawers you see in libraries. As I sit here tethered to a desk trying to wrap my head around the confines of hegemonic masculinity and intersecting levels of oppression (blah blah blah) in a stuffy, poorly lit room in the library- the only thing I can actually focus on is that row of drawers, which one I would pick and how I could refurbish it.

I do love the natural wood, but I could see one in an entryway painted shiny black with an awesome statement mirror above it..or a country, warm red in the kitchen... or maybe a soft, sunny yellow in a home office...Do you think they would notice it if I tried to hide one under my jacket??

via Kaboodle

via more media storage

A girl can only dream, but one would look great in a walk-in closet for accessories and other odds and ends.

via Myrtle&Eunice

Love all of the subtle imperfections

Just the drawer for sale on Etsy.

This turquoise antique wash is so lovely!

Thanks for readin'!

For the Love of Lanterns

Lanterns are usually an outdoor accessory only, but when brought inside they create a beautiful centerpiece to any room. I recently bought one at a random home furnishings warehouse and, like I do with most things, got that had-to-have-it urge and swiped the card before thinking about where I might put it or how I would get it there. Sometimes I see things I just want to own, just to have, because one day I'll have a room in my home or a client's home that it will look like perfection in...is that how people become hoarders??

Anyway, I took the long metal hook it was displayed on for good measure. Once I got home I realized it was way too big for my tiny apartment and for the existing hook I had in mind and who knows when I'll get around to putting up another hook...for now it is on my kitchen table :) Here are some photos of rooms with lanterns that I absolutely drool over (and the reason for my impulse by)

Would love to wakeup and see that!

Gives a vintage-y feel to an other wise too traditional space

As a wall sconce.

(Image via House Beautiful)

This is very similar to the one I got; white but with more lattice detail on the top.

Inexpensive and so cute!

$35, Melrose International

Maxi-mize

I want to start off by saying that every time I hear the word maxi when referencing a skirt, I think of something else that comes with 4 -wall protection against leaks and often features wings (too explicit?). It's not the best name, but I'm all about the maxi skirt right now. Wearing an outfit with more fabric while temperatures are climbing may seem a little counterintuitive, but there are many ways to make the maxi skirt your new spring time fave:

Free People

This outfit makes me want to throw out all the boring in my closet and go crazy with colors and prints, sometimes I think my style is way too safe.

Ella Moss

Same silhouettes, but totally different looks.

I really love the simplicity of this look and the pop in the colorful sandals. When working with a plain maxi skirt, try looking at it like your favorite pair of jeans that go with everything and your possibilities will be endless.

ASOS

I picked this one up last weekend from New York and Company (Honestly, some of my best finds are when I'm tagging along with my mom to her favorite stores). This skirt was such a steal at under $30. When trying out new looks, I often go the cheap route in case I end up never actually removing myself from my jeans and flats rut.

Forever 21

Another steal at under $30. Love this print from top to bottom. The length is a little shorter than your standard maxi, but a great way to show of your cute wedges!

Outdoor to Indoor

The other day my boyfriend and I had a minor disagreement about indoor plants...things could be worse, right? While he thinks they are a necessary element that add so much to a room and are reminiscent of the house he grew up in, my mind immediately floods with images of tacky, overgrown vegetation taking over a stuffy house where they use the word "parlor" for the living room in which their furniture is under preservation in plastic casings. The Little Shop of Horrors theme song rings in my ears. He was even resistant to my simple, mathematical logic under the transitive property (the only thing I picked up from math class); plants=dirt, dirt=bugs, plants=bugs, all of which belong outside.

Now, I like to be open to things and a little succulent here and there can be cute, so I did a little research and realized that when done right and in good taste...indoor plants CAN be quite nice. Let's not get carried away though, we still aren't going to be hanging anything from the ceiling. But, here are a few ideas I got from Sanctuary:

Great addition to an otherwise lonely windowsill.

Ok, I could see myself having fun picking out some awesome vintage pots.

Love the idea of a fresh herb garden in the kitchen.

Barely inside is good ;)

When kept to a minimum, small plants can be a great addition, especially as a breath of life in the dead of winter. But less is definitely more!

Thanks for reading :)

Vintage Milk Glass: Not Just for Grannies

The first time I caught myself looking at a set of blue milk glass tumblers at a flea market, my friend looked at me sideways and mumbled something about how they looked like something her grandmother owned. Well call me Grandma, but I happen to love milk glass and think it looks so pretty in the bathroom as storage for bubble bath, cotton swabs or makeup sponges. Toiletry packaging, plastic bags and cardboard boxes should be banned entirely- they just aren't pretty! Milk glass is so dainty and full of detail and great texture. When you go into the bathroom you shouldn't be inundated by loud labels and bulky packages!

Sorry they're so small, but you get the idea!

(Images by Amanda Wright)

This is how you do bathroom storage.

Milk glass looks great in the kitchen along open shelving as well:

LOVE it.

(Image via Sanctuary)

A Break for Spring

I am beyond ready for my winter clothes to go into a long hibernation period and infuse my closet with all my spring favorites. I'm home in LA for a few days and I think the much needed dose of Vitamin D has gone to my head. I'm counting my pennies for some of the season's best trends I've got my eye on. But, before I get too carried away I must remind myself that at the end of the week I'll be back in the SF Bay and my little toesies will absolutely freeze in the wedges I saw today, that are now soaked in my drool! San Francisco fog is perennial, but that just means we get to be creative...so here are some transitional pieces that I've come across that will get you through the tapering cold and into the thick of spring:

1. Ladylike jackets

Aryn K., $78

2. Bold printed blouses

Tucker, $276

3. Spring Booties

Mai Tai, $59

4. Silk Scarves

Switching out your winter scarves for silk ones is a great way to say you're ready for spring!

5. Statement Accessories

Tinley Road, $34

When spring dresses, shorts and sandals are out of the question, it's best to play with color. Layering in bright and cheerful hues with fun accessories will pick you up out of the slump of winter..and maybe the reflection will burn up all the fog! (wishful thinking)

I love a pop of pink!

Winning Pixie

Kate Winslet has debuted a new 'do, and I'm a fan.

Absolutely stunning.

Hmm, wonder what made her do it?

Well, it is the highest form of flattery. Bold, brave, confident are a few of the words I would use to describe a woman rocking a pixie haircut. Society as a whole may not love a woman with a typically boy-ish coif. But I for one think it's awesome and love a little androgyny.

It helps that Kate Winslet is absolutely gorgeous and can pull off short or long, red, blonde or brunette...but maybe not blue...

Sorry, Clementine!

It's almost like a right of passage for many stars. They play with it for a little and then are back to their long, luscious locks. Here are some celebrities who have made it last and done it best:

Ginnifer Goodwin

Carey Mulligan

Emma Watson. Gorgeous, dahling!

And special nod must be given to the women who started it all. Is there really nothing new under the sun?

Twiggy

Mia

Tempted? ;)

Bachelor Pad: Take 2

Option one was well received, but a second choice has been requested. Fine by me, I had fun making a few minor tweaks to what may have been too much city for a boy living in the country. Again, all the items are from IKEA because when you're on a budget, it's all about using what's accessible. And if you're not into rummaging through antique shops or garage sailing and are looking for a quicker fix, then IKEA is probably the way to go.

Decorating is a process, and to some it is an intimidating one. But look at it as an opportunity to make your place somewhere you can't wait to come home to. I am constantly adding and subtracting based on my mood or things that inspire me, I like to think of the home as a sanctuary; an escape from the crazies of everyday life! 'Cuz there's a lot of 'em.

Back to the room! Although it is a little more difficult to find pieces that embody a more rustic aesthetic since IKEA is known for their contemporary furniture, it can be accomplished. With this look I was going for natural colors and played off the subjects of the black and white photos. My brother lives in Portland where there a beautiful tall trees, lush green forests, and clean flowing rivers....ahhh! Wish I was there.

Now keep in mind that this is a guy's apartment, so less is more. I basically just swapped color palettes, but it's amazing how that can totally shift the feeling of a room:

Never Too Late, to Honor What's Great

My recent discovery of an amazing designer has made me feel all giddy inside. And although I came across him about a month ago when I saw his collection for New York Fashion Week, he is beyond worth sharing about today. If I had to predict, I would say that this guy is here to stay and will have many fashion weeks to come...I mean, let the pure beauty speak for itself:

Vintage inspired, but with a modern edge; it doesn't get much better in my eyes.

Cashmere double-breasted coat? Check, please!

Sigh.

Timeless sophistication without being excessive; chic in every sense of the word.

Gordon graduated from Central St. Martins University of Art and Design in London where alumni include Stella McCartney and the late Alexander McQueen. He went on to hone his skills under Tom Ford and Oscar de la Renta, who's jealous? This man is destined to be an icon. Needless to say, I cannot wait to see what he sends down the runway next!

See Wes Gordon's full collection here and check out his website here.

Meanwhile, I'll be breaking my piggy bank for one of those coats.