The City Sage

Loving: Layla Grayce

We all have that one shop--the one from which we could happily furnish our entire house. For me, that shop is Layla Grayce. Featuring a mix of classic and contemporary pieces, all with a refined and elegant sensibility that I crave, Layla Grayce culls the loveliest furnishings and decor items from favorite brands like Bella Note, Arteriors Home, and more.

Not only do I rely on their merchandise for many of my shopping boards, I also adore their blog-- it's one of the few shop blogs that offers useful and inspiring content; for example I'm loving their gorgeous interiors sets lately. So naturally I was tickled pink when the gals at Layla Grayce asked me to do a little interview on their blog. Read it here and find out what my cray-zee first job was!

Image Credits: 1,4. Atlanta Bartlett 2, 3. Living Etc. Shopping Links, Board One: Sofa, Candle, Mirror, Rug, Beige Pillow, Blue Pillow, Etagere, Chair, Lamp. Board Two: Bed, Chest of Drawers, Bird Pillow, Floral Pillow, Rug, Candle, Hand Cream, Lamp, Chair. Sponsored Links: Get the latest JN0-303 questions and 70-686 answers to practice and pass your 1Y0-A09 exam fin 1st try guaranteed.

Hot Toddy Anyone? Meet the Hilfigers!

Pass the Pim's and bring on the tartan! Tommy Hilfiger's Fall 2010 campaign has me both splitting my sides with laughter and considering a cabin vacation in Vermont. The ads introduce us to 'The Hilfigers', a fictional family of Royal Tenenbaum-esque misfits. We meet this impossibly beautiful passel of 'relatives' as they engage in that most American of pasttimes: the tailgate.

All the requisite elements are present and accounted for. Letterman sweaters in navy and cream. Duffle coats with rope and wood buttons. Duck boots. Gold-buttoned blazers. Camel cable knits, hunter green courdoroys, and plaid up the wazoo. All that's missing are felt pennant flags and a duo of matched pups. Oh wait, those are here too.

These people drive wood paneled Jeep wagoneers and name their children 'Trip' or 'Chip'. They drop everything at 5 pm for a G&T. And despite the tongue-in-cheek tone of the ads, these people really do exist--at the Huz's notorious east coast college, you couldn't swing a cat without hitting someone wearing tasseled loafers! For more hilarious Hilfiger hijinks, check out each family member's profile--including basset hound Morgan IV, who apparently can be 'a bit of a pill'.

P.S. Attention graphic designers: I'm honored to be guest judging a design challenge at Minted!

Image Credits: 1, 4, 5, 8, 9, 12. Craig McDean for Tommy Hilfiger Fall 2010. 2, 3, 7, 10. The Find 6. Elle Decor 11. House Beautiful Sponsored Links: Worried about 000-200 exam prep? Join 70-450 training program and get complete set of 70-686 dumps with 100% success guarantee.

Loving Leopard for a Wild Weekend!

I have always loved leopard. Case in point: the leopard fringe monokini I rocked to the pool at the age of eight. So as you can imagine I'm overjoyed to see leopard getting the editorial coverage it deserves! From tiny touches like hats and shoes, pillows and throws, to roaring loud statements like jackets and pants, carpets and chairs, this print is simply...wait for it...the cat's meow. (Groan!)

Not only do I adore the playful glam sensibility that leopard projects, I'm surprised at how versatile it can be. Pair it with reds, blacks, and greys for a nouveau riche opulence, or tone it down with shades of cocoa, gold and taupe for an aristocratic safari vibe. Or simply appreciate it from afar and let its daring energy set the mood for a wonderful weekend! xo

P.S. Enter to win a custom suite of social stationery; check out a super sneak peek of the soon-to-launch Rue Magazine; enjoy some early Fall Outfit to Room; and go over to the glitter side!

Image Credits: 1,6. Elle Decor 2. Greg Kadel for Harpers Bazaar August 2010 3. J. Crew 4. Perfect English 5. Vogue Espana September 2010 via Fashionising 7. Domino via Apartment Therapy 8. L'Officiel August 2010

Inspired By: heart by ban.do

I've never fancied myself a 'gal's gal'. I've always felt out of my element amongst a passel of dolled-up beauties, and frankly too much giggling makes me nervous. But lately I've been finding myself savoring the company of other girls. And these fabulous over-the-top hair accessories from heart by ban.do have me craving fizzy drinks and late night gossip sessions more than ever.

Because let's face it. Once you're coupled up, or even if you're not, only your girls will appreciate those killer heels you just scored for half price. No one--especially not your Huz--will squeal as loudly when you find a note from a cute fella on your windshield. And we all need a pal with whom we can debate the relative merits of frosted versus shimmer eyeshadows.

So who knew? Maybe I'm a girl's girl after all! Maybe I can wear a sparkly striped bow in my hair without feeling like une poseuse; maybe pompoms, confetti and disco balls deserve a presence in my life; maybe giggling is just what the doctor ordered. And maybe a ban.do glitter heart is the fastest route to happiness. If so, give me a baker's dozen and pass the Twizzlers!

P.S. Another guaranteed route to happiness? The band.do blog!

Image Credits: 1, 4, 5, 8, 9, 12. ban.do 2. Maria Alexandra Vettese 3, 6. Living Etc. 5. Confetti System 10. Cherry Blossom Girl 11. Paul Costello

Loving: Purple Drama

Remember when you were a kid and people asked you what your favorite color was? My go-to was purple. I had the purple backpack, the purple Trapper Keeper, even purple walls--much to my mother's chagrin. And while I now have a bevy of top hues, I still like to keep purple in the mix. Because let's face it--sometimes the situation calls for a little drama and no other color will do!

The range of purples is delicious and delightful; from palest lavender to deepest plum, shimmering amethyst to juicy grape, even the most innocent variations on this shade has an underlying moodiness. Not as girly as pink, it still offers a sultry femininity. But when done right it can be enjoyed by even the manliest of men (Huz has an awesome cashmere sweater in aubergine.)

Inject some purple into your life--no major commitment required. Bring home a bouquet of African violets. Pick up a couple throw cushions; I adore my Thomas Paul 'Sarah' pillow in 'beet'. Or go for a mani-pedi in my current fave: Do You Lilac It? Well, do you?

Image Credits: 1. Ligne Roset 2. Emporio Armani 3. Kate Towers 4, 10. Elle Decor 5. House Beautiful 7. Art Department 8. House and Garden 6, 9, 12. CameraLink 11. House to Home Sponsored Links: Join 70-536 training program to guarantee pass MB2-632 exam! Also get free download link for next MB2-633 exam.

Loving: Poketo at Target

Target's designer collections just keep getting better. The latest offering? A line of back-to-school accessories from artists' collaborative Poketo--the collection of totes, laptop cases, umbrellas and other goodies that make me long a new pair of saddles shoes and a fresh box of crayons.

Not only are the products lovely--with their whimsical prints and cheerful colors--the lookbook is breathtaking. Shot by Ye Rin Mok, it captures the solitary stillness of stolen morning moments, of the hours before the rest of the household wakes, when you have the whole world to yourself.

The light hovers softly. Grey clouds brighten as the sun edges its way above the horizon. A walk on the beach, sandy toes your sole companions--save for a sea otter dipping and slipping through the distant waves. A sight to carry throughout your day. Have you had mornings like this?

P.S. The collection is officially available in stores and online today!

Image Credits: 1, 4, 5, 8, 9, 12. Ye Rin Mok for Poketo at Target 2, 3, 6. Skona Hem 10. Tine K Home 11. Nikole Herriot for Bloesem

Inspired by: Burberry Fall 2010

Sometimes autumn sneaks up on you. Leaves quietly turn from green to gold, the evenings take on a gentle chill that has you reaching for a jacket. And then sometimes autumn hits you over the head with a velvet sledgehammer--like the gorgeous Fall 2010 Campaign from Burberry. Crushed mulberry and toasted saffron combine with layered wooly textures to scream, 'It's already August, suckers!'

Of course with heat waves still sweeping the country it's hard to get excited about shearling, leather and fur. But go ahead and tell me your eyes didn't jump immediately to that quilted drawstring handbag. And try to convince me that you're not itching to belt your trench coat with as much effortless cool as the lad in that top photo. I won't believe you for a second.

No matter what the weather we can still take cues from the slick, luxe styling of these ads. Inject a little shine, be it through some shiny brass nailheads or a glossy, polished floor. Play with colors you'd normally shy away from, like cobalt or army green. And stay out of the sun--these Burberry models have me thinking the vampiric glow of my skin is the best accessory of all!

Image Credits: 1, 5, 9. Burberry 2. Flea Market Style 3. French Country Style at Home 4. Martha Stewart Living, November 2006 6, 10. Easy Elegance 8. Martha Stewart Living, November 2009 7, 11. Elle Decoration UK, November 2008 12. Marie Claire Maison, March 2009 Sponsored Links: Guaranteed success in HP2-T16 exam with help of 642-145 practice test and up to date 000-106 exam dumps.

Inspired by: Bagatelles and Co.

I've had several reader inquiries about the beautiful coin purse featured in this inspiration board, so I thought I'd delve a little deeper into the label behind these charming creations. The line is called Bagatelles and Co., and it comes to us from a French accessories designer based in London. Just looking at these sweet, stylish pieces makes me want to indulge my girly side!

Each and every piece is made by hand from vintage silks and fabric remnants--so not only are they irresistibly eye-catching, they're eco-friendly and one-of-a-kind as well. I want to snap them up and hit the town; I'd take this strawberry number to brunch with my besties, tote this clutch on a library date and smooch in the stacks with the Huz, carry a little Liberty of London print just 'cuz.

Until I can round up a troupe of gal pals for some glam time, these inspiration sets will do nicely. They've got me daydreaming about 'no boys allowed' beach days; shopping trips and cupcake outings; bows and ruffles, lace and frills. All while dressed to the nines in my most fashionable finery, of course! Now you tell me: how do you party down with your best girls?

P.S. Camping with my ladies would be another awesome escape--check out my 'Outfit to Outdoors' guest post today at Tobi Fairley!

Image Credits: 1, 5, 9. Bagatelles and Co. 2. Poppies and Posies 3. Anna French 4. Olivia Graham 6. Sally Conran 7. Kelly Wearstler 8. Luis Monteiro 10. Casa Midy 11. Miguel Flores-Vianna 12. J. Crew

Outfit to Room: Anthropologie July 2010

By now I'm sure your copy of the July Anthropologie catalog is tattered, dog-eared, and chocolate stained. Maybe even spotted with drool? Mine is for sure, so I had to take to the InterWeb and swipe some images for these Outfit to Room pairings. It simply doesn't get better than this, folks.

At this stage I'm beyond matching only the outfit to the room. Because Anthropologie does such a brilliant job creating an environmental mood, I'm drawing inspiration from the image as a whole. My challenge? Create a seamless pairing that segues flawlessly from one shot to the next.

I'm utterly captivated by the dreamy, Atonement-esque sensibility here. It's unexpected to see deep hues, shadowy light, and velvets and paisleys in a July catalog, yet the effect is a complete success. I feel like I've been transported to a crumbling English estate on a lazy, hazy summer afternoon.

I wasn't kidding yesterday about papering my bedroom walls with a glorious pattern, so there's some major ideas to sink my teeth into here. I adore the impact of stripes paired with traditional florals, and I have some vintage French ticking pillows waiting for the perfect wallpaper mate!

This soft blue pairing has me longing for an airy retreat from my busy schedule. With everything on my to-do list lately, I'm trying to cultivate peaceful moments throughout the day--a walk around the block, coffee with a friend--and the soft mood here provides perfect inspiration for us all! Just two days 'til the weekend, everyone!

All fashion images courtesy of Anthropologie. Interiors Images: 1. French Country Style at Home 2, 4, 5. Homes and Gardens 3. World of Interiors

Summer in the City with Hayden-Harnett

I've said it before but I'll say it again: no one does city girl chic like Hayden-Harnett. And their fresh-off-the-camera Summer 2010 photo shoot kicks the brand's irresistible urban eclectic vibe into high gear. Naturally I couldn't resist incorporating my favorite images into some mood boards!

Can't you practically feel the heat radiating from the sidewalk? The juicy colors and simple shapes make me nostalgic for gritty frypan days in Brooklyn; rooftop patio parties; afternoons in Prospect Park with iced tea, a frisbee, and a sweaty boy. With this song as the soundtrack, of course!

Since moving to San Francisco I don't go anywhere without a jacket--even in July--which is why I'm obsessed with the Noemi Anorak (above). It's the perfect outer layer: army surplus tough with thoughtful details like a drawstring waist, adjustable sleeves and a shirttail hem. Because East Coast or West, you never know when a sultry summer thunderstorm is just around the corner!

P.S. A huge thanks to Style Me Pretty for showcasing my Pride and Prejudice project and video! It's an honor to appear on their exalted pages :)

Image Credits:1, 4, 5, 8, 9, 12. Elizabeth Perrin for Hayden Harnett. For full credits and tons more images visit the Hayden-Harnett Facebook Page! 2, 6. Anthropologie 3. Maison Francaise, March 2010 10. Canadian House and Home, December 2009 11. The Green Vase via Oh Happy Day.