At Home with Sam Shipley & Jeff Halmos

Updates from The Selby are one of my most favorite things. Taking a look into how people live is truly a glimpse into their souls, don't you think? It's always fun to look through all of their featured people, but when you know them, it's even better. Sam Shipley and Jeff Halmos (of Shipley & Halmos) are clothing designers based in New York that I have a style crush on (their line can also be found at Barneys). There's something about this apartment- maybe it's the loft- that is quintessential New York living. 

*images via the selby

Object of Desire: Celine Winter 2011

Phoebe Philo definitely knows the way to my heart, especially with her latest Winter 2011 Celine collection. If I didn't think I loved this black and oxblood bag with gold hardware the first time I saw it, I knew it was true when I passed her by in Santa Monica Whole Foods tonight. Who needs to decide on wearing black or brown? This bag makes all of the decisions for you. 

Quote Unquote

*image via discoveries of glory

At Home: Black Walls

You need a certain amount of natural light in a room for this to work, but painting your walls black can be oh-so-chic. Taking a look through a folder I keep of interiors that I love, I found that this trend is a reoccurring theme. I really love it in bathrooms with gold fixtures. 

*images via shelter 

Make This: Painted Pumpkins

Even though it was hot and sunny this weekend, I painted these mini pumpkins to get in the autumn spirit. These tiny guys look awesome in metallic gold, and I painted ones a little bit larger in a glossy black. They look great together, and will hopefully hold through until Thanksgiving! Oh, the wonders of spray paint. 

Watch This: Quoddy Workshop

Some of the most amazing (and my favorite) men's shoes are handmade in a small workshop in Lewiston, Maine. Watch the video below on how Quoddy's are carefully built by these skilled craftsman. Watching how these shoes are made make them that much more special. Shop Quoddy here.

Object of Desire: Maison Boinet Belts

Growing from a button business in 1858 to house of leather accessories by 1931, Maison Boinet sits on a century and a half of experience, a fact fully evident on every inch of these French belts. Just in time for fall fashion, shop Opening Ceremony here.

Object of Desire: Vintage Halston

I can't begin to tell you the things I would do for this dress. My love for plunging necklines is more than covered here, and to top it off, its gorgeous sequins are in muted beige and cream with touches of silver and gold. This has my name written all over it! It's currently being sold through Resurrection on Melrose here in L.A., but I'm sure not for long. A seemingly innocent perusal through the 1st Dibs website can be dangerous, but you should probably still check it out here. 

Watch This: Hermes Holiday Windows

Okay, so this is back from the 2009 holiday season, but it's SO genius. Everyone knows Hermes for their beautiful scarves, so what better way to show them off than to have them blowing in the windows? Holiday windows are one of my favorite things about the Christmas season- Berdorf, Barneys, and Bloomies- just a walk down Madison Avenue could put any girl in the Christmas spirit (or in my case, a drive through Wilshire in Beverly Hills). Watch it and be inspired! 

Travel Guide: Katikies Hotel, Santorini

Nestled in the Santorini mountainside, the recently renovated luxury hotel Katikies Hotel mixes contemporary design with the preserved Aegean architecture. The suites are furnished with local antiques and are upholstered in bright stripes and bold, clean colors---and it's right in line with my all-white obsession. Putting this one on the bucket list.

*images via knstrct

Style Guide: West Coast Casual

A few things to note here: 1) This bag is amazing and comes in a million colors. 2) These Mui Mui sunglasses are fairly cheap coming in under $200 bucks. 3) I've been living in Zara's flow-y blouses like this one this fall. 4) A few pairs of skinny jeans in different washes are a must. 5). Tod's loafers. Enough said. Shop below.

1. Givency Nightingale Bag

2. Mui Mui Aviators

3. Zara Pocket Blouse

4. Citizens Avedon Skinny Jeans

5. Tod's Heaven Loafers

Travel Guide: Seattle + Portland

I'm in need of a good road trip. Getting into the nitty gritty of a new place, walking around and into places that you might oversee in your hometown, talking to the locals- it's all how you get to know somewhere for the first time. I'm heading up to the Pacific Northwest in a couple of weeks to visit a friend in Portland and then driving up to Seattle. I haven't yet been to either city so I'm super excited to check out the people, food, farmer's markets, restaurants, bars and to take some great pictures. Best of all, I get to see a very good friend and do some long-overdue catching up. 

In the meantime, I'm off to explore the east side of L.A. that I've been so rude in neglecting lately. I'll be sure to report back on both trips! p.s. - why didn't i get this car when i moved here?

*image via discoveries of glory

Object of Desire: Heidi Merrick Pillows

"I believe in a living, working style that reflects the beauty of the coastline,”  says Heidi Merrick. The Los Angeles based clothing and now interior designer was raised in a family of craftsman (her father is the famed surfboard shaper, Al Merrick) so her line is a tribute to artistry. Her collections are tactile, luxe, favor a natural fabrication and a tailored cut. Since these qualities are probably the only things I care about when looking at fabrics, it's an obvious love. 

I found these grey and white striped linen pillows (european size- 26" x 26") at Calypso Home a couple of weeks ago. They have this great leather detail around the edges and the pocket zipper. They definitely bring a bit of luxe to a very natural fabric. I'll take two! Shop here. 

Object of Desire: Theysken's Theory Pump

These shoes are ridiculous. The gradation from patent leather to fabric is awesome, and I love the ankle strap. If I only had somewhere to wear 6" heels. Shop here before they're completely sold out. 

Make This: Green Rice

I have a love / hate relationship with Gwyneth Paltrow. She can be really annoying sometimes, I can't even pinpoint why. But other times, I absolutely love her- her style, her hair, and as of late, her cookbook. I bought My Father's Daughter a couple of months ago and tried one her recipes today for the first time. This all-organic and hearty meal was the perfect dinner after a 6-mile beach run. You have to try this recipe!

Ingredients:

- 1/2 pound kale, stems discarded

- 1 1/2 tablespoons vegetable oil

- 2 cloves garlic, peeled and very finely minced

- 3 large scallions, cut into 1/8-inch diagonal slices

- 2 1/2 cups cooked brown rice

- 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon soy sauce

Directions:

- Cut the kale leaves in half lengthwise and then cut crosswise into very thin ribbons (chiffonade)

- Steam the kale for 7 minutes

- Heat the vegetable oil in a large saucepan over medium-low heat

- Add the garlic and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes, being careful not to brown the garlic

- Raise the heat to medium and add the steamed kale and scallions

- Cook for 2 minutes and then add the rice and cook for another 2 minutes, stirring

- Add the soy sauce and cook for 30 seconds more

- Serve hot

*image via my father's daughter

Style Guide: Chambray

/ˈSHambrā/

what: a linen-finished gingham cloth with a white weft and a colored warp, 

producing a mottled appearance.

why: because it's classic. and classic looks good on everyone.

Seven for All Mankind Chambray Utility Shirt. Shop here. 

Isabel Marant Cotton Chambray Shirt. Shop here. 

 J.Crew Selvedge Chambray Popover. Shop here. 

 Marc by Marc Jacobs Light Blue Chambray Shirt. Shop here.

Watch This: Serge Gainsbourg, A Heroic Life

I saw this movie a couple of weeks ago and forgot to write about it. It was sooo good. It was definitely unconventional, but so interesting. It made me want to see more movies like it, and also made me realize that seeing those big budget, generic blockbusters is kind of like shopping at a Macy's. Go see this movie.

Artist Spotlight: Willem de Koonig, A Retrospective

Originally published in January 1982, Architectural Digest featured Willem de Kooning's incredible East Hampton studio. Since the Museum of Modern Art in Manhattan opened their retrospective look into his art last month, AD brought the article and images back to life on their site, as well. I can't get over how secluded and peaceful this place looks- the perfect space for creativity to come to life. See more from AD here.

*images via architectural digest

Happy Weekend

Friday couldn't come soon enough this week. I'm looking forward to a very relaxing weekend!

*image via discoveries of glory

Make This: Petits Pains au Chocolat

My mother is an amazing cook. I've never had much interest in cooking, and she scoffed at me when I told her I wanted a Crockpot. Until recently, I've felt like everyone around me loves it except for me. 

In New York, friends of mine would host these amazing 'Sunday Dinners' where we would shop, cook and eat together (well, they would cook). I appreciated their efforts to teach me, but it's only until recently that I feel like I learned something, and I've been making my own 'Sunday Dinners' since. I guess it was easier to go out to eat instead of cooking in a little box of a Manhattan apartment. Now that I have my own place in LA, I've started to dabble in the adventures of cooking and baking, and I'm obsessed! 

Emily over at Cupcakes & Cashmere shared this recipe for simple homemade chocolate croissants, and I can't wait to try them out. Check out the recipe here. 

*images via cupcakes and cashmere