Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Granny Chic


With New York, Milan & London Fashion Weeks completed, and with Paris Fashion Week on it's way, there seems to be a continued surge of all-things ladylike and feminine. I am currently loving the reemergence of pastel colors and soft silhouettes this spring, and to see similar vibes in fall collections just makes me plain giddy.  





Tory Burch's Fall 2012 collection kept the ladylike vibe from spring with lots of 50s-inspired silhouettes.    There were lots of layered sweaters, cardigans, and coats to transition into fall.  Tory Burch explained,
“For fall, we were inspired by the idea of a prim girl who’s under the spell of the wrong kind of guy. She’s an innocent, unaware of her own sex appeal.” 




Are you thinking what I am thinking when you see these images? It's time to scour granny's closet!  We'll have to brave those dust mites to find the perfect retro mix of knits, florals, lace, silks and even a shawl for our shoulders.  



Nanny, if you're reading this (which I know you aren't- why won't you get a computer already?), I'll be coming over soon to do some closet shopping. ;)

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Getting Personal


The lovely Kim, of Inspired Lines, recently shared a questionnaire with her followers, divulging a little fun information about who she is (besides an amazingly talented artist!).  She then finished with a list of 11 questions for a few fellow bloggers to answer on their own blogs.  In an effort to connect with you all on a more personal (and fun!) level, here are my answers to her questions:


1. You're in line at the supermarket...you've been there for 10 minutes; the queues are ridiculous but you really really need this bar of chocolate, darn it! Someone pushes in front of you...do you say something or let it pass?

I would definitely say something!  I don't have any qualms about standing up for myself.  It's important to have dignity.  Of course, I would go about doing so in a polite way! ;) 




2.   Righty or lefty?

I'm a crazy lefty!  I never learned how to write correctly as a left-handed person, though, so my hand always smudges when I write.



3.  Favourite bedtime story when you were a kid...or now? ; )

I liked The Borrowers.  My mom used to read the book to me at bedtime, and I just loved it!  She is a teacher, so she had different voices for the characters and had different inflections while reading.  It kept me intrigued!  I was so excited to learn that there is a movie coming out based on Mary Norton's novel that will be called The Secret World of Arrietti.


4.  Best chick flick?

There are so many that I love!  My favorite would probably be The Notebook.  It is such a sweet story, and it always makes me cry.  I also love Beaches, which is a lovely tale of friendship through thick and thin.


5.  Hair up or Hair down?

I like to wear my hair up in a bun or a side ponytail.  I guess I feel the prettiest when my hair is up!


{At my brother's wedding}

6.  What's inside your handbag right now?





7.  Favourite flower?

Without a doubt, peonies!  Hydrangeas come in a close second.



8.  Drama, Thriller or Horror?

Thrillers!  I like the movies that have twists in them that you can't predict are coming.  Movies like The Sixth Sense, Lincoln Lawyer, and American Psycho.


9.  Your first love...a fond memory or a yucky recall?

Unfortunately, a yucky recall.  But you learn so much from every experience, so I have no regrets!  



10.  What are you reading at the moment?

Do Harper's Bazaar and Vogue count? ;)



11. An oldie but a goodie; brains or beauty?

Oh what a toughie!  I have to go with brains here, though.  Looks fade over time, we really can't help that and shouldn't be afraid of that, either!  Brains make you interesting and charming.  



I would love to hear your answers to these questions!  Feel free to leave a response below, tweet me at @peakoftreschic, or repost the questions to your own blog.  I love getting to know fellow bloggers!

Coffee Table Styling

Today I'd like to talk about my favorite part of a living room:  the coffee table!  If you are anything like me, than your coffee table gets put to good use.  In fact, you might use it as a dinner table, foot rest, desk, buffet table at parties, and library for your favorite coffee table books.  Or is that just me? Whether your coffee table is used with frequency or nearly  neglected, it's important to style it well.


First, we must consider function.  Do you often utilize your coffee table as a dinner table?  Then space must be left for eating.  Do you have 10 different remotes for your high-tech TV sound system?  Then they will need a place on the table.  Is your coffee table more of a decor element only? Then gracing your table with books, candlesticks, or fresh flowers will add an extra touch of pretty.


What if you want your coffee table to be both functional and stylish?  You might notice they never photograph remotes lying on a coffee table in interior design magazines.  I suggest finding a beautiful box to hide your remotes inside.  I hide ours in a mercury glass container I found in the bed and bath section of Anthro. What do you think?


Megan, from Honey We're Home, displays her remotes in a chic lucite tray.  This is another great option to fuse functionality with decoration.


Afraid your coffee table will appear cluttered after you gather your favorite books and magazines, and also make room for coasters, remotes, and other necessities?  Stack items neatly in trays to create a more organized space.


Because I collect coffee table books, I like to display a few that might entertain guests.   I love it when I go over to someone's house and can get an idea of who they are and what they love.  Showing an array of books, framed photos, or other trinkets help tell your story in a subtle way.




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What's sitting on your coffee table?  Do you have a favorite tip for styling it well? I'd love to hear it!  Today I am guest posting over at The Urban Slant about King Louis chairs.  Be sure and go check it out!

Monday, February 27, 2012

Monday Morning Inspiration~ From Sequins & Stripes

Hello + Happy Monday! It's Liz from the fashion and style blog, Sequins & Stripes, and I'm thrilled to be guest posting here at The Peak of Tres Chic today! I always look forward to Sam's Monday Inspiration posts and jumped on the chance to share some Monday inspiration of my own. 


What better way to dive into a new week then with a quote! I always think it is important to take a step back and "look again" whenever something difficult comes up. 


...and a few things that I always try to keep in mind to ensure a good + productive week...start everyday with a cup of coffee or treat myself to a tasty cappuccino, get dressed up everyday even if I don't have meetings planned, accessorize {with this Kate Spade bangle, these earrings, and this bow}.  Also, make to-do lists, and once you cross a few items off of your list, reward yourself with something sweet! Wear some bright lipstick, dress up your undergarments {with this and this}, buy some fresh flowers, put on some sparkly shoes {I love these!}, and always tell yourself, "you look great!"

A huge thank you to Sam for having me here today! I hope you all enjoy a lovely week ahead and don't forget to stop by Sequin & Stripes to find daily inspiration for a styled life. 

xoxo
{image 1 via this and this, image 2 via thisthisthis and this}

Thank you, Liz, for sharing your inspiration with us!  I absolutely adore that quote, and your recipe for a great day sounds lovely.  Happy Monday, my loves!


Sunday, February 26, 2012

Rocking the Red Carpet: My Favorite Looks

My favorite red carpet looks thus far from the Academy Awards....


Gwyneth's white ensemble has stolen my heart.  The simplicity of her look creates a chic effect- the cut and drape of her gown is utterly flawless.


Michelle Williams graced the red carpet in a Louis Vuitton red gown.  This is old Hollywood glamour at it's best.


Kristen Wiig's frothy gown with a tulle train is beautiful.  I tend to love neutral gowns on the runway, and Kristen's simple hair and makeup allow her true beauty to shine.  I also love her ombre hair color!


Rose Byrne managed to pull off a sequined one-shoulder dress.  This could have easily turned in to a prom dress gone wrong, but the slim cut and black tone balanced the sparkle with just the right amount of class.


Guiliana Rancic graced the red carpet oh-so-elegantly in a sparkly white gown.  The sleeve detail is my favorite element.

What are your favorite red carpet looks?  Who do you think will win Best Picture?  Is it horrible that I secretly hope it's Bridesmaids?

{Images via Huffington Post}

Thursday, February 23, 2012

From House to Home: Decorating Small Spaces

 I often get asked by friends to help them decorate a small apartment or home-  It can be tough!  I have experienced this design dilemma first hand: Living 2 years in a college sorority house and then a couple apartments with less than 700 square feet will drive you crazy if you don't learn how to design properly! This picture was taken at one of those tiny apartments- this dresser served as book storage, underwear drawer, medicine cabinet, and about a million other things.



My first tip is to decorate with armless furniture.  This keeps a space feeling open and continuous.  No harsh lines separate a couch or chair from the rest of the open room and give the illusion of more space.


See how this armless couch helps create an unfettered space and doesn't prevent traffic flow?  You can approach the couch from either side.  I love it!

In a small apartment or house, storage space is imperative.  Often closets are rather small and there isn't much built-in shelving.  So what's a decorista to do?  


Make your own storage, of course! Utilize a book shelf or cabinet already in your home. Then, hang curtains to hide the mess! To create mini curtains like the ones shown in the image above, buy an adjustable curtain rod and use curtain valances to add a pretty touch.  Curtains are ideal because they provide easy access to your items and can be dressed in whatever fabric you like. 


Another space-saving trick is to invest in furniture with built-in storage. There are many furniture pieces that open up to provide storage for blankets, magazines, books, and the like.
  This trellis-patterned ottoman does just that.


Your bed can also provide storage space underneath-  and even inside!





In a restricted apartment or home, every inch of space must be used.  But that doesn't mean it can't be pretty!  Adding a few floor cushions underneath your coffee table will provide guests with additional seating.


The last trick I am going to share today to maximize a small floor plan is to utilize dead space.  Dead space is space created by furniture blocks- i.e. the back of a couch in the middle of a room.  In this room, the glass console provides additional light and decor accents for the dead space created by the couch.


We want to use every last square inch of our home, which often means a piece of furniture should serve multiple purposes.  For instance, this glass console serves as a desk by sliding a chair underneath.  If entertaining, simply move the chair to a wall for additional seating and use the desk/console as a buffet.

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Do you have a favorite trick to optimize living space? Do share!
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