My Favorite Piece of Jewelry

Can you have a love affair with a stove? I know that Elizabeth Taylor had a love affair with jewelry, but I think my affair is with my Cornue Fe. People ask to see my engagement ring and I show them a picture of my stove. If this isn't a sign of WWB's love for me, I don't know what is. It completely steals the show in the kitchen, and I am so happy to finally be in Charleston full time so that I can make use of all my cookbooks and really use my favorite piece of jewelry. 

Match Point

I  rarely post about anything fashion related. However, this morning is a different story. When I came across these beautiful tennis outfits by L'Etoile Sport, there was no way I wasn't going to share them with you. Finally, some tennis attire that you don't feel silly lunching in after your match! 

Forget lunching, I may be headed out to dinner in some of these ensembles. 

Photos courtesy of letoilesport.com

Out of Africa

So here we are again back at one of my favorite topics, and in a location that I would love to visit. This home, in South Africa, is a perfect example of how historic/old and contemporary/modern can coexist, in a recipe that creates something very magical. The base of the house, and its six over six windows provide a fantastic foundation for the second story's casement windows and swerving balcony. The chairs in the foreground also add a nice touch ... 

Along the backside of the house, you can also see the owner's love of both rustic and modern interiors. The sliding glass doors, while being far from single pane, echo his modern aesthetic and love of light - but the chairs on the interior are more overtly contemporary. 

The dining room could honestly be in a million older homes anywhere, but again the farm table and vintage cabinetry, set against the pink backdrop with lucite chairs continues the overall theme of this African abode. 

The pool's curvy shape repeats that of the deck above, and provides a secret tropical paradise. 

This kitchen says old farmhouse in the country ... 

And one would probably never think that it was in this light-box of a house in South Africa. This house is yet another example of the perfect marriage between opposites. See, opposites do attract ... especially in architecture and interiors! 

Photos courtesy of Marie Claire Maison

Gypsies

This last week and a half has been an absolute zoo. Pretty much a new location every three days. And all that attached to a U-Haul. Here is a photo synopsis of the last week and a half. Do not worry, tomorrow we're back to design - now I just need to do a little venting. 

Leaving NYC ... 

Leaving the apartment in NYC ... 

My cousin and me setting up the bar for 4th of July ... 

Going to a pre-party BBQ at W's grandparents' house, and seeing this amazing vintage wallpaper in the bathroom ... 

W, F, and me in full patriotic blue and white getting ready to have some fun ... 

WWB and I head out here the following day ... 

And a few days later, finally arrive here. 

Very happy to be "south of the border" ... 

I think we'll survive ... 

HC&G R&R

What a week! Sorry I left you all for a few days last week, but WWB and I moved out of our apartment  on the 4th of July. And when I say "we moved out" I mean that WE moved out. U-Haul, WWB and me lifting boxes, lots of sweating and yelling. We drove the U-Haul to Long Island to drop some stuff out here, and then we are driving down to Charleston tomorrow. I will give you all the photo montage of the last week tomorrow, but for today some pictures I enjoyed looking at from Hamptons Cottages & Gardens in the few moments of relaxation that I had this weekend. Enjoy! 

Photos courtesy of Hamptons Cottages & Gardens

Sailing Away

Remember last year, when I moved back from Philadelphia into WWB's apartment and had to gender neutralize the bedroom? I posted about my concept in a post from last May called Going Green here. Well I realized my concept and added green accents to the otherwise masculine bedroom, and now we're moving. I love what I did with this room, and I wish that there was a way to take it with me. 

Here is a quick little shot I took of my side of the bed this morning. Sheets are Pottery Barn, Headboard is Ballard Designs, Bed Skirt is Pine Cone Hill, and Euro is Serena and Lily. So how do I bring this feeling with me when I go? - My friend Jen has supplied me with the answer ...

How chic is this little tunic dress? Jen has just started a new lifestyle brand called Sail to Sable, and I'm in love. Her brand includes table linens, pillows, and these amazing tunics. I mean would you ever take this tunic off? Perfect for summer! You know those blog posts where people turn outfits into rooms, well in this case Jen has made it possible for me to turn my room into an outfit! The tunic is a perfect combination of navy and lime, that tried and true combination that we all love, and that worked so well for WWB and me. 

Perhaps I can find a place in Charleston for this adorable little pillow, to really feel as though I have brought a piece of our NYC bedroom with me. Please go check out www.sailtosable.com for more of these wonderful pieces of Jen's collection. Oh and guess what? My bedroom-in-an-outfit tunic dress is 25% when you put in the code JULY4 at checkout! Enjoy! 

Youth Gone Wild

What is it about summer that makes us all feel like kids? Maybe its the fact that you can walk around without shoes on and not be judged, or the fact that your hair can take on that "beachy" quality without people questioning if you have actually been at the beach. What I do know is that summer puts me in the mood to be youthful and to enjoy each minute in the sunshine. 

And as a result of my feeling youthful during this season, I seem to have developed a fondness for bunk beds or bunk rooms. Not just bunk beds that you put in a room, but bunk beds that are built in as part of the architecture of the space. How cozy. I look at these pictures and wonder how I possibly missed out on what is a seemingly a very American experience. 

 In one's mind, camp looks a bit like this ... but obviously in reality it did not. This is all adults creating stylized versions of summer camp inside their homes. They probably all really enjoyed designing these spaces because it allowed them to take advantage of their inner child - if only for a moment. 

Clearly WWB and I are going to have to give our children this all American experience. I mean, how much fun do all these rooms look? Even now, what about a weekend with your girlfriends all shacked up in bunk rooms like these? Love. Ahhh summer. 

Photos courtesy of Country Living, Southern Living, Elle Decor, Traditional Home and House Beautiful.