Christian Louboutin Spring 2011 Collection

 

Some days, you just need something pretty to look at. Today is one of those days for me. So, lets all just take a moment to appreciate and enjoy the pure beauty that is Christian Louboutin's Spring 2011 shoe collection. Don't forget to wipe the drool off your keyboard when you're done ogling the shoes. 

Yes, please, I would like one of each. Thank you so much for asking. xoxo

Quote of the Day

Its heartbreaking but so poetic and inspiring at the same time. I wish I had words like this - what an incredible writer! Swoon.

from www.designcrushblog.com

Help! SOS!

So, I happen to be a total sucker for cute or amazing packaging. If its packaged well, designed well and quite simply, looks pretty, I will probably think I have to have it - no matter what it is. I have been told more than once that I am a marketer's dream come true, for just this reason. Make it look pretty and I will buy it.

This collection of little "helpers" from the Help Shop is just one of those cases. Have you ever seen more adorable packaging? Its clever, its simple, and when you could have Ibuprofen in one of these little darlings, why buy it in a boring old white bottle?

Help Remedies are the perfect combination of form and function for me, and I think they just make healing cuter and more fun. Plus, if you add them to your emergency kit, it will pretty and useful. Added bonus: the packaging is biodegradable. Told you I was a sucker for pretty packaging.

Pantone Spring 2011 Color Palette

The Pantone color palette for Spring 2011 came out recently, and as expected, I love every single color on it.  

Each season, Pantone brings the world the latest and most important color trends – used in design, fashion and more. This year’s color palette is inspired by exotic destinations like Africa, India, Peru and Turkey, using both warm and cool tones to balance one another in complimentary hues.

Coral Rose is a sophisticated orange with a bright, spicy feel to it, and Beeswax is a warm honeyed yellow – both of which look great paired with Regatta.

The romantic, fanciful color of Lavender goes great with Beeswax and Coral Rose, making a unique color pairing that is perfectly balanced, and the alluring color of Blue Curacao is a goregous tropical hue that complements both Honeysuckle and Coral Rose. 

Peapod is my personal favorite for its fresh yellow-green color and the “nude hues” – Silver Peony, Silver Cloud and Deep Russett, go with just about everything in the palette, grounding the bright colors and providing an ethereal feel.


Finally, let’s not forget Honeysuckle – the official color of Spring 2011. Bright and flirtatious, this feel-good hue is playful and perfect for escaping the winter blues!

Left to Right: Issa dress, YSL scarf, Juicy Couture dress, Mulberry bag, Marc Jacobs bracelet, all from www.net-a-porter.com

 And simply because I love blue in every shade, some inspiration based on Regatta, the most lovely blue!

Left to Right: Tibi dress, ALC skirt, Tibi dress, Bottega Veneta dress, all from www.net-a-porter.com

Oh, and one last thing, when I saw these Pantone themed Visa cards, I thought I had died and gone to heaven. I need them. Or maybe just one. Lavender, I think. I die. 

Italy Is My Magnet

 With the doldrums of winter setting in, now is about the time I start daydreaming about traveling to exotic far-off locales, and lying on a warm sandy beach. The place I venture to most often in my dreams? Italy.

I've been to Italy twice in my life. Once for a few weeks in high-school, and again for a few months as a college student, I lived and studied in Florence. I fell in love with Italy when I was seventeen, and the love affair continues to this day. When I see photos of movies of Italy, I can literally feel an ache in my heart for this magical place that holds such a special place in my heart.

So, while I was perusing the interwebs today, I came across this little gem and just had to share.

Welcome to The Suite on the Oak - its a freakin' tree-house in the Italian country side, people! This amazing tree house, north of Rome, is situated among lavender fields (swoon) has a bathroom and a double bedroom - and here is the best part: you can rent it out. Santa, are you listening? This is all I want for Christmas next year.

Have you ever seen a more charming, dream-like place to stay? In a century-old oak tree, near an olive grove, on a property with a pool? Sign me up. I can already imagine falling asleep to the sounds of the country side, to the wind in the tree branches and leaves, after a nice glass of wine and big bowl of pasta arriabiatta. This place is definitely going on my list of places I simply must see someday.

A Few of My Favorite Things...

Time to get to know a little bit about your friendly blog author. Herewith, a few of my favorite things...

1. Pink. Anything pink. I am a grown woman that still loves the color pink. What of it? 

2. Moleskine Notebooks - I am obsessed. I have one for nearly every topic I can dream up...places to shop, places to visit, notes for work, and on and on...

3. Bobble Water Bottles - gorgeous design and a fun and innovative idea. This reusable water bottle comes with a built-in replaceable water filter...in tons of pretty colors, natch!

4. Anything Rose scented...my favorite smell.

5. Macarons - pretty and perfect, they taste as lovely as they look.

6. Notebooks and Paper products - in addition to my Moleskine addiction, any cute or pretty notebook can steal my heart away, anytime.

7. Lip Gloss. I cannot get enough of it - every shade, with sparkles, without. From Lip Smackers to Chanel, I think I am currently carrying at least 6 in my purse.

8. Louis Vuitton. Classic. 'Nuff said.

9. Super high heels. Preferably Louboutin's, and someday, someday, maybe I will have a pair of my very own.

10. Cupcakes. This trend still isn't over for me...or my sweet tooth.

11. Photography. Can't wait to brush up on my DSLR skills this year!

12. Organizing. And if its a notebook with special organizing features like pockets, all the better!

A New Year, A New Endeavor

With a new year beginning, it occurred to me that there was no better time to start something new. The last thing the world needs is another blog, but like it says above, "I can write a blog. I have thoughts." 

Hopefully I have enough of them to keep this blog going and keep it interesting. 

Inspired by my new found love for Pinterest.com (seriously people, if you love pretty things and images, you want to check this site out - its like a gorgeous online collection of inspiration boards for every topic you can conceive of), I thought why not share my findings and musings on fashion, style, design, shopping, and pretty shiny things with the world? Or just with the five people in my family that might read this blog occasionally, anyway. 

So, check back in often and see what I am currently swooning over or dreaming of. 

Cheers! xoxo