Saturday, February 5, 2011

Bon Voyage

By the time you read this, my friend Stefan and I will be hitting the high seas.  After this awful winter, I don't have to tell you how excited I am to get away to warmer weather.  Thank you to everyone who sent me recommendations for Miami and Nassau.  If you want to follow our adventures in real time, you can always check me out on Twitter. But don't think I've left you high and dry.  I have written lots of fun posts that will upload while I am away.   Bon voyage!




Photos by Pamela Hanson

Friday, February 4, 2011

Thanks Harper's Bazaar!

Big thanks to Véronique Hyland for including Habitually Chic in her Bloggers Share Their Fashion Week Prep Secrets story for Harpers Bazaar .  I am beyond excited and honored to be included with Garance Doré, Bryanboy, Style Bubble, The Man Repeller, Keep It Chic, All the Pretty Birds, Geometric Sleep, and the Purse Blog

Fashion was one of my first loves growing up.  I used to watch Style with Elsa Klensch and The Style Network (when it was still about having style, not the lack thereof) and dreamed about moving to New York and attending fashion shows.  At that time, there was no Google to tell you how to get a job in fashion and when I finally did move to New York, it was still a very exclusive world.  So I pursued my other love of design.  Over the years, I was lucky to be invited to shows by my friends who worked for designers but now to be invited because of my blog and to have my name on a seat is even more special because I earned it.  I am telling you this story because if you can dream it, you can achieve it.  It might be in a way that you didn't even know existed so never give up on something you love!

Packing for Miami & Cruise

When I mentioned that I was booked on an Oceania cruise and trip to Miami, the first question many asked was whether I was going to post my outfits.  I often joke that if I ever write my autobiography, it will be subtitled, Confessions of an Overpacker, but laying everything out and planning each day's outfits really does help me pack smarter.  I think it's especially useful when you're traveling from cold winter weather to a warm and sunny climate.  It's easy to forget something if you haven't worn a certain outfit for a few months.  After I took these photos, I realized I forgot my Marni belt for the Phillip Lim dress and my other strappy Manolo Blahnik shoes.   

The hardest outfit to plan has been what to wear on the plane.  I am thinking I will wear an ivory silk Blythe Blouse and a light cashmere sweater from J.Crew with jeans.  I can remove the sweater when I arrive and throw on sandals that I'll have stowed in my bag.  I think I might have to wear boots to the airport though which is annoying but it's still snowy on the streets in New York. 

My new favorite tee is this striped boatneck tee from J.Crew.  You can't really see it in the photo but the Theory skirt is white eyelet. I am most excited to use my new Chanel wicker bag from Rice & Beans Vintage on this trip!  I also made the necklace by tying five strands of red beads from the outdoor flea market together with ribbon. Total cost $20. My Roger Vivier sandals were my best purchase ever and very comfortable too.  

Probably should have used a flash for this photo but you get the idea of how the J.Crew tee can be worn with jeans and a blazer while I'm in Miami. Everything has to be able to do double duty.

This is my homage to Grace Kelly outfit. I found these citron yellow Manolo Blahnik flats at Barney's recently for only $159.  I later realized that I had a light cashmere cardigan from J.Crew in my closet in the same color.  It might be too matchy matchy but could work with this dress and others if I get chilly. 

It's hard to see this Club Monaco dress but the top drapes and is a short wrap.  I can wear it during the day with a little belt, my Chanel bag and Christian Louboutin wedges or at night with this green satin clutch from J.Crew. 

This olive green dress in another favorite from Club Monaco.  I wear it now with a big black belt and black tights and boots but it will easily transition to warmer weather.  It might look better with the tan Christian Louboutin wedges though.  See why it's good to lay things out!

My purple silk jersey dress from Phillip Lim can also be worn during the day or at night with a little blazer.  It also packs well since it doesn't wrinkle. I just have to remember to pack my Marni belt that I forgot looks great with this dress.  I also have a light black scarf in case it's chilly at night. I obviously packed more clothes but these give you an idea of what I will be wearing.

The most important thing I have to pack for this trip is sunscreen and self tanner.  Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Tinted Self-Tanner is my absolute favorite.  I've been using it for years. Estee Lauder also sent me bronzer and new products to try while I'm away.  My friend Ann from Kravet gifted me the Clinique sunscreen and after tan product which was so sweet.  I'm always worried about sunscreen breaking out my face so I am going to try La Mer SPF 30 this trip.

La Mer small size products are perfect for traveling and dry cabin air.  I slather myself with the moistering cream and eye balm the entire flight.  I also absolutely love Embryolisse Lait-Creme Concentre moisturizer which is lighter and Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant

I also have to remember to pack good hair products like Phytodefrisant and Moroccan Oil in case it's humid.  Definitely don't want Monica in Hawaii hair in Miami! 

I leave at the crack of dawn Saturday but feel reasonably relaxed since I already packed up everything last night.  Now I just need a manicure and a pedicure! 

Chic Sleeps: Lit a la Polonaise

I grew up with a canopy bed so I've had an aversion to them ever since.  If there was any bed that could make me change my mind about them, it's the 18th-century painted Louis XVI style bed above that is currently for sale at Le Louvre Antiques in Dallas.  It can also be called a lit a la polonaise (Polish bed) which is a bed that has uprights that support the canopy with curved iron bars hidden by curtains. The curtains in this case are a beautiful toile de jouy. It had me at goodnight!  Of course, I couldn't post this bed without showing you some other beautiful examples of lit a la polonaise.  Enjoy!

Another look at the Le Louve Antiques bed.

Some of the most gorgeous examples can be found at Versailles.  I took this photo on my tour. 

World of Interiors

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World of Interiors

I was lucky to see this gorgeous lit a la polonaise in person at the Getty Center.

Le Petit Trianon photo by moi.

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And some lit a la polonaise aren't just for people!

Thursday, February 3, 2011

The New Architectural Digest

I had the pleasure of attending a lunch at the Condé Nast Building today for an exclusive preview of the new Architectural Digest.  Margaret Russell walked a small group of us through the new features that debut in the March 2011 issue.  I can tell you without a doubt that you are going to love it!  The magazine hasn't changed so much that long time subscribers will be unhappy but it has been freshened up enough to now appeal to a broader audience.  I was especially excited to see the Fifth Avenue apartment of eccentric fashion iconDaphne Guinness by Daniel Romualdez and the Paris home of Pierre Passebon, antiquaire and partner of Jacques Grange.  There is also a gorgeous Mississippi home designed by Richard Keith Langham and the cover shot of room designed by Michael Smith could not look more chic.  I hope the March issue of Architectural Digest finds its way to your mailbox or local newsstand soon!

Kelly Wearstler's Vibe

One of the most exciting things I did last year in LA was visit Kelly Wearstler's studio.  It is a gorgeous space filled with her watercolor drawings pinned to the inspiration board and a constant hum of creativity.  She is one of the most inspiring designers and I was hoping that some of her magic would rub off on me that day! She has just started her own blog called My Vibe My Life where she will now let everyone into her colorful world.  There is only one post up right now but I can't wait to see what's to come! 


My NYIGF Trend Reports for Elle Decor

Elle Decor enjoyed my trend reports from the New York International Gift Fair last year so much that they asked me to cover the show for elledecor.com this year.  You can check out my trends of Butterflies & Bugs; Nautical;  and Letters, Words and Numbers on their website.  It was an honor to contribute to one of my favorite shelter magazines!
My Ping in TotalPing.com