There's Still Time to Win!

Don't forget: if you haven't already entered to win a free one-year subscription to the design magazine of your choice, there's still time. Enter here. I'll be drawing two names tomorrow and will announce the winners by 12 CST tomorrow.

Rocking Kids Stuff

If and when I should ever have a child, someone please buy him or her this t-shirt:

And maybe a CD of some lullabies by Green Day (or Metallica) while you're at it:

Both these items are available at Chasing Fireflies, an online children's boutique I only found out about today (I get some pretty random catalogues). Honestly, they've got some of the cutest -- and coolest -- stuff for kids and babies that I've ever seen. My 5-year old self would've loved any of their mermaid or fairy gear and toys. If you've got any baby showers coming up or are just looking to spoil your favorite kid, check them out.

Good Buys at Nordstrom?

It's been a long day. I spent the morning at the endodontist having a root canal and the afternoon in meetings. Ironically, the morning was less painful. While sitting in the waiting room this morning though, I had the time to go through my mail, which included the new Nordstrom spring catalogue. Leafing through the circular, I was really impressed with how reasonably priced so many of Nordstrom's pieces were -- perhaps even the more high-end department stores are starting to get the message that the demand for high-priced goods has (at least in the near- to mid-term) all but disappeared.

A few of my favorite new pieces for spring include:

Halogen short sleeve blazer ($98). This jacket also comes in a bright pink, but I really love how versatile this olive color (essentially a neutral) is. I love a short jacket for the office in the spring and summer and this color could really be kicked up a notch when paired with a bright undershirt or scarf, as the model shows here.

Semantiks wallpaper skirt ($68). As soon as I saw this skirt, I knew I wanted it. As someone who is bigger on top than bottom, I love a great print on a skirt to put the emphasis where I want it (i.e., on my narrower hips/legs) and less on where I don't (i.e., my broad shoulders and larger bust line). For those ladies who are smaller on top than bottom (i.e., the majority of women), I would suggest keeping the emphasis up top with the coordinating jacket (the Semantiks damask jacquard jacket, $128), which would really punch up a pair of plain slacks or jeans. Obviously, don't pair the pencil skirt and jacket together -- the overall effect would end up being far too "Barbie goes to the office". Instead, why not follow Nordstrom's lead and pair the skirt with a bright Halogen scoop neck cardigan ($58)? It comes in 12 great colors and is inexpensive enough to pick up in multiples.

One a Curved pocket cardigan ($58). This lightweight cardi just begs for a cozy couch and a good book -- or maybe a nice dark movie theater. I love how the shawl collar blends seamlessly into the curved pockets. Magnifique. And the lightweight cotton will make it a great transition piece for the next few months. If you're not feeling the stripes, there are some great solid colors available as well.

Okay, I'm off to wrap up work as quickly as possible so I can get out of here before my pain meds run out. See y'all tomorrow with some more great design (promise!).

Caveat Decorator

Just a few weeks ago I was lauding the decorating virtues of matching in moderation -- emphasis on the moderation. And lo, this month Elle Decor has taken it upon themselves to beautifully (albeit unknowingly) illustrate the dangers of swathing an entire library or sitting area in a single fabric. In fact, I think the designer responsible for the spread in question deserves to stand trial for violating ordinary standards of good taste and style.

So who, precisely, stands accused of these decorating crimes? The alleged offender is none other than Lee Radziwill, international socialite and sister to the late Jackie O. In not one but two houses, Ms. Radziwill has elected to decorate the majority of her rooms in entirely one fabric. Walls, curtains, furniture: you name it, she covered it. The result is, in my opinion, too intense to be appealing, too "decorated" to be comfortable -- and, above all, incredibly dated. But I'll leave it to you to play both judge and jury. I'm just the prosecutor, ready to submit the following evidence:

Exhibit A

I'm with Decorno on her general hatred of skirted tables. While I'm sure this table cloth is hiding a table worth more than the entire contents of my house, I can't help but assume that any floor-length table cloth is only hiding some plywood and cardboard monstrosity that the owner purchased at Garden Ridge. I also have a bias against carpet in dining rooms, which just seem to beg for serious stains. On a positive note, I do love those chairs though, and the color scheme of pink and orange is rather fun. In fact, if we strip away the carpet and the table skirt and maybe ditch the coordinating roman blind, I think I'd like this room.

Exhibit B

To her credit, I actually rather like the fabric Lee Radziwill selected for this sitting room; it's very unique and rather lovely, in fact. But of course, I would've preferred it in a smaller dose -- an accent chair perhaps or just the sofa. But the walls, sofa, chairs AND curtains is just going beyond. Let's just call this one "too much of a good thing".

Exhibit C

I think this room looks especially dated. The fabric's color and motif just seem so "Miami hotel in 1985" to me. As my husband so succinctly put it when I showed him this room: "That picture is giving me vertigo." I really can't put it any better than that.

The prosecution rests as these pictures largely speak for themselves. So what's the verdict? Is Lee Radziwill guilty of crimes against design or should all charges be dropped?

All photographs courtesy of Elle Decor, April 2009.

One Kings Lane

Thanks to Erin at Elements of Style, I found One Kings Lane today, which is the home decor equivalent of Gilt Group or Ideeli. In other words, it's incredibly fabulous -- and incredibly dangerous. If you think you can be good, or are actually in need of some fabulous new sheets from Serena & Lily or table linens from DwellStudio at more than 50% off, click HERE to join (and use me -- averillh1(at)gmail(dot)com -- as your reference so you can get in to this members-only site). Even better, what they've got available is what's currently in stores, not two seasons ago castoffs.

I am particularly covetous of these items:

Fiona Bedding (regularly $85-$349, available at One Kings Lane for $35-$139)

Set of 4 Chinoiserie Vellum Placements (regularly $88, available at One Kings Lane for $39) and Set of 4 Pin Dot Vellum Napkins (regularly $62, available at One Kings Lane for $24)

Lunts Silversmith Pagoda Candle Lantern (regularly $150-$275, available at One Kings Hill for $69-$119)

Gratias Multas!

Today is my 100th post in just under 3 months.

When I put it like that, it sounds pretty intense. Did I really have that much to say (or rather, did I really think I had that much to say)? I'll spare you the introspection and get to the point of this post: In honor of sticking to this for the first quarter of 2009 and to mark the 100-post milestone, I thought I'd host a little giveaway. And no, be assured that this isn't my April Fool's Day joke on the world. Besides, this makes a pretty lame joke.

So this is how it's going to work --

To participate, you'll need to leave me a comment below letting me know what sorts of things you'd like to read about here at Odi et Amo during the course of the next 100 posts (or, in the alternative, what sorts of topics you're completely tired of hearing me babble on about). On Wednesday, April 8th, I'll randomly select two readers to win a free one-year subscription of her choice to one of the following design magazines:

Elle Decor

House Beautiful

Metropolitan Home

And finally, the winners will also be able to select a digital subscription to Canadian House & Home, the next-best-thing to domino available on either side of the border:

Just think of it as my little "thank you" to everyone who stops by here on a regular basis and who has supported my blogging efforts. Prizes are open to U.S. and Canadian residents only (provided that Canadian residents are only eligible to receive a print or digital subscription to Canadian House & Home).

Finis

This afternoon I surfed on over to domino's website for a little eye candy (or decorno, if you will) only to be redirected to Architectural Digest's website and this letter:

Dear Domino magazine reader,

Thank you for trying to visit the Domino magazine Web site. Sadly, Domino magazine and www.dominomag.com are no longer being published and the My Deco File application has shut down. You’ve been redirected to the Web site of Domino’s sister publication Architectural Digest.

Like dominomag.com, ArchitecturalDigest.com is home to inspiring photography, helpful design resources, tips and interviews with top architects and designers, plus galleries of unique furniture, art, tapestries, and other treasures.

We’d like to encourage you to explore ArchitecturalDigest.com by visiting some of our most popular features listed below. You can also sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest architecture, design, and celebrity homes delivered directly to your inbox.

We hope you will grow to love both our Web site and Architectural Digest magazine.

Sincerely,

Architectural Digest magazine

Note to AD: AD, I read domino: I knew domino, domino was a friend of mine. AD, you're no domino.