More Beautiful Shoes...

I know this is not my first post about Christian Louboutin, but there is really no other designer in the world who holds me in such a rhapsodic trance. You can't know until you wear them, but truly, his shoes are heaven. And nothing else even holds a candle.

The other day I was at Joan Shepp on Walnut Street, and these were the cream of the crop:

Photos from Neiman Marcus.com

Meanwhile, these I will be stalking on eBay:

Saul Bass Designs

I have long been obsessed with the work of Saul Bass, the legendary graphic designer who created some of the most amazing film posters in history. Often working with the likes of Alfred Hitchcock and Otto Preminger, his designs from the 50s and 60s in particular are iconic and modern. I'm not into framed movie posters as home decor, but these are the exception...

The ultimate: An extremely rare original 1957 six-sheet from "Saint Joan"
(Posteritati, $3,000!!!)


Copies of this "Vertigo" poster in English go for as little as $9.99 on eBay.
The one above is an original, and translated into French.
(Posteritati.com)

"Anatomyof a Murder" - from the Argentine version!
(Posteritati.com)

"Advise and Consent" - I need this!

Another Kind of Wallpaper

I love the desktop wallpapers offered at Kate Spade's website....

All images from Kate Spade.com

The Big Event

After many, many months of preparation, the gala I planned for The Franklin Institute Awards has finally come and gone. I worked with Colin Baer Events on the event decor, and it all came out beautifully. The design concept was that of a French garden, with topiaries, boxwood hedges, graphic toile, and lots of birds, birdcages, and feathers.

My favorite dining room! Colin created the boxwood hedges by wrapping the preexisting silver metal columns in chickenwire and stuffing them with fresh boxwood branches. Tabletop decor featured black birdcages filled with white anemones. 


This dining room was located in the Planetarium. Because the space is essentially a black box, we went for very light-colored decor - white chairs, high-contrast white and black French toile, and mirrored floral containers to reflect light.

Loads of branches covered with tiny feathered birds were the highlight of this room. Other tables featured glass cloches with delicate branches, flowers, and more birds. (All photos courtesey of Kelly & Massa Photography)

Gorgeous Rings

These spectacular rings from Taj Taj Jewelry are truly drool-worthy! I love the Indian-inspired setting and the colored gemstones set in 18K gold.

"Churu"

"Kala"

"Kadiri"

Favorite eBay Searches ... "Hollywood Regency"

I have a few favorite eBay search phrases: "Louboutin 37," "Jonathan Adler," "paint by number," "Pade Vavra jewelry," and lately "Hollywood Regency." I didn't realize what a common descriptive phrase it now is. So many good finds - from sexy ottomans, to gilded mirrors, to chic chandeliers.

Here are a few things I have my eye on this week:

Curved leg desk in heavenly turquoise

Charming end tables with gilt edges

White bamboo pagoda chandelier

Pale aqua ceramic lamps

Bamboo framed mirror

My Steal of the Week (or more like, the Year) ...


A perfect, new pair of Louboutin t-straps, in gorgeous oxblood with a 4.5 inch heel, acquired from a certain consignment/thrift shop in Center City for a tiny fraction of their original cost. They look even better on than I could have imagined, especially when contrasted with black and brights -- no brown clothes for me. Thank you, shopping gods!

Edith Wharton Estate

I love these images from Edith Wharton's last remaining estate, the Mount, in Lenox, Massachusetts. According to a very interesting story on Slate, before she became a great novelist, Wharton published a decorating manual. The interiors of this lovely 42-room estate were restored to their early 20th century glory in the 1980s.

What I'm Stalking.... Visionaire: Touch

One of these days I'm finally going to suck it up and buy this fabulous edition of Visionaire (the thrice-yearly produced multi-format fashion and design publication) called Touch. Created in a limited-edition of 4400 copies,this 33rd edition of Visionaire was produced in collaboration with Fendi and commemorated the 2000/01 Fall fashion collections.

Designs by John Galliano, Alexander McQueen, Helmut Lang and Viktor & Rolf are rendered as 3-D illustrations, with flocking, foil stamping, and fur and feather applique. I am dying to frame the individual illustrations and hang them in a grid on a wall!

The edition is packaged in a gold mesh box and the illustrations
are wrapped in a Fendi pony-skin cache-col.

Spring Cocktail Dressing from Tory Burch

I've been a huge fan of Tory Burch's brand of Palm Beach chic since she debuted her line five years ago. I lucked out this weekend, scoring one of her printed silk shift dresses with bugle bead detailing from the Neiman Marcus outlet for a song. Here are some more good deals, from her website:

Almondine silk jacquard dress

Danira beaded cotton voile dress

Tory Tunic in Green Pineapple print

Danira beaded cotton voile dress in Navy Butterfly

Barbarella dress with paillettes

Office Redecoration Update

I am completing the finishing touches on my deliciously pink office. To fill up one wall, I covered a plain bulletin board in this vintage feather print fabric, found for only $3 at a Lancaster antique mall. Originally I thought I would use the fabric to make a sundress, but I like so much more hanging above my desk!

Peacock Pendant Lamp

Peacocks seem to be popping up everywhere, which I love! I found this light fixture in the sale section at Neiman Marcus's website. So cute for a bathroom or dressing room...

Shand Kydd Wallpaper

I am blown away by the selection of wallpapers from Shand Kydd. Colin and I came across their book at Lowe's of all places. They feature amazing patterns, with vibrant colors and many with shimmering metallic finishes, and all at truly bargain prices - $28 for a roll, and $56 for a bolt! The images below don't do them justice...

Shand Kydd wallpaper images from Wallpaperwholesaler.com

A Wedding in the Country

I love the idea of a wedding in a rustic setting decorated with exuberantly eclectic - yet inexpensive - floral arrangements and linens (this is for you, Gina!) Instead of the typical daisies and plaid prints though, why not take inspiration from this gorgeous event at The Met:

(from BizBash)

I would do long community tables with simple wood folding chairs and white tablecloths, and then sew runners out of floral print fabrics to place down the center of the table. Napkins could be mis-matched as well. For centerpieces, brightly painted metal pails do the trick:

(from ArtFool)

Or what about using clusters of tea tins and vegetable cans filled with wildflowers:

(from Dominomag.com)

(from Dominomag.com)

Vintage tea tins can be had for a song on eBay, and are often sold in lots, so you can collect them quickly!

Mason jars would also look great mixed into the tabletop arrangements - either holding flowers or pillar candles - and they are so inexpensive! And if you are going for a more neutral palette, how about fashioning some rustic containers from stained plywood scraps...

(from Artfool)

And here are so lovely images from James Abel Events, featuring a barn setting and a variety of blooms in a variety of containers, large and small.