3 Holiday Outfit ideas: C&C and Me

During the Holidays the first thing that comes to mind are the parties, but what about all the days in between? There is event after event of equal importance and here’s how to dress for the everyday luxuries.

Brunch with out of town friends look:  C&C California boat neck gold top // Asos Metallic jeans // Sam Edelman Ballet Flats //  Sanctuary Faux Fur Vest // Oliver Peoples Sunnies // Carter & Spence Stone Ring // Michael Kors Watch // Jami Necklace

And…there’s more. The underlying theme to these looks is, if a brand works for you, Stick with it! I love a little C&C California in my life and although I’m an East Coast Girl, I love the relaxed, sleek style C&C provides. Here are three of my  go to’s for this year’s Holiday casual events.

Christmas Tree cutting look: C&C California legging/patch riding pant // Juicy Couture Sweater Boots // Michael Stars shirt // The North Face Vest // Infinity Scarf // Micheal Kors Watch

Vintage/Antique shopping for unique gifts look: C&C California faux leather dress // Dior Sunnies // Madden Girl Leather Boots // Michael Kors Watch // Infinity scarf // Kena necklace

For more of my go to’s click here. 

Michele Saulson Design: And the winner is…

Thank you to everyone who entered the Michele Saulson Design giveaway!! 

Congratulations Cindy A. you are the lucky owner of the Beautiful hammered brass ring necklace giveaway. You have 48 hours to claim your prize, email me at marybeth.rust@gmail.com with your shipping address.

A GIGANTIC Thank you to Michele for sponsoring this amazing giveaway for all of you loyal readers. 

*If you are interested in a collaboration or giveaway with AFF, please email me at marybeth.rust@gmail.com. Happy Friday!!

Last Day for Giveaway

Today is the last day to enter the beautiful Giveaway from Michele Saulson Design. You have 12 hours left. Giveaway ends tonight at Midnight (Eastern Time).  Good Luck!!! 

Details:

1. FOLLOW Art. Fashion. Furniture. and “LIKE” AFF on Facebook.  (Not an FB user…no worries. State in your comment not FB user)
2. “LIKE” Michele Saulson Designs on Facebook.
3. Visit Michele Saulson Designs and tell us your favorite design.

That’s it!! Easy as 1,2, 3. Giveaway entry ends November 22, 2012,11:59PM Eastern Time

Restrictions:

Valid U.S./Can residents only

18 years of age

Royal Treatment: Poetic Licence shooties

Poetic Licence yellow shooties (also like these) // Royal Blue Blazer // Black Cynthia Rowley Dress // Eastern Market necklace // feather barette // hue tights (really want these red ones) // Black Onyx stone ring (similar Max & Chloe ring) // Boe. heart necklace

I am currently obsessed with these yellow shooties and pairing it with this royal blue blazer was the perfect complement. When you love what you wearing, I’m sure it holds true, everything that day just flows a little bit smoother. Be bold. If you like it? Wear it. Own it.

For more pieces I’m currently obsessed with click here. 

Gift Tip: Somerset Photography & Framing

I’m always looking for interesting, beautiful photography. The only thing about it is…they always have to be framed. If you’re thinking of a creative gift this year, framing is it. I’m sure you can look around your house and find something that needs a frame. Something staring at you, but it’s never a priority. Whether it an art piece, a family photo or a certificate, they all need a frame to be beautifully preserved and hung. Give the gift of framing, but make it easy. Find a local frame shop within 10 minutes of receivers home. Framing is so personal, that it is hard to set aside the proper allotment of time, so make it simple. A contribution towards a frame at a local shop. A gift certificate is just the push, but it has to be close. Framing tends to be an errand, so they have to drive past it already or get to it easily. Support your local business.

Hanging tip: Your frames do not need to match. The works display better, if the frames match the pieces. Groupings are more interesting if there are different elements in them.

Image source Niels Borch Jensen Gallery

Holler has a large breadth of work beyond photography. For more on Holler visit NYtimes 

For more on A K Dolven vist her site.  

Industrial Ombre: Kena Necklace (plus discounts)

Ombre sweater  (similar) // Gap Skinny Jeans// Madden Leather boots (similar) // Deep V White Tee-shirt // Fab Kena necklace

Because it’s My Birthday, and all the sale mania has ended,  I’m going to give all of you a few discounts to jump start your holiday fashion season. Also, don’t forget to enter the amazing  Michele Saulson jewelry Giveaway. Deadline November 29, just 2 days!!

Online Only. Promo Code: CYBER

Gorjana & Griffin extended their cyber Monday Sale of %40 off. Promo Code: Cyber40

 

Feathers: Holiday Attire

We had a little fun on our day of Thanks with family and feathers. Feathered bands aren’t just for Halloween and Horse Races, so we decided to be turkeys for the day. The feathers went on at 8:30am when the cooking started and stayed on through a five-hour cake recipe, all the casseroles, turkey frying (not us) and lots of different renditions of mashed sweet potatoes. They finally fell off after the last glass was finished.

So thankful for my Sweet TurkeyMama and all of my fun feathered family. We had 3 generations in feathers.  Happy Black Friday!

Occasional: Tables I’m loving right now.

Round turquoise wire table // wire base table //abc Home wire table  // yellow hour glass table

 Here are four wire tables that are at the top of my list this season. I love the look of wire because you can see every detail in the weave and design. Wire has the ability to show the delicacy of the art of furniture and durability of strength in the material. These occasional tables are both successful in design and function. Furniture is meant to be used, so if you’re looking for an artistic style, my advice…make sure you can place your coffee cup on it.

Striped in the Middle: What I wore

I had a little shopping freedom this weekend with my bud, which proved to be successful. I’m a big fan of going casual to walk the shops and who doesn’t love that. I woke up wanting to wear a little bling, but not full on dress up (I always love a little sparkle). Here’s what I wore.

White Sweater// Black Jeans here and here // Biker Boots //Baublebar earrings // Silk striped button down (similar) // Fendi Spy Bag // similar jeweled bracelet // Baublebar bracelet // Michael Kors Watch

Prepare for Thanksgiving: Must-haves

multi colored block set // Bocce Ball // Anthropologie Throw // Red Stool // floor lantern //cozy modcloth sweater //faux fur coat //gold plated studded bracelet // camo skinny jean // glitter booties//nikes // Polaroid Camera // extra film // more fun must haves

Iris inspired Outfit: What I wore

Charley Sweater  J.Crew top // printed pants by Eight – Sixty from South Moon Under, similar and these // Sam Edleman booties // Eastern Market Jewelry (similar)// faux fur coat here, here and here, also like this vest// Clear Hugo Boss glasses

Also like: shirt and dress with same pattern as pants

Don’t forget to enter the Michele Saulson Jewelry Giveaway!! Time is slipping away.

Designing the Capitol: Ode to Iris

Because we live near to the Nation’s Capitol, all I’ve heard nonstop are whispers or shouts about the recent election. While the world is in a frenzy, lets talk important things...DESIGN. I mean, the White House wouldn’t be the same with one of the most influential designers in the United States, maybe even the world. I’m talking Iris Apfel. This amazing woman helped to outfit and consult in restoration projects for the White House during 9 U.S. Presidential terms and she did it all with the glamour she exhibits today.

If you don’t know Iris Apfel, you will now never forget her. There are few style Icon’s that can pull of the never-ending theatrical display of accessories and prints, but Iris Apfel has done it seamlessly for years. Here are few of her finest get ups.

 

images via: The Guardian , She Finds , The Wild , Love is Speed , story

 

Jewelry Giveaway: Michele Saulson Designs

 

If you’re reading this post, you should be really excited! Last weekend I caught up with Michele Saulson, the amazing jewelry designer, and she has been extremely generous to offer one of you lucky readers a BRASS RING NECKLACE. Yes…Jewelry giveaway!! Michele handcrafts all of her pieces, so this design is custom-made for one of you. If you’re a lovely gent, jewels are for you too and if you’re not in that,  I’m sure your best friend, Mother, or sister is. It’s a great gift for the upcoming holidays and moreover a great design to show of your holiday style. Details to enter below.
Now! The specifics:

1. FOLLOW Art. Fashion. Furniture. and “LIKE” AFF on Facebook.  (Not an FB user…no worries. State in your comment not FB user)
2. “LIKE” Michele Saulson Designs on Facebook.
3. Visit Michele Saulson Designs and tell us your favorite design.

That’s it!! Easy as 1,2, 3. Giveaway entry ends November 22, 2012,11:59PM Eastern Time

Restrictions:

Valid U.S./Can residents only

18 years of age

(If you may be interested in collaborating with A.F.F. on a giveaway, please contact me at marybeth.rust@gmail.com)

This Weeks Boutique Finds

Enjoy this weeks Boutique finds. More where these came from. 

E Mag: Mini Break Reads

If you’re headed on a minibreak or holiday and didn’t have time to download the must read, here are 2 e-mags you can peruse on your journey. They are web accessible and are chock full of awesome trends and fall fashion highlights. 

Enjoy your lazy reads! 

E-mags to include:

Rue Magazine

Sweet Paul

Covet Garden

Matchbook

Color alert: Going…Going…Green

Can’t get green off my mind. Everywhere I look I’m loving every shade of lime to mint to retro avocado. Anywhere between a hint of parsley and kelley is where you’ll find me living this season. I’m not typically a green girl, so the media has taken over my senses. Here are some of the greens that are inspiring me as of late.

RETRO FIND

THESE CAN BE RENTED.

If you’re having a holiday party this year &

you live in the UK (you know who you are), this GLISS chair would be a show stopper. To find it permanently in your collection you can find it here.

NONCOMMITTAL POP of COLOR 

Stack on a staircase or hang from a chandelier

 

Splash of Life in the Snow. Thank You MARC JACOBS. 

T TahariDark Tote | Mint Tote | Cala and Jade Kelley Green Tote | Fossil Bucket Bag

I’m going to find a wall in my house to paint GREEN.  Stay tuned.

 Parker Zip Jacket | Michele Saulson Necklace| Target Stud earrings| MIA loafers | House of Harlow Bangle

The Process: Conception to resolution

One thing I love more than Art, is the process for which it is created. Sometimes more creativity thrives from viewing the idea from conception to resolution, rather than the finished product. I don’t think any artist ever resolves their work though. It is ever tumbling around in their mind as to how it can improved. Anyway, I came across this image of a spiraling sculpture being built in South Korea  in 2011 and it was really amazing to see the in’s and out’s of how it’s created.

Polls: What I wore to keep warm

 

Standing in line for an hour was well worth the little push of a button. Small effort makes a big difference. Got my sticker and stayed warm. Here’s what I wore.

Similar Look: faux fur vest// crochet sweater// mint denim trousers// flat brown boots // prada bag // classic v-neck tee

Vested Interest: For Him & Her

Now that the weather is changing and we’re going from cold air to blasting heat. Here are a few vests that are easy to shed and simple to carry. options for fall. 

Faux Fur vest options (clockwise) : Guess Vest // Express Vest // Pin and Needles Vest // BeBe reverseible cream vest 

Mens vest options (clockwise): Denim Vest // Mullen Army Vest // Rothwell Black Vest // Bellfield Ortler Vest

Above photo: similar necklace pictured here and fossil necklace here // striped button down // nashelle inital necklace

 

For more Trends, visit my Currently Obssessed page.

 

Michele Saulson: Vintage is the new Black

En Lieu of Daylight savings, I wanted to save this beautiful designer for a a day when we all have a little extra time for a spotlight. I recently caught up with Jewelry Designer Michele Saulson and she has been so lovely, to take some time and give us a little perspective on where her creativity comes from and how she stumbles on her vintage finds. Here’s what she had to say.

Vintage is the new Black. Well not really “new” new, but hotter now than when I raided my dad’s closet in 1985 for his suit and tie from 1953 to dress up as Pee Wee Herman for Halloween.

Or maybe it’s just taken on a new level. Is it the thrill of the hunt? Knowing that the treasure is one of a kind? For me it’s both of those plus the mystery behind the provenance of the piece. Who was the original owner? Where was it made? If only these pieces could talk.

Which brings me to my obsession, (I have a few these days) with vintage buttons. Yes, something as small and seemingly bland as a button – I learned – has a subculture of historians, collectors and societies. More important to me though, is the hunt for these incredible baubles. Many that I have used in my jewelry designs date back 100 years with a craftsmanship that today would be reserved for a piece of fine jewelry.

I love the thrill of scavenging through bins and boxes searching for bits of Deco, Art Neauveau, enamel, cut steel. Knowing, that when these buttons were fabricated, they were treasured so much for their beauty that they would be transferred from one article of clothing to another. My most recent purchase included a beautiful button from the late 1700’s (for which I paid a pretty penny and am reserving for my private collection).

The connections I have made with store owners, who are thrilled to see my passion as they relinquish these gems to me. To know they are safe and will be crafted into something truly beautiful for another generation to enjoy. I love passing that on.  ~Michele Saulson

The Designer

Not only is Michele using the past to pave a future in Jewelry design, but she is also using her creativity for a Cause. One of her pieces is a part of the Pink Fund project  and because Breast Cancer month has just ended, we need to keep the awareness going. %20 of the purchase of Michele’s Rhodonite Wrap Bracelet goes to the Pink Funds fight against Breast Cancer. Click below for how to purchase. 

All images via Michele Saulson Design. Click for pieces from her lookbook,  Fall 2012 and Spring 2013 collections.