Museums Are Cool

Blossom Sleeve Bolero and Balloon Dress by Isabel Toledo.

If you live in New York, or if you will be there before September 26th, be sure to see the Isabel Toledo exhibit at the Museum at FIT. Her designs are, for lack of a better term, insanely amazing. If you see it, let me know! I'll be so jealous!

Sweep Me Off To Paris!

via Elle Decor

Something about a summer in Paris is really appealing to me right now. Maybe it's the dreary, rainy weather we're having in Houston. Maybe it's the small and architecture-free apartment I've been in for close to two years. Maybe it's the constant reminder of our declining economy from TV to radio and magazines that's finally getting me down. Either way, I need a vacation, and a trip to Paris would be just lover-ly.

via Domino

Of course, that involves quite a bit of funding that I just don't have at the moment. I'll have to make do with these Parisian (and faux- Parisian) interiors which are tickling my French fancy.

via Domino

Apparently, the ingredients for a Parisian interior are as follows: 3 parts chevron patterned wooden floor, 1 part ornate fireplace with large mirror overhead, 2 parts French doors with balcony and iron railing, 1 part simple floor-to-ceiling drapes. Voila!

via Domino

Until I can cross the pond and get over there, I'll be dreaming of French architecture, French fashion, and (my favorite) French crepes! Au revoir!

Bon Voyage!

Due to the accumulating excitement of my upcoming trip to Chicago, I decided on contributing to the blog an entry dedicated to....LUGGAGE! (By the way, it's my secret obsession..hehe.)

SarahWithStyle knows how much I absolutely LOVE luggage and sent me a link to the dailycandy blog. They featured the coolest luggage company called steamlineluggage.com. Their pieces are vintage/modern and are offered at an extremely reasonable price considering how fantastic their collections are. Take a gander!


The Ambassador Series: Carry-On $ 409 and Stowaway $473

I walked into my local Fossil store and noticed the perfect travel bag for men. Leather, neutral, and way stylish--you can't go wrong with this duffel from Fossil.


Redmond Duffle Bag $298

Vera Bradley merchandise became really popular back when I was in high school and I can't help but love her luggage. Instead of that stratchy, stiff nylon that most suitcases are made out of, Vera likes to use quilted, soft, highly decorated fabrics. You won't have trouble finding these at luggage claim!


Yellow Bird 26" Two Compartment Pullman $300

Last but not least, I'd like to feature good ol' Louis Vuitton. Of course, I can only dream of owning a piece made by this fabulous company but I just had to add them to this blog. Classic, and clean. The perfect description for all of their luggage pieces. Make a statement at the airport--show of your Louis!


Hat Box, Monogram Canvas $2,470

Window Treatment

My husband and I are soon to begin a few home improvement projects to spruce up the apartment, and it's got me thinking about drapes. We attended a wedding in Acapulco this weekend and the look of sheer drapes on the balcony overlooking the ocean was breathtaking.


Alas, no ocean which we can overlook at the apartment. Something along the lines of these could be beautiful when we open up the sliding glass doors on a cool Spring day...

via Domino

Though we don't really have the ceilings to pull off a look this dramatic. Maybe something a little more Parisian?

via Domino

Gorgeous, no? But unfortunately, we use our balcony too much to block it off with a daybed. Though it is glamorous. I can just imagine laying out in front of the window with a good book and a mojito. I think I've found my solution...

via House Beautiful

The perfect combination of airy, simple, but with an interesting detail. Love it! Now I just have to pick out my fabrics and get to work!

Get Outta Town

Cozy and modern and I love the light fixture at the top!

I've been sitting on this idea for a while, waiting for the appropriate time to blog it, and I'm finally getting to it. I think you might be in the mood for something non-Christmas related, and this is it, so I hope you appreciate it, because I'll be back on the Christmas bandwagon shortly. My apologies, but I LOVE Christmas.

The Fornasetti Apartment in Milan is a beautiful representation of this artist's work and it is available for rent. Interior design lovers and art buffs alike will consider this place a treat. The pictures are nice, but I'd rather see it in person. Maybe someday...

Gorgeous, saturated green in the bedroom.



The kitchen area is a Spring haven of butterflies. Talk about a theme!

A closeup of the kitchen table. Every butterfly is beautifully done.

Another view of the bedroom. Love the multicolored glass containers in the window. I may have to mimic that somewhere!

According to Gladstonehotel.com, the best time to stay is at the end of the summer, when you can take advantage of ripe figs, pears, and kiwis in the garden. For more information, email info@fornasetti.com.

It's Fall Somewhere...

On the final day of our weeklong honeymoon, John and I made our way to Lost Maples near Vanderpool, Texas. It was about an hour out of our way, but WORTH IT! We don't get to experience the season changing like those in the Northeast do, but you can see it at Lost Maples. Peak time is late October/early November, so plan accordingly if you want to go. Here are a few pictures to tide you over until next Fall!

When Ya Gotta Go...

This one is my favorite! The signs on the side read from top to bottom: "No tooting in the presence of the Queen!", "No peasants were harmed in the making of this Thunderbox", and "A man's throne is his castle" By David Querbach of Boerne, Texas.

When we began writing this blog, I thought of a lot of things I'd like to write about- fashion, interior design, cool findings, general stylish goodies. It's safe to say that outhouses did not top my style list. And yet, here I am, blogging about outhouses. On day two of the honeymoon, John and I went to Grape Creek Vineyard to sample some delicious wines (try the Black Label Port!).

A hot rod outhouse, flames and all. Love the wings! By Nancy McGalliard of Comfort, Texas.

Imagine our surprise when we encountered a plethora of outhouses. No, they were not functional, just totally pimped out- outside and in.

The inside view of an underwater outhouse. Note the algae green velvet seat cushion. The front view is the the photo above. By Dotti Brundrett of Kerrville, Texas.

The decorated outhouses are part of a traveling exhibit called Thunderbox Road. Local artists we invited to participate in the contest for cash prizes and, of course, bragging rights.

A front view of the hot rod outhouse.

Check out the Thunderbox Road website to see all of the Thunderboxes and get more information on the artists that participated. You can also vote for your favorite on the website. The winners will be announced on May 9th, 2009. Afterward, the Tunderboxes will be auctioned off at the Museum of Western Art in Kerrville, Texas.

Outhouses by Rex Hausmann of Boerne, Tami and Charles Kegley of Boerne, and Betty Rhodes and Greg Glowka of Wimberley and Fischer.

Enjoy the pictures and make sure you check out the website. If you're in the Hill Country between now and May, look up the exhibit's location and see them in person!

A closeup of Rex Hausmann's Thunderbox.

And the inside view.

Little House in the Country

The Old Alsatian House in Castroville, Texas

Hubby and I just returned from our fantastically relaxing honeymoon in the Texas Hill Country, which means I have great stuff to share! Don't worry, it's nothing cheesy or super romantic. Just cool design, inspiring landscapes, and a bit of history.

I promise this is the only heart you'll see here, but aren't these shutters sweet?

Exhibit A: The Steinbach House located in Castroville, Texas (it's just west of San Antonio!) is a relatively new addition to their town, but the house isn't new at all. Oh, no. It was built in 1618. Yes, 1618, in Wahlbach, France. How, you may be asking, did it get to Castroville, Texas, then?

The posts that made up the entire house were held together using these wooden pegs.

Interesting story actually. The Steinbach family lived in it for many years, housing as many as 15 people (at once!) in the 1,232 square foot space. Eventually, the family decided to build a new house, so they disassembled the old one, labelling each post, and storing it for several years.

The posts were numbered with little wooden tags and stored.

It was shipped to Castroville in 1998 with lots of donations and help from many volunteers. The home was rebuilt and furnished and open to the public by March 2002.

The home was furnished with antiques donated by individuals from Alsace.

Can you believe a family of 15 lived in four open bedrooms and a small loft?

If you're ever in the area, I suggest you take a peek at it. It's absolutely adorable!

I love the patchwork!

Fashion vs. Furniture: Autumn Trends

I can't get these great fall trends out of my head! And so, I decided it is time for another round of Fashion vs. Furniture, but this time, it's Fashion vs. Hotel. Hotel decor is, of course, a deciding factor for picking where you stay next to price and service. Everybody wants to stay someplace cool! My fashionistas are no different...

Look One:

A girl wearing a Dolce & Gabbana shaggy fur vest is one thing: Trendy. That vest won't make it longer than one season, but she can always get her trend-fix at the Clift Hotel in San Francisco...

The rest of the room may be classically beautiful, but if orange lucite doesn't scream, "Trend!", I don't know what does. And check out the resturant downstairs, Asia de Cuba. Trends may not last forever, but this one's got a good foundation to stand on.

Look Two:

Every trendy girl has a direct opposite- the classic beauty. She'll don a crimson pout, swept up chignon, and Kate Spade sunglasses day in and day out, but it will never, ever look tired. She takes her evening looks seriously, as is the case in Giambattista Valli (above), and she'll always be seen in an equally classic hotel- The Ambassador East in Chicago...

You can't compete with the hotel of choice of the ever-classic Frank Sinatra. The famous (or is it infamous) Pump Room downstairs served as his stomping ground for years. You don't get any more classic than that.

Look Three:

Donnatella Versace knows how to make a girl flash. A girl in Versace has the confidence, charming personality, and breathtaking looks to control the room anywhere, even the W Dallas...
Yes, a girl in Versace would still draw stares amongst the pretty people in Ghostbar, W's chic rooftop bar. So, get to flashing.

Look Four:

Some girl have that look of dark glamour about them, which is fortunate, because this Fall, that is the look a la Derek Lam. That girl needs a place that is just as glamorous with a good dose of edge. The place to be? Gramercy Park Hotel in New York City...

There is texture everywhere- wood, velvet, crystal. From the decadent lobby to the soaking tub, this place oozes sexiness.

Look Five:

When a girl wants a little romance, her go to gal is undisputedly Vera Wang. And when a girl needs a place to get, ahem, romantic, her go to hotel is the Delano in Miami...

How about a stay in an all white room with billowing sheer white curtains? How about a candlelit dinner in an outdoor cabana? Yep, that'll about do it!

Look Six:

Animal prints shoes? Cute accessory. Animal print coat from Blumarine? That makes for one ballsy chica. A girl in a coat like that is bold and impossible to miss which brings to mind another hard to miss locale- Trump Tower in New York City...

Any hotel that is dripping in crystal, marble, and most of all- gold is making a bold statement. And that is just where an equally bold soul needs to be.

The Great Outdoors?

To preface this blog, let me just say that I have never been the outdoorsy type. When I went to summer camp, I would dread the night when they made us actually sleep outside. When my sister took me camping on an island off of San Francisco, I panicked at the mention of "no bathrooms nearby". My idea of a fun camping trip is a two hour picnic- until now.

Thanks to Daily Candy (which informed me of the things in this blog), I actually want to give camping a try. I have three conditions:

My main beef about camping: the fact that I feel funky. There's a reason we learned to shower daily- we smell if we don't. So for my camping trip I would insist on having a Pocket Shower. So to review... Funky dance moves: okay, funky body odor: not so good.

Here's my second beef- when you are a girl, it is not easy to, ahem, relieve yourself outdoors. And if you have to go numero dos? Forget it. Where's the car? I'm outta here. That's why I would take the appropriately named Shit Box. Guess what you do with it.

On to my third, and final, condition. If I am going to shower and poo outdoors, it better be at the Ritz Carlton of campsites. So, I will be requesting a trip across the pond to FForest in Cardigan (that's in the UK y'all). You can stay the weekend in a dome like the one above and just zone out. No cell phone, no computer, no blogging. Just beautiful, natural surroundings, calming ocean, and your fellow travelers. I may just have to give this camping thing another shot.

Don't Forget to Say "Thank You!"

When someone is kind enough to let you stay in their home, whether for one night or one month, it's common knowledge that you should thank them. When the trip is an extended one, it's generally expected that you thank your host or hostess (or both) with a gift. The longer the stay, the more the gift. Here are some ideas for the next time you find yourself on someone's couch (or, if you're lucky, in their guest room).



A Weekend Stay:
We always had a lot of weekend visitors at my house growing up. Usually aunts and uncles passing through town on their way to another destination. Occasionally, an old friend of my parents coming for a short visit. When you find yourself on a visit like this, bring a little something to say, "I know you're going to tidy up like a madman before and after I leave, so thanks for the extra effort."


Something small will suffice, like tiny bud vases from Crate & Barrel (only $2 each!). You could also try a set of Port glasses for a wine-loving host, a cute printed dishtowel (Anthropologie has great ones) for a domestic host, or nice notecards with which they can write thank you's for their visits!


A Weeklong Vacation:
Once you are staying with somone for an entire week, you're probably disrupting their schedule at least a bit. There are meals to be made, sheets to wash, and daily entertainment to be prepared. When you are staying with someone for that amount of time, put more thought into a thank you gift. They've worked hard!


For the host that likes to get outside an grill, put together a gift basket with a few of these gourmet barbeque sauces from Williams-Sonoma. Get a small piece of jewelry for a fashion-loving hostess (or host). A coffee table book on a favorite subject is usually something people want, but may not get for themselves. That's your chance!

The Month Long Move-in:
If you're staying for a couple weeks to a month, some big time kissing up is required. Your host may love to spend time with you, but they've still have to change around their schedule for you more than just a couple of times. Get something you know they'll love- something they may not just get for themselves. Your gift to them should be a splurge!


I love these Orimono Pillows from Anthropologie. The bright colors will add a lot to a room and certainly brighten your host's day after the extra cooking and cleaning they've done! To give your hosts a break after your visit, get them a giftcard to a nice restaurant- enough for some good wine, a delicious dinner, and dessert. You could also snag a couple tickets to an event they would love- a concert, a play, the ballet, etc.

Thanking your host will not only make you feel better about imposing on them, it will also guarantee another stay at their home if you need it! And don't forget, it's always necessary to send a little note after you've left to say one final "Thank you!"

The HF List: Summer Vacation for Grown-Ups

If you're a parent, more than likely your summer vacations will be limited to kid-friendly locales like beaches, theme parks, and the occasional zoo. If you are not a parent, more than likely you don't want to spend your summer vacation with other people's kids. Maybe you're looking for a romantic spot in which to cozy up with your love, or a relaxing vineyard to enliven your wine palette, or you could just need some peace and quiet. Italy and France are both fine and good for those purposes, but it's not always feasible to jump across the pond. Money, family, and vacation time all prohibit big trips. So when you need to get away, just for a weekend, it's easy to do so by just jumping in your car. Better yet, rent a Prius and save on gas (even more relaxing!). There are great spots all over Texas where one can wine, dine, and chill.

The Hill Country: Magnolia House Bed & Breakfast
Nestled in Fredericksburg, the Magnolia House is in close proximity to tons of shopping- antiques are a big part of the city. The Hill Country is also a great place to visit if you enjoy wine- there are several vineyards to visit and taste at. The B&B itself is charming and quiet and serves a MEAN breakfast. I promise you won't be disappointed!

West Texas: Thunderbird Motel
You may or may not be familiar with Marfa, TX, it's great art scene, or the Mystery Lights. When driving up to El Paso, you won't find a lot on the way. I know this as I've made countless road trips there to visit grandparents. If only, as a kid, I had enough sway with my parents to make a quick detour off of I-10 to explore Marfa. We could have stayed at the design lovers paradise, Thunderbird Motel. The minimalist space is nonetheless luxurious and perfect for a desert getaway.

The Gulf Coast: Hoopes House
If water and sun is what you crave, drive down to Rockport. You can lay on the beach, catch up on your reading, and sip on something fruity. Then, when the sun has wreaked havoc on your energy level and skin, head back to Hoopes House for some much deserved R&R indoors. The restored 1890's home offers casual, spacious rooms that don't evoke feeling of staying in a museum, but a beachy summer villa.


South Texas Plains: Inn on the Riverwalk
Enjoying a nightlife somewhere doesn't require you to stay at a Holiday Inn. You can enjoy a quiet stay in the middle of downtown if you know where to look. If exploring the Riverwalk in San Antonio is your thing, try Inn on the Riverwalk. You'll be close to all of the action of the Riverwalk- the clubs, shopping, dining, etc- but instead of coming back to a generic hotel room, you get a sweeter place to rest your head.


The Big City: Modern B&B
For an anniversary or birthday, it's nice to get out of the house and try someplace new without even leaving town. I know where I'm heading: Modern B&B. Just to be clear, this isn't your mama's B&B. This place is sleek, modern, cool. You'll still be close to all of the hip things going on in the city. You'll come back to an amazingly designed room, a view of the city, and a good night's sleep.

Eco with Ease

I just got back from the most relaxing vacation in San Jose. Nothing but a long weekend of sun, family, and good wine! From the second I stepped off the plane, I noticed a few differences in this sunny state. For example: When my sister and I pulled into her driveway, I noticed a large assortment of trash bins. When you live in a city where many neighborhoods still don't recycle, seeing so many recycling bins is an interesting sight. So, here is the deal with the trash bins. Each house has two (yes, two!) giant blue recycling bins. Obviously, recycling is smiled upon in California. Then each house also has two large bins for yard waste like grass, leaves, and branches (maybe for making mulch?). Finally, each household receives one smaller bin for everything else. And that is it for the week. So, if you don't recycle, you will be struggling with your garbage!

I thought this whole concept was pretty interesting and I wish my neighborhood made it easier to recycle. I would recycle a lot more than I do now, if I didn't have to lug everything to their respective bins all the time. And until I moved out on my own, I didn't realize how much trash one person can produce! I think I've found a solution to reduce the amount of waste I put out. While perusing my Daily Candy, I found the NatureMill Indoor Composter. It will fit in a standard cabinet (perfect for apartment dwellers like myself), uses little energy for its composting adventures, and doesn't emit a stench of rotting food.

That will take care of all of the junk mail, leftovers that nobody ate, and those cookies I made, then felt guilty about eating, so I had to throw them away. Two weeks later, I will have a nutritous fertilizer for my porch plants and probably extra for the planters by my complex's pool! I like to share the wealth, after all.

After that, it's just glass and plastic and I'll be an Eco-heroine! Easy as pie!

French Decadence: Le BelleChasse

Hotel Le BelleChasse

I just flipped through the June issue of Metropolitan Home, when I landed on this page stopper. Number 49 on the Design 100 list was none other than Hotel Le BelleChasse. This immaculate hotel is located blocks from the Musee d'Orsay. The decor is seemlingly straight out of a Tim Burton movie. Fashion designer, Christian LaCroix, has created such a striking and diverse palette of imagery with antiques, contemporary art, playing cards, and Renaissance architecture. The colors, angles, textures, and styles are blended seamlessly to form a visual tour de force.

Who really thinks of incorporating insects and geometric shapes on wall paper? It works.

Beautiful pinks, blacks, and whites are taken straight from Lacroix's apparel fashion world.

There are so many rich visuals going on, yet there is an underlying calm to the room.

Clean, modern aesthetics combined with a Bohemian feel.

Gorgeous, velvet tufted chairs in the lobby.

I had to look twice to make sure the lush visuals were actually real! The mix and match dining chairs should be more utilized in the home decor world.

The illustrations do a wonderful job in capturing the exaggerated beauty of the hotel.

Traveling Far, Far Away via Hotels.com!

It is that time of year to start planning your summer vacations. I happened to find a nice little deal that Hotels.com is offering. Basically, if you book your hotel by May 31st for travel through the end of July, you will get $20-$100 back via mail-in rebate on a 3+ night booking.

UP TO $100 BACK MAIL-IN REBATE HOTEL DEAL

• Get $20 off with a 3-night booking.
• Get $30 off with a 5-night booking.
• Get $50 off with an 8-night booking.
• Get $75 off with a 10-night booking.
• Get $100 off with a 12-night booking.

If you are having a hard time dreaming up of the perfect hotel to visit, here is my suggestion: The Mandarin Oriental in Bangkok. It is the number 3 ranked luxury hotel according to Travel + Leisure. Feast your eyes on some the luxury amenities and interior designs the hotel offers.

Somerset Maugham Suite: The beds and double wide chaise are unreal!

The Royal Ballroom

The Oriental Suite - Living Room: I like the accent chairs with the button tufts.

The Spa: Yes, the lily pads look real!

China House