A Little Birthday Affirmation

"When you're always trying to conform to the norm, you lose your uniqueness, which can be the foundation for your greatness" ~ anon

Here I sit pondering where the hell the year went.  I know we all say, the years go so fast, but literally, this year went by at record speed.  Last year, being a monumental birthday, has left me philosophical and nostalgic.  I'll be honest with you, I'm a little afraid of aging, but there's nothing to do but look to those who have gone before with style and grace.  My new favorite blog is Advanced Style.  These ladies make aging elegant.  When my joints are less forgiving, my back bent over with signs of old age, and my hands crippled from arthritis ~ I'm still gonna dress like a million bucks and put on some lipstick!  (Was that too grim?)

I'm still going to view things with child-like wonder and be attracted to shiny things

I will continue to take risks and seek out adventure.

What I will NOT do is embrace my frizzy hair

See color in the black and white

Continue to LIVE, LOVE, LAUGH with friends and family.
Finding a sense of humor in things is my key to coping with "life's difficulties"

I struggle to be able to see things with a glass-half-full attitude, but everything is a work in progress, as I still am, as my creative mind is, as my (hopefully long) life will continue to be.

I am going to look to Iris Apfel as my new role model.  The woman at 90 is a muse and a cover girl.  She knows how to roll with style, grace and an "I don't give a damn" attitude.  Happy Birthday to me!

What’s your advice to getting older gracefully?
Iris Apfel: Well just be yourself. I think Chanel said, “Nothing makes a woman look old than a woman trying to look young.” Dress appropriately, and do your makeup appropriately, and be yourself, and you can look very chic. You can look beautiful at any age.

"SURROUND YOURSELF ONLY WITH PEOPLE WHO LIFT YOU HIGHER!" ~ Oprah

Black and white photos:Pinterest

Lily Pulitzer at Home

I am really enamored with the Lily Pulitzer home collection.  I couldn't see decorating a whole room in the bright, playful prints, just like I couldn't see wearing a whole outfit by Lily.  But a little Lily goes a long way... a pop of it really packs a punch!

The furniture collection is marvelous, well designed, and fashion forward.  Each piece is strong enough to stand on its own.  But honestly, I think it is more exciting edited down a bit.

What I am particularly interested in at this moment are Lily Pulitzer's cleverly designed storage pieces.

They have really been thinking about the need for clever storage solutions, or prettying up some basic stand bys ~

These will brighten up the ole mud room or pantry ~

A shoe ottoman, a clever little multi-tasker ~

If that's not enough storage, you can upgrade to the shoe cabinet ~

via IBB Design

For your jewelry wardrobe ~

Is it 5:00 yet?

and just because bill paying SHOULD be a little more glamorous ~

Consider some colorful options when thinking about the mundane!



ph: courtesy of Lily Pulitzer Home

A Perfect Place

You know how sometimes you see a space and you immediately connect with it?  You feel as if you can move right in and be home!
I feel that way about fashion designer Pamella Roland's upper east side condo in a famed Robert A. M. Stern building.

It's a feast for the eyes.  I am crazy about the Paul Villinski butterfly installation.  They are made out of discarded beer cans.  The Marc Newsom Random Pac chair is like a beautiful sculptural jewel in the room.  The Mel Bochner "No" mono-print lends a colorful, textural touch among the otherwise neutral surroundings.  As a side note ~ Mel will be getting a show at the Jewish museum in 2014.  Stay tuned.  I would love to own one of his works.  AND a giant Chanel shopping bag sculpture doesn't hurt.  An enamel over bronze by Jonathan Seliger is titled "Backless Blackness"

Everything is in sync ~ the art enhances the furnishings and the furnishings enhance the art, like a beautiful dance.
Sue DeChiara from The Zhush interviewed Pamella about her upper east side pad.  You can read the article here.

The walnut paneled study was inspired by her home in Michigan.

Pamella chose fabrics that she would want to be enveloped in and that were very much inspired by the runway.

GORGEOUSNESS!


ph: Emily Gilbert for the NY Observer