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Hey friends! I’m so excited to share this special discount with you today. I know you are probably swooning over J.Crew’s new arrivals as well!

Enjoy 20% off women’s full-priced apparel* with code LOOK20. Hurry, ends Tuesday, 5/21.

 

*Offer valid on purchases of full-priced women’s apparel in J.Crew stores and at jcrew.com from May 16, 2013, 12:01am ET through May 21, 2013, 11:59pm ET. Offer not valid in the 769 Madison Avenue store, J.Crew Factory stores, at jcrewfactory.com or on phone orders. Offer cannot be applied to previous purchases or the purchase of gift cards and cannot be redeemed for cash or used in combination with any other offer. Offer not valid on CFDA styles, bridal gowns and third-party branded merchandise. Discount on retail purchases applied at register. To redeem online, enter code LOOK20 in the promo code box at checkout. Limit one promotional code per order. Offer valid in the U.S. and Canada only. Terms of offer are subject to change.

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Aerin Erickson Beamon Cote D’Azur Multi Strand Necklace

The new AERIN accessories are gorgeous. I love that she’s collaborated with brands including Erickson Beamon and Oliver Peoples – two of my favorites! Her jewelry is perfect for poolside soirees this summer and elegant cocktail parties.  It’s bright with just the right amount of restrained elegance. In colors like lavender and coral – the most difficult decision is picking which pieces to add to your shopping bag.

And, the ballet flats?  Comfortable AND chic.

Shop timelessly beautiful accessories from AERIN here.

 

A few of my favorites…

Aerin Erickson Beamon Cote D’Azur Ring

Aerin Erickson Beamon Evening Gold Collar Necklace

Aerin Erickson Beamon Allasio Drop Earrings

 

Aerin Ballet Flats Antibes


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Planning your summer soiree just got even more chic. Paperless Post has partnered with legendary designer Oscar de la Renta and created a new array of gorgeous invitations.  From wedding invitations, to save the dates, thank you notes, stationery, and general entertaining, you are sure to be clicking the send button in high style.  Oscar says “entertaining should be as uncomplicated as possible. It should be simple but interesting.”

Customize digital & print save the dates, wedding invitations, thank you notes, party invitations and stationary inspired by Oscar de la Renta prints, laces and embroideries.

Which are your favorites from the new collection?

Here are a few of mine:

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Kelly Wearstler

I’m so thrilled to share this Q&A on Nonsense & Sensibility today with Kelly Wearstler! Kelly was recently in Dallas at Neiman Marcus Downtown and I was thrilled to catch up with her and see what she’ll be shopping and wearing this summer!


Key Pendant Moonstone – Mother’s Day gift idea!


N/S: What will you be wearing to summer cocktail parties? Weddings?

Kelly Wearstler: I always mix vintage pieces with my own collection for a raw and refined, California chic vibe. I love chunky jewelry, layered cocktails rings and one of a kind pieces – with a great jacket draped over my shoulders and an insane pair of shoes.

 

N/S: What inspired your spring and summer collection?

Kelly Wearstler: A Cabinet of Curiosities: cool oddities with interesting, unique detailing.

 

 

N/S: What can we expect to see from Kelly Wearstler this fall?

Kelly Wearstler: Lots of jewelry, novelty denim with subtle details and signature hardware. Lapis stone pieces and confetti rings with gems and semi-precious baguettes , black diamonds with rutilated quartz, rose gold patinas… Designs that play to my love of stones and metals.

 

N/S: What is on your packing list when you travel?

Kelly Wearstler: My Cannon Camera, a tape measure, Rowena luggage, and sunscreen. I always bring one of my Kelly Wearstler throws for the plane – which makes my travel experience instantly more luxurious and cozy.

 

 

Kelly loves to mix and match china for dinner parties.


N/S: What’s your go-to gift for a host or hostess?

Kelly Wearstler: One of my stone bottle stops or an alpaca throw, or if it’s for a hostess – jewelry.

 

N/S: When did you know you wanted to design clothing? What has the transition been like from working as an interior designer and now as an interior designer and fashion designer?

Kelly Wearstler: I’ve always been inspired by fashion. My collection felt like a natural extension of my design process. I’m an avid collector of vintage. I view home accessories and detailing as jewelry for a room. When designing for clients I often look to their closet first to get a sense of what color stories and patterns they relate to most. The two mediums fuel one another.

 

 

Kelly Wearstler brass legs at Neiman Marcus

 

N/S: What’s your favorite scent or fragrance? Bouquet?

Kelly Wearstler: I love lavender and peonies. I like natural subtle scents that feel organic, nothing artificial or overpowering.

 

N/S: What’s the most fabulous party you’ve ever been to? What made it so special?

Kelly Wearstler: My favorite parties are family affairs. We love to come up with fun themes each year for my boy’s birthdays. Elliot’s is just before Halloween. Family events are intimate, low key and fun. We go all out for Halloween every year.

 

Kelly Wearstler and I at Neiman Marcus – fall 2011

 

Find Kelly on the web here, Facebook here, and Twitter here.


Keyhole Cuff – great Mother’s Day gift idea!

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Nancy Gonzalez

 

It was a pleasure visiting Neiman Marcus Downtown several weeks ago to meet and interview handbag designer Nancy Gonzalez during her visit to Dallas. I loved learning more about her spring and summer collection. Her new Cristina bag is named after her daughter. It’s not domed shape, but instead square and especially crafted for a working mother on the go. It has pockets specifically for your iPad and other modern essentials paired with a thick zipper. It’s functional while still remaining stylish and timeless.

Nancy Gonzalez spring 2013 – Cristina bag

With over 30 new bags for this season alone, what can we expect to come from Nancy Gonzalez this fall? For fall, the collection mixes crocs with crocs and crocs with ponies. “It’s an animal that doesn’t even exist,” she said, “We’ve created zebra, giraffe, and even leopard patterns out of pony hair and crocodile.”

Nancy Gonzalez fall 2013


Nancy Gonzalez fall 2013

Yes, the terms: Croco-Zebra, Croco-Leopard, and Croco-Giraffe were mentioned (which I thoroughly enjoy). “All the time, I’m searching and working to create something new,” said Gonzalez, “I love animals. I thought why don’t I create my own?”

Shop Nancy Gonzalez on NeimanMarcus.com here.


Nancy Gonzalez fall 2013

decor

 

Tracery Interiors at Rosemary Beach, FL is one of my must-visits on every trip to the beach.  My mom sent me their most recent blog post that shows images from one of their newest projects in Nashville. I absolutely love everything about this project and I haven’t even seen it completed!  From the wallpaper, to the light fixtures, to fireplaces, tile work, and ceiling details – it’s just overflowing with stunning design elements. I MUST have that wallpaper. Wouldn’t it be the most gorgeous accent wall?

Check out more of Tracery Interiors work on their blog here and visit their website here.

 

 

love this light fixture

 

AMAZING fireplace.

 

new kitchen inspiration!

 

loving the blue.

* images: Tracery Interiors – see more images on their blog here.

beauty

I am usually very loyal to hair products.  Once I find something I like, I stick to it until something else proves better than the previous.  Hence, I was quite excited to try the Dear Clark products.  I knew if they worked even half as amazing as they smelled, I’d be well on the road to upgrading my beauty cabinet.

The Dear Clark salon in Dallas was launched by stylists Holly Dear and Kaycee Clark (and it also has a blow dry lounge)!  The two stylists decided to create a line of hair products that were made of natural and effective ingredients sourced right here in Texas.  The signature scent (that I’m in love with) is crafted with pure and powerful essential oils.  Don’t miss the Resurrecting Wash, Resurrecting Rinse, Thickening Balm, Smoothing Elixir, and Finishing Salve.

Their products contain ingredients including: Rose of Jericho, Sunflower Seed Oil, and Aloe Vera and are all handcrafted in Texas. If you try ANYTHING, I would highly recommend the shampoo and conditioner. The scent lasts with you all day and it’s positively heavenly. And, runner up, would certainly be the Dear Clark Smoothing Elixir because…. it WORKS!  I am so grateful to have been introduced to this line… and my hair is too!

Shop Dear Clark products here.


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A few of my spring favorites from the Veronica Beard spring collection!

It was such a pleasure to be featured on the Veronica Beard blog this week for their blogger spotlight! Veronica Beard is one of my favorite fashion brands and I couldn’t be more in love with their spring collection.  I shared a few of my thoughts on what makes a blogger influential in the fashion industry, spring favorites from their new collection, and my favorite interview to date!

Check out the full interview here.

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Charlotte Dellal of Charlotte Olympia

 

It’s crazy to think that I first posted about Charlotte Olympia in August of 2010 after reading an article about the shoes in the July 2010 issue of Tatler. The company has reached great heights in the past three years.  And, now, of course, they are available at Neiman Marcus!

It was exciting to learn that Charlotte Olympia designer, Charlotte Dellal will be visiting Dallas’ Neiman Marcus NorthPark this week. I was thrilled to have the chance to ask the designer a few questions before her visit to Dallas and can’t wait to meet her in person! (*I must have the Gemini Zodiac flats)

 

N/S: Did you always know you wanted to be a shoe designer?

Charlotte Olympia: I’ve always wanted to design fashion but it was in my foundation year at London College of Fashion that I discovered that I wanted to specialize in footwear and went on to do a degree at Cordwainers in London.

 

N/S: What was the first shoe you ever designed?

Charlotte Olympia: A leopard print ankle bootie named after my sister Alice; it is still in production today in my ‘Encore’ collection of classics.

 

 

N/S: What do you feel has been the greatest achievement of your company thus far?

Charlotte Olympia: Opening my Mayfair and Manhattan stores were proud moments.

 

Parisienne from Charlotte Olympia

 

N/S: Who are your own personal style inspirations?  Muses?

Charlotte Olympia: Movie stars and pin ups from the 40’s and 50’s. Rita Hayworth is a favourite.

 

N/S: What do you believe really sets your company and designs apart from others?

Charlotte Olympia: The essence of my brand is from my love of Old Hollywood and an era that was rich in glamour and accessories. My designs reflect this in both a feminine and colourful way, but with a touch of humour.

 

N/S: Where is your favorite place to travel and why?

Charlotte Olympia: I am half Brazilian so ideally I would love to spend half the year there and half the year in London!

 

N/S: What are you most excited about with your upcoming Dallas visit?

Charlotte Olympia: It is my first trip to Dallas and I just wish I could stay for longer. I’m delighted to be visiting Neiman Marcus and the flagshipstore which is a destination in itself.

 

 

Desi Croissant from Charlotte Olympia

 

N/S: What inspired spring/summer 2013 with Charlotte Olympia?

Charlotte Olympia: Spring/Summer 13 is called ‘La Vie en Rose’ – it is a romantic and cliché view of Paris from the boudoir to the Eiffel Tower. This spring, I will be wearing ‘Colette’, my take on a Marabou feathered boudoir slipper featuring a poodle head accessory on the toe, the ‘Ooh La La’ crochet flats and a perfume ‘Scent’ clutch bag.

 

N/S: Any exciting news or plans to share for this year?

Charlotte Olympia: I’m excited to be launching the Cosmiccollection  this month – a capsule of Birthday Shoes and Zodiac Pandora Clutch boxes celebrating the twelve star signs. I’m also looking forward to the opening of my LA store in May.

 

N/S: What can we expect to see this fall?

Charlotte Olympia: Fall ’13 is entitled’ Once upon a Time’ and was inspired by enchanted forests and fairytales including Rapunzel, Little Red Riding Hood and many more!

 


Gemini Zodiac Flats from Charlotte Olympia

 

Shop Charlotte Olympia on NeimanMarcus.com here and meet the designer in person tomorrow in Dallas!

 

Charlotte Olympia Personal Appearance
at Neiman Marcus NorthPark
Meet the designer and view the collection
Ladies Shoe Salon, Level Two
April 16, 1pm to 4pm