Living the Well Appointed Life with Melissa Hawks: Style, Fashion, Home Decor, Decorating Blog

Punk for the Home

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa Hawks) — Fri, 17 May 2013 21:33:00 +0000

The world has been abuzz with the word "punk" and all things punk since the media blitz that followed
the Met Ball. We did a post here on this blog on May 6 called "Posh Punk at the Met Ball" and Gwenyth Paltrow over at GOOP did a fun post May 16 called
Punk Style with behind-the-scenes footage of her getting ready for the ball and her fashion picks. Our job as home decor style arbiters is to bring you the latest "must haves" and here's our top punk for the home pick for this week:

These fun too-cool-for-school punk rocker pillows JUST came in. In fact the manufacturer asked us to put them up this week. Good timimg, of course! We happen to love them and thought you would, too.

They are a great way to add a little edge to your space, but in a soft and luxurious way! They are soft cashmere,and are so perfect for cuddling with your punk boyfriend. Buy the pillows here! Enjoy!

Wisteria in Bloom Outside and in the Home

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa Hawks) — Fri, 17 May 2013 02:51:00 +0000

I planted two small Wisteria trees in my pool area last summer and it's such a treat to see them in bloom right now. Here is the one on the left:

Wisteria is a flowering plant that includes species of climbing vines. As beautiful as they are, it's hard to believe that in many parts of the United States, Wisteria is considered an invasive species because of its ability to overtake and squeeze out other native plant species. Invasive or not, Wisteria sure is beautiful!

Take inspiration from Wisteria and bring it into your home. We've selected some of our favorite items:

This Lavender and Cream Wastebasket is soft and elegant. It has the perfect sweetness for any feminine powder room.

Lavender Decoupage Letterbox for storage of mail and papers in the kitchen or office. Our letterboxes are a great way to organize the paper mess that so often takes over the kitchen counter!

Left to right: Lavender Blue Hydrangea in a Glass Cylinder, Lavender Blue Hydrangeas in a Blue Porcelain Vase and a coordinating smaller arrangement. Silk florals are great because they add color to the room and never need water!

We love our Barcelona Embroidered Pillow and the Valencia Pillow -- both in lilac! Take inspiration from the garden and bring a little lavender into your living space! Put these on a cream couch paired with grey walls for an elegant look! Enjoy!

Retro Revisited

noreply@blogger.com (Gabrielle Katz) — Wed, 15 May 2013 22:09:00 +0000

The world retro tends to evoke the following word associations: astroturf, polyester, blue eye shadow. Fair. But as the weather heats up we are embracing the what is old is new trend. Here are some tears from our summer inspiration board. After this scroll, you'll understand why when we think "retro" we think fabulous.

The late, great and utterly remarkable Lily Pulitzer.

Jackie Kennedy in one of Pulitzer's designs.

First lady chic.

Grace Kelly

The Royal family of Monaco

Bright colors, bold prints and a classic sophistication are the earmarks of this trend and can easily be incorporated into your homes decor.

This ceramic stool is the perfect retro accent. The lacquer glaze makes it ideal for any outdoor or indoor space and adds a pop of color and most importantly, fun! Also available in an array of colors.

Also great pieces for your outdoor space, this chippendale set has the perfect amount of kitsch. The comfy chippendale armchair and and the bar stools work in perfect unison to allude to the retro look, without looking like fake grass belongs beneath.

This statement making outdoor love seat packs in some high drama and style. An avant garde piece like the above is the perfect pairing of retro and modern.

pillow

Trina Turk takes the cake when it comes to creating retro pieces with a modern, chic elegance about them. Her pillows are just amazing. I have many purchased from The Well Appointed House and find they can really bring the room together, especially in a small space. Shop her collection here!

pillow

bedding

Turk also has an incredible bedding line, which we now offer. The bright patterns are ideal for your boho-beach house and are retro done right.

bedding

Of course Lily will always be the queen of the print and her designs will always be an American treasure. Her collection of home decor and gifts are cheerful reminders of her style and are great for adding some retro style into your entertaining.

Shop her collection here!

Fashion In Bloom

noreply@blogger.com (Gabrielle Katz) — Sat, 11 May 2013 21:40:00 +0000

It's May, which means it's officially time to toss the tights and get into the spirit of springtime. This season's Spring 2013 fashion shows featured an array of amazing creations in florals so vibrant and full they are almost fragrant. Town & Country, under the style direction of Stellene Volandes, has fully embraced the trend creating editorials worthy of your inspiration board. You can file these under yes please.

As the famous quote in The Devil Wears Prada goes, "Florals? For spring? Groundbreaking." but this more, is more, fabulous approach is a way to create a romantic, bright and original space in your home.

Well, not to point out the obvious, but the easiest and fastest way to incorporate the trend is to pump up your peony game. This perennial favorite is so classic and done so well in the above silk arrangement with hydrangea and peony. It will brighten your room for the entire season.

This floral tablecloth is such an easy and cost effective way to add some spring to your eating space. The bold colors and turquoise ruffle trim set against the white cotton ensure it doesn't overpower and distract from the main event: the food!

Switch out your tired warm weather bedding and switch in some style. This Trina Turk set brings the runway to the bedroom and will drastically change the look of your space to welcome in the warmth. Why not give it a try? It's simple and who knows, you might like to keep the bright patterns in the depth of dreary winter.

And for the tween in your life, there is nothing better than some year-round flower power. This set is something she is sure to love for it's boho-chic appeal and you'll appreciate the pattern not messing with your home's overall elevated style.

And who doesn't love a simple accent pillow to cheer up your sitting room?

Mix and match shapes, sizes and even prints to create an eclectic and fun look. Both pillows are from our Trina Turk collection!

This overhead lighting looks like it might've been used in the Town & Country spread for the models heads but should you want a more conventional approach, incorporate this piece into your daughter's bedroom, your study or kitchen. It's a bright idea!

Also available in a table lamp version!

A little stool like this is another great accent piece and with its classic colors and floral etchings its a way to embrace the trend without appearing trendy. Of course while perusing The Well Appointed House you are sure to find many more examples of great floral pieces in full bloom.

Posh Punk at this Year's Met Ball!

noreply@blogger.com (Gabrielle Katz) — Tue, 07 May 2013 02:37:00 +0000

Monday, May 6th marks the social event of the season. Now, it's easy to throw that phrase around, but when it comes to The Metropolitan Museum of Art's annual Costume Institute Ball -- it simply is the case. Spearheaded by Anna Wintour and the women of Vogue, this is the night when the biggest stars in fashion, film, music and society come together and you know they are turning it out when it comes to what they'll be wearing. This is not simply a party to have a party; the ball marks the start of the Costume Institute's latest exhibit on fashion and this year, it's all about punk.

This year, fashion's latest fad, Moda Operandi is teaming up with Vogue to co-sponsor the event. Moda is the brainchild of Voguette and girl-about-town Lauren Santo Domingo, pictured here with her team in the WSJ. The site allows you to purchase clothes as soon as they've hit the runway, similar to the designer trunk shows that are hosted at the better department stores, except these "trunk shows" are all digital. Recently, the brand expanded to also include an online store and their punk-pop-up is in a word, rad.

Preen is a very posh brand and this tartan sheath can go both ways. Perfect for a holiday party or, if you style it as shown, your pretty bad-ass.

Talk about a black swan moment courtesy of Givenchy

I've been after that "Radarte" shirt forever.

I love Givenchy too because they can turn out that black skirt and this sexy staple in the same breath.

And then this strapless Vivienne Westwood corset dress is actually amazing.

And unexpected and utterly amazing collaboration is Tom Binns and Charlotte Olympia. Love both these items!

As you can tell, punk can be posh and not only are hints of rebellion fun in fashion, they are also kind of genius in home decor. Take a look at some fun ways to get a little rebel, rebel.

This tartan pillow isn't just for the holidays or your proper countryside home. Mix with a black leather chair and you're hinting at some counter-culture couture.

The Queen of England became an unlikely symbol of punk during the 80's and this printed pillow is perfect for evoking that historical reference. Get extra punk points for adding a safety pin to the Queen Mum's crown. Pair with the below and our Tartan accent pillow for more of the look!

dog bed

Get Fido in on the action! Everyone knows the ultimate rebel is your pup so celebrate his, uh, free-spirited nature with a dog bed that has much attitude as he has!

dog bed

If you really want to take it to the next level, this Union Jack ottoman does the job. It is the ultimate statement piece and is a serious infusion of punk-rock glamour.

If the ottoman is a little much for you but you want to get in on the trend, check out our decoupage Union Jack waste bin. Sometimes the little things go a long way in creating a mood.

photo

So get a little bad, it will look really good.

Derby Daze! Get Ready for the 2013 Kentucky Derby in Style!

noreply@blogger.com (Gabrielle Katz) — Sat, 04 May 2013 01:08:00 +0000

Saturday May 4th is the time honored Kentucky Derby. For the 139th time the world's top thoroughbreds are saddling up for a day of competition, mint juleps and some fantastic hats.

(images via google)

And don't worry men, we found a user friendly guide for you!

While you may be able to dress the part in no time, The Well Appointed House has exactly what you need to outfit your home in some derby decor!

This dip bowl was all but made for a Derby party. How adorable is the helment bowl, which compliments the handsome navy and gold horseshoe motif. It's a triple crown winner.

This needlepoint horse pillow is a classic. Great for farmhouse decor year-round and even more perfect for the May race.

Now, you may often get this request: "Mommy, I want a pony!!" and the answer is probably more or less... "No." BUT with our HANSA life-sized stuffed horse you get major mom points. Amazing for the playroom and a great Derby Party prop! Dress this black beauty up in blue ribbons and sashes to for a festive feel.

Horse decor is not always thought of as chic and modern but this pair of table lamps and the framed photo below are both contemporary and streamlined.

A piece of art like this works in an ultra-modern space and also adds an unexpected flair to more traditional decor.

While our horse needlepoint pillow is traditional Derby style, this fun accent pillow is anything but. It also has a little Mexican flair- perfect for Sunday's Cinco de Mayo festivities!

Although not explicitly in the equine theme, this monogrammed acrylic ice-bucket represents the fun, colorful side of the derby, which we all love to embrace year after year. Plus, no one likes a warm mint julep!

The Hat Luncheon in Central Park

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa Hawks) — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 12:47:00 +0000

We're off to the Central Park Conservancy's "Hat Luncheon" tomorrow. If you are heading there and are scrambling for a hat, check out some of my past photos and tips on places where hats can be purchased in Manhattan. Here are photos from 2010, 2011, 2012 -- and past photos and store listings for great milliners can be found in this post. The weather is supposed to be nice in the park tomorrow. Enjoy!

Edgar Degas's The Millinery Shop (ca 1882-86)

Happy Two Year Anniversary Will & Kate! And, Cheers to a Well Appointed Royal Nursery

noreply@blogger.com (Gabrielle Katz) — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 21:52:00 +0000

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have a lot more than a second wedding anniversary to celebrate today. As they prepare for their royal bundle of joy, the two are reportedly having an intimate date night this evening -- a far cry from the April 29th, 2011 affair where the whole world tuned in to watch the pair wed.

The event was marked with not one but two breathtaking Alexander McQueens and two very sweet smooches! A few world tours and countless apparences by the young couple (and her favorite LK Bennet nude heels) have brought us all to their two year mark and the public still can't get enough. Now poshly pregnant, the soon-to-be parents are going to have to make some major adjustments not just to their day-to-day but their home! Lucky for them, at The Well Appointed House, we've got them covered. Here are some picks fit for an heir.

When baby Wales comes home, he or she can't just sleep in any old crib (nor should yours for that matter!). We just love this Lulla Smith Londonderry Silk Bassinet for its romantic and classic look. The sweeping skirt creates a dramatic statement and makes it perfect for any grand nursery.

Instead of any old play-pen in the family room, we suggest a cradle that elevates a room's decor-not diminishes it. This Verona hand-painted cradle has an old world, antique feel that is perfect for a traditional setting.

When baby is finally ready to sleep in a big crib, there is really only one option: our Cherubini Crib. Ornately appointed with antique silver and gold moldings, this crib truly was made for a Prince or Princess.

We would suggest a classic monogrammed bedding set like our plush gingham set available in pink, blue, green and red-although something tells us this little one may have a few more initials than just three!

If mummy has anything to say about it, you know this tot is going to be styling and he or she can't have their clothes just hanging in any old drawer. The Versailles Grand Armoire coordinates with all the crib options above and is stately enough to grow with the child's decor. (The crib, cradle and armoire can all be custom painted to order). A smart investment!

Should Kate need some direction on what to fill the armoire with, there is of course The Well Appointed House's collection of personalized childrenswear!

Of course there will be plenty of gifts to commemorate the birth of Wills and Kate's baby joy, but this personalized porcelain limoge box is something he or she will always treasure!

And of course- the child will be born with a silver spoon in the mouth!

Everyone at The Well Appointed House wishes the royal couple all the best and we cannot wait for the safe delivery of a child who is sure to live one Well Appointed Life!

Centerpiece Design for the United Way's Sole Sisters Luncheon in Greenwich

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa Hawks) — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 02:22:00 +0000

Today the United Sole Sisters Annual Spring Luncheon was held at Greenwich Country Club to raise funds for United Way supported local health and human services programs. Education was the focus of this year's luncheon and Kayce Freed Jennings was the featured speaker. I was asked by Co-Chair Kim Miller to design the centerpieces for the luncheon. The challenge was to incorporate shoes donated by Stuart Weitzman into the centerpieces. The shoes get donated to charities following the luncheon. As lovely as the shoes are, having a shoe central to a table arrangement isn't easy! After many iterations of vases with shoes perhed atop, shoes elevated with tall glass cubes sprouting out of English florals and other ideas, I came up with a birdcage concept. The timing of the luncheon made it perfect for a bird theme, so I ordered birdcages from a vendor whose products I sell on my retail site, The Well Appointed House. I sourced small life-like birds to perch atop the cages and we worked with Winston Flowers to execute the grass and Spring flowers inside the cage. The Stuart Weitzman shoes were placed inside the birdcages as if a fashionable "Sole Sister" had just taken a step onto the grass wearing her stilettos! The concept was fun and energizing for attendees.

That's me with Co-Chair Kim Miller.

Kayce Jennings, widow of ABC News anchor Peter Jennings, is the co-founder of the Documentary Group, the driving force behind 10" x 10" and Girl Rising, a social action campaign and feature film, focused on educating girls in developing countries. Her robust career in television news and documentaries included 20 years at ABC News where she produced for Nightline, World News Tonight, Day One and 20/20. She gave a great speech and we enjoyed a preview of her feature film.

The 350 ladies at the luncheon today celebrated a big milestone -- the United Way Sole Sisters this year surpassed $1 million raised since its founding. The proceeds from this luncheon will go towards scholarships for early childhood education, adult literacy and ESL classes, vocational training and support for people with developmental disabilities and mental health issues. It will also cover homework assistance and tutoring programs for kids in the area. The luncheon was a success and the centerpieces added some whimsy to the afternoon!

See My Spring Picks in This Month's Serendipity Magazine

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa Hawks) — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 22:46:00 +0000

See my Spring Picks in the April issue of Serendipity Magazine! In the article, I have selected some of my favorite new items from The Well Appointed House. The magazine is on newsstands now! ~Melissa Hawks

Metro Bath Towels / Dana Gibson Makeup Bag

White Glass Crosshatch Wastebasket and Tissue Box Set

Boat House Play House / Venus Capiz Shell Chandelier

Zig Zag Baby Crib Bedding

Pique Scalloped Bedding / Hobe Sound Lantern

Urn Table Lamp / Ivory Grey Shagreen End Table

Hillary Thomas Bed Rest / Scallop Raffia Slipper Chair

Square Pink Agra Pillow

Gerard Bar Cart / Lane Polished Nickel Desk Lamp

Compass Accent Table / Paris Day Bed

Brentwood Desk in Silver Leaf

Maine Cottage Furniture - Great Bedroom Furniture for the Summer Home!

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa Hawks) — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 18:04:00 +0000

Warm weather has arrived and with that comes thoughts of "summering" -- wherever that may be, just as long as it's somewhere by the water!

Photo - Veranda Magazine

Here in Greenwich and the New York City metro area, people head to the Hamptons, Long Island, Fishers Island, Block Island, Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard, Cape Cod, Newport, the Jersery Shore and of course Maine! I have many friends who head up to Maine for the summer sporting their whale belts and Lilly shifts to enjoy sailing, lobster bakes and sunsets by the beach. Many of the aforementioned friends head off sporting their uber-preppy "beach cars" (see my previous post on Nantucket beach cars) and either rent or own gorgeous beach houses by the sea. When furnishing a summer home, you can go one of two ways. First, decorate in muted, but "beachy" ocean and sand shades for a natural look - or second, make the beach house colorful and fun with painted furniture. Regardless of which path you take, Maine Cottage Furniture has the perfect custom made wooden furniture that can be painted in any color to suit your taste. The company was founded 20 years ago in Yarmouth, Maine by Carol and Peter Bass and all pieces are made in the USA of durable maple and poplar woods and use paints with low VOC content. Here's we've picked a few of our favorite bedroom items appropriate for any home but especially perfect for any beach house, lake house or cottage.

We love Maine Cottage's Island Day Bed. It's constructed of strong solid maple and poplar and comes in an array of over fifty coastal color choices.

We love the Calvin Bed, pictured in two colors above (Bluebell and French Blue) for its clean, no-nonsense, relax-by-the-beach look. Paired with the right linens, and you've got the perfect relaxed feel.

Here's another fun one --the Julianna bed. This bed is curvaceous and romantic and has a style all her own! We are showing this in the Vast Sky color, but you can order it in any shade. It's fresh and different and could work nicely in a girl's room or guest room!

The Lizzie bed, shown in three colors above (Sun, Lemon Ice and Winter) demonstrates our point that you can go soft and subtle or bright and colorful with the paint finish you select.

Maine Cottage Furniture beds can be ordered with storage bins or trundle beds underneath. The Shutter Bed is simple yet fun - shown in three photos above - complete with optional storage. There is nothing more fun than a summer camp "cabin" feel for kids in the summer with twin beds placed in groups in a room. It's perfect for late night chatter and spooky tales! These beds come in any color and are fun for kids!

They make upholstered beds, fun bunk beds, dressers, armoires, nightstands, seating and elegant storage benches, too! Check out Maine Cottage Furniture and their bedroom collection and let us know what you think! They got something for every room of the house and it's nice to support companies making furniture in the USA. Enjoy!

Spring Handbag Roundup: The Balenciaga Arena Bag

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa Hawks) — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 01:51:00 +0000

I'm always excited to see what new handbags debut in the Spring! I just purchased a Balenciaga Arena bag in BonBon (it's the top left one in pink) and it's already bringing color to my closet. Just as the flowers arrive and the trees start to bud, it's nice to have something new as we change seasons. This weekend is the perfect time to reorganize your closet, pack away winter wear and bring in some new pieces. These Balenciaga bags come in many fun colors, the leather wears well and they have tons of storage compartments for moms-on-the-go like me. As many of you know, I've got three young children and of course run The Well Appointed House, so I need bags with plenty of storage space. I love the fact that you can order coordinating sandals to match for a chic look! Here are some favorites! What handbags are you buying this Spring? Post your comments below!

Balenciaga Arena Giant Gold City Bags

We love the Balenciaga Arena Giant 12 Gold City Handbags

Totes
Bags

Balenciaga Arena Sandals

Chic studded Balenciaga sandals for Summer!

Sandals

New Patio and Garden Arrivals

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa Hawks) — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 18:08:00 +0000

It's that time of year! The birds have arrived (finally) and weather reports in the Northeast are looking up. We have been busy here in Greenwich adding new patio furniture sets and are excited to show you a quick preview of some of my personal favorites. Different architectural styles can call for completely different looks when selecting patio furniture and there are often many "right" answers in terms of what will work in your space. I always say to pick things you love and make you feel happy. One of my favorite things to do in the Spring and Summer is to grill and eat outside with my husband and children. The kids love it and I like the fact that the clean up is so easy. I have three outdoor seating areas around my home in Greenwich and I often find myself sitting outside reading and sometimes even working on my laptop on an outdoor couch or chaise. If you take your time and put thought into selecting beautiful items for your patio, it will truly become an extension of your home. Here are some favorites and you can shop the collection at The Well Appointed House

I really love our new Chippendale outdoor furniture! It was just added to the site today, so it's hot off the presses! There are end tables, cocktail tables and ottomans that go with these elegant pieces.

Last but not least, I'm a big fan of birds. I think unexpected garden ornaments add a touch of whimsy to a yard. It's fun to perch a charming bird house or feeder on a tree or above a post to keep our feathered friends frequenting our outdoor spaces. These are a few of our new additions!

With lead times of 6-8 weeks for some of the patio collections, now is the time to be ordering for this outdoor season! Don't wait! ~Melissa Hawks

Happy Easter! See us in Serendipity Magazine's April 2013 issue!

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa Hawks) — Sun, 31 Mar 2013 14:43:00 +0000

Happy Easter everyone! I have just returned from a week at the Four Seasons in Costa Rica with my family for Spring Break. If you are a reader of the blog, you may remember that I did a blog write-up on the resort two years ago (click here to read it) and we liked it so much then that we returned again this year with friends. They have a brand new airport in Liberia, which made getting to and from much easier. I'll do another entry soon updating my last report and will give updated tips and things to know if you plan a vacation there in 2013.

I was so excited to return home to the April 2013 issue of Serendipity Magazine in my mailbox and to see a fabulous article on me in the magazine! I am off to Easter brunch this morning, but over the next two weeks, we will do a full write up on the article and include links to our Spring Picks. Here is a preview of the first two pages of the article, but please buy the issue on newsstands or subscribe here! Serendipity Magazine is f-a-b-u-l-o-u-s! It was started by another entrepreneurial woman and mother that I have been lucky to meet -- Suni Unger. She has launched an amazing magazine from scratch, and it has quickly grown to cover a large portion of the NYC metro area -- Fairfield and Westchester counties. She's impressive in her own right, and has surrounded herself with a fabulous team. In the production of this article, I got to know Editor Danielle Dubin Manion, who is taking the magazine to new heights. I've been really impressed with the overall look and feel of Serendipity and we are excited to be included in it! The magazine gives back $1 from each subscription to charity and this issue's featured charity is Autism Speaks. Serendipity Magazine is a Certified Women's Business Enterprise, which makes me like it that much more! Visit them at serendipitysocial.com
I'm excited to join the ranks of Jonathan Adler and others, featured this month. Here are some quick and rough phone camera shots of the issue, so go get yours today!

Enjoy Easter Sunday with your family! ~Melissa Hawks

Anduze Pots

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa Hawks) — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 01:42:00 +0000

Spring has officially arrived and it is time to start thinking about your outdoor spaces. If you are planning on updating your garden, order your planters, pots and patio furniture soon. Lead times for good patio furniture can be 6-12 weeks, so plan accordingly! A classic planter style that has been around since the sixteenth century, these large Anduze pots first appeared in the gardens of French aristocrats and often housed orange trees. These fabulous Tuscan inspired glazed garden ornaments of the Medici style, became Provence classics over the centuries. The glazing process takes weeks, giving the aged lustre and patina. Here are a few favorite photos we have curated for you and take a look at some of our product picks below:

Photo

Check out these Anduze pots from The Well Appointed House:

Chic Parenting: Cute Easter Dresses for Girls & Where to Shop for Preppy Girls Clothing

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa Hawks) — Sat, 16 Mar 2013 19:50:00 +0000

Spring is almost here and Easter is two weeks away! If you have daughters and like to dress them up for Easter egg hunts and brunch, now is the time to order your little party dresses and mini blazers! With many schools on Spring Break this week and next, moms may be a bit behind with Easter planning. I have picked a few favorites for last minute shopping if an Easter dress is still on your "to do" list!

The Floral Print V-Back Party Dress from Oscar de la Renta is made of pure cotton and is perfect for a day of twirling, feeling girly and collecting Easter eggs!

Pair it with some classic white Leather Sabrina shoes:

This is the Ralph Lauren Toddler's & Little Girl's Embroidered Linen Dress. It has a beautiful scoop neck, empire waist with a Robin's Egg blue sash that ties in the back -- and an embroidered skirt with a crinoline-lined petticoat. It's a traditional "fancy" girl's party dress that is machine washable...

Let your little fashionista don her first Marni dress this Easter. This one features a floral print poplin and pleated A-line skirt. It's cotton and made in Italy. Click here to view it.

This Isabel Garreton dress is a classic. It features a Peter Pan collar (which I love on little girls) and a full skirt with a petticoat. It's perfect for a visit to church followed by a buffet of Easter petit fours and eclairs!

Anavina smocked dresses are always a hit and we love the pretty pastel pink in their Girl's Sabine Gingham Silk Dress. You can't go wrong with gingham at Easter.

I also love this punchy, feminine blue Diamond Party Dress by Oscar de la Renta. It's got the most delightful scoop back with buttons and a bow. Click the link to view all of the photos.

Here's a cute one that doesn't have a designer name attached to it. The great part? It is priced at just $40.60 right now at Macy's. What a great buy for a dress that may not get used many times! It also has a Peter Pan collar with ruffles, embroidery and a button back. It's the Rare Editions Little Girl's Smocked Dress:

Last, here is another great Anavini dress with bunnies - it's the Little Girl's Mini-Striped Bunny Float Dress:

Here are the most adorable coats I spotted on the Little Goodall Etsy shop-- the Honey Bunny Coat in Pink and Blue. They are delightful!

My retail store, The Well Appointed House has a fun collection of monogrammed dresses for girls and rompers for boys that are fun for Easter. However, the deadline is tomorrow for monogrammed items in time for Easter. So, if you the holiday cut off, you can still order your monogrammed kids clothing now for Spring! Get a head start so when the flowers start peeking through, your little ones are dressed to the nines! Here are some of the offerings:

Since I have two little girls (and a boy) - friends frequently ask me where I like to get cute dresses this time of year for girls. In addition to the dresses I have selected above, my personal favorites are:

-Rachel Riley on Madison Avenue in NYC - I'm a frequent shopper - the dresses are to die for and are top quality.

-Spring Flowers Boutique also on Madison Avenue in NYC

-Baby CZ (they've got cute girls dresses and adorable rompers for boys)

-Florence Eiseman (look for your local store, everything is classic)

-Lilly Pulitzer for girls

-Kelly's Kids - cute, colorful and preppy!

-Janie and Jack - they typically have cute dresses for Spring

Happy Spring Shopping! ~Melissa Hawks

Easter Fun with Cake Stands and Birds Nests

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa Hawks) — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 03:30:00 +0000

Easter is just a few weeks away and we've selected some images and projects to inspire your holiday preparations! First, take a look at the most delightful Bunny Cookies and Milk from Sue over at the Munchkin Munchies blog! See how she makes the ears out of sugar cookie dough and uses a dry erase marker on the glasses. What a fun morning treat for the little ones on Easter! What a clever idea...

Dust off your cake stands, get creative and make some Easter arrangements for the table!

Here are a few fun ones for inspiration:

Photo

This one from Martha Stewart uses stacked cake stands and egg cups.

Photo

Check out some of our favorite craft websites such as Save on Crafts or Michael's for little birds' nests. The possibilities are endless for fun table settings with nests filled with colored eggs, chicks and bunnies.

Grass and twig nests can be purchased for as little as $2.99 each. We will have many more Easter ideas coming your way over the next few days! Stay tuned!

Madeline Weinreb Collaborates with Manolo Blahnik on Shoes

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa Hawks) — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 21:36:00 +0000

On this blog, we are always looking at ways that fashion and design intersect. In our last post, we looked at some of the fabulous new designs from the Valentino Fall 2013 RTW collection and saw how the designers took inspiration from old Delft and Dutch master patterns. It's also fun to see that textile designer Madeline Weinrib has partnered with shoe aficionado Monolo Blahnik to debut four shoe styles - a pump, wedge, smoking shoe and sandal. Weinrib, known for her fabulous Ikat fabrics, and the granddaughter of ABC Carpet & Home founder Max Weinrib, was a natural fit for the shoe designer. Here are a few of the creations - the light fabrics are fun for Spring and Summer! The Yald and Tarantina will be great for the beach!

Photo

manolo ikat

manolo yald

Sapphire Blue at Valentino: Fall 2013 RTW - Taking Inspiration from Delft

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa Hawks) — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 03:51:00 +0000

We have enjoyed perusing Maria Grazia Chiuri and Perpaolo Piccioli's Fall 2013 RTW collection for Valentino. Piccioli explained in a collection preview that the duo had taken inspiration from "calm and serene portraits of women by the Flemish Old Masters". The delicate blue and white prints below were inspired by Delft ceramics that, according to Vogue, Valentino himself used in a design for his own Fall 1968 collection that propelled him into the national spotlight as a celebrity fashion designer.

It seems that blue and white never really goes out of style. Take a look at Vogue's footage of the entire collection. We also love the pieces of white mink incorporated into some of the ensembles. What's not to like at Valentino?

Take a peek at current items from Valentino and Valentino Red (more affordable) in stores now.

Valentino

Stylish Stools & Benches at the Foot of the Bed

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa Hawks) — Sat, 02 Mar 2013 04:33:00 +0000

We sell an entire collection of curated stools and benches at The Well Appointed House -- and sometimes, customers ask us how they can incorporate these items into their decor. Aside from the usual -- in a hallway, under a console, or in a mudroom, there are other useful locations. At the foot of the bed is a favorite spot with many designers! Take a look at the photos below for some inspiration and check out our benches and stools:

Source: Kelly Wearstler

Source

Gucci's 1953 Horsebit Loafer is Back!

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa Hawks) — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 02:03:00 +0000

The iconic piece of fashion art that long ago became a symbol of Gucci -- the horsebit -- has been paired with their leather loafer since 1953. Now to celebrate the loafer's 60th anniversary, the classic shoe is getting a refresh. Take a look at the video below from Gucci and take a peek at some of the new designs! We love the light green for Spring!

1953 horsebit loafer

She Said Yes! Stylish and Fun Wedding Centerpieces

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa Hawks) — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 03:31:00 +0000

It's that time of year, when brides all over America are putting the finishing touches on plans for their summer weddings. The dates are set, locations are booked, the dress is inevitably on order and it's time to be thinking about wedding flowers. I was married in 2002 in Boston at the Arlington Street Church with a reception following at the Four Seasons overlooking the Boston Public Garden. One of my favorite things about the wedding planning was selecting the flowers. I got rather hung up on choosing my centerpiece containers -- and that is a bit of the backstory on how The Well Appointed House was formed. When I initially started the site in late 2001, with a full launch following my wedding in '02, the website started selling fabulous wedding items. It has grown to sell items for every room of the house -- and it's a great site for newlyweds! Though I still haven't lost my love of flowers and that eternal search for the right centerpiece container. I would like to recommend some of my favorite sites: Jamali Garden in NYC, Save on Crafts, Koyal Wholesale and of course, Etsy. They have fabulous glass and metal containers for wedding celebrations. Sometimes you can find fun cake plateaus and stands in Martha Stewart's home collection for Macy's and they are usually reasonably priced. In some settings, a luxurious metal revere pedestal bowl is beautiful, while in other ballrooms the glimmer of crystal pedestals or glass vases is just perfect. Milk glass can also be charming, as in the arrangement below with the white ranunculus with blue flowers. Often, when ordering in bulk, brides can secure discounts. Don't be afraid to ask! Here are a few favorites for inspiration:

This one is charming with ranunculus in a milk glass container.

I love this one with beautiful shades of blues by Preston Bailey.

Phalaenopsis orchids, mimosa blossoms, and gold and white French tulips blend perfectly in this sunny arrangement by the team at Martha Stewart.

Here are some creative and unusual centerpiece ideas! I love the hot air balloon idea!

Source

Save your tea tins for this informal idea of placing bouquets in tins.

I keep a drawer full of Harvey & Sons in my kitchen and what a great idea to transform them into arrangements! Check back for more wedding planning ideas on our blog! Take a look at Net-a-Porter's Wedding Shop for wedding day fashion ideas!

E-Decorating: The Well Appointed Bar

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa Hawks) — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 15:26:00 +0000

Next in our series on E-Decorating! What is more fun than a fabulous bar cart in an area for serving cocktails? We've pulled together a fun bar cart, some coordinating wall art, wall sconces and serving items.

Shop some of our favorites!

Palm Turquoise Bar Car // Migration Reproduction Wall Art

Mirrored Starburst Wall Sconce // Personalized Ice Bucket

Decanter, Double Old Fashion Glasses & Tray Set

Happy Valentine's Day!

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa Hawks) — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 13:57:00 +0000

Happy Valentine's Day! We wanted to share this charming Do-it-Yourself Lovebirds Jar from our friends over at the House of Humble. It's a fun project to do today, so grab a Mason jar (they are sold at Michael's crafts stores and some grocery stores), feathered birds, fabric scraps, ribbon, stick from your yard, glue gun, faux grass or moss, and have fun! Enjoy!

Living the Well Appointed Life with Melissa Hawks: Style, Fashion, Home Decor, Decorating Blog

Punk for the Home

Wisteria in Bloom Outside and in the Home

Retro Revisited

Fashion In Bloom

Posh Punk at this Year's Met Ball!

Derby Daze! Get Ready for the 2013 Kentucky Derby in Style!

The Hat Luncheon in Central Park

Happy Two Year Anniversary Will & Kate! And, Cheers to a Well Appointed Royal Nursery

Centerpiece Design for the United Way's Sole Sisters Luncheon in Greenwich

See My Spring Picks in This Month's Serendipity Magazine

Maine Cottage Furniture - Great Bedroom Furniture for the Summer Home!

Spring Handbag Roundup: The Balenciaga Arena Bag

New Patio and Garden Arrivals

Happy Easter! See us in Serendipity Magazine's April 2013 issue!

Anduze Pots

Chic Parenting: Cute Easter Dresses for Girls & Where to Shop for Preppy Girls Clothing

Sponsored Fashion Post: Fibi & Clo New York Shoes!

Easter Fun with Cake Stands and Birds Nests

Madeline Weinreb Collaborates with Manolo Blahnik on Shoes

Sapphire Blue at Valentino: Fall 2013 RTW - Taking Inspiration from Delft

Stylish Stools & Benches at the Foot of the Bed

Gucci's 1953 Horsebit Loafer is Back!

She Said Yes! Stylish and Fun Wedding Centerpieces

E-Decorating: The Well Appointed Bar

Happy Valentine's Day!