The City Sage

Happy Halloween Weekend!

Confession: Halloween is my favorite holiday. Planning an ever more elaborate costume, savoring the sweet, spooky anticipation of trick-or-treating, coming home with a bag full of loot and eating yourself silly with candy? Now that's what life is all about! And this Halloween is the first time I'm dressing up and going out in years--to the Ace Hotel no less!--so I'm reliving all those giddy childhood memories.

Naturally I had to pull some images together for an inspiration board, because Halloween can be very sophisticated and glamorous too! Floating shadows, sparkles and feathers, icey cold tombstones and fiery hot candle flames: Halloween is such a sensual, satisfying time of year. Especially when you love dressing up and eating candy as much as I do!

Tell me: What are your plans this Halloween?

P.S. In case you missed it this week: a giveaway for a gorgeous new must-have cookbook from Martha Stewart's food editor, cozy winter Outfit to Room, super cute Fall party invitations, and win fab table linens from Spain!

Image Credits: 1,5. Toast 2. Adrian Briscoe 3. Sandra Lane 4. Sandra Freij 6. Chris Everard 7. Denise Grunstein 8. Shu Uemura

Weddings Are My Fave!

I am so in love with my new gig over at Delightfully Engaged, the MyWedding.com blog. Putting together wedding and event inspiration boards is my brain candy! And speaking of candy, here's my most recent effort--a shamelessly indulgent sleepover bridal shower, complete with a 1950's palette and Sandra Dee approved accents. Head here to see the get-the-look shopping guides!

And I am thrilled to announce that Rue has been snagged for the next Hitched event! In the words its founders, Hitched is "one hell of a showcase event for brides + grooms + curious seekers of a fresh vision in wedding planning." Rue will be styling and hosting the grooms' lounge at the Ace Hotel in Palm Springs. In the intonation of the great Chandler Bing, could we BE anymore excited?!

Outfit to Room: Toast Winter 2010

It's not winter yet. I'm pretty okay with that. I'm still enjoying the hodgepodge weather of fall. But the Toast winter catalogue has me thinking that once the perma-chill of December arrives, I'll be pretty happy about that too. I'll be even happier if it involves a trip to the frosty mountains in Tahoe--though for now a little Outfit to Room will do just fine!

Arts and crafts blankets are enjoying such a moment right now; the hues on these ones have stolen my heart. Lipstick red combines with salt and pepper for an effect that feels both graphic and modern yet utterly old school rustic. I'm ready to cozy up with an apres-ski mug of cocoa, aren't you?

"Winter" in San Francisco generally calls for lots of layering--so this ensemble is just what the doctor ordered! Leggings in an unexpected shade of lavender, a swingy hooded coat in snowy wool, and a splash of burnished cranberry feel right at home whether your scene is an icy trail or a city sidewalk.

Toasty pumpkin orange and soft furry fleece make for an unexpectedly chic combination. My favorite surprise element in this vignette is the soft touch of bluish-grey--seen both in the tartan curtains of the interior and in the angelic eyeshadow on the model.

Of course one of the best things about winter dressing and decorating are the nubby, knitty textures. Fairisles, tweeds and cables feel fresh when juxtaposed against this year's obsession with florals. Maybe I'm jumping the gun a little here, but who's with me on sporting an extra chunky scarf today, no matter what the temperature where you are?

Fashion Images: Toast. Interiors Images: Elle Decoration France.

On the Hunt: Perfect Fall Skirts

For the past several seasons, dresses have reigned supreme. And don't get me wrong--I still adore a simple and streamlined shift. However lately I'm loving all the skirt options out there too. There are so many great shapes, from tulip or bell to maxi or twirl, that a girl can't help but want them all! Plus with the magic of styling, a single versatile skirt can go from lady to vixen in a flash.

I'd do a tweed mini with floppy ankle boots and an army parka; a flirty jersey number with a soft tee and a ton of long necklaces; a chiffon floor sweeper with towering heels and a slouchy blazer--think Mary-Kate and Ashley Olson. I'm also drooling over this year's mid-length skirts, but I'm sadly in possession of the world's meatiest calves so will have to admire that style from afar.

My favorite picks? Anything with a little pleating, a button or six, and a subtle but interesting texture or pattern. Look for colors like plum, camel and slate, and wear 'em with opaque stockings or over-the-knee riding boots when the weather turns truly chilly. Now tell me: What's your skirt style this season?

Shopping Guide: 1. Splendid 2. Madewell 3. Topshop 4. Toast 5. Steven Alan 6. Opening Ceremony Image Credits: 1. Ruche 2. Elle Belgique October 2010 3. Richard Bernardin 4, 7. Toast 5, 8. J. Crew 6. Anthropologie

Giveaway! Mad Hungry with Lucinda Scala Quinn, Martha Stewart's Executive Director of Food and Entertaining

One of the columns I love most in Martha Stewart Living is that of Lucinda Scala Quinn, Martha's Executive Director of Food and Entertaining. So I was thrilled to learn that Lucinda now has a cookbook and her own show on the Hallmark Channel. Both are entitled 'Mad Hungry' and focus on 'bringing back the family meal'--and Lucinda was kind enough to do an exclusive interview for us!

What's the biggest obstacle to enjoying homemade meals together? It's scheduling: working late, soccer practices, PTA meetings. We have no problem filling our days with these activities but we place so little value on eating. If we were to make eating homemade meals of substance a priority--something we “have” to do just as we say we “have” to do other things--it would happen.

Some of your kitchen mottoes include “Never be caught without bacon” and “Keep a constant supply of onions and garlic.” Got any other must-have tips or tricks for us? Your pantry and your freezer are your two best friends when you’re caught in a rut with “nothing to eat”; they’ll always have your back with something for a meal. Also, plan ahead! It will make your life so much easier.

With summer a distant memory, what seasonal fall produce are you most looking forward to cooking with? There are so many good things to eat when fall rolls around! If I had to pick just one, I might go with concord grapes. I love making my own no-fuss jelly every year that can be put on toast, in oatmeal or served with duck. There's a great recipe here.

8 pm. You've just come home from work. What's your favorite dinner to whip up--the one that those of us who usually just microwave a TV dinner need to have in our repertoire? Pasta a la Amatriciana. It’s a simple pasta recipe but still decadent. The thick bucatini noodles with the spicy tomato sauce and the guanciale (Italian bacon) hits the spot and is one of my favorite dishes to eat.

The most wonderful thing about Lucinda's new cookbook Mad Hungry--aside from the sophisticated yet accessible recipes and the phenomenal photography by Mikkel Vang--is the love that oozes from every page. It's a love of food, of family, of bringing the two together to create a nurturing and nourishing home full of happiness and good health. This book really is a must-have.

And speaking of must-haves, I've got a free copy of Mad Hungry for one lucky reader! All you have to do to enter this giveaway is leave a comment on this post telling me your go-to homemade dinner at the end of a long day (and no, Amy's frozen mac-n-cheese doesn't count!) I'll randomly select a winner one week from today. Thanks to Lucinda for letting us pick her brain and happy Tuesday everyone!

P.S. Find out more about Lucinda's recipes and her TV show at the Mad Hungry blog!

Images: Mikkel Vang for Mad Hungry by Lucinda Scala Quinn.

Recent Styling Project: Fashion Shoot with Jamie Beck

Do you know the work of photographer Jamie Beck? If you don't yet, you need to brace yourself--because this girl is poised on the brink of superstardom. I've had the very good fortune to work with her--as an editor and as a stylist--and the even better fortune to call her my friend. These photos are from a shoot I styled for Jamie. It ran on This Is Glamorous last week!

I'm always so fascinated to learn what goes on behind the scenes of a photo shoot so I thought I'd share a little of the background from this one with you. We shot these photos during a balmy July twilight in Central Park. You can't tell, but to the left of this image was a father and son playing soccer and--I swear intentionally--kicking their ball into the frame.

This shot was precarious! One step backwards and our lovely model Theresa would have tumbled into the lake. It would have made quite the show for all the gondola-riding tourists drifting lazily beyond the camera's eye. The dress is by Jenny Yoo--it's actually a bridal gown!--and the previous dress is the creation of Ashley Cheeks from It's Okay My Dear. All baubles are ban.do, of course!

Finally, the lace shot. Haunting, isn't it? Make-up artist Alex Almeida and I held this lace up for so long that our arms felt about to fall off, but it was worth every throbbing second for such an iconic image. Jamie took these photos with a Hasselblad 500c and Kodak Tri-x 400 film, then processed them by hand in her darkroom. She's so old school, so talented, and so taking the world by storm!

P.S. See more photos from this phenomenal shoot here!

Photos: Jamie Beck Styling: Yours truly! Makeup: Alex Almeida Accessories: Bando Dresses by Ashley Cheeks and Jenny Yoo: Model Theresa Berenato

Shop the Store: Ballard Designs

Ballard Designs has always been a terrific resource for stylish basics at a great price. And lately they seem to have stepped it up a notch or two--the most recent catalog had me swooning with each turn of the page! Head there for elegant accents like Louis chairs in every fabric imaginable and graceful staples at can't-beat prices; can you believe that dining table is only $359?

I'm also loving the wide range of accessories: from needlepoint pillows to versatile lighting, table linens and sisal rugs, I really could furnish a whole house here and not feel as though I'd 'bought the store'. Plus with Ballard's collaborations with reknowned interiors expert Suzanne Kasler (a sunburst mirror for $99?!) there's some serious designer cred to be had here!

Shopping Guide, Board One: Louis Chair, Table, Chandelier, Giraffe Rug, Windowpane Mirror, Rustic Dinnerware. Board Two: Bed, Lamp, Suzanne Kasler Book, Basket, Zebra Pillow, French Stripe Pillow, Folding Cafe Table, Chair.

Inspired By: Childhood Nostalgia and The Littlest Blog

Childhood memories are funny. Their hazy, dreamlike quality leaves you questioning whether they're actual memories or simply imagined impressions cobbled together. And the latest venture from Elizabeth Antonia--the lovely lady behind the littlest blog--has slipped me into that fuzzy-brained state of nostalgia for the sweet, simple innocence of youth.

Elizabeth has channeled her love of retro children's clothing into a boutique that is launching tonight at HD Buttercup in Los Angeles (party alert!) In January she'll open an online store that sells her own designs as well as her vintage finds. Her collection puts me in the mood to feed the ducks, splash in a puddle, watch balloons float high into the sky. Won't you join me in the sandbox? 

P.S. I'm not kidding. If you're in LA you must see Elizabeth's shop. And meet her if you can. She's an angel. If you're not in LA, soak in her charming blog. You won't be disappointed.

P.P.S. A fashion shoot I was honored to style for photographer Jamie Beck is featured on This Is Glamorous today. I'm glowing with pride!

P.P.P.S. Loving my Babble gig! This week I shared a fox wearing a tie, fabulous kids rooms designed around wallpaper, a brilliant resource for wooden toys, and tres chic baby clothing from France. Plus don't miss a giveaway for stylish iPhone cases designed by Rachel Pally, Rory Beca and Tibi!

Clothing Images: The Littlest Other Images: 1. YvetteInufio 2. Flea Market Style 3. Irene Suchocki 7. House to Home 9. Room for Children 10, 12. Lolas Room 14. Riot Jane 16. Retrospect Photo 18. The Light Fantastic

Obsessed Much? Lauren Moffatt Spring 2011

Spring? Really? Yes, I know it's a long way off and there's tons of fun holiday stuff to do before we even begin to think about a new season. But I'm so smitten by these looks from the Lauren Moffatt Spring 2011 collection that I simply had to share. They convey a lightness, a girly splendor, a sheer and utter joy that I want to revel in all year round. 

And of course there are styling ideas here that we can put into practice right this very minute. I love the thought of pairing dark stockings with pale, strappy shoes--a look that can definitely carry us through the long, cold winter. The scale and proportion of this collection are smashing: a blousy top tucked into a flirty mini, a flowy maxi dress, a cropped pant worn with ankle socks and heels.

Until we can get our hands on these tasty confections, let's channel the spirit of this collection. Today I suggest you eat an ice cream sandwich, skip through the park while holding hands with your besties, rock a fabulous hat even while standing in line at the DMV. Because after all, it's Thursday (almost Friday!), it's October 21 (almost Halloween!) and that's something to celebrate!

Fashion Images: Lauren Moffatt Spring 2011. Other Images: 1, 4, 5. House to Home. 2. Carolyn Mason 3, 6, 8, 11. Unknown 7. Paul Lowe 9. Katrin Cargill 10, 13, 15. House Beautiful 12. Marissa Crawford 14. Paul Costello

Gilt Groupe: The Wedding Shop!

Remember: you don't have to be affianced to find inspiration in the wedding world! Gilt Groupe is launching its second Wedding Shop and I will be hitting the refresh button like a maniac at 12 pm EST today. For the brides there will be gowns by Alberta Ferretti and Vera Wang Collection, but I'm stalking Steuben glassware, Frette linens, and Hanky Panky unmentionables--all up to 70% off.

In true Gilt Group style, the catalog images for the sale are simply divine. Luxe and sophisticated yet full of personality, they had me rushing to create mood boards that echo their haute handmade vibe. Designer fashion meets undone hair and irreverent touches like a chunky watch and oxford shoes at the altar. I can see this sensibility easily translating to a birthday party or a boudoir interior.

Visit the sale here, and check back often because new items will be added until Saturday. You'll even find massive discounts on photography, travel and event planning packages--services that even we non-brides can use. If you do have a wedding on your horizon, be sure to enter the Gilt Bride contest for a honeymoon worth $5,000! And if you don't? Just soak in the beauty with me, okay?

Image Credits: 1, 5, 6, 10, 13. Gilt Groupe 2. Lovely Leaf Studios 3. Jens Kaesemann 4. Jose Villa 7. Studio on Fire 8. Stephanie Williams for Green Wedding Shoes 9. Jen Huang for Hatch Creative 11. We Love Pictures 12. Suthi Picotte 14. Nelwin Uy 15. Ruffled