Heavy Metal

My first attempt at CAFD magazine layouts. 

Pretty tedious but with more practice the results will be worth it. Thanks FIDM.

Lost Optimism

Quote via style.com Images via Jak and Jill

Backstage, Lazaro Hernandez said the duo's starting point was Googie architecture. Googie what? "Mid-century road-stop architecture," he said. "It was once cutting-edge, but now it's decrepit. Lost optimism."

Celebrity Homes: Editorial Inspiration

I have been collecting Decor magazines as long as I can remember and while doing a little reorganizing I came across a folder with cut outs from some of my favorite editorials from Vogue Living and Elle Decor. My absolute favorite shown above is that of industry genius John Demsey the group president of Estee Lauder Companies best known for making the cult brand M.A.C a household name by enlisting over-the-top divas for its ads. His dashing Manhattan residence is just as flamboyant as his Viva Glam campaign and equally successful. Another favorite Garcia-Lavin's petri dish photography artfully hung above a tribal inspired bedroom.

Can't Wait

VINCE Spring 2012 looks are on their way to stores as LA Market week wrapped up last Friday. Buyers had their eye on neutral color palettes, classic silks, engineered prints, and untraditional leathers. I couldn't stop obsessing over flowing silk tunics and tops by VINCE and of course their butterscotch leather drawstring shorts. The collection hits it out of the park when it comes to casual sophistication. I can't wait to receive my Spring order next week of black, nude, and cobalt goodness.

Trend Report: Marie Turnor Handbags

The classic style of MARIE TURNOR embraces timelessness and eschews trendiness in the spirit of finding beauty in everyday things:  a paper bag, an envelope, folded paper, the colors of nature... The essence of the brand lies in the realization that practical things are also beautiful.

SHOPPING BREAK

Moving In

industrial side table: CREATE

catch all plate: CREATE

spice rack: CREATE

silver cow skull: SPLURGE

veneto suitcase storage: MUST HAVE

hermes avalon blanket: SPLURGE

Interior decorating ideas from DIY to high high high. I am continually updating my home with fun new paint colors, interesting accessories found in the fashion district or flower marts, a designer splurge here and there, and a lot of fantastic DIY projects discovered in unique blogs. CasaSugar is one of my favorite interior blogs for inspiration. I love their celebrity and DIY sections. I can’t wait to recreate this fabulous floor to ceiling to door striped bathroom, and adorable handmade spice rack! The Hermes signature Avalon blanket and ZGallerie silver cow skull are definitely number one on my wish list. Gorgeous! Always in need of more storage I immediately fell in love with these buckled Veneto Suitcases, which are on their way from ZGallerie this week.

Dreaming of Spring

"I don't design clothes. I design dreams." -Ralph Lauren

Images via ShineyPlasticHag, jjjjound, 69thstreet, thesethingstaketime

Celebrity Closet Inspirations: New Year New Wardrobe

Draw inspiration from the closets of designers and celebrities. Some of my fav closets include those of Rachel Zoe, Jenna Lyons, Paris Hilton, Olivia Palermo, Nina Garcia, Carrie Bradshaw, Domino Magazine, Eva Longoria, and of course Mariah Carey’s infamous shoe closet!

I am not necessarily one for New Years resolutions. Gain weight, lose weight, quit smoking, exercise more, self improve etc… However, what I do believe in is an annual closet cleansing. Reorganize, colorize, categorize and get rid of all of those old fads so they don’t haunt you in the years to come. Not only does a perfectly color coordinated closet give a sense of Zen in ones home, but also makes daily dressing a breeze. While preparing for yet another move I realized that most of the garments stored in drawers haven’t been worn since the last move. Thus revealing the fact that if they haven’t been worn in four months or more it is time to part ways. Don’t get me wrong there are key vintage pieces i.e. granny’s fur, mom’s European tunics, and aunt’s Guess jeans from the 80’s that must be archived, and rightfully so stay stored. What I’m talking about is those impulse fad purchases you made in say 2008 that you don’t wear but can’t seem to part with because you (and only you) know how much you paid for them. Well I’m telling you get rid of the guilt and CLEAN OUT YOUR CLOSET. A week from now you will not even notice they are gone, and you’ll have a beautifully organized closet for 2012.

Ways to Personalize Your Closet

Pick up a copy of Design Sponge by Grace Bonney and One Hundred by Nina Garcia

Visit your local Nordstrom and take note of visual merch displays

Click, Click, Click online style blogs

Don’t forget to your coordinated hangers (IKEA, Target, etc.)

And most importantly do what feels like the most YOU

Images via my photography @ Nordstrom, designsponge, thecloseteditor, thebrooklyncircus

MORE CELEBRITY INSPIRATIONS

Hair and Lace

Starting out the new year with a new hairstyle: Bangs and messy braids

Images via kimandphilblog, MarieClaire, fashiontoast, fashiongonerouge