Don't You Just Love New Stuff?

I've said it before, but it bears repeating.  September is my absolute favorite month (and not at all related to my birthday, promise!)!  Okay, maybe it's a tie with October.  The point is, I love fall!  The colors, the textures, the layering...ahhh, just gorgeous!  I say it's neck and neck with October, because the temps can tend to be a little high for the fashion in September.  That said, you'll still find me in the rich color, and layering it up!  Air conditioning to the rescue!  I love camel, and the above sweater is a favorite for this delivery.  The juxtaposition of the slouchy, boyfriend shape, and the feminine lace, is perfection!  Also available in a beautiful, heathered grey...always a classic!

Fall is almost always about burgundy (or oxblood, or Cabernet, or about a million other incantations...) and navy.  So, it's no surprise to see them front and center in J.Crew.  Destroyed denim continues to be a theme.  However, new to the season is the mix of tunic lengths, layered under shorter silhouettes.  This is a look that I'm still getting used to, as the tunic length has never been an easy one for me.  Still, I love the way this glen plaid schoolboy blazer pairs with the striped button down tunic.

 I've spoken in the past of the importance of a crisp, white shirt to any wardrobe.  And fall brings no exception.  Great layered under slouchy sweaters and, in the case of this gold embroidered style, fantastic on its own!  Wear with your favorite destroyed toothpick jeans, or a pencil skirt.  So versatile!

 Indigo.  A year round statement that always works!  Love all these denim pairings with every shade of blue!

Love this navy, tunic length sweatshirt.  Something about the copper-colored, embroidered heart...so cute!  And more destroyed vintage straights...I live in mine!

Hugo Guinness.  'Nough said.  "You are here" feels a lot like daily life, for me.  Love it's simple statement.

I have never been an oxford wearer...yet I adore them on everyone else!  It's a phantom act of fashion.  I might be persuaded by the calf hair, leopard version, though.  So cool.

Many of these pics were taken prior to being "accessorized."  And this may take you by shock, coming from a known jewelry fanatic, but I'm digging their low key vibe.  No worries...I'll still be tasseling into fall!

The stage.  The center point of the store and, generally, where I find my favorite looks.  Loving the lattice pleated skirt and the gold foiled heart sweatshirt!

It is hardly predictable that this camo shirt is almost completely sold out already!  It continues to be a thriving trend and, dare I say, nearly a neutral.  Gasp!  Even if you're not ready for that, you know that those leopard kitten heels absolutely are!  So, if you have not invested in a leopard pump yet, now is the time!

In my Top 13 a few days ago, I spoke briefly about the continued partnerships that J.Crew is collaborating with.  These were the two most interesting to me.  Fragrance is always an interesting addition.  After a storied career with Abercrombie & Fitch (you can smell it already, can't you?!), fragrance has always been such a huge marker for brand lifestyle, to me.  Both Arquiste fragrances are unique, in their own right, and exclusive to J.Crew.  I'm not sure if either is what I would equate to the scent of J.Crew, but time will tell.  I am incredibly sensitive to scent, so please try for yourself.  They have already embraced a following around here!  Below are excerpts from the company's own site:

Curated by an architect specializing in Historic Preservation, Arquiste is a fragrance collection  that transports  the  wearer  to evocative moments in history....

...Arquiste was honored on January 2013 with the Fashion Group International’s 16th Annual Rising Star Award for best Beauty/Fragrance Entrepreneur Brand. Boutonniere No.7, our green floral eau de parfum, was chosen as one of the top five fragrances launched in the United States during the Fragrance Foundation Awards in New York City in June 2013.

Check them out!

I have long been a lover of all things MeriMeri.  The affair continues with these adorable cupcake sets!  Also available in pink, the colors are clean and bright...and who doesn't love a glittery star?

So, there she is...the first glimpse.  I hope you love it, and are just as excited for the crisp days ahead as I am!  I mean, let's finish enjoying summer...but let the "back to school" shopping begin!

Top 13...because 10 was stifling me.

 So, since I neglected to post the August delivery early (by no agenda, it just never materialized), I am posting my favorites, newly arrived, at jcrew.com.  Get ready for a theme here.  Although this collection picot ruffle blouse is not technically blush, it will be a favorite...mixed with the rosy hue, and denim, alike.  Sight unseen, it is probably the favorite!

 Blush...sweet, sweet blush.  This is not a color that I can, generally, wear...due to the naturally pinky nature of my skin tone.  On summery, tanned skin, however, all bets are off!  And, I am prepared to wear daily!  Starting with this silky, soft cropped sweatshirt.

 And since, come pasty skin weather, I might have to retire the sweatshirt for a bit, I'll be continuing the blush love affair with this amazing pleated lattice skirt.  Together, they are monochromatic wardobing gold!  But, this skirt will work with anything, from camel to navy.  Especially looking forward to pairing it with riding boots on a crisp fall day!

 And, because anyone can wear any color on their feet...these shoes!  I die a thousand deaths!  I cannot recall a deeper love for footwear.  Like.  Ever.

 I have already mentioned these sweats via Instagram, but it bears repeating.  Two of my most favorite things.  Toile and sweatpants.  I will be oh so fancy, lounging about, this fall!

 Adore this bag for a couple of reasons.  The color is perfection...gorgeous amber shade that works with everything (amazing against black too!).  And that horn handle is stunning!

 Great take on the striped shirt!  New, longer length.  Available in perennial favorites, burgundy and navy.  Grosgrain ribbon trim that makes it just a little more special than your average button down.

 Another topic that's already been covered.  By now, you must know, you NEED these jeans!  Perfection!  Fit, wash, wearability...not a detail has been missed!  They will sell out...order immediately!

 Another shoe crush.  This plaid feels so collegiate and back to school...makes me want to buy a pack of No.2 pencils!  Colors are gorgeous!  Must have.

 J.Crew has collaborated with so many amazing jewelers this season, including Jennifer Fisher, Catbird and James Colarusso.  You simply must check it out!  But, they've also upped their game on their own line.  Favorites include this shield...

 And this starry number.

 And, because it would be insanity for me to own one more excursion vest, I'll try something new (and slightly edgy), with this utility vest.

There are, seriously, too many amazing collaborations to list!  But, since I've been obsessed with Bite Beauty since their inception, this lip crayon is a personal win.  They are AH-mazing!

So, there you go.  My Top 13 for August...because Top 10's are so limiting.

And, because I've been living with August for a few weeks now, I'll be sharing a glimpse into September early next week.  Trust me, it's good...

The Way Life Should Be...

I recently enjoyed a few days away with the kids, in beautiful coastal Maine.  We had two stops on our agenda...Kennebunk and Bar Harbor.  We enjoyed both thoroughly, and fully embraced the laid back lifestyle and fashion.  I've been partial to Maine brands lately, particularly with the discovery of The Ropes Maine bracelets and Sea Bags, in the last couple of years.  Love that they both collaborated with J.Crew this year!

And, after nearly five days, I feel that I can comment, without compromise, on the necessities for your next trip!

Denim shorts (and jeans, for those chilly evenings) are a must, easily transitioning from beach to dinner with a change of top, and some tie-dye sandals. 

Nautical stripes blend right in to the Americana that surrounds, and pair well with your Sea Bags tote, available in all sizes and styles, all over the great state.

Don't forget your swimsuit (and, possibly, a wetsuit!)  Prepare yourself...the water is chilly!

I also must say...I was pleasantly surprised by the shopping.  Lots of great, little shops, chock full of Maine goodies!

Check out some of my favorites:

Daytrip Society (& Daytrip Jr.) - Kennebunkport

Spaces Kennebunkport - Kennebunkport

The Maine Lobster - Bar Harbor

Shard - Bar Harbor

And, if you're with the kiddos, you have to schedule a stop at

Little Sister's Creative Youth Studio - Bar Harbor

And, as I'm always looking for new shop goods, hoping to stock these beauties for Spring/Summer 2015!

Bait Bag Clutch - by Alaina Marie

Shop Maison KMV Trunk Show...

The dream has always been to have my own shop.  A gorgeous, little space with cozy corners and pretty vignettes.  But, let's face it...brick and mortar boutiques are expensive!  Particularly in my area of the world, where location is everything!  And location means top dollar.

So, when the time came to realize this dream of mine, it was a no-brainer to build the shop online.  Of course, I had to teach myself a whole lotta tech first!  And, it's a slow build, because I am still learning (and growing) every day.

A few weeks back, however, I got a taste of retail, when I hosted a trunk show in my home, of all the gorgeous summer product.  And it was amazing!  I loved being able to merchandise everything, and really give people the opportunity to style it all and, most importantly, see and feel the quality.

Granted, I was also hostessing (another great love of mine!), so the typical salesmanship fell to the wayside, for grabbing another drink for someone.  I may, or may not, have forgotten to gather e-mails.  And, I may, or may not, have missed an opportunity to include the website card in every single purchase.  But, given the fact that my air conditioning conked out halfway through the evening (on a 90 degree day!), I was thrilled to have gotten as many people to stay and shop as I did!

And, in all, it was a tremendous success!

And, the business plan shifted ever so slightly, to include trunk shows.  At other people's houses, clearly, as it was determined a co-hostess is necessary!  I am so excited to be able to merchandise the goods, and truly work with my customers to build the look!  And, I'm even bringing my props to you!  Including this cute guy, who represented the children's section...comprised of the new Let Them Eat Cake girls tee...

And, my absolute favorite, Little Lux jewelry for girls!  Sold out of these adorable pom-pom elephants in the first five minutes!

 I was blessed to have my fabulous photographer friend, Kathy Hoos, on hand to capture some of the beauty.  Because, of course, in the last minute rush of food prep and entertaining, I didn't get a single photo myself!  So, huge thanks to you, Kathy!  You saved the day!

I got to share my passion with friends and family, serve some yummy food and drink and sell lots of beautiful jewelry and accessories.  Perfect night!

So, if you're interested in hosting a Shop Maison KMV trunk show, and live in the greater NY/NJ area, contact me at 

kmvstyle@gmail.com

Because it's a thing now...and who doesn't love to eat, drink and shop with their friends?

#homegoodshappy

I'm going to begin, by asking for your forgiveness, on the graininess of all the photos to follow.  It seems that, whenever I appreciate my home the most, the lighting is the worst.  It probably doesn't help that my house is a ranch, surrounded by 100 year old oak trees.  There's only so much that VSCO cam can do!

Regardless, it's a little known fact that my home aesthetic, in the past, has been quite dark and traditional...dominated by tonal browns and beiges, with pops of red, gold and green.  And, blessed by family, to be gifted with lots of beautiful furniture to facilitate such a style.

In recent times, however, I've felt the urge to lighten my perspective.  In the past, my home has felt dark, in more ways than one.  So, when faced with the circumstance of being forced to replace many of the dark (and brown) elements of my home, I chose to go a different route.  I looked to elements of grey, cream and white to lighten the feel of my home.  And, recently, realized what a difference those changes made.  I found myself sitting on the sofa, at the end of the night (often times, very late into the night), just enjoying my surroundings.  It came to me, after some time, that this must be what it means to be #homegoodshappy.  Familiar with this term?  I know I am!  But, I had no idea just how Home Goods Happy I was.  I'm uncertain of the percentage of my home has been provided by Home Goods (with frequent additions by partnerships, Marshall's and T.J.Maxx).  I just know that, whenever I take the time time to absorb my surroundings, I realize that these are the purchases that make my house feel most like a home.

It is, after all, the little additions that add to the personality of a home.  Perhaps all of the details don't exactly prescribe to the same design philosophy, but they all just seem to work.  

One of my most favorite, and newest additions, is my little home office corner.  It may not be where I get the bulk of my work done, but it is certainly where I organize all my thoughts, and collect inspiration.  Everything, from the furniture, to the art, to all of the notebooks and adorable notecards (for handwritten notes to my customers), to the trifle dish, printed with my company's mantra "Let Them Eat Cake"...most every element has come from Home Goods.  That said...many thanks to Nate Berkus...for the, all gold everything, scissors and stapler!

Literally, when I initially chose the theme of gold polka dots and bumble bees, this is the place that held all the details.

And when my 12 year old love seat from Pier One (which I'm too much of a hoarder to let go of) needed some updating, some gorgeous, beaded pillows from Home Goods...and a sale, oversized, chambray scarf from J.Crew...added just the right updates.

Ghost chairs have always been a favored design element for me, but have always been out of reach, financially.  Thanks to Home Goods...no more!  Available at a quarter of the price...amazing!

I love being able to build little vignettes, within my home, that speak to all of my design passions.  Because, even Southwest rustic, can work with French transitional, when done the right way.

Even with cheapo wine ($35 for all five bottles!...and not too bad to drink, either!), this piece is a conversation starter!

And, because I feel the need to pay homage to a long-standing tradition, this is one of my "vintage" Home Goods pieces.  A 10 year old carved wood mirror.  Purchased for $21.99...on clearance.  Just recently reclaimed from my ex...thanks, Mike!  I missed this beauty!

Even art is a no-brainer.  Any time I entertain, one of the most frequently asked questions...who's the artist?  Speaks volumes.
My home is my peaceful place now, filled with all things pretty!
And I am, most assuredly,
#homegoodshappy!

Home Goods purchases shown include:

Linen Chesterfield sofa
Desk (repainted with Chalk Paint)
Desk chair
All art & wall decor
Ghost chairs
All side tables
Most desk supplies
Burlap pinboard
All drapes
Throw pillows
Glass jars
Most decorative elements (including gold coral, agate pieces and paper chevron coasters)

Disclaimer:  These elements were acquired over time, and were not available in one purchase (although I can say, without a doubt, that I have never left disappointed!).