you're so vain

there are few features so feminine and frivolous as a well-outfitted vanity. whether in a bedroom, a bathroom, or even a closet, a little table space for a collection of perfume bottles and a bouquet of fresh blooms never goes unnoticed.

in the closet, a built-in vanity adds to the eye candy.

mirrored everything: a vanity is the perfect place for all-out hollywood glamour.

beadboard, cool art, pretty flowers: yes, yes, and yes.

a vanity with pretty hardware and a little tray to collect make-up keeps this monochromatic bathroom from appearing dull.

my personal favorite. i love, love, love the ruffled girlishness of this chair! here's a good look-a-like:

ballard designs upholstered swivel stool, from $199, in any of their fabrics (they have dozens of beautiful ones) or you can mail them your own and they'll upholster it for you! you can also get it monogrammed!

what do you think of these vanities? do you have one? want one? how could you not?!

there are few features so feminine and frivolous as a well-outfitted vanity. whether in a bedroom, a bathroom, or even a closet, a little table space for a collection of perfume bottles and a bouquet of fresh blooms never goes unnoticed.

in the closet, a built-in vanity adds to the eye candy.

mirrored everything: a vanity is the perfect place for all-out hollywood glamour.

beadboard, cool art, pretty flowers: yes, yes, and yes.

a vanity with pretty hardware and a little tray to collect make-up keeps this monochromatic bathroom from appearing dull.

my personal favorite. i love, love, love the ruffled girlishness of this chair! here's a good look-a-like:

ballard designs upholstered swivel stool, from $199, in any of their fabrics (they have dozens of beautiful ones) or you can mail them your own and they'll upholster it for you! you can also get it monogrammed!

what do you think of these vanities? do you have one? want one? how could you not?!

desk du jour

i love the idea of pushing two parsons desks together to create one gigantic workspace. the chic window treatments and perfect inspiration board don't hurt either. this brilliant design courtesy of jen over at made by girl.

i love the idea of pushing two parsons desks together to create one gigantic workspace. the chic window treatments and perfect inspiration board don't hurt either. this brilliant design courtesy of jen over at made by girl.

love to love her

whether you love her or love to hate her, there are three things about victoria beckham you've got to admire: her penchant for high high heels, her taste in men, and her recent showing at new york fashion week. there is not one of these dresses that i wouldn't kill to add to my closet.

{photos from style.com}

whether you love her or love to hate her, there are three things about victoria beckham you've got to admire: her penchant for high high heels, her taste in men, and her recent showing at new york fashion week. there is not one of these dresses that i wouldn't kill to add to my closet.

{photos from style.com}

pray for me...

hello, lovelies! before i return to blogging as usual on monday, i just wanted to pop in and let you know that i will be bungee jumping tomorrow morning outside of barcelona with my dad. this has long been on my list of things to do before i die but now that the moment has arrived i am absolutely positively terrified! talk about a leap of faith...

...something like this except much less dainty and instead of hopping through puddles we will be stepping off a bridge at 120 feet. same difference though, right? cross your fingers for me — i hope you enjoy an equally exciting weekend and i will see you all back here on monday!

hello, lovelies! before i return to blogging as usual on monday, i just wanted to pop in and let you know that i will be bungee jumping tomorrow morning outside of barcelona with my dad. this has long been on my list of things to do before i die but now that the moment has arrived i am absolutely positively terrified! talk about a leap of faith...

...something like this except much less dainty and instead of hopping through puddles we will be stepping off a bridge at 120 feet. same difference though, right? cross your fingers for me — i hope you enjoy an equally exciting weekend and i will see you all back here on monday!

desk du jour

a room with a view that incorporates my love of lucite and pink flowers.

a room with a view that incorporates my love of lucite and pink flowers.

bad blogger

a heartfelt apology from me to you for my absence from le blog. i spent a long weekend in paris with my boyfriend (check it out here)and leave tomorrow for four days in barcelona with my dad. i really do hate to be away for so long (though i love to return to all your comments and the new posts on other blogs, even if it takes me multiple hours to catch up!) but i hope you'll understand. in a perfect world, i would be rewarding you for your patience with a little jaunt to la durée on the champs-elysées so you could pick up some yum-yums:

and walk away with a trademark container of macaroons:

which (this is for you, jenny) look like this close up:

and have a crunchy exterior and a creamy interior as you can see here:

these richly flavored beauties will cost you a pretty penny (i paid 23 euros for 15 of them) but, you know, when in rome, er, paris... in response to your curiosity, our favorite flavors were vanilla, coffee, and rose petal. the raspberry was downright yucky and the chocolate was a little too rich for my liking, but the good ones were good. they don't travel particularly well but i've saved a few for my dad to try and i plan on cleaning out all the little crumbs and saving the packaging because it's just way too pretty to toss out. jenny, does that cover it?!

a heartfelt apology from me to you for my absence from le blog. i spent a long weekend in paris with my boyfriend (check it out here)and leave tomorrow for four days in barcelona with my dad. i really do hate to be away for so long (though i love to return to all your comments and the new posts on other blogs, even if it takes me multiple hours to catch up!) but i hope you'll understand. in a perfect world, i would be rewarding you for your patience with a little jaunt to la durée on the champs-elysées so you could pick up some yum-yums:

and walk away with a trademark container of macaroons:

which (this is for you, jenny) look like this close up:

and have a crunchy exterior and a creamy interior as you can see here:

these richly flavored beauties will cost you a pretty penny (i paid 23 euros for 15 of them) but, you know, when in rome, er, paris... in response to your curiosity, our favorite flavors were vanilla, coffee, and rose petal. the raspberry was downright yucky and the chocolate was a little too rich for my liking, but the good ones were good. they don't travel particularly well but i've saved a few for my dad to try and i plan on cleaning out all the little crumbs and saving the packaging because it's just way too pretty to toss out. jenny, does that cover it?!

because everything is prettier in pink

on the heels (hehe) of yesterday's pink rooms, here is a smattering of to-die-for pink shoes.

i wear my cowboy boots all the time, but i think i'd have to save these ones for special occasions. luxury rebel sandy suede booties in fuchsia, $250.

pedicured toes peeking out from beneath girly ruffles? yes, please. steve madden florale flats, $70.

did you not all die when you saw these in your inbox on monday? tory burch wrap up heel in lipstick pink, $325.

i love the architectural details of this prettiest-in-pink pump. elizabeth & james mason suede platform pumps, $350.

a flattering shape in the prettiest pale pink. j.crew alecia suede platform peep-toes in paris pink (!), $265.

on the heels (hehe) of yesterday's pink rooms, here is a smattering of to-die-for pink shoes.

i wear my cowboy boots all the time, but i think i'd have to save these ones for special occasions. luxury rebel sandy suede booties in fuchsia, $250.

pedicured toes peeking out from beneath girly ruffles? yes, please. steve madden florale flats, $70.

did you not all die when you saw these in your inbox on monday? tory burch wrap up heel in lipstick pink, $325.

i love the architectural details of this prettiest-in-pink pump. elizabeth & james mason suede platform pumps, $350.

a flattering shape in the prettiest pale pink. j.crew alecia suede platform peep-toes in paris pink (!), $265.

desk du jour

this post is less about the desk and more about the awesome inspiration board behind it, not to mention the view of the city skyline to the left.

this post is less about the desk and more about the awesome inspiration board behind it, not to mention the view of the city skyline to the left.

pretty in pink and just in time

even those who hate the holiday can surely appreciate the inundation of pink everything, right? below are some of my favorite {pink} finds of late.

a hot pink chair becomes a provocative focal point in an otherwise blank canvas.

a pink window ups the charm in an old-school kitchen (as if that refurbished post office unit weren't enough).

the perfect way to bring a small dose of valentine's day into your home: a pretty pink bouquet. (though the dining chairs would work nicely too.) i hereby dare you to nix the red roses and go for something a little less obvious.

go big or go home, right? a heavily saturated hue dominates a family's foyer.

i can't decide which i prefer: the overwhelming presence of the egg chair or the discrete display of the disco ball in the bookshelves.

this room is valentine's day.

even those who hate the holiday can surely appreciate the inundation of pink everything, right? below are some of my favorite {pink} finds of late.

a hot pink chair becomes a provocative focal point in an otherwise blank canvas.

a pink window ups the charm in an old-school kitchen (as if that refurbished post office unit weren't enough).

the perfect way to bring a small dose of valentine's day into your home: a pretty pink bouquet. (though the dining chairs would work nicely too.) i hereby dare you to nix the red roses and go for something a little less obvious.

go big or go home, right? a heavily saturated hue dominates a family's foyer.

i can't decide which i prefer: the overwhelming presence of the egg chair or the discrete display of the disco ball in the bookshelves.

this room is valentine's day.

desk du jour

i don't particularly care for the actual desk here (in fact, i think i hate it) but i love the drawing on the opposite wall, the hodgepodge of colors (kelly green lamp, hot pink and yellow pencil cups, teal and lime green containers...), and the fact that they all work in this otherwise neutral environment.

i don't particularly care for the actual desk here (in fact, i think i hate it) but i love the drawing on the opposite wall, the hodgepodge of colors (kelly green lamp, hot pink and yellow pencil cups, teal and lime green containers...), and the fact that they all work in this otherwise neutral environment.

Style Icon {Kate Bosworth}

this blue-and-brown-eyed beauty has killer street style and an enviable track record on the red carpet to boot. dressed up or dressed down, kate bosworth is definitely one to watch.

au naturel in calvin klein.

accessorizing her alexander wang mini with red lips and leopard print heels.

a neutral number from rodarte.

stealing the show in alexander mcqueen.

keeping it casual in calvin klein. (but could somebody fix her ankle strap?!)

straying from her neutral tendencies in hot pink preen.

backless in gucci.

an easily duplicated casual look: aviators, black peacoat, neutral bucket bag, skinny jeans, pointed flats.

a crossbody bag and sky-high wedges make a simple t-shirt and jeans combo something special.

classically chic in a white skirt suit and black pumps.

a signature kate look: straight blond hair, natural makeup, a khaki short suit by chloé, and great shoes (same ones as two photos above!).

this blue-and-brown-eyed beauty has killer street style and an enviable track record on the red carpet to boot. dressed up or dressed down, kate bosworth is definitely one to watch.

au naturel in calvin klein.

accessorizing her alexander wang mini with red lips and leopard print heels.

a neutral number from rodarte.

stealing the show in alexander mcqueen.

keeping it casual in calvin klein. (but could somebody fix her ankle strap?!)

straying from her neutral tendencies in hot pink preen.

backless in gucci.

an easily duplicated casual look: aviators, black peacoat, neutral bucket bag, skinny jeans, pointed flats.

a crossbody bag and sky-high wedges make a simple t-shirt and jeans combo something special.

classically chic in a white skirt suit and black pumps.

a signature kate look: straight blond hair, natural makeup, a khaki short suit by chloé, and great shoes (same ones as two photos above!).

bring it on

forecast: cold and wet.

schoolwork: two assignments, two papers, and two presentations.

upcoming weekend: paris!

the knowledge that i will be spending an extended valentine's day weekend in paris with my boyfriend is about the only thing getting me through this week. that and the promise of a little caffeine to get me through...

because after all the work is finished, there is this:

and this:

and this:

ok, perhaps not so photoshopped, but a very pretty paris nonetheless. what are your valentine's day plans?

forecast: cold and wet.

schoolwork: two assignments, two papers, and two presentations.

upcoming weekend: paris!

the knowledge that i will be spending an extended valentine's day weekend in paris with my boyfriend is about the only thing getting me through this week. that and the promise of a little caffeine to get me through...

because after all the work is finished, there is this:

and this:

and this:

ok, perhaps not so photoshopped, but a very pretty paris nonetheless. what are your valentine's day plans?

desk du jour

hardwood floors. painted desk. chic hardware. fresh flowers. white beadboard. textured walls. fun chandelier. from floor to ceiling, truly a perfect little setup.

hardwood floors. painted desk. chic hardware. fresh flowers. white beadboard. textured walls. fun chandelier. from floor to ceiling, truly a perfect little setup.

no rest for the weary

today i survived the longest bicycle ride of my life. in 39 degree weather and with the wind against us the entire way (i am in no way dramatizing the experience) we biked 30 kilometers — 18 miles — to the "nearby" villandry château. and, though in the midst of the biking i never thought i would say this, it was worth it. so, so, so worth it. these gardens were among the most beautiful things i have ever seen. thus although these pictures are not particularly related to design, i just have to share with you a few of the more beautiful moments of my big adventure.

this trip made me realize my love of moats. how awesome is this? turquoise water, limestone architecture, and perfect green gardens meant i was in heaven.

a tree-lined reflecting pool beyond the balustrade. take me back (but preferably not by bike!).

these intricate low box hedges remind me of the queen of hearts scene in alice in wonderland. (anyone else?) topiaries everywhere, heart-shaped hedges in time for valentine's day... somehow the 18 miles were worth it.

no time to sit and reminisce, however. i'm off to blois and chenonceau (with a stop at a local chocolaterie!) with the bucknell group bright and early tomorrow morning. and so after a seemingly endless bike ride, it's back on the bus (not the one above, as much as i wish it were!) for me... wishing all of you an equally adventurous (though perhaps not as exhausting!) weekend wherever you may be! i'll be back monday with more desks du jour and plenty of other pretty things. à bientôt!

today i survived the longest bicycle ride of my life. in 39 degree weather and with the wind against us the entire way (i am in no way dramatizing the experience) we biked 30 kilometers — 18 miles — to the "nearby" villandry château. and, though in the midst of the biking i never thought i would say this, it was worth it. so, so, so worth it. these gardens were among the most beautiful things i have ever seen. thus although these pictures are not particularly related to design, i just have to share with you a few of the more beautiful moments of my big adventure.

this trip made me realize my love of moats. how awesome is this? turquoise water, limestone architecture, and perfect green gardens meant i was in heaven.

a tree-lined reflecting pool beyond the balustrade. take me back (but preferably not by bike!).

these intricate low box hedges remind me of the queen of hearts scene in alice in wonderland. (anyone else?) topiaries everywhere, heart-shaped hedges in time for valentine's day... somehow the 18 miles were worth it.

no time to sit and reminisce, however. i'm off to blois and chenonceau (with a stop at a local chocolaterie!) with the bucknell group bright and early tomorrow morning. and so after a seemingly endless bike ride, it's back on the bus (not the one above, as much as i wish it were!) for me... wishing all of you an equally adventurous (though perhaps not as exhausting!) weekend wherever you may be! i'll be back monday with more desks du jour and plenty of other pretty things. à bientôt!