If I should fall from grace

Vanity Ballroom

French photographers Yves Marchand and Romain Meffre document the disintegration of a city in "The Ruins of Detroit".  


According to the artists statement, “Ruins are the visible symbols and landmarks of our societies and their changes, small pieces of history in suspension. The state of ruin is temporary by nature, the volatile result of the end of an era and the fall of empires. This fragility, the time elapsed but even so running fast, lead us to watch them one very last time: being dismayed, or admiring, wondering about the permanence of things. Photography appeared to us as a modest way to keep a little bit of this ephemeral state.”


The photographs are amazing; still, lonely, haunted and achingly beautiful.  I hope an exhibit comes to Los Angeles, I'd love to see them in person.  You can buy the book here:
http://www.marchandmeffre.com/index.html

United Artists Theatre

Fort Shelby Hotel

Ballroom American Hotel

St. Christopher House Library

Spring fever.... You don't quite know what it is you DO want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!

Spring has sprung!  And while I may not know what I want in general, I do want these spring must haves.

Spring reading: Parisian Chic: A Style Guide by Ines de la Fressange.  Fashion tips from French style icon and Roger Vivier muse?  I'm in.

Parisian Chic!

The perfect nail polish for right now.  I'd do this on my fingers and bright red or navy on my toes.

 

Essie Sand Tropez

Clogs!  Pink high heeled clogs!  More hip than hippie. Perfect with white jeans or a summer dress.  Mine are on their way from Sweden.  So excited.

Swedish Hasbeens, Sky High Clogs

These urban "picnic baskets" have everything you need for a great day at the beach or park and are just begging for your very own Say Anything moment.

Boxsal, Urban Picnic kit

Renaculas are only any bloom from March to June so don't miss out.

 Yellow Renaculas in a vintage silver julep cup

Anchors Aweigh!

Red sky at night, sailor's delight.  Red sky in morning, sailor's warning!

I have no idea what that means, but I'm all about anything nautical and nothing has pleased me more than the resurgence of all things nautical the past couple of years.  Here are some of my perennial must haves and a few delightful new finds.

St. James striped shirt, $89

www.shop-generalstore.com

Petit Bateau Mariniere, $78

www.petit-bateau.us/pl/c/600.html

Saint James striped socks, $20

www.jcrew.com

Tanya Aguiniga rope knot bracelet, $75

www.reformschoolrules.com

Rope Knot Doorstop, $40

www.uncommongoods.com

Anchor Pillow, $180

www.claytongrayhome.com

The Case of the Mysterious Blanket

I'm always on the hunt for interesting things and this past Christmas at my Grandmother's house I happened to spy a spot of bright color tucked beneath the cushion of my dining chair.  On further inspection, I discovered it was a blanket of sorts that my Grandmother had folded over several times and for some reason stuck under the cushion of a random chair because that's what Grandmother's do.  Later that day I left Grandma's with a sack of leftover tamales and the blanket safety nestled in the trunk of my car.

I kept the blanket folded and tossed over the arm of a chair in my living room for months until a recent room reorganization caused me to take the blanket off the chair and think about where else I could possibly put it.  I unfolded it and it was then I noticed that my blanket wasn't really a blanket.  I wasn't sure what it was.  It was a little heavier than a blanket and not really wide enough and there was fringe on the long ends.  It was kind of like a Turkish Kilim  rug except the pattern was more like a Pendelton blanket on acid.  All hot pinks and almost neon color.  I wasn't sure what my blanket/rug/throw was but that didn't keep me from putting it to use.  I've had it at the end of my bed  for a pop of color, I've put it on the floor in my bedroom as a rug.  I've curled up under it on the sofa, I've used it for just about everything and it will get plenty of out of door use this summer at picnics and the beach.

The only problem was I had absolutely no idea what it was.  I knew it was wool, the pattern and colors are definitely Latin or South American, but that was about all I could figure out.   Until, a few days ago when I was on Etsy purchasing Turkish Hammam towels and I found something that looked just like my blanket thingy.  Only it's not a blanket it's a Bolivian Frasada.  Frasada's are traditional, woolen blankets handwoven by the Aymara women in the Andean region of Bolivia.  They are thick,  vibrantly colored and can be used as rugs, throws or made into cushions.  Vintage ones are especially prized.

Viva la Frasada!  You can find new ones here http://shoptwine.com/index.php

Don't fence me in

Chain Link is a classic interlocking pattern that is marvelously versatile.  From fabric and wall coverings to accessories, it crisscrosses boundaries and can be utilitarian, steam punk, or even nautical.  The sky's the limit.

Russell floor lamp by Duane Modern

Flavor Paper Nouveau Riche in Licorice
www.flavorpaper.com

"Orson" link magnifying glass by Arteriors $117

Sarah Cihat's "Taken" collection. Ceramic vessels with delicate custom chainwork

www.sarahcihat.com



Pretty in Pink

2011 is the year of Honeysuckle. Pantone announced that this reddish pink is the color of the year replacing 2010's turquoise. According to Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, Honeysuckle lights a fire to your senses and revs you up. Sounds lively.

I love Honeysuckle. It's a bright clear pink. It's not Pepto Bismol and it's not Barbie, it's almost like a deep blush. It can be used as a neutral, think bright pink walls or a pink velvet sofa or brought in as an accent via throw pillows, flowers, vases, etc. Paired with gold, honeysuckle is very Hollywood Regency glam. Paired with black it's graphic and edgy and paired with cream it's exactly what I've got in my living room right now. Who knew my vintage linen armchairs were so 2011!

Bedroom Makeover

Old Bedroom

I was bored with my bedroom and was thinking the solution was new curtains.  I love my vintage linen armchairs but the bright pink fabric felt limiting.  So here's what i did... I moved them into my living room and in their place...

Chair Switch

 I moved an old flea market find that I had reupholstered in a knockoff Michael Smith tree of life fabric that I found Downtown at the fabric market for a song.  Finding old chairs with great lines and then taking to my upholsterer is one of my favorite ways to get a designer look without the designer price tag.  Then, I re-hung my curtain rods super high to open up the room and hung new curtains in a suzanni print. 

Close up of curtains

I love mixing fabrics and as long as you work in the same color family you'd be surprised at what you can get away with.  For a finishing touch, I placed a japanese garden stool for a side table and an old wicker stool that I keep my current rotation of books and magazines on.  An antique flag pillow and a blue silk throw are the finishing touches.  Totally different vibe and it feels like a new room.

New Room!

Does this dress clash with my curtains?