design yourself, hey hey.

It's Monday. You're tired, and barely capable of actual work. Try this instead.

Unless you've had a self-portrait commissioned, which would actually be rather strange, you haven't had the overwhelming joy of seeing your likeness in an illustration. When I first happened on the DesignHerGals website a few years ago, I may or may not have been on the computer for an hour. Or two. It's addictive, especially when you branch out into "designing" everyone you know, because who wouldn't want to receive a supermodel cartoon version of themselves stamped on a mug? (That's a rhetorical question, because the answer is no one!)

bestie/partner-in-crime :: engaged cousin/fellow blogger + her fiancee :: old friend/new mama

:: a moving announcement that I nicely pushed onto my friend ::

:: c'est moi! and penny ::

Some of the gifts that I've given include a coin bank for a wedding "fund," luggage tags to celebrate a new address, a memo notepad, and mugs for my parents' house that feature each one of the family members, all complete with the little accessories that personalize it even more. You can add freckles, for pete's sake! The possibilities are endless, and it will overtake your lunch hour.. and beyond.

wishlist wednesday: home sweet apartment.

As far as we're concerned, no one is ever truly done decorating. In the same way that there's always a pair of shoes on your lust list, there's always a home decor something on ours. Normally we wouldn't give out personal information, but if you would like to send us one (or all) of the items pictured below, we'd be glad to disclose our address to all willing gift-givers.

• A mirror ball, for no other reason than not having a reason not to. And it's sparkly. Studio 54 is dead, but disco is alive and well.
• Lanterns that look like they came from a faraway land, when in reality they're just from Neiman Marcus. They'd be lovely on my porch once winter goes away.
• Fornasetti always does a great job of attracting my eye, and this tray is no exception. I'd like to wear rings like that, and I'd like to keep those rings on this tray. Simple enough.
• While logistically unable to get a second dog at the present time, a ceramic greyhound will have to serve as Penny's friend and confidant until further notice.
• As if Kate Spade's fashion collaboration with Florence Broadhurst wasn't enough to nearly be the end of me and my bank account, now there are items for the home? Good grief, just sell me everything and get it over with.
• It's no secret that I hate the color orange. Correction: unless it's Hermés. The Avalon blanket has not budged from my list (because I'm not trigger-happy enough to actually buy it for myself), and then I happen upon a photo of it in pink and orange! Now we're talking! The next step is actually finding it. 
• This pillow does the same thing for me as the tray and the vase because it incorporates some non-computer generated artistic skill. It's pretty and I like it.
• Gone are the days that you would get to sit in something as fantastic as this in a therapist's office. I'm almost positive that lounging here for fifty minutes and talking about my feelings would make the day that much better. Unfortunately I don't have a lick of space left in my apartment.. maybe by the time I acquire some additional square footage it'll be on major sale.
• Otomi! On my mind since Apartment Therapy featured it, it'll stay on my list until I buy the white bedspread. Also fits with my accidental decorating theme of animals-in-every-room. 
• If you ask me, an expensive candle and a kitschy match strike are necessities in every home. Not entirely sure I'd invest an extra thirty dollar bills for some black glass, but the peacock may be mine the next time I saunter over to the JA shop.

• Ever since Belle climbed a ladder at the bookstore in the opening scene of Beauty and the Beast, I've dreamed of adding one to a spectacularly tall bookshelf one day. We recently received a beautiful pair of bookcases from J's grandfather.. now cue the rolling ladder!
• Gold flatware. Is there anything more regal? These DVF pieces have a sophisticated design that allows the gold finish to feel modern and fresh, instead of stuffy. I unfortunately see a bit of a princess theme emerging here, which I generally like to avoid, but who can resist?!
• Incorporating gorgeous floral accessories like this Kosta Boda vase and darling Fringe candle remind me that getting rid of J's pool table (which he had in lieu of a dining table), navy blue towels and black bedspread when I moved in were the best decisions I ever made.
• It's no secret that my bedroom needs some design love. I keep saying that I'm waiting until we move, but it's gone on long enough. If nothing more, I have to breathe some life into our bed, and these ethereal voile shams do just that. I'm just a trip to Anthro away from heavenly sleep..
• A completely appropriate piece of GG inspiration, the Prada pop-art that hangs in the entry of the van der Woodsen's Upper East Side home is the perfect homage (to Prada - not GG!).
• I love everything about this Dove of Peace print. The simplicity, the meaning, the brushed gold frame, and of course the artist. It would be perfect for my guest bath, and I need it now.  
• As it turns out, not everything can be gold (Why you ask? Well, because you would have to be Melania, and live with the Donald - no thank you, right?) but these vintage birdcage chandeliers, suspended from our timber ceilings by the thick, textured rope would add just the right amount of rustic glamour. 
• The side tables are a bit of a work in progress, if we ever complete the refinishing project, I promise to share. Either way, a pair of bedside tables in an antique dove grey finish would benefit, again, from a hint of GOLD! But alas, on top of the refinishing, I just can't deal with the price of these gorgeous knobs, anyone for an alternative suggestion???

mr. alexis.

Meet Alexis. No, not on the left.. on the right. Don't you know who that is on the left? What's wrong with you?! Sorry, that was rude.. Okay, Iris Apfel (who should probably get her own dedicated post somewhere down the line) is on the left and Alexis Bittar is on the right.

He is a connossieur of the pretty and the lighthearted, and I am completely unable to figure out how we aren't yet best friends forever.

If you were curious, the way to my gaudy, child-of-the-1980s heart is a) bright colors, b) sparkles, and c) metallics. Together.
The inspirations for his new collection are the sad and the fabulous, whereas the stuff he creates is just plain fabulous.

Little Edie and Big Edie of Grey Gardens, the original "GG."

Miss Havisham, another glam recluse. 

Georgia O'Keefe, painter of the Southwest.. among other things.

Speaking of fabulous, this is what we have to look forward to for Summer 2012!

AB does AbFab

I recommend beginning the penny-pinching at this very second so you can start to acquire as many of these mood-elevating and eye-catching beauties as humanly possible. And my birthday is in October, so you have some time to save for that as well.

all other images via pinterest

seeing red.

Heart shaped cookies iced and decorated, and one bite taken out of each of the chocolates in the box you just received (or bought yourself!) – no matter what, you’re rocking a medium to heavy sugar buzz all day today. And, whether it’s your blood boiling with rage hating the entire holiday, the warm and fuzzy feeling you get from all the love in the air, or the agent provocateur purchase you made last week – Valentine’s Day has us all seeing red. 

Personally, I love holidays of any sort. Decorating, entertaining, and dressing for the occasion always bring out the inspired, fun side of me that’s generally hiding in an office building under florescent lighting. For Valentine’s Day this year, I found myself ready with little favors for my co-workers, a clever gift and evening plans with J. But, I was lusting after something fun and glitzy to add into the mix. Enter Joanna. My younger brother’s adorable longtime girlfriend, the ultimate perfectionist and queen of all things pretty. She set up her arsenal in my living room this weekend, and shared her favorite Valentine’s Day designs.