Fashion: Bucket Bags

I really didn't think that I was a bucket bag person, so I'm not quite sure what has come over me. They're impractical and a little loosey-goosey, yet I've been staring them down every time I see one for a few weeks now. I'm tempted. Not tempted enough to get one of course, but tempted enough to ponder them and wonder if I wear enough tightly tailored clothes to get away with a bouncing, rounded bucket by my side. 

According to The Art of Dress, the legendary Bonnie Cashin, of Coach in the 1960s, sent out bucket bags that made it into Vogue, but apparently the real origins of our modern version might lie with rationing during WWII and the urge for a more practical bag inspired by duffels. So let's take a peek!

Tribute Tuesday: Jan Pieńkowski

Jan Pienkowski is a Polish-British author and illustrator of children's books. He was born in 1936 and is now an 80 year old man living in the U.K. I stumbled across some of his work the other day and couldn't believe I'd never seen it before. 

Celebrations: 2017 Dawns

I am not the host of tonight's New Year's Eve Party, which means it was easy and pressure free to throw together some ideas for a fun celebration. When in doubt, I always think black and gold are the way to go. Plus, I'll tell you what my 2017 Resolutions are!

Littles: Parisian Chic

Littles: Parisian Chic by buildingcamelot featuring semi flush ceiling lights

I've seen a lot of really glamorous rooms for a little girl recently, but a lot of them are a bit too princess or a bit too old Hollywood for me. I thought that this black/white/gold/pink space was a fun departure into the elegant while still appropriate for a little girl instead of some weird Mariah Carey stuff.

Fashion: Return of the Monarch

Alexander McQueen (RIP) was a well known fashion god, working in an entirely different realm than the competition, and bringing the outlandish to life with poise. I ran across some photos of his Monarch pieces the other day, and was just floored.

Fashion: Backless Dresses

Things are getting racier by the minute in fashion with women wearing sheer drapes of fabric over bodysuits and cut outs from the collarbones to the navel. 

Littles: On the Highest Mountain Top

Littles: Mountain Top by buildingcamelot featuring Cost Plus World Market

You probably won't notice, but I kind of pushed myself here. I thought the giant, circular bookcase was a really bold piece that could grow with a child. I wasn't sure about that big circle with all the triangular mountains, but I kind of like the contrast.

Fashion: Birds of Prey

There's a beautiful superstition that feathers are a sign from heaven. There is something divine about the gift of flight and all those hollow bones, so its not an unreasonable connection. Feather/bird pieces feel difficult to wear on an average day, which is kind of unfortunate. These pieces somehow merge the romantic and the powerful, and it's so nice to see rich texture on display against a world of polyester and leather.

Fashion Crush Friday: Jamie Chung

So I've got to be honest, besides playing Mulan on Once Upon a Time (umm yeah, I'm a Captain Swan shipper, what of it?) I really wasn't sure what else Jamie Chung had done. She married a minor character from One Tree Hill, and she might've once been on a reality show, but beyond that I'm pretty unclear. However, after seeing a few paparazzi photos of her, I realized that the girl had serious style. It's been a while since we looked at street style instead of Red Carpet looks, so I thought she deserved a shout out. 

Decorating the Nest: Old Brass Beds

For something so sturdy, there's something really indulgent about brass beds. On the one hand, they're definitely old fashioned and a bit country cottage. Yet at the same time there's something very weighty and masculine about their presence. They seem to age a room up significantly, and they never strike me as trendy or as a piece that you would need to lose next time you remodeled. 

Taking a Second Look: Extend Those Sleeves

Bell sleeves weren't really a thing for quite some time now, and boy are they coming back for a resurgence. They add such fantastic drama to the silhouette, and I love the way that they border the line between girlish and chic. I have a  slightly similar black cocktail dress to Karlie's and I feel like a superstar when I wear it.

Fashion Crush Friday: Hannah Bagshaw

I was much more conflicted about this one than usual, simply because Hannah Bagshaw is famous through no real intention of her own. She is the charming wife of British actor Eddie Redmayne, and with his recent award winning streak and the upcoming launch of Harry Potter's Fantastic Beasts, the Redmaynes are on carpets galore.