Take Main Street to Italy and up the stairs to Spain
Who knew that you could explore foreign lands right from a little coffee shop on Main Street? Indeed, you can with Spain on Main and Ecco Italy…
In love with India Jane (too bad she’s in London)
May 27, 2008 by Haidee · Leave a Comment
I’m visiting London this week and fell upon the most fantastic store for home decor. Too bad the dollar sucks and I can’t fit furniture on the plane. Still, I thought I’d introduce you to and share some images from the India Jane store.
Summer Shades
May 24, 2008 by Haidee · 20 Comments
I love my Ray Ban aviators (and I like to point out that I’ve had these for almost 8 years, so well before you saw them on the Hills), but I’m in the market for some new shades that are more durable. The massive, round, swallow-my-face, Nicole Richie sunglasses can’t still be in style, are they? I rather like these leopard shades from Anthropologie.
Scarpa carries a good selection, including these cool wooden frames. They are super cute in the display case, but look ridiculous on me and didn’t stay on my face. And at over $350, they are a bit pricey, but definitely something different.
I am also quite fond of these Tom Ford sunglasses spotted on Jennifer Aniston. Only $324 to feel like a celebrity all summer long.
[photo from People.com]
So if we’re moving beyond the bug eyes, what is the next eyewear trend?
*6/7 UPDATE* Hells yea. Tom Ford knock offs for less than $10. http://www.wetseal.com/catalog/product.jsp?categoryId=106&subCategoryId=197&productId=10673&ref=ws_aff_pf_k108283&source=pf#
Beauty budget
May 22, 2008 by Haidee · 20 Comments
What is your most expensive beauty product and how much did you spend? What is your cheapest yet tried and true product?
Do I really need another sundress?
May 21, 2008 by Haidee · Leave a Comment
Yes, I do. I treat myself to a new one (or two) each summer, and I have yet to find the perfect one for the upcoming season. I’ve become a bit distracted recently with home decor purchases and airline tickets. But the tradition must live on.
Because I dislike buying clothes online, I’ll start with the local shops…Duo, Chloe (specifically their tiny little sale section), Banana Republic, Levy’s. But it might take a trip to Richmond or online shopping to get the job done. I’ve included some images below of dresses that have caught my eye. If you guys are out and about and see something similar for the right price, please let me know!
Tunic dress from J. McLaughlin (I’d prefer not silk so I can actually wear it to happy hour); Gucci dress featured in Garden & Gun magazine (did H&M make a knock-off of this $5K dress?); Blue graphic print dress from Trina Turk for $248 (perfect for the vineyards, I just might order this one)
Left to right: Tunic from Marc by Marc Jacobs ($228); James Perse white cotton tank dress ($150) both from Nieman Marcus
Huh…apparently I’m into blue and white graphic prints. Makes sense…I just snatched this one up at the Banana Republic sale for less than $100!
Paper the powder room
May 21, 2008 by Haidee · 18 Comments
After painting my yellow powder room a hideous coral (which turned out to be hot pink), I have finished priming the walls and am going to try paper. I will try to post pics later of the stark white loo later, but in the meantime, I thought I’d post some very pretty paper options and see what you guys think…
Top two and bottom right from Ballard Designs (www.ballarddesigns.com). Bottom left coral lattice from Thibaud.
As you can see, I love bold geometric patterns. Has anyone tried stenciling? That might be easier than papering around the sink.
Another thing I’m grappling with is how long we’ll stay in this house. Is two years long enough to justify the distress over choosing a paper and the back pains of self-installation?
Best book shelf…now I just need some books
May 21, 2008 by Haidee · 9 Comments
Although my office has several built ins that undoubtedly cost the previous owner some bucks, I still want these invisible book shelves from Umbra (www.umbra.com). An easy trick for cool looking books is to hit the bargain shelf at Barnes & Noble and check out the hardcovers beneath the paper jacket for nice colors and a more distinguished look.
And while you’re in the market for books, check out CvilleMuse’s new literature section!
Starry Nights at Veritas
Charlottesville in the summer is heaven. Vineyards, polo games, weekend drives through the countryside, croquet…I like to fill my calendar with activities that conjur up the feeling that I am in some Town & Country magazine spread. Read more
Express Lane
May 12, 2008 by Haidee · 4 Comments
This is a long post about a little thing, but I had to share this brilliant service by our favorite grocer…
I recently hosted a dinner party for nine people, including my husband who is recovering from surgery and is not a lot of help in the kitchen. In the days prior to the event, I worked 10-12 hour days, and on the night before, debated…should I go to Teeter this late and night or somehow squeeze it in the day of the party? When could I possibly go? In the morning? Never. Lunch? Maybe. It would have to be at lunch. I also had to clean up and would have absolutely no time to spare in the hour between getting home from work and welcoming the first guest.
Lo and behold, my husband saves the day. He alerted me to the fact that the Teet up 29 at Hollymead offers online shopping. Brilliant! I took my recipes with me to work, sneaked on the teet.com and found everything I needed from grits to pork tenderloin. My menu of cheese grits, peppercorn pork tenderloin, green beans and gooeycake was a hit, by the way.
My groceries were ready by 5:30. Getting from downtown to Hollymead was a challenge, but I made it. The service was excellent. I mistakenly drove up to the loading lane and put on the hazards, but the nice lady who collected my name and retrieved my groceries from the refrigerated lockers said not to worry about it. Next time, I can just drive up to the parking spot right there in the front, press the button, speak my name, and they’d bring my groceries out. Beautiful!
The only downside to the Teeter Express Lane is that you can’t peruse new items or needlessly buy magazines, but hey, when you’re a lady on the run like myself, this was a lifesaver!
Local artist, colorful garden
May 9, 2008 by Haidee · Leave a Comment
At least twice a day, I take a well-deserved break and peruse a few choice categories on the Charlottesville Craigslist. My first stop is almost always the Furniture category because I have an unquenchable thirst for finding good deals. I also made a promise to myself when we bought our home that I would not buy anything new in an effort to be good to mother earth and as a challenge to find some long-lasting pieces with history rather than veneer crap for the same price. Read more
