British Invasion

Every year, around this time, I begin craving the only sweet thing I truly love ... Cadbury eggs.  They are a delightful ball from heaven that I hoard year round due to their deliciousness.  My constant longing for these sweet eggs makes me think about all that Great Britain has shared with the world.  Like tea time, the Union Jack, a love of coat of arms, and of course the ever fascinating British telephone booth.

Pagos coat of arms jersey tank top, $24
Floral Union Jack Tee, $20
Union Jack Pillow, $175
Phone Booth Cabinet, $153

Simplicity at its best

Sometimes the most simple of designs is the best route to take.  It's that time of the year and I am getting the itch to tweak my look.  I don't want to go overboard but I want something new and exciting . . . so I think I am going to go out of my comfort zone and sport a bold lip color for my friend's bridal shower.  I know this doesn't seem like too much to most women but for me it is huge.  I don't even own lipstick - my lips are already a deep color which makes finding the right shade very difficult so instead I opt for sheer lip gloss and chapstick most of the time (I'm not complaining!).  I want to use Hollywood glamour as my inspiration - a nice crisp white shirt, black pants with simple flats will do the trick and will make my new lip color classic.  Keeping everything simple is the trick here.

Lace & Broderie blouse, $140
Twill Button-Front Trench Coat, $50
Zig-Zag Pant, $290
Bacara Flats, $149
Chanel Rouge Coco Mademoiselle, $32
Piet Mondrian. Chrysanthemum. 1908–09

Go go gadget . . . kitchen updates

I just adore getting new kitchen gadgets.  They can make mornings cheerier and everyday activities seem new again.  Here are a few things I would love to add to my cupboards this spring.

1. Bodum Glass Teapot, $54
2. Farmer's Egg Crate, $14
3. Herb Keeper, $20
4. Apellation Utensil Jar, $28
5. Adjustable Height Rolling Pin, $20
6. Bronze Age Flatware, $36
7. Monogrammed Fruit Bowl, $49

Rorschach ... I mean golden dreams

1. Tupelo Honey Dress, $60
2. Tasha Sequin Frame Minaudiere, $98
3. Gold suzani pillow, $195
4. Gold hex votive holders, $10
5. Gilt Frames, $34
6. Painted Morning Skirt, $88
7. Oriel Flats, $97
Andy Warhol. Rorschach. 1984

Ahoy matey

1. Anchor Print Tunic, $13
2. Necktie crepe blouse, $320
3. Anchors away brooch, $28
4. Splendid Nautical Stripe Top, $66
5. Miss Swiss Corset Dress, $168
Roy Lichtenstein. Girl with Ball. 1961

Savvy sales

When digging through sale items I keep one mantra in mind ... year round materials = year round versatility.  I look for items such as camisoles and silk blouses that can be worn with jeans, skirts, and cardigans making them useful all year.  Dresses can be worn with flats during the spring and summer and tights and boots during the fall and winter.  Nothing makes me feel better than getting a great deal on a beautiful piece of clothing that I can utilize in many ways.

1. Chevron cami, $78  $30
2. Washed crepe Nanine dress $225  $99 
3. Stippled Canvas Top, $98 $50
4. Easy-As-Pie Dress, $138  $70
5. Joie Fairbanks Tank Top, $100  $75
6. Washed crepe Aveline dress, $235  $99



 

Makeover madness

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{photos courtesy of Southernliving.com}

Blooming blouses

1. Floral balloon top, $325 
2. Rose and spot ditsy blouse, $72
3. Floral Silk Wrap Blouse, $695
4. Printed silk-blend blouse, $278
5. Tales of tulips ruffle top, $29
6. Linear poppy blouse, $88

Singing praises

Here are a few pieces that I would like to add to my own spring wardrobe.  I love pink during the spring and you already know that I feel like no closet is ready for a new season without some sort of leopard piece to spice things up.  And no spring outfit is complete without an umbrella for those upcoming April showers.

1. Hydrangea wool-crepe jacket, $1,735

2. Leopard Scarf, $86

3. Bow pumps, $795

4. Lace Trim Tunic, $195
5. Cat's Eye Sunglasses, $149
6. I Heart Umbrella, $30
Kees van Dongen. Modjesko, Soprano Singer

Primary perfection

1. Hazy Days Tank, $88

2. Perpendiculars Sweater, $128

3. Piccadilly Pleats dress, $158
4. Mod squad isabeli, $195
5. Postcard Cardigan, $68
Piet Mondrian. Composition with Red, Blue, Black, Yellow, and Gray

English manor .... or modern style?

 

I am completely in love with this modern take on vintage English country style.  The tone on tone and pattern on pattern interiors are classy and comfortable all at the same time.  I'm already trying to figure out how to incorporate the blue and white bedroom into my own decor and the lemons and pink rose will definitely be incorporated into my next table scape.

 

{photos courtesy of house beautiful}

Woman II

Cavorting Flora Blouse $98
High Rise Pants, $50
Nude Platform, $90
Convertible Clutch/Crossbody, $139 
Willem de Kooning. Woman, II. 1952

Flocking together

I love birds and feathers so much that I had birdcages as my centerpieces for my wedding.  Feathers can lend an airy feel to any outfit making them a perfect transition pattern from winter to spring.  Here are a few of my favorite pieces for the here and now.

1. Earn Your Wing Ring, $18
2. Feather Print Top, $73
3. Tray Chic, $18
4. Feather necklace, $40
5. Flying Free Ruffle Dress, $35
6. Bird Bag, $185

Can you tell . . .

Can you tell . . . that I am ready for a change of seasons?  The weather has gotten quite cold in the south and it may even snow tomorrow, however,  I can't stop thinking about spring clothing.  I am done with my sweaters and my mind is ready for warm sun and beach time.

Paige Bootcut Jeans, $179
Eastpointe Garden Top, $58
Woven leather wedges, $1,190
Caning Tote, $180
Vincent van Gogh. The Olive Trees. Saint Rémy

Swirly delight

Printed silk-chiffon dress, $370
Enchanted Florist Dress, $238
Printed silk bubble dress, $140
Floral Print Tweed Silk Shift, $105
Raqib Shaw. Garden of Earthly Delights X. 2004

I dream of carrara marble

My dream kitchen, as of late, is an all white masterpiece with accent touches of color.  The accents could either be art, fabric, or perhaps some rich dark wood strategically placed to command attention.  The biggest must for my kitchen would be carrara marble counter tops - the creamy swirls of gray and white make my heart swoon in delight. 

Pop Art

Striped blazer, $368
Wide leg flannel trousers, $95
Lace-Up bootie, $626
Folk scarf, $30
Andy Warhol. Campbell's Soup Cans. 1962

Books, books, and more books

 Today marks the day of a new career for me - I am beginning my new position as an assistant librarian at a local college.  I know it sounds incredibly dorky but I am so excited to touch all of the books and have access to a plethora of new knowledge.  To mark this momentous occasion in my career history I have listed a few of my all time favorite fiction books.

 

Postmaster

Blazer, $120
Skinny low-rise jeans, $185
Ballet Flat, $99
Traveling Translator Tote, $100
Portrait of Joseph Roulin, Vincent van Gogh