new old house

A new house built to look old is a challenging assignment. Many times you can see the intent, but not the results.  This build on the other hand seems to echo an old world charm without trying to be a museum or a theme park kind of 'old'.  


It is not overdone, it is not trying too hard to be a replica.  The result is a contemporary take on an old English home. Inside it is cozy and welcoming.  The interior design is carefully curated yet not too precious.  There are warm touches like the wood walls in the kitchen yet the overall result still feels light and airy. 


































Simple elegance inside and out was the wish of the homeowner.   
The team assembled calm inviting space built for a family 
and created a new home that feels lived in.  


The team:
ARCHITECT Peter Block // peterblockarchitects.com
INTERIOR DESIGN Beth Webb,// bethwebb.com
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE John Howard, // howarddesignstudio.com 
BUILDER Jim Meathe and Shaba Derazi, // ymderazi.com



images found: here




inspire//desire

I was prepared to spend a while doing the 'love it // buy it'' exercise today to put this outfit together:


I have the jeans, and the image inspired me to search for the blazer and top. I love the white on white paired with the rough and tumble jeans.  

In looking for the photo credit I found a wonderful blog, the creator of the outfit and all the source info.  I think its pretty fabulous as is and thought I would share all the info not only about the outfit sources but the blog as well.  


I highly recommend it. And thank you Ann Kim for a fabulous peek into your world.  I will be coming back often!









Helmut Lang blazer // Zara peplum top and jeans // Topshop bangle
I found this peplum top on Topshop as i couldn't find on Zara's site


I am so excited that Sam Edelman has finally lowered the heel on this boot .
It now seems the perfect proportion to me.  
I will be 'desiring' this boot for fall. 

surf's up

I would like to pull the curtain back on my little secret... sometimes I like to shop at surf shops with the tweens.


found: here


Sometimes even in the mall.  Yes, I did say surf shop and mall in the same sentence. I just bought my absolute favorite tank top of the summer at.... the mall.... in a store called Inland Ocean.  It was $39.

Its this cute little Roxy number  and I adore it - have worn it twice this weekend - once with skinnies and then with boyfriends. Next up in the rotation will be white jeans.








It looks quite fun in orange too...


I have a soft spot for Roxy, Quicksilver and Billabong.  They make girly flirty pieces that add just the right amount of cool chick vibe and carefree flavor to summer.  You have to weed through some of the 'tween' stuff to find what suits you but I always find a little something to make my summer just a little bit brighter.  

Besides shopping, the other thing I like about spending time on these sites is that they showcase a sunny 'girl power' spirit. These companies sponsor amazing athletes and to read about their adventures is exciting and inspiring.  The sites below all have blogs and chronicle team travels and competitions. The sites are also very tapped in to social media - I have to say it keeps me fresh and feeling like with a little wind in my hair I can kick a little you-know-what like these surf and snow girls.  

The photography is usually good - some sites better than others but take for example billabong's landing page - love the energy. 


my favorite sites





No matter what your age, spending time on these sites will get you back in touch with that summer girl inside you.  The one, in my case, who wore Hang Ten all summer in Toronto and pretended I  lived Cali.  

From Coachella fashion tips to art to music, to world class athletes,
these brands provide content 
that actually keeps me coming back.  
Its not just the cute tops.



hanging out

I got on the pinwheel (pinterest pinning frenzy) and saw this image along the way.  So as I do, I sleuthed around and found more by photographer Jeroen van der Spek. Which also took me to the Style Files, a wonderful blog.  It looks like an eclectic comfortable beach house.  

And it looks like no matter what part of the world you are in, a nice image and a nice beach communicate the same thing no matter what language you speak.  



















Vaulted ceilings, an eclectic mix of 'stuff' and a few bits of color 
make for an inspiring beach getaway.  
Planning mine now...


photographer: here
photographer's agent: Stillstars

inspire//desire

I found this image floating around on tumblr and did a little digging. The Danish designer Malene Birger is behind this simple chic look.  


Upon further digging it seems this is from a 2010 collection and impossible to find on the webshop waves.  So I thought I would try to put it together state-side with available resources... 
To see more of Malene Birger's work (I think I have a new crush)  you can go here.
I am going to put her at the top of the list for our next trip to CPH.

happy shopping!






beach dream home

After tropical cyclone Luis claimed her little St. Barts beach house in 1995, Alisa Thiry, former fashion editor of Elle UK set out to build her dream home on the site.  Symmetry was the foundation for the architectural process. Another wish was immediate visual access to the water.  

Step inside to see how she achieved her goals.  
arrive to a blue horizon line



clean lines front and back with a dash of whimsical pink



symmetry



spare yet inviting



white and wood make good partners



a kitchen that doesn't scream kitchen with seating for many 



write a letter, grab a cold drink



take a nap 



lounge here



get fresh here after a day in the sun



or step outside to a volcanic rock wall shower



tuck in with the doors open and breezes putting you to sleep


Using raw materials like stone and wood combined with clean lines makes for a warm combination.
Spare interiors and wide open spaces leave room for the beautiful blue outside.
It looks like perfection to me.  



images found: here

love affair

So do you ever get in a fashion trance and have one 'go-to' piece each season?  I certainly do.  I wouldn't call it a rut, I would call it a love affair.  So here are the object of my affection sandals this summer...


I have worn these with everything from jeans to maxi dresses and yesterday I searched and searched to find the same pair to stash in the closet for when these wear out.  Because that day will come soon. I think I got these at the Neiman Marcus outlet on extra-super-duper-sale.  I wish I had bought a second pair that day.

a few more that have caught my eye this summer...







Tory keeps it simple on this shoe 
even though I am not a big 'logo-as-design' fan, these are spare 


These are so major.  
Yes, Ms. Zoe has created the pair I covet and yes, they are sold out
in my size.  

I wonder if people bought two at a time?


Deep Dive

I am finding with extra time at home I am becoming more of a shopping sleuth. I have shopped on Amazon forever, but never really for 'fa...