Color Lust | Faded Jade

While I do love brights, a more subdued palette is my constant favorite.  These picks incorporate etherial shades of foggy greens and blues with both florals and minimal lines for an understated femininity.  Pantone calls this shade "grayed jade", and names it one of the top 10 colors for spring 2013.  I call it the essence of an overcast day at the beach, immortalized by a polaroid snapshot.   

1 /  quattro lined journal, $3  /  2  /  joie daydreaming print flat, $175  /  3  /  madewell hepcat shades, $55  /  4  /  3.1 phillip lim floral silk racerback tank, $350  /  5  /  coach legacy leather shoulder bag, $175  /  6  /  "happiness" oil painting mini-print post card by yours truly, $2 each   

photos via  madame sommersprosse  /  trendland

Illustration Prints | Special Promo!

Now through Sunday, free shipping is available on all of my illustrations in the Rive Gauche Craft print shop! I've added some new paintings and fashion illustrations, just in time for spring. Prints start at $22, and are available in several sizes, with or without frames.  So if you please, plunder away!

 

In the Mood for Vibrance

Not to rub it in or anything, but I officially packed my winter wardrobe into storage this morning.  Calm down - I also live in the most glamorous town in the world.  The one thing to look forward to above all else in South Carolina is the end of a short, mild winter.   

In the spirit of early spring, I'm inspired by these wonderfully vibrant, well edited colors and sweet motifs.  I'm sure I'll be sick of neons again by next week - it's an endless cycle, isn't it?  But for now, I'm wallowing in it.   

As I said to my handsome man yesterday (who comes from a family of dudes), I'm thoroughly happy to be a girl.  I'll gladly eat asparagus with my fingers or spear a whole steak with a knife, but I'd be a bit of an ogre without the whimsical delights of florals, nail polish, dabs of pink, and the occasional lipstick.    

style // floral print by my latest illustrator-girl-crush moniquilla, superimposed onto the april 2011 cover of vogue nippon, via the fashion dealer  // design // product branding for bonnard, a french style confectionary shop from mexico, by anagrama // beauty // fuchsia lips via glitter guide's tumblr, geometric neon nails tutorial via swellmayde // art // "flemish cat in a ruff" illustration by yours truly (!) available in the print shop and on home products and wearables in the boutique // edibles // floral ice cubes recipe and photo by edina ronay, roasted root vegetables recipe and photo by la tartine gourmande   

P.S. Get FREE SHIPPING on everything in the Rive Gauche Craft Print Shop, now through Sunday 3/31/13.  Yay!

Style Swipe No. 02

Rejoice!  It's part 02 of the new Style Swipe series, where I show you how to cheat deliciously at fashion.

If you're going to splurge on anything, make it something you can wear for eons.  Like a simple leather tote.  Natural leather is always in style, whether you're a hippie, hipster, yuppie, grandma, badass, or prep.  But unless you're in the 1%, there's no need to sever your arm for a thousand dollar Ralph Lauren bag when Zara makes an equally handsome version for 90% less.

As far as quality goes, I've personally bought a couple of my favorite leather bags from Zara, and so far they've held up beautifully against the abuse I've inflicted on them over the years.  No telling yet whether I'll be able to pass them down to my grandkids - I'll give you an update in 40 years.

ralph lauren saddle tote  /  zara braided leather shopper

New Fashion Illustrations

These are a few of my latest fashion illustrations (and favorite looks) from the Spring 2013 Ready-To-Wear Collections.  Chloe gets me every time.  Like a tractor-trailer to the forehead.  And Karen Walker always has a few perfectly kooky pieces that I never knew I always desperately needed.  

You can find these illustrations in the Rive Gauche Craft Print Shop!      

Chloe  /  Karen Walker  

  

P. S.  Happy 60th Anniversary to Chloe and glorious founder Gaby Aghion.  

The Cat Lady Strikes Again

It's hardly a secret; I'm a cat lady in the making.  Apart from having one, I also paint them, design them, and pin them like they're going out of style.  Cats are pretty much my equivalent to crack.

How awesome are these old school gals?  All lined up down a Hollywood street with their matching cats, dressed to the nines at a casting for black cats in 1961.  

Photos from Life Magazine via OddStuff

I suspect Consuelo Castiglioni, of the glorious Italian label, Marni, is a cat lady.  I go nuts when luxury designers incorporate fuzzy felines into their work, particularly when illustrated in a sketchy, crazed, or child-like style (1 & 2).  You should see me drooling right now.

The other thing I'm addicted to (I'm almost, but not quite ashamed to admit) is temporary tattoos.  Yes.  I'm 25 years old.  Temporary tattoos.  Because four year olds can't have all the fun.  So, the obvious question: why not get a real tattoo?  Because I'm not a real badass.  I'm a temporary "badass". (?) 

Anyway, no matter what your age, I sincerely feel that there is a certain euphoric elegance about these temporary cat tattoos, designed by super talented illustrator Harriet Gray.       

1/  marni pink resin cat pin, $257  2/  marni cotton poplin "scratchy cat" floral shirt, $680  3/  madewell brass cat ring, $22  4/  tsumori chisato zippered cat pouch, $45  5/  cat origami pin by hug a porcupine, $25 (it's a british company, but they ship internationally!)  6/  temporary cat tattoos by illustrator harriet gray, $8.54  7/  forever 21 cat print cosmetic bag, $7

Style Swipe No. 01 | Stella vs. Topshop

There's nothing quite like style fresh from the runway, but not everyone (read: hardly anyone) can drop thousands on beautiful designs.  Thus, a brand new new blog series called Style Swipe, where I'll share my favorite budget-savvy finds, inspired by high end ready-to-wear.  Yay!

Coveted Specimen No. 1 - Stella McCartney's gorgeous black and white floral tailored shorts, $595  VS. Topshop's black and white floral tailored shorts, $70.  

You might think flowery shorts would only go with so many things in your wardrobe.  However, because these are tailored, and printed in classic black and white, their potential (and staying power) is nearly limitless.    

feminine  /  uniqlo sailor striped tee, $20  /  coach garden flower bib necklace, $498, similar by Betsey Johnson, $55  /  zara yellow shopper, $36  /  yoox leather espadrilles, $98  /  edgy  /  french connection leather tee, $150  /  samma flat cutouts ring, $58  /  swell leather studded fringe bucket bag, $50  /  madison harding heeled sandal, $259, similar by zara, $80

layouts made with polyvore

Laid Back Luxe

A petite roundup of super cozy things that retain a pulled together effect, perfect for a season between seasons, and limitless in their wearability.  Not quite hippie, not quite western, but not quite polished either.  Inconspicuous, luxuriously relaxed soon-to-be-favorites, and timeless (age-less!) wardrobe staples. 

Don't you have that one item that you spent just a little too much on, and have found yourself practically living in it over the years?   

Mine is a heap of gorgeous shoes.  Oh, my bad, that's more than one thing.  But I'm dead serious when I tell you that I rarely ever shoe shop anymore because of this glorious (small) mountain I carefully compiled while living in NYC.  Rather than go shopping when my beloved pairs wear thin, I religiously take them to the cobbler - who magically repairs all the damage I've done to them every year.  I hardly even want new shoes.  I just want my favorite, timeless, well-made and well-cared-for, signature wardrobe staples.      

left to right  /  han kjobenhavn for j.crew horn sunglasses, $134  /  elizabeth and james relaxed cotton twill parka, $295  /  club monaco sunny striped tee, $40  /  alexander mcqueen nude silk skull print scarf, $295  /  mar y sol hand embroidered and woven raffia foldover clutch, $95  /  kelly wearstler porcelain dots mug, $49  /  kate spade metro black leather watch, $175  /  zara wood & leather platform sandal, $80  /  topshop 70's inspired vintage leather satchel, $130  /  l'autre chose jade leather sandals, $198   

layout made with polyvore

Color Lust | Peony

Pantone's Linen may take the cake this spring as far as traditionally feminine hues go, but a dab of perfect peony pink is always in style.

There's almost no indulgence I like better than pretty, lingerie-esque sleepwear.  This one by Kate Spade has me smitten.  The simple, straightforward design keeps the ultra girly shades from going over the top frou frou.   

At The Very Top of my Lust-List  |  Stella McCartney's neon pink espadrilles.  What a refreshing take on an old standard!  I can't think of very many things I wouldn't wear these with.  Though, at 315 dollars a pop, I'll be thinking of a way to DIY a similar pair on the cheap. 

Newly Discovered Edible Indulgence  |  Boozy homemade popcicles!  This one is pink cosmo-lemonade.  If you need me this summer, you can find me lounging someplace in the shade with an ice box full of these little babies.  See the recipe here.

1  asos nude round glasses, $17  2  Barney's Blown Glass Tumbler, $54  3  lucifer vir honestus pink tourmaline double butterfly ring, $25,360 (hah!)  4  tarte lipsurgence matte lip tint in light pink, $24  5  stella mccartney mesh espadrilles, $315  6  pink cosmo lemonade ice pop recipe via redbook  7 & 8  kate spade the lake and stars silk sleep shirt, $188, and matching tap pant, $78   9  alexander mcqueen skull print silk scarf, $295  10  aude lechere murmure peony bracelet, $465  11  abc shibori stripes silk velvet pillow, $245 

photos  /  Les Pivoines by Georgianna Lane  /  Peony Studies Set by Kimberly Blok  

Fashion Illustration Stationery

I'm working on some new fashion illustrations!  But until they're ready for gandering, please plunder away at the illustrations & designs in my boutique and let me know what you think?

I'm awfully partial to the stationery - I'll take any excuse to send an "old fashioned", hand written note to someone, particularly if it has a pretty design on the front, or a fancy envelope of some sort.  Call me a cynical romantic (do those exist?), but it's sort of a bummer that the only mail people seem to invest time and energy into these days are wedding invites.  I'd love to see more of that kind of beautifully designed & illustrated correspondence on a regular basis.   

You know, so that I don't have to gobble up and hoard the wedding invites like some kind of design-monster-junkie.

Don't you miss some of those pre-technology novelties?  I do.  

shop the cards!   

1     2     3 

4     5     6

layout made with polyvore 

In the Mood for Optimism

I discovered these enchanting photos ( 1, 2, 3 )  of Paris by Irene Suchocki of Eye Poetry when browsing Etsy the other day.  Are you familiar with her work?  I can't believe I didn't find her sooner with all the internet plundering I do!  She's the cat's pajamas, as far as gorgeous photography goes.  I'm completely smitten with her discerning eye and etherial style - there's something rather moody, almost gloomy, and yet entirely uplifting about her work.  In a word : optimistic.  

As we enter this rain laden season of pre-spring, easy and warm-ish clothing with a bright pop of vermillion really sums up the mood.  For good measure, throw in a charming mug of cafe au lait that reveals a delicate little ceramic fox as you sip.  Oh, the metaphor!  I die. 

  

1.  topshop unlined cotton parka, $120  2.  dolce & gabbana polka dot crepe dress, $1,545  3.  imm living fox mug, $27  4.  ralph lauren leather saddle tote, $1,544  5.  tom binns silk paint splatter shawl, $372  6.  zara black and white striped heels, $80  7.  rive gauche craft vermillion flora iphone 5 case, designed by yours truly!, $36   

  SIMILAR ALTERNATIVES     

polka dotted dresses  /  dorothy perkins, $55  /  j. crew, my fave!, $168  /  gant, $295
leather totes  /  boohoo, $50  /  zara, my fave!, $149  /
vermillion floral scarves  /  forever 21, $9  /  gap, $20  /  betsey johnson, my fave! $40

layout made with polyvore 

Most Wanted | Nassau Circa 1970

Has everyone gotten their fill of winter yet?  It's March!  I'm not normally much of a beach goer (though I insist I've become slightly less cranky about the sand, sweat, salt,  sweltering heat, and strange sea creatures over the years).  However,  I've been craving that sort of relaxed, tropical inspired elegance - denim, linen, and leather - with a serious injection of 70's cool.  Like uber stylish Lauren Hutton and Bianca Jagger (I've been pinning both like a super creep) 

1.  dillinger vintage sunglasses, $395  2.  rag & bone smoking shirt, $325  3.  christopher kon woven leather clutch, $215  4.  ceramic parrot, target, $15  5.  mulberry high waisted flare jean, $380  6.  oranges photo print by vintage beach, $77  7.  artificial tropical stems, target, $10  8. twisted brass tron ring by kelacala q, $56  9.  herve leger bikini, $590  10.  zara sandal, $50  11.  damask honeysuckle beach towel, anthropologie  12.  roberts revival vintage style radio, $192

photos  /  salt cay via old bahamas  /   bianca via laudit   /  lauren via keepitchic