Million Dollar Decorators: Mary McDonald

I'm really enjoying Bravo's "Million Dollar Decorators."  These L.A. based decorators are not messing around!  With million dollar budgets, these guys are not using placemats to decorate a dining room wall or shopping at discount stores for cheap furniture and art.  Mary McDonald  (rumored to be the inspiration for Will and Grace's "Karen") is probably my favorite.  She mixes glamour and fun and is not afraid of color.  Here are some of her beautiful interiors...

Style File: Scarves

I love scarves.  Not only are they functional and cute, but you can pretty much wear them year-round.  They are the perfect accessory!  Scarves are also a super cheap way to change up your look.  I don't think I've ever paid more than $20 for one.  Among my favorites are ones found at Urban Outfitters, and Tar-gey (AKA Target!)

Florals and spots and dots, oh my!

That's a wrap...

Wednesday Words of Wisdom

Style File: Seeing Red

Blake's "lively" red shade

Drew changes colors as often as bf's

Rihanna's shocking shade

Lolz

Artwork: Banksy

Life Advice From a 5 Year-Old

This is just too precious, and hey, she makes some pretty darn good points!

Happy Weekend

Style File: Color Blocking

This summer we've seen tons and tons of bold color on celebs.  Forget about a pop of color, these girls are not afraid of going all out!

Photojojo

Just ordered this book from Amazon.  It looks like it has tons of cool and creative ideas for some fun photo projects.  Plus, the product description says I can make "a sneaky hidden jacket camera and turn string, a washer, and a screw into a monopod that fits in (your) pocket, MacGyver-style."  Who can resist that challenge?!  Can't wait to try them out!

Thursday Words of Wisdom

"Sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together." -Marilyn Monroe

June Cover Wars: Posing with Animals

These June 2011 covers are striking, and so different than what we see in the states.  Here are Harper's Bazaar's Spain cover models.

and over at Elle Korea ...

Fashion Mavens

Style is such a relative term.  Yet, when someone looks good it's unmistakeable.  These mavens (from the hebrew word "mevin", meaning "one who understands") all have such different and distinct styles.  Yet they all understand that having a signature look-wether it be glam, preppy, classy or edgy is what makes them fashion icons.  This brings us to this week's poll-Who's the bigger style maven?

Summer Treats: Strawberry Lemonade

How good does this look?!  I love how summery and refreshing this is, perfect for a summer day or night. Yummm...

Pic:Pinterest, recipe via s and o productions

{Strawberry Lemonade}

ingredients

- 1-1/2 cups sugar
- 4 cups water
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled
- 1 Tbsp. finely shredded lemon peel
- 1 cup lemon juice (4 to 5 lemons)

directions

1. In a small saucepan combine 1 cup of the sugar and 1 cup of the water; cook and stir over medium heat until sugar dissolves. Set aside to cool.

2. In a blender combine remaining 3 cups water, 1/2 cup sugar, and the strawberries; process until smooth. Transfer to a 2-quart pitcher; add cooled syrup, lemon peel, and lemon juice. Stir to combine. Fill pitcher with crushed ice. Makes 8, 8-oz. servings.

3.Make-ahead tip: Prepare lemonade but do not add ice. Cover and chill up to 8 hours. Add ice and serve.

Celeb Inspiration

I love this look on Elle Macpherson.  Very bohemian, but still elegant and fun.  Her vintage shawl is to die for!  "Piano shawls" became quite popular in the Victorian era when having a piano in one's parlor was considered to be at the height of sophistication.  You can now wear these pieces, originally designed to drape over a piano, to drape yourself!  I recently bought a very similar one for my shop.  It's from the 1920's, embroidered silk crepe with hand knotted silk thread fringe.  LOVE. 

Hmmm, this one might find its way into my closet...

Style File: Ombre Hair

Subtle, chic, elegant on Mila Kunis ...

A little bolder and oh so pretty on Rachel Bilson...

And just wrong on drew.

Lists: Summer Necessities

Summer is almost upon us!  As much as I love the sun, and spending my days outside or at the beach, I'm really trying to protect my skin for my own vanity health.  (Hee, hee!)  Here are a few of my favorite things to have on hand for some fun in the sun...

Ok, you probably won't need the galloshes, but still...

• a nice, big pair of sunglasses
• spf 35-50 moisturizer for face and body
• spf 15 balm for lips
• sun hat, anything floppy to cover your face 
• hair conditioning spray (mix conditioner and water, spray before sun exposure)
• face spray, evian or rosewater-feels fresh on a sweltering day
• iced drinks-mochas, tea, lemonade-anything, as long as it's smothered in ice

Summer Treats: Blueberry Crisp

Summer is the perfect time for cobblers, pies and crisps.  Fresh fruit is at its best, so why not indulge in something yummy.

Ingredients:
* 4 cups fresh blueberries, washed, drained well
* 1/2 cup granulated white sugar
* 1 tbsp corn starch
* 2 tsp lemon juice
* 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
* 1/2 tsp cinnamon
* 1/3 cup flour
* 3/4 cup quick cooking rolled oats
* pinch of salt
* 1/2 stick softened butter (4 tbsp)
Preparation:
1. In a bowl combine the blueberries, granulated sugar, corn starch, and lemon juice, and mix to combine evenly. Pour into a lightly buttered baking dish.
2. In the same bowl combine the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, oats, salt, and butter. Stir with a fork until the mixture is crumbly and evenly blended. Spread the mixture over the berries and bake at 375 degrees F. for 40 minutes. Let cool to warm before serving.

Thursday Words of Wisdom

Here are two great quotes, authors "unknown"


"Don't get discouraged.  It's often the last key that opens the lock."

"Life is like photography, we use the negatives to develop."

Carol Brown

Hilarious

music

Etsy Goodness: Egyptian Revival

In Victorian times, new archeological discoveries brought an archeological revival that extended to costume jewelry. The revival resurfaced in the 1920's and 30's, then again in the late 1950's and 1960's with the release of the movie Cleopatra, starring Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. Then again, in the 1970's, more revival jewelry was offered by the best jewelry houses to commemorate King Tutankahmen's world tour.  And now, talk of Angelina Jolie playing Cleopatra in an upcoming film has me thinking about snakes and Egyptian themed jewels.

Needless to say, I wouldn't want one of these cold blooded creatures actually coiling itself around my body. But there's something about snake jewelry that's glamorous and fun.

Art Deco men's ring

Rising from the ashes...phoenix pendant

Cold Hearted Snake