Coco Before Chanel - movie recommendation!

I just watched the movie Coco Before Chanel (2009) in which Audrey Tautou portrays the early life of the fashion legend. There are so many cool things I never new about Coco Chanel! She has such an interesting story!

A few things I didn’t know that I bet you didn’t either (Spoiler Alert!!): her real name wasn’t Coco; she was an orphan; she worked as a not-so-talented cabaret singer; she never intended to be in fashion but sort of fell into it after other failed attempts at fame and wealth. If the movie’s depiction is accurate, she also lied a lot about her past, was the mistress of a wealthy man in exchange for financial support, and suffered the loss of the only man she ever loved. 

Having known very little about the late designer I could not have guessed that Coco was very much a hippy of her day. She refused to wear a corset and frowned upon the extravagant accessories that gilded every other woman's attire. Instead she was inspired by mens wear and tailored for herself a wardrobe of what was the beginning of today’s European prep. 

The movie captures the timelessness of her style. Much of what she created for herself, although bold for the time, is still in fashion today:

Stripes are everywhere right now and they've always been a clean and classic look. (Upper left: Coco Chanel introducing the chic stripe in the 1930's; upper right: Audrey Tautou as Coco; Lower left and right: clothing from Anthropologie - I love the dress!)

Here is a pleated top with cinched shoulders (I'm not sure if this is actually Coco or someone replicating one of her outfits), I actually think it's much cuter than the current examples I've found:

(Audrey Tautou as Coco on left, Anthropologie top on right)

And finally, Coco in her elegant black dress, with pockets no less! 

                    "Luxury must be comfortable, otherwise it is not luxury."  - Coco Chanel

Two things I love around my home...

I'm so glad to join in with Two Things Tuesday at Bacwoods Fern again! I'm looking forward to sharing the new things I find or create while trying to make my place more homie and... just me. Here are my two, somewhat small, things:

I went to buy a small pot for this bright little plant and right next to the pots were these colorful mugs! So I got one of those instead. I think it's sweet, aw.

I went to a vintage shop recently to get a gift for a friend and could not tear myself away from this little mirror. I thought, I could make this, it would be so easy to make this! Then somehow I ended up thinking, oh, whatever, and I bought it. As it turns out, the store manager made it herself! Well, I guess it will just be in my room to inspire me... and help me with my morning make-up and various other mirror responsibilities. Ain't it cute?

What are your two things? Link up at Bacwoods Fern or post a comment. You know... it doesn't have to be a Tuesday to share... technically it's Wednesday by now anyway. Yikes! Bed time!!

Coveting a Kitchen...

On this gloomy Sunday I have been thumbing through the April issue of Dwell magazine: Prefab Today. A particular home is featured that has left me drooling over it's beautiful open living space, check it out:

I love the mix of concrete with warm wood, and the openness of the area. I love the shelves in the concrete couter, and the slab of wood with the storage underneath, and the interesting branch piece above the table.. and... and... I love it all!!!

Here are few more pics:

I really like the collage of frames above the day bed. And isn't this a perfectly beautiful fireplace? Sigh

Decorating!!!! Sound the Trumpets!!!!

I have been biting my tongue, rolling my eyes, muttering under my breath, waiting for soooooooo long for the time in which I would be able to have CONTROL over my living space and decorate, clean, whathaveyou to my liking! That time has come!!!!!!!!!!!! BLAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!! (That is me shrieking and jumping for... well, I think mostly relief.) Yes folks, you guessed it, I cannot lie to you.... I no longer live with my mother!! No, no I did not move out, she did. Truly, I am very happy for her. She fell in love and is starting the new beginning she's always wanted. And truly, I've missed her sooner than I'd expected.
But that is the reason behind my lack of posting recently. I have been digging through junk and fixing things that have been broken for the last decade. I've realized that where my mom always kept our spices was a terribly strange place - under the sink. Hmm. I've also learned that our second shower, which my mom has used to store shoes since we moved in 13 years ago, actually isn't broken, as she had informed my brother and I. In fact, her stacked shoe boxes were hiding some very cute turqoise tiles that I plan to show you once I figure out how the heck to get the grout non-very-brownish.

I have a new friend that will be moving into our spare room and I can't wait to make this place feel different. One of the main things I really want to do is to find some interesting artwork to put up on the walls. I made my first purchase the other day. It's just a print and I've been having a hard time deciding what styles I like, but something about it kept drawing me back to it. So I got it!!!  It's by Ali Cavanaugh, an extremely talented painter. Doesn't it look like a photo?

Tell me what you think!! I love the colors and the minor details, like how the girls pink strap is twisted a little.

I was also recently told about a really cool site called 52 Editions. Each week they post a piece of photography from an up and coming artist and they sell it at a discounted price, just for that week. It's a great opportunity to collect some unique work without having to go broke!

I also totally gave in and bought a canvas print from Urban Outfitters that I felt was a little overpriced. But, I actually really like it. But that's it, only two pieces so far.

I've been browsing through a really cool decorating book to get ideas. It's a great source of inspiration and design techniques: Domino: The Book of Decorating

Friends! Help me find new art for my house!!! Post a comment and share your favorite artists or places to find interesting pieces. I would really appreciate it!!!

tuesday's two things I love around my home...

I found this super cute blog of an acquaintance which has caused me some considerable Blogger's envy. Every Tuesday she has fellow bloggers "link up" (new blog feature for me - eek!) and share two things they they love or appreciate around their home. I thought this was kind of a nice idea so this is my first ever edition of Two things I love... around my home from Bacwoods Fern:

1. My little antique photo hangers. I think they are so sweet and a nice alternative to a picture frame. I found them at one of my favorite vintage shops called Punch. It is now moving to state street in Santa Barbara and I can't wait to go back and see what else I can find!

2. My lime green bath towels from Anthropologie. They're super soft and cozy and I love how colorful they are! I've considered painting my bathroom wall to help them pop, but that's quite an undertaking for towels... we'll see. 

What are your two favorite things? I linked up kind of last minute today, but feel free to play along or join in next week, link here. I think I'll try and join each week if I can!

A Few of My Favorite Things

I feel it is important to make your surroundings a place you enjoy being. For me, the place I go to relax at home would be my bedroom. I love coming home from work to a room that I like and is pleasant. I achieved this by adding little details to things I already had, like adding pretty knobs to an old, dull dresser. Here are a few of my favorite little details:

I love these little photo hangers I found at a vintage boutique!

Whether cleaning or reading a book, I like to burn a sweet smelling candle to make the experience all the more enjoyable. My favorite is Santiago Huckleberry by Voluspa. And they come in pretty jars!

If you're like me then you probably have photos displayed on every wall, tucked into the corners of your mirror and frames. Pictures are very important to me but I also don't like a lot of clutter. So I took all the pictures around my room that lacked a proper home and made a photo collage above my sewing table. (That's my lovely sewing machine under its cover in the left corner.) The photo collage was inspired by a Pottery Barn catalogue (wink) and makes for something cheerful to look at while brainstorming sewing projects. Love it!

These are mercury glass votive holders. It's nice to have a little something shiny here or there.



A dear friend sent me a post card with this poem by Robert Creeley on it. Isn't it sweet?




And finally: Nothing beats a friendly companion.