Clutch Love

I wanted to share some fabulous clutches I came across this weekend. I was browsing through Etsy (if you don't know what Etsy is by now, shame on you! Look it up ASAP!!), and I searched "vintage purses". After looking through a few sellers' pages, I saw a clutch from Bagatelles & Co.

I instantly become a fan of the clutches and mini purses - and ALL of the graphic prints and patterns. Below are a few of my favorites, but I encourage you to visit their site to see more.

And for those of you who may be a little lazy to check out Etsy, it's everything handmade that you could think of - and more. You can find the most unique items - definitely worth browsing if you like standing out from the crowd ;-)

I love how these pics are styled
All images from Bagatelles & Co's etsy page

On a Peaceful Day

It's Sunday... already. After taking Friday off of work to give my mind and sanity a rest, I have to return tomorrow. Such is life for now. I'm not worried because I have you - my wonderful blog that provides a source of escape and creativity for me :-)

So on this day, I will relax. I plan to watch a movie (An Education), give myself a pedicure, and read some inspirational text. Rest, relax, and rejuvenate. Beauty works from the inside out.

So take care of your mind, body and spirit. Stay beautiful!

Photo taken from HGTV Landscaping section. I wish I had a yard to grow these :-)

A Little West Elm on a Friday

Happy Friday!

Here's a small treat - a few of my picks from West Elm. I strolled through their Philadelphia store on Wednesday and wanted to bring damn-near everything home with me. I love earth tones, and decided to put a few pieces together that I thought were complementary and would brighten any room.

Clockwise from top left: Andalusia Rug, Gourd Table Lamp, PATCH NYC Pillow Covers, Mini Ceramic Bowling Pin, and Woven Vessels
All from West Elm

Some of the prices are a little steep for my frugal taste, so I will be on the hunt for reasonable replicas. Stay tuned :-)

Feeling Blue

I was browsing through House Beautiful again today (I really like that magazine), and came across really great showcases of different shades of blue. I currently rent, so I'm not able to paint - - which in my opinion, is a major con of renting. But I swear, as soon as I own I am painting at least one room blue. I like the color on the wall on this pic:

I'm loving the chandelier and the pop of green in the vase.
photo credit: James Merrell

A few more rooms for inspiration:

I am not a huge fan of wallpaper, but I think it's time I give it another try. I love the print on the wallpaper featured here, and the mirror brings a warm, antique feel to the room.
photo credit: Mikkel Vang

Another gorgeous wallpaper/mirror combo. At first glance, I thought two lamps on the dresser was overdoing things, but I am so feeling it!
photo credit: Francesco Lagnese

The beaded chandelier brings a craftiness to a rather serious looking room.
photo credit: Francesco Lagnese

All photos from House Beautiful

Padma is so Chic

Harper's Bazaar has an article featuring Top Chef host's Padma Lakshmi's NYC apartment. First, let me say that I heart Padma. She is beautiful and so chic. I have yet to see a bad photo of her. How does someone who hosts a food show remain so fit is beyond me. And just like Padma, her apartment is sleek and fashionable. Click here to see the rest of the photos.

I personally wouldn't cook or even toss a tomato in a white Roverto Cavalli gown, but more power to Padma.

Yes, she has a swing in the middle of her living room. I'm not bothered -
I just wish I thought of it first!

No, it's not vain to have a self-portrait above your bed :-)

Photos by Douglas Friedman

Did I also mention that she has her own jewelry line sold at Bergdorf Goodman??? Yeah, I thought so.

Green Garnet & Peridot Hoop Earrings

Shoe Fever

I wasn't going to blog today (crazy tired), but as I was lazily browsing the Web I came across these Pour La Victoire shoes on Endless:

Pour La Victoire Jillianna Lace Up Sandal in Grey

It was only right that I shared these beauties with you. I'm still on my shoe high from yesterday. And yes - I'm loving them in red as well!

Pour La Victoire Jillianna Lace Up Sandal in Red

Sandal Love / Credobags

I came across these Alaia Leather Wedge Sandals and automatically thought, "I have to get these!!!"

Alaia Leather Wedge Sandal from Net-A-Porter

But the $2,090 pricetag quickly brought me back to reality. Sadly, I had to release the image I quickly planted in my mind of my freshly painted toes peeking out from these bad boys. The color, the stitching, the wedge heel... it's all perfection.

But as soon as I released that image, another one popped into my mind. Boutique 9 had a sale on Rue La La last week. I remember seeing these Jayleen sandals and getting just as excited.

Boutique 9 Jayleen 2 Sandal

Rue La La sold out, but Amazon has it in black and dark pink. A few sites, including Zappos, has it, so it's worth browsing for the best price. They are soooo much cheaper then the Alaia sandals, and in my opinion, they're just as hot.

I also came across a site called Credobags this weekend. They are an eco-conscious company that makes reusable bags - including the first line of reusable produce bags available in North America.

I try really hard to bring my own bags with me when I go to the grocery stores. And now we have the option to bring our own produce bags.

Photo from credobags website

This is already added to my To Buy list. I visit my local farmers market at least once a week, and these would be great. Not to mention the typography and colors are chic!

Visit their site to learn more and to shop.

A Little Black Dress

It's Friday night, and as I'm browsing through the wine and spirits store waiting for my taste buds to help guide me, I come across a rather stylish label. A friend of mine told me about Little Black Dress Wines awhile ago. And as I stood in the aisle, I couldn't remember what she said about the taste. All I knew was that I wanted to try it for the label alone.

Photo taken from Little Black Dress Wines

It's a little like me: simple, yet classy, and rather smooth. I love the little red hanger and the stilettos on the bottle. And the name - Little Black Dress... perfect!

I Want That Pink

The NBA Finals are on tonight, and my boyfriend swears that I'm breaking his concentration by using the computer instead of helping him cheer on the Lakers. So I'll make this quick...

Pink and I are good friends. No, not the singer (though I heart her). I'm talking about the color. Magenta and a sort-of "cotton candy" pink are my favorites. I have a magenta blazer that I scored at H&M for under $40 that I always get compliments on.

So imagine my surprise as I continued browsing through House Beautiful today and was immediately drawn to the pink on this wall:

Photo from House Beautiful
photo credit: Francesco Lagnese

I never thought this passionate shade of pink would look good painted on a wall. Maybe as an accessorizing color, but not the main color. It definitely works! The pops of grey in the chair and blue in the vase bring it all together. And can I please have that mirror?!!

A Room to Live In

I don't know about you, but my living room serves as a multipurpose center - to watch TV, host company every now and again, even fall into a deep, peaceful sleep on the couch. So as I'm decorating my apartment, I'm looking for pieces that are both stylish and functional.

After purchasing a new favorite magazine, House Beautiful, I decided to browse through their site for more inspiration. The Living Rooms section under their Photo Galleries offers just that. I posted a few pics that I liked, but I definitely encourage you to find your own inspiration. The magazine and site have plenty to offer.

I like the play of blue against the earth tones - especially brown and orange.
photo credit: Thomas Loof

More yummy earth tones
photo credit: Julian Wass

I am absolutely in love with wing chairs. There's just something so royal about them.
photo credit: John Kernick

Seriously - I need that chair/flowers combo
photo credit: Francesco Lagnese

Pics are from House Beautiful

I Heart Rachel

Rachel Roy, that is. Her line, Rachel Rachel Roy, is slowly becoming a favorite. It's a funky, eclectic mix of colors and patterns that come together beautifully with clean lines and silhouettes. I was browsing through Macy's yesterday and stumbled upon this High Waisted Combo Dress dress:

Yeah, and I'm loving the earrings in the pic:

Images from Rachel Rachel Roy

It made me think of a modern day tea party. No, I've never been to a tea party. But for some reason this dress made me want to be invited to one. It wouldn't have to be prim and proper. I'm all about redefining things. Hell, I may have to bring my own cup.

Mug and pic from Anthropologie

The Reason Why

Hello world! I am excited, enthused, and extremely exhausted. I have been working feverishly to bring you this blog. It started with a boring weekend and way too many hours browsing the Internet. I was looking for sites that offered tips on upholstering furniture. I'm decorating my apartment and keep stumbling across $20 thrift store chairs that - with a little TLC (fresh paint and new fabric) - could look like a million bucks. Oh, okay... maybe a few hundred.

Turns out, upholstery can be pretty expensive. And who wants to spend hundreds of dollars to fix something that only cost twenty bucks? Not I. So began the search to find ways that I could do it on my own. But in that search grew something I never knew existed - a love and appreciation for interior design.

As I'm slowly pulling together room by room, I'm understanding the importance of creating a space that is warm, comfortable, and oh yeah - FUN! I want rooms and trinkets that reflect my creative side... a space that feels good.

So, I'm dedicating this blog not only to interior design, but to everything stylish that brings a smile to my face. It can be a chair, or a beautiful photo. Food and clothes will make appearances as well. And as always, inner beauty (which looks good on everyone) will find its way sown through the invisible threads of this blog.

Enjoy, and don't forget to show some love!