AND THE WINNERS ARE... THE MEN

I'm not a huge awards show person, but I found myself eagerly watching the Oscars last night among friends. While most people focus on the stunning dresses (and there were many last night), I'd like to turn our attention to the guys for a moment.

I'd like to give a huge round of applause to the men, like Justin Timberlake who shunned the hipster skinny black tie and instead donned a well tailored tux with wide lapels and a perfectly hand-tied bow tie, staples of the old Hollywood glamour of the 1930s. The late, great Cary Grant would have been proud. Well done, Justin. Jesse Eisenberg and Zach Levi please take note.

Other standouts included... The ever elegant Colin Firth in Tom Ford. Perfect for his Best Actor win.

Jeremy Renner traded his track suit for a well-tailored tux with a midnight blue lapel. Interesting twist.

Kevin Spacey and Josh Brolin both look perfectly polished, one opting for a classic single button tux, the other looking smart in a 3-piece tux.

And Hugh Jackman shined in his double-breasted Ferragamo tux. His wife, eh not sure what that was...

Well done, guys. I'd like to see more men opting for this timeless look in the future...

OH AND THIS...

Almost forgot this. I love everything about this book cover. Happy Friday!

Found via Pinterest via Jennifer Martinez Darling

RAIN, RAIN GO AWAY

Well at least my plants are enjoying all of this rain we're having. Here's hoping the clouds go away and we have a bright and sunny day tomorrow.  Have a great weekend!

A NEW KIND OF CAR...

Let me just first start by saying this, I'm not really into cars. I mean they're great to be able to pop out of the city for a weekend, but gas guzzling, bulky, hunks of metal and plastic really don't excite me. That was until I found the BMW Gina concept car.

I mean this car is sleek and has a very high coolness factor. They've taken a hard frame (with all the stuff you need like air bags, etc) combined it with a powerful motor and then stretched a fabric over it. This fabric is tough made of plastic and metal, at the same time stretchy and waterproof.  Think of a skin for your iPod or phone on a much larger scale. Even better, this car weighs about 500 lbs less than the average and the skins take only about two hours to apply.

While this is still a concept car and probably will need a lot of alterations if it ever makes it to market, I love the idea that you might be able to customize your car's appearance in the future. Who says you couldn't have a car with a cool Missoni stripe or a preppy Ralph Lauren plaid. Now that's something I could get excited about...

Check out a video on the Gina concept car by BMW

A NEW CABINET...

The flood in January left my bathroom in a disaster state. Plaster, paint and water everywhere (ugh). It's all been fixed and covered with a fresh coat of white paint, but I still wanted to make some updates.

One of the problems was the bathroom cabinet. The flood left tiny rust spots on the back wall, while not harmful were definitely an eyesore. This weekend, I decided to spruce up the interior with some vintage wallpaper I'd found at Housingworks. Check out the before and afters and how I did it below.

This project took me about 15 minutes to do and is easily removable when I decide to leave, or want to change it down the road.

1. Clean the cabinet and remove shelves. 

2. Take some measurements. I decided to leave an extra half inch on my length and width measurements to ensure my paper would go all the way to the corners.

3. Grab some double-sided tape (non permanent) and run the tape along the top edge, sides and bottom of your cabinet back wall.

4. Double check that you have the design facing the right way and slowly press the top edge against the back wall, pressing down firmly as you go across. Slowly unroll the rest of the paper down the wall, continuing to press firmly to hold the paper in place. 

5. Run an X-ACTO knife around the borders to trim off any excess paper.

6. Replace shelves and stand back and admire your new cabinet. Instant transformation!

PRINTING SUSHI?

Okay I am definitely geeking out this week, bear with me. But I had to share this video I watched last night in my design class. See the video above as Swedish design firm, Front uses stereolithography (3D printing) to make real full sized chairs from scratch! It's not a new technology, but the new directions sound fascinating. Can you imagine eating at a restaurant where your food is printed layer by layer? Check out this article on a chef in Chicago who's printing his own sushi.

Also, I learned about the world's most famous chair. You'd think it something of the Eames variety, or something beautifully recreated at Design Within Reach, but instead, it's  an everyday common patio chair, called the Monobloc chair, sold all over the world. Huh....

FROM THE SOURCE

I don't like moving, I mean on my list of things I dislike it's right up there after beets. After a huge cross-country move, I vowed not to do it again for awhile. The good news is that a lot of my friends have moved recently and they've asked me to help decorate their new apartments (the fun part).

Yesterday, I took my friend to some of my favorite thrift stores in NYC, Housingworks and Angel Street Thrift to search for some one-of-a kind finds. My friend adores rustic, natural furniture and suddenly it dawned on me that From the Source would be a great option.

Made from responsibly harvested, reclaimed and recycled wood, stainless steel and wrought iron, their pieces feel more modern than woodsy. The wood is beautifully polished and comes in these terrific natural, warm colors. I think any of these pieces would become an instant focal point in a room. Check out more of their items here.

 Custom workspace

Ciao Coffee Table

Ligna Chair

Ring 20 Occasional Tables

SOCIAL MEDIA NERD

smw_newyork2 on livestream.com. Broadcast Live Free

Having been blogging for less than a year, I still consider myself a newbie in the blogging world. I'm also a big social media nerd. I pick up tidbits of info where ever I can and use them to improve my little blog and get it noticed by more people.

This past week was Social Media Week in NYC, basically a week-long treasure trove of info on social media. While I didn't get motivated early enough to actually attend, I was grateful that they posted the most interesting lectures and panels online. One of my favorites was the day long panel conducted by Lucky Magazine. They invited some of the coolest fashion bloggers, Jenna Lyons from J.Crew and some of the top editors from Bergdorfs and Coach to answer questions on social media (i.e. how do you get noticed by magazines, how do you form partnerships with brands, etc). Check out the one above, it has an unreleased video from J.Crew about the factories they're working with in Italy to reintroduce patterns from the 1960s and 1970s.

If you're into social media like me, trying to grow your blog, FB or twitter followings, or just trying to get your brand noticed, definitely check out these free media streams.

Let me know if you find any others that are helpful. I'm always on the hunt :)

1930s REVIVAL

Happy Valentine's Day!

I'm a huge fan of black glassware and was thrilled to stumble across this fantastic Kähler Storia stoneware collection in the latest edition of Elle Decor. This tea set was recreated from a 1930s pattern and updated a shiny black. I think it would look stunning for breakfast, or paired with a cluster of gorgeous bright red roses. Here are a few more to love...

Juliska Florence Pitcher

Juliska Harriet LG Goblet

 Juliska "Black Cameron" Double Old Fashioned

Okay not really solid black, but I love these feather glasses by Swirly Garden.

GONE THRIFTING

I'm a big fan of shopping online to find cool, new accessories for my apartment, but sometimes nothing beats a trip to the local thrift store for some amazing finds. One of my favorites, Angel Street Thrift had some great items yesterday....

 This mid century chair has great lines and would be fantastic recovered with some new fabric. 

How about some colorful throw pillows for this fabulous brown and white houndstooth sofa?

This huge pizza sign from the set of Julie & Julia, would look great above my couch.

Have you found anything at a thrift store that you absolutely love?

SO GIRLY, SO FUN...

While leafing through my new issue of Lucky, I spotted an adorable pair of scallop trim shorts for spring. It got me thinking how much I love a scallop trim for it's girly, fun feeling. Here are a few of my favs...

Urban Outfitters

Chloe Ballet Flats

See by Chloe Tank

Chic Gray Layers Baby One Piece, Eight Baby Legs

Chloe Collection Earrings, NY Light Metals

Large Scallop Trim Mirror, Uncommon

 Bone Scalloped Edge Frame, Wisteria

Coal Flower Lamp, Anthropologie

Scalloped Edge Plate, A Touch of Nordic

Pedestal Mini Compotes, MisoVintage

Embroidered Woodblock Flower Pillow, West Elm

Scallop Edge Personalized Notepad, Letter Love Designs

SAVED THE BEST FOR LAST

I'll admit it, I get more than a little excited over cool storage options. Probably more than the average person. But, these Ovo baskets designed by Pinetti are so simple and sleek, I practically squealed when I saw them at the NYIGF. Made from recycled leather, I think they'd be perfect for stashing sweathers, sports gear, kids toys, etc. The neutral colors and metal hardware give them sort of an equestrian look, don't you think?

This tote might be my new bag for carryall for groceries.

These multi-use baskets are great too!

HAPPY FRIDAY

After a full week at the NYIGF, I'm in DE this weekend babysitting my niece, two nephews and their new lab puppy, while their parents go skiing in Aspen. Think good thoughts for me!

In the meantime, I thought I'd share these fantastic vintage Valentine's Day labels and seals I purchased from Julie Collings. I don't write a lot of handwritten notes, but these adorable lables might just get me in the spirit.

 (Images courtesy of Julie Collings)

Also, thought I leave you with this adorable video I received this morning. Reminds me so much of my five and half year old nephew, Tate. Have a great weekend!

BACK AT THE GIFT FAIR...

More favorite finds from the NYIGF...

Stylish storage bins from Lovell

 New Pillows from Jonathan Adler. Love the fire stitched one.

I know this Merben blanket is for kids, but I definitely need to get my hands on one.

 A mid-century inspired dollhouse by Brinca Dada? Your kid's coolness factor would definitely go up a notch. 

Irish wool blankets in fantastic colors, um yes!

Large stuffed elephant. Can't find the info on this one still looking, but how cool!

Finally, Cococozy's new home collection including pillows, throws and fabrics launched at the NYIGF. Fantastic!