Good as Gold

When it comes to jewelry - either for me or for my house - I've always favored silver tones. My wedding ring is platinum, my belts all have silver buckles, and all my bathroom fixtures are either chrome or brushed nickel.

Over the past few years, however, gold has crept its way onto my radar. Apparently I'm not alone. Thanks to cinematic prowess of The Great Gatsby opulence is in and gold is expected to be a huge trend in weddings this year.

via

I wouldn't say I've become obsessed, but I have amassed quite a collection (pins) of ways I could gild the lily.

On the homefront

Anthropologie

Wit & Delight

Anthropolgie

Nancy Lorenz

ShopBop via COCOCOZY

Golden Girl

ModCloth

Hellelu

Nordstrom

BHDLN

Anthropologie

What do you think? Can you see yourself sporting a little gold leaf this spring?

Then and Now

I've been on Pinterest forever. Okay, not forever, but since its inception more than three years ago. Just skimming through, some of my pins came from early spring of 2010. Today I boast 95 boards and more than 7,000 pins.

I occasionally go through my pins to make sure they have a proper link and hash tags. It's a side effect of the crazy. Lately I've also become intimate with my "Decor to Adore" and "Mastering my Domain" boards because, you know, I'm a homeowner now.  It cracks me up to see how my tastes have changed in just three short years. Let's do some then and now comparison.

Once upon a time, this kitchen looked ideal.

from shona hem via pinterest

Now, this is what makes me swoon.

from Small Place Style via Pinterest

There was a time when I would walked 1000 in these shoes.

Polyvore via Pinterest

Today's choice would be almost as precious, but not nearly as cloying.

Where did you Get That via Pinterest

This would've been just the right amount of sparkle.

Fashion is Poison via Pinterest

These days, less is more.

1st Dibs via Pinterest

I haven't painted my finger nails in years - probably  close to a decade - but I almost considered doing this.

Hitchhiking on the Howling Road via Pinterest

Now, I'd more likely entertain this manicure.

Bloom via Pinterest

I'll never doubt Karen Millen's sense of design and tailoring.

Karen Millen via Pinterest

But I think I'll don something a bit more playful while I still can.

1st Dibs via Pinterest

I have always had unreal expectations about how much I can get done so you can imagine how long some pins have been sitting on my Make Me This board just waiting for me to actually make them. Among my early ambitions was this ruffled cardigan.

Life is Beautiful via Pinterest

However,since there are only 24 hours in a day I'd rather spend my time on this more tailored refashion.

Z via Pinterest

Speaking of that odd universal lack of time, you don't even want to know how many things have been pinned with the greatest intentions and absolutely no follow through. Whoops.

New Year's Resolution, anyone?

Recent Infatuation: Gunne Sax

I don't know where it started - I suspect Etsy - but at some point I began to long for a Gunne Sax dress. To be specific, I adore the coquettish, prairie designs of the 1970s.

 

Gunne Sax, so named for the "gunny sack" or burlap trim used on some of the earlier dresses,was founded in the 1960s. In 1969 it was purchased by Jessica McClintock. Yes, the very Jessica McClintock who made your coveted homecoming dress in 1995.

via The Dusty Dog Vintage

The brand is often associated with its 1970s prairie designs with Victorian and Edwardian details.I adore how the designs took classic elements such as lace, gingham, and calico, and combined them in a way that turned late-19th and early-20th century American fashion on its head.
 

via Rosebud Vintage

Gunne Sax also manufactured renaissance- and medieval-inspired designs, with empire waistlines and middle plackets, and used other historical costume elements such as corset-like laced bodices.

via The Vintage Bazaar and possibly my personal favorite

Despite all the Victorian-ness these babies are actually rather sexy. Everything is (mostly) covered up, but designs with decolletage-baring necklines, corset lacing, and tailored bodices are, as I said above, coquettish. The body-skimming tailoring doesn't hurt either.

via Hellhound Vintage Clothing

Sign. Me. Up.

Suits me

We have a pool (for now). I love the beach. It may surprise you, then, to know how rarely I actually get into the water. As a result I only own two bathing suits. Well that and I can never find anything that fits right. There's either not enough suit (no bikinis for me), not enough support, or too much suit (who are these women with such long torsos?).

Suddenly, however, I am inexplicably gripped by the desire to buy a new swim suit. And, oh, some of the ones I seen online...

The husband isn't a fan, but this ruffled one piece from Wildfox is calling out to my whimsical side.

This beauty from J. Crew's Luxe Tulle line just went on sale. Look at the support that thing has! And ruching hides a multitude of sins often all too visible amongst beach goers. Sadly, the "regular" torso measurement is almost eight inches longer than my torso. Dear J.Crew, add swimwear to your selection for petites. Thanks.

Betsey Johnson calls this raspberry confection "Shortcake." Doesn't it sound perfect for me? I love that it has the feel of a strapless but still has the very thing needed for keeping your suit where it should be even in rough waters.

Now if I could rock a two-piece I'd seriously consider doing it in one of these.

 ChloeScalloped Halterneck

Classic retro bikini in navy from BeBops

Why is bathing suit shopping so hard?!

Leg Warmers

One of my favorite things about the HallowThanksMas holiday season is the number of parties everyone is either throwing or attending. I like parties and, more to the point, I like to play dress up.

A large number of party fashions admired by yours truly, however, are short. Short skirts, short dress, and, well, shorts.

Baby, it's cold outside! Okay, not in Florida, but elsewhere in the world it is cold - too cold - for bare legs. I advise you to stay warm (and look hot!) with a pair of fun, funky, or flirty tights!

A few of my faves from around the net:

Ombre Fuschian Violet tights from BZR

This store and these tights have been splashed all over fashion spreads. With good reason.  These are gorgeous! GORGEOUS.

DKNY All Over Lace Net Tights at bare necessities

The bare necessities website says the color of these is "Black Juniper." To me, that suggests black or a very dark green, but on my screen they are navy blue. If they are indeed navy I LOVE them. If not, they're nice, but not fabulous.  I will say I once splurged on a pair of brick red DKNY tights and boy was it worth it.  Four years later I still have those babies, and those babies are still as soft and stretchy as day one.

Sheer Polka Dot Tights from Anthropologie

Polka dots. 'Nuff said.

Jonathan Aston Chicago Tights from Alex Blake

Razzle and dazzle. Especially those red ones!

There are seriously so so many patterned tights out there and I only have the two legs (and a very short Florida cold season) on which to wear them!  Help me out and buy a pair or two? You're awesome.

P.S. Even during holidays tights are not pants.

Oh, what to wear?

Since I was talking about an out-of-the-box host gift yesterday my mind was whirring with thoughts of holiday parties. I doubt I'll be throwing any, but I might get to go to one or two. What to wear?

Originally, I was just going to show this chic bronze, bedazzled number recently featured on The Coletterie.

Bronze dress from Dear Golden via The Coletterie

Then, I started clicking around in Dear Golden's shop and Oh. My. God!

I'll take this for a Christmas Eve reception.

1950s wool plaid wiggle dress from Dear Golden.

For this I'll have to find tickets to The Nutcracker followed by cocktails.

1940s green taffeta gown from Dear Golden

And for New Year's Eve I wouldn't hesitate to trade my LBD for this beauty!

1920s beaded chiffon dress from Dear Golden

Smashing, aren't they? I've shown you my holiday dream closet, so now you tell me about yours!

You saw it here first

Ack! My darlings, don't you just love when the things you love come together? Like Amy Adams and Clint Eastwood in a movie together or burlap and lace in home decor. Or...

Matchbook Magazine featuring Kelsey Genna!

The Verona Gown from Kelsey Genna's debut boutique collection

Just two weeks ago I was blabbering on about the greatness of Matchbook, and, Last March one of Miss Genna's designs caught my eye while I was hunting for inspiration on Etsy. You might remember the sweet Begonia Dress from her Etsy shop...

 ...and the garter it inspired.

Well now, Kelsey has an online boutique...

...the Begonia Dress has a few chic new friends...

Begonia Gown I

Begonia II Gown

Begonia Cocktail Dress

 ...and all of the greatness is being touted by Matchbook Mag!

Cherry Blossom Gown

Also, how gorgeous is the designer?

via KelseyGenna.com

Go! Bask in the loveliness! Just remember, you saw it here first.