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?

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

Color Stories: Black & Gold

photos from left to right: photo via weheartit, look from Gucci Spring 2012 runway via Vogue,  Roberto Cavalli Ring, photo of vignette in Interior Designer Ryan Korban's office via thelennox, photo of Chanel nail polishes via This is Glamorous

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: 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

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

One Accessory Said to the Other: Sweet Dreams

The Fashion Accessory

 Marimekko BonBon Necklace-Orange & Pink Melooni by Tigerlily Dream on Etsy

It's my friend's shop, check out the rest of Tigerlily Dream's Bonbon Collection here!!

The Home Accessory

Kaveri Quilt designed by Rebekah Maysles from Anthropologie

One Accessory Said to the Other: You are a colorful delight!

The Fashion Accessory

Merit Badge Necklace from Anthropologie

The Home Accessory

Alexander Girard's Wooden Dolls from DWR

Spring 2011: Beeswax Pantone 14-0941

So I've been minding my Beeswax, one of Pantone's color selections for women's fashion for Spring 2011 for several days now and still have a hard time memorizing and/or describing the color. I can best describe it to be like a Macaroni and Cheese or Cheddar Cheese color, not the sexiest descriptions for a color but quite accurate, don't you think? How about orange juice, mango, or taxi cab yellow? Do you think that these are accurate descriptions?  Beeswax is very vibrant on it's own but falls flat compared to other yellows. It's fruit and cheese mixed together to create a lovely, refreshing spring color! Perhaps these descriptions suggest it's an acquired taste, but I think the color Beeswax is perfectly lovely and fresh for Spring and Summer! Do you agree? How would you best describe the color?

From left to right: Asos 70's inspired Solaris Collection via Fashion Lover, photo and Beeswax Soap Recipe via Eco Living Experts, Stella McCartney bag via Elle, Um Project Ray Chair via Interiordesign.net

Front doors of The James NY via Interiordesign.net

Modern Family Room photo by Simon Upton via Elle Decor 

photo of gastroPod food truck by me, look from Stella McCartney Spring/Summer 2011 runway via Frillr

photo of Robert Stone Design house in Joshua Tree by Raimund Koch via Interiordesign.net 

photo and look from Moments of Grace lookbook via Shopbop

 Dining Room designed by Amanda Kyser via House Beautiful

photo and look via Retro Road Trip look book via Shopbop 

 Marigold and Pewter table setting via Martha Stewart Weddings

Bedroom designed by Amanda Nisbet via House Beautiful

Beeswax Pantone 14-0941 by lillyphunq featuring yellow jewelry

click on the image to shop the items!

One Accessory said to the Other: You look lovely, Dahlia!

The Fashion Accessory

 Kris Nations medium Dahlia pendant necklace from Max & Chloe via Shopstyle

The Home Accessory

 

Dahlia vinyl placemats by Chilewich

One Accessory said to the Other: I'll never ask a zebra about stripes...again.

The Fashion Accessory

Dandy and Zebra Clutch from EmersonMade

The Home Accessory

Savannah Story Bust, Zebra from Anthropologie

line in title from poem by Shel Silverstein

Spring 2011: Refreshing Splashes of Citrus

I know it might seem early to say so but Spring is almost here!!! I am very excited about so many things about this Spring and what better way to experience the fresh newness that Spring brings than with the bright, fun citrus colors that will be popping up everywhere?! Here are a few images of these lovely citrus colors in Fashion, Interior Design and Photography, including a photo of two beautiful chairs by my friends at Surface Workshop (see #23)!! Have you started thinking of places to use these fun citrus colors this spring? Do tell! I'm thinking definitely in my wardrobe and maybe a fun throw pillow or two on my sofa...we'll see where else it pops up:) I hope you find these images to be refreshing too! XO

  Photo Sources: 1. Photo by William Waldron via Elle Decor, 2. Photo by Grey Crawford via Elle Decor, 3. Dress from Forever 21 4. Photo by Jonn Coolidge via Elle Decor, 5. Photo by Pieter Estersohn via Elle Decor, 6. Large Stacked Jewelry Boxes via West Elm, 7. Marc by Marc Jacobs Preppy Straw Rosa Tote via Shopbop.com, 8. Diane Von Fustenberg 'Pandora' Espadrille Wedge Sandal, 9. Photo via Lucky Magazine 10. Photo via Brand Calculus, 11. Photo by William Waldron via Elle Decor, 12. Photo by Thomas Loof via House Beautiful (see slide 25), 13. Dress by Marc Jacobs via Bergdorf Goodman, 14. Michael Kors coat dress via Bergdorf Goodman 15. Photo by Laura Resen via House Beautiful, 16. Photo from Domino Magazine via The Glam Lamb,  17. Photo by William Waldron via Elle Decor, 18. Photo by me, 19. Photo by me, 20. Photo from Slaves To Fashion Blog via glamour.com,  21. Photo by Erik Johnson via Elle Decor, 22. My favorite nursery ever, from Domino Magazine via Brides.com, 23. Photo and beautiful chairs from Surface Workshop, 24. Marc by Marc Jacobs dress via Lucky Magazine, 25. Dior "Tahiti" Platform Wedge Sandals via Nordstrom 26. Photo by Antoine Bootz via Elle Decor 27. Photo by Reed Davis via House Beautiful (see slide 13), 28. Photo by Ken Hayden via Elle Decor 

One Accessory said to the Other: I came to the city that looks towards the sea, but found on my table no scallop for me!

The Fashion Accessory

Kate Spade New York 'idiom' medium enamel bracelet from Nordstrom

The Home Accessory

Vivacious embroidered linen pillow in pink by Trina Turk via Modern Chic Home

lines in title from poem by Thomas William Parsons, titled "The Scallop-Shell"

One Accessory said to the Other: I Had Vivid Watercolor Dreams!

The Fashion Accessory

Blurred Chevron Scarf from Anthropologie

The Home Accessory

Paint Palette Pillow from CB2

One Accessory Said to the Other: Take These Broken Wings and Learn to Fly...

The Fashion Accessory

Thaumatrope illusion NECKLACE - The Bird and the Cage - gold plated Steampunk Edition from etsy

The Home Accessory

Eames House Bird from DWR