Office Envy

I've just moved into a new place!  Now that I've got the cocktail table set up, the next order of business is the dreaded office. 

How to take all of my junk (sewing, design, painting, drawing, crafting gear) and make something both visually appealing and functional out of it?  The gazillion dollar question.  I've got a few tricks up my sleeve, but mostly just a burning desire to have a soothing work space and not be accosted by nonsensical lumps of stuff everywhere.    

I know, I know.  "Pics or it didn't happen."  Really, I'm pretty much a terrifying cyclone of organization.  Fear me, clutter.  Fear me.

Photos  via  /  Chic Sprinkles  /  Design*Sponge  /  Brunch at Saks  /  From Scandinavia With Love  /  Lolalina 

THE OFFICE ENVY WANT LIST

Channeling the gorgeous offices above: A dab of almost edible color paired with nature inspired (functional!) accessories against a backdrop of crisp white and loads of attractive (affordable!) storage.    

1  /  Design Within Reach Boxes  /  2  /  Ikea Tobias Chair  /  3  /  Pyrite and Amethyst Clusters  /  4  /  Ceramic Frenchie Stamp  /  5  /  Steel Basket   /  6  /  Stoneware Bowls  /  7  /  Repurposed Wood Frame  /  8  /  Poketo Colorblock Pens  /  9  /  Whitewashed Wood Bins  /  10  /  CB2 File Cabinet           

layout made with polyvore

Rive Gauche Craft | Spring Tableware

I've been working on some new springy prints and patterns for the talismans in my boutique.  Just a touch of playful color to brighten up any space.  And the BEST part... they're completely mix-and-match-able!  Take a look at these designs on stationery, tech cases, throw pillows, and more.  

Icing on the Cake : Take 20% Off of select products in the Boutique Now thru Tuesday.  AND Free Shipping worldwide in the Print Shop, now thru Sunday, Feb 24.  Huzzah! 

Clockwise  /  Melamine Hexagon Dish, $28  /  Porcelain Bunting Teapot, $25  /  Ceramic Hexagon Mug, $14  /  Melamine Bunting Dish, $28  /  Fabric Hexagon Cocktail Napkins, set of four, $37  /  Bunting Cocktail Napkins, set of four, $37  /  Bunting Mug, $14 

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Color Lust | Ash Blue + Eggshell

John Singer Sargent, via

There's something kind of romantic about a gloomy greyish blue paired with loads of florals.  After all, you can only wear neon so many days per week.   

I'm craving a reprieve of simultaneous subtlety, richness, and weighty-lightness.  Soothing hues, carefully edited feminine details, and a simple textural palette of silk, cotton, and leather.  In essence: something akin to the turn-of-the-century outdoorsy elegance of John Singer Sargent's  lounging dames.


1  /  Marni  /  2  /  Asos, sold out, Similar  /  3  /  Allsaints  /  4  /  Cabinet Ring  /  5  /  Bottega Veneta  /  6  /  3.1 Phillip Lim  /  7  /  Madewell  /  8  /    Rickety Rack, sold out, Similar

Conundrums of Fashion Week

Firstly, I would like to say that I whole heartedly laud these ladies for their bravado.  This is the brand of chutzpah I aspire to have.  These are my favorite charmingly bizarre and gall inspiring street style moments of Fashion Week's Fall 2013 shows, shot by the infamous Tommy Ton. 

(My sister is going to read this and think that I am even crazier than she could ever have suspected, and that on second thought, this post doesn't surprise her that much).

It's a bird...it's a plane...it's a wacky pair of goggles!  

Worn with a metallic laced sweater with a pattern that somehow 

appropriately resembles the eyeball of a fruit fly.

The Return of Grunge...Or Something Like That

Should we all bet on whether or not Grunge is making a comeback?

One thing is for sure, I'm ON this wagon.

Dries Van Noten SS13

Sheer dress layered on top of two totally different plaids.  This makes no sense.  

I love it so hard, I'm drooling.

3.1 Phillip Lim SS 2013

A complete mish-mash of pattern that kind of looks ridiculously cool.

Fave Lady Bags For Spring

My favorite picks of this season's most ladylike bags:  Frame purses, delicate chain shoulder straps, gold detailing, scallops, and applique.  I'm pretty much addicted to any bag with an envelope or very thin boxy shape.  Funny, since I can't fit half of my crap in those.   

Oh, the suffering! 

Wait, I'm kidding.  While I do feel rather naked and unprepared leaving the house without every business card I've ever been given and might happen to need, or a petite stash of bandaids, cough drops, and Airborne- just in case... this size purse is often (as much as I hate to admit it) really all I need.  Furthermore, I suspect the challenge of minimizing my arsenal of "just in case" is good therapy.  And I'm sure my shoulder thanks me. 

Regardless of all of those therapeutic benefits, I say the biggest win with these bags is the air of super-ultra-chic-ness that comes with effortlessly channeling bygone eras - you know, those eras when women knew how to dress.    

1  /  Botkier, $195  /  2  /  Kate Spade, $378  /  3  /  Reed Krakoff , $1,490  /  4  /  Madewell, $178  /  5  /  Calvin Klein Collection, now sold out  /  6  /   Forever 21, $24.80  /  7  /  Solomon Appollo, $141.50  /  8  /  The Row,$3,826  /  9  /  Dolce & Gabbana, $3,495  /  10  /  Perrine, $240

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Rive Gauche Craft | Frank Valentines

I'm pretty excited about my newest creations (or abominations, perhaps?) for Valentine's Day.   

I've designed a line of snarky, but stylish cards, stationery, and little gifts that skimp on wordy flourish, and get right to the point.  I think you'll find them ridiculously hip. 

The Idea: A refreshingly humorous, yet supremely sophisticated twist on the concept of declaring one's affections for another, complete with sweet vintage animal silhouettes and elegantly scripted colloquialisms and curse words.   

As always, these cards (and more) can be purchased in the Boutique! 

1  /  Cats "I mean, damn"   /  2  /   Bunnies "Let's do it"  /  3  /  Birds "Lemme holla at you"

layout made with polyvore

Modern / Retro + Black / White

A classic color combination, modernized with edgy details, a bit of kitsch, and simple silhouettes.  These are pieces that can be carried effortlessly into spring and summer.  

My favorite: those sandals, actually.  A nice break from leather and florals that still pairs well with either.  Simple, graphic, and sleek. 

I'm dying to try: Leather tops, like this one by the European retailer, Monki - who sadly doesn't ship to the US.  But no worries; I keep seeing these minimalist leather tops and dresses crop up from various brands.  The only problem is finding an affordable version, though I'll bet Zara will take care of that in no time.   

1.  Volcom, $30  /  2.  Alex & Chloe, $35  /  3. Monki, £45 (Available in Europe only) Similar, $50  /  4.  Alloy, $35  /  5.  Marni, $1,350, Similar, $545  /  6.  Marni, $950  /  7.  Delfina Delettrez, $430  /  8.  Alice + Olivia, $195

layout made with polyvore