Finding sources for original, unique art that are relatively affordable is one of my job’s biggest challenges. There are chain stores that offer mass-market prints and Etsy (which can be a total crapshoot quality-wise)- but not a lot of galleries or websites dedicated to the curation of unique and non-intimidating art. Which is why I am so happy to have Citizen Atelier as a new sponsor. Their gorgeous site, run by Alessandra Salituri, a PR consultant and art dealer from Montreal, is a mix of price points, mediums and tastes. You can pick up a great photographic print or splurge on an original painting. Take a peek…(and enter our giveaway!)
So I am in the throes of trying to pack for my book tour and I’ve been shopping like a maniac. I’m trying to stick to a simple palette for all my outfits- black, white, leopard and hints of red- so that I can mix and match pieces (I’ll be doing a full post on how/if I manage to succeed in this feat!) While at the mall this weekend I wandered into Ann Taylor after seeing a really great coat in the window. And I was shocked- SHOCKED- at how many things I loved in the store. With a previous reputation of being a store for women looking for affordable business suits and professional attire, the new collection totally blew my mind (and found me at the counter checkout with four items!) So I had to share some of my favorites and finds in case you typically skip over this store when shopping- think again!
CLICK ON IMAGES FOR LINKS.
LOVE this cable knit sweater in cream and the grey, and I bought the faux leather skirt at right- the fit is AWESOME and it looks just like the leather my real leather pants are made of!
Naturally I adore this blouse (would also be adorbs with jeans) and this poncho (which I didn’t buy and now regret).
I’ve always loved Nordstrom for clothing, accessories, makeup and shoes but never really thought of them for home goods. Well, they are adding a lot of great stuff to their e-commerce site for the home and they asked me to share some of my favorite items (most for under $200!)
1. & 6 These black and cream Danby cookware pieces are SO CHIC. I’d happily trade my bright red Le Crueset for them!
10. OK, this little plate made me laugh because it reminds me of this one time my parents got a grill with a rotisserie and after working so hard to get the chicken on the thing and then actually roasted, my mom could notfigure out how to get it OFF the rotisserie. Cut to me walking outside to find her whacking at the chicken with a butcher knife in frustration, with all the dogs standing around her delighted as pieces of chicken rained down on them. I think she needs this.
16. Yummy towels. I always need new towels and these have good reviews!
17. They sell the Westin Heavenly Bed line and I bet this comforter rocks (may have to order for my new bed!)
18. This stripe throw reminds me of my favorite striped shirts!
19. I’ve used these hobnail candles on a couple photoshoots. Love the texture, and you can use the glass to hold makeup brushes or pens when it’s burned down!
22. Another hilariously awesome gift- a wine holder for the bathtub or shower. I mean, if you drink wine in the shower you might have a problem, but in the tub is TOTALLY acceptable. And this keeps it from slipping off the edge of the tub and INTO your bath (which has totally never happened to me. Ever.)
I’ve mentioned this before, but one of my wedding registry regrets it’s not picking a more old-school traditional formal china pattern. At 25 years old and living in a tiny condo with Andrew I never thought I’d ever want or need fancy china. Now I’m thinking of picking a pattern that I can collect over time in an attempt to remedy that. But traditional china doesn’t mean your set table will look like Grandma’s. Using some fabulous traditional pieces from new EOS sponsor, and long-standing pinnacle of fine tabletop items, Herend and Moser crystal, I wanted to show how to mix and match classic items with modern flair to create a really gorgeous table perfect for a dinner party or holiday meal.
The key here is to keep the basics (dinner plates, glasses, chargers) traditional and high end and then mix in accents like napkins, an accent plate and centerpiece to modernize the scheme. I love pairing modern gold flatware with classic gold banded china- it’s the perfect pairing.
A warm welcome to one of our newest sponsors Wendy Concannon Photography! Wendy is a fine art photographer based in Chestnut Hill, Pennsylvania and runs her own gallery there but also shows her work in Vero Beach and St. Simon’s Island, Georgia. Her work is characterized by bold colors and really fantastic acrylic framing techniques that make a fabulous modern statement. I personally can see these working really well in beach houses of all kinds, modern kids spaces, offices and any room that needs a jolt of bold color and pattern.
Take a peek at her work and some installations of it:
