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We are friends, neighbors, and obsessed with all things style. Gina designs unique, hand-crafted jewelry and Jennifer practices the art of wardrobe management. It was only natural that they came together to launch a blog and style shop. Cakewalk Style Shop.

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Beyond the daily uniform

Max Azria runway collection can be seen here. $100 off purchase of $300 or more. Code: SPRING09.

I found this great dress that will definitely take me beyond the daily jeans and t-shirt uniform.  This purple asymmetrical ruffle dress is from the Max Azria Runway collection.  I love the color and the ease of it!  Lucky for me, there is currently a spring promotion of $100 off of a purchase $300 or more on the website. This style was sold out on line so I called the store on Madison Ave and they offered me the sale price, as well.

Here is how I imagine wearing this outfit: 
The shoe must be high and probably be similar to the one in the runway shot.  I think that the Hermes cuff that Santa brought me for Christmas will be the perfect accessory!  Hopefully in a week or two, I’ll be rockin’ the new Charmed Circle 32” necklace I’ve been patiently awaiting (picture to post later).  The stones will be the perfect color story for this outfit.  I’ll have to work on finding a slouchier belt than the wide elastic one that arrived with the dress.  I suppose that belt does hang on the hip if you are 6 feet tall and 100 pounds. 

Ok.  The dress is at the ready.  Now I need a place to go……

silhouette

Claudia Schiffer for Salvatore Ferragamo. Image via TFS.

I am enamored with this ad. The colors. The silhouette. The simplicity. Beautiful…

My own little paradise

It’s a beautiful morning.  The sun is shining, the birds are singing and as I sip my morning cup of coffee, I scan my backyard with the satisfaction of a queen surveying her peaceful domain.  A few short years ago, this scene was anything but peaceful.  It was a mess of a construction site.  Although our initial plan was a renovation, my husband and I decided to rip down the existing house and start over.  And so it began…

Admittedly, I am a reluctant suburbanite.  The opportunity to build a house from scratch was a way to create the urban paradise I have always dreamed of.  I was exhilarated and nervous at the same time.  Would my vision fit the neighborhood?  Would the citizens of northwest Houston embrace my modernist/classicist sensibility?  Did I have any idea what I was talking about or doing?

Lucky I was able to hire my dream team, my architect, Mark Oberholzer of Rhode Partners and my designer, Laura Michaelides of Four Square Design Studio.  Both had a modern aesthetic that I admired and neither was originally from Houston. 

It took almost 2 years from start to finish.  The process was long, tedious and painful.  I met resistance every step of the way.  Everyone involved in the building process made me question my every decision.  Even as the house began to progress, friends and family looked puzzled when they toured the building site.  Where is the big dramatic staircase?  Why are there so many recessed lights?  Why is the master bedroom upstairs?

After quite a bit of time, the house has finally felt completed.  Today, as I sit here with my coffee reading the March issue of Paper City, I feel a sense of validation.
There it is.  First Place in the residential category of the Paper City and Decorative Center Houston Design Excellence Award!

I lift my coffee mug and cheer.
Here’s to the sheet rockers who left the job for weeks in the middle of construction.
Here’s to the stoneworkers to whom I insisted hand chisel the stone for the exterior wall to look more rectilinear.
Here’s to the stucco guys who had to stop in the middle of the job because the stucco color was 2 shades to dark.

There is a lesson here.  No matter what you are doing, be it picking an outfit for the day, designing jewelry or building a house, always stay true to your own vision.  Don’t doubt yourself.  Follow your own instinct and never let other people’s opinion dissuade you.

Here’s the thing.  Even though it is nice to get the recognition, it doesn’t really matter what other people think of my house.  WE love it.  As Mark my architect would tell me, you must create your own bit of paradise.

See more photos of Gina’s house here

Emerald Isle

I woke up and no more sun! The sun is now trying to peek through, but my thoughts are drifting to the Emerald Isle, where I wouldn’t mind the clouds.

If you are thinking about taking a trip to Ireland this summer, do! If you are thinking about going back, you should!

I took a trip to Ireland last summer with my mom, 2 aunts, cousin, godmother, and her daughter. We had a lovely time and after hearing all about it, my husband is insisting he go with me on my next trip back. Our first stop was a charming B&B accommodation in Kilbrittain, County Cork, near Kinsale. The The Glen Country House was so special that I would like to feature it on St. Patrick’s Day.

This B&B is situated in one of the most scenic locations in West Cork, overlooking Courtmacsherry Bay with views of The Atlantic Ocean. The scenery is breathtaking. Guy and Diana have renovated this historic home that is surrounded by mature hardwood trees in a parkland setting which sweeps down to the sea.

View of the sea from the house

Gardens and quaint sitting areas are plentiful

This is a working farm, and Guy’s family has farmed the land for over 350 years. The breakfast is wonderful - a buffet with fresh and poached seasonal fruits, freshly squeezed orange juice, organic muesli and organic yoghurt, and a menu of hot dishes including bacon produced locally from free range pigs and eggs from their own hens. This farmhouse is beautiful and perfectly appointed.

I suggest having dinner at The Pink Elephant and The Casino House. We had the time of our lives at The Pink Elephant. The view was spectacular, the food was great, and the people that ran the place were incredibly fun, friendly and gracious. The Casino house is beautiful, quaint, and the food was incredible. Be sure to make time for both.

The view from the Pink Elephant

A day trip to Kinsale is a must. This is the cutest little harbour town.

Snapshots of Kinsale

Guy and Diana, you are wonderful hosts; we’ll be back! In fact, I promised my husband I would go back with him and he could get in some golfing. See you soon!

Our gracious hosts

Vacay or Staycay?

The sunsets in Tamarindo, CR are beautiful every single evening

For Gina, it’s a vacay. She’s in Mexico with her family. For me, it’s a staycay (it was a timing thing). That’s unfortunate given the current weather situation here. I shouldn’t complain (but, I am), because we took a little ski trip last month. So, instead, I’m dreaming of our beach get-away this summer: the sunsets, surfing, laughing, playing, dancing, ceviche (every night), hammocks, the list goes on…

Ohhhh, and NY + Paris in September. Ok, I’ll take the drizzle for now. No more complaining. And, I’m truly happy for those of you on your vacations! Enjoy!!

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