CLASSIN' IT UP

Just in case you needed a little refresher on what we're all about here at coco+kelley... we thought we'd let some of our current favorite pieces do the talking for us...

Nothing short of serious glamour, but always with a classic style at the root of it all. At least that's how we'd like to think of it. What does it say to you??


*tess side table from clayton gray home, boots by jimmy choo, bracelet at kate spade, mcfarland table lamp by arteriors home, dress by carven

I'm Loving...

Melt-in-your mouth delicious chocolate booties.


via le blog de betty and zara

They would make for a very tasty look!

ROOM OF THE WEEK 9.30

Some days you just need a space where you can hole up with your stacks of magazines and projects and escape the world while you indulge in inspiration. This room? Yeah, it would be good for that...

To say I gasped when I first came across this design would be an understatement. It might be the most chic library I have ever seen.

First of all, the lighting is insane. Every shelf simply glows! And that low pendant light right in the middle of it all is perfect with its simplified tiffany lamp sensibilities and warm glow. And if that fireplace is actually functional, I'll gladly pull up a cozy chair and spend hours here. If not... then I hope this is the view from my extremely comfortable sofa... a perfect way to spend a quiet fall weekend!


*interior by pamplemousse design

C+K SPONSOR: ATTISER LINENS

I've been in quite the nesting mood lately, looking at all my options for switching things up around the house - pillows, bedding, table linens, you name it! So when the Attiser website first came my way a month ago, I was positively smitten!

Their bedding, curtains and pillows are all so fresh and the colors are some of my favorites (especially that citron green and aqua!).

Not looking to revamp your decor? Then maybe your tabletop could use some inspiration! The fresh style lends itself well to spring and summer entertaining, but I'm already picturing the rich jewel tones for Thanksgiving or the green for Christmas as a little non-traditional addition to the table.

Best of all, each of these pieces are handmade in India under high quality and ethical standards (and the pricing is just as fair too!) so be sure to browse through this lovely sponsor's website to check out all of their goodies!

*this post was sponsored by attiser. all content written by coco+kelley.

Getting New Short Hair Style

When you go to a beauty salon you are usually asked if you want the same or something new. For a change, choose something new. If you hair is short, try it shorter. If it is layered try it longer in the back and short on top. If it is long get it cut shorter.Of course if this is your first visit, you will have to work with the hairstylist to decide how you want it cut. This is a good time to experiment with hair styles.

Don't be affraid! Hair will grow again!

The nice thing about hair is it grows. Believe it, it will grow. So if you get a short cut it will not take long to grow out if you don’t like it. There are so many hair styles and no rules, really, anymore. Just about anything goes. You just have to have the courage to just do it!

Generally the salon where you get your hair cut will have a selection of magazines with hair styles in it. Or you can go on the internet and check out hair styles. The other good thing to remember about hair is if you do something wild, and don’t like it you can always wear hats to cover it until it grows. Or you can have your hairdresser restyle it. It is always fun to try something new and this does include hair styles. You will be amazed at the comments and compliments you will get with a new do for a new you

PERFECT PALETTES: SWEET SEPTEMBER

I always find it funny when my posts for the week are so complimentary of each other... I think you'll recognize some hues from these palettes, which can only mean that they truly are fabulous... right?

Rich chocolate calms the intensity of ruby red and the cool taupe adds a cozy but light feel. Perfect for classically tailored rooms and ensembles!

I'm adoring the richness of bronze for fall - paired with an unexpected coral is stays current and fresh!

Mmmm, very berry, don't you think? The saturated plum and teal gets a little lift with a rich cream! Especially loving this combo for inspired tabletops right now too!

*editorial images by raymond meier, interiors via unknown, jay jeffers and domino

Short Scene Hair For Scene Boy

Cool scene boy with short black white hair

Wedding Wednesday ~ Black {and white} Magic by Jose Villa

With another slew of friends' weddings on the docket I'm back to my old tricks - banking endless wedding shots for inspiration boards, color schemes and tips and tricks to help each bride-to-be.

When I came upon this shoot, styled by Le Fleur Weddings, it exceeded my inspiration worthy requirements. It made me do a double take. I wanted to dig into the detail of each shot - and each time I did, I spotted something I didn't notice before.

And really more than anything, I loved seeing a whimsical play on the black and white combo that went beyond the traditional look of buttoned up black tie.






photography by jose villa via le fleur weddings

And then I realized the photography is by our wedding photographer, the uber-genius Jose Villa.

No wonder it was love at first site!

Check out a recent feature on Style Me Pretty for more shots of the fabulous fete.

INTERIORS TO INSPIRE: ROMAN WAREHOUSE

Hello friends, Julie here from over at Chapman Interiors. Are you feeling Italian today? Good, because we are traveling to Rome where two sisters have reclaimed a once industrial warehouse and transformed it into a home and studio. The sisters (Diane and Evelyne de Clercq) happen to be designers, which will become beautifully apparent while on our tour..

I'm seriously considering taking up sewing if it means I can store spools of vibrant yarn in my studio. I can't get over how beautiful  and simple it is. Don't worry, I haven't overlooked the to-die-for antique doors. The sisters scoured Italian flea markets for months collecting doors for the whole home (please excuse me while i whimper with jealousy).

The open kitchen is perfectly European with simple cabinets and limited uppers. The hand-painted tile adds a very personal element, and the sleep appliances and industrial touches balance the old world charm.

I'm dying a million ways for this office space! The illustrated closet drawing on the (wonderfully tall) wall, the desk floating mid-room, the colorful pencil holders, the kelly green task lamp, and a petite Asian screen. It's all so simple and absolutely stunning. (But where, pray tell, do they sit?)

The exterior of the home seems to be wrapped in vintage glass - hello natural light. The doors coordinate with the buffet and the green bowl is the perfect pop of color.

Ready for patio time and a bellini after a long day of combing the Italian flea markets? Me too.

While not too many of us are enjoying a restored warehouse in Rome, we can use this space to inspire ours with:
* Simple pieces in wood and metal.

* Accessories should be bright, graphic shapes. (This is especially key to this project.)

* Various hand-painted works.

* Case goods with glass doors.
* Maybe there's even room for a good illustration on your walls?

*resources: Pacifica Buffet and Hutch, blue vase, red bowl, birch wall stickers, yellow task lamp, cloisonne pencil cup, Oasis sofa.

 

Hope your Tuesday is as fab as this home! Ciao bellas!

xoxo,

Julie

(Images courtesy Marie Claire Maison)

FOODIE FASHIONISTA: FINGER LICKIN' GOOD

Hi pretty readers, it's Crissie of bug&Bear, and this week I am bringing you a little taste of New York Fashion Week (with my foodie twist, of course.)

Marc Jacobs claims the ideas for his Spring 2011 collection came from the 1970s--but I think it's pretty clear it was actually inspired by Molly Shuster's herbs de Provence roast chicken... (and it inspired me as well!)

You see? Dead on. (and I do hope big floppy hats are in for spring... so chic!)

-Crissie

*Foodtography by Jamie Beck, Marc Jacobs images via style.com. Jacket by Alexander McQueen, dress by Jil Sander, bag by YSL, glasses by Victoria Beckham, bracelets via Econscious, shoes by Paloma Barcelo

Dark Floor Deliciousness

This Tasty Tuesday I'm switching my focus from my favorite foods to rooms so good you'll want to devour them.

As our home remodel planning moves forward my obsession with dark floors only grows deeper. Maybe it's the rapidly shortening days and the impending desire to hibernate.



images via livet hemma (from ikea btw!) and plush palate

Or that dark floor infuse a shot of sexy into a room that I just cannot get enough of. Or maybe it's just the simple fact that this kitchen is too damn fabulous.


Ok, I think it's official then. We have to pull the trigger. Dark hard woods for the new floors it is.

One home renovation decision made! One million to go...

IT'S MY PARTY...

A few weeks ago I shared with you the initial inspiration board for my birthday... well, since then let's just say I've decided to glam things up a little more with some rockstar personality and punches of color...

Still thinking that the palette will be a lot black and white with touches of metallic, but I'm also wanting to incorporate some vivid reds and pinks too! Plans are underway for a festive tabletop for the intimate dinner and a little transformation of the venue we'll be taking over for the after party. I can't wait to share it all with you!

*images via lonny mag, the chanel paris-shanghai collection, she is frank, tom binns and kate spade

And the Lucky Fashionista Is...

It is that time ~ to announce the incredibly lucky reader who must be working some amazing karma to win the Jo Handbag Niko handbag. The giveaway created quite a well-deserved stir. I'm glad everyone was so excited!

If you don't end up being today's winner, I highly recommend you head to the Jo Handbag site to pick up a bag of your own. I certainly am!

But without further ado, the style-savvy winner is.....


image via coco+kelley

Brittany of B. In the Know! Huge congratulations Brittany. Email apt34blog {at} gmail {dot} com to claim your Jo Handbag!

And a huge thank you to everyone who entered, tweeted or blogged about the giveaway. Have no fear, another great one will be coming up very soon!

*Mrs. E

WORK, WORK, WORK...

It appears that this week will bear an extra dose of work for me... which I think I'd enjoy much more if I happened to work in the offices of one of my favorite designers, Jay Jeffers...



Stunning, stunning, stunning! How could you not be inspired in this work space? Dear Jay... if I move to San Francisco, do you think you'd hire me? I promise not to lounge on those lovely sofas too much...

Monday {Caped Crusader} Workwear

I have a number of fashion weaknesses (shoes, bags, jeans) and right up there among the top are coats. Maybe its because you can keep them for years. Or because they easily cycle through seasons, trends, regions of the world or times of day. It's the first thing people see when you arrive and the last thing they watch as you leave.

Your coat is one of the few pieces of your wardrobe that is actually required to survive the elements. So why not seize the opportunity and use it to make a statement? That's why I'm loving the cape trend this season. It creates quite the dramatic image.



images via late afternoon, dress design decor, studded hearts, everything fabulous

I just love the level of sophistication combined with a great level of comfort, with a side of ease. So my dears, done your capes and have a wonderful week!

Oh, and there's still time to enter the Jo Handbag giveaway! The winner will be selected at 9:00 am PST. You don't want to miss this one.

Happy Monday luvies!
*Mrs. E

COCKTAILS AT SIX: (THERMOS-READY!) SPICED CIDER

Crisp mornings & sunny afternoons make it the absolutely perfect time for a jaunt to the countryside apple orchard...

Along with soft scarves & argyle knee highs, Autumn brings about my craving for all things apple (seriously - I just can’t put them in enough recipes, cocktails included!). I recommend this apple adaptation for filling a thermos for that fall orchard picnic, football game - or any old excuse to wrap up in a plaid blanket & sip something warm. Tote along apple slices, a smoky cheddar cheese...and a lovely little something to warm you from the inside out.

Mulled Spiced Cider

2 quarts fresh apple cider (in a pinch, jarred from the grocery will do the trick)
1/2 cup firmly packed light-brown sugar
1 teaspoon whole cloves
1 teaspoon whole allspice
2 cinnamon sticks + 10 for garnish (1 per mug)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 dash nutmeg
1 1/2 ounces rum (sometimes I substitute Spiced Rum for extra flavor)

With cloves and allspice in a teaball, cook all ingredients in a crockpot on low 2-8 hours (it smells divine!). Stir occasionally to dissolve sugar. Want to make it quicker? Just warm in a medium size pot on the stove on low heat 20 - 30 minutes or until your concoction is simmering & the sugar is melted. At this point, add 1 1/2 ounces (Bacardi) Gold Rum per mugful when poured. If pouring into a thermos, combine and pour at the end; just don’t cook the rum. Serves 10.

* images via [ & recipe via Anna Wolf, Martha Stewart, & we heart it]


of le petit happy

HAPPY (FALL IS IN THE AIR...) WEEKEND

After a whirlwind week of travel and jumping right back into work, I'm ready for a little downtime this weekend (and I do mean little...)

Fall has definitely arrived here in Seattle, so I'm ready to cozy into some sweaters as I run about town with clients and put in some hours on the laptop...

Of course, I'll have to make a little time for lounging... it is the weekend after all!

Thank you all for your sweet comments this week on my travels! You all really are the best readers a gal could ask for!! Happy weekend everyone!

xoxo,
cassandra

*images via fgr

Happy {Officially Fall} Weekend

Fall made it's official debut yesterday. Le sigh. Where did the time go??


image via afternoon delight

But I always love the change of seasons regardless. So bring on the boots, the crisp apples, bright leaves, and frosty mornings. It's time to dig in and get cozy.

And apologies for the slightly sparse posts this week. Our travels knocked the wind out of my sails a bit, but I'll be back in full force next week!

In the meantime, I do hope you make the rounds to catch up on all the blogger mischief that took place in NYC this week. The round ups are quite fun.

And there is still time enter the Jo Handbag giveaway. The winner will be chosen first thing Monday morning. Now there's an incentive to get up on these increasingly dark fall days!

Till Monday luvies,
*Mrs. E

FANTASY TO FÊTE: AUTUMN IN THE VINEYARD

Isn't there something positively thrilling about the first crisp nights of fall, when nothing's more enticing than a cozy night in with friends? Camille from Style Notes here, with the latest post in our Fantasy to Fête series.

Today's mood board is a sumptuous celebration of the season in deep shades of burgundy & bordeaux...and just so happens to be the perfect inspiration for a harvest gathering with a nod to California wine country. Keep the menu simple & sophisticated by serving a gorgeous display of fruit and cheese, accompanied by flavorful nibbles like breadsticks, baguette slices, hummus & olives.

When putting together a cheese tray, I try to follow these rules-of-thumb:
*Serve one to two ounces of cheese per person.
*Include a mix of fresh, aged, soft and hard cheeses.
*Arrange - and sample - the cheeses starting with the freshest and lightest, ending with the ripest and most intense.
Take a cue from the changing seasons, and dress the table in earthy tones of fig, pumpkin & leafy greens. Jewel-toned dahlias bunched in low urns are a rich, autumnal centerpiece, especially when accented with seasonal fruit like these persimmons.

Of course, a party inspired by Napa wouldn't be complete without a delicious selection of wines to savor with all of those cheeses. Create a chalkboard menu (above) that describes each wine's flavor profile with suggestions on what cheese might be most complimentary. (If all this sounds a bit daunting, get a few tips from one of my favorite guides to pairing wines.)

Since the rest of the menu is super simple to put together, treat your guests to a decadent dessert with this flourless chocolate cake...Check out the full menu with recipes here. Bring a touch of nature to the table by topping each napkin with a cluster of vibrant kumquats.


*images via {row 1} erin hearts court via 100 layer cake; bonnie tsang via snippet & ink; maybelle {row 2} jason & anna photography via style me pretty; leesa o'reilly {row 3} bonnie tsang; saipua; snippet & ink; jodi miller via snippet & ink {row 4} salt & chocolate; jamie grenough via style me pretty. antipasto, instyle parties; cheese tray, perfect parties; centerpiece, erin hearts court via 100 layer cake; wine & napkin, williams-sonoma entertaining.

C+K GIVEAWAY: LOVE FROM FIELDTRIP

Speaking of redecorating offices, I'm totally digging the color scheme of this print by Field Trip...

Because the green would be perfect above my desk! And, I certainly hope the sentiment rings true for you too because three of you will be receiving a poster of your choice! So, go check out the colors schemes and options on the Field Trip website, then come back to the blog to let us know which poster is your favorite and where you'd put it in your home! Of course, if you're too impatient to wait for your luck to kick in, you can purchase the poster at a 10% discount when you use the code ""iloveposters" at checkout.

We'll pick the winner this weekend! Good luck!

ROOM OF THE WEEK 9.23

Offices are rooms too, you know...

And this one is kinda calling my name. I could see myself using this simple desk for my laptop, a few magazines and a little floral arrangement while (out of sight) I'd have a huge work table and inspiration board to house all my projects! I like working clear of clutter, and with lots of natural light... but maybe a warm rug underneath for those cold winter days here in Seattle and a little pop of pattern? The rolling rack won't be housing dresses for clients, just a change of wardrobe for those unexpected events (a girl's gotta be prepared, after all!). And I'm sure that bookshelf would be piled high with fabrics. By the by... is that a little fountain by the window? Or maybe it's my lap pool? I'll take either...

And, speaking of work, my dears, I certainly have a lot of it these days! So, once again we are putting out the call for interns here at coco+kelley! If you're in the Seattle area and have experience or passion for interior design or event styling... send an email my way!


*photography by chris court