M.A. Belle: December 2008

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

My Favorite Things

Ever wonder how Ruthie Sommers likes to spend the holidays? Or Charlotte Moss' favorite book? Or, err, my favorite Christmas song? Well you're in luck! Head on over to All the Best and check out the 'My Favorite Things' profiles. Here's a few of my favorite things above ;)

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Inspiration: Erwin Olaf

Photo: Hope 5 by Erwin Olaf, as seen in Erwin Olaf

Lately I've been inspired by photographer and filmmaker Erwin Olaf, so I thought I'd share an image I styled with Patrick Cline as a mini shout-out to the cover of Olaf's latest book! While our photo is certainly true to Patrick's own style of photography, lighting and brilliant depth of field, my styling was inspired by the color palette, rich textures and shapes found on the front cover of Olaf's new book. It's also a little shout-out to two of my favorite companies: J. Crew (the shoes!) and Williams Sonoma Home. (My greek key rug!) In early January our work will finally be available to purchase online, (yippie!) so please stay tuned ;)

Photo: Patrick Cline

The Family at Home

Photos: Penny Wincer

Every year around Christmastime I tend to get extra sentimental about...well, everything! I'm heading home tomorrow to spend the holidays with my family, so I thought I'd do a post about families. Today while I was out holiday shopping at the Shabby Chic store in SoHo, I stumbled upon a book called The Family at Home, by Anita Kaushal and absolutely fell in love with the photography, style and message. Kaushal asserts that homes should be designed to function as seamlessly for stylish grown-ups as they do for growing children. She shows how you can design rooms that are highly creative and inviting for children yet also sophisticated and relaxing for adults. While I'm years away from starting a family of my own, this book made me smile because it's exactly how I envision my own home to be one day. So enjoy :)

Friday, December 12, 2008

A little inspiration

Last week I picked up a copy of the Coach Madison Edition catalog, and found myself drooling over the photography, inspiration boards and interviews! Bravo. Here's some of my favorite images (click to enlarge)...

Ok, how cool is she!

Monday, December 8, 2008

M.A. Belle's Eco-friendly Gift Guide

Photo: Patrick Cline for Rubie Green
Happy holidays everybody! Here's twenty of my favorite gift ideas, and proof that style and sustainability can coexist ;)

1. Banana Republic Faux Fur Muffler $98 (I'm obsessed with it, and it's so convincingly real-looking that I'm almost worried I'll get paint thrown at me!;) 2. Hanes Organic cotton tank $10, 3. eBay Vintage clip-on earrings ~$10 (currently my favorite accessory!), 4. eBay Vintage costume jewelry ~$10, 5. Foley + Corinna Recycled coffee bean sack tote (waiting for this puppy to be back in stock!), 6. Feral Childe Stripey Skirt $105 socially responsible and locally made (and amazingly beautiful!)

7. Dirty Librarian Media Bracelet $100 custom made from entirely vintage materials! 8. Paperdoll Triangulator jacket $180 socially responsible and locally made, 9. Branch Papier-Mâché Bird $46 made from recycled cement bags by fair wage artisans in Haiti, 10. Pottery Barn Organic Spa Robe $99, 11. 44 Knots Crab Tote $99 Made in the US of 100% recycled vintage sailcloth, 12. West Elm Organic Snow Leopard Towels $10-20 (hurry, they're on sale!)

13. Vidreco Recycled Glass Pedestal Bowl $61, 14. Rubie Green East Village fabric $90/yard, 15. Ortolan Organic Fishnet Pillow $110, 16. Virginia Johnson Elephants Shawl $210 made of eco-friendly silk screened wool, 17. Branch Embroidered Pillow $98 "The collective that manufactures these pillows works to preserve traditional Romanian handicrafts while providing jobs for women that allow them to stay home and raise their children." 18. Rubie Green Jackie fabric $90/yard, 19. Butter London 3 Free Lacquer $12 made free of Formaldehyde Toluene and DBP, 20. Pottery Barn Water Lily Tray $20 made in collaboration with SurEvolution.