Flowers for All.......

The vase contains one of the bouquets from Jewel

I like to add fresh flowers to my home; not only do they make me smile and freshen your decor but if you get a fragrant flower like a lily it can add a wonderful subtle scent.  I know you're probably thinking "that sounds expensive".  Well while I was picking up my weekly groceries at Jewel, I picked up three of their daily seasonal bouquets to show just how affordable it can be.

In order to create the look of an expensive arrangement from a fabulous florist I pull apart the arrangement and group together like flowers and colors.  Typically three arrangements give the best results, and each pre-designed arrangement was $9.99.  The three bouquets yielded three white hydrangeas, three white lilies, six white daisies, six chartreuse mums, and nine pieces of greenery accents and fillers.

The results

I used the mums and daisies as their own arrangements in small vases; this can be a very effective way to add color to an area, and to make the most of flowers that make more of an impact en masse than on their own.

The large arrangement with the lilies, hydrangeas and greenery accents went in a large vase and was placed on the coffee table because it has the greatest impact and should be placed in a prominent place. When you have flowers like lilies or hydrangeas that make an impact on their own, don't be afraid of using the greenery that came with the flowers to fill out the arrangement.

                               




The white daisies went on a side table by the couch where they add a sweetness as a juxtaposition with the modern lamp.  The chartreuse mums went into the guest bathroom to add a pop of color.

And there you have it; three arrangements for $30, all from grocery store flowers.  Proof that you can save and make it look like you splurged.

Easy Updates for Fall

As someone who loves all things beautiful I have come to the realization that a good foundation is key to a well appointed life whether we are discussing your fashion or your interior design, both of which I have spent a lot of time cultivating.  Most acquisitions are looked at as investments no matter how great or small.

Now that fall has come and temperatures are beginning to drop we look at our home and wardrobe to start the transition process from summer to winter.  First up is taking a look at small things that Gray and I have added to my home for a fall update, and to point out some of my favorite pieces that were investments at the time but that I still cherish today.

West Elm currently has some amazing offerings.  I picked up some yellow sprigs and mixed them with prickly pears and eucalyptus from the farmer's market to bring in a hint of fall without being overpowering.  These candles also from West Elm are not only adorable but smell amazing-the fox smells like cedar and balsam, and the owl of red holly berry (tip: avoid the snow leopard.  They say it smells of silver pine, but it smells awful).

Julie is lucky enough to have a fireplace of which Gray is seriously envious.  Spring and summer see floral displays on the hearth, and fires are roaring in the winter, but what to do when it isn't cold enough to warrant a fire but past prime time for peonies or hydrangeas?  Pumpkins of course.  A quick trip to ACE or Home Depot will give you all the options you need.  We used three small bales of hay and five pumpkins of varying sizes and colors for an easy and colorful fall display.

The mantles a great focal point in Julie's living room, but the ideas here are easy to translate to a shelf, windowsill or console table.  Her typical mantle displays William Yeoward hurricanes (Crate and Barrel make great options) and a Jonathan Adler hippopotamus (no alternatives for this; anything Jonathan Adler makes is amazing and a fantastic investment.  If you are on a budget check out his line for JC Penny).  To add a little color and texture we used two wheat bunches from West Elm and wrapped leather bracelets from Jayson Home over the existing twine.  Any ribbon you have works just as well, but we loved the dark leather as a contrast and for providing a great example for one of our mantras; don't be afraid to try something new and to reappropriate something you love in a way that speaks to you.  A $18 basket of assorted gourds and pumpkins from Home Depot and your home has been prepped for fall.

If you want something a little more permanent that nonetheless makes a statement, try switching out your bedding.  A darker or warmer color will help your space feel cozy during the cooler weather.  Julie switched her white cotton bedding to Restoration Hardware's amazing Belgian linen in fog, (Ikea has some great options as well, but we believe in spending a little extra for bedding because, as studies say, you spend 26 years sleeping during your life).

Elevating Target

By now you have received your coveted pieces; we certainly have, and so the process begins of trying on and deciding what to return, what to keep, and how to style the pieces.  Anyone can refer to the lookbook to see how Altuzarra and Target style everything, but that isn't how Gray and I do things.  We have completed this process, pulling in items we already own to give you our takes on how to elevate these pieces.

Orchid Print Sweatshirt
J: I love the opulent sweatshirts that designers have in their collections for fall.  One of my favorites is, of course, by Lanvin.  However, the Altuzarra for Target version gives you the same bang for much less buck.  I've paired it with an old Prada skirt and thrown on my luxe bag to elevate the look.
G: Anyone who has met me can verify that comfort is key to my happiness.  My current favorite jeans are Gap's shredded boyfriend style; I wear them far too often.  A cross body bag keeps it casual (and hands-free so you can master walking and texting) and a pair of yellow kicks are a fresher take than an expected black version.

Velvet loafers by Lanvin similar styles by Johnston & Murphy and Lanvin | Pleated skirt by Prada similar styles by Halogen and Alexander McQueen | Bag by Hermes ||| Ripped jeans by Gap | Yellow tennies by Replica similar style by Converse | Bag by Hermes

Trench coat
J: Seriously loving the trench.  It is so much look for the dollar.  It is honestly one of those staple pieces that will be a go-to for years to come.  I love it with my Lanvin belt, which takes it up a notch, but the belt it came with is doable too. The faux fur piece from Zara takes it further into the fall season and gives it an even more luxurious look.  Must have!!!
G: Currently I am obsessed with anything camouflage, and as an added benefit these have a crystal skull on the toe and pair perfectly back to the coat.  A polished black bag and bright scarf make this trench perfect for running around the city--a look cute and polished enough that there is no reason to take it off.

Faux fur by Zara | Belt by Lanvin similar by McQ Alexander McQueen | Bag by Lanvin ||| Scarf by J. Crew similar at Zara | Flats by Giuseppe Zanotti

Swiss dot blouse and tuxedo pant
J: Love the masculine/feminine vibe for day.  To take it into night I would ditch the vest and add some stilettos.  Just sayin'
G: Full disclosure: the last time I worked in an actual office I was in high school, so my idea of work-appropriate outfits are fully formed by The Devil Wears Prada and whatever TV show I am currently watching (which is also the reason seeing cops chasing people in flats and not 4-inch stilettos shocks me).  That said I firmly believe that there is no reason to not dress every day in a manner that won't offend Miranda Priestly.  The black swiss dot blouse and tuxedo pant, paired with a tweed shell (this one by Chanel) and a pair of brogues nods at the men's influence of the pants an balances out the sweet bow on the blouse.


Vest by Chanel similar by Trina Turk | Shoes by J. Crew | Bag by Chanel

Crane sweater
J: This is one of those pieces that we thought was going to be amazing and ended up falling short.  Not to say it doesn't have potential; I paired it with an old gold leather skirt from Club Monaco and belted it to give it some flair for the holidays.
G: Hated it.  


Gold leather skirt by Club Monaco similar style by Boundary | Belt by Alaia similar style by McQ Alexander McQueen | Shoes by Roger Vivier | Bag by Alexander McQueen

Crane dress
J: This dress was not as spectacular in hand as it was online, but I still believe it has potential for a night out or a possible holiday party where you don't need to pull out all the stops.  It definitely has sex appeal with the thigh-high slit, and adding a satin belt and glitzy clutch this dress can take you to a party.
G: Ugh.  This dress.  Like the sweater I loved it in theory but in practice not as much. Taking it out of the cocktail arena opened my eyes to how cool it could be in a more casual context. A leather jacket (which everyone should already own) and black over the knee boots from the same collection make it a great option for fall drinks and dinner.

Belt by Lanvin | Pumps by Lanvin | Wedges vintage YSL | Clutches by Roger Vivier ||| Leather Jacket by Barney's | Bag by Lanvin

Crazy for Target

We all know the feeling.  Checking the clock, constantly refreshing the page, willing your eyes to stay open until all of a sudden there it is; the latest Target collaboration has launched.  You have your list next to you as you add this dress and that top as quickly as you can before the pieces sell out.  Then that skirt catches your eye; it looks better in the neon glow of your monitor at 2:30 am than it did the weeks prior.

8 am rolls around and you are at stores in the fray, eyeing the booties in the cart next to you, wanting them more than you have ever wanted everything in your whole life because they are the one thing your wardrobe needs to be complete.

When you get home and the thrill of the hunt has worn off and all of the shipments have arrived, you take a moment to survey your haul and realize that you are officially crazy. You sort through everything you have amassed and take note of your hits and misses (hopefully the former outnumber the latter) and vow never again. But then you hear who Target has snagged for the next collaboration and you feel that familiar sense of excitement once again.

It is T-minus 19-hours until the collection is in stores, even less time until the online launch, and here are our must-haves.


Julie:

Black jacquard trench coat, green and black trench coat, black peplum jacket and ankle pant, black swiss dot short dress, crane structured dress, orchid print maxi dress, orchid print sweatshirt, crane embroidered sweater, black swiss dot bow blouse, black swiss dot henley, black satin cami set, black swiss dot scarf

Gray:

Orchid print sweatshirt, crane embroidered sweater, croc effect black belt, brown belt, plum fringe scarf

Check out our Pinterest board to scope out our picks