Hello...

So, if you follow me on Instagram, these images will be familiar to you.  But, since they're relevant to the changes to come around here, they bear repeating.  I truly enjoy my weekly, bi-weekly, semi-monthly, reflection in this space.  But, truth be told (and, as evidenced by my frequent disappearances), it had begun to feel a little stale.  The content, the pictures, even the fashion...was feeling a little staid.  Enter Instagram, for which, I will be eternally grateful for.  Through late night scouring and stalking of beautiful images, I came across an event called The Brand Market Workshop.  It was wildly praised by Waiting On Martha, a retail business that I follow religiously, for inspiration.  I was intrigued, and Insta-stalked them and their founder, the lovely Anna Liesemeyer, of

 In Honor of Design.  And, after much inner-debate (and internal argument, over the budget's clear statement that I could not, in fact, afford to spend a penny!), I threw caution to the wind, trusted my instinct, and signed up!  It is a choice, regardless of the outcome of my various ventures, that I will never regret.  It was a day spent collaborating with other creative minds, and the inspiration gained, was simply priceless!  I mean. really, who wouldn't be inspired, by this floral alone?  Gorgeous!

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I left the day, feeling refreshed...isn't is obvious by this pic?!  And, no, that is NOT a beer!  It is a delightful, sparkling beverage, by the artisans at Onli Beverages.  And, as a bonus, matched my new, favorite, hot pink, silk maxi!  Fabulous!  So, what these vibrant pictures signify, are a shift coming to Maison KMV.  I've always been so excited to get my thoughts, ideas and pretty things to you.  And that has meant that I haven't always paused to make sure that it's the best that I can give.  Cause it's pretty...and you always forgive me, my imperfections.  But, now, there's a plan.  And there are going to be some big changes.  Some will be subtle, and over time...and others will be obvious, in your face, improvements (like the redesign of this, here, site!).  The pictures will be better.  Although, there will never be a promise of perfection there (unless one of my professional photog friends are involved!).  And, you'll get to meet some of them...along with many of the other inspiring, beautiful friends that keep me moving toward my dream, with the introduction of Maison Muses.  It will be a spotlight on the amazing people out there!  That contribute to all of the beauty you find online, on Instagram, Pinterest, and the great unknown!  Stay in touch...it's about to get really good!  So, hello, and welcome to the Maison...the space for 

All Things Pretty!

Double Pink (Triple Max)...

This is a story about how I wore white on white on white today...something that, with three kiddos, I don't have the opportunity to do too often.  Monochromatic navy?  All the time.  Grey with grey?  All day.  And it inspired me to look for a less neutral way to wear all one color.

But. of course, I got distracted on Pinterest, and ended up pinning 42,000 other things.  Which, in turn, led me to the scouring of Etsy for various baubles and tchotchkes.  Alas, I finally made it back to this pretty, little cake (why, yes, I do become slightly ADHD on Pinterest!).  In any case, it contained three of my favorite things...peonies, ombre and PINK!  I can say, with honesty, that I've never attempted the all pink ensemble.  Mostly, I'm guessing, because it seems like it would be unavoidable to look costumey.  Not the case...as evidenced in the inspo photos below.

This is one of those pictures that sends me into a frenzy.  Since I have never seen any sweater fitting this description, and it is (obviously) perfection in every way, I will be searching high and low to find it's match.  Like. for. ever.  Until I find it.  Love the pale blush shade, the oversized stitch and the slouchy fit.  It is unbelievably amazing with this palest shell pencil skirt.

J'adore!

This look follows the same rule of start with a slouchy sweater...a trend that I've really absorbed, of late.  It is surprisingly chic.  Love this colorblock sweater with bubblegum pink jeans.  And the glasses, oh the glasses!

So, pink on pink on pink on pink is in the works.  I will tread carefully, as should you, so as not to look like a circus act!

The Mini July...

Who doesn't love a gaggle of kiddies?  Particularly when they're dressed this adorably!  Love all the neon accents...and tassels?  I think we all know how I feel about the tassel!  So pretty!

Neutrals with punch!  And this borrowed from Mommy print is perfect on this embroidered tunic.  Remember, it's available in a tunic and dress for the mommies...if you're into that kind of thing.  Which I am.  Got to coordinate!

This navy beach ball print is totally adorbs!  And, although purple is the new favorite color in my house, those ombre shorts also come in the perfect hot pink.  And that cute little football tee...also available in grey, with gold stripes.  Love!

Can't forget about our cutie boys.  Never bored equals my new favorite tee...except, of course, the Donald Robertson collaboration (already backordered til June!).  More bold colors, and the most perfect little anchor hoodie!

And, let's face it...there is nothing better to pair with all these perfect mini outfits, than Little Lux jewels by Gunner and Lux!  Check them out...they might have the most adorable creative director in the history of time!

I haven't forgotten you...

Absence makes the heart grow fonder, right?  It's hard to believe that I've been back from vacation for two weeks already!  The tropical weather seems like a distant memory...we're all about the rain, here in the Northeast.  Thankfully, the J.Crew July delivery has arrived...to remind us that summer is, in fact, just around the corner!  

And, they've brought a favorite color palette to play...adore navy and orange together!  Fantastic on yet another beautiful, bold, tropical print!  Looks perfect paired with stripes.

Of course, I am acutely aware, as a stylist, that many fear this bold shade.  But, I am here to let you in on a little secret...orange is the most universally flattering color in existence.  You know what that means?  It looks good on you...with or without the summer glow!  If you're still on the fence, try it out on a bottom.  Lots of great separates in this print!  And, this chambray beach pant?  Scoop.  it.  up.  It nearly sold out the first day!  Great fit.  Lightweight.  Super comfy.

Check.  Check.  Check.

The easiest investment in the color is a scarf.  Loving it paired with a go to outfit for me, all season long.  Navy beach sweater, white shorts, tan sandals.  Always works!

Tons of great sandy shades of sandals...like this amazing lace up pair, that I know I've mentioned before!  More great graphic tees to come...like this sunset palm!

Love that J.Crew has carried through the clean, black and white palette for the last few months.  Makes getting dressed a breeze!  These embroidered shorts, though...you probably need them.  And I'm prepared to wear this dress every. single. day.

More embroidery, on a flattering boat neck gauze dress.

Told you tassels were a thing!  J.Crew's take on the trend...

More navy, and the most fun, fruity graphic!

Pretty medallion print, perfect for summer festivities.  And lots of airy linen sweaters for chilly nights.

People don't generally associate burgundy (or oxblood, for that matter) with summer, but it is so fresh paired with navy and white.  Love!  And let's start embracing the bandanna...cause it's here!  Taking the place of heavy jewelry pieces, and adding color.

Love the embroidery...and my favorite sandals!

Embroidery.  It's a thing.  Enough said.

White jewels are back!  Gorgeous against bright color, or glowy skin.  Even better added to white on white!

This cuff is stunning!  The white stone spikes...amazing!

These pieces feel vaguely reminiscent of the brand's most recent collaboration, with Maine-made, The Ropes bracelets.  I guess these would be the glam sister to the brightly woven additions to any outfit.

A lot of vintage appeal in the newest jewelry collection, and a large selection of brand new baubles.

More white...on classic tortoise.  These earrings are seriously major!  Massive statement...gorg!

A closer view of the tassels.

And, lastly, my favorite, little, adorable family!  Never bored will exist in numbers in my house...everybody's gettin one!  The cutest dress ever, for you're little minis.  And the perfect skirt silhouette, continued, in a pretty matelasse.

And because, again, it is chock full of adorableness...the minis get their own post Monday.

Come check it out!

Happy July!

A Little Something for the Minis...

The thing about kids' clothes is, even when they're not that cute, they still are...by virtue of their size, or the little munchkins sporting them.  The thing about Crewcuts is, it is always the cutest stuff out there!  This Summer concept is no exception.  I cannot get enough of the gorgeous, saturated color, and amazing attention to detail!  Pompoms, anyone?

Always classic nautical, with a pop of coral.  I truly never get sick of an anchor print on any of my children...so sweet!

So much to love in this pic!  Neon floral tunic...amazing!  Embroidered flutter sleeve tee...so cute with shorts, skirts or denim.  Pink and mint New Balance...obsessed!  Glitter slip ons...every little girl's favorite!  And denim jacket...to top it all!

This image was the sole reason for giving Crewcuts it's own post.  This jungle green dress is perfection!  What a color!  I'm envisioning all the Little Lux necklaces that will pop against it!  Adorable with New Balance!  Love the tropical print in coral and green too!

Lots of great new graphic tees, like this tropical yoga girl.  Pompom and sequin details make these tees so much more special than anything else out there!

And, as always, the boys' stuff is the perfect complement, and chock full of "little man" looks!  Love these neon shorts with surfer embroidery, always need a mini chambray, and the swimsuits are outrageous!  One is cuter than the next!

It's going to be a great June at J.Crew!

Bright Whites...and Bold Color

As promised, this post will be filled with lots of pretties from the newest J.Crew summer concept.  Just look at the bold color that greets you at the door!  This multi-color tribal print feels like a lot at first but, the more you look at it, the more amazing the color play is.  The top is great, but the dress is amazing!  Love the more subdued print on the short too.  And the lace up sandals have a a cool silver stud detail around the edge...a must have summer sandal!

Closer view of the dress.  And a beautiful, drapey dolman sweater in this bold coral/red hybrid that is showcased throughout the collection .

Love the red sandal with crisp white.  This dress is cute, but the dress to own is already available online here.  The pic does it no justice.  It's an amazing Swiss dot cotton, and the volume of the flounce sleeve is outrageous!  Sizes were selling out as it was being placed!

That red!  This lace dress is one of those pieces that I consider a no brainer.  The color is gorgeous on any skin tone, the lace is stunning and the cut is a classic.  You will own this forever!  And look amazing each time you wear it!  I like the dressed down appeal of this look, but this dress could easily go formal with gorgeous heels and a statement necklace, or a bold earring.  It is also available in a glowing bright citron...also beautiful, but the red is the classic.

Love the gauzy stripe top.  Great with all those skinny bottoms...but could work on it's own as a swim cover up.  Flows away from the body, and is light as air.

Who doesn't love white for Summer?  There is plenty of it for this delivery.  Textured shorts, gauzy maxis, several denim styles, tanks, linen, matelasse skirts and sweaters alike.  White for any/every occasion!

This short sleeve knit is a favorite.  It's a subtle, but pretty, damask pattern to it, and a full zip up the back.  Great shape...works beautifully into the white story.

Lots of pretty blues, and this colorful ikat pattern, on a cream base.  Love the pull on short...available in other colors and textures, as well.

The ikat in a lightweight linen shift, and also in a tunic.  Very pretty!

Love these sandals!

Surfer chic in an ikat linen beach pant, white Vans, Panama hat and surfboard embroidery.  This sweater is so fun!

More blues..and the wave sweater.  Love!  A little metallic, and looks amazing with white jeans!   A seersucker pencil skirt, shown in weekend style, but easily elevated for work.

Lots of great graphic tees...this Aloha was a favorite.  And more of the slouchy, pull on pant we all love...this time in a navy and white paisley.  Perfect!

All said, this was a beautiful delivery!  More of the airy neutrals we need, and colors we want!  And, although I usually squeeze it in at the end...Crewcuts is getting it's own post this time around.  It is that good!

Stay tuned...

Shoe Perfection

This is the story of how one little pair of shoes got me dreaming of all the color possibilities!  These shoes were meant to be.  I know this because it was love at first sight!  I also know that they stalked me on Instagram, appearing in the most likely (and unlikely) places.  Additionally, the first time I attempted to order them, a rather unattractive belt was sent in their place.  It seemed like all was lost when my size sold out, sometime in the melee.  But, fear not my friends...for obsessive compulsions, based on the panic driven need to have things that are no longer available to me, drove me to order them in the only size left.  One half size larger.  And, you know what?  This story has a happy ending.  For, not only are they stunning in every way, they are actually comfortable!  The unthinkable has occurred...and that has got me dreaming of all the other accessory perfection possibilities!
Thank you, J.Crew!