spring fever

It's been an unseasonably warm winter – this time last year we were buried under snow drifts. I won't complain ;) I've been able to enjoy al fresco January lunches on the porch and field jackets and wellies and longer walks. A few other things I've been eyeing >>
yellow polka dot umbrella / flower shower gel / bunny toy / daisy earrings / yellow dress / book of sonnets / tall regent wellies / white watch / tortoise sunglasses / jonathan adler bud vase / neon tote / green bicycle note cards / trina turk pillow / daisy perfume

quoted

january issue

{ Matchbook / Elephant side table / striped rug }

I can hardly believe that January marks our 12th issue of Matchbook. I'm SO proud of our little team, and can't wait for what the year ahead holds in store. Be sure to read the latest issue here – and see more of my favorite animal picks in my editor's wishlist :)

drink of choice

A champagne cocktail is my go-to – it's easily made and just right for any occasion. Here's to a wonderful New Year. Cheers!

merry merry

Wishing you and yours a very merry holiday! I leave you with a few snapshots from my week – a particularly scrumptious cupcake date with Sarah. xx

to the museum

I'm off for the day to do a little museum-hopping in the city. Ideally, I'd don this fun big-buttoned red coat paired with these adorable mouse flats. I'd slap these pretty purple studs on my ears and a little tortoise on my wrists for good measure. Alas...
• book
• flats
• bag
• coat
• earrings
• red nail polish
• eye shadow
• bangles

monday must-haves

• Skin tonic with the prettiest little label
• Love the bold serif numbers on this Timex watch face
• So smitten with these lavender and gold studded hoops!
• Pixi polish for New Year's Eve
• Pretty pink passport (and cards and other things!) holder
• Classic red deco bangle from Lulu Frost
• A metallic twist on my everyday classics – can't go wrong here
• Pom pom sweater! Need I say more.
• And the best dog sweater I ever did see :)

new year, new...

Once December rolls around, I jump at the chance to spruce things up for the new year. From the essential buy of a new planner, to an update in personal stationery (adore these!), December is a crucial time to invest in a few key items for you and your closet :)

Outfit: Cable-knit wool-blend cape / Red tights / Red cashmere tee dress – so soft and versatile, it'll be impossible not to live in!

1) Personalized crocodile planner
The monogram adds an essential personal touch!
2) Quill pen
3) Cable-knit wool hat
4) Bow tassel earrings
5) La Mer Lucite Watch
6) Crane & Co. Personal stationery
7) Super Ciccio Havana Frames
8) Lucite bow ring
9) Tartan tote
One thing you can never have enough of, and this is definitely calling my name.
10) See by Chloe Wallet
11) Cork/Red patent leather ballet flats
Another essential you can never have too many of... I adore the unique cork and patent leather combo!

always take time for the little things

Amidst all the festivities of the holiday season it's important to keep sight of the little things – from peppermint manicures to planning New Year's resolutions (more weekend getaways!). Here are a few of my personal recommendations for enjoying your time home for the holidays to the fullest:

Outfit: Old Navy Women's Chambray Shirt/ Aubin & Wills Calderwood cable-knit wool sweater /
J.Crew Mosaic wool scarf / J.Crew Café leopard-jacquard Capri pants

1) The New York Times 36 Hours: 150 Weekends in the USA & Canada Can't wait to dive in and start planning!
2) Marc by Marc Jacobs - Classic Q Natasha in Moss
3) Sperry Top-Sider - Hingham in Green/Tan Quilted
4) Bodum - EILEEN 8-Cup French Press Coffee Maker in Gold
5) Kate Spade Curling Ribbon studs
6) Sally Hansen Salon Effects - Peppermint Twist
7) Jane Tran - Medium Polka Dot Clip Set
8) Marv Graff - Bonbon Ribbon Crystal Hammered Ball Bracelet
9) La Sardina Lomography Camera in Cubic
10) Metropolitan DVD
11) Martha Stewart Collection - Fair Isle Sweater Knit 18" Square Decorative Pillow

charles philip shanghai

I'm a flats girl... ballet, loafers, boat shoes, you name it... And I've been eyeing Charles Philip Shanghai's beautiful collection for ages now. From the lush velvet colors to the perfectly placed tassels to the striped lining... they're simply perfect (and reasonably priced). In an ideal world I'd wear the tweed in fall, herringbone in winter, pink in the spring and summer, and swap in the leopard and blue for a little extra pizzazz every now and then :) P.S. How adorable is their styling?!
Herringbone/ Leopard/ Blue/ Pink/ Tweed

fun with black and white

I always love a black and white ensemble – it allows you to colorfully accessorize with abandon! I a-d-o-r-e this printed skirt, basic white tee (exrtra soft, borrowed from the boys) and classic black flats trio... just think of the possibilities! I'd wear the skirt all the time, casually as so, or with a cropped blouse for more of an occasion. Either way, it's the perfect foundation for some sparkly cocktail rings and arm candy.

1) Kenneth Jay Lane - CZ Onyx Tile Drop Earrings
2) Kate Spade Cut to the Chase Stretch Bracelet in Citron
3) J.Crew Slim Broken In Pocket Tee
4) J.Crew Women's calf hair watch strap
5) Marc by Marc Jacobs Silver birch Cleo print silk skirt
6) Salvatore Ferragamo - Varina
7) Ralph Lauren Women's 0RL8072W Round Sunglasses
8) TOPSHOP Lips in Infrared
9) Essie A Cut Above Nail Polish
10) Classic Cubic Zirconia Cocktail Ring in yellow, blue and pink
11) The Cambridge Satchel Company, Red 14"

a favorite accessory

These silk scarves from Tory Burch are to die! I love the rich colors and fantastic prints – with leopard and cherries, and navy gingham and floral in a close tie as my favorites. Tie one to your handbag straps, twist it around as a headband, or make a simple bow around the neck, there's simply no way to go wrong with a little silk scarf! Better hurry if you want to snatch one up, they are marked down to $98 from $195 – what a steal!
 1) Pink / Red / Orange Lightweight silk woven Allover square pattern2) leopard and cherry print silk chiffon scarf3) navy gingham floral print silk scarf 4) leopard and berry print silk chiffon scarf 5) red leopard heart print silk chiffon scarf

a dose of festive practicality

Perfectly festive with a punch of practicality, I'm eyeing these sophisticated classics. They would be enjoyed for holiday seasons to come...

1) Tory Burch Stella ruffled silk-chiffon blouse 2) Diptyque figuier candle 3) Mougin & Piquard for J.Crew Grande Seconde watch in cream  4) Forever 21 Womens Brown Glossy Bow Headband 5) Sandro Green Velvet Bow Skirt Joyau the dainty little bow makes this skirt a perfect ten 6) J.Crew Edie purse in Italian calf hair this classic purse would see me through many a New Year 7) Karen Walker Deep Freeze l-o-v-e these bold tortoise frames 8) Fragments for Neiman Marcus Multi-Crystal Bracelet Hello, stocking! The prettiest bracelet I ever did see!  9) Cathy's Concepts Gold Deckled Invitation Kit with festive bows and golden edges – your guests will be sure to RSVP 10) Butter LONDON Lacquer in The Full Monty 11) L'oreal Vouminous Million Lashes in Carbon Black 12) Aldo Tiff adore the patent leather take on the classic penny loafer 13) Kate Spade All Wrapped Up Pave Ring

“To Carry Small Things” by Mina Tindle

Mina Tindle's To Carry Small Things is a fun and flighty song to get ready to in the morning. I love her sparkly black frock and playful dance moves – so classically Parisian in the best way possible :)

farmers' market

Our Saturday ritual is to pop over to the local farmers' market and pick up some fresh blooms and a couple items for a mini picnic. It's always a nice break in the week. Especially hard to resist is a pumpkin whoopie pie from the Amish farm stand :) Scott also loves to cook (lucky me), so the autumn harvest couldn't have come soon enough.

of note

It's high time I update here – I certainly hope everyone has read our latest issue of Matchbook. And by now, I'm sure you have guessed that the idols we were oh-so excited to meet are Kate and Andy Spade. It was truly an honor to sit down with them in their apartment – they simply could not have been kinder people. I know it's an experience that Katie and I will cherish forever.
A few of my other favorite parts of the issue are interior designer Summer Thornton's office (check out that floral wallpaper! - to die), a chance to visit the gorgeous offices of BHLDN – the girls were all so sweet and stylish!, our little model goat from the Country Estate fashion shoot, and the most fabulous holiday gift guide I ever did see. Enjoy!

off to new york

I'm looking forward to a week of Matchbook meetings and shoots in New York with Katie. I can't divulge too much, but it's such an honor when you have a chance to work with the people who you admire immensely. Expect a superb November issue!

Anyhow, I love the whimsy of this take on The Plaza – reminds me of my childhood. Not that I spent much time inside, but I'd always admire the place :) It's from this adorable little illustration blog, All The Buildings in New York.

october issue

enjoy these last weekends of summer

Lawn games and dining al fresco are my two favorite summertime activities, and I plan to indulge this weekend. While fall may be my favorite season, there's always something so bittersweet about the end of summer... so I encourage you to get out there and make the most of it :)

{photos of our outdoor dining table}