FOODIE FASHIONISTA: SUMMER STAPLES

Hello dear readers, Crissie here (from bug&Bear) with this week's edition of Foodie Fashionista!
S'mores are one of my very favorite summer traditions. It seems the season just isn't complete without at least a few of these tasty little treats.

Sadly, city life tends to make s'more roasting slightly tricky, so I was BEYOND thrilled to find this recipe for "Grown-Up S'mores" on the Fresh New England blog...

They look amazing, right? And while we're snacking on these homemade miracles, why not throw on a perfectly casual (yet chic!) outfit to complete the summer feel...

1. Fedora-ble Hat via ModCloth, 2. Rag & Bone, 3. Obey bag, 4. Buzz Off Bandana, 5. Asos Leopard Print Retro Sunglasses, 6. BC Footwear, 7. Shorts by Rare via Top Shop, 8. Essie Nail Polish in Mint Candy Apple and Mezmerised

It's like being at summer camp all over again... Don't forget your bug spray!!

*photos by Fresh New England, via Pinterest

FIREWORKS + A BERRY BREEZE

Happy 4th of July!!

While it can sometimes be hard for me to celebrate a country that's far from perfect, instead of getting political today, I'm aiming to be thankful for the true meaning of the holiday - our independence and the freedoms we are blessed with in this country.

And that's something worth toasting! How about with a little Berry Breeze? Festive, refreshing and not too frou frou, it's my kinda celebratory drink!

The Berry Breeze:

* One Part Raspberry Vodka
* One Part White Cranberry Juice
* Frozen Crushed Raspberries
* A Blueberry Skewer Garnish

Mix together vodka and cranberry juice, add a small handful of frozen crushed raspberries and garnish with a blueberry skewer. A perfect mix of red, white and blue. Enjoy!


*images: photography by ellen von unwerth, napkins martha stewart, berry breeze, florals captured by jennifer kloss

COLOR COORDINATED: SHADES OF BLUE

Hi everyone! I'm Mackenzie from Design Darling and I'm hoping to contribute a coco+kelley column called Color Coordinated.



I was interviewing Christina Strutt, the founder of Cabbages & Roses, for the fourth issue of Rue and she said something that struck a chord with me: “In reality, it doesn’t matter whether your coat matches your curtains, but the home products and the fashion do seem to sit together happily.” She was talking about the visual merchandising in her stores, but it made me realize that I often crave the same things for my home that I do in my wardrobe choices. In other words, wouldn't it be fun if your coat and your curtains did match?


This first Color Coordinated column features a palette I'm just loving right now: French blue, creamy white, and a splash of navy for good measure. Mixing ikat, leopard, and a touch of sparkle, this look strikes me as springy and sophisticated. I'm loving the playful romper with edgy gold earrings, a delightfully dramatic bracelet, and a must-have leather bag!

* Diane von Furstenberg Kindle case, $59 // Shoshanna romper, $285Loren Hope earrings, $40 // Dannijo bracelet, $270 Theodora & Callum wedges, $395 // Foley + Corinna bag, $345




Of course, that dreamy French blue will look equally chic chez vous! Use navy upholstery as a base for bringing in punchy patterns and a timeless chevron throw. How lust-worthy is the leather lamp? It's the perfect classic complement to one of my favorite Leigh Viner prints.

Leigh Viner print, $32 // Williams Sonoma Home ikat floor cushion, $128 Ralph Lauren lamp, $350 // Nate Berkus sofa, $499
Layla Grayce pillows, $118 for two // Jonathan Adler throw, $295

I would love to know whether this is a column you'd like to see every couple weeks here on coco+kelley and what color combinations you're loving this season!

BLUE + WHITE FLORALS: GRANDMA OR GLAMOUR?

The combination of blue and white - especially come summer time - is nothing new. But this year it seems to be popping up even more, and in all sorts of patterns and trends. The most recent manifestation being of the granny-inspired variety...

Whenever I see blue and white florals, I instantly think of grandma's fine china. It's classic, but is it fresh? Can we make it modern and glamorous? I'm beginning to think it might be possible! With a heavy dose of white combined with clean lines to counteract the antiquated pattern, it could work. Would you try this trend?

*sources: bedroom via designspiration on pinterest, mirror and chaise at house of hackney dalton rose collection, lingere at topshop, bowl by maria kristofferson, paul & joe t-shirt, pyne hollyhock print at schumacher

MAKING MY GETAWAY (IN CORAL + BLUE)

I warned you you're going to have to put up with a little pre-vacation dreaming and planning around here...

So, welcome to my first fantasy! I've got one last hotel to book on the Amalfi Coast, and I happened upon this one while perusing Mr&Mrs Smith last night. Welcome to Capo la Gala!

Their combination of modern decor with beachy flair and (hello!) those zig zag tiles in coral+blue put me over the edge! That headboard rivals the view, too!

Even the bathroom is done to perfection, incorporating coral tiles and high gloss surfaces in that same winning color combo. 

And then, you know, there's this.

And this. So that's pretty cool too. Who wants to come with me?

POOL DAYS

I've decided if I can't actually lay by the pool all day (now that the sun is finally shining!) I'd like to at least surround myself with aquamarine and dream about it...

What better color to add a splash of for summer? I want to upholster all my outdoor furniture in the 'Pisces' pattern from Schumacher, serve fresh summer salads on this dinnerware, and fill up the hobnail pitcher with delicious sangria! Casual summer days call for slouchy shorts and plenty of pillows to lounge on. Of course, the summer nights call for a little color too - and I think this luxurious clutch is just the thing.

Now... where's my pool boy...

A RECURRING THEME...

Not that I usually recommend one color palette for an entire home (unless you have a very small space to work with) but....



The mix of rich teal with pops of red has been one that just seems to stick with me! Yesterday I reported from my twitter that there is still a big surge of teal in the marketplace - we saw it in lots of leather goods in High Point - but my favorite way to use it is definitely as a base for the room - whether on the walls, cabinets or floors - with that pop of red and plenty of natural light so it doesn't feel too heavy. Do you think this a color scheme that's doable for your home?

*images via traditional home, domino and lonny

MY SPRING PALETTE: APRICOT + BLUE

It's official - I'm making this my spring color palette inspiration:

I've already purchased a pair of apricot shorts and a very peachy little belt from Anthropologie, and I adore the way it looks with a pop of blue (any shade will do!). Which is funny because this was what my inspiration board looked like for last spring...

Basically the same line of thought, but a little richer, with indigos and clay reds. I guess I should really start following my own advice a little sooner when making wardrobe purchases! I like freshening it up with black and white accents though - much more current!


*image ali stephens for elle france (source unknown) and inspiration board by coco+kelley

SEASCAPING

Missing my beach time and dreaming of the sea...  I think these two pieces would be lovely additions to the home as little abstract reminders of that feeling of calm I get when looking out at the ocean...

*angela adams rug in gorgeous pile texture

*stunning and intricately layered paper artwork recreating the san francisco bay by crafterall on etsy

WINTER BLUES

Every January I hit this post-holiday realization that winter is not even close to over...

... it's around this same time that I gravitate to bold hits of blue against warm creams and fresh whites...

Perhaps it's a craving for blue skies or tropical destinations?

Maybe it's a pull towards something strong as we try and push our way into Spring...

Or - most likely - it's the fact that this bold royal blue brings a surprising sense of calm at the end of a hectic season and a breath of fresh air with the revitalization of a new year at all once. Either way, I think I'll try adding some doses of it into my life, pronto.

*images via fabio bartelt, miles redd via nymag, david shields, and emily henderson

Cool Blue. . . Color Combinations

I read the reviews. 

I take constructive criticism seriously.

You're blue that we don't have more blue.

We here at the studio understand your needs.

In fact - we invented them.

You didn't know you needed cool rugs.

Now you can't get enough of them.

We've created a monster.

And we love you for it.

C'mere. Gimme a hug.

Ooookay. That's enough.

Jeez - personal space.

My god - there's a bit of a bear in you.

Rowr!

Check out these babies while I fan myself.

detail 1 - 4

detail 5 - 8

detail 9 - 12

This triple dog dare was hopefully met.

Wanna know what's harder to find than a blue antique rug? 

A green one. 

Give me time bubbies.

Give.

Me.

Time.

In the mean time,

 Chill out in your finished basement

cool off in your cottage by the lake

or just listen to the blues on the victrola.