Summer is kind of like the ultimate one-night stand...

"Summer is kind of like the ultimate one-stand stand: hot as hell, totally thrilling and gone before you know it."
-Cosmopolitan

Happy first day of summer!!!! not a particularly glamorous one here- rather gray and soggy, but oh well it could be sweltering and frankly we need the rain.

Today's color is particularly fitting shade of orange: Chamois (Pantone 15-1145)

And while it reminds me of a big full mum or the sun at high noon, it is tagged as: Passionate, Warm and Moneymaker... passionate and warm are perfect for the first day of summer...moneymaker??? I venture to say people work less, thus make less in the summer time- but I have been wrong a time or two.

The perfect bold accent to aqua!

It can be subtle and sophisticated

or bold and contemporary 

Wearing and surrounding yourself with Chamois (the color, not the rag for washing your car) resonates with confidence and courage and helps you share your gifts and talents with others.

So happy first day of summer/wear your Lilly day!

Aghhh- there's the moneymaker part! at least for Lilly!

my sweetest downfall...

My itunes library is possibly the most random thing ever- it is ADD's finest collection of obscure music and one hit wonders- it pretty much sums me up perfectly. Driving with my sister last weekend I was amazed at some of the things I found on my ipod... regardless one of my go-to songs when I need to be inspired is Regina Spektor's Samson (if you look on the side bar to the right- the pink ipod has it on there) there is a line in the song where she says: you are my sweetest downfall...and while she is clearly singing about a person it always makes me think of my favorite things- my sweetest downfalls... (in no particular order)

The ever classic Barcelona chair! and a well balanced mix of classic modern and vintage eclectic 

Jay Z's new blog Life & Times my latest internet time vampire

Getting mail that isn't a bill or mass mailer

a broken in chesterfield sofa- like a good pair of jeans it goes with anything!

pink peonies- yes I am a romantic at heart but not a red roses romantic

Color! and fearlessly using it!

Chuck Bass- well he's not real but oh well- a guy in a smokin' hot suit that fits perfectly- really guys- it isn't that hard to go to a good tailor. Clearly the dress code from high school has stuck with me that I am still a sucker for a well dressed man

the random eclectic accessory

hello Louis! no other luggage can be described as art in my world

like I said before- high school obviously stuck with me as I am still a sucker for all things preppy! My closet contains way too much pink and green for any one person but I just can't say goodbye- I am sucker for Lilly!

Balls to the walls crazy light fixtures!

a tutu should be included in every girl's wardrobe- that and pearls and a tiara... 

Paris and all things French- from the food and wine to the fashion

vampires- from twilight to Vampire Weekend- yes I swear I am not 15 years old!

my family- and yes that includes my friends and my dog!

a comfy bed with good pillows- must have good pillows!!!

white tee shirt and jeans- the classic go to!

Happy Wednesday! the week is almost over- what's more inspiring than that on a rainy day! xoxo

bet you thought I'd write about green today...

So yeah- it's St. Patrick's day and it would seem only natural to go for Irish themed interiors (not sure what that would be- potatoes and leprechauns are pretty much what my mind goes to) or at the very least play off the green- either the color or the concept. But as my parents will attest- I was never really one to do what was expected. Instead today I draw inspiration on an old friend who just visited. When I met Ashby- with his guitar case in tow- I instantly thought he was some lame nerd who was trying and woo my sister with a cheesy John Mayer act- but turns out he actually was pretty damn talented. So when he came east this week for a visit I had to hear at least one song. And it got me thinking...when you have a talent and passion like that you can't just leave it in a box or propped up in the corner...

Give it a home (and yes I know that is not a guitar) 

Hang your collection on the wall like art- some guitars are a work of art

display them and show them off like any other collection

but keep it handy for when inspiration strikes!

OK- so above the bed is a bit too John Mayer for me!

The gorgeous wood blends right in with this floating wall- it would also rock in a room with a classic Eames chair!

Cole and Son's Quartet Wallpaper has been a favorite for a long time but only really works for a talented music lover

And no, not a guitar but I love these drums re-purposed as tables- I can just imagine the husband that wouldn't let his drums go and then never touched them once he won the battle to keep them!

So no matter what your passion find a way to let it shine and make it part of your home and everyday life!

Rain Rain Go Away...

I tumbled across this image this morning, this grey cold rainy gross morning. Some of you reading may know, but I studied in Paris when I was in college- it seems like a thousand years ago but still yesterday in so many ways... at the ripe age of 21 it was the biggest adventure of my life, it was before 9-11 so I still lived in my rather naive bubble of life, it was before wireless internet was everywhere and you had to go to internet cafes, it was before international calling plans and cell phones that worked abroad so it meant buying phone cards and actually remembering people's phone numbers, it was before my parents used email so it called for actual letter writing (although I probably didn't), it was before digital cameras so I had to wait till I got home and got my film developed to see my memories, it was before Facebook so I actually had to show my friends my pictures. And on this rather blah and boring morning seeing this picture reminded me of what a freeing time it was in my life but it also reminded me of how romantic the city is, while I didn't fall in love with some chic Parisian hunk I did fall in love with the city, it is magical and is somewhere everyone should get lost at some point in their lives. This image is my happy place Pink Paris Springtime!
Pink is most often associated with not only baby girls but love and romance but pale pink also has a very calming effect. Sometimes called, Drunk-Tank Pink, it is used in prisons to help calm the inmates, it is used in sports facilities in the visiting team locker room to subliminally lull the opposing team into a passive and less energetic mood.
Yes- I am biased, pink has been my favorite color since I can remember, it has wavered among the different hues but always pink! And just like House Beautiful just blazed across their cover it is the perfect color!

Pale Pink is the perfect neutral compliment for a calming, soft, romantic spaces. It works wonderfully with whites and creams but yet at the same time it helps browns, natural linens and gorgeous wood tones shine creating a contrast that is not jarring or harsh. 

Aghh... all I can do on this dreary day is hope that all this rain will result in an amazing pink blast with the dogwoods burst open here!

Today is Valentine's Day...Or as men call it, Extortion Day!

I'm not going to refuse roses  but I prefer peonies,  I will not snub a box of chocolates  but I think Easter has the best candy of all commercialized holidays, I never ever turn down jewelry or being told I am loved so while not my favorite holiday,  I can't say I hate Valentine's day- mostly because it is the one day a year that I get a free pass on LOVING the color pink! And yes I know most people go red on the dreaded V-day but I prefer to soften it and go pink- I think pink should become the official Valentine's day color! It is softer, more romantic, more people can wear pink (it goes with more skin tones) plus in the gloom of February pink is a much more perky color than red- it gives a hint of hope for Spring to come soon. And clearly I am not alone...House Beautiful dubbed their March issue- (on stands just in time for the big V-day) The Power of Pink! and I agree whole heartedly with their description: "It's warm, Flattering, sexy and men love it!" and they are right if you leave out the actual word pink most men love the color (haha guys- your secret is out). I absolutely encourage everyone to pick up a copy of this issue- it is one of the best they have had in awhile but here are some of my faves from it:

They even did the shopping for me! These are my fave finds of their fabulous 50 pink finds:

Unsightly cords no more! no need to hide the cord if it is pink!

my closet is screaming for these hangers! although I am pretty sure I could spray paint some ikea ones for far cheaper!

Gotta love Hickory Chair! only an American Manufacturer can get you a custom pink chair!

Well- if you plan on doing some back stabbing or butchering today why not go festive!

But seriously it is the day of love and I love pink- stop being so afraid of it and stop throwing all sorts of labels and preconceived ideas about the color around- there is truly a shade out there for everyone and for every home!

From Bold to Subtle

and everything in between...

So Happy Pink Day! 

xoxo