The City Sage

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

Star for a Day: Reese Witherspoon

I might not agree with all of Reese Witherspoon's decisions--for example once I get Jake Gyllenhaal in my clutches I'll never let him go--but when it comes to fashion the gal can do no wrong. Adeptly blending casual California style with the feminine polish of her native Southern roots, Reese's ensembles invite you in while quietly reminding you that yes, she's a major star.

Reese keeps her accessories to a minimum, focusing instead on that all-important trifecta of purse, shoes and sunglasses. From cross-body bags, ballet flats and aviators to slouchy doctor's satchels, gladiator sandals and wayfarers, her unfussy approach puts the focus on radiant skin, silky hair, and stand-out investment pieces. Truly a girl after my own heart.

Key components include full skirts and dresses in fun patterns, jean jackets and cardigans for layering, fabulous flats and paparazzi-proof hats. Wear jewelry sparingly; a classic watch and delicate necklace will do just fine. Plus I'll bet Reese actually wears her own perfume--lush and heady, it transports me to my childhood in Athens, Georgia. Reese, we have so much in common!

P.S. Two sales Reese would surely change her schedule for: Son of John has marked their iconic sequin-pocket tees down to $20 at their sample sale! For lucky New Yorkers only at 270 West 38th Street, Suite 704. And everyone can shop Rikshaw Design's online sale; can't you see Reese beach-side in this?

Image Credits: People.com. Shopping Guide: Dress, Bracelet, Sunglasses, Purse, Hat, Jacket, Jeans, Cardigan, Skirt, Necklace, Perfume, Watch, Flats.

Label Lust: Geren Ford Pre-Fall 2010

In my never-ending quest for easy, breezy, no-brainer style, Geren Ford stands apart from the crowd. From feminine yet structured separates to grab-n-go silk dresses, the brand consistently offers up covetable pieces that go from work to play with the greatest of ease. Just add that triumvirate of accessories--bag, shades and shoes--and you're golden!

Accents like chunky clogs, a patchwork bag, and Colleen Donaghy-worthy sunglasses add gravity to a floaty graphic sundress. Perfect for Saturday brunch on the patio or a concert in the park.

A simple shift is office appropriate for almost any field. Add conservative pumps and an attache for a traditional work environment, or chain-link sandals and a bright hobo if you're a creative type.

While the East Coast swelters through yet another heat wave, here in San Francisco we're keeping it cool (feel free to seethe with jealousy). So cool, in fact, that a striped sweater like this one is perfect all-day attire. Neutral pieces with an almost shabby vibe project laid-back NorCal chic. Not that I need another striped shirt...!

Shopping Guide: Board One: Striped blouse, Chevron Tote, Sunglasses, Stacked Heel Sandals. Board Two: Sundress, Patchwork Bag, Round Sunglasses, Clogs. Board Three: Shift, Red Shoulder Bag, Sunglasses, Chain Link Sandals. Board Four: Striped Sweater, Taupe Bowler Bag, Sunglasses, Boat Shoes.

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.

Outfit to Room: Toast Summer 2010

Here in the States we're just one day away from a holiday long weekend! So enjoy a little Thursday afternoon eye candy to rocket boost you through. No one lends themselves to an Outfit to Room feature quite like Toast--their catalogs simply beg that the clothing be paired with interiors!

Of course we love stripes. Of course we do! And do we love them in shades of raspberry, blueberry and lemon, circling a skirt or spiraling on a toss pillow? Um, do bears crave honey and do my kittens poop in the tub? Yes, yes, and yes!

I could have gone for a nautical inspired beach house to partner with this flowy maritime skirt. But I decided to throw you a curve ball and go more cottage than coastal. After all, a summer afternoon at a breezy B&B in the Cotswolds sounds pretty darn sweet!

The moodiness of these scenes reminds me of the sultry, sexy tension in the movie Atonement. Dark, 1930's inspired plaid, echoing hallways, shadowy twilight hours just perfect for a make-out session with James McAvoy. Where do I sign up?

Cropped, nipped, cuffed: proof that suits can be feminine and springtime appropriate. The dusky pistachio hue looks equally relaxed on a mantle surround, and when teamed up with salmon it puts a bubbly twist on a traditional fireside scene. Now take a deep breath and say it with me: The weekend is almost here!

Image Credits: Fashion Images, Toast. Interiors Images: 1. Elle Decoration France 2, 3. Perfect English Cottage 4, 5. Perfect English

Outfit to Room: Beach House Style

'Round about this time of year I start to long for an escape, and my daydreams inevitably lead me to the beach. I don't care where in the world I land, so long as there is surf, sun and sand. Give me a gauzy sundress, a skimpy bikini, and some SPF 500, and I am golden (well, pasty white, but you get the idea). Bonus points if there's an airy beach house for midday naps.

Seaside stripes get a girly tweak with a ruffled tank. Crisp white linens--whether in the form of a man's button down or freshly washed sheets--flutter in the breeze. I always wear sunglasses outdoors, but with the equinox drawing near, I sometimes take them off and revel in the squinty quality of the sun.

Blue and white are not the only maritime colors this girl can get behind. Mix rattan and natural linen with the greens and taupes of beach grass and a juicy pop of semaphore red. Madras plaid looks fresh on a broad-brimmed hat--and is reflected in the oversized brown gingham of the chairs.

Another unexpected twist! Sailor stripes are the hero of blogland, and here they get a graphic update in black and white instead of the traditional blue. Golden hues, from a nipped-in belt to bent cane furniture, call to mind a colonial veranda.

Turquoise and coral versus periwinkle and peach. The former is a tried-and-true combination. The latter, a softer twist on the classic. The former brings to mind a vivid tropical paradise. The latter pays homage to the flat, scrubby isles off the coast of Georgia. Either way, you can't go wrong.

One of my favorite summers was spent in Nice before my final year of high school. Sunbathing (topless!) every afternoon; visiting the homes of the great artists (Matisse! Chagal! Picasso!) and witnessing firsthand the incredible light that was their inspiration; learning from the French that simple (a sublime dress! a bare window!) is always best. Am I right or am I right?

Image Credits: 1, 9. Toast 2. Elle Decor June 2010 3. J. Crew 4, 10. House Beautiful 5, 7. Anthropologie 6, 8, 12. Country Living 11. Urban Outfitters

Outfit to Room: Current/Elliott Spring 2010

Are you as ready for this weekend as I am? I have to work both days, but it's the good kind of work, involving butterflies and petits fours! These images from the Current/Elliott Spring 2010 lookbook perfectly capture my ideal weekend vibe: laid-back and playful no matter what's on the agenda!

I'm probably biased because Current/Elliott has been my go-to weekend wear for two years running. Their boyfriend jeans hold a permanent place of honor in my wardrobe, and last year's shorts saw so much action that it might be time to replace them with a new--yet perfectly pre-distressed--pair.

It also helps that these pics boast an undeniable 'nautical with a twist' appeal. A cross between 1920's seaside postcard and slummy dockworker, they make me want to abandon my landlubber life and take up residence on a houseboat. An extremely well appointed houseboat, of course...

But most of all it's the textures. The impossibly soft denim that I know to be Current/Elliot's claim to fame; the breezy, sun bleached cotton voile, the linen and canvas that scream 'Put down that computer and go find an adventure!' Is there anything more Saturday appropriate than that?

So bring on the weekend! In addition to butterflies and petits fours, mine will feature marbled paper, vintage teacups, and pinstripes galore. Mysterious, right? Don't worry, it will all be revealed in due time! Tell me: what's on your to-do list for the weekend?

P.S. More Current/Elliott and nautical inspiration, the best banana bread you'll ever eat, my favorite springtime flowers, and Fair Trade shopping on eBay. Enjoy some glorious R&R my friends!

Fashion Images: Current/Elliott Interiors Images: 1. Elle Decoration UK April 2010 2. Perfect English Cottage 3. French Country Living 4. Etcetera 5. New Farmhouse Style

Giveaway: Alison Dayton Jewelry

When Alison Dayton asked me to select one of her gorgeous designs to offer my readers in a giveaway, I faced a seriously difficult decision. Each of her handmade pieces has such unique personality and bold presence. So I gave up trying to pick just one--instead I'll let the winner choose one of these three stunning pendants for her very own!

There's such a 'found treasure' appeal to all of Alison's designs---as though Indiana Jones discovered them on one of his adventures. Naturally I had to take them on my own adventure to model them for you, so the Huz and I hiked to the top of Twin Peaks. From our house to the tippy-top is a vigorous thirty minute walk, one that is well worth it for the views and for the photo ops!

I love the statement-making quality of these three necklaces. When worn together the mix of Jasper Tooth, Ethiopian Cross and Tibetan Om is a force to be reckoned with. But of course you only need one--worn by itself or teamed with more delicate pieces from your own collection--to channel Ancient Priestess chic.

How to win? Just head to the Alison Dayton Jewelry website and tell me which is your favorite design! As usual, tweet the giveaway for an extra entry. At the end of the week I'll randomly select one winner to receive one of these three necklaces--winner's choice!

Trend Lust: Polka Dots

Is there any pattern more cheery than the polka dot? Just looking at this season's plethora of spotted pieces makes me feel like a jubilant kid. I want to dress in a polka dot skirt, play hopscotch and double dutch, sip malteds and milkshakes, and revel in the whimsical wonder of this playful print.

I love all the different variations on the theme. From the teeny-tiny spots on a 1940's-inspired blouse to the jumbo grid circles on a statement-making rug, polka dots always keep you on your toes. Plus you don't need much to get the full effect--a peek of lingerie or some fun kitchen towels will do the trick!

I already have a few polka dot items in my closet, and I'd like to tuck some spotted surprises around the house as well. Those drawer pulls provide the perfect subtle nod to this trend, and I've long been a fan of that DwellStudio rug. Tell me: do you love polka dots as much as I do?

P.S. See what else is on my wishlist for spring...including a new (short) haircut?

Shopping Guide: Dress, Espadrille Wedges, Maillot, Cosmetics Bag, Ribbon, Drawer Pulls, Bowl, Plate, Coasters, Rug. Image Credits: 1. Urban Outfitters 2. Perfect English Cottage 3. Second Bedroom 4. Lyell 5. Anthropologie 6. French Country Living 7. The Rug Company 8. Elle Russia April 2010

On the Hunt: The Perfect Shorts

When it comes to shorts, I find a pair that I love and wear them every day until they die a threadbare death. Last year it was the boyfriend short by Current/Elliott. The summer before that, a pink Marc by Marc Jacobs number with a paperbag waist. I'm still accepting applications for this year's victim winner.

That perfect pair is quite elusive. The fit must be impeccable: no riding up, no muffin top. I like them loose on the leg, a bit overlong, and preferably cuffed. I wear them with flats and a feminine top for a breezy, effortless Nicole Richie vibe. Now you tell me: what are your shorts requirements?

P.S. Here's your chance to peak at my kitchen! And Cassandra's bedroom! And Mrs. Lilien's OMG-are-you-freaking-kidding-me sitting room!

Shopping Guide: 1. Vanessa Bruno Athe 2. 3.1 Phillip Lim 3. AE Outfitters 4. Anthropologie 5. J. Crew 6. J. Crew Image Credits: 1. L'Officiel 2. Toast 3. Shopbop 4. Marie Claire March 2010