Two Lucky Little Duckies

 

The below two interiors are mind-blowing. The first is the New Orleans carriage house home of artist Amanda Stone Talley. I am so inspired by her space! Back houses aren’t large, and she uses light, color, space, and reflection to really maximize what she has. The Leotine Linens shams are to die for.

The second is from Anna Kohler, a Minneapolis girl with such a perfect balance between young and modern and timeless and classic.  I love how both of them have perfectly curated apartments – everything has a purpose and a place.

Amanda Stone Talley images via Casasugar

 

Anna Kohler images via  Renovation Style

Fashion’s Enfant Terrible: Alexander McQueen

McQueen’s legacy lives on in his work. His contributions to the fashion community are invaluable, and it truly is the loss of a creative and genius designer. While his creations were not always wearable, he always gave hope that fashion and fashion shows would continue to be inspiring and exciting.

See his SS2010 looks in Gaga’s video

And again here in his 1999 show in which robots spray Shalom Harlow with spray paint.

White Out

In honor of the blizzard going on outside of my window (and to avoid cleaning my tornado of a room), I want to bring up white and when it’s most tasteful.

TOWELS

White monogram on white towel is even chicer. Towels, Horchow

BATHTUBS

White claw foot is even more sophisticated. Image, Country Living

 

BEDDING

I want to go to there.

 

FUR

Kate Hudson in New York

 

GOLD

I’ll take one, thanks.

 

BUTTON DOWNS

My no-fail go to: no-iron classic button-down, $89.50 Brooks Brothers

 

What not to do in all white? Unless you’re Scandinavian (hi B!), stay away from all-white rooms. It just focuses that much more on clutter and chaos.

Kate: Simply Amazing.

New York, 2.10.10

Timothy A. Clary for Getty images

Right Said Keds

  

And finally….grey keds!!! Buying mine today!

Sick kicks.

1. zazzle, $60  2. zazzle, $67.50   3. keds.com, $60   4. zazzle, $50    5. keds.com $35

And this just in in Keds news via Racked:

“Rumormongering: Most All-American Pairing Ever: Gap to Team Up with Keds?

via Racked NY by Izzy Grinspan on 2/8/10

A well-placed tipster emailed this weekend to tell us that Keds will be collaborating with the Gap this upcoming summer. The shoes, designed by Patrick Robinson, will come in washed-out denims and pastels. Prices haven't bee n settled yet, but the shoes should debut at a pop-up shop, presumably the one next to the Gap flagship on 54th Street. Keds has previously teamed up with everyone from Nanette Lepore to Opening Ceremony—just this morning we heard about Alice & Olivia's party Keds—but this may be the first time they've ever worked with a company that's equally big and clean-cut. Even thinking about it makes us feel wholesome.”

andd…….( I can barely contain my excitement at all this Keds news!)

“Collabs: Alice + Olivia Gave Keds a Sparkly New Makeover

via Racked NY by Elizabeth Licata on 2/8/10

Image via WWD

Will Keds ever replace Chucks as the flat, retro footwear of choice for off-duty fashionistas? They certainly seem to be shooting for that niche with their latest designer collaborations. We loved the animal-print pony hair Keds put together for Opening Ceremony, and the newest designs by Alice + Olivia fill that all-important disco ball demographic with four pair of sequin-encrusted laceless slip-ons.

They come in four colors, black, silver, pale pink and safari green and sell for $88. Alice + Olivia for Keds is just one step towards Keds' intended fashion-forward repositioning. Future collaborations are in the works, and Keds' president Kristin Kohler says they plan partnerships with designers and artists who "can bring their own unique vision and creativity to the iconic Champion silhouette."”

I knew this trend would catch on, and I can’t help but be a little chuft at how they’ve "taken off” (again).

Big All-American, red, white, blue, and sparkly kiss xx

Adventures in Red: A Social Experiment

So, last weekend I decided to try a little experiment. I never wear red because I feel like it is unflattering to me and makes me look like I'm auditioning to be a member of the Versace family. And red is a VERY tricky color to pull off – but a color that guys supposedly are drawn to, according to countless women's magazines. I roll my eyes at this, but was secretly curious so I decided to wear a red racerback zip tank out on Saturday night.

Me, Hilary, you know, kind of the same thing.

Images via shareapic.net

And what do you know…it was like moths to a flame. All moths but the one I really wanted (boo), but it was almost as if my guy friends were suddenly under a spell! Seriously. They were bringing me beers without really quite knowing why they all of a sudden wanted to. I felt powerful and sexy and confident…too bad the night didn’t end up going my way!

Hopefully you’ll have some more luck with these tips on how to wear red.

Keep it simple. Red ruffles, red flowers, red beading, rhinestones – you don’t want any of it. Keep the shape streamlined so you avoid looking like a Senorita or a Prom Queen. Or a hooker, even though hooker is soo in this season. This might be best as a halter, a one-shoulder, a racerback, or strapless depending on your body type. 

yikes. and work it, girl.  convertible dress, victoria’s secret $88

Find the right red for you. Tomato, persimmon, vermilion, coral, maroon, and berry don’t suit me – I’m more of a vampy and pure retro red. Find a red that works for you in the cut you need. This will probably prove to be much harder than you think, but stick with it. The results were so tangible and quantifiable and a major self-esteem booster!

bad red, good red.

A few red items from the shopping sphere:

 

Urban Outfitters, $48

Alloy, $36.90

 Lulu*s, $33

DVF dress, $345

And the red master, M. Valentino…that little orange man has always known red is what makes women look best. This, from his finale show, Spring 2008 Couture.

kiss kiss