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Stripes On Everything!

Stripes seem to be a staple in every one of my style icons' wardrobes. I just ordered this striped boatneck tee and I have a feeling I'm never going to take it off once it arrives. How could I when bloggers like Blair (blonde) and Karla (brunette) sport their stripes on the daily?
Are you catching my drift? I'd be lying if I said I didn't try to track down the striped Zara dress that Blair is wearing in the last picture. It's probably better for my wallet that I couldn't find it anywhere! Have a happy weekend and I'll see you back here on Monday.

Staying Neutral

I am perpetually torn between color and calm. The perfect shot of color can electrify an interior or an outfit like no beige or gray could — and yet there remains something to be said for the monochromatic calm induced by those neutrals. Here, a few favorite neutral looks of late...
Do you prefer colorful or neutral? Do you generally dress the same as you decorate?

Currently reading...

Library cards are a wonderful thing. When I was feeling homesick during my first week in San Francisco, my dad suggested that I get lost in a good book. I got my library card the next day and have read every evening since.

The fact that I have a few reading tasks on my 101 in 1001 list should explain the diversity of my current reads.

21. Read every Harry Potter book (5/7).
60. Read every Jane Austen novel (1/6).
69. Read twenty new-to-me books (1/20).

I'm making steady progress and, more importantly, enjoying the opportunity to read for pleasure now that my collegiate years are behind me. Tell me, what are you reading these days?

Weekend snapshots...

I had the most wonderful long weekend with my mom! It was such a treat having her fly in from Connecticut and I had fun showing her my new stomping grounds in San Francisco. Here, a few snapshots from our weekend together...
{Passing the time before her arrival with a half & half and a pile of magazines.}
{Admiring the succulents in the Botanical Garden}
{The carousel in Golden Gate Park}
{Stopping to smell the roses on an afternoon stroll}
{Pre-dinner pedicures! I chose Essie's Fire Cracker, which seemed appropriate for the holiday. Does anyone else choose polish colors for their names?}
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Do all you iPhone owners use Instagram as well? It's like Photoshop on the go — I'm obsessed!

Happy 4th!

Happy Independence Day to my fellow Americans! I hope you're enjoying the long weekend and spending quality time with family and friends. My mom left this morning after a fun-filled weekend exploring San Francisco together. How are you celebrating?

{Behati Prinsloo in Turkish Vogue}

Glitter Guide Launch Party!

On Wednesday night I was thrilled to attend the launch party for my new friends at Glitter Guide. I'm so impressed with the content and design of their new site and was happy to have the chance to toast to their success! Of course my camera stayed resolutely in my clutch but thankfully Alicia posted these photos on the Glitter Guide Facebook page.
The Glitter Girls!
There was lots of style inspiration...
A healthy dose of leopard...
The requisite sparkle...
And plenty of new friends! {Amber and me.}
UPDATE: one salvageable shot from my camera! {Krista, Crystal, and me.}
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Congratulations to the Glitter Guide and happy weekend to all of you! What are your fun-filled plans for the long weekend?

Stacks

Bangles, cuffs, friendship bracelets, mixed metals... What does your stack consist of?

The Pink Pagoda

Remember the artwork I featured in this post? It came from the Dallas-based shop The Pink Pagoda and I'm smitten!
The artist, Jennifer, has curated an adorable shop full of preppy chinoiserie-inspired art. This hot pink ginger jar print is a personal favorite!
Her prints are available in sizes 8" x 10", 11" x 14", and 13" x 19" and priced so reasonably that I'm tempted to invest in multiple pieces! Come to think of it, wouldn't these ginger jar prints look fabulous in a grouping of four?
Naturally I also love this floral elephant print! Wouldn't it be adorable in a little girl's room? 
The attention to detail in each print is truly something to be admired. I was delighted to learn that Jennifer is also launching a blog by the same name! I can tell by the color scheme (navy and pink — my favorite!) that it's going to be as darling as her shop.
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What do you think of Jennifer's artwork? Are you as smitten with chinoiserie accents as I am?

No. 24 + 36

A couple more glimpses into my 101 in 1001 list...
24. Learn to eat with chopsticks. I'm embarrassed to admit I don't already know how — anyone else?

36. Figure out the best way to store all those business cards! What's your preferred method?

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P.S. If you've started a 101 in 1001 list of your own, please leave a link in the comments so I can check it out!

Head-to-Toe White

Happy Monday! What are your plans for the week? I'm excited to be attending the Glitter Guide launch party on Wednesday night and of course I'm already brainstorming my outfit! Here's my inspiration...
Head-to-toe white! I'm probably not tan enough to pull it off but I can't help but want to give it a go. With ladies like Lindsey and Krystal making it look so effortless, who could resist?

Frieda Sophie

Lots of pretty new things at Frieda Sophie! I especially love the au natural feel of Sandra's druzy necklaces. 


I just ordered this necklace as the perfect everyday piece. What type of jewelry do you wear the most?

Get The Look {Mary McDonald}

With all the buzz about her show Million Dollar Decorators, I thought it would be fun to revisit one of my favorite Mary McDonald interiors. The pink walls equate to instant happiness in my book!
I love that she thought outside the box and upholstered the chairs in the same hue as the walls of the foyer. The vintage pagoda mirror is a glamorous accent to blue and white stripes and ginger jars.
Pairing pinks of different shades makes for a layered look that's classic but fun. The large print on the Lisa Fine rug makes the small seating area look bigger. 

To recreate a similar look in your own home, start with pretty pinks for the sofa and the rug. They're a far cry from run-of-the-mill neutrals but how could you ever tire of hot pink? Balance the bright color with pillows and vases in a traditional blue and white palette. What do you think of this look? Would you ever go this bright chez vous?

Moments in my day...

A little something different today, just because...
{Latté, lists, and Dani Notes iPhone case.}
{My new library card and the fifth Harry Potter book, which I'm reading for my 101 in 1001 list.}
{Two favorite necklaces from J.Crew and Loren Hope.}

{An afternoon walk around the block. Beautiful.}

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What are some of your favorite moments in the day?

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P.S. I threw my name into the ring for coco+kelley's contributor series and my column is up today! Please go check it out and leave a comment if it's something you'd like to see every couple weeks! I'm keeping my fingers and toes crossed :)

Lindsay's D.C. Digs

I was delighted to stumble upon my friend Lindsay's apartment featured in the latest issue of the Australian online magazine Ivy & Piper. Lindsay's blog The Pursuit of Style has long been a personal favorite and I do hope she'll return from her work-related leave of absence in the near future! In the mean time, we'll have these pretty pictures of her Washington, D.C., apartment to tide us over...
The combination of leopard print and yellow faux bamboo in Lindsay's dining room is delightfully unexpected, wouldn't you say? I'm also coveting her Quadrille-covered headboard and vintage book collection.
I love that Lindsay reupholstered an old barrel chair in hot pink linen and topped it with a leopard print pillow. She clearly shares my love of color, even citing Anna Spiro as her design idol. What do you think of her place?

Post-Weekend Wishlist

One thing about meeting style bloggers in person (see weekend pictures here!) is that it ignites a serious desire to shop. Suddenly you're uninspired by your own wardrobe and stand in front of your closet thinking, "I have nothing to wear." Here are a few things from Shopbop that I'm eyeing these days...




You know, so I have something to wear. What's on your wishlist right now?


P.S. I'm sharing a Luxury Monograms idea board over here today!

Happy {Social Butterfly} Weekend!

I'm closing in on two weeks in San Francisco and it's been so much of a whirlwind that I haven't done a real update! Suffice it to say that the apartment is beautiful, Rue has kept me very busy, I'm learning something new every day, and I've set up lots of dinner dates to combat homesickness (of which there's also been plenty).
On tap for this evening is a blogger meet-up with Taylor from Sterling Style, Alicia from Cheetah is the New Black, Caitlin from Sacramento Street, Lisa from With Style & Grace, as well as Anne from City Sage and Crystal from Plush Palate. I'm so excited to meet everyone and to toast to the launch of Taylor and Alicia's Glitter Guide this week!
I had a delightful dinner with KC from Thrifty Solutions for an Urban Gal (LOVE her!) last night and have plans with Cristin from Simplified Bee and Katie from The Neo-Traditionalist next week. I'm definitely doing my best to stay busy! What are you social butterflies up to this weekend?

My Dream [Summer] Home

I noticed I was pinning images that belonged in a separate folder for my one-day summer home and decided to share an idea board with you. Weathered shingles, abundant gardens, natural light, porch swings, painted floors, bunk beds, the list goes on...

{all images on my interiors board}

All About Aqua

Today I'd like to trade lives with whoever owns this pool, whip up a tray of festive beverages in this kitchen, and wear this necklace as I lounge poolside with a stack of magazines. Do join me, won't you?