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

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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::: 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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Happy long weekend | Summer Mix

Luster — Fri, 27 May 2011 15:32:45 +0000

Is it true…summer is finally here? I thought we’d never get here considering how cold and rainy our spring was. It’s sunny and supposed to be 86 degrees here in NYC today. The hubby and I took today off and are heading out of town to the beach. Wishing everyone here in the US a fun, restful holiday weekend.

To make your weekend a little sweeter, I put together a summer mix for Casey at K.I.D Collective to kick off her summer mix series. Check it out here!

Have a great weekend! xo

Photo: Praia Piquinia by Christian Chaize

The Stylist’s Guide to NYC

Luster — Fri, 13 May 2011 20:41:28 +0000

I loved Sibella Court’s first book Etcetera, so I have been anxiously awaiting her second book: The Stylist’s Guide to NYC filled with all of her favorite haunts. A native Australian, Sibella spent the last 10 years living here in New York as an interior stylist. She has since returned to Australia to open a hardware and haberdashery store: The Society Inc. Her second book is every bit as gorgeous as the first, with stunning photography and beautifully designed pages incorporating a collage of textures and type. I love the paper used in both books that brings out the rich colors and nostalgic feel of her subjects. It has that “good book smell.” With the warmer weather approaching, I am looking forward to retracing her footsteps.

All images from The Stylist’s Guide to NYC by Sibella Court. Published by Murdoch Books Australia

Happy Mother’s Day

Luster — Sat, 07 May 2011 18:27:00 +0000

I love these photos by Mark Shaw on 1st Dibs of Jackie Kennedy, her husband, and childen taken at Hyannis in the 50′s.

Wishing all mothers and mothers-to-be a Happy Mother’s Day weekend! And….a special Happy Mother’s Day wish to my grandmother and mother, two amazing ladies that I fiercely admire and love dearly. xo

::: Decor at BHLDN :::

Luster — Fri, 06 May 2011 18:43:04 +0000

Brides to be can keep rejoicing with the brand new Decor collection that just launched at BHLDN. The folks behind Anthropologie/Urban Outfitters already knocked us out with their beautiful wedding dresses and accessories, and now, they are at it again with this gorgeous collection that would have been immensely helpful when I got married 2 years ago. Here are some of my favorites from the new collection. What are yours?

Style Envy ::: The Thomas Crown Affair

Luster — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 06:10:07 +0000

Flipping through the channels the other night, I got a glimpse of the famous white pants and camel turtleneck outfit worn by Faye Dunaway in The Thomas Crown Affair (1968). Directed by Norman Jewison and starring Dunaway and Steve McQueen, this 60′s bank heist movie is filmed around Boston and the Massachusetts coastline with costumes designed by Theadora Van Runkle. While the 1999 remake is more watchable in terms of the acting/script/plot, it certainly cannot compete with the original in terms of iconic style. White pants never looked so good.

Images via IMDB and connect.in