relish small pleasures: July 2009

Happy {Temperate} Weekend

The weather gods are finally playing nice.

So I'm going out to play without wilting. Woohoo!

Happy weekend all.

Moody Blues

The heat has got a lot of people cranky around here. At least these blues are cooling me down.

photos by lisa cohen

It's like diving into a ocean of decor.

Happy (Early) Weekend!

With so much to do before the weekend starts tomorrow, I'm signing off early in hopes of ending the day looking something like this...

Next week will begin my Vacation series here at coco+kelley! If you haven't already written up a little guest post, please read all about it right here. Anyone can join, and the more the merrier! For those who have already sent submissions, thank you!!

Of course, you'll be hearing from me here and there while I'm on my own little 'vacation', so be sure to visit!

Ciao my dears!! I hope your weekends will be a little cooler than mine... our Seattle heatwave just won't leave!

xo,
cassandra

*photography by diego uchitel, greg sorensen, luigi cassinelli

I'm Melting...

Two things I love are summer and heat but this is getting out of control. To date there are only 5 days on record of 100+ degree weather in Seattle and now we're getting them back to back to back.

I'm going to go sit in a tub of ice until this subsides, which isn't particularly laptop friendly.

Until I return, I highly recommend entertaining yourself with jane.bird's flickr set. I've already spent hours there - trust me, it's well worth the investment.

Pillow Fetish

Hello, my name is Cassandra and I'm a pillow addict.

So, naturally, I just 'happened' to discover be.still on etsy - a shop full of fantastically perfect pillow covers. The hard part will be choosing which ones will be perfect in my new home...

I Can't, I Won't

But I wanna buy this gorgeous Rachel Roy dress on sale at Gilt. It would be just the thing to get me through August wedding season.

By the way, if you care to join Gilt to partake in the amazing designer discounts, please do so here.

Leopard Print: Day to Night

I've been completely dying for this Zac Posen leopard print dress lately. I'm not one to rock every trend, and animal prints (while I love them) aren't exactly in my repertoire. But with the subtle shades of grey and blues, and sheer material, I could so take this dress from day...

Right into night. With a quick change of dream accessories, of course. Starting with the HTC belt, a little Balenciaga bag, and Lanvin heels.

And ending with a Celestina clutch, McQueen belt and a killer pair of Giuseppe Zanotti heels (all via net-a-porter). Of course, given the fact that it's going to be a million degrees in Seattle today... I might just give up, throw on the bathing suit and call it good!

Hot Hot Heat

It's going to be 100 degrees in Seattle today (and almost no one has air conditioning - not my house, not my work, not my car). I give up.

All I want to do is sit around in my underwear and pour ice water over my head. Although if my unmentionables looked as nice as these, I'd probably refrain.

lingerie by truce and trick date, all images via frou frou fashionista

My office is pretty casual, but I suspect I'd be crossing a line.

Hope you're staying cool!

Shoes to House

You could be fashionable and color coordinated anywhere in this house, with either of these shoes.

shoes by guess and report signature

I'd have such happy feet if I lived there.

A Gentleman's Quarters

Searching for information on the incredible stylist (that term doesn't even come close to describing his talents!) Robert Rufino, I ran across an interview on NY Social Diary featuring his gorgeous little flat on the Upper East Side.

I have a thing for menswear fabrics and Rufino's small living area is so working for me, although I'm not sure it's a style I'd be able to handle in my own home every day. I love the addition of the antique chair covered in leopard print though! Very femme chic.

I adore his little details... right down to his fancy specs and this photo of a Tiffany window display (where he is the Vice President of Creative Services and Visual Merchandising).

I love how the space feels so curated - and the bookshelf styling is impeccable. He's even managed to squeeze in a little flatscreen in a way that's completely unobtrusive. A little corner library and his adorable pup, Windsor. How perfect is that?

It seems like every corner is used perfectly. While the space is full, it doesn't appear packed or piled with stuff. Everything has its place where it is displayed... even if it's in the corner on the floor! For more of his fabulous apartment, you can read the entire post right here.

PS, Don't forget, it's Rooms from the Runway day over at LoftLife - come check out this Refreshed Moroccan matchup!

C+K Sponsor: Janey Mac Wall Art (and a SALE!)

Decals are such an easy way to freshen up a space - especially rentals! No drilling holes, picking out paint, or attempting DIY stencils (a disaster waiting to happen in my case!). So, I was thrilled when Janey Mac joined us on coco+kelley as a sponsor, because these vinyl wall art pieces are fantastic!

I've always loved the chandelier idea - and am a sucker cherry blossoms!!

But my favorite at their etsy shop might be this little tribute to NY... and guess what? If you're as bad at making decisions as I am, right now their decals are all buy one get one 1/2 off through July!

As a gal without a headboard to my name at the moment, I love the idea of this quick fix too! Pop over to their shop and check out the endless possibilities (many of them customizable!) for yourself!

Wedding Inspiration: Lilac + Aqua + Emerald

The latest issue of Harper's Bazaar features the fabulous Alberta Ferretti and her home - one photo of which I could not resist! The stunning colors that captured the designer by her pool inspired this wedding board of lilac, aqua and emerald...

I love the cool but playful palette! There are so many ways to incorporate colors into a wedding, but for this board I kept them in blocks - the colors stay mostly separate from each other by using them in different areas of the wedding instead of combining them in bouquets or tabletop decor. What do you think? Have you ever seen a wedding in this scheme?

*sources: pool via michele waite, drinks by martha stewart, cake via rebecca thuss, flower aisle by kathy wright & co, wedding party by michael norwood, teal tabletop unknown.