Posted on January 13, 2012 by Simply Styled

Okay – it’s official, Pinterest has changed my life, and is on the border of taking over altogether. Simply put, it’s a visual bookmarking site where you can categorically save pictures, ideas, recipes, etc. Pinterest lets you organize and share all the beautiful things you find on the web. People use pin-boards to plan their weddings, decorate their homes, and organize their favorite recipes

You can invite friends to join and follow friends on Facebook – this allows you see see all your friends interests and inspirations, re-pin their posts to your profile, and share ideas. So Amazing… and Addicting! No joke, I spent about 2 hours today at work (shh don’t tell) pinning away! Someone, please revoke my access as I am clearly not responsible to handle it’s amazingness!

Wedding Dress Bliss – Vera Wang

Posted on December 22, 2011 by Simply Styled

She’s done it again!

I was needing a break from spreadsheets today and what better way to escape than with this amazing dreamlike dress from Vera Wang’s 2012 Fall Collection.

Look at the detail in the hand-cut organza blossom hem, the perfect asymmetrically pleated bodice. It’s oh my god amazing, and I so wish I were planning a wedding (anyone’s wedding) rather than planning yet another ad campaign. Oh the woe of real life…

CUTEST Puppy in the world!!!

Posted on December 21, 2011 by Simply Styled

Ok, last video for the day, I swear!
xoxo

The Help

Posted on December 21, 2011 by Simply Styled

What a FABULOUS book – I read this about a year ago, and just after I finished, I heard that production was starting on a movie. They cast Emma Stone to play the part of Skeeter, and at first I was a bit dubious, but after finally seeing the movie last night, I am fully convinced that this is the best adaptation of a novel that I have EVER seen.

To paint the picture, Kris and I were eating dinner, and I decided we should rent it. Kris reluctantly agreed, and proceeded to get out his laptop to do some work. About half way through, I look over at him to see how uninterested he was, and by this point, he has put away his computer and is intently watching. At the end, I was tearing up, and looked over to see if he was still watching and noticed that he too has teared up. What a sweetie – he has a good, kind heart – one of my favorite qualities in him.

A Surprise Fashion Find

Posted on December 21, 2011 by Simply Styled

I would describe my style in life and in clothing to be a blend of classic contemporary – clean lines, and a good fit are not optional, but I rely heavily on the staples – a good pair of jeans, a white button down, and funky shoes or accessories. Same with my home – classic furniture, spicy throw pillows and artwork.

If you had asked me about my thoughts on The Gap a week ago, my response would have been… ehh… not so much. Well, now I am forced to eat my words! Last night I was finishing my Christmas shopping, and in my endeavor to avoid the craziness of the SF downtown after work, I decided I’d “make it work” on Chestnut in the Marina. I covered off on Kris’ parents at Pottery Barn and Crate and Barrel, covered Kris at Urban Outfitters, and on my walk back to the car, decided to stop into The Gap to just “take a quick look.”

Honestly, I should not be trusted to do my Christmas shopping anywhere else other than online, because I am beginning to believe that my slight addiction to shopping is actually much more serious than it might appear. Within 15 minutes or so, I proceeded to spend over $300, and came out glowing like I’d just run a marathon / gotten a facial. I was triumphant, and $300 can really take you places at The Gap – TRUST ME.

New Decorating Obcession: Topiaries

Posted on December 6, 2011 by Simply Styled

My mom has a rule – for every arrangement involving fake or dried flowers, you HAVE to have at least two fresh arrangements. While this is her rule, and not a universal rule, I think it’s a good one to go by. Have you ever been to one of those discount craft / decor stores – Michaels, or Home Goods – and thought, “wow, they have some nice stuff in here but it seems kind of tacky”? Well… its all the fake flowers and fake plants… trust me on this one… I’ve spent some time thinking about it.

That said, keeping fresh flowers on hand can really add up – while you can pick up a bouquet at the store for $10 – $15, they will be dead by the end of the week, so that is a minimum of $40 – $60 per month on flowers. To some, this might be pocket change, but for me, this adds up to drinks with a good friend, a new pair of shoes, or my annual subscription of UsWeekly.

This brings us back to seeking simple, inexpensive solutions for a fresh look in your home. I’ve found that topiaries are a great option. They are small, easy to keep up, relatively inexpensive, and look tres chic! If that’s not enough, they have 10x the lasting power of flowers, and bring a pop of freshness to any room. Honestly, if you took care of them, they could last years, but let’s say they cost $8 each, and last 4 months… that will cost you $1 a week for two. Look how amazing they look!

Photo courtesy of Kate’s Place

Photo courtesy of Home Design 2011

Feeling Lucky

Posted on November 11, 2011 by Simply Styled

The Yi Peng Festival occurs every year in Lanna (northern Thailand), where thousands of lanterns are lit and released into the sky to symbolize good luck, new beginnings, and quite literally, your problems and worries floating away from you into the night sky. I find the idea of this so romantic, and would do anything to witness this festival in real life. Can you imagine how lovely this would be – very surreal like a glowing dream land.

I actually think that this would be a really beautiful and symbolic thing to do at a wedding – for the couple to light a lantern together, and release it into the night. It would also be very cool for the guests to also light lanterns and release them with well wishes for the happy couple.

Enjoy some more breathtaking shots of this festival of hope:

Nesting!

Posted on October 27, 2011 by Simply Styled

My absolute FAVORITE part about moving is the decorating part. I swear, in another life, I was an interior designer because I am OBSESSED with design magazines, blogs, etc. My favorite part of every month is when my Home Beautiful arrives… a good glass of wine, and some cozy sweatpants and I’m set!

As I wrote earlier, Kris and I have opposing tastes in design (he modern, me classic), so I’m on the hunt of furniture that will make us both happy. I’ve been keeping an inspiration book as I scour the internet for pieces I like, to help “show” him what I think is a solid compromise.

Macy’s is having this fabulous sale right now – free shipping and 15% off any “Home” order. I was browsing through (because that is just a phenomenal deal) and came across this adorable chair.

Reviews say it’s comfy, and claim that with an ottoman it feels like you are in a recliner. Not sure I buy all that, but it has clean lines, beautiful fabric, and does look pretty cushy. There are several room lay-outs we are considering, but it is just really going to depend on how we feel when we move in. If we keep my loveseat, and buy a larger sofa to go along the full wall of windows (GORG) then this chair would be perfect – if we opt to downsize and do a sofa and single chair, I think I will have to find something bigger, fluffier, and more sink-into-it good.

Beautiful… but Timeless?

Posted on October 12, 2011 by Simply Styled

My best friend Kira is single (and ready to mingle), but like me, she is SUCH a sucker for weddings.

We both cruise StyleMePretty daily, post inspiration boards, and DVR Say Yes to the Dress. She is convinced that this Amsale dress is THE ONE. I have to admit, it is gorgeous. The detail is amazing, the skirt really makes a statement… but that begs the question, will you still like that statement 30 years from now?

For me, while I loved it on the runway, and I love it now, I think it would be something that ultimately I would end up thinking was dated. I wonder, even 10 years from now, will we look back and go, wow that was soooo 2011. My mother looked beautiful on her wedding day, but her look was definitely ’70’s. My dad kept encouraging my sister to get a dress “like mom’s” when she got married earlier this year, so maybe it’s ok if it looks dated. Maybe no matter what you get, styles will inevitably change, bridal trends will continue to evolve, and you will still reflect the year you got married.

More variations of this ruffled look

Posted on October 6, 2011 by Simply Styled

“Being the richest man in the cemetery doesn’t matter to me … Going to bed at night saying we’ve done something wonderful… that’s what matters to me.” [The Wall Street Journal, May 25, 1993]

Today we have lost one of the most influential, insightful, brilliant thinkers of our century. Steve Jobs has passed, at the age of 56, and the world will forever be at a deficit. Not only did he create life altering products – computers, phones, music engines – he changed the way we think. He brought so much passion to his work, and his ideas, and inspired so many people.

In a commencement speech he gave at Stanford, he once said, “You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something — your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life.”

There is no way around it – today, we have lost someone great.