March 12th, 2010
Yesterday I came home to the most beautiful gift in the mail. The darling Heather Clawson of Habitually Chic had sent me the book above, Dreaming in French by Megan McAndrew. I’ve only read the first twenty-or-so pages and find myself utterly enthralled! The novel tells the story of a “superficially glamorous” expatriate family in late 1970s Paris. The mother is this fantastically eccentric, stylish character from Kentucky and I’ve already grown to love her. I can’t wait for the weekend to begin so I can curl up and read the rest! As a petit homage to Heather’s thoughtful gift I thought I’d share some of my favorite Avedon photographs of Paris…
Thank you Heather and bon weekend my sweet Neo-Trads!





(images — here, here, here and here)
Tags: Dreaming in French, Habitually Chic, Richard Avedon
Posted in Arts & Crafts, Book Envy | 4 Comments »
March 12th, 2010



I’m totally in awe of these simple postcards that transform into miniature gardens! Just pop-out the frame, add the seeds, water and voila! There’s even a little video demonstration here. Brilliant. Wouldn’t you just love to get one in the mail?
Tags: post card pop out garden, postcarden
Posted in Product Design | 6 Comments »
March 12th, 2010

Cutest. Image. Ever.
By Tim Walker for Allure, circa 1998.
P.S. Anna Spiro reads my blog?!?!?! AHHH. She’s my idol.
(via Absolutely Beautiful Things via Moodboard)
Tags: Allure Magazine, Tim Walker
Posted in Arts & Crafts, Fashion Design | 11 Comments »
March 11th, 2010

This week I really want to move to Atlanta. Last week it was D.C. and the week before that it was back to Manhattan, but today I’ve returned to my southern belle fantasies. One place I’ve always longed to visit in Atlanta’s Buckhead neighborhood is the charming shop Pieces. Their fun mix of antique, vintage and contemporary furniture and home accessories won me over long ago though I’ve yet to visit in person. The owner, Lee Kleinhelter, clearly has an incredible eye for design and her fantastic use of color continually blows me away. Above, a few current favorites from the Pieces inventory. I’m fairly certain I need that French birdcage… I hope we move to Georgia come June!
Tags: Pieces Buckhead Atlanta
Posted in Interior Design, Travel | 23 Comments »
March 11th, 2010


I’m in love with these French ruffled towels by Two Girls in Avignon. They’re so girly and fabulous—I mean really, that Indienne print at top is to die for. Plus I adore Avignon. I went there with my French host family when I studied abroad in Provence and saw this spectacular new wave ballet at night inside the courtyard of the Palais de Papes. It was wild—all the ballerinas somehow ended up naked on stage by the end of the show. I love the French. Anyway, back to the towels—cute right?
Tags: Two Girls in Avignon, vintage linen towels
Posted in Interior Design | 10 Comments »
March 11th, 2010


How lovely are these old photographs of Grace Kelly? They were taken during a trip to Jamaica with her sister Peggy in 1955. The photographer, Howell Conant, went on to become her official photographer as Princess of Monaco. Such a timeless beauty. Adding to the inspiration board…
(via K.I.D. collective)
Tags: Grace Kelly Jamaica 1955
Posted in Arts & Crafts, Film | 25 Comments »
March 10th, 2010










Just added some things to Katie Armour Home, you know, in case you are in dire need of an elephant…or two. XO
Tags: Katie Armour Home
Posted in Katie Armour Home | 31 Comments »
March 10th, 2010


Someday, when I no longer have a conscience, I’m going to treat myself to one of these $530 Hermes beach towels because I absolutely adore elephants. Do you think their terry cloth is woven with gold thread? One wonders… If only they weren’t so darn cute.
Tags: Hermes Elephant beach towels
Posted in Product Design | 21 Comments »
March 10th, 2010

Sometimes when I’m feeling nostalgic for Manhattan I find myself wandering over to the websites of my old haunts. The Calypso Home boutique in Soho was one of my all favorites and their online shop helps to satisfy my longing. Above, some of my favorite items. Leopard linen napkins and a Katie-Armour-purple frame, need I say more?
Tags: Calypso Home boutique Soho New York, leopard print linen napkins
Posted in Interior Design | 19 Comments »
March 10th, 2010


I’m a wee bit obsessed with these leather accessories by Russell+Hazel. Now I just have to narrow it down—the portfolio, the stash or the pencil case? And it neon, white or sparkley gold? Tough decisions.
P.S. I’m in a lots-of-little-posts sort of mood today. Stay tuned : )
Tags: leather office accessories, Russell and Hazel
Posted in Product Design | 12 Comments »
March 10th, 2010


(House Beautiful image found here)
Tags: Elsie de Wolfe quote quotation
Posted in Quote of the Day | 5 Comments »
March 9th, 2010

I am absolutely smitten with the oil paintings of artist Janet Hill. Her subjects are all dressed so smart and positively ooze vintage glamour. I love their saturated color palettes—can’t you envision one of her canvases hung above the mantle in your living room? I could, if we had the luxury of having a mantle that is… Anyhow, be sure to visit Janet’s website and shop, she paints fantastic interiors too! I think the girl with the ship in the background is my favorite—it’s so Coco Avant Chanel. Do you have a favorite? Do tell!





Tags: Janet Hill Studio, oil paintings
Posted in Arts & Crafts | 24 Comments »
March 9th, 2010

Jane keeps mixing things up on these cheat sheets and I keep loving it! Thank you Jane darling for creating this beauty and Emily of Elva Fields for being our Plucky Pioneer this week! If you missed her interview, just scroll down! I hadn’t thought about Miss Rumphius in a long time—just made my day. Until later… XO Katie
Tags: Emily Maynard Elva Fields Plucky Pioneer Cheat Sheet
Posted in Jewel Box, Plucky Pioneers | 13 Comments »