Trend Alert: Fall 2012

Trend Alert: Fall 2012

1) Peplum: 

• Peplum tops are everywhere this season. 
• Totally figure-flattering, they cover the tummy!
• Look for simple shapes and nice, thick fabrics
• Mango peplum top

2) Burgundy: 

• It is the color for the season. You can't go wrong with this suede TopShop bag, the price is ahhhhmazing.
• Leather crossbody handbag

Presidential Elections 2012

Get out there tomorrow and vote for President! 

I'll be #barackingthevote and voting for Obama, but whichever candidate you choose, just make sure you get out to your local polling location and make your voice heard!

• Vote Lapel Pin - made by Kathy in Ontario, Canada- $12.95 

If you're not sure where to vote, enter your address here to find your local polling location. If you need more info on voter registration, click here.

Happy election!

Hurricane Sandy

U.S.Coast Guard/Petty Officer 2nd Class Erik Swanson | Reuters

This week we weathered the storm here on the East Coast. Those in NYC and the Jersey coast were hit hardest. 

Many lives have been impacted by Hurricane Sandy. I am so grateful to all who have been working to help those in need at this time. If you want to donate to the Red Cross relief efforts:

• visit www.redcross.org
• call 1-800-RED-CROSS
• text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation

DIY Gallery Walls

A few years after re-doing our living room with a new coat of paint, new sofa, and a fabulous floral rug*, we finally made a commitment to get some of our favorite artwork** framed. Believe you me, custom-framing is expensive! 

After a few months of budgeting/planning we finally had a collection of pieces framed and ready to go up on the wall, the question was how to display them most easily? We decided on ledges. The process of figuring out the spacing was...well... it was a process.

First I started by laying the pieces out on the floor (thanks for the help Mom- this was a genius idea!). This allowed us to see how everything would look together.

Fall Gardening: Planting Tulip Bulbs

Tulip Montreaux bulbs

My tulips from Holland just arrived! 200 bulbs of the Mount Tacoma and Montreaux varieties made their way over from VanEngelen.com. They arrived in beautiful condition, ready to get their little booties in the ground.

Got my gardening gear on!

These little guys need to be planted about 6" deep. I used a small shovel to dig 6" holes, then grouped the tulips in clusters of 2-5. The goal is to create a big patch of white and blush pink blooms come late April. Now that these babies are in the ground, I'm even more anxious for winter to come and go so I can see them blooming!! 

Gardening: End of season round up

It's official- summer is over. A killing frost came to my neck of the woods about two weeks ago and destroyed all that was left of my garden. Now it's time to round up the season. What went well? What gardening advice do I need to remember for 2013?

The tomato harvest was insane. They just kept coming. Four plants may have been too much for me. I could probably do just fine with two or three. 

I planted two rounds of beets. They were great (a personal favorite with goat cheese...mmmm baby). However, I need to remember to thin them out after the first 3 weeks. The sprouts are tiny and get all clumped together when you plant them. Since I didn't thin them out, it just made for smaller beets when it came time to harvest.

Thailand

It has been a month since I've posted. But forgive me- I've been a busy bee!! And I have PROOF! I went on a little trip to Bangkok a few weeks ago. Behold some of my favorite moments from the trip.

Floating Marketing: Bangkok, Thailand

Elephants...

And Elephant Rides!

Mangosteen and other Exotic Fruits at the Floating Market, Thailand

Enjoying fresh coconut water with my brother, Collie

Homemade Potato Chips

We are a family of DIY-ers. On vacation when we're not reading or relaxing at the beach, we generally make lots of homemade foods. Recently on the list were home-cooked potato chips. 

Step 1: Heat up a huge pot of hot oil.

Step 2: Use a mandolin to slice a million potato slices.

Etsy Pick: Julep Cups

As my dahlias are currently in full bloom I am making flower arrangements all the time lately. I love this pair of julep cups from etsy.com. Great little vases for short, full bouquets.

• Pair of Julep Cups - from Fawn and Filigree in Toronto - $50.28 

Some super cute uses for these bad boys:

#1) Use them to actually serve mint juleps!

Image c/o Pinterest

#2) Use them for groupings of white tulips or white hydrangeas

Image courtesy of Cupcakes & Cashmere

#3) Use them for planting succulents

Image courtesy of Ruffled. 

Marissa Webb S/S 2013

More runway coverage from yours truly over at Fashion Pulse Daily. I loved being a fashion week correspondent last week! Check out my post here or read on...

Fashion Pulse Daily runway correspondent

Marissa Webb Spring 2013

9/8/2012

Images via @SorrelliSparkle on Instagram

The Show: Marissa Webb Spring 2013

The Theme: Lady-like with an edge
The Color Palette: Stark whites, ivory, and black leather were brightened by teal batik prints, pops of neon, vibrant red, and turquoise sequins.
Best/Collection’s Signature Standout Look: Marissa Webb’s highly anticipated first collection did not disappoint. The former J.Crew designer showed lady-like pieces with the requisite amount of cool-girl edge.
An army green blazer muted a highlighter-yellow sequin ensemble, complete with a neon necktie. A feminine bow blouse in vibrant red was paired with cigarette jeans in the same flame hue and black leather accessories. Another favorite look combined a turquoise sequin shell and leather leggings. The looks were the perfect balance of tailored and edgy, and the shoes were the perfect accessories in shades of violet, flame, and neon. Swoon.

Image via MBFashionWeek.com

Image via MBFashionWeek.com

Image via MBFashionWeek.com