Saturday, February 28, 2009

Michelle Obama's Official White House Photo

Image via The Huffington Post. Photograph by Joyce N. Boghosian.

First Lady Michelle Obama's official White House photo has been released (above). Isn't she stunning? Much has been made about her frequent donning of the sleeveless shift dress -- many have begun to wonder whether it is "appropriate" for the First Lady to go sleeveless. I, for one, love the sleeveless shift dress. It's a classic! And if you ask me, the First Lady looks modern, fit and totally fabulous.

When Sports and Fashion Collide...or Unite, Rather.

Image via People Magazine

On Thursday night, supermodel Gisele Bundchen and New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (who is pretty good looking himself) wed in a small ceremony in Los Angeles. Two summers ago, I spotted this stunning couple while dining with friends at Pure Food and Wine (nothing on the menu had been heated above 118 degrees and absolutely no wheat, dairy, or soy products were involved in the preparation of the food...it was an "experience"). For the record, Gisele and Tom are just as beautiful in person as they are under the bright lights. And while I'm still a little bummed about the whole Bridget Moynihan thing (love you, Bridget!), I hope that Gisele and Tom are happy.

When Politics and Sports Collide


I may have mentioned before (for example, here and here) that I love unexpected pairings, such as fashion and politics, or politics and sports. Here's another example of the latter: Barack Obama took some time out of his schedule yesterday to catch the Chicago Bulls play the Washington Wizards at Washington's MCI Arena (the Bulls lost).

Friday, February 27, 2009

Ode to Domino: Blue & Pink Living Room

So I promised that today's "Ode to Domino" would not be another blue kitchen. And it's not! It's a refreshingly modern blue and pink living room. What a fun, airy space.

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Ode to Domino: Blue Tiles

I promise that tomorrow's "Ode to Domino" will not involve another blue kitchen. But I couldn't resist posting this. These tiles are just delightful.

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Ode to Domino: Blue Kitchen Cabinets

I wish I had the nerve to paint the cabinets in my rental. I don't, of course, but if I did, they would look like this.

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Ode to Domino: Blue Dining Area

By now, there's no sense in denying (because I certainly haven't been hiding) my love for blue interiors. Here's another favorite. I love everthing about this casual dining area: the blue wall, the wall hanging, the mismatched chairs, the pillows...

Monday, February 23, 2009

Sewing Class Success

Sewing class went very well yesterday. This is due, in no small part, to the fact that we did absolutely no sewing in Sunday's class. Instead, we traced and cut the pattern for our pajama bottoms. Compared to my performance in the past two classes, I was an excellent student. In addition to tracing with the best of them, I even adjusted the pattern to accommodate my inseam (34") and to un-taper the legs.

Next week, it's back to the sewing machine. Sigh. (Hopefully, reviewing the book pictured above, which I'm told is one of the best, will help.)

Ode to Domino: Fantasy Dishwasher

How amazing is that blue dishwasher? In a perfect world, it would be mine.

Saturday, February 21, 2009

Paying Homage to Project Runway (or, doing the homework for my sewing class)


Today, I am up bright and early to run a few very important errands before I settle in for an afternoon of work (on a Saturday, yes, but I didn't have to work at all over the holiday weekend, so I'm not complaining). First on my list? A trip to Mood Fabrics! I have to pick out a "lightweight cotton fabric" (no plaids, no knits) suitable for the pajama bottoms that I will be making in Sunday's class at FIT. For this assignment, I couldn't think of a better place than the store that Project Runway introduced to the fashion design and reality television lovers among us.

Alright, I'm off. I'm so excited!

Friday, February 20, 2009

Ode to Dominio: Blue Dining Chairs

These blue dining chairs are so cute and whimsical! (And on a related note, sorting through my collection of Domino images has taught me that a certain shade of blue (that "retro '50s" blue meets "Tiffany" blue meets "Fiestaware" peacock blue meets "Bliss packaging" blue) holds a very special place in my interior design-loving heart. )

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Ode to Domino: Blue and Blue (and Blue and Blue)

I love, love, love these blue lamps and the coordinating blue tables at the foot of the bed.

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Fair Winds Trading




images: macys.com

Yesterday, while "window shopping" on macys.com, I stumbled upon these beautiful, handwoven Fair Winds Trading Rwanda bowls and baskets. Intrigued, I had to know more. And after a little internet research, I learned that Fair Winds Trading is a company that promotes social entrepreneurship among women living in improverished, war-torn areas throughout the world, including Rwanda, Indonesia and Cambodia. The company's mission is to provide U.S. consumers with unique products and to provide women artisans in those areas with sustainable wages.

Read more about Fair Winds Trading and its founder, Willa Shalit (Gene's daughter), here. And visit Macys.com to shop for beautiful housewares and accessories from Fair Winds Trading (recession-friendly bonus: many of them are on sale!).

Ode to Domino: Black and White

The contrast between the dark wall and the stark white chair here is quite fetching.

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Ode to Domino: Brilliant Blue

I really like this rich shade of blue. And I *love* that pillow on the couch.

Monday, February 16, 2009

Ode to Domino: Yellow Lamp

I realize that there is a large, extremely life-like animal print rug on the floor of this room. But I'm more interested in the yellow lamp that (amazingly) manages not to be completely overpowered by that rug.

Sunday, February 15, 2009

I Love the Guggenheim


This year, the Guggenheim Museum was my accidental valentine. As a New Yorker for almost 6 years now, it's nothing short of a shame that I haven't been to each of the city's museums at least once. So yesterday morning, after making my list of weekend things-to-do and then suddenly realizing that it was Valentine's Day ( I know, I know), I decided that I should chuck the chore list and hop a train to the Upper East Side.

The Guggenheim was fabulous. As a NYC museum novice, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that several Renoirs, Picassos and Manets are part of the museum's permanent collection. They were just lovely. And Emily Jacir's exhibit, which chronicles the life and death of Wael Zwaiter and earned her the 2008 Hugo Boss prize, was chilling and incredibly thought-provoking.

A trip to the museum always leaves me inspired to do something "artsy" myself. So after leaving the Guggenheim, I headed to the Marimekko concept store to pick out a fabric for a wall hanging in my bedroom. When I returned home, I promptly made the wall hanging and displayed it on the wall. ( I would post pictures, but I am still waiting for my brother to return my digital camera to me. )

Saturday, February 14, 2009

(Long) Weekend Plans

I don't want to jinx anything, but it looks like I *may* have some time for myself this weekend. Amazing. Of course, I have reacted to this good news by making a long list of things-to-do.

1. DIY Project: Hang recent apartment find (Lotta Jansdotter linen print) on bedroom wall.

2. Laundry

3. Grocery shopping (Whole Foods makes this chore fun.)

4. DIY Project: Applying white "touch-up" paint to all those spots on my living room wall where my hand slipped when I painted the living room greige.

5. Finalizing travel plans for my March Madness weekend in Miami.

6. Shopping for work clothes (i.e. hitting up the Barneys Warehouse Sale).

7. Baking. I haven't done that in *forever*.

8. Meeting up w/ grad school friends.

9. Reading Confessions of a Shopaholic (The paperback was $8 at Books-a-Million. I couldn't resist.)

10. Watching Season 2 of the Office (courtesy of Netflix).

We'll see how this goes...

Friday, February 13, 2009

Another Reason Why I Love Target

Target's Dream in Color project = beautiful.

Ode to Domino: Pink and Blue and Tea

I'm not brave enough to use colors that are this bold in my living room, but how great is this palette? This room makes me crave "high tea."

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Ode to Domino: "Greige" Walls

As Domino magazine lovers around the world surely know by now, the March 2009 issue of everyone's beloved shelter magazine is also the last. El fin. On the heels of that sad news, I've decided to add a new feature to my little blog: "Ode to Domino." Beginning today and ending whenever I've exhausted the stash of images I've saved to my computer, I'll be posting a shot of one of the many Domino magazine images that inspired me over the past several years. It's better to celebrate the life of this lovely magazine than to mourn its end. Right?

In the spirit of celebrating life, I present the first installment of "Ode to Domino."

This image inspired my living room decor. I even painted my white walls the same shade of "greige" (Ralph Lauren's "Abbey Forde") featured here.

Michelle Obama in Her Own, Fashionable Words

Michelle Obama, lawyer, mother, wife and First Lady extraordinaire, graces the cover of the March issue of Vogue. View Andre Leon Talley's interview with her, as well as a slideshow of her Vogue photo shoot, here.

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

A Dream Come True


Here's some incredibly exciting news: I am going to a college basketball game! And I'm not talking about just any game. This one (wait for it...) is in March! My brother and I will be attending Round 2 of the Tournament at Miami's American Airlines Arena on March 22. I can't believe it. I can't wait. This is going to be so amazing.

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Learning to Sew: Slow and Steady

I had my first sewing class at FIT on Sunday. It was great -- it was really fun to meet a group of people who are just as enthusiastic about learning to sew as I am. And here's what I learned: Sewing is hard. Really, really hard. It took me the better part of 2 hours to learn how to thread the sewing machine! No joke.

I am not easily discouraged. I need to learn how to use a Vogue pattern to make myself a cute little shift dress for the summer. I've decided to do a little research on how to thread a sewing machine (the scary industrial kind that we use in class) before my next class -- I can't afford to spend another 2 hours threading the machine. At that rate I'll never make the pajama bottoms that I am supposed to go home with after 5 classes. I really hope that this "instructional video" I found on YouTube will help. (And if anyone out there knows of any other helpful resources, please let me know. I will be eternally grateful. So will my pajama bottoms. And my shift dress.)

Monday, February 9, 2009

A Tale of Two Alexes

First, the bad: Alex Rodriguez was busted for steroids. Surprising? Not really. But it's still a pretty big story. President Obama found himself fielding a question about the steroid scandal from the White House press corps during his primetime news conference tonight. The President's take on scandal? It sets a really bad example for baseball's youngest fans. Agreed.

Now for the good: This is old news, but ... Alexander McQueen is coming to Target! (Target, by the way, is one of my favorite stores and my perennial "happy place.") As part of Target's new Designer Collaborations Initiative (not to be confused with the GO International line, which celebrates young, up-and-coming designers), McQueen is offering a collection of funky pieces, all priced under $129.99. This could get interesting. I'm even considering braving the crazy crowds at the Target's downtown Manhattan McQ Market this weekend to check out the goods.

Saturday, February 7, 2009

A Work-Free Weekend! (Almost.)

I actually do have work to do this weekend. But I can do it from home. So I made plans! Tonight, I'm having a few grad school friends over for drinks, food, and several months worth of catching up. And tomorrow is my very first sewing class, which is supposed to leave me 1/5 of the way toward knowing how to "sew like a pro." Fantastic. Details to follow.

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Apartment Finds

Yesterday I ventured to the cb2 store in Soho (in the middle of a snowstorm!) and walked away with some really fun and affordable purchases:

Yes, this means that I decided to go with the zebra chair. It looked really great in the store, and it looks even better next to my secretary desk!

How adorable is this pillow? It looks lovely perched on my new zebra chair.


I also purchased one of these vases (the blue one ... it's a nice addition to my coffee table).

As much as I love how mainstream stores like West Elm and cb2 make functional, modern furniture and housewares accessible to the masses, I am also a huge fan of indie products for the home. Yesterday, I spent part of my redecorating budget on this beautiful print from Lotta Jansdotter:


And, while I haven't purchased it yet, I'm thinking of purchasing this beautiful fabric from Maramiki for the DIY headboard project that's been on my list of things-to-do since September:

Sunday, February 1, 2009

(Selected) Highlights from the Super Bowl

The Steelers just won this hard-fought battle. Despite predictions to the contrary, the game was quite exciting ... a 100 yd (that's right, the entire length of the field) play, a safety, several lead changes in the 4th quarter. Although I'm not a huge professional football fan, I was pulling for Mike Tomlin (who, by the way, is a ringer for Omar Epps) and his team. Go Steelers!

For a more professional take on the game, see here, here, or here. For fun highlights (and yes, some of these are completely random), see below.


1. Faith Hill's rendition of "America the Beautiful" was fantastic. And her new, shorter 'do is quite flattering.

2. Jennifer Hudson's national anthem was absolutely breathtaking. This was her first public appearance since the tragic murders of her mother, brother and nephew. She was obviously emotional, and she delivered a beautiful performance. It was really nice to her see again.

3. Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger and the entire crew of US Airways Flight 1549 were honored just before kick-off. They seemed so calm. I guess that's exactly why they were able to save so many lives on January 15. As someone who has a healthy fear of flying, I find great comfort in their heroism.

4. Long, flowing, totally glamorous locks that extended far beyond the bottom of the standard-issue NFL helmet were very "in" among players this season.

5. I now understand why Steelers fans refer to their quarterback as "Big Ben." Ben Roethlisberger is big. And powerful. And a two-time Super Bowl championship-winning quarterback. At 26.

5. Kurt Warner has seven children! And he's a great guy. His post-game interview with NBC was a class act.

6. I'm pretty sure that Dan Rooney, the owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers, thanked President Obama (among others) for the team's win. Awesome.

7. Santonio Holmes has one of the best first names I've ever heard. Santonio. How can you not love that?

8. Tony Dungy joined the NBC team as a commentator for the Super Bowl. He seems like the nicest man. Every time he spoke, I smiled.

9. The much-anticipated commercials were okay, but none came close to my always-and-forever favorite, which, of course, featured the Budweiser frogs. For reasons that remain unknown, those frogs still crack me up. And I don't even like frogs. They scare me.