WARDROBE WEDNESDAY: My Pre-Fall Look from Piperlime

Guess what day it is? . . .  HUMP DAY!  (I always wanted to write that - lol).

With Fall around the corner, I'm getting excited with all the pre-fall fashion looks flooding my inbox.  Like many of you, I'm a fashion lover but realized I don't blog enough on my love for fashion.  My other loves are home décor and tableware looks.  But, I'm stepping up my game.  I'll be bringing you a weekly series called, "Wardrobe Wednesday"; sharing a look that I wouldn't mind adding to my wardrobe.

Today's look is from Piperlime.  I'm always on the hunt for casual but stylish looks; great for the weekend. The animal trend is still going strong this season and I'm simply adoring the wine color for Fall.  Can I tell you how hard I'm crushing on designer, Loeffler Randall?  I'm already making my Christmas wish list (lol). 

Tinley Road Samara V Neck Pleated Top
Loeffler Randall Lock Clutch
AG Adriano Goldschmied - The Nikki Jean
Loeffler Randall Quinnie flats

xo,

INSPIRATION COLOR OF THE WEEK: CHARTREUSE

Happy Monday!  Hope you enjoyed the weekend.  It was a busy weekend for me and much to do this week.  So let's dive into this post to start the week off with a little inspiration.  Chartreuse is the color of the week.  It's a cross between yellow and green.

Chartreuse is a color that is bright and really pops!  It goes great with soft colors as well as darker colors.  I love this color paired with gray, white, pink, turquoise, plum, navy or black.

If you're thinking of adding this color to a room or your wardrobe, a little goes a long way.  Here are some inspiration pictures I pulled:

Adding this color to your front door (via Feldman Architecture)

This chartreuse colored sofa creates an eclectic look in this space.
(Image source)

Adding home accessories in this color pairs nicely with white and navy (Source)

These chartreuse colored leather chairs really set the tone in this space and looks great against the navy walls.  Image via Jan Showers

Wallpaper design and dining room chairs in chartreuse via EJInteriors.com

Chartreuse dining room wall via James Yo Chum photography

Remember this striking chartreuse Dior gown Nicole Kidman wore to the Oscars?
(image via Entertainment Weekly)

Jason Wu 2012 Collection
Chartreuse faux stone bib necklace via osap
Chartreuse coat (image)

xo,

ROMANTIC IN LACE: FASHION INSPIRED LOOKS

I simply adore vintage inspired looks.  One of them being lace.  Lace is sexy, feminine and innocent. It all depends on how you wear it. 

Here are some of my favorite fashion apparel from ASOS and Anthropologie.

Images (left to right):

1//Skater Dress with Lace Inserts and Embroidery

2//Fit and Flare Dress in Daisy Lace

3//Whistles Crop Top in all over lace

4//Premium Lace Boxy Kimono t-shirt

Images left to right:

1// Fluttered Lace tank

2// Grass-Lace Midi Skirt

3// Ladder Lace tank

4// Tiered Lace Romper

5// Frame Lace Tank (on sale)

6// Magnolia Lace Dress (on sale)

7// Azure Lace Dress

8// Charred Lace Skirt (on sale)

xo,

ANIMAL INSPIRED TABLE SETTINGS

Over the weekend, while running errands, I stopped at Anthropologie.  I haven't been there in a few months and took advantage to see what was on sale and new items.  Plus, an Anthro member, received 15% off their purchase. 

While I love their fashion apparel, I also love their home section.  There are such unique pieces made by different designers; always with a feminine and romantic touch.  Take for example, these lovely animal inspired plates and accessory from Anthropologie.  I can see these plates added as a layer to your regular dinnerware.  How great would these look at your next outdoor soiree? 

Images of "Natural World Dessert" plates taken by Jo Ann but can be found on Anthropologie here
Ellie Creamer found here

 

If you're not in the market for purchasing animal inspired plates (as those above are $18 each), how about putting together some looks with a few items you may have in your home. 

 

Let's get inspired . . .

 

Stylish gold and pewter animals set the theme for this table.

 

Image via Style Me Pretty

Here's a modern look with gold and silver pelican figurine.  Pairs nicely with white and gold plates and pink and gold polka dot napkins.

 

Image via Lauren Peel Photography

 Or, how about this rustic look.

Image via Green Wedding Shoes

Playing it up a different way for the holidays, as seen here by Swoon Worthy and her Christmas table ware.

Image source:  Swoon Worthy

xo,

H&M HOME COLLECTION

I had the opportunity to visit the brand new, H&M Home store in NYC, (corner of 48th St. and 5th Ave.)   How convenient for, yours truly, since it's within walking distance from my job.  The home section is on the top level (4th floor).  As soon as I got off the elevator, I was so excited to check out all the goodies!  And, let me tell you, there were many.

The store features many products like vases, trays, candles, bedding, pillows, linens and more.  The themes seem to be a French provincial look, modern or simplistic style.  The colors are soft and neutral with a feminine touch.  Right up my alley. 

I browsed the online store before visiting the actual store.  There something about seeing it in person; you get a full appreciation and you're able to see the quality of the products.

Take a look at some of the snapshots I took while at the store:

 

Love the color of these salad size plates.

Striped pillows and cases galore, in a range of colors

Love this color combo

Colors are so soft and pretty! 

 

Vintage inspired look in a range of pastel colors

Copper candlestick holders and cake stands; black and white china;
gray lace tablecloth (grabbed one for my sister)

 

Candle teacup, colorful glass jars and decorative boxes

 

Here's what I picked up for myself and scored 25% off my entire purchase:

 

 

Glass jug (with gold rim)
Round porcelain tray dish (available in store)
Ceramic jar (small, in pink)
Metal wire basket in white
Lace tablecloth in natural white

To see more, click here to see their complete line.

xo,

HAPPY FRIDAY!

Another productive work week and so happy it's Friday.  Looking forward to enjoying another weekend and spending some time outdoors (predicting nice weather in Jersey).

Mr. D and I will be finishing work on a couple of house projects that we'll share with you next week.

To end the work week, here are some of my snapshots on instagram (@joann3373).

Bistro chair with marble and steel dining table - Crate and Barrel

Morning fruit (peach, banana, mango) smoothie with coconut milk and chia seeds

Favorite snack, multigrain pita crackers, Persian cucumbers and hummus (Trader Joes)

Sunday weekly flower run - pale yellow roses and alstroemeria bunch - Trader Joes/New Jersey

Home project:  Mr. D re-staining our back porch steps

Flower display at work (pink roses with alstroemeria bunch from Trader Joes/New Jersey

Displaying my vintage gold bangles

Morning walk to work through Times Square.  Hey . . . Good Morning America!

Have a great weekend!

xo,

DESIGNER CRUSH: KELLY HOPPEN

Meet British interior designer (and Entrepreneur, Author and Educator), Kelly Hoppen.  What an amazing, talented woman.  Can you believe she started her business at the age of sixteen and a half!  I came across her work from a new magazine (new to me), purchased called Rooms.  Have you seen this magazine?  It's filled with designer spaces, inspiring ideas for you and I.  I'm sure I've seen Kelly's name or pictures of her designs, but didn't really acknowledge it until now.  If you've never heard of the Rooms magazine, below is a snapshot of the magazine cover (purchased at Barnes and Noble).

 

When designing, Kelly creates a sense of feeling in the home; more so than just the look of the home.  Kelly writes in her book, "Our homes are our greatest asset, not just financially but also for our sense of well-being and happiness."  So true Kelly.  One room she created blew me away!  Take a look at the room below.

How genius are those dining room chairs!  Love the crisscross design; so feminine and sexy

The chairs make such a statement in this room. I spotted the same design chairs seen in her book (different space), "Kelly Hoppen - How To Achieve the Home of Your Dreams".  And, just as an fyi, I'm loving this book!  It's not just pretty pictures.  She offers great advice and teaches certain principles to follow when designing a space.  It's such an informative book.  I encourage you to add this to your coffee table book collection, bookshelf or bedside table.

Here are some of my other favorite room designs:

London: The Art Lover's Apartment

This staircase and lighting fixture are jaw dropping.  I love how the light fixture takes the same shape as the staircase; while floating in the air

After heading up that gorgeous staircase, relax in this neutral palette bedroom.

London: The Loft

Tall wooden beams in natural toned woods, accented with neutral and ebony furnishings.  How fun is that hanging canopy chair!

Manchester:  The Modern Mansion

Another beautifully designed staircase

You can really entertain for dinner in this room

I'm guessing this is the media room.  Can you imagine snuggling up in one of these?

Wait . . . is this a bathroom?  I'm speechless

London:  The Townhouse

Simple, elegant and comfortable bedroom design.  Love the prints on the wall

Clean, white room with pops of green

Outdoors anyone?  Need I say more

To learn more about Kelly Hoppen, head on over to her website to see more (here).  And, that's not all.  Kelly has not one, but eight design books!  She also has an online shop . . . could you die right now?  While browsing her online store and making a wish list, I came across her home accessories which she refers to as, "home jewelry".  I love this woman!

Here are a few of her items I'm admiring:

Kelly Hoppen travel candles in Light Collection

Silver Ombre Vase

Indulgence Stone Bed Linen

Trimmed Small Oval Vase

Pinched Vase

Velvet Cushions

Flat Top Glass Bowl

I heart you Kelly Hoppen.

xo,