Selections in Ash Blue

Click on the links to purchase:
Sweatshirt, Coin Purse, Eyeshadow, Book, Bracelet, Wool & Cashmere Top,Ottoman, Cufflinks, Ikat Pillow Cover, Ballet Flat Shoes, Wallet

Loving this ash blue color right now. Very elegant.

35th Annual San Francisco Decorator Showcase: The Home Office-Wardrobe

Source: Elle Decor

More than 30 amazing rooms were presented at the 35th annual San Francisco Decorator Showcase and quite a few of them stole my heart. Starting today and throughout the following weeks I'll be posting here my personal favorites, with the first one being the home office of a fashion blogger designed by the talented Catherine Kwong! I adore the gray walls, the large works of art, the marble desk and the geometric light fixture (by Blackman Cruz)! Did I mention the shelves which are full of shoes???

How to Wear a Sequin Aztec Skirt

1. Blazer, 2. Sandals, 3. Tank Top, 4. Sequin Skirt, 5. Clutch / Smartphone Case, 
6. Cuff Bracelet (ON SALE! - 50% OFF)

Aztec prints are the latest fashion trend for the summer and you can find a wide variety of clothing and accessories in many online and high street stores. You can also check my suggestions here. But there is one item I have fallen in love with, and it's this sequin mini skirt from Topshop that will make you stand out in the crowd! And since the skirt is pretty loud in its own right, tone it down by teaming it with a simple, white tank top and a few minimal accessories, all from our favorite Topshop!

Angie Hranowsky: Lakeshore Drive

Angie Hranowsky is a favorite. And not only for this blog. She has been named one of the "20 Designers to Watch" by Traditional Home magazine and has been included in Southern Living's list of the "Top Five Tastemakers". She creates amazing spaces, full of color, life and warmth. And Lakeshore Drive - which turns out to be her home - is the perfect interior design example to understand her style. Full of pinks and purples, Hranowsky has gathered the most amazing items, whether it is furniture, art or home accessories, and mixed them together to create eclectic spaces with a hint of Hollywood glamour! Don't forget to check her blog here!

Splurge Vs. Steal: The Woven Coat

Splurge: Lanvin Bucle Coat (ON SALE) / Steal: Zara Coat

Too early for a woven coat? Think of it as an investment piece that you will be wearing from early autumn till late spring, and which you should purchase now! Why? Because summer sales is a great time to get this luxurious Lanvin piece half price, and because - if you are on a tight budget - you probably know that Zara 's stock of clothing keeps changing and is not meant to last for long!

Fantastic Frank

Fantastic Frank sells fantastic apartments. With fantastic decor. And fantastic photography. It is the next generation of real estate agencies and it's Swedish (what else?). Equipped with fashion photographers, architectural stylists and decorators, the agency is giving each property an expensive makeover and shoots it as if it were meant to land on the pages of a hip magazine. The buyers love it, the bloggers can't get enough of it, and the sales keep coming in. Seems like Fantastic Frank is leading the way. To a much hipper property future. Fantastic!

Preppy Chic: Selections from Pre-Fall Collections

Clockwise from top left: 

Tory Burch Shoes, Burberry Scarf, Michael Kors Tote, Diane Von Furstenberg Belt, Marc by Marc Jacobs Necklace, Aj Morgan Buddy Clear Glasses

Here is my very first shopping list from the pre-fall/fall 2012 collections: six very chic, basic accessories in black with gold details that will get you from day to night with nothing more than elegance and style!

Into Kyle DeWoody's Colorful Apartment

Source: Vogue 

The creative director and cofounder of the art/design store Grey Area lives in a home full art, design and color. Kyle DeWoody created a bohemian Greenwich Village apartment that has "the energy and enthousiasm of my mother's, but the warmth and homeyness of my father's place". DeWoody achieves that  by mixing designer pieces with discount, flea-market finds while giving an emphasis on modern lines, metals, and art. Her sources are antique stores, her mom's warehouse and ... Tom Dixon from ABC Home! 

Getting Ready to Hit the Beach

Getting Ready to Hit the Beach with these amazing items? Click on the links to purchase:
1. Bikini, 2. Jelly Sunglasses, 3. Beach Dress (ON SALE-60%OFF), 4. Nail Polish, 5. Star Necklace,        6. Panama Hat, 7. Flip Flops 

Hit the beach with a touch of colour and lots of style!

Home Decor Envy: Knock on Wood

Source: David Howell

Turns out using large wooden surfaces to decorate a room doesn't necessarily make the room look dark, too-classic and sort of boring. Huge windows and a mix of minimal modern and retro furniture do help nevertheless.

Etsy Shop Discount: ANY 2 A4 Archival Prints for $36

I know you love them. My A4 prints get lots of views, hearts and are featured in many treasuries. And you probably want more than one for your empty walls. Now you have the chance to purchase 2 prints for $36 instead of $40 (10% discount) AND to pay the shipping price of one by clicking here and purchasing the listing! Add the titles of the A4 prints you want (you'll find them here) and they will soon be on their way to your address! See you at my etsy shop! 

My Week Through Instagram

From left to right, starting from the top row:

1. Brand new printed Bershka pants! So light and comfortable! It was love at first sight... / 2. Also brand new, these Polo Wayferer-style black sunglasses. The only Wayferer styled sunglasses that work on me... / 3. I don't eat fruit (yes, I know - I should...) but I'll make an exception or two for my favorite summer fruits: cherries and watermelon! / 4. A sunset photo of the Lighthouse, at the Old Port at Chania. / 5. One more coffee photo! Coffee makes my world go round! / 6. Torn jeans from Zara. I don't wear them at work, but they've become a must item for my weekends. / 7. This is my Kenneth Jay Lane horn necklace. I got it in four different colours all at once and I have my mum to thank for, because she discovered a super discount on these necklaces at Fenwick, during one of our trips to London. Adore it. Find something similar here or here. 8. This week I printed a few of my instagram photos and realized I need square photo paper... it will be a bit difficult to find...grrr... 9. Pretending to study - sort of reading the Oxford Handbook of the History of Eugenics...

What to Wear Under the Sun

Panama Hat, Sunglasses, Tunic (ON SALE!), Leopard Flats

As the temperature keeps rising, it's a wise idea to keep yourself protected from the sun. All you need is a stylish panama hat, a pair of dark sunglasses, a wear-it-from-day-to-night georgette tunic and a pair of comfortable textile flats for walking around the city!

Decor Idea: Christmas Lights Typography

 Source: Apartment Therapy

Isn't this such an amazing and simple idea? Use your christmas lights and some pins to create your favorite words on a foam board! It will look like an expensive work of art and will definately impress your guests!

On Sale: Selections from Dorothy Perkins Under $10

1.Triangle Necklace, 2. Green Buntin Pearl Necklace, 3. Spike Studs, 4. Gray Cotton T-Shirt, 5. Peach stone Bracelet, 6. Enamel triangle studs, 7. Sparkle Ball Charm Beacelet, 8. Mint Green Tube Necklace, 9. Viscose Vests in Mint and in Coral, 10. Animal Print Union Jack Notepad  

Gorgeous accessories under $10? Yes it is possible thanks to Dorothy Perkins, the british high-street store which is full of affordable and beautiful clothing and accessories! I'm in love with the spike earrings (no3) which I will purchase as soon as I finish writing this post!

The Green Dining Room

Photo: California Home Design

A striking piece of modern art behing the dining table steals the show and allows the home owners to get away with a simple table and set of chairs for their dining room. A very smart way to keep the budget low (you can easily find affordable pieces of art - etsy can be a good starting point) without sacrificing your interior decor style!

Into My Beauty Bag: 13 Beauty Products I Need

Yes, they seem a lot, but these are only the basic(!) staff I need in order to look presentable in the morning... Oh, and they are all highly recommended. Here they are, all thirteen of them (plus their case):

Makeup: Estee Lauder Double Wear Makeup (I do need coverage..) / Complexion Enhancer: Yves Saint Laurent Taint Parfait (love, love, love - I wear it under my makeup when there are "special events/special nights" on my schedule) / Powder Blush: MAC Sunbasque (works a little bit like a bronzer as well) / Eye Shadow: MAC Satin Taupe(an all-time favorite) / Concelear: Estee Lauder Double Wear (huge problem with dark circles, it's essential-sigh) / Mascara: Volum' Express (it's my mum's choice as well) / Perfume: Be Delicious by DKNY (hate the name - love the smell. Makes me happy in the morning) / Eye Kohl: MAC Smolder (tons of it, I re-apply it constantly) / Hair Straightener: GHD with wide plates (it's the only thing that works for my wild, dry, very curly hair) / Moisterizer: Estee Lauder DayWear (I do change my moisterizer every now and then but I always return to this one) / Lipgloss: Estee Lauder in Bare Glow (hydrates and makes your lips shine) / Eyeliner: The Body Shop (I've been using it since the age of 16 and haven't change it since...did I mention that I wear eyeliner every single day?) / Nail Polish: Essie Wicked (not red, not black, not brown, but something in between - chic and edgy at the same time) / Beauty Cases: Anya Hindmarch (classic black and fabulous)

On Sale: Designer Pieces Under $100

Ahhh, the sales! Isn't it the best time of the year? All those gorgeous designer items which you couldn't previously afford, suddenly are available for sale for half or less than half of their initial price! For the next three weeks I will be presenting on my blog the items you should consider purchasing during the summer sales period from the best online stores of the world in my brand new column "On Sale". Today I feature designer clothing and accessories which are priced under $100 from the oh-so-chic Net-a-porter! Take a look and grab your credit card before it's too late:

From top to bottom:

1. Diane Von Furstenberg bikini: top (from $98 down to $39.20) & briefs (from $90 down to $36)

2. Dolce & Gabbana Blackberry Sleeve (from $175 down to $87.50)
3. Etro brass earrings (from $250 down to $100)
4. Karl Sunglasses (from $135 down to $40.50)
5. Oscar de la Renta 24-karat gold pleated ring (from $195 down to $58.50)
6. Faux leather Karl skirt (from $185 down to $92.50)

Don't Be Afraid of Gray Walls

Source: Marie Claire Maison 

 

Going for gray walls doesn't necessarily mean that you will end up with a dark room. See the hue as a neutral canvas where you can add splashes of vivid colours. This photo is a great example of how neon accessories can liven up a gray room!

Aztec Prints

1. Straw Hat, 2. Platform Sandals, 3. Dip Dye Skirt, 4. Ring, 5. Sequin Mini Skirt, 6. Bracelet

Lately I've been obsessed with aztec prints which are a great choice for your summer / holiday wardrobe! Luckily online stores offer a wide selection of clothing and accessories that feature vivid aztec prints in various colour combinations and in budget-friendly prices!  Check out my selections above and visit ASOS and Topshop for more gorgeous, bold prints!

Home Decor Envy: The Turquoise Home Office

Although I prefer white walls, and when I say white I mean snow-white, this turquoise home office was difficult to ignore. The vivid colour contrasts against the retro accessories, compliments the wooden flooring, and creates a fan, dynamic and warm environment to work at. More photos from the rest of the rooms of this victorian chic Sussex home here!

My Week Through Instagram

From left to right, starting from the top:

This week I travelled to Athens for a friend's wedding. We had a wonderful time and I took a couple of days off from work to relax, see my friends and ...go shopping! Here are a few pics from the trip:

1. Sometimes I take an orange juice break instead of a coffee break. But only when I'm at Starbucks! I love their fresh orange juice!

2. The H&M flagship store in Athens, is gorgeous!

3. My recent purchases from H&M: a cuff bracelet, a pair of coral-pink ballet flats, two sets of stud earrings, a bronzer and a gold hair clip.

4. An outfit that caught my attention at Uterque.

5. Fantastic homeware at Zara Home.

6. And this is the Zara Home tablecloth that stole my heart... 

7. Having a pedicure and going for a cherry red colour by Essie!

8 & 9. Trying to skip calories by watching my friend Ilias eat yogurt ice cream and not having one myself. This is his weird mix.    

Want to follow me on instagram? This is my username: sacredandprofanedesigns   

ASOS BLACK - Selections

Click to purchase:

1. Pencil Dress, 2. Midi Dress, 3. Strappy Dress

What would you wear if you were invited at a hip and fashion-centric wedding like the one of Leandra Nadin's (a.k.a. The Man Repeller)? Probably something new, modern and slighlty eccentric! And if you think that this would mean you'd need to pay a high to very-high price for an outfit, think again! There is no need to splurge on expensive designer items thanks to ASOS! The very popular (and one of my personal favorites) online shop has launched a new clothing line, ASOS BLACK, which is the result of the collaboration between ASOS and Lauren McCalmont, a Central Saint Martins graduate student. The collection is developed from archive prints and covers almost all the latest fashion trends, ranging from sporty mesh inserts, draped chiffons, florals and acid brights to splashes of metallics. With prices below $220, it's time to click on the links above and purchase your wow-piece now, before it's too late!

Congrats to The Man Repeller!

... who got married last night! The very popular fashion blogger Leandra found the right guy, her own "The One" who isn't afraid of wild prints, geeky glasses, weird shapes, platforms and gladiators, and decided to wear a gorgeous off-the-rack Marchesa dress and some wacky, platform sneakers (yes, sneakers) to say "I do"! The wedding took place at St. Regis hotel in New York, and the decor was inspired by Woody Allen's movie "A Midnight in Paris". More wedding facts and details here and here. May I say how much I love the floral crown???

What Would the Man Repeller Wear?

1. Floral Blazer, 2. Sandals, 3. Denim Shorts, 4. Bracelets, 5. Set of Rings, 6. Glasses

The talented, hilarious and super-stylish fashion blogger Leanda Medine, a.k.a. The Man Repeller, inspired me to put together this outfit. What do you think, isn't this simething Leandra would wear? It's got more than enough man repelling items - a blazer (worse: a floral blazer), sort of baggy, washed out denim shorts WITH STUDS, huge black geeky glasses - and plenty of bracelets and rings to throw one or more arm parties! Men, beware!

Print Preview: A Woman Who Doesn't Wear Perfume- a Coco Chanel Quote

One more Coco Chanel quote print, this time in a vivid pink colour, will be available on my etsy shop tomorrow! The quote is printed on archival paper which means that the colours will last for more than a century, and it will look great above your boudoir even after 100 years! Need more wise Chanel quotes? Check this link!

Touches of Brown

Clockwise, from top left:

1. Sunglasses, 2. Leopard Bra, 3. Jewelry Box, 4. iphone Case, 4. Eyeshadow, 5. Cuff Sandals

Who said that accessories in earth tones can not be interesting and exciting?

A Scandinavian Home with Extra Personality

Ditte and Peter are not afraid to splurge when it comes to purchasing designer items for their home. They also think it is "super cool to mix old and new" and this is why they have created a home that remains minimal yet has a personality of its won and is full of amazing museum-quality pieces. More photos here!

At H&M Athens

Not brand new, but definitely relatively new, the H & M flagship store in Athens, Greece is impressive not only because of the hip and trendy clothes, but also because of its gorgeous interior design which is evident in all of its 2600 square meters space! Don't you agree?

Selections from Target for your Bathroom

Love them? Click here to purchase:
1. Bathroom Scale, 2. Bath Coordinates Collection , 3. Wastecan,  4. Towel, 5. Wood Hanger, 5. Mirror

When it comes to decorating, or re-decorating, don't neglet your bathroom! There are pleanty of affordable accessories that will revive your space without breaking your budget! Visit  Target and find a huge selection of everything your home might need! 

Home Decor Envy: Contemporary Bathrooms

Who said that bathrooms are boring? 

Temptation on Sale: Marc by Marc Jacobs Tote

Marc By Marc Jacobs Handbag (on sale!!! from $322 down to $233)!
Mascara Volum' Express (my favourite), Jil Sander Pouch, Linda Farrow Sunglasses, Moleskine, Pen  

So I got this email from Mytheresa today stating that one of the bags that has been on my wish-list for quite some time now is on sale (yay) and there are only a few in stock! It's this Marc by Marc Jacobs electric blue croco embossed shopper tote, isn't it fab??? What do you think? I do need a big tote to carry my every-day essentials, which you can see on the image. Should I buy it now, before it's too late?

Home Decor Envy: The Pink Kitchen

Photo: Altanta Homes

It could be any girl's dream... A romantic-eclectic kitchen with amazing natural light, a gorgeous pink glass chandelier and a big dinning table all in one space! Designed by Kerry Howard for a young female professional who believes that less is more and likes to mix the past with modern elements. Oh, and believes in the power of pink as well!

My Shopping List for the Summer No1

Click to purchase:
1. Notebook, 2. Sunglasses, 3. Panama Hat, 4. Bikini, 5. Weekend Bag, 5. Leather Flip Flops

I can't believe it's already June! Since summer and the long weekend life have begun, you should start planning what to pack for those exciting - short or long - getaways! Here is my first summer-essentials list and I promise that there will be many to follow! 

Style Inspiration: Neon Doors

What do you think? No need for signs ("exit", "entrance here" etc) to mark the door. Just paint it neon yellow and noone will get lost! Love the trend, and I would definately consider it for my home!