Kitschenware

I used to have the biggest fascination with Russian nesting dolls. At my grandmother's house in Queens, I would take the dolls apart and line them up in height order. The edges of the doll halves had to be perfectly lined up, because I was a special kid and that's just what I did. With sentimental memories like these, it's no surprise that I can't get enough of Anthropologie's nesting doll-inspired measuring cups and spoons. I love the unabashedly colorful, intricate patterns that are just kitschy enough. They're charming, elegant, and so damn cute that if you used one as a pet bowl and stuck a kitten next to it, the world would explode from sheer adorableness.

Grey & Red

I've completely fallen for the rich and elegant color palette of Madewell's holiday collection. I'm already a sucker for anything even closely related to grey, but combine it with blood red and I'll be head over heels. You could paint a rock with silver and red stripes, give it a French name, and I'll be sure to adore it for the rest of time. Muted neutrals, such as nude and chocolate brown, heighten the class factor and add a much-needed dose of subtlety while still allowing the Christmas vibe to shine through. I love how the pop of red, even when playing just a small cameo, elevates a look to something festive and special.

Now that finals are finally, finally over, I spent my weekend sharing secrets over tea in the basement of 30 Rockefeller and reading delightfully enormous issues of fashion magazines until all hours of the night. I kept telling myself that after I finished my work, I'd finally meet up with old friends over coffee and Baileys, but really, I keep curling up in bed with December's issue of InStyle. How was your weekend?

Kate Spade Does Bryant Park

Condé Nast is a hop, skip, and one very crowded intersection away from Bryant Park, so I used my lunch hour to stroll through the holiday shops with a friend. It's blustery and bitter in NY, and as I began to regret my outdoor stroll, I spotted an igloo. Not just any igloo, either — an igloo decorated with bubbles. Clearly, this was the best kind of igloo. And then I realized that it was a Kate Spade igloo, and everything was over for me. I was dunzo. What girl with a very public affection for anything adorable can resist Kate Spade AND an igloo? (I might mention here that the igloo was heated very well). I'd also like to apologize for using the word "igloo" eight times in this paragraph, including this sentence. In my defense, there's no good synonym.

The Kate Spade igloo proved to be as whimsical and darling as expected. It offered a small selection of handbags, but focused mainly on paper goods and winter weather accessories, such as thick scarves, hats, and mittens. I found one of the Book of the Month clutches, which had the Great Expectations cover, and I caressed it lovingly before turning away and crying into my hat. It was such a lovely experience, though, partly because its existence was a complete surprise and partly because it was just so fantastically Kate Spade: cheeky, bright, and cheerful.

[photo cred to Tim Gibson and Bryant Park]

Les Macarons

A lovely pairing to brighten up this bitterly cold Tuesday. I briefly considered writing this post in French, but then I realized just how irritating that would probably be (plus, I'm too lazy). I've written seven papers, two of which are in French, and if I don't get either a pile of macaroons or adorable nude suede brogues sometime soon, my head is going to pop.

Hope your Tuesday is splendid!



[photo cred to Chachahavana]

Book of the Month

Kate Spade's new Book of the Month clutches have a special place in my heart. I taught myself how to read in kindergarten and promptly memorized an entire book (Tiger Is a Scaredy Cat, also known as the greatest children's book known to mankind). I recited it to my mother, who was impressed but, to be honest, a little alarmed. What five year old memorizes a book? This one, apparently.
My parents should have seen the demise of my pre-med concentration before it even started, because now I'm an English literature major. Of course I want to own this clutch (and really, I'll do anything that Natalie Portman deems appropriate). It goes without saying. Sure, it's a little superfluous seeing as I have books falling out of my purse at any given moment anyway, but look at the striped lining! The nuanced and perfectly appropriate cover design! Would this not make the most perfect conversation starter at an awkward party where you know no one but the hostess? Or, if you run into an ex, you could open it and pretend to be so engrossed that an interruption would just wouldn't be tolerated.


Plus, who didn't have a whopping crush on Jay Gatsby?

Unfortunately, the cruel price tag that accompanies it means that in the near future, I'm going to tuck a credit card between the pages of Ann Patchett's Bel Canto, stick my phone in my back pocket, and rock my own Book of the Month Club.

[photo credit to MTV Style]

Friday Moments

The recipe for productivity: miniature roses, a cheery desk lamp, a Christmas tree made of — oh God, are those feathers?! Be still my heart. Plus, I love the pops of chartreuse in the inspiration board. I'd might as well be honest about my to-do list this weekend and cross out the "write four final papers," replacing it with "spend an obscene amount of time playing on Pinterest." Oh, did I say Pinterest? I mean the greatest thing to happen to my weak spot for design/fashion/adorable things since kittens were invented.

[photo cred to Interior Porn via Rue Mag]

Dear December

Once upon a time, the brilliant photographer Ditte Isager climbed a few mountains in Utah and captured these breathtaking shots for Banana Republic's holiday campaign. At around the same time, I was walloped in my head by the realization that turquoise looks as gorgeous as ever when paired with touches of red, pink, and silver. I've always thought of turquoise as an extremely fussy shade of blue-green that only looks best with neutrals, such as white and silver. Even gold can get a bit kitschy. Yet with a ribbon of rose, turquoise becomes completely transformed, almost elegant. I adore this color palette — it completely exemplifies just how simple it is to change something with a few creative and inspired touches.