and the oscar goes to...

as some of you may know, I am a huge huge fan of gwyneth paltrow . all loyalties aside, she truly was my pick for best dressed] at last nights annual academy awards. her calvin klein dress is absolutely flawless.  i love the shimmery metallic almost 'liquid' fabric.  the simple lines and perfectly tailored fit make it a knock-out.  shoes by brian atwood and jewelry by louis vuitton.  who were your favorites on the red carpet?
my runners up were:  michelle williams, mandy moore and  matthew mcconaughey's girlfriend, camila alves.
xoxo

twenty one

adele's second album 21 was just released tuesday.  I LOVE  adele- and have since I first heard this londoner's amazing voice back in 2008. here is a little mini concert courtesy of npr, starting off with the song 'someone like you' from her sophomore album.  check her out on itunes....and if you haven't purchased her first album, 19 , you should. every single song is amazing!  enjoy!

in the nude

photo credit: knightcat

check out kate bosworth in the march issue of nylon {for the whole spread visit here}.  seriously, has kate ever had an off day?  loving the nude lips- I think I will  have to pick up some nars lipstick in belle de jour {asap!!}.  oh, on that note if you head over to saks {through this Saturday} you can take advantage of 'beauty week', like gifts with  purchase and a saks goodie bag when you spend 100 bucks....so it's a good time to stock up if you are in the need!
happy wednesday!  xoxo

24k

kelly wearstler always gets it right in my book.  above is a shot of her guest house as featured in the october 2008 issue of {yet again, the amazing} domino magazine. love the ceiling fixture....which makes me  think of this fun 24 karat gold dipped crystal necklace by laura lombardi, available at pretty mommy ( I love everything at this shop).  hope you all are having a great tuesday....I still can not believe this brilliant weather!!!
xoxo

remember way back when?

photo credit: mscott218, flikr

ah, yes- domino magazine circa september 2006.  this had to be one of my favorite interior shots and honestly it still is to date.  it is the brooklyn home of loefller randall designer Jessie Randall. the 'for like ever' poster by tracy jenkins on her mantle became wildly popular after this issue hit newsstands ( still sold out today...but a new edition is on it's way in march check it out here, updates to follow on twitter).  I love love love the molding and the nelson saucer pendant lamp, the glass bell jar, the jonathan adler vases and  the pale pink peonies. unfortunately, after much searching I found that the wall paper was simply a vintage piece she creatively framed between her windows.  the good news is, you can scout out your very own vintage paper at the same source, here.  and not all good things must come to an end like domino magazine (sniff, sniff) the west elm parsons desk is still available, right here in polished white for $299.
be sure to check out loeffler randall's spring collection here (okay maybe just a little window shopping)  and stop by and see their perfectly edited and styled blog too.
xoxo

secret spot

as I wait patiently for an oscar filled sunday next week(!) ...here a a few shots of the other oscar I snapped this week.  love that  the storm drain on our street is his secret hiding place.  hope that you all had a great weekend hanging out in your favorite spots too!  xoxo

'pop' art

wow, today felt like the first day of summer!  the sun was out, the sky was blue and the city was alive!  it seemed like everyone was out!   and while driving through and area called poncey-highlands I saw that the warm weather had brought a crowd  to the corner of N. Highland and North Avenue.....the center of this frenzy was none other than the 'king of pops'!  and I am not talking about one of jacksons but a local cart pushing celebrity known for his amazing frozen creations! 

stephen carse is the creator of these now famous pops- which are fashioned after paletas or lation american popsicles made from fresh fruit.  after losing his job stephen decided that he would follow his dream of owning his very own paletas cart...and from what I can tell his dream has paid off!  the king of pops prides himself in unique flavors that you can't find just anywhere and the best part is his pops are handcrafted from fresh local organic ingredients.  as posted on his twitter page here, today's yummy  flavors were:

 "grapefruit mint, raspberry lime, blood orange, tangerine basil, cookies & cream, & choc sea salt"  

I am still kicking myself for not stopping and grabbing one of his famed pops...but there is always hope for tomorrow!!  I better get there early, his selections usually sell out fast ( as they did today!).  you can pick up 1 pop for $2.50 or 5 for $10. check out his website here and more info on where you can buy his famed pops here.

ps- come visit atlanta and I will take you to see the king of pops!!!

rain check

dior-gris city collection- bond street #807-(hard to come by) limited edition

butter london '3 free' safe nail lacquer in fashion pack $14 here

chanel- peche nacree #515- limited edition here $35

essie's spring 2011 collection 'french affair in coat azure $8  see the whole collection here and to shop here

nars- in purple rain $17 here

deborah lippman- spring collection- in some enchanted evening $18 here

zoya 'intimate' spring collection- marley, dove & caitlin $7/each here

o p i-  soon to be released pirates of the caribbean collection in mermaid's tears coming may 2011

deborah lippman glitter nail polish- in across the universe $18 here

oh how I could use a trip to the pedicure chair!  too bad my toes will have to take a rain check until I get a paycheck next month.   in the meantime I am left ooohing and ahhing over these incredible colors for spring I just scouted.  which do you like?  I love opaque deeply saturated colors like dior's bond street and butter london's fashion pack.  if I had fingernails worthy (or long enough) of being painted I would definitely try deborah lippman's glitter collection... oh my goodness I love 'across the universe' for a night out!   what are some of your favorite new colors??  here is a little piece on polish trends for spring over at refinery 29. 
xoxo,  happy friday! 

oh oscar

I LOVE the oscars.  if I were so lucky to attend on the 27th I would wear this jenny packham dress ( the antonella)  and be daring with sea inspired eye shadow like this from bobby brown.  a girl can only dream, right?

poppy time

poppy photo I took last spring in backyard in boulder, co

emersonMade- 'the poppy' flower pin, available here

happy hump day!  hope that warmer weather is making you all smile...I can hardly believe the forecast for the next few days...70 degrees!  enjoying my time off...which will be coming to an end{!} because I am very happy to announce I got a job!  the job!  the one I have been wanting and hoping to land!  thanks for all of the positive energy you all sent my way....and for all of the help ( you know who you are!)  I start a week from monday! yipeeee

here are a few sweet flowers from me to you.....spring is on her way!

'scent is life'

my very creative and favorite neighbor told me about this riveting company while we were on a  brisk walk with her sweet sweet baby boy this morning.
cb I hate perfume is owned by perfumer christopher brosius of williamsburg, brooklyn. I love the idea of having a signature scent and feel like I have been searching for one forever....could it be just under my nose? perhaps I am a 'lavender tea'....or maybe more 'memory of kindness'?  unlike most other perfumes on the market, this product is 'water perfume' or water based.  chris says that alcohol dries the skin out and evaporates quickly where as water and oil are just what the skin needs to hold a fragrance....ahhhhh.
be sure to visit the cb I hate perfume website here......and if you are lucky enough to be in brooklyn, check out his gallery here.  oh, and good news for my charleston readers, worthwhile on king street is listed as carrying his line!
here is a snippet from his site:
When I was a child, I wanted to be an artist or perhaps a scientist. Instead I am a perfumer – this is perhaps a bit of both. I’ve been described as one of the most innovative perfumers of the 21st Century. I’ve won awards, my work is in museums and countless people in all civilized parts of the globe enjoy the unique scents I create. Much to my surprise, at least in a small way I have changed how people think of perfume: what it is & how it’s used.

say it with flowers

parker-long sleeve tie dress- $199 here

rebecca taylor- strapless corset dress $385 here

j crew- spring 2011 printed romper preview here

rebecca taylor_ meadow print tunic $275 here

happy heart & flowers day!  spring 2011 is full of lovely floral prints...problem is, I rarely stray from my monochromatic uniform of solids or the occasional geometric pattern.   but truth be told when I saw this D&G spring ad, I fell in love!    I am anxious to venture out of my comfort zone and get with it!   I'm seeing lots and lots of blouses and silks this season and wow how pretty are they in these sweet vintage inspired prints!    rebecca taylor, parker, j.crew.....take your pick!   
oh,  and happy shopping!
xoxo

words of wisdom

love this piece from artist valentina ramos' etsy shop {check it out here, for only $15},  sometimes we all need a reminder of what we are capable of.  I would love to have this hanging over my desk.  sending you all positive energy this sunday.... please send me a bit too!!  I am hoping that change is on the horizon this week and I need all the help I can get!  for now I am heading out to enjoy this GORGEOUS day, hope the sun is shinning on you too!  xoxo


ps: back tomorrow with a fashion post- til' then!

in the air

when i first saw the work of the australian designer castle I fell head over heels in love.  how sweet are designer rachel castles embroidered works of art?  love is certainly in the air, and I LOVE  this piece.  I think they would be super sweet in a nursery or really anywhere for that matter!  be sure to check out her website.....her prints and bedding are equally adorable! 
hope that you all have a lovely saturday!  xoxo

ps:   i just got the sweetest e-card from my oldest & dearest friend which makes me think that although 'virtual' a note can mean so very much.  check out these {free} and very very cute e-valentines, here..... from kate spade to whomever your heart desires!

simple & sweet

I have had these prints bookmarked for a long long time....and still love them as much today as when I first came across them.  they are by self-taught illustrator wayne pate from brooklyn.  pick one up today ( they sell for $55)  at his website, good shape design,  here.  I love the one dimensional almost primitive quality and the muted colors.  what a perfect gift....for say valentines day.  xoxo
ps:  to see where wayne creates these treasures visit this design sponge sneak peak into his home office...charming!

free spirit

pendleton navajo"chief joseph'  blanket as photographed in lena corwin's nursery, available here for little ones and here for bigger people. 

house of harlow 1960 tribal embroidered flats on sale here

thief and bandit mint and yellow ochre scarf, here

tribal earring here on etsy for $25

henning sofa on sale, here

autumn cashmere navajo wrap sweater, here

poncho tee by thief and bandit, here

tribal necklace, house of harlow, available here

as much I would like to be....free spirit I am not.  but we can all try to feel that free spirit vibe with the introduction of any of the above finds into our lives!   inspired by a photo of designer lena corwin's nursery (visit her blog here and visit the orignal post on her nursery here) and her use of a pendleton navajo printed blanket ( which I can not stop thinking about) navajo, ikat and tribal prints seem to be everywhere.  with that said there is a little something for the {free spirit} in everyone.  enjoy!  xoxo