STYLISTAS LOVE TORY!

Wednesday night fab designer Tory Burch guest judged on the CW's Stylista. Tory's Fall 2008 collection (pictured) is a fun mix of psychedelic 60's threads (think The Beatles in '67) and classic American chic (she also drew inspiration from Hitchcock films). Tory wore her own yellow Casey Dress (pictured, $198) on Stylista to review the gang's editorial spread featuring a dress from her collection. Although the series' head judge and scary boss (a la The Devil Wears Prada) Ann Slowey of Elle Magazine kept Kate and got rid of Devin (boo), Kate's team played up the 60's feel in their photo shoot and won the challenge.

Slowey, Ann Slowey.

The Stylista crew before eliminations on Wednesday. Bye Devin and William! Did Kate not get the "black dress code" memo?

Miss Burch!

HAUNTING HOTEL

Looking for luxury and a haunting this Halloween? Rest your head at this historic hotel. The Omni Parker House Hotel in downtown Boston is America’s longest continuously operating luxury hotel. Opened in 1855, the hotel has had its share of famous guests. John F. Kennedy announced his candidacy for Congress in the Omni Press Room; he also proposed to Jackie Kennedy at the hotel and held his bachelor party there. Even earlier in history the Omni was home to the Saturday Night Club, where literary greats like Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Henry David Thoreau, Charles Dickens and Ralph Waldo Emerson gathered.

But it’s the paranormal presence at the Omni that makes it perfect for a Halloween stay. The third floor in particular is said to be a ghostly hotspot.

In 1876 Charlotte Cushman, a renowned 19^th century stage actress, died in her room on the third floor. One of the Omni’s elevators is said to often travel on its own to the third floor, even when no buttons are pushed. Is it Charlotte? Or is it Longfellow, whose favorite room was on the third floor? Or is it the businessman who died in room 303? After the Omni received a large number of complaints about the loud laughter and smell of whisky coming from the suite, room 303 was converted into a closet.

Beyond the third floor some hotel guests have reported seeing the hotel’s founder Henry Parker. Guests recall hearing Parker asking them about their stay. Mr. Parker died in 1884.
Happy Hotel Haunting!

MY OBAMA ART

Driving through western New Hampshire yesterday I pulled the car over to snap a quick shot of this huge Obama banner hanging on the side of an old brick building. My photo and the current exhibit at the Currier Museum of Art in Manchester inspired me to create a Warhol-esque image. I love playing around with photos to achieve wild pop art, especially one like this as we are inundated with campaign signage. I have also included some fun I had with a portrait of Sen. Obama. Don't forget to vote November 4th!!

THE DARK LIGHT

In all aspects of design black chandeliers are popping up. And just in time for Halloween here are some of my favorite dark delights, from Miley Syrus' pink dressing room with black chandeliers on the wallpaper and hanging from the ceiling; to a wall decal of a black chandelier (pictured with the green chair); to black chandelier notecards, pillows and tops! So Addams Family-I love it!

Wall decal $30 from whatisblik.com; notecard from etsy.com; pillow $78 from intruestyle.com; sweater $79 from countryewe.com

LIFE IN PHOTOS

Life magazine captured style and culture using glossy black and white images. One of its best contributors was the magazine's first female photographer Nina Leen.

Ms. Leen passed in 1995 but she will be remembered for the mark she made on photojournalism and the interesting subjects she captured on film.
I love her eye for glamour. Above is a sampling of Ms. Leen's Life magazine photos:

Model in Flower Dress, 1951
ONeil Sisters, 1952
Shoes and Stockings, 1948
Model Jean Patchett, 1949
Restaurant Fashions, 1948
Beach Fashions, 1950
Race Track, 1958
Leather Sandals, 1950

PURPLE REIGN

Purple reigns for Fall 2008, here are some standout shades!


Zac Posen sketch for Fall 2008.



















Lush quilted coat from Alexander McQueen.





Stripe dress from the Fall/Winter 2008 Collection of Jovovich-Hawk (as in Milla Jovovich).











Coach's Leather Sabrina handbag from the new Madison Collection $358.00


Purple mini dress from Kimora's Fall 2008 Baby Phat runway show (surprisingly elegant).


(Below) Great finds for fashion in this economy.....

Capsleeve dress $13.50 (with belt!) from Forever21.com

Pearl and flower necklace $24.95 from New York & Company

Classic purple coat $159.00 from Lizclaiborne.com
























Incorporate a statement purple piece, like an ultra-soft sweater or mock-crock handbag, into your outfit for an instant update for fall. Shades of plum, raspberry and violet mix well with a neutral color palette so compliment your purple piece with black, white or gray.

PRETTY PANTONE

Using pantone pens, artist Daniel Eatock creates amazingly colorful art.
To achieve this look Eatock placed an entire set of Letraset TRIA Pantone markers on top of 500 sheets of paper for one month and let their ink soak through the pages. The result is this amazing watercolor-like artwork.
The ink soaked through the first 73 sheets of the ream and each inked page is numbered accordingly. The top picture is print 68 of 73. The print pictured within the black frame with more defined dots was created on a napkin!

But the work of this London based artist and graphic designer involves more than pretty pantone prints. Eatock created a print typed with every lyric from the Beatles, alphabetized by song. It's a pretty impressive piece. The text runs more than 28,000 words, yet any Beatles fan could start reading at any part of the print and recognize the song. Eatock created the piece to commemorate the twenty-year anniversary of John Lennon's death. Today, the Swedish company Wonderwall sells Eatock's limited edition Untitled Beatles print online. Check it out at wonerwall.se and check out Eatock's site at eatock.com

Mrs. White in the Conservatory with the Candlestick

In the late 19th century conservatories were popping up all over England and France. These types of structures made of wrought iron and glass were chic extensions of the home where natural light could stream in.
Here is a mix of vintage and modern conservatories for your viewing pleasure...









































































Tabletop conservatory $99 from Smith & Hawken.




















Late 19th century French Conservatory Chair $650 from R. Jorgensen antiques in Wells, Maine.




Playing card from my favorite childhood board game Clue.








Madeline Kahn as "Mrs. White" in the 1985 motion picture of Clue (so funny)!






Eco-chic card with illustration by Sarah Gibb.