Halloween in New York

By Melanie

Tim Burton Halloween in Harpers Bazaar layout via fashiondevo.wordpress.com


Well, I'm off to NYC (see details in this post)! I can't wait! I Hope you have a great weekend too!


Weekly Lookey Lou:


Love Maegan posts this fabulous DIY ruffle scarf. I want it!


MadebyGirl posts DIY Halloween. Creative and fun!


Because im addicted posts about creative spaces.


Happy Halloween!

Home Decorating

by Heather

I renewed my lease for a year in July and decided to do some redecorating. I was a quick-draw with the credit card, but hanging all the pretty artwork took months! I still have a few patiently waiting to be displayed, but here's some of the new additions to my cute beach cottage.
Pillows from Bo Concept. A gift from my wonderful beau and they couldn't be more perfect for my couch. It's hard to tell in the photo but the embroidery is beautiful. The couch is new too, but it's a slightly used Craigslist find by Ikea. It came with a mint condition red corduroy slip cover, but I opted out of the college dorm look and bought a new cream one for $11! Yep, $11! So no qualms about having a glass of red wine while lounging.

Papermoth's Easily Broken image from Etsy.

Alicia Bock's Friday's Child photograph and Breeze photograph bought from her Etsy shop.

Great Lakes print from Ork Posters. A shout out to my hometown as I grew up splashing around Lake Erie in Cleveland Ohio. Alicia Bock's Fox Glove photograph from her Etsy shop.

The flower image on top of the fridge was a freebie with purchase from Alicia Bock. The urban coffee photograph on the fridge is from Gothicrow's Etsy shop. The painting on the wall to the left is a Van Gogh Sunflowers' reproduction found thrifting many moons ago. It's nicely framed in beat up red wood box.

Another gift from my sweetie! He's so good to me and has amazing taste. It's from a shop in San Diego called Mixture. It's resin on wood by Amy Paul.

Photograph taken from the Brooklyn Bridge by Weberphoto on Etsy. Sorry, there's a glare on it but click on the link to get a better view -- it's very cool. It's hangs above my flatscreen.

I also bought these prints from Papermoth, which go beautifully together, but I have yet to hang them.


Perpetual City.


Capricious in blue/violet.

Engagement Photos!

By Melanie


(typography poster that I created for my design class which I made to detail our day taking the engagement photos.)

A few weeks ago, Brian and I had our engagement photos taken in Laguna Beach. The talented Henry Bui was our photographer. He did such a wonderful job. I just love the photos!

It was so difficult to choose which ones to share but here are some of my favorites!

photos via Henry Bui at http://www.glimseink.com/

I love the composition of this one. The way Henry angled the camera is so cool. He has such great style!

This is a good one to give to our parents.

Look at that sky! Amazing!

I think this one is my favorite!

This one is my favorite of Brian.

I love how Henry captured so many different types of light.

The photos were taken at Heisler Park which is part of Main Beach in Laguna. It's a little more secluded although there were a few people there enjoying the sights as well. There was actually a romantic dinner going on right to the side of us!

I love the heart!

Brian was such a trooper! At first I wasn't sure if Brian would get into taking the photos. I'm sure he felt it was a little dorky but he totally got into it! They turned out so nice. Thanks Henry!

Blogger Pick 3

by Heather

I could spend hours, days, weeks lost in the blogger lookbook world. Who needs magazines anymore?! ...Well, the stack about to tip over by my couch might say otherwise. So I'm a fashion junkie; join in the fun with me.

via Late Afternoon. This San Francisco model has the best lookbooks, hands down. I'm madly in love.


via Keiko Lynn. Fiery and sweet. She designs her own line from her Brooklyn studio.

via Mint Vintage Junk. She's so cool. This soda machine lookbook post reminds me of the '97 Cindy Crawford Pepsi Ad, but less sex and more fashion.

Who's in your top 3?

Bursts of Color

By Melanie

I love walking into a bright bold room where the colors just pop! It's like the room is yelling "Hello! Let me brighten your day!"

But with bright bold colors I think there is a fine line between it working right and being over powering. You need to have the right amount of bold for it to look good.

Bold done right:

photo source: Living Etc magazine

I think this green works well because it is paired with the white. This is such a cool bedroom. I need to revamp our room. I think Brian would be happy with this type of decor. Great style and not girlie. We already have the white duvet cover so we just need the headboard and the green walls.

photo source: Dwell Magazine

Orange floors? Some how it really works well. Notice how it's paired with the white. I like how the bookcase background is orange too. Nice flow.

This is a fun kitchen/dining area. I love that orange!

Bright pink that is not too girly.

Doesn't the bright blue wall play off the pink really well?

photo source for the above photos: living etc magazine

Green door and a green doggie scarf! How cute!

Happy Monday!

"Looky Lou"

By Melanie

photo cred: V mag

Wow, I can't believe the weekend is here already. Well, I think I'm ready to put the serious work week behind and have a little fun! But not too much on the agenda this weekend. I'm saving all my energy for my NYC getaway next weekend!

I decided to implement a weekly round up for UH. Heather and I both spend a fair amount of time on our fav blogs and so often we text or phone each other to check out xxxx blog and talk about how they had something great to say or show. So I want to pass my finds onto you!

Be a Looky Lou with me..........

photo cred W mag

My favs of the week:

• Nubbly Twiglet (graphic design and fashion blog) posted a link about You vs. the Cubicle. If you're more interested in following your passion in life rather than passing the time in a cube 9-5, this is a must read, trust me.
  
• Cupcakes and Cashmere - great desk makeover.
  
• Lions, Tigers and Fashion Oh My! - amazing purple over the knee socks.
  
• Made By Girl - Home Decor Genius - heart art in frames.
  
• What I Wore - Bright yellow coat. This would be perfect for my NYC trip!

Have a great weekend!

Lookbook: Fashion Safety

by Heather

I'm all about comfy, casual, chic. Constantly searching for the great basic. I'm loving my new digs from Alternative Apparel (as seen in my previous two lookbook posts). Although, I may have to bust out a dress next week.



(click image to enlarge)

grey tee and sweat pants by Alternative Apparel; jewelry Heirra (my designs :)); over the knee boots by Miss Me; shirt from Saint Thrift.

Is your fashion priority comfort or looks? ...or both?!

Fired for being a size 4?

By Melanie

When I read on MSN.com last week that Ralph Lauren terminated model Phillipa Hamilton's contract for being too big, I couldn't help but be surprised.

Really??

This model is 5'10" and 120 lbs.

I know that models need to be thin and fit in the designer's samples but how skinny must they be? She looks great to me. Gorgeous of course and so perfect for the RL brand.

The team at Ralph Lauren thinks this weight looks better.

photos above via msn

Really??

I personally like thinness as well but this is anorexic thin. Ummm... not attractive.

Do you think that anorexic skinny is more appealing and makes the clothes look better?

Lookbook: Dreamy Cream

by Heather
The weather was pretty moody this past week in So Cal. Chilly rain to start and then the sun came out and said hello with an 85 degree smile.
My weekend was nice and relaxing, Mel and I saw the movie "Couples Retreat". It was cute with some funny one-liners. How was your weekend?



(click on images to enlarge)

Cream top and brown leggings by Alternative Apparel, jewelry by Heirra (self-designed line), and heels by Bisou Bisou (very old, before selling to JCPenney).

New York Bound

By Melanie

photo via jacoov.com

This California girl is making her way back east to New York! In two weeks I'm taking off for a girls weekend in the NYC! I can't wait. The last time I was there was in 2001 with my sister and mom and I've been yearning to go back ever since.

I love the energy of the city, the never ending things to do and all the different types of people. It's so cool how this little area has so many different neighborhoods.

photo via nyctourist.com

Of course I would want to check out each of them but Greenwich (West) Village is top on my list.

photo via Brooklyn Bridge Baby via Flickr

This is supposed to be the cool, hip artsy area. I love all the brownstone buildings and the coffee shops.

photo via Zimbio

Maybe we'll see Whitney from The City there!

So I hear fall time is beautiful in Central Park. Last time we went was in the winter and we cruised around Central Park in a carriage. I know, so touristy but it was so fun! This time I hope to walk around and take in the scenery.

photo via NY-Tripod.com

I love the lights of Times Square.

photo via Wayfaring.com

The reason this trip was planned was because one of the girls is running in the NYC marathon!! It will be a great time cheering her on! I so admire her for doing this (and in NY- how cool) and inspired. I think I'm going to get back to running and run in the 1/2 marathon here in February.

photo via Just Jared

Last year Katie Holmes ran it.

We are also celebrating another friend's birthday which is on Halloween!

For Halloween and in the spirit of New York, we are dressing up as the SATC gals! I think I'm going to be Samantha. This will be a fun costume- shoulder pads and some tight shiny leggings?

photo via The Sun Blog

I'm not sure how we'll spend all of our time but whatever we do I'm know we'll have fun. A few items that I hope make it on the itinerary are:

Magnolia Bakery

photo via CakeSpy.com

I love cupcakes and am always on the hunt for the best ones. I guess Magnolia Cupcakes are supposed to be the best nationwide. They are so good that they have lines out the door and around the corner.

Museum of Modern Art

photo via Igougo

I love art museums and MOMA one is supposed to be amazing. I will probably go to it on Monday since the other girls are leaving early afternoon and I'm not flying out until late evening.

Statue of Liberty

photo via The Magazine USA

Last trip I missed this and I'm hoping to see it this time. Not sure if that will work out since the other girls may have already seen it or there may not be enough time. I may have to save it for my next visit.

I can't wait to explore the city. Any recommendations of places to go? Restaurants, night life, coffee shops?