Saturday, May 29, 2010

Reminder**** Please follow on the new site****

To all my "networked blog" followers and "google connect" followers....PLEASE be sure to go to the NEW site...mooninthetenthhouse.com to sign up for RSS feeds (coming soon), Networked Blogs following (click button on new site), or become a FAN on Facebook if you want to continue to receive content! Thanks for all your support!

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

EXCITING NEWS WE HAVE MOVED TO A NEW SITE!!!!!

Please find our new and improved site at MOONINTTHETHENTHHOUSE.COM (I actually have my OWN URL now!)
LINK HERE:::: *******Moon in the Tenth House*********

See you there! Thank you all for your support to make this happen....:) XO J

Monday, May 24, 2010

Who Remembers Swatch? They're BAAACCCKKK


photos: swatch.com

I have been nostalgic about everything 80's and I have been noticing the return of the Swiss Swatch Watch in the fashion press latley. As it goes, everything that is old is new again in fashion, and the Swatch is no exception.

I have memories of proudly displaying my colored bands and bright watch faces to my friends as we "oohed and ahhad" over every new style and color. It was quite trendy to wear several of them on your arm at once. I have a clear memory of a camp friend of mine wearing her big bright white swatch watch on her ankle! Wow...was she ever ahead of the trend...so cool.

I've added some fun pictures of the Swatch watches of today. Available at swatch.com. Did you ever own a Swatch? I KNOW some of you did. Do you remember what color yours was? What the watch face looked like?

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Oscar on a Spring Afternoon; Rabbits Run Wild Near the Honeysuckle; and Lilly of the Valley


I've added a bit of a photo expose today to celebrate the sense of serenity that only nature and pets can provide. Oscar loves lounging in the mulch. Every day I find him in the same spot in the garden enjoying the sweet spring breeze.

I've have been noticing that every year, the rabbit population seems to be exploding. I tried to get a better shot of this guy. I was afraid that if I got closer, he would surely bolt, so I attempted to get the shot from standing on the deck. I admit it could be a much better photo, had I a better lens, but alas, this is the best I could do....the hedgerow is blooming with Honeysuckle this time of year and the sent is heavenly.

Lilly of the Valley is one of my favorite sents. I noticed that there is a huge amount suddenly blooming in the side garden. This particular flower always brings back memories of grandmother, Molly, as she told me that this was her favorite.

My tiny bouquet of Lilly of the Valley to bring into the house. 




Mia Tyler, Crystal Renn, and Tyra Banks: "Women Come in all Shapes and Sizes, a Size 12 is no less Beautiful than a Size 2"

Mia Tyler, half-sister to actress Liv Tyler, and daughter of legendary Aerosmith rocker, Steven, has found success as a plus size model. Like many women, Mia has struggled with her weight and was a contestant on "Celebrity Fit Club", where she tipped the scales at 210 lbs. She has since taken off some of that weight, adapted a healthier diet and exercise regime, and is now down to a healthy size 12/14.
Mia Tyler: Plus size model, daughter of Rock Legend Steven Tyler.


photo: perfectpeople.net

Crystal Renn: High Fashion is changing its attitudes about size. 
Chanel uses Renn in their Cruise Runway Show in St. Tropez.
Chrystal Renn rocks the fashion industry in Chanel. Another win for the plus sized fashion group. 


Chrystal Renn at the Chanel Cruise Runway Show. Crystal is a size 12.

Tyra Banks has endured media criticism for gaining weight. She has since re-invented herself as "plus sized". Eating disorders are rampant across america and many critics point to Hollywood and the Media for glamorizing skinny as beautiful and sexy.  Most young women who try to break into the modeling and acting field are told by agents that they need to drop any excess weight to have a shot at a career. Crystal Renn accounts for the disease first hand in her book "Hungry", where she used every trick in the book to get her body size down to 0. She eventually choose her health over her career and let her body set at its natural size. [Refer to the link of my post on Crystal: Crystal Renn: "Hungry"]

To put things in perspective, below are photos of women need to EAT...before they just break, or crack or fade away...

Rachel Zoe: The Queen of 'Too Damn Skinny.'
Rachel reports that "eating sometimes doesn't make it on my to-do list" and that she survives on "coffee and grapefruit." 


photo: Auntiefashion.wordpress.com
Rachel Zoe has been criticized for perpetuating a culture of "dangerously skinny is stylish and chic" among her famous clients.


Longtime client, Nicole Richie, who was becoming painfully thin in past years, recently dropped Zoe as her stylist; on speculation that Rachel's advice on her being too thin was destroying her health. Nicole has since put weight back on and has maintained a healthy weight since the birth of her children. 


Nicole Richie in her Dangerous Skeltor Days 
photo: hollywoodgrind.com


Healthy and fit Nicole now. 
photo: tinymels.wordpress.com

Saturday, May 22, 2010

Faboo Design Ideas from Boston to Manhattan Beach: All White and Pops of Red

Headboard  and bathroom door traveled from the designer's Victorian home in Boston to Manhattan Beach. Megan Arquette of Beach Bungalow 8.
beachbungalow8.blogspot.com
www. houzz.com

Lattice Wallpaper  on one of the walls in the dining area gives a more refined feel to the beach house. The black geometric backed chairs mimic the shapes in the wallpaper beautifully. 
The most killer touch to the dining area is.....


the FAB red bamboo chandelier. OMG to DIE for.It adds the perfect pop of color.





How important is art in our world? More pops of red.
Faiella Design by Anastasia Faiella contemporary bedroom


The Front Door eclectic entry
eclectic entry design by chicago interior designer Allison Cosmos
A front door painted in such a unique way really brings interest to the front of the house. It is sure to be a memorable entryway that will not be easily forgotten. 

my Santa Monica Bedroom eclectic bedroom
Again, as I always re-iterate...if you want to create serenity in your home, go with ALL WHITE. It will give your space an airy peaceful feeling. Worried about cleaning white furniture? If you use slipcovers on all your furniture, you will be able to whisk them off and throw them in the wash. This bedroom is beautiful. I would go one step further and paint the fireplace mantel white.



my family room traditional family room
traditional family room design by los angeles interior designer Brooke Giannetti
Another example of use of white and neutral tones to create a serene breezy feel.

Friday, May 21, 2010

RETRO summer :: Fun Friday Fashion:: MORE Lilly

Some things just scream RETRO to me. I don't know if it is nostalgia that keeps bringing me back to Lilly patterns, or if it's simply the fun bright colors that cheer my day. More supremely throwback looks to warm your Friday afternoon. Happy Summer...bring it on!!!!!!!

Lilly Pulitzer Haley Skirt Lattice Jacquard
$138.00
lillypulitzer.com

Roselyn Skirt Bouquet 
$118.00



Roselyn Skirt
Frisky Business $118.00



Nikki Maxi Skirt Striped
$298.00



Maho Skirted Bottom 
$88.00



Worth Shift Hen House 
$178.00


Thursday, May 20, 2010

New Trends in Leggings: Amazing Where The Legging Craze is Taking Us

Let's get real about something here. Leggings are very comfortable. The are cute on most people if worn with the right choice top and virtually ANY shoe looks good with leggings. Boots look cute with leggings..so why NOT have all these cute style choices available for leggings? The only thing that is crucial to understand when wearing leggings, is that they are NOT pants, so always make sure to cover your a$$. I have seen women walking around town and college campuses with waist length shirts while wearing leggings. NOT a good look.

Also, take a look at the Stella McCartney leggings for $905.00. Who the hell does she think she's kidding? Seriously, most of us can find a hundred thousand more things better to spend our $905.00 dollars on than some " lace stretch detail leggings." Yeesh.

On a positive note, I am loving the silver stretch riding leggings from LnA. I think those are a great re-engineered version of the legging. The Plan B black mesh leggings for $26.00, look much more like silver silky  leggings in the picture, so it's hard to tell what those really will look like until you see it live. Not sure what to make of the tie dye version...not loving it right now. Remember, if in doubt,  you can also never go wrong with a classic black legging which can be found almost anywhere. I think that leggings are a part of our permanent wardrobe now since they have been resurrected from the '80's. They are here to stay..so if you don't like them..get used to it! LOL.

All available at Bluefly.com.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Different Design Elements: Wonderful Ways to Make Any Space Your Own

New York Home Design: Wendy Goodman
"Neo Victorians" Young Williamsburg Couple collects antiques from the wife's grandmother and the street. 
Olive Oil contained in an old glass skull



I wanted to write a piece about claiming space, any living space and making it your own. This space could be a house, an apartment, a bathroom, office or even a closet. The important thing is that you stake out the space and make every inch of that space exactly what you want it to be. It doesn't matter if you are renting the space or own it. You occupy it, therefore it is yours. It should be a place of comfort, retreat and relaxation. It should reflect who you are. I came upon an article thoughtfully sent to me by a friend. She believed that I would get a kick out of all the different ranges of style found around New York and the creative ways in which the owners decorated their space. Be it large or small, owned or rented, each owner's personality and style comes through in ways that are charming, definitive and beautiful. 

New York Home Design: Wendy Goodman
"Neo Victorians" Young Williamsburg Couple collects antiques from the wife's grandmother and the street. 

The apartment of clothing designer Anthony Malat and his wife, photographer Jamie, is decorated solely on reclaimed and inherited items. They felt there was a sense of nostalgia that they wanted to represent in their living space. The couple uses creative and innovative was to showcase their antiques and their own personal style. The use of elements is key, for example, using the glass skull as a container for olive oil. 

"The office interiors of the film Downfall were a big influence on our color palette. In general, it was a mixture of Flowers in the Attic, Pretty Baby, The City of Lost Children, and Spaceballs." Anthony Malat on what influenced their decorating style.
Desk is a flea market find for $48.00. Malet built the shelves himself. The wood is reclaimed from an old torpedo factory. 

 Celebrity hairstylist, Steven Knoll wanted more space and found it in a loft style apartment, but had to create character out of a very plain liner design.


"Neo Formal" 
What was once an old factory with raw edged flooring is now an elegant space akin to Paris apartment.Steven Knoll found the space he craved in this 2,500 square foot loft in the meatpacking district. 

Knoll designed this room as a dressing room/office. The lighting behind the racks of clothing is an ingenious design touch. The layers of light, fabric and color matched by the richness of the wood are very masculine, yet refined.


"One of my biggest inspirations was all my time spent at the Paris flea market looking at the beautiful antiques.I wanted a large-enough space where I could offer each antique its own place of appreciation.I was also looking for the combination of Park Avenue refinement and grace with a downtown loft’s edge and freeness."
 Inspiration behind Knoll's apartment decor choices.


Brooklyn real estate designers added warmth by using honey toned wood against stark white to create a beautiful rustic like space.
"Neo-Country" 
I love what Brooklyn property owners did to this 1,250 square foot brownstone in Park Slope. It looks modern, yet very comfortable by bringing in the natural elements of the warm wood against the beautiful stark white flooring and stainless steel cooking hood. The best element of all, in my opinion, are the wood beams that intersect the ceiling. 

Former Domino magazine editor loves to add English Manor charm to her small Greenwich Village apartment.

English Manor Style in Greenwich Village 
Interior Designer, Rita Konig, mixes elements beautifully in this small 700 sq ft apartment. 




"I have always liked decorating my small apartments as though they are just a few of the rooms in a much larger house, so you have the feeling that you could, should you want to, wander off to the drawing room, library, dining room, but for the moment are just choosing to be in this rather cozy study. Maybe it is peculiar to the English, but you know how people in huge houses live in a tiny room with all the dogs and the television? This is sort of the reverse of that."  Konig's influences.



all photos and quotes courtesy of New York Magazine 
source article link http://nymag.com/homedesign/


Zebra Print in Decor: Why I LOVE Tracy Porter's Eye for Design

My inspiration for this post is a picture shot of our cat, Sammy, (aka Tiny) lounging on my faux zebra print rug in our family room. I love how the stripes of his coat mimic the stripes on the pattern of the rug. I the spirit of developing a theme, I went on a quest for ideas of how to incorporate the black and white traditional zebra print into everyday decor.



No one does the eclectic mix better than designer Tracy Porter.  She is my "go to" designer for inspiration. I know I can count on her to never let me down. She once again delivers some beautiful ideas of ways to use zebra print in her decor. I love how she masters the use of the zebra rug as a backdrop for her sofa, artfully places the zebra print ottoman in front of her black as-night lacquered fireplace mantel, and how she simply has fun in trying new ways to incorporate layers into her living spaces.


Zebra always looks classic and subdued when presented in a monochromatic theme of simple black and white elements. 


The Zebra rug draped over the sofa adds wonderful layers to the living room. Many patterns and colors are at play here, but Tracy makes them work.

photo: tracyporter.com

Zebra looks stunning when paired up with Chinese red. There is something so perfect and exotic about the pairing of that particular pattern and color. 



photo: tracyporter.com





Look for ways to add unexpected layers to your decor. Funky patterns give your space personality. It's what makes you unique and delivers that special authenticity. Your decorated space is a reflection of who you are and who you want to be. Remember, you don't have to spend a lot of money to make it look like you spent a lot of money.

Always check out Ebay for great steals and deals....