Charlotte's Chic Homes

One of the events I couldn't make it to this week was shoe designer Charlotte Dellal's launch party at Bergdorf Goodman.  Her line named Charlotte Olympia is filled with vertigo inducing heels in bright colors and patterns.  After seeing images of her own home in London as well as that of her parents, I have a feeling that she must be inspired by these interiors and amazing art collection.   

Charlotte's purple bedroom and leopard shoe collection.

Charlotte in her Mayfair boutique.

Gorgeous in green Oscar de la Renta on her balcony.

I wouldn't be surprised if Charlotte expands to hats and gloves before long.

As the mother of a young child, she is often running around and said she plans to introduce flats and lower heels now.

I think London has the prettiest front doors of any city.

Charlotte in her parent's home.

Charlotte Dellal in front of a painting by Cecily Brown.

Charlotte's mother Andrea and sister Alice

A Damien Hirst polka dot painting.

Charlotte with works by Jean-Michel Basquiat and Andy Warhol

Photos by Christopher Sturman for Harper's Bazaar and Trent McGinn for Harper's Bazaar UK

Glimpse into My Master Closet...(Via Made By Girl)

Ahhh Monday again. Did you have a good weekend? I know some of you were snowed in with the storms, hopefully you're out & about today! The weather has been amazing here, couldn't ask for better!

On another note, this weekend we finished my MASTER CLOSET! Well, it's actually 98% finished. I'm still considering getting some LEOPARD print wallpaper for the section you can't see behind the doorway.

It's such a PLEASURE walking into my closet now, thanks to my dear husband, who made it all happen. I am in awe of his abilities & grateful to God for him! He bought the shoe shelves as plain wood at Home Depot and stained them to match the IKEA closet system. Brilliant!

above: AFTER (so happy)

below: BEFORE (so ugly)

It's all soooo exciting! I have plenty of storage now, with a bunch of large drawers and shelving for all my clothing & more. The shoe & handbag shelves are my favorite part....it feels like a mini BOUTIQUE every time I walk into this closet!  

When I first started the project, I was UNSURE which direction to head in.  However, I knew I wanted something GLAM..... you know, the chandelier, leopard print and shoes  stacked endlessly on display!  

So, tell me...what do you think so far?

(Click on pics for larger images)

above: those are just a portion of my handbags, the rest are in the IKEA shelving and behind the door.

I think I own 35 handbags. Is that a lot? How many do YOU OWN????
I ACTUALLY had more shoes and handbags.....but I donated them.  If I don't use it after a year I will usually just donate it.

above: My hanging clothes are to the right behind the closet door.
 

Chandelier is from a local antique shop

Ornate medallion is from Home Depot

Leopard Runner by Ballard Designs

Closet System by IKEA

-images by jen

Pretty Ballerinas

I was just lamenting the other day that I couldn't find any good flats. Loeffler Randall used to be my go to source but they don't have any for sale for spring. So I was very excited when my friends and I decided to stop into Pretty Ballerinas after my birthday lunch at JG Melon. Ballerina flats can be tricky because not all of them are comfortable but the Pretty Ballerinas felt comfortable the minute I slipped them on. They also offer what seems like a million different styles! I loved some of the snakeskin options but they were out of them in my size so I settled on the Marilyn in grosgrain ribbon above (they look better in person!). Pretty Ballerinas have been popular in Europe but just opened their first store in the US in New York. I highly recommend that you check them out. Your feet will thank you for it!

Ok, so I don't need a 'MARIAH CLOSET"...

But.... it would be nice to open my closet door & see a shelf that fits everything! My wardrobe, shoe-shelf needs help! I've been looking at some closets online and was amazed by Mariah Carey's HUGE closet room! But......come on! There is no way I could even fit my shoes into a space that large!  I thought I had a lot of shoes....obviously not!  My closet is the frumpy one below.  Do you notice the awful shelving?  There you'll see some of my shoes, (it came built-in with the house when we bought it). This shelf will NOT fit all my shoes, it's made in such a way that most of my high heels don't even stay, they fall off!  So, the rest of my shoes are on the floor.....all my boots & heels, on the FLOOR! 

 Like most women, I take over the largest closet (usually in the master bedroom) & make it my own! My poor husband, he usually ends up with the hall closet or the guest bedroom closet! Sorry!

Do you have a shoe-shelf in your closet? Do you share your closet with your guy? How do you like it??

My own closet above

Via here

Via here

Via here

via here

via Vogue

Here is a list of what my dream closet would consist of:

• a mirror
• recessed lighting or chandelier
  
• a beautifully upholstered ottoman to sit on
• useful shelving for shoes
• a large drawer just for my jewelry
• fresh flowers
• OH & an entire room would be nice!
  

Mariah Carey's closet -via InStyle Magazine.

(3) photos above via: PSeries Stylist

image top: Jen Ramos of Made By Girl 

Jack Rogers Online

Jack Rogers has officially launched their new website and just in time for the upcoming high season in Palm Beach! If Jackie were alive today, I just bet she'd be buying her sandals online too! Happy Shopping!

My Favorite Things: Pre-Fall

It was hot today in New York. Like Africa hot. But for me it's too little too late. I'm over summer and have moved onto pre-fall. The new clothes are in the stores here and I've already been picking out what I want to buy for New York and my trip to Paris. There are so many great things to chose from but these are a few of my favorites! Starting with the photo of model Lisa Taylor that was taken by photographer Arthur Elgort for Vogue in 1976 that embodies that feeling of when the weather is still sunny but starts to turn a little chilly.

Before the weather gets cold enough for a real coat, I wear blazers over little tops with jeans and also over dresses. I love this grey flannel schoolboy jacket from J. Crew and especially the gold buttons that dress it up. There is also something about it that makes me want to sharpen pencils.

I am so not a skinny jeans kind of girl but since all the girls in Paris are wearing them, I thought I should try to find a slim pair. J. Crew calls the matchstick jeans "ultra flattering" and I have to agree. I tried them on and actually thought they looked pretty good. Probably not quite as good as they do on the model in the photo but then again, she's probably a foot taller than me. The best part is that they aren't so tight that they cut off your circulation. Well, at least not until you start eating macaroons!

I will also need some shoes to go with my new slim jeans and these Christian Louboutin patent ballerina flats might just be the ones. I originally saw them in grey but now I am loving them in taupe. Truth be told, I actually own this style in gold and they are one of the most comfortable pairs of shoes I've ever worn. And comfort will be key in Paris when I am trying to walk off all the macaroons!

This Davina bag by Derek Lam is my wish list favorite item. I swear I hear angels sing whenever I look at it. It's ridiculously beautiful and also ridiculously expensive. But it never hurts to dream. Le sigh.

I already received my advance copy of Jacques Grange Interiors and have been pouring over it! His style is unique to each project and the details are amazing! His own personal apartment in the Palais Royal was once owned by Collete and is of course the most unique. I debated trying to stalk him in Paris until I remembered that my French isn't that good if he calls the police so I think I'll stick with the book!

There are only so many French movies I can watch before I need a break and I can't wait until the second season of Gossip Girl is released on DVD August 18th! They have been filming in my neighborhood this summer and I hear that Ed Westwick was spotted at West Elm buying furniture after Chace moved out. Ed, if you need a decorator, call me!

After a few months in the sun, in addition to bi-monthly highlights and daily blow drying, my hair needs a little TLC so I've already switched back to Technician Color Care by Frederic Fekkai. It makes my hair super soft but not limp and the Color Protecting Glaze makes it shiny but never greasy. They really are fantastic products. Now if I could just get my colorist to stop making me so blonde, I'd be all set!

I am very loyal to my nail polish colors but Estee Lauder's new Black Amethyst polish might give them a run for their money. It actually looks darker in person than it does in this photo and will look great with grey and black clothing for fall. It's actually a limited edition color so I guess my regular polish will come back into rotation after it's gone. Or maybe I should stock up in case I really like it! Bon shopping!

Chic and Comfortable

I want to thank everyone who emailed me and left comments today! I really appreciate your support! I've been running around all day and am too exhausted to write a big post tonight so check back tomorrow for our regularly scheduled programming!

On a side note, one of my readers was worried that I would wear white sneakers popular with American tourists while I was in Paris. Don't worry, HC will not embarrass you or herself while abroad. I already have all my chic shoes picked out for my trip including this fabulous pair of Hogan Interactive Sneakers that will only be worn to tour Versailles. And maybe if it rains or my feet really hurt but it would take a lot for me to give up wearing my Christian Louboutins in Paris. It's like they are going to the motherland!

Gone Shoppin'

I know my posts this week have been short and I apologize. I was joking with friends tonight that I was going to hang a sign on the blog that said Gone Shoppin' since I've been taking advantage of many of the great sales going on in the city this week. Hence the new Roger Vivier sandals. (Sorry Stefan!) I've also been running around for work and enjoying the beautiful sunny weather. I promise that things will be back to normal next week and possibly better since I have a great announcement and some fabulous people, places and things to profile! Bon Weekend!

Shiny Happy Feet!

I told you that I never met a pair of gold shoes I didn't like so of course I couldn't resist this pair from the Calypso Outlet on Broome Street. They make me feel like Sienna Miller, albeit a slightly less Bohemian version. They also come in silver. You've been warned!