Staying at the Avenue

I plan on spending my entire weekend in the city. That's right. I am removing myself from the green, happy place that is Clarendon Hills where children frolic happily in the streets and people leave their doors unlocked.

I'm thinking... cocktails, dancing, beach, walks on the lakefront, more cocktails, and sleeping in at this four-star hotel, AVENUE Hotel.

Hotel lobby. Love the Barcelona love seats. Could do with different rugs.

I spy a zebra accent chair.

A bity Euro trendy for me. Then again it is a lounge.

Macs make me smile.

How sweet would this be if I was five? Or had a 5-year-old?

(Weird. I retract that last statement.)

sigh

double sigh

As always, happy weekend!

Design Challenge: A City Girl's Apartment part deux

Based on yesterday's post, I had another friend ask for the same thing.

Apartment living.

Girl in her twenties.

What could be better than classic greys with pink and white accents?

Again, click on image to get details of pricing and where to buy.

Girl's Night In by AKaz85 on Polyvore.com

Still have to work on a purple room. I know this.

Design Challenge: A City Girl's Apartment

My best friend who's moving into a studio at the end of August told me she's having trouble finding new bedding. We agreed that because it's a studio, the look of the bed has to coincide with the look of the whole place. Tricky. She said she liked the idea of green - doesn't matter what shade. Or purple. And I had to work around a brown couch that is coming to the new place.

As for the green bedding, I went with a personal favorite. The Caroline duvet from Serena and Lily. It's fun, feminine, and bright - all things that epitomize my friend. I included a teal blue shade to better compliment the brown sofa. I think this room feels summery year-round. A much-needed atmosphere for bitter Chicago winters.

Click on the image to see details on where to buy.

City Girl's Apartment by AKaz85 on Polyvore.com

Stay tuned. Purple room to follow.

Designers I Love: Mabley Handler Interior Design

Hamptons-based designers, Jennifer Mabley and husband Austin Handler, have quite the portfolio. They capture the very essence of a beach house while carefully altering it to portray the luxury that is the Hamptons. I'd love to curl up in any of these rooms after a long day in the sun. Mabley Handler evokes a feeling of blue skies, salty air, and a warm sea breeze while abstaining from the use of miniature wooden sailboats and nautical stripes.

images from Mabley Handler Interior Design

Seeing Stripes: Loving Zebra Print

I went into Papyrus yesterday -- anyone else love paper stores as much as me? -- and fell in love with a set of zebra-print embossed notecards (shown later). I've realized just how much I love the pattern, and not just for desk accessories, but in all matters of design: fashion, work, and home. I definitely favor the toned-down version of the funky, bold print, preferring it in shades of light brown or grey. But when done in just the right amount, i.e. an accessory or a single piece of furniture in a room, even the traditional black and white stripe makes me swoon.

How striking is this zebra paired with yellow?

I don't care for the table. I think it's a little too much of the overdone Tuscan look. But the glass-doored fridge, oven range, and wall color are all perfect with the chairs.

I love the mix of old and new in this space. The moldings, charcoal occasional chair, fireplace mantel, and kitchen cabinets are all traditional paired with the contemporary bar stools, leather sofa, and zebra ottoman.

This room screams Upper East Side. But maybe that's just me.

Add Some Stripes to Your Life

For Your Desk

I saw these notecards at Papyrus yesterday and fell in love. Unfortunately, because I have no immediate use for them, I couldn't bring myself to fork out $20 for 10 notecards. Such is life.

Crane Letterpress Notecards

Zebra Business Card Case

Weekly Calendars

For Your Home

Must. Have. This. Bench.

Perfect light brown hue. Gorgeous "X" woodwork.

Zebra Bench

Occasional Chair

Pottery Barn Eton Cube

West Elm Zebra Rug

Neutral Zebra Rug

West Elm Zebra Pillow

Zazendi Makeup Cases

Pottery Barn Towels

For Your Closet

Amazingly understated. Love.

Stella McCartney Clutch

This dress pretty much guarantees a fun night out.

TIBI Spiral Zebra Dress

Torn by Ronny Kobo tank

Ooo la la. A sexy onepiece is hard to come by. But with the plunging neckline, funky pattern, and oh-so-low scoop back (click on link to see), this will have heads turning.

Rachel Pally Swimsuit

Shoe lust.

Manolo Blahnik d'Orsay heels

(unfortunately no longer available. these babies sold out right away)

BCBGirls Heels

Sigerson Morrison flats