All posts tagged: French Inspiration Decor

elle decor you inspire me

I can honestly  tell you that I cannot pass up the magazine section at any bookstore, especially when I come across Elle Decor. In my opinion, it is the most resourceful, user-friendly, esthetically pleasing  and well-organized interior decorating magazine and I love the fact, it is published globally with  U.K., Australia and French versions to booth. Anyway, I tend to keep most of my Elle Decor magazines because I feel, like fashion, interior decorating is recyclable and what is considered old news will most likely be new trend in the coming years. Besides my eclectic taste in decor is another reason to keep the magazines. Here are some of  my favorite Elle Decor photos from years past which I think can most certainly be included in today’s design styles. Tell me what you think?

valentino shoes for spring 2011

Designer shoes are not only inspirational but in essence have a way of making  a woman feel sexy no matter how emotionally unstable she may be on the inside. (Ladies, I say that with love). In light of this subject, I can honestly say I am not partial to any particular designer, I am however particular to the actual design and functionality of a shoe.  So, here we go, first stop Valentino Shoes and since I seem to have trouble with choosing just a few pairs of  the Valentino shoe collection  for Spring 2011, I have decided to include some of my absolute favorites and offer you a link to the website here, just in case you want to go crazy.

the nook vs the home library

I understand the new trend is to downsize and declutter. The two things I am a big fan of and have, over the past two years, applied to my new and improved lifestyle. But the one thing I seem to have trouble with is getting rid of books and/or downsizing my  home library collection. Everyone around me keeps suggesting I invest in an electronic reading gadget, such as the Kindle, the Nook or the I-Pad to replace my collection of hardcover and paperback books.  I don’t know why but I absolutely refuse to give in and instead continue to dream of creating my own  in home library for my next place of residence. Call me crazy, but there is nothing more rewarding then a floor to ceiling custom built bookshelves which house a collection of wonderful and sometimes unique books that are incorporated in either a family room, a long hallway or an actual home library (room). I have included some of my favorite in home library designs to consider and perhaps share with you …

challenges of wrinkle creams

Here is a topic I have been avoiding for a while, but since those annoying wrinkles are beginning to creep up on me, I am no longer able to avoid the problem at hand. However, finding the right wrinkle cream is probably the most frustrating thing I have experienced in the history of my shopping endeavors.  I have visited every make up counter and spoken to dozens of make up consultants, I have surfed the net and  read  reviews on most any cream out there and yet, I am just not convinced any of them will  help nor  are worth the amount of money they cost. What I did do however, is compile here and here some sites of the most highly recommended wrinkle creams out there and I would love to  hear from anyone who has tried any of them and what you actually  thought about it?

new year lifestyle makeover

Normally around the end of a year or the beginning of a new one, people tend to reconfigure their life and lifestyles in an effort to make changes, which in essence will allow them to feel good about themselves throughout the New Year. It’s funny this behavior is almost automatic and whether we think about it or not, all of us participate uniformly and sometimes subconsciously. While searching online for various small or big changes people tend to make around the end or beginning of a new year are: 1.Get  rid  of old clothes and donate them to a worthy cause 2. Spruce up the house by either painting or redecorating a room or two. 3.  Contemplate a new hair do and/or color treatment. 4. Shred old or expired files and organize a new filing system. 5. Clean out linen closets and declutter a food pantry. 6. Shop for a new perfume or explore new make up options. 7. Get a message or a spa treatment 8. Purge computer and organize online photos 9. Get …

intro to spring 2011 fashion trends

Although it may seem a bit early to think about Spring fashion, since most of us can’t seem to stay warm enough during this Winter season,  in reality it is actually the perfect time. Well, maybe not from the consumers point of view, but for sure from the retailers perspective. So with that seed being planted in your minds, I have included some photos of the Spring 2011 collection from the various designers for your viewing pleasure. Check them out and tell me what you think? Also, in the next few weeks I will be discussing the fashion trends in great detail, so stay tuned!

new years eve movie night

Just in case you have opted to stay home for New Years Eve this year and are tired of watching reruns or  reality shows on television, then consider renting some of the films I have listed below to keep you entertained. So, grab a bottle or two of champagne, pop some popcorn, turn up the fire, snuggle under a blanket with a loved one or not and enjoy a movie or two or three 🙂 1.  The Apartment (1960) 2. Breakfast At Tiffany (1961) 3. La Dolche Vita (1960) 4. The Thomas Crown Affair (1968) 5. Holiday (1938) 6. High Society (1956)

new years eve decoration suggestions

A few things  to remember while hosting  a New Years Eve party are of course,  champagne,  party favors, an array of (silver and gold) decorations, at least for my taste (you can choose your own color theme as you wish)  around the living room and several funky clocks strategically  placed  at the buffet table and fireplace mantle alarmed and ready to go off at midnight. In light of the New Years Eve decoration suggestions, I have included some photos to share. Have fun planning!!!  

new years eve and black-tie event dresses and gowns

I know I have stated before, if all else fails, consider the color black in fashion. Believe me a woman over 40 can seldom  go wrong with the choice of color, because no matter how self-conscious she may feel about her figure, black has a way of smoothing out the edges. However, choosing age appropriate black dresses or gowns is  very important for the woman over 40 because, selecting the wrong cut, length or style , can surely be the most damaging. Since choosing the dress or gown is a hit or miss in some or most cases, I have included one of my favorite designer’s website here to help guide the process. I have also included some of my favorite selections (below) from the site to consider or duplicate (depending on one’s budget)  for that special soiree. Enjoy and let me know what is your favorite gown from the selection.