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Hugo Guinness for J.Crew Darling Sweater

Whenever I'm in New York I always try to stop by John Derian, which means I spend a lot of time sighing over his collection of Hugo Guinness paintings and prints. J.Crew posted their spring lookbook this morning and I was delighted to see that the darling! sweater is actually a collaboration with Hugo, and in cashmere no less. J.Crew, $398

Streetstyle Trends: Early 90's

People always seem to associate 90's fashion with minimalism and grunge, but it also had a huge influence from hip hop coming off late 80's into the early 90's. We've already seen color blocked shirts and oversized coats hit the runways so curious to see what else gets picked up in a modernized way. 

Images: Tommy Ton for Style.com

In Her Closet: 1960's Fur Coat + Updates

I thrifted a vintage coat that kinda makes me look like the Cowardly Lion. Oh, and hi, long time no talk.

So what's been going on?

1. Our upstairs wood floors are finally refinished (Minwax Dark Walnut) after like 15 tries and having to stay anywhere that had an empty couch or bed for the duration. Unfortunately, in the middle of all that moving around I lost my engagement ring. Sadness.

2. We painted every room upstairs Benjamin Moore Simple White. I can't tell you how much I love it compared to that horrible margarine color that it was painted. I'm not sure if every room will stay this color, but it's nice to have a clean slate to start from.

3. We caught a second opossum—this time alive— in our crawlspace after a broken grate was missed the first time. SCREAM.

4. My Macbook, which has pretty much been a piece of junk since I bought it, finally shut down completely.

I'm going to be honest, it hasn't been a fun couple of months, but onwards and upwards. 

What's next?

1. Replacing the wood floor in the dining room.

2. Replacing and moving around chandeliers in living areas and foyer.

3. Painting Kitchen cabinets and walls.

4. Getting living room sofa reupholstered.

5. Finding drapes/blinds that will fit our non-standard windows.

I could go on and on, but these are the tasks at the top of the list.

 

Favorite Runway Looks: Chanel Pre-Fall 2013

Grunge-sweet dresses...

softly twisted hair and thorny necklaces...

stand up collars and thick soled shoes...

tasseled minibags and dark nails...

riffs on fair isle and gorgeous dark plaids intercepted with tender pinks and peaches.

Images: Chanel.com and Style.com

 

In Her Closet: Vintage Carolina Herrera Skirt

Trying on vintage Carolina Herrera red silk skirt & 1970's ribbed wool sweater at the thrift store (I bought both).

In Her Closet: Vintage Sweaters & 90's Skirts

The magic mirror shot that makes you 10 inches taller and 10 pounds skinnier.

Vintage beige Sweater (thrifted)
90's Express skirt in dark green (thrifted)
Falke black wool tights 
Loeffler Randall Emmy Boots in Taupe 
Hermes Collier de Chien Cuff (I declared that I would wear this every day if I got it and I'm doing pretty well at holding to it)

 

House Progress: What's Up?

I thought by now I would be able to share pictures of our refinished floors, and freshly painted rooms that I've started to furnish. Well, as we all know, life doesn't usually go how you plan. Long story short, the guy we hired didn't strip the painted wood floors correctly, the stain didn't absorb, and then he put the poly on while the stain was still wet. 

So now we are starting over with someone else and the floors are getting redone in two weeks. Licenses have been double checked, better business bureau called, and multiple recommendations have been noted, so hoping this time everything works out. 

Rather than bore you with pictures of mottled floors, I'll share a picture of a bedroom featured in Elle Decoration magazine. Pretty much defines my design aesthetic: Ornate metallic bed matched with minimalist bedding, palest pink pillow meets sooty black, all resting on rustic chevron wood floors. 

Digital image created by Moodboard from Elle Decoration/Photography: Jeremy Wilson

 

Stylish Traveler: Diane Kruger

The combination of animal motif sweater, jaunty hat, and lipstick red sunglasses is making this quirky look work for me. Mulberry Tiger sweater, $670

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Wanting: Devi Kroell Beluga Clutch

I rarely buy new bags as I've collected several vintage ones that have stood the test of time. I'm a sucker though for snakeskin and substantial trim, and I let out an audible gasp when I saw this Devi Kroell bag. It has a super sexy frame that evokes the 70's with a chunky pouch that makes me want to take a bite out of it. Moda Operandi, $2,900

Stylish Girl: Alexa Chung in Versus

I've seen this look done in black many times, but the burgandy color gives it a fresh yet vintage feel all at the same time.

Image: Vogue.es