Product Review: Ellington Handbags’ Hannah Tote

The wonderful people at Ellington Handbags were kind enough to send me their Hannah Tote a couple of weeks ago. The tote comes in black, brown, red, and yellow. I chose black as I felt it would be the most practical. I have been carrying the tote for a little over a week now and I can honestly say that I love it. It’s big enough to fit a laptop or magazines, but it doesn’t feel at all cumbersome. I love the soft, Italian leather along with the hand-stitched “waffled” detail and twisted straps which are both comfortable and sturdy.

Even though it is a large handbag, it has kept me very organized because of all of the different sized compartments inside. I am actually very excited about traveling with this bag because it is such an ideal size and I know that I can fit everything I need in it.

The people at Ellington are so passionate about what they do and that passion shows in the craftsmanship and design of their handbags. “We think life is an adventure, and a good handbag should carry whatever you need, wherever your adventures take you. We create each bag to be your perfect companion; the one you want by your side every day, whether you're picking out veggies at the local farmer's market or boarding a plane to Budapest. Just enough pockets, but not too many. A strap that fits on your shoulder as if it was made just for you. Luxurious leathers and fabrics that feel good, look good, and wear well. But what about style? Don't worry—we've got you covered. We know that looking good feels good, so we focus on classic-chic designs that you'll feel good carrying not only for a season, but for years and years.”

The Hannah Tote is only $199 and ships for free.

Greetings from Tate

{Hi! Did somebody say “treats”?}

After shooting some pictures of my bookshelves to send over to Emily A. Clark, I decided to snap a few pictures of my sweet Tate. He is getting better at posing for pictures, but between his quick movements and the fact that I am still getting used to my Canon Rebel, most of the shots I took were blurry. However, a few turned out so cute that I just had to share them with you!

{Why does mommy make me pose for photo shoots? I just want to play.}

The shutter speed was much slower without the flash, so I turned it on for this picture in order for it to be clear. Poor little guy! He actually does enjoy having his picture taken and if he sees me taking pictures of something else, he’ll bark at me until I snap a shot of him. Maybe he was meant to be a puppy model. :)

{That photo shoot made me tired! I think I’ll just lay here for a while.}

I know I am biased, but isn’t he adorable? Tate is the best pup I could have hoped for.

10 Things I Can’t Live Without: Haven & Home

Yipee! It’s time for this week’s installment of the “10 Things I Can’t Live Without” series. Today, Marianne, of Haven and Home will share her list with us. She is a very talented designer with a great eye and a huge heart that comes through in her work. I love that her list is equal parts practical and fun. Enjoy!

First I would like to thank Paloma for including me in this series.  Since I seem to fall in love with something new everyday it was a challenge to make my 10 Things I Can't Live Without list.  Here it is in no particular order:

1.  Nail polish- I love the way nails look with a manicure and if I don't have polish on my nails they are destined to the ugly fate of being bitten.

2.  Technology- I am sure anyone reading this list would agree.  I don't know how I would live without my computer or phone.  There is no way I would be able to do my job without a camera on hand at all times.  Since I am in my car a lot I would be miserable without XM radio and I don't know what I would do without the TiVo to assist me with my guilty pleasure- an assortment of shows.

3.  A Power Drill

4.  Good writing instruments.  In particular anything from Sharpie and these from Papermate.

 
5.  Gallery Walls- I can't get enough of them.  There are an infinite number of variations and I love them all.  These are 2 walls in my home (neither are very good pictures but they are all I have saved on my computer at the moment).

6.  Magazines- I love blogs but nothing can beat a magazine.  I study them really taking in every detail, for example this tub.  Being able to tear it out and save it in my "One Day House" folder is a huge plus for me.
Image House Beautiful

7.  Target- Where else can you go with the intention of buying nothing and leave $125 later with everything from light bulbs, ice cream, shoes, wine, duct tape, dog treats and printer paper?  It is home to many of my other favorite things- Chapstick (the original in black) and of course Dr. Pepper.

8. Gray-  I know it is everywhere right now and that makes me very happy.  I loved it before and I will love it after the trend is gone, it is my perfect neutral.
Image Canadian House & Home

9. Geometric and/or textured fabric- a favorite being velvet stripes.  A great example is Philip Gorrivan's collection for Highland Court.

10.  Last and certainly not least my Husband, Family and Friends.  I thank God every day for all of them, I honestly would not be able to function without all the support and love I receive.  I can't believe it but this is one of two photos that I have of Patrick, Harry and I...

Guess who’s back tonight? XOXO

Gossip Girl finally returns tonight after a much-too-long absence! Be sure to tune in tonight for the fashion and the shenaningans.

{I’ve missed these two.}

 

Then, remember to tune in to Kell on Earth on Bravo after Gossip Girl! So far, I am really enjoying this show.

And speaking of fashion-related reality shows, is anyone planning to tune in to Tinsley Mortimer’s new reality show, High Society on Wednesday?

 

Image Credit: The CW

Red Carpet Recap: The Academy Awards 2010

I put in some major television watching hours last night. First, I watched and tweeted during the entire Academy Awards show, then it was on to the finale of Big Love. I loved the comedy duo of Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin, who I thought were downright hysterical as hosts. However, I have to admit that while I definitely have my fashion top picks, no one really took my breath away on the red carpet last night. What did you all think? Were you a little underwhelmed? While there weren’t a ton of gowns that I loved, those who got it right, really got it right!

{Demi Moore in Versace}

Does Demi ever age? I thought she looked stunning (and tiny) in this blush colored Versace gown. Ruffles have had a huge presence on red carpets lately, but this look is not at all overwhelming.

{Cameron Diaz in Osar de la Renta}

Cameron looked absolutely gorgeous last night! Her Oscar de la Renta gown was pure perfection and her hair and make-up complemented the gown beautifully.

{Maggie Gyllenhaal in Dries Van Noten}

I love the fitted, bold gown that Maggie chose for the event. It is lovely, chic, and unexpected…a  breath of fresh air.

{Rachel McAdams in Elie Saab}

I loved the soft, watercolor-like palette of Rachel’s dress. It was modern and lovely.

{Sandra Bullock in Marchesa}

Whether you loved or hated Sandra’s gown, I thought her hair and make-up looked lovely. The Marchesa gown is certainly memorable and worthy of an Oscar moment. Congratulations to her!

{Nicole Richie and Joel Madden}

An honorable mention goes out to Nicole for her 60’s inspired look complete with sequined caftan-like gown by Reem Acra. I loved her glamorous look!

{Helen Mirren in Badgley Mischka}

Isn’t she radiant? She gives me so much hope for decades to come.

{Meryl Streep}

I adore Meryl and she may as well be named the First Lady of Hollywood. She is incomparable. While I don’t always think her fashion choices are the most flattering, this Chris March gown looked lovely on her.

{Sarah Jessica Parker in Chanel Haute Couture}

Did you love it or hate it? The color is lovely and I like the gown from the bust up, but the fit is so unflattering, even on teeny-tiny SJP.

{I love the shimmery gown Kate Beckinsale wore to the Vanity Fair party! I wish I had seen it on the red carpet. Simply gorgeous, Kate!}

{Heidi Klum goes for a glamorous 60s look and the fierce Victoria Beckham wears her own design at the InStyle party.}

{Cameron really hit it out of the ballpark last night. First the gorgeous Oscar de la Renta gown, then this FABULOUS number by Victoria Beckham that I blogged about during fashion week. Shimmery perfection!}

 

Image Credit: WireImage for  ELLE, Vanity Fair and InStyle

This Week’s Quote

Here’s hoping the universe conspires with all of us this week!

 

Image Credit: Leibowitz & McLachlan

We Need to Discuss Modern Family

Modern Family is my favorite show to have come along in a long time. The writers have done an incredible job of making it simultaneously hilarious (there has been riotous laughter in our house) and heartwarming. How many of you are watching it? It is hands-down the best sitcom in ages! My favorite characters are the lovably flamboyant Cam and clueless Phil, with Manny coming in at a strong third. That kid is so cute and charming! I am a fan of the show on Facebook and I couldn’t resist sharing some of these favorite moments they shared.

{“I'm the cool dad. That's my thing. I'm hip. I surf the web. I text LOL: laugh out loud, OMG: oh my god, WTF: why the face." - Phil}

{"I can't turn it off, it's who I am." – Cam}

{Phil, Claire, and their kids}

{Fabian and I are HUGE advocates of Costco, so we just about died during this scene!

“Cam, what is this place?...They sell baby formula and they sell coffins. You can literally buy everything from birth to death." – Mitch}

{“I gave her my heart and she gave me a picture of me as an old time sheriff." – Manny}

{The role of Gloria was written specifically for the beautiful Sofía Vergara who is really funny on the show.

"You be the wing in his back and not the spit in his face. Something my mom always said...it's gorgeous in Spanish." – Gloria}

 

Modern Family airs Wednesday nights on ABC at 9/8 pm central

Image Credit: ABC

Fabulous Room Friday 03.05.10

The weather in Houston has been gorgeous the past couple of days and it looks like it will stay this way for the next week. While it isn’t quite as warm as I would like just yet, we’re making progress in the right direction.

This room is part of a home in Cadaqués, Spain and was photographed by Jordi Canosa. It’s just beckoning warmer weather, isn’t it? I love that the indoor and outdoor areas seem to flow into one another and let’s face it. The best part is the unbeatable view! Does it get any more beautiful?

Image Credit: Jordi Canosa

Closet Case: Glamorous Dressing Rooms

{Jenna Lyons’ Covetable Dressing Room}

I think that everyone woman dreams of having not just a closet, but a glamorous dressing room. I am fortunate in that my husband and I have separate walk-in closets, but a little part of me dreams of having an entire room to convert into a dressing room. It would have wood floors, a graphic rug, a couple of pretty setees, a glamorous chandelier, and of course, some fabulous mirrors. It would be fun to style it like a boutique, much like the bananas amazing dressing room of J.Crew Creative Director, Jenna Lyons, whose home was featured in Domino.

Now clearly, I know that there are much more pressing issues in the world than creating glamorous dressing rooms rather than utilitarian closets. They are a complete luxury and as such, are fun to look at and dream about for a little while. So please think of this post as your dose of eye candy for the day!

Katie Lee’s (I think she’s dropped Joel now) beautiful dressing room was featured in Town & Country a couple of years ago. It was part of the gorgeous Greenwich Village townhouse that Nate Berkus designed for her to use while she was in the city. To this day, that house is one of my all-time favorites. The dressing room is nothing short of spectacular and was painted with gold leaf!

{Katie Lee’s Dressing Room}

{Nanette Lepore’s Eclectic Dressing Room Designed by Jonathan Adler} {The sheer architecture of this room is truly beautiful. The turquoise Kelly bag is pretty darn fabulous, too! Image Credit: ELLE DECOR May 2009}

{The Dressing Room of Designer Laura Vinroot Poole as featured in Domino

Image via So Haute}

{Another Look at Poole’s Dressing Room}

{I love the tufted ottoman, gilded mirror, and boutique style of this dressing room.

Image Credit: Domino}

{This space looks equally romantic and inspiring. Image Credit: Domino}

{I like that the majority of the clothes are hidden away in this dressing room. The window bench makes for a great place to pull your boots over your skinny jeans! Image Credit: Domino}

{I featured this amazing dressing room in a post about Elle Rakieten’s gorgeous home last week. I think this room and Jenna Lyons’ are tied for my favorite!  Image Credit: William Waldron for ELLE DECOR}

{We’ve all seen beaucoups of celebrity closet posts over the years, so I chose to leave those out, but I couldn’t resist posting Nicky Hilton’s. First things first, that door is fabulous! I love the regency look as well as the sharp contrast between the black door and dark floors with the white built-ins. Image Credit: InStyle}

 

By the way, I am guest blogging over on Peppermint Bliss today about my inspiration for Spring and my first post as a Contributing Editor for Circa Lighting is also up now so please stop by if you have a moment. Merci!