Elements of Style Blog

Fashion Friday: Spring Bags

April 18th, 2014

It’s time to start dusting off our spring clothes and accessories- and perhaps pick up something fresh and new for the new season. I an particular need a new spring bag and in my window shopping I’ve noticed a few popular trends for the season- grey and blush pink leather, woven and raffia accents or entire bags, tassel details, structured silhouettes and if course, tons of gold hardware.

Here are some of my current favorites from my favorite department store, Nordstrom. I personally would pretty much die for the Chloe Medium Marcie as I find it to be the perfect bag- not too big, but big enough to carry lots of stuff, handles to carry on your arm (also long enough to pop on your shoulder) but with a longer strap too to wear it cross-body or just over the shoulder. Also it has the perfect number of pockets. I like to go visit her whenever I’m in the store. :) The Anemone Pink, Cashmere Grey and Nut are perrrrfect colors for spring too! Someday….someday….. :)

springbags

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* This post sponsored by Nordstrom. All selections and opinions are my own.

Posted in fashion, Fashion Fridays | 7 Comments »

Give Mom A Laugh.

April 17th, 2014

Laughter is truly the best medicine, and a great gift. So why not prepare yourself and order up a funny card for your Mom, wife, sister or friend this year? As I’ve said before, a truly hilarious card is one of my favorite things (I buy them and save them for the perfect recipient/ moment- I’ve had this one in my drawer for like a year, this line always cracks me up too!) Making someone smile and laugh is so underrated. Try it.

Click the image for link to buy!

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Posted in because i love it | 14 Comments »

A Sweet Inspiration

April 16th, 2014

I am not the best cook- I actually leave a lot of the fancier, savory cooking to Andrew who seems to have developed a keen interest and knack for whipping up dinners for us (lucky girl, right?) I however am a pretty darn good baker. I have always loved baking, perhaps because I find it to be a bit more joyful and therapeutic (I cannot stand handling raw meat, like, it’s bordering on a phobia…but buttercream? SURE THING!) Baking also can also be incrediblly aesthetic, colorful and pretty- so really it’s more up my alley. The decorating of the food world (perhaps cooking is more the architecture? Am I going too far in my analogies here?) So when I saw this speckled egg cake I just about keeled over. I really want to try to make this, alas, my cake decorating skills are still a bit on the juvenile side. My delicate splatters would probably end up looking more Jackson Pollack than this. But how darling is this for an Easter table???
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I would have a hard time cutting it. If I could, I imagine the inside would be something lemon-y and maybe coconut-y? Can you tell I have a major sweet tooth?

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A cake like this deserves to be the showpiece and so I thought I’d create a whole table setting based on this very cake. Classic robin’s egg blue mixed with natural accents and white is the perfect holiday table color scheme. I adore it.

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Charger // Turquoise Plate // Wine Glass // Straws // Water Glass // Lily of the Valley // Candleholders // Gold Flatware // Serving Boards // Cake Plate // Napkins // Place Cards // Chocolate Eggs

Posted in cooking, crazy awesome, dinnerware, tabletop | 17 Comments »

A Moment to Remember

April 15th, 2014

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This day one year ago was a horrible one for those living in Boston, those who have ever lived in Boston, those who ran or have run in our marathon and those hoping to someday. Actually, it was just a horrible day for everyone as member of the human race. But as a Bostonian, I am still so proud of how my city reacted on that day and every day since. I cannot believe it’s been a year and at the same time it feels like it was so very long ago. Every time I walk by the bombing sites while running errands in Back Bay I get a chill down my spine. To remember what happened in the places I’ve walked a million times still seems unfathomable to me.

But I am looking forward to seeing the incredible turnout for this year’s race- there are SO many runners (thousands more than last year) and so many people who want to go and show support to the victims and those running for them. If you are looking for a great way to help fund someone’s run check out She Gives Boston’s Roll Call for Runners which lists tons of individual runners and the charities they are raising money for. Pick a random stranger and donate $10 to their run in a show of support- it’s such a nice random act of kindness we all can partake in. This video explains it all…

And if you happen to know someone running this year my friend Jennifer Hill of JHill Design is making these fantastic prints you can order and personalize for your runner (including their time!) Personalization is free through the month of April if you use the code RUN2014 at checkout. This is such a fantastic gift for someone who has put so much dedication and hard work into completing this amazing goal during such a meaningful year.

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Today I am thinking of all the victims of the bombing, their families and all those who were injured. I love you Boston.

Posted in Uncategorized | 16 Comments »

Color Theory: Coral Peony

April 14th, 2014

I spent the weekend working on sprucing up my yard and thinking about what kind of flowers I want out in my beds this year. I’m thinking lots and lots of pink. Specifically coral, as it is my favorite color for flowers, with coral peonies being the ultimate choice for me. Aren’t they just the most majestic thing ever??? I doubt I can actually grown them, but a girl can dream.
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Coral-Peonies

I just love, love love the color coral. My wedding colors were coral and chocolate in fact! My bridesmaids wore a pretty shade of it in silk shangtung and their bouquets were an amazing combination or corally pink french tulips, chocolate cosmos and fiddleheads. They were just awesome. My bouquet was a little more subdued with blush peonies, roses and dahlias.

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Coral is a color that makes me happy, especially when combined with neutrals (linen, jute, wood) for interiors. And in fashion, coral just makes me light up, I feel so drawn to it. So here are some favorite coral items- with a little neutral mixed in for good measure… HAPPY SPRING!

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