HURRY!

BOO!

I know you're probably putting the finishing touches on your Halloween costume...

BUT, drop what you're doing and get to The Limited, stat!

I stalked their website last night and went to my local store and STOCKED up on business essentials.

it was awesome. {i'm happy!}

Here's what I'm wearing to the office on Monday:

(with some black tights and mary janes pumps)

Bow Front Top $19.99

was $49.90

High Waist Tweed Pencil Skirt $39.99

was $69.90

Have a safe and spooky weekend!

xoxo-LC

Historic Fort Worth: Designer Showhouse 2010

I've been running all over the place lately.

I need a teleporter. Someone get after that pretty please.

 

One visit I missed this year was to the 2010 Designer Showhouse in Fort Worth. {bummer} However, I was pleasently surprised to find a wonderful and comprehensive article shared by Rebecca Sherman with decordallas that highlighted the experience. {Thanks Rebecca, great photos!}

 

This year the historic modern estate of Eddie and Fran Chiles, which was designed by world renown architect A.Quincy Jones in 1966, was transformed room by room by a myriad of local talent. The profits of the month long event profited Historic Fort Worth's mission to "preserve our unique historic identity through stewardship, education, and leadership".

 

Check out her article. My favorite parts are the pictures of the Grand Entrance {imagine walking up with your gown flowing behind you as you approach those large double doors, stunning}, The Regan Room by Cathy Kincaid, The Master Sitting Room by Tad Watts with Domain XCIV, the original hardware designed by William Haines, and finally The Butler's Pantry {I love how they recreated Fran's set up for the tours!} 

 

Side note: if you're looking more information from a modernist perspective,

see if you can hunt down a copy of "Builder's Homes for Better Living" by Jones.

 

Cheers!

xoxo-LC

Website Highlight: Sonya Renee

What a weekend. My best friends were in town from all over and we partied like it was 2004.

And, TCU is #4 in the BCS!!!

Know what else I'm excited about? Sonya Renee's new website.

I happened to find this Dallas-based jewelry designer when I was planning my wedding last spring. I bought all my pretty bridesmaids different earrings to wear come wedding day. I resisted purchasing some things for myself considering, but the time has come...

Their designs blend effortlessly into your daily wardrobe, whatever it may be, and will never go out of style. What's even better is that some items you can personalize: pick a gemstone, metal finish, or even monogram.

Here's to Sonya Renee...

Mini Stamped Symbol, starts @ $65

{add as many stamped initials or stone drops as your heart desires}

Sunny Hoop Pearl $95

Posh Micro Purple $105

{love love love}

Mama Sharon Hoop, Gold $60

14KT ID Tag $360

Love Knots $85

{add knots for anniversaries, births, etc}

Good Fortune, Gold $65

Labradorite Adjustable Bracelet $112

**Go on, buy something. You know you want to!**

Clicking the order button,

xoxo-LC

Seeing Purple

Banana Republic + Purple = LOVE

Hi, my name's Lauren and I have a purple problem.

Actually, I take that back, it's technically not a problem...it's football season.

So I was window shopping the other day and I happened to pop into my local BR and I wanted everything in there. Seriously, it's intoxicating. Minus the fact that they have a great fall collection: layering sweaters, structured blazers, gorgeous trims and details...I could go on and on...they have some fabulous pieces in my favorite hue: PURPLE!

I'm running out of room on my Christmas List...thanks a lot BR....

Herringbone Rosette Jacket $198

Monogram Chiffon Skirt $74

{My ultimate fav}

Monogram Ribbon Trim Shell $43.99

{Would be super cute tucked into a black pencil skirt}

Silk Trim Ruffle Scarf $59.50

{A fall essential}

Fingerless Ruffle Gloves $29.50

{You can look so chic while still using your Iphone in these!}

Alex Tote $250

Wool Ruffle Coat $225

Weekend Printed Wrap $59.50

Tattersall Ruffle Shirt $69.50

Making room in my closet,

xoxo-LC



Spring Forward

INTO COLOR!

Pantone recently released their top 10 Spring 2011 Colors. This spectrum of warm and cool hues are hand picked by a group of top NYC Fashion Week designers, forecasted for trends in women's fashion.

It appears there will be an eclectic mix: bright Caribbean blues and warm corals, sprinkled with more subtle greens, pinks, and neutrals. Ladies, this sounds like an opportunity to highlight your more traditional pieces which will become the back drop for the bold, colorful accessories. {yay!} No sense in reinventing your entire wardrobe now.

Without further adieu....achemm...

 image from elitebridalconcierge.com

Fashion and Interior Design usually collide on multiple levels.

Here's some design inspiration utilizing these newest color trends....

Honeysuckle

{image from southern accents}

Coral Rose

{image from southern accents}

Peapod

{image from southern accents}

Beeswax

{image from southern accents}

Silver Peony

{image from southern accents}

Russet

{image from southern accents}

Regatta

{image from southern accents}

Blue Curacao

{image from southern accents}

Lavender

{image from southern accents}

Silver Cloud

{image from southern accents}

The reason these rooms are so successful in portraying a specific look and style is because the designers masterfully applied color with purpose. There is an art to color styling...moderation is key.

Now if someone can just help me with my wardrobe!

TGIF,

xoxo-LC

Lights, Flashing

Christmas lights, that is.

Ok, ok. I know it's only October, but close your eyes and holiday season will be here before you know it. And you know what that means....presents? NO- PARTIES! {well, presents too...}

But my gift to you today is my top picks for the holiday social scene. Every girl's got to have a great cocktail party dress to throw on. These are what I'm crushing on right now- glitter/sequins, red/pink, waist cinching silhouettes, and subtle pattern details. The perfect compliment to any of these looks is a splash of red lipstick, a smoky eye, a great cocktail ring, and a confident walk.

Go ahead, drool...

Aidan Mattox Sequin Sheath Dress

$370

Laundry by Shelli Segal Metallic Jacquard Peplum Dress

$164.90

Tadashi Shoji Pleated Metallic Jersey Sheath Dress

$298

Taylor Dresses Bengaline Party Dress

$198

Santi Rhinestone Frame Clutch

$228

Sondra Roberts Rose Satin Box Clutch

$98

Badgley Mischka Kiss Kiss Pump

$200

My opinion, you can't go wrong with any of those dresses.

And you can find them all conveneintly on Nordstrom.com

Get ready to break out the bubbly,

xoxo-LC



Website Highlight: Empiric Studio

"We believe that ten-thousand dollar sofas are for people

who don't know that there are starving children in the world."

{How refreshing and so true}

Today I want to highlight a website passed along to me by my Grammy B, it's called Empiric Studio Furniture. (Thanks Grammy!) Check out their About and Our Values page to get a company overview...basically I like them, a lot. They have an eclectic mix of found vintage or mid-century modern furnishings...some are restored and some are designed in house through their design studio. If you're looking for some really unique conversation pieces- this is the place to go.

This sums up their design philosophy:

"We believe in methodical, disciplined evolution not revolution."

Here's what is on my wish list:

X Base Coffee Table $1325

Vintage Table Globe $125

Display Stands $595

Pair of Barrel Back Armchairs $2650/pair

Curio Display Cabinet $1325

Hand Painted Tray $45/each

Numerology Jars $90/set

Rolling Metal Console Table $1275

Tripod Spot Floor Lamp $795

Upholstered Wood Bench $1175

Gorgeous, no?

Eating a lean cuisine so I can buy all these,

xoxo-LC

Riddle me this

How is it already October?

It's just spooky how the months creep up on you.

(Halloween puns intended!)

I basically have T-minus 2 weeks to come up with a fabulous costume. Last year I went as "Wenda" from "Where's Waldo?"...his unsettlingly similar looking "girlfriend". Regardless, I Martha Stewart'd a costume from various shops around town and it turned out pretty good, if I do say so myself.

I'm embarassed to admit that I thought it was absolutely HILARIOUS that I popped into everyone's, I mean every single random person's photo opportunity that night. Basically creating a real life, "Where's Wenda?" or probably what happened really the next morning was, "Who is that random girl in the background of my picture" game?

Anyways, I think me and my hunny will go to a pumpkin patch this week. (He just doesn't know it yet). That would be a fun addition to any date night BTW.

Here's some of my favorite pumpkin design ideas from Martha Stewart:

          

                

Sipping on cider,

xoxo-LC