Purple Reign

What drama! Purple and yellow is such a great color combination, and this room takes it to the next level with the addition of fuchsia accents, and, most importantly, a wall of dark and whimsical garden-themed wallpaper. I'll take all of it...

Via Homes and Gardens

Fashion Illustration by Tanya Ling

Oh how I love these gorgeous fashion illustrations by Tanya Ling! The ones pictured here (which depict looks from the Spring and Fall 08 collections) are available for purchase as signed, limited edition giclee prints at Fashion Illustration Gallery. The Lanvin illustration, second from the top, is definitely my favorite. Such a tempting splurge...

Images (all via Fashion Illustration Gallery) from top: Marc Jacobs RTW S/S 2008; Lanvin RTW F/W 2008; Jil Sander RTW F/W 2008; YSL RTW F/W 2008

And the winner is...

After a random drawing this afternoon, a winner has been selected for the Orla Kiely giveaway. And so, congratulations to Linda (comment #17) of Perth, Australia! Linda - I have left you a message on your blog. Please contact me with your mailing information so I can send out your Orla goodies!

And to everyone else who participated, thanks so much for all the great comments! It was fun and enlightening to learn about your shopping holy grails. Continued good luck to all of you on your treasure hunts!

"Queen" gocco screenprint via Lab Partners

New Coffee Table + Pu Yi Tray

Finally, we have a new coffee table for the living room! After spending weeks searching junk stores, antique shops, eBay and Craigslist, we decided to go with this bamboo-framed table with a glass top. I found it on Craigslist for $70. You can see a glimpse of it above! More pictures to come soon...

As a welcome gift for the coffee table, I bought a special little knicknack to pretty up her surface. The hand-painted Pu Yi ceramic tray is by Fabienne Jouvin and can be found here. But I got mine at a very cute little home boutique in Philadelphia called Hello Home. I think it adds just the right amount of color and impact to my new table!

Eggman Studios - Michelle Knowlen

I came across these charming and surreal paintings by Michelle Knowlen the other day on Etsy. She offers original paintings, limited edition prints, as well as one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces that depict woodland creatures, Victorian freak show performers, disembodied heads, friendly octopi, and other playfully strange subject matter. I really like how unique each piece is - the image of body-less legs set into a perfect little vintage frame, a slightly nefarious-looking owl painted onto a teeny, tiny wood chip, or a miniature painting of a feather made into a brooch. All very original and fun! See more here and on the artist's blog...

New Project - One Fine Philly

Hey everyone! First, please let me say thanks for all the fantastic comments that you've been leaving on the Orla Giveaway post. I love reading about your shopping obsessions, and I'm looking forward to drawing the winner's name on Wednesday. Good luck to you all!

Also, I  have some fun news. I am collaborating on a new blog called One Fine Philly with my dear friend, Sober in the City. She is a fantastic writer and quite the blogger extraordinaire, and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to do this with her. The idea of the blog is to be Philadelphia-focused, with posts on shopping, activities, restaurant openings, culture and more. I think it's going to be really good, so I hope you stop by sometime!

My first post is on the highly anticipated opening of Barneys CO-OP in Center City. I put together some fun spring ensembles from their new spring merchandise that you all might enjoy. Check it out here...

Hot Stuff

If you would, please allow me to indulge for a moment in one of my favorite spring rituals... drooling over the new collection from Christian Louboutin! I know they are ridiculously expensive, but they really are works of art. And that pale aqua python pump is pure heaven! I would wear it with everything, all the time, all year long...

Bold and Bright Bungalow

I'm knocked out by the super-saturated colors and rich textures in the LA home of interior designer Moises Esquenazi. More eye candy to be found here and here...

Images via House Beautiful

Loveliness...

Just a little something pretty for your Monday morning!

So I came across this gorgeous image by photographer Mario Sierra in the (also gorgeous) coffee table book, Valentino: Themes and Variations. After taking in the combination of ornate interior, purple hydrangea, feathers and haute couture I decided I had to see more of Sierra's work. If you love fashion, you will go crazy his stunning documentations of the Paris couture collections....

Now I have to run out and buy some flowers for the house!

Happy Friday + Orla Giveaway

Here's hoping you all have plans for a lovely weekend! Before I sign off for the day, I want to announce a little giveaway for my loyal readers. 

Since I've finally had some luck tracking down items from Target's Orla Kiely line, I figure I should share a bit of it with you. So, just leave a message in the comment section telling me about that one thing you are constantly searching for on your shopping expeditions. It can be something specific, like a perfect pair of ceramic foo dogs, or something more general, like vintage beaded clutches. 

One lucky person will receive the super-cute pear print apron and matching oven mit seen above! The winner will be selected at random on Wednesday, February 25.... Good luck, and happy weekend!

Wallpaper Project on Apartment Therapy

Wow! Thanks so much to Beth over at Apartment Therapy for featuring my before-and-after wall project! I'm super flattered that they liked the results of my adventure in bargain wallpaper. Check out the AT post here...

Gryphone Stationers + Joel Holland

How cool is this limited edition notebook from Gryphon Stationers?! A collaboration with graphic artist Joel Holland, the journal features his playful illustrations interspersed throughout. Holland is known for his book cover illustrations and particularly his hand-drawn lettering... check out more of his work below and here...

Erickson Beamon for You-Know-Where

I can't help myself. The new Erickson Beamon jewelry line at Target is totally fun and I love it! The cuff above is particularly fab and eye-catching. I would have died for this stuff back in the late 80s when I was in high school... funny how some things never change!

Oh, and I am totally getting these earrings...

Kelly Wearstler for Home

I'm looking forward to the new line of bed linens by Kelly Wearstler for Sferra, coming out in March at Neiman Marcus. I have a feeling the items will still be a bit out of my price range, but it will be fun to look and, of course, do some sale stalking!

Wallpaper Fun

It was a lovely Valentine's/Presidents Day weekend! While out Orla Kiely hunting at Target yesterday, I came across a wonderful wallpaper bargain. This aqua and gold print is from their Home Design Event which recently concluded.  At 75% off, I got it for $7.49 a roll! I decided to use it on a small wall section in my living room, so this morning I got down to business. Here's the wall before...

And here it is now...

Subtle, I know. But in person it has a lot more impact. I particularly like how the tree branches give the illusion of height in the room and how the metallic accents reflect light. Now I want to wallpaper the entire room with it! I might have to do a Target run tomorrow to see if I can find more...

And to those of you who favor earthier tones, I noticed many rolls of a plum version with cream and gold flowers. Very chic, and very cheap!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day!

I hope you all have a great weekend and a very happy Valentine's Day!

(And thank you, monkey pants, for these gorgeous flowers... you are the most wonderful boyfriend a girl could ask for! xoxoxo)

Pink Indulgence

In honor of Valentine's Day, please let me have a little fun by sharing some of my favorite pink interiors...

Images from top: Timothy Mather Interior Design; Kelly Wearstler for Domino; Ngoc Minh Ngo Photography; House Beautiful; Domino; Jamie Drake Interior Design; Kelly Wearstler Interior Design; Domino; Mark Lund Photography; Barrie Benson for Domino

Guest Bedroom Update

A few new pictures to share...

And a word on the lamp: It was found at K-Mart (buy it here) and sprayed with Rustoleum American Accents spray paint in "sour apple." Two of them would look great flanking a sofa or at either end of a console table. I also think a more modern shade would be a nice touch.

I can't help myself...

... but every time I see this crystal pirate ship chandelier, I just want it more and more. Who cares if it comes from Z Gallerie! That makes it even better, because it would be completely unaffordable otherwise! So sparkly and enchanting, I love it. Maybe someday...

Image via Domino's final issue (so sad)

Rifle Design Invites

Such pretty wedding invitations by Rifle Design. I love the calligraphy and illustrations... they has a folksy/vintage feel that is very sweet...