happy October!!

usually at this time of the year, i’m thinking deep oranges, golden yellows, reds – the colors that burst from the trees in Fall.  but now i’m into a cooler palette.  feels almost wintry – but so chic and modern.

it was all inspired by a sweater i purchased on a recent visit to St. Louis.  and now i’m diggin the deep grey, bright chartreuse and lilac palette.

Enjoy~

items featured in this months color story include:

paint:  sherwin-williams

fainting lounge:  urban outfitters

rug: the Rugstore NE

shoes:  J. crew

mirror:  target

urns:  Carolyn Roehm

pouf:  Graham & Green

oooooops!  i’m a little late with my monthly hors d’oeuvres!  better late than never.  and i love the delicious things i’m finding this month.  my theme is centered around the color GREY  - as i’m currently loving it as a neutral (instead of black) mixed with pops of color.

Enjoy!

 

1.  Zoe Chen:  applique swan dress.  my goodness!  what a darling, darling dress on it’s own.  then you add the swan and you have something amazing.  $72

2.  Katarina Couture:  gorgeous & charming felted wool cloche.  love cloches this season!  so feminine and mysterious.  i think the pleat makes it.  $118

3.  Mrs. Fat Face:  ooh!  love the bright jade on oxidized silver.  these colors are such a nice contrast of neutral and electric!  so pretty with a nice, basic outfit.  $32

with hunger-inducing names like Bistro, Picnic, Alfresco and Trattoria - Lunch a la Mode bags are the answer to the chic, busy woman’s prayers.  Beautiful, sophisticated, functional bags hide a sustainable little secret:  a lunch compartment!

Lunch a la Mode by Amber Pollard provides a simple, yet unmet need for the businesswoman who wants to bring her own lunch without the style-devoid brown bag. 

The bags are classy and timeless in style – a woman could carry hers year round for decades.  but what’s really neat about them is that they include an insulated bag for your lunch that includes an ice pack & beverage holder.

Each of the 4 styles for Fall come in three color choices.  Prices range from $135 – $230 wholesale.  Minimum purchase of 2 bags/per color/style, total $750.  Amber is offering FREE shipping with your first order – OR – a FREE Picnic hobo with minimum purchase of $1500 (thanks for your generous offer, Amber!).  just mention the Proprietress when placing your order.

i’ve always been obsessed with combining colors.  i enjoy mixing odd pairs, bright with subdued, jewel with neutral and so on.  inspiration for color combos can be found virtually everywhere –  wrapping paper, fabrics, gardens, toys, magazines, groceries, cosmetics, museums,  – and especially your own closet.

i used to paint one room in my bedroom a different color each season (yes – four times a year) and then change various accessories, throw pillows and the like.  i wanted my room to reflect my mood.  often my need to change came by seeing something that sparked an interest in a new color combination.

whether styling an outfit with your existing merchandise, determining unique color combos for your displays, or simply deciding on a color scheme for your store (logo, etc) – color is a very important and malleable trait.

because i’m so in love with color – i’m going to begin doing monthly posts about a scheme i dream up or that gets me excited.

so here’s my color palette for August:  chocolate, pumpkin, magenta, light mustard, graphite.

lovely things shown include:

• rowen pillow : Crate & Barrel
• feelin’ groovy : Flor
• acco wallpaper : Twenty2
• camille pendant : Seascape Lamps
• vintage orange chair:  eBay
• raindrop mirror:  pottery barn
• paints:  Benjamin Moore

 

this palette reminds me of candy, though it was inspired by the richness of impending fall and the aura of back-to-school shopping sweetness.  these colors translate beautifully in a room, a shop – and especially an outfit!

what do you think?  what color combos are you into right now?

bags!  good lord they can get pricey!  and it goes with you everywhere – so it’s gotta be cool, stylish and unique.  who wants the same old bag that everyone else has?  usually the special ones come attached with a special price.

happily, in the case of LA designer Amy Hall  – creator of the fabulous amykathryn line,  the special price is super affordable (w/s range from $21 – $58!).  she has a thing for prints – which appear in all their glory in the linings (always a lovely surprise, in my opinion) – while the exterior palette remains on trend.

there are a lot of great bags in the Fall collection- including some cross-body styles, diaper/overnite/large bags and some really kicky everyday bags.  her new canvas bags are a great alternative grocery bag for the gal who likes to shop in style.  with a minimum order of only $300 – you’ll be able to test several styles at the incredible prices.  and as you are aware – price is a major motivator these days.

stand-outs include the fun Amaryllis Saffron bag ($39!) - in a rich, vivid mustard – the bag is quite versatile (comes with detachable cross-body strap).  i love that the printed fabrics are custom made and that the bags are made with animal-friendly faux leathers.

Contact Amy directly for line sheets and orders!