You stay classy, San Diego. I'm Ron Burgundy?

No- today's color is not burgundy... it is actually Piquant Green. But that's not what has me inspired this morning either... I have been pouring over the new resort wear collections that have just rolled out. Resort wear, as a category is a unique thing...considering we, as Americans, don't really live that live that life style anymore- we barely take vacations anymore, let alone need a separate wardrobe in the middle of winter for it. Many people misconstrue Resort to be jumping the gun on spring fashion but in fact it is it's own season of fashion- designed for the jet setters that take off for warmer weather mid winter. And this year- I'm loving the anchor!

Now I know you are wondering why am I on a fashion tangent... It is all about the trickle down...


" 'This... stuff'? Oh. Okay. I see. You think this has nothing to do with you. You go to your closet and you select... I don't know... that lumpy blue sweater, for instance because you're trying to tell the world that you take yourself too seriously to care about what you put on your back. But what you don't know is that that sweater is not just blue, it's not turquoise. It's not lapis. It's actually cerulean. And you're also blithely unaware of the fact that in 2002, Oscar de la Renta did a collection of cerulean gowns. And then I think it was Yves Saint Laurent... wasn't it who showed cerulean military jackets? I think we need a jacket here. And then cerulean quickly showed up in the collections of eight different designers. And then it, uh, filtered down through the department stores and then trickled on down into some tragic Casual Corner where you, no doubt, fished it out of some clearance bin. However, that blue represents millions of dollars and countless jobs and it's sort of comical how you think that you've made a choice that exempts you from the fashion industry when, in fact, you're wearing the sweater that was selected for you by the people in this room from a pile of stuff." -Devil Wears Prada


Well it doesn't end there... the trends that really stick in fashion keep on coming and end up as interior design trends... and just as Meryl Streep's character, Miranda Priestly, famously sights Yves Saint Laurent, I too am putting my money on their resort collection sparking new trends for next spring's home trends...

YSL's resort collection featured 2 trends- Anchors and Poppies- I'd put my money on both making it into home design trends but today's about the anchor...

Now nautical theme is nothing new for interior design, or fashion for that matter- and that's why I like this trend... a new take on a very very old classic!

Fresher takes on nautical are already popping up in lighting and accessories...

gorgeous materials like hand rubbed brass are being used...

with more sophisticated approaches to giving the nautical feel- giving it a less thematic feel

My prediction stands: In the next 12-18 months we will see this collection trickle down into the home market, we will see nautical done in a whole new light- sophisticated, clean and possibly with a new color palette (something outside of the old navy, red and white combo)

"Fashions Fade, Style is Eternal"

-Yves Saint Laurent

someone was lazy....

I was scrolling through one of my tried and true favorites for good basics and stumbled across this press release that is predated and posted to their website already...apparently the web crew over at Kravet is planning on taking Monday off like the Federal Government:

New York, February 21, 2011- Kravet announced Monday the introduction of a new collection from its upscale line of couture quality fabrics. The collection, called Modern Colors, is made up of bold, sophisticated fabrics with a modern twist.

Available in a range of bright, fresh colors and patterns, these fabrics are perfect for any interior décor style. The collection mixes embroidery, silks, velvets, leathers, linens and textures in modern hues of purple, aqua, chartreuse and coral.

Kravet Couture fabrics, inspired by the designs and styles of the haute couture fashion houses, translate the world's most luxurious fabrics and textures into upholstery, drapery, bed coverings, accessories, pillows, headboards and more.

The Modern Colors collection is the latest example of the quality and craftsmanship of Kravet Couture fabrics

Now I know that press releases are written in advance I was just tickled to see that it is already on the website and well...Monday hasn't happened yet! But regardless I am so excited about the looks of this new collection- finally some great color, texture and pattern from an affordable resource!

Eclectic

adjective.-selecting or choosing from various sources. not following any one system
noun. -a person who follows an eclectic method

Yesterday I mentioned my former "transitional" neighborhood, but the new one is not transitional...it is firmly eclectic! I love eclectic but it isn't a style just anyone can pull off...eclectic can easily pass for messy or possibly a hoarder, however, when you stop for a second and start to look at the parts not just the whole you start to notice all the beautiful unique parts that make up the whole and then you see the whole in a new light. The first time I saw my new neighborhood I thought it was the most hodgepodge crazy neighborhood but then I started looking at the individual houses and gardens and suddenly I realized this was a marvelous patchwork of homes, each unique and each shining with their own character and style.

Homes are just the same way...eclectic homes are most often occupied by someone sentimental, each piece holds a story. Now don't get wrong- there is the fine line between eclectic and hoarder. I don't think I need to explain hoarders- just watch the show... they can't throw anything away! Eclectic is achieved by editing, by carefully selecting each piece, by mixing patterns and colors with various textures and memories.

The best thing about eclectic is that it doesn't happen over night...you can't force it and that is what makes it most difficult to pull off. To start setting your sights on an eclectic style buy things that you love- even random little things- you have to start somewhere. Collect things on your travels or make you local antique and consignment stores part of your routine stops. Or for a quick fix head over to Anthropologie and peruse their home section or start clicking around Etsy....

So start collecting those items that speak to you and go boldly...eclectics aren't afraid of color!

photos: Houzz, House Beautiful, Elle Decor, Alkemie, Anthropologie

I love a good conspiracy theory...

Did you ever notice the tiny little owl on the 1 dollar bill? If you have read (or seen the movie versions) of any of Dan Brown's novels you have heard of the Illuminati... well apparently according to Illuminatus Mythology the owl is a sign of the Occult and those pesky forefathers of ours loved putting their little symbols everywhere...

So this really isn't about old symbols rather the trend in owls that is still soaring.

Gorgeous fall nights seem fitting to think about owls! Owls are often portrayed as old and wise, so why not add a little wisdom to your life!

The every knowing owl keeps watch over the living room

This large vase also doubles as a great umbrella stand

The wisdom of the owl is not just staying in grow-up rooms... owls are trending high in nurseries these days

And sice the wise old owl has been hanging around for so many hundreds of years, in legends and in fashion there are some amazing vintage owls to had these days...

photos: NewYork Estate Jewelry, Illuminatus Observor, Project Nursery, Etsy, Global Views

Not just another pretty dress

 What started as a shift to camouflage juice stains from her fresh juice stand has started cult like following for the grand Madame of Preppy Chic, Lilly Pulitzer. And today is the birthday of the goddess of pattern. The clothing line has expanded from the classic shift into a full line 5 season collection for women, men and children. Having stayed true to its roots for 50 years it has carefully added bedding and accessories and now it is going further to create the ultimate Lilly lovers dream come true...a furniture line!

Lilly Pulitzer has teamed up with HFI Brands and launched the line last month in High Point at the furniture market. *Don't get too excited- the way the furniture world works- you will not see this stuff in stores until spring 2011* The over 200 piece collection is fantastic, it is exactly what you expect a Lilly room to look like, complete with collection names like, Country Club, Breakers, Kennedy and Colony. It is a smart and whimsical collection that includes 4 bedroom collections, 4 dining collections, assorted occasional groups and unique accent pieces like shoe poufs!!

And it is not just a bunch of furniture with Lilly's signature fabrics slapped on it, the details of the pieces are impeccable, just like her dresses!

Hello Shoe Pouf! Ottomans are so big, why not use them for storage???

So happy Birthday Lilly! and congrats on another brilliant idea! I already have my wish list...

photos: HFI Brands, W magazine, LillyPulitzer, SophiePyleStyle