Peacock Alley: Lights, Camera... Hide.

Does anyone actually like to be filmed?

I think movie stars should be paid high salaries

because to be able to act normal while being taped

is one of the most impossible tasks I've ever encountered.

Skinny dipping?

Truth or dare?

The cinnamon challenge?

I'll step up to almost anything...

but ask me to stare in a camera and talk to myself?

Errr.... you might as well ask me to do it in Mandarin

while I'm at it.

* * *

Luckily, my day filming a little video

at Peacock Alley was a lot of fun.

The type of day that is right up my alley.

{Some pun with Peacock Alley should be made, but I can't think of it. Help?}

I got to play around the pretty linens,

catch up with my old friend, Laura,

and dream about what my house would have looked like

had I married an actual Kennedy

instead of that hot guy from my Business Law class.

{Since, obviously, so many of the actual Kennedy's were pursuing me.}

The only drawback was that I couldn't actually roll around in the beds

and take ridiculous pictures for your enjoyment/horror

since, apparently, showroom beds aren't exactly sturdy.

I know, I know...

I was just as disappointed as you are.

* * *

The video we shot is being edited by some cool people

and I'll share it with you when it's finished...

Unless my suspicions aren't confirmed

and I am indeed the world's biggest tool

with the most terrible voice in the world.

If that's the case,

just forget I ever mentioned it.

But don't forget how awesome Peacock Alley's line is.

Seriously, I wasn't the only one drooling on the stuff....

But the BEST part of the day?

Viola got a new line of bedding named after her.

That's right...
their new, gorgeous collection is called 
"Viola."

I mean I'm swelling with motherly pride.

I'm not sure she could win an Olympic gold medal
and I be any prouder.

She felt pretty awesome about it, too. 

It's coming soon... and you better believe

that it isn't going to be hidden on here. :)

*images original to Aspiring Kennedy

Between The Sheets: Peacock Alley

In the short span of my life,

I've learned that there are few things

that can subtly let you know

when someone is of a higher pedigree.

A few of these tell-tale signs can include

(but are not limited to):

well-made Italian driving shoes...

having a cousin who dated a Kennedy...

casual references to childhood au-pairs & yacht captains...

&, of course, 

those with fantastically luxe bed linens.

______________

There is something intangible about crawling into a cool bed

made with crisp, expensive sheets.

It gives you that same feeling you get

when you hand a valet your keys,

lounge in a spa robe waiting for a massage,

or get upgraded to first class.

You just feel... fancy.

So today, I am very happy to offer one of you

this upgrade into first-class daily life...

a set of luxury bed sheets from Peacock Alley.

I know, I know...

bed sheets?

Sounds a bit... everyday,

but if you aren't familiar with this line, 

you'll want to be soon.

These babies are the Birkin bag of bed sheets

made of 100% Egyptian cotton...

Being a Dallas girl,

I've always had a huge respect for this line

and the gorgeous work that they do.

And now,

one of you will get to hop in bed

with some of there newest collection,

The Emma Sheet Collection

and win a set of your choice of color

in sheets & pillow shams.

{Honestly, I am so jealous of whoever wins this.

Just promise me if you win,

one Sunday morning when you lounging in bed

with a breakfast tray and newspaper,

you'll raise that mimosa and toast to the Aspiring Kennedy...

Winner will be drawn Friday, March 1, 2013.

Good luck!

It's fun having cool friends...

... because when you have cool friends, 

you get to do cool things with them

instead of sitting around your flat

clicking through Suri's Burn Book, 

eating yoghurt that is past it's expiration

while waiting for your pants to finish drying on the radiator.

I mean not like I do that or anything.... 

at least, not every day.

A good example of this

was when I got to help Helena style her flat

for a shoot for The Everygirl.

And when I say "style," 

you realize that actually, basically, means:

eat almond croissants, chat up the photographer 

& root through Helena's make up & jewelry while she tried on clothes.

Yeah, it was super fun.

photos by lbk

Sarah Hogan, the photographer, was amazing.

Not only are her pictures fantastic, 

but she is way fun to work with...

like, I want to go buy a huge house,

spend tons to decorate it

get in disastrous debt...

just to give me another excuse to spend the day 

hanging out with her.

I stole a few shots from the piece to show off her skills...

photos by Sarah Hogan

So, go on.

Click through to see the entire shoot

and fall more in love with Helena 

for being the incredible mix of exotically fabulous

(Greek girl- raised in Spain- who went to French school & works in London?)

and completely down-to-earth

You'll love seeing how NORMAL her house is.

It makes me happy to see her pretty life showcased this way.

I, in the meantime, will be sitting here...

drinking a tepid cup of chamomile tea & moving files to my external hard-drive.

Seriously. 

Annnnnnd that is why I'm thankful to have friends that are actually not losers.

A la Carte.

I really like being bored.

While I might ping-pong myself across the globe

neglecting my jet-lagged body,

I actually relish in the moments of doing nothing.

Tyler often finds me sitting in front of the oven

as I watch dinner cook inside.

I would happily sit on a delayed train

and rest my head against the window.

And on my way across the ocean today,

I be opting to watch the flight map

instead of a movie on my flight.

I love looking at all the cities in my path

and letting my imagination crawl 

over the curiosity of the people

sitting 30,000 feet below my own.

And as one who finds maps as entertainment,

I also find them as the perfect home accessory.

 I love these subtle places for maps in your home ...

... and these are such clever DIY's...

... and each of these prints begs me to pack my bags for a new adventure...

world  | us | england | new york

image set no. 1: door,  cabinet, &  drawer

image set no. 2:  frame,  boxes,  & hearts

Make Your Bed

There was a buzz of criticism 

regarding the April issue of

Rue Magazine.

People sighed that it wasn't original,

they were bored...

blah blah blah.

Say what you want about that issue

(though I think you should say it kindly),

Rue did something incredible when they made this video.

Featuring the new line of bedding by Kate Spade,

this video is so totally adorable, 

and completely agrees with my thought 

that videos and blogs are a lovely combination.

(First seen at One Sydney Road...)

Decorate This Space!

As you may have noticed,

I'm not exactly an interiors blogger.

I mean, I blog from inside everyday....

but other than that,

I leave the design work to the professionals.

Why would I try to compete with all the amazing decor blogs out there

when I could blog about completely random things?

Today though,

I get to design my dream space.

I'm not going to call it a mood board,

or an inspiration board,

or anything other than

"How I would decorate my house... if money wasn't an option."

{Sidenote: I really wish it wasn't sometimes.}

Thank you Jillian,

the sweet lady behind Cornflake Dreams

 for inviting me to participate in your fun blog crawl,
and thanks to Kristin of Ten Scenic Drive 
for passing on the blog crawl this way.

pendant light | don carney original art | penguin books 

grey velvet sofa | jonathan adler capri pillow 

kartell gold bourgie lamp | missoni rug

Well... how did I do?

Would you come over for tea?

Pop on to Styles 'n Cream tomorrow

when Rali continues our

 Decorate This Space blog crawl!

Aquatic Performance

There isn't a cloud in the sky today.

But brr... it is cold!

If the weather can pretend to be in the mood for spring,

gosh darn it- so will I.

I've been looking up places for an April getaway.

Some place exotic.

Some place warm.

Some place surrounded by crystal waters.
Some place we have never been.
Some place that isn't in political unrest....


Which is actually a bit harder to find than you'd imagine.

Until I find that place...

 I'm going on a little retail vacation of my own.

What exotic place would you want to visit?

{Can you tell I need suggestions?}

Le Creuset Dish Pendant Chandelier Jonathan Adler Pillow Tory Burch Purse

Needlepoint Sunglass Holder Milly Dress Giuseppe Zanotti Sandals

The Perfect Setting.

Some combinations in life are pretty obvious:

... truffles & cream sauce...

... short skirts & over-knee-boots...

... Posh & Becks...

But what do you get when you combine

a luxury-display-stylist-turned-calligraphy-queen

+

 NYC-fashion-illustrator-gone-Texan-stationery-goddess?

Well, I actually don't know how to articulate all that awesomeness...

but fortunately, 

Antiquaria

speaks for itself.

The polished duo behind the new site,

 Bailey Amon & Emma James, 

claim that their brain child 

was born out of a love for vintage items.

But it takes more than love to create a business like this.

It takes talent,

...and an inherent nature of being adorable.

{Because regular people couldn't be this charming, could they?}

At Antiquaria,

you'll find bright and colorful pieces that merge 
traditional hosting & modern living 

in a gorgeously approachable way.

The coolest part of Antiquaria's vintage collection

is their bridal registry.

These talented ladies will curate china settings uniquely for you,

and will send you a link for your guests to shop these specific pieces for you alone.

Then the gifts get  pristinely wrapped, 

stamped with a custom calligraphy stamp,

{that is later a gift to the bride & groom},

& sent to the happy couple!

Which makes me think that this may be even a better combination

than these chocolate cookies with oreos baked inside.

All the juicy bits...

Whether you drink your OJ smooth,

or with the added pleasure of "juicy bits"

{as my British friends would say}...

you've gotta love 

PULP.

PULP Design Studios 

is the new collaboration of

 Carolina Gentry & Beth Dotolo {of Hello Splendor}

...and boy, 

is it fresh.

Check out their cool new blog,

Pulp Culture...

and follow them on twitter

 for your daily recommended dose of 

hilarious & inspired design chatter.

photography by: Kevin Dotolo

This is cute, right?

It's a one page calendar 

that's simple, colorful, fresh, and... free.

And the best part-

It's free!

{Oh, did I already mention that?}

Cute, lil' ole, Memphis-lovin, Leslie 

of Sharp Stick in the Eye

made them up

and now you can print one out for yourself...

for free.

So you can dream about your approaching vacay, 

scan the month for a good weekend to host a party, 

and keep tabs of when you're busy and when you're...  free.

Click the link here to print one out for yourself.

Mines going on the fridge...

where do you keep your calendar?

Paging Doctor Grove

Well,

I got tested.

No, no, no...

 not for anything hideous...

but to diagnose my style, silly!

Kirsten of Simply Grove

offers a free test.

And it's not the awkward type of testing

that lands you half-naked,

wearing a gown made out of fast food napkin material, 

with zero pride remaining to your name.

All you do is send her 5 photos

of your favorite spaces.

Kirsten will review the images,

and a few days later-

she will let you know

-in a very professional manner-

 what's happening in your head.

Do you experience pain in your heart when you look through Lonny?

You may be living with "Ecclectic mix of modern glam with youthful traditional" taste.

Perhaps you're budget is ailed your affection for nordic design with a very real case of:

"Classic modern with a dose of swedish rustic taste."

{Symptoms may include a Pavlov-like response to Swedish meatballs and/or lignon berries...}

If you have developed a taste that can be bet described as:

 "clean chic retro with traditional, classic, and rustic moments,"

it's recommended that you spend 45 minutes of walking

... through Restoration Hardware every day.

These are the five pictures I sent to Kirsten...

I have to admit, I was nervous.

What if I had a plaguing case of

"Lava-lamp-lover-icity?"

or

"Bean-bag-babe-itis?

You can only imagine my relief when this came through my inbox...

Lauren’s Style Diagnosis:

Glamorously Traditional

Statements are made and ideas are very clear in these spaces.  It is not ok to be boring.  Old fashioned creativity is out the door.  Pieces are big and beautiful and walls are full of modern and classic art.  Linens are high quality and accessories tell a story.  Elegance and contemporary have kissed!!

{Phew.}

Thanks, Doc.

Head over to Simply Grove...

check out what Kirsten's saying, 

and check out her other style tests patients!

Penguin Books: Marching to a Prettier Drum.

Let's be honest:

We all judge books by their covers.

In fact, I'm pretty sure the main reason

I never read my required reading in school

was because of the shoddy artwork on top.

And finally, Penguin Books understands it's audience.

Have you seen their new collections?

Imagine them as the perfectly blended love children

of your high school drama darling & AP english bookworm.

They've got beautiful artistic bods holding in some fancy scribbles.

These clothbound cuties are enchantingly available at Anthropologie, Liberty, & other fine stores.

Deep thinking & letterpress covers... for £5? Cheers to that.

Bold colors for the adventuresome reader.

Just looking at these books helps me understand love more.

Aren't they gorgeous?

Each of them deserve top marks for unique style.

And with covers as pretty as this,

I may find myself giving those 

overlooked summer reading lists

a second thought.

Zara Home: You light up my life.

 I was thrilled to find these votives 

at Zara Home for £6 each.

Not necessarily because I thought it was a good deal...

... but because I found them for $1 

at a Big Lots very posh store in Dallas.

I Love It... aly.

I'll state the obvious:

I want a house in Italy...

This isn't an original idea...

others have bought them first,

and I know your own dreams 
would probably fall in line somewhere close by.

I just want a small place 

that I can go to fall 

into the rhythm 

of daily piazza life.

A place to someday take my kids,
where they'll learn to love gnocchi,

and sputter out their Americanized-Italian to the kids next door.

A place where my friends can take the keys, 

and slip away from busy work weeks amidst wine & sunshine.

via

A place that Tyler & I can enjoy our memories from when we were younger,

and place that is consistent through the years.

via

The dreamer that I am, 

finds solace and inspiration in these places...

Palazzo Pizzo- the blog of a family remodeling a house in Southern Italy.

 An honest diary of an old palace on a wall along the coast 

being remodeled via correspondence from Germany 

to their faithful Italian contractor, Angelo.

via

Or check out the swanky-ex-Armani offices-turned-palazzo in Milan 

featured in the New York Times this week.

via

When I read Under the Tuscan Sun, I felt like I was on a vacation...

{well, I actually was in Palm Beach on vacation}

the book offers a much sweeter story than the movie.

Sometimes, I find a nice bowl of pasta to be quite delicious inspiring, too.

via

Oh man, do I love Italy. 

Where would you 

want to have 

a home-away-from-home?