How do you do, 32?

I don't know how it happened so fast but last week I turned 32 years old! I happen to think 32 is young, I just can't believe I am 32!!
I have a laundry list of things to do to start my 32nd year off right. First on the list is to organize my stuff, starting with my closet. I have put it off for a whole week now, any ideas/tips for tackling this tedious task? Once I get my stuff organized I can clear my head and carry on with the list. What kind of stuff do you like to do to start a new year (of life) off right? I'd love to know:)
Xo,
Lil

PS: Happy Mother's Day to all of you lovely moms!! The older I get the more I appreciate all my mom always does/did!

Lounging in the Rain

It's rainy and gray today. We have tons of stuff to get done and all I'd like to do is stay here, in bed. What is your favorite, rainy-day past time? Is it raining where you are?!

Image via pinterest: http://pinterest.com/pin/260153315945022477/

Spring 2012: My cup of tea:)

cup of tea composition by me via polyvore

Spring has arrived! It has been a long couple of weeks around here. A fresh new beginning is just what we need. I am excited about the change of pace that comes with Spring and Summer and am so ready to:

1. kick back and lounge on the beach

2. get a tan

3. enjoy warm afternoon walks to get ice cream

4. do some spring cleaning around the house

5. recharge, refresh and start anew!

What are your plans for spring?! Do you feel it's time to freshen up too? Here's to a happy Spring! xo

Currently Loving: Copper & Penny Loafers

Penny Stock: Inspired by Copper by lillyphunq featuring bronze jewelry

So I still love brass (and gold and bronze;) but lately I'm having a thing with copper! The color of a brand new penny (though hammered copper is soooo spot on)! I am seriously wishing I had all copper pots and pans hanging above my (imaginary) kitchen island. I wanted to throw copper into my look too so I went out and bought a pair of penny loafers recently and was so disappointed to find out (post purchase) that they are not able to hold a penny, it just falls out:( I know Rose Gold is having a moment but when it comes to decor, wouldn't you say copper is awfully close?! I love the idea of using copper metal touches (i.e. hardware) as a "color" in a space, what do you think? Are you digging copper at all? What fashion/home accessory do you have that is copper? 

Do you think it's nerdy to wear penny loafers with pennies in them? Is it too circa 19?? for your taste?! Speaking of Penny loafers...here's a little guide in case you're inspired to get a pair! That way I'm not the only nerd walking around proudly sporting penny loafers!

Penny Loafers!!!! by lillyphunq featuring taupe high heels

Color Stories: Lavender & Lemon

 ice cream photo via Spoonfoolery blog, look from Jill Stuart Spring 2012 RTW via Style.com

It's Valentine's Day!

photo and quick recipe via cupcakeproject

Hello there! I'm sorry I've been missing in action:/ I have been off on big and little adventures and just returning to reality but did not want to miss the opportunity to wish you all a Happy Valentine's Day!! Do you have any Valentine's plans? The Mister made reservations at one of my favorite restaurants so we'll be heading out in just a bit. Before I go though, I wanted to share this recipe I found via cupcake project for the cupcakes in the photo above! You can make just two of these in your microwave!!!! In less than 10 minutes! Why not whip up a quick little dessert?! Have you ever "baked" in your microwave? Please let me know if you try this out, I'd love to know how they turn out!

Hope you spend your evening in great company! 

Love, 

Lilly

A Muse: Tony Duquette

Coach Malachite ring via TMagazine , Rug via Roubini Rugs and chair via 1stDibs

A lot of you probably already know about Mr. Tony Duquette, famous designer and old-Hollywood royalty, who was known for thinking that More is More. When I first graduated I obsessed over mid-century modern and minimal, clean designs and now, 5 years later I find my style has evolved a bit. While I still love modern design through and through for the past few years i have loved worldly, lived in, eclectic spaces filled with details and touches of glamour and elegance done right. So I can say me and my taste have evolved to where I have a mind open enough to fully appreciate and feel inspired by the work and style of Tony Duquette instead of dismissing it as gaudy or over-the-top. Clearly I am not the only one who is smitten! Collections inspired by Tony Duquette have been popping up everywhere for the past few years! A fabric line for Jim Thompson, a collection for Baker Furniture, one for Roubini Rugs and now...a beautiful collection for Coach! 

I only learned about Mr. Duquette 3 or 4 years ago when my Jim Thompson fabric rep, Diane introduced me to a Jim Thompson fabric line inspired by the designs of Tony Duquette. My favorite still being the green colorway of Gemstone a Malachite pattern made famous by Duquette (see images above).  I even got to use the blue colorway of this fabric on some bolster pillows in a model cabana I designed a while ago (see photo I had on my phone of this space and tiny piece of said bolster pillow here). I have been obsessed with Malachite ever since!  I almost fell off my chair when I saw Jim Thompson's Golden Sunburst fabric curtains on the set of the late Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien.  And I drooled over my keyboard when I saw these photos taken at a luncheon hosted by Sferra at Tony Duquette's home, Dawnridge (in love with that lumbar pillow!!). And I am in love with several pieces of the Selected Works of Tony Duquette Collection for Baker. Have you seen this chair or this gold toad?! And now I've added this ring, this bracelet and this necklace to my wishlist of Tony Duquette inspired pieces. So tell me, are you a fan of Tony Duquette's work? What is your favorite Tony Duquette inspired piece? Do you agree with more is more?

Color Stories: Splashes of Neon

Neon meets Neutral Birthday Party Theme idea from Martha!, Neon Cambridge Satchels via Lucky Magazine, image of nail polishes via The Vanity Table, palette by me

New Year, New Color: Welcome Pantone's 17-1463 Tangerine Tango

 

Here is 17-463 Tangerine Tango, Pantone's Color of the Year for 2012! What do you think?! I will admit that I didn't think I was ready to obsess with orange/tangerine again so soon (remember when everything was orange everywhere a couple of years ago, often times used along with a chartreuse/lime green?) and I don't love the name (sorry! Perhaps they could have referenced something else in nature that is that color and isn't citrus;) but despite my initial reaction this lovely color is really growing on me! I think it will look lovely with muted grays, taupes and mints or blues for fashion and interiors. I will continue to explore more of Pantone's color selections with you this Spring but for now, here is Tangerine Tango! Will you be incorporating it in your wardrobe or decor this year? Were/are you kind of over "tangerine" too? If so, do you think a different point of reference/name or pairing it with more muted tones will make tangerine seem new again? What would you have called/named this color? Please comment, I'd love to know your thoughts! xo

 looks and images of Spring 2012 fashion trends via Marie Claire

 Frédéric Fekkai's living room designed by Robert Couturier (look at those Milo Baughman chairs! swoon!) via Elle Decor

 

lovely photo and Needled Paths Sweater Skirt via Anthropologie

 Rain Boots via Gap

 

photo by Youngna Park

images via The Ritzy Bee Blog found on pinterest

 photo via Trendy Traveler

Pantone Tangerine 17-1463 by lillyphunq featuring feather jewelry

Happy 2012! One week down, 51 more to go!

photo and DIY project from Ruffled Blog via Pinterest

Happy New Year! And just like that 2011 has passed us by! I started this blog mid-December 2010 and cannot believe it's been over a year! I am sorry I have not been posting as often as I would like, 2012 has been very busy so far. I am still coming up with my new year resolutions. So far all I have is to learn how to play tennis, learn to speak French, be more patient and commit to a life-long diet and exercise regimen.  I don't know why but I'm pretty excited about 2012! I think it's going to be a good one, I hope I'm right! Are you excited about 2012 too?! What are your new year resolutions?