Under the Covers

As the weather hallows out to a winter's cold, I find that heavy coats aren't the only covers I seek for warmth. I have recently realizied myself modifying my surroundings to those overtly consumed in books. Somehow, any room filled with the paper, cardboard and sometimes leathers of a selection of books always arouses in me warmth like the scent and taste of a mug of hot apple cider might. Maybe it's the influence and weight a good book has the potential to incur or maybe it's the fairy tale like response to books instilled as a little girl from one of my favorite movies, Beauty and the Beast. Belle lives romantically inside the pages of her books and ever so poetically, on a snowy day in the heart of winter, is given the most lust worthy library and she couldn't look warmer. If Belle can keep warm in a cold, gargantuan castle with the Beast via literature, certainly I should be able to do the same in a mere two bedroom Manhattan apartment.

I have no real plan on how to make it through the bitter cold winter that is sneaking less obviously through the streets every day but I do know that a future home enveloped in many many authors is imminent. Oh and of course every good book needs a steaming cup of something warm, a chunky sweater and fur lined slippers, just as accessories.

Just a few of the innumerable ways to style a book.

May flowers

For my birthday, as a treat to myself, I am honoring my favorite flower. They have such delicate, soft petals but such a strong and remarkable presence. I think they represent the perfect presence of femininity; the strength behind the beauty.

RUEmagazine

SouthernAccents

HipHipGinGin

Je t'aime

Vogue 1950

House Beautiful

Martha Stewart Living 

Mercury, Venus, Earth, etc.

Here are some of my favorite little additives, all of which I would love to have around my apartment, from Anthropologie. I have always coveted the inconsistencies in cracked glosses and mercury glass. It looks like a struggle for the crackled glass to spread before it hardens and the metallics in both bring a subtle resplendency to any room. 

"It took me four years to paint like Raphael but a lifetime to paint like a child." Picasso

The past few weeks have teased me with little tastes of spring shoved right up to unwelcome snow flurries. The balance is expected for a NE February/March but I have been all snowed out; I've reached my fill and I'm ready for spring (hint hint Mother Nature). Beyond my searing desire for warm(ish) weather, I know I'm ready for spring because the only colors I see now are bright, silky, and begging to be juxtaposed with a floral or stripe. 


Here some of my pre-school students inspired me with their art. I'm sure some of these shapes and colors will find their way into my wardrobe in the next few weeks. Only wish I could get the kids to design a nice airy blouse and I might just have a spring staple.

Mother knows (and decorates) best.

Winter 2010/2011 Home

It took me a handful of years to swallow my inner-rebel enough to admit that I could take a few pointers from my mother, and an added few years to make her privy to that information, but in the end I admire her styling techniques and pray that some of it is genetic. From her constantly evolving home decor to her very personable relations with midwestern flea-market suppliers and goers, I am humbled and inspired. Hopefully, I can commission her to decorate my home; then-again, it's always beneficial to have and utilize connections.

Oh the Places You'll Go

Often my most quiet, unassuming moments are my most inspiring. There is so much color, movement, and structure in the scenes surrounding us and these are all qualities I appreciate in clothes. However, there is also a prevailing unscripted chaos, an unidentified presence, and always a layer you just can't see; facets of art I admire. Nature, therefore, encompasses and inspires the beauty in fashion and the allure of art. So here are a few photos I've taken on some of my outdoor adventures that are inspiring my color pallet for spring, summer, and personal aura. 

Runway Relations

"The Row" f/w 2011 runway looks may have some far reaching concepts for everyday but the beauty and the ideas are all there. The fur and wool are incredibly applicable, albeit, presented in more "couture" fashion.

I will always love "The Row's" ability to take my favorite neutrals, textures, and fabrics (read as; cottons, wool, furs, lace, silks) and wrap, drape, and sew them into pieces begging to be stalked.

The jackets are luscious and crave-worthy. I could wear one everyday now and through fall and winter. (I'm a huge sucker for cozy, simple, and versatile outter-wear.

You'll also notice the Albert slippers on the models! (Ref. "Pan's Labyrinth) Such an awesome representation of an old classic with a new classic "The Row".

Part 2

In addition to 'Pan's Labyrinth':

Another reliable and beautiful maker of classic 'house-and-beyond' Albert slippers is "Shipton & Heneage". Always be cautious for the best. The construction is unfaltering and typically there is a guarantee. If not, I have found it useful to assure your loyalty to the company and by implementing subtle, yet, effective convincing, one can usually persuade in one's favor.

Pan's Labyrinth

Today, and since I developed a crucial obsession with fabulously simple flats, I long for Del Toro slippers. I am torn between black velvet with a personalized monogram, red linen, hunter green velvet, and all of the above. I choose D.

  Classic, custom, embroidered; take your pick.

Bansky

Bansky's pieces are resplendent. The colors and the raw nature of the locations emote sadness, longing, naiveté and a hopelessly close distance that just can't be breached. 

Just beyond the artistic elements integrates the style. The colors, lines, and silhouettes as well as the disheveled backdrops inspire me to dive into black classics with splashes of color. Oversized cotton t-shirts, full skirts, wool pullovers and toggles worn on a tepid spring day.

Selected Bansky pieces from varying places around the world.

Subtly tragic. Prevailing hope.