Enamored with Enamel

A bit of tongue twister, but it's true, I am currently in love with enamel in fashion and home decor. It's so classic, elegant, and makes just enough of a statement.  I have chronicled some of my recent fashion and home accessory favorites below:

{J. Crew Squared enamel-link bracelet in red $60}

{Arden B. Mod Enamel Drop Earring $19}

 
{Kate Spade New York 'Carousel' Bangle Watch $250}





{Kenneth Jay Lane Charleston Rose Enamel Cuff $49}



{Anthropologie Starling enamel trinket dish $32}



{Anthropologie Shaded Poppy Mallow enamel Hook $28}



{Mackenzie Childs Flower Market Enamelware Tea Kettle $108}


The list could go on and on...

Have you found any enamel pieces you're enamored with lately? I'd love to hear!
xo, Alicia

Quirky Parisian Inspired Dishes

This adorable, quirky dish collection called Mademoiselle Oiseau by illustrator Lovisa Burfitt for Rorstrand would be a great accent to any table, cute propped in a china cabinet, or mounted on a wall for a hip, little modern art display...

{So lovely}

{Love this...}

{And this!}

Dishes available through the Scandinavian Design Center.

photos via

Girl Interrupted and Spring Cocktail

Well, I'm sad to report that my plans to finish my french gray hutch/china cabinet project were interrupted  over the weekend, but I was able to spend time with some family that I haven't seen in a while and it was worth the interruption.  I hope to share the finished hutch with you some time next week.  Fingers crossed.

However, to make up for it, perhaps I can entice you with this spring cocktail courtesy of Martha Stewart?  It may be my contribution to our family's Easter menu.  It is quite beautiful..

Lillet Rose Spring Cocktail

Ingredients

• 12 ounces Lillet Rose
• 12 ounces Ruby Red grapefruit juice
• 6 ounces gin
• 6 edible flower blossoms (optional; chefs-garden.com)

Directions

1. Combine 6 ounces Lillet, 6 ounces grapefruit juice, 3 ounces gin, and ice in a cocktail shaker. Shake until well chilled. Strain and divide cocktail among 3 stemmed cocktail glasses, such as Champagne coupes. Repeat.
2. Garnish with flowers. Serve immediately.

via marthastewart.com

French Gray Hutch: Part One

This lovely hutch/china cabinet has patiently been awaiting a makeover:

It is quite dated for my tastes and although our friends have begged us not to paint it, alas, we are!  Who do they think they're talking to anyway?!  Some day they'll learn :o)

Here are some close ups to show the details:

{At the tippy top}

{Bottom cupboard door detail. Inside is a green velvet lined door to store & protect silver!}

{Inside is a multi-tone animal print/texture paper inset which I hope to cover in modern paper}

{The side detail paneling and our adorable dog Gigi..she loves photo shoots and is carefully watching my every move!}

So although Gigi will remain a lovely chocolate brown, our wooden hutch will become a soft, distressed French gray accented with a modern gray and white paper inset.  

{Paris Gray Paint by Annie Sloane}

{Brewster Wallpaper, Ink Collection} 

  I am liking this paper too but fear we may tire of it too quickly...

{Also from the Brewster, Ink Collection}

I'm thinking  hoping the charcoal paper will add depth inside the hutch as well as make our white dishes pop!  Speaking of dishes...I posted about these last week but have also discovered these dishes and have fallen in love with them:

{Lenox Marchesa Floral Illustrations Collection fine china dinnerware...these would be a nice addition to our everyday white hotel china}

   It is supposed to be a rainy weekend where I live and I couldn't think of a better way to pass the time than revamping this hutch!  Check back on Monday to see the reveal!

Have a lovely weekend. xo, Alicia

In Lust: Tahari Cape Coat

This past weekend, I did some spring cleaning in my closet and dresser.  I managed to pack two bags full of clothes to donate!  Although there are many more things I could purge from my wardrobe, it was a great feeling to get an early start on spring cleaning my wardrobe especially because I spotted this little gem online at Lord and Taylor:

{Tahari Bow-Accented Cape Coat $133}

A stunning, neutral, versatile piece that I envision with...

{J. Crew ankle stretch toothpick jeans in Selvedge denim $168}

{J. Crew Valentina pumps in Weathered Rose $225}

OR

{J. Crew Viv printed patent flats in Light Walnut Black $158}

AND a few enamel bracelets stacked around the wrist...

{Milly Links Enamel Bracelet in Yellow $95}

{Stella McCartney Enamel Accented Bangle $455}

{Kara by Kara Ross Opal Accented Lizard Bracelet $220}

Have you found any special items that you plan to add to your spring wardrobe?

products and photos courtesy of: lord and taylor, j. crew, saks fifth avenue

Natural Eye Makeup Look

Historically, eyeshadow has not been a regular part of my daily makeup repetoire.  Until recently, eyeshadow never seemed to do much for my eyes.  However, I received an eyeshadow quad from Estee Lauder as a free gift with purchase and really love two of the colors in the quad.  Together, they beautifully enhance the eye, but do not look as if one is wearing makeup.

With this color, I apply it all over the lid up to the brow bone to even out, lift, and brighten the area:

{Estee Lauder Pure Color Eyeshadow (satin) in Ivory Slipper $20}

Next, I apply this shade on the outer half of the lid and in the outer crease to slightly define the eye:



{Estee Lauder Pure Color Eyeshadow (shimmer) in Hot Cinnamon $20}

 A light coat of mascara on the top and bottom lashes makes for a wide eyed, natural le no makeup look!

For mascara, I enjoy:

{Prescriptives False Eyelashes Plush Mascara in Plush Black $21}

Another neutral eyeshadow that I love is by Clinique:

{Clinique Touch Base Eyeshadow in Petal Shimmer $15. A creamy formula that is a soft pale pink on the skin.  Highly recommend this product!}

Do you have any secrets to a natural eye makeup look?  If so, please share your tricks!  xo, Alicia



photos and products courtesy of: esteelauder.com, prescriptives.com, clinique.com



Mundane Mudroom

Lately, our mudroom seems to be in mayhem, with a mixture of winter and spring coats, winter and spring shoes, and of course our dog's necessities (leash, collar, towels for muddy feet, etc).  Unfortunately, our home does not have a formal foyer and although I hope our next home does.   For now, I would like to make the mudroom (which is our main entrance in the front of the house), less of a mudroom and more of a welcoming, elegant space.  Afterall, you know what they say about first impressions. 

Usually we are not one for color in our decorating, but I've found some photo inspirations that might just encourage us to leap out of our decorating realm...

{Peach!  Loving it mixed with the white and cream. If only our entrance were this large and grand!}

{Graphic wallpaper, perhaps?}

{A splash of color through lamps flowers, or a rug}

{Jennifer Lopez's foyer...so modern yet soft, really love this}

{It's white, I know, but I couldn't resist!  I would have to add a little something modern to this but otherwise it is beautiful and simple}

Off to the drawing board.  xo, Alicia

photos: one   two   three   four   five 

Another Great French Read

I have just finished another wonderful book about the French lifestyle...

Jennifer L. Scott has a lovely website that you may be interested in visiting.  This book is a fun, quick read and I am happy to add it to my ever growing collection of French lifestyle books.  Available through amazon.com, the book is also available in Kindle and Nook editions.

xo, Alicia

St Patrick's Day Style: Duchess of Cambridge

Cheers to a refined St. Patrick's Day and a fashionable one at that...

{The Duchess of Cambridge presents shamrocks to the British Army}

{Gorgeous outfit}

{Cheers!}

xo, Alicia

photos via mirror.co.uk

J'adore: Marchesa by Lenox China

When searching for wedding china a couple of years ago, we opted for a simple white hotel style china, but I am longing to add a couple of sets of this Marchesa by Lenox to our collection.

via Macy's

Caudalie Spa Inspired Body Scrub

Longing for a trip to the Caudalie Spa at The Plaza Hotel in New York City:

This Crushed Cabernet Scrub on their spa menu would be divine to get rid of dry winter skin and prepare for spring:

Crushed Cabernet Scrub

"The most popular scrub from the Vinothérapie^® Spa. It is an ideal "starter" for your treatments. To regain your skin's radiance and softness, we have developed this scrub with a base of grape-seed, honey, brown sugar and the essential oils of the Contouring Concentrate. The application of the Nourishing Body Lotion combined with our Contouring Concentrate completes this treatment and leaves your skin clean, refined and perfectly smooth. This is an ideal treatment for a slimming program or after being exposed to the sun."

However, if you're like me and a spa trip is not in your near future a homemade version of this scrub is simple and made from fairly basic ingredients you may already have on hand...

 Ingredients:

Grapeseed Oil

Honey

Raw Brown Sugar

Bulk Grapeseeds (count this as an uncommon kitchen item!)

Mix together, step into the shower, scrub scrub scrub, rinse with warm water and follow with a very indulgent moisturizer.  Follow with a nice hot cup of herbal tea or perhaps a glass of red wine à la Caudalie!

If you're lacking in time, you can always purchase this scrub through the Caudalie website, Sephora, or other online retailers:

As you know, I love Caudalie products as I mentioned in this post.  Let me know if you try this and how you like it.  I hope it brings provides a zen moment for you and makes your skin glow.  Have a lovely day, xo Alicia

photos credits: one   two   three

Black and White Interior: Yulian Chaplinsky

Have you ever wondered what it might be like to live inside of one of those lincoln log homes you may have built as a child?  I never did either, log homes are not my thing (much to the dismay of my environmental scientist husband!)  But if the interior of a lincoln log style home could look like this would you reconsider?  I sure would!

This home is designed by a designer in Moscow named Yulian Chaplinsky:

In love with the fireplace and the chandelier in the living room.  Overall, it's stunning.  And because the wood is painted white (my favorite!) it's sleek and chic.  No Brawny men here ☺

Have a lovely day. xo, Alicia

photos via Home Design Ideas