Elements of Style Blog

Having spent some time trolling Craigslist for apartments, this ad featured on The Huffington Post seriously cracked me up.

Who wouldn’t want someone this funny as a roommate?

I am writing this from my very comfy seat on Virgin America en route to Los Angeles.  Can I just tell you how much I love this airline? On time departure, awesome tv/entertainment center thingy, INTERNET ACCESS, yummy food, funny staff…rock on with yo bad self Richard Branson. Anyways, this little weekend trip is full on niceties for me- some exciting meetings, a nice room at the Mondrian West Hollywood all to myself, time with my BFF from boarding school, shopping and a little bit of sun (although it looks like its going to rain quite a bit….) *pouty face* Stopping in to see Jen of Bando and Annie of Empiric too…so I hope to have some great pictures of hip, happening L.A. wares, spaces and places!

Stay tuned….

I was sent a couple pictures from a client who I’m working with in Palm Beach of her bedroom as it’s being installed- and I am so excited with the results. The Imperial Trellis custom headboard came out perfect with it’s double rows of nail head trim (nail heads make everything more fabulous).   I cannot wait until the bed skirt (also Imperial Trellis) and window treatments arrive (everything being beautifully made by Parkers Fabrics in West Palm)!  Also, loving how the Bungalow 5 nightstands and foo dog lamps create a sleek play on beach chic without it being too “sweet” and themed.

This got me thinking about kelly green as a color- I’ve always loved it (must be the Irish in me).  It’s dramatic and bold yet fresh and complex. Some rooms that exemplify my point, whether in small accents or big commitments:

A few home and fashion items to add a little green to your life (click pics for links):

So remember my whole carefully pre-planned (plotted?) Valentines Day weekend?  Well, that tricky little bastard called “life” got involved changed things up a bit. But you know what, rolling with the punches is what it’s all about.  I brought out my camera for a bit hoping the night would be “blog-worthy”… and it was. But not in the picture-perfect way I’d hoped.

Saturday night was my little dinner party and sadly three of six guests couldn’t make it due to injury and illness.  A bit of a bummer after already shopping for the evening and not getting a chance to see good friends, but alas, I soldiered on. OK, that’s a bit of a glamorized version. I actually started moping around pretty badly and being all “waaaaaaahhh“, as our friend Brad would say.

Example number one- the chalkboard in our kitchen was soon scrawled with this (which I forgot to wipe off before our realtor had a showing yesterday-ooops):

(what crankypants wrote that?)

Yeah, so as you can see I was in a good mood. So what did I do to remedy that at 4:15 in the afternoon? Open a bottle of cabernet, of course.

( Wine? Check. Blackberry? Check. Ok, let’s cook.)

Mistake numero uno. Warning to others- DO NOT start drinking before attempting to prepare a somewhat complicated dish that involves a lot of chopping and lighting things on fire. DANGER.

My dessert (a very easy and artery clogging Paula Deen creation), an appetizer of crostini with fig, ricotta and prosciutto and a salad of  baby spinach, pear, almonds, shaved parmesan and balsamic vinaigrette came out perfectly.  Granted, that’s probably because they were all prepared while sober.

(yum. yum. yum.)

The table was set- I busted out my vintage french opaline water goblets for the first time, strung fake pearls from the light fixture, set out the INCREDIBLE centerpiece my girlfriend sent over from the impeccable Winston’s Flowers and added a few funny themed favors to each place setting.  A fire going in the fireplace and things were improving!

I had my V-day play list on in the kitchen and got going on my boeuf bourguignon.  I wanted to make Julia’s recipe, but heard Ina’s was a bit easier so I went with that. I am admittedly not a great cook, only because I never really do much of it.  I consider making grilled cheese and soup cooking. Turns out, Ina’s was not a whole lot easier, and when I read the instruction to “now light the brandy on fire and stand back” I got a little nervous, despite imbibing in some liquid courage.  I got to chopping the veggies and then the combination of dancing tunes, lots of wine and an ill timed, spine-rattling dog bark lead to the first bloodshed of the night. Knife, meet finger. Ouch.  I bandaged myself up and kept going.  More wine, more dancing, more sauteing and chopping and then BAM. Man down! More blood, more bandaids. WTF?

(@#$*!!!!)

Feeling like a complete imbecile, I nervously prepared to flambe. I called in the man of the house for this as I was already 0 for 2 in the whole Knife vs. Erin battle and I didn’t really want to scorch off my face at this point. I had guests coming, after all.  Now, I expected a slightly thrilling amount of flames, but not a friggin’ scene from Backdraft in my own kitchen.  Flames literally were licking the ceiling of the kitchen and we both are standing there all, “Is this right?? Is this okay??” and then finally I grab the beef broth I’m supposed to add at SOME point and throw it in (without checking the recipe- the moment called for action not careful measurement). My heart did not stop pounding for about 5 solid minutes.

(FLAMBE! I missed taking a pic of the full firestorm- clearly I was busy freaking my freak)

After hours of cooking, some improvisation on the recipe- (wait, NOW saute the mushrooms? But I did that an hour ago! God damn it!)-  finally dinner was served, and it came out surprisingly GREAT. We had a really lovely time and went to bed really hideously full and exhausted. The pups were mighty pooped as well- entertaining is their favorite thing to do in the world; “Oh hello new friends, would like to meet my otter? (run back to toy basket) How about my stuffed puppy? (run back to toy basket) Or perhaps rubber pirate chicken? (run, run, tail wag, run)“

I can tell you this though, next year all I’m making are reservations. Hope your V-day was fabulous and fire free.

Between Colette and Jen Aniston, this is turning into a week of celebrating the stylish single gal here at E of S! You guys totally freaked as much as I did over the genius of Colette’s home and so I asked her for a few more snaps of her space and some of the sources you requested! Hope you enjoy seeing more of this incredible space.

I love the Fornasetti plates on the black wall paired with black upper cabinets and glossy black counter tops!

Colette shares a bit about her most favorite piece of furniture int he kitchen:

“I covered up a window to accommodate my most favorite piece of furniture.. A french piece that is about 150 years old.  When I bought it, it was white and I painted it green when I was in a shabby chic mode!  When I moved here, of course, I painted it black.  I have moved this big boy at least 4 times… I always say that this piece will be my coffin!”

Madeline in all her tutu-ed splendor ready for high tea!

Shown here is a new piece of art she picked up by artist Francine Turk.

Her master bedroom and bath are glamorous and incredibly luxurious. I of course noticed the tiny corner of the lucite Ghost chair at the vanity.  Love it in combination with the more traditional and ornate mirror and marble!

In her daughter’s bathroom, Colette used more Fornasetti in the form of their wallpaper from Cole & Son.

She built these cubbies in her master bath. Love.

Other sources you requested:

*Chandeliers in living room/dining area: MOOOi

*Skeleton/snake print above the sofa: one of a kind from the home of Chicago designer George Lowell (from whom she begged to sell her the piece right off his own wall- nice negotiation skills, Colette!)

* Photos above fireplace by photographer Beth Moon.

I am currently totally and fully obsessed with skirted tables- particularly desks and entryway consoles. There is something so crisp and elegant about them. I plan on skirting a cheap Ikea rectangle desk when I move into my new office space for sure.  Here is a DIY no-sew table skirt guide from Newlywed Diaries for those handy with a staple gun and plywood.

This Tom Scheerer table is the ULTIMATE.

Loving Michelle Adams’ desk/console. I’d add a nice strip of greek key trim to the very bottom hem for myself.

Little Green Notebook’s amazing entryway

Palmer Weiss certainly knows how to get it done.

Another DIY version found on Urban Grace

The J.Crew PR department gave me the heads up that model/tv host/fashionista Alexa Chung will be doing a line with Madewell this spring (as well as launching e-commerce-FINALLY). This news comes after I made my first Madewell denim purchase last weekend of which I am thrilled. Sick of spending nearly $200 for jeans, I tried on several cuts there-all of which looked great- and decided on a semi-destroyed pair of skinny skinnies for $79 that I have been wearing ALL week. I kind of want to sleep with them on I love the fit so much. Even a woman in the dressing room after yoga commented on how fierce they looked (cue inner happy dance).

Alexa’s laid back indie girl vibe is a perfect fit for Madewell and I’m looking forward to seeing what she puts out. I know the girl loves a good trench coat, so I’m hoping one of those is produced as I need (an affordable one) one BADLY. Here are some pics of Alexa if you aren’t hip to her yet…

I wish I were as daring and as carefree in my dressing. Plus she’s a knockout.Spread the wealth, sista!

Jcrew, left, Banana, right

On a side note- stores like Madewell, J.Crew and Banana are ALL carrying chambray/denim shirts. At first I totally scoffed at this due to the fact that this particular item of clothing reminded me of my most hideous middle school years in which I looked like a permed, bucktoothed walrus. However, guess what I just bought tonight? A friggin’ denim shirt!!! I know, I am such a hypocrite! But when I put it on in the dressing room I felt all cool and relaxed (like dear Alexa) and thought “Oh this will look so killer with tight black cropped pants and heels or a really dressy pencil skirt….” and my memories of teenage hideousness flew out of the dressing room! Am I crazy for imbibing in this resurfacing trend?

How many of you were SO disappointed in the fashion last night? I think they could have called it “Night of the Overwhelming Ruffle”.  Everyone was swimming in ruffle overkill! Now I like ruffles as much as the next girlie-girl but this was just plain ridiculous. Other than that, I felt like it was wholly disappointing! So here is my little recap:

Took the Term “Golden Globes” Literally: Mariah Carey- She’s not known for being the classiest dresser, but she’s been better lately. Then THIS! “Oh hello there DD’s, what’s up? Glad you got your invitation to the red carpet and could bring Mariah with you!” This picture makes it look about half as bad as it was on TV, FYI.

Most Likely to Send Men (and Women) into Cardiac Arrest and Mariah into a Suicidal Tailspin: Halle Berry- When she sauntered on stage to present my jaw hit the floor with a loud thud, echoed by many, many people the world over I’m sure. Holy shit. This woman is a goddess and can rock out a blindingly sexy dress with so much class it makes you wonder if we’re the same species. Take notes, Mariah, this is how to look sexy and fierce.

I Can See Your Hoo-Ha!: Jennifer Anniston- Don’t get me wrong, she looks great. Love the draping one shoulder, the smokey eye, the dark nails- but that slit really left NOTHING to the imagination when she walked out on stage! Sweet Lord, I am pretty sure there was a collective gasp in the theater.

The Easter Bunny Called and Wants His Dress Back: Sandra Bullock- This PAINS me because I think she is so gorgeous and such a magnificent person (donated $1 million to Haiti relief yesterday) but this dress is the biggest misstep ever! The fabric is so cheap looking it makes my eyes bleed. The sheer panel in the back was so unflattering. But I loved her hair and makeup and her overall demeanor makes her gorgeous no matter what she puts on.

You Could Put Your Eye Out with That Thing: Drew Barrymore- I never claimed to understand haute couture creations, and this is why. I saw Drew from one side and thought she looked beautiful and then she turned around and that thing on her hip nearly poked my eye out. What IS that? It looks like a tumor/ shelf for resting a cocktail on. I really don’t like it and think it’s so unflattering. But I’m glad you won Drew, you rocked it out as Little Edie.

The “Killed It” Award: Maggie Gyllenhaal- Usually Maggie is the one that goes more avante garde, but when she walked the carpet in this to DIE for salmon colored number that fit her like a glove I squealed. It was my favorite of the night by far. I would have done different hair and maybe bigger earrings, but she looked so beautiful!

She Gets a Gorgeous Dress, a British Accent AND Jon Krasinski?: Emily Blundt- This dress was so ethereal and beautifully subtle. I loved it on her (and those killer matching cuff bracelets!) The girl has got it going on.

Of Course She Looks Amazing, She’s French: Marion Cotilliard- This peacock blue Christian Dior number was superb. The detailed pleating, hints of lace and perfect color made Marion one of my favorites. Plus her eye makeup was spot on!

What Was That? My Head Just Exploded From the Cuteness: Ginnifer Goodwin- Totally channeling an indie-Audrey here, Ginnifer Goodwin looked darling in this short blue number with her pixie hair and perfect accessories. The umbrella only makes her look CUTER!

Making Me Wonder if Rachel Zoe Has Lost Her Touch: Cameron Diaz- This shot of her looks better than it looked on the carpet. The shoulder padded cap sleeves are so unflattering and the lack of accessories along with her super severe pulled back hair and makeup made her look stiff and old. I really hated this.

Making Me Wonder if Rachel Zoe Still Gives Her Clients Mexican Diet Pills: Jennifer Garner- Why is she so bone thin? When she was being interviewed on the red carpet I could not stop asking this question! Normally the picture of health Jennifer looked downright emaciated. The grey dress and messy hair did not do her any favors either. Typically she glows, and last night she was dulled. Even with sequins! Something is up….

The Ruffle Parade: Anna Kendrick, Christina Hendricks, Chloe Sevigny, Jennifer Morrison, Zoe Saldana, Diane Kruger- Dang ladies, sometimes there is a way to take a trend too far. Especially you, Jennifer Morrison. Too many friggin’ ruffles. To be fair, I don’t entirely mind Zoe Saldana’s dress, but I wish it were a bit “neater”.  And Christina Hendricks WORKS her Christian Siriano number, totally channeling Marilyn Monroe (and wearing a color I never would have thought would have looked good on redheads, but does)! But Diane Kruger, to me, looks like a prom nightmare. UGH! Of all the dresses in the world, she picked that? Chloe Sevigny is lost in the froth and Anna Kenrick seems choked by her giant Marchesa ruffle.

Makes Me Pray to the Fertility Gods That I Look This Great Knocked Up: Amy Adams- She is beyond darling in this gorgeous green sheath. Still way hip with the asymmetrical neckline and a perfect hair style, she made me smile from ear to ear!

Bedazzle Me: Anna Paquin and Toni Colette- I love some good beading, and these two made it look sleek, chic and totally classy. Loved them both!

Needs to Put Her Mystic Tan Membership on Hold: Fergie- Way too tan- she looks dirty. And her hair looked two very different colors. But she does have Josh Duhamel as an accessory and this dress did look understated and lovely on her, so I can’t be ALL mean.

WTF, Tom Ford is Your Date and You Wore THAT?: Julianne Moore- It looks like a trash bag with a weird ruffle collar. Did he really design this, I wonder? It’s beyond awful!

NO. NO. NO: January Jones and Kate Hudson- I was so bummed to see these two wearing these odd numbers. January with her massive shoulder ruffle and misplaced headband and Kate with her origami stuffed with toilet paper mess and stripper shoes (although I LOVED her earrings!) I don’t understand why stars don’t just try to look pretty.

The Dark Night: Heather Graham, Vera Farmiga, Penelope Cruz and Courtney Cox- Heather looks lovely yet she had, what I like to call “crazyface”, eyes all bugged out and looking like she was ready to pounce- or maybe her ponytail was pulled too tight? Vera looked great in a textured mermaid gown, but I can’t help but feel like she’d light up with looser hair and a BRIGHT color. Penelope herself was a revelation-perfectly tan and glowing with glam hair and elegant makeup- the dress left me confused though. I can’t tell if I hate it or am okay with it. It’s kind of ho-hum, in my opinion. Now Courtney looked great and so chic- the hair, the earrings, the simple gown but the PLASTIC SURGERY HAS TO STOP!

The Unpopular “Like”: Julia Roberts- Most people thought she looked boring and under-dressed, but I inexplicably liked it. The short dress, GORGEOUS huge sparkly pendant, perfect hair and big smile said “This isn’t SERIOUS in contrast to what’s going on the world and I’m just having a good time”. Maybe I’m just on my Elizabeth Gilbert high still, but she made me smile.

And finally to end the longest post EVER (yes, I missed some folks but this is just getting ridiculous), I have to comment on my favorite speeches of the night.  Mo’nique was breathtaking in her eloquent, meaningful and powerful speech by which the bar was set (and not reached by anyone else). Robert Downey Jr.’s speech left me in complete stitches (major crush) and I was delirious when Michael C. Hall from Dexter won. He’s been battling cancer (very quietly) and to have this well deserved honor during such a struggle is hopefully really uplifting for him!

So, what did you guys think?

Also, if you are still looking for a way to contribute to the Haitian crisis, I’ve set up my own fund raising efforts with Partners in Health, an amazing organization. Just click the box at the top right of this page to donate now!!!!

I am currently blissed out on French designer Sophie Theallet’s Spring 2010 Collection. This fresh new face on the fashion scene won the prestigious CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund this year, and man did she deserve it! Michelle Obama has already gallivanted about in one of her dresses and I presume you’ll be seeing a lot more famous faces doing the same! It’s simple, wearable (not always something you see on the runways) and best of all, FRENCH! While 99% of us can’t afford to buy her work, we can all draw inspiration from it, I say. Here are some of my personal faves: