Opposites in decor

The Cozy Fall Home Accessory

By Melanie

As the cooler nights set in, a soft throw blanket to cuddle with as I watch my favorite tv show or when I'm reading becomes a must have. As enticing as the Snuggie blankets seem to be, I have yet to to buy one. My main reason....it's just not cute. I need a blanket that is soft, warm and stylish.

I'm drooling over this pom pom blanket from Bliss Living Home. Isn't it so pretty? It looks so soft too.


I'm also loving this cable knit blanket.

source: http://www.blisslivinghome.com/temi-cream-p-958.html

What do you think?

Are you a planner?

By Melanie


source: www.galadarling.com

How are your weekend plans coming along? So do you like to plan the weekend or leave them open to be spontaneous? I tend to fall in the middle on this. I like to have a few plans but keep at least one of the weekend days open for any last minute surprises .

So far I have happy hour plans with some girlfriends today and a big DIY project planned for Saturday (can't wait to reveal it soon). And Sunday...I'm leaving open.

Have a fabulous weekend!

Boot love

By Melanie

I was shopping over the weekend at Fashion Island and I saw a girl wearing some super chic motorcycle boots. These Charles David Rowdy boots are just so stylish and cute. The perfect balance of rugged and pretty. I really want them....

source: www.undomesticdiva.typepad.com

source: www.endless.com

The distressed brown pair (which I love) have a red zipper instead of blue. I think I prefer the red zipper and brown leather pair. But both are fabulous. Unfortunately they come with a hefty price tag of $384.94. I'm so tempted to splurge.

Are you loving these boots as much as I am? Would you spend $400 or is that crazy?

**update**

Steve Madden makes these boots too and for half the cost!

Now I must buy them!

There's no place like home

By Melanie

As the end of October approaches, I'm reminded that the holidays are just around the corner. I love the holiday season, especially when I get to go back home to Ohio. I recently booked my flight to visit for Thanksgiving. As much as I love California, it just doesn't feel like the holidays here so I always get excited when I get a chance to go back east to celebrate them.

I'm looking forward to the fall weather. The crispness in the air, the gorgeous fall leaves and dressing in the warm clothes.

So I'm doing a little shopping to get ready for the trip. First on my list is a chunky knit scarf.



source: www.lookbook.nu

I loves scarves. I've been wearing the lighter versions recently. It will be a treat to wear a warm wrap around one.

Boots are a must too. Aren't these so stylish?

source: www.lookbook.nu

I'm loving the platform trend although since I'm 5'9", can I really wear these? I don't want to tower over anyone.

What's your favorite fashions for the holidays?

Drops of rain

By Melanie
source: www.becauseimaddicted.net

Since it's been raining all week, I've stayed inside a lot of the evenings. I'm ready for some outdoor activity this weekend. Hopefully the weather will permit some fun in the sun. Maybe some hiking or bike riding?

Any plans for you?

Boo!

By Melanie

source: www.modelinia.com

I don't have confirmed plans yet for Halloween but I'm on the search for a great costume. I'm thinking about being a flapper. I love the swinging dresses and the hair accessories. Such a fun costume. Last year I was 80's Madonna/Britney Spears.

I'm loving this peacock feather hair accessory.

source: www.dirtyaddiction.com

And the feather head band. Wouldn't they both be a cool hair accessory for the costume?

source: lovmely via etsy

What are you dressing up as for Halloween?

Pumpkin Patch

By Melanie

source: www.hiddengarments.cn

This weekend I'll be carving a pumpkin. I'm still deciding on whether to create a happy face pumpkin or a scary one.

What's your plans for the weekend?

Out and About in Santa Monica

By Melanie

One of my favorite cities is Santa Monica and I'm lucky because my sister just happens to live there. It has the perfect blend of a So Cal beach town mixed with the hustle and bustle of a big city. Best of both worlds. A few weeks ago, I drove up to visit from the OC.

We spent the morning relaxing on my sister's patio, catching up and drinking delicious lattes from the restaurant La Grande Orange.

The restaurant offers sit down dining as well as a take out area. It's cute inside and I love the design of the coffee to go cups. Great simple design and eco-friendly.

After our coffee fix we headed out to practice yoga and visit the farmer's market.

Later that day we went to lunch on Main Street. I just love the murals. South of the pier is really artsy. The street is lined with independent restaurants, coffee shops and boutiques. It's a great street for a leisurely walk.

After lunch we hopped on our beach cruisers and went shopping at the new Santa Monica Place.

This is a great mall. It's outdoor with a lot of shopping options.

Of course being near the beach, we had to check out the sunset.

Just gorgeous.

At night we went to see the movie The Romantics. It didn't get that great of reviews but we liked it. This movie theater was pretty cool. It had couches instead of chairs!

What's one of your favorite cities?

Cool Prints

By Melanie

West Forty-Third Street (Yellow Cabs) by Joseph O. Holmes

I was perusing one of my favorite blogs over the weekend, A Cup of Jo, and blogger Joanna featured a cool new artist marketplace called 20x200 A Jen Beckman Project. I usually buy my art from Etsy or from small online galleries such as Charming Wall (where I bought a few prints from one of my favorite artists, Bailey Saliwanchik). 20x200 features a talented group of artists. I fell in love with the New York photographs by Joseph O. Holmes.

West Nineteenth Street (Yellow Dress) by Joseph O. Holmes

Central Park South by Joseph O. Holmes

source: photos via http://www.20x200.com/art/2010/09/central-park-south.html

Last October I was in NYC and now these photos make me miss it!

I think it's great that there are artist marketplaces like this to buy from. Where do you buy your art?

Master Plan

By Melanie

source: www.ruffledblog.com

Life is full of surprises. I'm always reevaluating my life goals and determining what steps will bring success and make me happy. I really do feel that a "life" plan is essential, but sometimes no matter how much planning is done, you never really know how things will turn out. When this happens, it's important to assess the situation and move forward.

This weekend is going to be beautiful here in So Cal. Earlier this week I was wearing boots and a jacket and now it's bikini weather. Crazy!

Well, I have some fun events planned. A birthday party to go to and hopefully I'll squeeze in some beach time.

How's your weekend looking?

Accessorize Your Work Space

By Melanie

I think one's surroundings and environment have a major impact on productivity. This is the primary reason that a clean, organized and aesthetically appealing work space is so important.

My favorite color palette for an office is white with a splash of color.

source: www.decorpad.com

Don't you love the crispness of the white color and the clean sleek lines of the desk? I could get so much work done in that office!

Although a desk that's practical is top priority, style should not suffer! My space needs to be useful and pretty. Why settle for anything less?

source: www.livingetc.com

To add functionality to my desk, I bought a magazine holder. It was a little plain so I decided to accessorize it. DIY time!
source: www.seejanework.com


I bought the pink simple holder above from Ikea and then accessorized it with flowers from forever 21.


A great way to turn something plain into something stylish!

Do you think an organized and aesthetically pleasing work space is important?

Feeling Feisty

By Melanie

I've always been a fan of leopard. Although I prefer it to be a subtle, hint of leopard rather than appearing as the main attraction in an outfit.

source: lookbook.nu

Loving the peak a boo leopard shirt.


source: www.lookbook.nu

Great as an accessory.

source: www.thesatorialist.com

Just adorable paired with the polka dot dress.

Are you a fan of leopard?

Happy Monday!

Late notice

By Melanie

source: www.colorcollective.blogspot.com (originally from apartment 34)

I pulled my boots out from storage last week excited to wear them but it looks like I'll have to wait a little longer until the fall weather arrives. That's more than okay though. I adore the sunshine and love the heat. Finally some summer weather!

Have an wonderful weekend!

Nobody walks in LA.....

By Melanie

source: www.thedecorista.com

I'm making my way up to Santa Monica this weekend to hang out with my sister. Can't wait! I love hanging out in Santa Monica. So much to do. Any plans this weekend?

Have a great one!

Fall Is here...and the makeup follows

By Melanie

I love makeup! Growing up I would spend countless hours painting my barbie doll's faces with makeup. In second grade I got in trouble for wearing hot pink lip gloss to school. Later in life I even contemplated becoming a make up artist (although I'm glad I took a different career path).

So I'm very excited for the fall makeup trends. Although I am partial to brown eye shadows and light pink/nude glossy lips, I try to mix it up a little for each season. I'm going to try incorporate at least a few of the trends this fall.

Fall Trends 2010:

Lined Eyes at the Gucci show.

Love it - for an evening out.

Smokey eye at the Zac Posen show.

Love it! Always a fan of the smokey eye.

Neutral Pink Eyeshadow at the Carolina Herrera show.

Love it! Very pretty. Especially paired with pale lip gloss.

Bright red glossy lips at the Donna Karen show.

Hate it....on me. Love it...on others. I think red is cool. My sister looks good in red.

Spider lashes at the Marc Jacobs show.

Hate it. Love it for a dramatic play but in person it just looks like you don't know how to apply makeup.

So, what do you think? Are you loving or hating the fall makeup trends?

photo source: www.allure.com

Cupcake Heaven

By Melanie

source: http://www.la.eater.com/

I recently received an email from my sister letting me know that Magnolia Bakery has opened in LA. So excited! I have a true love for cupcakes and Magnolia Bakery cupcakes are one of my favorites.

Last fall I was in NYC and Magnolia Bakery was top on my list to visit. Their cupcakes were delicious!

(see me devouring more Magnolia cupcakes here)

I love the colored tubs of frosting. Mmm...I would love to take one of those home!

Not only am I drooling over the cupcakes but their decor is so cute and fun. I love the checkered floor and the mint colored walls.

Cute signage too!

For a few days last week they were shut down. But don't worry, the closing had to do with mechanical and technical problems, not health code.

This holiday weekend I'm going to my sister's place in Santa Monica. We will definitely make a trip to the bakery for one of their famous cupcakes.

I hope they make their way down to the OC in the future. Huntington Beach doesn't have any cupcake bakeries. At least not coastal Huntington. How is that possible with the cupcake craze? Well, I guess I'll just have to travel for my cupcakes for now!

Have a sweet Labor Day weekend!

all photos - source: http://www.la.eater.com/

Summer...stay a little longer

By Melanie

As the last weekend of August passed, I was a bit sad to know that I will soon have to pack away my maxi dresses.

source: www.newsoftheworld.co.uk

I'm just not ready!


Maxi's are so cute and comfortable. They're a staple in my summer wardrobe.

I think I have a few more weeks to wear them here is Southern Cali. Although I was at Target the other day in a pink and red flower maxi dress and someone commented that my dress was just too pretty and summery for this weather.....it's been chilly for California standards.

Fashion Doll

By Melanie

I typically don't watch the reality show The Rachel Zoe Project featuring the celeb stylist Rachel Zoe but I tuned in this past Tuesday night and was pleasantly surprised. Although it contained a lot of unnecessary drama, I was impressed by the Demi Moore Harper's Bazaar shoot. I love the fashions and the set. Very creative!


http://www.justjared.buzznet.com----pegs/


http://www.usahangout.com/

This photo on the beach is so beautiful. I love the browns, tan and blue colors. Amazing concept as well. I hope the Giraffe was happy though!

http://www.stylefrizz.com/

http://www.stylefrizz.com/

The balloon photo is so fun and carefree!

What a cool photo shoot! I love the big props with the tiny Demi. Oh and the fashion is so gorgeous as well!

To read more about the Bazaar shoot, check it out here.