Kate Spade Makes Me Hungry

I couldn't help but look at all these brightly colored Kate Spade bags and think of... candy! They're so shiny and scrumptious looking. To prove it, here are a few of my favorites, coupled with their candy twins from Dylan's Candy Bar in New York City. Note to guys (or considering the audience for this blog, more realistically, a note for you to pass ON to guys):  give a girl one of these treats, filled with treats for Valentine's. I guarantee she'll think you're sweet. :)

Bags, LH to RH: Wellie Maggee Bag, Jubilee Stripe Drawstring Opus, Charm City Ostrich MaryAnn, Darien Stevie, London Quinn.

Images:  Purses, KateSpade.com. Candy, DylansCandyBar.com.

Being Brave with COLOR

Jeffery Bilhuber

I don't know about you, but I'm ready for some color (as my subconscious has been saying, with the choice of Lilly Pulitzer and DVF home designs for this week). So I went in search of a little, and really enjoyed the "10 Designers Who Love Color" section at HouseBeautiful.com.

Now for an infomercial: I want to say a thing or two about most shelter magazine/web integration. It sucks. Domino (yes, yes AGAIN with the Domino accolades!), managed to host a clean, interactive site with great resources that overlapped, but didn't supplant, the magazine. House Beautiful, on the other hand, has dramatically improved in accessible style, but is still a lightweight on the web. Their site is difficult to navigate, and choked with advertising. Ads are essential, of course, but must they roam the screen like ants? Even the good ideas aren't well realized. I was delighted that the March Blue issue featured a spread of miniature images of blue rooms from HB's past, and promised that all would be available for viewing online. After 10 minutes of poking around on the website, I have yet to find those photos. When your website is more out of date than your printed magazine, something's wrong.

Anyway, here's the GREAT side of House Beautiful. Beautiful rooms! Below, some favorites, from Bunny Williams to Miles Redd. Don't you feel inspired already?

Bunny Williams

Milly de Cabrol

Jonathan Adler

Miles Redd

Miles Redd

Amanda Nisbet

And here are some wonderful accessories to bring a pop of color into your home. Don't be shy!

SOURCES: Eglomise Coffee Table - BeeLine Home. Laquer cubes - Jonathan Adler. Bartlett sheet set - Anthropologie. Green Chippendale Chair - Pieces, Inc. Yellow Spencer Side Table - Revival Home. Coral Notecards - Pixelime Press at Etsy. Bonds Cay Orange Coasters - Iomoi. Eclipse Twill Raspberry Curtains - Target. Courbe Ottoman - Ballard Designs. Teal Hatch Linen Pillow - Clayton Gray Home. Jade Bamboo Stool - Clayton Gray Home. Room images, House Beautiful.

xoxo, Sanity Fair 

Lilly Pulitzer Home Collection

What's lime green and powder pink and patterned all over? The new Lilly Pulitzer home collection! It may be too early to break out the cotton sheaths and pom pom trimmed skirts, but you can have spring in your bedroom right now. Lilly's done a fabulous job on this collaboration line with Garnet Hill. The pink and white papercut pattern (against Kate Spade green walls) and green leaf print are my favorites. What are yours? Available at Garnet Hill.

Treasure Chest Quilt and Shams, $60 - $248 (Turquoise or Pink Salmon)

Bucket 'O Goodies Wool Hooked Rug, $88

Leaf it to Me Pillow Cover, $58

Juiced Percale Bedding, $50 - $100

Treasure Chest Silk Pillow Cover, $68 - $78 (Turquoise or Pink Salmon)

Images, Garnet Hill. 

Spring Surprise

Ann Taylor for Spring 2010
It is the noble duty of Sanity Fair to go forth and shop in the name of providing you, dear readers, with useful and accurate information. Braving aggressive kiosk salesmen, scarce parking, and that really appealing Mrs. Field's cookie stand is a challenging and dangerous (financially) job, but someone's got to do it. I'm proud to say that someone is me. So here is my latest field report, acquired at tremendous personal risk to my dress size. Because, darn. Those Mrs. Field's cookies sure smell good.

Back in October, I blogged about the redesign taking place at Ann Taylor, a store with an illustrious history, surpassed only by an illustrious dismantling of that history by producing awful clothes. My review included phrases such as "dullsville," "office drone," and "valley of sartorial doom." So I was very restrained. But now I'm having a change of heart. Because I really, REALLY, like the new Ann Taylor for spring! It's sleek, colorful, and includes some fabulous jewelry. It still looks more like a J.Crew raid than a jaunt through the AT fashion vault, but when have I ever complained about something looking too J.Crew? Never. Enjoy.

P.S. The full Spring line will be in stores over the next two weeks; drop by now to peruse the first offerings, and pick up a discount card good for 20% off Feb 22 - March 23.

All images, Ann Taylor.

Breaking News: DVF Home Decor Line!

Stylist.com is announcing that Diane Von Furstenburg is coming out with home decor!!! I am THRILLED. I really can't think of a designer better suited to a home line. DVF's wonderful sense of color and pattern should translate very well into sheets, fabrics, linens, and accessories - and she's doing them all! And we only have to wait one year... full story, here.

She's already partnered with The Rug Company, so here's a little peak at what may be to come. Unbelievably glamorous. I'm expecting to be blown away!

xoxo,Sanity Fair

Images, The Rug Company.

Remix Vintage

I had another post planned for today, but after learning the incredibly sad news about Stacey, founder and owner of one of my favorite DC vintage shops, I wanted to share with you about Remix. Remix Vintage has been one of my most beloved vintage shops in the DC metro area for years because of Stacey's impeccable eye and fair prices (a rarity in DC stores, as any vintage lover knows). I owe to her a number of pieces that have become more than just clothes to me - an exquisite vintage Bill Blass black sheath for special occasions, silk jackets worn to showers and luncheons with dear friends, and a number of items I wore during my years at the White House, now treasured both for their design and the wonderful memories they hold. 

Stacey has been diagnosed with MS and Celiac, and she's unable to continue running Remix. The store is closing by February 28th. Please help support her and the store by visiting the website, and shopping there in person (DC dwellers, it is one block from the Eastern Market metro stop, and just a hop, skip, and a jump from the Capital. Don't miss out). 

From Remix, a 1950s Balenciaga velvet gown and Bill Blass silk jersey cocktail dress, and Leopard Print dyed rabbit fur coat (all available online).

At the Mayflower in a colorful vintage silk jacket with bracelet sleeves found at Remix:

Store info:
645 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, Washington, DC  20003
(202) 5470211
STORE HOURS: M-F 11 am - 7 pm, Saturday 11 am - 8 pm, Sunday 12 pm - 6 pm

Here's to Stacey and her wonderful style and strength. We wish you all the best. 

xoxo,Sanity Fair

Home Sale at Gilt Group!

Members, click over to Gilt Group - they're having an amazing home sale! It's only been on a few hours and I've already missed the Thomas Paul chinoiserie geisha pillows (sniff!). It's like a shoe sale at Saks. Don't get trampled!

Left to right: Lighting by Candice Olsen, Accessories by Kim Seybert, Pillows by Thomas Paul, Johnstons Cashmere, Eccolo Journals, Nourison Rugs, and Designers Guild Bedding. 

P.S. Not a member, and need an invite? Email me!

xoxo,Sanity Fair

All images, giltgroup.com

Black and White and Fun All Over

I love the look of graphic black and white; it's so adaptable from winter to spring! White breaks up the dreariness of black and keeps things playful, while black weighs white down and keeps the look from becoming too summery. Here are a few of my favorite pieces to go from now 'till April (OK. So I cheated on the Tory Burch thong sandals. But I'll wear them inside! I promise!).

black and white clutch, white house black market 
aniseed skirt, anthropologie
idiom bangle, kate spade
style continuum belt, modcloth
concentric scarf, tory burch
cain sandal, tory burch
new bamboo bag, gucci
zara houndstooth rain boots, target
chiffon trim silk blouse, jcrew

xoxo,Sanity Fair

The Best in Baubles

Introducing my favorite new jewelry find - Elva Fields necklaces! Aren't these lovely? EF has three distinct lines, including one made exclusively from vintage pieces. Their signature look, the bauble side-set on a string of beads or links, is an adaptation of the classic pearl and clasp look, and I think it's absolutely stunning. Enjoy!

  

xoxo,Sanity Fair

Images, Elva Fields.

The Regency Collection

...by Target. I was browsing around for some practicals the other day in Tar-jay and ran across these great pieces from their new Regency line, rendered in black, white, and acrylic. I love these! The tray in particular (also available in black) was a favorite at $12.99, as was the black ribbon trimmed silk shade, at $9.99. A wonderful, inexpensive way to add a little decor fun to your home!

Target also has several other spring decor collections, including the Nantucket, shown below. The natural fabrics and pops of coral are a great way to bring spring inside - early!

xoxo,Sanity Fair

Images, Target.

The Sofa List: Best Seat in the House

The January issue of House Beautiful features a special section on affordable couches. While I'm not quibbling with their definition of inexpensive (couches are, after all, both the largest and most important piece of furniture you're likely to buy other than a bed), their price range is still a bit high for the young professional furnishing their first apartment or anyone who wants to really pinch pennies. Fear not: you CAN have stylish furniture for less, and Sanity Fair has scoured the web for cheaper choices from quality companies. So here's the couch list: all $999 or under. And there's no IKEA in sight! 

West Elm, Clark Sofa, $999. It converts to a bed for guests. 

Two pieces for one price? Ingenious! In light camel or pumice.

Z Gallerie, Pauline Sofa, $999. Matching chair and chaise available. I'm loving the silver nailhead detail.

Z Gallerie, Dean Sofa, $999. Matching chair/sectional piece available.

Designer Nate Berkus for the Home Shopping Network, $499. Comes in 9 other fun colors! 

KMP Furniture, Lowboy Sofa, $975. With a matching love seat and coffee table available.

PB Teen Cushy Love Seat + Base, $799 - $1,200, depending on selections. Comes in 6 colors, with matching side chairs and ottoman. A great transition piece for grad pads or studio apartments. Buy the bases with storage cubbies for extra stowage.

West Elm, Overlapping Squares Daybed, $959 (mattress, bolsters (not seen here), and cover included. Frame only available for $459). Out of town guests? No problem! You can have space AND style.

Macy's, Chloe Velvet Metro Sofa, $699. Classic lines, available in 6 colors. Matching chairs, love seat, and ottomans available.

Ballard Designs, Hudson Settee, $799 - $1,183.00. Perfect for a small space, or buy a matched set. Choices in more than 50 fabrics!

Overstock.com, Cream Black Oval Settee, $329.

Overstock.com, James Black Renu Leather Sofa, $599.

CB2, Parlour Sofa, $999. Love the color!

xoxo,Sanity Fair

All images, companies as attributed.