Thursday, July 7, 2011

Paradise Island: Natalie B.

Can you believe we're already into week five of our Paradise Island series?  Somebody pump the brakes cause summer is flying by way too fast!  Today it's all eyes on our resident Twi-Mom (her words, not mine), Natalie.  Not only is she absolutely beautiful, she's brilliant too.  And she has a husband we all adore.  And she gave birth to a perfect human being.  If I didn't love her so much, I'd have to hate her. :)  Nat is fiercely competitive, so you can bet your bottom dollar her picks are legit (although I still can't bring myself to read Twilight- sorry girls)!  

Natalie's beautiful family

Q&A: If Natalie was famous, it would be for having a famous son.  Nicole Richie would be her celebrity BFF and she would help her steal every last piece in Lauren Conrad's closet.


1. 3pk of 14oz Skittles Crazy Cores, $8.64 Walmart  2. Wallflowers Creamy Nutmeg Home Fragrance, Bath & Body Works $12.30  3. The Twilight Saga, Amazon $55.63  4. Dirt Texturizing Paste, Jonathan Product $14  5. Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb Eau de Parfum Spray, Nordstrom $100-$150  6. Ceramic Flat Iron, Chi $101  7. Studio Fix Powder, MAC Cosmetics $26.50  8. Fruit Tea, Bread & Company  9. La Viva Vera Hipster, Vera Bradley $58
Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Mirror, Mirror

This outfit reminds me of my cousin, Jess...primarily because she owns it (well, most of it).  The Happiness shirt below has been one of her staple items this summer and I'm kind of a little obsessed with it.  As an additional nod to Jess, I styled the outfit with a bit of a Native American vibe since she spent the majority of our childhood telling me she was an 'Indian Princess' (in her defense, she truly believed this to be true...which I'm pretty sure makes the story that much more awesome & hilarious).  Thanks for the inspiration, Jessica Dianne! :)


1. Happiness Tribal Crop Tee, Forever 21 $13.80  2. Avedon Skinny Jeans, Citizens of Humanity $198 3. Brandy Pham Ha Single Arrow Necklace, Swank Boutique $58  4. Chelsea bucket Bag, Nasty Gal $58  5. Giant Thunderbird Cuff, Nasty Gal $168  6. Alexa Black Sandals, Ralph Lauren $59
Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Get It Together: Wacky and Wonderful


1. Vintage Colt Revolver Pillow, Utilitarian Franchise $35  2. Rhino Bust, Anthropologie $68  3. SONGE Miror, Ikea $49.99  4. Black Tripod Floor Light, Dwell £149  5. Quincy Accent Chair, Z Gallerie $899  6. Vintage Brass Candlesticks, Etsy $23  7. Up-Close Cranesbill Rug, Anthropologie $398-$1,698

GaGa for Gingham

So...how was your 4th of July?  With the exception of my outrageously delayed flight (3 hours!) mine was amazing.  And to be honest, even the delay wasn't that horrible.  There were, however, two things I didn't get to do yesterday...1) I didn't get to see fireworks and 2) I didn't get to wear gingham.  The fireworks fiasco was a byproduct of my poorly scheduled flight and the lack of gingham was due to the fact that I don't own anything gingham.  It just seems like something I should have and wear on the 4th...I'll work it out next year, don't you worry.  Check out all this gingham eye candy in the meantime!

Monday, July 4, 2011

Happy 4th of July!

It's Independence Day- time to celebrate!  I'm taking the rest of today off to grill out with my family, pack for New Jersey and clean my house (ah, the American Dream).  Hope your 4th of July is a a blast.  God bless the USA! :)  

Design Musings

Friday, July 1, 2011

Q and A: Bridal Shower Inspiration

I love love love reader questions.  Love them.  I especially love this particular question because 1) It's pretty darn relevant & 2) It gives me an excuse to talk about parties.  And I love parties almost as much as I love reader questions.  So here we go!

I am throwing a wedding shower for a friend who's wedding I'm in this summer. The shower is in July and will have approx 15 people, but I'm kinda stumped as to what to do different from the other 5 wedding showers I've planned. I mean, you can only do so many Purse Check Lists, and eat so many chicken salad sandwiches. ANY ideas Design-Muse can offer would be great (games, decor, food, etc)!!!

As any woman can tell you, bridal showers are tricky business...I want to say they're awkward for everyone involved.  My cousin, Nikki (whose celebrating a big birthday today!  More on that later tonight), has a genius idea for what she likes to call a "drive-through" shower.  You hand her your present, she gives you a cupcake and you go on with your day.  Brilliant as it may be I think it may still be ahead of it's time, so I put together a few style boards for you, sweet reader.  Remember, it's not at all necessary to use the bride's wedding color palate- and since it's summertime, you can get away with some really fun combos!  Here are a few snapshots I came across and loved.


I think part of the reason we all secretly resent bridal showers is because we're forced to go to the same one over and over- good for you for looking to break the mold!  Here's a few fun alternatives to the deviled egg/toilet paper dress rut the whole world appears to be stuck in.

1. Candy, candy and more candy.  Yes, everyone I know is on a diet too but who cares.  Someone's getting married and celebration trumps diet every time.  Pass around candy necklaces and ring pops, have guests come up with a story about the wedding/bride using as many candy bar names as possible, and best of all- let everyone make their own favor at the candy "bar" (let me just tell you, I put together a candy bar for our very first Table for Twelve and it was a big 'ol hit).

2. A little pampering goes a long way.  Contact your local salon & spa and see if they offer any party packages- many will send a certified masseuse right to your door to do neck and hand massages for your guests (now that's a party you won't hear people complaining about).  Buy a small variety of epsom salts and other fun ingredients like lavender, rose petals, and lemon verbena and let your guests mix their own bath tea- it'll double as a favor and an activity.  

3. Mix it up and do a straight up breakfast theme.  I'm talking omelette station, doughnut towers, french toast bites and no shortage of bacon.  You can go a couple different ways...fancy a la Breakfast at Tiffany's or- if it's a really close group of friends- even uber casual with more of a sleep over party vibe.  Either way, who doesn't love breakfast?!

4. Go glam and gorgeous- have everyone dress to the nines and keep it classy from start to finish.  Stay away from paper or plastic anything- we're talking real napkins, real glass...the fancier the better.  Organize a wine tasting, call your veggie plate "crudités" and your selection of small bites "amuse-bouche".  Live it up for the night!  And for the favor to top all favors, set up an "aroma bar" where your guests can customize their own perfume.    

Anyone else have a question?  I sure would love to answer it!  Shoot me an e-mail here.  Hope this helped! :)