Have a fun weekend

"Just play. Have fun. Enjoy the game".
Michael Jordan

Enjoy your weekend to the fullest.

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The Royal Milliner or Six Degrees of Separation

The English embrace the art of millinery.  I wish Americans would do the same.  It is such a beautiful art form.  One such artist, the milliner to the wedding party  Philip Treacy creates fantastical hats.  Not just for fashion eccentrics but for everyone.  Commoners to Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel embrace Treacy's hats.  He loves designing for the Royal Family because they actually wear his hats.  They keep him in business.

In his hands head pieces become surreal, sculptural pieces of art.  "There are no trends in hat making," Philip declares.  The wearer brings it to life.  Philip takes his cues when designing the head pieces from the outfits and the form.  "It's like little pieces of theatre."

Philip met Isabella Blow, herself a fashion eccentric, when she was style editor at Tatler.  She took Philip under her wing.  He even moved into her basement, and she became his muse.

The two became very close and it was Isabella that introduced Treacy to Lee Alexander McQueen, whom Blow also discovered during his graduation fashion show.  "Issy" became McQueen's mentor, muse, and great friend too!  The two men often collaborated.

Issy committed suicide in 2007 after a cancer diagnosis.   Treacy and McQueen forged on.  Both of their stars were rising.  Philip was asked to design the hats for Camilla's wedding to Charles.  That is how Kate Middleton met Philip, through Camilla.  He has created many hats and head pieces for the Royals over the years.

Daphne Guinness, heiress, socialite, friend, and muse of both Alexander and Philip recently bought the whole Isabella Blow clothing and accessory collection that was to be auctioned off piece by piece.  Sadly, we know that Alexander also committed suicide last year.   Daphne championed for Sarah Burton, McQueen's head designer, to design Kate's bridal gown in an article she penned for The Telegraph.

The beautiful thing about Philip Treacy, seen here working in his atelier in London is, he can make something conservative or REALLY think outside the box.

What did you think of the wedding attire?

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Boho style taken outside

Everything about Boho Style is relaxing and laid back glamorous and it gets even better when it's taken outside. I have said before how nothing inspired more than the outdoors and due to the beautiful days we're finally enjoying lately I feel such a desire of being outside and enjoying these short days of summer. If I had a big enough outdoor space I think I would go for a Boho style. Yeah, definitely.
The two first images are via Interior Design Magazine and last via Domino.

Chandelier, bench and rattan chair, pillows, platta decking, rattan striped stool, miner's bottle, hammock.
I almost forgot how fun it's to make these inspirational boards. To see more go here, here and here.

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Chevron floors

How come there is no floor porcelain tiles in the right size to form a chevron floor? I've been looking high and low for floor tiles in elongated forms and thin enough to form a chevron pattern for Luca's bathroom but it seems there are none. How is that possible? In an effort to frustrate myself even further I'm posting these images to remind me of the limited availability on floor tiles.

I mean, look at that dining room. No wonder there is no carpet.

No carpet here either.

images from Cote Maison and my files.

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Mix and Match dining chairs

I haven't found the perfect chairs for my dining room yet so I'm contemplating the idea of just going with the flow and buy the chairs I love even if they come in pairs or single. It's a no-brainer and affordable way to do it and it's also a younger approach so the little ones will relate very well to the idea. More traditional people are afraid of going with this more casual look but a safer and more balanced way of doing it is by using chairs of the same color or using the same fabric for upholstery. In the top image the fact that the chairs share the same color, make this room more elegant.

In this case all chairs are the same but the contrast of the wood, leather and metal, somehow give the same feeling as a mix and match dinging room.

This image above reminds me of Sarah Jessica Parker's dining room but in a more modern way. All chairs are of the same wood.

And this last image is simply fun and girly.

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The Royal Wedding~Looking Back to Look Forward

In 1981 Diana floated into the chapel in a cloud of white silk and lace with a promise of happily ever after.
We watched her transform from a shy, frumpily dressed, naive girl into a beautiful woman who eventually became a style icon.  Diana's presence and approachability brought about a new interest in the Royal family, creating a more modern monarchy.  But alas, poor Diana, championing for so many, yet who was championing for her?  I always wondered, would she have had so many personal struggles if her marriage was stronger, if she had not been manipulated and hounded?

Like those of my parents' generation, who remember exactly were they were when JFK was shot, I remember exactly where I was on August 31, 1997 and what I was doing when we got news about Diana's car accident and untimely death.  We felt like we knew Diana because she was always in the press.  And I did identify with her on some level, being about the same age and the mother of two boys.  It was heartbreaking.

The "royal watchers" are saying William will make a heartfelt speech at the reception about his mother and her impact on him.  I'm sure her presence will be felt.  Kate will forge her own path and have her own identity.  She, like Diana, has an ability to connect with people.  One wonders how these two women would have gotten along had Diana survived.  Kate is extremely dignified, but will she be able to live up to the scrutiny that England will no doubt place upon her?

And most importantly ~ What will the dress look like?  Long sleeve or short, embellished or simple?  Can you imagine the pressure?  This dress is making history!  I know designers are waiting with baited breath to see the gown, so they can quickly knock it off (those that make their living doing so).  That's something I've never understood or agree with!

So I will wake up early, put my facinator on, have a mimosa, and like tens of millions of people, watch the royal wedding.  I understand Wills is 1/16th American, so those of us on this side of the pond also have a vested interest.

A toast:  Here's to William and Kate.  May they live happily ever after.  

Damn it, where are my tissues??

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Lighten up your Karma and do good while shopping

I recently received this email and was more than happy to discover what it said:
"The Bootstrap Project's mission is to create a sustainable platform to promote and retain centuries-old crafts and customs. We create the outlet for the local artisans. The profits of the sales go back to the artists and their communities, through our development partners, to empower them by providing the education and opportunity to retain, preserve and advance their fast-dying crafts, customs and way of life. by purchasing through Bootstrap you allow artisans-who act as the catalyst for their whole communities-to end their own poverty. It's trade not aid." red in their website.

Well, looking at their mission and the beautiful work they create, it can't be easier to help. I have yet to come across a more beautiful work with such a wonderful mission. Each and every one of their design can be incorporated in any design setting because, after all, isn't that what "Global Chic" is all about?

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