Category Archives: Wishing_True

And…a New Artist Crush

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My stalking of Jackie VonTobel’s blog for yesterday’s Style Key West post led me to a new favorite artist: Gabriela Ibara.

This Atlanta, GA artist’s multi-media works are fairly diverse, including the use of collage, acrylic, oil, and pastels, as well as printmaking and drawing. The still life paintings are impressionistic in style, but with a contemporary interpretation. And the colors are an interesting study in soft and muted with bold and bright.

Here are a few that caught my eye:











You know – just one or two… I’m enchanted.

Windy Mink Bracelets

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Okay – so this will be the THIRD time I’ve featured Wendy Mink jewelry here this year (and it’s still February!)

But I couldn’t resist after seeing this bracelet in an e-mail I received (good marketing Wendy M. – other designers, take note).


Sigh.

Here are a couple of other favorites:



I seriously need a gold cuff. That could be a great option – solid yet feminine. It shall go on the list.

Today I’d Like to be…on a beautiful beach.

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The leftover snow sludge that surrounds me is depressing. I wish I was somewhere warm.


I want to splash through waves – not squish through mud.


And I’m not feeling picky – so airfare may be the only serious consideration (even in my fantasies the economy is bad…)


I love the beach at sunrise…


…sunset…


…and even at the sunniest high noon.


That’s what umbrellas are for.


Off to book a pedicure.


See you at the snack bar (because my fantasies ALWAYS involve snacks).


Click each image for source.

Trouverez Treasure at The Paris Hotel Boutique

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I discovered this wonderful online shop on one of my longtime favorites, The Paris Apartment.

Paris Hotel Boutique features “vintage one-of-a-kind pieces celebrating the glitz and glamour of a bygone era.“

I have been a fan of bygone eras for as long as I can remember. And in my opinion, The Paris Hotel Boutique delivers a delightful selection of treasures from which to choose.

But mon Dieu! How could I ever decide…I have far too many favorites…

Such as…


This Vintage Italian Micromosaic Brooch that reminds me so much of the little pieces of jewelry my mom bought me when I was a kid. It’s TEENY (just 1-1/8″ by 3/4″), and the only thing I like better than treasure is TINY treasure.


This Victorian Sterling Chatelaine Dance Card. Look at the detail on it. I’ve always loved the idea of dance cards…I definitely missed out on that bygone era…


This Pair of Victorian 10K Gold Cufflinks which would look great with my theoretical French cuff button down shirts.


This Vintage Italian Art Glass Pendant Lamp. I have no idea what I’d do with it in my own house – but I could see it hanging at a landing of a staircase or in a small foyer with a high ceiling.


This Early 1900’s English 9 Carat Gold Buckle Ring looks like it transported itself directly from my childhood jewelry box. While I didn’t actually have a buckle ring, I did have a couple of buckle bracelets (not nearly as fine as this gold of course).


This 1930’s Diamond & Pearl 14 Carat Arrow Brooch would be a major splurge, but what a wonderful piece to pass down to lucky female descendants. I would make up a fabulous back story about a fictional great great aunt who wore this during her Suffragette marches (the Artemis feel is very feminist, non?) And then wait to see who caught the discrepency in eras. That smartie would definitely be the recipient in my will.


This Art Nouveau 14k Blister Pearl Watch Brooch is another little one (1-7/8″ by 3/4″). I think it’s darling.


This book, Le Nouveau Voyage de France (circa 1899) is the most beautiful color and I would love to see it in a white bookcase, displayed with other books in varying shades of blue.


AND FINALLY this little Victorian 10k Gold Signet Ring reminds me so much of my childhood. Signet rings were much coveted and typically adorned pinkie fingers. It’s hard to see the monogram on this one, so you can just pretend that it’s yours.

Would you believe that this whole post idea started with that little micromosaic brooch? At $30 I thought it was a steal. Some of the others are a tad more decadent, but who enters an antique store without finding a few fantasy purchases?

Cutest. Thing. Ever.

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How fun is this?

Fashion Playtes contacted me recently about their super cool new design service for girls.

It’s a virtual design studio that helps young girls design and produce their own custom clothing. They can play fashion designer – but for real!


I thought it looked like so much fun that I set up an account and designed myself a t-shirt (oh yes I did!)

Visit me at As Good As Cake to see the full story.

Textile Obsessions

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One of the first things customers notice about Style Key West is the color. This happens rather organically since the shop displays are designed with that purpose in mind. But it’s really acheived through far more involved planning than the effortless appearance would let on. One of the more subtle elements involved is the thought put into the selection of fabrics and upholsteries. This is where many people get a little lost and it’s one of the primary reasons that they end up hiring decorators.


While I was growing up, my mother always seemed to be working on home design projects, whether professionally for clients or just for our own house. So there was a constant clutter of swatches and samples either spread out on tables or tucked away in shelves.


Visit me at Style Key West to read the rest.

Reality in Style – NOT Too Good to be True

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As I slog through my reader trying to catch up (it’ll never happen…), I often come across older posts that I can’t believe I missed.

Earlier this month, of my favorite style bloggers, Sal from Already Pretty did a review on the clothing line, Reality in Style. And the pictures I saw literally made my eyes pop.

Here is the model in their “Bob dress”:


Now here is a picture of Sal wearing the same dress:


The model is actually another “real” woman: “Jackie, mother of two girls.”

It amazes me that this dress looks so fabulous on such different figures AND that real women were hired as models to boot (I think they should consider Sal for future shoots).

How rare to find designers who really do back up their claims to create styles that flatter real, un-airbrushed women…

AND if you are an Already Pretty reader (if you are not – rectify that now!) you can get a 45% discount (see the review post for details). I think I’ll be spending a little time perusing Reality in Style…how about you?

Today I’d Like to be in…Paris

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Because I even love Paris in the Winter when it drizzles. Actually – I only love drizzly Paris in theory because the single time I visited was in Summer when it sizzles (You’re catching the I Love Paris quotes right?)

Anyway – even though the City of Lights is best known for its Spring and Autumn splendor, I could visit anytime.

The architecture doesn’t change with the seasons.


And I don’t believe that the Louvre shuts down when it gets chilly…


In fact – I imagine that it would have been a lovely spot for a Valentines Day outing.


Which would of course include shopping on the Champs Elysee.


Note to self: investigate diets promising fast results so I can fit into those tiny French sizes…

I think I could also save some money by renting a cozy pied-à-terre like this lovely little apartment from Haven in Paris:


While I may not be able to afford the beautiful dinners at fabulous restaurants, there is always the option of dining in…


…or grabbing a little treat from a patisserie.


Yes – I think Paris sounds lovely right now. So I’m off to book my flight (you know – in that far preferable parallel universe I visit so often in my head).

Click all images for source.

New Online Magazine: Laura Day – Making Rooms for Living

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I happened upon this “webazine” the other day and thought it was a really interesting take on online magazines. While it has some elements of traditional print magazines (features, advertisements, etc.) it is much easier to navigate as a website.

You may recognize Laura Day from TLC’s Trading Spaces. But her own NYC home, which is the focus of this first issue, is nothing like what we saw on that slap dash decorating show…

While I wouldn’t stay that her style mirrors my own, I do find her interiors very warm and innovative. And I like how much value she places on personal inspiration.

I LOVE the site index (looks like a color swatch):


My favorite feature was “The Closet” in which she takes one of her rooms and translates it into a travel wardrobe.



It will be interesting to see what comes next. And since it’s bi-monthly, we won’t have to wait long…