Book of the Week: Kate Spade: "Things We Love."

With all my excitement about Kate Spades new book release, "Things We Love."  I made it a mission of mine hunt down a copy in NYC a few weeks ago- in fact I purchased the last copy in store at Barnes and Noble in Union Square.

Yes, I could have waited and ordered it online; but when I make up my mind that I want something; You better believe I figured out a way to get it. Plus, I knew I couldn't wait a week for it to ship. (If your smart however, you will purchase it online and save yourself a trip to the ​bookstore and $10.)

Talk about pages and pages of charming and colorful inspiration! From funny and quirky quotes, bold patterns, beautiful type, and images that could make anyone happy. I could seriously go to town with a pair of scissors to the pages of this book, just so I could frame every page and hang them all on my wall. Luckily the beautifully done gold page edges are keeping me away-- for the time being that is. ;) 

 BUY IT: KATE SPADE: "Things We Love." - $25 - 40

***Each chapter is based on things that they love...And I happen to love all of these things too...

...Like, A Well-Placed Bow...
(See my "Tied With A Bow" Outfit Post here.)

...And, New York City...

 

...And, A Pop Of Color...

(See my "Pop of Color" Outfit Post here.)

...And, Cocktails...

 

...And, Honest Words from Great American Writers.

...And, Words of Wisdom from Great Designers.

As a proud new owner of this colorful book of pure happiness and I would highly recommend making this your next addition to your bookshelf.  It is a true celebration of the Kate Spade brand and pure girliness at its finest. Whats not to love...?

  DOESN'T IT LOOK FANCY ON MY SHELF?  

Book of the Week.

Almost 4 years ago I discovered Jonathan Adler during a summer I spent in Los Angeles while interning at a fashion PR company. After work one day, I stumbled upon his store on Melrose while exploring with my new friend at the time, and who is now my current roommate in NYC, Maggie. (Crazy I know!) I remember walking into his store and thinking to myself  "My Nana would pee her pants over everything in here!"





Jonathan Adler: "100 Ways to Happy Chic Your Life." - $25

Quirky, colorful, witty, happy, chic, hip, understandable but never understated, a little bit mod, a little bit prep, are just a few words to describe the man himself Johnathan Adler or as I like to call him the "geometric genius." (I've referred to him as this before in an earlier post, here.  Ironically, I wouldn't consider my personal style as mod or hip... Preppy and colorful, def yes... But something about the way JA mixes all of these different elements and themes, then adding his own little quirkiness to it--- just nails it. 

Whether you consider this colorful world a portion of your style or not, something about his vision is hard not to like. All the happiness JA is exuding or unpredictable objects and maybe? Well whatever it is, I'm hooked. In fact, if I came back in a second life as a man, I would want to come back as Jonathan Adler or Mickey Drexler (thats a hard one to pick.) Anyways, enough about my weird fantasies.

Below you can see a sneak peak of the books content which is a collection of tips for leading a vibrant, "Happy Chic life" full of grand parties, fabulous friends, kitschy movies, exotic vacations and of course the vibrant decor style that has made Jonathan Adler famous. 

Let's just say that I purchased it only a few days ago over the weekend in Dallas, where he also has a new storefront, and I can't put it down! It's the perfect read after work to exercise the creative side of your brain and would make the perfect Christmas present for almost anyone who needs a little Happy or Chic in their lives--- and don't we all!

One of the fold out craft projects from inside the book:
 "Make Your Own Valentines."

Snapshot of the Jonathan Adler-ism's section of the book. 

(Quite genius, I must say.)

Learn more about Jonathan Adler and his success, here.

Book of the Week.

By Invitation Only: How We Built Gilt and Changed the way Millions Shop

Susan Lynes Leadership Tips Checklist. (Page 214-215)

 Praise for "By Invitation Only." (Back of book)

Book of the Week.

I've been meaning to post this sweet sentiment of what use to be Domino Magazine- which was published monthly from 2005-2009.  Unfortunately it was ceased in 2009 because of the economy (like everything else- thanks economy!) Lucky us, last month Domino published a special Quick Fixes edition of the magazine focusing on simple, inexpensive design ideas which will be released four times this year. Of course I bought it the first week it was released so I apologize for my late post. If you haven't had a chance to look through this lovely home style guide and decorator manual here is a sneak peak of its goodness. (They even have a website you can check out here.) 

In true Domino style it's filled with so many inspirational ideas and quick fixes instead of things to buy... I would consider it more of a mini coffee table book rather than a magazine. It's definitely an issue you would want to hold on to unlike your monthly People Style Watch or Glamour whose contents are out of date by season. Its cover price is also more like a coffee table book at $10.99.

DOMINO: Quick Fixes (April 2012)

Book of the Week.

I Brake for Yard Sales: and Flea Markets, Thrift Shops, Auctions, and the Occasional Dumpster - $25.00

By: Lara Spencer (Of My Favortire Morning Show: Good Morning America)

Yesterday on my way to the MET in the UES I passed by Jonathan Adler  and of course had to stop in... While browsing all of his colorful wacky decor, I noticed they had Lara Spencers new coffee table book for sale. Little did I know, Lara is a huge Jonathan Adler fan and a friend of the geometric genius.  Ive been wanting to get this book since the day they announced its release on GMA. To my surprise, its actually amazing and helpful with tips and tricks for the thrifty creative mind like myself. I had no idea Lara was so talented and even into interior design-- I love watching her on GMA every morning; I think she is such a doll. How could you not love this girl?!? She thrifty, stylish, sucessful, down to earth, and so cute! I'm a huge fan... You go Lara! Anyways here is a little back ground on her book and a few pictures. You should pick up a copy, I read the whole book yesterday on the MET steps and didn't even walk in the museum--- thats how good it is! Enjoy!

ABOUT...

Lara Spencer fesses up about shopping on the cheap and filling friends' homes with her fabulous finds in her new coffee table book "I Brake for Yard Sales: and Flea Markets, Thrift Shops, Auctions, and the Occasional Dumpster." Its spin-off HGTV series airs 8 p.m. Fridays. The book offers tips on scoring deals and refurbishing flea market finds.

Though most of you know me from seeing me on the red carpet with celebs and as a GMA anchor, hunting for wonderful secondhand finds has been a passion since I was a small girl. My mom used to take me "sale-ing" every weekend. That spelling is intentional, since yard "sale-ing" was exciting, adventurous, and, best of all, didn't require a boat-just a car with enough space to haul our finds home. In fact, my book's title comes from the bumper sticker on my mom's station wagon: "I Brake for Yard Sales" (and boy did she!). My mom has always been known to do an illegal U-turn if she spotted a good sale, and she was instrumental in teaching me to get high style for low prices by using the three R's - Rescue, Recycle, and Reinvent.

Book of the Week.

My roomie Kristen gave me this book for my B-day last weekend: The Homesick Texan. This past year I have been learning how to cook via google and lots of practice and experimenting and of course I love some Southern food and miss it so much in NY-- I honestly couldn't think of a more perfect gift! It has everything I grew up eating and after I read the Introduction I know why. The author literally grew up a few hours away from my hometown of Nacogdoches before moving to New York. Anyways, I won’t spoil the introduction, I’ll let you read her story and how her book came about  for yourself.  It definitely hit close to home for me and I can’t wait to experiment in the kitchen with her recipes.  From just browsing through the pages her instructions seem pretty simple and the illustrations are amazing-- I think you will like! And hey if I fail in the kitchen, at least it will look nice on a shelf! Also don't forget to check out her blog... where the book came to life.

THE HOMESICK TEXAN BLOG (Click Here)

BUY BOOK (Click Here)

MMMM....WHO'S HUNGRY NOW?

Book of the Week: The Perfectly Imperfect Home.

I've been meaning to post this book: The Perfectly Imperfect Home by Deborah Needleman for some time now... And now that I have a free copy on my hands (Thank you Gilt), I can't wait to share how great it is. Not only are the illustration so girly and cute but Deborah Needleman gives some amazing advice (every girl should know) on how to make your house your home. It's the perfect book for someone my age who is starting to invest in pieces that I want to grow in to and hopefully keep for a long time.  For example, she teaches you how to buy sheets according to thread count, material and season, she even points out the essential tools you will need to build an in home bar, and so many other great tips that are key in making a smart investment.  And if you don't have money to spend on new things, she shows you tricks on how to rework the pieces you already own to create a space that is more inviting and suitable for your lifestyle in a fresh new way.
Basically, Deborah knows what is up and I promise you won't get through one chapter without learning something new and maybe even the history behind it. Definitely get yourself a copy of this book if you are making a move and dishing out the big bucks on new furniture--- being knowledgeable about the product and decorating in general will make shopping for your new home a much more positive experience and its actually a lot of fun. Enjoy!

Book of the week.

The Stylist's Guide to NYC - Sibella Court

(Map from book framed)

Lifestyle Notebook - Shops