NYE 2010

Thanks to the exciting recent discovery that Ted Baker - a London-based brand - opened a store here in Chicago, my New Year's Eve getup is decided. I purchased this flirty, ruffled black minidress for half-off and will accessorize with items I already own to complete the look. The gold mesh clutch shown here is not the exact one I have, but it's similar. I bought mine from Express for a measly $5 years ago, and it's gotten me through many nights when my all-black ensembles needed that something extra. I'm heading out shortly to get my nails done, and I think the light pink of Essie's Sugar Daddy will soften the otherwise bold black and gold outfit. Want to know a secret? I haven't had a manicure since my friend's wedding in August. It's long overdue, and I am excited.

1. Ted Baker Neuva dress | 2. Gold mesh clutch | 3. Nine West black leather pump | 4. Kate Spade single ball earrings | 5. Essie Sugar Daddy nail polish

I won't be writing again until after the weekend, so I hope you all have a super fun holiday, and Happy New Year!

Berkeley Hills Blue

When it came to redecorating their dated kitchen, these Berkeley homeowners relied on the oldest trick in the book: paint the old cabinets a fun color. The teal blue color of the cabinets mirrors the cool blue hue of the Bay in the distance. Can you imagine waking up every morning to homemade cappuccino and that view? Sigh.

Christmas Treats in Three Parts

It's true what they say: some of the best gifts are homemade. Here I present a trio of Christmas sweet treats that I helped my mom gift wrap last week. The gift consists of equal parts homemade candied pecans, Williams-Sonoma Peppermint Bark (although this can easily be made at home), and homemade English toffee that my mom purchases from a woman in the town. It is hands down the best English toffee you've ever had, and Rebecca, the woman who makes it, will gladly ship it anywhere (see pricing below).

We purchased the plastic bags from the Container Store, divvied the candy up evenly, and tied them with green ribbon. One of each treat went into a gift bag, and voila! Christmas Cheer served up right.

As I mentioned above, I highly recommend ordering Rebecca's Toffee. It is a family favorite of ours, and my mom has to order an additional small box to prevent us from eating the toffee that's meant for gifts. It makes an excellent hostess gift or a tasty party favor. As I mentioned earlier, she ships anywhere.

You can also email Rebecca at rebeccastoffee@att.net

Two-pound box: $44

One-pound box: $22

Half-pound box: $12

Quarter-pound box: $9

*Small party favors: $5

*great for dinner parties or bridal and baby showers

LCY Shops: Elizabeth Cole jewelry

I am so happy Liz from A Happy Haven introduced me to the fabulousness that is Elizabeth Cole jewelry. I feel like a complete nincompoop for not knowing about this brilliant jewelry designer, because I've fallen in love with almost every piece in her collection. The intricate and original designs of her line allow you to glam up your evening ensemble while simultaneously channeling your inner rock star. Behold.

1. Blue crystal mohawk earrings | 2. Turquoise crystal mohawk earrings | 3. Fish earrings | 4. Ombra Bacall earrings | 5. Mini mohawk posts | 6. XOXO earrings

LCY Christmas Gram

New Column: Stylish with Pets

I've been asked by Canadian-based Animality Pet Magazine to write a monthly column on living stylishly with pets. I'm so excited to let you know that the first post is up today. Entitled A Tartan Holiday, I've compiled a product round-up featuring some of my favorite pet products for the cold wintery months, including these custom ceramic ornaments that sell for a mere $4 a piece! Please show your support and check out the post; you just may find something for the furry friend in your life.

LCY Shops: Gold flatware

Gold flatware makes my heart skip a beat. Its warm hue is unexpected and unconventional, but it looks stunning atop a wooden table or crisp white linens. I've been seeing more of it these past few months with holiday tabletop ideas, but I think this could easily transition into the warmer months, paired with cool blues and hot pinks. If and when I decide to retire my Target flatware set, I think I'll be investing in some shimmery gold utensils. Glam up the morning cereal, I say.

1. Bamboo Flatware from Neiman Marcus | 2. Oneida gold flatware |

3. Mepra Ice Oro flatware from Barney's | 4. Sun-tipped silverware from Anthropologie

images via Lonny, Coco + Kelley

Sugar Paper

The custom letterpress invitation shop, Sugar Paper, offers stationary and other fun paper goods at a reasonable price. Monogrammed stationary, letterpress to-do lists, polka-dotted coasters, and sparkly gift tags are a few of my favorites goodies in their online shop. They make great gifts for the ladies in your life. And yes, it's too late for this Christmas, but these products are also great as a New Year's gift, birthday gift, or just because!

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Holidaaaaay!

My weekend went something like this...

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Only there was less sitting, more dancing. How about all of you?

Good news is I am off work this week and next - Holidaaaaay! Bad news is blogging and freelance work never stops. So I am sorry for another short post. I am still lingering in a post-wine coma from the weekend, sipping my latte, and not wanting to be at my desk right now. Regular posting will resume tomorrow! Although, I find the image above and song below as inspirational as any other.

It's time for the good times!

Forget about the bad times!

We need a holidaaaay!

Sing it with me!

Room with a View

Why is the time right before the holidays is the busiest time of year? And I don't even mean shopping and decorating and partying. I mean work. I have had more on my plate the past two weeks than I've had all year - both with my day job and my freelance work. I am talking 12+ hours a day in front of my beloved iMac. Fortunately, I love my office, but this week, I find myself yearning for... a view. Yeah. That's it. All I want is an old oversized desk in front of a spectacular, awe-inspiring view.

I hope you all have a happy last weekend before Christmas! I will be at my desk most of the time, interrupted with two breaks tonight and tomorrow night for heavy wine consumption. Hey - it's the holidays. Cheers!

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Mom's New House: family room inspiration

Swedish interiors are the main inspiration for my mom's new home. Almost every room will consist of light grey walls, neutral colored furnishings, natural woods, and an abundance of white. Sounds easy enough. Until you realize her current family room couch is black. Buying a new couch would be pretty ridiculous seeing as the quality is still good, and quite frankly, custom slipcovers can be a bit pricey. So, despite the big bad couch, I've planned a room around it, incorporating all of the design elements she wants. Here's what I've got planned:

1. wooden wall clock | 2. wood gallery frames | 3. French linen pillows | 4. jute rug | 5. floor lamp | 6. candlesticks | 7. coffee table | 8. sweep armchair | 9. Nest Bamboo scent candle

*Note: all items can be purchased online and are under $500, so if you're looking for a new look in your home, feel free to use this one!

Hollywood Heartbreak

With recent news of one shocking Hollywood breakup after the other (side note: Ryan Reynolds and Zac Efron both just became single), I'm reminded of this stunning photo shoot from the July 2005 issue of W Magazine. Brad Pitt codirected this lengthy photo series entitled Domestic Bliss. Photographed by Steven Klein, Pitt and Angelina Jolie portrayed a married couple with five children in the 1960s facing the demise of their seemingly perfect relationship. The bevy of children and the backyard snapshots are a bit eery if you ask me. If these two do eventually split up, I believe this would be one of the weirdest coincidences of life imitating art. Premonitory or not, this photo shoot is visually stunning, and I'd encourage you to check out the other dozen or so photos at W Magazine's website.

LCY Shops: West Elm Porcelain Kitchenware

It doesn't get much cuter than this porcelain kitchenware from West Elm. Replace those disposable paper and plastic containers with these longer-lasting and prettier porcelain lookalikes. A few of these items would also make a great gift to anyone who's starting out on their own and probably lives off actual paper plates. I'm guessing we all know someone like that (aka that was me last Christmas).

1. Petit four tray | 2. Canister jars | 3. Egg carton | 4. Serving trays | 5. Salt + pepper cellars | 6. Plates and bowls

LCYgraphics Presents: A Happy Haven

Sorry for the late post. I've been a busy bee making over other blogs! How pretty did this one turn out? Liz is a friend from high school and she reached out to me to spruce up her new style blog, A Happy Haven. I was so thrilled to see her inspiration: polka dots, floral wallpapers, feminine script fonts, and my favorite color, yellow!

If you're in the market for a blog redesign, email me at alaina.lcy@gmail.com for prices.

Happy Monday!

Y-E-L-L-O-W

Tiffany yellow diamonds. They do exist.