Black and Tan

I have been smitten for months with these multi-strap mary janes from Chanel.  They combine the best of the classic black and tan combination with a really modern style.

Seeing them in person was even better.  Sadly, they looked great on.

Talk about temptation....

SD Project: Bijou Dressing Table

I am SO EXCITED to share my latest project with you.  It's been in the works for ages and it's finally, finally done!

As you may have seen from previous "home tour" posts, I have an old home that is fairly streamlined and not very girly.  I love our decor but I've always wanted a pretty dressing room.  I've been sort of adding elements, such as my shoe cabinets, to our guest room but I am loathe to take over the whole space completely.  I also, didn't really have a place that would be safe for a delicate dressing table or all the perfumes, puffs and crystal that I would want to be there.

But that doesn't mean that I haven't dreamed of a pretty space all my own...

Then I realized I did have one small space that I could repurpose into a bijou dressing table. I started making plans and lists...

In my funky old home I have a funny closet-in-a-closet space in the guest room.

You open the outer door and you see this rectangular space that has a clothes rod on the left, a window on the right and another deep cabinet straight ahead.

The inner cabinet holds the guest room blankets and pillows, hat boxes and craft supplies. I keep some shoes in here as well as my off season clothes.

I drew up plans for a shelf that would be hinged under the window which would be supported by a shelf bracket for a brace and two decorative chains on each side.  The bracket would be hinged to lie flat against the wall and then the table part, also hinged would be able to be lowered down so I could open the inner cabinet doors.

Once I decided on a plan, I started to plan my furnishings - vintage dressing table linens...

A Ghost chair to sit on...  I thought and searched for ages on what chair to have in the space.  It need to be high enough but small in width.  I looked at all kinds of chairs and stools from new Pottery Barn to vintage vanity stools.  In the end, I've always loved the Ghost chairs and the clear will keep the small space airy. 

With a color scheme of crystal, pinks soft and bright, gold and small touches of black, a sari was the perfect fabric to act as a cover for the clothing section and a window shade.

A gilded shelf for accessories...

Antique tassels...

The project has been on hold for a while but know that I'm back in town, the pub is done and I'm done being sick this week, it has all come together.

The outer door now has a small sign warning of the girly space inside.

Yes, I have a Keep Calm poster, but now it's hidden inside the "fourth wall" of the room.  The sari was long enough to cover the clothes still on the left, drape across the ceiling and down, suspended from chain, to cover and decorate the window.

Isn't it ADORABLE????

I've decorated it with some of my existing pieces as well.  A Waterford crystal sugar sifter for powder, a Caron puff, my Chanel and Chloe perfumes and Waterford clock (the first piece I ever bought from when I was 17) on a Waterford tray.  A glove hand and small boxes for jewelry.

The most crucial piece I invested in and that I was very specific about was the mirror.  I knew from the start that I wanted a vintage Murano dressing mirror and this one with it's gilding and pale pink glass flowers was everything I dreamed of.

The Ghost chair and my tuffet fit perfectly too.  I'm going to get a faux flokati to cushion and protect the chair.  That's the last detail.

The last details are these amazing antique hand-cut paper cuts I had framed.  With their fairy tale themes they are perfect for my new space.

And my gilded shelf holds a delicate glass carousel horse. 

I so thrilled to have my little space.  I can't wait to linger over perfumes and polish and powder.

We all need a special place to find a bit of peace... mine just happens to be pink!

Other posts:

Key Word: Projects - an anthology

Key Word: Custom - an anthology

Key Word: Home - an anthology

Instant Access - 8/29 - 9/11

I'm investing in my nails big time.  Or as big time as nail stuff can be.  Sure it adds up but the low buy-in of polish has me hooked.  Even the Konad stamping sets aren't that much.  I got a bunch of the special polishes and plates.  Now I just need to get some skill!

This is sort of a abstract "moon" manicure using OPI Bubblebath and silver glitter moons.

Revlon Red...

My "Tiffany Box" inspired manicure using white and Revlon's Blue Lagoon.

I really love matte polish.  This is Zoya's Matte Velvet Lacquer in Lolly

Do I say this for every pair???  My Celeine's are one of my favorites.  Silver croc print and a buckle.  How can you go wrong?

The Louboutin Freddys made an appearance too.

This book is amazing.  I can't believe I haven't read it sooner.

I love Chanel No 19 perfume.  The new Poudre version is lovely as well.

Colors!  I love a good Sharpie, but...

I use fountain pens more.  This is my Verona pen that I fill with pink ink.

My neighbors held a bomb-diggity dance party too, so we danced the night away under the full moon and the stars.

My dog was not so energetic.

On a very sad note, my wonderful Father-in-Law passed away on Friday.  We miss him terribly.  We've found all the great shots of him and I just love this one.  So snazzy.

It will be a busy week for us, so please forgive me if I'm not too communicative. I hope you have and had a wonderful week.

Color Smitten

I have never ever had nice, long, strong nails.  Nooo, I have to have crummy nails that break when you so much as look at them and have no nail beds to speak of so even short nail look lousy.

But I'm trying to do better about taking care of them in the hopes that they will grow and look nice. And I'm becoming a bit obsessed with nail polish.

I've recently done a big sweep at Ulta and Bergdorfs to get some gorgeous colors.  Colors that I hope will incent me to take good care of my nails.

I don't typically buy Chanel polishes as much as I do their lipsticks but I really wanted this pretty orchid-y pink-purple Lilac Sky.

Then last night I went to Ulta for more:

For fun I got a small bottle of Orly's VIP pink glitter which I think I'll wear over a pale pink base .

The main reason I was there was to find a pale yellow to match the Lemonade Converse I want to get. And funnily enough, this Orly color is called Lemonade as well!

But all the pretty spring colors were calling out to me.

So I bought a sample pack of the new French Affair collection from Essie.

French Affair -

Nice is Nice -

Sand Tropez -

And Coat Azure, which I'm wearing now -

But I had to get a few other colors, just to test them out.  Like Wicked (a dark dark burgundy)

The olive-y green Sew Psyched -

Searching for the perfect lavender in St. Lucia Lilac -

And another pretty, less shimmery blue in Lapis of Luxury -

Obviously I'm pining away for the soft colors of spring.  No flowers yet but I can have them on my nails.