June 17th, 2010
Here we are in the throws of Spring 2010. So much to share. The biggest and most exciting news is that we’ve bought and moved into our first home! Hence the disappearing act from the blog. I’ve spent the past several months, planning and executing designs dreams from my collection of inspiration binders put together over the years. I can’t tell you how nice it is to have a custom shade made! Munchkin’s room is practically done and when you see the before and after photos you’ll see just how far we’ve come.
Looking to the hall from the crib corner
This will become the "pillow corner"
This will be the painted accent wall
I’m holding out for a Madeline Weinrib rug for her room. They are so beautiful, simple and colorful but not widely available so we’ll be taking a trip to ABC carpet when we’re “home” in NYC this summer.
I’m looking forward to sharing house pics and design ideas while continuing to share fashion news and inspiration for the whole family.
Enjoy the pics. Til next time.
My handier than expected husband installed this lovely white pine floor over the hunter green vinyl floor tiles. Oh the horror.
Dresser
Pink Ikea dresser with Foo dogs from Target (2 of our favorite shops!). The fabric is a Kravet couture remnant. Hello Kitty speaks for herself. She keeps us on schedule. The bunny head is a comb and brush set by Skip/Hop. The dark taupe accent wall raised some eyebrows as a color selection for a little girl’s room but I think it offsets the pink accents nicely and is not over the top girly. The remaining walls are painted Rice by Ralph Lauren, a warm, soft ivory with a subtle pink cast. The ceiling and fan blades are painted with Glidden’s White Fur and the closet interior is painted Ralph Lauren Mission Wildflower. The Hanging flowers are tissue poms from Prosttothehost on etsy.com. The pillows and floor cushions are upholstered in Lee Jofa fabrics and the ribbon shade was made by a local craftswoman using a beautiful (and inexpensive) pink fretwork print from Joanne’s fabric. The books, dolls and accents have been purchased, gifted or handed down over the years.
View from the hall.
No Comments | In: Fashion, Hair, Kids, Travel, Uncategorized | tags: before and after, decorating, design inspiration, home, little girls room. | #
May 28th, 2009
So, the warm weather has finally arrived and with it the desire to wear spring dresses. Oh, how I love my spring dresses. Too bad they don’t love the playground. This is going to be a summer for shorts in my world.
I remember an very proper woman once saying that shorts were possibly the least flattering and most unfeminine article of clothing a woman can wear. I can see where she’s coming from but there are ways to make shorts look…well I don’t know if chic is the right word, but at least stylish.
The fact of the matter is when it’s 85 degrees and you are sitting in a sandbox, shorts are probably the way to go. I want shorts that are functional for a romp in the park but stylish enough to wear to a cafe for a snack afterward. I’ve found a few that should get the job done. Remember it’s not just the shorts it’s how you wear them. I realize that not all legs are created equal but I have to say often shorter length are more flattering than longer ones. I gave up trying to hide my spider veins a while ago. Most people know what looks good on them. Wait, I take that back, a lot of people actually don’t know what looks good on them or rather don’t recognize when something looks bad on them. That’s a whole other topic. Just remember a few rules of thumb. Short shorts look best with tailored but fuller tops. Think tunic. Longer, fuller shorts are best paired with clean, fitted tops.
1 Comment | In: Fashion, Kids, Shopping, Uncategorized | tags: anthropologie, bananarepublic, gap, j crew, Kids, old navy, playground fashion, shorts. | #
May 21st, 2009
Hi there. Been busy guest blogging at Mochatini and neglecting my fashmomers. Poor excuse I know. Well here I am. I did a little post on recycling and re-using furniture as a way to save money while saving the world for Mochatini and on the same theme I want to talk about rediscovering the joys of vintage and second hand clothes shopping. 
I used to scour and dig endlessly at the Goodwill and quality thrift shops all through high school and college because quite honestly I got the most bang for my buck that way. Once I started earning money and becoming a little safer (boring) in my clothing purchases I pretty much gave up on thrifting. It wasn’t until recently that I re-discovered the joys of finding a one of a kind quality vintage piece. The truth of the matter is I don’t have the time or energy that I once did to really get in there and do the work. There are alternatives.
Etsy actually has quite a few vintage clothiers and yet again ebay is a great place to score, if you kind of know what you’re looking for. I have so many great coats, bags and dresses that I’ve bought and the quality is top notch since standards were a little higher in the good old days and clothing wasn’t as disposable as it is today. If you have an afternoon or a couple of hours I would encourage you to get out the house and go to a local thift or consignment store where you may be surprised what you find. I have a girlfrind who swears she will never wear used clothing and is really quite disgusted by the idea, as some people are. I don’t like her any less for her views. In fact since we have the same build it’s one less person to compete with for someone elses designer cast-offs. I just bought a smashing Ports 1961 cardi for $18. The message here is if you’re looking to save some cash and cut down on environmental costs like manufacturing, packaging and freight, buying second hand is a great way to go. Check out consignment and thift stores in your area and remember not all shops are created equal. Thanks for visiting. See my related post on second hand home furnishings at Mochatini.
No Comments | In: Fashion, Shopping, Uncategorized | tags: environment, etsy, reuse, second hand shopping, vintage clothing. | #
May 12th, 2009
Etsy, if you don’t already know, is a fantastic website for people to sell their handmade and vintage goods. It’s a great, fun site to shop and your purchases support artists and craftspeople from around the world. Some recent shops I’ve discovered are listed below. Click image to be directed to shop.
The cutest reversible sun bonnets that truly protect baby's face from the sun. These make great, practical and fashionable gifts for the babies in your life. Proprietress Nicole is lovely and she does custom orders.
Twigs Boutique features reversible pinafore tops and dresses. So cute. I'm into anything reversible for kids. It's like 2 for 1!
Wall decals give a fresh look to a blah wall without much effort.
Coco and Mathilde. What a doll!
How did my jewelry get here?
Super cool mobile
For the boys in your life
Non-toxic wood toys
Beautiful pottery
Chalkboard silhouette. Twist on a classic.
Decorative arts
Violetdelight makes handmade jewelry and gorgeous hairpieces. This is one of my favorites!
No Comments | In: Fashion, Hair, Kids, Shopping, Uncategorized | tags: artist, baby bonnet, etsy, hairband, handmade, pinafore. | #
May 10th, 2009
I was both inspired and jealofied by my sisters travels to Paris with her husband, and two daughters ages 5 and 6 this Spring. So, I did a little “please shop on my behalf” research into children’s shopping so that she might pick up some trinkets for my daughter. I was so excited by my findings that I decided to do a little post for any of you fashmoms traveling to Paris with the wee ones or perhaps just those of you traveling who may be in search of gifts. There are so many great shops and links to assist you with your travels but I’m here to add a few suggestions.
Illustration by Soledad
My personal fantasy is to go on a shopping spree at Bonpoint for my daughter. Granted I could do this on Madison Ave in NYC but so much more je ne sai quoi to do it in Paris. These clothes are so gorgeous, like I would wear them fab. Simple, elegant, whimsical and beautifully tailored but sooo ridiculously expensive that buying them actually is a fantasy (think $100 for a pack of 7 cotton onsies with the days of the week embroidered in french). It also seems wrong on a certain level to spend so much money on clothing that will last a year at most. But hey no judgments I would do it if I could. The good news is that they have an outlet shop in Paris in the left bank where you will probably end up at some point on your trip anyway so please, check it out for me!!
Du Pareil Au Meme carries super cute children’s clothing at reasonable prices.
Bonton is another great place for clothes and gadgets and gifts.
This mushroom is a lamp!
Tumbleweed has whimsical handmade toys and curiosities. A truly unique shop.
WoWo has super cute stuff for boys and girls.
Marie Puce has sweet clothes for baby through teen
Delicious baby is a fabulous travel website with an abundance of information.
No Comments | In: Fashion, Kids, Shopping, Uncategorized | | #
April 25th, 2009
Urban Outfitters
Anthropologie
Summer is around the corner which means it will be time for swimwear before you know it. Quick to the gym Robin! I’ve found that the styles I like the best, which often include one pieces, are not designed with attractive tan lines in mind. I guess it depends if you’re by the pool, on the beach, sunbathing or sipping cocktails by the kiddie pool , no one style works for all women. I’m rounding up a few of my favs purely from a design standpoint.
Hayden Harnett
Hayden Harnett
Victoria's Secret
Victoria's Secret
Urban Outfitters
Free People
Urban Outfitters
No Comments | In: Fashion, Shopping, Uncategorized | tags: Add new tag, bathingsuits, beach, bikini, one piece, pool, swim. | #
March 26th, 2009
Hey there. Just just a quick work about some of the great affordable fashion out there including upcoming private label. We’ve already talked about the McQueen collection for Target (loving my mesh cardi) but it’s time to get excited about Matthew Williamson for H&M coming late April. Yay! Another much anticipated “will it ever happen?” opening in the topshop US debut in SoHo New York.
Topshop NYC opening April 2
Topshop has already made their super hip and trendy wares available to those of us in the states via their US website which features maternity and children’s clothing as well as the Kate Moss private label collection. I have so many fond memories of getting ultra fab clothing from Topshop when in the UK. Now I just have to get downtown! Word is the store will open April 2.
No Comments | In: Fashion, Shopping, Travel, Uncategorized | tags: maternity fashion budget, matthew williamson, McQueen, shopping NYC, Topshop. | #
March 18th, 2009
In keeping with the looks for less posts I want to give you another idea for saving money while looking great. One of my fashmom friends hosted a clothes trading party not so long ago and it was a success for everyone. We all have clothes that we’ve been hanging onto for too long, have never worn or don’t fit any more. I have things from all of the aforementioned categories and then some. These things are too good to just give away but not necessarily consignment worthy. 
Add a little wine and cheese or coffee and pastries to the mix and voila it’s a party. Invite your fashionable friends over have everyone bring a little something to nosh and their clothing “trash”. Our host organized by classification so the trading room had piles of pants, blouses, sweaters etc. that made it easy for everyone to process. Everyone can just stroll through the “shop” at their leisure and pick what they want. Best of all it’s FREE!!! Some of my old goodies got new homes and I scored some great pieces for myself. It’s a fun way to spend an evening with your friends. Remember someone’s trash is someone elses treasure. You never know what you’ll find at a trading party. If clothes aren’t enough for you bring old baby clothes, home decorating items, shoes, recipes the list goes on!!! Have fun.
No Comments | In: Fashion, Shopping, Uncategorized | tags: clothes trading, exchanging, free, swapping. | #
March 10th, 2009
Hello. Back from a brief hiatus. Check out these window shots I took in NYC. Back soon with more pics. Enjoy! P.S. did anyone check out A. McQueen at Target? What do you think?
Ruffles at Sonia Rykiel
Fabulous flowing prints
Can you tell that's a jumpsuit in the middle?
We've seen this dress before!
Check out the necklace
Hello Heels!
Nice Belt.
Gladiators, animal prints and fringe
No Comments | In: Fashion, Shopping, Uncategorized | | #
