The Storm in Style

Beth, over at Chinoiserie Chic, brought something to my attention today:  there are great skins for iphone out there, but what about Blackberry Storm? I have a Storm - and I love it. But let's be honest: the style isn't out there for Storm and its other BB friends (we do have class though; no sniggering at other folks who can't get service!). So, I decided to go on a quest for some stylish Storm options. It was tough, but there are some choices out there! So shop on.

Skins from iStyle.
(These include a download for a matching wallpaper.)

Skins from GyverGear.

Also, Unique Skins has some great design-your-own options. Choose a background, and you can add your own text or photos!

Do you know of a great source for Storm skins? Let me know!

Missoni

I love Missoni's rich and varied colors and patterns. 

Isn't this how you visit the beach?

Or hang out at home?

Clothing image: business of fashion. Home images: Missoni.

Jewels of Nature

Need I say more? I'm in love with Mesi Jilly's collection of organic rings. Her inspiration:  "I absolutely love the ocean and to spend time at the beach. I am fascinated by seashells and making jewelry has always been my dream. That's why I wanted to combine these interests and create something unique, something very special, something that will be a beautiful reminder of warm and fun-filled summer days and nights." 

Images, Vivre, mesijilly.net. All rings available at Vivre.com.

Americana All Year Round

The Fourth of July is always a bright, fun-filled holiday, heavy with color. But for some homes, a more subtle approach can be very attractive, and a patriotic theme can work longer than a few days a year. The new Americana collection at Wisteria reminded me of some of my favorite patriotic decorations.

This regimental drum basket from Wisteria would look wonderful 

filled with a bouquet of flags or festive flowers, such as red tulips.

Folk art and traditional American symbols are a subtle way to bring a patriotic touch to the home.

You can use traditional wooden game boards as trays or table decoration as well.

Or, find something you enjoy that reflects a famous American home, such as a mirror reminiscent of the White House.

Products: Wisteria. Sketches: the White House. Table: http://www.table-settings-with-pictures.com. 

The Patriotic Table

A few inspiring ideas...

Gingham! Everywhere!

Stick to just two colors, in a festive paisley.

A simple statement with carnation balls, a few stars, and sky blue accents make a very feminine Fourth.

Or really think outside the box - Asian inspiration!

Images: 1-3 countryliving.com. 4: http://www.table-settings-with-pictures.com.

Artist Maira Kalman at Monticello

Thomas Jefferson's brick and mortar autobiography was Monticello:  43 rooms in the Roman neoclassical style. In a recent edition of the New York Times, artist and illustrator Maira Kalman created a picture story on Thomas Jefferson and his beloved Monticello, called The Pursuit of Happiness. Here are a few of her lovely illustrations, as well as some historical tidbits on design. Be sure to visit her blog for the entire story.

THE PARLOR:  Jefferson was ever the apt designer, and he frequently made up what he couldn't buy or find to his liking, such as the pattern on this parquet floor. He also created the automatic double doors visible on the left side of the room (when one door was opened or closed, the other followed in mirror fashion). If you're excessively curious, and enjoy watching tourists awed by a door shutting, click here for the video. Jefferson played violin very well, and liked to perform in this room with his little grandchildren dancing around him. 

JEFFERSON'S BEDROOM:  TJ invented the triple sash window, thus becoming the hero of generations of height-averse housekeepers. He also invented several of the items visible in Kalman's illustration - including the multi-book reading stand (left side), for your on-the-go senior statesman who doesn't have time to use bookmarks. His bed is in an open alcove, with a little ladder on one side for accessing handy storage up above. The practical Mr. Jefferson was able to function entirely out of one space, with equal ease in working or sleeping. 

THE FOYER, as rendered by Kalman. This is not, as it looks to modern eyes, a trophy hall (although it was that too). This was a museum of the Americas. The instigator of the Lewis and Clark expedition and author of Notes on the State of Virginia had many prominent foreign guests to his home, and his personal museum proved to many doubtful European eyes that variety and profit abounded in the New World. Keep in mind there was then no Smithsonian, no Guide to American Wildlife, and that the hapless discoverer of the Platypus was labeled a fraud. 

A room Thomas Jefferson designed. Do we have any cause to doubt the aesthetic talent of our founding fathers? Today's average politician constructs pork barrels, not buildings.

Images: Monticello, monticello.org. Maira Kalman images via the nytimes.com.

Visions of Vuitton

Recently, I discovered the website/clothing company, Tulle, via Down and Out Chic, one of my favorite reads for inexpensive inspiration. Tulle makes stylish and highly affordable clothing - with a bit of fashion flair. One dress I admired seemed familiar. I couldn't figure out why until I revisited some of my old tearsheets. 

Here's the Tulle dress, pretty in blue.

And here's Louis Vuitton! Does anyone else remember this dress? I loved it - it was available in a variety of candy colors (click on the picture for a better view).

Just a little walk down memory lane...

I would also LOVE to have those balloons.

And here are a few more things from Tulle:

Vuitton dress, Harper's Bazaar Magazine

P.S. I'll be doing a guest post later this week on Cheap and Chic wedding guest attire - a must this time of year. Stay tuned!