Spotted: Film & Fashion

In shades of grey: 1. and 3. Self-portraits (Esther from the Sticks) 2. Petit Ami (Elephantine) 4. In my heart of hearts tank (Neena Creates) 5. Mini vintage photos of Capbreton, France (La Pomme)

Inspiration 9.30 (Sunshine)

via Dress, Design, Decor

Inspired by: 90s Revival

I'm sure many of you have picked up on the 90s revival trends that became the urban hipster's summer uniform, and started turning up in tons of fashion week collections (like Charlotte Ronson pictured below).

Think faded, twee florals, ruffly dresses paired with tough boots, and grungy plaids for fall. Those of you who were teens and older in the mid 90s are probably gagging now, but I have to admit that I LOVE it.

Unfortunately for those of you who are getting Josie Grossie-esque HS flashbacks from this post, I'm pretty sure this trend will be around for a while. Of course, we're also seeing it spill into interiors, and I'm noticing a similar revival in the 90s darling Shabby Chic look (But, God, how I despise that name).

Heck, even the creator of "Shabby Chic" Rachel Ashwell has been featured in the September issues of House Beautiful and Lonny Mag.

However, as much as I'm loving all of these pretty details, I absolutely believe they need to be paired with clean lines and unexpected pieces to avoid looking dated.

Case in point: After years of having two mismatched sofas in my living room, I finally bought a neutral, modernish sectional to take its place. To keep it from being to boring/cold, I plan to style it up with a mix of vintage floral pillows, like these from Octavi, and more basic ones. I can't wait to share when everything gets set up in November!

So, tell me, are you ready for the return of the 90s??

Inspiration 9.27 (French Restraint)

Via Maison Francaise

Summer in Nice: Yellow and Cobalt Blue

I know, I know, this post is so inappropriate for fall when we're all supposed to be swooning over boots and blankets (don't you worry, you'll be getting plenty more of that soon enough).

After my computer crashed a few weeks ago, I lost all of my photos from France and they have finally been recovered. So, while we all look forward to a season of plaids, and warm earthy tones, please just humor me as I say au revoir to the egg-yolk yellows and cobalt blues of summer in Nice.

Inspiration 9.24

Some weekend inspiration for you today -- a fantastic mini-fridge makeover (perfect for dorm rooms) from Design Sponge.

Inspiration 9.23

This bedroom is really not my style, but something about it is reading very glam to me. Kind of "Betty Draper post hubbie #2," right?

via Whole Living

Love: Flowy Skirts + Wintry Knits

Absolutely loving this trend for the summer/fall transition...

1. Garance Dore 2. The Sartorialist 3. Michael Kors Spring 2011

Inspiration 9.22

Apologies for being MIA from the Internet yesterday. I was caught in the seasonal allergy-insomnia death spiral I'm sure many of you can relate to, and decided to take the day off and really REST.

But of course, resting failed, and now I'm just day behind in everything!

So I'm consoling myself with what I wish my day looked (and felt) like. Imagine crisp autumn air, the smell of a wood-burning fire, and imported chocolate and coffee in a super-chic Scandinavian kitchen in my imaginary country home. Sigh.

Instead, I'm sitting in my windowless office with temperatures in DC approaching 90 yet again, but hey, a girl can dream.

1. This is Glamorous 2. Jennifer Causey

Inspiration 9.20 (Unfinished)

Sometimes the roughness and patina of an unfinished wall can be as beautiful as art...

1. Source Unknown 2. Little Blue Deer

Inspiration 9.17

Photos by Francois Halard

Want: Modern Vintage Florals

I'm frequently impressed by the preponderance of pretty but affordable home goods available at Urban Outfitters. Right now, I'm absolutely loving these "modern vintage" floral prints popping up all over the site. Even though I have nowhere to put it, I'm dying to get the small faded floral rug at the bottom for just $18.

1. Russian Scarf Medallion Shams ($36) 2. Striped Cabbage Rose Shower Curtain ($38) 3. 2x3 Faded Rose Rug ($18)

Inspiration 9.16

Via We Heart It

Inspiration 9.15 (White + Weathered Wood)

Image Sources: 1. Everything Fabulous 2. Little Emma English Home 3. Remodelista

The Fall Uniform

There are two trains of thought when it comes to interior design lovers' fashion skills. I've heard some people say that if you're into home design -- you probably suck at fashion. (That stings.) More often, I've heard that if you have a good eye for home design -- you probably just have a good eye.

I like to think that I have good taste in singular objects, but I have to admit I have a hard time styling my outfits and pulling them together in that effortless, messy, yet impeccably pulled-together way, the way most actually fashionable people can (sort of like the woman in this recent post).

To compensate, I usually develop some kind of uniform for each season, with a color palette I need to stick to, some well-made basics, two (okay, maybe, three) splurges for fun, and two splurges for investment pieces.

This fall, I'm going for buttery leather, rugged Frye-esque boots for walking, skinny jeans and cords,and a colors restricted to olive, black, cream and authentic plaids (no neon streaks in my plaid). So, admittedly, this sounds pretty boring -- although if you read this blog you know I am certainly not a bright color fan.

To shake things up, I plan to always accessorize with something metallic or sparkly things -- like the rings or (freaking awesome) Kate Spade shoes above.

...And I've literally just realized...I dress like the rooms I want to live in...Kind of like those people who enter "I look like my dog" contests. Good God.

Will any of you cop to this? I can't be the only one...

Clockwise: 1. JBrand Olive Skinny Cords (Net-a-Porter) 2. Herringbone Boy Shirt (J.Crew) 3. Bristol Cardigan (Madewell) 4. Photo via Pia Jane Bijkerk 5. Zip Leather Gloves (J.Crew) 6. Rings (Satomi Kawakita) 7. Artist's list via Sight Unseen 8. Sheldon Shoes (Kate Spade)

Inspiration 9.14

Ornate settees + casual settings is such an unexpected chic look. LOVE.

1. Département Féminin 2. Cedric Bihr Both images discovered on new blog love Solid Frog

Spotted: Blue & Cream

1. Fog Linen Work Towel (Horne) 2. Homespun Blue Vintage Pillow (Enhabiten) 3. West Third Brand Home & Body Fragrance (Terrain) 4. Hotel Splendide Paperback mug (Art Meets Matter)

Happy Monday

Good Morning! I hope you all had a wonderful weekend. This past weekend was my first at home in DC in more than a month, and, as Jane Austen would say, there is nothing like staying at home for true comfort.

I spent Friday night catching up with friends at one of our favorite college-era dive bars, then had a post-tequila realization that most of us had been friends for seven years this week. Awesome and disturbing all at once.

I hit up a driving range with my brother and significant others on Saturday. But of course Sunday was my favorite day this weekend. After a few weeks of not eating particularly well, it felt great to get back to the Farmer's Market and reset my eating habits. I stocked up on greens, cheese, bread, tomatoes, peppers, eggs, some of the last peaches of summer and bought a few lovely bouquets. Dinner was an all market meal of steak and poached eggs (my first time poaching!), roasted peppers and a green salad. Amazing.

So what did you guys do this weekend? Anyone else have an awesome Sunday supper to share?

Image via Pia Jane Bijkerk -- now, if only my Monday morning looked like that!

Inspiration 9.10

via The New York Times

Inspiration 9.9

There are few things that can add magic to a room like the patina of an antique mirror. Divine.

Images via Lonny, Simon Brown via Bright Bazaar

Custom floral notes from Rifle Paper Co.

So. This just happened. Two hours ago, I swore I was going on a spending freeze. Which is stupid, first of all, because this is fall and no one with any sense goes on a spending freeze now.

Stupid secondly, because, two hours after making the pledge, I thought to myself, "Hmm, haven't been to Rifle Paper Co. in a while -- I wonder what's new."

Well this completely awesome calling card/flat note combo is what's new. So, I had to get it. Every girl needs a personalized stationary set, right? Right???

Purchase your own set here.

Inspiration 9.8

I wasn't really into most of the interiors in the September Anthropologie catalog -- just wasn't my style -- but this particular image jumped out at me.

Yes, the picture shown would be fundamentally impractical for real life, but I think a bathroom with a little old-world charm, mismatched colorful textiles and tons of flea market paintings and tiny potted succulents could be really fun (and doesn't require a full bathroom remodel).

Thumb Print Heart Wedding Favors

How cute are these favors spotted in the latest Martha Stewart Weddings?? The hearts are made by overlapping the thumbprints of the bride and groom. See more photos from the wedding here.

Spotted...

I think you can take the fact that I'm posting about blankets on another 90-degree day as a sign my blanket obsession will reach unparalleled heights this year. Right now, I'm loving this cotton blanket from Brook Farm General Store for the summer/fall transition. (Senovinis means "immemorial" or "old-fashioned" in Lithiania, where the blankets are made).

The other new Fall obsessions shown above: Hammam Towels (Brook Farm), Honey Tobacco Votives (Terrain), BDG Plaid Double Cloth Dress (Urban Outfitters)