devil is in the details

Decorating, in a conventional sense, can be difficult.  The process itself can be (and should be) highly personal.  Everything in your home should explain to a visitor who you are.  My personal aesthetic is about creating warmth, and making people feel at home.  This would include making, what I call, "piles" throughout your home.  Piles can be construed as a negative thing, conjuring up visions of hoarding.  However, I use them differently.  Piles, in a simplified and organized fashion, in my home are small groupings of items that mean something to me.  On a coffee table there could be a pile of special books that have lived with me over the years, the story of each and how it came to live in my home varied and nostalgic.  Or it could be a pile of pictures: these would be 'layered' larger to small, front to back, to tell a story.  Below are pictures of some of my favorite piles in my home.

 Some special books, a commemorative candle, and a Herend sandwich tray warm up my living area.

The bookshelf behind my desk exists to hold a smattering of Sotheby's auction catalogues, special pictures, and books accumulated throughout the years.  It also holds my rehearsal bouquet, made by hand with only a paper plate and my shower gift ribbons by one of my dearest friends and bridesmaids. Makes me smile every time I look at the bookshelf!

A vintage ceramic horse head, our sterling chest, decorative vase, and Andrew Wyeth print add something interesting to look at when heading into our sleeping area.

A 19th-century Royal Crown Derby plate (left) adds some texture to the side table.  Top right, a potpourri bag is plunked by my Herend jewelry case, and bottom right an Italian candlestick I converted into a lamp lives with my Herend puppy and Boudin print.

delicate creatures

This spring's designs boast some of the most beautiful looks I have seen in a long time.  Beautiful, airy lace Valentino and Emilio Pucci concoctions, babydoll appliqué Shoshanna dresses, blush Herve Leger bandage dresses embellished with delicate beading all speak to our inner female.  Accent with a demure pair of chiffon Louboutins, or lace Jimmy Choo sandals.  Below, some of the best of the best.

Christian Louboutin Angelique Pump

Oscar de la Renta tiered silk-organza bustier

Valentino bow silk-satin clutch

Burberry Prorsum lace trench coat

Herve Leger sequined bandage dress

Emilio Pucci lace dress

Valentino cotton-macrame dress

Bejeweled

Am digging this jewelry box from Reed & Barton that my adorable fiance gave to me recently.  Lining is in Christian Dior red velvet - so sumptuous!

The storage options are deceptively large.

Winter Warm

top: Haute Hippie, similar here; jacket: Vince, similar here; fur collar: Alice + Olivia, old; pants: Siwy; shoes: Alice + Olivia; pearl bracelet: vintage, purse: Balenciaga

A Night Out

top: Tibi; jeans: J Brand; shoes: Michael Michael Kors (old); belt: Hermes; fur collar: Alice + Olivia (old); pearl bracelet: vintage; pink enamel bracelet: Hermes; elephant bracelet: Kenneth Jay Lane; coat: J. Crew, old but similar here; nail polish: Essie Mint Candy Apple; clutch: Gucci, old

Back in Black (and brown, gray, and navy...)

Black is one of the easiest colors to use as an anchor to an outfit.  In times of wardrobe confusion, a no-fail outfit is always a black top, black pants, and black flats.  Throw some weighty, classic jewelry in the mix (think triple strand pearls, stacked and thick David Yurman bracelets, etc.) and you've got a guaranteed sharp and ladylike look.

While a pop of color can be a successful part of a look, one has to be very careful to do it correctly.  That is why I advocate for the use of other neutrals, like gray, navy, brown, and even some soft creams.

In writing this post I am reminded of an old friend of mine.  She used to dress in shades of black, navy, and brown every day regardless of temperature.  Occasionally she would wear gray, in the form of a cashmere scarf or tights.  I recall talking with her about how difficult pastels were to pull off for certain people.  It was then that she announced that gray IS her pastel and left me to absorb the sentiment.  At first I disagreed.  Pastels were supposed to be something that reminded you of cotton candy, or Lisa Frank stickers from the early 90s.

But then I thought, why CAN'T gray be a pastel?  Or any of these other colors, as a matter of fact?

Try a pair of slim black pants with a navy cashmere top.  Pair with a chunky, gold  J. Crew necklace, patent cream Salvatore Ferragamo bow heels, and a pair of retro Karen Walker tortoise sunglasses.  

Some of you reading are likely wrinkling your noses.  "Brown and black?  Hideous!" You may be saying to yourself.  But let's take a step back.  Think of when you wear a leopard accent with a black dress.  What is the other color besides black in the print?  Brown!  Why should it be any different for other parts of your outfit?  Consider how gorgeous an impeccable pair of Tory Burch brown equestrian inspired boots paired with the J. Crew Pixie Pant and a flowy caviar-colored silk Joie top.

It is great to incorporate brights and other trends - that is, if you want someone to notice your outfit.  If you want someone to notice you first and your outfit second, then stick with a more muted, classic look.

Grace Kelly

Pictures exist to capture a special moment in time.  They tell stories, and remind us of special moments in our lives.  However, what happens when we inadvertently date ourselves by a trend?  How awful is it to find a picture of ourselves during a happy time in our life, and have to cringe when we look at it because it belies our age?

It should be our goal to dress as cleanly as possible, every single day.  A slim pant, a silk shirt, and a pair of well-kept driving loafers or low heels topped with a handbag in a neutral color is an ideal everyday outfit.  By the way, red is now a neutral.

Consider Grace Kelly, below:



If I didn't know better, I would say that this might be a picture of a friend at a recent black tie ball (black and white photography notwithstanding).  Grace Kelly is considered an icon not only because of her beauty, but also because of her timeless fashion style.  As this picture reveals, she could be anyone, anywhere, in any decade.  The dress is cut cleanly, and she has accented with some feminine pearls and a broach.  She is nearly impossible to date.

Every day you should think after you get dressed, "will I look good in a photograph today?"  And no excuses!  If you don't have time to dry your hair, put it into a sleek bun.  No time for makeup?  One swipe of lip gloss and a great smile will get you anywhere.  Take care of your shoes, they are the part of you people focus on first after your face. You get the picture.  Excuses are the bars that keep us in prison.  Let go of them, and do your best every day.  Life (and an inadvertent photograph!) happens when you least expect it.