lifeinaventicup

Wrap It Up

2009-11-06T06:40:50-06:00

Interesting addition to the product lineup. For some inexplicable reason Restoration Hardware now offers Mongolian cashmere scarves alongside their furnishings. This makes for a pretty (albeit an odd) mix of product offerings. Who knows, maybe it doubles as a throw.

Thy Will Be Done

2009-11-06T06:34:00-06:00

Digging these Martin Grant necklaces at Barneys. Above is the "will" necklace. Lovely!

Fantastique!

2009-11-05T16:33:07-06:00

Mrs. Burch wants to send you to Paris.Grand prize winner will receive:

* Round trip airfare for two to Paris, France

* Three nights at the Hôtel Fouquet’s Barrière

* Dinner for two at Le Diane

* A pampering spa treatment for two

* A $1,500 Tory Burch wardrobe

Details here.

Animal Attraction

2009-11-05T06:17:50-06:00

Have you ever seen an item and wondered how on earth you can find yourself attracted to it? Such is the case with this faux fur Juicy Couture puffer vest. Let's back up a moment...when did I start trolling the Juicy merchandise lineup? This is now the second or third item I've pointed out to you lately that I like. Scratch that... this will be the second or third item that I want to own. But moving on... a puffer vest? It's not like I live in Montana where it snows six feet on my birthday ( in June). I'm a warmer temps girl with every intention of staying that way. So aside from a few fleeting fantasies of Zurich or Geneva, you won't find me on a snowy drift anytime soon. No...instead I can already see myself in line at Starbucks on a slightly chilly day (say... 50 degrees with no snowflake in sight) with my skinny jeans, boots and this (somehow) irresistable vest. Hooded. Fur-lined. Puffy. Vest. I can't explain it. But I've got to have it. I'm craving it. What's worse is that I've seen these people in line. Dressed as if it's an ice storm outside when the rest of us are enjoying unseasonably warm temps. Unless they're about to board a private jet for the Alps (and, no doubt some of them may well be), these fashionistas owe us an explanation and maybe an apology. Am I really ready to become one of them? Doesn't a puffy vest of this sort almost require you to wear UGGS or at least some form of fur lined boot? It seems to me that the two crimes usually go hand in hand. Can one really commit just one offense without the other following quickly behind? Is this puffy vest the slippery slope that will lead me to a closet of velour track suits and a flats? No... no... there shall be no UGGS in my closet nor any sign of a warmup suit - but this vest must be mine. It must. Inexplicably, it must be mine.

For all of our (okay, my) enlightened moments, it's times like this I have to admit that there are primal forces at work beneath the surface. If this silly urge of mine is any indication, we're not so different from our animals friends after all.

If you're behind me in line for coffee anytime soon on a pleasant fall day, please resist the urge to giggle at my puffy vest. After all, no animals were harmed in the creation. Just a tiny bit of my dignity, that's all.

Snapshot...

2009-11-03T16:05:30-06:00

Studying the work of photog Norman Parkinson...
Thinking about the reported efficacy of Caudalie's new Premier Cru Cream...
Smiling at the perfect fall weather outside my window...
Feeling grateful for health, home and - most of all - friends and family...

What's your snapshot?

Pssst! Here's the Skinny!

2009-11-03T15:26:51-06:00

Tomorrow The Skinny is launching. If you have no idea what I'm talking about, prepare to start jumping up and down thanking your lucky stars. Think of it as Rue La La or Gilt for skin care. Yeppers. That's exactly what I'm talking about. Imagine snapping up high end skin care such as Dr. Perricone products for way less than you'd pay at your local beauty counter. Mmmmm, hmmm... I thought you'd be excited! The invite only site launches tomorrow and the list of featured brands is expected to grow rapidly. So set your iPhone alarms now!

Zurich, Anyone?

2009-11-03T08:59:56-06:00

This coat makes me wish I had pressing business to tend to in Zurich. My inner Jason Bourne wants to set up a Swiss bank account simply to have an excuse to wear this shearling-lined coat. Admittedly, this is the very first time I've seen anything shearling that I felt I needed.
But if we're going all "operation Treadstone" we might as well go for the drama of full length (after all, trained assassins never wear J. Crew. c'mon!). Which means that this Burberry gets my vote. However... the more I think about it, I'll need to be braced for a quick getaway. That means I'll need a shorter coat. Something I can run in to evade the authorities and evildoers. This Armani or this Prada should do the trick. (The prada being better suited to blending into crowds...but its longer length gives me pause). Add skinny black pants, knee-high leather boots, huge sunglasses and a black X-Type Jag and I'm all set. Once you're a safe distance from the action, enjoying your espresso in some dark tucked away cafe miles from Geneva, you can vamp it up in this McQueen biker jacket. Hiding smiling eyes behind your big shades. At least... that's how I'd play it.

Long on Style

2009-11-01T10:24:35-06:00

Petite jeans often pose sartorial dilemmas for those of us under 5'4". Designers often cut them ever-so-slightly too short. I find the comon 30" inseam to be... well, unseemly. For me, the elusive 31" inseam is the Holy Grail of lengths. It affords me the ability to wear 3.5" or 4" heels or platforms with just the right amount of shoe peeping out beneath the hem. If you're in the petite realm, you know all too well that 31" is not only rare but often impossible to find. Well.... stop your search. I ordered a pair of the AG Adriano Goldschmied "Angelina" jeans on a whim when they were on sale. Oh. My. Goodness. These are flawless. They fit my waist perfectly (which no denim ever does), they are just low enough to feel sexy, but not so low as to be dangerous. The inseam is actually 31" (even though some sites state they are 30"). The legs flare out "just so" and the fade on the thighs is just right. The weight of the denim is perfect for any season. Not too thick, and not too thin. These are in fact so wonderful that the only fault I can find with these jeans is that I only own one pair. And frankly, that's an issue I'm looking forward to resolving. Get yours here and here and here.

Eye, Eye, Eye!

2009-10-31T15:28:00-05:00

As you may know, I adore Tory's shoes. Now she's after even more of my hard earned pesos with the launch of her eyewear collection. If the frames in the photo are any indication, these are going to be cute! Looking forward to seeing them in person and trying them on.
Sunnies are one item I find impossible to purchase online, as there is so much that goes into making sure they flatter your face. By the way, she's having a ginormous sale.

Bella!

2009-10-31T09:00:00-05:00

Happy Halloween! For more on this adorable watercolor, read this Kate Spade entry and then visit Bella Foster's blog. Have a fantastic (and safe) weekend!

Have a Venti Weekend

2009-10-30T12:45:00-05:00

Much thanks to my girl, Cass for sending this pic my way. Those Henredon chairs were enormous and so much fun. But I thought the shot of me laughing accurately reflected my mood today. After all, it is Friday. Have a big weekend, everyone! Make it Venti!

Chi-Town Hustle

2009-10-30T11:00:12-05:00

In or near Chicago? Get thee to this sale. You won't be sorry.

Sitting Pretty

2009-10-30T09:36:04-05:00

Is it just me, or is this Suzanne Kasler stool not the prettiest little gem? Can't you just picture yourself sitting in front of the mirror putting on lip gloss and perfume? I certainly can imagine it fitting into my life very easily. Even better, I think the simple addition of the piece might actually make me feel a bit more glamorous each day, amplifying my chic factor. Sounds like a worthy investment to me!

Secret Garden

2009-10-29T13:45:14-05:00

Shhhh... I've got a secret fascination with designer is Yoana Braschi. Just look at this frilly - albeit unfussy - frock. So versatile, too. Dinner with heels, under a jacket or cardi for work. Fall, winter, spring, summer. I've absolutely got to have this. And... perhaps a shoe in every shade found in the pattern? Pretty please? All of her items are beautiful, but this dress really knocks it out of the park. Don't you think?

{Dress available here}

Great Kate

2009-10-29T12:29:40-05:00

Kate Moss is clearly channeling her inner Bardot, and I'm liking it! Topshop just launched her new collection along with an interview with little Miss Moss herself. What can I say, she's proven she's got staying power and clout in the modeling world. Controversy barely shakes her foundation. In fact, I'd argue she is more visible and at the forefront of more premiere campaigns since the "incident" a few years ago. Whatever she's doing, she's doing it very well and looking ever so glamorous in the process. Never let them see you sweat, Kate.

Your Honor, May I Approach the Bench?

2009-10-28T16:34:05-05:00

So there seems to be one major glaring detail I'm leaving out of the High Point trip... my encounter with Margaret Russell at the Elle Decor cocktail party. Truth be told, it was a book signing and she was holding court in a tent as adoring fans lined up to buy the book in hopes for a moment of her attention. We arrived... poked our heads into the tent, saw her and went about our business. After all, it seemed a bit odd to wait in line just to meet someone. It just didn't seem like the thing to do.

So we chatted amongst ourselves on the patio and killed time before dinner. But as the evening wound down and the line subsided I decided I'd go take one more peek at the glamorous editor. After all... I'd come so far and she was mere yards away. So into the tent we went....

As luck would have it, the line had dwindled. Her assistants were quickly wrapping things up and there was just one person left in line. At the prodding of my girlfriend I stood in line as she paid for my book ("an early Christmas present"). I began simultaneously offering a hasty "no, no... I feel silly!" all the while removing my cardigan so I could reveal my arms and dress in the photo. Before I knew it I was up on stage mugging for the cameras and vamping for a good angle to showcase my "better side." LOL!

So yes... like a silly schoolgirl, here I am hamming it up with the fabulous MR herself. And yes, she's every bit as adorable and chic in person. It's a lousy photo, what with me smiling too hard and us each looking at opposite cameras. (Isn't that always the way?) You may go ahead and laugh. I'll giggle too every time I crack open my signed copy of Style and Substance. After all...it was a Christmas gift from a fabulous friend. And who could refuse an offer like that?

And Margaret... dear Margaret... thank you for your graciousness and for allowing me to impose upon your personal space after what must have been a taxing evening. While it was my distinct pleasure to be the last in line, I vaguely remember squeezing you and pulling you in tightly for the photos. It's hard to say... it was all such a comical blur. However, I'm almost certain I was a bit too enthusiastic. My apologies for not considering your ankle. And if I didn't mention it... it was a pleasure to meet you. :)

{Editorial note: afterward, I announced to our group that I've added "book signing" to my list of necessary life achievements. Bergdorf Goodman was the location we uniformly agreed offered the caché we felt necessary for the affair. So there you have it... "author at least one book" has been added to my Things to Do Before I Die list. Who knows... maybe Margaret will pass by during my signing and remember me as the girl who squeezed her way too tightly! (Obviously if she wants a copy, she won't have to wait in line :) }

Yours truly,

future best-selling author, Franki Durbin.

Strong Enough for a Man, Made for a Woman

2009-10-28T10:07:56-05:00

While many of the showrooms we saw at High Point lacked natural light, Barbara Barry's "realized for Henredon" space was bathed in it. Each little vignette was so perfectly lit that you felt you were floating through the private home of Barbara herself. Interestingly, the team on hand to guide us through the space are the same girls who work with her in her studio. They pointed out which groupings were mirror images of Barry's own home, and what finishes Barry herself would chose for her personal furnishings. While I was disappointed to see that the Grace chair and Bracelet chair were not on display, there were still plenty of gorgeous pieces to catch my attention. (Besides... they had those sweet little scented candles with watercolor paintings of my chairs... such a tease!) The "shield" silhouette isn't new in interior furnishings, but it was the shape of choice this season. It was nice to see classic shapes front and center this year. Somewhat of a return to historical form and original design. As a perpetual student of design I loved seeing this return to our roots.
One finish that was impossible to ignore was silverleaf. It was everywhere. When paired with her signature color palette it gave the pieces and ethereal glow, especially given the streams of sunlight hitting the surfaces.

The collection was incredibly pretty and feminine in a classically timeless kind of way. Put it this way, as lovely as I thought the pieces were - men looked right at home sitting in the chairs. For me that's the sign of great design - pretty enough for my taste and substantial enough to accommodate a man's frame. These pieces nailed it! Be sure to peek at the lovely inspiration board above... it was HUGE! Normally when you see these they look temporary and fragile. This was in a solid wood frame that matched the dresser. It had a permanence to it that said "these are my hopes and dreams... and they are coming to life" - I loved it and am already planning on adding one of these to my closet. I love the importance it took on when placed so predominantly above the furniture. So regal!

Signed, Sealed, Delivered.

2009-10-27T14:37:25-05:00

One of the prettiest fabric patterns seen at market was what I refer to as the "signature" print. It was so pretty! I have always had a fascination with handwriting. It's so expressive and full of surprises. And it's hard to mention handwriting without assigning personality traits to the writer. For those reasons and more I was smitten by this lovely fabric. We first saw it at the Pearson showroom. On accent pillows, on chairs, on settees. It really is quite versatile. Later in the trip we saw a throw pillow at Hickory Chair in what appeared to be the same hand printed fabric. And then, last but not least... a gorgeous print I refer to as the calligraphy print. It reminds me of handwritten wedding invitations and bespoke stationery. Note the lovely wingback chair above in that bold and attention-grabbing fabric. SO yummy! I'd seen during my Hickory Chair trip in the spring, but never had the opportunity to post the photo. I suppose I was keeping it secret :)

But as with all trends, it reaches the masses faster than you can say copycat. Yes... upon arrival home, I saw what appeared to be a near identical pillow on the cover of my latest copy of Pottery Barn.*gasp!* I kid you not. But if you want the textiles that will last forever, check out Pearson's collection. (The fabric is brand new for market, so I don't see it on the site yet. Keep checking, though!)

Rain, Rain, Go Away

2009-10-27T09:57:17-05:00

These lovely Kate Spade rain boots are sold out in my size... so I'm left to pine for their glossy pink (waterproof!) surface. With a 2" heel, no less. Perfection! Ladies... if you're a size 8-10 they are still available. Go forth and spread the word! Sadly, my search continues, as the rain show no sign of stopping anytime soon. Kate... would you mind sending me a pair? Pretty please? :)

Update: I obtained a 15% off coupon code. These are arriving TODAY!

Suzanne Kasler's Effortless Glamour

2009-10-26T17:52:55-05:00

I've been giving it more thought and come up with a great way to describe the three designers from the Hickory Chair event. Here goes: Thomas O'Brien is the designer you want on your team for Trivial Pursuit. Although I did not quiz him, I'm certain he could regale you with detailed stories of historical events just as easily as he could recite Yeats without a moment's hesitation.

Alexa Hampton is the girl you want on your Pictionary team. She's bold, vivacious and wouldn't think twice about performing in front of a crowd. I adored her energy and her contagious laughter. Alexa is a girl who knows how to enjoy herself, and it shows. Having said that, she, Suzanne and Thomas could go head to head on their exhaustive and comprehensive knowledge of the origins of design and the history of furnishings. Each of them shared such a rich passion for design and the classical references of each piece in their collections at Hickory Chair. It was beyond impressive. (more on Alexa in an upcoming post!)But let's talk about my favorite girl's girl of the bunch: Suzanne Kasler. Where do I begin? Suzanne is a woman blessed with radiant warmth. She's gracious, feminine and absolutely charming. Standing in the midst of her gorgeous collection in the showroom, it was clear that the sheer beauty of the pieces themselves was a direct expression of her inner glamour and her ability to translate that sophistication into three dimensional forms.

So if I'm continuing my theme of games I'd play with each designer, Suzanne would certainly be my partner for a game of dress up - as silly as that sounds. She's so warm and inviting that you immediately feel you could spend a full day weaving through the cobblestone streets of Rome in search of the perfect dress. You'd laugh at yourselves as you tripped on the cobblestone along the Via Condotti. Inevitably, you'd find yourselves losing track of time as the afternoon passed. You've chatted so much and admired cultural surroundings so much you'd nearly forgotten to shop. The two of you would share stories as you sipped your afternoon espressos at Sant'Eustachio (the best espresso in Rome, in my opinion!). And you'd continue the fun through dinner and well after dessert at the most quaint local restaurant, barely noticing the waiters who would no doubt be trying to catch her attention. Yes, she's that approachable and that remarkably beautiful. You meet her.. you feel you've known her for ages. She has a sort of quiet charisma that pulls you in and akes you take notice.If you haven't familiarized yourself with her work, I recommend you take a peek at my post from the spring, peruse her recent collection for Hickory Chair and most certainly pick up a copy of her latest book, Inspired Interiors. I've still clinging to my signed copy (woohoo!), thinking it might be nice to read over coffee on a quiet afternoon. (Rome, anyone?)

In spring I was overcome by the sheer beauty of her icy blue color palette with gold accents. A chinoiserie inspired look. This season's palette featured an invigorating orange, perfect for fall, but timeless on it's own accord. I can hardly stop thinking about this stunningly simply orange leather chair. It strikes me as the ideal perch from which to write - espeically if paired with one of her sexy desks. Yowza!

As I look back on my experience with Suzanne, I can't help but feel that she has altered my view of the typical successful businesswoman. She embodies a certain quiet confidence and graciousness I haven't often encountered. As I observe all that she has achieved and the body of work she has produced, I realize that never for a moment was she anything less that generous with her time and sincere in her interest of the talents of others.It's that same grace that can be seen in her work. Her furnishings are lovingly designed and exude quiet elegance. They are feminine without being frilly. Warm and approachable without being casual. Elegant and wise without losing that fresh edge. Full of authority without the use of any visible force. Much like the woman herself, the pieces feel inviting, as if they're good friends you can't wait to spend more time around. If you have the opportunity, be sure to go to a Kasler book signing near you. I promise it will be an experience you won't soon forget. You'll meet a fascinating woman and acquire a fabulous book at the same time!

Thank you, Suzanne, for serving as such an inspiration!