Style Lush

Spring Shopping

By Tara

Because I'm getting tired of jeans and boots and tights this winter, and because I am a bit overly detailed when it comes to leaving for any trip, my sister's beach wedding in March has me packing and repacking a mental suitcase every opportunity I get. And for those times when my mental suitcase starts to get too full for me, I also have four or five partial packing lists in my purse, just so I don't forget anything.

And then, you know...there's the window shopping. Because every change in season (even a premature one brought on by a pretty beachside destination wedding) requires a little extra window shopping. 

{photo credit: nordstrom.com}

{photo credit: dillards.com}

{photo credit: dillards.com}

{photo credit: dillards.com}

{photo credit: bananarepublic.com}

{photo credit: oldnavy.com}

{photo credit: oldnavy.com}

{photo credit: katespade.com}

{photo credit: katespade.com}

{photo credit: katespade.com}

{photo credit: katespade.com}

Now, if I could just find that unlimited supply of money I've been looking for all my life...

My Christmas Wish List

By Blythe

I am posting this in the faint hope that Santa finds it and it all shows up under my tree. DON'T FAIL ME NOW, SANTA!

Cashmere Scarf {photo credit: Ann Taylor}

Clarisonic Mia {photo credit: amazon.com}

The Michael Jackson Experience for Wii {photo credit: amazon.com}

Norpro Meat Pounder {photo credit: amazon.com}

No. 2 Pencil Skirt {photo credit: J Crew}

Birthstone Stacking Rings {photo credit: RedEnvelope}

Boyfriend Watch {photo credit: Garnet Hill}

Super Sheer Circle Scarf {photo credit: American Apparel}

Marc Jacobs Fragrance Trio {photo credit: Sephora}

All I want for Christmas

by Christina

I have two running lists in my head. A real one that is within the limt of our budget and the fun one, which is so not. The fun one has things like an $1100 camera and assorted lenses and a $350 cuckoo clock, and, really, that's just the start of that one. My real list is still fun though and it's been a really long time since I've put any thought into it. Typically my husband just knows what to get me but this year he asked for a list. Lucky me!

(via amazon)

Love Florence so her new cd is a must.

OPI, Black Cherry Chutney becuase you can never have enough nail polish.

(image via steffels blogspot)

A house portriat, though it's too late to get this before Christmas, I'd still love one.

(via rebekkaseale)

And finally 3 of these for the cities that my husband and I have lived in. (Tacoma, Chapel Hill and Columbus)

(via bird avenue)

And black frames with white mats for them. A pretty modest list of but all of these items would make me so very happy.

What's on your list?

Identifying My House Style: A Post Inspired By Oprah

By Jessica

Okay, granted, you might be thinking that a post or idea inspired by Oprah is a cheesy thing, but it's the honest truth, so cheesy or not, I'm putting it out there (or you could think it's awesome, and if so, rock on). The other day, Oprah was on the Nate Berkus segment 'House Proud' she said many things during the course of that interview that resonated with me (she also said many things that made me jealous, for example: I would love to have 13 buckets of fresh roses dropped on my front porch, but that really isn't the point) about trying to find your own style, to find things to surround yourself that are not only beautiful but are "you". Things that ground you, things that speak to who you are and where you've come from, even if not literally, which I thought was a hugely important distinction. I come from the Arizona desert, I miss it desperately and early in my decorating life, I splashed southwestern stuff all over my house thinking that would fill that void for me, but all it did was make my house look like a gift shop in the Arizona desert. I don't want to live in a gift shop.

She also spoke of how your style changes the more you change, the more rooted and grounded you feel, the easier it is to not want stuff but to want a feeling and then to identify the stuff that will get you the feeling you want. Interesting way of looking at it, no? I've steadily been coming to this idea on my own, paying attention to the rooms in movies, catalogs, store-fronts and other people's homes that jump out at me and then picking them apart to see what exactly is speaking to me.

I've made some decisions. I may be from Arizona and it may be a huge part of who I am but it's not EVERYTHING I am. I'm a magpie, I love a bit of glam. I love dark wood. I love white slipcovered furniture. I love vintage things. I love a wall in New Orleans and photography. I like things to look lived in and worn. I want things to be un-cluttered and yet cozy and welcoming. I love pops of color, but not everywhere. I feel most comfortable when masculine and feminine is mixed. I like a bit of modern but not too much. I feel comfortable in the contrast.

You've already seen some of my bedroom which I think is a pretty good representation of all the things above. So, I've started pulling together some inspiration, actively working towards a decorating goal instead of my usual dive in head first and see what happens mentality.

Large picture on the top right: My living room, as it stood not quite a month ago. The wall, in New Orleans, I referred to, is the subject of the huge photo above the mantle. The purpose of this pic was to document a minor change I had made, moving the TV from wall mounted over the fire-place back to the entertainment center. It was a minor change, but 1) FREE and 2) I like it so much better. Since this pic was taken, we have installed laminate flooring throughout our living room, dining room and bedroom area (we just have to do the hallway and we'll be done, HOORAY) so one of the things I love is now in my house. We went with a dark-ish tone for the floors.

Bottom right: An example of Modern Rustic design from Kelli Murray.

The future color of our master bathroom is inspired by this guest bedroom design from Young House Love.

From the first moment I saw the movie Something's Gotta Give, I absolutely DIED for this kitchen. Someday.

I have always and will always love peacock feathers (and peacocks) SO GORGEOUS! I have pulled the colors scheme from a peacock feather throughout the house in the pops of color, because I know they will all work together.

I love the contrast between the stone, the iron pipes and the woodwork in this space, it reminds me of a bar I loved (that closed sadly) here in Houston called The Twelve Spot.

Another modern-rustic design, I love the oversized wrought iron chandelier against all that white in the space.

I have a lot of other things that inspire me, pages from catalogs and such that would be too hard to share here, but that should give a general gist of where I'm headed. Oprah was driven by the red Mississippi clay and the earth.

What's your house style, what drives it?

Reader Help: Bachelorette Party Attire

By Rebecca

Reader Heather writes: "I am co-hosting a bachelorette party for a good friend of mine... who happens to be a twenty-something. Which I am not... I want to look stylish and attractive, without spending a fortune and without looking like 'Oh my gosh I can't believe she's wearing that!'"

Heather, you've come to the right place. I can definitely see myself in the exact same situation, and if I was in your place, I would likely choose from one of my two favorite going-out options:

1) Cute dress + blazer jacket

...or...

2) Straight-leg black pants + black drapey top + dramatic jewelry

Let's explore these, shall we?

If you are more of an option 1-type gal, I like the casual yet dressed-up appeal of this dress from Old Navy, plus the fig color is really pretty.

Or this adorable green number from Modcloth. I like the solid color with ruffles - could be a very flattering choice!

And if you are open to a pattern, I really like this option.

Heather, I don't know what the weather is like where you are, but it goes without saying that you could tailor the legwear options accordingly. If it's still wintry and cold, I would pair either with tights and boots or wedges.

In fact, speaking of staying warm, I recommend wearing or at least bringing a blazer-type jacket. In your email you mentioned going to a few different places during this event, so you'll probably want something to wear over your dress as the night wears on (that is, if the tequila isn't keeping you warm enough. Ahem.)

So with that in mind, I'd go with something simple that you could wear all the time, like this one from Nordstrom:

 

Okay, so if you're less of a dress person, you might want to try formula #2 - the black pants + black top option. "All black? But that's boring!" you may say. And I say, "Au contraire!" I love all-black outfit combinations because when accessorized correctly, they are classy, modern and slimming. The best part about it is that you can customize each piece to your liking.

For example, for the top, I like a knit or jersey material in a drapey fit. You don't want something tight and uncomfortable, you want something that you don't have to fuss with all night! This little number from Nordstrom would be perfect.

And for pants, I like a slightly cropped, slim leg black pant to offset the drape of the top, such as this one from Gap. 

If you'd like a boot cut pant instead, Gap has you covered there as well. Try these!

Now the magic of this outfit formula really comes down to the accessories. Personally, I think it calls for a dramatic necklace. You could go with some color if you wanted to here, but I'd likely go down the metallic path. This one would do nicely (plus it's only $10!).

I hope something here helps, but whatever you end up choosing: have fun! 

{Photo credits: oldnavy.com, modcloth.com, nordstrom.com, gap.com, forever21.com}

Valentine's Gifts for ME

I can't help but admit here and now that if I had an unlimited budget I'd be buying myself a few goodies for Valentine's Day this year! But who knows, maybe my husband will read this and I'll get lucky this year, wink wink. :)

- I find myself saying a lot lately that I wish I could bottle up sweet little moments of my life and keep them in a locket around my neck. I'd love this necklace with tags stamped with our wedding anniversary date, and the birth dates of our two children.

Lisa Leonard Designs "my treasure" necklace.

- I'm a sucker for a cute, handmade clutch bag (as you all know if you've been reading Style Lush since the beginning!). I'd love a fun, funky clutch like this one from The Pleated Poppy. So cute!

{image via http://www.shop.pleatedpoppy.com}

- No lacy ANYTHINGS for me, please. Boyfriend pants from Victoria's Secret styled for my alma mater or in my favorite football team's colors will do (THEY HAVE POCKETS! SEXAAY!).

- Godiva chocolates. Enough said.

 

{image via Godiva.com}

- My favorite perfume. 

{Image via elizabetharden.com}

Truth be told, what I'm really hoping for is Thai takeout and a movie on the couch with my Valentine this year (anything else would be gravy!).

What are you jonesing for this Valentine's Day?

You Say It's Your Birthday, It's My Birthday Too, Yeah

By Jessica

Let me start off by saying I'm not big into my birthday. It tends to come with a lot of baggage every year, and honestly having a January birthday can frequently be the suck anyway. You know, it's right after the holidays so people are a bit tapped out both financially and celebratorially (I'm sure you folks with b-days right in the trough of Christmas can relate) but the one thing it's really great for, being a Capricorn, is the love of making a list. So let's just use my birthday as an excuse to indulge in another wish list, shall we? I'm on the downhill slide of my 30s and into my 40s now, so I think that's a fair request ;-)

Top row from L-R

Lucy Embossed Three Hand Dial Watch via Fossil $95

Mystic Hadley Clear Necklace via Fossil $42

Maddox Flat in Olive via Fossil $68

Middle row from L-R

Yellow Bird Plate via Pier 1 Imports $5 each (yes, still on my wish list)

Kate Spade iPhone 4 Hard Case in Fairmont Stripe $40 (I recently upgraded to the iPhone 4 which I am absolutely in love with and already have one Kate Spade case, but I would love to be able to switch it out to another if I wanted)

Swissmar Borner V-Slicer Mandoline via Amazon $38.99 (this has also been on my list a while but after having the most awesome and delicate zucchini chips over the weekend at Ya Ya Mary's, I am even more commited to needing one)

Bottom row L-R

Tree Silhouette Clutch via Red Ruby Rose on Etsy $85

5 1/2 Qt Le Creuset Dutch Oven in Cassis or Dijon via Williams Sonoma $235

Sparrow Salt and Pepper Shakers via West Elm $8

There is one item that has been on my wish list for a long time but I don't have it up there in the collage and that's because I already received it, from my husband, early!

My Hunter Wellies! It rains a lot in Houston, did you know? I am so excited to finally not have soggy feet or ruin any cute shoes.

What's on your birthday wish list?

{Photo credits: Red Ruby Rose, Amazon, Williams Sonoma, Pier 1 Imports, Fossil, Kate Spade, Shoes.com and West Elm}

2011 Calendar Round-up

by Kerri Anne

'Tis the season to buy calendars (fa la la la la, la la la la!).

I'm a little lot obsessed with calendars. I may have already purchased two for my desk at work, with one more on the way for my desk at home (though you can't prove anything).

 I probably don't have to tell you that calendars make great! gifts (for someone other than yourself; ahem, Kerri). They're personal and functional and oh so lovely, and buying calendars for family and friends just so happens to be one of my favorite gift-giving pastimes.

Not sure where to start? This week Jennie and I are tag-teaming to bring you a sampling of some of the best calendars you can buy online. She started the Gregorian fun with an awesome desk calendar round-up on Monday, and I'm continuing the organizational artistry today with an excessively long list of some of my favorite ways to count the days. 

Ready? Here we go!

Illustrated Owl Calendar by Gingibear {21 USD}

12-Month Calendar by Leah Duncan {28 USD}

Mustache 2011 Desktop Calendar by Ruff House Art {14 USD}

Funny Birds by Modern Pop {21.50}

Perpetual Calendar (in assorted colors) by Orange Beautiful {28 USD}

 

2011 Wall Calendar by Pawling {25 USD}

2011 Seasonal Garden/Market Calendar by Red Cruiser {24 USD}

Letterpress 2011 Calendar by Lark Press {29 USD}

Things That Are Long, Letterpress Calendar by 1 Canoe 2 {22 USD}

2011 Illustrated Calendar by Teeno Tino {15 USD} 

Adventures 2011 Calendar by Sadly Harmless {12 USD}

Black & White 2011 Desk Calendar by JPress Designs {15 USD}

2011 CD Case Calendar by Alex Wijnen {15 USD}

2011 Calendar, Year of the Rabbit by Brooke Woolley {12 USD}

Woodland Friends Calendar 2011 by Fall Down Tree {15 USD}

 

Minimalist Modern & Forestify 2011 Calendars by Sure As Blue {11.99 each}

2011 Evolution of a Tree Calendar by The Rasilisk {17.50 USD}

2011 Limited Edition Letterpress Calendar by Sarah Parrott 825 {30 USD}

2011 Around the World Calendar by P.S. Paper Goods {15 USD}

2011 Letterpress Boats Calendar by 1 Canoe 2 {22 USD and free shipping!}

Your turn! Any favorite calendars to share with the group?

---------

{Photo credits: Etsy.com}

Elizabeth's Christmas Wish List

Am I the only one out there who spends all of December finding stuff that I would love to have for myself when I am supposed to be buying stuff for other people?  Anyway.  Here's what I'm dreaming of finding under the tree this year:

1.  Merona Cable Knit Muffler In Black

2.  Kate Spade 2011 Day Planner

3.  Nativity Scene With Three Arches.

I collect nativity scenes and I like to add one every year.  This one is nice because I can just hang it on the tree and therefore don't have to find a place to display it in my tiny house. 

4.  A Plant.  The last time I was at our local nursery I almost bought a gorgeous fern and at the last minute I decided not to.  And now I want it! Every time I walk by the spot I would put it on my dresser I feel like its missing. I'd love to put it in an old terra cotta pot. 

5.  Maclaren Twin Triumph Stroller In Racing Green.

 
I have a double umbrella stroller that I got cheap on Craigslist and I hate it, and I have high hopes for the Maclaren because I have the single one and I love it. Plus the racing green just makes my heart beat faster. 

6.  Bob Revolution Duallie Weather Shield. 

I do love my jogging stroller with my whole heart, and I want to be able to use it when it rains. 

7.  Oil of Olay Regenerist Eye Serum. 

After Elisabeth recommended it, I bought the face stuff and I love love love it. 

8.  Sunbeam Electric Blanket.

I know, I know. But I freeze my kiester off every single winter and an electric blanket just sounds like heaven to me. 

9.  Marc by Marc Jacobs Classic Q Petite Drawstring Handbag. 

Obviously this is a HYPOTHETICAL christmas list because ha ha ha $428 purse, but oh, how I love this darned thing.

10.  Doc Marten Bellissa Dark Brown Polished Laredo Boots. 

Every time I see these boots I just want to yell "Come to Mama!" Terrible, I know. What can I say? I have innapropriate feelings about footwear. 

11.  Garnet Hill Faux Fur Coat. 

While we're spending imaginary money on me, I'll also have one of these, which I also don't need, but which I also really super love a lot. 

12. Mossimo Shawl Collar Sweater. 

Last winter I was pregnant and I spent the entire swathed in giant sweatshirts, so this year I am all about pretty sweaters.  This seems comfy AND cute.  And like something I might actually have a chance of getting. 

13.  Pottery barn Washed Velvet Pillow Covers. 

I've been on a quest to find the perfect pillow covers for AGES. Just AGES.  I want something that's 20x20, is a fabric that doesn't seem strange on my nubbly couch, washable, removable with a zipper, and in a green or blue.  I think these might actually be the ones. 

14.  Orla Kiely Travel Set.

Oh, happy sigh. 

15.  Paper Source Letterpress Machine. 

I've had my eye on this bad boy for quite some time now. 

16.  Stila Long Wear Lip Cover in "Lover"

17.  LL Bean Sheets. 

Striped sheets are my fave.  You can always tell which way they go on the bed. 

18.  Frames and Mats.

I've been conceptualizing art for my dining room wall and I'd love a Target gift card so I can get some frames. 

19. Gap Fair Isle Hat

20.  Crate & Barrel Marimekko Persimmon Hand Towels. Would look lovely in my bathroom.

(and from our big fat Christmas List:  the Body Shop Sumatra stuff, the birch vase, and a pizza stone.)

Wow. Greedy! Ah well, it's window shopping, right?

What's on your wish list this year? 

{Photo credits:  target.com, katespade.com, RedPlumPottery@Etsy.com, neimanmarcus.com, dmusastore.com, sephora.com, garnethill.com, potterybarn.com, paper-source.com, llbean.com, gap.com, crateandbarrel.com}

 

My sad, houselady holiday wish list

By Jonniker

Adam and I were discussing what we wanted for Christmas this year, and I have to tell you, every year, my list gets more and more pathetic. I mean, it's stuff that I WANT, but it's not exactly fun stuff, or even frivolous, impractical stuff. It's stuff I need, will be thrilled to have, but it's also stuff that my 24-year-old self would positively DIE if she knew I was wishing for. 

Behold, the early, practical part of my holiday wish list:

 

A nice, large Crock Pot. Yes, I want to slow-cook LARGER roasts, including briskets! I am yearning to make briskets! SLOWLY. 

Some commercial baking sheets. (Oh God, are you asleep yet?)

 

These lovely wine glasses. 

And finally. The real piece de resistance:

The Eureka Envirosteamer mop. I want this. SO BAD I CAN TASTE IT. I have ceramic tile throughout my entire non-bedroom living area, and while it's lovely, it gets dirty and I am getting really super-grossed out by the Swiffer Wet Jet. 

I promise to come back before the holidays with something a little less depressing. A thousand twentysomethings just vowed they'd never be as pathetic as I am. But does it help that I'm happy?