DELICIOUS DESERT COLORS

So, completely loving this pattern from the Korento collection at Iittala...

The colors and illustrations remind me of spring in the desert - bold bursts of orange and green against a blue sky in an otherwise dusty backdrop. I'm so inspired to create a tabletop full of succulents stemming from this palette!

KEEP IT LOOSE... KEEP IT LIGHT...

In an attempt to hold onto the little bit of peace I felt after a relaxing long weekend, I'm taking deep breaths and clearing space in my home, my mind, my life... everything...

I'm taking moments to lay in the sun (if only briefly), to allow myself to dream (just a little), and to prioritize the things that are most important...

To make plans, but keep a few days open for spontaneity...

To take the time to relish in a good meal with friends, or bask in moments of silence...

And most importantly, to be able to walk away from things when it necessary... out of the heavy burden of unhealthy relationships, stressful workdays, and even gloomy weather. Life is too short to have to shoulder it all, when so many better possibilities await!


*images via alexandra angle, arizona muse by benjamin alexander huseby, house beautiful via splendid sass, and brooke coffey for fgr

High Point Spring 2011: BeeLine Home

I took over 700 photos at High Point Market and wasn't quite sure where to begin.  So I decided to start with the smallest but chicest showroom, BeeLine Home by Bunny Williams.  Unlike many furniture shows, most of the exhibitors at High Point have permanent showrooms.  That means they have real walls in which to create a gorgeous backdrop to their fabulous furniture and accessories.  In Bunny's case, she decided to bring the outdoors in by blowing up a photograph of a hedgerow and having it made into wallpaper.  The green was so so refreshing and of course, a compliment to the spring temperatures in High Point.  Actually, it felt a little more like summer at 80 degrees but I certainly wasn't complaining!  All of the mirrors in the first room brought in even more light and the comfy upholstery and drinks cabinet in the second room made you want to stay there all day. I am especially excited that Bunny is carrying a reproduction of Albert Hadley's famous etegere and I completely feel in love with the green leather upholstered Star Chair.  Just another example of green is good!

Photos by Heather Clawson for Habitually Chic

Golden Globes 2011 Fashion Recap

The 2011 Golden Globes last night were a feast of fashionable frocks and handsome men.  I'm happy to see the stylists also got my memo regarding green. I think Catherine Zeta Jones in Monique Lhuillier and Elisabeth Moss from Mad Men in Donna Karen knocked it out of the park. 

Mila Kunis looked perfect in green Vera Wang and I actually liked Angelina Jolie's green Atelier Versace gown.  I was just lamenting the fact that it's impossible to find dresses with sleeves so I hope this trickles down to the designers I can afford!

Many actresses look beautiful in blue at the Golden Globes.  I loved Amy Adams in Marchesa much more so than Olivia Wilde who was overwhelmed be her Marchesa mille-feuille style dress. It reminded me of the dress Carrie wore in Paris on Sex and the City.  But I did love Mandy Moore in blue Monique Lhuillier. 

A baby bump was popular accessory on the red carpet and Jane Krakowski's looked perfect in blue Badgley Mischka.  Tina Fey, her co-star on 30 Rock, also looked beautiful in her dark blue L'Wren Scott gown.

My vote for best dressed goes to Emma Stone in this gorgeous Calvin Klein dress. It was so sinple and fresh and age appropriate.  Kyra Sedgewick's frothy orange Emilio Pucci dress also looked gorgeous.

Sometimes I wish Juliane Moore wouldn't take so many risks but I liked her pink Lanvin dress.  Claire Danes also looked amazing in pink Calvin Klein.

Glee's Lea Michele looked like a pretty pink cupcake in Oscar de la Renta.  I would have really loved Natalie Portman's pink Viktor & Rolf dress if they had just left the stem off the flower.

Blush, nude and peach also seemed to be popular colors on the red carpet. I loved Anne Hathaway in Armani Prive and Leighton Meister in Burberry.  I don't know any woman who loved her arms so bring on the sleeves!

I thought Carrie Underwood looked gorgeous in Badgley Mischka.  While Scarlett Johannson's hair was a bit of a fright, her Elie Saab dress was perfection.

The younger girls didn't disappoint either.  Diana Argon from Glee looked gorgeous in J. Mendel and Sarah Hyland of Modern Family looked pretty in Max Azria.

I loved that the young new comer Hailee Steinfeld of True Grit chose to also wear a young up and coming fashion designer Prabal Gurung.  She is only 14 and looked perfectly age appropriate.  I could easily see her being the next Nicole Kidman who looked pretty in Prada.

I know now everyone loved Jennifer Lopez's whie Zuhair Murad dress but I thought she looked very Elizabeth Taylor old-Hollywood.  Jon Hamm's girlfriend Jennifer Westfeldt also looked sleek in white.

I thought the top of Eva Longoria's black Zac Posen dress was beautiful but the hem seemed a bit long for her petite frame.  Julia Stiles looked gorgeous in her black Ramona Keveza gown too.

I loved Piper Perabo in black Oscar de la Renta with her perfect ponytail and bright lips.  I wish Eva Longoria's dress had been this length.  Jayma Mays from Glee definitely stepped out of her good girl role with this sexy Alberta Ferretti dress! 

It's clear from these two that you don't have to be young to look amazing on the red carpet.  Melissa Leo who took home a Golden Globes for her performance in The Fighter looked fabulous in her black sequined dress.  I also loved Jane Fonda's gown. 

I love when couples look great together and Annette Bening and Warren Beatty and Rita Wilson and Tom Hanks make perfect pairs.  Annette, in Tom Ford, took home a Golden Globes for her performance in The Kids are Alright too!

First, I have a crush on all these men for different reasons.  Alec Baldwin, Jake Gyllenhaal, Chris Hemsworth and Justin Beiber all looked great on the red carpet.  Alec, call me!

I can't give any fashion awards to Robert Downey Jr. Could someone have made him wear a blue tie at least?  But as I tweeted during the show, he was hysterical presenting and I think someone needs to create a Facebook campaign to get his to host the Golden Globes next year.  Who's with me?

Go Green

Big thanks to my friend Sarah at Rice and Beans Vintage for alerting me to the fact that Stella McCartney was also feeling green.   Her 2011 pre-fall collection is full of emerald green mixed with navy and even gray.  Maybe Pantone should call me before they choose their color for 2012!  Green is definitely good!

I LOVE...

Remember my recent post singing the praises of green leather? Let's just add this to the list, shall we?

Yum.

*gorgeous leather goods by valhalla on etsy