What I Wore: The Missing Paris Edition

As much as I wish that this post was set in Paris, I completely forgot my camera remote when I went on vacation, so I wasn't able to grab any outfit photos for the blog on the streets of Paris (my life is ruined). I'll just have to settle for a dress from Paris on my regular old back porch in Chicago. I think even if I had brought my remote, I would have been too nervous to take pictures of myself on the busy streets of Paris. Oh, well.

Monday Design: Castle Living

Be still my beating heart. As you should know by now, I have an odd obsession with France. Especially the southern parts. And it's no secret that I love rustic and rural interior designs. Mash those two things together into a castle and what do you get? Le Château Marteret and a mini heart attack on my end.

Monday Design: Parisian Interior Design

Have I mentioned I love the French? If it hasn't been obvious up to now, it will be. Especially when it comes to interior design and architecture because I want nothing more than to live in a rustic French home with exposed stone walls. Nothing more. There, I just told you my life goal. Now we're besties. Right? Any-who, since that very much isn't even close to the case for me right now, I'm constantly day dreaming about it over the internet. That's why this architecture and design team was a no brainer.

What I Wore: The Boot Edition

I love boots. Cowboy boots, ankle booties, motorcycle boots, any kind of boot. They are my favorite kind of shoe. Wearing boots again comfortably is what I'm always most excited about when the weather starts to get cooler. However, as much as I wish I could buy a new pair of boots whenever I want, financially it makes more sense for me to hold on to them until I absolutely need a new pair. Well the time has come. All my current boots are worn down at the heel to the point of being dangerous. You know what that means? I get to buy new boots and not feel bad about it it! Which is exactly what happened. 

Monday Design: Rustic Mill in Southern France

Will I ever get tired of these rustic homes in Southern France? I think not. This one is a 15th century  mill house converted into a million dollar modern property. Yea, it's pricey. As much as I love real estate stalking, it is also kind of heart breaking sometimes. Anyway, back to oogling this gorgeous villa. The rich warm color scheme and heavily ornate wall paper throughout the house are the perfect design touches for this rustic abode. And would you believe you can rent this lovely villa in Southern France for only $15,700 to $31,400 per week (insert heart breaking eye-roll here).

Photo Friday: Lanvin Fall 2012

If you haven't heard already, Lanvin's Fall/Winter 2012 ad campaign is exploding as big news in the fashion world. Why? Because they're not using models. Well, they ARE using models, just not professional models. Part of the Fall 2012 campaign feature real people - yup, you heard it, real people - to show you that photoshop can make anyone look gorgeous.

All of the people chosen for the campaign look gorgeous all dolled-up in Lanvin and shot professionally. There is no denying that. Paired with the over-crowded, dark, vintage-y backdrop, these models fit the scene perfectly. Honestly, had it not been pointed out to everyone in the fashion would that these were not profesional models, I probably wouldn't have thought twice about it. Well played, Lanvin, well played.

Photo Friday: Dreamy Photography

I'm going to be honest with you all, it's been a rough couple of months over here at team Stranger Than Vintage. Everything has just seemed to have been falling apart around me and it's been a little difficult to deal. This is why I feel like I've been a pretty bad blogger - regurgitating information without really saying anything about it. That's not at all the type of blogger I want to be. So I'm getting it back together as of right now! Besides, I created this space not as a haven for Negative Nancy's, but as a place where I can share all the beautiful things that make me happy in the hopes that they'll make you happy too.

That's why today's photography loving post is full of dreamy images. These specific photos are from Etsy seller Eye Poetry and they are just gorgeous. I often spend time all over the internet looking for new photographers and beautiful images, but I always forget that there is a huge community of just that on Etsy and I can actually buy framed prints if I fall in love with them. This photographer has a specific eye for all things beautiful and dreamy. Just where my head needs to be for a while...

Monday Design: Aix-En-Provence

I, like many other students I know of, studied abroad in France my last year in college and, like I'm sure many people would tell you, it was a magical, life-changing experience. So much so that I'm constantly plotting ways of getting back there. Every once in a while when I miss it too much I like to do some house hunting just for fun. Well, among all of the castels that are for sale in France, there are some gorgeous 10 million dollar homes. That'll probably never be a place I will be in life, but it's fun to pretend isn't it? I found this gorgeous home in the city that I studied in, Aix-En-Provence, which is a little college town in the south of France that's got all the Mediterranean charm you can imagine. Now who wants to loan me 10 mill? I swear, you can stay on the couch whenever you want ;)

 Where's your dream future home?

Photo Friday: The Great Gatsby

This editorial from Elle France hits right at the heart of me. It combines three of my most favorite things in the whole world - vintage fashion, literature, and fashion photography. Oh! AND is was in Elle France of course and I am obsessed with all things french. So basically, this whole shoot was meant for me to drool over and it was a success.

I actually didn't love The Great Gatsby when I read it the first time in high school. It didn't grow on me until I had to read more Fitzgerald later on in college and I just became enamored with the Fitzgerald style. Now, I am more than excited to see the movie. Anyway, this fashion editorial is gorgeous. I love that opulent 20s glam and ease they captured. There is no denying the outfits are gorgeous and who wouldn't want to be at this party?

Photo Friday: Archways and Hallways

Like most girls my age who share similar interests, I am what is commonly referred to as a Francophile. Yup, you heard it here first, I love all things French. But what's not to love? The historic buildings, gilded bridges, and winding streets of Paris drew me to France since before I even really knew where it was on the globe. In college I was lucky enough to study abroad for a semester in the south and have been plotting ways to get back there ever since. As you might suspect, I haven't had any luck so far. Anyway, all this probably played a huge role in my falling in love with photographer Franck Bohbot.

Born in the suburbs outside of Paris, Bohbot began documenting cities and urban spaces in 2008. I'm particularly fond of his architectural studies, especially since I have been to some of the places he depicts in his photographs. They make me feel nostalgic and happy. But I also love the composition of these photos. The angle and lack of people in each shot make the pictures seem like geometric works of art, not photographs of hallways. He has a fantastic eye for capturing the gorgeous details of architecture and their repetitions.                     

I am definitely a fan of wide open spaces and geometric shapes, so obviously I adore all of these photographs, but what about you? Too bland or just gorgeous?

Monday Design: Soho House

This Soho apartment designed by Paris-raised interior designer Olatz Schnabel is a fabulous combination of colors, patterns, and antique Parisian style. I love the way she used colors and patterns to make even the sparsest rooms feel full and cozy. The design throughout the apartment includes minimal furniture and decorative elements, but the combination of bright colors and patterned touches make each room feel full of personal influences. Images from here.

It's no secret that I love colorful homes, but this apartment design combines two of my favorite style elements - color and french design. The space seems amazingly lush and regal without over-doing it or feeling overly crowded. The infusion of large paintings and Grecian pillar lamps in the living room make the already artful space seem like an artist's studio infused with a museum.  In short, this Soho apartment is obviously the home of a creative mind and that's exactly what a home is supposed to be - a reflection of yourself. That's why I painted every room in my apartment a different color and have a bright red couch. It all makes sense now doesn't it? Moment of revelation: self reflection must be the reason that I love interior design as much as I love fashion. It's good to express yourself, right?

Okay, enough babbling, check out the awesomeness that is this Soho interior designer's apartment:

How do you make your space feel like home?

Monday Design: A Rosebud for Your Butt

This house is a lesson in How to Add Color to your Space without Paint. Seriously. This Parisian apartment adds color and warmth with pops of colorful furniture, bright kitchen appliances, and large vibrant pieces of art. The balance that lives within the space is something to be admired. Even the rooms that are wallpapered are balanced out with simple furniture design. In sum, Joséphine Gintzburger's Paris apartment combines a unique and intimate design that's youthful and dripping with personality.

I have to admit that what first drew me to this apartment was the bright pink rosebud chair. Although there are several interesting design points in this room, your eye is drawn to those bright pink petals. Oh the orange alligator skin rug might be worth mentioning too.

This kitchen is to die for! Vintage appliances in fun bubble gum colors? I'm sold! I love the mix of vintage and modern. Very chic and fun.

I have to admit the photographs in the bedroom, although interesting, are a little terrifying.

The pops of color are apparent in every room and the kitsch-y touches of art make the space wonderfully individual. It's refreshing to see an apartment design that is dripping with chic yet does not feel staged or forceful. Two thumbs up from me.  

How do you add color to your space?

Pink and Red Valentine's Day Inspiration

I have to admit, I don't really celebrate Valentine's day and all in all I think it's kind of a stupid holiday, but at the root of it I'm still a girl and that gushy, gross romantic side of me likes to peek out around this time of year. What will the roommate and I be doing this year to celebrate? Same thing as last year, nothing. BUT, that doesn't mean I can't still look at all the pink, red, and heart memorabilia right? Here's what caught my cold, callused Valentine's day hating eye this year.

 number 1, number 2, number 3, number 4, number 5, number 6, number 7, number 8, number 9, number 10

Even if you absolutely hate Valentine's day, it's impossible to avoid. I don't plan on celebrating the holiday, but it does give me an excuse to buy a pretty new pink dress! No? Is that not how this works?

What about you? Do you celebrate Valentine's day every year?


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