Outfit of the Day

shirt: Tahari
pants:
jacket:
bracelet: vintage necklace
clutch: Liberty of London for Target
sunglasses: Kate Spade

Quote of the Week: "Mom, I Just Love Your Style"

This quote comes from my darling son:

"Mom, I just love your [design] style.

It is so light, like a lamb--it is 

soft and warm."

You can imagine my surprise and delight at my 7 year old's ability to articulate something that means a lot to me.  I don't want to impress on my children the importance of superficiality and I don't believe that having a nice home is all about what a space LOOKS like, but how it FEELS.  

I am so proud that he obviously gets that.  I hope my children can think back on their childhood and remember how it felt.  I want them to have a beautiful impression of a "soft and warm" home.  He is amazing, my little man.  

Roman Holiday

One of my favorite old movies is the tried and true Roman Holiday starring Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn.

image via fashion & power

This wasn't Audrey Hepburn's first foray into film; she had been in other pictures, but this was her first big American movie.  She had been in Gigi on Broadway (she had been discovered in Monte Carlo by the famous French author of Gigi, Colette.)  I love the story behind Roman Holiday; Hepburn wasn't the first choice for the movie, her screen test wasn't that great...  The camera man, whether by happy accident or because the director, William Wyler, instructed him to, left the camera running after Hepburn's screen test was over, and caught her in a more comfortable state.  It was because of that recording, when she didn't know that she was being filmed, that Audrey Hepburn landed her first major role.

image via pariscene

Another behind-the-scenes aspect of the film that I love is that in the beginning, only Gregory Peck was set to receive top billing.  Audrey's name would appear on the poster, but not as the star.  It was at Gregory Peck's insistence that she be moved to the top of the poster and receive top billing too.  He later said that it wasn't due to any chivalry on his part, he just knew she was destined to be a big star and it "would be foolish any other way."  

image via

The movie, of course, was filmed on location- something almost unheard of at the time.  It's because it was actually filmed in Rome that the movie was made in black and white- there just wasn't enough money in the budget.  Had it been filmed in Hollywood on a movie lot, it probably would have been in color (and I would know what color the shoes she buys from the Italian market place actually were!)  It was also said that it was filmed on location in black and white so the location would blend in with the characters, and act as a character itself.

Anyway.  The scene above, at the Mouth of Truth, is a classic.  The legend goes that if you put your hand into the mouth of truth, if you are a liar it will get bitten off.  Gregory Peck, remembering an old Red Skelton bit, put his hand in and pretended it was being bitten off, and then pulled his hand, which was tucked into his sleeve, out of the mouth.  The great thing is that Audrey Hepburn had no idea he was planning on doing that, so her reaction in the film is genuine.

Just as he had kind words to say about Audrey Hepburn, she had kind words to say about when she met the fabulous Gregory Peck: "The beautiful, quiet, gentle hero of countless, marvelous movies.  In my  innocence, I thought he'd be just like that.  He was."

image via fashion & power

The costumer for the movie was, of course, Edith Head (later Hepburn would turn to Givenchy for her wardrobe needs).  Head was the one behind the fabulous outfit Hepburn's character wears throughout the bulk of the film.  She takes a simple skirt and button down from day to night and situation to situation with just a few smart choices.  One way she changes things up- easy- she rolls the sleeves on the classic white button down. Another way- she wears a scarf around her neck and ties it in different ways.  (Head's reason for the scarf was twofold- she needed to change the look up, and she didn't like Hepburn's collar bone.)

I am in love with the simplicity of the day outfit that Hepburn wears on her Roman Holiday, and my summer mission is to recreate it.  Most of all, I want those lace up shoes she wears.  Rebecca has a very cute pair of shoes that are really reminiscent of those from the film, but she bought them seasons ago at Ann Taylor Loft and they are (sadly) no longer available.  I've done my best to find some similar pairs on the web, and, like I said, I will be keeping my eyes open this summer for them.

Hepburn and Peck playing cards between takes.
Man, I love those shoes!
image via 

the holepunch flat sandal from Madewell

Fiel Women's Arcas Ankle Wrap Ballet Flat at Endless

Minimarket Lace-up sandals available at the Outnet

adorable card by etsy seller Lizzie Lamb

Vintage Postcard Rebecca's friend brought  back for her from a recent trip to Italy.  I love the idea  of buying postcards from your travels, whether for yourself or as a thoughtful gift. 

~Lori

Victory Gardens Revisited

via The Dinner Garden

 I thought it would be appropriate this Memorial Day to think about not just our men and women who have fought for our country and are fighting now, but also those who have supported them here at home.  Most people know about victory gardens but as a reminder World War II caused the cost of many things to inflate for varying reasons:  lack of man-power, factories were needed to produce other things for the war, and transportation lines were cut off.  One way to off-set the effects of food rationing was victory gardens.

I think it was pretty amazing that so many people banded together to do what was necessary to help the war effort.  The amount of food that was produced by these backyard gardens was pretty amazing: over 5 million gardens were planted and $1.2 billion dollars worth of produce was grown (via wikipedia)

via Wessels

via inside urban green

Gardens were planted everywhere, even on the rooftops.

via landscape design and more

A victory garden was even planted in Central Park West.

I admire those who did their part to help the war effort.
 I have found that there is a big push for a new generation of "victory gardens" to help fight hunger in America.  It is a very good cause.
 
 Although it is for reasons of economy, I have my own vegetable garden.  I love the fact that I can save money on expensive vegetables.  It also makes me feel useful and connected to other generations.  There is something wonderful about seeing the actual fruits of my labor.  My children are also enjoying the experience.  I grew mine from seeds and I know first- hand just how much effort and joy goes into it. 

It was funny for me to see those roof-top garden pictures because I live in the high desert and it is SO hard to grow anything here.  We have had harsh wind storms, unexpected cold spells, extreme heat, bugs and birds.  I have learned a lot through this process and I am finally starting to see it pay off!

A side note:  Those little plants in front of the raised beds are daisies.  I planted them for my daughter's Alice in Wonderland party but I found out that it takes a full year for them to produce blooms...oh well.   Look at my tomatoes!  Too bad only my daughter and I will be eating them, but my friends and family will benefit. 

Sunflowers like it here.  We will see about the green beans, melon and cucumber.  The peas made it through the wind storm but not a friendly roadrunner.

If I can grow a garden here, anyone can.

My breakfast the other morning: arugula (from my garden) boiled eggs and bruschetta .  It was so satisfying to pick my own lettuce, wash it and eat it.

via Nebraska Studies

Thank you to all our men and women who serve in our US military (thank you baby brother).
Hope you had a wonderful, meaningful, Memorial Day!

Memorial Day

image via

Traditionally, Memorial Day is a signal that summer vacation is on its way.  Barbecues and get-togethers are a common way to take advantage of the three day weekend.  What will you be doing?

The white pants are a little hard to see, but trust me, this outfit is perfect!
This is my outfit of choice for the weekend (it's been a little bit chilly here, so the light sweater is perfect with the sleeves pushed up).
Memorial Day Outfit by desertgirls featuring platform pumps



Happy Memorial Day!

image via

~Lori

Guest Post from Design Shuffle

Rebecca and Ty are off to Beverly Hills this weekend for a quick getaway, so we've got a guest post from Design Shuffle for you today.  Have a great weekend and enjoy!

Hi, all! I'm Mari here from Design Shuffle, a fabulous online community where interior designers can show their work and design enthusiasts from around the globe can find interior design inspiration for their own projects. As a writer for Design Shuffle, I am often able to visit great blogs like Desert Girls Vintage to share decorating ideas and trends. I really enjoyed Rebecca's post about her love of lilacs. She inspired me to share some of my favorite lilac-infused rooms in this guest post. Lilac hues for interior spaces are really gaining in popularity right now. Lilac color palettes often evoke the lovely feminine feel of those gorgeous blossoms of the same name. Whether pale, bright or with a lovely brown undertone, lilacs seem to draw us in by their beauty. So do the eight spaces we've brought to share with you today. Even more, lilac seems to fit in nearly any room. From bathrooms to bedrooms, you'll see just how to make it work for you. So do the eight spaces we've brought to share with you today. Please enjoy!  
This stunning lilac wall recently caught my eye and continues to hold my attention as I return to look at it time and again. Delicate and feminine, it brings soft color, life and movement to a soaring space.
This pretty bedroom design pairs lilac and white for a crisp summery look. I love the pale lilac as a background for a shapely floral headboard flanked by clear glass lamps with white shades.
Silk drapes in gold and smoky purple are a stunning contrast to lilac walls. It's such a gorgeous combination.
This glamorous bedroom is all dressed up in an unexpectedly bright lilac on lilac Chinoiserie wallpaper. A chic upholstered bed with tufted headboard is accented with several lilac hues.
From a bedroom in lilac with pink undertones, let's turn to a dining room done in a lilac that's almost blue. I'm really loving the dining chairs and the lovely mural-like wallpaper.
This pretty powder room is reminiscent of the brown side of lilac blooms—so gorgeous. Silver accents always work with lilac, but these are simply perfect for this space.
Lilac wallpaper was chosen for this interior design—a massive closet turned dressing room. Add a pretty little lilac chair, dressing table, floor to ceiling mirror and white swirl-textured rugs and it’s a dream come true.
 
 Sometimes, just a few details are enough to satisfy that craving for lilac. Here a small floral arrangement and lilac accented pillow shams are perfect. I love the delicate lilac monogramming. Images 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 Lilac is one color that has many possibilities. For even more inspiration, be sure to check out Design Shuffle as it's filled with great work from top designers all over the world!

Outfit of the Day: Coral and Navy

This has quickly become one of my favorite spring outfits.
The pants are such a fun pop of color, but the navy striped shirt
really tones the look down.  

One of the vintage necklaces I've picked up along the way is perfect-
 it's a gold chain interspersed with pearls.  The problem with it is that I can't wear it
like a normal necklace- it is a little irritating on my neck.  But I love it too much
to leave it in the closet, so I wrap it around my wrist three times, and it makes
the perfect chunky bracelet!
I think it's important to try to look at things with an open mind.  What doesn't
work as one thing can be re-purposed and used as something else.

shirt: Green Envelope (similar style here)
pants: (similar style here and here)
shoes: Sofft (similar style here)
clutch: vintage snakeskin
sunglasses: Tory Burch
gold and pearl bracelet: vintage necklace
blue and gold bracelet: Dillard's
bangles: thrifted
snakeskin clutch: vintage

~Lori

Outfit of the Day: Watercolors

I have had this blouse for awhile now, but I don't wear it all that often.  It has a beautiful watercolor-like print in colors I love, so when I paired it with my navy shorts I finally felt like it was put together the right way.  The tailored shorts are rather short so the billowy top perfectly offsets the amount of skin showing and keeps the look classy (I hope).

Because there is blue and black in the blouse I can get away with black shoes with the navy shorts and handbag

blouse: Kenneth Cole

shorts: Forever 21

heels: Soft

handbag: vintage

necklace: Forever 21

sunglasses: Oscar De Laurenta 

Liberty of London, Part 1- Books

Okay.  I was going to do a post on Liberty of London.  Just a general post.  I have a Liberty of London for Target wallet that I love- it's a great floral pattern made out of oil cloth- the Liberty Thorpe print.  Nice and sturdy.  And I thought it would be fun to do a feature on some of their products.  But.  I went to their website and found about a thousand books that I want right now.  So I am going to do this in parts.  And we will start, of course, with books.

This is the first book from Liberty of London  that is now on my (long) list of wants.  Here is a snippet I
stole copied from the Liberty of London website describing the book.
"Who sold Buckingham Palace to an American tourist? Whose head fell off London Bridge into his daughter’s lap? How do you make Big Ben gain two-fifths of a second? Why did John Etherington’s top hat get him arrested in Mayfair in 1797? Which Londoner embalmed his wife and displayed her in a glass cabinet in his front room?"See?  How can you read that and then not want to read the actual book and find out the answers?!
available at Liberty of London UK 

This travel guide tells you where to go in the USA and Canada, as suggested by
"experienced travelers and accomplished writers."
Yes, please.

Quite simply, a history of the evolution and influence of books,
 from Sumerian clay tablets to "digi-novels."

Looks gorgeous; sounds fun.  'Nough said.

More interesting info about London.

Vintage advice and recipes for, you guessed it, tea.

For you Alice in Wonderland fans out there.

Again, for you Alice fans out there-- a pretty copy of
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.

Expand your vocabulary and enjoy yourself while doing so!

200 pages of garden paintings

This is really just a small sampling of what they have available at their website... and these are the ones that are at the top of my list.  All of the books shown are from Liberty of London.  Let us know if you check any out!

~Lori