Happy Halloween! We are so excited for today's festivities. We have gone from the glamorous Queen of Spain (last year's costume) to this year's dark and scarier Darth Vader. Don't ask! We are just excited to have a lightsaber in the house now (and all these years I thought it was called a life saver! Silly me!). What are you or your little ones dressing up as?
Angela Chrusciaki Blehm has new paintings for sale! This is hot off the press so visit her website asap before they are all gone. She has ten new pieces for us to see. I have two pieces of hers which I adore and everyone inquires about when they come to my home- I have this striped ribbon I shared with you on Instagram and the lips in my daughter's room (photographed below). Angela's art is original and just pops off the wall. She is intrigued with fabrics and folds. Angela is a Georgia artist inspired by the clothes we wear or dream of wearing,
the routines and patterns of life, and the idea of color as antidote.
She has a BFA in Studio Arts from the University of Houston. Below is some of her work. Prepare to lust after everything-
Halloween is around the corner and I have mostly black items in my mind as my little PRINCESS has decided to be Darth Vader for Halloween. Yes, I am as surprised as you! Some things for Halloween-
Design duo Katie Ridder, interior designer, and Peter Pennoyer, architect, decided to build their own dream home after years of making their clients' dreams come true. A House in The Country, published by Vendome Press, tells the story of this home- from conception, to design, to decoration to landscaping accompanied by beautiful photographs by Eric Piasecki. This Greek Revival inspired home in Millbrook, NY is vibrant and spirited evident in all the color and fabric selections. Yet it still maintains its classic form. The gardens are equally as beautiful. The couple share anecdotes throughout the book of the process and challenges they had to overcome. My favorite part of the book- getting such unique design inspiration.
Nothing like pretty things on a Thursday! This shirt with rainbow colored hearts is so adorable on!! It's in my closet as I type and can't wait to wear it. I had the opportunity to flip thru the Coveteur book and it is full of amazing inspired photographs of designers' homes. A must for my Christmas list for sure. A shiny gold wishbone is the perfect topper to a stack of pretty coffee table books. This leopard bench is a classic and is guaranteed to look anywhere in your home. Get two and put them under a console, or in front of a bed. Tres chic! Pins for your jackets, shirts or clutches to change things up a bit (flamingo pin | pineapple pin | lips pin | rainbow pin ). Aren't these so fun! It would be seriously difficult not to get all four and wear them together. This cozy black poncho seems like something I would not take off all fall and this dresser (it also comes in black) is not only beautiful and elegant but so practical. The pulls are really pretty and the gold and grey color combination is one of my favorites. The cute pink clutch is only $34 and is a great way to dress up your fall date nights.
Happy Thursday!
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[ The Coveteur book | gold wishbone | leopard bench | flamingo pin | pineapple pin | lips pin | rainbow pin | heart shirt | black poncho | pink clutch | grey and gold dresser ]

I met Heather Hilliard and her sweet husband during my trip to the Ranch some weeks ago. We hiked, ate and exercised together for an entire week! Sometime between eating our delicious salads and dying of heat exhaustion throughout our hikes she told me she was an interior designer. And since I love interior design I asked and asked away about her style, her training and was just dying to see her work. But it wasn't until I got back home that I really understood her level (we had no internet access in this place). Heather is AMAZING and a real heavy hitter in the world of design. She worked for The Wiseman Group, an AD100 design firm, before starting her now very successful interior design firm. What a dream it would be to have her design your home! She has flawless taste, sources the most beautiful pieces and is the sweetest lady ever. Her portfolio is full of beautiful homes you must see. It's so hard to pick a favorite. Here are a few of my favorites-
I have always been intrigued by odd shaped furniture and the designers behind the pieces. These designers always seem to think outside the box and to be ahead of their time somehow. Pierre Paulin, a midcentury icon, is one of these artists and am excited to share some photos of his book: Pierre Paulin: Life and Work by Nadine Descendre published by Vendome Press. Paulin was a modernist and traditionalist who was successful at designing anything and everything- from fans, razors and fondue pots to the private quarters of French Presidents like Pompidou and Mitterand. The innovation he is best known for was to wrap his designed furniture in colorful stretch fabric to soften and conceal all the inner materials, like wood and steel, that gave them shape and form.
Nothing beats finding an instantaneous collection. You are about to enter into a blue and white plate heaven when you look further down. I love the look of similar but different plates to create an eclectic table setting. If you love this look as well you will fall in love with this beautiful mixed blue and white plate collection by Spode I just got from Hayneedle. Have you ever shopped there? I had never heard of it, but they are an online home furnishings and decor retailer with a great assortment of furniture, decor and tabletop items at great prices (which is always a nice bonus). I'm always a little weary when I order something from a new place but I liked their product assortment had a wonderful buying experience. And of course those beautiful plates needed to make the trip to my home stat. No need to search for similar plates in different places when you can get them all in the same collection. This Spode plate collection I got consists of six assorted blue and white plates. And you know what is even better than an instantaneous fabulous mismatched collection? An instantaneous fabulous mismatched collection on sale (the set of six is currently $74 down from $150!). Take a look-
Fall is for richer colors and I'm quite smitten qith jewel tones for this time when the weather begins to turn. They are rich, cozy and simply beautiful. Here are some handpicked favorites-
Copper Martini Glasses || These are so fun and pretty and only $45 for a set of two. Add them to your bar cart or use them as a hostess gift. Your next martini is guaranteed to be a special one.
POW Letterpress and Engraved Stationery || These bell'Invito stationery sets are so special. This particular pop art inspired set is modern
and sassy. The 5x7 cotton cards are expertly
printed, then hand-painted with a fuchsia edge and paired with a rich
fuchsia envelope lining. They come in a set of 12.
Luxe Travel Guides|| A must-have for the traveler. This city guides are essential for trips to Los
Angeles, New York and Chicago. Set in protective plastic sleeves, these
pocket-sized books contain highly-curated suggestions for the finest
shops, dining, spas and hidden spots.
Hampton's Entertaining Book|| Because The Hamptons is so well known for it's party scene and because we don't all have the luxury of attending these fabulous fetes - this book is a must in my list. Eighteen lavishly photographed parties are featured, offering a wealth
of inspiration for table settings and menus, along with entertaining
tips that will serve for any occasion. Oh and more than 80 recipes are featured that will take you from spring/summer entertaining right through fall.
Bougainvillea Flower Arrangement || These beautiful and lifelike silk flower arrangement will keep your home colorful and fresh every day of the year. A magnificent investment that keeps on giving day in and day-out. And you know my thoughts, you need some faux-flowers for those impromptu gatherings.
Sunglasses || These french handmade sunglasses are chic and modern. The gold metal bars at the temples add a bit of luxury.
Oscar de la Renta Pink Flower Earrings || These are so feminine and dreamy! The color is perfection and you can easily dress them up or down. Nothing like having beautiful flower petals around your face.
Purple Cashmere Throw || Not only is this color beautiful but it's sumptuous softness and lightweight warmth are the perfect combination. Perfect for your sofa for those chillier Fall nights or at the foot of your bed, this throw will add not only color but elegance.
Lavender Earrings || These are fun and easy to wear with everything- from jeans to a cocktail dress. Fabulous earrings always finish off the outfit with a bang.
Mara Hoffman Dress|| This jewel toned Mara Hoffman geometric print dress is so practical and wearable, perfect for these changing temperature days. Wear without tights, a vest, and boots for cooler days, or just add a fun necklace for warmer days. It is a perfect transition piece.
Pillow || I just love the color combination of this one. This lush velvet pillow is expertly crafted from fine silk in a bold
ikat-inspired design and backed in solid linen.Perfect for any sofa or chair.
Appetizer Forks || These are so cute and their price is right at $23 for a set of 4. They are elegant and different. Keep them for yourself or they make a perfect hostess gift that is sure to be treasured.
Lavender bag || This beautiful calfskin unstructured shopper tote has the best color! Combine it with greys, blues or blacks for punchy outfit. This is a perfect, everyday bag.
Rug || This fabulous hand-knotted wool medallion rug design in the jewel tone palette feels fresh and modern and sure packs a punch.
[copper martini glasses | POW stationery | Luxe travel guide | Hampton's Entertaining | bougainvillea flower arrangement | sunglasses | pink flower earrings | purple cashmere throw | lavender earrings | Mara Hoffman dress | pillow | appetizer forks | bag | rug ]
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Everything about this room speaks to me. I love it's lightness and simplicity. The romantic white and black wallpaper, the textural fabric on the chairs and of course the beautiful blue and white chinoiserie vase centerpiece with pink peonies just finishes it off. Billy Cotton, who I blogged about on Tuesday designed this space. I thought this room was so sensational it needed it's own post.
These round-ups are so fun to make. I always like findings some cute things for you and some cute ones for yourself! This gold and scalloped table is so pretty and classic. Someone please buy it for your home! This Alpaca throw has such a great combination of colors. Have it monogrammed and it becomes an amazing holiday present (am I getting ahead of myself? It's not even Halloween!) Loving the shape of this mirror. It would add height to any space you place it in.
The Wishbone Chair is light and sculptural and after seeing them in this punchy apple green color, I am finding myself wishing for them. They are versatile and will look right at home no matter your style- from preppy, to classic french, to a bohemian neutral look, these chairs blend in beautifully. Take a look-
I love walking around New York at night and looking into the apartments and homes that have their lights on to see the decor. Most of the times you don't see much and just get a glimpse of a pendant or chandelier, maybe a some bookshelves, the color of a wall, or just a partial ceiling molding. This is one of the apartments I would have been intrigued by. This beauty was designed by Billy Cotton. Billy studied industrial design in the Pratt Institute. But he has
expanded his skill set and now designs furniture and lighting, and of
course does interior design and architecture as well. Let's see more of this beautiful space-
I'm excited for the fun plaid designs I'm seeing around the web. The tops are not your old school shirts but rather flirty and feminine designs that upgrade plaid from daytime to date-night appropriate. These pieces are sexier and flirtier/ Let me show you a few designs that caught my eye.
There is nothing better than an easy and fun DIY that will keep you trendy and cool in your daily life. This is it!! Iron on patches are your answer. Grab a new or old jacket (I got this army style one from Zara) and choose some colorful and interesting patches (Etsy has some great sources- Wildflower and Company Extreme Largeness, PatchNation) Let your creative juices flow.....place them and then iron them on! That's it! Take a look at my jacket creation (and my daughter's jean jacket as well!)
These uber chic tabletop accessories by Comunione are the perfect little gems that will make your gatherings sparkle. These 80's inspired pieces handcrafterd in NY are result of a collaboration between jewelry designer Pili Restrepo and interior designer Laura Panebianco. I love the brass, the shapes, the color palettes. They are works of art in themselves. They make the perfect special gift and also an heirloom addition for yourself. I mean...this cake server below is everything and so are the appetizer forks above!
So very beautiful right? As in you need them stat, am I right? Keep swooning here.
[photos via Comunione]
Theoretically fall is around the corner, yet this Texas heat is killing us all. It feels hotter than certain days of summer even. All I can think about is how lovely it will be to dress in layers when it gets cooler and in cuddling up to a good book in a cozy nook (like the one above) when the weather starts to turn. I hope it is feeling cooler in your neck of the woods. Some links for your weekend reading-
It was through instagram that I discovered interior designer Megan Winters and her beautiful, bold and daring work. Her portfolio is filled with amazing projects. You will want to pin and instagram every.single.photograph here. GUARANTEED. She has some classical rooms with a modern vibe and some sexier, sleeker spaces as well. I think you will really enjoy these photos and be inspired by her design choices-
I thought this was an interesting way to frame Fornasetti plates. What a great collection. I collect them too (I'm now up to 8!).
This outdoor space is so beautiful! The crisp black and white seating area, and that beautiful pool and landscaping...Swoon!
Now I know what I can do with my Fornasetti boxes! Stack them between two acrylic bases.
Uhm...this backsplash is insane! It's almost like a nightclub in this kitchen. Very sexy indeed. I love that Megan is so versatile in her aesthetic and is equally comfortable in classic or more modern projects. Of course it's no surprise that Megan's work has been featured in Elle Decor, Traditional Home, Luxe, Chicago Magazine, among others. To see more of her portfolio go here. If you need me I will be pinning every single photo!
[all photos via Megan Winters]
The latest accessory in my home, this beautiful gold coin, is more than just any accessory. This gold coin is helping to raise money and awareness for an amazing cause- sex trafficking, a topic that scares the living daylights out of me. This project called In You We Trust, is a collaboration between my good friend and artist Marian Lefeld and Jen Rose in an effort to bring awareness to the epidemic of sex trafficking of children in the United States. It happens here too, not just in far off countries believe it or not.













































