Pre Fall 2013/ Nina Ricci

I was doing some research yesterday.  Filtering back through the Pre Fall read to wear shows.  Somehow I missed Nina Ricci.  Such a shame... but discovery is better late than never!  The show is French day to night at it's best: all thrown together, playful and a little sultry.  Splashy colors plus some dusty makeup hues and a good wash of black.  Love.

Pretty Picture/ Leah Reena Goren

This girl does it all; Leah Reena Goren is an illustrator magnifique!  Check out her illustrations, printed textiles, blog and Etsy store.

The Power Of Hope

I know MLK day was a week ago.  His insight and eloquence has always resonated with me. I've been thinking about this quote a lot: "We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope." 

Often the most difficult thing to do when you are down 'n out is look forward with hopefulness.  The promise of better days isn't generally the most consoling or immediate tonic for of-the-moment suffering.  However, you carry your own hope reservoir.  Ultimately it's up to you to dip in, lift yourself up and move forward.

Obviously, I'm going through some personal stuff.  My apologies for getting all super serious.  I try not to do un-fun stuff here in my happy w&w land.  Today I had to stop the faux smile and get a little real.  But my point is that I'm trying, with all my might, to get to a better place.  Cheers to hope!

Print available at Ink Storm, discovered via Alkeemi.

Four for Friday

Oh dear.  Technical difficulties.  Updated Microsoft Office suite installed.  Too much newness.  Brain fail.  Fifth consecutive day of painfully cold weather.  Running around the garment district. Getting leather jackets studded up.  Terrifying taxi rides.  AC is on in the office.  (wtf?)  Rough day.  Rough week.  I'm still feeling sick.  The plan is to take it easy this weekend.  Hope you get to relax too!

- Uppercase mag, issue 16.   Full o' goodness.

- Winter skin sucks.  Taking cues from this beauty guide.

- Lottie & Doof shares the perfect little cookie.

- Garance makes this awful weather comical.  And manages to teach a few fashion lessons too.

Pattern Crush

I have design ADD.  Last weekend I decided to repaint my apartment white.  Bright white.  No accents.  No patterns.  I bought white paint, pristine white bedding, and was patterning out a (DIY) slipcover for an easy chair.  And now, I'm head over heels for these crazy wallpapers.  Feeling torn and tormented.  Sigh.

Wallpaper by Kirath Ghundoo, discovered via Miss Moss

Day Deux & Two Tarts

I'm spending another day at home.  (Mon Dieu, deux!)  While taking it easy, I found Two Tarts.  It's nice to have some leisure time to go way back in the archives.  Golden archives- golden!  This blog packs so many great recipes and the photos are completely dreamy!

Pictured here is the Black Bean & Winter Squash Veggie Burger (it's also filled with corn, quinoa and a load of southwestern spices)!

Cozy, French, Sicky Monday

I'm home today, feeling under the weather.  It's all about comfy clothes, warm liquids and this chic Pandora station.  Word is: snow will be rolling into New York any hour.  I can't think of a better place to be but my snug little apartment.  Until I feel better... À bientôt!

Photo by Rudolf Vlcek, of Dolfi Photography via Flickr

Four for Friday

FfF is super late today.  But I'm so excited to kick-off this weekend that I'm cutting straight to the chase-

- Mark my words: Camel returns.  Loving this shot by Tommy Ton.

- The Hour Shop stops my heart- pretty vintage overload!

- I'm hankering for some of this amazing Vegan Caramel Corn!

- I'm obsessed with Houzz.  Pinning.  Like.  Crazytown.

Moroccan Anyone?

For the last few months I've been toying with the idea of a trip to Morocco.  This Moroccan Carrot and Chickpea Salad gives me heart palpitations and googly-eyes.  Heidi of  101 Cookbooks whipped up this bunch of goodness garnering inspiration from Diane Morgan, of Roots.  I'm in a frenzy over the ingredient: carrots, chickpeas, plums and fresh mint.  I want to gobble this up on a winter evening, along with a cumin-laden veggie Chorba and a bunch of Khubz.

Adrianna's Almond Milk

I can relate to almost every facet of Adrianna's post, on A Cozy Kitchen.  Her breakfast dilemma is incredibly familiar and I share her aversion to dairy milk.  All points show: I've got to try this delicious sounding almond milk!  I'm not a banana fan by any means, but my dietary conscience tells me I should eat them.  : )

Ty Mattson

I'm in meetings non-stop today.  Stressfull blurr...  But I had to break for a quick minute to tell you that I'm super duper digging Ty Mattson's Homeland Vintage Jazz Record Covers!

Discovered via Grain Edit

21 Day Challenge

Since reading Gretchen Rubin's book, The Happiness Project I added her on Facebook and began to follow posts, check out her links, etc.  I was scoping out her page recently and my eye caught something: Happier at Home, the 21 Day Relationship Challenge.  I said to myself, "what the heck, I'll give it a go!"  Today is day one.  I don't really know what to expect or what I expect to get out of the challenge; what aspects will apply to my relationship, what I can take away and practice regularly, what guidance will prove enlightening.  If you're the teensiest bit curious, sign up too!

Photo by Nam from STREETFSN

Globes & Giggles

Happy Monday!  Did y'all watch the Golden Globes last night?  I've got to admit... I didn't.  I can't remember the last time I watched an awards show.  It was probably 6 or 7 years ago.  But one thing I always do: wake up a little early the next morning and pore over the photos.  Then- I go read the Fug Girls.  Witty and just a tad vicious, they have the most entertaining apparel commentary out there!

What were your favorite looks?  I'm so curious!  A few of mine: Kate Hudson in Alexander McQueen, Michelle Dockery in Alexandre Vauthier, Naomi Watts in Zac Posen, Jennifer Garner in Vivienne Westwood, Emily Deschanel in Badgley Mischka, and Kristen Wiig in Michael Kors.

Four for Friday

Eeeeps!  I've been a bad, bad blogger this week!  Let's just say I'm adjusting to 2013...  I've been working a ton and have had miniscule fragments of time to seek and discover.  Sad.  Because I get so inspired on my 'net trolls.  I have been logging in to Pinterest a bit more often.  It's a quick fix when I'm hungry for some good design/food/art/home finds.  Visit a few of my favorite pinners and have a lovely weekend!

- Melissa Anderson (vintage twine available on Etsy)

- Jonathan Lo (print available on Etsy)

- Morgan Satterfield (print available on Etsy)

- Rachel Ball (succulent sculpture available on Etsy)

Tuesday Trinkets

A handful of newly found accessories for you on this pretty Tuesday.  Clockwise from top left: iPhone 5 case, onyx and gold tassel necklace, love bird ring, watch and glasses.

Four for Friday

Happy Friday chicklettes.  First week of 'Thirteen is nearly fin.  I'm not a resolution maker by any means (with the exception of this endeavor).  But I have been thinking a lot about improvements.  My FfF evolved into a home beautification themed list, which was unintentional.  But fitting.  I want to make my place my place this year.  Been thinking about it a lot.  Enjoy the links.  And have a wonderful wintery post-holiday weekend!

Psssst!  Just case you're still in the shopping mood, J Crew is having a huge sale!

Deas & Mia is full of amazing interior inspiration.  And this is pretty much the sweet DIY project evah!

I love all the bird prints over on Elphicks.  It reminds me of this hilarious sketch on Portlandia.

Honeysuckle Life is a fab shelter blog.  Interiors kept me around, delving deep into the archives.

White Faux Taxidermy is my new favortite Etsy shop.  Cute pink Moose!!!

Pretty Picture

This morning I did a quick scan through some of the less-viewed pages in my Google Reader.  I haven't been keeping up with my 'net reading whilst on vaca.  These photos instantly caught my eye.  Love the pop art references and the colorful candy-like bling!  Alexandra Bruel, is a Parisian art director and illustrator who created the plasticine props (she also works with Handsome Frank). Photos are by Michael Baumgarten.  For all other credits and lots more photos, check out the Vogue shoot at Behance.

2013

Happy second day of the year!

Photo by Geoff on Flickr