Emerson Fry Fall 2012

Emerson Fry's Fall 2012 Collection just hit their website this morning! I'm seeing some very nice items: coats, pumps, blouses, trousers...and some very "meh" items: some funky long skirts, a dress that looks too thin to wear in public, etc. Also, I miss seeing Emerson model her own designs. I wanted to BE her in Fall 2010 and Spring 2011. The model that they're using for Fall 2012 looks sort of lost and hungry.

Here's a look at some of my favorites.

Coats











Shoes











Blouses







More of EF's fun Mod Dresses



Cropped Trousers





Pretty Rings



There are also some great items from Spring 2012 hanging out in the sale section at half price.





I'd take a pair of all of those shoes if I could afford them - they're on my "someday" list. I have too many coats as it is, but I'd seriously consider both that Army Coat and the Leopard Linen otherwise. The Lilac Floral Blouse is in my shopping cart, although I'm not ready to bite just yet.

How about you? What do you think of Emerson Fry Fall 2012?

New for House & Home at Anthropologie

I haven't done much clothes-shopping at Anthropologie for the past couple of years. All of a sudden everything became too twee for me and all the tops and dresses were backless or had cut-outs that made it impossible to wear them with a regular bra. Plus, I can't wear all of those drapey and/or gathered knits. Too much flowy fabric on a big-boobed girl just makes your whole body look larger. Ask Jessica Simpson.

However, Anthro's shoes are like little works of art, and their household goods are too cool for school. They just rolled out some new items for the home, and here are a few of my faves....


Madagascar Wallpaper


Like some kind of weirdly-beautiful Rorschach test. The price is steep at $798 per roll, but I'd never do an entire room in this paper anyway. I'd cut one 18' long roll in half and either frame and hang the 2 pieces horizontally above a sofa, or mount them vertically on either side of a window or bed and surround them with 2" trim.

New Antiquitarian Wallpaper


Gosh, I love this. The pattern is perfect for a powder room or mud room. It comes with SureStick backing which promises to be "easy-on, easy-off" and great for renters, but I have no experience with using or hanging it. I think I'd probably stay away from using it in kitchens or baths in case the moisture makes it peel off the walls.

Magnifying Glass Sconce


I'd mount these on either side of the mirror in the powder room with the Antiquitarian paper.

Iron Industry Mirror


What a stunner! And it's made from a salvaged antique! I love multi-paned mirrors. Mirrors in general are awesome because they add visual depth to a room and reflect whatever light sources are available. If you have a giant bare wall in a two story living room or foyer, I'd hang this guy on it.

Abate Slatted Mirror


Love the look of this. More decorative than practical. Would be nice to use in a room with too many right-angles.

Splayed Cobbler Mirror


Now this is really special. Buy it because you love it and put it someplace where you'll see it every day. Would be especially cool on the landing of a staircase leading to bedrooms, especially if you can see it from the front door (guests will love it, too).

Stitched Mansoa Curtain


I'm a sucker for crewelwork and these colors are gorgeous. I'd buy an extra panel and make throw pillows or pillow shams out of it for the guest bedroom.

Mysia Rug


This kilim rug could go practically anywhere - neutral and beautiful.

Bianca Pillows


Great colors and patterns. Pillows can be expensive, but that's where you'll get the most bang for your buck, especially if you like to change your rooms around a lot.

Soren Chair


The shape of this happy chair is fun yet elegant, and the high back makes it perfect for the corner spot in a seating arrangement. I always like to have a slipper chair in the bedroom, both as a handy spot to put on shoes and as a catch-all for cardigans, knit blankets, and reading material. This guy fits the bill!

Rabbit II by Elizabeth Jardine


This sweet little decorative rabbit would look great on an occasional table or a bookcase, and he'd be a terrific addition to the centerpiece of a dining table at Easter Lunch.

Horse Bust Hook


Horses, always. I'd buy a few of these and mount them over a bench in a hallway or foyer.

Now, the next two items are cool...but kind of strange.

Large Tentacle Taper Holder


I kind of hated this when I first saw it. And then I looked at it again. Now I kind of love it. Not my personal taste, but the three sizes that Anthro offers could look awesome grouped together on a table in a beach house...or on your dining table in the midwest if you're quirky like that.

Chien Coffee Table


I get what they're going for here, I really do. But the first thing that popped into my head when I saw it was "puppy mill". The doggies look trapped and I'd spend all my time wanting to get them out of there if this piece were sitting in my living room! Maybe if they designed it with lizards or bugs, something that I WANT to stay trapped inside of a glass case....

What do you think of Anthropologie's furniture and accessories? Have you purchased a non-clothing item from them before? And if you have any experience with the SureStick wallpaper, I'd love to hear about it!

I Ate Diana Vreeland's Lunch Today

Sort of ;)

There is an article on page 428 of the September issue of Harper's Bazaar (where Vreeland worked before she became Editor in Chief at Vogue and then consultant to the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art - she was the shizz) called "Diana Vreeland's Secrets", and it lists "15 Things You Didn't Know About Diana Vreeland". Item #4:

She ate the same lunch every day: a whole-wheat peanut-butter-and-marmalade sandwich, washed down with scotch. "Peanut Butter is the greatest invention since Christianity," she said.

Scotch at lunch? They really went for it back in the olden days, didn't they? "Why Don't You...get hammered on your lunch break?"

I just happened to have all of the ingredients available in my pantry to make Diana's sandwich, and I substituted iced tea for scotch since it's about the same color and I doubt I'd make it back to the office if I tried to knock back a few fingers of the hard stuff with my sammy.

Know what? I have a new favorite lunch sandwich. Fast, filling, and tasty. Plus I'll save $$$ since all three ingredients are cheap and I can eat a week's worth of lunches for less than $10 (and feel very fashionable while doing it).

Thanks, DV!



Image of Diana Vreeland from Wikipedia.com.