CINDERS AND SMOKE

Plates Aren't Just for Eating Anymore.

There is nothing my creative soul loves better than a blank wall; the possibilites really are endless. Which is why, when I stumbled across this idea a few months back, I hopped on the band wagon right away and created a mini wall mural of my own. The gist of the idea is to place a variety of different sized and decorated plates on the wall to create a mini work of art. I love this idea because its affordable and the end result looks both proffesional  and creative, and because plates are so cheap you can change it up whenever you get bored.

A few weeks ago design sponge posted a how to video on hanging the plates, which can be found here. I'm sure they can do a much better job of explaining how to mount plates then I can so I'll just show you my end result. I started with a rather large green porcelein handmade plate that my parents got me for christmas last year as the centerpiece and collected a variety of smaller plates designed to compliment and work with this one.

 

-R.

Clothes as Art

I don't usually stay on top of runway trends mainly because I can't even afford to drool over $2,000 dresses but when I stumbled across the 2009 spring collection from designer Matthew Williamson on Gilt I immediately fell in love and had to share it. Just the fact that its last seasons spring collection should tell you something. If you havn't heard of Gilt its a website that does designer sales, if you want a membership just let me know and I'll invite you.

 

I don't care what anyone says, these are works of art!

 
Ugh, the colors, the patterns!

  

  

Hope you've enjoyed these images (all from Style.com) as much as I did.

-R.

Feeling a Little Dry?

With winter nearing in and sucking all of the moisture out of the air so comes the dry skin. It happens every year and I mostly spend seven months with ashy legs and arms but this year is different because this year I am ready. In the past I have tried out dozens of different moisturizing lotions, creams, and rubs in vain attempts to recapture the lush moist feel my skin has during the summer but most end up falling short of the task. Minnesota winters really can be brutal and tough. This year is different because I stumbled across what has to be the best lotion I have ever used. Bold statement, but true. We started stocking The Savannah Bee Companys body butter at the gift shop where I work last year and I was drawn in first by its yummy blackberry scent and later went back for more because it works so well (I'm on my fourth jar of the stuff it works so well).

Seriously, I cannot rave about this stuff enough. It's magical. Find me and I'll give you a sample of mine, or a feel of my baby smooth legs. Think about it. Available online here.

 

-R.

Ring Around the Rosie

For some reason over the past month I have been obsessed with finding the perfect cocktail ring. Which is odd considering the fact that I really never wear more than one ring, and thats simply a plain silver band. But I've begun to drool over some gorgeous, bold, rings. The following are on my wish list.

 

Love the neutral tones and simple pattern to this kendra scott ring.

 

I'm really loving the edgy feel to this Skinny ring. This is about as edgy as I get, actually. AVailable here.

 

I've had my eye on this ring from Kate Spade for awhile, I've even found it on ebay for considerabley less but always seem to pull myself back right before I buy it. Its at Bloomies right now.

I originally saw this ring on Emily from cupcakes and cashmere and was immediately smitten with it. Its available here.

 

Not usually a big fan of juicy couture stuff but I absolutely love this unique ring. Found at bloomies again.

This fighting bears ring is just cute (can you tell I'm going with a gold theme here). Avaialable at La Dama.

 

And finally, just to toss in some silver, this is the ring I'm probably closest to buying (boring I know, but thats me). Found it in etsy shop Galita.

-R.

 

NASA Shots

To prove that I am not completely shallow and one-dimensional I am branching out to topics beyond shopping and decorating and showing you one of my favorite daily check-in websites. Oddly enough it's NASA's website which posts a segment called daily images, which is pretty self explanatory. These images, thanks in large part to what I'm assuming is some pretty incredible technology, are incredibly gorgeous and detailed. It sometimes makes me wish I had the brains and the patience to go into a career dealing with astronomy. It also makes me miss school (who'da thought I'd be saying that) and the days when I got to learn about stuff like this. Here are some of my favorite shots:

 

Lighting over the Kennedy Space Center

 

The Center of the Milky Way

 

And finally a shuttle taking off at Kennedy Space Center amidst an oncoming storm. So cool! Check it out.

-R. 
  

Exploring my inner Superhero

I never really plan out what I'm going to buy ahead of time, I'm an awful impulse buyer. But one thing I'm setting my sights on this fall is a cape or capelet and I don't care if it makes me look like Madeline or like I'm nine again. I think they look and feel so parisian and cute so here are the one's I've got my eye on this season.

While it may seem rather plain and boring I love this modcloth.com version because it's simple and classy.Ps. If you havn't checked out modcloth yet you should tons of decently priced cute clothes, although I havn't bought anything from them yet I've heard good things.
  
I don't mind that this Anthropologie one is all Sherlock Holmesy, I think thats the appeal for me. I've always had a thing for houndstooth and pipes. Availablehere.

 

While not exactly along the lines of what I'm aiming for I just like this Laurie B. sweater from Piperlime because it looks comfy and roomy (read: you can smuggle anything you want under there and no one would ever know).

 

Found this surprisingly cute version in an etsy shop called encouragementaward. If you havn't taken the time to explore etsy you should. Its the online version of a giant craft mart you can lose yourself in. 

 

And again found this really decently priced cashmere version in yystudios etsy shop. Available here.

After a bit of reflection I realized that each fall I usually obsess over something until I find the perfect and most affordable version. Last season it was a pair of boots and now its the cape. What have you set your sights on this fall?

-R.

Rachel Recommends a Book!

So, even though spare time for me is rare, I have managed to pick up (and actually complete) an entire book. This one was recommended to me by a family friend who shares the same passion for one of my favorite painters; John Singer Sargent. Strapless: John Singer Sargent and the Fall of Madame X by Deborah Davis is a non-fiction (Woah me) piece centered around Sargent's famous portrait of Madame Gautreau which later became known as Madame X.

Davis does a really nice job of piecing together historical information, which could tend to lean towards the dry side, and inferences to create an interesting and worthwhile read. For those of you who aren't familiar with the backstory Gautreau was a wealthy american heiress wed to a parisian guy who created quite a stir in the late 19th century on the French high society circuit due to her prominent nose, fashionable ways, etc. Sargent became enamored with painting her and unveiled the massive portrait (now known as Madame X) with *gasp* her strap falling down her arm leaving her shoulder bare. Scandal ensued, Gautreau was disgraced, and Sargent painted over the original painting. But, like most things historical there was much more to the story and Davis uncovers it!

I would highly recommend reading this book (I feel a bit like reading rainbow here) it had intrigue, it had sex, it had scandal. And just for the hell of it, because I really do love Singer Sargent paintings:

 

The Chess Game by John Singer Sargent

and the repainted version of Madame X

Both images are from JohnSingerSargent.org.

-R.

Need Inspiration?

Right about this point in the year I begin to moan, fret, and think that I have nothing to wear in my closet!! Any of you who have been anywhere near my closet know that this is not true. Sometimes it just feels like I have exhausted every outfit combo and thats when I need to turn to outside sources for inspiration. Enter TheSartorialist.com. This blog is from a former 'fashion insider' who takes to the streets and photographs everyday people (well almost) on the street in unique outfits that he finds inspirational and posts them. Here are some of my favorites:

 

and

 

I could sit and look through his website for hours (he's even got a book out). Check his stuff out. Both photos are from his website.

-R.

 

HELP!?

So, I've got this favorite pair of jeans (who doesn't) that are my go to outfit. I love them like nothing else in my wardrobe. They're comfortable, they're flattering, and I've worn them at least every other day for the past year (with liberal washings mixed in don't worry). But last week something awful happened: they busted a hole in the ass. Not a full fledged lady gaga flashing but enough to catch a little wink of cheek every time I move. I almost cried a bit over it, but not because they are just a pair of jeans after all, and became determined to fix them.

Instinct is to just chuck 'em and buy a whole new pair but I can't because a) hudson no longer makes the wash and b) forking over the dough for them is not an option right now. So I have deduced that repairing them is the only option. Although, I've never actually attempted to to repair denim of any sort. I was tempted to hand them over to grandma to repair but was too afraid I would get them back sporting a nice 70's esque patch. So I've got ideas but I wanted to see if anyone had any suggestions? So... help!?

Oh the horror!

photo from www.pastryshoecollection.com

-R.

Embracing Fall (or Letting Fall Embrace You!)

As the weather starts to turn cooler the first thing I instinctively want to do is to get my hands on all the warm bulky sweaters I can. The tricky part is to actually find pieces that both warm you and don't make you look like a bulky blob of cloth. So here I have compiled the pieces that I long to cuddle up on the couch in with a warm cup of hot cocoa. 

While lacking sleeves this Gentle Current Cardigan from anthropologie doesn't lack in style.

While at first glance this j. crew cardigan may seem a bit up tight and perky but pairing it with some low key jeans and chucks would be perfect!

Really love how you can curl your arms back up like a turtle into this Vince capelet from Shopbop.

This ByCORPUS sweater is at Urban Outfitters right now and my roommate tried it on, the detailing in the back is super cool and its incredibly comfortable.

Even though its just a wrap I love the detailing on this Flower Patch wrap again from Anthropologie.

Theres always the good old stand by of picking up a snuggie but I like to think that these are a bit more stylish.

-R.