Fashion Illustrations

I love these drawings of fashion illustrator Rene Bouet-Willaumez for Vogue from the 1930′s to the 1950′s.

Thanksgiving

(Photo- Martha B.)

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Then&Now: Thanksgiving Day Parade

Shop Your Closet #3

My friends Margot and Hope are joining me in the third post of ‘Shop Your Closet.’  The idea is to take pieces of clothing from our three separate wardrobes and put them together in fresh, creative ways.

This red taffeta skirt is what my sister wore as my maid of honor at our wedding. Back then she paired it with a Victorian blouse and ballet flats. But for our post, we wanted to try it with something unexpected- like Hope’s jean jacket and sneakers!

Fashion Details-

Aéropostale jean jacket and Converse sneakers- from Hope’s closet

Taffeta skirt (Oscar de la Renta pattern), gray tee and necklace- from my closet

(Fashion photo- Martha B.)

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Shop Your Closet #1

Shop Your Closet #2

Excerpts From Our House

When we were working on our 100 year old house we carved out a small home office/library from the original kitchen. My husband built floor to ceiling bookshelves (which I’ll show later) yet purposely left some wall space for me to arrange my collectibles.

Above the antique oak cabinet are a lithograph and a watercolor of my mother-in-law’s home town- Mineral Point, Wisconsin. The model VW Beetle was a gift to my husband who used to own one. And the Haywood Wakefield school chair…shhhh… I pulled that out of a dumpster.

(Blocks from House Industries. Photo by Martha B.)

Fall Picnic

Wouldn’t it be fun to have a fall picnic under some colorful trees? You could cover a picnic table with a wool blanket and use heirloom pumpkins as the centerpiece. Other details include- leaf fabric for napkins, guests’ names on pressed leaves, colorful Bakelite flatware and glass mugs for plenty of hot drinks.

List of supplies and sources-

Plaid wool and stenciled leaves material- both at Joann Fabrics

Basket weave edged plate- Conrans

Bakelite flatware- similar on eBay

Glass mug- William-Sonoma

Antique woven chair- from my living room

(Photos- Martha B.)

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Alfresco Dining

Budget Bride #7

A series of posts showcasing bridal dresses under $700.

Budget Bride #7. A simple dress with ribbon sash for the great sale price of $99.

Available at Calypso.

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Budget Bride #6

Get The Look #3: Artist’s Dining Room

Inspiration

Dining room in the loft home of artist Frank Moore.

Get the look!

Accents to add to your dining space-

1. Rustic pine table

2. Dark wooden tumbler

3. & 4. Artwork

5. Modern glass vase

6. Bank of England chairs painted or stained black

7. Pendant light

8. Wall paint (background color)

(Top photo- Thomas Loof for Home Style Magazine. Collage- Martha B.)

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Get The Look #1: Entrance Hall,  #2: French Kitchen

Going Gray

Fall Shopping List

2. A gray wrap style coat that can be worn with anything- from jeans to sequins.

Available at Club Monaco.

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Fall Shopping List #1: Hat Attack

Gray Expectations

Shine On In 2009

Shop Your Closet #2

My friends Margot and Hope are joining me in the second post of the series ‘Shop Your Closet.’ We take pieces of clothing from our three separate wardrobes and put them together in fresh, creative ways.

Talk about  a walk on the wild side! Check out this vintage Diane von Furstenberg wrap dress in zebra print that Margot had. And wouldn’t you know? It was a perfect fit for Hope.

Fashion Details-

Diane von Furstenberg wrap dress and earrings- from Margot’s closet

Tights and eyewear- from my closet

Black suede pumps (not shown)- from Hope’s closet

(Fashion photo- Martha B.)

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Shop Your Closet #1

Downsizing

Last year my husband and I visited some friends in their new custom built home. They were excited to show us the great room, living room, dining room, kitchen, master bedroom suite with two walk in closets, five bedrooms, three baths, enclosed porch, deck and last but not least, the colossal garage. This is all for two people!  Later, my husband and I agreed that when we move again, we’d never buy such a huge house. We’d downsize into something smaller with loads of character and history…something like this.

(Photos by Sandra Lane for The World Of Interiors)

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Great Little Houses

A Little House In Holland

Dream Real Estate