Some days I get easily caught up in the stressors of life (namely performance in Grad school!) and a short trip to the beach brings it all back into focus.
To keep things simple, I wore a playful silk romper from JCrew. It allowed for a momentous deviation from my day that easily transitioned back to reality an hour later — Adding a light pullover sweater and a winter coat, sans sand, to get on a plane to a much cooler climate.
With a recent monumental birthday, I’ve vowed to make this year an incredible one — filled with spontaneous adventures, lasting memories, and undeniable happiness!
The first impression of a home’s character is often made based on entry. A foyer area is a great place to express personality, in all its brazen glory! A long-time favorite is an ultra-glossy, shallacked pop of color – not unlike my high-gloss pink hallway in my previous home! My entryway shares a common wall with the formal living and dining space so I decided to make a statement in the detail, instead of use of bold color choice.
Using a muted lavender, a washed-over chevron on a neutral beige palette allures with subtlety – screaming for a double take! Adding multiple finishes to the mix (flat pattern on top of satin base) the most beautiful change in sheen occurs with time of day – In the afternoon/evening, that part of my home is filled with a rich sunshine glow and the color pops!
On first look, guests frequently think it’s wallpaper and feel the need to run their hand along it — surprised to hear it’s a simple paint technique.
I continued this technique through the hallway walls.. stay tuned for a how-to!
I would love to see what your entryway looks like!
I spend more hours in lecture and deep in textbooks than you care to know. But, you know that I know that what you do care about is what I’m wearing while I study… ya’ follow? Whether I’m at the campus library, a local café, or just holed up in my home office, I still incorporate style into what I’m wearing. Well, that’s a lie, at home I’m likely to be in pa’jammies. After all, you feel how you look, no?
The key aspect to dressing for a long day of studying is comfort!
This jersey knit maxi skirt is one of my most comfortable pieces. Top it off with a slouchy dolman T (Joe’s) + flat sandal, and I’m ready to attack a marathon of Gray’s Anatomy… not to be confused with the t.v. series!
My beloved Coach carry-all bag is ideal for stuffing with my study essentials and caffeine+power foods to keep the energy up! Add a shiny headband (Anthropologie) to effortless hair for a touch of glamour, but keep it simple with otherwise minimal accessories. Less fuss equals more focus!!
When was the last time you thought about your backside when choosing your look du jour? I’m not talking about the double-take in the mirror thinking “My booty looks damn good in these jeans!”.
The little details that really make your style yours are most often in the front, right? So why not give your backside a little lovin’? An accomplice to that great booty, if you will. I flipped my fancy shmancy headband (that my fabulous little sissy gifted to me) to the back! Intrigued? I bet you are!
This lamp may just be a top personal favorite out of all of the things I have ever created! No, really!
I used pages of an old Biology book* to fold into origami fortune tellers circa 6th grade recess. Depending on the size of the pages and the size of the lantern, it could be time consuming… in which case you could fold while on a road trip, fold while playing cards, fold while catching up on the latest episode of Call of the Wildman… I recommend the latter, as it may or may not be my new favorite unmentionable.
The lantern pictured took 75 origamis and the result was well worth the effort — both organic and intricate, with a dash of gold sparkle.
Seriously stunning when lit at night!
I dub this: the CarrolLamp (Happy Birthday, Carroll!)
*The Biology book used was so outdated that my university library discarded it. I thought I could save it in my own personal science library, but after collecting dust for three years, it was time for a greater purpose. I do not condone the destruction of educationally useful books — it’s probably a cardinal sin to do so for any Biology-lover, like myself.
The use of wallpaper may have been prevalent in the 70’s, but then again, so was the bell-bottom jean! An all over pattern can be really chic, and in this case, kitschy-chic! I picked the faint lime green wall color on a whim based on the mere fact that it made me smile. The freshly painted walls craved some special treatment, but I couldn’t quite figure out what. So I did as I always do, leave it ‘til the inspiration comes!
I love fresh flowers throughout the house; I put a single magenta tulip in a dainty vase on the guest bathroom sink. It looked as though it just belonged. So I endeavored to create ‘hand-painted wallpaper’ – a technique I’ve admired for some time.
Tips to achieve the ‘hand-painted wallpaper’ effect:
1. Pick a simple image that can easily be replicated without much variation.
2. Choose the layout of the pattern, i.e. staggered vertical lines, keeping in mind the placement of outlets, light switches, and other architectural features.
3. Practice on something other than the wall first!
Most important tip: Be creative! Be fearless! ‘Hand-painted’ requires imperfections! ☺
With the start of a new semester, comes the promise of a perfect 4.0, and with that, the promise of a life devoted to studying! So naturally this left very little time for browsing my favorite fashion websites, keeping up with beloved blogs, and maintaining the ritual of reading magazines cover-to-cover fresh out the mail carrier’s hand. Literally, the stack of fashion and interior design magazines are inundating their usual space on the office end table, and are becoming end tables themselves. I was thrilled to find out that Fashion’s Night Out events were taking place in Tampa! …desperately needed indulgence!
Having only a few minutes to change from what I wore to class — I converted the maxi dress I was already wearing into a maxi skirt, threw on a neon T-shirt, a bit of black eye liner, and a bright pink lip.
What better place to take photos after a night of shopping then in the mall parking lot!
The past several weeks have been chaotic! I’ve uprooted myself from the confines of Philly comfort and am now living in a whole new world. Well, no not really, but it certainly feels like it! It’s taken more time to adjust to the not-so-city, uber humid land of Tampa than for the tattoo of the liberty bell on my hiney to heal. Just kidding, mom! No I’m not.
The interior of every home should reflect the people who live in it, and my Philly home definitely did! In fact, it pretty much screamed my name! However, because style and design technique change with structure and environment, my new home has taken on different character. I recorded a little ditty to celebrate my Philly home in all it’s glory, like forever ago. I’m talking pre-packing, pre-paint-sprayer-disaster…
Don’t be fooled. I’m not moving in just three short weeks. I’ve already moved. Like four weeks ago. This ditty of a vidy is old! And unedited!
So frequently I fall in love with the styling of runway looks – though most are not appropriate for everyday. Personal touches to tweak the theatrical effects can lead to a much more refined look while still maintaining the brazen character of runway. In other words, you are less likely to get as many stares when out in public — though my mantra on fashion is: If you aren’t getting the attention of passersby, you aren’t trying hard enough!
My runway inspiration: Diane Von Furstenberg Resort 2010
Love the oversized bow headbands!
The bold colors and graphic prints are so fun, but a solid neutral is much more versatile. I made my oversized bow headband out of a stretch cotton in a slightly smaller scale. Emphasis on slightly. The first time I wore it was with a basic T and denim, with a bold magenta lip… To a family function, might I add. Best audience to test out a new runway inspired look! Did I get any stares you ask? Even better – I was asked if I had a head wound warranting such a bandage!
When worn backwards with a top knot, the bow gives some pizzazz to my backside! Makes for a very glamorous exit!
I am absolutely head over heels giddy for anything gilded. And I mean anything! Gold, in all varying tones, is consistently intermingled in every room of my house. I often associate gilded gold with old Hollywood glamour – even the slightest touch in the most contemporary room can be stunning.
a chair that acts as a catch-all for all my clothes, conveniently located next to my closet
metallic-glazed stripes that encircle the bedroom walls
inspiration boards made from antique frames gilded in gold
antique crystal and gold table lamp adds perfect lighting to a corner in the living room
one of many antique mirrors in my home, most of which are... gilded gold
favorite spot! hand-made sari duvet and throw pillow
Alot of my favorite things, whether gilded in gold or not, are found in antique shops. My grandmother and I spend every Sunday afternoon antiquing. While she has a tendency to go for the dolls and figurines, I gravitate towards baroque, gold, and romantic – she refers to my taste as ‘gaudy’, a word that makes me cringe! (I think she just enjoys teasing me!)
Most of the pieces I find go home with promises of a better life, or shall I say, a more glamorous life. Much more glamorous! New paint, new upholstery, new purpose. Stay tuned …or else! Juussstt kidding! But, seriously, good times are inevitable if you come back! So do it.
