Summer Staple- Envelope Clutch

The perfect, easy accessory for summer events. An envelope clutch takea any outfit from casual to upscale in a second. They are available everywhere this summer, and here are a few of my favorites:

Rubber Clutch, Nude with Metal Detail, Postcard Theme, Tricolour, Satin Magenta.

Beautiful? Yes. Functional? ...Maybe.

I believe in surrounding yourself with beauty. It's an outward form of inspiration. Just by looking around, you can be reminded of your own creative, artist power. Here are a few displays that create visual interest:

Sources: One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six.

Destination Stay-cation

Take me away...but not very far!

Small oases in the midst of home.
1,2,3,4 and 5.

Peplum Cut: A Little Detail Goes a Long Way

One Spring 2012 trend I'm excited for is the peplum detail! A peplum is a flared or flowy piece of material attached at the waist or hemline. The peplum is best known as a classic detail, as it was made popular in the 1940's. These fashions were more modest however, and the contemporary peplum can be edgy and make a statement. This detail may seem small, but it can do a lot for a woman's body. A peplum detail can:

• Draw the eye to the smallest part of your waist
• Emphasize curves
• Reduce the look of tummy fat
• Add drama to any outfit.

Here are some examples for the coming season:

Find them here:
Alice + Olivia Dress, Burberry Jacket, Sleeveless Top, Bustier Top, Mason Dress with Lace,
Silk Skirt, Belted Skirt, Animal Print, Pencil Dress,  and Lace Dress.

For the DIY-ers, here's a quick post on creating your own peplum detail.

Reinvention: From 'stuffy' to 'stylish'

1. Oly Studio showroom
2. Contemporary sofa
3. Eclectic hallway 
4. Studded chair + stool

A Vibrant Start

via

Here's a fun way to start 2012: incorporate Tangerine Tango, Pantone's 'color of the year' into everyday life. You can challenge your creativity and use the color in different facets of life: from inside the home to elements of personal style.
I've already begun searching around for the vibrant color. You can follow my style board on Pinterest as I hunt for more. For now, here's a few items that have caught my eye so far:

Find them here: Parlour chair, Platform heel, Shift dress, Blouse, and Sleeveless button-down.

A Monochromatic New Year, Plus Sequins

via Tumblr

New Years is a time to raise the stakes. It has a carnival-esque feel that borders on costumey. If this suits your personal style, by all means dress the part. My style is reined in, and I prefer to be inspired by costumes and incorporate elements here and there. Sequins up the excitement with every outfit, but they're best in pieces rather than all over. Below are a few items you can add to any outfit for instant glam:

Find them here:





Pants, shorts, tunic.

via Tumblr

This years has been very eventful for me! I have graduated from college, travelled, worked in a career I love, entering grad school and started this blog. I hope 2012 brings many more great experiences for me and all you readers. Have a wonderful New Year!

Bright, Cozy and Contemporary

Now that the holidays are over, I have to find other ways to make the winter months bearable. If you follow me on Twitter, I have made it plain that drinking hot apple cider gets me through most days. Also in constant rotation is my fireplace. It's one of my favorite elements of any home. The one in my home is quite large, stately and traditional. However, I'm always up for a contemporary upgrade. Here are few for inspiration:

                  

Sources: One, Two, Three, Four, Five.

A Quick Holiday Post

                  

Merry Xmas and Happy Holidays!
Images: One, Two, Three

P.S. -make sure to check out my Tumblr blog sometime!

Holiday Sweaters, Minus the Irony

It's common knowledge that people can go a bit overboard during the holidays. Sweaters can easily go from 'ironic' to 'cheesy,' we've all seen it. But there are still ways to get into the spirit without compromising your own fashionable standards. Here are a few ways to keep the holidays interesting and updated with graphic knits:

Find them here: 1. Wilderness sweater, 2. Cozy pattern pullover, 3. Bow detail sweater,
4. Snowman knit, and 5. Loose-knit two tone.

Sad Harry Potter image via Wikia.

P.S. I apologize for the lack of posts lately; my personal life took prevalence for a while. I look forward to posting more frequently in the future. Happy Holidays!

Use Your (Re)Imagination: ModCloth

ModCloth is a site for those who are not really interested in the "now." This girl brushes up on her history, and take a hint from the photos of the past. Over at ModCloth clothing, accessories and household items are there for the taking, whether you're after vintage pieces from a bygone era or textiles and cuts reminiscent of the past few decades. Here are a few ModCloth pieces to take you back:

You can find them here: Retro dress, Mod heel, Jumper, Satchel, Knit sweater.
Holiday dress, Wrap dress, Platform heel, Feather cuff.

Simple, Rustic Charm

This week I'm really into hand-crafted items. They give everything more meaning, don't you think. The thought that someone out there just like you can create beautiful things is exciting; it gives the things around you a personal story. And what's more, it proves you can make interesting items too if you commit to it! To illustrate this, here's a site called Nightwood that reinvents old furniture to fit a modern aesthetic. Enjoy!

Celestine Couch, Geometric Painting, Whitman dresser.

Monday Motivation

via Etsy

Sometimes its okay to feel a little rough around the edges. Raw energy can have an endearing charm about it. New and shiny might catch my eye more often, but lately I've been learning to appreciate the appeal of more rustic elements. Being rough around the edges coincides with my current project— my War Against the Treadmill. I admit, last week it won a battle but I won't let it win the war. Hopefully my personal inspiration can translate into an aesthetic appeal for you as well! Have a great week, everyone.

Contemporary Glam: Room with a View

I'm starting my weekend with daydreams of my future.

The beauty of nature + the allure of modernity = happiness for Jay Bijou!

via Contemporist

Have a great weekend!

Contemporary Lace

When you think of lace, you most likely picture old doily cloths or ancient wedding gowns. Lace can look old and stuffy pretty easily, and it takes some effort  and innovation to take it from Old Lady to Contemporary Woman. This season it comes in all colors and cuts. Designers have transformed it from a safe, boring choice to a risk in fashion. Below are a few lace styles available this Fall.

Find them here: 1. Romper, 2. Dahlia Dress, 3. Lace detail boot, 4. Tank, 5. Melly Dress.

More things to love about Fall: Jewel Tones

I know its cheesy, but one of my biggest style icons is my mom. I've been saying for 22 years that when I grow up I wanna dress just like her. We've both pledged to add more color to our closets, and this fall we're both loving jewel tones. They're based on colors found in precious stones like emerald,  topaz and sapphire. I love them because you can have elements of glamour, but still stay within your budget! With  Here's a glimpse at some pieces available this season:

1. Multi-color dress, 2. Color block skirt, 3. Silk dress , 4. Wrap dress,
5.Silk blouse, 6. Trousers, 7. Asymetric top, 8. Shift dress.

P.S. Happy November!

Add Interest to the Fall Chill with Jackets

This weekend we experienced the first snowfall here on the east coast (OcSNOWber!) and it got everyone thinking about cold weather clothes. For me, one of the best parts of fall is that I get to wear layers! Over the past few years, I have been dubbed the "layering queen" by friends and family. Most of my base layers are the same basic colors. The more a piece of clothing is exposed, the most interest it can add to an outfit. Whether its an eye-catching pattern or a rich texture, the outermost layer is where you can spice it up!

Jackets: Velvet, Fringe, Feather print, Bird print, Plaid.

It's the Idea that Counts

Let's say you are in the market for a headboard. What do you in envision? My guess is it's very palpable, but it doesn't have to be! It can be fun (and even cheaper) to challenge yourself, and look at things in unconentional ways. What are headboards for, in a design sense? Unless you have back problems, wall art can serve the same purpose. It adds beauty and visual interest to a space, and show off who are really are— a unique, creative soul who likes to have fun with design! A few wall art pics:

Wall art: headboard, window, chandelier.

Monday Motivation: Mix it up!

The best way to combat Monday Blues: add color! Bold prints are to be embraced in all their forms this fall, from tried-and-true plaid (top right corner), to a new take on animal print (bottom left corner). When your mood is down and you need to uplift your spirits, dress the part! If you read this post to late, after you've already dressed yourself and left the house, use it to look forward to next Monday.
Have a great week!

Find 'em here: 1. Spaghetti-strap dress   2. Maxi dress  3. Earth tone dress   4. Crossover blouse
5. Zig-zag shoe   6. Missoni trousers  7. Animal-print ombre dress   8. Shades of brown pants
9. Tribal print coat   10. Maxi skirt.

Weekly Motivation: There's No Time Like the Present

via DesignSponge

Sometimes the best way to motivate yourself is to take it slow. Paying attention to a task along the way to its completion can be just as fulfilling as the product itself. One of the best cases is DIY projects. What is more satisfying than the knowledge that you can make anything more beautiful and meaningful with your own hands? Below are some steps on creating inspiring 'florals' from fallen leaves. The rest is over at DesignSponge.

The full step-by-step process.