Isabella

For my boyfriend's niece's one year birthday last week, we gave her a photo shoot. My friend Erica came over to their house and shot some gorgeous photos! She is wonderful at shooting babies. Check out her website, and a sample of the images of Miss Izzie!:

Lazy Sunday

I am feeling lazy this morning after some holiday festivities last night. I need to get up the motivation to take my dog for a walk - even though it is cold and wet outside. First...I must have coffee.

Fancy Free

I went shopping with my friend Kim today for first interview clothes (fingers crossed). She ended up with a very smart black suit and these fabulous black pumps by Kenneth Cole. They are great because they have a little shine to them (which makes them great for upcoming holiday parties) but are a sensible shape with comfort features (perfect for out-on-the-town business meetings). Loves it.

Chanel No. 5

Have you seen the new Chanel No. 5 commercial with Audrey Tautou? I keep wishing that instead of just a commercial that it is a preview for a full length movie. It is so glamorous and romantic. Ugh. That shot where she is taking the picture of the boat and her hair is blowing in the wind. Stunning. It makes me want to plan a train trip. I want to be her.

I-Opening

My dear friend just got accepted to do his rotation for medical school in Puerto Rico (his number one choice was somewhere in the Caribbean). He has twin boys under two years old - two of the most beautiful children you have ever seen. He is currently working on raising funds to be able to start this new assignment by selling prints of some gorgeous photos that he has taken on his travels. Here are a few of my favorites:




Check the entire collection out here or email him mnd.opnr@gmail.com. Only $50. Great idea for a holiday gift!

Flannel Nightshirt

I bought an adorable flannel nightshirt this evening (what is it about holiday shopping that I usually buy more stuff for myself than I do gifts...). Regardless, while I don't think I will look quite as stylish as this, I think I will get a ton of use out of it. I can't wait to cozy up in its softness with a mug of hot chocolate!

Woodland Tablescape

I love love love this tablescape. I adore the soft and serene color scheme - and check out how cute the birds perches in the branches are. Plus, the vases are short enough and the branches spare enough that you can still see the people across from you with ease! I think this is the epitome of casual elegance.


Picture from Martha Stewart.

Baby(ies)

This movie looks so good. Every shot looks visually beautiful. Apparently it will come out some time in 2010. I can't wait.


Watch the whole trailer. It is worth it. I love the last 20 seconds.

Let Me Count The Ways...

Jonathan Adler, how I love thee...

Great Gift Idea

I think at only $15 (!!!) this is a great gift idea for someone who either has everything or that you don't know that well or clients, etc...You can get it at Anthropologie (of course).

Miss Maya

I adopted a dog last weekend!!! Her name is Maya and (needless to say) I am head over heels in love with her. She is so darling and has the sweetest personality. I could post pictures all day, but I will spare everyone. These are a couple that my best friend Lauren shot when I brought her by to visit a couple days ago. I mean really - look at that face!

Chicago French Market!

I am so excited for the new year-round indoor French Market that opened here in Chicago yesterday!!! It sounds like there are a ton of great vendors participating. I can't wait to check it out!

Faux Eiffel Tower

The view from out the window in front of my desk is a smokestack way in the distance. I pretend it is the Eiffel Tower - I know it is a stretch but I do what I can...

DBGB

French chef Daniel Boulud is one of the leaders in the culinary world, and I am obsessed with the interior design as well as the concept of one of his newest spots - DBGB - located in Manhattan. It was designed by Thomas Schlesser who also designed a few of my absolute favorite spots here in Chicago (The Publican, Violet Hour, and Avec). It is beautifully rustic and industrial rolled into one. Apparently many of the pots and pans and items lining the floor to ceiling shelves were donated by various world famous chefs such as Thomas Keller (of the famed French Laundry in California). So gorgeous! The menu primarily focuses on house-made sausages and unique craft beers. The goel of this restaurant is to be part French brasserie part American tavern. I think this power-house of a team pulled it off beautifully. I can't wait to visit!

The Dahlia Food

Here is a collection of photos from my underground supperclub hosted last week. It was a such a fun evening, and the food was delish!




All Photos by David Elliott

Boys

I will take a moment to point out how interesting it is that two of my all-time favorite male celebrities are hysterically opposite of each other. The more I find out about them, the more different that they are:

Anthony Bourdain - The urban, I'll-Try-Anything / I-Love-Animal-Flesh of the food world who has practically built a career on ranting about the toxins he puts in his body (the guy loves his cigarettes and alcohol).

Woody Harrelson - a righteous hippie vegan beach-bum who speaks publically about his strong beliefs about a raw diet.

I think what is so attractive about these two is their complete insistence on being exactly who they are - and proud of it. They both exude a confidence that could easily be interpreted as cocky and reckless, but they both pull it off when at their best. Yup...I love these guys (or at least my imaginary view of them).

The Dahlia Decor

I hosted my first underground dinner party this past Friday (The Dahlia). It was a great success. I wanted to share the pictures of the decor I designed for the evening. Thank you to Brian Sorg for the use of his amazing studio!

Guests were greeted by a burst of natural branches studded with tufts of fluffy apricot garden stock blossoms designed in an oversized square glass vase anchored at the bottom with a layer of polished river rocks. A mass of precisely placed votive candles around the base completed the look.

The dining table was a single long rectangle covered in soft dove gray linens and surrounded by charming white wooden chairs. Impressive blocks of sqyare glass candles were lined down the entire length of the center of the table. Each placesetting was set with a crisp white napkin finished with a single soft peachy pink spray rose bloom and gorgeous creme toned French Laguoile flatware.








Photos graciously taken by photographer, David Elliott.

Real Wedding: Andrea and John

This is a gorgeaous wedding designed by Jesse Deckard of Botanicals, a branch of HM Designs that took place last week at the newly renovated Blackstone Hotel here in Chicago. I am so in love with this hotel. Every corner of it is the perfect balace of modern (and quirky) mixed with uber traditional (you can't see the tounge and cheek floral patterned carpeting in this ornate ballroom in these pictures, but it certainly adds an unexpected punch of color to the space).

The centerpieces for this wedding blended so nicely with the existing decor. Jesse used silver gilded garden urns topped with precise pavés of open white roses as the central point of the design. Surrounding the arrangement was a trio of unique crystal globe candleholders elevated on shiny silver risers. Additionally flickering votive candles on the table top completed the look!

Real Wedding: Gemma and Stephen

I worked on the design of this wedding with Jesse Deckard of Botanicals, a branch of HM Designs. This gorgeous event happened this past July at the historic University Club here in Chicago.

The ceremony and reception took place in the stunning Cathedral Hall, and the cocktail hour was held in the intimate and warm library. I love the gothic details that this venue provides as the backdrop. I mean, look at those stained glass windows, chandeliers, etc...yum!
Jesse enchanced this already beautiful space with loads of candles (down the aisle, on the existing fireplace mantle, and across the place card table.)

Each guest table was piled full of lush arrangements presented in elegant curved glass vases. Featured flowers included open purple iris, lush purple delphinium, and fluffy Dutch hydrangea. The addition of flickering candlelight and unexpected custom mirrored tabletops completed the look.


This is a perfectly unique look for an traditional yet urban wedding!

I Scream

If I had to pick just one thing to eat for the rest of my life, it would be without a doubt...Ice Cream. I love it, I love it, I love it. Mmm.