FALLING FOR SPRING

Hello lovelies, Crissie here from bug&Bear! This week I'm still gushing over the color trends that were presented in the fall runway shows last month. The trouble is, we're just gearing up for spring looks, and fall seems much to far off to think about! So I drew some inspiration from the fall color palettes- camels and blues with pops of gorgeous green- and translated them into warm weather ready outfits for spring! 

Now all we need is the sunshine to hurry up and get here! 

*look one- Fall Runway Looks: Emporio Armani  and Acne dress: Rebecca Taylor, sweater: Miu Miu, shoes: Brian Atwood, necklace: Amrita Singh, glasses: H&M

*look two- Fall Runway Looks: Bottega Veneta and BCBG Max Azria top: Donna Karan, jeans: Paul by Paul Smith, shoes and bag: Zara, ring: Kara by Kara Ross 

OOH LA LA

Feeling very vintage inspired and girlishly romantic these days, so I think I'll take a cue from these fabulous pieces and infuse a little Parisian chic into my life!

Doesn't it just make you want to giggle and twirl?

*jean paul gaultier umbrella, paul & joe dress, heart earring studs, vera wang sunglasses, kate spade heels, voila lighter

DRIZZLE DAZZLE

The holiday lookbook over at Intermix right now has some serious new years ensemble inspiration going on. My two favorites for the kind of evening I'll be having...


Just enough casual New Year's Eve dazzle for a quiet dinner party with good friends on what will inevitably be a rainy night in Seattle... I can't wait to relax and enjoy the evening! Will you be going out or staying in this year??

HOLI-CRAZED

The madness of the holidays has finally gotten to me my dears... so I've decided to dress the part by putting together a festive look that goes just slightly over the top...

Inspired by this styled collection of party accessories, I love the idea of a mixed and matched black and white pattern alongside feathery accents and colorful bijoux! A very daring mix of all things good, don't you think??

*dress by tibi, earrings, clutch and bangles kate spade, heels at nordstrom

WHAT TO WEAR: A WINTER WEDDING

This weekend I'll be attending my first ever winter wedding (not usually a popular choice up here in the Northwest!), so I've been flipping through my closet trying to create a look that balances a bit of holiday sparkle without going over the top. Something like this...

I like to shy away from dark colors for weddings unless the invitation says black tie, so for winter it seems like jewel tones or muted neutrals are the two best options. When I spotted this Halston dress, it immediately struck me as a perfect style for a casual wedding because of its jersey fabric with a little shimmer. Keeping with a tone-on-tone palette, the accessories add some fancy sparkle and beautiful texture! Who wouldn't feel fabulous draped in this goodness?!



*dress by halston, earrings at banana republic, ring by ippolita, clutch at asos, heels betsy johnson

TRIMMED

Recently browsing through some of this year's past runway shows, I found a burst of holiday inspiration from the 2011 Sonia Rykiel Resort collection. Strange, I know, buuut...

The playful zig zag trim used throughout the show is totally inspiring the holiday trim that I'm already planning in my head! I can't wait to take some sewing scissors to fabulous fabrics and papers to create a fun and graphic gift-wrapped look... 

Those sweet little floral headpieces are just topping it off for me... perhaps some packaging embellishments? And of course a little shimmer always helps...

FOODIE FASHIONISTA: ENTRENCHED IN FALL

Hello readers- it's Crissie from bug&Bear with this week's Foodie Fashionista, enjoy!

There are some things that we expect from fall: boots, hearty meals, trench coats--but neon and gingham? What a pleasant surprise! (ok, ok, the neon is from Burberry Prorsum's Spring 11 collection... but I'm really feeling it for Fall...give a girl a break!) I've always been a fan of incorporating a pop of bright color into an otherwise neutral ensemble, and Burberry does it perfectly with these brightly belted trenches. 

I've also always been a fan of beets (they're the best salad bar add-on in my opinion.) And here the tasty golden beet is to a bowl of pasta as a neon belt is to a trench coat. A pop of exciting taste and color. 

But let's not forget about the fall shows (from way back in February-how time flies!). Louis Vuitton's 50's inspiration, Burberry's military style and the layers of textures and pattern at Rag & Bone all bring a lot to the table for fall... (see what I did there? Foodie fashion humor at its best.) 

And just in case you're wondering... yes, that's bacon in the pasta. Just an extra dose of true perfection to top things off. Yum!

-Crissie

*Fashion Images via style.com, foodtography via Cannelle et Vanille. Boots by Chloe, trench by Sessùn, top from Aeropostale, leggings from Old Navy, belt by Madewell, bag by Michael Kors

FOODIE FASHIONISTA: LIFE'S A PEACH

Hello lovelies, Crissie here--from bug&Bear. The past few days have brought some refreshingly cool fall weather to New York City, sending me digging through my closet for tights and sweaters. However... it is technically still summer! So this week I'm bringing one last taste of the sunny season (peaches!) and a healthy dose of fall fashion..... enjoy!

-Crissie

*Foodtography and recipe form sunset.com, shirt by James Perse, skirt by Miu Miu, shoes by Jeffrey Campbell, bag by Inge Christopher, sunglasses by Ray Ban, belt by American Eagle, necklace by 1928. 

FOODIE FASHIONISTA: DREAMY DESSERT

Hello Lovelies! I hope you are ready to start drooling, because this week on Foodie Fashionista I (Crissie from bug&Bear) am sharing such a tasty treat...

Oh... did you think I was talking about the decadent pate feuilletee? (Ok- maybe a little.) But, the real drooling is still to come...

See what I mean? A wonderful balance of summer style and fall colors--who could ask for more? (besides dessert of course...)-Crissie
*foodtography via Tartellete, wallet by Moschino, dress by Catherine Malandrino, nail polish Soiree Mauve and Aperitif by essie, shoes by Rupert Sanderson 

GET YOUR (SMOKEY) SPARKLE ON...

I think my life could use a little injection of sparkle these days...

Like this fall must-have cardi from Marc Jacobs...

And this dramatic capiz shell chandelier at West Elm. (Just when I thought I was so over this style too...)

FOODIE FASHIONISTA: COASTAL CRAVINGS

Hello, hello! Crissie of bug&Bear here, back with the newest installment of Foodie Fashionista.
This week I'm fishing for inspiration from the sea - lobsters, mussels and the laid-back vibe of dreamy coastal towns. Imagine watching the tide gently roll away, leaving beach glass and seashells behind in the sand...

Don't you feel like skipping off to build a sandcastle? This creamy, neutral palette will guide you seamlessly from summer to fall... just like a yummy lobster corn chowder.

-Crissie

*foodtography via margaret & joy, top by 3.1 Phillip Lim , skirt by Matthew Williamson, shoes by Chloe, bracelet via modcloth

PATTERN PLAY

A year or two ago I never would have thought of mixing florals into my ethnic prints and stripes, but now? The use of florals in fashion has made me more comfortable with the ultra-feminine print, and I love how these looks are translating into rooms...

I also love how they used the home textiles in the shoot to emphasize that layering effect, even though the looks themselves are mostly florals.


Have you dared to mix all three together in your home or wardrobe? How did you make it work?


*fashion editorial here rooms via lonny magazine and elle decor

INSPIRED INTO FALL

The very first day it hit 80 degrees here in Seattle, we received our first shipment of sweaters at Anthropologie... so you really can't blame me for already having fall wardrobe planning on the brain! But, when I saw these recent arrangements from my all time favorite floral designer, Saipua, it took my inspiration to a whole other level...

Plums and caramels mixed with summer's barely there pinks are perfect as we transition into cooler weather (and, you don't have to put away your sunglasses yet... !)

And cozy cardis over dresses with that little pop of the rosé to remind us that summer has not quite yet left us behind...

*images by saipua,  david slijper for elle uk, dean isidro, and alan chies

FOODIE FASHIONISTA: INPSIRED BY APRICOT

Hello lovely readers, Crissie of bug&Bear here with another edition of Foodie Fashionista. This week I'm bringing you my favorite summer sandwich recipe...

Apricots, mozzarella and cinnamon on sourdough! It might sound a little strange, but the flavors work beautifully together.

Sort of like the combination of blue and orange. Unusual at first-- but the finished product is absolutely stunning!

*Sunset Magazine (recipe), Good.Life Eats, dress by Balenciaga, earrings by Kate Spade, clutch by Hermes, shoes by MIA

MISS MILITARY

While I'm not one to hop on trends too quickly, I have to say that I've always been a big fan of military inspired style - perhaps it's my affinity for a good olive green? About a year ago I blogged about olive green as the new neutral paired with various shades of pink, pops of citron and silvery blues. Today? I'm loving these fresh combos as well...


Call me convinced that this will indeed be my summer-to-fall wardrobe staple! The trick is to pair this masculine piece with an overly feminine dress. I love the lacy white or cream as a strong contrast, and the watercolour + ruffles is completely unexpected! Here's how I'd do it...

My favorite color to pair with olive is a rich fuchsia, so the dress must have a bold shade of pink in it. This one from Forever21 is perfect with the brights against a grey and olive tone background.  Gold hardware on the accessories is a must as it pops so well against that dusty green, but aviators would be almost too obvious of a choice - instead a neutral colored pair of wayfarers will match the casual attitude of the jacket.

*streetstyle via the sartorialist.  jacket at anthropologie, wayfarers, dress at forever21, bag by marc jacobs at piper lime, sandals pour la victoire

GLOBAL STYLE: TUNISIAN TURQUOISE

The brilliant turquoise blues adorning Mediterranean doors and rooftops have long been the quintessence of holiday postcards, but who knew all this beauty was inspired by function? Ancient civilizations actually believed turquoise could ward off bad luck and evil spirits, which is why the color is such a popular choice!

Dar Bibine, a hotel located on a Tunisian island in the Mediterranean, has embraced this historical color palette and updated it by combining archaic architecture with modern designers such as Panton, Gehry and Starck to create a completely fresh style. The clean white lines of traditional Tunisian buildings create the perfect backdrop for this updated design.

The evil-fighting properties of turquoise translate as well into clothing and jewelry, protecting people in the form of pendants, belts, and bracelets. You may be familiar with the blue “evil eye” prevalent in jewelry from Turkey and Greece which goes so far as to cause bad luck for whomever it is directed at!

Even if you're not totally convinced of its powers, there is no doubting this color's calming effect on the psyche, dissolving tension and promoting tranquility.

And as Pantone says of their Color of the Year 2010, "It's not just blue or green, it's both, which means it's calming and invigorating at the same time. And it makes you think of escaping to someplace tropical and beautiful" ... Say perhaps, Dar Bibine, Tunisia?

*images via: darbibine, netaporter

FOODIE FASHIONISTA: SWEET SUMMER TREATS

Something about summer makes me crave simplicity - bright + fresh colors, basic patterns and classic foods (especially dessert!) which is why I was inspired by the simplicity of these seasonal treats to create this equally delicious outfit...

Mmmm.... craving Lemon Bars and Blueberry Pie? Both recipes can be found at Sweetcakes Bakeshop!


*foodtography via Sweetcakes Bakeshop, top by McQ, sandales by Chloe, watch by Lacoste, skirt by Alice and Olivia 

INSPIRATION: LAYERED PATTERN + PRINT

This week at Anthropologie we're beginning the changeover to our fall concepts (yes, already!) and I'm loving the rich inspirations we've been given. However, I always face one big challenge to my personal aesthetic when merchandising our product - how to layer pattern upon pattern upon pattern without it looking like a wild mess.

For those of you who may be just as timid or baffled by using a plethora of prints, I've found the perfect inspiration - this stunning editorial by Andrew Yee...

The trick is to pick a palette and mix the scale of the prints and textures within that palette - a rule that I definitely implore at work and with clients. And if there's one textile designer out there whose line makes it easier for us, it's John Robshaw and his wide range of pillows, bedding and tabletop offerings.

I find the hardest part to be resisting the urge to buy a pair of every pillow, but instead buying a variety of styles in one palette. The better to mix and match with my dears! Have fun!

HISTORICALLY INSPIRED: BUSTLES + CHAPEAUX

I swear... if my life gave me the opportunity to wear these period-inspired ensembles just once...

I'd be giddy with the chance to bustle up a skirt and top myself with a fabulous little hat! They remind me of my childhood muse, Ms. Scarlett O'Hara and her divine drapery dress. Perhaps that's why I don't mind my curtains falling full and to the floor?

*both photos for vogue

PALETTES + PATTERNS TO INSPIRE INTERIORS

Not only am I loving the styling and wardrobe inspiration in these photos by Derek Kettela, but they're providing some palettes worth serious consideration...

While I won't be parading this look all over the streets this summer, I would love to bring this palette into my home and wardrobe! The ability of these colors to at once be warm, soothing, and playful makes them a perfect combo. And using the texture of the mosaic somehow in the decor would only serve to enhance the style.

While the colors above may be a bit too pretty for my boy and I to live in together, a little switch of pale pink for rich blue, and a muddy taupe make this inspiration an overall hit. I'm even digging the flamestitch pants, and the killer accessories certainly help bring it all together - translating this into a room would be such fun!

The combination of textures and patterns in this look is so fabulous, but the palette is what makes it luxe. These rich tones paired with black would make for a dramatic room in the house... and I love that there's still that little pop of coral in her nails. A perfect little accent!