I know I've dropped off the face of the earth...

I'm sure you all got concerned when I started missing Pink Wednesday posts! My past few weeks have been crazy; my computer went into a coma, I moved to South Carolina, and it took a VERY long time to get internet installed.

I've moved into a house that needs a lot of work, so I'm really excited for the before and afters!

My 8 year old computer has been revived. The IT people didn't really understand why I couldn't just accept that it was time for a new one, but I explained that I would rather spend money on shoes than a new comp! But I did end up buying a netbook as part of my Black Friday shopping (yes, I woke up at 3 am). So all of those pretty pics I've filed away can be transferred to the new computer!

I'm guessing that it might be a few weeks before I get back into the regular blogging routine. I'm still getting settled from the move, I left the old computer in Connecticut, so can't do any picture transfers til Christmas, and let's be honest, I'm still worn out from blogging on an 8 year old computer.

So I hope everyone had a lovely Thanksgiving and I look forward to being back soon!!!

Summer (and Fall) Reading

I'm sure you've noticed that I've cut back on my posts. I've been having an aversion to my computer. With nice fall weather, I've been more drawn to spending time outside and one of my favorite things is finding a warm spot in the sun to read! So I thought I would share a few of my recent reads I finished this one in like 2 days! When my mom started reading it, she was like umm, I know this family! And yes, it's just like Kelly writes, her dad and brothers knows just about everyone in the lacrosse world, including my dad!

I love the dog and the setting in this book!I've loved all of Malcolm Gladwell books that I've read including Outliers and Tipping Point. Now that I've read Blink I think I'll need to bring ever future boyfriend of mine to see that guy that can predict the outcome of relationships with a 95% accuracy!

I finally just read this one... I don't know what I was too busy doing when there was all the hoopla about it on Oprah. But regardless of it's accuracy, it's a great story and has helped many people deal with their addictions or their relationships with addicts.

WARNING: THIS BOOK IS HIGHLY OFFENSIVE, but also so ridiculously hilarious. It's essentially an out of control frat boy's tales. Don't read it if you are even a little bit conservative. But if you do read it, don't read it in public - it generally leads to laughing so hard that you're crying and then you draw attention to yourself and then people want to know what you're reading, but you're too embarrassed to tell them. They've made it into a movie too!

Photo Credits: Amazon, although honestly, I'm more of a library kind of girl, saving my money for shoes!

Gift Ideas

I can't believe how fast this year has gone by! It's actually almost time to start considering holiday gift lists... One of my college classmate's mom makes quilts and bags out of your old t-shirts. So if you're having a hard time parting with those t-shirts that really shouldn't be worn in public, take a peek at her website! Keeping these memories can make a great gift!

Ebay Insanity

For this pink Wednesday, I've been obsessing over these Asics sneakers. I know, how lame, right? But I finally thought I had found the perfect running shoe!!!Most people think any old sneaker will do, but I've finally realized it pays to shell out the money for the more expensive running shoe, because they do in fact have more support etc. I've found that this style Asics is a great fit for my "sensitive feet" - but the down side to finally finding my sneaker soulmate is that I never get to pick "pretty" shoes; I get stuck with whatever color is out that season. So I'm sure you can imagine how excited I was when I went onto the Asics website to find out that they had made this GORGEOUS color sneaker!

Now the shopping drama begins... I went straight to Foot Locker (where I buy my sneaks when its time for 30% OFF to friends and family). Ugh, not on the website, but I email asking if they will carry this style... basically their answer was NO. I check the Asics website but find that there aren't any stores locally that carry this color.

Off to Ebay I go, where there is a "buy it now" pair for $79.99 or an auction ending in 2 days that was at $50. So my plan is to watch the auction, and if it goes above $79.99 then go to the "buy it now" pair. Well obviously someone else has this idea too! So after a bit of yelling at the computer I find that I am hopelessly left with the option of buying them at $130 - which is still less than their $160 retail, but once I have that $79.99 in my head, I'm determined to get them for that price! (Does anyone else ever suffer from this ebay induced insanity?)

So for the past week, I've been furious with myself for not just buying them at $79.99 the first time, and then more recently, furious with "Joe Shoe Man" for not accepting my "best offer" of $79.99.
Which brings us to today, where thankfully, on the way home from dropping someone off at JFK airport, I needed to take a bathroom break. Fortunately, I was too grossed out to stop at a rest stop, and instead insisted on going at Saks on Greenwich Avenue, in Greenwich, CT. Obviously, I couldn't refrain from doing some light shopping which eventually lead me in to a shoe store where I wanted to see if they had my sneakers. They didn't have them on display, but I thought I would ask anyway... unfortunately they didn't have my size but brought out a size up... and OMG... EWWW they look nothing like the picture!!!!! What I saw in person was this horrifying florescent pink color, and that's just not what is showing up on my computer monitor. So just like that obsession over and done. I'll just get the red pair that are cheaper on ebay anyways!On the other hand - I saw these Hunter wellies at Saks - and they are 5 times more fabulous in person!!! but they still have that $395 price tag.

I've never been a huge fan of online shopping because I know how photos can skew things.. but ugh.. what a day of online pics vs reality!

Today's wish list

I'm kind of loving these 2 dressy things from J.Crew right now.. Maybe I could wear this silk taffeta bow monde dress to a February wedding?

I really really want these La Plume Satin Peep Toes, but I think they're a little out of my price range at the moment.. ugh.

Small spaces

I swoon over this woodwork..

but I know in reality I'd get a little claustrophobic in this darling space!

Photo Credit:Haven in Paris

Pink Wednesday

Here's one of David Hicks designs that I thought was cute for it's preppy pink and green!

Work Relationships?

My friend sent me this card... I think it's hilarious - I mean working in fashion and interior design, there's definitely a better selection of gay men!

Pink Mini

How cute is this Vintage Mini? It's new by Annechovie and available in her etsy shop!

Flipping Out

I believe I have mentioned how much I LOVE LOVE LOVE Flipping Out. But with the cannot miss reunion episode on at 10 pm tonight, I need to reiterate my obsession with Jeff Lewis and Jenni!Home design combined with the ridiculousness that is Jeff, makes for the best thing on tv! If you've missed any of the episodes this season, run to your DVR - Bravo is replaying episodes from 3-6 today and from 8-10 until the reunion starts.

Coincidentally, I am going out to get pumpkins today, which I am quite excited about!! I've refrained from having them in NYC for fear of attracting critters but yay for spending the weekend in the burbs! I want to do something fun for their design... I was thinking I would try to do Jeff's and Jenni's face on the pumpkins, but for some crazy reason I can't seem to find any "Flipping Out" pumpkin carving templates! I may have to go with this haunted house template - at least it has an architectural theme!

Photo Credits: Bravo and DLTK Kids

Thad Hayes

Thad Hayes was another celebrity sighting of mine at the D&D event. He was signing his new book and was part of a panel at Dakota Jackson showroom. Although I was a little disappointed that Thad wasn't chattier during the debate on 21st century style, I'm not at all disappointed with his designs. I love the soft neutrals in this Fifth Avenue Apartment. that pop of color above the couch is just perfect! stunning light fixture!

a beautiful Wainscott home

Happy Wednesday

Alicia at Alicia B. Design shares my passion for pink! She just did a post of some gorgeous pink drapes that you must check out! This pic is my favorite. The flower art and light fixtures make the room feel so fresh but it's still perfectly feminine for a girls room.

Renter's Renovation

The fabulous blog, A Cup of Jo posted on Grant K. Gibson's renovation of his San Francisco apartment. I loved it because it's gorgeous and uses a bunch of budget friendly details. Of course I had to go the New York Times article and get the rest of the pics to share!Grant offered to renovate his apartment in exchange for 2 months free rent ($3000). Yay for such a great idea and a friendly landlord. The biggest drawback to renting is not being able to make changes to your apartment. It's great that the landlord was willing to essentially contribute to the project. Other budget friendly updates: the architectural drawings behind Grant are torn from an old book and mounted in $20 frames. The apartment is on the third floor of this Presidio Heights building. Before the renovation, "it was like a circus in there" but those west facing bay windows convinced Grant that it was worth the effort. Grant gave the apartment a new color palette by staining the floors and painting in a neutral colors. You know how I feel about dark floors off of white - LOVE LOVE LOVE!He splurged on the hollow banquette beneath the bay window allowing extra storage and seating. The Bamboo roman shades are from Target!

It's a Williams Sonoma Home couch but pillows in a Fortuny fabric "add an extra element of luxury." Mirrors on the back of the cabinet create more depth in the space.

The old portraits, some of which were purchased from a local flea market give the space an element of sophistication.

The Turkish rug and crocodile tray table were hand-me-downs from a client - I'm jealous!
Believe it or not, the bed is from Pottery Barn Teen, but he altered it by attaching a headboard. "If I buy something at a retail store, I try to think of how I can make it even more comfortable, more functional, more beautiful." So that's why I still subscribe to Pottery barn kids and teen catalogs!Such bold use of color is rather unconventional for Grant, but he likes the cozy, den-like feeling that this blue creates.

The bathroom was tiled with 99 cent tiles. Grant has an aversion to traditional toilet paper holders, so he purchased this trophy on Ebay to do the job here; what a fun accessory it is!

"I've created a space that I just love," Grant says, "When I do find the right place to buy, I'll want to do all of the same things I did here." I love it too! and when I find the right place to buy I also want to do a lot of the same things, although I'm sure I'll add a few girly elements!

Photo Credits: Paul DeSilva for The New York Times

David Hicks

I've been hearing a lot about David Hicks recently and I figured it was about time that I check him out!I immediately fell for this picture on his website of his country home in Oxfordshire where he designed the crenelated Gothic pavilion and created the surrounding gardens. Born in then English country side, David launched his interior design career in 1954 with the decoration of his own home. He then emerged as one of the most influential designers of his generation. He became well known for his bold use of color and pattern. When he couldn't find the fabrics or carpet he wanted in the market, he began designing his own which were often geometric in pattern. His style is known for seamlessly mixing antiques with contemporary furniture and modern art. How stunning the detail on this table?Some of his designs give away their 70's and 80's time period - but not this one! I love it for it's timeless style.That snake skin table is amazing! I'm loving the bold red of the upholstery too.David frequently used canopies in his bed designs. Some of the patterned fabrics that he chose feel heavy and dated now, but I do love this one.David Hicks' son Ashley has developed new fabrics, carpets, and wall papers inspired from his fathers designs. They are available from Lee Jofa, Stark Carpet and Cole and Son.

Go Design Go

The D&D Building started a blog called Go Design Go which launched last Wednesday tying in with the fabulous Fall Market that I keep talking about!It showcases new products, hot trends, bargains, design books and more! It's still so new, but I'm excited to see it develop as more readers find out about it!