Love Knots

A few days after Easter I was walking through Target and spied an adorable anchor tie.  It was only $2, but I knew my son would role his eyes if I got it for him.  It was just too cute to pass up, and I thought of my daughter's new chevron striped dress and knew it would look adorable with it.  Why not?  Annie Hall wore one!

I ask you:  Could this be any cuter?

dress: Old Navy

flats: Old Navy

Tie: Target

Madewell

Oh. My. Goodness.  I got the new Madewell spring catalog in the mail today.  It is a gorgeous little catalog, full of gorgeous things that I could really use RIGHT. NOW.  Like this outfit.  Sorry for the poor picture quality; I couldn't find the outfit on their website, so I snapped a picture of it with my phone.  They have all the individual pieces (the jeans are even on sale!); I just couldn't find the outfit, put together like this.  

Just look how perfect it is.  Perfection, I tell you.  Perfection.  I want the entire thing, right down to the nautical inspired belt with the anchor belt buckle.  Sigh.  There's even a $25 gift card in the catalog, courtesy of Madewell.  Very clever, Madewell Marketers, very clever indeed.  The whole outfit is around $300.  I have reservations about buying pants online without ever having tried them on*, because the last pants I bought from Zara (or was it ASOS?) ran small, and I didn't send them back, and now I'm stuck with the perfect red cigarette pants that I can't wear until I stop eating In-N-Out for dinner.  I did join a gym this past week, so maybe I'll be fitting into those pants sooner rather than later.  I figured if I'm going to keep spending money on clothes, I might as well try to look as good as possible in them.  And even though my past exercise routine (read- shaking my right foot back and forth at a rapid pace while I'm sitting down, usually snacking) has been working out for me, I know that at some point my metabolism is going to run out on me and then I will really be in a jam.  But, I digress.  And now to get back on track, here are some pictures of the individual pieces.  

Get it here.

Get it here.

Here it is.

Get these here.

*I don't need to worry too much about the jeans-fitting issue for two reasons:
a) We went to Madewell today and I tried them on and they fit like a DREAM and
b) Even if I wasn't able to try them on in store, Madewell's brilliant online policy lets you return jeans free and I think even ship the new size free until you find your correct size.  Genius.

~Lori

"The Ghost and Mrs. Muir" House, and Other Seaside Inspirations

The movie "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir" is one of those films that haunts me for reasons other than plot:  The house is its own character, like the ghostly sea Captain (Sir Rex Harrison) who is far more refined than I would imagine a real sea Captain should be, although I am not complaining.  Lucy Muir (the beautiful Gene Tierney) falls in love with the house, "Gull Cottage," before she does the architect, who is also the deceased Captain.  The house reminds her of the lines in the poem "The Nightingale" by John Keats: "magic casements opening on the foam of perilous seas and fairly lands forlorn." Even the musical score is hauntingly beautiful, and so the movie is pure magic.  Here is a closer look at the house and a few rooms that I would consider a modern day version of this seaside treasure.

Images from "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir" courtesy of hookedonhouses.com...thanks again!

The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, house.

The backside of the house not used in filming. You can see the greenhouse.

Gull Cottage

What's not to love? The entryway of the house.

The living room off the entry. The doors lead to the office.

Check out that collection of ship paintings! To die for...

 

Cottage kitchen

The upstairs hallway and solid rail stair cases.

The Captain's bedroom

The deck off the Captain's bedroom.

Bay windows (doors) that lead to the deck with a full ocean view.

View of the ocean (notice the lack of neighbors) off the front lawn.

A Few Things Inspired By "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir."

My new (old) ship painting that my mom got for me from "The Barn."
It will eventually go in my son, Britton's room, but for now I am
going to enjoy it over the mantle.  I love all the ship paintings in the movie,
and this is as close as I will probably ever get to owning a seaside cottage.

Beautiful Federal style mirror.

I really love these mirrors.  I know some people think they are ugly, but this is exactly the kind of piece that gives a room personality.  I think it would be perfectly suited to "Gull Cottage" or my entryway.

Rooms For A Modern "Gull Cottage"

The difficult thing to mimic, in a house like this one, is the collected- over -time appeal.  There is nothing "decorated" about it, so it is hard to duplicate.  I think the best homes have this in common.  The houses, even empty, are beautiful because the craftsmanship and quality stand alone.  The collected pieces are good and sparse; they serve a function and are not only decorative.  There is so much to be learned from an "honest" house.

Classic kitchen with minimal fuss. The lantern is perfect.

Simple and masculine study/sitting room. I think the captain would be comfortable here.

Corner of a breakfast room. The dark walls contrast beautifully with the white and nautical details.

This bedroom has a similar feel to the captain's: very simple, with only the necessities present.

Again, simple.

Cute Loot At Old Navy

A while back Lori had a wonderful post on nautical fashion.  Since Spring is just around the corner (at least the stores think it is) I thought I would show you some of the adorable Spring 2012 fashions for little girls.  I just went to Old Navy yesterday and found so many cute things for Gwenna.  I was trying to be economical so I only got a few things, but I think I need to go back and get some more.  Here is what I am obsessing over:

I got these darling ballet flats for her. They come in a yellow and green combo too.  

I need to go back and get this jacket.

This is the top I am wishing I got when I was there. It is just so sweet.

I got this cute bird top. Gwenna wore it today and it is darling on.

I know I use "need" recklessly, but really, how cute would this be with the bird top?

Need, need, need! These are going to be the staple of her Spring wardrobe.

Blue and white chevron dress I got for her a few weeks ago.

Nautical Inspired Pieces I Wish Were Mine

See by Chloe cardigan--love!  Buy it here.

D&G blouse

I am in love with this Dolce and Gabbana anchor print blouse.  And the See by Chloe nautical inspired cardigan.  I just thought you should know that.  Actually, I have a thing for nautical style.  Always have.  When I was in the 6th grade, my family and I went to Northern California on vacation.  I had this little white denim Guess dress with a ruffled skirt that I wore when we were in Monterey.  We all ended up freezing up there, even though it was summertime, so we had to buy sweaters from a gift shop.  Mine was solid navy blue with the words "Monterey Bay" imprinted on the fabric.  I remember loving the look of that navy blue sweatshirt with my white dress.  I guess that is when my obsession was born.  To this day, navy is still one of my all time favorite colors for clothes.  And if that navy comes in something related to a nautical theme, forget it.  You can bet that I'm going to need whatever item fits the bill.

D&G t-strap pumps

Boat House Brunch Dress, Modcloth

Forever 21 tote

Forever 21 sailor tote

cuffed sailor shorts at Forever 21

Gianni Bini matey flats @ Dillard's

~Lori