• Much Ado About Nothing

      

    I had my heart set on a particular feature this week, but I can’t find the key image.  And although I

    have 30 or so folders containing potential posts stocked away in my computer, I’m just not feeling

    it for any of them right now.  The truth for lifestyle bloggers is that we do feel the need to deliver

    something meaningful and beautiful and somewhat original to our audience.  And as a practicing

    designer with my own firm, I feel a particular obligation to perform.  Excellence in design is my

    professional pursuit – churning out or championing mediocrity does not hold particular appeal. 

    So with that in mind, I offer you a list of some of my favorite resources to provide you with the

     inspiration that so clearly escapes me this week.  Hopefully I’ll be back on my game next week.

     

    … And I’ll have found that !@%$#% picture!

     

     

     

     

    Vivre -  catalog

     

    vivre

     

     

     

     

     

    ILQ 2 

     

    Isabel Lopez-Quesada – designer website

     

     ILQ 1

     

     

     

     

     

    Lonny – e|zine

     

    lonny cover 

     

     

     

     

     

    A Thoughtful Eye – blog 

     

    thoughtful eye

     

     

     

     

     

    Saipua – website, blog

     

    saipua

     

     

     

     

     

    AD España  – magazine

     

    ad espana

     

     

     

     

     

    Bijoux and Boheme – blog

     

    bab 2

     

     

     

     

     

    How To Spend It – Financial Times magazine

     

    how to spend it 3

     

      

     

     

    … I think I may feel inspired again  ; )

     

    Tricia

     

     

     

     

  • What a Girl Wants

    OK boys.

    It’s time to snap out of that beer-and-chips induced Superbowl fog and back into reality.

    That’s right. Valentine’s Day is Sunday.  Am I sensing a little panic?  Maybe a cold sweat?

    But don’t worry – I’m here to help.  And I’ll let you in on a little secret.  We’re not looking for

    diamonds or a trip to Bora Bora.  What we want from you is a little effort and a bit of insight

    into what's important to us.  It shows you care.  It shows you listen.  So follow the guidelines

    below and show the girl you love that, yes, YOU ARE THE MAN!

     

     

    image 

     

     

     

     

    FLOWERS

    Receiving flowers from a man is one of life’s simple pleasures.  Alas, all flowers are not the

    same.  You may think a dozen red roses from the local grocery store is a nice gift.  But you

    might as well pick up a MacDonald’s Big Mac and wrap it with a red bow.  Cheap and easy

    is not the way to say “Je t’aime”.  Think unique, glamorous, one-of-a-kind … like your beloved.

    image

    Ultraviolet

    Lush arrangements that are colorful and dramatic.

     

     

    yellow-orchid-centerpiece-volanni-dc

    Volanni

    Michael Lanni’s creations are unique, architectural and exotic.

     

     

     

     

     

    image

    Saipua

    I’ve mentioned before how much I love Saipua’s flowers.  But they only deliver in

    New York.  So if you’re lucky enough to live in Manhattan or Brooklyn, it’s time

    to drop some not-so-subtle hints to your man about these incredible blooms.

     

     

     

     

    JEWELRY

    Diamonds are a girl’s best friend, but these days I find many women are less concerned

    with jewelry houses and labels and more interested in unique, statement-making pieces. 

     

     

    vivre jewelry

     

    Vivre

    This catalog is my go-to source for everything chic and dramatic, especially jewelry.  Fabulous!

     image

    Bobbie Medlin

    Bobbie is local, but her pieces have global sophistication. 

    Her one-of-a-kind necklaces are for the the chic, risk-taking woman.

    image

    Robin Katz

    For the woman who loves vintage.  This jeweler’s inventory always blows my mind.

    .

    SWEETS

    Not all girls love chocolate, but those who do are typically fanatics.  If so, a Whitman’s

    sampler isn’t going to cut it.  Washington has some fabulous chocolate shops with staff

    who are knowledgeable and eager to help you select that perfect Valentine’s Day treat.

     

     

     image

     

    Locolat

    This Belgian café has a delicious menu, wine and beer, outdoor seating and delightful service.

    And then there’s the chocolate.  Owner and chef Niel Piferoen creates his specialty  

    pastries, truffles, etc. on site.  A true gem for the beau who aims to impress.

     

     

     

     

     

     

    image

     

    Artisan Confections

    Virginia native Jason Andelman creates hip, modern confections.

     

     

     

     

     

     

    DINNER

    For me the key to a romantic dinner is an intimate space, a unique menu, stellar

    service and a dimly lit, sultry atmosphere,  Ask for a booth with some privacy,

    but avoid no-man’s land in the back; you want to enjoy the buzz of the restaurant.

     

     

    image

    Bourbon Steak at The Four Seasons

    Elegant interior, elegant cuisine, elegant service.

     

     

     

     

     

    image

    Cashion's

    Sophisticated dining in a laid-back environment.

     

     

     

     

     

    Darlington House

    Fashionable and romantic – imagine Jimmy Choo as a restaurateur.

     

     

     

    THE WRITTEN WORD

    And don’t forget to tell your girl just how much you love her with a handwritten note!

     

    image 

    This exquisite Valentine is a Delphine Studio design available through Etsy.

     

     

     

     

  • Purple Reign

    It's over.

    I'm not a guy, I'm not a jock and I haven't lived in Minnesota for twenty years.

    But I do have three brothers and a father who are die-hard Vikings fans.  So despite 

    the fact that I'm a fashion-loving, bauble-wearing, design-obsessed girlie-girl, I was

    truly crushed by Sunday's loss.  In honor of my home team and those who love them,

    Luxe & Lucid is featuring all things purple this week.  Who knew football could be so inspiring? 

     

     

     

     

     

     

    rothko red orange tan and purple 1954

    The power of purple brought to life by artist Mark Rothko.

     

     

     

    emma watson teen vogue 1

    Emma Watson in Teen Vogue – darling.  And check out her ride!

     

     

     

    saipua

    Saipua, a florist in Brooklyn, has the lushest, most incredible arrangements I have ever seen.

     

     

     

    ysl fragrance

    I’ve been on a bit of a fragrance kick lately.  YSL’s Parisienne has notes of blackberry, rose and sandalwood.

     

     

     

     

     image

    image

    Kelly Wearstler’s new book HUE (I have a signed copy!) and photos of her home office.

     

     

     

     

     

    purple eyes gucci

    I loved Gucci’s 2009 spring/summer ad campaign.

    Only girls this gorgeous could rock intense violet eye shadow.

     

     

     

     

    I became fascinated by the work of Josef Albers as a fine arts major in college.

    The German artist was a color theorist whose “Homage to the Square”

    series illustrated the relationship and interaction of adjacent colors.

     

     

     

     

     

     

    kimberly klosterman amethyst cufflinks

    Incredible!  A pair of amethyst cufflinks from Kimberly Klosterman.

     

     

     

     

     

    solis betancourt

    Two rooms by Solis Betancourtmy mentors and professional heroes – both featured in Southern Accents.

     

     

     

     

    anya hindmarch purple patent buddy clutch

     This aubergine clutch from Anya Hindmarch is insanely chic.

     

     

     

     

     

    christian-louboutin-lilac-pump

     Louboutin’s signature red heel gives this ladylike lilac pump a little va va voom.

     

     

     

     

     

    aerin lauder dinrm elle decor

     Aerin Lauder’s dining room in Elle Decor showcases the sexy sophistication of purple.

     

     

     

     

    plum sykes met gala

    Speaking of glamorous, successful, New York women.

    Plum Sykes wearing, well, plum … and violet, raspberry, etc.

     

     

     

     

    lindsay lilacs

    A vignette of lilacs, reds and creams in the Virginia living room of a Huntley & Co. client.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    jones purple ottoman

    And an ottoman upholstered in an orchid-hued moiré in another client’s Pennsylvania Avenue pad.

     

     

     

    reese-witherspoon nina ricci

    One of Reese Witherspoon’s best red carpet moments.

    Her deep purple ombré Nina Ricci gown was a stunner.

     

     

     

    colin in purple ascot

    And because I'm always looking for an excuse to Google Colin Firth …

    Only a man as handsome as this Oscar-contender could rock a lavender ascot and look dashing.

     

     

     

     

    – Professional Huntley & Co. photos by Kevin Allen Photography