Pretty in Pink

I became distracted from my regularly scheduled "Art Wednesday" post by the appearance of the sun about an hour ago. It has been a long Winter and the anticipation of Spring's arrival is palpable. I have noticed that people are starting to wear their Spring attire whether or not mother nature agrees she is ready. It's a sort of revolution, one defiant pastel at a time. In my mind, pink is the quintessential Spring color, and it is no longer solely relegated to the play ground. From a pale pink wall to a micro mini, pink has grown up and developed a new found sophistication. Here is a collection of pink clothing, interiors and accessories that I love. They are feminine without being childish. A little message Spring; come out come out where ever you are because we are carrying on with or without you. Enjoy!

J Crew Blushed Tweed Collier Jacket

Pippa Small Cocktail Ring

Interior by Steven Gambrel

Living room of designer Erin Fetherston

Missoni Ecuador Kimono Mini Dress

Marni Flower Mulit-Strand Necklace

Paris home of Lisa Fine.

Photo credits: Image #1 Elle Decor; #2 JCrew; #3 Pippa Small; #4 Elle Decor; #5 Domino; #6 Missoni; #7 Marni; #8 Unknown; #9 Elle Decor.

Living with Neutrals

I was looking through my inspiration files this weekend and stumbled across some very beautiful living room images. They are all neutral color schemes but are far from bland with unexpected mixtures of textures and materials that really add a lot of interest. I pulled these images aside and tacked them up on my inspiration board. I love how the addition of one colorful lamp, lucite coffee table or lacquered side table can change the entire feel of a room. Clothing this season is all about mixing and matching neutrals. I think these interiors translate that sentiment perfectly. Happy Monday!

Photo credits: Carrier & Co.; Unknown; Deborah Needleman via Domino; Todd Romano; Katie Ridder via Elle Decor.

Jenna's Fashion Rules

The infinitely talented and stylish Jenna Lyons, J.Crew's executive creative director, was recently on Oprah as well as in O Magazine. Among other intelligent and charming insights, she shares the fashion rules that she lives by, and that everyone could benefit from following:

* Make a statement with jewelry

* Balance feminine pieces with tomboy accents like a military blazer

* Wear opposites (if you are wearing something tailored, sprinkle in some sequins)

* Mix up textures like tweed and silk

I found a few adorable photos of Jenna in some great outfits. She really knows how to put herself together and always adds some fun details whether it be a bright red lip, chunky black glasses or a smattering of sequins.

Text info and quote via O Magazine. Photos via www.vogue.com and www.jcrewaholics.com.

Art Wednesday: Thomas Struth

I was recently introduced to the work of German-born photographer Thomas Struth. He has produced a wide range of work, but is perhaps most well-known for his museum series. His pieces are monumental in size and depict seemingly ordinary shots in public places. Struth sees museum-going as a complex social ritual believing that museums have become "both the custodian and broker of cultural capital." Struth's photographs are multidimensional and transformative. You are at once looking at a photograph for the first time but also magically transported into it. I always feel as if I have stepped into the scene and am observing it first hand. The images give me a very familiar feeling; as if I have been there before. Struth feels that a photograph is always objective. He has said that "photographs have a clear language that speaks openly not only about its subjects, but also very much about the attitude of the photographer." In my opinion, his photographs are far from objective. They are layered in meaning and I find his museum series to be endlessly fascinating. The combination of the mediums of painting and photography, old and new as well as the juxtaposition of today's tourist next to a 17th century masterpiece is a genius recipe. Here is a very small sampling of is work...

Galleria dell'Accademia Venice 1992

Las Meninas by Velasquez (Prado) 2005

Museo del Vaticano I Rome 1990

Art Institute of Chicago II Chicago 1990

Pergamon Museum I Berlin 2001

All photos by and property of Thomas Struth.

Coachella Style

I have been scouring fashion websites to see what people were wearing at the Coachella Music Festival. It is hard looking cute out in the heat all day but some people manage to pull it off with grace and style.  My absolute favorite outfit was worn by Kate Bosworth. She looks adorable in her Suno tie dye sundress, floral headband and Joie brown sandals. Here are couple of my other choices for best dressed...

I can't imagine wearing heels all day at Coachella, but they look great. She's tres chic with that printed scarf effortlessly twisted and tied in her hair. 

A large brimmed hat is a great idea out in that relentless heat. I love her little lace trimmed sundress and long layered necklaces as well.

I like how she mixed a large scale patterned blouse and small scale patterned shorts. I don't love the boots (they would look ridiculous on me) but she pulls them off with panache. 

Photos via www.style.com and www.refinery29.com.

Textile Designer: Kerry Cassill

Kerry Cassill is a textile designer based in Laguna Beach who designs her own signature line of clothing and bedding. I recently stumbled upon her wares at a local boutique and was really impressed with the quality of the goods. The bedding is a nice, heavy weight with a very soft hand. Kerry's Indian fabrics are inspired by famous colorist Brigitte Singh and impressionistic painters like Vincent Farrell. Cassill said she found herself drawn to eclectic Indian prints she discovered at Parisian flea markets and decided to travel to India to research them further. The result is a collection of really beautiful textiles that are rooted in tradition and influenced by Kerry's own personal aesthetic. I love the combination of her girly-ethnic prints that look best when mixed all together. Check out the cute styling of this photo shoot too...

Photos and text info via www.kerrycassill.com.

Inspirational Designer: Ames Ingham

Ames Ingham is a interior and lighting designer with her own self named shop in Los Angeles. Her home is a whimsical and fearless mix of color and pattern. She likes an "eclectic, colorful look" which she achieves by mixing antiques, vintage and modern furniture with bold graphics and colors on white backdrops. Ingham's lighting collection includes table lamps, sconces and my favorite, the uber stylish Ingham Hall Lantern which is a simple steel glass box with a single light on a French chain. I think she has an amazing eye for design and her lighting collection strikes a nice balance between classic and modern. Her home is chock full of inventive and fun details. How adorable is her office below? I love how she recovered the Eames desk chair in a floral fabric. It adds a nice element of femininity and breaks up the surrounding dark wood. 

A bright and inviting entry papered in a colorful geometric pattern by David Hicks.

A piece from Mrs. Ingham's lighting collection above. The walls are painted in Benjamin Moore's 'Soot'.

A cute detail shot. I love how she mixed in her children's art work with the fine china and silver. Again, a nice balance.

Photos by Mikkel Vang via Domino. Text info via www.amesingham.com.

Shaken & Stirred

My last post got me thinking about Harvey Wallbangers, the wildly popular cocktail from the 1970's. It is comprised of vodka, orange juice and Galliano. It conjures up images of the Love Boat, leisure suits and giant wide lapels. I'm feeling a themed 30th birthday party in my future. My wheels are turning. Stay tuned!

HARVEY WALLBANGER Adapted from Huckleberry Bar

2 ounces citrus-infused vodka *

4 ounces freshly squeezed orange juice

1/4 ounce Galliano

1 orange slice, for garnish.

Fill a highball glass with ice. Pour in the vodka, orange juice and Galliano. Garnish with the orange slice.

Yield: 1 serving

* To infuse the vodka: Add 3 lemons, ½ orange and 1/4 grapefruit, sliced, to a 750-milliliter bottle of vodka. Steep two to three days. You can also use infused vodkas like Absolut Citron.

Text info, drink mix via NYT by Jonathan Miles. Photo by Nicole Bengiveno.

Art Wednesday: Slim Aarons

Slim Aarons is one of my all-time favorite photographers. He basically invented the environmental portrait and is famous for photographing the jet-set high society in the 1960's and 70's. Aarons mission was to document "attractive people doing attractive things in attractive places." The thing that strikes me the most is the simplicity of his shots. Slim really ran with this crew and they were comfortable around him. The moments he captured are natural and unrehearsed. He didn't employ a bunch of assistants, use fancy lighting or manipulate his images in photoshop. What he was able to produce so organically truly speaks to his innate talent towards his medium. He so beautifully captured the essence of these bygone eras, they make me long to be a part of it. Who wouldn't want to be lounging by a pool at the Kaufman House in the 1970's with those cool cats? It all just seems so glamorous. After flipping through his book, Slim Aarons: Once Upon A Time, I have the urge to take a Palm Springs vacation, put on a Pucci swimsuit and mix up a couple Harvey Wallbangers. 

If you are interested, click *here* to purchase his book. Have a wonderful day! Ciao.

All photos by and property of Slim Aarons via artnet.com.

Dreamy Remodel

I came across this gorgeous Madrid remodel and I fell hard. I'm a sucker for an eclectic home. I find the mixture of modern and traditional elements utterly charming. Who says you have to be one or the other? Not me. The furnishings in this home are a nice balance between masculine and feminine materials, shapes and colors. The watery pale blue backsplash in the kitchen is so fun and unexpected. It reflects the light from all of those beautiful floor to ceiling windows and from the huge wall-leaning mirror on the other side of the room. I wouldn't mind living in this airy, light-filled pad!

I love the quirky and cute oversize chess pieces!

Photos via Mi Casa.