Off to Palm Beach...

I'm signing off for the holiday weekend as I'm heading down to visit my Grandmother in Palm Beach (I go there a lot, can you tell? haha.) I plan on strolling around all the great antique shops on Dixie Highway in West Palm, visiting an art museum or two (depending on how many I can drag my boyfriend to), and, if it storms, strolling the shore the next day to collect seashells for display in my home. No shopping for clothes, I'm restricting myself! Hopefully I'll stumble across a set of Chippendale chairs that I have been lusting after in the shops - a girl can dream!

Pedro Garcia Satin Ballet Flats

How great are these Pedro Garcia satin ballet flats? They are perfect for that unexpected pop of color that can only come from something that matches nothing, yet goes with everything - like these shoes. So luxe!

Pedro Garcia Satin Ballet Flats, 228.00, marked down from 355.00, at NeimanMarcus.com

Tibi's Amy Smilovic is InStyle

Tibi is in my personal top 5 designers I love to wear. I have had a few girlfriends intern for the brand in New York and I hear Amy's Smilovic is a creative force and that the Wooster store is fab. Imagine how excited I was to see that Amy's newly decorated pad has been spotlighted in InStyle. Also great - the piece was shot by the uber-awesome Mark Lund, whose photography you've probably saved many times over in inspiration files.

I spy Pantone Pens - a designer's best friend. Loving her inspiration board here.

I love the way she has incorporated fabrics from actual Tibi collections into her home - hello, yellow chiffon curtains! The dress on the next page is made from the same material.

(All photos from InStyle Magazine, June 2008. Photographs by Mark Lund)
...And just for good measure: Me, in a Tibi dress, enjoying my red velvet Birthday cake in our hotel room in Savannah.

If you like Tibi, chances are you probably like Milly, too. Right? Check out my post on Milly's Michelle Smith's glam NYC apartment.

Dressing your table in John Robshaw

How cool are these John Robshaw napkin rings? I love chic little details like these, and I think they would look great with these melamine plates from Z Gallerie - making for a great mix of high and low.
These plates kind of give me the same vibe as Taschen's cult classic coffee table book Cabinets of Natural Curiosities, don't you think?

Whim by Cynthia Rowley

Hitting a Target store near you: Whim by Cynthia Rowley, a new collection for summer entertaining. I'm loving the Rattan dinnerware and all the great beverage tubs - even cute coolers! Also totally obsessed with these great tumblers. So much to choose from, a girl could go crazy. Thankfully, everything's affordable so nobody will be breaking the bank.

Starbucks Recycling Cold Cups

With my move-in date set at August 16, the thrill of the moving purge has set in, and I'm already thinking hard about how to edit my life in a more uncluttered, green way. I have looked into things like making my own cleaning products (and after seeing how easy it is and how much money I'm saving, I can't believe everyone doesn't do this), and putting into harder practice things I already do, like always buying for quality, and not quantity. I have also found my local farmer's market! I'm actually really enjoying the process.

One of the things I stumbled across today on popular blog treehugger was an idea a frequent Starbucks visitor had to include recycling bins in Starbucks stores. Starbucks cold cups are made from a common recyclable plastic, so I think the idea is a good one. You can vote here to help make it a reality. (Even better, just bring your own cup.)

Ruthie Sommers = My Fave

Loving this room designed by Ruthie Sommers. It's so open, airy, and breathable. I especially love the coffee table, the stools next to the fireplace, and of course, any use of hydrangeas is alright by me.

Brian Rubenacker

Holly Becker of decor8 often blogs for Domino magazine, and she did a great slideshow today on Male Etsy artists. Thanks to that piece, I was introduced to the uber-cool art of Brian Rubenacker, who paints dogs - but not just any dogs. Though most of his art is Boston Terriers, I eventually settled on the piece featured in Domino, this chihuahua with the kind of face that says everything. He's so funy and obtuse, I love him.

New Chanel

To many, she will always be Amelie, but I love the idea of Audrey Tautou as the new face for Chanel No.5. Nicole Kidman always seemed like such a contrived choice, I've never been a fan. Audrey is beautiful, eclectic, and ever so authentically french. I applaud Karl and the boys - excellent choice. I expect that this correlates with her playing Coco in a new semi-biopic announced earlier this year.

Sale at Kate Spade

Heads up to all you Kate fanatics out there, Kate Spade's website is starting markdowns today. In addition to that, with the code SALEAWAY, you get an extra 25% off! I think this little makeup bag is adorable, and it is marked down to 53.00, not including the 25% discount. There also lots of cute clutches and shoes to be had.

Do You think Pat Field Had a Say in This?

Ouch. I'm all for the fabulous, eclectic Carrie Bradshaw, but I don't even think that thing would fly at the Kentucky Derby.

Also, why in the heck was the world premiere of a movie set in NYC done in London??

Hurrah!

I got one!! My new Louis Ghost chair (found on ebay for 110.00, thankyouverymuch) is on it's way!

I L♥VE Lucite!

Inspired by my necklace today, a little love for lucite/acrylic furniture..

My future bedside table will be lucite like this, if anyone knows the source please let me know and I will credit, though I think it is from Domino.My lust item, a Louis Ghost chair by Phillip Starcke. My goal is to own one by the end of the summer.

IKEA White Armchairs

I'm currently on the hunt for white armchairs - how do y'all feel about these from IKEA? Which do you like better?

EKTORP TULLSTA, 149.00



EKTORP JENNYLUND, 199.00

I was also thinking about replacing the legs on this one with something more unique, but I don't know if they show enough to make it worth the effort.

Thomas Paul Pillows, ebay, & Sharon Simonaire

I love ebay, you can find such great deals on truly exquisite items that would normally be out of my post-collegiate budget. One of my recent scores for the new place:

Isn't this Thomas Paul pillow great? Normally over 100 bucks apiece, I struck up a deal with a friendly ebay seller and he gave me free shipping and two for 60 dollars.

My inspiration is a room from stylist and interior designer Sharon Simonaire's home, which you can take a tour of here at the Domino Magazine website. My main focus from this shot is the white armchairs with berry throw pillows, and I love the touch of the slate gray throw. I'm stealing the idea for a reading nook in my living room. (Sorry it's so teeny, it's a screen shot.)

Mirriam-Webster Dictionaries

College graduation time is upon us! Wouldn't these leather-bound dictionaries from Ballard Designs be a wonderful gift? I know I'd love to unwrap one! The pink and aqua are my picks, so girly and fun!