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Archives for posts with tag: Design
Remember Brieanne from Chalk + Dot from here, my last Blogger Spotlight? She and her partner, Erica, are now kicking off part II of the Little Luxuries guest posts!
To us at chalk + dot, little luxuries are those small(ish) things that can make a big difference in how you feel. Sometimes they might be a financial splurge, but if that single splurge brings delight over and over again, I think the price gets balanced out. Here is a list that we came up with for our idea of luxury.
1. A black DVF dress. Works for all occasions and I know it will always fit me — she knows a woman’s shape. Everyone needs a DVF dress.
2. Mason Pearson Brush. Makes your hair glossy!
3. An oversized wine glass. I’m not talking a goblet or anything. But a nice oversized wine glass (you don’t have to put more in – but you can) feels more special than the standard size. It’s an easy change-up to make a night special.
4. Coconut oil (as lotion). Makes your skin feel silky smooth, and makes you feel a little bit like you’re on vacation. Mix some with your favorite summer lotion or some aloe for an extra feeling of escape.
5. A brow wax. Nothing to improve your self-esteem than getting rid of scraggly eyebrows. Gives a more polished look immediately.
6. A nice pair of underwear. Not many may see it, but you know it’s there. It’s like your own sexy secret.
Thanks to Maya for asking us to participate–we had a great time!
I adore these invites! Little Miss Press is the best thing that has happened to design in a while. It is a mix of vintage, quirky and fantastic which is what I look for in personalizing an event.
After discovering Little Miss Press (thank you Kristin), I have done a bit of a googling and read nothing but the most pleasant reviews! Everyone raves about her unique sense of style and how she makes your vision a reality. Little Miss Press offers calligraphy for the additional personal touch.
Spring fashion is in full effect and it is perfectly filled with bright hues and happy prints. I have succumbed to the trend and started purchasing the perfect flats to brighten up all my outfits. And I must say, I am keen on the long skirts as well. If you feel that you are not ready to jump into this new trend, start with some accessories like a patterned scarf, accented shoes or painted nails.
Marc by Marc Jacobs silk dress
Topshop
Michael Kors maxi skirt
Tibi pleated short
Wet seal shoes
Kate Spade gold shoulder bag
Golden Classic green watch
TopShop wrap bracelet
Kate spade earring
Cacharel sunglass
Dior ‘Spring Look’ Vernis Nail Enamel (Nordstrom Exclusive)
Models Own Spring Nail Polish Collection
kate spade new york Dinnerware, Sea Cliffs Stripe Mug
Topshop
Michael Kors maxi skirt
Tibi pleated short
Wet seal shoes
Kate Spade gold shoulder bag
Golden Classic green watch
TopShop wrap bracelet
Kate spade earring
Cacharel sunglass
Dior ‘Spring Look’ Vernis Nail Enamel (Nordstrom Exclusive)
Models Own Spring Nail Polish Collection
kate spade new york Dinnerware, Sea Cliffs Stripe Mug
Dear Friends. This week has been positively bright with good feelings and all the good things that go along with it. So many wonderful items, designs and projects have come across my desk lately. I get so excited. There seems to be so much inspiration floating around and luckily people are taking hold of it and turning it into beautiful clothes, food or art. As a generation, I feel that we are destined to be entrepreneurs – to make our own path. I have friends starting blogs, creating their own companies, trying to turn their passion into their career and it all started from their heart, a bit of inspiration and the desire to succeed on their own. I am smitten with this – I am smitten with what could be and where we may go.
I have the feeling that this is just beginning. I hope to see much more from all of you and from me…of course!
ps. part II of Little Luxuries will be next week lovies
HBO undoubtedly has the best television shows around. Mildred Pierce, their latest mini series has hit the mark. The acting/actors are superb – I love Kate Winslet, she is a delight to watch in this role. This mini series has only furthered my love of 1930’s fashion and Oscar-winning costume designer Ann Roth.
I am unbelievably sad this show is already over!
Tuesday generally comes and goes – nothing too exciting happens but today I have a sneaking suspicion that today is more than the average Tuesday and good things will happen. I love when I have this feeling. The weather is perfectly breezy, the sun is out and spring is here.
I wonder what today will bring?! Do you have anything special on your agenda?
Oh. My. Jeez! I just need.to.have these shoes. They are too beautiful for words. I love the navy and the lace!
I am excited for 70’s inspired sky high heels! You can owe the above shoes to Nicholas Kirkwood Fall 2011 collection.
It is my favorite day of the week – Little Luxuries and today we get to hear from Mariah of Quite Continental – a blogger after my own heart. She has style and inspiration for miles and as always on today, she will be presenting you with her most valued Little Luxuries!
When I hear the term “little luxuries,” I immediately think of darling things that add luxury to my daily life without breaking my precious piggy bank. Living in Manhattan is expensive, chèrie, everyone knows that, but the nice thing about luxury is that it is truly a state of mind. Luxury is that delicious feeling that washes over you when you take time to indulge your senses and your spirit. Luxury is an essential!
1) Fancy it up: When moving through my day-to-day routine, I can’t always take extra time for luxury — having to make a mad dash for the subway to get to work on time, will get in the way of any girl’s leisurely morning stroll. That said, there are millions of ways to add a bit of indulgence about the edges. In other words, fancy it up.
At home, I always make a point to drink sparkling water out of a wine glass. Ma chère, I will admit that this came about because for a very brief time at one point in my life, the only glasses owned were wine glasses. How very Holly Golightly of me, non? The way you hold a wine glass is just — different — it feels more special than any old glass. That feeling of “special” is luxury, hiding in your water glass.
I also want to point out that I did this almost subconsciously, for when a gentleman asked me once why I served myself in this manner, the first thing I blurted out was “…because it feels fancy!” and that was completely true.
If you’d like to start fancying up your water glass, I would recommend the Carson Wine Glass by CB2. The Carson is sturdy, classic in shape and only $3.95.
2) Sweets for the sweet: I am a bit of an odd bird when it comes to sweets. I’ve never been one to go completely crazy for chocolate and I could really care less when Girl Scout cookie time arrives. But there are still times when I find myself wanting a little sugar in my bowl, just like Nina said. At those times, the perfect sweet is the ultimate indulgence.
I have strong connections to specific sweets from specific places, and so my perfect sweet hails from my hometown. Born and raised in California, I grew up with See’s Candies, wonderful fruit for pies and cobblers, and the lovely flavors of Mexican desserts such as flan and the churro. But what has emerged as the ultimate sweet of sweets for me, ma chère, is the Sprinkles Cupcake.
Sprinkles Cupcakes, the first cupcake-only bakery before there was a craze, was opened in 2005 in Beverly Hills. At the time, I worked just down the street from the tiny sliver of a bakery with the extra-long line that always snaked out of the door and down the street. I regularly stood in that blessed line — even when doing Atkins with the best of them. Since moving to New York, I’ve tried to make do with what’s available here, but found it truly lacking. Imagine my delight when I found out that New York will be receiving their own Sprinkles this May, on Lexington between 60th and 61st!
Of course, my favorite is the classic Red Velvet. You can tell it’s also everyone else’s favorite because the Red Velvet is the only flavor to also be offered in gluten free and vegan form. A cupcake from Sprinkles will only set you back $3.50, but that $3.50 transports you to a land of confectionary delights!
3. Bossa nova bliss: There is one kind of music that immediately puts me sumptuous state of mind. Bossa nova, closely related to samba music, but much more languorous and without the accompanying dance steps of samba, is the kind of music that will make you feel like you have somehow slipped down a rabbit hole and ended up on a secret location.
The best place to start when exploring bossa nova music is with the first family of the genre – the Gilbertos: João Gilberto, Astrud Gilberto, and Bebel Gilberto. Astrud’s voice is quite possibly my most favorite sound in the entire world. Her voice is breathy, light and sensuous as it floats over João’s music – it sounds almost like a lazy, tropical river. She is the most famous for “The Girl From Ipanema,” but you must explore her catalog a bit deeper than that, d’accord! The bossa nova sound is all class, sometimes sung in English and sometimes in Portuguese. I completely prefer the older recordings, but Bebel, Astrud’s stepdaughter and João’s daughter, a contemporary artist whose trademark is electronic bossa nova, is also worth a listen.
For your first album, I recommend Astrud Gilberto’s Finest Hour. Only $10.76 on Amazon, and that “Hour” can be played whenever you need to be transported to a sun-drenched, sumptuous place.
4. Spoil your skin: One thing my mother instilled in me at a very young age was that it was essential to take care of your skin – leaving aside her love of sun-tanning, of course. (We’ve since smartened up and we all slather on the SPF, don’t you worry your pretty little head!) A quick way to feel (and look) lackluster is to under-nourish your skin. Truly, when was the last time you looked at a raisin and thought of opulence?
As I’ve gotten older, my skin has changed, and it has been necessary to change my skin care regimen accordingly. Recently, I discovered a fabulous face moisturizer at Kiehl’s: Rosa Arctica. While Rosa Arctica is an anti-aging and anti-wrinkle cream – which I definitely do not require just yet, d’accord! – it simply is one of the best moisturizer I have ever used. Rich without being heavy and deeply moisturizing, I felt a difference in my skin in less than a week’s use.
I definitely recommend Rosa Arctica if you are in search of skin as soft as the finest velvet. While priced at $60, this is the most expensive item on this little list. If you feel the initial investment is a bit too steep for a product you’ve never tried before, remember that Kiehl’s is wonderful about giving free samples. I’ll bet you $60 that you go back after giving it a go. Small price to pay for a lovely bit of luxe!
Isn’t she so wonderful? Be sure to check out QC here!
Here are a few photographs from my latest discovery – W. Scott Chester photography! These photos are so beautiful, they capture the intimacy of the wedding and every detail. I must say I am very pleased that i have this bit of inspiration!
Widespread 
