Monday Escapes

We enjoyed a beautiful weekend here in Dallas, clear skies and 70 degree temperatures, but the weather is supposed to cool down considerably this week.  So I'm sure I will be craving a desert escape shortly.  No guesses necessary here:

Images via Travelmoon

Hope you enjoyed our little detour to Egypt!

Rue Magazine: Best Issue Yet

Rue magazine has really done it this time, I devoured this issue!  It left me brimming with inspiration and my heart beating just a bit faster every time I turned the page in anticipation of the next image.


The cover story for this issue is a Fine Frenzy's, Alison Sudol's vintage abode.   I have been a fan of their music for sometime, but sent over the edge with the discovery of the the song, You Picked Me.  I had it on repeat for two days, before my husband implored me to turn it off.


By far my favorite feature is Nicole Cohen aka Sketch42's UES apartment.  I have admired her blog for quite a long time (it was one of the first blogs I read), her candid, tell-it-like-it-is attitude, her abstract artwork, and knack for interiors has been quite an inspiration for me.  (And then there is her penchant for watching Real Housewives and providing entertaining and insightful recaps to suck me right in).

She has my two favorite things in her kitchen: carrera marble and Hicks pendant lights.  

Her ability to infuse both the masculine and feminine with bold touches of black/dark blue, including her glossy black doors, is so chic and sophisticated.  There are so many details to take in (i.e. her ceilings, absolutely gorgeous), I had to go through the feature twice.


Here are some more Rue images to feast on:

All Images via Rue Magazine

To view the lovely images yourself and the rest of the magazine pop over to Rue.

Leopard Roundup: High/Low

1. Flats: High/Lanvin ($795); Low/BP ($59)

2. Weekend Bag: High/Stella McCartney ($1085); Low/Topshop ($80)

3. Belt: High/YSL ($495); Low/Steve Madden ($28)

4. Ankle Boot: High/Elizabeth and James ($395); Low/Jessica Simpson ($89)

5. Scarf: High/YSL ($560); Low/Miss Selfridge (£16)

Matchbook Magazine

Check out the new digital magazine that launched today: Matchbook Magazine.  

Matchbook has a fresh voice and varied content, distinctive from the other online digital mags that I loyally follow.  Yet another entertaining read to add to the growing population of online magazines.


Speaking of which, Rue Magazine's new issue comes out this Thursday, and I am already eagerly waiting.  Not to mention, the debut of High Gloss next week.  


When done well, I seriously can't get enough of these online magazines, keep 'em coming...

New Trina Turk!

Trina Turk's new fabrics (Spring 2011) for Schumacher recently debuted.  


I have had these fabric samples, ever since I saw this fabric on a bench at the Trina Turk Residential Store in Palm Springs:

Paired with this:

Not to be too one track minded, but it's not lost on me that there would be a seamless connection with my entryway rug (also seen here):

But now I have a whole new line of bold, graphic patterns to contend with:

Despite moving to Dallas, I can't get Trina's California aesthetic off my mind!

Key to my Heart

I happened to catch a segment of the Ellen DeGeneres show featuring Sarah Hyland from Modern Family yesterday.  Modern Family has been a fabulous addition to my already packed TV line-up.  What's one more?!


Sarah Hyland was wearing this adorable key necklace.

Which reminded me of the many times that Blair Waldorf has one worn one lately:

Prompting my own finds:

1. Fleur De Lis Key Pendant Tiffany & Co. ($275)
2. Crislu Mini Key Necklace Bloomingdales ($98)
3. Mini Gold Key Etsy ($150)
4. Oval Key Pendant Eve's Addiction ($32)

Serena and Lily Bazaar & Victor Di Gesu

Serena and Lily's Bazaar recently opened, and I was browsing through their art when I saw Victor Di Gesu's paintings and fell in love.  I am forever drawn to impressionism and his style reminds me of the classics.

Here is his biography as listed on Serena & Lily's website:


Victor Di Gesu (1916 - 2000) met his wife, Janet Ament at the Chouinard and Jepson Art Institutes in Los Angeles. They moved to Europe in the 1940's and studied with numerous prominent painters in various schools across France, Spain and Italy. His work has received worldwide recognition with exhibitions at major galleries and museums in Europe and the US, including the Louvre, The Grand Palais in the Salon d'Automne, San Francisco Museum of Art, and Los Angeles County Museum.


You can see more of his work and get more information here.


Most of the original paintings listed at Serena and Lily's Bazaar have been purchased, but as of this writing, there are few left for sale.

Monday Escapes: Oprah Style

In honor of Oprah's Australian Adventure.  I am taking you to Australia this week:

Image via Travelmoon
(Whitsunday Islands/Whitehaven Beach)

Actually, let's leave this to the pros: I will let Australian photographer extraordinaire Peter Lik (also see here) take you to on a whirlwind tour of some of the country's most famous landmarks:

Speaking of Oprah's trip, one of our great family friends actually got picked as an Ultimate Viewer and heard this live: (cue the Oprah voice)...
"WE'RE GOING TO AUSTRALLLLIIIIIIAAAAA!!!!!"  But even better then just hearing those words, she got to actually experience the journey, along with being interviewed by Oprah herself, which aired on the first taping!


And blogging was part of the reason they got chosen: check out Style Substance Soul for the behind-the-scenes and read about their exciting Ultimate Adventure!


P.S. Oprah got to do this: hover in a helicopter over the heart shaped island on the Great Barrier Reef!  Has anyone else experienced this?

Images via Peter Lik

Sunshine during the Rain

Despite a brief respite (48 degrees), it is still bitterly cold in Dallas.  And if you want to know what is getting me through the long weeks of gloomy skies, 30 degree chill, and misty rain.  Nope, not a heavy winter coat--it is this Henri Bendel clutch.

While shopping with my grandparents in Boca Raton, I happened to discover they have a Henri Bendel, an accessories and handbag haven.  

Luckily, (with only very few stores peppered across the country) I happened to leave a city that had one (San Diego) move to a city with a Bendel’s (Dallas) and most importantly vacation in a spot with one (Boca Raton) so I could happen upon this steal: 50% off orange assymetrical faux crocodile clutch.  

It is the perfect color to remind me that sunshine is just around the corner and adds just the right amount of punch to any outfit!

Chance Encounters at West Elm

On a whim I went to West Elm in Dallas, which I'm sure will be the first of many visits to come.  Their bath related goods have been sparse to non-existent for quite awhile, but fear not, they recently unveiled their Spring 2011 bath line.


Shower curtains--yep, they've got them:

 All white ruffle shower curtains seem to be all the rage, they sure are popping up everywhere.

I fell in love with the striped shower curtain. 

It comes in yellow, blue, and gray (not pictured on website).  So the answer here ended up being none of the above.  Predictably, I chose the gray and white striped shower curtain.


But it doesn't end there...


Some more of my favorite new bath products:

And graphic bath mats including a moorish/quatrefoil inspired pattern and chevron:

I couldn't resist and came home with a couple of these too.


In addition, I had my first blog encounter.  After falling in love with reading lifestyle blogs and deciding to start my own, this was my first non-virtual meeting.  I happened to spot the fabulous blogger, Kelly,  who writes the aptly named blog: Fabulous K.  She is incredibly sweet and talented, and we ended up meeting out for drinks!