ORANGE-AID

Where are you spring? As Portland gets ready for yet another snow storm (seriously?) I find my self craving orange, coral, grapefruit, watermelon and everything in between.  So, bring on the HAPPY!

I've been really into art recently that provides large swaths of color. I figure there is no better way to easily change the mood of a room.  Just pop some art on the wall and voila! A perfect starting point for decorating a room.  This photograph by Steve Back (who is new to me, although I'm sure some of you are familiar with his work) achieves just that.  Can you imagine this photograph paired with these murano glass lamps? Devine.

Of course don't discount the impact of a good nail color (I'm sporting this Essie color now), the right necklace (by Floti), or a fabulously saturated sweater.

Background image by Tracy French.

POLACOLOR TYPE 108

Before they were silk screens, they were polaroids. 1stdibs is selling a new release of photographs taken by Andy Warhol, and they are fantastic. What is he searching for in a subject and what are they thinking? Are they aware they are in the act of becoming pop art? How did he pick the photographs to become full fledged silk screen paintings?  This is the interesting thing about photography: It is a three-way between you the viewer, the photographer, and the subject. How involved do we get to be? and why am I so intrigued?  I like them as a collection on screen, but in my house I would devote just one to a white wall, it commands that much attention.  That would be if I could cough up the 25 G's.

Yves Saint Laurent, Farrah Fawcett, Bruce Weber, Carolina Herrera

WHAT THE BRAID

Yo, BRAID FACE! Unearthed this treasure after being inspired by my friend Alison Brislin, who just launched her 2013 Braid Lookbook. She is a master plaiter, plus she can come help you put on a bitchin' braid bash, so fun right? I love the photography and styling, ethereal, vintage, provocative. Not to mention the braids are awesome, and so is she for doing this. High five.  Be sure to check out the rest of the looks on her website, www.alisonbrislin.com.

Braid Face Frame Photograph by Franco Rubartelli for Vogue

ONE, OF A KIND

Have you seen this shop? Of A Kind features limited edition, up and coming designer goods. Promoting small shops, innovative design, and limited production capability. Sure it's not cheap, but you support an independent designer, and you have some exclusivity here, thats got to count for something right? Not to mention the goods are goood. Take a peek below at some of my favorite things that are available now, and coincidentally look awesome together. NYC, Dallas, San Fran, Portland Maine, it works.

1. Downing Overnight Bag by Ernest Alexander 2. Pyrite Facet Cuff by Kelly Wearstler 3. Garde Jacket by Veda 4. One Four Three Cowl by Jimmy and Maeve 5. Black Diamond Circle Earrings by Mociun

SK8

The Selby refuses to disappoint... I was immediately drawn to this home because it makes me think of my boyfriend Tim, who went to high school in Japan, loves shoes, had a brief fashion career, is an avid skateboarder, and lover of street art.  I can't help but think this would be his ideal abode, nice work Mihara Yasuhiro.

When asked what the overall idea behind the design of his home was, Mihara Yasuhiro wrote "skate."

LOOK! VINTAGE FLORAL

Summer is glorious (especially in Maine!), and this look was inspired by all the color that has emerged over the past few months. Hot pink, yellow, and especially GREEN! I love the color on color on color effect, it makes things so interesting/complex and you really feel so happy wrapped up in all that pattern-y goodness.  You don't even need accessories, although I would be totally fine piling on the jewels... arm party anyone? Now I just need to find the right occasion to wear this.It is amazing how much impact one piece of cloth can have; I picked up this vintage Suzani textile in Istanbul a few years ago. You just can't even believe the color, and I love how much it adds to the composition. Now it hangs behind my bed as a headboard... Emily and I had so much fun shooting this on such a gorgeous day... can you tell? 

Dress- Find, Portland, ME                                                                                                                             Suzani Textile- Grand Bazaar Istanbul                                                                                          Photography- Emily Delamater

DAZZLE

Dazzled by this color this morning!  It is a rainy day here in Portland, ME dreaming of warm island destinations... 

via here.

COMPADRES/1

These colors together mesmerize me. Evocative yet soft, I think this would be great for a living room with lots of light. Isn't she fabulous? The orange fur collar with the yellow is just great.  I too traipse through marshlands (beach?) in my silk gown and elbow length gloves.  Her lips are the perfect shade of edgy, cuts right through the softness, as would the spikes of the yucca were someone to bump in to you, ouch.

As I've said before, what a combo! Maybe this needs to be a column? We shall see...Images via 1, 2

FASCINATING

After all of Will and Kate's Royal Wedding hoopla, our friends the Anderson's were inspired to make their own versions of the fascinators all those Brits wear... with a Wyoming theme of course!  They are FABULOUS.  Enjoy and be inspired!

PRADA PERFECTION

You can always count on Prada. This mesmerizing ad campaign has got me under its spell. Oh, the divineness. the colors, so wonderful.  I'm so into the emerald green and the costume jewelry combo.

50's glam... bring it on.

LOOK! POLKA PLAID

Why hello there!  Happy Hump day to ya... When in Maine, its plaid or bust.  L.L. Bean Chic if you will. So here's a little polka-plaid-leather-wool treat for ya! Perfect for a winter walk in the park, and those days when you are amazed that its only February, and winter is going to be sticking around for a while, and then you walk outside and realize snow is BEAUTIFUL!I've been wanting to do a style post for good while now, but couldn't ever get it together.  Until I met Emily Delamater.  She is such a stellar photographer and I am so excited to be working with her!  Style posting is a little strange for me, as I have a hard time broadcasting photos of myself across the internet (it seems a bit self promoting at times), but I also really want to incorporate fashion into this blog. Fashion bloggers do it all the time, so why can't I? Jane seems very comfortable and AWESOME in her posts.  Anyway, I hope to continue to do style posts in the future, and I really hope you like them.  It has been great fun to collaborate with Emily, and we have a lot of crazy ideas in store.  Just waiting for the weather to turn! (which won't be long at this rate)All photos taken by Emily Delamater of Emily Delamater Photography.  See more of her beautiful work on her blog, here. Until next time, kind people.

COMPADRES: NUH-NUH-NEON

This year is going to be loud. For me, color will rule... and I can't wait.  I think 2012 is going to hold a lot of excitement, change, and creativity.  I am in a new place, and and ready to make some magic happen! A family friend of mine coins a phrase each year instead of making a resolution (of which my favorite in the past decade was "whats not to like").... so this year "lets go!"
1, 2

PATIENCE, PRESENCE, PERSEVERANCE

I guess its time I shared my personal mantra with all of you. It started as a new year's resolution that would be easy to remember, easy to repeat, and had rhythm almost like a chant.  That was 2009.  Three years later those three little words have gotten me through a lot.  Patience is an obvious one.  Presence; to me, means that you are present in your life, you are aware, and you are open and available to take advantage of any opportunity that may cross your path. Perseverance? Basically don't give up, don't listen to the naysayers, and you will come out on top.  Together these words are the secret to success (you could throw in positivity as a fourth "P" but you have to be positive to persevere, be patient, and present... so its a moot point).  Thats my inspiration for the day, take from it what you will, I hope it helps you as much as it has me.  And now for for the pretty things... in honor of stickin' to your guns, here are some words to get you thinking about the new year ahead. Cheers!!!

Top illustration by Ann Shen (check out her blog... its great!) came to me via Pinterest, but the original source is here. "Haters Gonna Hate T-Shirt" can be purchased here.

With Love

WHEN ARE TURBANS COMING BACK?

Because I love them.  Don't you?  I'd much rather wear some fabulous textile on my head than a wool hat.  Maybe I will...

I have been a long time fan of Steven Meisel (top photo) ever since I studied this Versace ad campaign that elevated fashion photography to fine art.  I love how he captures the color in this image... divine! As if he painted her there.

Both images from Italian Vogue.

FOR YOUR COLLECTION

Crazy fashion photos.  It doesn't get much better.  Majorly obsessed with Deborah Turbeville's new book, Deborah Turbeville: The Fashion Pictures.  It would make an amazing Christmas present for someone who likes fashion, quirky styling, and stunning photography (a.k.a. me!).  I could stare at this book for hours.  Available for purchase here.

A LITTLE WHIMSY

Oh, Hermes.... how fabulous are you? I came across these images in the current catalogue and was amazed! Who gets to be the art director for something like that? Im quite jealous... needless to say these are going in the inspiration files.

So whimsical and imaginative... these really got my wheels turning.  

I mean they are so fabulous, you could have them framed.  Somebody needs to do a gallery wall with all of these images...  would love to have seen the behind the scenes.

Thank you Hermes... for making my day and infusing it with make believe.

Im getting back in the groove of things... thanks for being so patient!  By the way I am looking for a photographer to collaborate with in the Portland, ME area, if anyone has suggestions... let me know.

SO GET YOUR YELLOW ON

Blogshop was awesome.  I just got back from the New York Class and am still so psyched about it.  Bri from Design Love Fest and Angela from Angela and Ithyle, were killer teachers. I learned so so much from and them and was so happy I took the class!  Great food, good people, positive vibes, and lots of useful information.  I would highly recommend this class to anyone interested in using photoshop to make their blog unique and personal.  Look what I made in class!

It was also a great chance for me to use my new Wacom Bamboo Tablet which after a few hours ended up being soooo much easier to use than a mouse, and definitely than a track pad.  Its what I used to write on the pictures...  Oh so fun, and mixes things up.

So, yeah, hooray for blogshop!

...I've been noticing the bottom artist around cyber space and am so impressed by his work.  I love the dash of yellow paint across the interior of the room.  Pretty crazy. The yellow got me inspired and here is what I came up with...

Interjection by Mike Wong Joon Fong, Yellow Dress Lady found here, Small Interior with Yellow by Lino Lago

COWBOYS AND INDIANS

Headed west for the weekend... Colorado that is.  Crested Butte, CO to be exact.  Here is a little western interpretation for ya today...  Could Kate Moss be cooler?

(1, 2, 3)

FEELING FALL

There was a fall snap in the past couple days and I'm craving a new coat!  Jet Korine has got the coolest stuff and amazing styling, dont'cha agree?

HUMP DAY... yessss!

ORANGE AGATE

Thank you for your patience over the last few days... My planes were cancelled, I didn't have service, it was crazy! Anyway, back in the Big Apple now and full of creative juices!

This color combo is so chic... I am drawn to the "non-colors", those that can't necessarily be defined in the ROYGBIV spectrum.  And when you mix them? yes, please.  This post combines my loves for sophisticated fashion and the outdoors...  these rocks are absolutely stunning. Mother nature was the original Old Master.

(Image via Vogue Tumblr, Lake Superior Agates)