Fashion Distraction: Vera Wang at Kohl's

This weekend I remembered that Kohl's has a new collection of Vera Wang clothing. Simply Vera Wang debuted a week or so ago. I hadn't heard a lot about it, so I decided to drive out to the north suburbs (the nearest location of Kohl's) to check things out.

My hopes were not high. I assumed that I wouldn't like anything. I'd previewed the looks on the Kohl's site and they seemed a little too conservative. I was very pleasantly surprised.

I tried on 4 items and ended up with this adorable textured dress coat for $128 and this cotton lilac top for $50.

The quality was impressive. Better than Target's Go International! lines. The coat, especially, is a fabulous staple. You can wear it in the office as a jacket. For outdoors, I'm planning to get a pair of full length winter gloves to match. Vera has some in her collection, but they were a little uncomfortable.

The shirt fits beautifully. The shape is sort of like a bubble, and can be worn tucked in with a high waisted pant, or cinched in with a wide belt at the natural waist. I also paired it with the jacket, trouser jeans and a pair of patent leather pumps for a casual office look.

The store was almost out of smalls in every piece. If you order online, the sizes run a little large.

Rocking Wheel Chair

I think this concept chair from Mathias Koehler is awesome. You can rock almost 360 degrees. But it reminds me a little of Alien.

Via Productdose.

The Briar Wingback Chair

Wingback chairs always look so comfy and private. They've got those wings to rest your head on as you read (or nap).

This version by CB2 has a smaller scale and a sleek silhouette.

Briar Wingback Chair, $699.

Cityscape Magazine Holders

Hoarding magazines can be done with a little style. So long as your planning a trip to Sweden.

These Cityscape magazine holders were created exclusively for the Swedish Museum of Architecture.

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Cloud Dessert Plates

Amazing stylized clouds drift across the surface of these dessert plates from Williams Sonoma Home.

$58 for a set of 4.

Need a Little Quality, Taste and Style?

If you need a little wardrobe brush-up - heck, even if you don't - I recommend reading the first chapter of Tim Gunn's "A Guide to Quality, Taste & Style," available free at Bravo.com. It was a delight to read, even for a non-fiction phobic like myself. The advice offered sounds like common-sense, but sometimes we just need a wake-up call from a well-spoken fashion expert. Gunn's writing style has made realizing my closet is a travesty a true delight.

I am heading to pick up a copy tonight.

Water Tower Housing

Someone in the Netherlands has made apartments out of an old water tower. And apparently, they're not the only ones. How gorgeous and ingenious is this? It's a grown-up tree-house.

This patio on the top looks like a fabulous blender.

Say Anything

Typography is going to be big this fall.

The Alphabet pillow in black, $79 at Room and Board.



Custom quote wall decals from Blik.




Screen-printed city names, $135 from Granada Design.

Black in the Kitchen

We're thinking about a kitchen makeover for our home. I'm a huge fan of dark wall colors, but have never really considered them for my kitchen. In fact, I've never done anything to the kitchens in any of my homes. Which makes no sense since I cook almost every night. That's a lot of hours in a room that has no visual appeal.

This fabulous modern kitchen in black really has me thinking about going dark. I love that there's nothing on the walls. Trying to clean grease and dust of anything other than my stove and counters is more than I can handle. But the chalkboard paint allows for some creativity without extra dusting. And I love that white marble island.

See more dark kitchens on Girl Meets Glamour.

Fairy Tale Lighting

A tree with fruit made of light? This is the stuff that fairy tales are made of. Well decorated fairy tales, of course.

Did anyone else read The Twelve Dancing Princesses growing up? The Illustrations of the underground forest are amazing. I used to check it out of the school library every week just to look at the pictures. But I never owned a copy.

Minted Greek Wine

This sounds like it would make a great summer cocktail:

• 2 bottles dry Greek white wine
• mint syrup (recipe follows)
• mint sprigs for garnish

Combine 4 parts wine and 1 part mint syrup in a glass over ice, then garnish with a mint sprig (using these proportions, you can also make a pitcher ahead of time). For the wine, we recommend Domaine Spiropoulos Mantina Moschofilero, which is light and crisp, with hints of honeysuckle and subtle minerality.

Place ½ cup sugar, 1 cup water, and 20 fresh mint leaves in a bowl, and cover with plastic wrap. Microwave on high for two minutes. Stir until sugar is dissolved; let cool. Strain into a small pitcher, and refrigerate until ready to use.

Via Domino.

Dark and Lovely Vintage Tumblers

I really like black glassware for it's old-world feel. But I like this set from UMA for its wittier and more casual vibe.

I've had several sets of stemless wineglasses and loved them. This may be my next addition.

Vintage Tumblers, $22 for the set of 4.

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Fashion Obsession: Bling Bling Peep-Toe

Ignore the hopeless name, because, otherwise, this Bling Bling Peep-Toe pump by Christian Louboutin is absolutely stunning.

$1,325 at Saks.

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All in the Details: Ottomans + Nailheads

Moroccan inspired ottomans are a nice trend. But add a nail-head accent and you've got a really striking centerpiece.

Girl Meets Glamour has collected several fabulous ottoman + nailhead options here.

Shelf Shelf

This is a very cool shelf that spells out shelf. I ran across this design by Da-Eun Song on Yanko Design, but can't find anything about where to buy it or if it's available for sale.

Frozen in Transition

Artist Martin Klimas breaks recognizable objects and photographs their moment of transition. I like the exotic kitchiness of the Asian-inspired figurines he favors. There's an irony to displaying photos of the fussy figurines we had to tiptoe around as children in pieces on our walls. It looks and feels like a well choreographed rebellion.

Leaving aside my urge childishly celebrate knick-knack destruction, I also like the aesthetic of the images. They are serene and kinetic.

Via Joshua Blankenship.

Beds in Nooks

Girl Meets Glamour has a up several images of beds in custom-made nooks. They're so cozy. It's the adult's answer to that girly canopy bed you always wanted.

Sunrise Lampshade

The sunrise lampshade by Lauren Moriarty changes color as the shade is heated by the bulb, revealing the London skyline. These won't be available until falls. I'm hoping that they add a few more cities to the repertoire.

DWR Goes Softer and Prettier

Sfgirlbybay posted these photos from the new Design Within Reach catalog. As she notes, the look is a complete departure from DWR's stark, museum-like style.

For once, I can see incorporating some of their furniture into my own home. They've made these modern classics look warm, inviting, and livable.

Worth Watching: Welcome to the Parker

I did a lot of channel surfing this weekend. And something that caught my eye as I flipped through the stations is Bravo's series, Welcome to the Parker.

The show follows the staff of the Parker, a gorgeous Palm Springs resort hotel, as they bend over backwards to cater to their demanding guests. But what makes it so worth watching is that the whole place was designed by Jonathan Adler in a style that he calls "Happy Chic."

I loved the second episode, in which Adler himself heads to the Parker to check in on the decor and offer advice on how to keep it up to his exacting standards. It was a great peak into what Adler was thinking when he created the design and the drive that makes him so successful. Plus, he plays the property manager at ping pong. Bravo is streaming the episode online now.

I love this "Periodicals" sign!