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Retail Therapy

Just to catch up to speed, I have accepted a new job at the same company as my fiance.  It is spilling over the normal 40hr 5 day work week.  It is more like 24/7!  Combined with computer problems, it is eating away at my blogging schedule, which has become very important to me. 

I wish I could be more professional like other bloggers and set up posts for the week. As I've mentioned before, I never know when I'm going to be inspired by something and want to share right away.  Things are starting to calm down, so I'm hoping to be back on a regular schedule and with more outfit pictures. 

Also, if you left a comment don't think I'm ignoring you.  For some reason some of my replies post and others do not.  Unfortunately I don't think this is a technical issue but human error. 

In light of the stressful week I indulged in some retail therapy. I think I already blew my first paycheck at Nine West alone.  Here is my shopping list of shame:

Nine West Heech-Yeah I know, everyone has these, so I had to buy them too.  Balenciaga copy, surprisingly nice leather, black with buckles, what more can you ask?

Nine West Heathers-I went into the store specifically looking for the Heech and spotted these.  I've had this style of shoe in the back of my mind since it started popping up in fashion magazines last year. Now I know in my little town these will wind up being marked down to $19.99 by the time I get to wear them, but they looked so damn hot on. The sales associate closed the deal by offering 20% off two pairs of shoes. SOLD.

Nine West Sarno-I had my eye on this pair in black in the fall, and never found a reason to buy them.  I stumbled across a pair for $17 in gun metal grey satin and I love them. For that price need and want are the same.

Prada's whimsical girls

I'm drunk on Prada's Spring 2008 Collection-specifically the items with frolicking nymphs.  It is so hard to capture the feeling of a collection from runway pictures, but her campaign shots are making me want want want.

I'll take the nude diaphanous dress above...and one of the bags below too.

This looks like photographer captured a set of Blythe dolls coming to life.

This is one of the vintage leather bags I was going to put up for sale, but I'm now reluctant to part with it since it reminds me of Miuccia's striped bags.  It has black and gold crocodile textured stripes. 

Pretty in Pink

 

I'm borrowing another computer so I can blog. There are so many things I have wanted to discuss and post.  I'm sure everyone is sick of talking about the Oscars, but I wanted to share some thoughts and today was the first chance I got.  I'll start with my favorite dress of the night, worn by Cameron Diaz.

I agree with other opinions that her dress was stretching a bit in the front, but I loved her choice of Christian Dior. Something about the effect of the pink against all the bold colors reminded me of Gwyneth's pink Ralph Lauren dress, but without the magic possibility of an Oscar surrounding her.  The discussion still goes on if Gwyneth's dress fit properly, but I was more concerned with her severe hair style that year.  The sad thing is that Nicole Kidman continues to keep that look alive.

How cute was Marion Cotillard accepting her best actress award? Mr. M and I developed a mutual crush on her in Big Fish-have you watched that movie?  It didn't catch me until the very end, when Eddie Vedder starts singing Man of the Hour, and then the tears came.  It was unexpected at the time, but looking back I'm sure it was started by Jessica Lange's character saying, "I don't think I'll ever dry out." 

I don't even know what to say about Ryan Seacrest and the incident involving Jennifer Garner and Gary Busey, gosh bless him. Did you catch Laura Linney mouthing anyways after she dragged Jennifer away from the interview? I'm not sure who should really be embarrassed- Ryan for giving a weird interview, Gary for being so exuberant, Jennifer for appearing to not know who he was, or Laura's complete disregard for Ryan or press interviews. Probably not Laura. 

update

We will be taking the next couple of days off to deal with some work and computer issues.  See you on Friday The main computer is still down, and I can't load pictures from the one I'm borrowing.  I'm crossing my fingers it will be up by this weekend because I have tons of news and pictures to share.

Domino March 2008 Andrea Lenardin Madden

 

While reading about designer Lenardin Madden's home in the new Domino, I fell in love with the asymmetrical bowls in her kitchen.   One of the many great things in her sleek, cool toned apartment, from the lucite sofa to her Danish dining set. 

Just as I was thinking to myself that I never find great bowls like that, I realized I had whined too soon. Look what I came across this weekend at an estate sale:

Not only did I find the vintage bowl, but also 8 matching baby ones.  This means I'll probably have to sell my other vintage teak set to make room.     

Amy Leonard Lighting

I meant to post about Amy Leonard yesterday, but I got distracted by my 30lbs of magazines.    She captures the mix I'm trying to put my finger on in one small light. 

The room I'm building not only needs older pieces with history, and room to tell it, but also a touch of whimsy to soften.  Her work reminds me of all those magical adventure movies, where unicorns roam and it is only natural to sit down on a cloud to have a conversation.

(You can see more of her work here Design DNA)

      

 

March 2008 Magazine Preview

You can guess what I'll be doing until my valentine comes home.  After September, March is the 2nd crop of thicker magazines that highlight the best of the season, this time Spring.

Instyle: Eva Longoria(I pick this up issue because it covers fashion insiders' homes)

Elle: Amy Adams-I've started falling in love with Elle all over again in the last several months

Bazaar: Lindsay Lohan-This used to be my favorite magazine but it has been slipping in the last 2 yrs(the cover choices are just the start).  I love the fashionable life section though.

Domino: Josie Maran-the Green issue

Happy Valentine's Day 2008

-Banana Republic black sweater

-Thrifted old Esprit skirt with red background and white hearts

-Banana Republic black tights

-Enzo black leather Mary Jane  OR

-Kenzie red patent leather Mary Jane 

This holiday always makes me think about the character Valentine O'Neil in Scruples, a novel by Judith Krantz.  If you haven't read any of her work yet, start with this one.  She writes great trashy novels filled with descriptive  passages on fashion and fabulous careers.

We don't normally celebrate Valentine's Day because our anniversary falls on the 17th.  Instead the boy is going to pick up sushi from our favorite place, which we get to enjoy while watching Lost. 

As for the clothing, I'm most likely going to stick with the black shoes, as I think the red patent takes away from the skirt.  I love the way over the top looks in photographs, but in real life I think I'm a less is more kind of girl. 

Detail Shot of the skirt:

Country Living: March 2008

 

I've been stealing with greater frequency issues of Country Living magazine from my mother. They have managed to revamp their magazine in the way to keep their core aesthetic, but offer it in fresh modern ways. 

The one issue I buy on my own every year is the women entrepreneur issue.  They have done a great job highlighting each year women who have started their own creative business and achieved success.

One such story I was immediately drawn to was Caroline Keith, owner of C.Keith in Nyack, NY.  Her home is a wunderkammer of historical pieces such as old photographs and items found in nature.

An aesthetic I've been leaning towards is a modern take on primitive decorating.  It incorporates spare backgrounds and primitive style pieces, but with a touch of modern day whimsy.  Imagine you are building the room in the middle of an enchanted forest with discarded objects you have found along the way. 

Here are some images from Catherine's home:

Elettra Rossellini Wiedemann

    

You know the name well, she is the daughter of Isabella Rossellini(daughter of Ingrid Bergman!)  Following in her mother's footsteps, Elettra Rossellini Wiedemann is my newest model watch.  Her look is a little bit of Christy Turlington, with the rounded almond eyes and full lips.  I like that she has a range of looks, from freckle faced gamine to the arched eyebrow 1940's model.

   

How come I can never achieve this perfect nude mouth?