Wednesday, January 18, 2017

The Perfect Pant

Let's be honest....
We have all wished for the perfect pant!!
Great news!!

WE FOUND IT!!!



 This pant could not be better for the mom on the go. 
Or anyone on the go for that matter!!!


 We styled this so simple outfit with just a few of our favorite 
Stella and Dot 
and 
India Hicks 
favorites.



 A simple layered longsleeve tee and you have a great travel ensemble!!


With the recent launch of the new Stella and Dot Spring line 
we had to show a close up of a few of our favorites!!!
Modeled by 
THE Stella and Dot Rockstar stylist 
Kim Hodge

Tuesday, December 27, 2016

The Foundation of an effortless closet that comes with peace of mind for all mankind

Let's build a foundation...

There are numerous opinions about what the staples in a woman's closet should consist of. This album is a look at what I believe are the basic fundamental items that every woman can build from!!! The pieces have direct links or can be attained directly from me. Message me for details and availability, and remember....each and every item here has been made with careful consideration of the talented artisans that make these items for you and I to enjoy.! A great note: When you are in need of something and are not sure how to find the details of the ethics involved in the making of it, 4 fail safe options are Abejas Boutique, J Crew, India Hicks, and Stella and Dot! All 4 companies go to great lengths to ensure that their products are made with the highest of standards and care and respect of the hands that make them!! In addition to that, you can ALWAYS buy vintage with a clean conscious, and Cheeky Vintage has curated one of the best collections I have ever seen!!!


This look has it all!! It's easy, it's comfortable. and it wears...and wears.....and wears!! These are the perfect travel pieces, as well as the best of the everyday essentials. The palazzxo pant, long sleeve tee and cami are a long time favorite of mine that I love so much I worked a deal with the owner to provide to you directly!! The modal fabric is increbible and the versatility is amazing!!!
The blazer is a classic from jcrew!!


 I love the layered neck look so much that on a daily basis my neck is a version of this story!!
The foundation piece is a multi strand pearl necklace that you can build on. The best option for the multi-strand pearls in my opinion are at jcrew!! You can't go wrong!!

This is a one of a kind multi pearl, silk thread and leather wrap. It can be worn as a necklace or a bracelet and each one is just a bit different. It is truly a collector piece.

 This necklace made me squeal!! This is a beuatiful vintage inspired necklace that is well made and more than affordable!! I will pass this on

The Jolie Sparkle Chain Link Necklace

 This is the absolute perfect bag for every woman!! The sleek crossbody is just the right size and the insider (stingray shown here) is interchangeable and doubles as a wallet/clutch!! Talk about day to night!! The tassle is optional but is a great keychain that adds a little something extra while keeping you from loosing your keys!


 This is the "Madly Deeply" and that describes precisely how I feel about this bag!! It is on my favorite list for sure!! It comes in 3 fabrics. This is the navy/green Heritage print, adorned with the aubergine junkanoo tassle, good luck beetle charm, and one of my favorite vintage silk scarves from Cheeky Vintage.






 I like to call these play converse "Comme des Happy!!!"
Everyone needs a pair of converse "happy feet" and I am all eyes with these!!!!

 These Anouk by Golden Goose ankle boots are the perfect zip on and off travel shoes!!


 When you are headed to the airport in the Houston heat, these Tank Slides by Ivy Kirzhner New York are easy to slide on and keep you from overheating!! When you arrive in a more seasonally appropriate climate, throw them in your madly deeply, and keep handy for a quick trip to the ice maker or hot tub!! Available in black with Rose Gold Hardware (shown here) Bone, Natural and Truffle.


This scarf needs no words....it just.....is perfection!!

This scarf and others that are just as fun are available at abejas boutique!!


This is the "insider" from the Madison May cross-body bag, with the "Take-Out" wallet in Drink Burgundy, the agra tassle in wine to hold my keys together and add a little something more, AND my all-time favorite Casuarina handcream!! It smells just heavenly!!




 This gold cage bracelet is a piece from one of my all-time favorite jewelry lines!!! Unfortunately, they are no longetr in production, but I would not post this unless I could get my hands on the last few for you, and I have!!! Once they are gone, that's it, but they are 2 still left in the collection!!!

 The double "k" logo on the inside of the cuff is just a perfect detail!! This is a classy and versastile piece that you could wear with just about anything, I know I do!!

These horn bracelets are another favorite from the Korcula line that has stopped production, and they last few are all there will ever be. Message me for pricing and availability.

The Evolution

The Design Forecast has evolved in ways that seem unimaginable, over the last decade. The original function of tdf was to provide the equipment necessary for someone to establish their own style climate, by yielding a translation of trends, alongside a blueprint for decoding style noise. tdf has provided guidance and direction to navigate this difficult course successfully, and now has added a component unlike anything we have done before. The need for the translation and blueprint are more important than ever before in a time of trend chaos, but beyond that, there is a greater need. A matter of life and death! The manifold endeavor of the apparel industry as a whole, to lower costs and provide high demand fashion has created a pandemic that can no longer be ignored by consumers. As a "single unit" human race, we each have a personal responsibility in the face of commerce in the 21st century, to promote ethical and social practices that benefit all humans, and ensure safety for the individuals and the system. The Design Forecast is primed to mobilize and advance the crusade of educating and informing all consumers to do their to eradicate modern day slavery in the 21st century.

Monday, October 31, 2016

What is your ethical climate?



Happy Halloween!!!

We are officially entering the holiday season.....

so of course we are starting to think.....

about parties,

gatherings, 

the perfect gifts for our loved ones, 

and of course what we will wear for all the holiday photo ops!!!

Have you ever stopped during your procurement of your bountiful booty to think about the ethical ramifications of your purchases?

My guess is no.

That is too much to think about!!

and even if you did, how would you ever be able to really gauge said ramifications?

Well, first of all, yes! That is a lot to think about!!

and, if you did stop to think about it you would likely begin a google search that would quickly demand a scream of frustration or a drink!!

So why in the world would I bring this to your attention now, as the holidays are upon us?

because....I have good news!!!

I am here for you!! 

For over ten years now I have shopped for, styled, and curated for women and men. 

I have helped them find their design climate,

and all this time I have been doing my homework.

We are all becoming acutely aware of the reality of human trafficking surrounding us in plain sight, but for so many the numbers are so daunting and we don't see that we can do anything to change it. 

But, we can ALL do something?

Starting with our shopping list!!

We all can make a difference!!! 

I read an article about a study conducted by 2 students at The University of Bath regarding ethics and luxury items and there was one fact that stood out to me above all else....

‘‘Those who buy Cafe´direct may pay for the product from a wallet or purse produced by a workforce in a Third World location under conditions of extreme exploitation’’.

(Cafe'direct was the pioneer in certified Fairtrade Coffee, bringing the first true Fairtrade coffee to the UK three years before the Fairtrade Mark was created.)

Thankfully today fairtrade coffee is right around the corner for most all of us, 

but what about everything else?

Over the last six months I have been absorbing the facts about human-trafficking and how it is the fastest growing criminal industry across the globe, and I can tell you that a fundraiser, or even a handful of fundraisers are not enough!

We must adjust our thinking, 

and I am dedicated to helping you do just that!

I will be spotlighting some of my favorite companies that go above and beyond their ethical and social responsibility. 

I will be building an ethically responsible shopping guide for everything you may need or want.

My goal is to make it as easy for you as possible to support the companies that are protecting our society with their business integrity.

If you absolutely love something and can not find their ethical pratices send me a msg and I will look into it for you, and possibly even share it with everyone else.

In the meantime as the list is being built I have GREAT NEWS!!!

J Crew is not only a leader in forward thinking fashion, but they go above and beyond in their ethical practices as well!!

Take a look....
https://www.jcrew.com/flatpages/social_res_april4.jsp?bmUID=lwfxWPp


Stay tuned for more.....

Monday, January 18, 2016

Design Hiatus

Happy New Year!!!
The Design and Fashion Forecast will be on a brief hiatus....

Stay tuned!!!
We WILL return!!!

Wednesday, November 11, 2015

Online Portfolio in the works......Update coming soon!!!!!....Please pardon the editing time!!!

The design forecast, like the fashion forecast, is a tool to sort through all the design noise and find your true design style and create a space you truly love!!!!

I have partnered with photog wizard Tony Gibson to give you a glimpse of how a number of clients have, with our guidance created their dream home and made their homes uniquely theirs. 
A place they all say they don't want to leave, and love coming "home" to!!

Sneak peek....

My dear friend Tanvir's home will be featured soon.....
and you don't want to miss it!!!
It is truly incredible!!!
Tony has worked his magic to give you a glimpse into a home that will make you feel zen and at peace from the time you "enter" the front door.
Commissioned Art "The Heights" by artist Jonathan Hance,
a master bedroom getaway that is better than any resort
......and a closet that just might make you cry!!!!
Stay tuned!!!!

Sunday, August 9, 2015

Baby it's GREY inside......

We all know that interior design follows trends just as fashion does...and a lot of times there is quite a bit of overlap.....but for some reason trends translate a little differently inside your home than they do on any even given Tuesday on the street....
The reason, I believe, is because when you buy that blouse that your celebrity icon was photographed wearing or you saw in a "must have for fall" article, and you wear it on that given Tuesday you may likely realize it is just not "you"...
But, never fear, your fashion obsessed friend will be happy to accept the offering and take it off your hands, and maybe even trade you for one of her pressured buys...
even trade and everyone is happy.....
another example.... 
Gray nail polish has been a trend for a while now, and as the weather cools I will be "picking my color" in the gray tones again this season, even though I wore out "You don't know Jacques" for 2 seasons!!!
Honestly I am somewhat looking forward to gray nails again this fall!!!
So why are things so different in your home?
Color does evoke feeling ....
and when you walk in your front door at the end of a long day how do you want to feel?
If your answer is...."I want to feel like it's just a normal day in Seattle," then my response to that would be.....
"Don't delay!! Run out to your nearest home improvement store and grab a few gallons of Revere Pewter and one happy home body you will be!!!"
Please don't misunderstand... I am a lover of neutrals...especially in interiors.....
AND
I do also love gray
BUT.....
Does gray make you FEEL good when you come home at the end of a long day?
The first thing I ask when I enter a home for a consult with a new design project is..
"What is the function of this room?"
Our home is where we go to escape, to be with the ones we love the most, and to recharge for what's next....
Does gray help you recharge?
If so....then go back up to the previous part of this post that recommends you run out and grab some gray paint and get painting....but if not...then here is a fun suggestion...
Go to the paint wall and see what colors draw out good feelings, what pulls you in, what colors make you smile?
Grab a few swatches of those smile-inducing colors, take them home and see how they look in your favorite room, in natural light as well as lamp and overhead light and THEN decide....
which one evokes the feeling you want to experience when you come home from a long day....
BE BRAVE!!!
BE DIFFERENT!!!!
BE YOU!!!!
AND....
LOVE THE SPACE YOU CALL HOME!!!