love letter no.1

Dear TopShop,
I am so glad you opened a beautiful store in NY this past fall as it's allowed us to purchase your products with american dollars! I am fan of your collections, accessories and your reasonable prices.  Fingers crossed you'll open one in Chicago someday, we'd swear to be extra nice to you!
gingham, anyone?

sweet nothings

xoxo
auv
1. Scarf $40  2. Bikini $55 3. Stachel $60 4. Hat $40 5. Corset $60 6. Bra $32

dying for fashion

Being a bridesmaid this summer, I decided to begin my quest for a fashionable "dye-able shoe." (two words that never belong together) Thankfully the dyeable color is Fuchsia, a cute color to sport again. As most searches begin in my world, I headed to Google to investigate. The results page was full of freaky sites with the scariest shoes I've scene in a long time! I mean it! The shoes look so depressing, old fashioned, akin to wooden toys shoes & bad knockoffs.

After about an hour or so of unsatisfied results, I had a break through on Zappo's & My Glass Slipper! Finally and thankfully dyeables have made out with some of the fashion world (Kate, Stuart, Badgley) thus likely to be made in a country I know loves real leather and sex appeal: Italia! You have spend a little time surfing the sites but it's much better and totally worth it. Now I need help deciding:

 

If I could, I'd  throw these in my purse (yes they're dyeable too!) for after party when my feet are saying no more awesome dance moves auv....

LIKE but out of the budget this time:

super sad-these is not dyeable but adorable, no? Badgley Mischka

1. Kate Spade Lover $295  2. Something Bleu $220 3. Touch Ups $80 4. Kate Spade Christa $295 5. Kate Spade Flats $298 6. Giuseppe Zanotti $590 7. Stuart Weitzman $525 8. Badgley $215 9. Badgley $215

always look on the brightside of life

Like most of you I love the sunshine, it makes me want to have everything bright and cheerful!
Some brightness for your spring day.

The ultimate sunshine accessory, LEMONS!

Yellow @home, design ideas: I think the yellow with black & white looks super sharp!

Need more of romantic shot of yellow? I think these do the trick:

Don't you want to steel the tub with the claws?!??!? Super envious central happening here.
Also digging the Chandeliers in each room-just the right amount of glitter in a bathroom or bedroom.

Even the Oval Room at the White House dons Yellow (i'd love to have seen it when Jackie had it!) This shot is circa 1985.
Images: Betsey Johnson Watch , Juicy Couture Travel Bag , Hunter Boots , Jimmy Choo Clutch , Stitch and Boots Lemons, Country Living,  Apartment Therapy , Orange Coast Magazine , Architectural Digest

it's delightful, it's delicious, it's de-lovely

Spécialités de la Maison, published in 1940, is back in print and available for discovery.

This cookbook looks adorable and classy: bright hardcover, red & white cloth gingham case, various recipes from the likes of Dior, Mrs. Cole Porter, Katherine Hepburn, and it's affordable ($14)!

The only question I am pondering is: Will the recipes be uncomplicated and tasty so that a city girl could make them? However, I know deep down that whether the recipes are fabulous or not, this book is fashionable, there's a piece of Dior inside!

decorating my life

I am obsessing over ununually fine photography from NY, an old school sexy style of photography.

Max and Margaret, the fab photographers, are uber talented! I love their magic eye for the right amount of sexiness and glamour. pour yourself a glass of champagne and check out their portfolio.

Now I just need a reason to hire them....

blooming

Floral prints seem to be sprouting up everywhere from dresses to shower curtains to furniture! I am digging the dresses at the moment as I need to put my gray and black ensembles away for next winter and bust out the romantic bright floral dresses offered this season. I love that you can totally accessorize any of the dresses with a belt, a pair of flats, skyhigh heels, simple hair pieces, solid colored cardigans, or whatever else you've got in your closet! There are so many choices in various price ranges.

Let's commence with the gorgeous Super Splurge, Matthew Williamson

what actually ends up on the shopping list:

                                                                                                                                                                                

                                                                                                       

1. Urban Outfitters $88 2. Antrhopolgie $328

3. Mod Cloth $50         4. Karen Millen $299

PS I am head over heels with this floral chair by Matthew Williamson from Heart & Design:

spring has sprung

I just love this shot, it's so charming.

the british are coming

surprised and happy to see that Karen Millen is opening a store here in Chicago!

Proof shot taken @ 900 N Michigan Ave

I always liked heading to Seldfridges to see her collections when I lived in London and soon it will be here in my back yard. I am really looking forward to the opening. She tends to have edgy tailored sophisticated pieces which are perfect for day to evening wear. The prices can be on the expensive side but adding just one garment or accessory will totally enhance your wardrobe. Aren't the heels and jacket amazing? ooh lovely!

I need an opening date!

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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