Etsy Finds: March

Etsy is insanity. I am on almost every day and it astounds me how many talented people are out in the universe. What is so great about Etsy is that it makes art and other wares so accessible. It provides this strange connection with an artist that you communicate with, directly buy from, and even in some cases work with for the perfect piece for you. If you have not explored, I suggest starting. When I find something great, I promise to share. Like I said, it is insanity and the more you can narrow down the field, the better. This print is by Julia Calimera and is titled Afghan Hound and I loved the red pen to white paper. And for just fifteen dollars you can say you have a piece from a great Italian artist hanging on your walls. (Julia is from Italy) Check out her shop, I also love the geisha drawing in the rain.

Here are a couple of other recent finds I love:

Best Year Ever Calendar from Spread The Love
Watercolor from Silver Ridge Studio
French Bulldog Thank You Cards from Sycamore Street Press
Pink Ikat Pillows from Turquoise Tumbleweed
And because she was such an icon: Elizabeth Taylor Digital Media Photo by Tim Snyder Photography

xo
Erin

Travel Guide: Las Vegas

Putting a travel guide for Las Vegas together is like asking someone to narrow down their list of favorite places that serve french fries. It is a town filled with so many things to do, see, and eat that there is no way to cover it all. I plan on sharing a few places that I loved on my last trip to this crazy town. I am also going to include a few suggestions from trusted friends who are fun and have great taste. All I can say about Vegas is that it is like no other place on the planet. Some people love it, others loathe it. The key to a great time is figuring out what kind of time you want to have. The type of time that has you sleeping all day and partying all night or the type where bedtime is before sunrise and you see the city beyond your hotel window. Either way, have a great time and I hope some of these suggestions become a few of your favorite places.

Erin's Picks

STAY

Wynn or Encore Hotels
            The Tower Suites are amazing and give you some great perks. All the decor is gorgeous and fun.
TheHotel at Mandalay Bay
            It has nice big suites with a modern feel and you don't have to walk through the casino to access        
            your room.

EAT
Carnevino at The Palazzzo
             A Mario Batali restaurant with great big steaks, fantastic pasta, and delicious antipasta selection.
Rao's at Ceasar's Palace
             Big portions and the best seafood salad I have ever had. This place is really fun with a big group
Tao at the Venetian
              Small portions of every Asian style food you love. It turns into a club after dinner.
Bouchon Bakery at The Venetian
              Not the easiest place to find, but has the best macaroons I have had outside of Paris.
Botero at the Encore
              Sexy atmosphere with an outdoor patio. Classic menu of steaks, seafood, and great sides

PLAY:
Casino at the Hard Rock Hotel
              There is a big bar right in the middle, so you feel like you are not just at a casino.
Casino at The Wynn
              By far the nicest casino in Vegas. No riff-raff here and a huge sport book to watch your team.
The Shoppes at the Palazzo
              There are plenty of places to spend all your winnings. Including Christian Louboutin & Chloe
The Bank at the Bellagio & Tryst at the Wynn
               Great places to boogie and stay up late.
Pool at the Hard Rock Hotel
               Reserve a cabana and be prepared for lots of cocktails. Perfect for Bachelors or Bachlorettes

More Suggestions from Friends:

STAY:
Palms Place at the Palms Casino
Aria in City Center  (Great shopping here too)

EAT:
Beso Las Vegas at City Center
STK at the Cosmopolitan Hotel
M&M Soul Food off the Strip
Michael's at South Point Casino

PLAY:
Marquee at the Cosmopolitan Hotel
Craps Tables at the Bellagio
Shopping at City Center

xo
Erin

A Touch of Color

A very chic friend of mine is updating her house with touches that bring a fun, but sophisticated, touch to a traditional house. The house has hutches built into the walls, which so many would love to have. Antique glass doors open to roomy cabinets holding glassware and serving pieces. When I visited after the painter had visited I just loved the new soft gray on the walls and this fantastic deep turquoise that lined the backs of the cabinets, the island walls, and the exposed shelves under the sink.  By choosing just a few areas to add a punch of color, the whole room was given a new life.

What color would you pick for a quick update to your kitchen and where would you place it? Would love to hear your ideas in the comments section below.

A few more ways to accent a room:
A white room gets some pizazz from a bright blue wall
Paint the door! This soft pink is so precious in this room
Love this coral inspired wall paper on one wall or as a backing for shelves
A gorgeous burnt orange area rug  or One in bright blue
Throw a new case on your tired old pillows like this yellow chevron from Milk And Cookies

xo
Erin 

Geek Chic

I have a crush on wide rimmed sunglasses right now. I think that the geek look is going to be making a serious appearance this spring. Not in the obvious way, but with just a touch. Super is an Italian sunglasses brand that have classic frames as well as some modern updates on the Wayfarer. Boys love them, girls love them, you will love them. I think the key to this geek movement is finding one or two pieces you can mix in. Because no one really wants to be a geek, they just want look smart. Here are a couple more ideas to geek out...


Layer up with this cardigan from J. Crew
Gold buttoned, double breasted blazer from Zara
Metallic Penny Loafers from Michael Michael Kors
English Leather Briefcase from Aston

xo
Erin

Fresh Bloom: Delphinium

These little blue flowers winked at me when I saw them at the market. Just coming out of their little buds, they were starting to turn the darker blue that you see here. Hydrangea is what I am usually drawn to because they can go anywhere in the house, can last awhile if put in warm water, and are easy to arrange in any vase. These flowers are Delphinium and I am obsessed with the color. You can find them in all warmer months in the flower stores I found out, but I swear I have never seen them before. I just grab what looks nice at the market when I walk in. I like how I could just trim them to size and throw them into a vase right away. I am all about easy when it comes to flower arranging, although my goal this year is to get better. Hopefully, I can share some tips with you. Usually this what what my "arranging" looks like and with the Delphinium I like how they look a bit like wildflowers that I just snagged outside. Although let's get serious, it is 35 degrees outside. But, I can pretend.

A Short Story

Although the temperatures may not reflect that shorts are soon to be part of your every day wear, it is never too early to start shopping. Separates and shorts have been a year round staple for many girls about town. Worn with tights, you can easily bring shorts into fall and winter. I am looking forward to the warm weather, ditching the tights, and getting comfortable. Shorts can be tricky since too short is not a good look on anyone, too long can be matronly, and you always want to wear something flattering. The key is to think of the shoes you will be wearing, how much leg you want (or should) show, and check yourself out from all angles. If you look great, feel comfortable, and know that these shorts will get some wear, then I think you just found your new favorite piece for spring. I found these denim bloomers at Zara and loved their roomy feel without adding bulk to my bottom half. Time to start your search, here is a head start.

High Waisted Silk shorts from Top Shop
Lingerie Inspired Shorts from Top Shop
Broken-In Boyfriend Chino Shorts from J Crew
Polka dot Skort from Free People
Slouchy Track Shorts by 3.1 Phillip Lim
Drapey Black Sequin Shorts from the Gap
Washed Silk cargo Shorts from Marc by Marc Jacobs
Silk Tap Short by A.L.C.

xo
Erin

Modern Lighting

I had the great privilege to receive my husband's grandmother's dining room set for our house. It is a beautiful set with dark wood finish, curved glass in the china cabinet, and tons of storage in the break front. It was actually her mother's and is in incredible condition. When trying to design the room around the pieces, I wanted to give it a more modern feel. I was inspired when I went to Sepia for lunch one day and saw these beautiful chandeliers covered in soft canvas shades. It was such a great way to have the elegance of a glistening chandelier, without the stuffy feel you sometimes get from antique lighting fixtures. The search took me to many stores online and in the city. Of course you can find the most magnificent fixture anywhere if you are willing to spend upwards of ten thousand dollars, which I was not. Not even close. This fixture that I found was perfect as it has two personalities. When unlit, you see just a shiny platinum shade with a few crystals hanging from the bottom. Once lit, you get the entire effect of a chandelier through a silver finished translucent shade. I found this at Lightology in Chicago, who also sells online and has a few different options in this style. Here are some more modern twists on classics that I scavenged for online.

Filament Chandelier from Restoration Hardware
Lucite Calais Chandelier from Z Gallerie
Chrome & Black Shaded Chandelier on Overstock.com
Exeter Glass Jar Chandelier from Pottery Barn
Glass Link Chandelier from West Elm

xo
Erin

Covering Up

It seems like hats are kind of having a moment right now. Although always chic, the trend to cover up with a fedora or bowler has been popping up on the streets more and more. I try on a lot of hats, but rarely buy them. This mostly because the look is hard to pull off and I don't see myself throwing one on to run errands or to a meeting. I just saw a picture of Kate Moss walking out of the Ritz in Paris with the cutest floppy brimmed hat and I wanted to channel that in some way. I do own one cute hat that I use on vacation and when laying in the sun (gasp!) to cover up my face. It is a panama hat from J. Crew, which I love. The brim is slightly bigger than a fedora, it has a crisp grosgrain ribbon, and can be rolled up into a carry on. I need to find my next hat and I am hoping it is one of these beauties.

Cinema Sun Hat by Anthropologie
Straw Fedora by Urban Outfitters
Asymmetrical Cloche by Rachel Zoe
Raffia Visor by Viktor & Rolf

xo
Erin

Unconventional Storage

In an ideal world all of our stuff would fit perfectly into some cute box or tray and be presented beautifully and discreetly in our home. In my reality, I store about half of my things in this manner and the other half gets hidden away in a cramped unmarked drawer or stashed in a overcrowded closet. When I find unconventional ways to store anything, I try it out or at least run through it in my head to see if it is feasible. I had seen vintage hand models before in design magazines and was always on the hunt for one. They are kind of a strange find and some look like something from a horror movie. I snatched this one up at a local antique store for twenty dollars and it now is a fun place to put some of my favorite jewelry of the moment, which is usually strewn about my room haphazardly. I like that it puts what I want to wear now on display and the rest of my wares can stay in my jewelry box. Here are some links to some similar pieces and ideas that can easily be used in the same manner.





Vintage Door Knob Display for Necklaces
Use Vintage Teacups and Saucers
Display in a Glass Case Just like Your Fave Boutique
Attach Hooks to a Vintage Drawer, Like This Artist
Display Pieces in a Vintage Frame with Cork Backing
Shop Ebay for a Vintage Bust to Display Necklaces

xo
Erin

Tote Me

Style and function don't always make a great coupling. Those 5 inch platforms that I love are not necessarily the best snow shoes (although I try). Very rarely do you find a piece that you feel has a serious sense of style and functionality. This Celine tote has a lot of both. As my husband put it, "It's just a big shopping bag." And though he is correct, the super soft leather, two-tone design and roomy insides makes for my new favorite purchase. It comes in a few different  color combinations and can be found at Barney's if you do not have a Celine nearby.

I found some similar styles on Shopbop with a lighter price tag:

Half n' Half Messenger Bag
Club Monaco Allison Tote
Alexander Wang Alpha Shopper Bag

xo
Erin

Super Sunscreen

As a former (sometimes current) sun worshiper, I know that I have a lot of reversing to do. The hours and hours I spent laying in the sun over my life are for sure going to kick me in the face sometime soon. I have been searching for the perfect sunscreen for some time. I have tried pretty much all the major brands, sampled everything from the cheapie bottles at the drugstore to the uber-expensive brands that supposedly keep JLo forever young. For me it is especially hard since my skin is combination and tends to get oily with every sunscreen. You know what I am talking about, that shininess you have after applying that is less "runway-ready dewy" and more "pass the powder." When the man at the Kiehl's counter told me try some of this Super Fluid, I was already writing it off since I was pretty sure the perfect sunscreen did not exist. I shook the bottle, dabbed a few drops on my hand and then the miracle happened. The fluid soaked in quickly, left no residue and had a matte finish that no other brand has been able to do. Best part is that you apply right over your favorite moisturizer and you don't feel the heft of any sunscreen. Thank you Kiehl's for protecting me from the sun and a lifetime of a not so cute shiny face.

xo
Erin

DIY Art

Something about this photo just calms me. The colors, the way the water is moving, the softness of the sand, just puts me in a place of peace. I took this recently on a trip to the Caribbean while casually snapping away and entertaining myself. I took about forty pictures and maybe four were worth keeping, since I am no master of photography. The act of trying to capture how perfect that time and place was is impossible. I just snapped away and let the images sit, until I was back in the cold and wishing I was still there.

Now looking at this one, I am. Breeze blowing in my hair, sand sprinkled on my legs, sun warm on my shoulders, and no sounds but the water crawling up the beach. The best part about the photo to me is that no one is in it. Don't get me wrong, I love pictures of smiling loved ones. But for some reason, this one is just better faceless.

When trying to fill empty walls and no budget for works of others, I found the best way to remember moments like this and turn it into art. For a couple of dollars Kodak Gallery will blow up your charming little picture to poster size and ship it to you. Then, you can either buy a ready to hang frame or bring to your local framer and make it your own personal Ansel Adams. The quality is unreal and you can hang in a place that it can be enjoyed.

I plan to blow this picture up and put it above my desk. It will create some inspiration and a great way to relax even in the darkest, coldest of days.

xo
Erin