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desk du jour {is bigger better?}

the talented mother/daughter team at good bones, great pieces recently raised an interesting topic that i've been mulling over for a little while. they say here that the widespread use of laptop computers has eliminated the need for such "hulking" desks, which we now seek to replace with sleeker pieces that could be put to use in a number of different rooms. does this ring true for some of you?

personally, i love having space to spread out my textbooks and whatever project i'm tackling at the moment. while suzanne and lauren picked out some truly gorgeous pieces, i have to ask: where would you put your stuff? a desk with no drawers might look stylish, but where do you put your school supplies? similarly, a desk that could do double duty as a console table is definitely more versatile, but where would you place your printer?
{the desk of malene birger via full house)
it also makes me think of jen of made by girl's home office, featured here, where she pushed together two parsons desks. might that be the perfect compromise between a desire for less bulky pieces and the opposing need for extra space? i love the big wide desk in the space above and the fact that it could even be shared by two people. as an aside, i also like the idea of propping frames on shelves instead of hanging them directly onto the wall. what are your thoughts on this space and what seems to be a new trend in workspaces?

a time for picnics and porches

how is the weather where you are? we're having wonderful weather in france and it makes me all the happier to be back. i've already had two picnics in the jardin des prébendes and on a park bench along the loire... spring has officially sprung! why not celebrate le beau temps with a handful of my favorite outdoor spaces?

the outdoor room is definitely an up-and-comer when it comes to design trends. with the newly widespread availability of indoor/outdoor fabrics like sunbrella, why on earth shouldn't we live outdoors?

i spotted this space yesterday on one of my new favorite blogs (and the newest addition to my blogroll!) and had to repost. how sublime is the wicker furniture paired with the pink-and-white striped pillows?

the exposed beam ceiling and trellised everything need no further explanation.

i don't think you could lure me back into the house! this outdoor room has everything one could ever need: a fireplace for roasting marshmallows, a dining room for family barbecues, even a lime green garden stool that i spy with my little eye...

doesn't this time of year make you want to throw a party? i'd love to model my birthday party after the color palette of this lovely outdoor table setting.

perhaps i'll include some hanging paper lanterns à la this beauty, though truthfully i've been eyeing these babies forever:

{pretty in pink poms by party poms, $30 for seven}

though this table setting is also calling my name...

either way there's nothing that being outdoors this time of year can't solve. i hope you're enjoying the lovely weather! p.s. if you've built anything like this:

...i would like an invitation as soon as possible.

p.p.s. i've been feverishly uploading photographs from our whirlwind spring travels and would love for you to head over to my travel blog, mackenzie en france, to check them out if you're interested. so far i've gotten through venice, florence, and rome — next stop, greece!

style icon {cameron diaz}

the woman needs no introduction. cameron diaz is 36, has acted in everything from kiddie classic shrek to chick flick favorite the holiday, and has a smile and a body that many would kill for. her fashion picks on and off the red carpet — think minidresses galore — are perfect inspiration for the warmer weather ahead. (above, stepping out in pierre hardy wedges.)
rocking an asymmetrical j.mendel dress and blush pierre hardy heels at the new york premiere of my sister's keeper.

sporting a punchy orange in 3.1 phillip lim at spike tv's guys' choice awards in 2008, where she won the "decade of hotness" award. well-deserved, no?

cameron opts for a playful pink chanel minidress for the premiere of shrek the third.

one of my favorite looks: a demure zac posen sheath for the 2008 premiere of what happens in vegas.
lunching with mike meyers in proenza schouler.
radiant in alexander mcqueen at the tokyo premiere of shrek the third.
keeping the accessories to a minimum in a john galliano for dior dress at the 2008 oscars.
one of her most daring looks: paring a magenta dior gown with turquoise jewels for the costume institute gala at the metropolitan museum.
stealing the spotlight in oscar de la renta at the 2010 oscars.
{photos via day old news, in style, and people.}