Designing a Kate Spade Store

It's very rarely that I'll read one of the oodles of architecture, construction, and urban design magazines my parents leave lying around the house (they're both architects), but my mom flagged one especially for me. I was very pleasantly surprised to find an article in Contract magazine about designing the Kate Spade flagship store in Japan!  First my brother mails me J Crew articles, and now my mom is flagging tidbits about Kate Spade! I'm so grateful for everyone thinking of me!

I don't have a scanner, so hopefully these pictures are readable.  Just click on the image to see the enlarged version.  Enjoy!

xoxo,

Don't You Step on My Blue Suede Shoes

I am overjoyed by the plethora of loafer choices available for fall. From animal print to studded, needlepoint to sequined, loafers are everywhere (especially in September magazine issues)! 

Loafers (aka "slippers") are even known to be a signature of Joe Mimram, founder of Joe Fresh and Club Monaco.  His Barbie doll look-a-like even sports them!  

Joe in his signature "slippers"

Of course  Louboutin makes a fierce pair of embellished calf hair loafers:

Stubbs & Wootton is a classic choice with an incredible selection, which gets even bigger if you choose to indulge in the customizable options:

You can bet your bottom dollar that Ralph Lauren will capitalize on the resurgence of a classic shoe:

Leave it to RL to modernize a classic and make it stand out from the rest!

This purple suede, jewel-encrusted shoe is positively regal!

  

But my favorite loafer find?  This pair of blue suede tassel loafers from Topshop, of all places!  

And at $100 (if you're lucky enough to live in the US), they're a surprisingly affordable way to embrace a trend, while still displaying a perfect mix of whimsy and tradition.

Just don't you step on my blue suede shoes!

xoxo,

Special Guest Post: Lilly Pulitzer for the Home

I've got a treat for you all today - a special guest post about Lilly for the home!  I have loved the Lilly home lines since rumors of Lilly's foray into furniture and bedding initially popped up on the blogosphere.  Now please excuse me as I swoon over the images in the following post and daydream about my future home...


Hi, everyone, I’m Susi and I write as a guest blogger for DesignShuffle.com, a fabulous social media site that promotes interior designers and their work from around the world. My writing focuses on things I'm passionate about: interior design, decorating ideas, home furnishings, gardening, travel and art. I get to look at gorgeous things all day and write about them. I'm a very lucky girl!

I feel very lucky to be visiting Canadian Prep today and writing about Lilly Pulitzer pretties for the home. Any Lilly fan worth her weight in pink and green will be excited about new launches from Lee Jofa and Lilly Home, now available through Horchow and Neiman Marcus, and sales of Lilly Pulitzer linens at Garnet Hill. Classic preppy colors and patterns for the home designed by Lilly, what's not to love? Hope you enjoy! ~Susi

Kravet via

Lee Jofa debuted their collection of Lilly Pulitzer fabrics from the home earlier this year. Love the blue and white gingham on the walls and the preppy classic combination of kelly green and true pink. Typically Lilly, this room bursts with cheerful color and feminine prints.

Horchow via

The white bamboo-look Minzer bench and the Sara sofa both have traditional lines with pink, feminine colors. White painted bamboo furniture screams Palm Beach chic, don't you think?

Garnet Hill via

The “Catching Z's” needlepoint pillows in daiquiri pink or seaweed green zebra pattern are currently on sale at Garnet Hill. Grab them before they sell out.

Garnet Hill via

Lilly bed linens, bath linens and rugs add cheer and Palm Beach style to bathroom and bedroom designs. Sunny tropical colorways of blues, greens, pinks and yellows are classic Lilly.

Garnet Hill via

Preppy navy and white with splashes of bright pink and lime green is another classic Lilly color combination. Mixed with tons of whites, these intense colors feel crisp and fresh.

Horchow via

A new line of Lilly Pulitzer furniture is launching at Horchow. Fine upholstery and traditional styles meet with Lilly's preppy sensibility. The Paramount daybed will certainly become a classic.

KFI via

The Wentworth chair is covered in a preppy light green with aqua trim. The Deborah sofa is covered in Heritage floral. Love the Sea Fan and Shell We pillows on the chair and sofa. Lovely interior design ideas.

Horchow via

The Aster vanity, in white with gold tone hardware, looks fabulous paired with the Boulevard armchair in hot pink. The Boulevard chair has great Chinese Chippendale style.

This content is provided by Design Shuffle, where you can find and share talented interior designs from from New York interior designers, Los Angeles interior designers, and more, check out the latest at Design Shuffle.

Thank you so much to Susi from Design Shuffle for taking the time to add a little more Lilly loveliness to our day!


xoxo,

Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head

The recent increase in summer storms has sent me jonesing for a new umbrella. I seem to have misplaced my trusty Monet umbrella, so I'm stuck with dripping hair and soaked clothing when caught in a storm.  I must admit I'm a bit picky when buying umbrellas, mainly because few have been able to withstand the heavy winds of Kingston.  So if anyone has found a sturdy, stylish, and affordable umbrella, or has tried one of the following umbrellas, please do tell!

Compact Umbrellas:
I love that compact umbrellas can be stuffed easily into a tote or backpack, but every compact umbrella I've ever used has been quickly inverted, bent, or torn apart. However, since I'm now living in Ottawa, which doesn't get such absurd wind speeds, I may be safe with something a little less sturdy.

Of course this Lilly Pulitzer umbrella is cute as a button and exudes happiness.  Pink and petite, it would easily go with the myriad of pink pieces in my closet and brighten up a rainy day.  

This mini Degas' Dancers umbrella will surely satisfy the art historian in me.  Degas was also the first artist I distinctly remember loving as a child.  I blame it on the stereotypical young girl dream of becoming a ballerina.

Leave it to MoMA to sell a color-changing umbrella with the NYC skyline.  The simple black and white design reminds me of the Kate Space City Lights Lillith Skirt.

 Stick Umbrellas:
I've recently fallen in love with stick umbrellas, even though they can be a little cumbersome at times.  Perhaps it's the flashback I get to Gene Kelly singing and dancing with his stick umbrella in Singing in the Rain, but I feel that they are a smidgen glamorous and old-fashioned.

I've been coveting this umbrella since I first laid eyes on it in Matchbook Magazine. Featuring Scalamandre's iconic zebra print, it's a classic umbrella that would pair well with both black and tan trench coats and be an appropriate choice for this burgeoning professional.

This iconic Burberry umbrella sends be daydreaming about walking hand-in-hand with a dashing young gentleman along the streets of London.  Unfortunately, for over $200,  both the umbrella and the accompanying dream are currently unattainable.

Carried by both Charlotte York and Blair Waldorf, the clear umbrella seems to be a clever solution to a fashionista's desire to be protected from the rain and yet still have her outfit on full display. Being accident-prone, perhaps this umbrella will be just the ticket.  I assume finally being able to see telephone poles, people, and parking meters will keep me from running into them. I would hope.  

I'm mesmerized by this Color Wheel Stick Umbrella from MoMA.  I can picture myself twirling it around and watching all the pretty colors merge together. Plus it will coordinate well with everything.

What do you think?  Which umbrella do you think would be appropriate for a young professional, but still exude oodles of personality? Do you have any suggestions for other great umbrellas?

xoxo,

Giveaway Winners!

I hope everyone has been enjoying the weekend and managed to avoid any summer storms.  We had a rather eerie day where the air was cool and crisp, the sun was a little weak, and a sweater was required even in the afternoon.  I'm hoping it was only a fluke, because I'm sure not ready for fall just yet! I want to hold on to my Lilly sundresses and flip flops for as long as I can!

But without further ado, the winners of the giveaway are (using an online random number generator):

For the eyeliner - Vanessa

And for the lipstick - Suburban Princess

Suburban Princess and Vanessa, I will be forwarding your email addresses to Margaret to let her know that you've won.  She's incredibly kind and helpful, and will help you find your perfect shades.

Thank you so much to everyone who entered, and a great big thank you to Margaret who is providing the Mary Kay goodies! 

xoxo,

A Date with Jean Paul Gaultier

For those of us not finding ourselves sitting in the front rows of Paris Fashion Week runway shows, visiting fashion exhibits in museums is the closest we can get to the magical couture runway experience. While some exhibits merely present the clothes on static mannequins, providing a rather dull retrospective, the Jean Paul Gaultier exhibit was an animated and stimulating delight!

 From the moment I walked up the stairs I was greeted with animated mannequins dressed to the nines in iconic Jean Paul Gaultier nautically inspired garb and mermaid-like ensembles. The Jean Paul Gaultier mannequin, as seen above, actually introduced himself and spoke about the exhibit in both English and French.  Incroyable!

This was perhaps my favorite piece, and one I most certainly wish could makes its way into my wardrobe.  With the ostrich feathers flowing from the bottom, it's a luxurious update on a classic striped nautical dress, and yet still alluringly simple.

 Moving from room to room encountered spectacular works of tailored art.

From beaded gowns

(No, that's not real animal skin. It's all beaded, and took over two thousand hours to make!)

 To feathered jackets and boots,

And coned bras to neoprene suits, the imaginative designs of France's enfant terrible sent me dreaming about walks through the streets of Paris,

(Please note the Eiffel Tower heels and fur-lined footbeds. I was blown away with the detailing)

Mingling with members of London's punk counterculture,

 Or entering a vibrant scifi movie scene.

I've been lucky enough to visit several designer exhibits over the years, including the Chanel exhibit at the Met several years ago, and this was perhaps my favorite of them all.  The whole thing was a seamless production, with detailed information about the garments, thorough explanations of the inspiration behind each collection, dramatic staging, and multimedia installations. It certainly whet my appetite for couture.  Bring on Paris Fashion Week!

xoxo,