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 

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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