Secret of domestic bliss #52...get some guilded gold goodness

As we settle in to our digs I am quickly realizing that shades of gray are the jam! There is not anywhere I look that I don't spot the dark and delicious color. As I fall hard for my fave shade, I notice that the perfect compliment to this sort of hue is ornate, gold accessories. This antique gold is so on my radar right now. I can't get over it. I want more of it! Especially because no matter what your style is, this gorgeousness can be the perfect addition.

read more!

the Art of Living... bringing home Hollywood

So I just want to let you all in on something that I got today that just warms my heart. This gorgeous Sophia Loren print is going in my new cozy bedroom. It looks amazing framed in white and on my muddy gray walls. I can't stop staring at the photo, its perfection.

It got me thinking of my love for vintage photography and I wanted to share with you all some of my favorite to get you inspired. Hollywood photography in a home can be very chic and give a room an entire mood change. Photography can conjure up emotion, which is essential for achieving domestic bliss! (I fondly remember NKTOB posters on my wall doing the same thing for me as a young girl.yes mom, I will always love you for doing that for me). For some, rock and roll shots give a bit of edge and for others old hollywood starlets add a touch of glamour and romance. Whatever your preference, I say go for it, you can't go wrong. 

read more!

fashion meets decor... the wallcolor is pink

lusciously femme, hot pink flowy dress

meet

lusciously femme, hot pink for wallcolor wednesday...

in this summer heat, yummy hot pink, you are ALL that I need.

read more!

Elements of a glamorous bedroom...

As I decorate my new bedroom, I am picking out each piece very carefully. From the perfect bedskirt, to the candles. (Speaking of candles. My entire life I have been obsessed with Jasmin and Gardenia...and Archipelago has perfected the mix of the two in this candle. It's all I am burning right now. 

Anyway, as much as I love bright and beautiful bursts of color, I want my bedroom to be plush and romantic. Lots of fabrics, plush bedding, glimmering light fixtures, everything. 

read more!

my love affair with elephants...

I love elephants. I always have. Ever since I was a little girl, I felt such a connection to the big beautiful species. I have collections of elephants from everywhere I have traveled. I even have the cutest elephant coffee mugs. 

I recently read that elephants have been known to die of broken hearts if a mate dies. They refuse to eat and will lay down, shedding tears until they starve to death. They refuse all human help.

The moment I read this, I knew thats why I love this animal so much. Elephants are romantics at heart. I love that and what I love even more is when I see them in home decor. They are all over the magazines and photos. As I decorate my new NYC space, I am feeling the need to get another one. 

read more!

Style-icious Sunday: light, bright and flea market chic

It's a beautiful day in the city today, the weather is perfect! Dying to head to the local thrift and see what fun things they might have for my new digs. While I am much more modern glamour...I am secretly in adoration of the thrift store finds and romantic glamour that goes along with it. The eclectic mix of items can be incredibly pretty. 

read more!

10 things that rocked my world this week! june 25

 1. Happy Lee Lee! My really really close friends call me "leelee" and when I laugh, I laugh LOUD. They call it "happy lee lee laugh". NYC has been more than enough in terms of work, life, etc. It has been a while since I have had a long, LOUD laugh and this pic captures it. I love that. I've got to remember to laugh more.

read more!

Friday fun with The Decoristo...bringing fashion home

read more!

secret of domestic bliss #51......monogrammed living

It's the weekend already, where has the week gone? My bedroom is mostly set up but I have a few essentials that I have to stock up on this weekend. One thing I am looking for is the perfect monogrammed bedding...I love monogramms (especially towels for some reason) and I am feeling the need for some good looking letters in my life. Monogrammed bedding is all over the magazines and blogs these days, so I am not sure that I want to do what everyone else is doing, but I just adore the look.

read more!

The Art of Living... a chair in the bedroom

So, ever since I can remember I loved hanging out in my grandparents bedroom and sitting in the guest chair while grandma would get ready for a special event. It was one of my favorite places as a little girl. Now, in my small NYC bedroom, I have decided that this time I insist on having a chair. Nothing more perfect than a place to read a book, sip tea or have a friend to sit and chat with you (moments of domestic bliss). I am smitten with these chairs in the bedroom. Very smart and very sweet. 

read more!

Wallcolor Wednesday {gray in gramercy park}

Today our apartment painting sessions have officially commenced. Yay! (side note: we have fallen head over heels for our little Gramercy Park neighborhood) I wanted to give you all a sneak peek at the gorgeous, dark gray color we decided to go with. Kelley and I both love color, so we thought  that a dark gray would make the perfect backdrop to pops of bright colors throughout the room. It also looks absolutely lovely combined with our yummy dark chocolate floors. I have, like most people right now, a slight obsession with gray. I especially love it on the walls. Its good stuff.

read more!

office space of the day...bamboo black and glossy

white walls + greek key trimmed panels + glossy black lamp + bamboo black desk and chair=

domestic bliss

Oh the joys of moving + unpacking. The process is fun and exciting yet impossibly lengthy. Honestly, though, I am so happy to finally be in my very own apartment with an even more fabulous roommate. You all might know her...she is a fellow blogger sister...visit her blog for the big reveal! 

read more!

Decorista daydreaming...longing for a canopied bed

Today is moving day! Meaning everything is getting dropped off, painters are painting and organization mode is in full swing! I can't wait to show you all photos but for now...relish with me in the gorgeousness of canopied beds. I am just crazy about the delicious flowing fabric down the edges of the bed. I think it makes a bedroom that much more cozy and romantic. Unfortunately, because new york is just "like that", architecturally a canopied bed will not work in my bedroom. Yes, I was majorly disappointed because I had my sights set on one in particular. For the time being I just get to admire the gorgeousness of the ones in photos. A girl can dream, right?

read more!

Style-icious Sunday: glamorous and golden

There is nothing like an oversized gold sunburst above the bed to make a statement in the bedroom. The placement of this piece is the perfect addition of that glamorous "wow" factor to add to the simplicity of an all white room. White and gold is one of my favorite color combos of all time. Here, the kiss of blue and white pillows just seals the deal. It's got me craving some gold glamour in my life....

read more!

10 things that rocked my world this week! june 18

1. Mel and I on the terrace at the NYC Crave party book launch.  Such an honor to be involved with the women of CRAVE. I really love to be around other young, stylish and savvy and extremely creative business women. Was lovely to meet so many sweet new entrepreneur girl friends.

read more!

Friday fun with The Decoristo...my NYC apartment

read more!

The JEWELS of the home...

I have come to the conclusion that it's high time I find the perfect chandelier for my apartment bedroom. I have always longed for a big, gorgeous and glossy chandelier. They are my absolute favorite! Have you seen my design website? I designed it around a glittering drop chandelier. Every one of them is so beautiful and different and just delights my heart.

read more!

Random decorista moments

I love COLOR! So, it's no surprise that a gorgeous bedroom wall color could inspire my latest manicure. Thanks to my NYC bff, Essie canyon coral is the perfect summer polish! Bold, bright coral-y red...looks fab on a manicure and even better on a glossy Miles Redd magazine spread! I am just completely smitten.

read more!

Wallcolor Wednesday {horizontal stripes}

Already have my mind going for the new apartment and I haven't even gotten the keys yet. I am seriously thinking that we are going to do some fun horizontal stripes down our long corridor to the bedrooms. I think it can be such a fun and playful way to perk up a long hallway, no? Add some pretty frames and fabulous photography and we have an insanely cool view from our bedrooms.

read more!

All dolled up...the new 2011 version of the decorista...

Check out the beautiful new face for The Decorista. An out of this world illustration of the ultimate decorating gal. Marvelously done by Jessica Rae Sommer, my sweet so cal friend. You guys must check out  her etsy shop. It's fantastic! 

read more!

secret of domestic bliss #50...high gloss black doors

Okay, with my obsession with black and my obsession with high glossy & shiny things, it's no wonder that I really think black high gloss doors are EVERYTHING. I think it's like channeling Coco Chanel and her simple yet chic aesthetic. Love love love these doors. Let them inspire you! 

read more!

The Art of Living: dining room de-lights.

So with my recent obsession with nude colors, you can imagine that these gorgeous pillows and beige breakfast area had me at hello. Next to the pretty colors, I fell hard for the lighting. I love pretty lighting above a dining table. So gorgeous!

read more!

bliss in the kitch' {so crisp and so clean}

It's moving week for me!!!!! So excited to pack up my things and head in to my new place. What I am most excited is the kitchen in my new space. It's nice and big (well for NYC) and ready to be cooked in. When I spotted this pretty white kitchen I felt my heart just giddy with new kitchen excitement. 

I love all white kitchens but what they need to be more pretty and clean, is a hint of classic black. It's a genius combination.

read more!

Style-icious Sunday: eclectic modern

I love all things. I truly do. Especially when it comes to decor styles. So perhaps thats why I find myself adoring eclectic and modern decorated homes. These particular few have that essence of California boho cool. That is probably why they speak to me. I am endlessly missing the lovely California weather and lifestyle. 

read more!

10 things that rocked my world this week! june 10

1. Some of my most inspired moments in life look like this...and someone very very cool captured a photo of it. :)

read more!

art that i absolutely heart {represent your city}

A while back, while shopping in Brooklyn, I came across this poster and fell absolutely head over heels in love with this bright and funky NYC subway poster. How ridiculously hip is this layout? A white frame and thick white matting and you are in business.

What I love most about it, it represents the city I now reside in and the marvelous subway system we have here. I love when people LOVE their city and totally represent in their home (and not in sports team flags) through really stylish artwork. 

read more!

Announcing the winner: The Meghan Method

Thank you so much everyone for entering the giveaway. Meghan was thrilled with your sweet response! 

Now for the winners of the giveaway.....

HAMPTONTOES + SARAH S.

Congratulations Ladies!!!! Send me an email and I'll mail your books out asap! 

read more!

fashion meets decor...colorful gems

decadent, colorful and jewel toned gems on a necklace

meet

decadent, colorful jewel toned gem chic home accessories...
nothing is better than candy color goodies, don't you agree?

read more!

Wallcolor Wednesday {creme de la creme}

So, I finally found an apartment. fingers crossed it all goes smoothly and I will be moving in less than 2 weeks. The apartment is gorgeous and as you can guess, I have been obsessing over my bedroom wallcolor. I love so many colors, black, white, deep blues, but for some reason lately I have been secretly in love with beige walls. More cocoa beige than just plain beige, I feel like it could be a very serene feeling room. Seems like a boring color, but I almost feel like it would be such a fun challenge. My mission...to make beige work it! 

read more!

The Art of Living: great kitchen/bar stools

I love meeting my new clients in the city for the first time. Especially when they are fun, sweet and fabulous! 

Yesterday, I met my new beautiful client, Dina and we chatted on and on and realized that in NYC sometimes there is just no place for a dining table (that so won't fly with me...love to entertain)!
 However, for the most part, all I have to search for when looking for seating options are bar stools. The name 'bar stool' for some reason just gives me the jitters....I am not in love with them. So, in search for the perfect bar stools, I found a few that changed my perspective.

read more!

office space of the day... woodsy blackness

yummy black walls + wooden tables + black bookcase + chic black chair =

domestic bliss

here

read more!

white done right: decorating inspired by life in the city

Stark white is the epitome of chic. Totally not live-able but incredibly inspirational. I love these all white modern and stylish rooms. Throw in some fantastic, ornate light fixtures and colorful accessories and there you will have a perfectly styled dwelling.

read more!

Style-icious Sunday: feminine romance

Oh the magic of being a woman. I love everything about being my alone girlie time. I love the art of getting ready, the lotions and creams and delicious perfumes. I love jewelry and lipgloss and sweet smelling roses. My favorite moments in life are luxuriating in my bedroom, lighting candles and sipping tea. Set the tone with great music and I am in pure domestic bliss. 

read more!

10 things that rocked my world this week! june 4

1. "you must be true to your own heart, or you will never be happy" ---I have to always be honest with myself. If I wasn't driving myself mad by over working (see above) and too much decorating, I wouldn't be fulfilled.

Other people may try to tell you how you should be...but you should always BE YOU! 

read more!

office space of the day... colorful bohemian

deep olive green walls + spunky yellow desk + cute morrocan pouf + fun suzani on the wall =

domestic bliss

via

read more!

Friday fun with The Decoristo...feeling a little wanderlust

read more!

needing. wanting. loving. {decorative busts}

As I was doing my research on faux fireplaces (don't ask me why...just super curious) I stumbled upon this gorgeous photo. Instantly the mirrored fireplace struck me, it's a very very cool example. After a bit more adoration of this space, I couldn't resist loving the beautiful bust sitting between the two chairs. Normally, I would think to place a small cocktail table between a pair of fabulous chairs. However, now, after seeing this incredible bust, I think next time I might try using something a little more creative like this. Super gorgeous piece...excellent style! Busts are so my new obsession.

read more!

The Art of Living...gorgeous natural light

As I have been endlessly searching for the perfect apartment in the city, I have come to realize that you just can't have it all. Well, maybe you can on the upper west side but anywhere in the middle of Manhattan you are probably going to compromise on an amenity or two. I have come to terms with maybe not the perfect sized closet or bathroom but something I will not part with...ample sunlight. I simply could never wake up to a dark apartment and be happy. Sunshine makes me utterly blissful and how beautiful are those morning coffee moments with bright sunlight? 

read more!

fashion meets decor...the buttery browns

buttery brown leather shoes

meet 

buttery brown interior adornments...

your supple swagger is enticing me to no end, wanting all kinds of you in my home! 

read more!

Brilliant and divided art works

Deep purple velvet, gorgeous ikat-ish print pillows and this fabulous paneled, scenic art hanging...swoon-a-loon! Absolutely charmed by these amazing works of art that really are not your normal art at all, yet make the perfect substitution. They are charming and chic, I cannot get enough of them right now. The chinoiserie ones, so preppy and fun, just might be my favorite.

read more!