Breakfast at Tiffany's

The director Blake Edwards passed away this week. He directed many hilariously funny films but my favorite was the fun, romantic, but poignant Breakfast at Tiffany's. In fact, this film is one of my all time fav movies.

Many things made me fall in love with this film- New York, Audrey Hepburn and the fabulous clothes by Hubert de Givenchy. And from then on, Audrey greatly influenced my style...even this sidestep out from Givenchy on the film "Two for the Road" in which the clothes came from many 60s designers. And if you are an Audrey fan, do check out the other links on this site clothesonfilm for more on Audrey's attire for this free wheeling film.

So on this gray snowy Friday, I may have to watch this film again.

chiseled luxe

Spied these stunning gems on Daily Candy and then went to the site better late than never .
I've really never been a fan of diamonds or gold, but over the past few years, I have started wearing gold. It looks better, richer with my Scottish complexion and slightly dark auburn hair.
These are so bewitching in their sort of rawness, but seemingly architectural beauty. I'm a fan of straight edges, spikes, old world with a modern bent. Who would have thought that that I would succumb so quickly to diamonds? This artist & jeweler has some other drool worthy pieces, but I'll take these.

A different kind of fashion story

Improv Everywhere causes scenes of chaos and joy in public places. 

For their latest mission, several hundred agents spend a day at Coney Island / Brighton Beach wearing black tie attire. They covered a mile-long stretch of beach with a diverse group of people of all ages (from babies to sixty-somethings) laying out, playing games, and swimming in the ocean, all in formal wear. Agents were instructed to find cheap tuxedos and ball gowns at thrift stores for the occasion. What transpired on the beach was a mix of curiosity & fun. Do watch the video! I'm a fan of water fun. Would have loved to been there, wouldn't you?

Falling into Fall

Just discovered this wonderful Brooklyn shop Hayden-Harnett . While pursing through their wonderful online selections, came across these scrumptious leather jackets by Hare+Hart . And on that site, a beautiful suede cowl scarf that is part warm, part art statement. In addition to creating beautifully designed products, these designers have a conscience.  They produce their collection in Argentina, sourced from grass-fed, free roaming cows and from hides that are being used for beef, so no part of the animal is wasted. In addition, all the craftsman working on their items, receive fair wages and benefits. Quite refreshing! 

I think I'm hearting the Cadet blue color to wear over some dark gray and chocolate sweaters. And you?

And the Hayden-Harnett boutique is a must stop on my next NYC visit, if I don't grab something yummy online first!

Good Design

L 2 speaker, 1958, by Dieter Rams for Braun

What is good design? A question many designers ask about their own designs as well as what is in the world around them. Back in the early 80s, the designer Dieter Rams drew up ten principles for what he considered good design. Click here to read what are considered the "Ten commandments." Really brilliant. The above speaker is one of my favs of Dieter Rams' work. Straight forward, clean, bold and beautiful. Found this interview on one of my fav blogs and daily reads: Swissmiss Tina Roth Eisenberg, not only has a incredible design sense, but an incredible sense of humor as well. 

What Home Means to Me..

I work from home frequently, so home and work coincide many times. I look for inspiring work spaces and often go to Herman Miller's Lifework blog for this inspiration, particularly the work of writer/editor, Cerentha Harris. I check out all the High Fives, Inspiration interviews and the playlists. Music always inspires! 

The best inspiring home offices are those that are calm, yet have that unexpected burst of color. And speaking of unexpected bursts of color, in my playlist of late, is crash years by the new pornographers.  I found this wonderful song and incredible video on another fav blog, girl in the green dress.

Cerentha posted an Inspiration interview in April about my good friend and sometimes collaborator, Interior Designer, Kelly Brown. I helped her paint her small, but stunning home office in Mythic Paint’s Heather Heights #197-2. A calm color, yet it captures the movement of sunlight well as you can see below.

The shots of orange throughout the office energizes me. We work here together often and this color never fails me. For both of us, it is a favorite color.

Lastly, Miso and Tofu, help us forge ahead on our projects. They keep us sane and balanced like all great pets! It may seem contrary that Home means Work, but I enjoy my work and my sometimes partnership with Miss Kelly Brown. Her west coast roots bring such a delightful twist to the east coast.

And your home/work/office inspirations?

I'm so enjoying this wonderful series by sfgirlbybay! Thank you!

Rainy Monday

This is a coat and a dress. Perfect for spring's unpredictable weather. Wearable through different seasons and daily situations. Embrace the day's possibilities - the description reads on Nau's fantastic website. Nau doesn't just sell incredible sustainable outdoor apparel, it fits into an urban lifestyle as well.  I heart this piece right now on this chilly rainy day. Click here for more. And maybe pause to read their blog while you are there. 

yummy apple green

A punch of color always brightens my day. And an inspiration board filled with snippets of art makes me think of possibilities.

I came across this very inspiring home office of photographer Lara Parent on Herman Miller's blog. I love that Lara gets her color fix by adding chunks of color. And like me, she is utterly fascinated by other people - their stories, art, objects in their homes. Read here for the rest of Lara's story and do check out her stunning blog. The visuals, people stories will feed your soul. 

An awesome hooded blazer

FOUND this very cool new clothing line of scrumptious jackets on the fantastic blog Sartorially Inclined . The PDX brand Bridge and Burn sews up some mighty stylish, yet functional light outerwear for both men & women. Having lived in Portland, Oregon, these pieces on on the mark for the office, biking to the store, exploring the hidden staircases or even dressed up a bit for a Saturday night date. The Majorette hooded blazer shown here - perfect, perfect, perfect. I could wear this daily in Portland; a good part of the year in Virginia. And can I rave a bit about their logo? Portland is the American city of stunning bridges. Their logo sites my fav St John's Bridge. Again, perfect! Click here to find your perfect piece.

Street Style

I am a HUGE fan of street style blogs and I adore this blog. And now am adoring Street Style Memory Game. Word. Her tag line: Most people we cross each day are forgotten instantly, but sometimes some individuals have a "little undefinable something" that makes them unforgettable. Her blogs posts people so unforgettable and so is her game. Order her ingenious unique game here.

Other fav street blogs- Bill Cunningham's gracious "On The Street" video blog for the New York  Times, the incredible blog The Sartorialist , the scrumptious Cycle Chic blog from Copenhagen and the beloved PDX one, Urban Weeds.

I heart these blogs because of a love of fashion. Smitten with the innovative ways that people put together what they wear to head out into the world. What are you wearing today?

Punch of Color

A beautiful colorful serene room by Portland, Oregon Interior Designer Jessica Helgerson. Love the reddish orange and gray accents - bold and subtle. House Beautiful Magazine named her "one of the top 25 designers in America." View more of her lovely clean modern work here.

perfect cut

Makool Loves You is the online boutique for the Portland, Oregon clothing line, Makool. I heart this line as they offer playful, but well made clothes and the most colorful knickers! And the designers are just incredibly nice people, too. Do check out their fantastic site.

This beautiful plaid shirt is 100% virgin wool made locally in Pendleton, Oregon.  The virgin wool is super soft and luxurious like butter, not scratchy at all - as they describe this yummy piece. Perfect with some skinny jeans tucked into some buttery boots and I think I'd top it  off with a fun hat. Your take?

it’s just great stuff

I am a huge fan of the blog Grain Edit. The yummy posts come into my inbox daily. Dave, the editor, is now writing for Herman Miller's blog as well. He interviewed the fantastic artist Matte Stephens this week and posted an awesome tour of his studio. Read his post here.  I love Matte's quote, "Being able to live with and work with good design makes everything more efficient and it’s just great stuff."

rugged modern

Love the way the light slices through these enormous concrete blocks. Click here to see more of this rugged spectacular home featured on dornob.com. Simply stunning, isn't it?

Cold Weather Art in Richmond, VA

I have been talking "chilly" weather this week as it's been quite cold for Richmond. My artist friend Todd Hale posted this wonderful photograph today in an alley of Broad Street. He is multi-talented - draws, paints and shoot beautiful pictures. Click here to see more of his incredible work. Richmond is home to many fabulous artists. I plan to introduce you to more in the coming weeks.

Smitten with Yellow

It's a gray winter day and I just found this fabulous sunny sneak peek in one of my fav blogs, Design*Sponge . Am smitten with these saturated yellow walls, the green chairs and all the incredible letters and numbers scattered throughout this beautiful home. And the Anthony Burrill print in the office is a must have, don't you think?

Instant Gratification on a Chilly Monday Morn

Chilly temperatures have been with us for over a week this January; 14 degrees this morn. Needing a bit of a lift to get on with this Monday, I perused the J Crew listings. Am thinking this frilly shirt in a beautiful blue and topped with a cashmere cardigan would give me a warm boost to head out into the cold. It is a morning filled with blue sunny skies. What would give you the courage to head out into this frigid weather?