I'm Back! + Fifi in Paris

So sorry that I disappeared for a few days without saying goodbye! I escaped to Alabama for a visit with the family, and for much engagement-celebrating! It was a wonderful time... though maybe not quite as nice as Fifi's trip to Paris. I am quite jealous of her travels! Anyway, I am so happy to be back, and can't wait to get back to posting. More to come soon...

(Fifi Lapin "My Heart Belongs to Paris" print, via here)

And More Razzle Dazzle...

Remember the fabulous pink Brooklyn brownstone I featured last week? Well, here are some more images to tickle your fancy....

And a very special p.s. ... Thanks so much to all of you for your kind words and wishes of congrats on my recent engagement! It's so nice being able to share good news with my friends and readers! I promise to keep you posted on my wedding plans as they progress, and I'm sure some of my ideas will show up here...

(Images above: interior design by Jonathan Berger and photos by Francesco Lagnese)

More Stripes and Florals...

Loving these ladylike florals and graphics (and the red lipstick!) from Kate Spade...

Happy Friday + Happy News!

Here's hoping you are all looking forward to a great weekend. I certainly am, because I'll be celebrating my ENGAGEMENT (!!) to my fantastic and amazing fella Kevin!

I've never been so happy, and it's because of the wonderful man I get to look forward to marrying and sharing a life with. He's the smartest, funniest, handsomest, most talented and totally awesome person I've ever known, and I truly feel like the luckiest girl in the world. I love you so much, Kevin! You are my one and only and forever Monkey Pie.

Happy weekend to you all!

(Image detail via Rebecca Thuss)

Razzle Dazzle Pink

I wish House Beautiful would go ahead and post all the images from this amazing Brooklyn brownstone, featured in their July 09 issue, on their site, because they are pretty amazing. Everything is so feminine and... pink! Here's a shot I found of the entry way...

Hopefully, there will be more to share soon! The living room is about more than I can stand... And FYI, that wall color above is Benjamin Moore's Razzle Dazzle.

(Images by Francesco Lagnese, via House Beautiful)

Friendly Monsters by Laura George

Wooly monsters, smiling tree creatures, hungry hair beasts, and other adorably strange characters adorn these prints by Laura George....

Favorite Spaces

Just some recent favorites from my inspiration files.... and yes, there does seem to be a color theme going on.

The first bedroom in particular is one I keep coming to. I'm wondering if I can recreate the wallpaper look with a paint stencil. Meanwhile, does anyone know where that dotted chair fabric comes from? 

(Images from top: 1) Canadian House and Home, 2) Elle Decor, 3) Living Etc, 4) Canadian House and Home, 5) Southern Accents, 6) Canadian House and Home)

I See London, I See France...

I am positively enchanted by these gorgeous papercut city maps by Famille Summerbelle, first spied over at Decor8. Though they are perfect for a child's room, I would be thrilled to hang the pink Paris version in my upstairs hallway. And luckily they come sized to fit in a standard Ikea frame, which is always a good thing...

Meanwhile, Famille Summerbelle offers so many more charming posters, banners and pillows...

(All images via Famille Summerbelle)

Happy Friday + Ideeli and Gilt Groupe

As I wish you all a happy weekend, I leave you with a few fun things that have caught my eye recently...

• This new banana vase from Jonathan Adler is totally fun and a little bit naughty. I love it!
• Jewelry from Andrew Hamilton Crawford - particularly this badass dragon necklace and ring...

and...

• Ideeli and Gilt Groupe, two excellent private sample sale sites. They get killer designer merchandise and the prices are pretty fantastic. Recently, there have been sales featuring Kenneth Jay Lane, Vera Wang, Jonathan Adler, Laura Mercier, Geren Ford, Christian Lacroix, Diane von Furstenberg... the list really goes on. Most of the time, the goods are impressively discounted between 50% and 75% off.  Here are few of the fab items I've drooled over recently....

Hot stuff, don't you think? To gain access to the sample sales, you just accept an invitation from a member.... for Ideeli, click HERE and for Gilt Groupe, HERE...

Hope you all have a fantastic weekend, and see you on Monday!

(Top image via Johnny Miller Photography)

Creamy Pinks + Pale Neutrals

From top: 1. Mark Burstyn Photography; 2. Unknown; 3. Canadian House and Home; 4. Scott Horne; 5. Southern Accents

Beach Towels as Art

... or, more appropriately, art as beach towels. These super stylish beach towels come to us from the Art Production Fund's Works on Whatever (WOW) project. I featured a few of the 2007 selections, by artists such as Elizabeth Peyton and Kehinde Wiley, here on Peacock Feathers last year. The new towels are adorned with beautiful and bold works by acclaimed contemporary artists Raymond Pettibon and Julian Schabel. At $50, they are a splurge if you are accustomed to picking up a couple striped numbers at Target or Old Navy. But compared to a luxe version from Missoni or Hermes, they are a complete steal! Not to mention they are huge, measuring 60x70 inches. A great gift for the art lover/sun worshipper in your life.

My favorite (from the 2007 series)... by Jeff Koons

Stripes + Florals at Tory Burch

I just love how great stripes and florals look when paired together. Mixing patterns demonstrates a certain confidence of style that is so easy to accomplish. The "Trey" and "Lreena" skirts by Tory Burch are utterly lovely, but they are taken to the next level with the graphic pop of a simple striped tee. The great thing about this look is that most of us girls could recreate it with items already hanging in our closets! A brightly printed skirt, some strappy heels, a bold cuff - all set off with some bold black and white stripes - and you're ready to go!

But still, no matter what I put together in my closet, I will be stalking that high-waisted aqua skirt once it goes on sale....

The Eyes Have It

Beguiling eyes on this print, "Blink," from Christina Vantzou.... 

... Via Supermarket