FASHION: Mid-Summer Pick me ups

Hi everyone - it's Kat from With Love From Kat. I've loved being a contributor for Jen these past 6 months and am excited to see what the next contributors bring to her blog!  My last post for MBG is called "Mid summer pick me ups."  We're halfway through summer, and if you're feeling like me, than you're tired of your summer wardrobe.  I love these fun pieces that can easily "zhush" up any outfit without breaking the bank - most of these items are under $100!  Thanks for reading my posts and don't forget to keep up with me here, here, and here!

1.  Mar Y Sol Caracas bag

2.  Kenneth Jay Lane ring

3.  Miu Miu sunglasses

4.  Sam Edelman sandals

5.  Fornash scarf

6.  Equipment blouses

7.  Juicy Couture necklace

-post by kat tanita

Trend: Leather Skirt

I love Leather skirts. In fact I'll wear leather or non- leather pieces as long as they fit well. And you?  Right now, I've noticed just about every store in New York City has leather skirts. Short minis to long ankle length leather (which is NOT my thing).  I've rounded up a few of my favorites just incase you're looking to jump into this trend! 

BEWARE though, Leather skirts are NOT cheap. My favorites are Helmut Lang & Alexander Wang - amazing, don't you think? 

                    Do you own a leather skirt? Which is your favorite?

VINCE // CEDRIC CHARLIER // HELMUT LANG // ALEXANDER WANG // ALEXANDER WANG // KELLY WEARSTLER // WILLOW

DESIGN: CHIC OFFICE ACCESSORIES

Hi MBG readers! Amanda here. Today I'll be sharing with you one of my favorite rooms to decorate: the home office. With my recent move, I am excited to finally have my own workspace and complete freedom to discover my personal style. And with summer in full swing, there's no better time to start redecorating or switching out images on the pinboard and gallery wall. 

Even though I had to use my dining area as a desk in my previous apartment, it was always the messiest and most susceptible to clutter. And for those working from home, it's the one room most spend in and we know how design affects the way we feel and think. Prettying up the space helps keep it the way it should be - constantly inspiring! For this office space, I chose Jennifer Fisher's soho showroom and office as the main inspiration. Her glam and edgy yet casual office is one I would love to spend long work days in.

Jennifer Fisher's office by Rima Campbell, featured in


 Matchbook Magazine

1. Acrylic Letter

2. The Sartorialist Portrait Print

3. Tokyomilk Dark

4. Oversized Gold Piggy Bank

5. Snakeskin Wallpaper

5. Skull Bookends

6. Glass Knot

7. Desktop File

8. Emilio Desk

9. The New Black Pencils

10. Little Black Book

11. Charade Maltese Cross Box

12. Skull Candle

13. Gold Ceramic Urchin

14. Two Million Miles Book

15. Faux Snake Skin Accent Table

16. Pencil Cup 

-post by amanda dietz

MY HOME, MY SPACE

What is your favorite area in your home and why?

My name is Debbie Bouchard and I am a paralegal from Vancouver, British Columbia.   After fifteen years of renting, my boyfriend and I bought a condo and decorating it has become a bit of a hobby.  My favourite space is our living room with its office nook. I wanted our first place to be colourful, lively, original, and full of love.  After a long day, it’s nice to come home to a warm, cozy space...made complete with our beloved dog, Olive!   

-images by debbie

FASHION: Colorful Wardrobe

Hi everyone, happy Monday!  It's Kat from With Love From Kat.  I am so ready for it to start feeling like Fall here in New York.  My current wardrobe is filled with colorful pieces like these.  I'm excited to pull them out and try the color blocking trend.  I'll be taking style inspiration from Lauren Santo Domingo, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Blair Eadie who look so effortless and chic in this trend.

1.  Equipment blouse

2.  Ray Ban aviators

3.  J.Crew necklace

4.  Donni Charm scarf

5.  J.Crew pants

6.  Clare Vivier clutch

7.  Julie Vos ring

8.  Michael Kors heels

-post by kat

Your Weekend

-image by jen ramos

Love in a little Girl's Room

Hi everyone! Check out this super cute little girl's room that features my Gold LOVE Candy print.  I love the soft colors in this gorgeous design by Jana Bek whose gorgeous studio apartment was recently featured here in My Home, My Space series. 

- images by Erik Melvin

For Sale - Office Items

UPDATE : ALL items have SOLD

I'm bringing in some new chairs + artwork - so I'm offering these items up for SALE. Please email me if you're interested or with questions - prices are below. As for the chairs, they were bought at Ballard Designs - and are in good condition. They do show some wear, but not that visible. The seat covers have zippers - so they can be washed. However, it would be best to have the covers replaced, which is relatively inexpensive. 

This photo was featured in an issue of Style at Home amagazine!

Chairs:
They're very dark brown (not black) - They do have a slight shine, but are not super shiny. Bought them for over $200 each.  Selling for $90 each. Minor wear. Can be used as dining chairs! Only NYC local pickup please - cannot ship these.

Large Art: 
Gold frame + art canvas paper print 
Measures 42"x41" 
Selling for $245
Great condition.
Can be shipped within USA, but will cost more. 





-image by janis nicolay

FOOD: PITA CHIPS & FETA DIP

Enjoying your Summer so far?? Hello MadeByGirl readers! It's Teann here bringing you another scrumptious recipe. Summer is the time for drinks on the patio with friends enjoying great food. These pita chips and feta dip are perfect to share with friends and while sipping margaritas.

 Pita Chips: 

1 bag of soft pocket pitas 1 tbsp turmeric 2 tsp garlic salt Olive oil Preheat oven to 350 F. Cut the pita pockets into triangles and peel apart. With the inside of the pita face up, spread out the pita triangles on a sheet. Lightly coat the pitas with olive oil. Combine turmeric and garlic salt and sprinkle across the pitas. Bake for 4 minutes or until brown and crisp. These pita chips bake fast so keep an eye on them.

 Feta Dip: 

 6 oz feta, crumbled 2 tsp lemon zest Lemon juice from 1 lemon 4 tbsp olive oil Salt and pepper Put all the ingredients into a blender or food processor and blend until until smooth. Serve with pita chips and margaritas!

-post & photos by teann ingram

Rockin' my CLARE VIVIER

Clare Vivier Has been one of my favorite bag designers for over 5 years now. In fact, I remember when she was relatively new to the blog world & I came across her La Tropezienne tote. I remember asking MY HUSBAND Mat, if he could get me one for my birthday! 

So, he called Clare Vivier & actually spoke to her (at the time) telling her he was making the purchase for his girl, mua.  I also recall at one point Clare calling me back letting me know that they make everything by hand & it would take a bit to get to me. I was SO excited & in love with the bag, I didn't mind! 

Fast forward a few years later & I spot the leopard hair clutch in a small photo on their website! Before it was even available online I immediately called them myself & asked about it. They told me they hadn't even added it to the shop.... but if I wanted one, they would make one. I said YES!!! I'm happy to say, I was one of the first bloggers to have that leopard bag....it's now one of my fave clutches! 

With all the monogram stuff out there, I LOVE that Clare is now doing some monogrammed duffle bags ,check them out here.  

MADE BY GIRL IN STYLE AT HOME

MADE BY GIRL is currently featured in the September 2013 issue of Style At Home! My gold + silver  LOVE Candy prints were photographed in a beautiful home by Janis Nicolay in the article titled "Next to Neutral" by Beth Hitchcock. So grateful!

Check out StyleAtHome and be sure to pick up an issue and find my prints!!

DON'T FORGET - we are having a SALE - 15% off at MADE BY GIRL - use code: JULY15OFF

DESIGN: MONOGRAM BEDDING

Hi lovelies!  Sam here, from The Peak of Tres Chic, back for another lovely dose of decor!

My fiance and I are beginning to register for our March 2014 nuptials (so exciting!) and one thing that's definitely on our list is new bedding.  I have always loved a good monogram, and have been loving all the monogrammed bedding popping up:

{Leontine Linens}

{Eric Cohler}

{La Dolce Vita}

{Lonny Mag}

{Lynn Morgan Design}

{Atlanta Homes}

Leontine Linens is a luxury monogram bedding company and the stuff my dreams are made of.  Unfortunately, it would break my bank to order a few pillow cases!  An affordable and chic alternative is Garnett Hill.  They have many pretty duvet covers and sheet sets that can be custom monogrammed for you.  Here are a few of my other favorite bedding options:

Shop Monograms:

1.) Monogram Pillow Navy Linen $100/ 2.) Standard Sham Monogram Pillow $88/3.) Scalloped Duvet Cover $416/4.) Garnett Hill Standard Sateen Sheet Set with Monogram Personalization $50/ 5.) Monogrammed White Pillow $80/6.) 2 Matouk Monogrammed Pillow Cases $55.90

Do you love monograms as much as I do?  Would you ever monogram your bedding?

-post by samantha penner

Glamorous Spaces

My ideal home D-E-C-O-R would be described as "GLAM". 

Even though my own apartment is headed in that direction, my home office still could use some major help! In the meanwhile I put together a list of some home decor pieces that will definitely bring some GLAM into your space. I decided to challenge myself & pick everything out from one shop -  Clayton Gray Home. They have a large selection of items - but these are by far my favorites! I'd love to know,

...are you into glamorous spaces? Is it your style?

lonny mag 

 elle decor

 

 

- Furniture via Clayton Gray Home

MY HOME, MY SPACE

What is your favorite area in your home and why?

Hey everyone! I'm Joanne Herda from Floor24Designs and I can't wait to show you my space. What is it, you may ask? Well, my favorite area in my home is.... my office.

My office space was intended to be utilized as a coat closet. But, the moment I looked in that "closet" I was already envisioning it as my private home office. I immediately took down all the measurements and started contemplating how to decorate and furnish this lovely space.

I took the previous white walls and added a splash of glam with a big print wallpaper. I surround myself with beautiful, fun & most importantly meaningful items. This helps me stay in a productive zone while working. I have artwork which my son painted, a limited edition poster of Madonna from her MDNA Tour, a vintage lamp, a small collection of glass paperweights and much more meaning items displayed on my desk. 

My office is quite organized. Not only because I am such a Type A personality, but I perform many duties in that space. I am a Business Owner, Homeschool Mom, and American Heart Association Passion Committee Member.

I look at my office as a place to get-away, a place to relax with a cup of coffee while reading blogs, and as a place that I can accomplish A LOT of work!

I LOVE surrounding myself with beautiful and meaning items, my office gives me a huge embrace of goodness every time I'm there.

- images by Joanne Herda

Trend: Midi Rings

Friday is upon us & the weather in NYC literally feels like 1000 degrees. Woah it's hot!

So while I'm indoors with A/C (thankful), I'd love to talk about what's trending in arm candy. Have you heard of the Midi?? Midi. Say that 5 times, right? I have to say, I thought there was nothing left to add as far as rings went... remember the toe ring trend? 

Well, now there's this new trend where you can slip on these fabulous TINY rings to fit snugly right above your knuckle. I've done a little browsing of these rings myself and I think I know what my next purchase will be...super cute!

Is this a trend you see yourself wearing??

1. Textured Midi Ring Set
2. Bonnie Jonas Midi Rings
3. Knotty Trio Midi Ring Set
4. Crystal Accent Cut-Out Midi Ring Set
5. Zigzag Stackable Midi Ring
6. Earthbound Trading Midi Rings
7. Stella Midi Ring
8. Bonnie Jonas Initial Midi Ring
8. Sterling Wishbone Arrow Chevron Midi Ring

The NEW contributors are:

Congrats LADIES!!

We'll be in touch soon!

BTW-  We haven't decided on the Design category yet - we are looking for someone who has a similar design aesthetic to this contributor. 



-images by jen ramos