{pretty new things} rugby

canvas noir trench, $278.

adley work jacket, $198.

killian boatneck tunic, $108. (i. love. this. dress.)

black super-skinny jean, $98. (have these in other colors and the fit is great!)

canvas noir trench, $278.

adley work jacket, $198.

killian boatneck tunic, $108. (i. love. this. dress.)

black super-skinny jean, $98. (have these in other colors and the fit is great!)

shiny shoes

toms silver glitter slip-ons, $54.

sperry top-sider authentic original 2-eye metallic boat shoes, $98.

toms silver glitter slip-ons, $54.

sperry top-sider authentic original 2-eye metallic boat shoes, $98.

black was never gone

the coldest and snowiest french winter in years could only mean one thing: more black. as the stylish french continue to rock the black-coat-on-black-sweater-on-black-pants-on-black-boots, i thought it wise to assemble some good-looking celebrities and interiors to celebrate the tried and true black-on-black combination.

all black walls and an all black outfit — risks that paid off for this foyer and nicole richie.

mary kate olsen's geek chic finds a home in aerin lauder's cozy home office.

high-fashion black goes casual in drew barrymore's shirt-and-skirt combo and this painted matte backsplash.

city glamour with a hint of sparkle à la olivia palermo.

the coldest and snowiest french winter in years could only mean one thing: more black. as the stylish french continue to rock the black-coat-on-black-sweater-on-black-pants-on-black-boots, i thought it wise to assemble some good-looking celebrities and interiors to celebrate the tried and true black-on-black combination.

all black walls and an all black outfit — risks that paid off for this foyer and nicole richie.

mary kate olsen's geek chic finds a home in aerin lauder's cozy home office.

high-fashion black goes casual in drew barrymore's shirt-and-skirt combo and this painted matte backsplash.

city glamour with a hint of sparkle à la olivia palermo.

le salon

where the kitchen is often considered the heart of the american home, the french kitchen is instead considered a very private area. the french prefer the use of le salon, their version of the american family room save for the fact that the seating is arranged for conversation and not ease of television viewing (in my host family's salon, the tv is actually on the floor). in lieu of the latest technology, these rooms are decorated with art, books, and family photos galore. though i've been in france a mere two days, i've already taken to the idea of le salon and think the following rooms would make beautiful settings for lively conversation, family game night, and cocktail parties alike:

built-in bookcases and a watercolor-in-progress provide a welcoming backdrop for comfy seating and coffee table snacking.

looking for an original idea for above your fireplace? skip the oversized mirror or painting and create a collage of family pictures.

lots of pillows and a pretty rug mean guests will be just as comfortable on the floor as on the sofa.

what i wouldn't give to warm up in front of this fireplace...

le salon for small spaces: chairs instead of sofas.

where the kitchen is often considered the heart of the american home, the french kitchen is instead considered a very private area. the french prefer the use of le salon, their version of the american family room save for the fact that the seating is arranged for conversation and not ease of television viewing (in my host family's salon, the tv is actually on the floor). in lieu of the latest technology, these rooms are decorated with art, books, and family photos galore. though i've been in france a mere two days, i've already taken to the idea of le salon and think the following rooms would make beautiful settings for lively conversation, family game night, and cocktail parties alike:

built-in bookcases and a watercolor-in-progress provide a welcoming backdrop for comfy seating and coffee table snacking.

looking for an original idea for above your fireplace? skip the oversized mirror or painting and create a collage of family pictures.

lots of pillows and a pretty rug mean guests will be just as comfortable on the floor as on the sofa.

what i wouldn't give to warm up in front of this fireplace...

le salon for small spaces: chairs instead of sofas.

Back to School

{photography by the talented pamela hanson.}

beginning classes at the language institute tomorrow. wish me luck!

{photography by the talented pamela hanson.}

beginning classes at the language institute tomorrow. wish me luck!

i'm here!

i arrived in paris yesterday and settled into my host family's home in tours last night. the family is very nice and i've done the bulk of my unpacking (i immediately regret the decision to pack my body weight in clothes and shoes). currently missing my family and dreaming of american closets with a place for everything and everything in its place:

i arrived in paris yesterday and settled into my host family's home in tours last night. the family is very nice and i've done the bulk of my unpacking (i immediately regret the decision to pack my body weight in clothes and shoes). currently missing my family and dreaming of american closets with a place for everything and everything in its place:

interior inspiration

no better way to start the day than with a portfolio of stunning interiors by the incredibly gifted ryan korban.

those furry chairs are fabulous.

how did he know i love books?

more beautiful books.

no better way to start the day than with a portfolio of stunning interiors by the incredibly gifted ryan korban.

those furry chairs are fabulous.

how did he know i love books?

more beautiful books.

the prettiest palette

dreaming of the perfect color scheme for the bedroom of my senior year downtown house. the walls are currently lavender and the layout is a lot like this:

with bay windows lining the wall across from the door, the bed fitting nicely along one side with the desk opposite. dressers can be nicely tucked into the oversized closet that runs the length of the room so at least that's not a concern. the biggest thing now is to start thinking about paint and fabrics and the colors that i want to use in this space. i have to assume that a lot of these choices will carry over into my first apartment so these are important decisions! do we paint the walls white and go with a little lime and turquoise like these examples?

brown walls with lots of colorful touches?

lots of pink and white?

pretty pink and orange?

or white with lots of colorful art and posters?

what colors would you choose if you were redecorating your bedroom? do you care for any of these rooms or palettes in particular? as this will be my very first decorating project (and i will have until august to bring it to life), i'll take all the help i can get!

dreaming of the perfect color scheme for the bedroom of my senior year downtown house. the walls are currently lavender and the layout is a lot like this:

with bay windows lining the wall across from the door, the bed fitting nicely along one side with the desk opposite. dressers can be nicely tucked into the oversized closet that runs the length of the room so at least that's not a concern. the biggest thing now is to start thinking about paint and fabrics and the colors that i want to use in this space. i have to assume that a lot of these choices will carry over into my first apartment so these are important decisions! do we paint the walls white and go with a little lime and turquoise like these examples?

brown walls with lots of colorful touches?

lots of pink and white?

pretty pink and orange?

or white with lots of colorful art and posters?

what colors would you choose if you were redecorating your bedroom? do you care for any of these rooms or palettes in particular? as this will be my very first decorating project (and i will have until august to bring it to life), i'll take all the help i can get!

best friends

saying good bye to a number of friends today and feeling a little down — particularly about my bestest friend, who will be moving to florida with her family before i return from my semester abroad. thought i would share some pretty pictures today because, really, where would we all be without our best friends?

saying good bye to a number of friends today and feeling a little down — particularly about my bestest friend, who will be moving to florida with her family before i return from my semester abroad. thought i would share some pretty pictures today because, really, where would we all be without our best friends?

celebrity errands

curious as to how the olsen twins make running errands look good. i usually don't mind errands (the idealized version of cruising from the post office to the grocery store blasting music, sans grumpy postal workers, freezing grocery aisles, long lines, and traffic) but lately tasks like standing in line at cvs — despite my sister's company and entertainment — seem painfully long and boring. perhaps one or two more of the olsen's go-to accessory, the venti coffee cup, would make my chores less dreary.

curious as to how the olsen twins make running errands look good. i usually don't mind errands (the idealized version of cruising from the post office to the grocery store blasting music, sans grumpy postal workers, freezing grocery aisles, long lines, and traffic) but lately tasks like standing in line at cvs — despite my sister's company and entertainment — seem painfully long and boring. perhaps one or two more of the olsen's go-to accessory, the venti coffee cup, would make my chores less dreary.