Tracy Reese

Tracy Reese's recently opened Manhattan boutique carries over the feminine and colorful aesthetic of her designs with magnificent details like colorful walls accented with a hand-painted gold leaf design, crystal chandeliers, and a ceiling with an elliptical shape that is repeated in the store's fixtures.

The inspired design of Reese's first store highlights a gorgeous Fall 2006 collection. The fall collection represents a development of last spring's collection. Pastels and gilded shades gave way to softer ivory, and rich, jewel-toned hues like royal blue and aubergine. Spring coats tied close with bows became fall's belt-cinched waists. Detailing like brocade, lace overlays, ruffled hems, and bows that looked right with the spring collection's ultra-feminine look, were replaced with fur collars and leather on fall's edgier shapes.

Knits and monochromatic looks in black, brown, and gray are also strong in Tracy Reese's fall collection. These neutrals derive their drama from beautifully tailored silhouettes, and the reined in texture of their fabrics.

From the Tracy Reese Fall 2006 collection:

Photos by FirstView via New York Magazine

Clean Lines

These lines drawings appear on Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day products. Treehugger describes the packaging as "retro-modern", and gave the naturally-based, biodegradeable products that are also free of ammonia, chlorine, and phosphates good marks after putting them to the test. Although the drawings on Mrs. Meyer's bottles and boxes are charming, I decided against purchasing the liquid hand wash after being unable to decipher the ingredients on the label. Maybe next time.

Bubbly Bath

The camera loves Dita von Teese. Pictured here performing what has become her signature champagne act, at a party for Chicago clothing boutique Ikram, the burlesque queen exudes sultry glamour. Fashion luminaries, Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez of Proenza Schouler, were on hand for the show.

I'd never given much thought to Dita von Teese, or shock rocker husband Marilyn Manson, before seeing Vogue's editorial of their lavish and unconvential nuptials. Photos show a resplendent von Teese in no less than four dramatic gowns, including her Vivienne Westwood purple wedding gown, and a custom Kelly-green Moschino. Stunning.

Such fabulous style is all the more remarkable when you consider that Dita's status as a stripteuse, would almost destine her to be branded as at least a little trashy. Dita and declasse? No way.
Her style is pure 1940s retro glamour and sophistication.

Photo by Henrique Kerch for Factio Magazine

Daily Candy

I finally heard about dailycandy.com, the fun, trend-focused e-newsletter, through a newspaper article I read that quoted their Chicago editor, Lindsey Gladstone, on this summer's shorts trend. (The verdict: Golden when you choose bermudas that hit before the top curve of the calf paired with the right wedge or platform; short-shorts are best worn by younger women, and if none of the above work for you, feel free to opt out).

Daily Candy's eclectic mix of posts cover fashion, food and drink, beauty, arts, travel, and more. Although the cheeky style can be a bit trying; it's offset and redeemed somewhat by the playful illustrations. Recipes that look-good-but-I-haven't-tried, and breezy to-do list-style weekend guides, also make Daily Candy worth checking out.
More at dailycandy.com.

Artist: Natascha S. Rosenberg

The wonderful illustrations below are the work of Natascha S. Rosenberg. I recently came across Natascha's art via her blog. All of her illustrations have such an optimistic charm, they are just delightful. I fell in love with "Spring Mood" (below). It so beautifully expresses how the whimsical nature of the season is reflected in emotions. Despite the happiness we feel from the joys of spring, a happy mood can turn sad at any moment. There is also such a wonderful harmony between the two emotions here. Joy and sorrow appear alongside each other as complementary and part of a natural balance.

I can relate to this sentiment that Natascha expresses with such color, creativity, and energy. Since seeing this illustration, I'll think of it, and somehow I'm restored to the happier girl on the right.

In addition to her blog, you can view drawings from childrens' books Natascha Rosenberg has illustrated on her web site. She also contributes to Illustration Friday. The illustration that Natascha did for this week's IF "angels and devils" theme is now posted on her blog. It is absolutely amazing! It made me smile the instant I saw it.

"Travel" is one of the adorable drawings done for IF.

Many thanks to Natascha (and for permission to include her work here)!

Images © Natascha S. Rosenberg

Under the Sea

I came home to the summer Anthropologie catalog in the mail today. A nice treat after a long day. My relationship with Anthropologie could best be described as unrequited love. Many of their prices are too expensive for me, so (for now?) I'll have to be content with browsing their stores, web site, and catalog.



The "Beautiful Day" catalog is a visual delight. The beautiful layout intersperses botanical illustrations, that are gorgeous in their own right, with lustrous photos of clothing, accessories, and home decor.

Several of the marine-inspired pieces caught my attention. I love the reef teaware with coral branch handles. The teapot, cups and saucers, sugar bowl, and creamer of this elegant fine bone china set are all in the likeness of spiny urchins. Another noteworthy piece of serveware is the "dungeness platter". Seashells swirl around a crab on a blue background that recalls the sea.

All of this oceanic splendor is nestled between pages of breezy halter dresses and chic separates. Perfect clothes for a vacation at the beach this summer, where with any luck, the real sea creatures that inspired this maritime collection can be found.

Anthropologie Reef Teaware Set

Dungeness Platter

Hello, Yellow!

Yellow is everywhere this spring and summer. From right-out-of-the-box Crayola, to citrine and golden, the vibrant color infuses warmth into the seasons's neutral palette. Best of all, sunny accessories abound. A yellow bag or shoe adds just the right amount of color when paired with basic hues. Lighter shades of yellow also look fresh in gingham and seersucker, two of the season's sweetest fabrics.


Blossom Brooch, Emy Garguilo, 2004



Latico Scarlet Buckle Handbag


Anthropologie, Lemomande Sandals and Glossed Ballet Flats





Kate Spade mini MP3 holder