The City Sage

Won't You Dance with Me?

Do you ever have those times when everything feels out of whack? No matter what you do, you can't seem to catch up. If I sit down at my desk and put some time into emails, blogging, writing, and admin, I feel I'm neglecting the real world. If I take phone calls or go to meetings and events, the computer throws a hissy fit. And that's just work--never mind having a personal life!

I know we all feel this strain--I know because I've talked with colleagues about it, and I've talked with readers about it on Twitter and in person. It's not always easy to stay upbeat while wrapped up in the footwork of this tricky dance. I'm so grateful that you all visit me here and share in what I find special and valuable. So thanks for that, friends. xo

Images: Foreground, L'Wren Scott Resort 2013. Background, Life Magazine December 28, 1936.

Get the Look: Annie McElwain's Modern Bohemian Home

Photographer Annie McElwain is just about the sweetest gal around. Based in Southern California, she has an eye for glowing light, subtle emotion, and those indescribable moments when only a picture will do. She recently relaunched her blog and I'm captivated already. This is one to add to your daily reads for sure--how could you not get hooked, with images like this?

One of the first posts Annie shared was a tour of her apartment, which is in the Venice neighborhood of Los Angeles. With its charming mix of rustic found objects and clean modern lines, it's exactly what I envision when I daydream about a beach-side lifestyle. Wake up in the morning with the sun on your face, hit the sand for a stroll, say hi to some friendly pups while you're at it.

Annie's key pieces include a much-loved leather club chair, a tonal chevron rug, and natural materials like driftwood and hearth-fired ceramics. Splashes of color come from tribal print pillows, framed graphic prints, and the brightly-hued spines of books on display. The space is both calming and creative---exactly like Annie herself!

Images: Anne McElwain Photography. Shopping Guide: Navajo Print Pillow, Lantern, Bowl and Cutting Board, Leather Club Chair, Apothia Candle, Ideal Bookshelf Print, Clear Glass Lamp, Antelope Horn Hook, Chevron Rug.

Best Design Shopping: Muhs Home

I've been thinking a lot lately about what it would be like to start over--to strip everything in my apartment to the bare bones. What would you do? I for one would click right through to Muhs Home and fill my virtual shopping cart. However it would be less of a frenzied spree and more of a mindful gathering of just the essentials: glass and wood, cloth and paper. 

How would it feel to have a clean interiors canvas? I imagine it would feel a lot like browsing through Muhs' selection of mostly Japanese and European homewares: soothing, centering, full of possibility. One look and I promise you'll want to pare back in the kitchen, the office, anywhere that could use a streamlined approach. Can I organize my life in tiny ceramic containers...?

Images: 2, 3, 6, 7. Muhs Home. 1. 4. 5. 8. 

Get Dressed: Mad Men Style with Woodnote Photography

Raise your hand if dress-up was your #1 pasttime as a kid--if the fripperies in your playclothes collection outnumbered the items in your school wardrobe. I myself whiled away many an hour in fantasyland, and even now I won't turn down the chance to take on a character. So when my gal Caz at Woodnote Photography came for a visit, we dove right in for a vintage style shoot!

We'd been wanting to do something for quite some time with a bunch of vintage 1960's polyester nighties I have. I bought them at a store that sells old clothes by the pound, and because these things are so light, I couldn't resist stocking up on about eight of them for $20! Naturally they slipped right into a tortured Mad Men-esque housewife theme (pun intended...)

Since the wardrobe for this part of the shoot was so simple, it was key that we get the hair and makeup just right. A quick call to The Makeup Dolls was a no-brainer. Usually I'm the one behind the camera so getting gussied up (false eyelashes! teased and back-combed!) was interesting to say the least. We put on some Ella Fitzgerald tunes to set the mood and the rest was...well...history!

P.S. There are lots of lovely outtakes that I didn't have room for over on the Woodnote Photography blog, and we have two more looks that we photographed that I'll be sharing in the next few weeks. Stay tuned! 

Weekend Tune: North Side Gal by J.D. McPherson

When I was young--I mean six, seven, eight years old--I was convinced that I was born decades too late. When other little girls dressed in princess costumes for Halloween, I wore a poodle skirt and listened obsessively to my dad's American Graffiti soundtrack LP. Later, when the 90's swing revival happened, I watched that one Gap commercial over and over and learned all the moves.

I'm happy now to be living in the 21st century, but gosh darnit if I don't have a soft spot for a good rockabilly tune! Oklahoma rocker J.D. McPherson recently released his single 'North Side Gal' and not only is it a major toe tapper, it's got me looking up local hot spots for jive dance lessons. Have a listen, put your hair up in pin curls, grab your sweetie, and get down this weekend! xo

P.S. I'm excited to share my first contribution today at The Equals Project--a peek at What I'm Reading, as well as some recommendations from a few good friends! 

Images: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.  

Inspired By: Chloe Resort 2013

My absolute favorite fashion label--the one that gets me every time with their silhouettes, color palettes, draping, detailing, everything--is Chloe. But let's just say I they're a teensy bit out of my price range, shall we? Plus gosh, wouldn't you know it, these latest releases from the Resort '13 collection aren't even available to us regular folk yet. Dagnabbit!

But so much of fashion is just sitting back and soaking it in, and that's exactly what I'm doing here. Even though the dusty rose and parchment hues, pleated shapes, and late 70's vibe are meant for release months from now, I'm still casting my net for pieces that can bring the look to life right now. And wouldn't you know it, I found more than a few. Where there's a will there's a way!

Shopping Guide: Eyelet Blouse, Paul and Joe Sister. Flower Tray, Ary Trays. Pink Blouse, MiH Jeans. White Ceramic Vases, West Elm. Interiors Images, Emmasdesignblogg. 

Roundup: The Best Summer Sandals

Even though San Francisco has a reputation for summer weather that is more blah than 'aahh', it doesn't mean I don't slip on a pair of carefree open-toed shoes every chance I get once the season is in full swing. For several years running I've subscribed to a strappy, gladiator-esque look, and I'm happy it's still going strong. I especially love the bright iterations I'm seeing in shops right now!

The trick of course is to work with--not against--the reality of your shape. There are some of us whose cankles just won't permit the wearing of a chop-you-up strap at that unflattering spot. Fortunately there are enough variations on this theme that there is a pair for everyone; even my meaty (okay, muscular if I'm being nice to myself) calves are no exception! 

Shopping Guide: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Images 1, 4. 2, 3.

It's Live: The Rue Travel and Adventure Issue!

Oh my! The June issue of Rue Magazine just went live! As always, we're very proud of what we've put together for you all. The focus this month is 'Travel and Adventure' (an evolution of last summer's International theme) and our incredible family of contributors dispersed to some seriously exotic locales to bring back the brightest and best the world has to offer.

But in addition to organizing shoots in Sweden, Malaysia, and more, we had tons of fun creating adventures at home too. I had a blast crafting with Rebecca Buenik, Disregarden, and The Why We Love (that's me modeling that suptuous DIY suede tassel!). And wait'll you see the pies from San Francisco's Three Babe's Bakeshop. Each bite is a voyage to heaven and back...    

Finally, this issue is bittersweet for me; as I announced in May, it's my last as Executive Editor. I look through these pages and feel such gratitude. A cover story by Jose Villa and TEAM Hair & Makeup? A fashion feature from Woodnote Photography with a video by Sharkpig--shot entirely on Super 8 film, no less? The talents and support of my fellow editors? Well. Just go see for yourself.

Images: 1. Jose Villa 2. The Why We Love

Catalog Lust: m0851 Spring Summer Collection

I'll never forget the first leather jacket I ever owned. It was a roasty, toasty brown, that warm cinnamon hue designed to go with everything in my closet. It fit like the proverbial glove, nipping in at the waist and hugging just-so over the bust. Santa brought it on my first Christmas home from college, and it still hangs in my closet today. However it was made not by an elf but by m0851.

That makes the jacket more than ten years old, and every time m0581 comes out with a new season's worth of goodies I still feel like a kid at Christmas! This summer's offerings are no exception. The bags seem better than ever, and they've recently added scarves in brilliant patterns and hues to the lineup. It's like they're tapping all my weaknesses...

You know why I adore these guys? (Other than the buttery soft leather and constant upping of the style ante?) Because for the last decade, no matter how much the company grows, when I go into their store in Toronto, they remember me, they ask how the family is, they are simply the nicest, most wonderful folks you could possibly shop with. And that feels as warm as my old jacket.  

Seriously, check out the m0851 site. It's the bomb.

On Sale Now: Kelly Wearstler for One Kings Lane!

Kelly Wearstler is the queen of unexpected, over-the-top style. One Kings Lane is the ultimate in dream-to-reality home shopping. It was only a matter of time before the two teamed up to offer us a chance to get our grubby mitts on Kelly's collection of one-of-a-kinds. It's the client cast-offs, the jungle of warehouse overflow, the fantasy loot: The Kelly Wearstler/One Kings Lane Sale!

My favorite thing about seeing all of these treasures is that once again, we're witness to the genius creative process that goes on behind Kelly's razor sharp cheekbones and steely blue eyes. Look how pieces from the OKL sale match up with her fashion label. Colors, lines, shapes---clearly everything is fair game for Kelly when it comes to inspiration, and that's exactly how it should be! 

Furniture all via One Kings Lane Kelly Wearstler Sale. Fashion Shopping: Shorts, Blazer, Dress.