Happy Valentine's Day!

I made you a Valentine ...

...and some whipped cream to go in your coffee -

Wish you were here to enjoy it with me.  Look at these cute heart earrings my mom sent me -

Check back later tonight to see what my husband gave me.  It was very thoughtful.







                                                                                                                                                                                        

rest.

Another Inspiration from Decor

I know this room and outfit are going to be a little much for some of you, but I just wanted to have some colorful fun on Valentine's weekend.

I turned this room -




As seen in House Beautiful magazine



...into this outfit -

Banana Republic sweater, Cynthia Steffe pants, Alfani shoes, Gap purse



Have a colorful day!

Midtown Fashion



Topshop jacket and Steve Madden boots

I really like the combination of the black jacket and the brown boots.  The details on both items make the neutral colors interesting. 

Home Decor

While I was walking around Midtown (freezing my ears off), I came upon one of my favorite stores -

This is Crate and Barrel's cool little brother sister.  If you like "loft" modern, you will love this store. 

They have well-priced, unique accessories like the flower candle holders pictured above and the orange wire bowl pictured below.

I love this wooden dining table with the metal chairs...



...and this console (which will be in my house one day).

They have friendly sales people, too.  I like his purple plaid shirt.

You can find their website at http://www.cb2.com/.  (No, I do not get paid by any stores or products featured on my blog.  I wish.  I just really like them!)

Check back tomorrow to see the cute outfit I saw walking down the street.

Inspiration from art

I spent the morning in Midtown Atlanta, which was a fun change of scenery.  First, I went to the High Museum of Art to see the new exhibit.

Let's go inside...

And, that is all I can show you.  They forbid me to post pictures of the artwork.  The Toulouse-Lautrec exhibit is entertaining, but my favorite pieces at the Museum are the two pastels by Mary Cassatt featuring a mother and her child. 

Mary Cassatt's life is as inspirational as her artwork.  Being an unmarried woman in the mid-1800's, she was not fully supported or encouraged  in her career as an artist by her family nor the arts academy which she attended.  She moved to Paris, hired a private tutor, and trained her hand by copying the masterpieces hanging in the Louvre.  "Critics claimed that Cassatt's colors were too bright and that her portraits were too accurate to be flattering to her subjects"; however, it is those very bright colors and accurate depiction of everyday life that creates the beauty in her work.  Her paintings now sell for millions of dollars.  I love the story of someone going "against all odds" to become successful at what they do.*  



Check back tomorrow to see where else I went...

*All information about Mary Cassatt was obtained from www.marycassatt.org. 

Bracelets

Today, I found the bracelets that I have been looking for.  First, a silver chain bracelet that is reminiscent of Tammy's bracelet see in my January post "Signature Piece" -  

Bracelets from Express

 
And I finally found a silver cuff - only 3 days late. 

I want a real sterling silver cuff, but I have a mental block against items that cost more than $100.  That is my husband's realm.  Hmmm... isn't Valentine's Day coming up?

This leads to Style Tip #3 -
     Don't wait for the "big event" to search for something great.  Buy what you love when you see it, and it will be ready for you when the "big event" arrives. 

I need to take my own advice more often.