On Display



Many of us who love fashion often have a hard time finding storage for (much less getting rid of) our treasures. If you’re short on space and proud of your beautiful things, why not display them? When your beloved items are visible they will be enjoyed by friends that visit and you’ll be reminded to wear them more often.

the-coveted3the-coveted4

I love the look of shoes in bookcases or shelves. I’m so proud of my shoes and if I hide them away, I will occasionally forget an old favorite. I also die for the hat display.

Jewelry is another prized possession that can be neglected when one accrues more than a few favorite pieces. Who needs artwork when you have baubles strung about?

jewelry-storage

Storing clothes and bags in an open space can be a bit tricky. I think it’s important to play up the organized chaos rather than organized or chaotic. Also, play up the femininity with the color palette and furniture. Case in point: chandeliers and pastels.

papered-closet

Site Meter

As much as we shouldn’t, we often judge beauty products by their appearance. Because don’t you feel more beautiful when surrounded by beautiful things? Especially Chanel…

All of this glorious inspiration is from my favorite blog: {this is glamorous}

Have a lovely weekend!

-P

A Short Week

Ro and I are headed south this afternoon to attend a funeral. So it will be a short week for me. While I’m gone, enjoy some of what I’ve been loving lately.

Get in the spirit of Mardi Gras with this playlist from Rebirth Brass Band

Through my blog I’ve gotten reaquainted with several old friends. One in particular has a very lovely blog and is a very talented designer in Atlanta, GA. Hit her up at Christina Lee Design.

Drool and Covet the clothes and homes of the fashion elite on The Coveteur.

Get ready to show off your legs with shift dresses from ASOS

Do yourself a huge favor and get acquainted with this band: Hot Chip

Indulge in a little harmless celebrity judgement with the fug girls at Go Fug Yourself.

Keep track of what you’re reading on Good Reads

Indulge your secret (or not so secret) obsession with paper on Minted. PS: Their 2011 Wedding collection just came out…

I feel compelled to give a little reminder to cherish the ones you love. Until Monday… adieu.

Coveting the Director of Special Events at Vogue

Lately, I find myself checking The Coveteur almost everyday. As editors and various people at fashion magazines and houses as well as gals-about-town have become style icons in their own right, this site comes at exactly the right time. People are curious about the fashion elite. What are their favorite pieces? What does their closet look like? How do they store their shoes? I was especially drawn to Sylvana Ward Durrett below.

“Sylvana Ward Durrett has been a veteran at Vogue for nearly 8 years,
starting her career at the most iconic magazine of all time as the
Assistant to the Editor-in-Chief, Anna Wintour. Her determination and
spunkiness helped her climb the ranks at American Vogue, moving into
the fashion department as the Accessories Editor and eventually
landing feet first in the role of Director of Special Events, a title
she currently maintains. She’s one girl with a full plate: her
responsibilities include producing over 30 events a year, including
the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Awards Dinner and the annual Costume
Institute Benefit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Her style is the
epitome of effortless chic – mastering the art of putting together
envy-defying outfits on a daily basis.” via The Coveteur

<span class='fancyPhotoDesc'></span><span class='fancyPhotoName'>Shoes, Various Designers</span><span class='fancyPhotoDesc'></span><span class='fancyPhotoName'>All, Miu Miu</span><span class='fancyPhotoDesc'>The dress is Roberto Cavalli from a few seasons back and I am absolutely in love with it. Every time I bring it out for an event I get butterflies! I love the flapper feel but I always add a touch of edge to modernize it a bit. For example with the Lanvin chain anklet heel pictured here. The chain and leather strap detail are just the right touch. The Chloe rose gold evening bag speaks for itself. It is an evening staple and goes with just about any look!</span><span class='fancyPhotoName'>Dress, Roberto Cavalli; Shoe, Lanvin; Bag, Chloe</span><span class='fancyPhotoDesc'>I love this photo because it includes two of my favorite things in my apartment and closet: my Stubbs and Wooton skull and bones velvet slippers and my husband’s record player (he has never been so proud of anything in his life). The slippers are my Friday, wear-to-work staples. So comfy and great with a pair of boyfriend jeans. The necklace is vintage, a great statement piece to pair with a day or night look.</span><span class='fancyPhotoName'>Slippers, Stubbs and Wooton; Necklace, Vintage</span><span class='fancyPhotoDesc'>This was one of my favorite seasons from Balenciaga. Such a vibrant print and it never goes out of style. I wear it with opaque tights in winter and with a bare leg and stiletto in summer. The clutch is a perfect statement piece for summer and fits everything!</span><span class='fancyPhotoName'>All, Balenciaga</span><span class='fancyPhotoDesc'>I don’t remember the season but it is a closet staple. I love that it has a preppy look with a modern twist.</span><span class='fancyPhotoName'>Clutch, Balenciaga</span><span class='fancyPhotoDesc'></span><span class='fancyPhotoName'>Dress, Miu Miu; Shoes, Toms</span><span class='fancyPhotoDesc'>Clutches are a necessity for me. I have so many different types and colors and I continue to collect! The brights pictured here make me happy every time I carry them!</span><span class='fancyPhotoName'>Clutches, Various Designers</span><span class='fancyPhotoDesc'></span><span class='fancyPhotoName'>Shoes, Manolo Blahnik</span><span class='fancyPhotoDesc'>This Chanel clutch literally goes with me to nearly every event. The iridescent midnight blue mixes with most evening looks, casual or formal. Shoes are Miu Miu. I can never get enough of studs!</span><span class='fancyPhotoName'>Clutch, Chanel; Shoes; Miu Miu</span><span class='fancyPhotoDesc'></span><span class='fancyPhotoName'>Clockwise from left to right: Clutch, Devi Kroell; Clutch, Kotur; Shoes, Christian Louboutin; Boot, Balmain; Bag, Balenciaga; Clutch, Celestina; Boot, Christian Louboutin,; Dress, Proenza Schouler; Dress, Jason Wu.</span><span class='fancyPhotoDesc'>I’m a maniac for a mini. Enough said.</span><span class='fancyPhotoName'>Skirts, Various Designers</span><span class='fancyPhotoDesc'>I love these sequin “starry” tops ( Proenza Schouler and Derek Lam from right to left) paired with the photo taken by one of my closest friend, Victoria Will. She is a genius photographer, and this photo was my wedding gift!</span><span class='fancyPhotoName'>L to R. Tops, Proenza Schouler, Derek Lam </span><span class='fancyPhotoDesc'></span><span class='fancyPhotoName'>Bag, Chloe; Necklace, Fenton/Fallon </span><span class='fancyPhotoDesc'></span><span class='fancyPhotoName'>Top, 3.1 Phillip Lim</span><span class='fancyPhotoDesc'>Vuitton bow pump with sequin heel. There are no words, they are just.... incredible. I knew I could not live without them…but then again I feel that way about every pair of shoes.</span><span class='fancyPhotoName'>Shoes, Louis Vuitton</span><span class='fancyPhotoDesc'>I’m a huge fan of Jason Wu. He is an old friend, I love him and I love the way his clothes fit. He actually custom made my dress for the Costume Institute last year (my first Met Ball as Director of Special Events!). I felt like the belle of the ball!</span><span class='fancyPhotoName'>Dress, Jason Wu; Shoes, Miu Miu</span><span class='fancyPhotoDesc'>When you work at Vogue you are acutely aware of the fact that color always looks better! Whether it’s on the page or on your body. So, needless to say, I have a rainbow of colors in my closet from shoes to dress to clutches and tights!</span><span class='fancyPhotoName'>Dress, Victoria Beckham; Shoes, Manolo Blahnik</span><span class='fancyPhotoDesc'>This is a Celine top actually and it goes with a matching white lace calf length skirt. It so clean and simple and can be worn as a separate over my leather pants or tucked into a wide leg trouser. Ms. Philo truly has the Midas touch. Celine is so chic right now!</span><span class='fancyPhotoName'>Top, Celine </span><span class='fancyPhotoDesc'>I got this dress for my trip to China in November. Going to bring it out for London Fashion Week too!</span><span class='fancyPhotoName'>Dress, Dolce and Gabbana</span><span class='fancyPhotoDesc'>Another Jason Wu! I wore this to the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Awards Dinner in November and got tons of compliments.</span><span class='fancyPhotoName'>Dress, Jason Wu</span><span class='fancyPhotoDesc'></span><span class='fancyPhotoName'>Clutch, Marc Jacobs; Shoes, Christian Dior</span>

Images via The Coveteur. Photos by Jake Rosenberg.

 

Top Knot Tutorial

Lately I have been really into topknots, buns, chignons (a la @OscarPRGirl below) and have been looking around for relevant instructions. The easiest way I’ve found is to either use a hair piece or place a clip around your pony tail and wrap the hair around that to make it fatter. I still haven’t grasped the whole teasing concept.

I’ve found two helpful instructions for you (and me). From Emily of Cupcakes and Cashmere here and below from NWA’s own Anna of TulipLouise and StyleBy.Me.

I’m hoping to add my own eventually!

Bridal Inspiration {Parties}

Now that I have THE DRESS, I can focus on  the dresses (among other things) that I will hopefully wear to parties here and there. I love the idea of the bride wearing a chic white dress to all the engagements she attends. Here are some inspiring dresses…

Lanvin Alice + Olivia Etoile Isabel Marant Milly Narciso Rodriguez Richard Nicoll Shirt Sandro Halston Heritage Versace Jason Wu Antonio Berardi Valentino 

This one is the ultimate…

Jason Wu Jason Wu 

All these beauties are from net-a-porter and are linked to their sources.

Best & Brightest

Going gaga for this gorgeous editorial of Edita Vilkeviciute from Vogue China January 10.

editavilkeviciute1 Vogue China January 2010 | Edita Vilkeviciute by Walter Pfeiffereditavilkeviciute2 Vogue China January 2010 | Edita Vilkeviciute by Walter Pfeiffereditavilkeviciute3 Vogue China January 2010 | Edita Vilkeviciute by Walter Pfeiffereditavilkeviciute4 Vogue China January 2010 | Edita Vilkeviciute by Walter Pfeiffereditavilkeviciute5 Vogue China January 2010 | Edita Vilkeviciute by Walter Pfeiffereditavilkeviciute6 Vogue China January 2010 | Edita Vilkeviciute by Walter Pfeiffereditavilkeviciute7 Vogue China January 2010 | Edita Vilkeviciute by Walter Pfeiffereditavilkeviciute8 Vogue China January 2010 | Edita Vilkeviciute by Walter Pfeiffereditavilkeviciute9 Vogue China January 2010 | Edita Vilkeviciute by Walter Pfeiffereditavilkeviciute10 Vogue China January 2010 | Edita Vilkeviciute by Walter Pfeiffer

Vogue China January 2010 | Edita Vilkeviciute by Walter Pfeiffer via FGR

NYC/The Dress

NYC was wonderful. It was fabulous to be with friends and family and I felt very spoiled. I’m a bit exhausted today but so thrilled that I found the dress!

A few pictures from the trip…

With mom after we bought “the dress”!

Sara, Me, Shayna and Ryan

With my mom and Rosaria – our helper

The girls at lunch

With Robert’s mom, Laurie and my Aunt Stephie and Uncle Alan

The view from Brooklyn

Meeting Randy from Say yes to the dress!

A Taste of NOLA

It’s practically a blizzard here. So, I decided to make a taste of New Orleans and Summer. Shrimp Remoulade. It was super-easy and turned out really well.

1.5 cup mayo

1/2 cup creole mustard

1 tbsp worchestershire

1 tsp hot pepper sauce

1/2 cup diced green onions

1/4 cup diced celery

2 tbsp minced garlic

1/4 cup chopped parsley

1/2 tbsp lemon juice

Salt and Pepper to taste

3 dozen shrimp

Combine and place wet ingredients in the refrigerator overnight. Add to shrimp before serving. Serves 6.

By Candlelight

eternal-summer

This past Saturday was warm and sunny and such a nice reprieve from the chill that is far from over. With yet another Winter storm on the way, I am thinking ever more about Summer and savoring that lovely time whether we are there in our minds or in reality.

Photos via {this is glamorous}