With the 86th Academy Awards coming up this Sunday, I started thinking about life's "red carpet" moments. You don't have to be a Hollywood celebrity to grace a red carpet. I'm living proof of that!
I so enjoy getting dressed up! Don't have a black tie event on the calendar? Create your own. Make life a celebration.
Host Your Own Oscars Viewing Party
Not making the trek out to La-La Land for the awards show? Host your own soiree. Gather up the girlfriends, roll out the red carpet and rock it in style. Check out my "The Oscars" board on Pinterest for some creative ideas to host your own Hollywood-chic Oscars viewing party.
In February 1955, Coco Chanel first introduced her 2.55 bag. At the time it was revolutionary as it was the first bag designed to allow the carrier to free up her hands using a shoulder strap. Yes, ladies, a purse helped take us toward even more multi-tasking, as well as independence.
A timeless classic, the 2.55 bag's original style has remained largely unchanged in its nearly 60 year existence. The creative genius who has been leading the house that Coco built since 1983, the one-and-only Karl Lagerfeld, has created many seasonal interpretations of the classic.
Regardless, the bones of the 2.55 -- and the fine art and craftsmanship that go into its creation -- have never varied. Rather, we may see the 2.55 dressed in leather, exotic skins and fabrics in a broad color spectrum, layered in sequins, with different hardware or wearing heavy leather bound chains to reflect the mood of the fashion season at hand, but always with the same classic style and shape.
Mojie Baharlou, Chanel Specialist at Saks Fifth Avenue Columbus, is my go-to source for all things style related…my own style mentor, as well as dear friend.
Me with Mojie Baharlou, my style mentor
Mojie recommends that you start your Chanel collection with the 2.55 as it is a "generation" bag -- a bag you can pass down generation after generation. Most importantly, it is timeless and always insures that you stay fashionable. I agree!
A 2.55 bag (or two, or three…Why should a girl limit herself?) is a must for a positively chic wardrobe.
A Few of My Favorite Things
How an Icon is Made
The positively chic people at StyleRepublic were lucky enough to have a behind-the-scenes look at the manufacturing process of the Chanel classic flap bag. We are lucky enough to share the fascinating pictures to show us exactly how the magic happens. Follow this link to read their report in full. It's ahhh-mazing (and labor intensive)!
I don't know about you, but I was thinking fabulously chic "CC" laden glittery fairies worked hard under the direction of one suave Karl Lagerfeld to bring us these must-have bags. I'm not so sure about the magical fairy part, but I do know the people who create these bags are skilled craftsmen and women with intense attention to detail.
Here are pictures from StyleRepublic's report
(Photos courtesy of Chanel, via StyleRepublic). Enjoy!
Get Real
Our friends at Portero Pre-Owned Luxury recently posted a YouTube video describing how to tell a real from a fake Chanel bag. Check out the link here to learn the basics.
Remember, if the price seems too good to be true, it probably is, my friends.
Positively yours,
Paula Chamblin Aulino
Interior Designer, Associate ASID
#2.55bag #cocochanel #fashion #fashionicon
Friday, February 21, 2014
Getting My Mardi Gras On…the Door!
Yes, I'm a bit crafty. With Mardi Gras just around the corner, I thought it was time to take down the Valentine heart wreath and trade it for a festive Mardi Gras-inspired door confection.
Supplies needed for your own Mardi Gras wreath:
One 18" Wire Wreath Form
Package of (at least) 50 Pipe Cleaners (if you don't use them all for this, you'll use them elsewhere)
Two rolls of Decorative Mesh -- purple and green One roll of Wired Ribbon -- gold
Various Mardi Gras beads
Mardi Gras Masks
And anything else you'd like to use to put your personal stamp on it!
A couple of great (and by "great," I mean quick and inexpensive -- but always chic) sources for wreath supplies:
1. Joann Fabrics -- Sign up for their app and instantly receive coupons. Cha-ching!
2. Mardi Gras Outlet (online store) -- Their selection of beads, masks, and all things Mardi Gras will make you want to pour a Hurricane and eat a slice of King's Cake.
Wreath Making Steps:
1. Cut approximately 25 pipe cleaners in half.
2. Cut the deco mesh into a 16" length.
3. Fold the 16" length of deco mesh to form an 8" loop.
4. Fasten the base of the loop with a pipe cleaner.
5. Continue creating loops with the two rolls of deco mesh.
6. Starting on the inside edge of the wire wreath form, attach the deco mesh loops with the pipe cleaners.
7. Continue working around the interior edge of the wire wreath form, attaching loops and fluffing each one out as you go, around the perimeter of the wreath.
8. Once the interior perimeter of the wreath is covered, progress to the exterior edge.
9. Once the entire wreath is covered with deco mesh loops, fill in any bare spots.
10. Attach decorative extras such as Mardi Gras masks, beads, additional ribbon using the pipe cleaners.
Approx. time to complete: 30 minutes
8" deco mesh loop
Mardi Gras Colors
Purple stands for justice. Green represents faith. Gold symbolizes power.
Tonight marks the beginning of Jimmy Fallon's reign over late night television. As I write this, I am thinking to myself…"Wait a minute. How is this different from last week? He already ruled late night in my book!"
Of course, he is assuming the coveted lead role in NBC's crown jewel, "Tonight," and it couldn't happen to a nicer guy. He's following an impressive list of hosts with, most recently, Jay Leno, then -- my personal favorite until now -- Johnny Carson, and the original host, the witty Steve Allen.
I had the chance to talk to Jimmy behind the scenes at the 2013 Primetime Emmy Awards. He is as genuinely charming and down-to-earth "for real" as he is on tv. He and his wife had just had their baby and she was the main thing on his mind that night. Cue: Sigh.
I'd wish him luck, but he doesn't need it. He has talent.
Enjoy it, Jimmy!
Me, Jimmy, Mojie, Arya, and Vida at the 2013 Emmy's
Positively yours,
Paula Chamblin Aulino Interior Designer, Associate ASID #jimmyfallontonight #emmyawards
Swirl chocolate sauce in a martini glass. Set glass aside. Mix liqueur and vodka. Add a splash of half and half and shake over ice. Pour mixture into the martini glass. Garnish with a chocolate candy stick, if desired.
Rossini Cocktail
Strawberries and prosecco. As the Barefoot Contessa would say, "How easy is that?" Postively Chic says, "Cheers!"
1 pint (2 cups) ripe strawberries, hulled
2 1/2 Tbsp sugar syrup
1 tsp Grand Marnier
1 (750 ml) bottle prosecco, chilled
6 slices orange zest
Place berries in a food processor and puree until completely smooth. Pour strawberry liquid into a fine meshed sieve. Discard seeds.
Add sugar syrup and Grand Marnier to puree, and refrigerate.
When ready to serve, rub the rim of each glass with orange zest. Pour cold prosecco into a champagne glass until 3/4 full. Carefully add 2 Tbsp puree into each glass and serve VERY cold.
"To make sugar syrup, boil 1 cup sugar with 1 cup water until sugar dissolves completely, and chill. The syrup will last a few weeks in the refrigerator."
Ina Garten
Recipe adapted from Barefoot Contessa Foolproof
Not All Pink
While j'adore PINK, not all Valentine decor has to be rose-hued.
As an interior designer, I really don't have a signature style. What I mean by that is, you can go into my various client's homes and they all look different. Now that I think about it, maybe that is my style.
I tell my clients, "I do EVENTUALLY leave your house."
Your home should reflect your style.
What, then, is the role of an interior designer?
It is the role of the interior designer to listento your likes and dislikes, look at pictures of rooms like you want to create, discuss how you want to feel in the room, how you want to use the space. Given your goals, the designer should use his/her personal style and design knowledge to guide you in creating the living environment you want to live in each and every day.
That said...
My client's homes may each have a unique look, but I typically like to add one signature element:
Animal print is a timeless classic. Adding splashes of animal print adds personality. Animal print can be incorporated into a room in many ways -- from throw pillows and upholstery to carpeting and wall coverings. It all depends on how wild you really are...
Source: Horchow
Other picture credit: Houzz
Animal Print: Not Just for the Home
I also think wearing animal print is, oh so, positively chic.
I don't know about you, but with all this cold winter weather, I am yearning for bright colors and cheerful prints. You know the kind I'm talking about. The kind that just makes you smile, reminds you of warmer days and sunnier times. Ahhh…
Snap out of your winter doldrums with the latest Target design collaboration. Yes, fashionistas, Peter Pilotto is launching a capsule collection featuring the London-based designers' signature bold prints and sculptural silhouettes.
"Our brand is about print, yes, but it's also about
the emotional feeling
you can get from color and color combinations."
After reviewing highlights from the nearly-70 piece line, I can say "I'm feeling it!"
The capsule collection includes dresses, skirts, swimwear and accessories ranging in price from $14.99 to $79.99. It's a lot of look for a little investment.
My favorite piece from the collection:
Jacquard Dress in Red Iris Print, $79.99
A classic Peter Pilotto dress.
Dresses are fabulously easy: one-piece and done.
Add black strappy sandals and a red clutch. Simple jewelry. Enjoy a night out with your favorite date.
Still chilly? Think cape and drape a black leather moto jacket around your shoulders. Feeling avant garde? Make it a red moto jacket and black clutch.
Want to make it office appropriate? Layer a white button down underneath. Swap the strappy sandals for pointy toe pumps in black patent.
One dress. So many options.
The collection will be available at Target and Net-A-Porter starting on February 9.
Mark your calendars and be the first in-line (or on-line) to score your favorite Peter Pilotto for Target pieces and still have money for your favorite morning drink of choice.
Let me know what piece (or at this price make it multiples) you added to your wardrobe!
Are you tired of everything in your home? Maybe it's the winter season. We've been more "home bound" than usual this winter. The cold, the snow, the ice…oh my!
Here are five tips to QUICKLY and INEXPENSIVELY refresh your home.
A recap:
(1) Change your paint color.
This could be the color of the walls, trim, ceiling or any combination of surfaces. Paint is one of the least expensive ways to totally change the look and feel of a space.
I'm starting the ban on white ceilings here! Please don't leave your ceilings white. I typically recommend painting ceilings two to three shades lighter than the color of your walls. You'll be amazed at how this will warm up a room.
Don't be afraid to use strong or dark colors in small spaces. It certainly can work, it just depends on the look and feel you're trying to create. Warm and cozy -- check.
Photo: Houzz
Still don't believe it? Try the dark color on one wall or one architectural element in the room (maybe the back of a bookshelf) to add visual interest.
Photo: Paula Chamblin Interiors
(2) Add decorative light switch and outlet covers.
Don't live with the standard issue light switch and outlet covers. Live graciously! March on over to your local home improvement store and find some great, not so expensive decorative accents for your walls.
I find chic light switch and outlet covers at my neighborhood Lowe's.
How can you update your sofa without buying a new one? Easy! Change the throw pillows. I rotate my pillows on a seasonal basis. I do the same with my bedding. I have a spring/summer and fall/winter look. Crazy? Maybe, but I like it!
Photo: Houzz
(4) Add accessories -- including fresh flowers.
Few things reflect your personality more than your home accessories. Select items that have meaning to you. I always recommend that clients bring back art or other decorative items when traveling. Pull out your grandmother's vase. Display that collection of bird figurines together rather than spreading them out. They make an impact en masse. Bottom line: You want to create a home that looks collected over time, not like you just raided the shelves of Pottery Barn. No offense, Pottery Barn.
Photo: Paula Chamblin Interiors
(5) Move furniture, art, rugs, accessories that you already own.
It never fails to amaze clients when I first start by moving what they already own from room to room. Don't spend money if you don't have to. The chair you're tired of in the family room may look
ahh-mazing in the entryway. Try moving things around to get a new perspective on an old scene.
Photo: Paula Chamblin Interiors
Bonus
Are your cabinets looking as tired as you feel after a long arduous day?
Give them some new jewelry. A new bauble of some sort always perks me up.
Change the cabinet hardware.
There are so many great, accessible sources for stunning knobs and pulls.
My favorite sources include:
Anthropologie They sell more than adorable clothing.
Lowe's Yes, I spend a fair amount of time in that store and no, I don't wear a tool belt -- unless it has a Chanel logo on it.
VanDyke's Restorers It's a great online source, especially for retro styles.
Check 'em out!
Source: Anthropologie
Cabinet hardware still not going to cut it? How about a fresh coat of paint or a decorative glaze?
Photo: Paula Chamblin Interiors
Positively yours,
Paula Chamblin Aulino
Interior Designer, Associate ASID
