Oscars (yawn) Fashion Recap

I was a little underwhelmed by this year's Oscar dress selections - were you? Granted, there were some winners, some "meh"-ers, but overall, everyone played it a little too toned down and safe. I can't think of any instances where, five years from now we'll be saying, "Oh, THAT dress!" I'm sort of inspiration-less for a recap post.
Still, there were some gorgeous moments...

I thought Mandy Moore had the overall, prettiest look of the night. The netted neckline blended seamlessly with her complexion, and her hair and makeup (bright lips!) were absolute perfection. Mila Kunis' lavender Elie Saab number, with its teasing, low and lacy bodice left everyone, including gay men gasping in awe. Also, thought her hair was insane gorgeous. Anne Hathaway chose VERY wisely - vintage Valentino in the trademark, red hue. Stellar. And the Body that Won't Quit - Jennifer Lawrence in Calvin Klein. I actually love that she went sans bling - clearly, she doesn't need anything to distract from that physique.

People I was on the fence about: Best Actress Winner, Natalie Portman - Her Rodarte dress photographed better than it looked on live camera. When I initially saw it, I thought, "Why maroon?" (aka worst color ever), but in the still shots, it reads more plum, which is only slightly better. The drape and neckline are perfect for a preggo body, though.

Scarlett Johannson's D&G proves my point about the color maroon.

Another dress that didn't read as well live on tv as it does in photos - Halle Berry's Marchesa. Gorgeous, but a bit too predictable for me.

I'm sure I'll get a few boos from the gallery, as Gwynnie's custom Calvin Klein liquid platinum sheath was an overall crowd pleaser (at least according to last-night's tweets), but it just left me a little cold. Right now, I think GP is into anything that shows off her coathanger of a figure. As there's a lot of work, and not much eating involved in this endeavor, I can't say I blame her. Afterall, she's marketing a product (i.e. her investment in Tracy Anderson, her trainer)

Cate Blanchett doin' her own thing, Fashion as Art style. No, I don't like the dress, but she can do no wrong in my book, so I'll forgive her the yellow-boils-on-her-back look of her Givenchy.

If Amy Adams' L'Wren Scott had had a different neckline and sleeves (notoriously unforgivable to the arms), I think it would have worked better. What a waste of that incredible emerald necklace, too.

This woman just had twins. Girdle of steel? No matter. Get her outta my face.

And, last, her Royal Divaness herself, Sharon Stone - working the carpet with unrivaled fierceness. You go on with your nip-tucked self, I happen to LUV ya!

What did you see this weekend?

We went here.

Tomorrow: My two cents on Oscar Red Carpet fashion.

DIY Faux hide - And You say....

You tell me, but I think we might have hit the end of the road with the hide trend...

*NB: Price Um, you could own an authentic, really nice cowhide for that, Fine Print - What, I can't screw up the cut, then return it? Gack!
via Flor

You tell Me

I've noticed more and more blogs (MLHP included) posting design boards or other Photoshop-created images full of products, banners, cute fonts, etc. I'm starting to think some posts are morphing into a bunch of pseudo e-zine features. Have you noticed this, too?

design board I'm working on...

Don't get me wrong, I love working on design boards - putting into a visual what I have in my brain for a particular space. But, what I want to know is what do YOU love? What do you want to see from design blogs, or more specifically, from this design blog?

Do you want to get my take on design published in magazines? Do you want to see what projects I have going on at my own house? Are you interested in what I'm putting together for others' - including their design boards?

The last thing I want is to be putting content out there that is ho hum. If I personally think something is rad, I'm likely to post it regardless, but it's good for me to know what you want from me, your humble blogstress.

Weekend Project: Interesting Art (3D style!)

I'm forever searching for interesting art to fill our many, white walls. Unfortunately, although I have no formal training in art, it never seems to fail that my eye falls to the priciest pieces. Not good.
So, I was delighted to see one of my favorite local artisans, a basket weaver, has expanded his repertoire to include many brightly colored versions of his traditional, woven wares . He weaves baskets from Taboa, an aquatic, grassy plant, similar to our cattails. I was instantly smitten with all the new shades, and picked out an assortment, envisioning them in a grouping somewhere in our casa.

I initially thought they'd be best in a grouping, but Ben suggested a more linear placement, as we have a large, long wall in our entry. I couldn't argue with his idea, so I set him to work on the install.

As any of you with children know, home projects inadvertently end up with several "assistants."

Nevertheless, the arrangement turned out great, with a very gallery-like appearance. The limitation of my photo doesn't nearly depict how cool it looks.

So, my 3-prong tip of the day for art is:

• As much as possible, stay original
• Think beyond the canvas, and
  
• (sometimes) Listen to your Better Half. ;)

Late weekend Design Porn

You may have headed to Sunday services this morning, but tonight you can worship at the altar of this design porn. Sorry for the crappy scanned images - desperate measures...

This room is the embodiment of imperfect perfection. You may not be able to tell, but the leather chesterfields have worn arms, and the chrome of the can chairs is rusted. Still, everything is just so....right.

That's the living room interior...how 'bout this exterior? I know you could handle it as easily as me.

Vignette of the living room = Total. Porn.

Oh, dear Lord, this IS becoming a religious experience - Tufted, Orange Velvet Daybed against smoky walls?!!!

The Colonial chairs of this eat-in kitchen connote food, gathering, lingering - perfectly juxtaposing the linear aspect of the modern kitchen. I can't even talk about the open, glass door.

Stop it. I'm panting.
ALL baños should have:
a) Windows with Cremone bolts
b) White marble (LOOK. AT. THAT. TUB.)
d) A piece of furniture
e) Ferns

I could really smack Habitania for cruelly giving us this mere peek into what is surely a stunning bedroom, and YOU could probably smack ME for blurring the scan, but trust me, that headboard makes me dizzy.

all images via Habitania (aka Divine Being)

Was that as good for you as it was for me?

Pleasant Surprises

I continue to be pleasantly surprised with Home Decorators Collection. Many of their recent offerings up the ante on a bevy of looks - from borrowed-from-Regency pieces set with mirrored inlay, to lightly industrial, to unexpected and fun: Hello darling, pink garden chairs!

I give credit where credit is due, and I think they're doing a nice job of bringing a tailored look normally acquired with to-the-trade manufacturers to the masses. Carefully selected, I think many of their pieces could have a place in almost any room going for the perfect high-low pitch.
Here's a few of my top picks, and what I might do with them...

1) Garden Side Chair - I'd use it anywhere I'd want to inject some color - around a banquette, perhaps, to create a casual, family eating scene? I love typical shapes in unexpected hues!
2) Rockford sofa - Nice, clean lines and a decent assortment of fabrics with/without nailhead. A good, starter sofa that looks nicer than ikea.
3) Baxter accent table - I might just crank this up a notch by painting it something fun, and setting it beside a clawfoot tub.
4) Jasper coffee table - I appreciate that the lines on this table are slightly elegant. It brings down the "industrial" feel of it. I'd mix this table up with dressier furniture for balance.
5) Ava table lamp - I'm liking these for bedside tables.
6) Director table lamp - I'd put one of these on a glass-topped sawhorse desk. If the desk was otherwise cluttered, the lamp would still look cool and clean.
7) Reflections Mirrored cabinet - Definitely could use this to dress up a dining room, but if a client had a budget for a large and amazing closet, I'd go all Big's-gift-to-Carrie closet with it.
8) Emma table lamp - I've long been in love with gorgeous venetian art glass lamps, but most of us can't swing $3 Gs for a pair of lamps. Enter the "Emma" - put a pair of them on an interesting piece in an entry, and you could simulate those expensive versions.
9) MS Ingrid sofa - 'ol Martha - she taps into the right partnerships all the time, doesn't she? Her collaborations with HDC seem to coincide with the catalog's glossied-up offerings. Chenille fabric on this sofa is a little "iffy," but the clean lines and nailhead trim make it at least worth considering in many rooms.
10) Slipcover Philips chair - Without a doubt, put these at the head of a dining room table where they'll take command as host chairs.

*If you'd like help putting together ideas for your home - email me about my e-design services!*

This just happened...

He wants me. Clearly.

...and if he's doing it, so should YOU - Follow my TWEETS!

I can't help noticing...

That Gwyneth (at last night's Grammy's) definitely did something to her eyes, and she's starting to morph into Kendra. NOT a good thing. Why, G, why?

Giveaway Winner!

I planned to show the screen shot of the random number generator (random.org), and then, in brilliant form, closed the tab before I had saved the screen. ANYWAY...the selected comment was number

30

Which corresponded to:
Shel said...

CSN is pretty fantastic...I want the Venture Horizon - 1255-x - Craft Hutch / Organizer - White

Promised myself that this year I'd organize my craft/sewing/crap room so it doesn't look like the fabric fairy puked everywhere. That organizer would be a start.

Congratulations, Shel! Be on the lookout for an email from me, with instructions on claiming the $50.

I'm bugging out to spend the day with my sweethearts, but will be back tomorrow with something I KNOW you're gonna love!

P.S. - If you need last-minute valentines, check out TipJunkie for free downloads - SOOPer cute (and free).

Wishful Valentine's Destination

Something's wrong with this picture...

Ponta dos Ganhos Resort - Santa Catarina, Brazil

Oh, yes....I'm not in it...

Before you clear your desk...

Source: notmybeautifulhome.tumblr.com via Alison on Pinterest

Don't forget to register for the CSN giveaway (aka your excuse for a Valentine's day shopping moment) - Go HERE - The contest closes at midnight tonight - Winner announced Monday. Now, carry on, have a choco-holic weekend!

Juices Flowing

The other morning I hopped on the treadmill for my usual, decent-but-not-excessive routine. Sometimes, I prefer the treadmill so, rather than having to focus on questionable topography (very typical in Brazil), my brain can meander into creative territory.
So, there I was, pacing along, sort of expecting the onslaught of ideas I use for home decor projects, blog posts, etc when there was....nothing. Not really a void or vacuum as much as the brainstorm equivalent of bellybutton lint.

Todd Romano's NYC Apt. via AD aka My blue heaven

I didn't worry too much about it - ideas will come, blog posts happen - but it got me thinking about what other expressive people do to get their juices flowing. Remember Alexandre (Mikhail Baryshnikov's character) in SATC - pulling all-night, creative benders to come up with his art installations? Or, notoriously, musicians tapping into their inner genius via mind-altering drugs.

I'll take my cafe au lait here, please via Vivre Cote Paris

Note: Extra-tall shower curtain and tufted little bench Disregard: Poor quality photo

I dare say I'm not that in touch with my inner artiste, but I do find that certain environments foster the flow of creative juices more than others. ...And the monotony of the treadmill is usually one of them. So, what happens when that doesn't work?

Well read? I'd say that's a YES.

What do you do when your go-to for creative enlightenment falls through? Inquiring minds wanna know!

...AND - Go back HERE to register for the CSN giveaway (aka Free Money) - Tomorrow's the last day to enter.

I'm Wondering...

If I could turn my coffee table this....

...into something more like this?

Obviously, with better fabric. (It's been done before, ya know?)

This would, of course, necessitate an entire-room overhaul. At least, that will be my excuse!

ALSO - Don't forget to throw your name in the hat for the $50 CSN giveaway - Go here to register!