Trendspotting: Woven Interiors

Baskets from Zara Home. Dining room photograph found here.

Living room photograph from Homes & Gardens. Baskets from Swahili Imports via Elle Decor. Chair from Anthropologie.

Basket from IKEA. Place mat from Zara Home. Bedroom photograph from Homes & Gardens.

Stairway photograph from Homes & Gardens. Rug seen on House to Home.

Runways are rife with weaves (the fabric kinds) for spring. But I've noticed the trend in lots of home goods, too. Woven goods remind me so much of when I was a kid in Jamaica ogling basket makers and also of the sweetgrass baskets of Charleston, South Carolina (where I went to uni). No wonder I have such an affinity for hand-woven wares! Such a fresh, tropical feel—perfect for my new home in brisk England. Except I don't think I'll partake in the rug version; our cats would just use it as a giant scratching post!

Faux Real: The Week's Best diy Projects

Since it's pretty obvious what I've been doing this week, I thought I would round up some fabulous crafts I've been pulling from all my fave people:

Photograph and directions at Once Wed.

Photograph and directions at Design*Sponge.

Photograph and directions at ReadyMade.

Photograph and directions from Design*Sponge.

Studio Living @ Design*Sponge!

Photograph from MarthaStewart.com.

 Head over to the Design*Sponge guest blog today for Well Worn's take on shacking up in small quarters.

Kitchen Blowout @ Design*Sponge!

For how to get your kitchen in order, check out today's guest post over at the Design*Sponge guest blog!

Apple photograph from Country Homes & Interiors, canister photograph from zeehomebug’s Flickr photostream, utensil photograph from Living Etc, wall organizer and pantry photographs from Real Simple,
and pegboard photograph from Martha Stewart Living.

Obsession Files: J.Crew NYC's Striped Loo

The first beauty courtesy of Lonny mag's new issue! This just has to be my future bathroom. I love how sophisticated the stripes are without being OTT. And I mean, if it works for Jenna Lyons it most definitely works for me!

Photograph by Patrick Cline for Lonny mag

Web Roundup: Creative Christmas Trees

While colour has always been a highlight of winter magazine issues, I don't think I've seen so much as in this year's offerings. I have always been into a classic big green tree with heirloom ornaments mixed with whites and clear glass bulbs, but I'm intrigued by the fun factor of these trees. I mean, who wouldn't love to walk into a room filled with joyous hues? So with that in mind, I've compiled six of my faves—both from real homes as well as photo shoots.

From the MarthaStewart.com forums: painted plastic bottles, Tiffany's theme, & pinwheels.

Photographs from Country Living & Living Etc.

Web Roundup: Stocking Solutions

Stockings might just be the most fun thing to dive into on Christmas morning. So don't ditch them if you're sans fireplace. Instead, make one of these easy and stylish alternatives a weekend craft to-do.

 Photographs courtesy of magazines' websites

Clockwise from top left:

*Use pretty ribbon scraps to hang mugs to your staircase. Worried they'll fall? Just use floral wire to secure. Photograph from Living Etc.

*Suspend a found branch by the tree. Bonus? This one is perfect for small spaces. Photograph from Living Etc.

*You won't even have to leave bed on Christmas morning! Photograph from Country Living.

*Monogram socks using puffy paint and finish off with fun pom-poms and ribbon for a kid-friendly craft. Photograph from Martha Stewart Living.

*Take advantage of your piano's "mantle." Photograph from Country Living.

Web Roundup: What's Black & White &... Metallic?

Today's gift guide! We think these chic finds are perfect for your best gals.

Photographs courtesy of sellers' websites

White & Silver

Wear this: Marc Jacobs sequin top, £500, www.mytheresa.com

Gift these:

*Anya Hindmarch silver loose pocket, £67, www.anyahindmarch.com

*Vintage Corsage Hook, £18, www.bombayduck.co.uk

*Ultimate Winter Candle, £85, www.thewhitecompany.com

Black & Gold

Wear this: Sequin Sleeve Shantoon top, £22, www.newlook.com

Gift these:

*Disay gold-plated "Milky Way" earrings, £67, www.asos.com

*Small flower studs, £5, www.asos.com

*Monogram mugs, £4 each, www.anthropologie.com

Web Roundup: Gifts for 10 & Under

Photographs courtesy of sellers' websites

1. Ice Invaders ice cube tray, $8, www.thinkgeek.com
2. Wooden bottle opener, $10, www.spartan-shop.com
3. Small oval chalkboard sticker frame, $7, www.paper-source.com
4. The Littlest Coin Purse, £10, www.anthropologie.com
5. Keel's Simple Diary, £10, www.amazon.co.uk
6. Pam's Recipe Book, £6, www.toast.co.uk
7. Tulip Nebula Votive, £5, www.anthropologie.com
8. Noir Blossoming Flower Letterpress Coasters, set of 8, $9, www.etsy.com/shop/rubypress
9. Clifford Richards cat & fairy notebooks, £2 each, www.vandashop.com
10. Kimono Girl Mirror, £7 each, www.vandashop.com
11. Reindeer ornament, £2.50, www.toast.co.uk

Web Roundup: Well Worn's Christmas List

Let's kick off this season of gift guides with a slightly more personal inventory highlighting the two fave spots in my abode.

Photographs courtesy of sellers' websites

Clockwise from top left:

*Letizia Cardigan, £74, www.anthropologie.com

*Tuxedo Jacket in black, $228, www.jcrew.com

*V&A Pattern Box Set, £27, www.vandashop.com

*Wolfgang Letterpress stationery (with my new, married name!), price varies, www.mrboddington.com

*Painted Ceramic Piggy Money Box, £9, www.bombayduck.co.uk

*Black leather CIAK 2010 Daily Organiser, £14-£16, www.thejournalshop.com

*Bronx Linus Boot in Brown Brush, £170 (If you can still find these, you're magic! Luckily I think Santa was able to grab a pair on Piperlime.)

*Toothpick Ankle Cord in dark charcoal and black (not shown), now $60 each, www.jcrew.com

Style: Wrist Worthy

As far as jewellery goes, it's slim pickings as to what part of my body I'm willing to adorn with something different everyday. For example, I never purchase any rings because nothing can really compete with my diamond and wedding band combo. And if I wear a necklace, it's a certain piece I'm stuck on for months. As for earrings? I seldom remember my lobes. So that leaves the only blank body part: my wrists. Sure, I'll wear a watch sometimes (a Michael Kors beauty gifted to me by my hubby), but unlike with the bridal set I'm willing to stack on additional bling if the need arises.

So without further ado (and with much thanks to my InDesign and "Rocky" week on Virgin 1 to distract said hubby), here's a compilation of arm candy:

Have trouble reading the text? Just click the image to open in another window and zoom in (command + for Firefox & control + for Internet Explorer) to get the deets.

Photographs courtesy of sellers' web sites

Style: Holiday Looks 101

I'm throwing the first holiday party of the season this Friday (a Mexican Thanksgiving fiesta), so I've been thinking of what to wear. Although my party is a little more laid back, I'm looking forward to donning one or all of the below styles this year...Depending on just how many of those coveted invites I receive!

Here's my ideal, no-fail look (I'm a jeans addict):

Photograph & clothing from www.jcrew.com

But I'm also digging frilly feather skirts a la this black beauty:

ASOS Black Feather Skirt, £65.

Photograph from www.asos.com

... & brave bodycon dresses (Try this one before you dig into myriad Christmas puddings, though! It's not quite as forgiving as the aforementioned outfits.):

Gold Lace Bodycon Dress in black and white, £40.

Photographs from www.topshop.com

What trends will you incorporate to get that festive look this holiday season?

Web Roundup: Decorating Small Spaces

As a proud member of the small-space living crowd, I had the mag-lover's equivalent of a mental breakdown when domino folded almost a year ago. Famous for its "More Dash Than Cash" (thanks, British Vogue) mentality, domino created a niche that other mags have yet to adopt in quite the same way. And as I sat in my long, skinny office nook tying a purple scarf around an otherwise ordinary pillow, I thought today would be perfect for such a topic.

In honour of all that is tiny, here's looking [back] at you, kid.

Bedroom photograph by Patrick Cline, Real Living (Australia), July 2009. Before and after photographs by Paul Costello, domino, February 2008.

How luxe is Michelle Adams' (former domino marketing assistant and the brains behind Rubie Green—hence the fab textiles) black, yellow, and white Manhattan bedroom? And see for yourself how much attention to little details like symmetry and a posh new sofa uplift and extend actress Rashida Jones' NYC living room.

But part of looking back means moving forward as well. In that spirit, check out the efforts of South Carolina-based Charleston HOME magazine. To set the scene, Charleston is a place full of palatial, Old South-style gems. In the new issue, the mag covers one couple who didn't move into the manor, but into the carriage house instead. Peruse these photos then click over to story here for how they did it.

Photographs by Gil Stose, Charleston HOME, October 2009.