Malm Fireplaces

Tawny and I were discussing what she should get her husband for Christmas and without missing a beat I exclaimed  - "A fireplace!"  They have a really lovely home in an adorable neighborhood, but no fireplace...can you imagine?  Really, the horror. 

I live in Texas, and around October I start cranking the AC up so I can begin my day fireside.  Not the most environmental option, I realize. 

Tawny - these are the fireplaces that I was telling you about!  They are from a company called Malm, and Sean and I are both obsessed with them.  Talk about a surefire way to take a room from ho-hum to off the charts.  In saying this, I understand that these are a pretty strong and specific look but I can imagine them in a large range of interior styles.  And oustide?  Forgetaboutit!  Just fantastic.

Do what do you think?  Love 'em or hate 'em?

{images: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7}

Holiday Chic Maternity Wear: reader question

Today I am excited to get to answer a question from a sweet reader of mine, also named Emily:

First of all, love your name (hehe) and love your blog!  I have it bookmarked and visit everyday.  I stumbled upon in when you were featured on Design Mom, another blog I visit daily.  I enjoyed so much reading and seeing all of your wedding details, and then I found out that you were adopting a child, and I knew this was the blog for me.  My husband and I have hopes of adopting from Korea one day when the money is saved and God has given his blessing.  This leads me into my question of the day... I'm preggers with my first (we're waiting and it will be a surprise!), and I'll be very pregnant for Christmas and all of it's social events, and I'm having such a hard time finding a dress that will be dressy enough for the holidays and chic enough for all of my showers.  I'd like something neutral that maybe I can make a few sashes or a few ribbon belts with flowers to change it up (I'm thinking a camel or chocolate color would look good on my skin and be flattering). Budget is also a concern (I'm a graphic designer and my husband is a youth minister, so, while we are blessed, we remain humble, if you know what I mean).  You seem to have similar taste (classic, chic, anything French) to me, and I was hoping that you could point me in the right direction of somewhere fabulous that maybe you found while you were pregnant.  Any advice you could offer would be wonderful!

~Emily

Hi Emily -

thanks for your great question.  I'm sure there are plenty of woman out there with the same predicament.  Here's how I would tackle it.  I also like to go to my favorite shops first, even if they are out of my price range.  You never know, they may just have the perfect thing on sale.  You may have to be a bit more flexible with color, etc. but could very well fall in love with something affordable that will be quality enough to see you through future pregnancies.  Another idea, depending on your size and how you are carrying - is to find a non-maternity dress in a maternity friendly style or in a larger size.  I can't tell you the number of times that I have asked people about their adorable maternity clothes and they have told me that it's some no-maternity find that they bought large.  I also love your idea of picking a neutral dress and then having fun with accessories to change it up for different events.  I do this in normal life even when I'm not pregnant. 

My favorite "little black maternity dresses" came from the sale rack at Nordstrom.  Though not in the brown family, black looks great with all coloring and is the most versatile color to wear in an assortment of ways.

I think this dress is adorable.  It's available for $48.90.

This cute pleated dress with pockets is on sale for $31.90

This dress has the perfect amount of holiday glamour but is still simple and understated for $57.90.

This may be my favorite.  Not quite as versatile as the others but very sophisticated and flattering.  It's from Destination Maternity for $34.98.

 This fun, beaded cocktail dress from Due is ready to go, even without jewelry.  It's $58.00

This camel, chiffon cocktail dress is perfection.  Other than the price, at $106 it may be more than you are looking to spend but then again, this one may be worth the splurge.  It's from Due, as well.

So far as accessories, I'd hit Forever 21.  You could spend $20 in there and walk out with loads of fun options. I went to grab some photos of fun stuff and had to stop with hair accessories...there are just so many!  You may want to go with something fancy for your head rather than your belly as a sash will emphasize your 3rd trimester belly and break up the silouette of the dress.  A fancy headband adds the same flair but may offer a more flattering look.  Whatever you decide, look here first, you will only be spending pennies and are bound to find whatever suits your fancy.  (This is also a great place to check out for non-maternity maternity options.)

Hope this helped, Emily.  I hope you have a fantastic holiday season, and look and feel smashing the whole way through.  And mostly, congratulations on that sweet gift that you are bringing into the world.

Do you have a reader question?  Send me an email...

the perfect messy bun

I am ever trying to accomplish the too-chic-to-spend-time-on-my-hair-look.  Mostly because I wish I were chic but have no time to spend on my hair.  So I am so excited to have just spotted this play by play tutorial on the perfectly mussed, effortlessly French bun.  

Find it here.  Via A Cup of Jo.

6pm

Have you been to the internet shopping site 6pm?  I hadn't even heard about it until my mother told me about it several months back.  My mother adores it.  Each day and week they have a new series of sale brands all heavily discounted (like 60 -80%).  My mother recieves daily updates on what's on sale.  While this move would be a fatal blow to my marriage, my mother and father seem to have weathered it just fine.  My mom likes to let me know when a brand pops up that she thinks I might like and lets me "pick something out".  I know, I'm ridiculously lucky. 

Today she sent me over to scout out a Patagonia jacket and anything else I might spot.  Here's what I left with:

The grand total? 

$200.

The jacket and pants are Patagonia and the shoes are all Steve Madden.

Thanks Mom!  Oh, and thanks 6pm.

Thomas O'Brien

I rarely, if ever post photos of an entire home.  Typically this is because I like details here and there, but am not sold on the feel of the entire space.  It has been two years since I first laid eyes on Thomas O'Brien's Soho apartment and I believe I have thought of this home more than any other that I have laid eyes on.  The funny thing is that here I may not be in love with every detail but the space has me sold from start to finish.  Casual, elegant, rich, masculine, - I am referring to the space not O'Brien himself - though it's not a stretch to believe he may be all these things as well. His home feels highly personal and the colors make me want to move right in and stay a good, long time.  I think that if I had to choose one entire home that achieves the feel that I am going for, this may well be it.  Though I would have to go all out color in the kids spaces, at least.

{all images via Aero Studios}

Summer Ellis Bijouterie: a giveaway!

I am loving the fall collection by jewelry designer Summer Ellis.  Her delicate pieces are a mix of vintage, glam and earthy elements.  And her bridal collection...oh, to be getting married again.  I would definitely be wearing the gold on gold Opera Pearl Necklace.  Gorgeous. 

Summer is generously offering all of my readers a 10% off discount with the code special10.  She is also donating the adorable blossom earrings above for giveaway.  {These would make such a great little Christmas gift or stocking stuffer at only $22.50 with the discount code.} 

Just visit her shop and let me know your favorite item and you are entered to win these earrings.  Twitter or blog about the giveaway, come back and let me know in a comment, and you entered for a second time.  I'll announce a winner next Tuesday.  Good luck!

Here are some more of my favorites:

Check back tomorrow for Summer's list of 10 things that make her happy.  Thanks Summer!

buffalo check

I have a deep and specific admiration for the buffalo check.  Unlike, say houndstooth or herringbone, two of my other favorite patterns - I don't fancy it in nearly any capacity.  I love it in small and appropriately placed doses, never in trendier forms.  And if done as described, I love it a lot. 

One of my favorite aspects of this particular pattern is it's ability to appear both nostalgic and forward and graphic at the same time.  I am partial to red & black, and white or cream & black. 

To me, nothing says so long summer, like buffalo check.

{images: hello blackbird, J. Crew, Paul Smith, Gap, Remodelista, my home ideas, Remodelista, Ralph Lauren, Remodelista}

TOMS Shoes: laceups

It's no secret that I love TOMS.  I buy them for my husband, he buys them for me, we buy them for the kids.  I love a company with heart.  I love a company that gives back.  I love a company with good style.   And I am particularly loving TOMS new lace-up line:

And these old-school ones are perfect for fall, for me.

decor pendulum

Most of my adult life I have been all about French Country.  Traditional silhouette, toiles and brocades and damasks - I ate it all up.  And then something changed.  We lived in Morocco for awhile and I could literally feel my tastes changing.  Bright colors trumped soothing palettes and more and more clean lines called my name.  My style got - for lack of better word - artsier.  And yet I still love traditional.  I still love those classic silhouettes and those ornate patterns and calm colors.  But now I love them in small doses rather than wall to wall. 

And as trendy as it sounds, now I do appreciate the aesthetic of mid- century architecture and furniture design.  I love Scandinavian design and neutral backgrounds with bright, bold pieces.  But again, not too much.  I don't want my house to be undecipherable from an actual home in Scandinavia, or worse yet, in the American suburbs of 1955. 

The trick is getting the mix just right.  And this weekend I believe we fell off the edge.  We  were out looking for some extra book storage and came across this console -

and this end table-

We got them both for $50.  And suddenly the room has become far too mod for even me. Three pieces in one room with those cone shaped legs?  Uh-oh.  The pendulum has swung and it is apparently very difficult for me to lay down cash for traditional pieces where  I am far too quick to spend on simple & modern.  Is there hope for my living room.  I am about to go hunt down a very fancy library ladder to undo what I've done. 

Do any of you ride from decor pendulum as well?  Does it make you feel dizzy and disoriented? 

Eva's pale blue room down the hall

Welcome to Eva's room! 

We moved into this house after returning from living overseas with barely a stick of furniture to our name.  We were attempting to furnish an entire home on next to nothing.  I often hear terms thrown around like "budget decor", "design on a dime" and ahem, "design within reach" and I often find the rooms to contain nearly nothing that I would consider budget.  Or perhaps their dime is just worth a little more than mine.  When I say that Eva's room was done on a shoestring, I mean a shoestring!  And odds are we found that shoestring at IKEA. 

The bed & dresser - IKEA.  The curtains were made by Sean with fabric from IKEA.  Clock and lamp - IKEA.  I made the bulletin board by attatching together two large cork boards and then spray adhereing on it fabric that we got from - wait for it - IKEA. 

The bedding and side-table (we went a little crazy here) and got them from Target.  The two pieces of art are from Etsy.

The branch bed print is from Black Apple and the dove release print is from Belle and Boo.  The cherry blossom mural was painted by my best friend, Tawny.  All together it is just perfect for Eva and she loves her own little corner of the world.

Cape Town dreams

Cassandra, over at Coco + Kelley, invited her readers to throw out their ideal vacations - real or imagined. Mine is fully imagined....for now. Here's where Sean & I are jetting off to in my dreams:

Planning vacations ranks up there as one of my all time favorite ways to waste time. Today, in my dreams - we're off to Cape Town, South Africa. It's just my husband & I this trip. My birthday was on the 16th and our anniversary is September 1st so we've decided to go big or stay home.

 We're staying at The Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa. Holy divinity it this place gorgeous! Views from bed, views from the tub, when you dine, when you play. Totally enveloped in splendor. The Twelve Apostle Mountains behind, the Atlantic before, and fantastic downtown Capetown just a jaunt away. When we aren't getting spa treatments or eating ourselves silly - we plan to hit the shops, see some good theater, peruse museums, and eat some more. The ridiculously accommodating hotel staff will even have a picnic packed for us as we check out Table Mountain National Park.

All in all we plan on having no plan at all and just going wherever the South African wind may carry.

clockwise (remember this is a dream?):

leica M8

FE New York by Fantas-Eyes Sunglasses

Eugenia Kim Max 8 Straw Fedora

Kenneth Jay Lane Peackock Feather Earrings

Out of Africa by Isak Dinesen

DV by Dolce Vita Morgan Sandals

Field Notes Journals

Aurora Asia Fountain Pen

Miu Miu Brown Lambskin Hobo

Kiona Silk Playsuit

Jennifer Zeuner Jewelry

I am loving these necklaces by jewelry designer Jennifer Zeuner.  Not surprising as I am a sucker for lettering, crosses, monograms and chains.  Yep, these pretty much fit the bill.  You can find more of her work here.

the Sartorialist: the book - a giveaway!

If you have any interest in fashion, clothing, the evolution of culture or like me, people watching - and have not been checking out the Sartorialist (aka Scott Schuman), then you are seriously missing out.  If you are part of his devoted following along with the 125,000 others that check his site daily - then you are going to LOVE his new book.  With a discerning eye he snaps photos of fashionistas and regular folk alike on their way along the streets of New York, Milan & Paris. The photos are compelling and inspirational. He also offers additional insight into some of his famous photos - the who, what, why or where.  I love how this man has taken fashion off the catwalks and models and put in on the streets - on you and me.

(The man has even inspired his own bit of satire.)

Oh, and so far as the book.  I have a copy right here just waiting for you.  Leave a comment and I will choose a winner next Tuesday.  Good luck!

downtown chic: a giveaway!

There is a lot to envy about Robert & Courtney Novogratz of Sixx Design but I am going to try to keep my jealousies at bay.  First off, this family is impossibly cool.  Seven kids in (including two sets of twins!) and these parents' hip is clearly here to stay.  Did you hear that the entire family has a modeling contract with the Ford Agency?  I didn't even know that that kind of thing occurred.  And they seem to somehow have stumbled into the position of NYC (and beyond) rock-star decorators.  Not decorators to rock stars.  You see, Robert & Courtney are the rock stars and their style is all their own. 

Rarely do I read a decor book cover to cover - but theirs, I did.  Downtown Chic chronicles the Novogratz's journey from their early days as an aspiring actress &  Wall Streeter to some of the most innovative interior designers today.  They are also generous with insider tips and the book is full of sumptuous photos detailing the before and afters that have made them famous.

Of all of their projects it is their Great Barrington home that really won me over.  I would move in to that house in a heartbeat. 

 

 

I just so happen to have an extra copy of Downtown Chic on my hands.  If you want to be inspired into a style that is all your own, leave a comment below.  I'll be choosing a winner next Tuesday. 

Alice Waters and Chez Panisse

Can you humor me with just a little more talk of Alice Waters?  I started reading her authorized biography a couple of days back and well, it just as the tag line says - "romantic, impractical, often eccentric and ultimately brilliant."

There are these two paragraphs, in particular, that I keep coming back to:

 (p.31)  "Much of the food that Alice had most loved was la cuisine du marche -   market cooking.  She had seen in in action many times.  A French housewife would stroll through a village market, sniffing, appraising, thinking.  If some farmer's basket of bristling, just harvested cardoons struck her fancy, and a particularly nice rabbit was hanging from the butcher's hook, the Frenchwoman would devise in her mind a rabbit-with-cardoons dish and then shop for harmonious accompaniments...the housewife would compose her bourride as she paced along the quay."

and then this other:

(p.37)  "Alice took to Martine immediately.  Alice's notions of French elegance were somewhat general; Martine's were highly specific.  Martine knew how to draw the perfect warm bath, just the right temperature, with a perfect little vase of flowers on the windowsill.  She knew how to arrange the curtains so that the light filtered through just so.  Martine had learned from her mother to search through the marches aux puces for the thing unanticipated but just right, and now she and Alice began to haunt the Bay Area's flea markets together."

For me, these seem to encapsulate many American womens' obsession with France.  I am no Francophile but without hesitation I can admit to being enviable of their je ne se quois.  And such a perfect phrase that is, for even if the French do know, they're not telling.  In the meantime we Americans live our lives: plastic water bottles, take-out food, Target & spray tans.  But it isn't our fault, it isn't our fault I tell you!  The French have been perfecting this je ne se quois for centuries.  Our mothers could not teach us what they never learned.  So instead we spend more money on more stuff thinking that this will give us style or grace or elegance.  Quite the opposite occurs. 

And perhaps, subconciously, that is what this blog has been to me.  An experiment in learning the subtleties, the small nuances in the everyday that make our living rich and beautiful.  I want to be a student of these things.  Will it change the world?  Most assuredly not.  Is it of supreme importance?  Again, no.  But I belive it will change my world, and the world of my children and theirs.  That it may effact our friends and our extended family.  That it may altar all us.  And that is more then enough.

Jens Risom Rocker

Well, hello there gorgeous.  This is the lovely redheaded offspring from the marriage between Danish designer Jens Rison and Design Within Reach. 

I love her. 

Alas, I shall wait to bring her home until they are offering some sort of two for one deal.  I won't be holding my breath.

spotted here.

more denim

Oh, Amsterdam. Why do you bait me so? 

Still, the perfect anywhere summer look, I think.

from Garence Dore, spotted here.

age appropriate denim?

*You can read about Joslyn's denim quandary here (see below).  To me it's a no-brainer. 

Joslyn, as always, you look fierce.  Go forth with confidence.

my very 1st giveaway...

And it's a good one!  The peeps at chickdowntown generously offered to let me peruse their lovely offerings and choose something fantastic for you - yes, you!

There was a lot that I loved but these jeans had me hello.

I was just laughing to myself the other day when I read a post* by the uber cool Joslyn of Simple Lovely as to whether we are too old to be wearing distressed denim. Someone better notify me quick should that be the case as I have barely taken mine off for three months now.

Man, how I would love to win this pair and throw them into my rotation. They are Current Elliot Jeans and they retail for $248.  But they can be yours for nothing but love.  My favorite thing abot these ones is that they are both slouchy comfortable and skinny cute at the same time. 

I'd be pairing them with either one of these tops (both from J.A.K. Plaid):

If you would like to win this fantastic pair of jeans just leave me a comment.  If you would like to be entered twice: blog or twitter about this giveaway or if you don't blog or twitter, just tell me your favorite quote.  I'll be choosing the winner randomly.   Once I've selected a winner you can let me know your size (chickdowntown has a sizing chart to help you out) and they will get them mailed out to you.  Good luck!

**I'll be announcing a winner on Monday, July 27th**

To follow downtownchic on twitter, click here.

To check out their facebook page, click here.

stools

So I began by looking for new step stools as my children incurred three (yes, sigh, three) step stool related injuries, yesterday alone.  I love you Ikea but your stools are about to rob me of my little loved ones. 

 

I remembered seeing these at DWR (which my husband and I like to call "Design Nowhere within Reach") - old school library stools that roll and then lock into place whenever any weight is put on them.  Perfect. 

Then I found something similar here.  These are a little cheaper come in lots more colors.  I think these would be great for little feet in the bathrooms, with none of the dreaded stool scooting that has caused us so many tears. 

I also spotted these at the same shop and I think they pretty well fit the bill for my kitchen step-stooling needs.  They are nearly identical to the vintage one that I'm ever pining for at my sister-in-laws house. 

And for the record, if I were planning to throw away my children's college fund for stools from DWR - it would be for these:

or, be still my heart, these:

(with cushions, please)

Now don't those just look pretty?  How important is a good education anyway?