On Trend... Black Leather Minis

Leather minis are EVERYWHERE right now... and the celebrities aren't just saving them for fall.  Just when I was about to splurge for my new obsession, I came across an AMAZ Leifsdottir black leather mini during my bi-weekly TJ Maxx hunt.  I mean a $448 skirt for $127?  I'll take it.

Even if you can't find a bargain like mine, this trend is worth investing in.  After all, the mini can be paired with an oversized white T and flats for a casual summer look, or worn this fall with tights and booties.  And personally, I'm most excited about pairing my skirt with a silk button down for a more subdued look... Oh, and with an oversized chunky sweater for fall... and tights and a blazer for winter... you get the point!

Here's some inspiration...

A.  Michael Kors Fringed Leather Mini 

B.  Elizabeth and James Celeste Leather Mini

C.  IRO Bonnie Zipped Leather Mini 

D. McQ High Waisted Leather Skirt

E. ALICE by Temperly Mini Alanis Leather Skirt

F. AIKO Stormy Skirt

What do you think about leather minis?  Is it something you'd save for fall, or would you pull it out early for summer?

xoxo A

celebrity images via popsugar.com, usmagazine.com, collegefashion.net

Celebrity Styling Series... With Victoria of vmac+cheese!

It's Friday, and time for our 3rd installment of our Celebrity Styling Series.  Today we are so proud to feature the creative talents of Victoria from vmac+cheese.  We adore Victoria and have had so much fun getting to know her over the past few months.  Her fabulous blog is filled with delicious food, gorgeous interiors, and more. 

We hope you enjoy her inspiring collaboration of fashion + interiors... all inspired by the fabulous Mary Kate Steinmiller.

Hi everyone! It's Victoria from vmac+cheese, and I'm so excited to be here today for Annie and Elizabeth's fabulous new series. A quick confession though: when I first got the gals' email asking me to participate, I got very nervous. There are so many women out there that I could list as a style icon, because they're so fearless and creative in how they dress. Which is awesome for fashion inspiration, but I wondered, how could I translate that into a room? Or come up with an outfit better (or even one-tenth as good) what they come up with by themselves, everyday?

So when I sat down to brainstorm which fashion plate I could use for my inspiration, I was really relieved when I came across a photograph of Mary Kate Steinmiller in my archives. If you're not familiar with MK (I wonder if people call her that? And if she hates it because when most people hear that nickname and think of a certain Olsen?), she is a fashion editor at Teen Vogue, and often photographed on sites like Garance Doré and The Sartorialist. But don't let that fool you -- there is something very accessible about her style. I love how she mixes and matches things, never looking like she tried too hard. In fact, she comes across as one of those girls who can just grab some stuff out of her closet, throw it together, and look 100% fabulous.

I also really like how her style is a great mix of preppy, feminine, masculine, boho and modern. Based on each outfit, I searched out different interiors that would perfectly match her outfit du jour. And now that I think about it, wouldn't it be fun to have a house with such a diverse collection of rooms?

{Image Credits: Photos of Mary Kate: 1 2 3 4 5 6  Photos of Interiors: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8  P.S., interiors photos 5 and 6 are from a BANANAS SF interior designer named Jay Jeffers. If you haven't checked out his work, you need to go do it NOW!!}

Thanks so much to Annie and Elizabeth for having me!! This was a blast to put together.
xoxo,
Victoria

 
Thank YOU Victoria!  We loved having you on THE NOW!
xoxo E&A

Socialite Street Style: The Courtin-Clarins Sisters

By now you know the Olsen & The Traina sisters, but I'm here to introduce you to a new set of sisters making quite the impact on the fashion scene! Meet the Courtin- Clarins sisters. These girls not only have all the money in the world (their grandfather started the successful Clarins cosmetics line), they have model like looks (Virginie is 5'11" and Claire is 6'!!), are bright and super stylish! I'm so obsessed with these girls you have no idea. Oh and watch out because they also have their best friends slash cousins (twins, Prisca and Jenna) who we definitely will have to feature as well!!

Alexander Wang tunic dress Revolve, Givenchy belt SSense, Proenza bag , American Apparel Leggings,
Alaia boots Net-a-Porter

Wedding Wednesday: Wedding E-Magazine... Utterly Engaged!

Ohhhmygosh...

How have I made it 6 months into my engagement - written numerous Wedding Wednesday features - read about a zillion bridal magazines - AND done tons of online research - and NEVER have heard about Utterly Engaged!?!?

Well I guess it's better late than never.  I recently stumbled upon this amazing online magazine that's exclusively dedicated to all things wedding.  Even those of you who aren't in the midst of planning a wedding will love the gorgeous photography, fashion, and all-around eye candy (eww I hate that phrase, but there's no other way to describe it!).

Utterly Engaged is already on their 15th issue, and they've only been in existence since October 2010.  How they've managed to create that much fabulous inspiration in such a short period of time is totally beyond me.

Here's a sneak peek at the goods:

Happy reading!

xoxo A

Tuesday Shoesday: Alexander Wang Simona Sandal

On the Campaign Trail...

I think it's illegal to be an interior design blogger and NOT have at least one post dedicated to Campaign style furniture... so here is ours!  Like all of you out there, I have been totally obsessed with this furniture style ever since Vanessa De Vargas' gorgeous green dresser popped up in Lonny.  

Now, we're seeing it EVERYWHERE...

Well, it's about time that I got in on the action, and I am THRILLED to report that I found a dresser on Craigslist that will be delivered on Tuesday.  After consulting with E and Alex, they convinced me to go for it!  Here are the Craigslist pics:

Soooo... what do you think?  I know I'll be putting this in my master bedroom, but I can't decide what color I'll paint it.  My room is a blank slate, so I could really make a statement!

xoxo A

Photos via The Glam Lamb, Little Green Notebook, Traci Zeller, Cassie and Co.,  Sadie+Stella,

Celebrity Styling Series... with Alex of Things that Sparkle

It's FRIDAY and the second installment of our new Celebrity Styling Series!  Today we are thrilled to have our sweet friend Alex with us.  Not only does she have a FABULOUS daily blog ~ Things That Sparkle ~ but she recently opened her own design firm, Alexandra Berlin Designs.  Alex has already completed some beautiful and inspiring interior spaces for her clients, and she has a number of projects underway.  For our guest series, Alex has styled a gorgeous interior inspired by Rachel Bilson.  We LOVE it!  So without further adieu, take it away, Alex!  

Today I am so excited to be partaking in this fun new series! I chose one of my all time favorite fashion icons, Rachel Bilson. I just love this particular outfit of hers because shes wearing traditional pieces with a totally different, fun spin: A pointy shouldered blazer & a neon pink chiffon dress (with pleated neck and lacey hem). And best of all, the outfit pops perfectly against the neutral setting she was photographed in.

And a living room inspired by this get-up.

A traditional sofa with some very unexpected front tufting. Bright pink on pink pillows. Art that makes  a BIG statement. And black and white lamps that stand out against the sky blue/gray paint. 

*sources: 

sofa, side tables, art, pillows, lamps

Paint color - Behr Dolphin Fin

Thanks so much for having me over today ladies!!

Thank YOU for joining us Alex!  We heart you and are constantly amazed by your talents!

xoxo A & E

Girl Crush Alert: Emma Stone

Emma Stone is one busy lady! Within 24 hours, she attended two movie premieres for two movies that I am dying to see.. Friends with Benefits and Crazy Stupid Love. I don't know how big her role is in FWB, but I can tell you that she totally stole the show at the premiere. Emma's Giambattista Valli red and pink number was my favorite look of the night. The very next night, she rocked the red carpet for Crazy Stupid Love in Tom Ford Fall '11. And yes, I should hate her for trolloping around in Tom Ford, getting inappropriately close to my boyfriend, Ryan Gosling, but I just can't . She is just too cute and her red carpet wardrobe is so phenomenal (thx to the help of her stylist, Petra Flannery) that there is no way I could hate!

Can't wait to see what she wears next....

In Giambattista Valli (left) and Tom Ford (right)

Wedding Wednesday: Flower Girl Aisle Style

Happy Wedding Wednesday!

Well, with my wedding just 4 months away (as of yesterday!), it's time to start narrowing in on the details. One of big decisions that I've never given any thought to is around the flower girl dress.  After all, little girls look precious in whatever they wear, so who would have thought picking a dress out would be a big deal? I'm now learning that there are MANY options out there, and it has been so fun to do a little online searching. And the best news?  I can't go wrong, because my little flower girl - and future niece - Sienna is going to be gorgeous in whatever she puts on!

Lyla Dress / Avery Dress / Contessa Dress

Annie Girl Couture Main Site  / "Play Dress Up" Site

Little Flowers by Elizabeth St. John

Johanna Grace

I hope you had fun looking at these sweet little gowns!

xoxo A

Tuesday Shoesday

Site To See: The Summer Project

Happy Monday!

Sorry for the massive delay in my post today...  after a weekend celebrating a friend's wedding in Jackson Hole, I'm way behind on life!   I must say, exploring the town of Jackson Hole (and escaping Dallas's scorching weather) was heavenly.

I was THRILLED to come home to an exciting update from my friend (and the genius behind my living and dining room decor), Samantha Sano.  You probably already know, follow and adore her blog, style/SWOON, as Sam has talent for DAYS!  That said, it should be no surprise that her latest venture - The Summer Project - is nothing short of amazing.  You'll find some fabulous original watercolors created by Sam, and sold at an affordable price.

Here's a sneak peek at the fabulousness (and of course Sam styles it all in the most ridiculously awesome ways)...

all images courtesy of styleswoon.com

xoxo A