Perhaps I am needing a moment to procrastinate on all the packing and loan doc drama that takes place the week you close on a house. Perhaps I need a moment to channel my inner Peggy Olson right now, the Mad Men final season begins next week, and since I'm about to move to a 1968 split level ranch in "original" condition, I need to immerse myself in the time period. Whatever it is, I am taking a moment to daydream about what will happen when I tear down the stifling interior walls and make myself a new kitchen. My first point of design inspiration is coming from Orla Kiely. I got her book "Home" last winter- it's full of case study houses and danish modern interiors, and features her own colorful, happy London home. I've always loved her now iconic scribble stem pattern. She has this groovy look to her textiles, an obvious nod to the bold patterns of the late 60's, but with a little restraint, and way better colors. I don't think I'd ever go so far as to put up wallpaper in the kitchen(or would I?), but I do think I'll take her cue to add lots of pops of color with my existing white and walnut furnishings...
The Orla Kiely House collection, including furniture is now available in the US.
Oh and did I mention her Spring/Summer clothing collection? It's like Wes Anderson and Anthropologie had a baby. Mr.Jennings, we're in trouble.
In two days a board a plane to Salt Lake City for Altitude Design Summit. The hardest part about this whole experience for me so far has been figuring out what to wear. I will spend 4 days soaking up as much information as I can, making as many connections as I can, and I will do it wearing as much sparkle and sass as I can.
In my everyday life I go to great pains to get up every morning, make breakfast, then more breakfast for my kids, pack lunches, put tiny socks on wiggling feet, brow beat teeth brushing, dose out vitamins, and referee squabbling. I tend to forget to eat during the feeding frenzy, but I manage to down 1.5 cups of coffee to sustain the pace. During this routine, I usually take about 15 minutes to rinse off, brush my teeth, put on some tinted moisturizer and blush (to look alive), and throw on some skinny jeans, topsiders, and a top, any top, my coat will cover it. My unbrushed hair is usually pulled into a bun/ponytail. Motherhood is super glamorous! Fortunately there's no time to look in a mirror.
So starting Wednesday, even my travel clothes will be well thought out. I have a fancy golden pouch for the hundreds of business cards I will exchange. I'm packing my new red dress for the Clue-themed party, and I'll be bringing along my Blurb book that features a collection of my blog posts from the past year. I mailed off my customized paper lanterns to Bing for their #bingittolife party. I'm so thrilled that my work was selected! Can you tell I'm excited? I'm excited.
As soon as August hits, I'm thinking about what I'll be wearing in the fall. In California that means November. My fall wardrobe is usually my summer wardrobe with slightly deeper colors and more layering pieces. I was really into mint and coral this season. With my new town bike, I'll be riding around all day dropping off and picking up my kids from school, with stops at Acre coffee to do my writing, so I'm going to have to trade in my handbag for a backpack..and I'll need some cute clothes to wear with it.
1.Hershel Supply Co. Backpack/ 2. J.Crew Wool Flair Skirt/ 3. Madewell Tree Twig Necklace/ 4. Rag & Bone Baily Jacket/ 5.Michael Kors Runway Watch/ 6. Calypso St.Barth Ivana Tee/ 7. J.Crew Ryder Short Leather Buckle Boots/ 8. Madewell Han Kjobenhavn Timeless Sunglasses
My preppy heart beats for nautical stripes, especially in navy or dark gray. My favorite striped piece is this retro dress from Madewell. I'd slip this on with a pair of flat sandals and my little cross body leather bag and be the hit of the kindergarten drop off.
I'll never get over yellow and gray. They belong together like peanut butter and jelly. This week's Etsy pick is a tote from Milloo, a husband + wife team from Athens, GA. The bag is made from cotton canvas with Italian leather trim (also available in orange). Mother's Day is right around the corner. Enough said.
At the end of March, I am going to spend 3 glorious days and nights in Palm Springs in an Alexander home with some of my favorite girl friends. As I am already fretting about what to wear, I thought it would be the perfect time to make myself a mood board on Polyvore. I plan to take this collection with me when I go shopping to remind me of the pieces I will need to create a cohesive look for the trip. Granted every garment here is more than my entire budget, especially that Takhoon maxi dress, but I think having the visual will allow me to put together a similar look at a combination of shops that have pretty things more pleasing to my pocketbook.
