Borrowed from the Boys...

I am suddenly feeling the need to raid my husbands closet! J.Crew's Sep 09 catalog styled some of their looks using these fabulous oversize gingham men's shirts. The look is clean, but interesting. They also paired a lot of their looks with a very Audrey Hepburn style Minnie pant-that is slim and hits right at the ankle. I love it...so simple, but feminine. The perfect silhouette to highlight a great pair of shoes for fall!!! After all the 80's embellished looks I saw in New York, I have to say these looks are very refreshing. Right up my alley...

I am no Kelly Wearstler...but...

My friend Kelly over at The Party Dress ( who is also a contributor to Project Nursery) informed me that our son Julian's Nursery was featured on the project nursery blog yesterday!!! How fun, and what an honor to be picked. Doing Julian's nursery was SO much fun. With the help of my mom, who is a master DIY'er, we transformed a previously empty space into a bright and cheerful nursery. Thanks mom for striping the walls...I don't think I would have had the patience!!!

Project Nursery is a site dedicated to putting together your baby's room and beyond.. Mom's can submit their "real" rooms to be chosen by the editors to be featured on the site. It is the perfect place to get inspiration for your next Nursery. They also categorize the rooms by style. They have them broken up by traditional, contemporary, designer and the look 4-less. This site was not around when I was doing Julian's Nursery, but I wish it would have been. You will be amazed and inspired by all of the great ideas.

Some of the other Project Nursery features I love are their inspiration boards for customers by Little Apple Designs. You send them a picture of your space and what you are looking for, and they will send you back a customized board complete with furniture, paint, fabric, etc. with links to the items for purchase. amazing!!!

Project Nursery has also added a party planning section, complete with great tips for planning a baby shower or your next one's fabulous Birthday bash.

It's the perfect place to get your creative juices flowing!!!

Recovering...

Whoa, I feel OLD! My husband and I just returned from a whirlwind 2 day trip to NYC (a surprsie for his 30th Birthday) It was SO fun, but absolutely exhausting. Maybe it is all the walking? The afternoon into evening drinking? No sleep?!!!! Either way, it was a blast. NYC has an energy and vibe all its own. Not to mention the people watching...Ahhhh, I wish I could have stopped some people on the street and take their picture. I love the creativity of the fashion and the diversity of everyone around you. It was certainly refreshing...

We stayed at the fabulous Gramercy Park Hotel. It's an Ian Schrager designed hotel, which is an absolute feast for the eyes. I felt like I had walked into a bohemian dream. Lots of heavy wood, rich tapestry and bold colored velvet, harlequin black and white tiles on the floor. The attention to detail unreal. The Rose Bar in the hotel is a must-see if you have a chance. It is guest list only and they don't allow many people in, because it is small and they don't want it to get too crowded. I never thought in a million years that I would be sharing this small space with the cast of Gossip Girl, who were there celebrating Blake Lively's 22nd Birthday. Yes, I was completely star struck...like a giddy school girl...I mean, come on? Chase Crawford?!

We spent most of the first day eating, drinking and shopping. Since this was my husband's birthday, I had really hold back my urges to hit all my spots and focus on him. So, we hit up some great men's stores. My husband found a gorgeous tweed sportcoat with leather arm patches at John Varvatos. Such a great store, they really know how to take traditional menswear and give it a twist. It's also more of a tailored fit for the guy with a hip attitude and who likes a slimmer fit.

Now, in the time I was given for "me" shopping, I have to say I was completely underwhelmed. I know...hard to believe, right? It was just very 80's looking...tons of sequins and embellishment, which honestly is not really appropriate for my SAHM lifestyle! I was looking for affordable fashion at H&M, Zara and Topshop and there was nothing to be found. Maybe if I would have had more time, I could have found something great. But, in the quick run through, nothing caught my eye.

Scoop had some great things...DVF looks gorgeous for fall, probably the prettiest I have seen from her in the past few seasons. I was surprised to see a lot of the color RED, it seemed to be everywhere for fall. I also have come to terms with the fact that I need a pair of boyfriend jeans, they were also in every store.

The fashion knowledge that I returned with is get geared up for a serious throwback to the 80's...I think that this look is inevitable for Fall. I have to mentally prepare myself, because I am not sure if I am ready for the big shoulder pads...God help us all...

DVF Pita Coat in Multi $465

DVF Cobb Dress in Spectra Green $425

A nursery fit for a king...a very stylish little king...

Our good friends Kevin and Jill just welcomed into the world their gorgeous son Liam. Jill has an interior design background and is currently a custom specialist at Scandia Down in Kansas City. She has phenomenal taste and when she was telling me her nursery plans I knew it was going to be great. When she sent me the photos, I nearly fell over...it is perfect. It's modern and warm and unique and it totally reflects Jill and Kevin's style. Jill was inventive in her ideas and they used their own touches to make it personal. I am so excited to share with you Liam's stylish Pad:

Custom Missoni Crib Bedding

Ahhh, Rachel Zoe would die for a crib like this! Jill ordered fabric yardage from Scandia Down to make the bumper pad and pleated crib skirt. Scandia Down has a wide range of Missoni fabrics to choose from. She had a seamstress make both pieces using a kit from makeroomforbabykit.com. She ordered the "modern" bumper which is a slip cover, that can be removed and washed if needed! It's a great way to keep your baby crib bedding clean and in great condition. I love the colors in the classic zig zag pattern, it could go boy or girl if needed!

Custom Made Storage Blocks

I love a fellow DIY'er...Kevin and Jill made this fabulous block letter storage unit. I think it MAKES the nursery. It is SO cute and it's personal, which really adds to the room. Jill and Kevin are taking custom orders if you are interested, you can contact Jill via email at jilldorsey@gmail.com. If your child's name is too long, you could always do initials! I will be purchasing one for our next child's room, for sure.

Other design info:

They custom covered the glider and ottoman at Nebraska Furniture Mart, but the same glider is also available at USA Baby. We actually got our furniture at USA Baby, I thought they had a great selection! And the service was wonderful...

The crib is by Oeuf-it is the sparrow

The mobile is a photohanger comprised of personal photos for Liam to look up at! So cute!

The Sheepskin rug can be special ordered from Scandia Down

On the windows she used a mirrored window panel from West Elm

Jill and Kevin each wrote a personal letter to Liam that they framed using these from Pottery Barn

Va Va Va Vintage!

I spent some time last week browsing the blogosphere, which was really a big treat...I happened to stumble upon this AMAZING woman, called The Glamourai. She has unbelievable style that really is unlike anyone I have seen. She mixes High and Low end, which I love and she accessorizes like you wouldn't believe...a lot of her amazing pieces are from her own line of jewelry.

This led me to the site she sells her pieces on: ShrimptonCouture.com. This fabulous site, is STOCKED with INSANE vintage pieces as well as reworked vintage (which is more up my alley). I am talking serious, t0 die for, wearable vintage. I was immediately wanting a reason to wear a 1950's cupcake dress and a 1970's embroidered one shoulder wrap dress. If you want something different and unique that nobody else has...go directly to this site and look no further. They also give really good sizing equivalents so that you can know exactly what you are getting yourself into when you order one of their pieces.

The best part...you don't need Rachel Zoe's budget to purchase great vintage. I found wonderful dresses for $300 and under! I feel like that is quite reasonable for something vintage and special...

Here are some of my faves:

The Glamorai Holly Golightly Necklace

The Glamorai Miss Havisham Necklace

1960's Silk Chiffon Babydoll $325

1950's cupcake Dress by Re:Couture $325

1970's Bouquet Wrap Dress by Re:Couture $125

Hip Hip Hurray...it's another Giveaway!!!

I am so excited about our giveaway today! My friend and sorority sister Krista, illustrated a gorgeous children's book called Alphabetica. This book is a fun, whimsical ode to the alphabet. It uses vivid images and unique poetry to captivate your little readers and teach them their ABC's! Krista and Author Diana Spieker have been so gracious to donate a copy to one of our Scout readers! This book is great for kids of all ages and makes a beautiful additon to any nursery.

so, here is how you can win. Go to our fan page on Facebook and comment with what your favorite bedtime book is for your children. A winner will be picked next Friday. Good luck and happy reading!!!!

Birthdays on the brain...

Between thunderstorms, a bad headache and planning 2 BIG birthdays, I am just not able to sleep tonight! So, here I am...watching re-runs of Sex and the city and working on a blog post...I can't help but write about birthdays, as I am in the middle of planning Julian's first.

The big trend right now is custom birthday tees. My good friend Casey sent me 2 that I have to share with you, and I found some great options on Etsy as well. If you want your little guy or gal to look extra special on their big b-day, invest in a cute shirt!

custom cupcake tee $24 by planetpudge on Etsy

It's my Birthday tee $29 by Appaman

Birthday Dragon shirt 39.95 on Squeeze Hugs

Birthday cupcake Monster tee $39.95 on Squeeze Hugs