Happy New Year

I hope you all had the most amazing holidays ever. Unfortunately, Christmas for me was all about my grandfather's passing, but I am so thankful that my mother was able to be with him and that we were all able to see each other so much, which is rare for us.
I feel like 2011 is going to be huge for me. My life is usually on a seven year cycle of big change, and this year is the seventh that I have been back in the US. I wish this year to get in awesome shape, to blog more regularly, to finish my master's degree, take some chances and trips, see my family more often, and maybe even move to a new city...
Happy New Year to you all and I hope that all your dreams come true this year!
E

James Walden Brewer

This is supposed to be a design blog, and I never mention anything personal. However, this morning the man who raised me and who showed me what a man is supposed to be passed away.

My grandaddy was many things: a boxer in the navy, a football player in college, the driving force behind a family business, a tireless farmer, and most importantly a strict father and doting grandfather. He was the love of my grandmother's life and brought her breakfast in bed regularly. He decided, with her, to adopt my mama when they thought they could not have children and before adoption was popular. He was blessed with two more children and he kept a tight ring of love around all of us, even when some of us ran away to Mexico! (sorry!) He made my childhood, and I will never forget the small details about him, because there was nothing small about the man. I will never find anyone who will live up to my grandaddy, and if I find someone who comes close I will always be sorry that he couldn't know my first love.

I love you Grandaddy!
Lizard

Daydreaming...

My family celebrated Christmas this past weekend, so the holidays are really over for me. When the end of the year looms and New Year's is on the horizon, my thoughts often turn to what I am doing with my life and where I would like to be in the next year. I will finish my Masters in May and I will send out letters to Ralph Pucci and a couple other dream jobs. But when the economy is down and I am not feeling upbeat, I often daydream of going back to Mexico. It is so funny because after six years there I was desperate to come back to the States! If I were to run away to Puerto Vallarta again I would definitely do it in style this time. This Zimmermann swimsuit and DVF wedges would be in my Louis Vuitton bag and I would decorate my apartment to look like Kelly Wearstler's Tides Hotel in Miami. Where do you dream of going?
E

Cartoon Room

Everyone knows Miles Redd is a genius with color - there is nothing better than his lacquered walls and mirrored bathrooms. I love looking at this cartoon-inspired room in photographs, but I don't think I could live with it on a daily basis. Two tips to take into real life? The bright lacquered chest or the pop candy doors. Those would add something special to any home.
What do you think?
E

Fave Firms: Rees Roberts

I have always loved the simplicity and beauty of Rees Roberts' work.
E

OMG - Great Hermes Look Alike

My favorite part of Lucky Magazine has always been the last page, where former Creative Director Andrea Linett did an illustration of an impossibly chic girl in funky cool clothing and gave us the info on each item. I always wanted to be that girl. Now Andrea has a blog full of her illustrations with links to every item - and it is called I Want To Be Her! It is so amazing that I went through every illustration today. And guess what I found? The most brilliant Hermes Collier de Chien bracelet look alike - for $44! My day is complete.
E

Saturday Spaces

Looking at these pics makes me happy - have a great weekend!
E

Pantone Color of 2011 - Honeysuckle

The news is out: Pantone has announced the color for 2011 - Honeysuckle! I have been loving this color in fashion forever (see previous post on Lolli pants and mauve wedges) and it has also been popular in interiors for a long time. I don't know if many people can use pink in their house without their husbands revolting, but I think a shot of coral or a hot pink chair somewhere shouldn't be too annoying... Here are some of my fave interiors using pink. Enjoy!
E

Style Secret - Asos Online

I am a fan of this Mulberry Neely bag. It is $2700. It is never gonna happen for us. However, I am a research fiend online and can usually find something similar to the things I lust after. One of my best style secrets is Asos. English companies like Asos and Topshop always have fashion forward things that look like they cost a million bucks. None of these items is over $210! Plus, you can shop them online, and return anything that doesn't work by mail.






And this bag may not be as fine as the Mulberry one, but it is only $145! I think I can live with that.
E

Ask and you shall receive...

You loyal readers (what are there now, 7 of you? ) know that I read Sean Low at The Business of Being Creative religiously. Today he had a link to an amazing site called White Hot Truth. Danielle Laporte is in the business of helping people realize their full potential. If you need some motivation, you have GOT to check her out. Her latest article is on how to ask for what you want, be it an interview, some advice, an investor, or whatever. The advice is invaluable and I love her no b.s. tone. She really tells it like it is.
Add Danielle to your regular blog reads and you will go into 2011 with a great mentor and a new strength of focus, guaranteed...
E

Smooth as Velvet

Am loving these spaces with one piece in velvet; either a chair, ottoman, screen or sofa. Could it be because they are in my fave colors?
E