this is lovely: classic chic

there's something so simple about jeans and a white tee. timeless, effortless chic.

ps - this works too.

pps - have a fabulous weekend.

pic sources: little plastic horses

inspired by... the rule of 3

i know i am late to the game on this one. the other day i read about the "rule of 3" on apartment therapy and i can't help but like the common thread it weaves through an area. if you're like me and new to design guidelines the gist is that an accent color should be used three times so it looks on purpose and balanced.

big yellow painting? surround it with yellow stools and lemons to tie it all together.

now i can't stop noticing it in rooms that had already caught my eye - like these.

pic sources: design luxury ideas, desire to inspire

etsy picks of the week - art

i'm on the hunt for prints, photos and paintings to adorn the walls of our new place. etsy is my favorite place to find unique art and to support people who are doing what they love.

i like the idea of finding things that have special meaning. i'd love to find a vintage bus sign like this but from spain to remind me of my days studying there.

i just ordered this print of the streets of paris. love the colors.

wouldn't this large photo look great above a bed?

looks just like my puppy so i had to have it!

another great oversized photo.

this is really cute. perfect for a reading nook.

two things i love

1. a pink chair topped with an adorable pooch
2. pink grapefruit in the summertime

pic sources: apartment therapy, flickr you can count on me

weekend round up 7.25

my new bling

flowers and fresh basil catching some sun

can you guess which books are mine and which are the boy's?

a tired puppy

whew - it was a hot one here in chicago and i have a nice tan/sunburn to prove it. made lots of improvements to the apartment, picked up some pretty new necklaces and hit up the farmers market. i've got lots and lots of tomatoes just begging to be baked into this delicious dish. perhaps tonight.

warm and fuzzy

it's hard to think about sweaters and any type of hat besides a panama hat when the sun is shining and ac blasting. that's why i usually hate when retailers push their fall merchandise before i've even gotten to enjoy the sweet taste of summer. but when i discovered this delicious outfit from j.crew, complete with a gorgeous, fuzzy fur purse, i didn't mind one bit.

hope you have a lovely, sunny summer weekend.

xoxo

pic sources: jcrew

house to home: part 2

today i am happy to share part 2 of house to home series (check out mackenzie's tips from last week here). renee from eat.live.shop is always sharing lovely recipes, design ideas and inspiration at her blog and i am really happy to have her here at a lovely escape today with some tips on making a place your home.

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1. buy pieces you love and don't worry so much about them fitting in perfectly with the rest of your furniture and accessories. when you surround yourself with pieces you love, you create a space that is truly all about you. when you love something it always has a way working in the space!

2. keep an eye out for vintage furniture pieces. most vintage pieces are made out of solid wood and have interesting silhouettes. all you need is a couple coats of paint, new hardware and you'll have a brand new piece that is completely unique.

3. have fun when putting together your space and don't take things too seriously. add bright bursts of colour and quirky elements that make you smile.

pic sources: apartment therapy, my photos (flickr audreymarie), unknown

inspired by... valentino

nude with sparkles or neon? i'll take both.

pic sources: definitely golden

dream loft

i am completely in love with this beautiful loft. the rustic wood elements. the soft shades of purple repeated throughout the space. the old trunk standing in as a nightstand. when can i move in?

pic sources: desire to inspire

two things i love

1. chloe's braided up do
2. worn-in vintage brown booties

pic sources: unknown, funambula

vogue us august 2010 - the age issue

vogue's august issue is their annual age issue - featuring women ranging from 20-80 taking on amazing new challenges. love that alexa is the chick to represent the 20s... and her chunky knit sweater.

ps - gwenyth's sweet jeans are from american eagle.

pic sources: vogue.com

weekend round up 7.18

usually the home items from anthropologie's catalogue end up pinned to my inspiration board instead of actually in my apartment. but this weekend i found something i loved that also worked with my budget during an impromptu visit to the store to check out hardware to update my dressers. can't wait to see how this console fits into our new home.

ps - i love the chalkboard walls anthro's stylists used in the home shoot and trying to decide how i can work it into our place... maybe the bedroom?

house to home: part 1

while moving into my new place i was looking for small touches that would make the space feel more like a home. not big projects and new furniture but little things that make a space homier. so i turned to a couple of my favorite design bloggers for their tips. today, i'm super excited to introduce you all to mackenzie from design darling. her blog is overflowing with inspiration and i'm so happy she's sharing some of her tips here today.

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hi, everyone! i am so happy to be sharing my decorating tips on a lovely escape today. when audrey asked me to share a few things i use to make a new place feel like home, i immediately thought of personal touches like candles, flowers, pictures, tea towels, and throw pillows. and who better to address those needs than my summer employer, jonathan adler? all of these finds are under $100 and will definitely do the trick when it comes to putting your stamp on a new place.

{palm beach candle, $38}

bringing candles into your home is an opportunity to fill your space with a favorite scent and universally flattering candlelight — in other words, an opportunity not to be missed! i love these candles, named after vacation destinations, for adding exotic appeal without breaking the bank.

{banana bud vase, $48}

whether peonies for spring or hydrangea for summer, fresh flowers never fail to cheer me up. all you need to complete the look is the right vase. i love the quirky appeal of this banana vase but there's nothing wrong with the classic hurricane shape either.

{enamel curve frame, $68}

pictures of family and friends are essential for putting your stamp on a new apartment. i love a colorful frame on the nightstand, a well-executed gallery wall, or a hallway lined in family portraits.

{earl grey tea towel, $12}

tea towels are a fun way to introduce color into the standard white kitchen or to spruce up a lackluster tabletop when entertaining guests. employ them as dish towels for everyday use and as cloth napkins for your next party!

{newport pillow, $98}

throw pillows have the power to transform a white-walled room full of neutral furnishings. use them to bring in your favorite colors or swap them out seasonally (linen for summer and velvet for winter, for instance) to completely change the feel of your room every few months.

thank you, audrey, for having me here today and congratulations on your new place! i'm sure you'll have it feeling like home in no time.

inspired by... white, white, white

spend the day in a summer white ensemble. drift to sleep in a marshmellow hued room.

pic sources: skona hem, knight cat, cupcakes and cashmere, decorology, this is glamorous, apartment therapy

two things i love

1. jewelry for your feet (and dog)
2. jewelry as art

pic sources: wide open spaces, pottery barn

this is lovely: moms to be

these will be some well dressed children.

pic sources: tfs, stockholm street style

weekend round up 7.11

the new place is slowly (very slowly) coming together. a big weekend of painting lies ahead and i am desperately shopping for a TV console as its currently teetering on an old night stand, but the boxes are unpacked and perfumes in place.

pic sources: my photos