Colour Me Pretty

Happy Tuesday! I hope your week has started off great and that you're all having an awesome week so far! Where I live, it is currently very snowy, scratch that, slushy.  And slushiness just kind of leads to gray, gross stuff all over the ground. Not very pretty if you ask me; which led me to needing to inject a little colour into my life.  How, you ask? With some coloured pants, of course. I'm sure all of you have seen plenty of coloured pants on the old interweb as of late.  They're just such a nice break from jeans and tights and they really spice up an otherwise boring outfit.

I went shopping last week looking for some and was finding it difficult to find any pants that spoke to me.  I walked into H&M, and lo and behold, the clouds opened up and let the sun shine through. Right there on the first table at the front entrance were pants in every colour of the rainbow.  I looked at the price tag and saw the low, low price of $29.99. Check mate, I made those pants MINE.

Since this was my first attempt to incorporate the coloured pants look into my wardrobe, I went with a nice bright blue.  Seemed more normal than walking around in teal or pink pants.  Plus, I wouldn't wear pink pants if I was held at gun point. Pink is definitely not my jam.  I absolutely LOVE my new blue pantaloons!  They are just so fun!  I'll leave you with a little inspiration....perhaps it'll change your mind about coloured pants :)

 

Photos can be found via my Fashion Inspirations board on Pinterest


Now it's your turn. What's your opinion on the whole coloured pants look?  Love it or hate it?

Tata for now. xoxo.

The Full Monty

Bah, this week has completely gotten away from me. As you may not know, I usually blog at lunchtime during the day at my office job. It has been CRAZY busy this week and I have just not had the opportunity to take pictures of my DIY projects, post anything relevant or breathe anything else for that matter.

Today has slowed down a little bit, so I’m able to hop on here and type up a little post for you lovelies. As the title may suggest, this post is about something a little risqué – nude artwork.  Love it or hate it? I happen to love it, as you can tell by my V day present to the boy in this post. I think it provides so much style and elegance to a room, if it’s done right. Just check out these rooms below.



Via Pinterest



If you’re a little unsure or uneasy about the idea of a naked body hanging on your walls, the best places to start are personal areas like your bedroom or a bathroom. You might even get gutsy enough to put a big ol’ set of boobs in your front hall J

Etsy has some great shtuff that can help to get your collection started. Some shops I like to peruse are: NicoleKate, InspiredLines and EwaGawlik

So what are your thoughts on nude artwork? Sexy and elegant or raunchy and distasteful? Perhaps a little of both? Do tell.

Have a great weekend!! Tata for now. xoxo

Concrete, Class, and Cable Knit

Everyone has a list of places they would like to visit one day. Mine is pretty easy: Paris, Italy, Monaco, the Southern United States, and the Ralph Lauren Flagship Stores, specifically those in New York City, Paris, Milan, and Chicago…

New York, New York…

Opened in October 2010 at 888 Madison Avenue, the New York City Flagship Store for women, fine jewelry, accessories, and home was built to accompany the New York City Flagship Store for men at 867 Madison Avenue (opened a month prior) where Ralph Lauren and his team began the extensive renovation of the Rhinelander Mansion in 1983. The parallel mansions have been restored to reflect the historical Upper East Side in architecture and the Parisian Ralph Lauren stores on Boulevard Saint Germain and Avenue Montaigne in mood. They include such features as terraces, wood-painted and wrought iron-framed windows, arched entryways, crystal chandeliers, hand-cast plaster paneling, and a grand staircase with limestone steps and hand-wrought railings.



New York City Flagship  - 888 Madison Avenue



New York City Flagship - 867 Madison Avenue

An American in Paris…

One of the newest of the Ralph Lauren Flagships, the store at 173 Boulevard Saint Germain in the Latin Quarter was the product of four years of restoration, the work of many artisans, and a labour of love. A dream of Lauren’s to have a Flagship Store in Paris as discussed in his speech to President Sarkozy upon the store’s opening, this store is similar to the others in its content, intricate architectural and design details, and individualized craftsmanship. This, however, doesn’t take away from the store’s unique beauty. The Paris shop features Ralph’s, another of Ralph Lauren’s restaurants (see Chicago), which sits in former horse and carriage stables in the rear buildings and has received praise both for the food and for Lauren’s commitment to having the all-French staff specially trained in cooking traditional American foods, such as hamburgers. : )



Paris Flagship - 173 Boulevard Saint Germain

The Italian Job…

 Located at 4 Via Montenapoleone, the Milan Flagship Store opened its doors to four stories of 19^th century palazzo-inspired grandeur in 2004. The two lower levels are devoted to the men’s lines, with the third level opening into a glamourous boutique of Ralph Lauren’s women’s collections continued in the fourth story. This shop also features an opulent staircase which soars through all four stories and wraps around a modern glass and bronze elevator. The pairing of the staircase and elevator is described by Lauren as the embodiment of the skilled blending of the modern and the traditional which has made the label so iconic.

Milan Flagship - 4 Via Montenapoleone

Swept Away on the Magnificent Mile…

Originally designed as a bank, the largest of the Flagships at 750 North Michigan Avenue underwent a revival inspired by the elegance and sophistication of New York City’s Metropolitan Club to become one of my favourites of their eight Flagship Stores (the other four are located in London, Tokyo, Greenwich, and Moscow). Regal in appearance, this store features a salon for fine timepieces, home collections, men and women’s collections, and collections for children and baby. Lauren’s highly acclaimed first restaurant sits adjacent to the store with a menu inspired by what else but their specialty, American classics. : )



Chicago Flagship - 750 North Michigan Avenue



 Whether or not you are a fan of Ralph Lauren’s clothing, the architecture and interior design of his stores are a tourist destination in themselves. Lauren said so himself that the fusing of modern and traditional is their forte, but so too is the ability to capture elegance and sophistication without being austere. Every design, clothing or architectural, always exudes both refinement and warmth and that is what sets him apart from so many other designers, and makes him a true style icon to me. : )

Please send me a postcard if you ever get to visit! : )
xoxo

Dilemma: To Do or NOT To Do?

So I am having a bit of a dilemma over this away, and thought, Why not ask on the blog? So that's what I'm here today to do.

Here's the issue:

I LOVE gallery walls. Without a doubt, they are one of my favourite things right now. I really love the eclectic, collected over time look - different art, different frames, etc.  With that being said, I have a very large and in charge staircase situation that I feel needs being taken care of (the boy wouldn't care if I painted it neon yellow and put in zebra carpets - so needless to say, he's not much help. haha kidding....a little).  Anyways....what I wanted to do was put up a gallery wall leading up the staircase similar to this beaut:


via

or this sexy beast from Bower Power:

The only difference between my staircase and the two shown above, is that these are completely open and filled with light. My staircases are boxed in and have a limited amount of light penetrating them.

So this leads me to ask the question? Should I try to hang a gallery wall leading up my stairs? Or leave it as is? Any other suggestions for lil ol' Owl?

Tata for now. xoxo

PS. I will be posting tomorrow or Thursday with some completed crafting projects from the weekend.  I needed to let a couple cure/dry, and am still waiting to take some photos.  Stay tuned :)

The Golden Ones

I know I just wrote a post, but before it is too late I just wanted to share some of the dresses I thought were really pretty at The Golden Globes last weekend. I don't really watch the actual award shows, but I always look at all of the dresses the next day on websites like Instyle.com, and just wanted to share some of the ones I liked. : )

1. Angelina Jolie, Atelier Versace

2. Charlize Theron, Dior Couture

3. Shailene Woodley, Marchesa

4. Natalie Portman, Lanvin

5. Stacy Keibler (I'm not sure who designed her pretty dress...)

Hope you enjoyed. : ) : )
xoxo

Deep Thoughts : )

I found this little version of the Proust Questionnaire re-done by Kate and Laura Mulleavy of Rodarte on Fashionista.com and thought it might be kind of a fun thing to do on a rainy/snowy day. Normally I would be afraid to complete the Proust Questionnaire. If you have ever read the back page of Vanity Fair, you might agree (some of those questions are tricky!) But I thought this version was kind of cute. : ) How can you not like something designed in part by Rodarte? ; )


Rodarte's Kate and Laura Mulleavy's Proust Questionnaire:


Favourite play:
The Glass Menagerie (it is my favourite book, too!)

What was your first love?
Animals.

Favourite language:
French.

Who is your most loved character in literature?
Beth from Little Women, Jane from Pride & Prejudice, Laura from The Glass Menagerie.

Favourite room:
The dining room.

Favourite place to read a book:
A window seat. : )

Favourite place in New York City:
The great, big Tiffany's store on 5th Avenue is overwhelming, but wonderful to see.

Favourite colour:
White.

Favourite painter/painting:
Anything by Monet, Renoir, or Degas. : )

Favourite things to collect:
Pretty things. : ) Teacups, seashells, white picture frames, pretty pieces of ribbon...

Favourite mystery:
Marilyn Monroe.

Favourite flower:
Sweetheart roses and peonies.

Favourite sea creature:
Who doesn't like sea horses? : )

Favourite smell:
Perfume, vanilla.

If I gave you a medal right now, what would it be for?
The amount of times someone can laugh in a day? : ) I mean full-blown laughter with tears and bellyaches, I must do it at least 10 times a day. Everything makes me laugh. : )

Favourite texture:
Very soft and worn, almost thread-bare material. : )

Favourite flavour:
Fried? : )

What is the first thing you think of when I say "red"?
Christmastime?

Night or day:
I like both. : )

Favourite villian:
This is a little bit of a tough one, I don't really like any villians...

Favourite silent film star:
Charlie Chaplin (I don't know any others... )

Favourite artist:
Ballerinas. : )

Molly Ringwald or Ally Sheedy:
I don't know either of them...

C.S. Lewis or Freud:
C.S. Lewis.

Tents or motels:
Motels.

Favourite musical instrument:
The piano.

Thunder or lightning:
Lightning. It is kind of pretty. : )

Tea or coffee:
Diet Coke. ; )

Wine or beer:
Beer.

Lemon or lime:
Lemon.

Monday or Friday:
Friday.

February or December:
December.

Christmas or Halloween:
Christmas. It is my favourite. : )

Rosemary's Baby or Hannah and Her Sisters:
I'm embarrassed to admit that I have never seen either.

J.D. Salinger or Jack Kerouac:
J.D. Salinger.

Hats or Scarves:
Hats.

Julie Christie or Vanessa Redgrave:
I only know of Julie Christie, so I will say her. : )

Marilyn Monroe or Elizabeth Taylor:
Marilyn Monroe.

Cary Grant or Jimmy Stewart:
Cary Grant.

Las Vegas or Atlantic City:
I have never been to either, but I would rather visit Las Vegas.

Rain or sun:
Sunshine. : )

Spiderman or Superman:
Superman.

Cats or dogs:
I like both, but I would say dogs if I had to choose.

Ice cream or sorbet:
Ice cream.

The Beatles or The Rolling Stones:
The Beatles.

Favourite fun fair ride of all time:
I think all rides are fun. : )

Favourite sidekick:
I always liked Summer from The OC, hehe. : )

What characteristics do you envy most in others?
The ability to not worry so much.

If you could fly, where is the first place you would go?
Paris, or anywhere in the Southern United States. : )

Have you ever won a medal or prize, and if so, what for?
I have never won a medal, but I did win my Sorority's Heart of Gold award 3 years running! : )

What is your secret dream?
If it is a secret, then aren't I not supposed to tell? ; )

Favourite season:
Spring or Fall... I like the "in-betweens". : )

What is your greatest love?
Oh, I don't think I could choose just one... Laughing, nursing, decorating, animals, Diet Coke... : )

Favourite currency:
I'm afraid I don't know enough about currency to have a preference.

Favourite city:
Paris.

Favourite imaginary place:
Heaven.

Favourite planet:
I used to like Pluto, but I guess that isn't technically a planet anymore, so I'll go with Neptune. : )

Favourite children's book:
The Velveteen Rabbit.

Favourite candy:
Potato chips. ; )

Favourite names:
Brooke is my very favourite, but I also like Beth, Grace, Audrey, Jaime, and Sara-Lynn. : )

Phew! : ) That was a little longer, and some of the questions were a little harder, than I anticipated, hehe. But I still think it is a cute little quiz, and now you know me a little a lot better. ; )

xoxo

TGIF

Whew. This week has just been crazy busy for me, and seems like it has completely flown by. I am so happy that the weekend is here!! No joke.

I've got a few little projects that I want to complete this weekend. But I need to run out to Michael's to get some supplies (yipee!). Michael's lights a fire under my butt to get things done, as well as gives me so many ideas for new projects. The latter can sometimes end up being a bad thing because I end up with more ideas than I can do in a year :)

For Christmas I made some button art for my friend (which she loved) and I love the way it turned out. I am thinking that I want to make one for myself. I also need to hang the curtains in the bedroom, spruce up the wine glasses like so, DIY the welcome mat for our front door, and possibly make some more DIY artwork. . . ha ha, yeah right. I think I may want to accomplish a little more than is physically possible. But I will do my darndest. Or perhaps I'll just sleep in all weekend, that is also a possibility :)


Via

Via

Be back on Monday to let you know how I did.

Tata for now. xoxo

Dorky "V" Day Presents

Hello all,

We are more than halfway through the month of January, which means that Valentine's Day will be here in less than a month. But here's the thing. I really don't celebrate Valentine's Day. I feel like you should love everyday of the year, not just one day. Everyone deserves that. V Day is extremely commercialized, which might be my biggest problem with it.... Anywho, enough of the tangent. I love LOVE!

So, with that being said, I will say that I do usually get the boy something that he needs or something that I think he would think is funny/clever/dorky in some way. This year I went all the way to dorkville to get his gifts :)

Both his gifts this year are from Etsy. Our third bedroom is currently set up as a man cave. There is a futon, a TV and literally nothing on the wall - bachelor pad h-e-double hockey sticks. I would really like to make this a relaxing, fun space for him to chill out in. So, I got him some art for those baren walls.

The first is a female nude. He is a typical boy and wanted pictures of boobs on the wall. I thought this was a decent compromise.

This beautiful charcoal drawing by the shop Caught by the Light

I also got him this dorky guitar pick by Rachel Vannatten. She makes a whole bunch of sweet hand stamped goodies. The boy was in a couple bands in highschool, so he knows what he's doing with a guitar, but this one will most likely be a framer.

Sweet and nerdy = my jam

And that's all she wrote.

Have any of you got some sweet goodies lined up for your loved ones? The big "V" day is almost here!

Tata for now. xoxo.

PINspiration: Rainy Days

Hello there friends.

It is a yucky, rainy day today and I always find myself in a mood when it rains. I thought the best way to turn my mood around today would be to find some rainy day inspiration. Enjoy...

Photos via my Pinterest boards: The Art in my Heart & Fashion Inspirations

Tata for now. xoxo.

Gwyneth and Me : )

Recently, I came across a picture of Gwyneth Paltrow wearing the Elie Saab emerald green dress I posted a few months ago. While I was so happy to come across a picture of someone looking so lovely in the dress I had liked so much against my better judgment, the picture also rekindled a fondness I used to have for Gwyneth Paltrow.

To me, Gwyneth Paltrow was the embodiment of style. I warmed to black and white as my favourite colours early on, and Gwyneth Paltrow too, seemed to lean towards these colours, often in simple silhouettes. She brought such trends as slip dresses to the forefront and introduced me to the world of the understated and unadorned. I followed her lead, keeping colours neutral, designs simple, and accessories delicate and minimal.

While I found comfort and ease in staying within these limits, style rules like any are meant to be broken and Gwyneth Paltrow’s style took a new direction. While she moved forward, I stayed behind. Her bolder choices led her to new fashion highs and lows, but to me none of her more recent dresses compare to her early choices, despite the acclaim they may receive from Style Editors and Fashion Critics.

Perhaps the emerald dress was the olive branch. In increasing my flexibility of what constitutes style and with Gwyneth Paltrow’s fashion equivalent of teenage rebellion behind her, I have come to appreciate her style again.

Here are some of my favourites of her dresses. : )

And, some more recent dresses that I thought were very pretty too. : )

I think this could be the mending of a very stylish relationship. ; )
xoxo

Jason Wu for Target

The details of the Jason Wu for target line were announced on Tuesday this week. And I've gotta say, I am smitten.  Below are just a few of my favourites.

The line launches February 9th online and in store, but be prepared to jump on it ASAP. We all remember what happened when Missoni teamed up with Target....just in case you don't, people went ca-razy!! Although I am in Canada and we unfortunately don't have Target yet, I will be online scouring the Target website to get some of my favourite pieces.

Read the complete article right here.

What do you all think of this line? Lining up at the doors worthy or not? Which pieces are you hoping to scoop up? Do tell.

Tata for now. xoxo.

Out With the Best and In With the New

A few years ago, a friend of mine and I came up with a good remedy to cheer us up when Christmas was finished and provide inspiration for facing those long days of January. We thought it might be fun to make a list of our favourite celebrity dresses of the previous year... It was so much fun that every year I bring out the old list again, updated to reflect the dresses of each year. Most times I just do it in my head, but this year I am so happy to have someone to share it with again. : )

Let your heart be filled with that warmth that only comes when you notice dressing done well. Here are my top-ten favourite celebrity dresses of 2011. : )

10. Reese Witherspoon, Armani Prive

If you know me, you are probably not surprised this dress is one of my favourites, but a little surprised that it's near the bottom of the list. It is black and white (my favourite colours), Armani (one of my favourite designers next to Mr. Lauren), and very simple and elegant. So, what is the trouble? Well, the trouble is with her accessories, which aren't my favourite paired with the dress, and the way she wore her hair, which I find a little too playful for the dress. This leaves the sum to be less than the individual parts, but because I think the dress alone is so lovely, it made the cut. : )

9.  Zoe Saldana, Calvin Klein

While I tend to be drawn more to neutral colours, I'd like to think I am still able to appreciate good use of colour. : ) And when I say good use of colour, I mean a bolder colour paired with a very simple design as well as choosing an attractive and flattering colour. I think she did well on both accounts. This colour looks sweet on her, the colour and design combination is tasteful, and I think she was probably a much-appreciated lemon drop in a big bowl of black liquorice at the 2011 Met. Gala. : )

8. Claire Danes, Calvin Klein

I have always thought Claire Danes was kind of lovely. : ) She seems so humble, and I like that. : ) I have also almost always enjoyed her dress choices. While some of her selections have made my list before, even the ones that haven't have still resulted in me saying "Oh, Claire Danes looks nice" more often than not. But on to this dress:  Although it looks nice on her, the colour is not my favourite. However, this list is all about the appreciation of good use of colour, and this is another example. : ) Secondly, in contrast to Reese Witherspoon in #10, the overall look of her dress with her hair, makeup, and accessories makes me like the dress more, not less. A tricky, but wonderful skill, I think. : )

7. Lea Michele, Oscar de la Renta

As much as I am ashamed to admit it, I feel the opposite way about Lea Michele as I do about Claire Danes. I seldom watch Glee, and perhaps for this reason I'm not accurate, but whenever I see the show I find her character so off-putting that when I see Lea Michele off the show, I can't help feeling the same way. I also rarely agree with her choices of dresses, often finding them to be too much or too over-the-top. However, we must give credit where credit is due, and this is a beautiful dress (I guess the credit should really go to Oscar de la Renta, but good for Lea Michele for choosing it!). It also looks nice on her. But, once again I am feeling a bit conflicted over the way she chose to wear her hair, explaining why such a pretty dress is only my 7th favourite.  I understand what she was going for, trying to bring down the fanciness of her dress with a more casual hairstyle in the way Jennifer Aniston has done in the past. Unfortunately, where I always found this worked for Jennifer Aniston, I don't for Lea Michele... Perhaps, straighter or less-beachy hair may have worked a bit better, or a soft bun a la Lily Donaldson on the runway (below)...

Oscar de la Renta, Spring 2011

Luckily, her dress sparkles enough to distract me whenever I become too critical, and thus Miss Lea Michele and her dress are sitting nicely at #7. : )

6. Michelle Williams, Chanel Haute Couture

In the same way I am trying to give credit for a nice choice of colour, I am also trying to give credit for choosing (and pulling off) a riskier design. Snaps for Michelle Williams. : ) Despite being very soft and pretty, on someone else this dress could have not worked. Michelle Williams has the perfect combination of sweetness with her delicate frame and gamine haircut, while still having a bit of an edge, which makes the dress demure yet contemporary, and a very good choice. : )

5. Katie Holmes, Calvin Klein

Some may say this is basic, but I say it is simple and there has never been anything wrong with that in my books. : ) If it was a black dress without the belt in the same silhouette, it could have run the risk of being a little bit boring, but belted in royal blue? I think that's cute and fun. : )

4. Karlie Kloss, Jason Wu

Choosing a supermodel as one of my favourite dress choices is a little bit unfair, as they have the ability to make even the most awful dress look beautiful , but her statuesque-ness aside, hehe, she chose a beautiful dress for the 2011 CFDA Fashion Awards. : ) I like red dresses, however I think by the nature of the colour they are bold. Therefore, I like red dresses best when they are very simple, such as this one. I also like the belt with the dress. It provides a subtle nod to a more retro style without being dated.

3.  Faith Hill, Chado Ralph Ricci

Okay, okay, you could argue that I'm a bit biased. ; ) I have been a fan of Faith Hill ever since I was a little girl. I have always loved her music, and have always thought she is one of the most beautiful people.  But a nice dress is a nice dress, right? : ) If the person wearing it is one of your favourite celebrities, isn't that just even better? : ) Similar to Michelle Williams, Faith Hill gets extra points for choosing a riskier design. A dress that could have looked old-fashioned or too conservative instead looks sophisticated and modern on lovely Faith. : )

2. a) Jennifer Lawrence, Calvin Klein

Calvin Klein, stop taking over my list! : )

I think there may be some themes emerging, with the most obvious probably being bolder colours, minimal designs… : ) I can’t think of a more minimal design than this tank dress, and you know how I feel about red dresses! : ) I think this dress and the way it looks on Jennifer Lawrence speaks for itself.

2. b) (Whoops! I cheated… ; ) Lily Aldridge, Ralph Lauren

I am surprised Ralph Lauren has only made one appearance on this list, as he is my very favourite for both formal and casual clothing. But, if you are only going to be on a list once, coming in at # 2 isn’t bad. : ) His and Lily Aldridge’s ranking is well-deserved.  From the front, Lily Aldridge looks like she is wearing liquid gold, but from the back the dress is even prettier with a low back, sheerer material, and jeweled detailing. The gold compliments without blending in with her skin and hair, and at the risk of sounding hypocritical after discussing Lea Michele’s hair, I think Lily Aldridge’s slightly messy/beachy hair works. What can I say, the heart wants what it wants. : )

1. Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Burberry

I first saw this dress while flipping through Instyle a few months ago. Even then, before I had seen all of the other dresses, I knew this dress would find a place on my mental list of 2011’s Best Dresses.  The colour of this dress is so rich, that in a review of dresses I read before preparing this list, the author described the colour not as simply blue, but sapphire. While Rosie Huntington-Whiteley shares the same advantage as Karlie Kloss and Lily Aldridge before her as a supermodel, she also shares the same extensive list of dress options to choose from, and therefore like Karlie and Lily gets full recognition for choosing a dress as stunning as she is. : )

Thank you for letting me play Fashion Editor for a few minutes, and for taking the time to read this! It is a long one, I know. : ) I know I have no fashion credentials and that many professionals would probably say my choices were boring or safe, but it really is fun to do, and I recommend trying it. : ) Personally, I would like to see Owl’s list, what do you guys think? ; )

Best wishes for a warm (and fashionable ; ) 2012,

xoxo