Friday, March 25, 2011

Pretty Little Liars - Spencer

As my roommate puts it "this is my first step to admitting that I have a problem".  Hi. My name is Kelly, and I watch Pretty Little Liars.  Yes, it is true.  And I secretly (well not so secretly anymore) wish I could be the stylist on this show.  I love that each girl has a defining character (though I think they totally dress Emily wrong...she is hot, and putting her in sweatpants isn't a good idea).  SO my first styling attempt is for SPENCER.  She is preppy, girly, and wealthy....so here is what I came up!

The Hippie in Me...

I have always had a sweet spot for tie-dye....as you all probably know this. In college when we had "Hippie" themed parties, everyone would be calling me to borrow clothes.  I was really flattered until I realized that it was for a costume party, then I was a little emabarassed haha.  It's funny because I don't ever think I dress one way or the other, but I apparently have a style....maybe a weird one (thanks Kat and Tam!)...but I often hear "only you would wear this". Um. Gee. Thanks?  Well, I have a feeling that these curtains belong right at home in the "only Kelly would want dip dyed curtains".....and I am OK with that!  Oh yeah, and I bought a tie-dyed dress from Akiko last night (for only $30!!! beat that)...you know you secretly like tie-dye too....



Curtains:  Anthropologie.com
Dress: Akiko @ revolveclothing.com

Fashion Sketch Friday by Curt Sousa

Curt's inspiration is from a book called "Hunger Games" which I have now heard about its awesomeness twice (thank you Kimmy)....so I will be ordering it this weekend on my iPad fo sho!  His design is of the character Katniss Everdeen who will be played by Jennifer Lawrence in the upcoming movie....that someone should hire Curt to design for =). Just sayin.


Wednesday, March 23, 2011

MAXImum potential

These dresses are all from shopbop.com....though I actually shopped around, my faves happen to come from there today.  Ignore the shoes on the Pencey one...just cover them up with your hand.  Now imagine the day to night potential of these 3 awesome dresses.  K. Good. Shop away kids.



This shall be

Thanks to refinery29.com's "Best Fashion Blogs" list today, I have opened my eyes to some much needed sites!  I am so excited about gofugyourself.com...I feel it will make me giggle in the most desperate of times.  Whowhatwear.com and The Vogue Diaries will be from now on visited daily for my usual Sienna stalking.  BUT I discovered this image on thecoveteur.com called "Bright Pumps, Big City" and it is essentially an image of 2 very important goals for me:  To learn to surf and to own Louboutins!

from: ELLE & The Coveteur: Roopal Patel


Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Spring Dreamin'

I am pretty sure the first day of spring was this past weekend, however it is so rainy and chilly here in LA! I even wore a wool plaid dress, wool cardigan, and beanie today....in March!  The only positive side is that you can currently buy all the wool and cashmere items (like my fave cardigan at Jcrew.com <<< click) on sale right now.  My ice cold feet and talks of summer vacations sent me in search of warmer thoughts like this awesome dress from Topshop.  It would never look good on me, so naturally I must dream and not buy....so jump on in my imagination...

Monday, March 21, 2011

Wrap it Up

I am a fan of things that wrap twice....not sure why....but they make me happy and I recommend joining the club.  Wrap more than twice, then oooh you got me. =)

Leighelena wrapped bracelets - hand crafted in really unusual skins like stingray!
Michael Kors belt - My sister bought me an awesome tan double wrap belt a few years back from Zara I think, and I have worn it so much that I keep glueing it back together...may be time for a replacement!
La Mer watch - this company offers so many different choices.  
Elie Tahari - on Bluefly.com

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Bohemian Beach Rockstar

This is another one of my revolveclothing.com lists.  See the rest of the items here!



Make a Difference

I have been talking about starting a clothing line for some time, and two important attributes it needs to have are eco-friendly and charitable.  I am not a huge eco person by any means, but I do think it is important to think about the world we live in and do what we can to help it.  The outfit below is styled with items that also think about our world....

I started with a necklace from Falling Whistles.  Falling Whistles is a campaign to bring peace to Congo.  Read their story here and be sure and buy a necklace! The next piece I added was a pair of TOMs shoes.  For every pair of TOMs you purchase, a pair is donated to a child in need.  Read more about TOMs here. Stella McCartney is one of the few big designers out their that is making an effort to be more eco.  I love her organic cotton cross-body purse.  The tee is recycled cotton from James Perse.  I was pleasantly surprised when I stumbled upon this....you go James Perse!  Some people may argue with me about the Joe's pants.  But did you know that bamboo is A. Organic B. The most abundantly sustainable and renewable resource in the world C. Able to grow almost anywhere D. Able to prevent soil erosion E. Naturally anti-microbial AND F. Biodegradeable?! Nuff said.

Now go ahead and buy, wear, love, and repeat =)

purse and top: saks.com

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Country Room

My family spent the day at Triple Creek Ranch (the fam ranch) yesterday in Texas, and I was super jealous that I wasn't there!  If only I had a beautiful ranch out in California to make everyone come to me...mwaahahaha....

Photo of McKenna Franco - pic by my sister Jenny Franco (jenniferfrancophotography.com)
Couch, chair, coffee table, and shelf by Restoration Hardware
Art from various artists on Etsy
Lighting from Lamps Plus
Rug and side tables from Google images

Friday, March 18, 2011

Planet Blue

It is crazy that I have lived here for 4 years and have NOT been to Coachella.....and I don't know what I am missing out on more, the fashion or the music!  Kind of love how Planet Blue did a Coachella lookbook...quite genius.   AND I am now inspired to make a faux lookbook of my own for the music fest that I WILL be attending, Stagecoach!  So, dearest friends, let me dress you up and take pictures pretty pretty please!



Tent Rooms

I saw these on Apartment Therapy and had to repost.  We used to put up a tent in our backyard so we could "camp out", and my wild imagination would picture something a lot like the below.  The kid in me would love to camp out like this!  And to be quite honest, I have never actually been camping.  This needs to be remedied soon though because camping is definitely on my bucket list.  Someone just needs to convince my city friends...

Check out the other tent rooms on apartmenttherapy.com

Fashion Sketch Friday by Curt Sousa

Lady Gaga inspired! (so glad I didn't try and do my own sketch....this would put it to shame!)

Etsy 3/18/11

I think this is pretty darn romantic...though I am not sure where you would display these...heck who cares!  I'd be swept!  One dozen hand forged roses by Freak of Metal

Gilt 3/18/11

By MASHstudios - heart it.

Thursday, March 17, 2011

7 Simple Basics I Swear By

There are certain items that I MUST have in my wardrobe: good pair of jeans, cut-off shorts (pref homemade), black tights, black leggings, white tee, grey cardigan, and black leather jacket.  If I lose or damage one of these items, I am quickly on the hunt for a replacement.  And those of you who know me, these items show themselves every week AND have fraternal twins somewhere in my closet =).



Oh sweet Jeffrey

I love Jeffrey Campbell...I really do.  I am even having the hardest time getting rid of my very first pair(strappy strawberry espadrilles).  But alas, he does confuse me and seriously challenge me at times.  I spotted these bootish sandals on needsupply.com, and it got me thinking....  A. Can you wear socks? B. If you don't wear socks, what is gonna happen in there? C. What do these go with? And D. Can you get away with these all year round?

As I ponder about the fate of these and their potential success (or failure), I wonder what will he come up with next!


TOMS is Expanding!

Well looks like I should wait until June to start my eco charity clothing line for fear of what TOMS may be introducing.  My hope is that it is another accessory....or that they will want to hire me =). 

On refinery29.com today, they are reporting that Blake will be introducing a new mystery product on June 7.  I will be eagerly waiting for the breaking news!

St Patty's Day Sparkle

I so wish I had this John Hardy ring to wear today!  I mean it's only $1,000 ;).  And I will accept in any other color if sold out ;) (again).

Almost all Asos

I had the intention of designing an outfit all from asos.com, but I did get a little side tracked and found myself incorporating a couple other designers.  I would rock this outfit in a heartbeat.

Gilt 3/17/11

Curated by Design:  Gabriella Sarlo. Amazing vintage pieces.



Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Warm Me Up Buttercup

I recently entered the RevolveClothing.com style list contest, and one of my lists was inspired by the warm sunset colors that are big this spring and summer.  I continued with this inspiration and sought out my favorite cross-body bags for the season.  I still can't decide which one I love the most - but all of these would make great statement bags....though I don't condone owning 3 pink purses!  I highly recommend pairing one of these with more pinks and reds (copying the monochromatic trend as seen here from JCrew).



So Clever!

I am totally buying this for my dad for his birthday (sorry for spoiling the surprise, Dad)!  It's "Yardly, the Wine Enabler" by Delia Furniture available on Etsy.  It is genius, and I wouldn't mind one for the indoors as well. =)

Etsy 3/16/11

This is so Anthro.  Handmade in Turkey with the price tag to match!  Namedesignstudio

Where do I find this couch?

I have fallen for a couch online - and it is not in my city! So I have no way to find out if it is true love or just a Monet.  If anyone knows where I can find this or something similar, please let me know.  I discovered it while browsing my Shop Style app (thanks Robyn!), and although this brand is sold at Neiman Marcus, my love does not appear to be. Help por favor!

Horchow Gray Leather Sofa

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Longhorn Love on the Runway

Orange is a huge color this year.  Tennessee orange may have won the popular vote, but there was a lot of Texas love going down the runway.  There could be some seriously chic fans sitting at the games this year!

Photos from style.com

Friday, March 11, 2011

Fashion Sketch Friday - by Curt Sousa

Curt will be donating his wonderful sketches to muah for Fashion Sketch Fridays. I am ecstatic about it!  And to anyone else who would like to donate, I'd be happy to share them!  Curt "sketched it [this illustration] in anger of the urban outfitters wedding collection being so ugly!"  Oh how I love and miss Curt!



Thursday, March 10, 2011

It was hard, but I think I did it

I apologize, but I seriously cringe when thinking of having to buy furniture from Ikea or Target.  Even though I do happen to own a dresser that I bought sophomore year of college from Ikea.  I have since stained it blue and updated with Anthropologie drawer pulls.  It was a little bit of a challenge to make it what it is today, and I honestly always consider buying something better.  The rooms I have posted so far do not come cheap, so I challenged myself to decorate a living room on a budget.  Every item is either from Ikea or Target.  It is much more modern than my style, but I made do with my options.

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Summer to Fall

In a perfect world we would be able to change our rooms like we change our clothes.  Like we store our brights when fall rolls in, it would be great to shift pillows and decor the same way.  Based on current spring and summer trends in fashion, I have decorated the same living room.

Inspired by Gucci Spring/Summer '11
Gucci - style.com



Inspired by Chloe Fall '11