Photography: Move it!

FRONTIÈRE 3 by RAPHAËL HALIN

Poolside Gossip Slim Aarons

LES PLONGEURS

Blue Fantasy by Agnieszka Maria Zieba

Vegas Construction by Richard Silver

The seasons change and so do our tastes. Mine changes every time the breeze blows. I find in my home, there are about 10 different ways to rearrange everything. My husband comes home to a different environment every couple of days. For those who know me well, I’m a shifter. Shifting gives your artwork, your furniture and your room a facelift. There is always a different look for inspiration. One easy trick to match my mood is to move my Art around. I Buy seasonal pieces and move them or store them during the changing months. It’s fun to visit an old friend. A great way to change your home is with photography. Bring in beach scenes in the summer or cherry blossoms in the spring. These don’t need to be break the bank statement pieces, just enough to give a revitalized look.  It’s always nice to have your staples which remain, but move the small works around for a revived room.

Above are some beautiful, reasonable imaginative photographs. I also look to vintage thrift stores to find transient pieces.

photographs via yellowkorner. For more inspiring photographs for purchase click.

Bauble Bling: email promo

I capitalized on a recent Baublebar promo gift and received this beautiful Bubble Strand Necklace. I have to share because it was so easy and now I have a beautiful gift to show for it. With blogs, twitter, facebook and so many other social giveaways there are many fun deals to be taken advantage of. Here’s how to do it.  Click hereto sign-up for recent promotions and free gifts. Once in Baublebar, click Get Emails at top right. Another way, enter this code: 3235463, at time of sign-up.

Some pieces I picked up in my bauble search.

Turq Rock Necklace // White Elsa necklace // Glam Wrap // Glitz Cuff //Bubble Strand (I got mine for free, sign -up to get more free baubles)

Satur “day” Look

 

 

Here’s the Satur “day” look paired with my treasure box earrings. 

Day Wedges // BCBG Yellow silk shorts

1.  Free People Beach Desert Dream Tank

2. Top Secret bright side camisole

3. alice + olivia Lisanne Racer Back Trapeze Tunic

4. BB Dakota Medallion yellow tank

5. Tibi Racer back 

Treasure: Bottom of the box

 If you’re a an accessory maven like I am, I’m always looking through my jewels to find something sweeter, better, different. Finally my search was a success. At the bottom of my jewel box there were these beautiful earrings, which were a gift I received from the Smithsonian Modern Art Museum, and I fell in love all over again. I love their eclectic contemporary style mixed with a little vintage flare. When you’re looking for something this weekend, dig to the bottom of your treasure box and pull out an old jewel love affair and wear it with something completely new.

Sunnies:

Dior Sunnies 

Green Jewels:

Kendra Scott Darby Peacock earrings

Kendra Scott Zola Squiggle Earrings

steel: Emitations April’s Dangle Earrings 

Pear Drop Dangle Earrings

splurge: Chandelier Drop Earrings

Dana Buchman Gold drop earrings

No Joke: walked in for undies, walked out with a chair.

No Joke…today I went to Target for Diapers and came out with 2 chairs, a faux fur rug, 3 shirts, 4 bracelets, 2 lotions, a set of  little lashes and NO DIAPERS! Seriously, the life of a style blogger. Where’s my head? Looking for color, fashion, style, sale ooooowwww that’s a pretty chair. That’s about how that shopping trip went. Good thing my little guy isn’t in desperate need of underpants. I had to take a picture because it was just so ridiculous! Here’s what I purchased!

Plaid Button down // neon cropped lounge pant // red dish popcorn chairs // similar ivory rug // neon top 

Target had these awesome little bracelets on clearance and I can’t find them anywhere online, so it was meant to be.  Baublebar has some great similar finds. They also have a new Pop-Up shop with Designer Tuleste, starting today. Yay!

Current Obsessions

 

I have a current obsession. To see more, shop more. Click to view.

Hi-Low: Gem in the Hem

Hi-Low’s are the best for warm days, cool summer nights. I love the free flow of the design and the way the wind catches the hem, so carefree and blissful. The hi-low is a for sure way to feel like a feminine gem.

Similar Hi-low Dress Options: Above – Willow and Clay // Feel the Piece //  Baby Phat Red dress // Free People color block dress

Shoe Options: similar Modcloth Platforms // Boutique 9 platforms // Oxford Platorms (these are great for all seasons)  // strappy Pour La Victoire platform in red

Belt Options: Navy Belt // similar Ralph Lauren Gold // Forever 21 woven belt // Motif 56 Belt

This & This: Yes really!

Really, it doesn’t matter. There are no rules. Really! If you love it and it will literally fit between the door frames on your wall, it can be hung there. I’ll grant you, some pieces of art clash, but in my house…

If I were so fortunate to be able to own these works, I absolutely would hang them together. These two Artists, Theo Altenberg (Abstractionist) and Jorge Alberto (Trompe l’oeil Master) , couldn’t be more different in their style, but for some reason they work. Both have a passion and declaration of style. Neither is confused as to which direction they should go because, they are in fact, THERE. Mixing art in your home gives it interest and a personal style. Anyone can hang like images, but to mix them successfully can be a very satisfying challenge.

Some fine Art works I truly love are creative portraiture and still life or landscape pieces. I would pair the two artists, Sydney Drum (Realist painter) and  Nikola Borissov (fashion photographer) for their complexity of style, but simplicity in subject. I like the juxtaposition of photography versus realist painting. In some works, I think why is the painting more beautiful when you can capture the exact moment with a click. Other times I think, the beauty of the piece lies in the hands of the artist brush stroke and a click would never portray the emotion of the brush. Really…the point is, it’s all personal. Our take, Our likes and dislikes, how we frame, how we hang. Just be true to your own style and you’ll remain happy in your space.

 

Jorge Alberto, Becoming a Doctor  via Principle Gallery

Theo Altenberg, O.T. Oil on Cardboard 2009, No. 13 via

Nikola Borissov photgraphy via

Sydney Drum, Oil on Linen via

 

 

 

 

Time is running out!!!

Time is running out on your discount codes for July. If you’d like to add to your stylish repertoire with some key pieces, here are two codes worth taking advantage of.

The amazing designer Annabelle Petriella owner of  Stylish Furniture and Decor with offering 10% off entire site with code: AFF10.

I added this retro rocker to my living room and it has been used by every person in my family. I love it because the style is retro chic and the size fits everything from by sweet little 2 year old to my big ol’ handsome husband.

The lovely ladies of essentjewels are offering %10 off entire site with code: GIVEAWAY.

Here’s a personal fave. The purse charm! If your bag is a little tired, here’s a great way to amp up its style.

All discounts are redeemable at time of purchase.

OFFERS END JULY 31, 2012

High Fashion Striped Chairs

While we’re striping…here are some of my striped chair faves.

Chairs above via Dransfield and Ross 

Below Gae Aulenti Locus Solus armchair c. 1963. They just don’t make ’em like this anymore.

Here’s one I did about a month ago. It now rests in my kitchen with my Annie Sloan striped painted table. The Blue and White are both her chalk paint and the hot pink stripe is Raspberry Pudding from Benjamin Moore.

Stripy Stripes: Rain Dance

It rained for about 2 days straight and while I love a bit of down time, as a sun bum, I was going nuts!! Event after event cancelled due to weather. blah, blah, blah. Finally, the Sun is back and so is the celebration!

 

Peace out rain drops!!

This is one of my favorite belts. My sweet sis gave it to me last summer and it hasn’t left my jeans since. It’s handmade by a friend of hers in L.A.

Stripy Options under $75.00

Striped Tops: Painted Threads Burnout Stripe Tee // Navy And White Stripe Tee With Bow // Splendid Short sleeve stripe // Vince Camuto Racerback Spaghetti Strap Tank //rainbow stripes, but super cool tank

Cute Stripy Dress: Riviera Romance Dress in Navy // Nautica Under the Sea  Cover Up Dress // Esley Style is Style Dress // Bay Navigator Dress

Love this Sunny Girl stripy get up from Modcloth ($44.99).

Becky Beasley inspired by Carlo Mollino

Is it dividing furniture or Art … Both! Check out these screens by internationally acclaimed artist  Becky Beasley. Her exhibition The Outside is a combination of photography screens and swinging door inspired frames from the apartment of Italian Architect Carlo Mollino.

The photography screens, on exhibition at Tate Britain until September 2012, display an image with no front or back, beginning or end. The colors give inviting transparency and lend themselves ease and interest in any environment. The frames were created from inspiration of blueprints found in Mollino’s apartment. The blueprints were drawings of swinging doors to hang in the apartment, which directly relate to the hinges, design and dimension of Beasley’s frames.

image via Tate Britain

Other pieces by Becky Beasley

 

images via Laura Bartlett Gallery

Shorts: This Summer’s Mini

BCBG snake print Mini shorts // Old Navy Basic Black Tank // Similar: Bernardo sandals, like these too  // Brown Honey Dior Sunnies // similar green bucket bag // Baublebar bracelet // similar Catherine Weitzman gold disc necklace // Michael Kors Watch // earrings Smithsonian Museum // similar earrings

Other Awesome Mini Shorts!

Asos Mini stripe shorts//Crochet Shorts// tie dye shorts // Dolce Vita Ikat Shorts // Free People //Gold dress shorts

Shop: Today’s Faves

 

Vanessa Virginia Electric Vines Dress // Danielle Scutt sequined earrings // Lush color block dress // baublebar White Elsa necklace // Seavee’s mens shoe // Gorjana Leather triple wrap bracelet // Ombre Tote // Mini Rory Beca Shorts // Asos Yellow Maxi Dress //Kendra Scott Danielle Green Agate Earrings // Oasis Dress

Creative Island ideas

via calfinder

via HGTV

I’m a little over all stainless steel appliances, farm sinks and granite counter tops. Here are some creative island ideas that are out of the norm. Why should your house look like everyone else’s, when it belongs to only you. Whether you rent or own, if your kitchen is bare you can create your own island oasis.

via diyinspired

Great for a little apartment! Provides extra workspace if there isn’t room for an island.

Off the Beach: Target Red Sweetheart

 

Dress: Target Xhilaration zip dress (STEAL 24.99) // Sunglasses: Oliver Peoples //  long gold chain  //  Nashelle charm necklace // TopShop multicolored bead necklace // similar ring options:  oval turquoise ring // Max & Chloe adjustable turquoise ring //Max & Chloe chunky gold frame ring

Amy Genser: three-dimensional construction

This is made from paper! Really!! Amy Genser is a Paper Artist who creates these beautiful oceanic scenes from paper and acrylic. She gives vitality to a once limp canvas with her display flow and movement. If you have ever swam through a coral reef or seen a documentary on diving, you know the depth of the sea floor she has created with the paper is spot on. For more pieces by Amy Genser, visit.

HB: Contemporary Cottage

I’d love to say that I came up with all these completely amazing rooms, alas, it was a Beach Cottage displayed in the July issue of House Beautiful. I’m not one typically to put an entire house from a magazine, but I fell in love with this spread and thought I’d share. Each room  in this 1,650 sq ft house is so clean and fresh with aesthetic interest. Each individual space shows an element of intrigue. A little special something goes a long way, whether it be the window treatment or text displayed in a creative humorous way. Check it out.

The framing of these works is innovative. They have chosen several strong pieces, which would hang beautifully independently of one another,  and placed them in one large frame to give them prominence in numbers. I love it!!

The tied twine rope caught my eye in this photo, as did the wrought iron tables and the floor to ceiling fireplace feature.

I live in a home with beams and our fixture hang from them. I like the way the designer has immersed the lighting into the architecture of the room. The lighting then becomes part of the room, rather than a feature.

text on stairs…win/win.

Vintage appliances combined with retro contemporary cabinetry is always a welcome mix to a kitchen. Of course, the painting leaning against the wall near the stove top is a personal fave. I like it when people lean paintings in the kitchen. For reason, it give it importance. Humankind loves to generally hang in the kitchen, so if it’s there, it’s a piece to be adored. There is something sweet about these pieces. A glimpse into the owners world.

Bar/Cafe opens out from the kitchen to the terrace with the sink easily accessible.

Window drapery caught my eye. Simple, light and privacy all in one swoop.

All images via House Beautiful July 2012 issue

BCBG: Rooftop compliments

Nashelle gold initials necklace // BCBGMaxazria kayleen yellow silk top // BCBGeneration Asymmetrical skirt

BCBGeneration Asymmetrical skirt

 Michael Kors two tone watch // baublebar turquoise bracelet //similar wooden bracelet  option 2: Adesso wood bead bracelet

BCBGMaxazria kayleen yellow silk top

similar gladiator sandal option 2: gladiator sandal

Red Rimmel London lipstick 

Painted Envy and Found Objects

An easy go to for style inspiration is Artwork.  My 2 year old painted this painting the other night and I love it, because most adults don’t use the freedom of vibrant colors and brush strokes.

One of my favorite types of artwork is, that which is created from found objects. Using something out of the realm of it’s original purpose, I find to be fascinating. Here are two artist who nailed it.  The photo below is an image from Crystal Gayle Photography  of plastic straws. It’s the essence of the beauty in found objects for creative inspiration.

Below, Xu Bing did a tobacco project in Richmond in 2011, createing a faux tiger skin rug purely out of cigarettes. The rug weighed in at 440 pounds total. A much better use for cigarettes I think. Image via tumblr. for more projects by Xu Bing visit xubingdotcom.

Anouk Kruithof’s wall of found books is just that. Each exhibtion is built in a different fashion and it is said that there are about 3500 books in total within the wall. They are, for the most part, made up of Eastern European books in the DDR, so were completely dismissed. via . For other book projects visit.