Fashion vs Furnishings | 4.29.11 wedding edition

fashion | decor

THE CHALLENGE:

It's the big day.

Do you splurge more on the dress and shoes,

or the venue and decor?

And a post wouldn't be complete today without a photo of the beautiful Princess Catherine. Can I call her that now? I'm not sure how that works... My favorite part of the gown designed by Sarah Burton, head of Alexander McQueen, is the lace covering her upper back. It's feminine and exquisite, and she looks perfectly lovely. And I am so excited at the thought of a resurgence in bridal gowns with sleeves. I think it's an elegant look perfect for more traditional brides.

photo source

Just like peppermint ice cream.

Ohhh I cannot get enough of this delightful color combination. It's monopolizing my Pinterest page like Bieber on a Tiger Beat cover. Of course, this is better. Minty green paired with blush pink reminds me of a big bowl of peppermint ice cream. It works in fashion, interiors, and graphic design. And as you can see, when paired with other bold or dark colors - black is always a safe bet - it avoids looking like the inside of a nursery. Don't believe me? Check out the beautifulness that is the Peppermint Bliss blog, designed by yours truly for my girl, B.

See? Ain't it perty?

Photo sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

Peek Inside My Medicine Cabinet

...my super cool vintage medicine cabinet! Gosh, I bought this thing at an antique store in Richmond two... three years ago. Maybe. Doesn't matter. And it sat in a box in my mom's basement with a bunch of other items I'd forgotten about. Then this past winter, as you may recall, my mom moved. Which meant I had to sort through those boxes and take most of them to live with me at my apartment. Translation: a lot of precious memories got thrown away. Translation: Stuff I thought was a precious memory but was actually crap, just like my mom said it was, got thrown away. Touche, mom. Translation: Listen to your mother. Moving on... I found this charming guy and thought how I could put him to use instead of hiding him away for a few more years. So I threw two nails into the wall above the latrine, plopped it up there, and tada! Extra bathroom storage! Which all of us apartment-dwellers know is a luxury.

p.s. West Elm, my hand towels and bath mat are really starting to look desperate. Please re-continue this line so I can buy new, fluffy, unfaded linens.

*Note: the mirrors above the sink are also a medicine cabinet. But it's untidy contents are staying hidden from your eyes for now.

'Serts are what I call desserts.

'Serts are what I call desserts.
Tre-tre's are entrees.
I call sandwiches sammies, sandoozles, or adamsandlers.
Air conditioners are cool blasterz with a "z." I don't know where that came from.
I call cakes big ole' cookies.
I call noodles long-ass rice.
Fried chicken is fry-fry chicky-chick.
Chicken parm is chicky-chicky parm-parm.
Chicken cacciatore... chicky catch.
I call eggs pre-birds... or future birds.
Root beer is super water.
Tortillas are bean blankies.
And I call forks food rakes.
- Tom Haverford's food slang from Parks and Recreation

1. Because some things are too good not to share.

2. Because someone had to transcribe this brilliance so I can start quoting it on a regular basis. Thank you, self.

3. If you don't already watch Parks and Rec, start. Now.

Don't know why there's no sun up in the sky...

... stormy weather.

What a gloomy Monday. I wish I could embrace it like this happy-faced, yellow-haired lady. But after working all weekend, I'd much prefer some fresh air and sunshine streaming through my office window instead of the sound of cars swishing through puddles. Fortunately, I'm putting my new wellies to good use! 

How was everyone's weekend? From what I can tell, the rest of the world is enjoying 70-degree temperatures, boat rides, and hints of a summer tan on their faces.

Are you there, summer? It's me, Alaina.

Photo sources: 1, 2

Fashion vs Furnishings | 4.22.11

boots | mat

THE CHALLENGE:

April showers call for the proper gear.

Classic Hunter Wellies to prevent wet toes outside,

or a monogrammed mat to keep to your floors dry inside.

Which would you choose?

see sources for last week's fashion vs. furnishings here

alaina's notebook: navy + coral

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9

Last night while watching Glee, I found myself completely mesmerized by the beautiful color combination seen on Mercedes Jones while she sang at the end of the episode. Her sparkly navy dress lit up on stage and her soft pink lipgloss highlighted her lovely face while she belted out Aretha's Ain't No Way. The colors looked stunning against her soft brown skin and left me frantically Googling "coral and navy" color combinations. I present to you those findings in today's edition of Alaina's notebook.

....and for those of you who missed it or don't watch Glee anymore - because let's be honest, it's been lacking this season with every episode turning into a public service announcement to today's youth on the effects of bullying... we get it. Bullying sucks and jerks in high school grow up to be nobodies anyway - here is Mercedes' beautiful performance.

Presenting LCYgraphics.com

It's FINALLY here! LCYgraphics.com! Where all of your graphic design dreams come true... go on check it out. You can see my graphic design portfolio, as well as my styling and interior design portfolio. Here are a few recent projects I've worked on because I just love a good before and after.

The Spice Loft Project

Things That Sparkle

Twenty One Two Designs Inc.

I'd have to say the coolest part about my job is that most of my clients are women starting their own businesses - interior designers, event planners, and even a couple women with plans to open their own shop! I'm so honored to have helped create a look for them and their new brands, and I can't wait to watch all of them grow and succeed. So what are you waiting for? Go check out the new site! And if you feel so inclined, hire me for all your graphics needs. : )

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And I am also sending you over to my friend Danielle's site today where I am featured in her "Girls Who Inspire" series and you'll find not one, but two Tina Fey references. Wow. To think that I inspire anyone is such an honor. Thank you, Danielle!

An Apple a Day

...makes the best kitchen accessory.

Amazing news! I am finally having my apartment professionally photographed. So naturally my head is all flustered with plans on how to style it. I'm not doing anything extravagant - mostly purchasing fresh flowers and a few prettier looking bottles of booze for the bar in my dining room. Timeout. Yes, some bottles are prettier than others. Bombay Sapphire. Tangueray. St. Germain. Pretty much anything colored or that has a fancy label. Ok, time in. One item on my list of things to buy is a bunch of green apples. I usually have some in my kitchen anyway - Granny Smith apples and crunchy peanut butter... mmm - but I want to grab a few more because a grouping of that muted lime green is oh-so pretty against white cabinets. In other news, who's excited to finally see my kitchen makeover?

Photo sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

One Isn't Always The Loneliest Number

In the ENTRYWAY:

...for tying shoes or getting those pesky rainboots on and off.

In the BEDROOM:

...to double as a nightstand or extra storage.

At your DESK:

...pretty self-explanatory.

In the KITCHEN:

...when you want to try the mismatched seating look.

In the BATHROOM:

...to use as a towel table.

We all know that buying groups of 2 or more chairs for a dining table can cost a small fortune. But every once in a while, a chair comes along that you fall in love with, a la the hot pink Thonet chair from Friday's Fashion vs Furnishings. And you want more than anything for one of those beautiful, four-legged creatures to come live at your house. But, as I saw from several of your comments on Friday's post, you might be unsure of how to utilize a single chair all by its lonesome. Above are several examples of how a chair can stand alone: as seating in an entryway, as a nightstand next to your bed, as a desk chair, around a table with other mismatched chairs, or in the bathroom where it can hold towels or toiletries next to the tub. Proving that one isn't always the loneliest number, but rather quite a practical one.

So for those of you chose the clutch on Friday, have I convinced you to reconsider?

Photo sources: Lonny Mag, Elle Decor, Rue, Apartment Therapy, Interiors Porn, Solid Frog 1, 2, From Me To You

Fashion vs Furnishings | 4.15.11

clutch | chair

THE CHALLENGE:

A neon pop to wow with your bright bottoms

or a fun, fresh take on a classic design.

Which would you buy?

see sources for last week's fashion vs. furnishings here

The Marketing Genius that is J.Crew

Oh, the marketing team at J.Crew is at it again... this time replacing cutie celebrities with cuties on their own payroll. That's right. Allow me to introduce the men behind the lens. In a series entitled The Highlight Reel, J.Crew's website currently features a selection of their photographers modeling spring menswear. With their disheveled hair, requisite facial scruff, and charming smirks, Mark, Justin, Jason, and Stephan will have girlfriends, wives, and boyfriends around the country trying to replicate this dapper-yet-cool look on their own men. And they will fail. Because let's face it. Their men are not J.Crew photographers. Which I just decided might be one of the sexier jobs out there.

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8

So for the non-creative but really sweet yet fashion clueless man in your life, I recommend a few basics to get him through the warmer weekends ahead.

Bright Bottomed Girls, you make the rockin' world go round.

1 | 2 | 3 | 4

I never in a million bagillion years thought I'd be tempted to buy bright-colored pants as much as I am right now. I mean, these ladies are killing it. And the best part is that none of them keep it simple. I can imagine little old me putting on a pair of hot pink pants would probably think, "Hmm.. what does this go with? Black v-neck, black trench, black heels. Maybe gold heels? No... better keep it black just in case." Laaaaame. These woman paired stripes with neon and fur with flats and polka dots with more neon and practically sprinkled rainbow Skittles on top. And is it just me, or does it look better with the more accessories they have on? Trench coats, scarves, hats, sandals, sunglasses, chunky jewelry. These bright-bottomed women are owning their bold, eye-catching looks, and they have me wanting to join the club. Bravo, ladies.

After doing some quick recon, I found Zara not only offers the most options when it comes to colorful pantaloons but the most affordable also. Save for the sunny yellow stems which are Tory Burch, pants 1, 2 and 4 are Zara. And there are even more styles in more colors on the website. Ch-ch-check it out.

So come on folks, fess up. Would you try this look? And if so, would you pull "an Alaina" and only pair the fun pants with black and white pieces?

Photo sources: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10