Fall Texture at West Elm

Cords, chunky cable knits, a few stray studs - I'm not talking about the fall collection at J. Crew. For its new pillows, West Elm borrows heavily from the threads you normally like to wear, but these textures will feel just as cozy on your couch as on your back.  All are cast in cool neutrals that subtly play up the fabrics.  Especially this honeycomb pillow.  It's this, me, and a cup of tea snuggled on a couch while the snow comes down - that's comfy! 

Lovely honeycomb knit pillows, designed by sweater-makers Tina Lutz and Marcia Patmos. To see some of their other work, click here. $54.

It's like a big snuggly sheep rug, without the massive dry cleaning bill.  Mongolian lamb pillow covers, $59 - $129.

Cords! Doesn't this bring back memories?  For me, it's college days - long walks in the leaves, going to a game, new textbooks, and apple cider! $18 - $28.

Flannel + studs = Fall fun.  $39.

 What reminds you most of fall?

all images, westelm.com

"Models of the Runway" Stumbles

I caught the first episode of Lifetime's latest design venture on a rerun this weekend. Models of the Runway is a spin-off focused on the much-pricked mannequins of fashion reality show Project Runway. This "bonus" show is pretty much a throwaway - literally scraps off the Project Runway cutting room floor, and the impression is that the producers simply hate to waste all that celluloid. If you've just watched the near-feral clawing of Project Runway for an hour, this copycat is tame. TV models haven't been so docile since Tyra worked her America's Next Top Model girls into a dehydrated stupor on that ill-fated Death Valley shoot. But this dull harmony is more a tribute to the models' awareness of their own impotence than sweet natures.

Unlike ANTM and Make Me A Supermodel, where contestant pose-offs rival Zoolander, these mannequins are not the captains of their fate. Each week, Heidi lines up the girls on a runway before a solemn cadre of designers, pulls names from a black bag, and the girls are selected like dodge ball partners. The un-chosen are sent packing. Having your career future determined by an over-worked, sleep-deprived reality show contestant is hardly a boon. The surest ways to get sent home so far are to offend your designer (such as by possessing standard anatomical features, as the hapless Vanessa recently learned), or by working for a losing designer. Other than kissing up to the designers - literally, in the case of the much-desired Logan - the models can do nothing but strut. Frankly, I'd rather sit in an airport to watch people walking. There's at least a chance I'd be going somewhere.

Models of the Runway (da da DA DUUUM!) airs on Lifetime Thursdays 11 pm et.

images, lifetime.com and tv.yahoo.com.

Happy Weekend

J'adore Oscar de la Renta - truly. Here's a treat from his 2009 Resort collection; the skirt is a frothy beach wave done over in cloth.  If you can't visit the beach?  Wear it.  Hope you're either in the waves or wearing them this weekend :)

xoxo Sanity Fair

image, style.com

The Genius of Norma Kamali

Every time I look at Norma Kamali's collection, I have just one question:  WHY haven't I seen this before?  Kamali's work is adventurous, unique, wearable, and often has a couture-like quality, with fascinating details you won't find in many other ready-to-wear pieces.  Her swimsuits make the pages of Vogue more often than her other work.  And I say:  that's a shame! 

Two gowns from her parachute line:  the hemline can be altered by adjusting the pulls at the bottom.

No one else at happy hour will be wearing this. Beautiful draping - look at the hem.

It's all in the details.  Here's an Oscar-worthy mesh gown:

The same fabric figured into a STUNNING swimsuit. Kamali takes the swimsuit to a new level; many of her collections feature swimwear worked in the same style as other pieces, as if a swimsuit was another skirt, dress, pant... it's a refreshing perspective, and the results are gorgeous. 

Here's another swim look, this one paired with a jacket from Kamali's parachute line (same as the white gowns above). 

Back of the jacket. Beautiful details.

A skirt covered in studs.  It's biker chic you could wear to the office or cocktail hour.

A feather dress:  the stuff dreams are made of.

Silk that flows like liquid:  timeless.

The classic LBD with a twist:  the trim?  Safety pins. I REALLY want this dress!  It can do office, parties... such an amazing piece.

Kamali also has an inventive (and under $20!) line for Walmart, which I've written about before.  Check her out!

All images, Norma Kamali.

Alexis Bittar

Have you noticed Alexis Bittar's jewelry?  His work is frequently featured in fashion magazines like Vogue and Bazaar, so even if you're not familiar with the name, you've seen his pieces.  Bittar reminds me a bit of Kenneth Jay Lane - the style is different, but the excellent design and reasonable prices make quality costume jewelry accessible for all. Most pieces range from $50 to $300. 

A few favorites...

The Curtained Bookcase

Last week, I posted about book storage solutions, and one of my favorites (and yours too!) was a curtained bookcase. A curtain-covered bookcase is such a versatile idea - why? Well, it gives you two completely separate walls for the price of one, it protects your treasures (or conceals your clutter), and it can completely change the feel of a room. Let's pull back the curtain, shall we?

Here's a GREAT curtain option from Elle Decor. Notice the wonderful combination of color and open space shelving. Note the bed in the lower RH corner. Now look through the shelves... what's on the other side?

Ta da! There's a living room! This is such a great idea for studio spaces or too open room plans. Very similar shelving is available at IKEA - and with some clever curtain and mirror placement, you can give the illusion of a wall while retaining all your natural light. An enthusiastic two thumbs up.

And now a little Old World inspiration - this page from the 1705 Frauen-Zimmer Bibliotheckgen (or Little Lady's Library, as we like to say in English), a guide to book-collecting for women. Obviously, this German damsel was ahead of her day: her bookcases are duly swathed, and the material appears to match the cloth cover on the desk beside her.

Flash-forward: here's a welcome solution for infrequently used books and other items. The curtain takes on the personality of a wall, with a decorative mirror hanging as wall decor. Note the cheery lining on the curtain. (P.S. If you're storing large quantities of books out of sight, it might be helpful to have a record of where things are. I recommend Library Thing - an awesome online version of your library. It includes cover views, subject categories, and for $20, a tool to scan your books directly into the system. It's like having your own library catalogue).

More storage solutions, for mini cases. Curtaining smaller bookcases is a great way to add several square feet of storage space. The stuff you stash doesn't have to be pretty, or even organized: the curtain hides all.

Last look: country chic over at Cote de Texas. With this design, the curtains remain stationary, softening the look of the cases.

By the way, be sure to visit the Cote de Texas page on bookcases for a marvelous selection of book storage options and libraries.

Pic 1 and 2, Elle Decor via Apartment Therapy, Pic 2, http://beineckeearlymodern.wordpress.com/, Pic 3, http://www.bhg.com/decorating/small-spaces/strategies/live-large-in-a-small-space/?page=2, Pic 4, http://www.passingopenwindows.com/. Pic 6, http://www.cotedetexas.blogspot.com/2008/08/living-with-books-lots-of-them.html.

Julie & Julia

Paul Child to Julia Child:  "What is it you REALLY like to do?"

Julia:  "EAT!"

Julie and Julia, the movie. I can summarize the entire experience when I say:  I've seen it twice in the theater, in spite of the fact that I dislike cooking, and generally, any show about it.  The star is Meryl Streep as Julia, who deserves one of those tacky little gold statues in a real way.  Her character is wholly of the era and wholly Julia; there is absolutely no conception, watching her on the screen, that you are doing anything less than eavesdropping on Julia Child's life via a time-travel machine. And "Julia" is delightful to watch.  If Walt Whitman had lived in her day, "live deep and suck out the marrow of life" would have been dedicated to her.  She's optimistic without being a bore, naive without being a chump, and her voice... her voice should annoy the hell out of you, but that warbling trill is simply exciting. 

Amy Adams acceptably pulls off her role as an ex-Texan trapped in Queens, trapped in a heart-breaking job, and trapped in the world's tiniest kitchen (my biggest question watching was:  how did they fit Adams, a stove, and cameras IN that space?). She's married to a non-annoying saint, Chris Messina, and decides to begin cooking and blogging her way through Mastering the Art of French Cooking because "at the end of a day where absolutely NOTHING is certain, you can know that eggs combined with flour will thicken." The movie seamlessly shifts between Julie's NY life and Julia's European one.  Both women are seeking purpose in their lives, and both find it on the holding end of a spatula.  Julia's metamorphosis is over years of questioning, chance encounters, and studious devotion to her craft and her book (over 8 years writing alone). Julie's story takes only a year - but it's enough. Both women get their book contract. And both women are, as Julie puts it "saved by food." 

I give it two thumbs up - excellent acting, beautiful period sets (offset by gritty NY streets), and plenty of humor.  Just don't watch it hungry. 

Picture 1, http://sites.google.com/site/watchmoviezonline1/watch-julie-julia-online, Picture 2, http://fergdawg.blogspot.com/2008/08/documents-detailing-early-spy-network.html

Tees, Jewels Included

One trend that I come back to, year after year, is the crew-neck and big jewels look. It's been done numerous times in the last few years:  Oscar de la Renta made it a feature in 2007 with simple sweaters heavily beaded at the neck, and Vera Wang's collar-like tulle and gem necklaces just keep getting bigger (they should come with Advil for neck strain). The combo of simple with sweet - plain 'ol sweater or tee with heavy stones - is easy to do and makes a statement. Best of all? It can take you from morning brunch paired with jeans, or out for cocktails with a swishy skirt.

This fall, J.Crew is even taking out the challenge of choice. These fun tops come with jewels included!! P.S. Two of the shirts are $50 or less - an economical choice, considering most J.Crew jewelry starts at that price.

All images, J.Crew.

All the Pretty Books

If, like me, books are a big part of your life, you've probably struggled with how to display them. Because books are both decorative objects AND something you use, displaying them can be a balancing act between accessing and preserving them, and not letting them take over your home. 

For instance, you should not do this (books as coffee ring and dust collectors):

One of the best guides out there on how to care for your home (and tomes) is Home Comforts, by Cheryl Mendelson. Mendelson has written the modern bible for home and fabric care, and she advises several basics for book care:  keep them away from sun, if possible. Shelve upright instead of stacking when you can (and never put them on the floor), and hang onto book jackets - they protect the book and increase its value.

Here's one of my favorite book display techniques:  color splash!  Arranging by color makes a statement, and depending on what colors you choose to display, and how you combine them, it can be a very original look - and very modern.

Or, you can avoid color altogether and go monochrome, for a more elegant look.

Great SHELVES are also a key for displaying your books. Shelves are to books like frames are to pictures:  they define the look and give it unity. And, they keep your books in good condition.

Good choice for the magazine collector:

For mixing books and display items:

Incorporating art with shelves (just keep in mind those are books you can't access):

Built-ins are perfect for small spaces:

Great for any space:  personalize the most banal bookshelf with color:

CURTAINED bookcases. This is a great idea. Why?  You protect your books from the light and dust, and you can completely change the look of your room - library by day, luxe living room by night. Genius! 

Using wall coverings, instead of shelves, to define the look:

Get more milage out of book storage by using books with other pieces of furniture, like a hall table. The combination of wallpaper, frames, and color is creative and sophisticated.

What are your favorite book display tricks?

pic 1, http://lovinglivingsmall.blogspot.com/2008/08/coffee-table-made-out-of-books.html. pic 2, http://www.instructables.com/community/Anyone-interested-in-table-legs-made-from-books/, pic 3, http://ffffound.com/home/lillylovesyou/found/?offset=25&, pic 4, http://www.flickr.com/photos/andrewcoulterenright/507549974/in/photostream, pic 5, http://www.flickr.com/photos/22876714@N03/3667157718/, pic 6, West Elm, pic 7 - 11, Domino, pic 12, http://paloma81.blogspot.com/2008_12_01_archive.html.