Baby Boom

I can't help but have babies on my mind - I know 8 people due in May alone!  In order to prepare for all of these bundles of joys my friends have been gathering the essentials.  Here are a few things I believe belong in every baby's room.

Leela Crib, $699
Bassinet & Bordered Pique Bedding, $129
Dr. Seuss's Oh, the Places You'll Go Pop-up!, $29
Beaded Baby Spoon, $35
WubbaNub Pacifier, $15
Silver Cambridge Baby Cup, $236
The Cradle - Camille with the Artist's Son Jean, Claude Monet, 1867

Floral motif

Striped floral dress, $80
Nude blossom print dress, $60
Clutch, $109
Staciee slingback, $100
Bauerngarten mit Sonnenblumen, Gustav Klimt

COV8T

1. Letterpress Cheers & Clink! Coasters, $10
2. House of Harlow shades, $138
3. Dachschund print, $440
4. Erica bralette, $48
5. Louis Vuitton ring, $2,760
6. TopShop silk top, $145
7. Pierre Dumas wedge sandal shoes, $55
8. Rule pitchers, $15

Office etiquette

On my constant search to create the perfect office I have accumulated many, and I mean many, ideas.  However, after finding the peacock paisley fabric pictured above my inspiration began to focus on an office that would fulfill my dreams of a warm and happy place to conduct my personal business and create my own masterpieces.  The first work that came to mind was Ingres' Une Odalisque,  she encapsulates beauty, grace, and a daring attitude all in one - just as I hope my office will do.

Drum Chandelier, $2,650
Canopy Chair, $1,895
Halston Ottoman, $695
Photographer's Lamp, $295
Trophy Horns, $225
Cowhide Stool, $175
Linnarp Desk, $119
Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres - La Grande Odalisque (1814)

Royal attire

With all of the recent buzz surrounding the upcoming royal wedding I can't help but fantasize about what I would wear if I were invited.  The English have such a classic yet wonderfully imaginative take on clothing sometimes - an attitude of anything goes (especially with their hair accessories).  This dress embodies the perfect mixture of a glen plaid bodice with a whimsical design laced up the front to keep the ensemble fresh and modern.  I know there seems to be quite a bit going on here but nothing is too much for such an event.

Glen plaid cocktail dresses, $1145
Feather hair clip, $125
Feather-embellished sandals, $645 
Wrap coat, $2,300
Swan lake clutch, $199
The Bacchante, Jean-Léon Gérôme

New heights

Being short I love that wedges of extreme heights are right on trend.  Here are a few of my favorites that would make fabulous accessories to dresses or high-waisted jeans.  

1. Strappy Lattice espadrille wedges, $220   
2. Open Toe Wedge, $239
3. Taupe Suede Wedges, $230
4. Tan Platform Sandals, $160
5. Marry Wedges, $90
6. Colbee Wedges, $169

Weekend Bliss

Facile Camp Shirt, $78
Rose Matelot Shorts, $70
Gold Sandals, $145
Bucket Bag, $473

Garden of delight

I am gearing up to spend some more time in the yard this weekend.  My spring goal is to clean up our backyard by extending our deck with some pavers and create a garden like feel with an abundance of planters all around.  I can't wait to spend evenings outside grilling and entertaining. 

Outdoor Party Lights, $15
Wall Trough, $49
Zebra Outdoor Rug, $140
Footed Yellow Urn, $88
Paper Lanterns, $7
Wicker Benche
Tan/Charcoal Cobble Stone

Claude Monet. Agapanthus. 1914-26

Read my . . .

1. "Love You" Necklace, $600
2. Rien Ring, $295 
3. Cheers necklace, $75
4. Wink necklace, $75
5. Love Ring, $298
6. Take a chance necklace, $75

Mother knows best

My mother always told to write thank you notes ... it's a Southernism that takes precedence upon gift giving and other such occasions. Have I always been true to my Southern roots and managed to squeak out each and every one of my thank you notes? Absolutely not (SORRY MOM!) However, as I get older I recognize the importance of such a lesson and aim to make my mother proud in the future. The part I love the most ... designing my own personal cards. There are so many choices ... monograms, small iconography, and colors galore!  Just remember to choose a card that defines your personality and describes you personally.  The letter opener is a lesson from my father : )

Monogram Folded Notes, $40
Egret Letter Opener, $25
Spectacle Card Assortment, $11
Engraved Gold Bee Correspondence Cards, $34
Falling Feathers Correspondence Cards, $14
Alpha Mail Tote, $20
A Lady Writing , Johannes Vermeer, c. 1665

I heart Pink

So we don't really celebrate an elaborate Valentine's Day - we prefer a good home cooked meal and some time together.  However, what I do love is pink and I relish all of the pink items that show up around this time of the year.  Pink and red, together, seem to spark a new attitude in everyone and they welcome the new spring colors that are being ushered in. 

1. Swarovski Crystal Lips Clutch Bag, $1,165
2. Spade shopper, $175
3. Ballet Flat, $485
4. Charm Sandal, $325
5. Bib necklace, $600
6. 3D Heart Velour Day Dreamer Tote, $248
Andy Warhol, Lips (Stamped), 1950s

Signs of spring

I'm officially over winter and hope to spend the weekend getting myself out of this cold weather slump.  A little yoga, a mani/pedi, and coffee with friends should do the trick.  If it were going to be warm enough I would plan a little yard work but something tells me I won't get that lucky (I actually love doing yard work - Don't laugh!)

Carambola Peasant Top, $98
Stevie Ankle Jean, $165
Lace Up Brogues, $110
Punchout Satchel, $70
Sitting Woman, Matisse

Game night

With all of the yucky weather making its way across the south it only felt natural to think about a warm inviting game night.  For all of my friends stuck inside for the second time in the last month - well, in all honesty, I am jealous.  I wish I could unabashedly stay at home, unshowered, and not properly dressed, completing all of my waiting chores.  However, I still have to go to work so I will use this post to dream about my own cozy game night.

1. Cable Side Cardigan, $435
2. Cashmere, silk and wool-blend jumpsuit, $1,195
3. Brown Sheepskin High-Top Sneaker Shoes, $207
4. L'Agence Wrap Cardigan, $432
5. Cashmere, silk and wool-blend track pants, $555
6. Lace-Up Sneakers, $258
Domino!, 1886, Frank Bramley

Dancing in the moonlight

Edgar Degas is well known for his ballerina paintings and this is an excellent example of his later works.  His earlier ballerinas were pastel and calm in nature evoking a serene quality about them.  As Degas aged he began to go blind and with this change his ballerinas became more vivid and lively both in color and movement. 

1. Heart Bracelet on Rope Chain, $121

2. Natural Drape Cardigan, $105

3. Sage leather bag, $595

4. Asymmetrical Tank, $128
5. Brewing Storm Pants, $48
6. Loxley buckle ballet flats, $175
Four Dancers, Edgar Degas, c. 1899

Winos all around

The wine was surely flowing this weekend at our house - we had a wine tasting party for my husband's birthday.  Each guest was asked to choose a wine and create a dish to complement the wine.  The party was a blast and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves - I, myself, a bit too much.  I went backwards in the process by choosing to make a pear gorgonzola tart - I then chose an Italian white, Gavi, for the wine.  My husband made steak sandwiches on French bread dipped in fondue - they won the pairing contest.  The "anger" jar was a gift I gave ourselves for Christmas (an inside joke) and it made the perfect centerpiece for our party.  CHEERS!

 

 

 

 

{pear tart - before the pear}

{pear tart - with and without prosciutto (we had a vegetarian in attendance)}

{the winner}

{joy}

Tangerine mints

1. Pleated top, $44

2. Hamilton Tote, $328

3. Studded Ballet Flat, $520

4. Slash ruffle tee, $40
5. Chino short, $35
6. Toms Gilded Shoe, $54
Émile Bernard. Iron Bridges at Asnières. 1887

ilove ikat

A pattern I never thought I would like is suddenly popping up everywhere and to my surprise I can't get enough of its graphic qualities and bold mixes of color.  An endless array of items are being produced in this fun print and can certainly lend a helping hand to getting over the winter blues.   

1. Dynamic Ikat Duvet Cover, $228
2. Ikat scarf, $68
3. Blue and Spice Printed Ikat Toss Pillow, $20
4. Ikat Turban Head Wrap, $29
5. Magic Ikat Teapot, $30
6. Finn Rocker, $1,698
7. Tank dress, $370

Riviera wear

1. Polka-dot cotton and silk top, $390
2. White Linen Pants, $225
3. Elona Floppy Hat, $20
4. 'MAB - Bombe' Leather Satchel, $550
5. Leather Sandal, $375
Camille Jacob Pissarro, 1830 Insel Saint-Thomas, Antillen