new site: StyleMakerTV.com

Made the switch. From now on- Please Go To StyleMakerTV.com.

sneak peak

Looking good, launch T minus 2000.

for the love of the scrub

Hi, been working on new StyleMaker website. It should be ready real soon. Just giving it a final scrub. Which reminds me, must have call-out, Savon de Marseille; verbena or lavender. The other kind of scrub.

fun in the photo booth

Love this image. Fun. Fun. Fun. Aren't photo booths like twenty-five cents? I guess this photo wouldn't have the same affect if done in Costco. If you want her darling wardrobe. By OUMA at Etsy.

lightcations

Ah, lighthouses, the days before sonar and GPS. For more info.

desktop memo

Here is some place to put those very important thoughts.

bold and beautiful

Wonderful revival of 1930s florals; punchy vibrant colors with a contemporary spin. Mirabel Collection, by Romo Fabrics. This George Sherlock linen covered sofa really pops with strawberry and azure pattern drapes.  

weather channel says buy a trench

Love the look of a classic trench. There is something mysterious about the garment. I lean towards the belted version. I just realized there is only one tailored trench. Here's my biased sample of what's out there today. Prices ranging from $44 to $419. Clockwise from top left: Belted Harrison Trench, JCrew Sunshower Trench, LandsEnd Microfiber Raincoat, LandsEnd Shaw Trench; blue label, Ralph Lauren Standing Collar Trench, Target

choose a carpet already

Textile designer and artist Madeline Weinrib makes it very difficult to make a decision. Every single one of her carpets, say pick-me. You may take as much time as you need eliminating choices from rows and rows and piles of carpets on the sixth floor at ABC Carpet. She happens to be the great grand daughter of the founder. Keep in mind, it helps who you know.

out of the closet

Great discovery through the style files feature today. Not your run-of-the-mill wire hanger. These is a works of art. Made in Italy, by designer Katrin Arens; known for her pieces/furnishings made from reclaimed materials. Hangers, available in small, medium and large sizes. For more about the artful, simply-rustic collections by Katrin Arens.

Good Stuff: Spring Issue

Well, those boots and the umbrella have come in handy this spring. Looking forward to the sunnier signs of summer, coming soon, be sure to sign up to receive your complementary issue. Get the spring issue of GHL.

Travels with Charles Chickens

Meet The Queen? Not bloody likely. But, I'm here in merry England having a jolly good time. Doing the 101 Things You Must Do While in London by Virgin Vacations. Made a wee dent today. Went to Harrods, saw that bridge, which by the way is not falling down. Enjoyed a brilliant cup of English Breakfast Tea at Dunkin Crumpets. Here I am on the Red Bus, at Buckingham Palace waiting patiently for the prompt changing of the RG at 11:30. Hey Big Ben, what time is it? No sightings yet, hoping to bump into Harry Potter or Nanny McPhee or Chris Martin. Well, Pip pip, have so much more to see. Love this place. I will keep you posted on where I am next. Cherio.  

look fabulous, not trying to

Relaxed but, sophisticated. Highlighting some items on my current wish list this season; more chunky braceletes than a girl should own, the perfect shade of pale pink fitted cashmere sweater and ever-so-Audrey peep toe sling backs. CASHMERE CASCADIA CARDIGAN, $188 FALLING PETALS JACKET, $240 PEARL GARDEN BRACELET, $75 AUGUSTA PEEP TOE, $225 From where? Where else, jcrew.com.

ETSY: tag items with wings

Hard to resist not mentioning these artists, I keep receiving messages of winged things. The first image is a custom silhouette by Jenny Lee Fowler, a Jenny Scissor Hands of sorts. All of her precious works are hand cut and she works on different mediums, like leaves and cork. I bumped into Moth Boy via Etsy and fell in love. He's a Sophie Blackall original ink and watercolor. 

Per San Marco

Anyone say bread? This is my strength, not my weakness. Love what you eat, with no guilt. The good thing about enjoying every bite of foccacia bread in Venice is all the walking and effort to get to your first bite. First, keep up with the crowd! The walking traffic is fierce. I thought I was keeping quite a good pace maneuvering through the narrow alleys, only to be passed by Nona in heals with her wheeling cart filled with groceries. (note, Venice is a great location to train for the Ironman) Don't look back, think destination bread. Finally bread, no butter, dip in olive oil. For a good Foccacia Recipe

wait, look back at spring

My peonies are opening. They actually look stronger this year, not sure what happened last spring. I can't wait to cut them! Today working on StyleMaker editorial for summer issue of George Hirsch Lifestyle. Take a look at spring issue of GHL incase you missed it.

RE This is M. Sasek

These jacket covers should bring back memories. I came across this website, This is M. Sasek. It is a wonderful tribute to Miroslav Sasek (1916-1980), a truly original artist and writer. I admire his sense of humor and am so glad to see the reissue of the This is. collection, one city at a time. This is Paris was his first book published. Here's a link to short film of This is Israel. Ahh, simplicity. Just like the days of original Showtime Shorts.

Lollipop Guild Color

Essie Weingarten launches new nail polish/enamel colors with the change of the seasons. Hey, what's new? Welcome back 80's neon color, from Essie. Not so sure yellow is my color though? Yes, yellow is definitely not my color. Ok, never say never. But, I truly appreciate  the variety of colors, to boldly go where no woman has gone before. Well done product, that lasts more than a day.

These are the most luscious shades of candy, like Necco Wafers. Actually they are paint chips. Melon, Moss, Poppy & China Blue paint colors from Designers Guild. Wish I had the guts to paint an entire room Poppy. I am afraid my attention span for a whole room in this color may not endure an entire season. I give a gold star to anyone who colors their walls in DG's  Poppy.

It's ideal for a powder room, entranceway or a little girl's room, instantly saying very feminine and pretty in pink. It certainly feels cheery. The alternative is to paint your toes this color, Essie's raspberry. It's a close match.

ETSY: Tag Your It!

I see London , I see France. Too clever! Pacokeco's ETSY shop. Today's ETSY Style of the Day.

The Beach

Tis the season. The days of few and far people between, at my favorite beach has been bookmarked for the season. Sigh. It will be a few months until silence and crashing of the ocean waves will be the only activity at EH Main Beach. This is one of may favorite places in the world. Mid-week is the best time to be here.

reading inspiration

This was one of the first inspirational books that ignited seeing a new perspective for myself. That was more than a decade ago. Sonia Choquette writes as if she is having an easy heart-to-heart conversation with a dose of tough love mixed in. She is the big sister we all want. I stumbled across this book today, Your Heart's Desire, and it sparked a memory of how much it meant to me and I like to share a good thing when it comes along. 

for the love of silver flatware

I have a small obsession with silver, especially teaspoons. I prefer collecting pieces with old monograms for character. Mixing them altogether makes for an interesting table setting and instigates conversation usually invoking a sense of nostalgia. Most have been finds from road trip antiquing; gathering Rogers, Gorham, Alvin, Tiffany & Co. and some coin pieces. These are some I polished, although I prefer a sloppy relaxed polish job leaving some evidence of oxidation and antiquity.  © images owned by StyleMaker™

Something Little

Do people make house models anymore? This miniature church is just too sweet. Tiny prayers answered. Found on the North Fork of Long Island, NY.

pair with slouchy socks

I wore Champion Keds at age three. Then again at age fourteen, stacked with friendship pins. I have always been faithful to my durable reliable wash-n-wear white pair ever since. But my favorite pair of all times was in petal pink, during the mid-eighties, the Madonna o-ring era. I now see they are available in orange. My only request- they should come with two Band-Aids for your heels, til you break them in. 

Lamp + Gourd

Searching for good lighting; bed side, desktop, table side and ambient... I found this blue Chinoise table lamp. It is ripe, modern, yet neutral in shape with good scale at 32"H for many living spaces. Available at the design space resource, Treillage, a Bunny Williams and John Rosselli design shop, for garden home furnishings and accessories from all around the world.

Classically Spring

I captured the mid eighties for me. Cabbage floral prints, Cappezzio flats, Antonia's Flowers and big sunglasses. Funny how comforting these images are, when not so long ago, the thought of chintz floral made me cringe. Style boomerang. This vintage print is Redoute. Clothes, flats and accessories from J.Crew and Antonia is still making perfume...only not from her blossoming beginnings in East Hampton, she is now the budding nose of Cape Cod.

Holy Cow

If this angelic pitcher doesn't help you start your day off on the right foot. Those sweet little wings are too cute and quite funny. I am obsessed with anything heavenly. Laughter + Coffee = Happiness. It's called the Alada Milk pot, a Estudio Manus creation. Porcelain, made in Brazil. Available at Horne for $68 bulls, no, bucks.

Fabric For Comfort

Not sure if it's the soft peaceful shades of these velvet covered pieces or the fact that they're from the UK; I just like them. What's not to like from Nina Campbell. The Collingwood Sofa, is traditionally English with it's tight back, low arms, and good proportions. Nicely paired shape with this muted robin's egg blue velvet. The nailhead upholstered headboard is The Louis, covered in dusty rose cotton mat velvet, is from sofa.com. Love this boudoir vignette along with the romantic story that it tells. 

Illuminating Faith

 Tapp Francke, artist of neon sculptures and well known photographer. This is just one example of her creations. What a wonderful reminder of the principal ideology of happiness.

make space for thinking

I really love this desk, Contours (about $2k) at ligne roset, a Didler Gomez design. H 27.5" W 69" D 29.5

Sunny yellow Surf office chair ($199) and Trig console desk, are CB2 finds. This desk imitates the Contour's style but is only $170 per section. 

The Andy Warhol quote plate at CB2, $1.50 each, Available in 4 different designs; great for paperclips and catch-all for desk-bunnies. 

Write outside the lines with submarine yellow style and German engineering, The Lamy Fountain pen, $26, from russel and hazzel.

Black Diamonds & Quartz

Be-jeweled in warm 24k gold with black diamonds (aka carbonado) by Gurhan.

Enjoy meditation illumination. Black quartz is considered the master healer of crystals, used in cleansing and to purify living space. this special one-of-a-kind lamp by designer Lisa Freemont at Vivre. 

Put your feet up on a huge upholstered ottoman wrapped in this cool monochromatic black and grey diamond pattern fabric by Schumacher, available at Decorati.

My Future Rainbow

This was painted when Alexandra Nechita was only twelve. She has gained the nickname in the art world as "little Piccaso". Can you see why? This Romanian born artist has been painting since the age of two. Her first show was at the age of eight. I am blessed to have one of her pieces hanging in my living room. 

She speaks about My Future Rainbow...

"I adore Rainbows.

They are divine to me.

Try to look at a Rainbow through the eyes of a child; it carries you to a magical place.

Rainbows have always fascinated me.

When I was younger, I don't know why, but the biggest attraction was the Rainbow colors. And of course, how it magically appears in the sky after the rain.

I would close my eyes

and wish to the Rainbow

that little things would come true.

As I grew older I asked the Rainbow many times to send me a baby brother.

I wished to have a lot of birthday parties with Rainbow lollipops and hundreds of kids.

Even though I'm growing, I see the Rainbow the same way, through the same eyes."

Alexandra Nechita

 1997 | 22.25" x 22.25"

From Venice

The Tratto felt tip pen. Not available this side of the Atlantic, so I have reason to return. Fast drying ink, schmere-safe. Just right felt tip. A joy to write with.

ETSY: I heart wool cupcakes

These scrumptious pincushions are pure eye candy. They are make-me-smile felted creations. You can see the love she pours into each piece. Thank you artisan, Liz Smith from made in lowell. :)

Less is More

The right tee is the hardest item to find. Plain. Did I mention plain? Michael Star 5 years ago made the perfect long sleeve and cap-sleeve tees in many colors. The cut was perfect and so was length of the sleeves, a bit long. But then, the three quarter-sleeve boxed out the dreamy Michael Star Long Sleever. Now it comes in a voile thin tissue cotton blend. What happened to that thick soft cotton with a smidge of stretch? I was pacified for a wee bit with Mossimo and Merona tees at Target, priced under $20. Well here is a new contender from J Crew, under $30.

Fit for Maharaja or is it Maharani?

Sanskrit for high king, Maharaja & wife of high king, Maharani. These canvas abodes are calling for summer garden party serving mint chai, papadum curry wraps and long afternoon naps. You may get yourself one just like these at Majahara Tent Company.