Wednesday Wants

top | earrings | knit top | flats | pea coat | brass nail bracelet | silver bracelet | brass cuff | tote | boots

Earlier this week, I spent the day in New York City.  Between scanning the racks at Barneys and running up to Bergdorf's to meet a good friend, I feel that I have a pretty good sense of what I'll be wearing this Fall.  While I'm never one to rush summer, (I'm pretty bummed that today is the last day of July already) I do feel that Fall clothes are the consolation prize for summer's end.  With that said, here's what I'm thinking for Autumn in New York...

I've been wearing leopard more and more each year, and this fall will be no exception. I already own this Rebecca Taylor leopard top (and paid full price) but you can grab it at Zappos on major markdown!  Geometric jewelry is a trend I'm really drawn to, these fabulous Eva Fehren earrings caught my eye at Barneys and now I can't stop thinking about them.  Leather has been big for a few seasons, I love the idea of adding some pieces with unexpected leather embellishments, like this really great leather detailed chunky knit sweater by Thakoon Addition.  

The cap toe color block moment continues, didn't Loeffler Randall nail it with these uber chic Grier ballet flats!? Military looks are also still big, I like the idea of adding a touch of camo to my closet, maybe in a fun little nylon tote and I already own a wool pea coat that looks almost identical to this one by Michael Michael Kors, although mine doesn't have those fab gold buttons. Speaking of gold, more and more I'm mixing my metals, this edgie Eddie Borgo bracelet, is my most recent splurge, I'm adding this Giles and Brothers skinny rail road cuff and this Jennifer Fisher "trust" cuff to my wish list (guess I'm really liking the idea of jewelry with a message).  Finally, I've been loyal to my black leather Rag and Bone Classic Newbury booties for over two years now, so I've branched out and came home from New York with a new pair of Rag and Bone brown suede Harrow booties, I already know that these will be my go to shoes this fall. 

Have you formed your fashion fall wish list yet?

The House of Wonder

This feature in Architectural Digest, on Chris Burch's stunning Hamptons house caught my attention for a number of reasons.  As a small business owner with an online retail site, I'm interested in everything the man behind hugely popular brand name stores like C.Wonder, Tory Burch and Poppin does, right down to where and how he "summers."  As a design blogger with a focus on interiors, I simply couldn't resist this home...the China Seas prints, the lucite, the coral, the white painted exposed ceiling beams...it's all just so wonderfully beachy, chic!

outdoor shower inspiration

Even though I've talked about adding an outside shower to our house for years (and even blogged about it here ) this home improvement project still remains undone. Driving home with the family yesterday, from a very fun filled yet exhausting visit to South Hampton, Mr. Zhush and I, had plenty of time to discuss our love of the beach and bemoan our current landlocked situation.  Amidst all the traffic on the Long Island Expressway, we came to the conclusion that we really needed to add a bit of the outdoorsy, beachy feel, that we love so much to our home here in the "woods"... the best way we can think to do this, is via an outdoor shower.  I think last summer we may have been over complicating this project and this has slowed our progress down to a full stop. Now, we're re-thinking the whole thing with a keep it simple attitude. Rather than build the whole shower out at once, I'm loving the idea of just getting only the plumbing sorted out, and then taking our time to choose an attractive enclosure that suits are house's aesthetics.  Here is a round up of my favorite outdoor showers from Houzz, with the first and third options being the two that will most suit our needs and our home.  I'll keep you posted on the outcome...in the mean time, which is your favorite?

Monday's P.O.P.

punchy purple

Image via: Architectural Digest
*dedicated to Deuce and her amazing butterfly tattoo xoxo

Minor Obsessions

sunglasses | nail polish | earrings | sandals | bag

I'm definitely having an everything that's old is new again, moment...everything here, except for the fun initial earrings, (which are currently marked down to $18.00 ~ part of Nordstom's Anniversary sale), I've worn at some point in my life, in some type of form, already...

Wayfarers are pure classics and at only $20.36, this version from ASOS, is a no brainer. Also, classic and requiring no thought, my new go to color for manicure perfection, Essie's Pop Art, just one coat yields the perfect shade of sheer pink! Since Birkenstocks have been around forever, I think it's safe to say these are classics as well, especially when Celine calls upon them for footwear inspiration. Given the less than $100 price tag and the fact that they are so comfortable, I've already made the Birkenstock Cairo, my own and I'm almost considering adding another! Finally, speaking of adding another, I'm still on my cross-body bag quest for fall...how perfect is this black nubuck number from Clare Vivier?  The minimalist simplicity of it is feels so right, right now.  Are minimalist classics speaking to you as well?

Jeremiah Brent Designs

Further to this post on Nate Berkus' and Jeremiah Brent's new Hollywood home, I thought it might be worthwhile to check out Jeremiah Brent's designs today, and I'm so glad I did.  Bravo addict that I am, I was first exposed to the design work of Jeremiah Brent on The Rachel Zoe Project, when Jeremiah beautifully decorated Rachel and Rodger's new L.A. home last season. In particular, I love Jeremiah's chic styling (note the large gold wishbone on the book shelf, below!) which is really no surprise, since (at least according to Bravo) Jeremiah got his first big break as a stylist...

Black and Neutral Perfection

Leave it to one of my favorite designer couples, (Nate Berkus and Jeremiah Brent) to take one of my favorite design palettes and create a picture perfect home.  Spotted recently over at Harpers Bazaar, this chic Hollywood home is my newest fave.

Wednesday Wants

Splendid V Neck Sleeveless Top

Every once in a while, I discover a top that is so comfortable, so flattering and so affordable that I feel compelled to share it here.  That is exactly the case with this black sleeveless top from Splendid.  I found myself reaching for it on so many days that I finally broke down and ordered it in two more colors. I can't say enough good things about this simple summer top, it literally checks off all my musts: bra-friendly, flowey yet not too "when are you due?" flowey, so soft and only $74.00!  Best of all, it's basic enough, that I know I'll still love it next summer as well.

 

green and coral options

Keep-ing + Zhush-ing

When it comes to home decor, coffee table styling (zhushing) is one of my favorite things to do.  The photo above (from the zhush.com look book) illustrates this passion of mine perfectly. To me, it's all about the art of self expression through books, art and a few well chosen accessories.  To read more about this, please head over to keep.com, where I've recently signed on as a Keeper for this fun and highly addictive site and be sure to check out my blog post, entitled "How To Style The Perfect Coffee Table." (You can also check out my related "keeps" here).  Go on and give Keep a try, it's a really well done visual marketplace with an abundance of great ideas and inspiration.

*I received financial compensation for this post. The opinions are completely my own based on my own experience. To read more about this please see the policy page for this blog, here.

Accessory Spotting

 monogram silver cuff

While not exactly the same silver cuff, I couldn't help but to get a tiny bit excited when I saw the latest installment of one of my favorite features on Vogue.com: 5 Looks 1 Girl.  The silver cuff we sell over at zhush.com is similar enough to certainly achieve this same preppy, classic look. How beautiful is Alexandra Macon? Not to mention the whole spread which was shot in Charleston, South Carolina...a place I'm dying to visit myself. 

I heart tiny art

Before we shot our look book, I searched around for visual inspiration and pinned a whole bunch of pretty vignettes. Now that our look book shoot is over, I went back to look at these images once again and noticed that a very large percentage of them contain some sort of small scale art work, either propped up in the vignette or on a tiny easel.  Clearly, I have a thing for mini-paintings...maybe it's a cry from my subconscious desire to start painting again this summer~"why not just start small"?  Do you ever notice a pattern in the things that you're drawn to?

Images via: Lonny, Cottages and Gardens, Veranda, Hillary Thomas, Better Homes and Gardens

Monday's P.O.P.

perfectly placed purple

Image via: BKH interiors

Minor Obsessions

 dishes | candle | ring | box | top | stool

There's no common thread for these items, except for the fact that each and every one of them is currently sitting in a virtual shopping cart of mine somewhere, waiting for me to decide (you've done that too, right?!)  I still have yet to buy dishes for our home in Florida, which is partially crazy but also ensures that I don't have to cook on vacation...chic plates like these from Kim Seybert, seem to be a good compromise...cause they're melamine so maybe not really dishes, plus they are so pretty!  Also pretty, the scent and the looks of this candle spotted recently at Barneys. As for this ring...I'm sort of obsessed with this whole double bar look in rings at the moment, and this one in particular from Gorjana,  I just can't stop thinking about it, or this sweet little brass heart box, by Jonathan Adler, it reminds me of a similar silver one that I had many, many years ago.  Finally rounding out this weeks obsessions, this J.Crew, black and white collection pom-pom top, is perfect in so many ways...the spotted trim detail? Obsessed! And, finally, our vacation house still needs more seating, I need to fix this immediately, perhaps with a pair of these versatile stools?  They seem so vacay-tiony to me!  I've shown you mine...what's sitting in your cyber carts these days?

Peeking Into Designer's Homes

Today, we're peeking into Jenni Kayne's amazing California home. If the name sounds familiar it's because Ms. Kayne is the lady behind the popular fashion line, Jenni Kayne, and is responsible for one of the biggest shoe sensations this summer, the d'orsay flat. Ms. Kayne, also has a great line of ready to wear clothes, a few of my faves are this gorgeous black dress and this smart little white top.  Since I already love Jenni Kayne's cool California aesthetic, it came as no surprise to me that her home is the epitome of luxe meets laid back chic. See below for a few of my preferred picks and be sure to check out Architectural Digest for the full feature...

Wednesday Wants

At the start of this summer, I had the chance to meet up with fellow blogger, Albertina, from Mimosa Lane, in New York City.  We had a really great lunch followed by some shopping on the Upper East Side.  Albertina was patient and kind enough to indulge me as I dragged her from shop to shop,  looking for the perfect cross body bag.  I ended up coming home that day with a very simple one, similar to the one above.  Now that I've had this bag for over a month, I'm fully converted to the whole small cross body bag concept...especially during this hot and humid summer (who has the energy to shlep a giant leather tote around?) Even better, I get to keep my hands free for more important items, like my iced skim lattes.  Another plus, cross body bags are much more affordable than larger bags...which is good as I'm now contemplating adding another one to my collection.  Right now, I've got my eye on this tan one with a fun tassel by Rebecca Minkoff, (so perfect for fall) this perfectly chic Jojo cross body bag from Shopbop, (I'm partial to the blue one) the Marcie Small Round Bag by Chloe, this bright green mini sac by Clare Vivier (it's under $175.00!) and also this cute silver bag by Stella McCartney, with a chain strap for a bit of a dressier look.  Has this hot summer changed your approach to fashion? I'm betting it has...

Images via: HarpersBazaar

Walking Into A Real Life Still Life

 

"A walk in still life"...is how John Saladino, likes to think of the interiors that he designs, which is really fitting, as this is exactly what crossed my mind when I recently stumbled upon this luxurious apartment designed by Saladino, in Elle Decor.  Appealing to both my traditional and modern style sensibilities, I appreciate how this home, while clearly elegant, also looks so inviting and liveable... 

PS: Thanks so much for all the great feedback on our look book yesterday! The comments, emails, tweets and pins literally made my day!