Realistic Chic

Fashion Friday

2010-07-30T09:13:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm off to Cannon Beach, Oregon for the long weekend! Sure, I have two essays to write, but what better way to write them then camping by the beach with a bucket-load of Palm Bay and a surfboard? Great for the attention-span. I leave you with a journey through the generations of fashion inspired by the surf-culture:

(The last one is Cynthia Crowley for Roxy...check the gorgeous line out here)

It's a Mad (Men's) World

2010-07-27T08:06:00.000-07:00

I can't believe I'm only seeing these Vanity Fair images now:

WHERE have I been??? To miss such classic glamour and moody style? I must be...mad?

Filling in the Blanks

2010-07-26T08:37:00.000-07:00

I received a very good question over the weekend about what to do with a blank wall that goes as follows:

"I was wondering if you might help me with something. I have some wall space in my room that's a little boring and I'm terribly indecisive and have a habit of changing my mind so I was wondering if you could recommend any ideas. Thing is, I don't wanna ruin the paint job...I just don't like having to puncture holes in the walls seeing as I change things around quite often. I was looking online at some wall-stickers and thought that might be nice for a while. I'm honestly not doing anything fancy to my room. I just wanna' have it look not so plain. maybe put a few pictures up and stuff. Anything on my walls/accessories in my room I'd like to be Black in colour."

To solve this decorating dilemma, I decided to do a bit of research about the options for such a wall that a) won't leave any marks; 2) is simple but chic; and D) is cheap so that there is no bad feelings if it is changed out eventually. First, here's some of my favourite and most inspiring images of photo walls:

Images from Apartment Therapy

CLICK HERE for more after the jump

(this post is too long to keep on the main page)

Tip #1: Always use something of the unexpected. The unexpected could be a varying of size, shape, colour, spacing, style, era, or objects. You may play with any or all of these things. This may help in quelling those feelings of growing bored in your decor. The eye tends to grow tired of the matchy-matchy quicker than if there is something causing an appealing rift in the overall look. Consider how you feel about a touch of the asymmetrical or eclectic (meaning a mix of eras). For example, I like to have a gallery display style (meaning different size frames placed seemingly at random) mixing vintage frames of ornate or gilded edges with minimal-style dollar store frames, and in a variety of colours - light wood, dark wood, gold-gilded, white, black, frameless canvas art, etc. I find that it keeps things interesting. But this is extreme end in mixing everything up. If you're tepid about trying too much of this technique and want to stick to a monochromatic frame collection, check out some of these simpler styles and try to picture it on your wall:

If using all all one style, Ikea really is the way to go. Their Ribba frames come in a variety of sizes (both in black and white, and also in silver) and are perfect for this look. Now, these matching frames in different sizes look nice, but if you want my honest opinion, one or two white frames amidst a collection of black ones in different sizes would be the perfect balance of coordination and the unexpected, for example:

If that doesn't appeal to you, it is also cool to see all black frames with black and white pictures (with or without a white mat) except for a larger picture in the centre that is brightly coloured...like an old kindergarten drawing of yours, or picture frames surrounding something totally different like a mirror or oil painting. And if all else fails, keep a stash of other photos on stand-by in a drawer so when you do get bored, you can simply switch the images in the frames for a fresh look.

Frameless photos are another cool (and even cheaper) way to go. If using this vignette, the photos should all be the same size, be printed with a thin white border for the illusion of a frame, and arranged in a basic geometric shape (square or circle work best). Better yet, a square that contorts to the edges of the furniture below it (if you happen to have anything there, like a desk) can look very chic:

The best part about photos is that, unlike art, they cost practically nothing and they resonate with you, always holding at least some interest because their YOUR photographs. Meaningful decor on the cheap.

Idea #2: Another option is to create your own pin board where you can display photos, notes, and clippings of pretty things and switch them out with the utmost ease. See some examples here. And here is a tutorial for how to do so, although Michael's also sells premade ones. What mine looks like:

Idea #3: There are wall shelves, but none that can go up without damage to the walls, so instead we'll take a look at wall decals. These silhuettes can be super chic, but also may tend to look a bit "teenagery" depending on what they are. Some stylish and affordable ones I've found:

Birdcage $23 on Etsy

Love $12 on Etsy (comes in many colours)

Idea #4: Printed tapestries are another cheap and changeable way of decorating a large wall:

Tree $36 at Urban Outfitters

Buddha $36 at Urban Outfitters

Idea #5: If you have a little bit of extra cash and are looking to make one whole wall into a focal point, you can try this peelable wallpaper. It's enough to cover 56 square feet of wall and is so intricate, you'd have to hang only one mirror or piece of art and it would be done. Or leave it blank for a dramatic effect:

Damask wallpaper $78 at Urban Outfitters

Now for the sticky stuff. If you go with a frame collection, you'll need a way to hang those bad boys. There is the old standby, Poster Tack, that holds paper to your walls easily, and would be suitable for small frames, but may not be suitable for large frames.

These leave no residue but can be unreliable in keeping your heavier objects on the wall...even poster edges have been known to peel away after a while (especially in rooms kept cold). This option would be best suited for a collage of same-sized frameless photos, as mentioned above.

Then there is the 3M Command strips.

These claim to "make decorating quick and easy" but my experience with similar products in the past has been that they almost always either leave gobs of residue behind or, even worse, rip the paint off the walls when you peel them off. Now, these ones specificially state that "when you are ready to take down or move your pictures, they come off cleanly — no nail holes, cracked plaster or sticky residue." So you can try them out, however, my suggestion is that when it comes time to take them off, you heat the sticker with a blowdryer to make removal easier. When removing the sticker, pull across instead of off, if you can. If there's residue, spray it with WD40, using enough to coat the glue without leaving a pool of penetrating oil. Let stand for 10 minutes. Rub the residue vigorously, using a rag or paper towel and turning the cloth frequently. The glue should come up easily. Moisten a clean rag with water and add a drop of dish soap. Wipe any remaining WD40 off the surface.

If you're not comfortable with the risk involved in those, you can try a simple straight pin.

These are even thinner than push pins and you would be surprised how much weight a straight pin will hold when pushed in the wall at a 45 degree angle. Best of all, it leaves no trace visible to the discerning eye as it's typically meant for fabric. I would not suggest anything heavier than 1lb of weight per pin (a small to medium frame...use two for large frames). Just be sure to get ones with a bigger bulb on the end for a catch to hang things from.

I hope this helps! Readers: How do YOU decorate your walls? What do you think about these ideas? Which options do you currently use, dislike, or would like to try? Or is there a different take you have on creating a visual vignette for your wall that isn't listed here?

Fashion Friday

2010-07-23T08:33:00.000-07:00

Today's fashion focus is on the newly released Canadian romance between Douglas Coupland and Roots. With quite a lot of backstory about how this came to be (including video interviews with Coupland's artistic style woven into them), the fashion line proves to be entirely based on one concept: the emergence of the electronic era in Canada in the 1950's-mixed with the silhouettes of today's 20-something wearer. Varsity jackets with Radio tower patches, sling bags with dot matrix font, leggings with circuit board prints, and of course, the test pattern that is so iconic of the era throughout:

Here's a sample of the line (mostly just the stuff I want):

Click here to see more. As much as I LOVE him, I admit I expected something a little more innovative from Coupland. Perhaps some of that 3-dimensional interactive design like a wallet that unfolds into a box, or a jacket that comes apart into 4 different pieces for 4 different looks, or something equally crazy and neat. I guess I just didn't want it to be all about the print and not about the working of the fabric. What do you think of it? Like it or no? Why? And are you a fan of his outside these designs?

Loving...

2010-07-22T11:38:00.000-07:00

...these pictures! I have no idea where they're from, but the nautical "Southern France" thing has me totally going lately, and these shots completely speak to that style. Just look at the ruffled tulle in the last one! YUM. Imagine this being your summer:

Buy me a sailboat?

P.S. If you happen to know where these pics are from, let me know so I can tag them accordingly!

An Ikea wedding?

2010-07-21T08:07:00.000-07:00

We all know how there are deals to be had at IKEA, but can one use their products economically and beautifully enough for a wedding? Recently, I came across an interior design stylist, Lo Bjurulf, who took on a project transforming a space with typical IKEA products into a fabulous look that may just be perfect for a wedding.

Unfortunately, I don't believe it would be entirely cost-efficient to use IKEA decor for a wedding as even the candle holders can be bought for cheaper at the local dollar store, or online at sites like Ebay or Craigslist (where I will be collecting most parts for my centrepieces). So although it's very romantic and stunning to look at, such a wedding is still not as cheap as one on a budget would like. But what do you think of these shots? Like it? Dislike?

A Realistic Chic Design

2010-07-20T11:28:00.000-07:00

Goal accomplished! Woop! Just completed my first commission! After posting about a fun little day spent making a dress for a friend, see here, a very lovely lass contacted me and asked me to design and sew a summer dress for her. She told me her favourite colours, I thought up a few ideas, pitched my design to her in a meeting we had just before heading to Dressew together, et voila! A one-of-a-kind Realistic Chic dress which I've decided to name: "A Date with Polka-Dots."

Here is the croqui:

And the finished garment:

Well, this officially crosses another item off my 101 in 1001 list! Stay tuned for more summer originals by yours truly over the coming weeks!

P.S. I really really need a serger but they're way too expensive new, and they even go for $150 used on Craigslist. Sigh. Bday gift, anyone? I'll be 21 (again) in just a couple weeks...

Citrus Love

2010-07-19T10:35:00.000-07:00

The colours of citrus fruits are my most favourite of summertime hues:

Here's some yummy pink lemonade I made today that I thought was just so pretty:

Hope you're staying cool out there! REMEMBER YOUR SUNSCREEN. I'm serious.

101 in 1001 (goals for a better life)

2010-07-14T15:06:00.000-07:00

This project of accomplishing 101 goals in 1001 days is something I have seen on a lot of other blogs and is originally from Day Zero. This works out to roughly 2.75 years; so starting today I would finish on April 12th, 2013, with one leap year to consider. The problem perhaps might be finding 101 goals. I'll be updating my progress on this list as I go...you can see all of my 101 in 1001 items in a new page link in the top menu of my blog, or here. Also, keep your eyes peeled for an upcoming sidebar button that will link to all of my goal completion updates!

To start day zero off right, I figured I should complete something on the list. So I cleaned out my closet and have a big black garbage bag full of old clothes to donate! It was probably the easiest thing on there but hey, it still counts. Inspired? Want to start your own? If you do, please comment here with a link to yours so I can follow your progress too!

Eureka!

2010-07-13T11:31:00.000-07:00

Admittedly, I must be somewhat obsessive compulsive. About two months ago, I posted some images of my long-weekend trip to Victoria and the cool finds at the local flea market. After a comment about how beautiful the painting of a girl in a yellow dress was, I realized I had been a fool; the painting was stunning and I had overlooked it. It was so lovely and I had merely taken a picture instead of inquiring as to its cost. I hate it when I pass up something like that.

Anyhow, since my sister lives in Victoria, she's graciously offered to go back there every week in search of said painting and find out the asking price. Many of the works of art at the flea market were $5 or around there, so I had hoped to procure the yellow dress girl for a trifle. Sadly, it hasn't been seen since my visit...

...until now! I used my cunning detective skills (i.e. I googled "girl reading in yellow dress painting") et voila! It is called A Young Girl Reading, by Jean-Honore Fragonard, and was painted in 1776. It's now on display at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC. Fragonard was a French painter whose work, funnily enough, I've studied before (I wrote a short comparative essay on this famous painting). His Rococo style is iconic to the era, and I can't believe I didn't remember or recognize that the yellow dress girl belonged to him. One day I'll have a beautiful canvas print of this. Until then, I have good ol' jpg.

Tu me Manques, France

2010-07-12T08:30:00.000-07:00

Speaking of Parisian bistros and sweet espresso:

Just let me know if you're getting sick of the recent Paris theme. On second thought, don't. I don't really care. Paris is lovely and you're insane if you don't fall in love with its timeless beauty. <3

Fashion Friday

2010-07-09T08:50:00.000-07:00

All this talk of Briton stripes makes me long for Parisian strolls and sweet espesso on outdoor patios. I wish I was back there...it would be so lovely this time of year! So voila! French fashion prettiness for today:

(All images via This is Glamorous)

Loving...

2010-07-08T08:46:00.000-07:00

Briton stripes! Ack! Am I obsessed? Briton stripes are all I seem to be drawn to recently. So here's a few more inspirational - and stripey - images to keep me sassified!

Ooh, Zooey Daschanel in Briton stripes! Could there BE a better combination?

Well, apparently there can be: Audrey Hepburn in Briton stripes:

LOVE.

What's on Wednesday

2010-07-07T15:31:00.000-07:00

Finally! Heat! Summer! Yay!...make it go away! No, seriously, I'd like it gone. It's much easier to study when the weather sucks because I'm not as distracted by people texting me and telling me they just bought a pool and to come over (I'm looking at you guys, JER AND MIKE!). So today we had a lovely quick picnic on the patio (quick because of classes) and fittingly, we both had chosen to wear summer dresses today. First, a shot of our humble little picnic:

Ang's look:

Breaking down the look:

Dress - H&M Paris (year: 2007 ...10 euros!)
Mini-jacket - Forever 21 (current collection)
Wedges - American Eagle (current collection)

Et moi:

Breaking down the look:

Maxi-dress - Costa Blanca
Bracelet - Icing (current collection)

Hope you're dressed for this weather!

House Tour Forward: Mike and Maddie

2010-07-07T10:18:00.000-07:00

I saw this house tour on Apartment Therapy this morning and fell in love! This is pretty much how I want my home to look (notice any similarities to my house pics?). The overall palate of their cute New York apartment, the pops of happy colours or pattern, the amazing prints they have on their walls, and the cozy feel of the layout (in a 500sq. ft. place, no less!) is enchanting:

LOVING those hits of bright yellow!

Hope you're enjoying the gorgeous weather out there! <3

Fan Me Please

2010-07-06T12:12:00.000-07:00

This heat. Too much. Must cool off in style. Here:

Restoration Hardware $99:

Target $49.99:

Ebay $9 (+S&H), this one has rubber blades!:

Ebay $24.50 (+S&H):

Ebay $11.88 (+S&H):

Etsy $50 (+S&H):

Or cool off in portable style with classic paper fans (Angela of What's On Wednesdays swears by these), like this one from Luna Bazaar $6:

Or this one $1.70:

How about this crazy one from Etsy? I'm not quite sure how I feel about it...but here it is anyways, $14.99:

It's rather costumy. What do you think? Yay or nay?

Blogging Blunder

2010-07-05T10:42:00.000-07:00

Sometimes the temptation of cute items beyond my price range can thwart me. Recently, a conscientious reader commented on a top I included in one of my "Loving..." posts. It was in regards to a nautical-striped Briton top by J. Crew - the cost of which was a whopping $85 - and accordingly, she kindly reminded me it was not very Realistic Chic. Although from time to time I do get sidetracked with the lovely but over-priced, I completely agree that, in this case, it was unnecessary. This blog, to quote my philosophy from my "About" page, is: "to stay away from posting high-end items that are so beyond my reach (although sometimes I may become...distracted), opting to blog about more financially accessible temptations."

So as a follow-up, and fun little challenge to myself, I have taken the liberty to seek out a more affordable version of said top.

Here is the originally posted top for $85:

And here are its more wallet-friendly sisters, starting with General Pants $39.95 (or two for $50!):

Topshop $32:

Forever 21 $23.80:

American Eagle $19.50:

A slightly different style from Urban Outfitters $48:

And an even cheaper version of that from ASOS $15.22:

And even cheaper still from Missguided £8.99:

A special thank you to Kyla for the reality check! <3

Fashion Friday

2010-07-02T13:37:00.000-07:00

Ruche, a site similar to Modcloth (alabeit slightly cheaper), is on the Realistic Chic radar today. What I love:

Peasant tunic $33.99:

Africa print dress $47.99:

Asymmetrical slink dress (pair it with a fat gold-weave belt and sky-high heels!) $39.99:

Emerald party dress (with pearls is a MUST) $52.99:

They also have a lovely selection of Victorian inspired rings, like this gorgeous vintage cocktail ring $32.99:

Starflower ring $45.99:

Ruche is so like Mod-Cloth, it even carries the same dress...but for $14 cheaper?

Here is the Ruche dress for $33.99:

Here is Mod-Cloth's dress for $47.99:

I guess I know now to "window-shop" my online purchases. Yikes!

Happy Canada Day!!!

2010-07-01T09:55:00.000-07:00

Although I may live in a city of "no fireworks allowed, unless it's Olympics," I love Canada Day! This year is a little different for me. I can't travel to Victoria (on Vancouver Island) to join in on the annual C-Day BBQ - I really miss the guacamole and spinach dip...very Canadian - because I have two nasty essays due this coming tuesday and must complete them before distracting myself for days. In leiu of participating in the fun this year, a few quick pics on my blog of what Canada Day is for me will have to suffice for my celebrations:

Yep. 85 SPF.

Trend Spotting: Bright Yellow

2010-06-30T12:11:00.000-07:00

Right in the vibe of summer, bright yellow is very much the hit in interior design and decor:

It may not be a bright, sunshiney day in Vancouver, but at least it can be in blogland!

Now back to my essays... :(

1: via A Life's Design 2: via Apartment Therapy 3: via Apartment Therapy 4: via Apartment Therapy 5: via Google Images 6: via Vogue 7: via Lonny 8: via Lonny 9: via Fabulous K 10: via Dwellings and Decor 11: via Design Sponge 12: ? 13: ?

Just another Manic Monday

2010-06-28T17:10:00.000-07:00

I wish it were Sunday. 'Cause that's when I went to a wedding...and found the perfect venue for my own! It's Swan-E-Set Bay Resort and Country Club! It's like a 20th century take on a country castle, complete with oxidized copper roof, stonework walls, a plethora of grand balconies, and 60 foot floor to ceiling windows. It's nestled between a mountain range and a creek, with rolling green hills that have been groomed for a gigantic golf course. The views of the greenery were, I think, what made the man fall in love with the place:

The inside has sweeping wide stairwells with thick wood banisters, which curve up towards the grand ballroom where the windows take centre stage amidst gold and crystal chandeliers the size of volkswagons (why I fell in love with the place):

The ceremony yesterday was held in the side area off the ballroom; there was a fireplace and more chandeliers, giving opulence and a sense of airiness to the place:

All in all, the gardens, endless lawns, balconies, breathtaking interior, and castle-feel could probably be summed up in two words: Edwardian romance. Something you'd see in a film adaptation of an Oscar Wilde book. LOVE. WANT. NEED.

P.S. Hopefully a better pic of my outfit to come...although it was on the wedding photographer's cam, so may be a while.

Fashion Friday

2010-06-25T13:54:00.000-07:00

Just wanting to reiterate how much I love Zooey Deschanel's style; if I had anyone as a fashion icon, I'd pick her.

Love these shots; chic fashion and decor with Zooey? Could it be a better picture? Also I want a bright yellow pea coat BAD.

The last one inspired my look for a wedding I'm going to on Sunday. Pics to come!

(All images from http://zooeydeschanel.tumblr.com/ )

Loving...

2010-06-24T15:09:00.000-07:00

Some things I've come across online lately; I might not be able to afford a bunch of new pretty things, but a girl can dream. The palate is a coastal calm...to go with the great summer weather we're (finally) having.

This Duralee Ikat fabric "Khalah" (want it for my chairs) $23.99/yard:

This cute Seafoam leather hobo bag Topshop $60:

This greek key rug $46:

These mercury glass votive holders (although I already have some) 10.95 GBP:

This chevron hallway runner $99:

These patent red peep-toes from Forever21 $22.24:

These teal pumps from Forever21 $35.80

This nautical top from J.Crew (very Coco Chanel) $85:

This peach cardigan from J. Crew $95:

Sigh. Please buy me these. Thanks!

Penguins, Penguins, everywhere!

2010-06-23T13:53:00.000-07:00

I finally ordered the last few Penguin hardback classics that I said I was missing; my collection is complete! I ordered the ones I needed from a British version of Chapters or Amazon: Waterstones.

Here it is:

Here is the backside of the books which, to me, are still beautiful:

Lock, Stock, and Bar

2010-06-22T13:49:00.000-07:00

Remember my special feature about the most amazing little antique shop in Victoria, and my lucky find I took home from there? Well, it's all set up; I've decided to keep the console as-is, scuffs and all. Here it is in its new home!

Here's a break down of the accoutrement.

Top Shelf:

Vintage aqua thermos - 25 cents at a garage sale
Pink julep cup - $8 Anthropologie
Bar mixing tools - Christmas gift
Large silver tray - $7 Salvation Army Thrift Store
Two small linen napkins - free (from Dump)
Black rubber and steel martini shaker - Christmas gift
Crystal decanter - $ 25 Winners
Corona bottle opener - souvenier from Puerta Vallarta
Silver sugar cup - 75 cents Salvation Army Thrift Store
Jewelled drink picks (set of 8) - $15 from RozzyToz's Etsy shop
10 "Moulin Rouge" coasters - 5 euro from street vendor in Paris

Bottom Shelf:

Silver gravy boat - handed down from mom
Full set of antique linens (2 tea towels, 8 napkins) - free (from Dump)
50's era wooden ice bucket with leather handles and fiberglass interior - $2 from garage sale
Shot glasses (set of 12) - $1 for 6 at the Dollar Giant Dollar Store
Small silver tray - $2 from Salvation Army Thrift Store
Large wicker basket - christmas gift (it holds my kitty's toys)