Luster » style

Taupe is kinda dope

Luster — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 09:34:20 +0000

1. Wild Horses by Stephanie Lategahn

2. Moonstone gold fringe earrings

3. Scotch natural nail polish in Heather Blush

4. Dip dye throw

5. Gate Armoire

6. Alpaca gingham plaid throw

7. Cork coasters

8. Paloma wedge bootie

9. Ingenue bag

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Christina’s World

Luster — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 13:32:35 +0000

I have a guest post on Pennyweight today about Christina’s World by Andrew Wyeth with a roundup of items that might exist in her house. Hop on over to Pennyweight and check it out! Thanks so much to Elise for having me!

::: Ikat tile :::

Luster — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 13:22:45 +0000

I am playing catch up this week and am completely bogged down between work and personal life so I’ll resume with new posts next week. I have some Fall fashion picks lined up and some guest posts – so stay tuned! In the meantime, check out this new Ikat tile from Ravenna Mosaics. How gorgeous would it be as an accent wall?

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Spotted via Christine Martinez on Pinterest. Photos by Ravenna Mosaics

Metallic Color Blocking ::: Jill Stuart F11

Luster — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 05:00:38 +0000

Color blocking has been a trend the last couple of seasons, but I love Jill Stuart’s new take on it in her gorgeous fall collection where she color blocks with metallic sections in all the right places. There’s a bit of an Art Deco architectural feel to it. My favorites in particular are the dresses. Not only are they so glam, but the flowy skirts look like they would be comfortable to wear. The makeup and hair styling with the sleek middle part and touch of coral lipstick is the perfect compliment, too.

Images via Jill Stuart fall collection

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Wanderlust ::: Formentera

Luster — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 20:24:17 +0000

When I saw the film Sex and Lucia several years ago, the scenes of Formentera island really stole the show. For the same reason Lucia in the film goes there to start over, it seems like the perfect place to get lost for awhile, and return to oneself amongst the elements of sun, sand, and water. It’s been on my travel wish list for some time, but now I am even more determined to get there since I’m still crushing on the similarly beachy boho style of Les Gazelles that I wrote about last week.

Known as “the last paradise in the Mediterranean,” many say Formentera is how Ibiza used to be before it became the raging party scene it is today. I’d frankly much rather be on Formentera with its rugged coastline, windmills, fig orchards, lighthouses, and pristine beaches. The ferry ride back to Ibiza is only 30 minutes, so it would be easy to hop over if you are looking to join the crowds.

There’s still plenty to keep you busy though on Formentera, and the preferred method of transportation is renting a moped to cruise around.

There are small towns with churches, ruins, artisan markets, and the picturesque Cap de Barberia and La Mola lighthouses.

There are some sophisticated beach front bars, restaurants and hangouts with gorgeous views. Or if you want to be low key, you can grab a beer for a Euro at the Sun Splash, and play backgammon while watching the sunset.

Espalmador island toward Ibiza is reached by boat and just for the day, you can feel like a castaway. On one side of the island you can dip into a sulphuric pool of mud with its natural healing properties, and then wash off in the ocean.

There’s an increase in places to stay compared to when I first looked a few years ago. Besides private homes, bungalows, and apartments, Es Ram and Gecko Beach are the boutique style hotels on the island.

While the sun seekers are mainly Europeans looking for a mellow beach getaway, Formentera has had it’s share of famous faces. The hippies first flocked to Formentera in the 60′s, followed by Pink Floyd and then Bob Dylan, who apparently holed up in a 200 year old windmill for a few months. Princess Grace and Prince Rainier are said to have occasionally arrived quietly by yacht and escaped for a few days at Cala Soana, and these days you might find Kate Moss or Jade Jagger hanging out at Las Banderas.

There are some stunning private homes on the island. I love the {above} family vacation home of Consuelo Castiglioni, creative director of Marni.

It all sounds so lovely right? Yeah…see you there next summer.

Packing List:

Butterfly Caftan

Black Eclipse Necklace

Hamam towel (I own a few of these and love giving them as gifts. They have so many uses: beach blanket, towel, or sarong)

Ruched Poppy bandeau bikini

Sonja sunglasses

Nyle Sandals

Market basket

Vive Sana Natural Sunscreen

….

* For more on islands, check out the guest post I have over on Hither & Thither about a darling French island off the coast of Brittany!

Images: Sex and Lucia | Es Ram Resort | Consuelo Castiglioni’s house in Formentera, photos by Francois Halard, Hotel Cala Soana image gallery, Las Dunas Playa, Formentera AguaMarina, 10.7, Talaya bungalows

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Style Envy ::: The Graduate

Luster — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 00:34:36 +0000

The Graduate has been imitated and written about endlessly since it’s debut over forty years ago. Most are captivated by the familiar feelings associated with youth’s confusion and rebellion against the establishment. Many also love the character of Mrs. Robinson with her eternal sex appeal, the comedic script, Simon and Garfunkel’s haunting soundtrack, and of course the costumes and set decoration.

Early in the film we are introduced to Mrs. Robinson’s house when Benjamin drives her home, and she orchestrates the famous seduction scene. You cannot help but notice she is dressed in a tiger print dress and luring Benjamin into her bungalow style sun porch that is more like a glamourous jungle cat lair.

The animal prints she wears throughout the film, and the sun porch decor in particular were inspired by Henry James’ novella The Beast in the Jungle. Director Mike Nichols’ vision was based on the idea that Dustin Hoffman’s character, Benjamin Braddock, was being stalked. Nichols says: “We talked about it being a jungle, and it was a jungle. There were all these plants and the Beverly Hills garden behind the glass that surrounded the sun porch. And we talked about her being the tiger in the jungle and she had a tiger-striped dress on and it was all built to be a trap, a tender trap. We wanted to find a way to express the fact that she was being provocative.”

The fact that it’s summer has me thinking about drinking cocktails surrounded by palm trees, and if I had a sun porch to decorate, Mrs. Robinson’s style would be a good place to start. It’s no secret that this well-established look has been inspiring designers since it lit up the big screen, and became the second wave of Hollywood Regency style. I have always loved that crisp black and white striped awning against the black tufted leather, white barstools, the accessories (notice the bar details while watching the clip) and the sleek chrome and gold finishes.

Images: Benjamin in front of fish tank | Benjamin unbuttoning Mrs. Robinson’s dress | Katherine Ross | All others via IMDB

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::: Shopping Blue + Gold :::

Luster — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 05:00:11 +0000

Blue + Gold

1. Belted Peg pant

2. Lapis and Pyrite Necklace

3. Three Gold Elephants Stationery

4. Gold Denim tote

5. Silk Ikat pillow

6. Royal enamel vintage compact

7. Triangles Glassware

8. Nature Speaks ring

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::: Les Gazelles, Sayulita :::

Luster — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 21:15:48 +0000

I’ve always been a self-professed magazine junkie, amassing piles of tear outs over the years that I have since condensed and kept only a stash of my favorites. High on the pile is a spread from Elle back in 2006 about the Mignot sisters who call themselves Les Gazelles and live in Sayulita, Mexico. Their lifestyle is the kind you read about, and then instantly wonder what the heck you’re doing and why you haven’t figured it out the way they have.

According to Life Content: ”The story about these girls is movie material. The family consists of nine brothers and sisters, some born in France and others in Africa. Their parents raised them in various places around the world, including St. Barth’s, which is where they got the idea to buy a seventy-five foot wooden boat, which they painted the Rasta colors of red, gold, and green, and then sailed around the world for a decade. They accumulated friends, lovers, and children along the way, and soon the gypsy family traveled in three boats, seeking out the best surf towns and forgotten beaches around the world. While the brothers kept sailing, a few of the sisters decided to settle in Sayulita, where they all live together in a building that also houses their boutique, Pacha Mama. It conveniently overlooks the best surf spot in town.”

Their boutique Pacha Mama is filled with clothing and jewelry that cater to this “Gypset“ lifestyle, coined by Julia Chaplin after she wrote the Elle article and has since complied a book and clothing line inspired by this way of life.

Love the hand painted floor. Makes me wonder if this is where Catherine Weis got her inspiration for her kitchen floor featured on D*S?

Their namesake pieces are the necklaces with Tahitian black pearls strung on leather cord, and traditional Mexican embroidered dresses re-fashioned to look more like caftans.

As if these sisters don’t have enough tastemaking between them, their brother opened Petit Hotel Hafa in Sayulita, a small boutique hotel that mixes Moroccan and Mexican decor.

I would love to stay in a hotel that has hearts on the doors and walkways.

Images via: Elle Magazine 2006 “Bohemian Rapsody”, Les Gazelles, painted floor Desire to Inspire, rooftop Luxist, hotel photos: Petit Hotel Hafa and Designtripper

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::: Glam animals :::

Luster — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 21:58:35 +0000

The gentlemen behind Patch NYC recently launched their re-designed online store filled with curiousities of all sorts, but I am especially loving these hand painted ceramic animal plates with 22 kt detailing by Waylande Gregory.

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::: Liz Taylor in Iran :::

Luster — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 00:09:40 +0000

This exhibition has since ended, but I thought I would share these lovely and unusual photographs of Elizabeth Taylor that were recently hanging at LACMA.

In 1976, Elizabeth Taylor and a recent art school graduate named Firooz Zahedi traveled to Iran together. At the age of 9, Zahedi left his native Iran for London, and was returning for the first time with Taylor. They visited many of the famed tourist sites such as ancient Persepolis, Shiraz, and Isfahan, and Zahedi was re-introduced to his country. After buying harlequin fabrics and a tribal outfit at a bazaar, Elizabeth emerged from her hotel dressing room and the first impromptu photo session began.

Zahedi would go on to photograph Taylor many other times in her life during his career as a celebrity photographer, but as he says “…none are as personal, candid, or creative as these unique images.” Firooz Zahedi speaks about their trip in LACMA’s video interview here.