fashion Friday: logo refresh

So this week, Gap (one of our favorite stores) unveiled its new logo.  A new logo that replaces the iconic blue box design that Gap has had for more than 20 years.  The old logo:

...and the new one:

This font is the same font that Gap has been using in its marketing campaigns for a few months now.  They decided to update the logo to bring it into a new direction, in order to appeal to a younger, more modern customer base.  Personally, I think it would have been even just a little better without that silly blue box in the corner, which pays homage to the old logo.  Overall, online reactions have been pretty negative, mainly because of the simplicity of the design.  Maybe this could change though.  Remember "new" Coke from the '80s?  Nobody liked it, so Coca-Cola went back to the classic.  Maybe Gap will do the same?

book club

She is back!  Ina Garten's latest cookbook "How Easy Is That?" is available for pre-order on Amazon.com.  Full of simple, elegant recipes and entertaining ideas, this is a must-have for the modern home cook.  I love how easy-going Ina's style is.  She is all about simple, good quality ingredients, and making it fabulous!

roy

Roy Lichtenstein was a prominent twentieth-century American pop artist.  His work was heavily influenced by both popular advertising and the comic book style.  Lichtenstein described pop art as not "American" painting, but actually industrial painting.

faux bois

The French term for false wood, faux bois is a technique found often in planters and garden accessories that replicates the look of wood grain, often made of cement.  There are very few known faux bois artists in the United States; but one Texas artist, Carlos Cortes, still produces custom faux bois pieces, which are considered to be highly collectible.  This fake-me-out woodland motif is timeless and adds interest to any room.  This is a picture of my faux bois planters.  I have gorgeous succulents and moss planted in mine.

frog

Floral frogs are small devices used to arrange flowers.  They come in multiple designs and sizes.  Some, like the one above, are metal circles with many spikes sticking up.  Flowers stay quite easily in them and appear more full and symmetrical.  They can be found at most potting sheds and florists.

fashion Friday: Lanvin

Jeanne Lanvin started in fashion by first designing clothes for her daughter.  Soon enough, she was designing for the children of many elite, and then dabbled with designing mother and daughter outfits.  This later evolved into Lanvin opening her own shops selling home decor, menswear, lingerie, and furs.  Lanvin is known for her use of intricate trimmings, elaborate embroideries, and beaded decorations.  Her creations led her to be one of the most influential designers of the 1920s and '30s.

fine china

Wedgwood is an English pottery company that makes some of the finest pieces of kitchen ware and home decor.  Their designs range from simple plain white, to the most ornate details.  Check out their website; they have so many different things, from plates to vases, picture frames to clocks, and everything in between.  I definitely want to own a whole collection of Wedgwood.

frugal finds

 

You don't always need to go to an expensive furniture or home decor store to find great things.  Elle Decor has their own collection exclusively at Kohl's, and their products offer a glamorous look without breaking the bank.

conceptualize

When we were in New York, we stopped in the BoConcept store in Chelsea.  This is the ultimate destination for modern, urban furniture.  They can be a little pricey, but they definitely sparked a lot of inspiration when I saw what they had in store. 

ellegant

Last week when I was at the drugstore, I picked up a copy of Elle Decor, and I instantly fell in love with it!  It is created by the publishers of Elle magazine, and for me, it is a collection of pure inspiration.