Gotta Love No. 26 - Mod Mode of Transportation

Kate, you've smitten me.

Do you think it is too early to start one's Christmas Wish List? I don't!

Loving the matching travel bags!

Too bad I have to cross a 6-lane interstate bridge to get to work every day. Harrumph!

Chocolate brown and pleasing blue!

Image Sources: Kate Spade, I Fit Ship Its Here Blog

RSVP Collection No. 38 - Recipe for a Kitchen

Recipe for a Kitchen

Start with a equal parts of a black and white floor

and a black painted butlers pantry

Add a overflowing cup windows

Put in about a teaspoonful linen racks

Sprinkle with a playful tile backsplash

Fold in stainless steel pendants with

marble countertops

Ladle in iron shelves for pots and pans

Add a heaping tablespoon of potted herbs

Spoon in my Mom's recipes

Brush on the longest vintage table you can

find for friends and family

Image Sources: Willow Bee Inspired, Veranda, House Beautiful, VT Interiors, Downtown Abbey, House Beautiful

Be Inspired No. 38 - Ombre

At the onset of the Fall Season I am always inspired by the colors of nature. I am most anxious for Fall this year because of our brutally hot summer.  When I think about the colors of Fall I am inspired by the use of Ombre I am seeing in both fashion and interior design.

From a French term for "shaded", ombre is a color effect where the color gradually changes from light to dark.

From a fashion angle - I am loving the ombre lip, eye, and nail applications. I'll be practicing these for sure. Don't know yet if I'll venture out with them. Hopefully, it will be one of those things that looks harder then it actually is?

And how can you go wrong with an ombre purse?

From a home design angle - I am loving the elements of both sophistication and edginess ombre can bring to a room.

From a baking angle - how adorable are the ombre frostings and cake designs?

 Image Sources: All About Fashion, Elle Girl, Coco Cozy, Chanel, Intimate Weddings, Ladies Home Journal, Purse Blog, Robert Allen, Sferra, Hungry Housewife, Bride Bop

Get Away No. 1 - Monastero Santa Rosa

In ogni finestra il sole, da ogni finestra il mare. Which means "in every window the sun, from every window the sea".  That is how the locals describe Conca, a quaint fishing village along the Coast of Amalfi. And the Monastero Santa Rosa is built on the side of the mountainside in this village.

Gasp! Are you gasping? Look at these garden paths!

Monastero Santa Rosa was originally a 17th century monastery which has been restored into an exclusive boutique hotel and luxury spa. There are 20 rooms and suites, a pool, and gardens that lead to a 12th-Century chapel.

The spa retains the original monastery's stone. Just knowing that already puts you in that dreamy relaxed state of mind.

I think I've selected my "some day" suite, The Citrus Suite with the Citrus Terrace beckoning.

Image and Sources: Monastero Santa Rosa

Be Inspired No. 37 - Heritage Shoe

Imagine finding inspiration from a patent your father obtained 75 years ago. A patent for a product that was never produced.

Stuart Weitzman has introduced the limited edition Heritage shoe, created for the brand's 25th anniversary. The snakeskin shoe with calfskin straps is based on a design that Stuart's father patented in 1936. 

His father, Seymour Weitzman, designed/patented this shoe in the 1930's as a double crisscross T-strap stiletto. But the proposal didn't come to be. Damn that "mary jane" which ruled the 30s. The Heritage is a modification of this design with a platform higher heel and snake print. It is available in three colors.

 Bravo to Stuart Weitzman for making this design a reality!

Image Sources: Stuart Weitzman

Translation - Fashion to Home No. 10 - Ralph Lauren Fall 2012

It's no surprise that the Ralph Lauren Fall 2010 collection includes some of my favorite things. Leopard print, feathers, and a pop of color!

Here's my translation from fashion to home inspired by this collection.

Those brass wall lights are like the derby hat.

I love how this translation can be clean and classy.

Image Sources: Elle Decor, House Beautiful, Veranda, Decor Pad, Ralph Lauren

Garden Design No. 14 - Box Me In

In this case I want to stay inside the box, not think outside of it. I want to wallpaper that box and move in! According to the American Boxwood Society, the Boxwood is "man's oldest garden ornamental". It was introduced to North American from Europe (of course) in the mid-1600s and reached its peak popularity in the US during the early 19th century and again during the Colonial Revival era.

We are all familiar with the love knot gardens of European royalty. What I love in these images is that Boxwood can be scaled to fit any size garden in amazing ways.

 Whether planted in containers or in the garden, Boxwood are amazing sculpture to be had.

 Just remember, this doesn't happen overnight. That's what makes these gardens spectacular. So matter how expansive your garden budget is it takes time, patience, and nuturing.

Image Sources: Houzz, Boxwood Terrace, Bill Barr, MK and Co., Lamps Plus, A Thoughtul Eye, Bleu Eye, 123rf