good words.

Fashion vs Furnishings | 10.29.10

THE CHALLENGE:

Do I buy the perfect holiday dress or a new rug for my dining room?
*note this is one I am currently debating for myself so I need advice!

dress | rug

one girl, her room || 10.28.10

girl | room

The Girl: She works two jobs to afford Brooklyn rent, but she wouldn't live anywhere else. Her favorite things are weekday concerts, sweet potato fries, menswear, and Prospect Park in the fall.
Her Room: Her ground floor studio is filled to the brim with pattern and color, family hand-me-downs and vintage second-hand purchases. She looks at her night stand and smiles, remembering sleepovers at grandma's when she was a little kid.

LCY Listens: Mumford and Sons

One of my favorite recurring moments in life is when Nate enters my office, takes over my keyboard, and states confidently: "I have a song for you." When it turns out that I do in fact love the song, I typically add it to my playlist, listen to it on a constant loop for several months, and there it will stay until I get sick of it.

A more recent addition to my playlist are several songs by the band Mumford and Sons, my favorite of which is Little Lion Man. This is the tune Nate came to me with, and I was immediately captivated by the song's bold sound; the perfect pluck pluck pluck of the string instruments combines with the lead singer's rough voice to make this a bit of rock/bit of folk musical combo. Adding to the quality of the music is the beautiful art direction of the video itself. Of course, it helps that the four scruffy-bearded musicians look like they fell out of the movie Newsies. Helloooo vests. But the lighting, the setting, the angles, the dramatic motions of their playing make each and every frame a carefully thought-out photograph. See below.

Gorgeous, right? I've watched this video repeatedly and notice something new and beautiful each time. If it's not your kind of music - well, first I say what?!? how?!? shame on you - but at least watch 2:30-3:30. Between the flickering lighting, the close-up of the fingers strumming, and the four figures passionately hunched over playing their instruments, it reminds me of watching an old film. The perfect harmonization of four handsome singers never hurt, either. Oh. And they're British. : )

Second favorite song: White Blank Page


Third favorite song: The Cave


You can find a few more on my playlist, but to be honest, I recommend going on iTunes and buying their album. Enjoy!

LCY SHOPS: Singing in the Rain

Very apropos for today's apocalyptic weather in the Chicagoland area. It's never good waking up to "severe rain, tornado warnings, and the strongest wind gusts we've had in 70 years." So glad I had my yellow wellies to take the dogs out in this morning. The dogs weren't as content, however.

1. Tory Burch Jacquard | 2. Sperry® Top-sider | 3. Chooka Plaid | 4. Burberry Shimmer Check | 5. Aigle® Equibelle | 6. Ralph Lauren Tartan | 7. Target Ditsy Dot

1. Lands End | 2. Hunter | 3. Mod Baltic | 4. Bella Pagoda | 5. Kate Spade

Designers I Love: Grant K. Gibson

I had the pleasure of meeting designer Grant K. Gibson when I was in San Francisco a couple of weeks ago. Grant was named one of Elle Decor's up-and-coming designers in their 2010 A-List issue, and after a quick glance at his apartment, it's easy to see why. How one takes a San Francisco rental unit and turns it into what resembles a luxurious English country estate is beyond me. His carefully curated and perfectly paired furnishings make this new designer look like a seasoned vet.

via

I also had to show you the sneak peaks Grant has been sharing of this room he is designing for a teenage girl. Pink moldings? Zebra headboards? Where was this inspiration when I was 15?!
via

good words.

Fashion vs Furnishings | 10.22.10

THE CHALLENGE:

Do you save and splurge on your dream bag or

save and splurge on your dream sofa?

bag | sofa

one girl, her room || 10.21.10

via Vogue UK

The Girl: London fashion's newest It Girl. Her philosophy is to look chic by keeping it simple. She appreciates vintage glamour, a great pair of shoes, and dramatic black accents.

Her Room: Her rented Bloomsbury flat exudes an understated sense of femininity with its light palette. Her home is the quiet and the calm in her new busy lifestyle, so she prefers the decor to be simple and uncluttered. Of course if you look closely, you can spot subtle hints at her country upbringing.

Artist Snapshot: Trent Bailey Photography

I had the pleasure of meeting photographer Trent Bailey when I was in New York last month as he shot two of the events I attended. Now I am completely addicted to his photo blog where he shares sneak peaks of recent wedding and engagement shoots, side projects, and some fun stopwatch videos. Case in point, I loved this charming post he did of two of his friends romping around the big city. Their laughter and style makes me want to go back and visit NYC. Stat.

via

Bippity Boppity Boo: A Cinderella Story Part 2

Oops, I did it again! A flick of my wand and my living room is transformed once again for the changing seasons. (Catch up on the first magical transformation from last spring here.) Pillows, blankets, and pumpkins aside, the biggest change is the coffee table makeover I did over the weekend.

BEFORE: Nate and I bought this table on Craigslist three years ago for a mere $45. I loved it then. I hate it now. The overall size and shape - especially with the lower shelf (not shown here) - is perfect for our needs, but the finish was too red and it just didn't go with all of the white and espresso wood throughout the rest of our apartment. So, I called up my gal Bailey to borrow her electric sander (which I am now convinced I need to invest in), ran to Home Depot for some white paint, and got to work.

STEP 1: Using an electric sander and very course paper, I went over the entire table 2, 3, 4 times to eliminate the varnish, the stain, then whatever leftover marks remained. This was definitely the most difficult part mainly because it took so long. I was sanding for at least an hour, and the table isn't that big.

STEP 2: Clean off the excess dust, then sand the table once again with a very fine sanding paper to smooth out the wood. Once again, clean off all the dust, and look at that beautiful wood!

STEP 3: Using a water-based white paint, I painted a small strip of wood. Immediately after applying a coat to a small section, I took a dry rag and rubbed the paint into the wood, exposing the wood grain and lightening the overall color. Here you can see a section that had just been painted, and the section next to it that I had already rubbed in.

STEP 4: Eventually, I went over the entire table with two coats. With each coat, I used the dry cloth to rub the paint into the wood grain. Seeing the wood gives it more of a rustic feel, which is the look I wanted.

Very Halloween, no? I'll have to switch out the blacks and oranges for emerald greens and sparkles come Christmas time, but I love this for fall! As for the white coffee table, I am in loooove. It's so much more me than the icky red stain it had before. Thoughts?

*couch, pillows, faux fur throw, and paper flowers all West Elm

Also, be sure to visit La Dolce Vita today where I am taking part in the 10 Things I Cannot Live Without series! Can you guess what any of them are before looking?

LCY SHOPS: One Short Day in the Emerald City

I was born and will likely die a devoted yellow girl, but recently, I cannot get enough emerald! I think I need to add a touch to my wardrobe or home for the changing seasons.

1. Kate Spade dress | 2. Elva Fields necklace | 3. Kate Spade bracelet | 4. Diane von Furnstenburg flats | 5. Hunter Wellington boots

1. Chantal tea kettle | 2. Crane stationary | 3. Anthropologie chair | 4. Iomoi coasters | 5. Baccarat glasses

Fashion vs Furnishings | 10.15.10

Cashmere classics from two of my favorites stores.

THE CHALLENGE:

You have $200. Which do you buy?

sweater | throw

That's all folks!

I've decided I will no longer be working on Rue Magazine.

The past few months have been an amazing learning experience -- more so than I ever could have anticipated. I appreciate that you all recognize how much work went into creating the magazine, and I thank you so much for all of the support and encouragement over these past four months. I am so grateful for getting to use my journalism degree, for challenging myself with my writing and design, for traveling to New York and San Francisco, and most importantly, for getting to meet all of the talented, accomplished, inspiring people whose paths I've crossed along the way.

Cheers,

Alaina

one girl, her room || 10.14.10

via Once Wed and Elle Decor

The Girl: A red-headed bride who wears black Vera Wang and cowboy boots to her winter wedding.

Her Room: Similarly, her bedroom is equal parts dramatic and luxurious, while paying homage to her love for the outdoors with natural wood accents, equine decor, and sweeping views.

Lady in Red

I tried on Kate Spade's Essentials Ela Coat on Sunday night, and I was absolutely smitten.

The seductive yet happy shade of red. The black and white polka-dot lining (it's there - trust me). The ultra-feminine silhouette cinched at the waist by the bow detailing. The oversized buttons! Oh - the buttons!

And then I saw it. The looming $700 price tag glaring me in the face.

Le sigh.

LCY in San Francisco

This weekend was round two of Rue in the City, West Coast style. The five of us - Caitlin, Anne, Crystal, Bri, and I - reunited in the Bay Area for photo shoots, another launch party, and of course, to have some fun!

SATURDAY: Photo shoot in the Berkeley Hills wraps with a toast: St. Germain, sparkling rose, and a splash of Pellegrino. Want to know a secret? It tastes like candy.

SATURDAY NIGHT: My birthday celebration at Bin 38. The gals surprised me with tasty cupcakes and the yellow ban.do I've been eyeing!

SUNDAY: After an afternoon of shopping in San Francisco's Pacific Heights neighborhood, we journeyed across the bridge for our launch party at the Kate Spade store in Marin County.

SUNDAY NIGHT: West Coast Launch Party! Here's another secret: Kate Spade stores = toy store for grown-ups. Saturated colors, luxe fabrics, sparkles galore - what's not to love?

Even the boxes are beautiful!

As soon as I walked in, I spotted the much debated and adored saucers.

Katie Armour of The Neotraditionalist attended. Love her blog. Love her outfit. Love her.

The party in review.

MONDAY: I went back to Fillmore Street for some more shopping. I spent at least 20 minutes in my new favorite home store, Nest. The merchandise included darling ceramic accents for entertaining, collage art, French scented candles, John Robshaw quilts, and so much more. I highly recommend stopping in if you're in the neighborhood.

MONDAY: Lunch at Cafe des Amis in the Marina neighborhood...

...with my favorite ladies from Williams-Sonoma, Inc.

TUESDAY MORNING: Back home enjoying some of my new goodies. Behold my new A mug, courtesy of West Elm, and two little items I picked up at Nest.