Chevron Stripes

Source: Made By Rae

 Alright lovelies, let's talk chevron. Full disclosure, I am fully obsessed with chevron prints and stripes at the moment. On clothes, in decorating, on stationary - if it has chevron stripes on it, I probably want it. And I'm not alone in my love for this little print - its been popping up everywhere these days - the signature style for anyone that is design-conscious, with a love for clean, modern and chic prints. Check it out...there are so many ways to use chevron stripes in your life!

Lamp Shade: Shades of Light, Vase: Emilia Ceramics, Bag: Source Unknown, iPhone Cover: Etsy, Tray: One Kings Lane, Coin Purse: Hawthorne Treads, Pot: Etsy

I would wear it as a dress...(it's actually a very slimming print)

Source: Atlantic-Pacific

I am considering using it for my new business cards....

Source: Etsy

I would definitely decorate with it - I think it works especially well as rug...

Source: Flor

It even looks good on a wedding cake!

Source: Sweet and Saucy Shop

So, tell me, are you a fan of chevron stripes too?

xoxo

Quote of the Day

Source: The Art of Non-Conformity

Pink and Orange

Top to Bottom, Left to Right: Zara, The Glitter Guide, Note to Sarah, Pink Lemonade Design

 Something about the combination of pink and orange feels so summery and cheerful. I have been seeing it everywhere lately- most recently, I attended a fashion show where the woman sitting across the runway from me was wearing a phenomenal dress that was eye-popping pink on the top and orange on the bottom - even her shoes were hot pink - with studs up the back of the heel, no less! I know it sounds a little over the top, but girlfriend worked it and pulled it off quite well.

I'm not sure how I am going to incorporate this bold choice into my wardrobe quite yet, but I am definitely liking the idea of adding it to a room's decor for a pop of bright color. These are some great options for adding the popular color combination into your daily life...

Endless Summer Poster: All Posters, Marimekko Notebook: Crate and Barrel, Calender: Paper Source, Pillow: Jonathan Adler, Blanket: Hermes, Patterned Rug: Madeline Weinrib

Time for a Picnic

 I've been day dreaming about having an old-school picnic in the park with friends lately. I can't remember the last time I had a picnic - complete with the blanket and basket. Once the summer weather decides to catch up with the fact that its June here in Seattle, I am going to plan a picnic outing - and this will be my inspiration...

First, the outfit. Choosing the perfect attire for your event always comes first in my book. Now, considering this is my day dream, I might have chosen a few items that aren't all that "park appropriate". In real life, I would of course, add a pair of jeans and some tennis shoes to this collection...

Gingam dress - Dolce and Gabbana, Floppy Sun Hat - Tilly's, Gingham sunglasses - Mosley Tribes, Red Wedges - Kate Spade, Swimsuit - Betsey Johnson

Next, we are going to need supplies for this picnic - all of the essentials like blankets, a nifty basket, a few chairs, and my personal favorite, a personal-size portable grill.

Deck chair- Hive Modern, Colorful Picnic Blankets- Basic French, Picnic Plate- Terrain, Bento Box- Plastico, Picnic Blanket Roll- Mulberry Hall, BBQ Bucket- Terrain, Wine Bottle Lantern- Jaimie Oliver, Blanket- Cath Kidston    

Last, but certainly not least, let's not forget the eats. After all, good food is the main ingredient of a picnic - is it not? And these Mason Jar meal ideas from The Decorated Cookie are perfect - adorable and smart. Also smart? The wine in a bag with a spigot...brilliant.

Wine in a Bag- Finnish Design Shop, Wine Picnic Pack- Yellow Tail, Red Picnic Box- Picnic Fun, Polka Dot Picnic Set - Cath Kidston, Pink Made-to-Order Picnic Basket- Loewe

Now, if I could only pick a picnic basket from all the cute options out there, I would be ready to go. Are you feeling inspired to pack a picnic and get away too?

xoxo

Daddy's Girl

Source: Etsy

I hope you all had a wonderful Father's Day - I spent the day with my dad, doing just exactly what he wanted to do. I may be biased, but to me, there is no Dad out there more supportive, compassionate, smart and loving than mine - I love you, Daddy!

A Sweet and Sparkly Treat

Friday afternoon, I received this sweet little package in the mail from none other than the lovely ladies behind Elva Fields - one of my favorite jewelry designers.

As a thank you for featuring their sparkly designs on the blog a time or two - which was entirely MY pleasure, since I adore their work - they treated me to this charming little pair of earrings. I was so touched by their thoughtfulness - especially since I am just a little blogger, new to the world of style blogging. So, a shout out to Elva Fields for their kind business practices!

Espadrilles for Summer

When the time of year arrives that I can wear my flip flops every day of the week, night or day, I am a happy girl. Don't get me wrong - I love my tall heels, but flip flops are where its at during the summer - my toes love to be free and at the end of the day, there is nothing more comfortable.

But, if I had to pick a second favorite shoe for the summer months, it would be espadrilles! I have long had a love affair for these Spanish shoes - they are so unique and original with the rope and jute soles. They come in flat styles, wedge styles - and the fabrics and variations used to make them are so wide ranging.

I've never actually owned a pair of flat espadrilles (although I have had plenty of wedge versions), but looking at these, I am thinking I need to invest in a pair...

Blue Stripes - Kate Spade, Multi-colored Chevron - Missoni, Green Stripes - Kate Spade, Blue Sandals - Marais, Satin Espadrilles - Lanvin, Colored Print - Missoni, Silver Espadrilles - Delia's, Print Espadrilles - MiuMiu

I think I have to have the striped pair from Kate Spade - although, I do adore the ballet-slipper look of the pair from Lanvin!

There are plenty of adorable wedge versions out there too...

Braided Espadrilles - Christian Louboutin, Multi-colored Espadrilles - Missoni, Black Ankle Strap - BCBG, Red Stripe - Bettye Muller, Brown Leather - Ralph Lauren, Tan Suede - Unknown, Nude Closed Toe - Asos

Which ones are your favorite?

xoxo

Quote of the Day

Wise words from an eight-year old.

Summer Essentials

Summer is here...well, in most places it's arrived already- in Seattle, its still on its way. As bitter as it makes me to wake up and see rain or gray skies in June, at least it gives me more time to prepare for summer and shop for all those summer essentials that one just must have for the warmer months. I've rounded up some of my summer favorites below, check them out!

Essie Summer Nail Colors, Emilio Pucci Beach Towel, K.Jacques St Tropez Sandals, Smith's Rose Lip Balm, Nars 'Cap Ferrat' Eyeshadow Trio, Beach Star Cover Up, Frederic Fekkai Marine Summer Hair

Summer calls for perfectly pedicured toes, and to that end, I am in love with the summer color palette from Essie - I just bought the Jamaican Me Crazy shade at Target! Also needed for summer -  a stylish beach towel for laying by the pool or the ocean - the graphic prints from Pucci are eye-catching and fun. As pink is my favorite color, I will also need some hot pink sandals - and don't forget the lip balm to keep lips from getting chapped in the sun. Summer is also a great time to try brighter and bolder colors on your eyes - this palette from Nars would look great against summer skin and kick a date on a warm summer night, up a notch. Finally, since I tend to air dry my slightly frizzy hair more in the summer, I am going to need something to keep it smooth - can't wait to try the Smooth Sailing option from Federic Fekkai!

Jonathan Adler Totes, Gucci Aviator Sunglasses, Cara Accessories bangles, Rag and Bone Fedora, K Jacques St Tropez Sandals, Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray, Rebecca Minkoff Pouch, Melissa Odabash and Bronzette Swimsuits

These cute totes from Jonathan Adler are brand new and are a colorful and playful way to tote your fashion magazines to and from the beach or pool. I am partial to the Acapulco design! I don't normally wear jewelry to the beach, but I would definitely stack up these colored stone bangles come evening time with a little white dress. If you can't get to the ocean, you can at least fake 'day at the ocean' hair with the texturizing Surf Spray from Bumble and Bumble. The Rebecca Minkoff pouch is the perfect size to fill with lip balm, sunscreen, and a few other makeup essentials, and toss in your tote for the day. Finally, these two swimsuits are my favorite of the season - I am big into the bandeau tops at the moment - no tan lines on top. Don't you love that purple color?

Anya Hindmarch Tote, Tocca Sunscreen Wipes, Bobbi Brown Beach Oil, Clarins 'After Sun' Lotion, Marc by Marc Jacobs iPad Case

 Couldn't you just see taking this Anya Hindmarch tote aboard a sailboat for an afternoon of fun in the sun? I can! Let's not forget the most essential summer item of all - sunscreen. I hate the mess of applying sunscreen, but I am going to give these SPF 30 towelettes from Tocca a try this summer. Luckily, I love the scent of suntan lotion - it reminds of being a kid, of summers at the lake with my family and so many happy memories - I would slather this body oil on in the evenings just to smell like suntan lotion still - after a day in the sun! I am also a huge fan of the After Sun lotion from Clarins - extra moisture and conditioning to make your tan last as long as possible. Last but not least, a pretty purple case for my (imaginary) iPad that I dream of taking to the beach with me...someday!

What are your summer must-haves?

xoxo

Blog Lovin': The Burning House

Brett Ragowski via The Burning House

I recently stumbled on The Burning House - a blog that has definitely caused me to think. The idea behind it is, "if your house was burning, what would you take with you?" People send in photographs of the things they would rescue from their burning house, all gathered together with a few details about them, and voila - a wonderful way to waste time online!

It's a great idea because it makes you think about what really matters to you - what you would be devastated to lose and what you could really live without in you life. What's more, a person's answers can tell you a lot - what matters to them, their priorities, interests, and even their backgrounds.

As the blog says - its an interview condensed into one question - and a conflict between what's practical, valuable and sentimental. Check out a couple of the submissions...

Abbey Gantt via The Burning House

Name: Abbey Gantt
Age: 16
Location: Connecticut
Occupation: Student and camp counselor

List:

• Harry Potter wand from Harry Potter World at Universal
• Pink Buddha figurine (he’s always helped me keep my balance)
• My favorite books: The Harry Potter Series, The Prophet, and All Quiet on the Western Front
• My purse (car keys, cell phone, and wallet)
• My blankie (Had it since the day I was born, sleep with it every night, and always will)
• Dream Catcher handmade by Lakota Sioux Native Americans on the Cheyenne River Reservation in South Dakota
• My parent’s wedding picture
• My two grandmothers
• My maternal grandparent’s wedding picture
• A photo album my best friend gave to me, filled with photos of family and friends
• My favorite sunglasses, and my regular glasses
• My sketchbook
• The watch my father gave me, 3 necklaces from 2 very important people
• My great grandma’s engagement ring, and a ring my maternal grandmother gave me
• My camera charger
• My maternal grandpa’s Polaroid camera
• My lucky hat

Name: Pier Paolo Passsarelli
Location : ROMA
Occupation: Student

List:

• first pair of converse i bought
• moleskine and pencil for sketches architectural
• dictionary ,because i don t know well the english
• toothpaste and toothbrush (and condom)
• flip flops
• t-skirt and underwear
• book : “l’eleganza del riccio”
• cd limited edition “confession on a dancefloor”
• book “sex” (Madonna)
• sunglasses H&M
• eye mask (because i can ‘t stand the light at night)
• digital camera
• straightner and comb
• leather bracelet
• iPhone 4

 

Name: Laura Pritchett (IG: @shepaints)
Age:24
Location:Southern Delaware
Occupation:Artist

•  The unglamorous but practical galoshes that I wear most often
•  A painting I am (almost) satisfied with
•  An irreplaceable blouse which has no tag and I have no idea who made it, but love
•  The wooden clothes hanger from my grandfather’s closet
•  The perfectly weathered belt I am rarely without
•  Candid shot of grandfather and his car
• The last remnant of family plaid my grandmother brought back from Ireland
• Keys from my childhood scavenging
• 1957 edition of the Fanny Farmer Cookbook with my grandmother’s and mother’s recipe alterations handwritten in the margins
• The bit I trained two horses with
• Klein bag with my well broken in sable brushes
• The hatchet my great grandfather used to build his house
• The Ball jar that I keep all of my flash drives in
• Family Bible
• Moleskine journal I kept while traveling in Uganda
• First fabric sample produced by Tukula.org with my design for Ugandan tailors
• iPhone

A lot of people actually list their iPhones, which for some reason surprises me...although it shouldn't - I would definitely grab mine. What else would I grab?

-My photo albums from when I lived in Italy
-My journals from middle school, high school, and when I lived in Italy
-A framed sketch of our family cabin
-My pug, Luna
-An antique jewelry box that was a gift from my mom
-A vintage compact that was a gift from my dad
-A painting a friend made for me in college
-A vintage camera that belonged to my Grandpa
-And old VHS tape, made for me by an old boyfriend for my high school graduation, with all my friends saying something to me on it
-My external hard drive for my computer
-My Louis Vuitton bag

What would you take with you if your house was on fire? I am interested to hear what you guys say! Please share with me. 

xoxo

Design and Decor: Office Space

Clockwise from top left: Made By Girl, Better Homes and Gardens, Caitlin Wilson Design and Decor Pad

Since I was a kid, I loved back-to-school shopping - and I am not just talking about new shoes, sweaters and jeans - one of my favorite parts of going back to school was shopping for new school supplies. Fresh notebooks and folders, pens of all colors, highlighters - I loved stocking my desk for the next school year. I am still like this - I cannot get enough of office supplies and organizing them in pretty and clever ways.

I've been day-dreaming about my "someday home office" for awhile now - how chic and stylish it will be, how amazing and good-looking the organization will be, and of course, all the pretty papers, pens, pencils and gadgets that will be stocked in my desk. Check out how my "someday home office" day-dream is shaping up so far...

Cord Identifiers- Crate and Barrel, Striped Pen- Jonathan Adler, Writer's Block- Bobs Your Uncle, Jeweled Pencils- Russell and Hazel, To-Do List- Kate Spade, Fun masking tape- Kate's Paperie, Hanger Paperclips-KikkiK

 

I am obsessed with the bejeweled pencils - they would look so good in a cute pencil holder on my desktop - and how clever are those paperclips?

Rainbow accordion folder- Kate's Paperie, Pencils- Rad and Hungry, Fabric Tape- Kate's Paperie, Pencil Dispenser- Museum of Useful Things, File Folder- See Jane Work, Bodem Tea Press- Holy Cool, Fluorescent Colored Pencils- Moma Store, Matches- IoMoi, Colored Books- Kates Paperie        

I've always thought pencil dispensers were so stylish and useful...and you know I am going to need one of those pretty tea presses to keep me going through the day. Finally, I can never resist a good-looking notebook to keep my notes and thoughts in. Maybe I will get all the colors and stack them just like that on my desk...ha!

Personal Library Kit- Fred Flare, Pantone Flash Drive- Pantone, Mechanical Pencils- Barnes and Noble, Colored Correspondence Cards- Kate's Paperie, Days of the Week Clothespins- Sorting with Style, Address File- Anthropologie, Moleskine Monthly Planner Set- Moleskine, Highlighter Pencils- Stubby Pencil Studio, Rubber Band Ball- See Jane Work       

Since I plan on having a massive personal library, I will clearly need a library kit to make sure each one makes it way back home after I lend it out. And I know there are so many fun flash drive designs out there - but this Pantone one stole my heart. Plus, the mechanical pencils that look like real pencils? Love. As you can see, I am also truly old-school at heart - I would definitely keep my contacts in a filo-fax in addition to on my phone and computer. I don't trust technology sometimes...also, how brilliant are the highlighter pencils? I am all about them. Even my rubber band ball will be pretty girly when I have my "someday home office".

xoxo

Trend Love: Colored Denim

J Brand

I am all over this new colored denim trend. I love the bright colors - its such a fun way to change up regular jeans. I don't care how 80's it might seem, I would rock neon purple jeans any day. Colored jeans are also a great way to make every day pieces you've had forever, into a more playful outfit. 

J Brand, Current Elliot and J Brand, all via Net-a-Porter

I think these are my top three favorite hues. Tangerine orange feels so summery and cheery, and looks great with tanned skin, and I adore the combination of hot pink and black (told you I wasn't afraid to go 80's!) and the purple - I love the way denim looks with it.

Song of Style and The Chic Muse

See what I mean about the purple with denim? Looks fabulous! Mint green is pretty too...definitely eye-catching.

Rag and Bone, J Brand, J Brand and Current Elliott, all via Net-a-Porter

The colored denim takes a simple outfit with just a blazer and classic t-shirt or striped top, and makes it something exciting and fun.

9 to 5 Chic and Have Less Be More

Which color would you pick?

xoxo

Great Shots: Black and White Beauty

I love black and white photographs - it sometimes seems that the same photograph, shot in color, would have a completely different feel and emotion to it, shot in black and white. It lends such strong emotions to a photograph. Here are some of my recent favorites...

Source: Endless Forms Most Beautiful

I love that the city looks almost other-worldly in this photo - the fog and clouds silently slipping through the buildings and streets.

Source: Pentti Sammallahti - via Droll Girl

I love how absolutely still this photograph is. Not even a ripple in the water. I wonder if the frog thinks he can't be seen because he isn't moving.

Source: Castles Crowns and Cottages

Truthfully I just can't get enough of this dress and the glamour of this photo - I like how her dress fills up nearly the entire frame. She's like a modern day princess trapped in her skyscraper "castle".

Source: We Heart It

Great juxtaposition - the elegant, graceful, ballerina - with bare legs - in the middle of the noisy city.

Source: Black and White

 This just makes me laugh. Makes me crack up, actually.

Source: Black and White

It looks like a river running through the tree tops, or a map or nerves inside the body. At first glance, it could be so many things. I love the pattern the tree branches create.

Which one is your favorite?

xoxo