Spring 2011 Lookbook: 3.1 Phillip Lim

It happens every season. 3.1 Phillip Lim never disappoints as my favorite designer. The Spring 2011 collection is no exception, especially the shoes.

*images via rdujour

Kelly Wearstler Little Collections

Kelly Wearstler, the incredible interior designed based here in L.A., recently started a blog called My Vibe My Life. Known for her take on a luxury lifestyle, she's done the interiors for high-profile properties including the Viceroy properties in Santa Monica, Palm Springs, Miami and Anguilla, the Tides in Miami Beach as well as a re-design of the Avalon and Maison 140, both in Beverly Hills, CA.

Her first blog post explains how her creative process is about experimentation and taking risks, while approaching each project with the intent to make it beautiful and give it soul. Her studio (image above) is truly inspirational. Each project has there own tray, where she gathers 'vibe inspiration.' Each tray represents a space in a project, constantly evolving and keeping her organized. These little collections become the soul of each project. I can't wait until she posts more! Keep up with her here.

*images via my vibe my life

Object of Desire: Goyard 'It Bag'

A Preppy staple that made a comeback a couple years ago and still going strong. I'm definitely into the monogram + stripe. Purchase at Barneys or Bergdorf.

Acqua di Parma Colonia

I came across this stuff at the James Perse store in Malibu. Loving the bright orange cardboard packaging, I passed it by as just another perfume that would sit on my perfume tray.

Another run-in at Neiman Marcus yesterday confirmed it. I sprayed it on my wrist and forgot about, but kept wondering what that amazing smell was. So good. Shop Acqua di Parma Colonia here.

The Ultimate Object of Desire: Krugerrand

I like anything and everything as classic as can be. When it comes to jewelry, I keep it really simple. It's either my grandmother's pearl earrings, or simple gold love knots I got in Nantucket a couple summers back (but I barely ever remember to switch them up). Statement necklaces are something I'm starting to dabble in, but I think I need something that I can wear every day.

While I was living in New York City, I would take the Metro North train about an hour north home to Connecticut on occasional weekends- one being particularly memorable because it was my first run-in with a Krugerrand.

A girl in the seat next to mine explained that her grandmother used to live in South Africa and passed down the Krugerrand to her. She then explained how she brought it to a jeweler and had them place a thin gold rope-like chain around the large coin to make it into a necklace. It was there and then the love affair began.

Currently Craving

I stumbled across the amazingness that is Perrier Pamplemousse Rose this afternoon after a long beach run. It's pink, it's green- it's heaven. It's now one of the only things I keep in my kitchen.

*image via flickr

The Mudroom

Nothing says 'mudroom' like the smell of waxed coats and Hunter boots. Even if you have a small apartment (like mine), the hallway leading into the rest of your home is the perfect location for one, and it really makes it feel lived in. So it doesn't look like an overstocked closet, adhere to some simple guidelines to keep your mudroom looking stylish.

Get hooked up. Maintain a clean look by hanging current coats on hooks and keeping the rest in the closet- they need a little styling.

Woven baskets. Keep shoes in shallow baskets and boxes that can slide under a bench. Also good for storing hats and gloves (if you live anywhere in the U.S. other than Southern California right now).

Take a seat. If you have space for it, a bench looks lovely and is just as useful when pulling on boots. I personally love the antiqued wood look.

*image via the wsj

Thomas O'Brien's Large Hicks Pendant

Pulled from the latest Rue Magazine issue, I'm dying over these oversized lighting fixtures by interior designer Thomas O'Brien. The Large Hicks Pendants are perfect for lining the ceiling over a kitchen island. Purchase them here.

*images via rue magazine + circa lighting

Quote Unquote

At the top of the list of sites that excite me right now is 20x200. It's artwork made simple- prints, usually in four sizes, starting at $20. Shop here.

EmersonMade

Cool. Neat. Sharp. Hip. Smart. Mod.

Classic black 1960's silhouette. Pre-order it here.

Matta Dupatta

Loving these Dupatta scarves by the New York City-based brand, Matta. A more versatile take on the pashmina, these scarves are fun and perfect for spring. I think I need them in every color!

Object of Desire: YSL iPad Case

So handsome. Shop here.

Coffee Table Chic

In my apartment, the coffee table is the focal point of my living room. It was love at first sight when I moved to L.A. and came across the perfect square piece at Grace Home Furnishings right off of Sunset Boulevard. Below are the basics to get this look.

Books. These are what hold everything together to become the centerpiece of the room. Collect them throughout the years, interchanging them as often as your color schemes fluctuate. I like stacking them in piles so the bottom edges line up, with the bindings facing different directions. This way, no matter which way you look at the table, you can see what books are on view. No pile should have the same amount of books, but kept at a relative height. The bargain section at high-end photography book shops usually has some vintage gems.

Objects of Desire. Find a fantastic antique shop nearby. Wertz Brothers here in Santa Monica is a gold mine. A great way to bring in your favorite color that may be too much for anything larger in the room (hot pink anyone?) is by placing candies, buttons, marbles or anything small enough to fit in little dishes to top off the stacks. Plantation in Venice, CA is also good for inspiration and accessories.

Candles. For me, there is no scent more addicting than Diptyque's Tubereuse.

Trays. Placing items on trays lends them importance. Here is where you can place a candle, a vintage hotel ashtray, or any other antique finds. Depending on the type of table you have, a bright lacquer color is always fun. Try Jonathan Adler's or John Derian's classic decoupage trays.

*images via lonny, the wsj, the neo-traditionalist

Happy Sunday

Céline's Creative Genius

Two words, one name: Phoebe Philo. During her time as creative director of Chloé in the early 2000's, she worked the fashion world into a frenzy for her high-waisted wide leg pants. Now as creative director of Céline, Philo has single-handedly sparked a minimalist revolution. Philo's new expertly tailored capsule line, 'Five Perfect Trousers,' will be permanently available with seasonal tweaks to style and fabric weight in the five silhouettes every woman should have. From left to right:

The pleated tapered leg: This stretchy, comfortable style hangs on the hip and falls slightly off the leg. The new skinny-pant silhouette.

The cropped tube leg: Loving the ankle-grazing length—the hottest silhouette du jour.

The high-waisted wide leg: A Philo classic, and very 70's.

The tapered leg: The classic slim fit updated with a slightly lower, more masculine waistline

The men's straight leg: Still elegant. Worn informally to achieve instant tomboy chic.

*image via the wall street journal 'off duty'

John Derian

John Derian is definitely one of my favorite stores in New York. They have vintage furniture chosen with the most tasteful eye, decoupage trays, Rogues Gallery t-shirts with 19th century imagery, and every Hugo Guinness print a girl could dream of. I've got my heart set on these 4" bird egg coasters. Interested yet? Shop here. Or better yet, peruse the store if you're in New York. And stop by Peels on the corner for lunch!

Cult Classics: K. Jacques Sandals

The sandals of summer, from K. Jacques. I've loved these since college and they're still in style. Classic chic. View the whole collection here, or purchase at Shopbop.

J.Crew on the Beach

If I had to name one place in L.A. I love more than any other, it would be Brentwood Country Mart. A barn house turned intimate shopping center, BCM reminds me of the shops on Main Street in Westport, Connecticut that I frequent when I'm home back east. It's on the other end of the spectrum of the awful strip malls that populate Lincoln Boulevard, and I love them for it.

Before I moved to L.A., I didn't know where to start in terms of finding an apartment. So what better way to find a great location in an unknown city other than calling your favorite store (Calypso, located in BCM) and asking about the area they're in? I now live around the corner and couldn't be happier.

It seems country marts are common here, and there's another one up the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu. Only a 30 minute drive north, Malibu's version has a higher end J.Crew shop at the Malibu Lumber Yard I'm dying to check out. This location is one of the two shops in the U.S. that sell these limited edition SURevolution mochila bags. Perfect for beachy L.A. days.

*images via j.crew

Home in L.A.

I love traditional white rooms. I've said it before, but I think they are the perfect template for creating a space that's never tiring. Splashes of colorful modern wall art, deep burgundy Moroccan rugs and neutral/earth-inspired accents are all interchangeable layers in my idea of a well-designed room (similar to what's shown below).

It's a work in progress, but my apartment is slowly progressing into a relaxing white space filled with my favorite colorful found objects, books and collectibles (someone recently told me my apartment is like 'a well designed hug'!). Ever since I was little I was constantly rearranging my bedroom furniture and reorganizing everything in it. It was one of my favorite things to do. I now have my own space that is an ever-changing reflection of everything I love, and for some reason this weekend was the first time I felt that L.A. is home.

*images via digs digs

Lemlem for Spring 2011

Lemlem:

1) Hand made in Ethiopia from natural cotton.

2) [Amharic] Bloom, flourish.

3) [History] Since ancient times in the land of the Queen of Sheba, the Ethiopian people have adorned themselves in beautiful hand woven and hand embroidered clothing. The hand spinning of cotton and intricate embroidery was the work of women while the hand weaving was done mainly by men. It is our wish to bring to you incredible handwork and help preserve this ancient art form by creating opportunities for the Artisans.

Loving these prints + fabrics for Spring 2011. Shop here.