Obsessed: Juliska Country Estate

My cousins and I stumbled upon the new Juliska line Country Estate while shopping in Franklin this weekend.  I am obsessed.  

Grey and white is kinda my obsession right now, so it's no surprise these speak to me.  Each plate features a different scene: Main House, Rose Arbor, Reading Pavilion, Apple Orchard and my favorite Tea Party Tent!  

As with pretty much all Juliska, these are great to transition from casual to formal.  Mix in pewter pieces to make more masculine, or lighter colors and textures to add a feminine touch.  I appreciate that each scene is beautiful, detailed and a bit whimsical.

  

Obsessed: Lulu

Lulu has become one of my favorite must-stop-shops.  With a wide offering of products, there's always something new and special to discover.  From linens to dishes, stationery to lighting, everything is always adorable and very unique.  Be sure and stop by during your next visit to downtown Franklin.

Lulu     |     345 Main Street Franklin, TN     |     615-794-3345

Below is a rectangular grey pillow I purchased recently with finger pleating detail that I've become obsessed with.

 Next, a card that is in the mail to someone very special :)

And lastly, a striped pillow that complements my music-themed grey and white metal chair.  

Give Her A Break: Celine Dion

It's no secret that Celine Dion is my favorite entertainer (or maybe even person) of all time.  Seeing her on the 2011 Academy Awards was such a thrill, as she delivered yet another flawless performance.  No one can deny her talent, but many often bash her style.  I'll admit, I was not the biggest fan of the infamous backward white suit.  However, I thought I'd take this opportunity to share just a few Celine styles that are almost as flawless as her voice.  Have a look: 

J Mendel

Balmain

Embellished scalloped vest

 

Fab gray shopping outfit 

Roberto Cavalli 

Street Style

Inspiration.  Where do you encounter things that speak to you?  For many of us who maintain a busy lifestyle, usually it's not something on a far-away runway that grabs our attention... it's the person walking across the street, the woman in line behind you at the movies or maybe several strangers on the elevator.  Inspiration from strangers can often be gifts that life affords you in the form of anything that gives you an idea, motivates you to try something new or makes you fall in love all over again with something you already own.  Ordinary people with extraordinary style.  

Brunette Beauty

The varying shades of brown, mixed with the bold prints and juxtaposed textures somehow don't clash.  I love this look because it's the kind of outfit that I doubt was purchased on a single shopping trip.  My instinct tells me that she found the shirt and fell in love with it, then came across the pants at a different time, then decided to pull out some accessories and effortlessly created these unique pairings with items she loves and repurposes often to create different outfits.

(image source: http://thesartorialist.blogspot.com/)

  

Structured Silhouette 

Every single angle is amazing.  Perfectly proportioned and structured, yet looks very comfortable. 

(image source: http://sidewalkisarunway.com)

Cozy Shrug 

I love how the grey fur complements the jeans, the black jacket to the shoe.  But mainly it's the really fun proportion created by the shoulders.  I wonder if this is attached to the jacket or a piece slipped over.  My guess from the straps hanging down is that it is an extra piece, meant to be tied.  If this is the case, I like how she chose not to tie the ends, letting them hang to create more interest. 

(image source: http://sidewalkisarunway.com)

For The Guys: Fun Finds

Stylish items for guys.  Harder to come by than those for the ladies, but they're out there!  Whether it be a piece for the interior, wardrobe or maybe an item for work or play... with just a bit more effort into the search you really can find cool things.  Below are some of my favorite dude items I've found recently. 

Sport Shower Curtain

Vintage-style varsity accoutrements embellish this fun, distinctive shower curtain in a soft, unbleached poly cotton/canvas.  Water and mold-resistant.  Great for the sophisticated gentleman, unique graphic art buff or vintage sports lover.

Available at www.izolashower.com

Helpful hint... Izola is having a sale on some products at OneKingsLane until 12/6 at 11am.  Click here to visit: www.onekingslane.com

Slim University Coat

This popular JCrew coat recently got a more modern fit, updating its fit to be a slimmer, longer look.  With a great ultrasoft wool exterior and quilt lining, this can be found at www.jcrew.com

Leather Clairevivier iPad Case

Made of 100% naturally dyed italian leather, this iPad case will snuggly and stylishly protect your iPad from the elements and the dangers of light travel.

Grab yours at www.theory.com 

Delusion Hurricane Knitted Sweater

Draped layered neck with a textured finish and relaxed fit, this sweater offers a unique silhouette that almost has the appearance of a scarf.  Such a great edgy, modern menswear piece. 

Find online at www.asos.com

The Best Undershirt In The World

2(x)ist has a line of products made with soy fibers.  This material is extremely breathable and is softer than cashmere.  I can't begin to tell you how awesome these are.  It comes in grey or black, but sadly not yet offered in white.  

More info at www.2xist.com

Make It Work: Champagne/Grey Color Combination

My new Make It Work series of blog posts (inspired by my future-self of the present, Tim Gunn) begins with this first one.  I'm excited about this because we'll find really great looks and accomplish a similar look or effect with things already in our closets.  Fun for my frugal and fiscally responsible, yet fashionable followers. 

I came across this runway picture of a guy wearing an awesome champagne jacket with grey underneath.  I LOVE champagne and grey together, so I went through my closet and tried to pull together an existing/no-purchase-required pairing to match the inspiration look.  I came up with this Dolce & Gabbana jacket, grey shirt from J Crew, grey cardigan by Shades of Greige, dark jeans by Marc Jacobs and skinny tie by Diesel.  Although not an exact match, many elements are mirrored: the color combination being the most obvious, but also the textures.  In just one look, we find a shiny coat, coarse cardigan, structured shirt, soft dark tie and overall awesome layering!  You'd be amazed what you can make work with your existing wardrobe.  It's all about mixing it up and viewing each piece in a new light.  

For The Guys: Fall Fashion

For great casual Fall looks, guys have tons of options. I prefer finding unique pieces that your fellow Nashvillian may not put the energy into sourcing. Try for example this knit long sleeve with uncommon neckline from All Saints, the black skinny jean with subtle pocket detail from Bess (tucked or rolled) with a calf boot and this awesome Marc Jacobs watch with raised rubber numbering.

For The Guys: Perfect Grey Suede Footwear

In my search for the perfect grey suede boot, I've come to realize this is the perfect Fall/Winter footwear option for guys. Grey looks great with both brown and black, so they're extremely versatile and near impossible to wear inappropriately. Also, you can dress them up or down very easily. My top three favorites at the moment are pictured below. The top pair is Kenneth Cole, the middle John Varvatos and the last by Shoe The Bear. Any of these would be great, effortless and refined additions to a guy's wardrobe. Which do you like best?

For The Guys: Crisp & Clean

Nothing is more classic than white. It's effortless, a respectful nod to the past, easy to accessorize and comfortable. These two looks show how a well proportioned and tailored white look can make a great statement. The use of a light grey tie and shoe is the perfect touch for the formal look where nothing should distract from the suit. In the casual look, a more bold and rich brown adds some interest. And what about the Labor Day rule? I think it depends on the situation. I believe there are times when white is completely appropriate, even after Labor Day. I would definitely wear either of these looks after the holiday, but would never wear white shoes past then.