Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Totin' the Bubbly

This has got to be one of the greatest summer inventions I've ever encountered. Cute tote combined with a cooler?! Pure genius.



Do you have fun BBQ plans for this upcoming weekend? Make sure to break out your red, white, and blue! And stay tuned later this week for some 4th of July fashions you can copy this weekend (and some light 'n breezy bedding ideas for those hot summer nights that are just around the corner)!

*swoon*
Paige

Photograph via Style.com

Monday, June 29, 2009

Fish Scales

You may remember my post awhile back on my obsession with scaly scalloped detailing on just about anything. I came across this photograph and wanted to post it as a little reminder:


I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend in the sunshine. Now it's back to work!

*swoon*
Paige

Photograph by Alexei Hay via Jed Root, Inc.

Friday, June 26, 2009

Rest in Peace

Dear Farrah,

You were so beautiful. You fought so hard. You deserve the ultimate swoon.


I hate cancer.

*swoon*
Paige

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Thrifted Thursday - Bell Jar

I've always enjoyed thrift shopping, but when I started to get really into it (circa 2006), I kept noticing bell jars on thrift store shelves... but I didn't realize what they actually were for awhile. (Yes, silly, oblivious me.)

"That's the stupidest candle holder I've ever seen! The flame won't burn because it won't have any oxygen!"

"How is this cup supposed to work? It doesn't have a flat bottom!"

I promise I don't usually have such stereotypical blonde moments. (I still can't believe I'm actually admitting this happened... *smacks forehead*) It wasn't actually until 2007 when I returned from studying abroad in India that I realized these strange glass cups' true purpose.

Near the end of my trip, I had purchased a perfectly sized little Buddha. It was a typical tourist gift, but it really is beautiful; and because I had perfected my bargaining skills after five months of speaking Nepali, it was really inexpensive! *proud grin*




A few weeks after I got home, I found myself in a thrift store (of course), and came across an odd-looking jar that would fit my little Buddha perfectly. It was then that I finally realized what it was for. (It's still so embarrassing to admit how stupid I was...)

So I bought it, and voila! He is now quite happy and dust-free.




*swoon*
Paige

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Copycats

During Season 5 of Project Runway, contestant Kenley Collins was constantly accused of copying famous designers' looks, such as the one below:

Look familiar? Kenley Collins (left), Balenciaga (right)


But don't go thinking only the amateurs design such blatant doppelgangers:

Resort 2010: Brian Reyes (left), Philosophy (right)

Sure, they have different shapes/waistlines, but their similarities are just too obvious to ignore. It just leaves you wondering, who came up with the idea first? And who's most upset about the result...?

*swoon*
Paige

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

It's not often a photo like this comes along...

Alright, how awesome is this picture? Every single detail.

Photograph by Joshua Jordan

You're probably thinking, Huh??

But I think it's way-cool. And yes, I just said "way-cool."

*swoon*
Paige

Monday, June 22, 2009

Looks from Life - Harbor

The colors of the sky, water and grass, and the contrast of their drastically different textures, really drew me in to this photo. I knew they would make a great outfit.

Personally, I wouldn't necessarily wear such neon colors; but seeing as how I liked the colors, I altered the tones, muting them a bit, and came up with this:

(click to enlarge)

I love the woven look of the dress' fabric, and although the textures of the shoes and the clutch are similar, they are different from the dress, echoing the textural differences in the photo. The dark straps and clutch clasp match the dark row of boats in the distance.

*swoon*
Paige

Friday, June 19, 2009

Glassybaby

I've always loved glassbaby, the Seattle-based company that makes beautiful hand-blown glass votive holders/cups in all different shades and opacity levels.


After finally visiting their site last night, I discovered their backstory: The woman who started the company is a cancer survivor. For her, the light from each glassybaby votive was like "that deep breath that we often forget to take." Simply beautiful.


A good portion of glassybaby's proceeds go towards cancer research and other cancer-related organizations (buy commemorative glassybabys here). Beauty is always amplified when it's combined with a good cause.


I definitely plan on including these more often in my personal events, and at the events I'll be planning at my new job I started this week(!).


They have stores all over the country, but their flagship store/studio is in the Madrona neighborhood of Seattle. I hope I get a chance to stop in very soon!

I hope your weekend is filled with beautiful light, from candles to sunshine!

*swoon*
Paige

Photos from Glassybaby

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Thrifted Thursday - Entry Table

Our apartment doesn't have much of an entryway. The front door opens straight into our living room, and it's a bit of an awkward place to greet or send people off.

I've tried to solve this problem by making a bit of an entryway/"landing strip" across from the front door using an antique table built by my great grandfather, which I "thrifted" (was given to me) from my mother. I've been tempted to paint it, but I like the original burgundy color. It has gorgeous original handles that I just love (similar to antique replicas sold at Anthropologie).

To be honest, there are usually shoes littered underneath it!

I put little hooks on the wall to hang coats and bags, and a bowl on the tabletop to catch keys and other doodads. The lamp next to it has a much more flattering light than the overhead living room light, so I placed it at this "entryway" so I can immediately switch it on right when I set my things down.

How have you created an entryway in an awkward space?

*swoon*
Paige

Everyday Beautiful Life @ bits of beauty

Today, I'm featured over at bits of beauty, talking about a few key things that make life more beautiful.

Thank you, Jenn, for inviting me to kick off such a great series! Take a minute and go check out her fresh new blog.

*swoon*
Paige

P.S. That's Jenn with her adorably glamorous dog, Lola!

My Newest Crush

I found this photo and my jaw dropped.
I totally crushing on this dress (sorry, Boyfriend):


Seriously, I love it. The color, the way the wide hem floats away from the body, the waistline, the little pleated/ruffly detailing at the top... it's all so perfect in my opinion. But of course, such perfection is impossible to track down or replicate. I tried my very best but I could only come up with these (still) cute options.


Some are obviously very different, but they all capture characteristics of the above dress. If you were to combine all of these together, you would get my major dress crush of the moment.

If anyone does know who the dress is by, please let me know! My guess is that it's way out of my price range, but it would still be wonderful to find out at least a little information about it.

*swoon*
Paige

1. Dorothy Perkins Flutter Scoop Neck Dress
2. Halston Silk Shirt Dress via Net-A-Porter
3. Coral Tie Back Tunic
4. Orange Belted Dress via Browns Fashion
5. Origami Pleat Detail Dress
6. Satin Folded Dress via Karen Millen

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Photographer - Leah Makin

No fashion here today, folks, only wooly sheep!


I thought this diptych was absolutely beautiful so I had to include it here (but it also echoes the materials used to make certain kinds of clothing!). Photograph Leah Makin has so many other fantastic fashion photographs, I would highly recommend checking her out.

*swoon*
Paige

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

The Modern Ball Gown

Okay, somebody needs to have a big, fancy, ball so I can wear this:


Or this:


Or this:

Who's up for it? Or would any of you in the Seattle area want to put on a fancy (yet inexpensive!) party? I'm completely serious! I love excuses to dress up!

*swoon*
Paige

Monday, June 15, 2009

Banded

My hair is sadly going through a very awkward stage in the growing-out process. The brand new hair coming in is great (much better than being bald from chemo), but it's much shorter than the rest that didn't fall out. I wish I had the courage to just cut it all off to the same length for a fresh start, but I've worked so hard at growing it out that I don't want to cut it unless I have a really bad mullet.

To avoid appearing like I have a mullet, I have been straightening my hair to the best of my abilities, and wearing headbands. This weekend I went on a bit of a headband shopping spree to add to my current collection; but I keep reminding myself they were all super cheap and that I can keep wearing them when I have long hair again (which feels like a lifetime from now, but extensions are just way too expensive). I now have ten!



Have you ever grown out your hair? What did you do to control it and make it a little less awkward? For now, I will simply disguise my frustration with my hair with these fun little accessories.

*swoon*
Paige

1. J.Crew houndstooth headband with faux buckle
2. Ann Taylor skinny tortoise shell headband
3&4. J.Crew skinny striped headbands
5. Wide Gap seersucker-esque headband
6. J.Crew skinny pink/orange/yellow floral headband
7. Ann Taylor skinny black headband
8. J.Crew skinny brown & white headband
9. Forever21 feathered headband (definitely a favorite!)

Friday, June 12, 2009

Thrifted Thursday (a day late) - Mismatched Silverware

I love mismatched cutlery, as long as each piece is beautiful on its own, and there are rarely duplicates (I promise I'm generally not so high maintenance when it comes to my table settings!).




You can scour eBay or antique shops looking for heavy, hotel-style pieces made of real silver, but surprisingly (or not so surprisingly) this can get rather pricey.



The Boyfriend and I just went to Goodwill and found some pretty ones. We initially did this because we were going camping and we (ahem, I) didn't want to bring any of our current silverware set with us in the event they got lost or somehow ruined; it turned out to be a wonderful idea, though, because now we have a set of mismatched beauties that can add a more eclectic feel to any table setting, camping or not.


My new collection (click to enlarge)

Collecting silverware just might be a new-found obsession of mine and could be quite dangerous... but hey, if we have a lot of people over, having a lot of silverware on hand is always better than plastic cutlery!

It's too bad we don't have a dishwasher.

Happy Weekend!

*swoon*
Paige

P.S. The linen tablecloth in my photo is also thrifted!

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Preen - Resort 2010

I've got a routine CT scan this morning to monitor my cancer-free status so you'll have to wait for Thrifted Thursday until later this afternoon.

For now, feast your eyes on these pretty things from Preen's 2010 Resort collection:


Wish me luck!

*swoon*
Paige

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Happy Hump Day!

Because today is Hump Day (aka Wednesday), and because I'm doing an interior design consultation tonight, I thought I would take a look at camel back sofas. I've always thought of them as perfectly elegant, and depending on color and texture, they can fit seamlessly with both traditional and more modern interiors. (Click on the photos for their sources.)

This one shows just how long this style of sofa has been in existence. 18th century?! Talk about timeless:



I love the tweed-y/grasscloth/vintage texture of this one, and the poppy/coral shade is perfect in any room:



Remember the premiere issue of domino? (*sigh* How I miss this fabulous magazine...)
Designer Ruthie Sommers recovered her camel back sofa in a fantastic, bright geometric fabric to bring it up to modern day speed.


This is a perfect living room staple that I know will continue to live on for centuries to come.

Now the next step is acquiring one of my own... Do you have one? Does it have a good story associated with its discovery? If so, please share!

*swoon*
Paige

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Runway Perfection - Lanvin RTW 2009

Oh, Lanvin. You have the equation down pat:

taupe + gray + ruffly layers + large, detailed necklace = perfection
(and those ankle strap shoes are to-die-for!)


*swoon*
Paige

Monday, June 8, 2009

A Thakoon Summer

The Thakoon Resort 2010 line is so bright and perfectly summer (using "summer" as an adjective, of course), especially these pieces:




They remind me of a combination of impressionist painting and Rohrschach inkblot tests. I can imagine throwing the third one over a bathing suit, heading to the beach for the day, and then out for a nice dinner afterward.

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend!

*swoon*
Paige

Friday, June 5, 2009

Glamping? No, just regular camping...

Oh, readers. *sigh*
I'm so sorry for not posting today. The day just got away from me.

Just like we're getting away tomorrow.
The Boyfriend and I are going camping at Dabob Bay on Hood Canal for the weekend. It's just a ferry ride and a bit of a drive from Seattle, but it's so peaceful it seems so much farther. We'll go clamming, make s'mores, and build log forts on the beach. I'm so excited (and I promise you, that's not sarcasm).

It would be nice to go glamping... you know, glamour camping... like this:


...but I can definitely handle the little beach just fine. It would be nice to build a cabin out there someday, but for now we'll just enjoy each others' company in our new tent or huddled by the fire.

*swoon*
Paige

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Thirfted Thursday - Large Wooden Japanese Fish Platter

From what I've been told, my great-grandmother was an explorer, always traveling to exotic countries to seek out her next big adventure...

I will always remember the story of her visit to a monkey temple in Nepal: As she walked up and down the stone steps, wandering along the large rock walls, a monkey jumped on her back and started yanking at the pearl necklace that hung around her neck! She tried to shake it off, but it yanked so hard that the strand broke and her pearls went spilling down the steps and into the cracks in the stones. Those that didn't get lost into the rocky crags were scooped up by the other monkeys roaming the temple who made sure to hoot and holler loud enough to scare her away! Now, don't ask me why she was wearing a pearl necklace in the Himalayan jungle, but she is a woman after my own heart: No matter what she was doing, she was always doing it in style!

Unfortunately I do not know the story behind this fish platter, but I have been told it was from one of her adventures in Japan. I have had it ever since I can remember. It's made of very solid wood, so it was able to withstand many preschool tea parties. It's not necessarily something I would be attracted to otherwise, but it reminds me of this amazing woman that I never actually had the chance to meet. It now holds a prominent spot in a built-in shelf in my living room. The curve of the fish's back fits the coved top shelf perfectly. I think it was meant to be.



*swoon*
Paige

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Mrawr?

This has absolutely nothing to do with style, or fashion, or design... but I just found out that yesterday was "Kitten Tuesday" over at Flickr:


I know some people don't like cats very much, but who can resist a cute little kitten? Like, a baby one?

*swoon* (from the cuteness!)
Paige

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

PetOrly PetOrly - Dolls

A little creepy in a few shots, but how could I not share this hair! Click on the photo or the link below for the full collection.


*swoon*
Paige

Glitter & Lace

I wish I could just lounge around my apartment all day with all the windows open, writing diary entries and love letters, and, of course, wearing cute lingerie:






This muggy Seattle "heat wave" definitely calls for it.

*swoon*
Paige

Photography by Tommaso Nervegna

Monday, June 1, 2009

Monday Shoes

I thought I would start the week off with this fabulous pair of shoes:


Happy Monday!

*swoon*
Paige