How to Decorate with Books

I have been trying to re-decorate some areas in my house and I'm going crazy with the amount of books we have. It's like they are multiplying! While it's a little overwhelming to have more books than a Barnes and Noble (my husband's a reader and I'm a coffee table book collector), I definitely have enough to pull off some amazing Table Vignettes. Here are some pics that have motivated me to get to work!

Would love this whole vignette...sans framed insects!

A table in Jonathan Adler and Simon Doonan's home

Stacking is Rachel Zoe approved. Above pic is from her bedroom!

why hello lucite table, I love you and your books!

   

aha! I can just burn all the books! 

Obviously we don't have a coffee bar in our house but how cool are these lighting fixtures?? 

Wedding Wednesday - Visit Ashley Nicole Catherine Today!

Happy Wedding Wednesday, Everyone! 

Well as most of you know, my wedding is just a few short months away (4.5 to be exact!).  At this point, I'd say that we have a great handle on most of the planning.  The one thing I haven't thought about AT ALL is a rehearsal dinner dress! 

Well lucky for me, the incredibly sweet and talented Ashley ~ of Ashley Nicole Catherine ~ has pulled some rehearsal dinner looks for both of us! 

She came up with some great jewel-toned options for me, since my rehearsal dinner is at my all-time fave Mexican restaurant... I'm feeling so inspired by her choices!  For herself, she pulled some gorgeous blush, creme and white looks. 

Head on over now to check it out! 

Also, be sure to stop by Alex's blog ~Things that Sparkle~ to see her Wedding Wednesday feature as well.  You won't want to miss a picture of her in her mom's wedding gown - too cute!  I just love all of this WW excitement =)

xoxo A

Fair Feathered Fan

This isn't a "go out and get feathers because it's all about feathers for the season" really as much as an homage to them! They are just so pretty and can look so ethereal!! The other day, I saw two feathered dresses that made me want to DIE! One is Anja Rubik in a heavenly blue Pucci dress (seen below) and the other is from a Versace Fall ad featuring Saskia de Brauw. THEN, I was hit with an image from the Decorista of the most amazing living room with a FEATHER chandelier!! Since seeing these pics, I have been dreaming of covering everything in feathers. Because I am not a supermodel and am not crazy, I won't be able to pull off these feather dresses and won't actually cover my house in feathers, so I have found a few items that would make me just as happy.

1. Foley and Corinna dress 2. Jayson Home and Garden Chandelier 3. Dior Feather shoes
4.Alice and Olivia Vest 5.Eugenia Kim Headband 6.  Pillow from Calypso
 7. Juju African feather hat 

xoxo E

Buttoned Up

I remember those days when a ribbed tank top was my wardrobe staple.  Whether it was with jeans and heels, a skirt, or to the gym, I wore those things EVERYWHERE.

As I'm approaching 30, a tank just doesn't seem to cut it anymore.  So enter my new wardrobe must have: the summer silk button down.  They're classy, cute, breezy, and can be dressed up or down.  Here are some of my absolute faves:

1.) Equipment Signature Sleeveless Blouse

2.) Theory Copelan Button Down

3.) Diane Von Furstenberg Eris Blouse

4.) Acne Nori Button Down Silk Top

5.) Madewell Silk Safari Shirt

6.) Equipment Signature Blouse

7.) Friend of Mine Farrow Shirt

8.) Tucker Slim Fit Button Down Shirt

xoxo A

Another Fabulous Hostess Gift... from vmac+cheese!

Happy Saturday!

I hope everyone's weekend is off to a great start.  I was just going through some emails and realized that my Wedding Wednesday: Hostess Gift Edition wasn't quite complete!  I somehow forgot to include Victoria's fabulous pick, which is crazy, since it's an absolutely perfect hostess gift.

Visit Victoria's blog HERE, and get the Wisteria cocktail napkins HERE!

Victoria - I'm SO sorry about that, but I'm so glad that everyone is having the chance to see it now! And be sure to check out Victoria's amazing blog - vmac+cheese - one of my favorite lifestyle blogs!

xoxo A

Stylish Steal: Upholstered Beds

I've recently been on the hunt for bedroom inspiration.  That's one of rooms in my house I haven't tackled, and now that I'm about to get married, I think it's time to splurge on a king-sized bed.  But of course, splurge is a relative term, and I'm really not looking to spend THAT much money on new furniture.

While searching around the internet for deals, I came across a company called Skyline Furniture.  Apparently, many mass-merchandisers (Target, Urban Outfitters, Garnet Hill, etc.) are actually vendors of this company. Skyline products can only be found online, and they can all be ordered in a variety of upholstery patterns and colors.

My take on it??  I've read as many reviews as I can get my hands on, and all-in-all, the results have been pretty favorable.  The author of Effortless Style blog claims that Skyline is one of her biggest interior design secrets, but warns of its required assembly (which she claims is pretty easy), and the fact that there are small seams in the corners where the head/foot and sideboards meet.  Doesn't seem to be a problem to me.

And their prices CANNOT be beat.  The tufted wingback bed in velvet buckwheat (the top left picture) is only $678 (King sized!).  And that is literally the most expensive product they make that I can find.

My only concern is quality.  I wonder how the material actually feels?  Is your master bed a place where you'd take a risk like this, or would you splurge a little more for a "safer" option?

Let me know your thoughts!

xoxo A

image via Effortless Style.com and Shelter Pop

Stylist Spotlight: Leith Clark

To me, THE most inspirational people in the world..fashion wise...are fashion stylists. I love them A. because they have my dream job B. I LOVE seeing where they came from and how they got to their position C. They have pretty badass taste C. Stylists help create models' and celebrities' images which, let's be honest, in their business, is highly important. I recently discovered Leith Clark and am truly inspired by her. She not only styles Keira Knightly, Kirsten Dunst and more, but she is the creator and editor in chief of Lula Magazine. Never heard of it? Well get to know it. It's amazing! Lula is described to be "the girl you have a crush on"and while I love the magazine, my true girl crush for the moment is on Leith herself. And quick sidenote: I'm totally copying her hair cut!!

Here is a quick rundown of how she got to be so awesome: Leith started interning for a Toronto magazine at 15, discovered Sassy Magazine {my lover Rachel Zoe worked there} and developed a major crush on their intern, one Chloe Sevigny. She went to journalism school, quit journalism school, moved to New York & interned for Interview Magazine. Soon she switched jobs and started working at Bazaar under Liz Tilberis {one of her idols}. Liz passed away and she soon after, moved to London to work for British Vogue. She became a freelance stylist, worked with Erin Fetherston, Poltock and Walsh and then voila...started Lula. What a dream life!!!

The Clients: Keira, Kirsten, Alexa, Michelle

Recent Editorial Work: Orla Kiely styling, Vogue Italia & Of course Lula Magazine 

xoxo E

Wedding Wednesday: Hostess Gift Edition!

It's Wedding Wednesday, but today what I really feel like celebrating is how amazingly creative the blogging community is.  I swear, bloggers are the go-to experts when it comes to ANY creative conundrum.  So what's on my mind today?  The ever-challenging hostess gift!

I feel so fortunate that my bridesmaids are hosting a wedding shower for me in early August.  I just know that it's going to be lovely in every way, as these girls ALWAYS pull out all the stops in terms of thoughtfulness and creativity.  That said, I want to make sure that my hostess gift for them equally reflects the love and care they always show me.

After some failed attempts at googling variations of "chic hostess gifts," I finally decided to go straight to the ultimate sources of style... my blogging friends whom I consider to be the ultimate stylemakers!

Visit Christine's blog HERE!

Visit Bradley's blog HERE, and get a Diptyque candle HERE!

Visit Krystal's blog HERE, and get Tablescapes HERE!

Visit Haley's blog HERE, and buy the hostess set HERE and the placemats HERE!

Visit Alex's blog HERE, and buy the champagne flutes HERE!

Visit Sue's blog HERE, and buy the serving set HERE!

Visit Carolyn's blog HERE, and buy the ceramic bowls HERE! (PS. shop Tilly Maison HERE!)

Visit Ashley's blog HERE, and get the champagne flutes HERE!

Visit Amy's blogs HERE and HERE!

I hope you enjoyed this fabulous inspiration as much as I did!

xoxo A

Eddie Borgo for J.Crew

Hi Friends!

Sorry that E & I have been a little MIA... both on the blogging front and on making the rounds on your blogs.  It seems like "life" has really gotten in the way of blogging bliss recently!  Hopefully we can get back into our regular rhythm starting... NOW.

What better way to kick things off than with a little punk and polish? After all, to me there's not much cooler than prissy pearls juxtaposed with edgy studs.

Good news, people... you don't have to go far to get this AMAZ collection seen below.  CFDA / Vogue Fashion Fund runner up, Eddie Borgo, has created a limited-edition 6 piece collection for J.Crew.  I'm personally obsessed with the nude cone and pearl belt, and with the studded bow pin (I feel like it would look cute on a clutch, a top... on anything!)

J.Crew continues to amaze me with their innovative and edgy collaborations.  Go Jenna Lyons, go!

xoxo A

images via j.crew.com

Resort '12 Trend Watch: Flower Power

There have been a ton of prints in the Resort '12 collections, but my favorites have been the floral prints! I tend to stay away from florals as I am not the most feminine dresser, but the designers' fresh take and use of bold, bright colors, mixed with masculine silhouettes makes me want to dress in floral from head to toe!

 

images via style.com

xoxo E

Wedding Wednesday: Registry Love - Antiquaria

Happy Wedding Wednesday!

Oh - my - gawd.  I've just stumbled upon the world's CUTEST registry site EVER!  Antiquaria is the perfect solution for the bride looking to infuse vintage pieces into her home (when maybe grandma didn't have the world's prettiest china pattern to pass down).  They proudly consider themselves a registry alternative to the "big box stores," and I couldn't agree more.

And of course, this site isn't just for registries... it's a fabulous place for ANYONE looking to add chic (and VERY well priced) finds into their home.

Here's a taste of their gorgeous site:

So was I right, or was I right?????

I've personally already created my registries, but now I'm thinking about adding one more just so that I can get in on this Antiquaria goodness =)

xoxo A

Go Out & Get Yourself Some: Friendship Bracelets

I honestly thought after leaving my teens that I would never tie on a friendship bracelet ever again, but I am definitely on the prowl for some now. I wonder if the "Be-Fri/St.-End" necklaces will be the next "must have" !

On the wrists of uber chic women via Jak and Jil



Bracelets by Frieda and Nellie via The Man Repeller

1. Giles and Brother  bracelet 2. Michelle Roy Studded Friendship Bracelet 3. Juicy Couture bracelet from Zappos
4. Proenza Schouler Bungee Cord bracelet avail. at Opening Ceremony 5. Madewell Wanderlust bracelet



xoxo E

The Duchess Dazzles in Jenny Packham

Umm... Wow.  While I've ALWAYS thought Kate has looked stunning and classy in every way, I admittedly believe she's played it on the safe side in terms of style choices (not that I blame her).

But are you kidding me??? For her first official fundraiser as the Duchess of Cambridge, Catherine certainly stepped out and stepped it up in a Jenny Packham stunner.

I would ask if you think this look is a hit or a miss, but I'm pretty sure you'll all agree that it's a TOTAL win!

xoxo A

Images via Socialite Life and People