Changes

Some Feng Shui practitioners say the bedroom, of all the rooms in your house, most accurately represents your inner self. It's usually filled with personal belongings, a private place that guests don't typically see - sometimes even locked or hidden from view. Therefore, the state of your bedroom might be worse than the rest of your house, and may serve as a dumping ground in some cases. When I have guests over, I usually spend my energy clearing up the front of our house, ignoring my bedroom's needs. The fact that it is located at the far corner doesn't help matters. If my bedroom represents my inner self, then I'll be the first to admit I'm in desperate need of an overhaul. The weather is brightening up, and perhaps the blue skies and hopeful breezes have stirred something in me to finally tackle all the junk that has been accumulating in my room. Lets be honest - a bedroom is where you sleep, and it's the first room you experience in the morning and the last at night. It's also the central location for your relationship or marriage. A cool, fresh coat of paint in a medium sage blue inspired by the ocean is where I've chosen to focus my energy. It's not much, but it's something...

Pretty Things

I never thought I'd get excited about a pair of pillows, but here I am. Interior designers are always declaring how pillows can make a room appear more comfortable and also a good way to add color, style, and texture to your living space. It sounds simple enough, but I rarely see any attractive pillows and when I do, they are usually very expensive. I thought I'd put these pillows from the hip Dwell Studio line for Target on my couch, but they are constructed with a silky fabric and ended up looking more appropriate on my bed. They have a large peony print that I really dig. One side has a yellow background with grey flowers, and the other side has the opposite. The contrast between yellow and grey is appealing to me. I was looking for something bright and bold, with an uncomplicated print reminiscent of the 1960s and I was super excited when I found these at Target, the choice place to score affordable pieces with style.

Tiny Dancer

I recently purchased these darling slippers for my daughter. They are basic ballet shoes for her first class, made by Capezio. They fit perfectly, and are very well constructed. They came wrapped in tissue paper inside a thin black box, and when I opened them, I was transported back to when I was a little girl. I'm a bit wistful about my old ballet school days, so putting these slippers on my daughter for the first time along with tights and a leotard was a sweet experience. There's something inherently beautiful about ballet shoes, and these ones are so small and dear I almost want to prominently display them in our house.

Lovely

As you can see, Lovely by Sarah Jessica Parker is an all-time favorite. I've been through a few bottles since it's release in 2005. Of all my perfumes, it's the easiest to wear - softly feminine and sensual, delicately balanced, and not overpowering. It is light and elegant, not cute or girlish - definitely a womanly scent. The pink-hued bottle is pretty with restrained and graceful curves. A grey grosgrain ribbon wraps around the bottle under the cap. I would highly recommend this scent to anyone looking for a light fragrance that does not overpower a room. Don't be intimidated when you read the description of the notes - the patchouli, for example, is a mere whisper. Top Notes: Mandarin, Bergamot, Lavender, Apple. Heart Notes: Patchouli, Paperwhite, Orchid. Base Notes: White Amber, Cedar, Musk.

Sunglasses

House of Harlow 1960, Nicole Richie's accessories line, is clearly inspired by 60s and 70s fashion. I needed a new pair of shades and I almost died when I found these greenish/greyish/brownish ones with gradient lenses. The oversized acrylic frames have a gold HH logo on the side. I love wearing them every day.

Yoga Chic

There's something so stylish about wearing delicate sandals to and from a strenuous workout. I've loved practicing yoga for years, and one of the fundamental reasons is the lack of extraneous equipment or tools needed. It's a minimalist routine, like a barefoot walk on the beach. It's just me, my mat, a bottle of water, and my breath. After class, I can slip on a pair of sunglasses and be on my way. Unlike cycling, skiing, or the countless other activities that require bulky, expensive, and often sharp equipment, yoga simply utilizes the body and mind and not much else. The act of yoga is beautiful, and the simplicity of the routine feels effortless and chic.

Timepiece

I never used to wear a watch. I thought it was a waste of real estate on my wrist, taking away from the possibility of wearing bangles or a cuff bracelet. I also thought it looked too businesslike for me. This negative attitude against all watches is one I held on to until I saw a gold Michael Kors watch on a friend. I was stunned by it's good looks. I've had one for over a year now, and I still love it. It's a heavy, handsome, masculine-inspired watch. It's the first watch I've ever worn that I enjoy looking at. It can be dressed up or down, day or night. Michael Kors watches are manufactured by Fossil, a brand that produces many good-looking and well-made styles of their own. From what I've heard, you can get a decent price on the more expensive Michael Kors watches at the Fossil outlet store.

Simple Phone

Crosley Radio was founded in 1920 and originally manufactured an affordable line of radios. Today, they sell reproductions of original vintage radios, turntables, clocks, jukeboxes, and even record storage furniture. This retro ivory desk phone actually uses push buttons instead of a dial. I didn't particularly care for this style of telephone when it was popular, but now that everyone has a cordless, this retro phone has suddenly become appealing.

John's Phone is a company that has designed an ultra-simple cell phone, made strictly for making and receiving calls. No texting, no camera, no email. The phone comes in one model in assorted colors. It has an attached address book (made of paper) and a tiny pen. As stated on the website, it was designed with ease of use in mind and couldn't be any simpler. It appeals to a person who has an impulse to either take a break from technology overload or discard elements of it altogether.

Beloved

It's shameful to admit this because of it's widespread popularity, but I feel the same way today about Holly Golightly as I did the very first time I watched Breakfast at Tiffany's. The older I get, the better it gets. Along with a billion other women, I adore her for her style but also for her singular mix of innocence and smarts. I know it's corny, but I want to be her, wearing her eye mask. Talking to her cat. Eating pastries outside of Tiffany's wearing that necklace & those sunglasses. Hosting a cocktail party. In my 20s I tucked those scenes into my back pocket, pulling them out occasionally to admire their glimmer, and to inspire my fantasy of what a grown-up, single woman could be. Breakfast at Tiffany's isn't just about an attractive lady. Cheesy as it is, it's about a girl living a fantasy, and feeling empty and alone. She's an adorable, confused, mess. That's why it's a film classic, and Audrey is idolized all over the world. Well, that and the drop-dead Givenchy and Balenciaga wardrobe showcased by the gorgeous star in the film.

Now, for some added intimacy and background, I think I'll finally read the novella by Truman Capote.

Earthiness

There's something intriguing about seeing candid photos of iconic women in their casual clothes. The fantasies created by formal photo shoots are beautiful and inspiring, but hard to relate to while walking the dog around the block or taking out the garbage. Let's be realistic - it takes time to look fabulous. That's why it's fun to see what beauty icons wear on a day-to-day basis, in comfortable clothes, caught slightly off-guard. When they are dressed down.

House Slippers

We're all familiar with the allure of high heels. Ever since a young age I've thought there was nothing prettier than a high-heeled shoe on a pretty lady. I fondly remember pulling out every pair from my grandmother's closet, stroking the fabric, running my fingers along the edges, painstakingly trying each one on. She would tell me about every pair - where she got them from, what she wore them with, how she danced in them and what they meant to her. It seemed to me that a lady's high heels brought on fun, excitement, and sophistication. Every bride wears heels. Every glamourous woman at a party wears heels. The higher the better. Patent leather and satin are especially good. So why not wear them all the time? I think we all know the answer.
I was looking for something to wear around the house instead of my heavy rubber-soled slippers. Somewhere in the grey area between a 4 inch heel and an elephant shoe. I came across the prettiest little crushable flats, that mold to my feet and feel a lot like ballet slippers. Instead of clunking around like I normally do, these dainty little things make me feel more feminine and encourage me to walk more softly. There are many similar styles out there, like the ones from Juicy or Tory Burch, but I thought these Gap ones were pretty. They're called "The City Flat" but I definitely think they are suited to strictly indoor use (unless you're Amy Winehouse).

Blank Walls

When buying a poster, photograph, sculpture, painting, or what-have-you, you are supposed to only purchase what you truly, absolutely cannot live without. Something that jumps out at you and speaks to your soul, whispering "buy me" into your heart. Right. It's not that simple, and it's hard to avoid being influenced by other people's tastes.

I have been thinking about the concept of style lately, and if you're into fashion, it's only natural to broaden your stylishness to extend past your closet into your bedroom, bathroom, hallway, kitchen, outdoor patio, car, wherever - all of your living spaces. I am making plans to beautify the neglected areas of mine. My bedroom is the most unfortunate. It's not dirty, it's just not given the respect it deserves. There have been four squares of paint samples on my bedroom wall for about a year and a half. Piles of laundry, receipts, and ball-point pens are scattered about. When I consider my next step towards a refurbished bedroom, (after a fresh coat of paint) installing art is my first consideration. I would really like to breathe some life into my bedroom and give it a wash of sleekness and glamour. I want my bedroom to be a cool, sexy place to lounge in.

When I think of fashionable artwork, I imagine vintage Vogue covers, satiny black & white prints of models and actors, framed Missoni or Marimekko fabrics, or an actual dress form displaying a pretty dress. These types of art are literally either about fashion or commenting on fashion. Fashionable artwork that seems a little less obvious would be works that might have color, vibrancy, and a strong sense of style - loosely related somehow to a fashionable lifestyle. Art that you could envision in the background of your style fantasy - carrying on your favorite look, using color, line and shape.

I want to share with you two of my friends and their work. One is Ian Kimmerly - a cool, relaxed guy who drives a Vespa around San Francisco. The other is Josh Petker - a witty, tattooed friend who lives within the pop-art crowd of Los Angeles. I consider both of them to be engaging artists. Most importantly their work appeals to me, and would be something I could definitely picture in the background of my life.

Ian Kimmerly: http://iankimmerlyart.com/

Josh Petker: http://www.joshuapetker.com/

Structure in 2011

Since it's the first of January, and last night was the first N.Y.E. in years that I didn't giddily stay up until the wee hours of the morning ringing it in, I've decided that I might be officially old(er). When the clock struck midnight, I lazily rolled over in bed, listened to the fireworks and didn't even feel the slightest pang of jealousy. I was nestled in my warm bed and everyone else was undoubtedly freezing in their cocktail attire trying to hail a cab. I do love a good party and dressing up... most of the time. Whatever the reason for my newfound reservedness, even if it's only fleeting, I've decided to translate it into into shopping terms. I will embark on a quest to find a more structured handbag in order to be taken more seriously in the coming year. In lieu of the classic Hermes Kelly (too expensive and do they even make them anymore?) I'm going to search for a small to medium-sized satchel that has a similar feel to it. One that looks elegant and doesn't slump over when put down. A bag you wouldn't want to carry while wearing Uggs. I'm not sure about the hardware or the detailing on the bag - I'll just have to explore and look around.

HRH Collection

Her name is Alexandra. She's on YouTube, she has a blog, she sells her jewelry on Etsy. I just bought three of her necklaces - the Elin, the Coco, and the Sofi. The minute they arrived, they were immediately incorporated into my everyday wardrobe. They were exactly what I was looking for - something bold but still simple and easy, with a classic vibe. Worn alone or together, each piece makes a statement. Alexandra is a beautiful and witty fashion "guru." She has developed an enviable personal style from her light blond locks and bright lips down to her ankle boots (in the winter) and sandals (in the summer). I love her vintage-inspired style - it's pretty and rich looking, but not excessive. She manages to look put together yet effortless - something I aspire to! Reading her blog and watching her videos are such a joy, and have inspired me to have fun working on my own personal collection.

HRH Collection Blog: http://www.hrhcollection.net/

HRH Collection Etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/blueaudi

HRH Collection YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/hrhcollection