Window Shopping

Ever since online shopping has become the norm, I now do my window shopping while sitting in bed. In a way, the whole online window shopping thing has gotten me to be more creative and expansive in my design interest.  I think it's because you get to see so many different options and designs without the cost of actually driving or flying out to the actual brick and mortar store.  Now, don't get me wrong.  There's still something super special about being in an actual store and seeing the object(s!) of desire in person. In any event, you know how I've been honkering for a new sofa/sectional (see here).  I've been window shopping a lot (although still not ready to take the plunge).  And now, I'd love an entire make-over of my little living room!  Haha - this is what happens when you window shop online. You keep wanting and wanting! What do you think of the look below?  I love the clean modern lines of the floating console and the sofa.  And I LOVE the Ankara chair from Crate and Barrel. For now, these will stay on my wish list :) 

a. Pink Paris; b. Floating Storage Console; c. Sofa; d. Ankara Chair

Celeb Style Crush - GP

Almost every girl has a style icon.  Right off the bat, Grace Kelly, Audrey and Katharine Hepburn, come to my mind. You've seen a couple of my celebrity style crushes here,  here, and here. I love those ladies but I have to say, my biggest modern day celebrity style crush is Gwyneth Paltrow.  For as long as I can remember, I've always admired her for her acting  skills. How amazing was she in 'Seven', 'Shakespeare in Love', 'The Great Expectation', 'Emma' and 'Sliding Doors'?  And as for her looks, let's not even go there.  She's always had that long lean body any fashionista or a designer would die for.  I also love how she's become so dynamic - while some people frown upon her talking about her lifestyle (check out her lifestyle blog, Goop) heck, I welcome it.  If I can't afford to live the luxurious lifestyles of some people, I can certainly appreciate it and also, be inspired to make the best of what I have.  

So, the real point of this post is how much I love her style.  Whether she's in her casual outfits or the real deal haute couture dresses, her style exudes confidence, a sense of fun, glam, and feminine beauty.  Here are some of my favorite looks on GP.  

a.  b. c.  d.  e.  f.  g.  h. 

Vamp Me Up

Are you a fan of 'True Blood'?  I am, for sure, although I am not so fond of where the new season is going. How about the fashion in that show?  I love how the bad vampires wear really sexy dresses.  I came across this painterly dress and thought it would look really cool with dark, and vampy nail polish and lipstick.  I love the dark plum nail polish from YSL and the deep red lipstick (or gloss?) from Shiseido below.  These remind me of that vampy look that was so popular when I was in college (mid-late 90's) when Jennifer Aniston's Rachel hair style in Friends was on every other girl's head.  I think this time around, we tone down the look with simpler hair (in a chignon or ponytail), carry an edgy purse like the one below from just-out-of-the-designer-room Marni, and finish off the look with a pair of sexy booties, like the one below from Vince Camuto.  I can't wait to vamp up my style this fall!! 

a.  Marni Sculpture Bag;  b. Helmut Lang Jersey Dress;  c.  YSL Laque Couture in No. 15-violet-baroque;  d.  Shiseido lacquer rouge;  e.  Vince Camuto Platform Booties

Monday Wake-up Call

Good Monday!  How was your weekend?  I don't know about you but my weekend was blazing hot - weather wise.  It's been so hot here on the east coast - I actually felt like I couldn't breathe on Friday.  It didn't help that I was practically immobile from a pounding headache that started Friday morning until late Saturday afternoon.  I really think it had something to do with this awful weather.  Regardless of the headache, I decided to take a very last minute trip to NYC to see some friends.  And I'm glad I did.  My headache went away eventually and we had a really lovely time with our friends.  We dined at a really cute and cozy restaurant called, Bread located at Spring & Mott.  They offer good size appetizers, salads and amazing ciabatta sandwiches.  Although I didn't try it, I'm told their tomato soup is to die-for.  So, give Bread a try next time you are in that rockin' city known as NYC. 


As always, here's my little Monday Wake-Up Call about going back to sleep ~ which would be so easy to do in a bedroom that has these loverly items.  

Duvet Set;  Mirror;  Vases;  Candle

TGIF - Whatcha Up To?

OMG - it's Friday, isn't it?  This week had so many ups and downs that I don't even remember how I breathed through it all.  My work has been so busy and hectic, and the twitching of the skin under and above my right eye continues for now over a month. I'm told it's due to stress, lack of sleep, and/or too much caffein intake.  I blame all three.  


To get away from the daily grind and stress is why I blog :) 
So, on a much much lighter note, if I could have a weekend  brunch with someone famous, and this is a fun brunch not like a serious biz brunch, these two ladies below would just be perfect!  Anna (whom I pronounce as Ah-Nah) and SJP are two of the most fashionables of fashionables.  Gosh, I'd love to hear what they are talking about in this picture!  

Picture via here

And of course they look so fabulous.  I was so giddy'd upon seeing SJP reading  Gillian Flynn's 'Gone Girl'.  I'd love to get a hold of this book, preferably from the library (those ibooks are costly! and add up pret-ty penny fast!!).  

How about you? If you could have a girly fun weekend brunch, who would that be?

Enjoy your weekend~

p.s. I'm off to the Phillies game tonight where I'm sure I'll be more interested in soft ice cream served in a plastic baseball cap than what's going on in the field! 

Mixing It Up

Lately, a lot of the water cooler conversation around my office has been something like this:  "Can you believe the summer's almost over already?!";  "Time flies... can't believe July is over"; "I can't believe the summer is almost over...did you go away yet?" 


'Fin de siecle' is a cool word I learned back in college reading a book I never finished. (I was so pretentious reading a book I thought was so "deep"!!) It means: "turn of the century", but also both the closing and onset of an era, as it was felt to be a period of degeneration, but at the same time a period of hope for a new beginning (Wiki definition).  That's how I feel whenever summer is nearing its end and fall is about to start.  Now, I don't feel like we are there yet and I still feel excited about the rest of the summer.  And when the weather does start gettin' a bit cooler, while I will feel a bit sad about the summer going away, I'll get excited about all the new fall outfits that'll start popping up at my favorite stores.  Already, I'm seeing some new stuff (and some sale items) that are perrrfect for that summer-into-fall weather.  Here's an eclectic mix I'm really digging right now. 

a.  Comfy Peplum T-shirt;  b. Zigzag Sweater;  c. Bright Orange Necklace;  d. Throw Pillow;  e. Polka Dot Flats;  f.  Stackable Rings

I threw in the pillow into the mix (no pun intended) just because it'll be nice to get some new things for the house as well.  How about you?  Do you feel pre-seasonal change anxiety and/or excitement?

Little Shopping Spree

One of my favorite online shops, Whimsy & Spice is having a summer sale with 20% off everything.  It's a husband and wife operated bakery shop, with Jenna Park, the wife, being the face of the business as she from time to time, talks about the business through her own personal blog, Sweet Fine Day.  It is one of the most authentic,real,unique,and personal blogs out there. 


Here are the items I purchased - I really had a hard time deciding what to pick as I wanted to get just about everything!! (By the way, these pictures are all personally taken by Jenna). 

Kitchen Conversion Tea Towel

Rose Vanilla Marshmallow

Massaman Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookie

I can't wait to get these in the mail!!  I've tasted their Hazelnut Whiskey sandwich cookie before and it was to die-for.  So, please do treat yourself to some amazing sweets from Whimsy & Spice.  The sale ends 8/6.  


BTW, I am 100% not being paid for this :)  It's just another day of me gushing about the small things in life I love!