3.06.2013

Mad Love for Margherita

Margherita at her wedding - Town & Country

This girl.  Can we all just stop for a moment to appreciate?  I am mad crushing on Margherita Missoni - heir to the Missoni fashion dynasty, for those of you who prefer rock living.  She seems to be so many things all at once - hippie, warrior princess, designer, model; a seemingly natural beauty who you'd love to hate but just can't.  I get the impression that she lives in her own beauty bubble as evident by her unique style - cool and collected, unfazed by everything else; popping patterns like it's nobody's business.  Yes, maybe this is a strong impression to have of a person I'll likely never meet, but girls will be girls and I prefer to harbor my obsessions.  I just started following her on Instagram (@mmmargherita)!  I can just picture my boyfriend reading this right now, shaking his head and wondering what the hell he's gonna do with me.  But I think he secretly digs my crazy.

J xx






A 'Bumpkin-less' Country Kitchen


Here's a little peak around my kitchen.  I live in an older house with a kitchen that has traditional country bones, so without emphasizing the 'bumpkin' in 'country' I decided to do it justice and paint everything white for a fresh, clean look.  I decorated with vintage reds, blues and mints to hint of the French countryside, and I polished off the look with glossy white dishes and marble accents.  Perhaps the coolest piece is the old Redpath sugar sac that I purchased at a flea market and mounted to an art canvas.  For my next kitchen - I'm going full throttle MODERN. Bah, I'd be hard-pressed to convince anyone of that! 

J xx

3.02.2013

Cire Trudon


I love when things cease to be what they are to become something greater.  Case in point: Cire Trudon's wax bust candles.  Is it a candle bust? Or a bust candle?  Ha ha!  Whatever it is, it's REALLY good looking.  Cire Trudon began selling wax in France in 1643. Their candles prospered to become the appointed wax manufacturer for the royal court, and ultimately lit the last days of Marie Antoinette during the French Revolution"(TISLstyle).  I adore the Napoleon and Marie Antoinette busts!  I gotta see Cire Trudon's flagship store in Paris for myself.  Well, I just need to go back to Paris - period.

J xx




2.24.2013

Sweatshirts & Bling


I love this trend!  Pairing a blingy necklace with a cozy sweatshirt is such a fantastic contradiction.  Your dramatic jewels are no longer reserved for those 'once in a blue moon' black tie events.  Casual sweaters with bling have an antique vibe.  And those of us who love antiques, love it for their distinct patina - 90% polish/ 10% tarnish.  So if you're rocking this trend, you kinda look like a walking antique.  But in a GOOD way!  When balanced by the cute, fashion forward gal wearing it - BOOM!  You've officially tickled my fancy.  Fashion is so fun, isn't it?!

J xx






2.23.2013

The Maasai Project


I just learned of The Maasai Project; a joint marketing effort with Pikolinos footwear and 1,600 women from The Maasai Tribe in Kenya and Northern Tanzania.  The project aims to improve the quality of living for the Maasai communities and the profits from this collection go to the Maasai women, who receive a fair wage allowing them to support their families, their culture, and lifestyle, and to have access to basic needs such as food and medicine (Pikolinos).  Pikolinos distributes their leathers among the villages and the women embroider them and their beautiful designs are sent back to Pikolinos' production facility in Elche, Spain where they're made into footwear and accessories.

The lovely Olivia Palermo is this year's ambassador of the project and who better to spread the word to the fashion and blogging communities!  Click here to shop the Maasai-Pikolinos Collection for gorgeous sandals and bags. And check out this video and amazing photos from Olivia's recent visit to Kenya.  I just hope they soon introduce jewelry into the mix, handcrafted by the talented Maasai women - so stunning!

J xx

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