THE LOVE LIST

Love Quotes: Nancy Lancaster

2010-09-01T16:20:00.000-04:00

"Crossing too many t's and dotting too many i's make a room look overdone and tiresome. One should create something that fires the imagination without overemphasis." -Nancy Lancaster

Image Credit: Nancy Lancaster: English Country House Style

Gettin' Tibi With It

2010-09-01T14:30:00.000-04:00

Did you know Tibi designer Amy Smilovic's got a blog now? She's taking to it quite well -- posting pictures, things she's obsessing over in her unique illustrative style, and best of all, excerpts from her sketch book. I'd totally frame little miss MacBook up there! It's a must read. Check it out here.

Daily Find: BillyKirk

2010-09-01T13:02:00.000-04:00

One Last Bit of white before Labor Day... loving this handsome unisex bag from BillyKirk. Two handsome guys with Southern roots churning out quality goods? Sign me up.

Good Advice for the First of the Month...

2010-08-31T15:34:00.000-04:00

More cheeky pop art courtesy of Ashley Longshore...

My Other Bag is Chanel

2010-08-27T15:35:00.000-04:00

Jessica Kagan Cushman wants everyone in on the joke. Labels on the inside of her bags read "Wit. Wisdom. Serious Fun." I think that about sums it up, don't you? Bags available at ChickDowntown (40% off with code FALL40 right now!) And I'm still jonesing for one of her skull necklaces...

Dust off your Library Card...

2010-08-27T14:35:00.000-04:00

Cool bookcase courtesy of i suwanee... matter of fact, she has lots of cool bookcases...

Unlike your local public, our Library requires no membership, just an enthusiasm for great books. Part book club, part summer reading list, and part who's who, The Library includes not only picks from The Love List girls, but news on new design tomes, book-related quirkiness, and even lists of favorites from tastemakers like Windsor Smith and Jules Reid. So, when was the last time you went to The Library? Maybe it's time you checked out ours... www.thelovelistlibrary.net

Currently Digging: Mark Shaw

2010-08-25T16:38:00.000-04:00

Before there was papparazzi waiting outside gas stations to take pictures of celebrities and photographers flooding the backstage of runway shows, there was Mark Shaw.

Unlike many photographers today, Mark developed relationships with his subjects that turned into friendships -- why I think his photographs are so telling. From the intimate photographs of Jacqueline Kenedy with her children to the picture of Coco Chanel celebrating backstage at one of her fashion shows, I feel like I've learned something after viewing Mark's pictures because the subjects appear to let their guard down in his presence.

image credits: Andrew Wilder Gallery, Mark Shaw

You may recognize his name as the unofficial family photographer of the Kennedy's, but he also shot Vanity Fair's lingerie advertising campaign, 27 covers for LIFE, backstage at Pierre Balmain, portraits of Pablo Picasso, Grace Kelly, Yves St. Laurent and so much more. He's definitely inspiried me to use my new camera more frequently than I had planned to, especially around my family and friends. -Mary Mentz

Love Quotes: Hunter S. Thompson

2010-08-25T15:35:00.003-04:00

Image credit: Virginia Johnson

Music has always been a matter of energy to me, a question of fuel. Sentimental people call it inspiration, but what they really mean is fuel. I have always needed fuel. I am a serious consumer. On some nights I still believe that a car with the gas needle on empty can run about fifty more miles if you have the right music very loud on the radio." - Hunter S. Thompson

J.Crew Always Gets it Right

2010-08-19T21:48:00.003-04:00

Sorry for the crummy screen grab...

We interrupt this hiatus to bring you something cool.

So I'm sure y'all remember the sequin harem pants Jenna Lyons sported on Oprah back a few months ago... considering I got about a million tweets/emails about them. My guess was that they were forthcoming J.Crew -- so I guess I win the prize.

Word up. They've landed at J.Crew for fall. For a mere 600 clams, they can be yours too.

Also cool? J.Crew's fall shoot with the cast of The Romantics. Coming off of a high school obsession my sister and I had with The O.C., I for one am very pleased to see Adam Brody back in the limelight and doing something other than mooning over old Death Cab albums. Other people? Katie Holmes, who I'm relieved to see in a movie and not as Tom Cruise's arm decoration, and ooh! Tad Hamilton! Okay, so not his real name, but Josh Duha-whatever is hard to spell, plus he's married to Fergie...what?! It's like they cast everyone based on their odd taste in spouse. I'm looking at you, Anna Paquin. Either way, it looks like a cute movie:

The movie is based on the novel by Galt Niederhoffer, about a group of friends dubbed "The Romantics" due to their incestuous dating history. The movie opens September 10 -- so I suppose you know where I'll be on that Friday night ;) Happy weekend to you all!

Front Porch Studio Owns My Life

2010-08-18T17:34:00.001-04:00

^^ see title above.

I have infinite work to do this week, and sans-interns (they're all in sororities and this week is Recruitment) this spinning plate of a blog will have to be dropped until next week. Sorry guys, clients first!

Catch y'all in a week! And P.S. -- if you want to help me out, I entered a pretty awesome contest that CB2 is doing with Todd Selby. If you think the photos of my home in this post are cool, I'd appreciate your vote tons!

Vote here: http://www.theselbycontest.com/entry/75809

Also, if you aren't familiar with Mr. Selby, in a nutshell he photographs all kinds of cool people in their own homes for his equally cool blog. The best photos were recently published in Selby's first book, which if you don't own you definitely should.

A few thank you notes as well go to some of my awesome clients and friends: Alisa for that fantastic box-o-swag from her super cute shop Modern Palm, Laura for the lovely print, Natalie for the awesome Capri Blue candle (my fave!), Jules Reid for my new favorite dress (have you seen her fab new fall stuff?), Cristin for the blog shout-out, Dagny for putting her faith in me, and the sisters Orrico for the fab cheesecake and conversation while I was in Palm Beach, which warrants it's own post...

Splendor in the Grass

2010-08-13T15:05:00.000-04:00

Wel, I watched Splendor in the Grass night before last on Netflix... and it was... interesting. I don't consider myself any kind of film snob. Though I love movies, I generally take them at little more than face value... this was a tough one to swallow. Despite it's odd plot line, I have to say, this movie is beautiful to watch -- it could almost be played on mute just to get a load of Warren Beatty at his youngest and most handsome. That guy even puts Clooney to shame -- he's just all natural movie star handsome.

Beautiful classics like Splendor in the Grass are on Turner Classic Movies (TCM) all the time. I love flipping through the channels and landing on Doris Day or Steve McQueen. There's something comforting and familiar about a classic movie, don't you think? I love the gentility of Old Hollywood. The network recently commissioned graphic artist Michael Schwab to do a series of renderings featuring classic TCM movie stars, Mr. Beatty included, of course, among other names in lights:

Sadly, these aren't available as posters or prints at this time, though Mr. Schwab's work is definitely worth checking out more in-depth. Who's your favorite movie star, or even better, what's your favorite classic film and what strikes you about it? I need recommendations for my queue!

Love Quotes: Elsie de Wolfe

2010-08-12T15:42:00.000-04:00

Image credit: Architectural Digest

"I believe in optimism and plenty of white paint."
-Elsie de Wolfe

Remember This?

2010-08-12T15:25:00.000-04:00

It was earlier this week when I did an all-encompassing sort of music post on some of my favorite music in heavy rotation, but what I didn't expect was so many emails about one album in particular -- Iron and Wine's The Shepherd's Dog. Even more surprising, most of the emails weren't about the album itself, but the album art -- it seems y'all want to know who the artist behind the cover is!

Naturally I set to work Googling and found rather quickly that the artist is none other than Sam Beam... a.k.a Iron and Wine himself. Not just a talented musician, he apparently went to art school back in the day and put his skills to good use.

You can get prints of Sam Beam's art from the series of three from Sub Pop Records. Thanks for all the emails -- because of you guys I learned something awesome about one of my favorite musicians! Keep the questions comin' ;)

I Don't "Do" Lilly. Mostly.

2010-08-12T13:10:00.000-04:00

So here I am yesterday, lecturing my interns, telling them that we don't "do" Lilly Pulitzer because Lilly Pulitzer has been soo "done" by umpteen bajillion other blogs... and then I see this shiz. Foot inserted in mouth. The new Lilly store at King of Prussia is just flat cool -- such unique display ideas, it totally made me miss my retail merchandising days assembling windows, styling floors, and coordinating displays!

Lilly's just one of those things about our home state... like Jimmy Buffett, the fan base will always be there, be obsessed, and be colorful.

While You Were Sleeping...

2010-08-11T15:06:00.000-04:00

Last night, while your precious heads were resting on their pillows, something exciting happened. Jamie's Furbish Studio (online) Store came to life! Inside, there's all kinds of eye candy and other tasty temptations to suit your fancy, like...

neat ribbon trim lamps!

bug pillows!

the ubiquitous zebra rug!

THINGS WITH ELEPHANTS ON THEM!

(I heart Elephants. See blog header. )

Cool blue and white chinoiserie plates!

Groovy python tray that you have probably seen in Domino and Lonny!

(it's faux, calm down)

ROBERTA ROLLER RABBIT!

Gobs of room-making furniture and accent pieces!

case in point!

cool KJL-esque ELEPHANT bracelets!

(elephants!!)

...and lots more. So GO SHOP FURBISH. And be happy.

Love Quotes: Edith Head

2010-08-11T14:52:00.000-04:00

You can have anything you want in life if you dress for it."
-Edith Head

image credit: Mario Testino

Sneak Peek: Milly Pre-Spring 2011

2010-08-11T09:00:00.001-04:00

I don't know about ya'll, but I am ready for fall. I'm already finding myself frustrated as I walk into my favorite boutiques and see racks full of sweaters and coats knowing that I'm months away from wearing them. So instead of buying, I'm accumulating lists and lists of what I'm ready to fill my closet with when the temperature finally drops below 80 degrees. And when Milly's pre-spring 2011 collection hits stores, I will not be afraid to bump some elbows to get my size.

Michelle Smith's pre-spring collection begs to fill empty suitcases en route to a luxurious weekend getaway. It can take you from the pool to brunch to dinner and back again. Complete with nautical details like sailboat-printed tops, classic cashmere cardigans and floral frocks, Michelle never fails to edit her collection perfectly. There is something for everyone, and whether you’re looking for pants, a dress, skirt or tailored top you can find it within Milly pre-spring 2011. -Mary Mentz

image credit: Milly

Daily Find: Meg Carter's Pink Lemonade

2010-08-11T02:41:00.000-04:00

Meg Carter's "Sea Fans" in pink lemonade are my newly minted obsession. I have a few more months of sweltering heat to look forward to in swampy Florida, might as well make the best of it, no?

Giveaway: Francesca Joy Palm Beach Tote

2010-08-10T13:49:00.000-04:00

Elise Francesca Fargnoli, creator of Francesca Joy, has found a fresh way of bringing art to life. When she first began painting, her pieces were inspired by fashion. She eventually decided to fuse art and fashion together with the formation of Francesca Joy, a lifestyle collection produced with interior designer Carolyn Roy.

In addition to a home decor line, Francesca Joy includes vivid accessories and t-shirts adorned with colorful, hand-painted motifs, from fiery corals to bright flowers. With one of the offices located in Palm Beach, it's no surprise where much of the inspiration manifests. Francesca Joy touts itself as being "simple, everyday items with a sophisticated, hand-painted twist," and we love the idea of wearable art-- especially when it pays homage to the beauty of our home state! In the spirit of starting off August with some summery cheer, we are offering one of Francesca Joy's vibrant tote bags to a lucky Love Lister. Leave a comments below to win! And don't forget to leave us a way to get in touch!

post credit : Katie Diaz / Image Credit: Francesca Joy

Currently Listening...

2010-08-10T09:00:00.002-04:00

I normally focus on one album, but I thought given all the good stuff I've come across lately, I'd do a Songs of the Week - style post and talk music with y'all more in-depth this week. My current heavy rotation of new-ish stuff, below...

Iron and Wine - The Shepherd's Dog

Song picks: Pagan Angel and a Borrowed Car, Lovesong of the Buzzard

Decidedly more upbeat than Sam Beam's normal mellow sound, this is my favorite Iron & Wine album yet. Before, I sort of relegated him to night listening, reserved only for times I wanted to mellow out. This album's in the disc changer in my car though -- I'm all about night driving with this one. Still mellow yes, but it's got tons of interesting percussion and tempo change that keep you wide awake.

Ben Sollee and Daniel Martin Moore - Dear Companion

Song picks: Dear Companion, Try

This one I owe to my friend Brittney. I've been a Ben Sollee fan for a few years now, but due to her diligent NPR stalking, she stumbled across this fantastic pairing -- Mr. Sollee (an alt-country cellist... I mean, come on) and Subpop's Daniel Martin Moore strike a perfect chord together (literally and figuratively.)

A.A. Bondy - American Hearts

Song picks: American Hearts,Vice Rag

Something about this album is so heartland and folksy. If you like Old Crow Medicine Show or the Avett Brothers, I guarantee you'll like A.A. Bondy. I feel like I'm behind the curve since I only downloaded his albums last week, but from the first spin I was into him.

Other new/notable stuff that just came out or is coming down the hatch soon: Black Crowes new acoustic Croweology, Arcade Fire's The Suburbs, Ray LaMontagne's new one, (coming out this week!) and Ryan Bingham's Junky Star. What do y'all think of the direct-to-iTunes links? Easy right?

Gaber(love)age

2010-08-10T00:55:00.000-04:00

You know I coo and fawn all over my favorite artists... here's a new figurative from Hayley Gaberlavage called "Melon Heads" -- talk about perfectly encapsulating summer. So, who's buying?

You should...

2010-08-09T23:57:00.001-04:00

...check out my client Courtney's spankin' new blog, hobbs. First of all, she's super funny and dry. Secondly, she has seriously solid taste. Third, I LOVE the way her blog turned out. So head on over and show a new blogger some love, tell her I sent you :)

btw Courtney, Gwynnie has too made me happy I own a couple of Goyard totes... I somehow feel validated...

Colors of the Season

2010-08-09T15:37:00.001-04:00

Random question... but does anyone else get a nail polish obsession and wear it exclusively until something better comes along? I'm obsessively trendy with mine. My timeline, starting from last spring to now: Chanel's Orange Blossom was my favorite citrusy shade until colder weather hit, when I had a Laura Mercier Caviar moment followed quickly by Essie's perfect shade of red. As the sun came back, so did my tan, and I went to my fallback shade, Essie's Ballet Slippers and a perky coral on my toes. But my real current obsession? Essie's Turquoise & Caicos on my fingers. Matter of fact, I think I'll paint my digits right now...

image credit: Jess Graves / Front Porch Studio

A Little Nip and Tuck...

2010-08-09T14:08:00.001-04:00

Front Porch Studio's undergone a few new additions in the decorative area and I wanted to share a little update with y'all! I've added a few new pillows from the wonderful elegantouch at etsy, some new books to the mix (like The Beatles in Rishikesh, which you may remember me blogging about here), a framed Vera scarf that belonged to my late grandmother, and a Harry Allen pig that I picked up at Calypso Home in Palm Beach... I named him George Clooney. Now I can say George Clooney lives with me... and he's a real pig. HEYO!

Here's a few updated shots of our dining room as well -- we're running out of room for all of Travis's cookbooks! I eventually want to replace the dining chairs with chippendale bamboo ones from Ballard and upholster the pad in navy blue. Excuse our awful tile floors, this place is a rental and there isn't much we can do!

And a little peek at our bedroom (still a work in progress...) I'm in major nesting mode right now -- we're also trying to get our place up and running technologically (is that a word?) as well. We just got our first giant flat screen TV-- I feel so American. It's a 42" plasma, I think Travis about died when we unwrapped it. What is is with boys and TVs? He already christened it yesterday by falling asleep in front of it. I'm also working on getting AirTunes set up with my apple AirPort Express -- anyone ever done this? Ideally, I'll be able to stream my iTunes library to my upstairs speakers from my iMac! So cool, and a great way to get more play out of my massive music library. What have ya'll been doing to tweak your homes lately? Sometimes it's the little things that make a huge difference!

image credit: Jess Graves / Front Porch Studio

Daily Find: Cynthia Rowley Tools Around

2010-08-09T13:44:00.000-04:00

Trust Cynthia Rowley to turn something mundane into a completely fashionable experience. Her new tool sets are as fetching as her clothing and come with the added benefit of practicality. (not that we can't justify any purchase from her line, let's be honest) From staple guns and craft knives to hammers, screw drivers and pliers, these sets contain everything you need to complete DIY projects in style. I love the idea of giving them as gifts-- perhaps they'll inspire some self sufficiency in my less-than-handy cohorts! -Katie Diaz

Image Credits: Cynthia Rowley