Happy Halloween

Well chillens it’s time to play

For it’s fantastic Halloween day

And for all of us grown ups

We may imbibe in some cups

Of wildly concocted witches brew,

but, who knows what it’ll make us do.

Happy Halloween!!

Welcome to the World

Today, I have a big announcement.  A brand new very special boy has arrived into our lives – our little nephew…Luke Asher Burnham Rothwell.  He is such a bundle of joy and so adorable.

Mom, Dad and older brother are all thrilled with their new blessing.  They are now a happy family of four.  Sending them my love and adoration.

NYC & What I Wore…

We had a fabulous time in NYC and Chicago, but it is good to be back home.  I definitely feel silly writing this post on “what I wore” but I actually documented everything and I only had a small carry on for the week.  Graham insisted that I not over pack this trip and I was up for the challenge.  So here’s how I mixed and matched it.

For the record, obviously I’m in no way a fashion blogger.  I can name so many friends that have jaw dropping, out of this world fashion sense…and some even have fabulous blogs (read them – they’ll change your life) Katie & Regan (Cardigans and Couture) and Elisabeth (Mission: Closet).  I’m putting myself out there with this post but I figure why not.

What I wore…

Thursday night dinner –

Striped cape: H&M, black dress: Mary Meyer, black leggings: Forever 21, boots: Tory Burch, earrings: awesome gift from MIL, Ring: Cost Plus World Market

Friday out shopping –

Cape: Eel and Ermine, necklace: Talbots, black top: H&M, black leggings: Forever 21, boots: Tory Burch, ring: Cost Plus World Market

Friday night out…

Shorts: Top Shop, Tank: Gap, Jacket: , Shoes: Bettye Mueller

Saturday to the daytime wedding portion…

Dress: Eel and Ermine, faux fur shawl: Karen Millen, cuff off the street of NYC

Saturday nighttime wedding reception…

Dress – Castle Starr, shoes Bettye Muller (I also ended up adding maroon tights that matched my shoes) jewelry off the street.

Here you can see it with the tights…

BTW, I convinced Lauren that she had to have that camel coat from Ted Baker – doesn’t she look fab in it?!!

Sunday walking around town:

Shorts: Top Shop, Shoes: Tory Burch, Tights: Spanx in maroon, Top: H&M, Cape: Eel and Ermine, Necklace: Talbots

Monday shopping for clients

Leggings: Forever 21, Dress: Mary Meyer, White top: Splendid, Purple Vest: Laurie B.  boots: Tory Burch

Monday night dinner in Chicago

Leggings: Forever 21, Top: H&M, Striped Cape: H&M, Boots: Tory Burch, Earings off the street of NYC

Tuesday client meeting, shopping in Chicago

Jeans: J.Crew, alligator Belt: Thrifted, gingham button down: Madewell, metallic suede jacket: D2K

And there you have it.  What I wore last week.  I won’t be doing this type of a post again; I just thought I’d give it a little spin while I traveled with a small duffel bag for a week (shown below).  BTW, the majority of what I wear either comes from cheap stores (ahem H&M), consignment stores (Goodbyes in SF or Second Time Around in Chicago) or small businesses – (Mary Meyer, Eel and Ermine)

The bag is an absolute love of mine.  It was a gift given to my dad from Corde Valle, a golf club he belonged to.  About a year after he passed, I found it dusty and forgotten in the garage.  I brought it home (after asking mom if I could keep it), dusted it off and use it all the time.  Although he is always on my mind and in my heart, it is nice to have a physical piece that belonged to my dad.

Now, I think we’re all thinking the same thing – get home and wash your clothes!  Don’t worry, I’m on top of it.  Leggings and shoes are taking a breather from the rotation.

Store Visit: C. Wonder

At the request of a faithful reader (sister-in-law Lucy) and my own curiosity, I went to the Grand Opening of the shop C Wonder in SoHo on spring street.  C. Wonder is the new shop by Tory Burch’s x husband, Chris Burch.  Let me say it’s got Tory Burch written all over it.  I don’t know if he did this out of spite or it was something they created together when they were together (he cofounded Tory Burch when he was with her).  Whatever the case it’s fab and the price points are way more reasonable than Tory’s.

I focused on the decor pieces – obvi.  But the clothes & jewelry were also super cute this is for sure a one stop shop.

They get you at the door…

And if those fabulous doors don’t catch your attention, the store window sure will…

COLOR!!!  Love it.

Now that we are all thoroughly intrigued.  Look what meets you smack dab in the face as you walk in –

BAM!!  The vespa you always knew you needed (Katy).  What better to go with the vespa than green and white striped lacquered walls?

Come on!!!  Unfair amounts of cuteness going on.  Here’s a look around the store –

And what I bought…

The irresistible dog pillow.  My collection of dog pillows continues to grow – I now have three and I’m not stopping.  This adorable pillow is available for $32.  They will have their online store up and running soon so no worries if you don’t live in NYC.  I give this store two very huge thumbs up!

Sitting Pretty

We’re still in New York City and loving every minute of it.  Although, after four very late nights in a row, I’m starting to feel exhausted.  This afternoon we’re off to Chicago so there is no rest for the weary.

Last night we went to Babbo for dinner with my cousins.  Prior to going, we went to this amazing penthouse apartment and this was one of the “chairs” they had there.

It was awesome.  BTW, those are my adorable cousins and husband.  I’m off to continue scouring New York City for the best pieces for my clients.  Happy Monday!  Hope you all had a great weekend.

New York Bound

I’m off to NYC for the weekend!!  I can’t wait!!  New York – I’ve missed ya dear and I can’t wait to get there.  Since our flight is leaving at 7 AM, I’m pre-writing this post on Wednesday night.  As I write this, it’s 10:30 PM, I’m just finishing my day of work and I haven’t packed yet.  I gots to go pack cause New Yorkers do not mess around with fashion.  We’re headed to a wedding on Saturday and rumor has it that most people are wearing two outfits…ummm…hello – what do I wear?  You know I love it.  I phone pics to come….have a fabulous weekend!

Panton Chair

The Panton chair and I have been engaging in a love affair recently.   It’s an iconic chair in 20th century design; born from the genius mind of Vernon Panton and manufactured since 1960; it has rocked the world for decades now.  Still as relevant today as it was then; it’s a groundbreaking design (that is also very comfortable to sit in and virtually indestructible).

I’ve used the chair in two of my recent staging projects in outdoor seating arrangements; unfortunately, the photos aren’t available since both homes have sold.  I’m also suggesting the Panton chair for a client meeting I have today.  I’m working on an orthodontist office and I love the idea of them lined up in white in the waiting room to look like glistening teeth.

Let’s give a look at the Panton chair in action –

I find I’m drawn to the Panton chair most when it’s mixed with antiques and wood elements so that it doesn’t get too modern or sterile looking.  If you’re also in love with this chair, you can find them for a steal on overstock.

Check Marks the Spot

Check marks the spot where I’m in love.  I’m head over heels for buffalo check.  Don’t know if it’s the fall magazine inspiration decor, the cute buffalo check fashion trend or coming off of a comfy country weekend.  Whatever it is, I’m in love with the classic look…

Weekend Recap

Happy Monday.  Sorry I missed out on a Happy Friday post.  I’ve decided that on the days when life is too crazy to cut myself some slack on posting – that way I can aim for quality not quantity on posting.  We shall see how this new theory works out.

Graham and I went up to Mount Shasta this past weekend.  It was the exact getaway that he and I needed.  We’ve both been so overworked that on Friday we considered bailing out on the trip and parking ourselves in front of the TV all weekend.  Boy, am I glad we pushed on through and made the four hour drive to Shasta.

This is what you see as you drive into town –

Majestic.  We really recouped this weekend and welcomed the simple life.  We slept in, ate hearty meals, drank micro brews, hiked Panther Meadows on Mount Shasta, perused a crystal hippie shop, lingered in a local small book store, fly fished the Upper Sac and took in the natural beauty sans phones, computers or televisions.

Graham could not have been more excited to fly fish and he tried to convince me I was equally as excited.  I can’t say that I was but I’m never opposed to time on the stream.

I didn’t have a chance to get my fly fishing gear and so we had to outfit me with what was at the Shasta house.  There was a size large waders and wading Teva type shoes that I think were my dad’s (a men’s size 12).

You know I love to share the most flattering photos.  At least I caught one heck of a fish with all the oversized gear…

Hardy har har.  We thought we were funny when we took this shot…again no TV and it was a Saturday night.  You weren’t dressing up in waders and taking photos with wooden fish on your Saturday night?

I actually didn’t catch any fish but Graham did.  Let me tell you wading in size 12 men’s shoes was very cumbersome and sometimes Graham was so eager with fishing that he’d forget about his bigfoot wife trying to trail behind.  Eventually I found a rocky shore to read and he kept on down the river.  Both happy.

Raiding Mom’s House

You know we all do it – swipe a thing here or there from our parent’s home to bring on back to our comfy abode.  Recently, I swiped.  Well, I’m proud to say that I did ask permission before snatching the item away.  So, what was it?

This cushion that was hidden in a dusty corner of my mom’s basement (sorry for the terrible phone photo):

My mom thinks it was actually her parents so this is definitely vintage.  The fabulous dragons…

…remind me of today’s ever popular Chang Mai pattern:

So my new seat cushion isn’t exactly the Chang Mai fabric but it was frizeeee.  I originally thought I would get it recovered, however, it’s growing on me.  Plus, we’ve got other things to buy in the meantime.

Here it is in its glory on our deck.

The cushion is a tad small for the bench seat but getting a custom cushion made can add up so for now I’m loving this.  Thanks to my mom and my grandparents!  The pillows are outdoor pillows from Pottery Barn, available here.