Tuesday, May 31, 2011

A Glam Kitchen fit for a Star.....


If you haven't checked out Jennifer Lopez's home in Veranda, you're missin' out!

I am showing her kitchen first because I'm OBSESSED with it.

I love that she painted the cabinets blue.
I'm bored with white, ecru, eggshell, and all the other "varieties" of white cabinet color. 
Also loving the carrera marble (my personal fave in ANY kitchen) and the black and gold vintage range.
If anyone would have this glamourous of a kitchen, it's J. LO

I'm also loving this little breakfast vignette.


To get the "Look for Less"
I've put together a few items that capture the essence of this room,
without the exorbitant price tag.



This table is a little more "MOD" than the one in J.LO's kitchen, but I like that it adds a little edge.
If you weren't a fan of this one, you could always paint any round pedestal table a gloss black and tip it in white.

High Fashion Home

Home Decorators


What do you think of Jennifer's glam kitchen?

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Retro Style Icon..... C.Z. Guest


While I agree that today's fashion magazines & blogs are inspiring, I often think that retro photographs of the 1950's and 60's elite are among the most inspirational. 

Perhaps that's why I enjoy watching Mad Men so much.

Today's particular obsession is the well-dressed socialite, C.Z. Guest.

Loooove this famous photog by Slim Aarons

Mrs. Guest also graces "A Priveleged Life" which needs to grace my coffee
 table immediately.


I am particularly enjoying these photos of Kirsten Dunst channeling C.Z. Guest 
In a 2008 issue of Harper's Bazaar.



Which Retro Style Icons are you inspired by?


On another note, I'm moonlighting at The Semi-Designed Life Today.
Head on over to check out my Guest Post and See what my Decor Style was 
in College vs. Today!


Monday, May 23, 2011

FALL into Chic.....Black is BACK!


So I'm sure that by now you're aware of the fact that my best friend and former roommate designs a Fabulous clothing line called Elizabeth Olliver.

I am very proud to be the first blogger to present her Fall 2011 Line.

If you'll recall, I had my own namesake dress in the Spring 2011 line.
I would have described her Spring line as a little something for everyone, but with a classic element.
 I would have considered many of the dresses to be something that Jackie Kennedy would have worn in the 1960's. 
Prim, Proper, FABULOUS.

The model sporting the Mackenzie dress from Spring 2011

Fall 2011 is Jackie Kennedy in modern times.
Classic, yet edgy.

Think Jackie meets Diane von Furstenberg meets Ports 1961
having a party on Net-a-Porter.

Elizabeth was very inspired by the feminine movement in the 1960's and 1970's.
Women weren't your typical 1950's housewives anymore. They were independent and confident, and they needed the clothing to match their new outlook.

 And without further adieu.....

My faves from the Fall 2011 Collection


(Named for none other than Paloma Contreras, Editor and Chief of High Gloss Magazine
 and writer of La Dolce Vita Blog)

I LOVE this gown. I don't know about you, but shopping for a formal dress is always hell for me.
I can never find anything that is Simple yet Chic. Fabulous yet Understated.
The Paloma pretty much does it all.



Have you ever seen a more chic dress?





All of Elizabeth's designs are named for people that inspire her in everyday life.
Visit Elizabeth Olliver to view the rest of this Fabulous Fall Collection and to start your Pre-Orders.

And because Elizabeth wants you to partake in her fab designs sooner than later, when you Pre-Order you get $40 off your purchase.
You can use the savings for the champagne you'll sip while wearing your dress.

So, to recap,

You can learn more about the fabulous life and times of my friend Elizabeth, 
by visiting her blog.

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Window Treatments!


So, I have a pretty unhealthy obsession with cornices lately.
More specifically, with the gorgeous window treatments that include Hollywood Regency style cornice boxes.

LOVE some of these examples....






I REALLY want some in my living room. Perhaps white one's with orange trim?
YES, Please!

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Wedding Wednesday.... Here Comes The Bride


I usually agree with a bride's dress choice.
Even if it's not my style, I can usually appreciate that it fits their personality.

One thing I find myself being very bored with is their accessories.

I mean, come ON ladies! I've seen the lace tipped veil, pearl necklace and white satin peep toes ENOUGH.
Let's be original.
So I thought I'd put together accessories for a few different bride styles.

For the Romantic Bride:

Monique Lhuillier Sp' 2012

Elise Veil by Sara Gabriel

I love these unexpected earrings. They're beautiful and not the typical pearl or diamante you would expect to see with a dress like this.

Neiman Marcus

Nadri Crystal Scroll Bangle

Are these not the happiest shoes you've ever seen?

Manolo Blahnik

For the Glam Bride:

Monique Lhuillier Sp' 2012

A big dress deserves a long veil

Bridget Veil by Sara Gabriel

Nadri Crystal Scallop Bangle

And I love these OVER-stated earrings

Nadri Crystal Teardrop Linear Earrings
Nordstrom


I LOVE these shoes.
I don't care that they cost $3,000+ dollars.
And that sort of blatant frivolity is usually not my style.
By they're beautiful.

 

Christian Louboutin
Net-A-Porter

For The Classic Bride:

Romona Keveza Couture Fall' 11

I adore this dress.
And I am nowhere near statuesque enough to wear it.
So if you are, and you choose it, please email me a photo so I can live vicariously
 through your chic-ness.

Wendy Veil by Sara Gabriel

Nadri 'Lotus' Crystal Drop Earrings



Alexandre Birman
Net-A-Porter


 For the Retro Bride:

Melissa Sweet "Billie" Dress

I'll preface this one by saying that I don't know if I'd be brave enough to wear a tea length dress.
Probably because I've dreamt of a ball gown my entire life.

But as previously discussed, I am obsessed with this bride and her Palm Springs wedding.


I love this Retro style longer birdcage veil.
It fits the dress perfectly.
Charisse Veil by Sara Gabriel

And a fun dress/look deserves fun jewelry!

Oscar de la Renta
Neiman Marcus

Milly 
Neiman Marcus

Love love love these Milly earrings!

Neiman Marcus

Other photos via Martha Stewart Weddings

A quick note about Sara Gabriel veils.... They are GORGEOUS!
And if you haven't been to her website, go immediately. 
She has a huge selection of veils, birdcages, hairpieces, headbands...you name it.

And about Nadri Jewelry.
It can be found at Nordstrom and a few other places.
It's fabulous costume jewelry for a very inexpensive price tag.


Happy Wedding Wednesday!

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Mirror Mirror, On the WALL



Ok, remember my dressing table I showed you yesterday?



Well, she's feeling pretty smug with her new x-benches.
And pretty sad about her ratty old mirror.

Who wants to help me pick a new one?

My favorite options thus far...


Pagoda Style, Also from Circa Who

Baroque Style from Horchow


Bamboo reproduction from Horchow

Love this porcupine mirror from Horchow. 
But it may be too small for my purpose.
A cool option for a glam entry though!

Always a sucker for a Venetian Style!
Horchow

And love this red pagoda re-pro to add a pop of color.
I wish it was orange lacquer.
Is that so wrong?


Loved it in this picture of Ellie Sommerville's office at Lonny Magazine

What does everyone think?
Which style are you voting for?