the Art of Living... bringing home Hollywood

So I just want to let you all in on something that I got today that just warms my heart. This gorgeous Sophia Loren print is going in my new cozy bedroom. It looks amazing framed in white and on my muddy gray walls. I can't stop staring at the photo, its perfection.
It got me thinking of my love for vintage photography and I wanted to share with you all some of my favorite to get you inspired. Hollywood photography in a home can be very chic and give a room an entire mood change. Photography can conjure up emotion, which is essential for achieving domestic bliss! (I fondly remember NKTOB posters on my wall doing the same thing for me as a young girl.yes mom, I will always love you for doing that for me). For some, rock and roll shots give a bit of edge and for others old hollywood starlets add a touch of glamour and romance. Whatever your preference, I say go for it, you can't go wrong. 


designer ryan korban uses the BEST vintage hollywood looks.
i love this audrey shot styled by windsor smith.


Elements of a glamorous bedroom...

As I decorate my new bedroom, I am picking out each piece very carefully. From the perfect bedskirt, to the candles. (Speaking of candles. My entire life I have been obsessed with Jasmin and Gardenia...and Archipelago has perfected the mix of the two in this candle. It's all I am burning right now. 
Anyway, as much as I love bright and beautiful bursts of color, I want my bedroom to be plush and romantic. Lots of fabrics, plush bedding, glimmering light fixtures, everything. 
I have always been a fan of tufted headboards and swaggered fabric on the ceilings.
I adore this beautiful make up artists room...
this room by ryan korban is absolutely gorgeous...the perfect mix of neutral and feminine.

my love affair with elephants...

I love elephants. I always have. Ever since I was a little girl, I felt such a connection to the big beautiful species. I have collections of elephants from everywhere I have traveled. I even have the cutest elephant coffee mugs. 
I recently read that elephants have been known to die of broken hearts if a mate dies. They refuse to eat and will lay down, shedding tears until they starve to death. They refuse all human help.
The moment I read this, I knew thats why I love this animal so much. Elephants are romantics at heart. I love that and what I love even more is when I see them in home decor. They are all over the magazines and photos. As I decorate my new NYC space, I am feeling the need to get another one. 


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Style-icious Sunday: light, bright and flea market chic

It's a beautiful day in the city today, the weather is perfect! Dying to head to the local thrift and see what fun things they might have for my new digs. While I am much more modern glamour...I am secretly in adoration of the thrift store finds and romantic glamour that goes along with it. The eclectic mix of items can be incredibly pretty. 


10 things that rocked my world this week! june 25

 1. Happy Lee Lee! My really really close friends call me "leelee" and when I laugh, I laugh LOUD. They call it "happy lee lee laugh". NYC has been more than enough in terms of work, life, etc. It has been a while since I have had a long, LOUD laugh and this pic captures it. I love that. I've got to remember to laugh more.

2. Red fluff and studs. Flamboyant pillows are just taking my breath away lately. West Elm has some really good gray furry pillows on sale right now. I am contemplating buying them for my new bed. 

 3. Finally visited the new Home Goods on 99th and Columbus. I spotted these love frogs and oh my gosh I just fell in love with them. So funny and cute, they are clearly obsessed with each other. Now, this is the kind of thing that makes me laugh. 
 4. Glitter paper!!!!!! I love craft stores for all the glittery fun goodies. I could be in there for hours on end. No lie.
 5. Swarovski crystal headphones. I would love to be running around town jamming out to these with my favorite tunes, however I might look a wee bit ridiculous. 
 6. An Anna Coroneo kiss print sundress. gotta have this pattern in my life stat. 
 7. Love has got to be my favorite word in the world. Everything about it is just good, good, good. And there is nothing like a metallic love pillow in the bedroom to say it! 
 8. Picking out the perfect paint for our new apartment was very fun. We had out all our decor mags and paint samples galore. I love love love decorating!!!!! 
 9. Since we didn't have internet for our first week in the apartment, we had to hit up our neighborhood library and get online. We got rained in one day and it was the most beautiful office space view EVER! 
 10. Nothing like unpacking your old issues of domino while decorating your new place. Priceless.
BONUS: This last week, my sister, best friend, soul mate, love got engaged!!!!!!!! This literally rocked my entire world, could not be happier for her. talk about life's blissful moments. 

secret of domestic bliss #51......monogrammed living

It's the weekend already, where has the week gone? My bedroom is mostly set up but I have a few essentials that I have to stock up on this weekend. One thing I am looking for is the perfect monogrammed bedding...I love monogramms (especially towels for some reason) and I am feeling the need for some good looking letters in my life. Monogrammed bedding is all over the magazines and blogs these days, so I am not sure that I want to do what everyone else is doing, but I just adore the look.


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The Art of Living... a chair in the bedroom

So, ever since I can remember I loved hanging out in my grandparents bedroom and sitting in the guest chair while grandma would get ready for a special event. It was one of my favorite places as a little girl. Now, in my small NYC bedroom, I have decided that this time I insist on having a chair. Nothing more perfect than a place to read a book, sip tea or have a friend to sit and chat with you (moments of domestic bliss). I am smitten with these chairs in the bedroom. Very smart and very sweet. 



Wallcolor Wednesday {gray in gramercy park}

Today our apartment painting sessions have officially commenced. Yay! (side note: we have fallen head over heels for our little Gramercy Park neighborhood) I wanted to give you all a sneak peek at the gorgeous, dark gray color we decided to go with. Kelley and I both love color, so we thought  that a dark gray would make the perfect backdrop to pops of bright colors throughout the room. It also looks absolutely lovely combined with our yummy dark chocolate floors. I have, like most people right now, a slight obsession with gray. I especially love it on the walls. Its good stuff.


I've always loved the muddy brown-ish gray used in this romantic bedroom. So chic. 

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office space of the day...bamboo black and glossy

white walls + greek key trimmed panels + glossy black lamp + bamboo black desk and chair=
domestic bliss

Oh the joys of moving + unpacking. The process is fun and exciting yet impossibly lengthy. Honestly, though, I am so happy to finally be in my very own apartment with an even more fabulous roommate. You all might know her...she is a fellow blogger sister...visit her blog for the big reveal! 

Decorista daydreaming...longing for a canopied bed

Today is moving day! Meaning everything is getting dropped off, painters are painting and organization mode is in full swing! I can't wait to show you all photos but for now...relish with me in the gorgeousness of canopied beds. I am just crazy about the delicious flowing fabric down the edges of the bed. I think it makes a bedroom that much more cozy and romantic. Unfortunately, because new york is just "like that", architecturally a canopied bed will not work in my bedroom. Yes, I was majorly disappointed because I had my sights set on one in particular. For the time being I just get to admire the gorgeousness of the ones in photos. A girl can dream, right?


Style-icious Sunday: glamorous and golden

There is nothing like an oversized gold sunburst above the bed to make a statement in the bedroom. The placement of this piece is the perfect addition of that glamorous "wow" factor to add to the simplicity of an all white room. White and gold is one of my favorite color combos of all time. Here, the kiss of blue and white pillows just seals the deal. It's got me craving some gold glamour in my life....


These is something so chic about strategic moments of gold.
I also happen to adore the look of purple and gold together, its so very regal.

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10 things that rocked my world this week! june 18

1. Mel and I on the terrace at the NYC Crave party book launch.  Such an honor to be involved with the women of CRAVE. I really love to be around other young, stylish and savvy and extremely creative business women. Was lovely to meet so many sweet new entrepreneur girl friends.

 2. I'm so bummed this photo is such a blur, but I met with a super charming guy over at House Beautiful and he was rocking some gingham and plaid tie action. It was so dapper, I just loved his swagger.
 3. I finally found my favorite hair salon...Alibi in Soho...hands down the most fun and stylish place to have your hair done. I love love love being in that chair having them play with your hair and they even give you some massage love too!
 4. This mural at my local nail salon literally had me feeling like I was in Italy for a moment. I quickly realized that I am serious need of a European vacation. Sigh.
 5. How cool is the geometric-ness of these handbags? I don't know that I would necessarily carry these bags but I am obsessed with the graphic, futuristic look. Very into it right now. 
 6. A stack of the CRAVE NYC books. Silver, shiny and bright, love them. You all must have a copy. Email me if you want to get your hands on a copy.
 7. Okay, 1 of 2: I am obsessed with everything NEON. 2 of 2: This neon sign place in TriBeCa is absolutely rocking out it. I fall head over heels for anything 80's neon-ish. love.
 8. Gray grasscloth wallpaper + dark gray and silver metallic hexagon patterned plush headboard. Um......YES! 
9. A new favorite moment of life...enjoying the rooftop view (the fact that I spy water is ever so joyful for me...i miss the beach badly!) and listening to THIS song is ranking top on the list. (don't mind the video...its a bit weird)
10. There have been certain people (you know who you are...so thank you!) in the past few weeks who have been such sweet and supportive friends through several life changing events....one of them is Dagny, one of my first blogging friends ever! She is from Norway and she was visiting NYC this last week for her super cool high level job. We finally met in person for the first time. My scandinavian BFF. I love love love her! 

The JEWELS of the home...

I have come to the conclusion that it's high time I find the perfect chandelier for my apartment bedroom. I have always longed for a big, gorgeous and glossy chandelier. They are my absolute favorite! Have you seen my design website? I designed it around a glittering drop chandelier. Every one of them is so beautiful and different and just delights my heart.

Whether its a glossy black chandelier or gold and crystal chandelier, its probably the perfect addition to your life. I know any one of these beauties would be the most perfect addition to mine...

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Wallcolor Wednesday {horizontal stripes}

Already have my mind going for the new apartment and I haven't even gotten the keys yet. I am seriously thinking that we are going to do some fun horizontal stripes down our long corridor to the bedrooms. I think it can be such a fun and playful way to perk up a long hallway, no? Add some pretty frames and fabulous photography and we have an insanely cool view from our bedrooms.


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