a little french on your walls

The International Vintage Poster Fair rolls into town this weekend with over 10,000 pieces of art nouveau on display and for purchase. Admission is $15 Saturday & Sunday at the Chicago Cultural Center on Randolph. I like the bright colors these posters add to a room and their history especially with regard to France. My favorite, and probably the most famous French print maker/artist, is Toulouse-Lautrec . I love his black & white drawings the best:

More traditonal coloful poster art, Leonetto Cappiello:

Done well, I think these posters look fabulous! However, take it easy and choose wisely as they can be overbearing or over done. Adding the right colors and print size can make all the difference.

Bonne Chance!

Images from:

Universite de napierville, All Posters, Telegraph, ABCD Design

totally impractical

If only I could connect this typewriter to my laptop, I would use this all day everyday and look like something straight out of Mad Men. I'd make sure to wear my skirt just past the knee.

It would look great on a desk for use, or as an accent piece in your office. I'd need my mom to teach me how to use it too! : )

From: My Typerwiter

undo

Very random that I found this image last night! My friends and I were just talking about using the keyboard keys instead of the mouse while using the computer.

Great card, very clever but I have no clue where to buy it?

river's green

Happy St. Patrick's Day Chicago!

My brother Philip, cousin Paul & brother Thomas

Galway City

I love this picture, Cheers!

come on barbie, let's go party

Shocking Pink Stilettos from Christian for the spring-It helps to look at these fabulous sparkling shoes when it's a grey day here in Chicago

super high but what fun! SPARKLE!!

please mister postman look & see

After recently receiving  some "save the date" cards and just ordering my bridesmaid dress for Jill's wedding in Houston this summer, I got to thinking about wedding greeting cards. I usually wait untill the last minute and end up stuck at some random 7-Eleven where I buy a rubbish card that says something generic like "Whoo!"  So I did a little digging and I was liking what I found so far...

Then I stumbled upon the Awesomely Hilarious Sew Dandee cards on the always lovely Etsy! The cards are so up my alley: handmade, perfect humor, cute designs, & for all occasions! I've placed my first order-i'll let you know how sweet they are. Enjoy some of my favorites:
WEDDINGS

MOTHER'S DAY                                                               

BIRTHDAY

LOVE                                                              

FRIENDSHIP

Book Fashion

Who doesn't love the classics?

I am really enjoying uncovering Penguin designer Coralie Bickford-Smith, who designs their hardcover classics: Jane Austen, Homer, etc. What a great idea to revamp them with modern designs to create interest and remind me to re-read them. These would be great to collect or to give as a gift. I just think they're perfect!

Look how great they'd look on a bookcase! So Creative!

"Featuring gorgeous patterns stamped on linen cases, colored endpapers, and ribbon markers, these are rich and sumptuous volumes that continue what will be one of the most coveted sets of books ever produced." -Penguin Group

Wedges Wedges Everywhere

I always enjoy a good wedge. Wedges tend to be super comfortable, funky, very easy to stay in all day, & dance the night way which what makes them a great transition shoe. Wedges like most heels come in a variety of heel heights.
Here's what I am liking this spring:

Seychelles 

I've already ordered these! So adorable!

Burberry

Tory Burch

Valentino

Anthropologie

Moschino

Christian Louboutin 1

Christian Louboutin 2

espresso yourself

I was lunching at 676 Restaurant & Bar on Michigan Ave, located inside the Omni Hotel, when I noticed how much I really liked my coffee mug!  The restaurant is a really nice lunch spot with floor to ceiling windows and delicious items (I ate Margarita Flatbread with pesto, hand rolled mozzarella, grilled tomatoes, pine nuts, and a Blue & Black Salad...so yummy).

My cup & saucer

Now you might be wondering "what makes an Awesome coffee cup & saucer?" 

1. The handle is perfect for just about my whole hand

2. The rim is substantial & wide to let the coffee cool so I don't burn my tongue off

3. The cup is large enough so that my free hand has the option to "cup it" and it was thick so it doesn't burn too

4. The saucer angles up with that extra edge to support the spoon & the sugar

5. The style is modern & bright!

Looking underneath the saucer I discovered that the manufacture is Steelite- a hospitality provider...last time I checked theAuv doesn't count :(

So I am on a mission to find similar coffee mugs especially since I just purchased my first French Press from Bodum! I'll let you know how I get on with it...it should be interesting!  It is the green way to brew fresh coffee and I've heard such tasty reviews of the coffee that comes from a French press. Suggestions on mugs and coffee brands would be appreciated.

Oh won't you stay just a little bit longer

Today's sunshine is beautiful but what a teaser...

oh summer how I miss you 

xoxo
ME 

School Wardrobe Envy

I love Glee! Glee is such a fun and quirky show. Mind you there were a few moments in season 1 when it was bit juvenile and I thought to myself "why am I watching a high school drama show??" Then the next thing I knew I was sucked in by the songs, the dancing and the hilarious Ms. Sue Sylvester (Jane Lynch). So if you're skeptical click on the video...HILARIOUS!


On to the important bits: the Style
Two character's attires standout as my favorites: Rachel Berry (Lea Michele) & Emma Pillsbury (Jayma Mays). I love lots of pieces from their looks and thanks to both for reminding me that cardigans in bright colors can be so darn cute dressed up or while running earrands.


Rachel- Even myself as a blondie, I love her dark hair and dark look. Rachel's wardrobe is full of skirts, knee high socks, flats, and shirts with vests. A very preppy girly style...

Sometimes it gets a little on the punky bruster side of things but overall I like the look. I am really digging the belt with the dress and the knee highs with flats in a skirt for cool spring days. I especially like the gold flats with the black socks as I just purchased these Choos in Palm Beach. Pefecto!

Emma's look is a sweetheart style full of colors layered then a sudden hint of contrast, lots o'cardigans, embellished blouses and chunky jewelry. She's a bit quirky on the show and it suits her wardrobe.

Real Life Finds for these looks

For the spring I will certianly be rocking knee high stockings

On the Runway     &                                                                                      SJP

Where I plan to investigate my style envy:

Jcrew

 

Lily Pulitzer

Cheerio!

Sweetest Things

MMMMmmmmm Doughnuts....

Picture taken by me @ work today b4 I devoured the little thing...didn't take long.

La Dolce Vita

Milano Fashion Week is in full swing! Italian Fashion houses are parading their beautiful masterpieces through to Wednesday before it heads into it's final week à Paris, mais naturellement. It's always bit odd to be looking at the Fall/Winter collections when I am really looking forward to my white shorts and slipping into my sperry's before I head off to lake for sunshine but then again all I need to do is look out the window to see grey skies filled with flurries and I can accept admiring the fall 2010 collections.

A few of My Top Standouts (so much to choose to from!!) and where I image I would where them because of course I can fly to Milan tomorrow and order them for myself ;)

Black-tie Event

Alberta Ferretti- from Milan, known for her draping and twist techniques...

The office (perfect for après work in the City too)

Prada- Luxury Goods from La Italia

I really like that the tights pattern doesn't clash with the dress

Gucci-The ultimate "bling" fashion house and the largest in Italy.
Always a large fashion show production with every detail thought about-so tailored.
Day and night wear picks

I L-O-V-E this wide belt, that was a key element in the fall/winter collection.  If I can afford the Gucci (which I can't wait to see what the price will be-fingers crossed it's reasonable) I think I'll be adding this accessory to my wardrobe! It looks great with each outfit!

Smile Spakle & Shine! Looks like glitter is here to stay!

Looking at my selections, I  like black-a classic choice, no?

2 days left in Milano and I would love to sip a Lemonchello while looking at collections. Arrivederci!




Pictures from Milan Fashion Week