Pocket Protector

J. Mendel's Fall 2008 RTW collection is chock-full of two-pocket peplum belts layered over sleek gowns. I love the practicality, sass and pop of volume these additions bring to the outfit and silhouette. So much so that I am dying to stitch one up for myself. Muff, eat your heart out!

Round Top Roundup

Saturday morning I woke bright and early for Preview Weekend in Round Top, Texas. Endless miles of cow pastures and country fields filled with vendors, tents, heavenly antiques and glorious junk. We arrived by 8AM, an hour before they opened, which was ideal for early bird scouting [and shopping]! It was a quick supermarket sweep and 4 hours later I headed home with an empty wallet and Cheshire grin.

Ever since I saw a slew of these Dr. Nut crates at Installations, I've been on the hunt. And I love that the company was based in little ole Jennings, LA!


Found these Raisin and Currant porcelain jars at the always inspiring Clutter. I love their shape, colors and school-ish vibe. Will look equally great holding fresh flowers or pencils.


This rug was the very first thing I spotted at Round Top. After going back to look at it 4 times, leaving the show, and then making my husband turn the car around "just so I could look once more," I figured I should probably bite the bullet. It's about 20-30 yrs old, 100% wool, 2-sided and in great condition. Definitely needs some cleaning, but the punchy kelly and lime greens mixed with marigold and orange look perfect in my house.


I thumbed through a table of embossed leather pelts for nearly half an hour before choosing which color to buy. I left with the gold stingray and plan to use it on the backside of my chair project. I could have easily left with the entire lot, including that lipstick red patent alligator piece!


Silver Flower Frog. Nothing to write home about, but I needed one for my flower arrangements and the price was right.


Iron Horse Hooks. I plan to use one for towels near my outdoor shower.


Reversible Wool Poncho that would give Little Red Riding Hood a run for her money. Plaid on one side, black on the other and the best $8 find of the day.


And my favorite score: an airtight French tobacco container made from chrome, glass, leather and cork. The porthole-like lid sold me and its cork lined interior is the perfect safe haven for watches and rings.


The only thing that could have made the day any better [albeit more competitive] was having my partner-in-crime in tow.

Made in the Shade

I'm compelled to place Sofia Antonovich's Window Lace Curtain Stickers on every window in my house. Unfortunately my wallet doesn't agree, so perhaps I'll stick to the bathroom window for now.

Play Favorites

A while back, Even*Cleveland posted this beautifully edited clip from Godard’s Bande à part combined with Nouvelle Vague's cover of Dance with Me. And I became a woman obsessed.



This band takes inspiration from rarely covered songs and creates a muse for each track, such as a young Brazilian girl singing Love Will Tear Us Apart on a Rio beach in the '60s or a blind girl singing Fade To Grey in the corridors of the Parisian Metro, alone with her accordion and ignored by everyone. With such depictive imagery, it's no surprise they can turn an early '80s post-punk number into a calypso-themed Caribbean sound from the 1950s. I have [quite belatedly] joined the Nouvelle Vague bandwagon and been playing favorites to their albums ever since.

Crown Jewel

In 2002, twin sisters Elizabeth and Kathyrn Fortunato formed Lizzie Fortunato Jewels after being inundated with sales requests from fellow Duke University classmates. The line's crafty, hand-woven pieces pack a thrifted punch and prove diamonds aren't necessary for high-end jewelry. Silk, hand-sewn leather, antique chains, vintage buttons, precious gemstones like Peruvian opals, shark's teeth, porcupine quills, Whalebone chips from a 19th-century French board game, and Wyoming arrowheads plated in brass and gold are just a few of the fanciful elements that keep this wearable line ahead of the pack.


And the talent runs throughout the Fortunado family. Not only does their grandmother make each sample, but she created the needlework for the horoscope bags. This heirloom-inspired belt is a perfect mix of granny chic handiwork and rich leather; I'm currently saving up for the Leo! J will be traveling extensively over the next 3 years and I plan to accompany him on many jaunts. I can't think of a better accessory for scouring and maneuvering through foreign flea markets!

Pick of the Litter

If I were to go back in time and re-register for my wedding, it wouldn't be at the stereotypical Crate & Barrel or Williams-Sonoma. Instead I'd opt for a houseful of classics from Design Within Reach. Their accessories are so spot-on, I'd imagine my house filled with the most functional and best looking housewares around.

The Kitchen Registry:

The Honey-Do Shower:

The Future Baby Shower:

The Groom's Gift:

And the only bits I would still need [causing me to stray from DWR] are everyday dishes. Without a doubt, Virginia Sin's Porcelain Plates are exactly what I'd want.

A Leg Up

These colorblocked tights give slingbacks and peeptoes a leg up on fall footwear.

Writing on the Wall

While identity and biographical details may be unknown, British guerrilla artist Banksy has been leaving his mark on the streets since the 1980s. His art combines graffiti writing with a unique stenciling technique, which was born out of the Bristol underground scene. Anonymous Banksy, originally trained as a butcher, still has his parents believing he's a painter and decorator.


In August 2008, the third anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, Banksy produced a series of works in New Orleans on buildings abandoned since the disaster. I love the addition of humor and whimsy to his work which focuses on politics, culture and ethics.


[via the incredible Plus More Collective, a collaborative blog started by my graphic designing friend that allows a community of creatives to share photos, design trends and current events.]

Waisted

Seasonless, ageless and special—everything I look for in the perfect belt.

I'm FLORed

The newest FLOR catalog has me salivating over oodles of refinished furniture and conspicuous pieces. I know I'm supposed to be staring at the carpet squares, but it's nearly impossible when they use such smokin' vintage finds!

This cane settee is given a snazzy new life with gold paint. The ultimate seat for anyone with Magpie Syndrome!


I love everything about this tablescape...including the table itself.


Tiny little sheep, oversized ball of yard and the etched glass on that background door, all so sweet!


This vintage dress has been stuck in my head since I first laid eyes on it. Love the colors, love the flutter sleeves and love the hippie print.


And I'm still not sure which is cuter, the vintage BMW or the luggage strapped to the rear rack?

To Sweat the Details

Having the opportunity to work for couturier Ralph Rucci is one of the best—and most humbling— experiences of my life. I have the utmost respect for him as a designer, business owner and man, and just like his creations, Rucci is refined and full of class. Surprisingly there is little difference between his couture and ready-to-wear collections as both showcase the impeccable quality and hand finishing he's known for. Rucci is the first American designer to be invited to show his couture collection in Paris since Mainbocher in the 1930s. Quite an honor!


It was incredible to work amongst his talented staff and with the very best embroiders, furriers, leather and braiding experts in the industry. Seeing garments so well constructed that they could be worn inside out was staggering. This month both Harper's Bazaar and Threads have featured articles on Rucci's architectural works of art.


Artistic knots and cords, feather sculpting, worms and fractured fabric, rampant tucks, and braiding gone wild are a few of the details that have built Ralph Rucci's reputation. [Threads October/November 2008]


If you love to sew and want to learn a few couture techniques, Threads teaches many of his tailoring tips such as Rucci "Worms" and Double-Cloth seams. 


For more tricks of the trade, click to enlarge these tear sheets.

Out of the Park

Almost everyone is familiar with The Parker's retro-perfect interior, lush and layered exterior, and cheeky reputation. Recently, my sweet friend had the pleasure of being their guest and immediately emailed photos containing Parker sights I have yet to see. All proving that designer Jonathan Adler knocks it out of the park with his impeccable, over-the-top details and quirky objects d'art lurking in every corner.

An old world gate surrounded by verdant greens—a definite showstopper!


This poolside wooden horse would have my undivided attention.


I've seen the Lemonade Stand's umbrellas in numerous photos, but I never noticed the crisp white tassels hanging from each indentation.


I love the preppy clean feel of this spa locker room, but the porthole window is the best part!