East Meets West

This house has both east and west coast design elements.  The french doors have to be one of my favorite features. I would keep them wide open in the Spring, switch off the A/C, and let fresh air pour in all day and night.  My other favorite part about the house is the backyard.  The dense foliage around the pool provides the perfect amount of privacy without making you feel closed in.  Just past the pool, I imagine a romantic little garden, outfitted with a table and chairs, for tea time and cocktail hour.  I can see this home anywhere from Santa Barbara to the Hamptons.  Where do you envision it?

elisabethborg.blogspot.com, picasaweb.google.com, victoriahagan.com, saavyhome.blogspot.com

Toggle Coat

Every girl needs a classic toggle coat. Believe it or not, I've had this coat since high school! It just goes to show that investing in a quality coat is absolutely worth it.

Burberry camel hair toggle coat, Banana Republic sweater, JBrand jeans, Corso Como boots, Pour la Victoire purse, Michael Kors watch, Asha by ADM zodiac ring

Video: Oscar de la Renta Mauritania bootie

How fun is this short clip featuring the new Oscar de la Renta Mauritania bootie from his Resort collection?  Makes me want to go out and buy a pair right now!

OSCAR DE LA RENTA MAURITANIA BOOTIE from Oscar de la Renta on Vimeo.

SATC

One of my favorite Sex and the City quotes;  "I'm looking for love. Real love. Ridiculous, inconvenient, consuming, can't-live-without-each-other love."  -Carrie Bradshaw

awelltraveledwoman.tumblr.com

True Love

moniquelund.modette.no

Cape Cod Retreat

Wouldn't it be nice to have this house at your disposal whenever you needed to get away and clear your head?  The decor would be traditional and pretty, but not "fussy" or too "done."  The house would be perfect for guests and entertaining, but also perfect for just two people wanting a low key weekend. A small row boat would be tied to the dock ready for a romantic ride around the Cape at any time...

prettystuff.tumblr.com, milkandhoneyhome.com, elledecor.com, justinetaylor.tumblr.com, highstreetmarket.blogspot.com

Breakfast in Bed

I spent most of the weekend relaxing at home.  It was sooooo nice to catch up on sleep, blog, organize, clean, and cook.  I poured through my Ina Garten cookbooks and favorite food blogs to find delicious breakfast recipes.  Tommy flies into town this weekend so I think I am going to test out my new recipes and surprise him with breakfast in bed!

citified.blogspot.com, katemonteith.tumblr.com, plumprettysugar.tumblr.com, thekitchn.com, foodgal.com, marthastewart.com

Recap

Le fashion bible; Women's Wear Daily. 

Chandelier in the Peninsula hotel lobby.

Grilled cheese and tomato soup dumplings from Beauty and Essex.

Moyna clutch, find a similar one here.  Flutter by Jill Golden ring, find a similar one here.

View of Fifth Avenue from Salon de Ning.

Just Enough

Up until today, I've been able to get away with wearing just a leather jacket out at night.  During the day I'll wear my leather jacket under my down coat which provides just enough warmth without making me feel too bundled up.  Sadly, though, I think those days are over - atleast for the next month or two.  I looked outside my window this morning only to find my entire street covered in snow.  Wish me luck in surviving my first New York winter!

blameitondiamonds.tumblr.com, pintsizedfashionista.com, inthecitywithcrystalin.tumblr.com

Two Words: Mad Men

I have wonderful news for those of you who are Mad Men fans - they just announced Season 5 will air March 25!  If you are as obsessed as I am, then you will find this official countdown oh-so-relevant.  For those of you who have not watched the show, you absolutely need to go out and buy Seasons 1-4.  The acting is incredible, the clothes are divine, and Jon Hamm is in it...need I say more? 

huffingtonpost.com

Greenwich Village Brownstone

My boyfriend loves to browse the New York Times real estate section.  He is always sending me links to his favorite townhomes and apartments.  He sent me this one last week and I just had to post it.  Take a look inside this impeccably decorated $21,000,000 Greenwich Village brownstone that is fit for a princess.  The shabby chic decor and modern architectural elements make this space feel both comfy and cool.

realestate.nytimes.com

New York Restaurant Week

New York Restaurant Week starts today!  It goes through February 10 and is an amazing way to enjoy a three-course meal at some of the best restaurants in the city.  Lunch is $24 and dinner is $35 - so affordable!  You can find the list of extensive restaurants here.  I am looking forward to trying 21 Club, Bar Boulud, Fig and Olive, Le Colonial, and Mr. Chow.

prettystuff.tumblr.com

Easy Breezy

This rain has seriously limited my hair and outfit options for the week.  I made the mistake of wearing my hair down today and by the time I arrived at Beauty and Essex for dinner and drinks, it was just a wet, tangled mess.  I found these easy breezy updos that are messy yet chic.  Tomorrow, I have a big meeting in the morning and dinner plans after work.  I think that the bottom hair style will be perfect for both occasions and last throughout the day.

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Advice

Life's too short to not...

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Accessorie Circuit

This past week and weekend I was at Accessorie Circuit (not misspelled, the company spells it this way.)  Accessorie Circuit is a huge trade show that draws buyers from all over the world.  Rows upon rows of booths are set up to display designer's latest collections.  I love being able to preview pieces from designers like Joie, Parker, and Vince, before they hit stores.  I also love discovering new designers.  This show I discovered Theodora and Callum (amazing scarves) and Moyna (fabulous beaded clutches.)  Just some of the designers whose booths caught my eye...

Mine

This townhouse will be mine someday.  I would design it using a mixture of modern and updated traditional furnishings.  Crisp white walls, plush upholstered chairs, beautiful linen curtains, and oversized hurricane lamps are just a few elements that would be inside.  Floor to ceiling windows and a balcony overlooking a private garden would let in just enough natural sunlight throughout the day. Colorful fresh fruit would always be in big bowls on the kitchen counter and bundles of hydrangeas would rest on my nightstand in my favorite Tiffany and Co. Weave Rose vase.

justinetaylor.tumblr.com, designserendipity.blogspot.com, decorpad.com, rdujour.com

TGIF

Ahhhh it's the weekend.  I am thoroughly enjoying my Friday night at home - Chinese food, TiVo, and my pajamas...what could be better?!  I'll be out and about tomorrow night though - you'll find me at one of my favorite NYC hotspots; Lavo.  I can't wait to wear my new "Lady Peep" Louboutins, red Herve Leger dress, and gold ASHA "Phoebe" earrings.  I hope you all have a fabulous weekend!

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Tidbits

Best Christmas present ever.  Thank you Tommy!

Fancy shmancy cosmopolitan from the Four Seasons.

Picturesque Arizona sunset.

My mom's famous chocolate cake, recipe here.

Favorite drink when I'm home - AJ's iced green tea with orange slices.

Inside Interior Designer Lisa Martensen's Home

Lisa Martensen started the interior design firm; Martensen Jones Interiors, years ago with fellow Neiman Marcus coworker Jan Jones.  Both women have extensive knowledge in interior design, art history, fashion and advertising, which is evident in their work.  Below are images from Lisa's home in Dallas. The house is a traditional Federal-style home, filled with a perfect balance of eclectic finds, modern pieces, and special antiques.  You can see the other amazing homes Lisa has designed on her website. 

dmagazine.com photos by Steven Karlisch