Hair New Era

Sadly, with the weather getting rapidly cooler and the sunny days fading, I'll be putting my beloved scooter into storage for the season. I suppose if I really had some cajones I could ride it year-round, but that would require some heavy-duty coveralls (Carharts and work gloves, anyone?) that I'm just not willing to bust out.

But a girl can still dream, and evidently I have been, since these are three images of absolutely fab girls on the go that I bookmarked recently:

How stylin' is this scooter fashionista? If only I looked so glam. Instead, I rock a bobble-head helmet in lieu of this chic hat. Safety first, right?


Forget the limo - this is my kind of wedding transportation (other than wedding bikes of course). Wee vintage cars are always my fave.


And as much as I love to hate her, Olivia Palermo really is lovely. Though I refuse to believe she's actually going to ride that bicycle in those shoes.

How do you get around? (That sounded wrong.) Fall is still a nice time for bikes and walks in the crunchy leaves before the weather turns cold and bitter and I practically run to my car each morning. I must remind myself to take advantage and be my own chic girl on the go while I still can...

Photo credits: 1- photo by Laura Sciacovelli for Vogue UK (October 2010), via Fashion Spreads, 2- via Say Yes to Hoboken, 3- Olivia Palermo in London, from The Sartorialist.

Photo by Lucas Allen, spotted on Sacramento Street

Marble is such a gorgeous mix of cool and composed yet luxurious and enticing. I've heard it's notoriously hard to care for, but with such eye appeal, how can you resist it? No wonder so many of the most amazing kitchens and bathrooms you see in magazines lean on marble so heavily.

Here are a few of my favorites:

Photo via dress, design & decor


Photo from Country Living


Photo from Elle Decor, via The City Sage


Photo from Freckles Chick


Photo from Erica of Moth Design, via Made By Girl


Photo from Erica of Moth Design, via Made By Girl


Room by Phoebe Howard, spotted via Katy Elliott

Let's not forget laundry rooms too!

Photo via decorpad

Do you like marble or think it's too cold? If I ever had A) my own home, B) a boatload of spare cash, and C) Martha Stewart as my personal cleaning lady, I'd definitely use carrera marble throughout my kitchen, baths and laundry room.

Did you all check out Lonny magazine the first time I introduced it? If not, you really should go take a look. It's a free, online-only publication with so much home design goodness in there it's unbelievable. It also happens to be perfect for when you're pretending to work at work but not working (ahem). And, if you're an avid shopper (or just want to know where things came from), each issue has clickable links embedded in the web pages, so you can roll over the products/items shown in the photos and access the source straight from the mag.

And in case you need a further kick in the tuckus to go check out the newest issue (which came out Thursday), here's some eye candy from the recent release:










Also, I think I need these curtains in my living room (since these didn't go over so well):

All photos from Lonny magazine.

With that said shown, hope you check it out and hope you enjoy! (And let me know what you think...)

I'm going to put something out there, but promise not to get mad at me:

I hate running.

(I am scared of - and awed by - you, oh tribe of religious everyday runners...)

I mean, I totally *wish* I loved running - in theory it seems pretty amazing - but when I'm doing it, I pretty much want to chop my own feet off so I never have to do it again.

However, I just came across this Self Magazine article (via Have Your Cake) about proper running technique and tips, and am wondering if I've just been doing it wrong all this time.

For instance, did you know that "most runners strike the ground on their toes or heels, but ideally, you should land on the balls of your feet and push off"? I think I'm a "heel striker" - which makes total sense as to why each stride hurts my back and knees so much.

Dare I say these revelations (see other tips here) might be enough to inspire me to give running another try? Especially if it gives me abs like these:

Yikes.

If this 90-degree business breaks tomorrow, I might be willing to give it a try...
(I'm shocking even myself.)

(B, please remember and cite this high-falutin' talk tonight when I come home from work at 7:45 and am whining about being tired...) ;)

What about you all? Any runners out there? Any good running or general motivation tips? I need to get in shape before our beach trip!

I've been thinking about summertime and all the good things that come with it for a while now (ignore the sky-high temps, sticky humidity and frizzy hair, and instead think about outdoor concerts, beach trips and summer farmers' markets). Summer is now officially in full swing - hot hot hot during the day - but the nights have still been relatively cool and perfect for lounging outside, making me go from thinking about the coming summer to dreaming of a proper backyard to hang out in during starry summer evenings and mellow summer weekends.

Wouldn't any of these three backyard room be the perfect place to hang out?:

Designed by Mary McGee, spotted on SHELTER.

Love the idea of a having seagrass or sisal rug outdoors and underfoot, paired with crisp whites and awesome pillows (don't they look totally lounge-worthy?).

This next one is drool-inducing too:

Photo from Living Etc. magazine, spotted on Design Mom.

This is actually the backyard of Jenna Lyons (Creative Director at J. Crew) - and it's in New York - who has that kind of outdoor space in the city?? It's basically an urban oasis. I die for the staircase and the lovely cherry blossom tree.

And finally, some built-in entertainment:

Photo from Country Living magazine, of the backyard of West Elm Creative Director Alex Bates' Fire Island home.

I don't really play chess, but I might make an exception in this gorgeous setting.

Ah, someday... a girl can dream... (maybe they'll have invented mini outdoor AC units by then too...)

Do you go through phases with fashion where sometimes you feel really inspired and are totally into shopping and dressing well, and then other times you could literally live in the same pair of sweatpants for 14 days in a row? Well I am currently on day 12 if that gives you any indication of my current state of fashion...

I just wasn't feeling the summer trends I've been seeing (I am so over 80s, granny boots, rockabilly and gladiators!), but I think I can get on board with this:

Photo from Marie Claire France, June 2010, via The City Sage


Photo of Emily wearing J. Crew's chambray shirt from Cupcakes and Cashmere

Normally I'd say a denim shirt might veer a bit too closely to the ever-terrifying Canadian tuxedo look for me, but when paired with these short, short, super-hot skirts, I'm loving the look. Especially photo number 1. (Let's be honest, model wins over real girl any day, even if the "real girl" is super-stylin' Emily. and I hope I don't get hate mail for saying that about models...it's true though...sadly...)

I think the denim chambray shirt might be just the thing for this spring, and I could dress it up (hello, hot skirt shown above) or dress it down. And I promise I won't wear it with my sweatpants... I hope.

Maybe it's the spring weather coming (welllll, the idea of it at least, since we've had a ton of cold and rain recently - but anyway...) or maybe it's all the 9 by Design I've been watching, but I am so in love with color and print in interiors - specifically on walls/couches - lately.

Exhibits A-D:

Photo from Elle Decor, via Caitlin Creer Interiors

Um, could this giant print be any cooler? Also the patterned rug in grayish-blue makes me pretty happy. And the printed wallpaper in lovely lime-y yellow just happens to fit right in with my other three exhibits (below)...


Photo from Domino (RIP), via Caitlin Wilson Design-Style Files

I never knew I could be so into saturated, bright color, but this photo is totally doing it for me. The couch - wow. And the wall color is pretty amazing as well. A bright yellow pillow on its own? No thank you. In this room? Heck yes. It all works together so well. Love.


Photo of Christina and Chris Cuomo's living room (decorated by Emma Jane Pilkington and shot by Roger Davies) from in Elle Decor, via Habitually Chic

And what might be the coolest sofa/chaise/settee/loveseat (what do you call this thing??) ever, I am absolutely head over heels for this navy ikat thing, especially when paired with the little pop of pink and the addition of silver. Genius. I want this. It has a bit of a touch of the Target ikat chair I've been eying up forever, no? (Though I'm sure the pricetags are not at all in the same realm.)


Photo from Oh Happy Day

Last but not least, perhaps the least colorful, yet still peppy and patterned, is Jordan's living room. The setee - which happens to be from Nate Berkus for HSN - too cute, especially with the Jonathan Adler lemon pillow on it. This room is another good example of a print couch with an oversize print.

So what do you think? Is a patterned sofa too crazy for your taste? Or are you lapping up all that color come spring? Do tell...

And happy Friday, by the way! :)

This room from House Beautiful is a cool mix of juxtapositions: traditional-feeling yet fresh, colorful yet not over-the-top, old-ladyish yet young all at the same time. I don't have this much color going on in my own house, but I kind of love it - the turquoise art with the pop of orange from the pillow especially. What do you think?

Spotted on 6th Street Design School.

Step aside, Golden Girls! We're stealing yo' style. Wallpaper is back with a vengeance and this isn't just the palm leaf paper from Blanche's bedroom...(that was for you, Val - I love GG references!)

I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'm totally digging the wallpaper style as of late. Take a look and let me know if you're into it too (or if I'm rapidly slipping into geriatric territory - yikes!):

Kelly Wearstler's imperial trellis print is by far my fave. So hot.
Photo by Elouise, spotted on Oh Happy Day!


The ever-famous Miles Redd did this room (as seen in Domino Mag, RIP). I love how the slightly overly feminine wallpaper is punched up with turquoise and chevron stripes - two of my favorite things.


More imperial trellis; I couldn't resist. This time in green and, surprisingly, looking a bit traditional when paired with white and dark wood.


Before I get too carried away with the old-looking stuff, I thought I'd revert back to the style that really calls my name - young, light, fresh and quirky. In case you're wondering what's on the wallpaper above, it's ostriches. Take a closer look below:

Yep, these snaps are from the living room of Michelle Adams (the genius behind Lonny Mag). I never knew I'd love ostriches on a wall so much. Oh but I do.

And finally, wouldn't this be amazing to come home to?:

Jordan Ferney of Oh Happy Day's entryway - pretty and sweet. Pretty sweet. The best part? That's temporary wallpaper that can be removed - a renter's dream!

So what's the verdict? Love? Hate? I need to lay off the Metamucil?

I am very tempted to try the temporary wallpaper idea on our tiny entryway, but I think B and I might get a preemptive divorce (is that possible if you're not yet married?) if I try to rope him into helping me. I do love the look though!

Want to see more? Check out some of my other takes on wallpaper here, here and here.

Wishing I was about a half a foot taller and with legs like those so I could rock the wide-leg jean as well as this chick:




Photos from Glamour UK (August 2008), scanned by {this is glamorous}.

Some would say my house is slightly minimalist (I am certainly not a junk hoarder, nor am I a huge tchotchke fan), but a little well-styled clutter goes a long way.

I was trying to find a unifying theme within the below photos that have been inspiring me lately, and all I could think was that each had great color, plus a little bit of perfectly styled clutter. What do you think?

These are stacks of perfection. I love, love, love the console too.


This bedroom is cheery, breezy, casual and comfy. I'd love to be a guest here for a week (or four).


Traditional wedgewood blue dining rooms are so not me, but the giant coral chandelier so is. Such a good pop of color in an otherwise very formal room. I love it!


A closet of dreams. Shoes? Bags? Great blouse on display and fabulous organization? Check, check and check. I love it, especially the great use of space in the over-the-door shelves (not to mention the sunny bedroom just beyond). Those who know me know that I'd happily sleep in a closet if it were well-organized and pretty enough. (Confession: sometimes I sit in my walk-in just because it's nice in there...)

Does these rooms appeal to you too or are they too busy for your taste? Clean or cluttered, I am loving the color and breeziness of them all, just in time for spring.

Photo credits: 1 and 4- Sabrina Linn's loft in Canadian House and Home, via Oh Happy Day; 2- My Home Ideas, via Young House Love; 3- Sanctuary Home.

...is that not how the saying goes?

I know I've talked about greenery here on sea*life*style before - about how my boyfriend can grow peppers in a third-story apt., how much I love this crafty plant table, and I talked about my lust for an indoor citrus tree, even posting this gorgeous inspiration photo:


But with the chills of winter, I had all but forgotten about the possibility of lush greenery. Today I saw this photo on Pretty Pieces and was right back into my verdant obsession:

This giant Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree, or Ficus Lyrata, is so pretty! After seeing this, I'm dying to add some true trees to our little house - not only for their beauty, but also for the air-purifying qualities. We're already doing a decent job of it with B's plants scattered about the guest room, but I think a big ol' tree would really seal the deal of green air in our home.

I've narrowed down my wont to either a fig tree or a citrus tree, and I've dug up a bunch of photos to illustrate my point of how amazing a tree in the house can be. Check it out:







So what do you think? Do you like the idea of a tree (or trees) in the house? Have you ever seen a Fiddle Leaf Fig indoors (I hadn't, either indoors or out!)? Do you like citrus plants inside?

Here's to spring's greenery - inside and out!

Photo credits: pic 1- here; 2- Grant K. Gibson's home; 3- House Beautiful, via Little Green Notebook; 4- Domino, via Dress, Design & Decor; 5- Grant K. Gibson's home; 6- House Beautiful, via Little Green Notebook; 7- SHELTER; 8- Abbey Goes Design Scouting; 9- Domino, via Dress, Design & Decor.