>

Loved.

Bobbi+Mike's favorite fifty "loved" photos from 2010 made me smile. 
I thought a few of my favorites would be a good mid-week pick-me-up 
for you all too. How cute is the couple in the library aisle?! I'm in love ;)

{discovered via the very cute Tulips & Flight Suits 
which one of you recommended in my reader survey!}

Why Don't You...

...stake out one space in your home and channel the girly glam interiors of Suzanne Kasler? I adore the unapologetic femininity of this home. Maybe stick to a closet where your boyfriend or husband won't mind ;)


Navy Baby

Try as I might to introduce color into my wardrobe, I will forever find myself falling back on navy. It's the perfect hue against my fair skin and red hair — and I love the way it looks paired with other neutrals like khaki, gray, and white. These J.Crew looks depict everything I want to be wearing this spring and summer: messy hair, inventive layers, and classic stripes. What's your go-to color?

In The Details.

We're always being told to look at the big picture. While it's important to keep an eye on the future and to not sweat the stuff, it's just as important to enjoy the little things in life. I love seeing completed before & afters, entire rooms and homes renovated to suit their owners' design sensibilities. But today I'm pledging to revel in the small details that often define the overall: a slightly off-kilter gold fitting, reflective windows capturing a sunny afternoon, intricate moulding framing a light-filled interior. What are some of your favorite details in your home?

{all images via the darling Patterson Maker}

Kate Spade's Preppy Perfection.



I must draw your attention to these new arrivals at Kate Spade. How darling is the straw basket with green leather trim or the straw tote with sequin stripes? They're destined to become your new staples for spring and summer. By the way, the names have me dreaming of garden parties and poolside cabanas... Not bad for mid-morning reverie!

Friday Fatigue

Where did the day go? I'll be taking the weekend to sleep in, recharge, and spend some quality time with the people who make Bucknell such a special place. Can you believe only six weeks stand between me and graduation? It's at once thrilling and terrifying.
- - - 
What are your weekend plans? Whatever you're up to, I hope it's a good one!

For the Love of Leather

Leather need not evoke imagery of motorcycle gangs or overstuffed sofas. Allow me to present these recent favorites from Shopbop as evidence...

- - - 

What other ways are you wearing leather these days?

Lived-In Kitchens

The kitchen is the heart of the home. Why then do the kitchens featured in so many magazines give off such a steely vibe? You know what I mean: the granite, the stainless steel, the refrigerators void of family pictures and the countertops void of bills and letters. I love these kitchens for the simple reason that I'm convinced people actually live in them. 
{This might not be your average kitchen sink (filled with flowers in lieu of dirty dishes) but I love the attention to detail. Black counters are an unexpected alternative to granite or marble and they're stunning paired with white cabinetry and pale blue walls. Don't you love the flounce of the skirted sink and gardener's stool?}
{The equipment might be top-of-the-line but there's a very unfussy quality to this kitchen. The hanging pots are practical and pretty — especially with the splash of turquoise! I love the book shelves on either side of the hood.}
{I know people say they're tired of subway tile but to me it's a timeless classic. The open shelving contains an impressive cookbook collection and keeps plates and cups in easy reach. The styling — the potted plants, cut fruit, and phone on the table — gives it that lived-in look I love.}

{one | two | three}

Rue Hues {They're Baaack!}

I'm so excited to be blogging about two of my favorite spaces from the fourth issue of Rue today. Won't you stop by and share your thoughts?

How To Decorate A Small Space

Interior design is rarely easy, but those who live in particularly tiny quarters know that it’s even trickier to decorate without the luxury of space. As a college senior, I have lived in my fair share of dorm rooms... and plan to move into an equally tiny apartment wherever life takes me after graduation in May. Good things come in small packages, right?
Mirrors provide an easy and inexpensive trick for making the most of what you’ve got. There’s no better way to create the illusion of more light and more space than what you’re really stuck with. We all know this trick works in bathrooms, but I think you’ll be surprised at what it could do for other small spaces in your home.
Place a mirror over the bed or dresser in your boudoir to reflect artwork — or bring in a piece of mirrored furniture to do double duty!
A strategically placed mirror lets you check your hair on the way out the door or, in the case of this dining room, multiplies your view of a vase of flowers or the glow of candelight during a dinner party. 
Mirrors need not be hung, though that’s a great way to maximize use of floor space. Doesn’t this oversized mirror steal the show in this glamorous home office? The combination of black and gold on both the desk and the mirror create a sense of continuity that small spaces often lack.
Go big or go home, right? Channel the all-out allure of Versailles and hang square mirrors in a symmetrical grid on one wall. The effect here is that of a stately ballroom but would open things up in your home too. 
- - -
How have you used mirrors to open up your small space? What are your tricks for decorating a small space?