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

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

If you wanted to buy me a present...

...these would do.

How perfect are these milkglass salad plates? Antique-hunter and wicked talented designer Eddie Ross is selling the set of 8 in his Etsy shop for $80. Who likes me $80 much? Anyone? Anyone?

Amazing randomness.

Can't get enough of this. I'm guessing if you've never seen the show, the season finale would be an EXCELLENT place to start. It's going to be amazing as made evident in this video. Love the dresses. Love the song. Love Finn and Rachel.

...and for MORE finale goodness, listen to the songs they'll be singing. My favorite is Puck and Santana's rendition of Don't Stop Believing, but I'm also a sucker for Somewhere Over the Rainbow and Bohemian Rhapsody. Seriously. How do people not watch this show?! If you like music, you'll like Glee.

And finally, if you liked the black maxi dress from Boden that I was wearing in this picture from The Birdcage post, it's currently 25% off with free shipping! Amazing. Comes in five colors. I think I need the brown and blue paisley because I'm quirky like that.

Guest Blog: LCY on Lanalou Style

Be sure to check out Lanalou Style today. The lovely Lana, who hails from South Africa and always has the most beautiful photographs on her blog, featured me and the items I am currently lusting after as part of her Blogger Wishlist series. You will probably recognize a few of the items from previous posts of mine, but there are some fun, beautiful newbies in there, as well!

Here are some clues to a few of the items I'm wanting at the moment:

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Gwyneth Paltrow on The Marriage Ref wearing a Victoria Beckham dress and Tabitha Simmons Bailee suede shoes

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Meg Ryan circa mid-90s in a promotional shot for one of my top three favorite movies, French Kiss

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Good movie. Better apartment.

Vince Vaughn and Jen Anniston argue over their huge, stylish Chicago apartment in The Break Up

Now I've said my ABC's...

Absolutely loving this birch plywood alphabet by Bookhou. Designers fashioned it with a laser to ensure it would hold as one piece. I think it would be great in a child's room or in an office. And because it's wood, it would be very easy to paint any color to go with the rest of the room's decor. Can't you picture it a bright yellow or red on a black wall? I know I can! And at $50, it would definitely make a statement without breaching the monthly budget.

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It's not about politics, or religion, or the economy.

Loving this.

You know it's a great advertisement when you have goosebumps by the end of it.

Plus I can't get enough of his accent, particularly how he says the word "land."

EAT PRAY LOVE TRAILER!!!

AHHHHH!

AHHHHH!! Javier Bardem as Felipe!? James Franco as David? Richard Jenkins as Richard (my favorite person in the book)?!?! I just got 10,000 times more excited for this.

I kind of wished they cast an unknown actress as Elizabeth Gilbert. See someone "normal" get to love on all these hotties and go to these fabulous destinations. The book was such a success, it still would have had a huge draw. Especially with this male cast.

AMAZING! Thoughts?

Loving.

Thank you, again, new issue of House Beautiful for introducing me to these Rainbow Wood Bowls by Whisk in NYC. This was another favorite of mine from the April magazine (second only to the feature I posted yesterday). Unfortunately you cannot purchase this colorful set online but the pricing information and store number is listed here on Whisk's blog.

Prices range from $6-$30 for the largest of the bunch. You can also find a scoop, a mixing spoon, and wood mortar and pestle all in the striped pattern. Wouldn't these be great to have out holding mixed nuts and chocolate candies while guests arrive for your dinner parties this summer? They'd also be a breath of fresh air as a shower or wedding gift in lieu of another white platter from Crate & Barrel. I know I'd like to unwrap a set of these beauties!

*images from House Beautiful and WhiskNYC*

When did I fall in love with pink?

As a young girl, I always chose purple over pink, insisting my room be painted lilac over the blush tone my mom had picked out when I was too young to decide for myself. For the latter half of my life, I've been a devout yellow girl. But now, I can't help but be tickled every time I see pretty pink things. Well, let me rephrase. It has to be just the right amount and just the right shade and in just the right places for me to coo over it. I can't think of anything worse than too much pink (i.e. did anyone see Ryan and Trista's wedding a few years back? the most poorly spent $4m I've ever seen). But this kitchen. I just had to post it. I love it.

What are your thoughts on pink?

NEWS UPDATE! Don't Shoot the Messenger part deux

Thanks to my sweet, thoughtful, and discerning boyfriend, I am now the proud owner of the J.Crew Lexi tote in the color "shadow" (aka dark grey - and we all know how I feel about grey!). If you didn't see, scroll down. I literally blogged about this bag yesterday. And last Thursday. It was his very generous birthday gift to me - I'll be turning 24 on Monday, October 5. It's even more beautiful in person than online, and the leather has this soft, vintage-y feel. Like buttuh! And the tassels. Oh, how I adore the tassels. Thank you, thank you, thank you, Nate!!

Now, excuse me while I go back to fawning over my new bag.

Don't Shoot the Messenger

I cannot get enough of messenger bags and am eager to get my hands on one of my own. They are just so practical: hands-free and roomy enough for all the crap us females tote around on a daily basis. They're everywhere this season (but never really go out of style).

Style icon SJP in the role of messenger.

Michelle Williams and cutie daughter, Matilda, both sporting messengers.

Two of my favorite leading ladies: Anniston and Gyllenhaal. Why doesn't it surprise me they both have black leather?

J.Crew small Andi bag and Lexi tote

Diane von Furstenburg messenger and Antik Batik

Antik Batik Wallice Bag or the Lauren Merkin Diana Bubble clutch - not technically messengers, these cross-body bags offer the perfect solution to free your hands when out at night

Cleobella mini bag - a mini messenger!

Tory Burch messenger - with studs. This and the J.Crew Lexi are my favorites.

Burberry - I normally abhor large doses of the iconic plaid, and instead prefer seeing it in the details (scarf, gloves, inside lining of a jacket), but this bag is super cute. I think because it's in black rather than the tan and red, mass-produced eyesore.

Men Can be Messengers Too

Hey, if Brad Pitt does it...

...and George Clooney can do it.
Why can't the guy in your life? Love it.

Target messenger bag - affordable and fits a laptop

Gap men's messenger bag

J.Crew men's messenger bags

Affordable. This is the bag the bf got in tan - shown above.

Not as affordable, but hey, it's leather.
Not even a tiny bit affordable. Just pretty to look at.

Have a Bright, Rainy Day

Brightening up a rainy day is as easy as 1...

2...

3.

Does anyone else have an abnormal obsession with rainboots?

Rain today in Chicagoland.

Fortunately, I like rainy days.

A Happy Kitchen

I saw this image of exposed shelving lined with colorful, mismatched dishware and it made me smile. What a happy kitchen! Think of all the bright colors to choose from instead of grabbing the same white plate every day (not that an all-white kitchen isn't gorgeous). But I think this type of dishware is perfect for all the female readers I know. Especially those, like myself, who can't quite muster up the energy (or courage) to cook. Think of how much more you'd enjoy your meal if it's served on something like this?

Where does one find such beautiful, colorful, bohemian dishware?

One word.

Anthropologie.

I adore the ikat bowls, athough I wish they did some in lighter shades.

Need an A mug for my morning tea. Or to sit atop my desk filled with white pencils.

Is that server real??? Yes, my friends. Yes, it is.

Think of how gorgeous these teal and red pieces would look together on a table?

Seeing Clearly: Loving Lucite

I have suggested a piece of lucite furniture for almost all of the rooms I've designed for friends.

Here I used a lucite coffee table.

Here I used lucite Louis XV dining chairs.

And here I used lucite nesting tables from CB2.

In the not-so-distant past, I had no idea what lucite was. And at first, I wasn't sure how I felt about it. After seeing it over and over and over again in elegant, casual, contemporary, traditional, you name it-type designs, I've learned to appreciate not only its versatility but what it can do for a room. Using a lucite piece of furniture opens up the space because your eye does not stop at some big piece of furniture in the middle of the room. This trick proves very beneficial for apartment living or other small rooms.

Gorgeous, oversized coffee tables.

Lucite in a very traditional and otherwise feminine space.

Extreme contemporary save for the fabulous French-style sofa. I don't actually like the design of this room, but I love the oversized coffee table.

Up close and personal

Love the console table more than the coffee table on wheels. I personally believe one piece (unless it's a group of chairs or a group of nesting tables) will suffice in a room.

This also works - matching lucite end tables.

The lucite reflects light in an otherwise dark space.

The perfect shade of blue.

My favorite West Elm parsons desk.

And a lucite Louis chair.

Perfection.

This would get me working for hours.

The coffee table has a very interesting shape. Yet I can't get my eyes off that zebra chair. There is so much to look at in this room.

If you're not sure about a full-on lucite piece yet, try something with lucite accents like this upholstered bench with lucite legs.

Find this look at CB2:

Console Table

Nesting Tables

Coffee Table

Media Console