This Week: Cleaning Up the Chaos

photo of the London Eye by me

I don't know how it happens but things accumulate and before I know it it's time for some heavy duty cleaning, organizing and purging! Does this happen to you guys too? I am a fairly organized person and find that between being busy leaves room for disorganization. I have not gotten around to a deep cleaning/organizing of our apartment as I am very busy crafting for my sister-in-laws baby shower but I did manage to finally clean my desk at work. Our office is complete chaos! We have piles and piles of magazines and samples everywhere! It was not an easy task but after almost 4hours my desk is clean and organized (never mind the rest of the office) and I couldn't be happier about it! Fellow designers, do you work in highly organized or disorganized offices? How do you manage your pending project samples, plans, magazines, catalogs, etc.? So this week...
1. 5 years ago today I had just gotten back to Strasbourg, France after about 5 days in London:(
2. I have been making paper pinwheels for my sister-in-law's baby shower. Check out this great, easy tutorial on how to make them!! 
3. The July/August issue of Rue Magazine is up! Flip through it here!
4. I was a huge fan of Barbie when I was a little girl, pretty obsessed really so I was so excited to read that Barbie's Dream House is being revamped! The American Institute of Architects (AIA) launched a competition for the design of Barbie's new digs, see the designs and vote for your favorite here!
5. So out of nowhere friendship bracelets are all the rage again!! I have my eye on a few favorites to buy since I'm usually too lazy to DIY but this DIY Friendship Bracelet from Honestly...WTF found via pinterest makes it look easy enough! Will you be making your own?!

Hope your Sunday is a fun day!! xo

Color Stories: The Fiestas of San Fermin

 

photo from Missy Rayder: Muse Spring 2010 via Fashionising.com,  Leather Wine Bottle from Wine Botas, poster via feriadeltoro.net

I've put together a little color story inspired by The Sun Also Rises and Ernest Hemingway's simple yet colorful descriptions of his experience at the Fiestas of San Fermin in 1925. And while I don't think I am yet willing to stomach a bullfight, I do think I'd like to have a little wine from a leather wine bottle and perhaps someday witness the Fiestas of San Fermin from a balcony as he sometimes did. Have any of you ever been? Have you ran with the bulls? It's incredible how reading about Hemingway's fascination with bullfighting has piqued my interest in something I had never really had any interest in. It's amazing how inspiring anything can be if you're reading/hearing/learning about it from a true aficionado.

Outfit to Outfitted: Ladylike in Orange & Animal Prints

Outfit

Lady Like look via Shopbop.com

Outfitted

 

Room from home of the late Mary Jane Pool via Style Redux

This Week: The Sun Also Rises

photo of Ernest Hemingway and friends in Pamplona, Spain during the Fiesta San Fermin in 1925 (the experience The Sun Also Rises is based on...except he omitted his wife, Hadley from the story in his book) via JFK Presidential Library and Museum

And so the obsession with Ernest Hemingway continues! I meant to start reading A Moveable Feast this week but was unable to get my hands on a copy (until yesterday, can't wait to start reading it:) and so I started reading The Sun Also Rises. It is interesting to read since I read about that trip and the real characters who joined him while reading The Paris Wife. I have never had much of an interest in Bull Fighting, happen to find it quite cruel, really but somehow he has even managed to make that experience seem interesting. Have/are any of you read/reading these books? So this week...

1. I learned about an amazing resort in Acapulco, Mexico from Mrs. Lilien. I soooo want to go spend a few relaxing days at Hotel Boca Chica! Have any of you been?!

2. Happy to read that I'm not the only one obsessing about the 1920's, Read about The Great Gatsby inspired designs here!!

3. Reading about the movie Shag on Vogue's website brought back so many memories!! My best friend since childhood and I watched this movie over and over when we were young girls! Love to know that we had such great taste;) Next thing you know someone will be raving about Welcome Home Roxy Carmichael, another one of our (many) favorites! ha!

4. My friend, Yelsi of Tigerlily Dream has wonderful new designs in her shop! I am especially loving the Pretty Skinny Bracelets and Necklace and Pop Rocks (what a great name!!). Take a little peek here!

5. Am excited about Season 9 of Project Runway!! It premieres this Thursday, July 28th on Lifetime! You can check out the contestants portfolio here.

Hope your week and weekend (sorry I'm late:) has been lovely! Have a great week!! xo

Currently Loving: Marnie's Favorite Things for Summer

 I was named after my mom who was named after the Alfred Hitchcock movie Marnie. The protagonist in this movie is played by Tippie Hedrin. The Marnie in the movie, is a thief, compulsive liar, and has a deep rooted fear of the color red amongst other psychosis’….nice person to be named after huh!? THANKS MOM!! Thank God I can say that I am nothing like Marnie in the movie but am a busy mommy to beautiful 2 year old Mia, a wife and psychology student with too many passions to count. I love my family, the Lord, fashion, dressing people, helping others, medicine, art, sports and this list goes on. My fashion icons are my mom and surprisingly enough my hubby. My mother is the most amazing dresser I know and not only do I respect her fashion opinion but I look to her for advice on just about anything and everything. My husband is my second fashion icon because prior to meeting him I felt as though everything needed to match perfectly, but he has opened my eyes to the world of mismatched beauty. My celebrity fashion icon is probably Blake Lively, not even the paparazzi can catch her looking bad.  She is, in a perfect world, my style twin. 
I created my facebook boutique, Mia Mor because I wanted to make some extra money on the side but didn’t have time to fit work into my busy schedule. It allowed me to have that extra income and fulfill one of my many passions all while doing the most important things, being a wife, mommy, and student. The name was inspired by my 2 year old daughter, Mia and a sort of play on words… Mi Amor…get it?  Mia Mor boutique also offers boutique parties, fashion consultations, and at-home personal shopping for any occasion, trip, or event. Our catch phrase and motto is "God bless and happy shopping" two things that no one should live without!

 1. Raw gems: Especially raw turquoise. Wear it on your arm, finger, neck, ears, or waist…it always looks fabulous with a crisp white maxi or a red romper. Wear it on the beach or out to dinner. 

2. Tous Ganesh collection: Perfect pairing of Tous and color!!! I’m not a big fan of the evil eye, hand, and elephant craze going on right now…but this little elephant I will let slide.

 3. Shoe Clips!!!!  Love them and the best place to get them is at Absolutely Audrey.These are any girl’s best friend. Whether you are a girl on a budget and want a new pair of shoes but don’t have the cash to dish out or you're just trying to jazz up your oldest most treasured heels, comfort first ladies! They have everything from Twiggy inspired shoe clips to bridal collections for the most chic brides. These shoe clips are an affordable way to go green and reuse your old shoes! 

4. Ark & Co. Clothing Line: 
(which you can find at Mia Mor boutique). This line of retro-indie cute vintage- inspired clothing is the epitome of what I believe is perfect style. Not only is the fabric perfect for everybody type but the fit of these clothes is un-paralleled. This company is based out of Los Angeles and knows what women want. I’m a sucker for the perfect dress up and dress down dress. I want to be able to go from work to a nice sit-down dinner in my favorite restaurant and still feel fabulous. These are a couple of my faves, perfect to dress up or dress down. All you need to do is pin up your hair, put on some red lipstick, and carry a pair of Absolutely Audrey shoe clips in your bag and you're good to go with a completely different outfit in under 30 seconds! 

5. Own your body and practice walking in heels: My last and most important obsession right now. The proper heel strut can miraculously pick up your butt, make you stick out your chest and flex muscles in your legs that you didn’t even know you had. The power of a perfect heel strut encompassed with a self- confident woman surpasses all plastic surgeries and creams. Check out the video below for some tips on the perfect heel strut! And always remember the key to happiness is feeling good in your own skin and not wanting more than what the good Lord intended. God bless and happy shopping! 

Color Stories: Summer Neutrals

photo of La Petit France by me, Look from Gorjana's Summer lookbook on Shopbop, Etcetera: Creating Beautiful Interiors With The Things You Love via Anthropologie

This Week: Loving Ernest & Blueberry Coffee

photo by me

 It's amazing how much one movie can inspire such a fun reading streak! I reread The Great Gatsby and am now reading The Paris Wife. I am loving Ernest Hemingway! Mostly because I am reading all about him from his wife, Hadley's point-of-view and she was madly in love with him, but still, I had never taken such a liking to him! I love that they both called each other Tiny and Tatie and he called her Kitty and Cat and they called their son Bumby. I love that they were on great adventures even after having "settled down" and had a child. And I love to hear all about the people they met and conversations they had. Next on my list is A Moveable Feast a book published by Hemingway's fourth wife after his death that is all about his time in Paris during the 1920's so it'll be cool to read about the experience from his perspective. Do any of you have any favorite books by any of the literary expatriates that you want to recommend? What are you reading this summer? Please send recommendations my way, am reading through my selections so fast! So this week...

1. We spent a lovely evening with friends! We BBQ'd, we talked, we went for a nice walk! So nice to spend some quality time with great friends, isn't it?!

2. I found this cool little shop, Write with Moxie on etsy! Great gift idea for creative friends + I love the word moxie!!

3. I love the design of this new hotel in Nolita! 

4. Are you watching the new season of Secrets from a Stylist?! I like Emily, and it's always fun to see her work! Watch on Saturday nights at 9pm EST or DVR it!!

5. My sister brought us a bag of New England Coffee's Blueberry Cobbler coffee! One word: AMAZING!! You must try it!

Hope your Sunday is great and feels very looooong!

Color Stories: Lemon & Lime

  

Cut to the Chase Bib Necklace by Kate Spade, Look from Anthropologie's

July 2011 Catalog, Mizz Mooz 'Salima' T-strap sandal via Nordstrom, 

 Tata Harper Restorative Moisturizer, Knoll Textiles 1945- 2010 via Yale University Press, 

Small Kelly Green Cake Stand via afabulousfete on Etsy, Yellow Wishbone Chair via DWR,

scallop pattern by me

Outfit to Outfitted: Salmon & Turquoise

Outfit

photo from Anthopologie's July 2011 Catalog

Outfitted

photo from the third issue of Lonny Magazine

This week: Literary expatriates and preparing for Bastille Day

  photo by me

I finished reading The Great Gatsby and even watched the movie (the 1974 Robert Redford version)! It was an enjoyable re-read and I had never seen the movie which was great except for the cheesy twinkle effects everywhere (I mean actual stars in people's eyes ha!). Both left me wishing for fabulous summer parties and wishing that I could buy an entire fancy wardrobe for summer has gotten a lot more casual since the 1920's. Bastille Day or La Fête Nationale is coming up on July 14th! In the spirit of missing France (soooo much), and having a summer reading list that consists of books either by or about some of the Literary Expatriates in Paris in the 1920's I think I want to learn how to make a Croque Monsieur! Here's a video cooking lesson by French food blogger Kerry Saretsky! Daily Candy sent it out this week along with a link to her wonderful site, you must check it out here! I also want to make Pink Provençal Sangria! So this week...


1. Madewell opened up nearby!! If you're in Miami you can visit the new store on Lincoln Road in Miami Beach! Here is the address and a map.
2. We are in love with Bernie's LA Cafe! It's not new but for some reason or other we just got around to trying it last week and have already visited 3 times! It's Chef Bernie Matz (of Books & Books) restaurant. The menu is healthy fare with some cuban twists, soooo tasty! 
3. Check out the new fiat! 
4. Last night at dinner I was complaining that I never got to go away to summer camp as a kid and had never been to the Hamptons. My sister insisted that there is no way I can pass for 16 so summer camp was out of the question and then I came across this article about  Ruschmeyer's in Montauk NY not really camp and not really the Hamptons but pretty close!! I want to go!! Did any of you get to go away to summer camp as kids? Was it as wonderful as I've always imagined?
5. The Design Sponge Book, Design Sponge at Home is available for pre-order!  Grace is not stopping by Miami for her book tour but you can check if your city is on the list here as well. Congratulations to Grace and Design Sponge!! 


Hope you have the BEST weekend!! xo

One Accessory Said to the Other: We're a couple of basket cases!

The Fashion Accessory

Tory Burch Crecent Large Straw Tote via Net-a-porter

  

The Home Accessory

Ikat Woven Collection from West Elm

This Week: Looking forward to a long lazy weekend!

photos by me

Yay for a long weekend!! Am so looking forward to lazy days with a little beach time, some reading, quality time with friends and family, some grilling, sweet cocktails, fireworks and naps! What are your plans for the holiday weekend?! To think that this time, five years ago I was preparing to leave to Europe for 3 months, excited about new adventures and getting away. If I could relive that summer over and over each year I totally would:( So this week...

1. We broke in the new BBQ and had a lovely dinner with our neighbors! They moved away this morning, it seems all our favorite neighbors are always transient. It's still cool to get to know people a little, even if just for a little while, isn't it?!

2. One of my best friends and her husband found out they are having a baby boy!! I am so excited for them and can't wait to meet their boy:)

3. I just got back from watching Beginners ! It was wonderful and funny and devastatingly sad all at once. I miss my dad so much right now:( Despite my sad spin on it, it's really wonderful, I definitely recommend it.

4. Am dying to subscribe to Birch Box. I learned about it on The Glitter Guide and think it's a marvelous idea! For just $10/month you get a goodie box filled with beauty samples every month! Doesn't that sound awesome?! Are any of you members?!

5. Inspired by the movie Midnight in Paris, I  have started rereading The Great Gatsby! I hope to read most of it at the beach this weekend (if the weather cooperates:). I want to watch the movie when I'm done (I've never watched it) and just learned today that there is a remake in the works starring  Leonardo DiCaprio and Carey Mulligan, so glad I'm revisiting! Next on my summer reading list is  The Paris Wife !

Hope you have a wonderful long holiday weekend!! xo