California Dreamin'

I love everything about this outfit. Bohemian chic meets casual prepster. California dreamin' in it's purest form. I can picture it perfectly: strolling the 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica, shopping/browsing the shops. Then popping into El Cholo, a great Mexican eatery, several blocks away on Wilshire. The reason that I love this outfit, is that it has the perfect balance of High/Low. The Navy blue cardi style jacket & the cognac/luggage brown shade of the leather tote & sandal platform, where "ladies who lunch" meets casual chic, paired with the ribbed tank & tie dye skinny jeans, which are always oh so cool & so "chill". The entire outfit is by Micael Kors, in the latest Spring 2013 Catalogue. Linen 4-Pocket Smocket Jacket, $175. Cotton Tie-Dye Jean, $125. Leather Jet Set Travel Medium Multi-Function Tote, $298. Leather Josephine Platform, $175. Don't be saddened, ladies. I own several Michael Kors items like these & have gotten them on tremendous discount at his outlet stores. :)

Inside Out

I LOVE this bookshelf. It's the perfect example of tweaking a traditional item & making it new. The traditional shape & color of the cutout & interior, mixed with the exterior being in the shape of a rectangle and all white. Juxposition at its best. Completely updated and modern, with old school charm. Inside Out Bookcase, POLART. Polart.com.mx.

A Refreshing Sip

If you enjoy a fun, refreshing take on a simple drinking glass, these are for you. They are hand made in Spain. They look as though a trace of electric blue ink was accidentally dropped into a fish bowl and the ink is slowly swirling around. They are very well made and sturdy. Perfect if just drinking a glass of water or a hand made coctail with mint & lime. Either way, really. :) These are available at Terrain in Westport, CT or www.shopterrain.com. $8 per glass.

A Fresh Take on IKAT

Over the years I have seen Ikat spring up every few years and it's usually been done in the same vein: a mid to large print on a shift cotton dress or on a pair of pegged ankle length pants.

To me, the best designing involves tweaking a pre-existing idea to make it new, fresh and interesting. Otherwise, really, what is the point?

So the three items pictured peaked my interest. A mixed media printed skirt (2 different prints/panels of prints) on flowing silk chiffon. A pair of printed skinny jeans. Lastly, an Ikat printed rug.

One definitely won't look dated wearing or displaying any of these items! They're so fresh and new!

2 Panel Printed Skirt: "Bent Stripes Asymetric Skirt", style # 24214884, $188, www.anthropologie.com.

Ikat Printed Skinny Jean: "Ikat Ankle Length Stilt", AG (Adriano Goldschmied), $185, www.calypsostbarth.com.

Ikat Printed Rug: "Ikat Rug", color blue, $59, www.urbanoutfitters.com.