THE LOW DOWN: PIER 1 IMPORTS...

Pier 1 has been around for 40 years. I have fond memories of shopping there when my mother purchased furniture for my first apartment in college. The products usually have a charming, global or artisan flair which is right up my alley.

When the stores first opened, Pier 1 was known mostly for its rattan and wicker furniture which is still one of the very popular offerings.

Now this national retailer has expanded its product lines to almost every type of home decor and accessory you can think of at really affordable prices.  I've bought everything from rugs and lamps to nightstands and media cabinets, even desks and bookcases.

 

My personal favorites are the outdoor furniture, candle holders and dinnerware.

A few years ago, I furnished my husband's entire office aka his man cave (except his LazyBoy Recliner) with a rich espresso wood desk, bookcase, printer stand and side table all from Pier 1. Its a little matchy-matchy for my taste but it looks great and its comfortable for him. I would post photos but that would lead to embarassment for both my husband and me.

Pier 1 stores are everywhere. There are 3 locations alone within 10 miles of where I live.

Happy shopping...

Peace and Blessings,

Tammy

Photos courtesy of Pier1.com

FIFTY SHADES OF GRAY...

What do you think a bedroom inspired by the popular book Fifty Shades of Gray would look like? (Not that one...) Or any other room inspired by the book on most suburban housewives' summer reading list.

A little gray goes a long way, but an entire room is somehow very soothing and sexy.  Here are several amazing room designs that would make both Christian and Anatasia very happy...

Happy daydreaming, ladies...

Peace and Blessings,

Tammy

Photos courtesy of HouseBeautiful.com, TraditionalHome.com, ElleDecor.com and HGTV.com

MARTHA'S VINEYARD...

I just returned from my favorite place on earth, Martha's Vineyard. (Yes, on earth...)

A 45 minute ferry ride off the southeast coast of Massachusetts, this quaint 23-mile long island made up of 10 communities is a treasure trove of sun, sand and rich history. First settled in 1642, the typical year round population of about 15,000 swells to about 100,000 during the summer months.

Moshup Beach in Aquinnah

The Lighthouse and Cliffs at Aquinnah (formerly Gay Head)

My family typically rents a cottage in Oak Bluffs, the island's "epi-center" where the best entertainment, shopping, and dining can be found as well as beautiful beaches such as the Inkwell and State Beach.

The Inkwell in Oak Bluffs

Circuit Avenue Shopping District in Oak Bluffs

Flying Horses Carousel in Oak Bluffs

Oak Bluffs is a summer vacation destination for the African-American middle class. There is a rich history of lumaniaries - past and present - from the worlds of politics, education, entertainment and literature who have spent time there. Senator Edward Brooks, Henry Louis Gates, Spike Lee, and Dorothy West have all been residents of the community. The Kennedys, the Clintons and the Obamas have  vacationed in Chappaquaddick, Chilmark and Edgartown in Martha's Vineyard as well.

Bunch of Grapes Bookstore in Vineyard Haven

Painted Ladies of Oak Bluffs

Oak Bluffs Gazebo

The Black Dog Bakery

The thing I love most about the Vineyard (other than the beaches) is that passersby speak to one another. Its laid back energy is a welcomed respite from the NYC fast pace of life.  The year-round residents do things on "Vineyard time," so much so that Oak Bluffs made Frommer's List of '10 Towns That Do Things Their Own Way.'  It would be quite annoying if I weren't on vacation.

An interesting bit of trivia:  Contrary to popular believe (because of the name) there are no wineries on Martha's Vineyard.  The one and only winery closed in 2008. But there is plenty of seafood.

The Bite in Menemsha

Until next summer...

Peace and Blessings,

Tammy

Photos courtesy of ElleDecor.com and Frommers.com.

THE MET EXHIBIT - SCHIAPARELLI AND PRADA: IMPOSSIBLE CONVERSATIONS...

This weekend, I finally went to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC to see the exhibition that everyone has raved about - Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations.

This intriquing exhibit explores the careers of Elsa Schiaparelli and Miuccia Prada, two Italian designers from different eras. Their iconic designs are presented with videos of simulated conversations between Schiaparelli and Prada, focusing on how both explored similar themes in their work through very different approaches.

The exhibition showcases approximately one hundred designs and forty accessories by Schiaparelli (1890–1973) from the late 1920s to the early 1950s and by Prada from the late 1980s to the present. The signature objects by both designers are arranged in seven themed galleries: "Waist Up/Waist Down," "Ugly Chic," "Hard Chic," "Naïf Chic," "The Classical Body," "The Exotic Body," and "The Surreal Body."

Waist Up/Waist Down

Ugly Chic

Hard chic

Naif Chic

Classic Body

Exotic Body

The Surrealist Body

Schiaparelli, who worked in Paris from the 1920s until her house closed in 1954, was closely associated with the Surrealist movement and created such iconic pieces as the "Shoe" hat and the "Tear" dress in collobaration with artist Salvador Dali. Prada, who took over her family's Milan-based business in 1978, is still one of the most sought after designers of our time. Her designs focus on fashion that reflects the eclectic nature of Postmodernism.



Shoe Hat and Lip Jacket

Tear Dress

An interesting perspective into the world of Fashion, the exhibit is on view at the Met through August 19, 2012. If you are in the NYC area, it is a must see...

Peace and Blessings,

Tammy

Photos courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art