It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

So much for my love of Cool Nights and Warm Days... I forget that always leaves me with just a Cold. So, as I try to work from home... I found a little something to brighten my day.

The Neiman Marcus Christmas Book is out! Yep, get ready folks, the holidays are on the way. It will be interesting to see what retailers throw at us to convince us to shop until we drop. Let's take a look at some splurges, shall we!?

First, a few of the notable fantasy gifts. Of course, there's also the car, motorcycle, and plane, but these are more interesting.

Algonquin Round Table experience, $200,000 for the chance to dine with at least eight authors, with all proceeds going to First Book (their charity recipient this year). Assuming these authors are engaged participants, this has the makings for a great evening.

Another winner-- Hall Artisan wine and Art Experience $20,000 - $3,200. Select either luxury accommodations, tours of the winery and their contemporary art collection, a private dinner and wine, and the creation of your own cuvee- to be shipped to you after aging in French Oak or the artisan wine cellar set.

I'd take either option, of course, but I'd also like that chandelier.

And now... what to wear...

The perfect holiday frock, by Magaschoni. Love the color- and the fact that it's not the traditional red or green. Not sure that cut would look good on me, but we could try!

You know I'm dying for the Judith Leiber elephant bag.

Though this little Gucci number may be more practical. Love the oil-slick appearance.
Jimmy Choo's coated canvas also has lots of versatility. And, the sides fold in for more of a pocketbook or can go out for more of a tote.

Holidays are the perfect time for my friend David Yurman...

Or this ensemble for Gucci (not typically a Gucci girl, but I really like these!)

Or Heather Moore's charm tag necklaces.

And the perfect footwear for the end of the evening. I'd ask for the Cole Haan or Marc Jacobs slippers (skip the Uggs)...

The reality is that Mr. Southern and I will probably do a low-key holiday, but a girl can dream.

-Emmie

Design Blogger Profile: Emily Johnston of Material Girls!

For today’s Design Blogger focus we bring you one of the talented ladies of the great blog Material Girls. And talk about perfect timing, the Material Girls blog celebrates its 2nd anniversary today! Congratulations guys! We asked Emily Johnston, Material Girls founder and the writer for the Dallas city page, how she came up with idea for the blog and what her favorite part of being a design blogger is. We also picked her brain for some design tips:

Where did the idea behind Material Girls start? When did the blog begin?
Well, it was actually my boyfriend who suggested that I start a design blog back in September 2007—so I definitely owe a lot to him! The blog’s original name was “Dear Designer” and it started as a general design blog (not categorized by cities). I never thought anyone would read the blog and mainly started it as a creative outlet for myself. A few months later, Lauren (our Houston blogger) started blogging for Dear Designer also. I went to design school with Lauren at The University of Oklahoma and our design styles were so in sync and we got along so well, that it felt only natural to blog together! About a year later, we decided to expand Material Girls into different cities, as we felt that we couldn’t cover the local content ourselves and big interior design cities such as Chicago, LA and New York needed more exposure on our blog! Jill (LA) joined our blog in September ’08, Julia (Chicago) in November ’08 and Hilary (NY) in April ’09.

I like that you give out interior design information and tips from the perspective of your love of materials. Are you a details person or a big picture person?
Personally, I am a details person. I tend to be more of a perfectionist and end up focusing on all of the little things in a room. I think that you need all of the interesting little things in order to create a fascinating “big picture”. Adding in intricate patterns, textures, materials and accessories to a room really give it its character and helps it all come together. It’s definitely the little things that count!

What's a typical reader of your blog like? What are they looking to gain from reading your site?
We find that about 90% of our blog readers are women between the ages of 18 and 44. Homeowners, designers, architects, magazine editors, artists—you name it. There is definitely a wide range of people who read our blog, but they all seem to have one thing in common—they love a beautiful space. I think people are looking to gain design ideas, inspiration, tips, and “eye candy” in general from our site. There are so many fascinating interiors and home products out there, which is why reading design blogs is so interesting. I have a handful of design blogs that I am addicted to myself!

What's your best advice for people who are afraid to experiment with different materials, patterns, and textures?
A lot of clients can’t envision the end results of a room just by looking at a busy piece of fabric. They need to see the big picture. I will often make design boards for a client that shows the complete design of the space. This way, they can see where each fabric will go and can start to envision the outcome of the design. Usually, after they see the total picture and how it all makes sense, they aren’t as afraid to experiment with unique fabrics!

Have you ever tackled a project and it turned out a failure?
No comment…ha. I wouldn’t say that any of my projects have been a complete failure; I am usually pretty happy with them…but I definitely have regrets on some projects—things that I would have done differently. But I guess all you can do is live and learn!

What's your biggest/best interior design project success?
I think you are most successful when the client ends up loving the end results. You want them to be happy with the finished design and also to feel comfortable within their own home. Their own home needs to be a reflection of themselves—not a reflection of their designer.

What's in store for the future for the Material Girls blog?
Within the next year, we hope to add another city to our blog. I have one city in mind, which has been on my radar for a while now and I think they just have so much to offer design-wise that it would be a shame not to blog about it! We also hope to do more with our weekly newsletter, “The Weekender.”

And finally, what's your favorite part about running/writing a blog about home design?
My favorite part about running a design blog is the people that you encounter each and every day. There are so many talented people who live all over the world, which I have gotten to virtually “meet” through our blog. Now I just wish they lived closer so we could share ideas in person!

Thanks, Emily!

And, you can also check out some of the previous design bloggers we’ve profiled, like Tina Roth Eisenburg of Swiss Miss, Grace Bonney of Design*Sponge, Jane Freiman of AtticMag, Erin Loechner of Design for Mankind, Anh Minh Le of anh-minh.com and Holly Becker of Decor8.

Fashion and Design with Katie Gallagher

People are always saying that the worlds of fashion and design often overlap, but in what ways, and how often? We sat down with a very talented local fashion designer (specifically, handbag fashion) to learn a little bit more about her background, her inspirations and her processes to see just how similar these fields really are. Katie Gallagher’s bags are creative, fun and quite stylish. If you were looking for the perfect handmade bag to compliment your great-looking space, this could be it!

What's your background like? Have you always been artsy and crafty?
Yes, I come from a very artsy background. My mother was an accomplished artist who wrote a syndicated column on art that ran in 13 states. By the way, this was back in the 70's...she was a bit of a pioneer. My sister is also an accomplished artist and I grew up being a model in art classes.

Where does your inspiration take place? How do you come up with new designs?
Hmm, my inspiration.........well, I honor those who came before me, Fendi, Henry Beguelin, Carlos Falchi, Nancy Gonzalez. However, it is the handmade craftsman that gets my juices flowing. Santa Fe, New Mexico has long been a place I go to be inspired by originality and old world craftsmanship. I find it ridiculous that people pay what they do for a purse that they can get at 3 different stores on the same block.

Describe a little bit about your process from the beginning of an idea to the finished products (sketches, acquiring materials, etc.)
I don’t sketch anything. I have made some patterns but mostly not. The crocodile bags become what the hell they want to be. I throw them on the floor and they determine based on color, size and shape how they want to be worn. Sounds weird but that’s the deal. Same with the springbok. The python has caused me yet again, to study another craftsmanship...wallpapering. I really try hard to match up the patterns so that it’s a continuous flow. I’ve noticed that the big designers don’t do it, but I think it honors the animal to make it as pretty as I can. I think its why a lot of the big designers do mostly solid color snakeskin bags.... its just easier.

Where do you get some of the materials you use to make your bags? Is it real moose, elk, snake?
You mention on your website that your bags are eco-friendly. Could you explain in what way? I use and have always used all authentic materials. I started with the beaded fringed bags. I still have the first one I ever made.... I baked the beads into the clay, like the Native Americans and then I eventually beaded on braintan. Elk, deer, cowhide, moose, springbok, snakeskin, crocodile...all real. Its imperative for people to know that anything I use is under the United States, Fish and Game's strictest laws. No black-marketing here. It’s utmost to preserve the species and if you're on the up and up, you're helping, not hurting the population. Also, I use vegetable tanned hides that ensure the leather isn’t screwing with the environment with toxic dyes. Since everything I use is of the earth, it's biodegradable. No carbon footprint with my bags.

What the most difficult thing about making bags?
Wow! When I’m designing a bag, I find the most daunting part of the process is the straps. There are so many ways to approach this. I usually try and make all my bags with a convertible strap. It can be a shoulder bag or convert into a cross body bag. Since I’ve been a hair stylist all my life, I’ve had major back and neck problems. It’s imperative for me to carry a lightweight bag that can be adjusted according to my needs. So in short...the strap is my issue because not every bag can be worn like that.

What's the most rewarding thing about making your handbags?
Well, the most rewarding aspect is when I’ve created something I’ve never seen before...that always blows my mind. Just when you think its "already been done" then you do something extraordinary its always a thrill. And of course, when I’m out and about and people comment on my bags I’m thrilled. I was at Nordstrom the other day checking out the Muxo line and a woman approached me and asked if I was a bag designer (I guess the way I was looking at the bag was a dead giveaway) she admired my bag and asked for my card. That was a nice moment for me...especially since she didn’t like the other stuff in the store!!!

Describe a typical client who wears your handbags.
The person who will be drawn to my work will have an appreciation for the arts, craftsmanship and an eye for something unique. My bags are not for the faint of heart. They are bold statement pieces and they will wear you if you're not careful.... but they are beautiful and they will definitely draw some attention. Cameron Diaz is someone Id like to wear my bags.........she has a great vibe, she's definitely someone whose personality is big enough and colorful enough to give the bag the platform it deserves. I guess a gutsy girl who tends to be a little politically incorrect with a sense of fashion AND humor would be my best customer. I’m inspired by Anita Pallenberg's style...I would love to make a bag for her...Google her! Since fashion and design are so connected, describe your personal design style.

What does your home look like?
Do you bring any of these exotic materials into your own home decor? I am a child of the 70's. I wear jeans everyday. I funk it up with boots, belts, jewelry and my bags... Anita Pallenberg, Patti Harrison Clapton. The girls from Kings Road, late 60's and 70’s are where I draw my style from. Ah, to have been there even for a moment!

A Shift to Simplicity

Whew this has been a tough week already!  And two 1/2 more big days to go.  I need a little inspiration (motivation?) for some simplicity- easy, relaxed, elegant comfort, which I found with these lovelies in yesterday's email from Anthropologie.  

The shift dress is fabulous.  Most everyone can wear them, they are easy to put on, i.e., no matching tops to bottoms, and can be dressed up if needed!  

Anthropologie Esmee Dress, $98

OK this one is my favorite, I think!

Max Studio Lace Shift Dress, $198

Not sure how I feel about the lace, but from a distance, I like this one!

Bluefly, Shoshanna Dress  $173

Sunny, vibrant dress- it must make you smile during the day!

JCrew Edie Eyelet dress, $210 

I can't decide on this one.. What are your thoughts?  Too fussy or OK?

Banana republic Cotton Embroidered Shift, $98

The epitome of easy breezy.

Laundry Medallion Daisy Shift, $245 

OK, maybe this dress is not so simple, but it is fun and wouldn't require much accessorizing!

Scarfing it Up

Image from The Gap...

Loving the summer scarf thing.  I've realized that, by and large, I do much better with simple, classic clothes with pops of accessories.  Thus, this trend is perfect for me!  And interesting how this trend falls right in line with the "new economy" shop your closet.

I picked up two cute and bright scarves from Target yesterday (just $15 and $20 bucks) and this morning am creating a look based on those.

Here are some other options.

Options from the Gap, $24.50

Banana, $69

Eileen Fisher cotton voile scarf, $108, and silk Shibori scarf, $168

The rest are not quite the same, but are the terribly classic scarves and just beautiful.

Lilly Pulitzer Jubliee Scarf, $50

Hermes silk scarves: La Rosee, Per Astra Ad Astra, Peuple du Vent, and  Legende Moghul $375. Multiple colors available; I'm of course drawn to the orange.

Thinking I'll have to go with one of the Hermes.

Spring Getup; Happy Weekend

I haven't purchased any summer-related clothing yet and the email from Garnet Hill, offering 20% off skirts, was just the push I needed.

Thus, soon this cute sweater and tangerine skirt will be mine!
Have a lovely weekend- I am enjoying the wild wonderful wilderness of the Georgia mountains with Mr. Southern and the doggies. (by the way, they are thrilled to come along and hope to romp in the river tomorrow).

Ode to Cville

Friends, I'm heading to C-ville this weekend (Charlottesville, VA, the home of THE University). It's our 5-year reunion from graduate school. While I could be lamenting that I have not truly accomplished jack since graduating, I'm focused instead on how excited I am to be back in Charlottesville and to catch up with my girlfriends.

If you know anyone who went to UVA, you also know that we have a cult-like reverence for the little town of C-ville. Not to mention, it's Foxfield this weekend. I generally DO NOT condone horse racing (or animal racing of any kind) but I admit that Steeplechase races get to me and I love dressing up in my sundress with the guys in seersucker suits.

And of course, this will be the 5-year anniversary of Mr. Southern Aspirations and my first kiss.

Some photo love:

Tie needs to go, but... J.Press

Ben Silver

Lilly

Vineyard Vines

J Crew

Various Designers (Tibi, Shoshanna, ABS, Betsey Johnson, Nanette Lepore) from Bluefly, the source of many of my dresses during my graduate school years.