Random Chanel Item No. 139

Labor Day Weekend, it's always so bittersweet. I'm never ready for summer to end...beaches, sunshine, pool time and of course barbeques! Although it's the official unofficial last weekend of the season, we'll be squeezing every last second out of summer... and then some! Enjoy!

xoxo,

Image via: my plate

Picks, Pins + Pines

top | scarves | show | tote

I still haven't really began to shop for fall...at least not in full force.  However, I have been making a mental list of chic items that I know will look great now and a few seasons from now as well. Like this sharp white blouse by Derek Lam.  Not only do I love the shape and the tie neck, but those black leather cuffs really take it to the next level.  It's stylish little details, like the purple sides of this fab striped tote by Fendi, that really win me over every time.  Also winning my heart, have you seen the scarves from this brand new site? A. Barclay not only has super chic wraps, stoles and scarves, but it's whole "give back" concept is helping orphanages in Tanzania, amazing, right? And, totally shifting gears, I'm so hooked into Bravo's latest show, "Gallery Girls." I know, don't judge...it's my newest guilty pleasure.

Garden Views

Poking around Deborah Nevins' magnificent landscape architectural portfolio, I came across the designer's own home, published in House and Garden back in 2005.  As expected, it's brimming with plants and cuttings. According to the article, Ms. Nevins objective for her space, was to create the mood of an indoor orangerie. She clearly captured that vibe here, and to great effect.

Getting It Done

 horn: brass flower: buddha

Meg Biram, has a great series on her popular blog, Mimi+Meg, all about "getting stuff done."  It's interesting and often helpful to see how others tackle their emails, projects and daily array of tasks.  So, when Meg asked me to participate, I immediately added it to the top of my "to do" list. You can check it all out here.

Wednesday Wants

eye de-puffer

I'll tell ya' what I want, what I really, really want...a week's worth of sleep! OK, truthfully, I'd settle for a weekend's worth, but since lazy, late mornings are few and far between around here, I'm willing to try to fake it until I can make this happen on the daily.  I've heard great things about this little product from Kiehl's, and my tired reflection is telling me it's time to find out if they're true. 

The King Of Color

Seeing this Manhattan apartment in Architectural Digest recently, reminded me why Jamie Drake, is widely known as the "King of Color." I love the exuberant use of bright purple and blue in this space.  Mr. Drake, has the ability to create sophisticated and serene environments with colors that could potentially look juvenile or chaotic.  When it comes to your own home, do you go bold and brave with interior color choices?

Organic Glamour

The stylish ladies from Pimlico have designed many of my close friends' homes and I can tell you that each space is personal and stunning.  These are a few examples of some of the lovely interiors by Melissa Lindsay.  But, what I love most about the Pimlico duo of Melissa and Jill is that their store (which I mentioned briefly on Friday) is chock full of all their fabulous picks.  If you ever find yourself in New Canaan, Connecticut, be sure to stop by Pimlico for a big dose of chic.

Monday's P.O.P.

purple pup

Image via: NewEnglandHomeMagazine

Random Chanel Item No. 138

Chalk it up to boredom, or maybe it's just the lack of a regular routine and schedule, but I think we're  ALL ready for school to start over here at chez zhush.  I'll probably regret these words in about two weeks, being the homework police is not my favorite job.  Here's to lazy last lovely days! Happy Weekend!

xoxo,

Image via: A Library Of Design

Picks, Pins + Pines

art | book | perfume | bowl | lipstick

After seeing this fabulous Paule Marrot piece in one of my favorite shops in New Canaan (Pimlico) I'm convinced it would look amazing over the couch in our Florida living room. It's got the exact light and breezy vibe that I'm going for.  I also just love this bowl for the center of our kitchen table.  Designed by architects, its worth reading about out over on the DWR site.  You shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but that's exactly what I did with Fashion and Art Collusion, but now that I've peeked inside, I love it even more (dvd +posters!).  Finally, I'm heading into New York next week to do some serious fall shopping. My first stop will be Barneys, and while I'm there I plan to try out this lipstick and smell this perfume...based on just the look of this bottle, I'm thinking it must be fantastic, no?

Eat Well + Flourish

This summer, I had a very specific goal: maintain a healthier diet.  While I've made several improvements to my eating habits... (we now have a little vegetable garden) I admittedly have a long way to go.  Combine this new found determination with my absolute love for Maira Kalman's illustrations (obsessed!) and it seems only fitting that this book, Food Rules, an eaters manual by Michael Pollan with illustrations by Maira Kalman, should find it's way into my hands.  While I await the UPS truck to bring this lovely new purchase to my door this week, I thought I'd share some of the images from what I'm sure will be my new favorite food book.

Dirty Little Secret

 {dry shampoo}

My friend recently complimented me on my "second day" hair.  Meaning, my hair looked good the second day after I had it blown out.  Truth be told, with my somewhat fine and very dry hair, I always try to get at least three days out of a good blow out before washing it again. A trick I learned several years ago from a top New York City stylist.  She assured me that this was common practice in Europe and that most American women over strip their hair by washing it too often.  If I think my hair needs some freshening up, I'll hit up my locks with some dry shampoo. This one from Serge Normant smells the best out of all that I've tried.  While we're on the topic, this silk pillowcase is another really helpful tip! Great for keeping that first day coif intact way into day three, it also keeps your face looking super fresh too!

{silk pillowcase}

Wednesday Wants

 {a-z monogram cards}

I'm having one of those weeks where I'm constantly on the phone with a bank or insurance company and the only words I've actually exchanged with my friends have all been through texts!  Wouldn't it be nice if we could somehow switch this scenario around?  In this techno age, it's so nice to get a handwritten note every now and then.  Today, I'm stocking up on my depleted stationery stash, with these simple and chic cards (found via internet natch) over at Kate Spade.

Spot On

scarf : pouch : socks

 

Maybe it's because polka dots always seem like such a happy print, or maybe it's because I was just in J.Crew this afternoon ogling several pairs of fun spotted socks, but I'm really digging the whole dot trend for fall.  These adorable accessories are calling my name...for more fall fashion picks (and a few more spots) please stop by A Little Dash of Ash, where I'm guest posting about my "Five Faves For Fall"!

Inspired By Tiffany Eastman Interiors

The first time I'd ever seen the work of Tiffany Eastman Interiors was in last winter's New England Home magazine, and it was this photo above that stopped me in my tracks.  Since then, I've gone back to look at this firm's stylish designs countless times. In fact, many of the images from Ms. Eastman's portfolio have served as a source of inspiration for our house in Florida. Which brings me to this question...does anyone know where this fabulous coffee table in the image below is from? (I'm thinking it might be Plexicraft?). This table is exactly what I've been searching for!

Peeking Into Designer's Homes

Pushing the envelope in decor can be tricky, but for those that achieve that perfect balance of mixed up styles and color combos, the results are always so inspiring.  Like this London townhouse belonging to Kit and Tim Kemp, the designer duo behind the Firmdale Hotel group.  A personal all time favorite of mine...colorful, eclectic design at its very best.

Images via: ElleDecor

Monday's P.O.P.

perky purple

Image via: ElleDecor

Random Chanel Item No. 137

Cheers to another summer weekend! Let's enjoy them while we still can!

xoxo,

Image via: Sip, Chat, Chow

Picks, Pins + Pines

bowls | top | umbrella | earrings | boots

Fall, as much as I hate to admit it, is right around the corner, so I've got fashion on my mind...I might not jump on every single trend, but I do love to follow them all.  And, it's always interesting to see fashion influencing home design (and sometimes vice versa).  Color blocking has clearly reached the decor industry, and I just can't get enough of these petite Murano glass bowls, the color combos are so chic!  Speaking of chic, polka dots for next season in flattering jewel tones like this fabulous silk top from Joie, LOVE!  Along with fall foliage and fabulous fashion, New York gets a lot of rain in the fall...a lot.  Despite always admiring bubble umbrellas, I've never managed to own one, that's about to change with this uber sweet version by Felix Rey. I like to mix things up and temper my sweet picks with a few accessories that are slightly edgy, like these eye catching earrings that I can't stop thinking about over at Shopbop.  Finally, bringing things full circle, cap toe shoes (which are a form of color blocking, right?) have been trending for a while now, and I'm glad to see this spiffy look get a cold weather update for next season with some amazing new boot designs, like this option from Loeffler Randall.

Book Review: The First Apartment Book

When 27 year old decorating prodigy Kyle Schuneman's book, The First Apartment Book: Cool Designs For Small Spaces arrived in the mail the other day, I was super excited to crack it open and have a look inside.  Full of bold vibrant photos, I found this book to be so full of inspiration...I wish it was around when I was moving in to my first apartment!  Even if you're not new to the home-owner party, this book holds a lot of practical and fun ideas for organization and multi-functional decor. I'm thrilled to add The First Apartment Book, to my growing collection of beautiful shelter and design books.

c/o: Crown Publishing Group