Beach House

As the weather turns warmer bring elements of the beach into your home with these beachy accessories. I love this octopus hook ($45) from anthropologie.com. Total size is 8.75"H x 8"W and projects 1.5" from the wall.

This weathered driftwood mirror ($128) from West Elm brings beach style for a great price! This mirror would be great over a bathroom sink like in my blog post from June, 2008.

I love these seashell measuring spoons ($12) also from Anthropologie. These stoneware scallop shells come in a set of two double-sided spoons and are dishwasher safe.

I also love this rope and jute chandelier ($798) although it's a bit pricey. Even the shades of this light fixture are made of rope. This fixture would be a great in breakfast nook or in-kithchen eating area.

Watercolors

Like pieces of fine art, I'm loving the painterly patterns on these Spring dresses.

The Mina Stone silk dress ($345) features two front pockets a gathered natural waist and cross back detail. Throw a sweater or jacket over for work and bare all on those warm Spring and Summer days. This dress is available at stevenalan.com, but I'm sure it won't last long.

I especially love the colors in this Lia Kes one-shoulder dress ($356) which reminds me of the sunset on a warm tropical island. The dress is also available in a more white print (ideology). Both dresses are available online at The Marin Store.

I've blogged about New York transplant and designer Lia Kes before and I absolutely love her designs. She has a new shop in the Marina on Fillmore.

The Blurred Boundaries dress ($178) from anthropologie.com definitely looks like a painter just put down their brush. Love the lush colors that flow across the a-line skirt.

Online comments about the dress say the fit is strange. So, this is one I would definitely want to try on first. However, the print is oustanding!

My Top 5 for Spring

Here's my take on the top five pieces you can add to your closet this Spring for an instant update. These pieces don't have to break the bank either, you can find great versions at economical retailers like H&M and Zara.

White Blazer

A white blazer is an essential Spring/Summer piece. Paired with neutrals, denim and even black it looks light and fresh. White also makes even the palest skin look sun-kissed.

I love this Madewell cotton Garcon blazer ($135) paired here with shorts and heels. However, for an even better deal, Zara makes an outstanding white cotton blazer accented with black buttons for only $59 or a linen version for $99.

Pleated Slouch Pant

Yes, 80's pleats are back, but this time around they feature a more modern silhouette that is nipped in at the ankles and cropped. Worn with heels, oxfords or gladiators they are a great updated Spring basic.

The Vince pleated slouch pant ($195) pictured on the right is available in a great khaki taupe. Although you can find inexpensive versions of this pant at stores like Zara for $79 or less like these Lyocell pleated trousers (left).

Drapey T-shirt

T-shirts this season are less fitted and more boxy. Some are cropped and super oversized and others are more refined. Look for styles that are sheer and flowy like this Wilt tissue jersey pocket tee ($135).

I especially like the burned out tees that come in an assortment of shapes and styles. This Alice and Olivia tee ($118) with rolled sleeves is more 80's style.

I picked up a great burned out drapey tee with a v-neck and pocket for only $12.99 at Zara.

Girly Skirt

There are so many options out right now in this category it's hard to choose a favorite. Ruffle skirts are all the rage. I like them paired with boots like this ramie/cotton ruffle skirt ($39.90) from Zara which is available in cream, khaki and olive green.

Petticoat skirts are also making a comeback like this short petticoat skirt ($65) from American Apparel available in black or white that can be worn alone or under another skirt. You can find them in knee-length versions as well which is more my speed.

Or, for a more refined version, opt for a simple skirt in the same shape with like this cotten & linen skirt ($59.90) with elastic waistband from Zara which closely resembles the Wren skirt I showed in an earlier blog post.

Chambray Shirt

If you have not succombed to this trend yet, there is still time to get on board! They look great paired with a ruffled skirt or lacey skirt like this look at left from Zara's lookbook.

You can also wear them like a jacket over a flowered dress or romper (right). Note the heels with socks which is another easy update I love for Spring!

You can find these shirts at every price point and from more fitted styles to boyfriend shirts. A few examples are the the UrbanOutfitters boyfriend chambray shirt ($48) or the Gap chambray western shirt ($44.99).

RIP August Mill Valley store?

It appears that one of my favorite Mill Valley boutiques is no more. I drove by yesterday and the windows were blacked out and the space is currently for rent on craigslist. The August website is still online, but doesn't appear to have been updated recently.

I got an amazing pair of Golden Goose tuxedo pants there as well as some handprinted t-shirts, homemade soaps and cool locally made jewelry.

I am so bummed that the economy is driving out all sorts of interesting shops. I guess I should have done a better job of spending money! Hoping the shop rebounds in a new location...

Tangled Up in Chains

Right now I'm craving a big bunch of tangled chains that I can pair with t-shirts and a boyfriend jacket. You can definitely seek out individual pieces to combine, but here's a few pieces that are already combined for you.

J. Crew

I love the new Fenton & Fallon line for J.Crew. The Carrington side drape necklace ($275) is an amazing tangle of crystals, brass and silver ox-plated steel chains. I like the mix of girly sparkle with more of a hard-edged rocker vibe.

Alice & Olivia

The Alice & Olivia Multi-chain Necklace ($155) is also really cool with a tangled mix of silver and gold-toned chains. What I like about this one is the variety of lengths of the various chains.

Savage Salvage

From Etsy seller Savage Salvage come some amazing recycled vintage tangled chain necklaces. I think my favorite in all of these is the Decay & Divination necklace ($108) made of vintage crucifixes. It's a bold statement, but I would totally wear this.

A little more low-key, but equally fabulous is the Sweetness Silver necklace ($85) with a tangle of chain, pearls and rhinestones.




Urban Outfitters

Not near as stunning or funky, but with a much better price tag, the Urban Outfitters Cascading Chain Knot necklace ($28) is a layered multi-chain necklace in two-toned metal.

Kitchen of My Dreams

I absolutely love this loft-like farmhouse set in an apple grove in Sebastopol, California that was featured in the April issue of Dwell Magazine (Fertile Grounds).

The house is made of concrete which was built via a series of C-shaped modules from the same system used to compose the structural system. I love that it is so light an airy and blends in with the country surroundings.

However, what I really love the most is the kitchen/dining area. This is truly the kitchen of my dreams. The porportions are huge! I love the the two islands--one concrete and the other made out of a giant slap of cypress and held up with sawhorses.

I also love the light fixtures which were made by the one of the owners of out branches, crystal pieces and strung bulbs. The whole effect is a bit rustic and casual while still modern.

Uniformly Chic

My must-have item for Spring and Summer this year is a utilitarian jumpsuit. I love these 70's inspired versions from French clothiers A.P.C. and Zadig & Voltaire which are simple and very chic.

The A.P.C. Short-sleeved jumpsuit ($280) is available for pre-order on the A.P.C online store. Made of 100% cotton in a deep blue indigo with a drawstring waist and contrasting color buttons.

I also love the long-sleeved A.P.C. Disco jumpsuit ($330) in a burnt orange color which appears to be completely sold out online. Dommage!

The Zadig & Voltaire jumpsuit ($400) has more of a military vibe. Available as shorts in khaki or in a long pant version in a dark grey (coke) color.

I'm going to see if I can find a vintage version of these jumpsuits that are more in my price range on Etsy.com.

Wren

I'm obsessed by this star t-shirt from the clothing line Wren which was shown in the latest edition of Lucky Magazine.

I love that the stars are silk-screened on the inside of the shirt as well. The shirt is not up on the website yet, but I'm going to keep checking back.

The Bonjour Tristesse t-shirt/dress ($78) is also really cool. I would pair it with a cropped tuxedo jacket and leggings.

This shirt would also look great with the sequined shrug ($495) although it's a little out of my price range.

I like the shrug paired here with the cotton skirt with a metallic waistband ($198) for a just a hint of the unexepcted.

Wren clothing is also available at revolveclothing.com and at Dish in Berkeley.

Cottage in a Day

These modular pre-fab houses by Cottage in a Day are green and energy efficient, but also cool and stylish.

The construction is based on the use of structural insulated panels which provide superior strength, sound reduction, and energy efficiency.

The shed-style metal roof, low maintenance cement board siding and movable shutter doors are perfect for the weekend cottage, but I could also see living in one of these full-time. Built to withstand exreme weather conditions these would be perfect for Quebec.

I like the simple plywood interior and the open airy feel of the living spaces.

Pricing is really reasonable with the the most basic model starting at just $49k and going up to $200k for the large structures.

Since this is a Michigan-based company these structures conform to Michigan state standards. Plans would need to be approved for use outside this state.