I See London, I See France...

JP and I are taking a trip to the London and Paris!  I'm so excited I can barely stand it!  I've been doing quite a bit of research on the two cities, but seem to have found more information on Paris vs. London.  I need the blogging community to help a gal out and give me some good recommendations on restaurants, shops, galleries etc to visit while in London.

Here are a few places I'm dying to visit while in Paris...please send more suggestions!

Hotel Thoumieux, Claus Paris, Derriere Resto, L'Hotel Restaurant, Repetto Paris,

{Paris & London map}

All I Want For Christmas Is...

1- Cava Piped PJ Top - Anthropologie, 2 -Tom Ford Perfume, 3 -Kelly Wearstler top, 4 -Black and White and a bit in between book, 5 -Rachel Roy "Lacina" shoe, 6 -Cafe leather purse - Ann Taylor,
7 Snake ipad cover, 8 -Josie Maran argan oil moisturiser, 9 -J. Crew earmuffs, 10 -Gold hexagon ring,
10 -Architectural ring, 11 -Iphone case, 12 -Malin and Goetz candle, 13 -J. Crew gloves, 14 -Kate Spade earrings

Art Meets Fashion

Painting by James Nares

JP and I took a trip to Vegas a couple of weeks ago.  It was my first time - what a crazy place!  I'm definitely glad I got to experience it.  Everything about it is loud and in your face.  Including the above painting that I discovered in the lobby of the hotel Aria.  I was memorized by it.  I love the large brush strokes and brilliant color.  I did a little research and the artist, James Nares, paints by suspending himself over the canvases hooked up to a harness - click here to get a visual - its pretty amazing! 

The other day I stumbled upon this photo pf SJP in a gorgeous Prabal Gurung spring 2012 frock.  I kind of gasped when I saw it because it reminded me so much of the painting I've been lusting over since Vegas. 

I'm wondering if I can try to create a similar painting...

Crave or Save

Crave: Mongolian vest - Calypso St. Barts, Save: Mongolian fur vest - Sabine

Crave: Fur Collar trench - Burberry, Save: Belted fur collar trench - Topshop

Crave: Green mongolian fur coat - DVF, Save: Motel Freya Faux Fur Cropped Coat - Asos

Pretty Notes

 

So remember those little paintings I did awhile back .  Well, my genius sister decided to take the designs and transfer them to printed note cards.  Aren't they stunning?!  Mine are the watercolor line drawings (top right and bottom middle).  Do you want to know the BEST part though??  The art on the "Catherine" series which consists of the top middle and bottom left card were done my my 3 year old niece!  One day after she was finished with a little painting project, my sister was cleaning up and notices how lovely the palette she used to mix her colors was.  She saved it and transferred the masterpieces to her note cards.  Again, genius!

If you want to purchase them, shoot me an e-mail.  Her Etsy shop is here.

From Drab to Fab

I like to see potential in everything whether it be a dirty old trunk - perfect for a chic coffee table accented with a luxe tray and eye catching books - or in this case a pair of boring old bar stools.  These bar stools were left to us by the previous owner of our house.  At first glance I was like - those are going in the trash ASAP, but when I began searching for stools online to replace them; I quickly realized how EXPENSIVE they can be!  Each one that caught my eye was at least $800 +.    That's when I decided maybe I could just give these stale stools a good face lift.

I picked up some high gloss white spray paint at Home Depot, purchased this gorgeous silk charmeuse ikat print fabric from Thai Silks, and found some great vintage drawer pulls at an antique mall in Saugatauck, MI to put on the back's for a little interest. 

I'm not in love with the traditional shape of them, but I think they turned out pretty cute for what I had to work with!  What do you think?

Black & Gold

image via, black and gold wallpaper

earrings, image via

image via, shoes

image via, image via

NYFW Spring 2012 Favs (so far)

 *all photos c/o style.com

It's The Little Things

fresh zinnias from the farmers market

gold dragées 

A dragée (pronounced /dræˈʒeɪ/ dra-zhay) (from Greek tragêmata "sweets, treats" through French) is a form of confectionery that can be used for decorative or symbolic purposes in addition to consumption -Wikipedia

origami birds

It doesn't take much to make me smile.  Last weekend I went to grab a cup of coffee and make a quick stop at the farmers market to pick up some fresh veggies and meat for dinner, but came home with much more.  First I stopped at my favorite little coffee shop and discovered metallic covered dragées.  They are so beautiful that they hardly look edible, but they are! 

Next I picked up the most exquisite and unique flowers from a local vendor which I used as a center piece for dinner later that night.  I displayed them in all different little vases on a platter.  It was very thrown together, but I think that's why it worked so well.

Lastly, on our way out of the market, my eyes shot over to a table filled withe little origami birds.  Two adorable little boys were making and selling them for $2 each!  I couldn't help but buy a couple - they and the boys were too precious! Currently, they are residing on a favorite coffee table book and my mantle. 

Have a very stylish weekend!

Simple Dressing

Stumbled upon this darling and very simple outfit.  Not at all fussy and suuuper basic, but somehow far from boring.  Maybe it's the great fitting jeans, structured shirt and flirty pumps?  Not sure, but feeling like I must copy this look pronto!  I think I will start with these great pointy heels from none other than GAP - yep, you read that right!

Jeans - J. Brand, Fitted denim shirt - Topshop, Shoes - GAP

Saturday Night Fever

Image via

I'm having a total 70's moment this week.  Everything I'm drawn to is 70's disco inspired.  Think plunging necklines, floaty floor grazing dresses and shirts, fluted pleats, sparkles, sequins and wispy feathery hair.  I want it all!  The best way to pull off this look is to mix it with something modern and unexpected. 

Images Asos dress,

Images 1, 2, 3

Images 1, Asos dress

Fall Metallics

image c/o

Feeling like you need to add some opulence to your look?  How about adding something metallic?  For an instant bit of luxury throw on a little pearly shine.  Try two pieces for an extra dramatic look.  Here are some of my favorite metallic picks for fall...

Zara metallic crocet top, Metallic dress, shiny peep toe ankle bootie, Decolette silver silk tee, Oscar de la Renta necklace, Elizabeth and James gold skirt, Alexander Wang shoes, Cubes of gold ring, Cambridge satchel, J. Crew metallic knitted sweater, Tan leather strap watch, Glint box clutch, Bobbi Brown metallic lip color, Mis-matched earrings

My Weekend In Photos

My mom and sister came to visit last weekend for a little girls trip.  We had the best time shopping for vintage goods, eating at Atlanta's best restaurants and drinking inventive cocktails!  There is nothing more rejuvenating than a get together with the best women in your life.  It was truly memorable.

Here are a few of my favorite photos from the weekend.

Mom and sis admiring my new rug

Lattes with a shot of chocolate, chocolate croissant, lemon macaroon and a fig.balsamic truffle = heaven

Mini watermelons and tomatoes from our trip to the farmer's market

Fresh flowers from the farmers market

A vintage bowl gifted by my sister

Pretty shell I bought to place on books or shelves

Mums for my dining table

New dresser to sit under our TV.  It has the perfect sized drawers to hide the components.  Love the bow-like pulls. **Note the dogs playing in the background :)