Breaking Out of the Mold...

photo JCrew

It's getting to be that time of year again...when my trunk show travel schedule kicks into high gear and I have to think about clothing beyond my daily go-to uniform of jeans and t-shirts. I've always LOVED clothes. As much as I want to "dress" everyday, the reality is I spend most days in my studio making jewelry, getting down and dirty with lots of things that would ruin anything nice. For the most part, I prefer classic pieces that can be dressed up or down and comfort is key. Considering all of this, and the fact that at last count I have over thirty (that's 3-0!) pairs of jeans hanging in my closet, I'm issuing a self-imposed moratorium on even the trying-on of anything made of denim! Alas, this leaves me with a short lust-list. With companies like JCrew showing silky pajamas on the runway, there's plenty of comfy to go around. My top ten ways of upping my fall chic factor are...

1. Rag & Bone leather pants with zips...notice these are only jeans style!

2. an Isabel Marant sheer lacy blouse...

3. an ankle bootie with a stacked wood heel...

4. this Margiela open toe version for a dressier vibe...and to show off pretty toes...

5. a sleeveless turtleneck will look great with an armful of bangles...

6. a comfy poncho-style sweater, in black...will pair well with the leather zipper pants...

7. a nubby sweater in winter white...

8. this little black YSL dress will travel well...

9. one sparkly piece because no holiday wardrobe is complete without a little glitter...

 

10. one pair of silky pajama pants in a cool pattern for entertaining or lounging at home...

and I'll be wearing it all with classic and new pieces of my own creation...

a stack of bangles....

Gypset opal earrings...

long layered chains with a statement pendant...

 and an every-day-into-evening earring...

photos 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

all jewelry images here

Mad for Madeline Weinrib

photo Madeline Weinrib Pinterest

Open any shelter magazine these days and there are two things you are most certain to find -- a fiddle leaf fig plant and a Madeline Weinrib pillow or carpet. I first discovered the beautiful, artistic designs of Ms. Weinrib several years ago when I accidentally stumbled upon her atelier on the 6th floor of ABC Home while shopping for a rug. I was immediately struck by her bold use of color and texture. I felt as if I had discovered jewelry for my floors! This was the beginning of my obsession with just about everything Ms. Weinrib creates. In the atelier, floor coverings are not called rugs. Here they are referred to as CARPETS -- perhaps because they are just the thing to take your decor fantasy on a magical ride. Whimsical motifs and a knack for mixing patterns and time periods are the signatures of her aesthetic. In this setting, old easily blends with new -- a chenille mandala rug, Saarinen tables, Balinese style settee and Regency & Louis style chairs all meld together to create an eclectic style that is so comfortable and inviting that one is tempted to move right in. When it's time to make a purchase, the biggest challenge is making a decision, as there are endless choices -- carpets, pillows, wallpaper, fabric by the yard -- in an endless array of designs and colors. There really is something for everyone. 

A new collaborative exhibition of iconic mid-century furniture reimagined with Ms. Weinrib's textiles has just opened at Sebastian + Barquet in Southampton, New York.  If you're out that way, don't miss a chance to see some of these pieces in person. They are sure to inspire!

photos Sebastian + Barquet

Here are a few of my MW favorites...

black & white buche stripe rug...

photo Madeline Weinrib Pinterest

 black & white Mu...

photo Madeline Weinrib Pinterest

thumbnails of colorful cotton carpet designs...

photo Madeline Weinrib

Weinrib's ABC atelier...

photo Madeline Weinrib

a selection of pillows...

pillow photos Madeline Weinrib

photo Madeline Weinrib Pinterest

interiors...

photo Madeline Weinrib Pinterest

photo Madeline Weinrib Pinterest

happy chez moi...a few of my own MWs...

photo Stephanie Albertson

Happy Weekend

To everyone who has read my posts this week...thank you for your good wishes and enthusiastic response! It's been a fun first week in the blogosphere & I have loved hearing from friends and some new readers out there. 

This weekend, I'm going to be...

 doing a little of this...

taking some long walks with this beautiful boy...

photo eric sutton

having lazy mornings & eating a little summer breakfast al fresco...

and spending some quality time with friends...

photos via pinterest

See you Monday...

Have a wonderful weekend!

Bun heads...

The top knot has taken the world by storm. Everywhere I turn, women of all ages have taken to the trend of piling their long locks on top of their heads in a tousled mess of a knot. It's convenient if you have long hair. I've been wearing my hair like this for years, as it is the only way to keep it from getting caught in the flame when I'm working in the studio. I've never really thought of this as a legit hair-do. I've equated it to not getting out of my yoga pants all day -- after a while I feel like a lazy slob in desperate need of some style! But, it's easy and effortless, and now chic women everywhere are sporting the knot. So, today I was excited to see the do getting its due from none other than Garance Dore´, fashion's most stylish blogger and illustrator, in her new ad campaign for Net-a-porter.com.

photo Garance Dore´

Then, I went to get my hair cut and the two lovelies at my salon were modeling THE DO, too!

Pinterest is overpopulated with pics of top knots...

photos via pinterest

C'mon Get Happy...

Everything about performance artist Nick Cave's Soundsuits makes me happy...the color, movement and expression. So much imagination and fun. Do they make you want to get your groove on? See more soundsuits here...

photos: James Prinz, Nick Cave   

Floor Makeover

Floor Makeover

When I set out to redo the floors in my kitchen I knew I wanted them to have a pattern and a lot of style but I didn't want a rug. Like many kitchens, mine is the main thoroughfare in the house, and in my life a rug in the kitchen is a big no-no -- with a labrador retriever it would just get covered in dog hair and footprints. I also knew I wanted a black and white kitchen. The house is a Spanish colonial bungalow built in 1926 and is packed with original character and details. The previous owner had made some nice choices that I wanted to incorporate -- gorgeous butcher block counter tops and white subway tile backsplash with dark grout. My goal was to get rid of the country French vibe and make it a little more modern while maintaining its charm. The first step was to prep the floors for painting. They needed to be sanded to remove the existing pattern - a harlequin stencil.  For my design, I found an inspiration pic in Elle Decor and enlisted a friend to be my co-weekend warrior and we got down to business. To be fair, my friend did most of the dirty work. The whole project from start to finish, measuring, taping, painting, drying & sealing...took a week. Since it's Florida and very rainy & humid, we waited an additional week before walking on it. The end result is a chic, black and white concentric square pattern that I love even more as time goes on. It's stylish, easy to clean and so far is standing the test of time & doggy footprints!

My floor before...

The inspiration from Elle Decor...

After the sanding, a fresh coat of white floor primer (we also black lacquered the original cabinet doors)...

Taping off the design...

The finished product...

Some other creative examples of painted floors...

photos 1, 2, 3, 4, 5