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?

What are you doing New Years Eve? I want to Paartay!

New Year Drink Stirrers (sadly, sold out) via heathoriginal on etsy, Shimmering New Years Streamers via Martha Stewart.

Every year I get all excited about New Years Eve and every year it comes and goes without a real POW! I like the idea of a huge party where me and a couple of close friends are somewhat anonymous and have a crazy night in a beautiful house that we'll never visit again, in our stories we won't know everyone's name but our memories will be happy nonetheless. In my dreams I have a huge, beautiful house and I invite everyone over for an amazing New Years Eve gathering that consists of fancy shmancy dressed up guests, lots of shimmery New Years Eve decor, a lovely (and yummy) dinner, followed by heavy drinking and lots of people (the more people the better the party) and conversation and great music (and dancing for the dancers) and amazing, indulgent desserts followed by fireworks. I would have plenty of guest bedrooms so people would be welcome to stay the night (i.e. can drink heavily without worry) and in the morning I would whip up a big, delicious breakfast and those who want to stick around can stay for our New Years Day tradition of watching movies in our pajamas all day. What are your plans for New Years Eve? Better yet, what are your dream(y) New Years Eve plans? Do tell!

Fall 2011: Orchid Hush Pantone 13-3805 and Quarry Pantone 15-4305

 

Here are the last two of Pantone's Top 10 Colors for Fall 2011! I almost didn't make it but alas I did, who cares if it's the last day of Fall/first day of Winter, right?! I cannot believe Winter is here! I think Orchid Hush Pantone 13-3805 and Quarry Pantone 15-4305 are  great colors to transition from Fall to Winter. Wintery, dusty blues always look just as great with a little glitter and a little shimmer as they do with cozy warm Fall colors, do you agree? Here they are and here's to a wonderful Winter and to a colorful 2012! Cheers!

 Bedroom design by Ashley Goforth Designs, photo via Decor Pad

 Street Style via Harper's Bazaar

Jennifer Lopez's Kitchen via Veranda

lovely photo via pinterest

 

18K GF necklace, with metal spikes on vermeil bar- gold filled necklace via Tigerlily Dream

photo via Rue Magazine

 photo via House Beautiful

pretties via the decorista

Fall 2011: Pantone's Orchid Hush & Quarry by lillyphunq featuring blue heels

Holidays 2011: Gift Guide for the Hostess with the Mostess

Holidays 2011: Gift Guide for the Hostess with the Mostess by lillyphunq featuring chain jewelry

Fall 2011: Coffee Liqueur Pantone 18-0930 & Nougat Pantone 16-1320

Warm and earthy, Coffee Liqueur Pantone 18-0930 and Nougat Pantone 16-1320 woven together would make the perfect heather, wouldn't they? Each color is perfect for Fall and so lovely combined in one color palette! So which is your favorite of Pantone's Color Selections for Fall 2011? Only 2 more to go! Here is Coffee Liquer & Nougat...

 photo via pinterest

photo of Living Room via Lonny Magazine

photo via vogueprincessnaija's blog

photo via Wit and Delight

photo from Lonny Magazine via The Aestate

 photo via handitover blog

brown living room photo via the lennox

photo via pinterest

Fall 2011: Pantone's Coffee Liqueur and Nougat by lillyphunq featuring a brown shoulder bag

Outfit to Outfitted: Cozy, Sunny, and Wintery

Outfit

 

Blanched & Buckled Cardigan and photo via Anthropologie

Outfitted

photo via The Aestate

Holidays 2011: Ladylike Gifts

Holidays 2011: Ladylike Gifts by lillyphunq featuring clutch bags

Holidays 2011: Gift Guide for the Glamour Girl

Holidays 2011 Gift Guide: For the Glamour Girl by lillyphunq featuring h&m bags

Fall 2011: Happy Thanksgiving!

 

photo and lovely head dress via The Trend Boutique 

Happy (belated) Thanksgiving! I hope you spent it with family and friends you love! I am thankful for so many things! Especially my wonderful husband, my family, my amazing friends and for all of our health and happiness! 

I still cannot believe it's the Saturday after Thanksgiving! Can you believe it? Can you believe how fast this year has passed?! We're a blink away form Christmas and New Years, I don't know where the time went. They say the older one gets the faster time passes by, it's a scary thought when you worry that half of your life might have passed:( Forgive the melancholy, I just got back from watching The Descendants, you should check it out, especially if you're in the mood for a good cry. I am in love with the headband in the photo above, I wish I could get away with wearing something like that to Thanksgiving dinner, too much? I did get to finally wear these earrings (in the photo above). I got them in NYC for a couple of bucks and absolutely love them! Have spent the weekend relaxing and spending time with family and friends. We are headed out to our friends house for homemade pizza and s'mores by the fire pit (I am so excited!!). Hope your weekend is amazing and long!! xo

Fall 2011: Deep Teal Pantone 19-4914

When I studied color while in design school I learned that teal was by far the most flattering color of all. It suits any lighting, every skin tone and makes everything around it look it's best. Besides how flattering it is, deep teal is also very sophisticated and classic, isn't it? I would say it's one of my favorite colors ever! Is it one of your favorites? Here is lovely deep teal in fashion, interiors, photography and shopping, just for kicks:)

 Valentino Fall 2011 Runway via Posh Glam

Florence Broadhurst wallpaper via Signature Prints

 Dark and Moody designed by Miles Redd via House Beautiful

photo of Lea Michele in the December 2011 issue Allure Magazine via cool to wear

Natural Curiosity by Earth Sea Warrior via Coco&Kelley

Marc Jacobs Fall 2011 RTW Runway via Style.com

beautiful space designed by Ashlina aka the decorista  via Adore Magazine's Oct/Nov 2011 issue

NY Street Style via Harper's Bazaar

Deep Teal Pantone 19-4914 by lillyphunq featuring a silk shawl