wisteria wishlist, selling my mirror, and an exciting apartment update!

table | mirror | chair | chest

If you recall my inspiration for my new ladyplace, I am picturing... a few new investment pieces of furniture, gilded mirrors, and sprinkles of pink and whimsy. The perfect feminine abode. Imagine my delight when I perused Wisteria and found a bevy of great options! Not all exactly in budget, but I think that mirror is going to have to be mine...

Which means I'm selling my current mirror.

If you live in Chicago and are interested - let me know! It's large and has to be leaned since it's super old and the back is kinda sorta... well, let's just call it not stable. $60 - cash and carry. Email me! Must pick up this week. -- SOLD

And I have some GREAT news... I emailed the new landlord and showed them my previous home tours (notably the bathroom before and after), and they are on board with me painting the kitchen cabinets white! Thank goodness because this isn't blowin' my skirt up...

Off to google "cabinet painting tips." Gulp.

And just when I tell the boys to dress all classy-like...

...I say this in the next breath.

I fully support cheeky style for the ladies. How flippin cute are these silly sweaters?! Sad bunny? Tiny hearts? French boys and a ginormous "A" for Alaina? I need to get my butt to Topshop!

bunny | hearts | french boys | "A"

Speaking of cheeky, I've also developed a slight obsession over this "LUST" pillow. Kind of need it on my bed.

Would it be funny? Or just hoochy? But like a classy hoochy since it's JonnyAdler. I'm hoping the first option. Feel free to weigh in in the comments!

Sparkly Orbs

The most recent addition to my Christmas wish list is this sparkly orb in gold! The ash wood knob is hallowed out then filled with either gold, silver, or black glitter. I love the combination of the natural wood element with the glam metallic sparkles, and each one is individually made, so no two are exactly alike. While I would obviously hang it from my Christmas tree during the holidays, I'd find a place to keep this sparkly friend up year-round!

Wish List: Blu Dot Strut Table

Leave it to Jenna Lyons to find the most perfect desk for her office at J.Crew. Blu Dot's lacquered, steel "Strut Table" is available in four sizes - small, medium, large, and extra-large - and is marketed as both a dining table or a desk. Jenna, of course, has the large version that retails for $1099, but given the size of my petite home office, I'd love the 56" medium table in white.

images via 1, 2, 3-5

Gingham Delight

Despite the snow piling up outside my window, I look at this bright gingham pattern and I'm reminded of a picnic in the park on a sunny summer's day. The navy and white combination adds the perfect amount of charm to any table setting, and I think they would look particularly good paired with my faux bamboo flatware (you may remember we used it at my sister's beach wedding this past summer). A set of four napkins is available from Etsy seller Sewn Natural for $30. I'd like to snatch these up and think of warmer days to come.

If Christmas Came in April...

...these items would be on my wish list.

In other words, Alaina has blogger's block today and can't think of what to post. So here are some random goodies!

For me

DVF African Sugar-print Bag

In your dreams, A. - says my subconcious

Jelly Thora

Have these. Love these.

ZigZag Earrings

created by a Chicago jewelry designer and they're zig zag. what's not to love?

Lois Dress

ooo lala perfection

Chino Shorts in fun colors

to spice up my collection of black tops

Hoola Bronzer by Benefit

because I pinky swore to myself I'd keep my skin out of sun (less than I used to)

Lip Slip

I have this - it's the bomb diggity.

Kate Spade makeup case

for the gagillion weekend trips I'll be taking to see friends and family wed

For my home

Vintage Keys

to hang on my black wall

Sun-tipped Silverware

to replace my 40-pieces for $50 Target collection

SATC bookmarks

because I need to get through some more books this summer and because I am SO psyched for the sequel

Stripey Straws

for drinking lemonade

French Ferris Wheel

like the scene in The Notebook : )

What's on your summer wish list?

To Mecca and Back: West Elm Opens in Chicago!

Dear Readers,

Yesterday was the best day. Why, you ask? Oh, I don't know... because a West Elm opened up in downtown Chicago! I was fortunate enough to be invited to the press tour (led by West Elm creative director Alex Bates and executive vice president Jim Brett) and the exclusive cocktail party last night.

Please. Hear me. If you live in the Chicagoland region - hell, if you live in the Midwest! - or you just happen to be visiting Chi-town sometime soon, stop in. At over 20,000 sq. ft., the Lincoln Park store has all the items we've been lusting over in the blogosphere since the spring line debuted a few weeks ago. I'm talking safari rug, sweep armchair, yellow, yellow, and more yellow (see below for proof!) It's actually kind of gross how many times I heard myself saying, "I want that!" "Ooo this is so cool! I want it!" "Nate, wouldn't this look great in the living room? Let's get it!" "Oh my gosh, I need this!" A stranger actually remarked after he heard three rapid-fire "I wants" fly out of my mouth. I kept my lustful thoughts to myself after that.

And so you know, the first 150 customers to visit the store will receive a one-of-a-kind letterpress print of a Chicago landmark. So what are you waiting for? Go!

If you are one of my many readers who does not reside in or near Chicago, I do apologize. From the bottom of my heart, I apologize. I am sorry you don't get to experience the bliss that is 20,000+ sq. ft. of great affordable design. But perhaps the bevy of photographs I took of the store will brighten your day! Or just reinforce your jealousy that this massive West Elm did not just open in a city near you... either way! Please join me while we take a virtual tour of what I am now referring to as my personal Mecca.

(below) Feels like spring when you enter the store... customers are greeted by a wave of yellow!

(below) My favorite parsons desk is now available in YELLOW!

(below) And not far behind is a sea of grey and blue...

(below) this glass link chandelier is fantastic! definitely recommend it for anyone in the market

(below) origami birds flutter above the organic cotton bedding. beautyful.

again if you're in the market, both my bff and my sis have purchased these pin-tuck duvets and only have great things to say. and at $99, you can't beat the price point.

(below) geometric shelving throughout the store provides the perfect display space for the various accessories: baskets, trays, and lamps galore! truly a feast for the eyes.

(below) a few reasons why I love West Elm

All in the details....

(below) sparkly pillows = love

(below) obsessed with these horns. pretty sure these will sell out quickly as will the plates and serving utensils of the same material.

most objects shown above can be found via the following links:

dinnerware, lighting, poufs, pillows, rugs

Tuesday's Opening Event Cocktail Party

I am so happy at the success of this event. The place was PACKED. The line at the checkout counter was wrapping around the beautiful furniture, colorful accessories, and recycled glassware. There were at least 15 valet attendants. And let me tell you, there was plennnnnty of wine. (Note** the store is about 5 times as wide as what you're seeing here.)

(below) While I was waiting for my coat, I sat in my new favorite chair - it's as comfortable as it is beautiful - and discovered my new favorite book, Inspired Styles. This *yellow* book features personal snippets and design advice from the world's top designers including Barbara Barry and Kelly Wearstler. It is now on my wish list.

(below) For the big event, West Elm teamed up with The School of the Art Institute of Chicago and featured a selection of students' work, all of which was for sale last night and will be throughout the month of February. Proceeds contribute a student scholarship at the school, and all the featured art was created by recipients of said scholarship.

Best moment of the night.

Here's a pic of me with West Elm royalty, Alexandra Bates (on my right/viewer's left). Alex is the creative director - the brilliance - behind the West Elm brand. She travels the world utilizing her keen eye to search for inspiring people, places, and things. After a lot of mental creative processing, she sorts through her ideas and works with a team in the States on how best to transfer her beautiful, unique, and ethnic finds into affordable pieces for design obsessors like you and me. Pictured with Alex and me are Kendall and Abigail, the friendly and fabulous PR duo of West Elm. Thanks again, girls, for including me in this amazing event!

*all photos are my own*

Bravo to all of you! It was a success to say the least!

**Similar Pottery Barn story coming up on Friday!**