M.A. Belle

Visit me at the new Lonny Mag blog!

2010-09-15T21:48:00.004-04:00

Hello guys! As I'm sure you've noticed, it's been a loooonnng time since I've posted on MA Belle! (Sorry about that...) The good news is that our team at Lonny has been hard at work designing our new website, and you can now find me on our brand new blog!

Each week we will feature posts from our Lonny editors, contributors and staff as well as guest bloggers! Be sure to check out our bios here, and as always, I cannot thank you enough for your incredible support. xxMA

Happy Earth Day!

2010-04-22T08:58:00.008-04:00

Photo: Patrick Cline for Lonny Photo

So I decided today is probably a good time to end my blogging hiatus, as it's the 40th anniversary of Earth Day!! At the moment, Patrick and I are in Sea Island, Georgia, shooting a Bunny Williams project for the June/July issue of Lonny, so although this will be a quick post I'll leave you with some great tips on how to make your home more eco-friendly right HERE ;) More to come soon! xxMA

February Lonny has arrived!

2010-02-10T03:27:00.020-05:00

May the virtual champagne bottles begin popping! February Lonny has arrived ;)

Hellooo!

2010-02-07T10:57:00.009-05:00

Photo: Patrick Cline for Rubie Green

Hello! Ok so I admit, every time I sit down to blog I end up working on Lonny instead!! So I apologize that it's been awhile, but I assure you it will be worth the wait come February 10th when we launch our third issue ;) Our team has been working around the clock (in fact we're all here in our new midtown office as we speak!) and we're about 27 soy lattes away from hitting publish and finally sharing our hard work with you :) Can't wait!! In the meantime, I thought I'd share with you a few side projects I've been working on, such as the new Rubie Green photography from Paris (!) which will be launching soon, as well as some fun eco-product picks from Design Milk and The Daily Obsession below.

via Design Milk

via The Daily Obsession

I also recently tried my hand at styling for Vogue Bambini alongside photographer Drew Sackheim, and was thrilled to finally see the story in print in the December issue! Known for his work in kids fashion, Sackheim has been said to capture the "in-between moments, effectively bridging the gap between subject, environment and artist.” Having never worked on a shoot with children prior to this, I soon realized that these "in-between moments" are precisely the time when the best imagery is captured. Some of my favorites of Drew's work can be found here . Lastly, I recently moved into a new apartment and have been scouring every flea market and thrift shop known to mankind!! My biggest feat so far has been this vintage bamboo armoire, which had a price tag hidden deep inside of it for $2,625 from an antique shop in upstate New York, but yet it was sold to me at Housing Works here in the city for a mere $365! I physically wrapped my body around it and begged Ellie to run and grab a "sold" sticker for me (haha) and have been enjoying it ever since. Can't wait to show you more in our April "green" issue of Lonny ;)

The December issue of Lonny has arrived!

2009-12-10T07:46:00.015-05:00

Photos: Patrick Cline for Lonny magazine

After two months of anticipation we are so proud and excited to finally launch our December issue!! We hope you enjoy reading it as much as we enjoyed creating it :)

Photo: Miguel Flores-Vianna

Photo: Amanda Marsalis
Photo: Amanda Marsalis

May the Lonny countdown begin...

2009-12-09T11:20:00.006-05:00

Photo by Patrick Cline for Lonny magazine

So it turns out there's a pretty good reason why I've been M.I.A for the past few weeks! Our team has been working around the clock to bring you our December issue of Lonny, launching in a mere 18 hours. We cannot wait to share it with you and hear your feedback ;)

Land's End Canvas

2009-11-12T10:39:00.010-05:00

Last night I went to a preview for Land's End and was excited to check out their newest collection, Canvas. Referred to as a "new chapter in a storied brand," Canvas offers classic wardrobe staples at wallet friendly prices. I'm loving the photography and of course the beautiful red haired model (who actually looks a lot like my friend Mandi who modeled for Rubie Green!) so be sure to stop on by and check it out here.

eBay's Inside Source

2009-11-11T12:22:00.004-05:00

Just last week, eBay launched a new website called the Inside Source where they highlight fashion, home decor and pop culture trends (and of course tie in some great auctions along the way;) So when they caught wind of our recent trip to Paris, they asked me to hunt down some treasures on eBay that capture the feel of the famous Paris flea markets! So I had some fun with this one :) and you can feel free to check out my picks here, but you better hurry because I think I'm bidding on the painting (it's only $19.99? What?!)

Gwyneth loves Lonny!

2009-11-05T11:37:00.004-05:00

Another big WOW and a very special thank you to Gwyneth Paltrow and her team at GOOP for featuring Lonny in Gwyneth's latest newsletter! Needless to say, we're ecstatic and insanely appreciative :)

Lonny magazine in Vanity Fair!

2009-11-04T17:07:00.006-05:00

WOW! I'm honestly speechless and am not quite sure how to express our excitement and appreciation for having just been given a full page in the December issue of Vanity Fair! To think that Pat and I literally conceptualized our magazine one night at Chili's and now it's in Vanity Fair (??!!) feels both surreal and incredible, and we cannot thank Punch Hutton, Graydon Carter and the entire team at VF enough for their support and generosity. We also want to thank the blogging community once again for helping us spread the word, which made this all possible in the first place. Thank you.

New Brand Arts site!

2009-11-04T15:31:00.015-05:00

Some exciting news! I wanted to let you all know that my Lonny co-founder and partner in crime Patrick Cline has recently expanded his own company Brand Arts into a full service photography agency! In addition to professional photography, retouching, exhibition printing and scanning, Brand Arts now represents photographers and videographers such as Ryan Dixon, Derin Thorpe and Erica Hill. Be sure to take a look at their work on his new site, and keep your eyes peeled for a collaboration in the December issue of Lonny ;)

Lonny magazine launch party at Ochre

2009-11-04T12:43:00.022-05:00

Illustration: Caitlin McGauley for Lonny

So I promise I'll quit it with the party photos, but first I want to share the Lonny launch party with you! On October 15th we partnered up with Sullivan Street Bakery, For Your Party and Two Oceans Wine to toast the launch of our premiere issue at one of my favorite shops, Ochre! With a packed house of nearly 250 guests, Pat and I were floored to say the least. So take a peek below and if you'd like, check out the full album here ;)

Rubie Green in Traditional Home

2009-10-28T16:42:00.009-04:00

Photo: Squire Fox

For the past few weeks I've been stalking my favorite newsstand, hunting for the November issue of Traditional Home. So I'm pleased to say that it has arrived, and I'm confident that designer Lizzie Bailey will completely blow you away with her green bedroom designed for the Hampton Designer Showhouse! (See my previous post here). I finally had the chance to meet Lizzie in person at my Rubie Green party, and let's just say I think I have a style crush ;) (Need. that. faux. leopard. coat!!)

(let's pretend I'm standing up straight in this photo...)

Rubie Green party at Calypso Home

2009-10-28T15:33:00.023-04:00

Photos: Emily Searle

Hello all! I wanted to share some pics from my recent Rubie Green event at Calypso Home in Soho! Our favorite gals Melissa and Angela from Ruby Press were in town for a week so we hosted an eco-friendly soirée for editors, bloggers and designers complete with organic wines and goodies. We also previewed some new Rubie Green pillows and small bags as well as our new colorways which will be available in the next couple months! I'll be sure to keep you posted, but for now please take a sneak peek below ;)

Calling all interns!

2009-10-23T01:23:00.002-04:00

Photo: Kate Spade ad

Ok so I admit: I can't stop thinking about work while on vacation! But I'm excited to let you all know that I'm looking for a new Rubie Green intern and will be interviewing candidates when I return! Ideally I'd love to work with somebody who is passionate about design, and excited to learn and help with everything from the mundane stuff (mailing swatches, running errands etc.) to the more exciting tasks such as helping out on photo shoots and design work! Knowledge in photoshop/illustrator for textile design is a definite plus, as is a great sense of humor ;) The position will be unpaid (sorry :( but you'll learn a lot and will be introduced to a ton of great contacts!) and I'm looking for somebody who can work at least three days per week. So if you have any interest or questions, please email me at rubieintern@gmail.com

Lonny goes to Paris!

2009-10-21T09:43:00.004-04:00

Photo: ad for Miss Dior Cherie

Bonjour! After a busy week of party planning and Lonny production, Patrick and I decided to sneak off to Paris for a bit of r&r and photography ;) Hard at work on issue number two, we're excited to share with you our travel style guide as well as some spectacular Parisian interiors! At the moment it's pouring rain so I'm curled up in my hotel bed eating macaroons (seriously. can't. stop. myself!) and daydreaming about tomorrow when it's sunny and we can rent bikes...

Photo: Asha Fuller for Miss Dior Cherie

For the record

2009-10-09T14:08:00.004-04:00

Over the past few months as word of Lonny has spread, kind bloggers and journalists worldwide have given me some very amazing, but very undeserved titles in reference to my former position at domino. As I've stated in interviews and here on my blog, I was the low man on the totem pole, a "market assistant," working under senior market editors Kate Townsend and Tori Mellott. At first I giggled when articles popped up stating that I was the former "market editor" or "stylist" and even once calling me the "marketING editor" (um, what the heck is that?!) but as these titles begin to appear on more and more sites I just want to make it clear that I was the little guy, and I'm damn proud of it ;)

Entertaining with eco-style

2009-10-08T12:03:00.005-04:00

In the midst of all things Lonny, I have also been working with my favorite gals over at Ruby Press to host an eco-soiree for Rubie Green! We've partnered up with Calypso Home to offer a night of stylish eco-tips, organic wines, shopping and some killer eco-friendly gift bags ;) If you'd like to join us next Tuesday, October 13th, simply stop by coco + kelley and let us know your favorite tips on decorating and entertaining with both style and the environment in mind! We've got seven tickets to give away to our favorite eco gals (and dudes) so I hope to see you there ;)

Thank you

2009-10-08T11:38:00.005-04:00

Lanterns by Caitlin McGauley for Lonny magazine

Well hello blogging buddies! It has officially been one week since the launch of Lonny, and I think it's a grand understatement to say that our team is floored. The past week has been one of the most exciting (and admittedly exhausting) weeks of my entire life as we've listened to the incredible outpour of feedback, met with designers, advertisers and press, all of whom are just as excited as us to watch Lonny grow and develop in the following months. In the meantime, I just wanted to take a moment to let you all know how truly thankful we are for your feedback and support. We've heard the good, (and trust me we've heard the bad;), and all in all we are completely blown away with appreciation. Thank you all for taking the time to check out our little project and to let us know your thoughts. Your feedback is essential to our growth, and we hope that we can continue to inspire you in months to come :)

Introducing: Lonny magazine

2009-09-30T21:09:00.022-04:00

Deborah Needleman's garden as photographed by Patrick Cline for Lonny magazine

After four months of meetings, photo shoots, styling, web programming and endless amounts of editing, we couldn't be more proud to finally share Lonny with you! When Pat and I came up with this idea last June (admittedly while at Chilis...my favorite!), we weren't sure if we could realistically pull it off since we literally didn't have a penny to spend on its execution. But the next day when I started calling my old domino buddies and spreading the word, Pat and I were absolutely floored by our response. Within a matter of weeks we had managed to get everything from the film to the writing donated by people who believed in what we were trying to achieve. (We even borrowed my parent's car so we'd have one for our photo shoots!) So while we definitely realize there's room for improvement ("get the look" pages would be great, "similar-to" sources, etc) our team is filled with pride and excitement as we share our premiere issue with you. We want to sincerely thank the blogging community for helping us spread the word to make this possible.

When you visit the mag, be sure to first allow the issue to load, and then take a moment to familiarize yourself with the toolbar options. The fullscreen mode is the easiest for viewing, and you'll find that you can zoom in pretty darn close to take a peek into our pages! Please let us know your thoughts, as we're looking forward to growing with you. ;) editors@lonnymag.com

Kate Simpson's pup Kingston! Pretty sure I want to steal him and the chair he's sitting on...

This is one of my favorite shots from the mag, Kate's powder room!

Eddie Ross's stunning dining room. Be sure to check his Etsy shop where he sells many of the items found in this photo!

A tailored and sexy bedroom designed by my good friend Ron Marvin

Loving Kate's living room bookshelves

Another favorite shot from Ron Marvin's story

Beautifully styled shelving in Eddie's master bathroom. Eddie found the shelf on the street, and filled it with treasures from the flea market (along with oh-so-functional necessities such as cotton balls and q-tips;)

Another favorite- Eddie's bedroom. The bag is vintage Saks that Eddie found for a whopping $7!

Priceless, and such a great example of Eddie's talented eye

Grace Bonney's beautiful new headboard! Pat and I had such a great time shooting her home- she couldn't be more down to earth and fun :)

Grace's closet and her beautiful Opening Ceremony coat

Another one of my favorite photos- Deborah Needleman's incredibly peaceful backyard and pool

Lovely shot of tomatoes in Deborah's garden. She and her kids pick fresh vegetables each night to make dinner in their Garrison, NY home.

A cozy seating area next to Deborah's front door

Loving this bedroom designed by Leonora Mahle! The colors are soothing and I like that she chose eco-friendly ducduc furniture

Pookie!! Carolina Irving's faithful companion ;)

Love the pattern on pattern in Carolina's living room

And finally an artist at work, Carolina's paints and color swatches for designing her textiles

Now quit looking at these and go check out the mag!! ;) Hope you have as much fun reading it as we did creating it.

Lonny magazine in Women's Wear Daily!

2009-09-22T03:04:00.005-04:00

WOW! I am so proud to announce that our little grassroots project has been picked up by Women's Wear Daily, both in print and online! THANK YOU WWD!! I'm also excited because I get to share another sneak peek Lonny photo with you of Deborah Needleman in her Garrison, NY garden! Deborah has always fascinated me because she's simultaneously one of the most innately talented and genuinely kind people I've ever known. We're excited to share her full story with you on our October 1st launch.

Deborah Needleman as photographed by Patrick Cline for Lonny magazine

More Lonny love!

2009-09-18T22:07:00.002-04:00

One for Patrick and one for me ;) Thanks again guys. We cannot wait...

Lonny mag update!

2009-09-16T23:26:00.006-04:00

So it seems the press got a hold of our temporary mock-up cover (err, oops!) so I figured it's probably time to go ahead and give you a sneak peek of the real one! For the past few months we've been working with our wildly talented team: writer Shawn Gauthier, illustrator Caitlin McGauley and graphic designer Michelle Roque, to bring you nearly 200 pages of original content this fall. Our features include Deborah Needleman, (amazing...just you wait...!) Carolina Irving, Eddie Ross and more of your favorites! (Don't want to spoil it ALL now!) We're excited to hear your feedback on our October 1st launch.

Lonny mag on AOL's ShelterPop!

2009-09-16T19:40:00.005-04:00

As we're inching closer to our October 1st launch, Pat and I are continually floored by the Lonny magazine articles popping up online, as well as the supportive posts from bloggers like you! We cannot thank you enough for your help spreading the word, and we couldn't be more excited to share our premiere issue with you in a mere fifteen days! In the meantime, be sure to visit ShelterPop to learn more about our upcoming features, and thanks again ;)

Rubie Green in Boho + Modern Bride!

2009-09-16T19:11:00.006-04:00

Thanks Boho and Modern Bride!

How clever!

2009-09-04T10:44:00.005-04:00

Last night while I was working on a design project, I stumbled across this at the Pottery Barn! It's a little frame raiser that allows certain frames to protrude from the wall for easy layering when creating a gallery wall. (Notice above the 5 and the 9) How clever!

Vintage suzanis on Etsy!

2009-08-28T21:26:00.011-04:00

On a more serious design note, my good friend Victoria sent along a link tonight that I'm thrilled to share with you! Etsy shop owners Clare Watters and Martha Henry founded Material Recovery this summer to breathe new life into antique embroidered textiles from Central Asia! Their prices are unbelievable and their fabrics couldn't be more stunning. If you happen to be in Texas this fall, be sure to check out the Material Recovery booth at the Marburger Farm Antique Show from September 29th-October 3rd.

Yes, I seriously just bought this...

2009-08-28T20:53:00.003-04:00

It was a mere $10 at Velocity Art & Design and it made me laugh immediately. Imagine how ridiculous he will look framed in something super serious- like a proper vintage oil painting frame or a fancy silver frame, tucked in with important family photos and memorabilia. (This is the kind of thing that would make my mom roll her eyes at me, thus further validating my decision to purchase;) To check out some of his friends, click here

Lonny magazine on Facebook!

2009-08-19T23:01:00.003-04:00

Become a fan and visit our site!

Diane Bergeron & Rubie Green in Vogue Living!

2009-08-17T21:41:00.021-04:00

Ok so I apologize for having two Diane posts in a row, but I had no idea that her feature in Vogue Living would be published so soon! And I also had no idea that Rubie Green would be a part of it :D So without further ado...

...I'm kiiiiiind of obsessed with this room, and pretty much convinced that Diane is a genius! When she moved to Melbourne she was smart enough to purchase an industrial warehouse in a hip part of town, and renovate it to meet the needs of her family of four. In her daughter Annis's room above, Diane balances out the industrial feel with upholstered walls, soft bedding and a vintage chandelier! Perfection. (And wow, what a cool room for a teenager! Hi Annis and Coco;)

In the master bedroom, Diane achieves the same balance by draping gray silk along a concrete wall and adding soft rugs, throws and toss pillows. Loving the high ceilings and upholstered headboard too! The breezy Hampton's-esque master bath looks stunning against the modern backdrop of her city home. Upstairs, the Diane Bergeron Interiors showroom!Like many of us, Diane has a small obsession with J. Crew, so she has friends and family ship it to her in Australia! Smart lady ;) (Great top DB!)Isn't her home spectacular?! Be sure to check out the full article here. Thanks again DB and Vogue Living!

Express yourself

2009-08-11T23:23:00.004-04:00

Photo: Rodger Cummins

Tonight while I was taking a little break from work, I headed on over to Diane Bergeron's blog and found an article where she gives some fantastic decorating advice! She explains that her philosophy on decorating is that people should express themselves in their space rather than decorating based on the style of the home they live in, or based on current trends in the market. "...you want people to know what you're about when they walk into your home, and feel like they might know you a little better." I couldn't agree more, and I thought it might be a nice reminder for those of you who are currently working on decorating projects:) If you'd like to check out the article click here, and for more pics of Diane's beautiful home click here ;) (Ps, hi Diane and Belinda!!)

Rubie Green in the Hampton Designer Showhouse!

2009-08-06T01:15:00.005-04:00

Photos: Courtesy of Elizabeth Bailey

So I've been drooling over these photos for the past week and tonight I finally got the OK to share them with you!! The wildly talented designer is Ms. Elizabeth Bailey, who graduated from Parsons last year and designed this eco-friendly bedroom (yes, I said eco-friendly!) for a design contest sponsored by Traditional Home! I couldn't be more thrilled that she chose to include Rubie Green's East Village fabric in pink! If you live in the area, you can check it out for yourself until September 6th at the Hampton Designer Showhouse, otherwise be sure to stop by Habitually Chic for ongoing coverage of the home ;) Thanks again Lizzie!

(go rubie, go!)

In all seriousness...

2009-08-06T00:53:00.004-04:00

I want these.

Moody Monday

2009-08-03T10:20:00.007-04:00

Photos: Polly Wreford

This morning while scrolling through Tobi Fairley's blog I discovered photographer Polly Wreford and completely fell in love with Polly's saturated colors and moody florals. Enjoy :)

Pssst...

2009-08-03T10:12:00.001-04:00

For a mini Lonny update, head on over to the Supermelon ;)

Effortless style at Ladybird

2009-07-23T18:05:00.005-04:00

Photos via Ladybird

For any gal who's ever tried on every single item in her wardrobe only to toss it on the floor in a big "no way!" pile, this post is for you ;) As some of you may recall from a previous post, my good friend Allison is the proud owner of Ladybird in Columbus, Ohio! So I wanted to let you all know that she now has a website and a blog where she posts photos of her newest shipments, carefully styled in Allison's signature effortless chic fashion. Although her website is not yet e-commerce, Allison happily accepts phone orders and even takes requests for vintage finds, so don't be afraid to call with your fashion emergencies ;)

Introducing: Lonny magazine

2009-07-21T09:35:00.007-04:00

Kate Townsend-Simpson as photographed by Patrick Cline for Lonny

In a time when shelter publications are turning their last pages...

OUR MISSION is to reopen the doors of accessible design. By embracing an online platform we provide inspiration at the click of a finger, directly connecting our readers to their favorite products and resources. Our freedom from page limits means that we can share more content in each issue, delivering an intimate look into the way people really live.
At Lonny, we value independent thinking and believe not in following trends but rather in making choices that lead to happiness. We believe that good design and affordable design can coexist and that true inspiration can be found in the teeniest of homes or in the grandest of spaces.

Coming Fall 2009 ;)

J. Crew Fall '09 Collection

2009-07-18T19:44:00.010-04:00

Even though it's blazing hot outside, I can't wait to get my paws on the new J. Crew fall catalog! Until then, here's some of my favorite photos from the Fall '09 Collection Lookbook. (sorry for the bad scans- for some reason this is the best I could get them;)

Zzz

2009-07-09T04:33:00.008-04:00

Photo: Patrick Cline

For the past few nights I've been a complete insomniac, awake at the strangest hours wondering what's going on, and pondering silly things like whether to redecorate my bedroom for the umpteenth time, whether I paid my electricity bill, how I'm ever going to fit all my clothes inside my teeny closet, etc. So tonight as I lay restlessly in bed trying to think cozy thoughts, I was reminded of this photo that Patrick took of the John Derian store down in the east village. We were out shooting one day just as it was starting to get dark, and I dragged Pat over to East 2nd Street and crossed my fingers that his photo would do the shop justice. Sure enough it did :) It's one of my favorite shops to visit on gloomy days because of the soft warm lighting and endless curiosities. So tonight while the rest of you are sleeping, I'll continue to count sheep...and bulldog decoupage plates, old love letters, red seaweed, the usual ;)

Special Announcement {Lonny magazine}

2009-06-30T22:21:00.007-04:00

Tonight is an incredibly exciting night for both myself and my business partner Patrick Cline, as we've got a p r e t t y big announcement for you ;) Over the past six months as we've all watched our favorite shelter and lifestyle publications come to an end, it has left design lovers worldwide longing for inspiration and wondering what's next for the world of magazines. So Patrick and I decided to do something about it. As a special treat for you, we've rounded up some of your favorite (and boy do I mean favorite!) editors, designers, artists, bloggers and friends, and in September, 2009 we will be launching our premiere issue of an online decorating and lifestyle magazine called Lonny. Please be sure to spread the word, and check back in the coming weeks as we share with you our first ever cover shoot, and more details about the mag ;)

Summer love

2009-06-10T23:30:00.004-04:00

Ok so perhaps I'm just itching to go on a European vacation and fall in love, but here's another video that made my hair stand on end :) It's actually a film made from 4,500 still photographs (brilliant!) and I found it on I Heart Luxe.

Thank you (so much!!) and credits :)

2009-06-10T22:42:00.003-04:00

Hello! And wow, I don't even know HOW to say thank you enough for all the amazing comments I've received in the past few days! I'm honestly floored, and a tad embarrassed...! Thank you thank you THANK YOU!! I've received quite a few questions about various goodies in my apartment so I did a little summary above :) Thanks again- I can't tell you how much I appreciate it.

Left to right: I love NY more than ever by Milton Glaser, East Village by Rubie Green, Lenda by Ikea (I used clip rings to tuck the tab tops since I like classic pole pocket drapes better;) Peekaboo coffee table by CB2, Silver Half Dollar paint by Benjamin Moore's Natura collection, Estate window hardware by Restoration Hardware (I scored mine at the RH outlet for a whopping $35!), and Painting People by Charlotte Mullins.

A peek inside my home via Real Living

2009-06-04T18:58:00.012-04:00

Photos: Patrick Cline for Lonny

For the past few months I've been dying to show you photos of my teeny East Harlem home, and tonight I couldn't be more thrilled to finally do so! When I met up with the kind and talented Real Living team on my recent trip to Australia, I told them all about my current decorating project: a low budget home makeover featuring eco-friendly paints, vintage finds and sustainable materials! They soon hired Patrick Cline to photograph the story, and finally three months later voila- here it is in print! I hope you like it :) and feel free to click here to see the full article ;)

A very special thank you to Real Living and Patrick Cline for making this happen, and Diane & Belinda for sending me the article (or rather a giant box of them...)!

Tastemaker's Tag Sale

2009-05-08T14:42:00.003-04:00

For those of you in town tomorrow, you're in for a real treat! Former domino editors Tom Delavan and Dara Caponigro are hosting a tastemaker's tag sale with their editor and designer friends that will occupy 1,500 square feet of Tom's Greenwich Village townhouse! As announced in the New York Times, "Former Domino contributors like Rita Konig will also be turning out their storerooms, as will Wendy Goodman, the design editor of New York magazine; Brian Sawyer, an architect; and interior decorators like Katie Ridder and Tom Flynn, among many others. Deborah Needleman, who was Domino’s editor in chief, will be bringing clothes — a wardrobe that includes Lanvin, Prada and Chloé, she said, “fancy party frocks from a nice former life I happily don’t have anymore.” I'm semi devastated that I'll be out of town until Monday!! (why oh why?!) For those of you who are around, be sure to stop by and take pics ;) Saturday, May 9, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at 13 West Ninth Street (Fifth Avenue), garden apartment; cash only.

Currently loving...

2009-05-08T00:20:00.000-04:00

All the Best + Vicente Wolf

2009-05-05T12:32:00.020-04:00

For anybody who's ever wished they were able to experience gallery openings in Manhattan, I want to introduce you to the clever new partnership between All the Best and Vicente Wolf. The idea behind their partnership is to use Ronda's blog as a way to showcase Vicente's photography exhibits, and to make them available to purchase worldwide. In a recent post, Ronda writes, "In discussing the exceptional opportunities for partnerships between bloggers, designers and artists, Vicente, Susan Moolman and I were struck by the idea that people all over the globe can now discover artists’ work in ways that simply were not possible even 10 years ago." I share her same enthusiasm and am excited to show you some photos of the event and Vicente's Manhattan showroom!

Vicente Wolf

I love how Vicente chose to keep the walls white in his showroom. I'm a huge fan of black and white photography on white walls. Thomas O'Brien is another designer who often does this too ;)

Here's a pic of Ronda (so great to see you!), my good friend Michael Devine and me!

For more photos of the event, be sure to stop by All the Best, The Devine Life and Tobi Farley's blog!

Rubie Green on the Bright Side Project!

2009-05-05T12:16:00.007-04:00

I wanted to let you all know that I've partnered up with the Bright Side Project once again (thanks Tristan!) and will be offering one lucky winner 1 sheet set of your choice for answering this thoroughly complex question: Who was your first crush? Haha. I'm such a hopeless romantic (I'm sure my friends are rolling their eyes while reading this...) that I thought the answers would be fun to read through ;) I'm already up to 230 first crush stories and there's still time to add yours and enter by this Thursday! While scanning through them I spotted one that made me laugh since her first crush was Macaulay Culkin. So was mine! Although I think I simultaneously had a crush on Michael Jackson, so clearly I was not to be taken seriously...

Photo credits

2009-05-05T11:56:00.005-04:00

Photo: Patrick Cline for Rubie Green

Hi all! I've received quite a few inquiries from my last post, so I thought I'd pass along the following credit info ;) Dress: Kate Spade. I bought it for 75% off in January! You'd be surprised how often great pieces are heavily discounted over at KS. In the meantime, be sure to take advantage of their 20% off coupon valid from now until September 30th! Chair: Vintage chair from Chairloom, upholstered in East Village pink by Rubie Green. Model: My good friend Amy Crandall :) Stunning.

Happy Earth Day!

2009-04-22T11:15:00.011-04:00

Photo: Patrick Cline for Rubie Green

Happy Earth Day to my friends in all corners of the world! I wanted to share something fun and green with you today, so I decided to give you a little sneak peek of my new apartment! As a few of you have already guessed, I had been working with domino magazine (sniff) on an eco-friendly makeover of my little Spanish Harlem home, but after they folded I decided to continue the project on my own, with a much lower budget of course. I'd love to show you the whole thing, but for now I have to wait just a tad longer. Let's just say I've got a few tricks up my sleeve ;)

The inspiration for my new home was the J.K. Capri, but in a sort of 'J.K. meets twenty something Manhattan gal' kind of way ;) When I visited the hotel last summer I was seriously taken by the tranquil color palette and the sophisticated layering of art, photography, books and accessories. If you haven't seen the photos from my original post, click here. It's honestly my favorite post of all time, and I cannot think of a single space that makes me more happy.

To get the J.K. look in an eco-friendly way, I chose Benjamin Moore's new Natura paint which has zero VOC's and is completely odorless! I was thrilled when the line was recently released because it's a great example of how powerful the green movement has become. Just two years ago when I was working on the green issue of domino, we were literally unable to find conventional paints without VOC's! Many forward thinking brands at the time had offered low VOC options, but it wasn't until recently that these new zero emission paints have become widely available. I chose a soft grey for my living room called Silver Half Dollar, and a navy for my office called Kensington Blue. Both look stunning paired with white moldings and furniture and colorful accessories, as is the case in the J.K. below.

Lastly I wanted to send a warm thank you to all my readers and Rubie Green fans in Australia! I continue to be absolutely blown away by the overwhelmingly positive response I have received from down under, and I am working hard to find a way to ship our bedding to you in the future. In the meantime, thank you thank you thank you for your support and your incredible enthusiasm, and a very special thanks to Home Beautiful for including me in the Eco-Chic section of the May issue :) Go green!

'Tis the season

2009-04-09T23:19:00.010-04:00

Kate Townsend-Simpson photographed by Max Kim-Bee for Brides

As the weather starts to get warmer and the trees begin to blossom, it feels like love is in the air :) A few of my good friends just got engaged this week (congrats Elana + Bret and Amanda + Alex!!) and I myself am heading to a wedding in Jamaica next weekend! While pondering what to wear in 95 degree weather (no complaints!) I was reminded of an old story from Brides magazine featuring my former boss at domino, Kate Townsend-Simpson! I remember we were sitting in the office one day chatting, and she mentioned that her wedding was published, so I ran back to my desk and googled it and my jaw dropped when I found it. Wow! Kate looks stunning.

For more photos and close-up detail shots, be sure to check out the full story here. As for me, although I'm years away from even thinking about marriage, I couldn't help but fall in love with this dress from J. Crew! I spotted it tonight while searching for something to wear next weekend, and found myself wishing I could dance around in it the whole night instead ;) (dear j. crew, please keep this dress in stock forever. sincerely, michelle.)

Piggy Post!

2009-04-07T14:43:00.009-04:00

Photo: Patrick Cline for Lonny

On Sunday Patrick and I headed out to Long Island in search of some sheep to photograph for Lonny! But when we arrived at the farm we couldn't help but fall in love with the baby piglets instead!! Although I'm from Michigan and have certainly seen my fair share of farms, I had never seen a baby pig and had no clue how cute they are! They look like little French bulldogs with funny noses, and they like to race around, climb on each other, and then regroup for mini naps. (like in the photo below!) Click here if you'd like to see some more ;)

Rubie Green in Daily Candy!

2009-04-03T09:13:00.004-04:00

I am so pleased to announce that Rubie Green is featured in the everywhere edition of Daily Candy today!! Needless to say, our site is moving like molasses from all the traffic, so please bear with us and try back later if it's moving too slowly :) Thanks DC!

I'm also incredibly excited to announce that I am now working with Ruby Press! (Rubie Green and Ruby Press- how funny is that!) I first met the gals at RP when I was working at domino, and honestly couldn't imagine a more perfect fit for my company. Be sure to check out their blog, and be prepared to leave it with about ten million new bookmarks on your computer! (Seriously, they find the coolest things on earth;)

Kate Spade Fall 2009

2009-04-02T02:52:00.006-04:00

Photo: Anders Overgaard for Harper's Bazaar via Diane Bergeron's The DB Files

Last week during our big bedding launch I was pretty much glued to my office chair, but I did manage to sneak out for a quick preview of the Kate Spade apparel debut, and Fall 2009 collection! Here's a little peek of what's to come ;)

Loving the mod look, saturated colors, forgiving silhouettes and attention to detail. (And the bows!)For all of you Tim Gunn fans, you'll be pleased to know that he is hosting a series of lectures on defining signature style. Click here to see a schedule of lectures at a Kate Spade store near you.

Personally, I'm a fan of Kate's creative director, Deborah Lloyd! These photos are from a tour of her Brooklyn brownstone in the February 2009 issue of Harper's Bazaar.

And finally, here's some fun ways to get Lloyd's well-traveled look! Be sure to also check out the Style Court coverage here :)

Left to right: Henry by Lonny, Sunshine Bracelet by J. Crew, Lantern Vase by Jonathan Adler, I Married Adventure by Osa Johnson, Trapeze Top by Kate Spade (better hurry- this baby's on sale!), Coakley Cay Notepads by Iomoi (only $25!), Explorer Series by Steamline Luggage, Mary by Rubie Green, and Easton Stripe Jillian Dress by Kate Spade.

Introducing: Rubie Green bedding

2009-03-24T01:25:00.016-04:00

All photography: Patrick Cline for Rubie Green

After more than eight months of research, design and production, I couldn't be more excited or proud to *officially* present the debut collection of Rubie Green bedding...

At Rubie Green, we made it our goal to deliver the finest quality bedding made with the highest eco-standards. We didn't stop until we found the best. Our bedding comes to you from a factory that is certified eco-friendly by the Global Organic Textile Standard in every step of production from the weaving of the fabric down to the final packaging. The employees are paid fair trade wages, and the bedding is delivered in non-toxic packaging, tucked inside reusable organic cotton drawstring bags. We have selected the softest 300 thread-count organic cotton percale, perfect for an afternoon catnap or an evenings rest.

Our collection includes 3 prints (East Village in pink, Tillinghast in yellow, and Habibi in black) and 1 solid white called Classic, which features a double row of black embroidery. Our styles are designed to mix and match, and are able to be machine washed.

As I mentioned in my previous post, we really went all out with our current lookbook, which will be available to download soon! Patrick Cline and I set up photo shoots throughout New York City, in my own apartment, and best of all- in former domino editor Tom Delavan's iconic New York apartment! We couldn't be more thrilled with the outcome (and we hope you like it too:)

Here's our Habibi sheets paired with our Classic duvet and shams! I love the idea of having a graphic sheet and a more subdued duvet cover to relax the look ;)

Doesn't Tom have the most spectacular mantle?! I'd move in this very second if only I could...

Our lovely model is actually a friend of mine from high school named Amy Crandall! Her look is timeless and she is astonishingly beautiful.

Here's a great shot of our Classic bed skirt! I love how it can be paired with any style.

Patrick and I really had fun with this shot! It was taken in Soho on one of my favorite streets.

Last but not least, Rubie Green recommends washing your bedding with products that are biodegradable, non-toxic and plant-based, such as those from The Laundress.

And now I'm off to bed...

Rubie Green bedding in InStyle!

2009-03-22T20:43:00.009-04:00

So usually when I'm M.I.A for this long, it's for a pretty darn good reason, and I try to come back with some serious goodies to show you! Tonight and tomorrow will be no exception to this rule ;) Here at Rubie Green we have been working around the clock to launch our brand new line of bedding, and we're completely blown away that it has been featured in the April issue of InStyle! Wow!!

Tomorrow afternoon, the RG site will disappear for a couple hours while our web team works behind the scenes to bring you our updated site! We cannot wait to show you our new line of bedding, and our a-m-a-z-i-n-g new photography by Patrick Cline! We really pulled out all the stops on this one, and shot our lookbook in the home of former domino Editor at Large, Tom Delavan, as well as select locations in New York City and in my own apartment! Here's a little taste of what's to come ;)

Photos: Patrick Cline for Rubie Green

Lucky Giveaway-A-Day

2009-03-10T18:23:00.004-04:00

With the economy in the crapper, it's nice to see that so many designers are actively donating products to give away! In a previous post I mentioned the Bright Side Project, which is dedicated to reminding people to look on the bright side during these tough economic times, and is in turn giving away art or designer goodies every day this month! So I was excited when my friend Lisa from Lucky magazine recently told me about their similar Giveaway-A-Day sweepstakes that's also happening this month! I'm usually not really the sweepstakes kind of gal, but this one looks so easy and there's so many prizes (click here to see the prize calendar) that I figured oh what the heck. (And I've got my eye on the goodies above ;)

Sneak Peek: Rubie Green bedding

2009-03-10T14:39:00.003-04:00

Ta-da! I couldn't be more excited to share this with you!! In a couple of weeks we will be launching our very first line of 100% organic cotton bedding in 3 of my favorite prints plus 1 solid! The collection will include 300 thread count duvet covers, sheet sets, shams and even a bed skirt, and is certified by GOTS in every step of production from the stitching down to the final packaging. We're thrilled, and we cannot wait to share it with you ;)

Blog love: Shelter

2009-03-05T22:39:00.007-05:00

Tonight I discovered a blog called Shelter that I absolutely cannot get enough of! It's seriously so good it makes me want to open a bottle of wine and read every single post ever written. (Or rather gasp over every image ever posted! How amazing is the shot below?!) Shelter is written by interior designer Julie Richard and is also the name of her full service design firm, which will be launching a website soon! Be sure to visit and fall in love ;)

Green obsession: Doucette Duvall

2009-03-05T18:44:00.003-05:00

If I had to part with every single piece in my wardrobe and instead wear one singular collection, I'd happily choose fall 2009 by Doucette Duvall. I was recently introduced to the brand and am loving its timeless look and playful silhouettes! And the best part? It's green! According to the label's designers Stephanie Doucette and Annebet Duvall, "Doucette Duvall practices environmental and social responsibility by manufacturing the entire collection in New York City's historic garment district, using pre-existing fabric and trim, shunning extraneous garment bags and hang tags, and shipping in recycled boxes only." Well done! Time to start saving my pennies ;)

Win a Lonny print!

2009-03-03T17:58:00.002-05:00

I wanted to let you all know that Patrick and I have been chosen to participate in the Bright Side Project, and will be giving away one signed 16"x20" Lady Yellow to a lucky winner who will be chosen this Sunday! There's still time to enter here, and be sure to check out the other featured artists who are donating pieces every day this month! Good luck!

Snow Day

2009-03-03T17:41:00.004-05:00

Yesterday when I was snowed in my apartment I stumbled upon this adorable photo of Jackie and John that I had never seen before! It's an original press photo from December 30th, 1964 and is up for auction here until March 20th. How cute is Jackie's hat?! I'm obsessed.

{Loving} Australia

2009-02-22T12:59:00.027-05:00

Sydney!

Hello all! I'm finally back in New York and am so excited to share some inspiration with you from my trip! Australia was even more beautiful than I had envisioned, and the food was incredible, the people were genuinely kind (and SO good looking!) and the overall vibe was laid back and cool. I love it, and am already itching to go back ;)

On my first day in Sydney I explored the city with my camera and a bit of jet lag ;) Here's a sneaky photo I took in one of my favorite Aussie shops, Country Road. I love the neutral palette, linen fabrics and wood accents mixed with buffalo checks and lucite frames. Very chic and understated. The next morning I helped Diane Bergeron set up her booth at the Decoration + Design show, and took a little time off to help promote the show and Rubie Green ;) Photo: Jeremy Piper for mX. There were ants crawling all over my legs and biting me while this photo was taken! Back at the show, we unpacked one of my favorite lines, Of the Young and the Restless! Here's a shot of a chair Diane upholstered in the classic Fig Leaf by Peter Dunham! Loving how she paired it with a teal silk backdrop. My favorite ladies!! From left: Diane Bergeron, my dorky self, and my new pal Belinda Jamieson! The three of us had a blast working the booth and chatting with designers, architects and press. We were even lucky enough to meet Anna Spiro of Absolutely Beautiful Things in person, as she came to hear me speak at the conference! Thank you Anna! To see more of the collections Diane carries in her Melbourne showroom, click here. On my third night in Sydney I met up with some more friends, Amanda Harris from Oliveaux (who also reps Rubie in Australia!) as well as the talented Hayley and Tracey of Porchlight Interiors! The girls took me to Sydney hot spot The Ivy, where the four of us were absolutely floored by the decor! Click here and here to see more pics. Thanks ladies! ;)

Image via Flickr via Oliveaux

Melbourne!

After the conference and show wrapped up I headed to Melbourne for a week as Diane's guest! Her home is the epitome of style (and love:) and her family literally couldn't be more adorable. They made me excited to have one of my own someday :)

Here's a shot of Diane's bookshelf in her kitchen! The shelves run from floor to ceiling, and are packed with design titles, novels, and personal mementos. One of my new years resolutions was to be a better host, and after staying with Diane for a week I'm quite convinced I should be taking notes because this woman is a pro!! Here's the room where I stayed! I mean really...gorgeous!! Diane had the sofa custom made to fit a mattress on top, so it actually doubles as a bed, and the grasscloth wallpaper is a line she carries in her showroom. The rug is of course Madeline Weinrib, who Diane also reps exclusively in Australia. Here's a photo of Diane's showroom! On my last night in Australia, Diane threw a New York inspired cocktail party to celebrate its opening. We spent all week preparing - tasting wines and cheeses, meeting with caterers to create the perfect mini-cheeseburgers, hitting Ikea to find the perfect party lighting, and steaming fabrics for the big night. Needless to say, the event was a total success ;)The hostess with the mostess, looking chic in her showroom minutes before her guests arrive. (And hi, is your jaw dropped right now as well?! I'm in LOVE with her striped curtains! )Finally, Diane's wonderful family (who I already miss so much!) and another pic of Belinda! I cannot thank you all enough for allowing me to have such an incredible experience in Australia, as well as my readers for posting so many kind comments while I was away. I hope you enjoy the pics and find them as inspiring as I do :)

Aussie Obsession {Angus & Julia Stone}

2009-02-10T04:19:00.008-05:00

G'day mates! I've just spent a week in Sydney so I thought I'd quickly share with you my newest obsession, the Stones! No, not of the rolling variety, but rather Aussie brother and sister duo Angus and Julia Stone! I heard them playing in Diane Bergeron's showroom (which is insanely beautiful- just wait till you see it!) and have since developed a minor obsession. So enjoy, and be sure to check back for all my Aussie finds when I return to the good old US of A ;)

Rubie Down Under!

2009-01-31T13:41:00.007-05:00

Photo: Patrick Cline for Real Living, March 2009

Hello and goodbye! I'm off to Australia for 2 weeks (wahoo!) to present at the Decoration + Design show in Sydney, so I thought I'd leave you with a bit of love from down under! I'm incredibly flattered and excited to be featured in this month's issue of Real Living, one of my absolute favorite Australian decorating magazines! I've picked up the perfect travel bag from the one and only Ladybird, (which has vegetable-dyed leather and a chic gold monogram for an additional $8 bucks!) so I'm ready to go ;)

Hopefully I'll be able to post some inspiration while I'm away, but if not, please check back on Valentine's Day for my latest Aussie finds, as well as an apartment tour of one of my favorite designers, Ron Marvin. G'day mates!

Farewell domino

2009-01-30T02:26:00.010-05:00

Although by now this has been covered by just about every design blog known to mankind, I wanted to voice my sorrow that such an incredible publication has come to an end.

To so many people, domino was much more than just a magazine. It was a resource that rekindled an interest, excitement and passion for interior design. It challenged the way people looked at current design trends, products and publications, and brought together a community of like-minded design-lovers from literally all around the globe. Best of all? It was delivered to the reader with a lack of pretension found in so many existing design publications.

During my first interview with domino my senior year of college, I stepped into Deborah Needleman’s office and sat down nervously with my portfolio. She asked me what I liked best about domino and I remember telling her that it was the first magazine in years that actually understood what people wanted to see, and how they wanted to be spoken to. I told her that I loved how they delivered high-style design while also choosing to highlight more down-to-earth details, pointing out Carolina Herrera Jr’s beloved chalkboard as an example, which she found outside in a neighbors trash pile. Instead of showing the reader an impossibly expensive home and offering resources that were exclusive to the trade, domino brought humility to the design process and taught the reader how to express their personalities and passions through the homes they designed. Deborah’s response? Right on lady! That’s what it’s all about. She spent twenty minutes looking through my portfolio with genuine interest, and soon hired me on as a market assistant upon graduation.

My time at domino showed me first hand that the editors and staff who created the magazine were some of the most innately talented and passionate people in the industry. While I’m sad to see such an iconic publication come to an end, I’m excited to see where this new move will take the domino team. When I had mentioned to Deborah that domino was the first magazine of its kind in years, I was specifically referring to its predecessor, Living Room, which was published in 2002 and folded after merely one issue. Deborah was shocked that I remembered the magazine, and was excited to tell me that domino’s creative director Sara Costello had founded it. No wonder I thought it was brilliant! So my point is that although we are currently in a time where shelter magazines are closing their doors, it won’t be long until new ones open. And in the meantime, domino, you will be sorely missed.

I've included some images that I scanned in from marketing material which you might not have seen! Click on each image to enlarge. In the next few weeks I'll be sure to post more ;)

Introducing: Lonny

2009-01-25T19:31:00.042-05:00

Photo: Patrick Cline for Lonny

For the past twelve months photographer Patrick Cline and I have been working on our latest collaboration, and tonight we couldn't be more thrilled to finally share it with you! I met Patrick in 2007 at the chintz shoot for domino magazine, and we have since partnered up as a photography and styling duo. Having lived in both London and New York, Patrick and I are constantly inspired by our surroundings and our photography is a reflection of the diversity we've encountered. From pristine beaches in the Hamptons to graffiti covered buildings in Brooklyn, we proudly introduce Lonny.

Photos: Patrick Cline for Lonny

Since I'm a fan of all things equestrian, the Lonny horse photos are some of my absolute favorites to frame. I have the three prints above in my apartment, and they feel very Jackie O and Kelly Klein inspired.Photo: William Waldron. Kelly Klein's living room as seen in Elle Decor via Habitually Chic

Image of Jackie in 1967 by unknown photographer © HORSE by Kelly Klein, Rizzoli New York, 2008. Via Style Court

Photo: Patrick Cline for Lonny

One of Patrick's favorites is titled Sea, and he recently framed it in his newly painted bedroom. He chose a chocolate brown paint by Ralph Lauren called Crosby for his walls, and the contrasting white frames with his photography look incredibly chic.

Photo: Patrick Cline for Lonny

Since I am a fan of contrast, I love the idea of pairing this photo with slightly stuffier decor. I imagine it in a thin black frame leaning on top of a vanity, surrounded by pretty glass perfume bottles and bowls of sparkling costume jewelry. Or perhaps in a small lucite frame on top of a stack of books ;) Below are some more Lonny prints I'd love to frame, followed by some of my favorite ways to display photography.

Photos: Patrick Cline for Lonny

Photo: Simon Upton for domino, sept 2008
Photo: John Demsey's bachelor pad as seen in Elle Decor via habitually chic

Vicente Wolf via absolutely beautiful things

Image via Liberty Post

Photo by Max Kim-Bee for domino, February 2009

photo: source unknown

Kick off your shoes

2009-01-20T21:28:00.018-05:00

Photo: Patrick Cline

Nothing makes my heart skip a beat quite like an organized shoe closet! So last week Patrick and I decided to shoot my favorite landing spot for shoes in my living room (above) as well as my closet door/favorite shoe organizer of all time below!

Photo: Patrick Cline

I spotted this rack in an issue of domino last year from Lowe's, and since I didn't live near one I figured I'd head into the Container Store to find something similar. Except they didn't have anything. So I tried Home Depot. Nothing! So finally I ordered the silly thing online and literally couldn't be happier with my decision. Instead of masking my shoes in slouchy canvas pockets, it proudly displays them like a mini shoe gallery inside my closet door. It also makes me take a hard look at the shoes I own, and only hang onto the ones I truly love and wear. (Like my favorites above:)

Photo: Steven Randazzo for domino, September 2005

Here it is again in domino, above! I love the idea of hanging it on the wall with a curtain in front of it.

Photo: Annie Schlechter for domino, April 2007

Here's what my closet would look like if I, um, had a closet! (just kidding, I do have one, but trust me she's tiny)

Photo: David Nicolas for domino, April 2006

And finally here's what my future husband's closet will look like, if I have any say in the matter ;)

Official Blogroll Update!

2009-01-19T22:46:00.002-05:00

Hello again and happy new year to you all! It goes without saying that M.A. has been M.I.A. for a tad too long now (sorry!) so I wanted to let you know that I'm back and have finally updated my blogroll! Thank you all for inspiring me on a daily basis, and please let me know if I've missed any on my list ;)

My Favorite Things

2008-12-23T20:17:00.004-05:00

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 ;)

Inspiration: Erwin Olaf

2008-12-21T03:01:00.003-05:00

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

2008-12-21T01:36:00.011-05:00

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 :)

A little inspiration

2008-12-12T16:47:00.000-05:00

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!

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

2008-12-08T00:44:00.014-05:00

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.

Photo: Patrick Cline for Rubie Green

Reader Request: Mystery Wallpaper

2008-12-02T01:16:00.003-05:00

Can anybody identify the maker of this wallpaper? A reader/friend would love to find out :)

Happy Thanksgiving!

2008-11-27T10:28:00.004-05:00

Photo: Younga Park for Sprig, featuring Jackie by Rubie Green!

Happy Thanksgiving everybody! I hope you're all enjoying spending time with your families and eating a bit too much ;) As for me, I'm headed to the grocery store for some sweet potatoes and egg nog (mmmmmm) so cross your fingers the line isn't out the door! I'm incredibly thankful for all your support, and wish you a happy day. (And PS, for those of you who haven't yet set the table, click here for some amazingly chic eco-friendly place setting ideas! My favorites are above and below;)

J. Crew Liquor Store

2008-11-26T23:55:00.006-05:00

All photos by Brian Berman via A Continuous Lean

Last weekend while out holiday shopping, I finally made my way to the new J. Crew Mens Shop, and was blown away by its decor! Offering a well-curated selection of limited edition pieces, everyday staples and vintage accessories, the store was designed by Andy Spade and his business partner Anthony Sperduti. Spade's advice for cultivating personal style: "Go Back to your history and where you came from. Research things that are special to you and not available to everyone." His wonderful piece of advice can easily be applied to both decorating and gift giving this holiday season.

Loving the wall color and black shade sconces!

They even have a rotating art exhibition in the fitting rooms! Loving the light fixtures and wall color too :)

Rubie Green in House Beautiful!

2008-11-26T23:47:00.002-05:00

Thank you Jennifer, Orli, Amy and House Beautiful! I cannot tell you how much this means to me, and to my little sister Megan, who drew this pineapple :)

On my list faux sure

2008-11-26T23:02:00.003-05:00

Banana Republic's Faux Fur Neck Warmer. Love it. H&M has some great looking faux fur right now too ;)

Eco-chic makeover in East Harlem!

2008-11-26T20:02:00.017-05:00

Hello, and happy almost-Thanksgiving to you all! Tonight I'm excited to share some inspiration pics with you, and to fill you in on my first reno project! I recently moved to East Harlem in search of more space, and stumbled upon an apartment that occupies the entire third floor of a prewar brownstone! Surprisingly, I pay less rent than in my previous 325 square foot home, and I now have enough room for my very first Rubie Green office! The catch? It's in dire need of a face lift. So I've partnered up with a decorating magazine (wish I could tell you which one!) and will be spending the next few months giving my new home an eco-friendly makeover including paint, flooring, counter tops and decor. Here's a bit of inspiration...

Last summer when I visited the J.K. Capri, I fell in love with the combination of blues, grays, pinks, silver accent lighting and white wood paneling! I've been researching different types of eco-friendly paints, and think I'm going to choose Benjamin Moore's Natura collection with zero VOC's. They're available this spring in any color! (I like the two above;)

I also fell in love with J.K.'s thick seagrass wallpaper, so I've got my heart set on Phillip Jeffries' Madagascar Raffia, made of banana and palm leaves with an eco-friendly stain repellent finish. Lastly here's a small inspiration board for my living room! I'm working with Chairloom to reupholster a vintage armchair in my Rubie Green East Village fabric, and will also be hanging artwork by Patrick Cline such as the jaw-dropping horse photo above. (Patrick and I have been shooting together for almost a year, and will soon be selling signed prints! I'll be sure to keep you posted;) Finally, I'll be using a navy blue greek key print in my living room and office, and am hoping to get these sconces for Christmas!

Ladybird

2008-11-13T01:27:00.033-05:00

Photos: Bryn Sanders

I'm always fascinated by people who are effortlessly chic, whose style is timeless and laid back yet perfectly appropriate for any occasion. Women such as Ali McGraw, Jackie Kennedy and (dare I say it!) Amelia Earhart epitomize the look. Their effortless style transcends time and their influence is still seen on runways today.

In my own life, that person is my high school friend Allison Jayjack, who recently pursued her dream and opened a boutique in Columbus, Ohio called Ladybird. Offering a mix of indie labels and carefully selected vintage finds, Allison's store is like stepping into my dream closet. (Ahem, just look at the three ensembles above! Spot on.) The good news? Everything in Ladybird is affordable, and will easily compliment any existing wardrobe.

A few weeks prior to opening, Allison flew me to Columbus to decorate the space! We spent four days painting and digging our way through some hysterical antique malls, flea markets, and of course Ikea! The resulting look is both vintage and modern, relaxed and sophisticated. Enjoy :)

With a fashionable keep-all grandmother, Allison was often caught hunting around her attic and basement discovering family treasures. From '40s overcoats and fancy frocks to jeweled clutches and vintage scarves, she has now carefully hand selected every item in her store. (And hello! I want both of those bags!)

A cozy resting spot for boyfriends and sleepy shoppers, Allison offers up vintage issues of Life, Vogue and quirky design books.

We decided to purchase two oversized vintage wardrobes and remove the doors so that customers would feel as if they were peeking into a stylish friends closet.

Notice the red birdcage! We found this beauty at an antique mall for $35, and gave it a fresh coat of paint to make it sparkle against the navy walls. We also selected orange velvet Ikea curtains for the fitting rooms, a la Tory Burch ;)

This gallery wall was so much fun to create! The wallpaper was actually original to the store, so we decided to keep this section to highlight the cash wrap. The artwork is a mixture of flea market finds and framed images from books such as Painting People. I have a major obsession with the floral painting in the upper left hand corner! It's an original oil painting that we found at an antique mall for a mere $30, and I've already instructed Allison to leave it for me in her will ;)

How great are these suitcases?! Again, $30 at a goofy antique mall.

Our $5 Ikea lamp illuminates a vintage horse and beaded necklace combo. And finally a couple of ladybirds! Allison is on the far left, then there's me, Kim and Bryn who served as the inspiration for one of my newest Rubie Green prints! We're all friends from high school and we can't get enough of Ladybird.

Ladybird is located at 716 N. High St. in Columbus, Ohio between Jeni's Ice Creams and Rowe. It's open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. And yes, Allison is always available to offer her customers personal style advice ;)

Rubie goes to Australia!

2008-11-10T11:19:00.015-05:00

There's never been a better time for me to say "Wow, thank you Australia!" Ever since the launch of Rubie Green last spring, I have been absolutely blown away by the support I've received from Australian bloggers, editors, designers and design lovers. Today, I couldn't be more excited or flattered to announce that I've been asked to speak at the 2009 Decoration + Design show in Sydney! WOW! I've never been to Australia and am so excited to meet many of my new Australian friends in person, as well as the newest member of our team Marie Bowes who is now the exclusive RG distributor in New Zealand!

I also want to send a big thank you to Australia's Home Beautiful for including Rubie Green in their October issue! HB is sponsoring the Decoration + Design seminar series, so I'm looking forward to meeting (and thanking!) the editors in person.

Lastly I wanted to share with you some of my favorite images from a few of my RG customers in Australia! It's completely mind-boggling (in the best of ways!) to imagine that my fabrics have traveled to homes on the other side of the world! The first two photos below come all the way from Paddington, Brisbane from a home designed by Anna Spiro. Click here to see more :)

The next photo comes all the way from Carindale, Queensland from a home designed by Hayley and Tracey of Porchlight Interiors! I'm loving the faux bamboo chair :)

Next, a fun combo from Kimberlee of Adelaide, Australia, who writes one of the cutest blogs on earth called Brown Button!

Lastly, my jaw dropped when I spotted these gorgeous pics (also from Porchlight Interiors!) of the seaside at Cleveland Point, Brisbane! (Click here to see more!) Again, it's completely surreal to think how far RG has traveled, and incredibly flattering to have such loyal customers so far away :)

I also want to send a big thanks to Diane Bergeron, Amanda Harris, Sally Cutler, and Belinda Jamieson for all your support and dedication to Rubie Green :) Go Australia!!

Fall has arrived at Rubie Green!

2008-10-26T23:49:00.017-04:00

Photo: Patrick Cline for Rubie Green

WOW, am I ever excited for the big reveal! We've created 6 new prints and have a boatload of A M A Z I N G photography thanks to our good friend Patrick Cline ;) We're also working on our very first lookbook, which we're hoping to launch next week so stay tuned, as well as a line of bedding which is currently in production (wahoo!) and scheduled to debut in winter 2009. In the meantime, please enjoy a few sneak peeks and inspiration stories from our latest collection.

Unlike our spring photography, this collection was shot entirely in New York City in some of our favorite hangout spots! I like to go running in Central Park every morning, so most of these shots were conceptualized along the way.

Our insanely beautiful model is actually my good friend Mandi Tumblison, who I've known since middle school. We were on the same field hockey team, and even took our very first interior design class together! Mandi's look is absolutely timeless, and my hope is that she will be discovered by an agency (hint, hint;) We were rather worried our crew was going to fall in the water here, as we had some heavy equipment on the boat and not the most talented rower... (ME!) It was also blazing hot that day, and I made poor Mandi row around in a trench coat! Good times.

This is one of my new prints called Indian Lake, and it was actually drawn by my little sister Megan while we were flying back from Italy this summer! She drew it on hour 5 of our looong flight, and I immediately loved how sketchy it was and knew it had to be thrown into a half drop print! Megan is ridiculously talented (she also designed my 'Megan' pineapple print!) and I hope to be lucky enough to hire her when she graduates :) The name 'Indian Lake' comes from our family's summer getaway spot in Michigan where my grandparents own a small cottage and a boat :)

Another favorite spot in the city is the Union Square farmers market! Autumn is the best time to visit because as you can see, it's full of the richest colors and tastiest treats. It's nearly impossible to get off the subway and not pick something up along the way.

(Like really Patrick? You're amazing!)

How cool is this! We didn't do any styling here- I just saw it and screamed "SIT!" and voila :)

Finally we have one of my favorite prints ever! Those of you who frequent my blog probably know that I have a slight obsession with leopard prints, and a theory that they can be paired with anything. So I decided that such a classic print should be given a classic name, like Jackie. Mrs. Kennedy was also a fan of leopard, as seen in her White House dressing room below.

Photo: Robert Knudsen as seen in Jackie Style

Be sure to check out the Rubie Green site to see all of our new prints, and I'll let you all know when the lookbook is completed! I'll also be posting more inspiration stories so you know where the designs came from, but for now it's time for bed. :)

Diane Bergeron showroom opening!

2008-10-26T23:17:00.007-04:00

Photo: Peter Throsby

I couldn't be more excited to share these photos with you from Diane Bergeron's newly opened showroom! Diane is one of my two Rubie Green reps in Australia, and she also carries brands such as Madeline Weinrib, Of the Young and the Restless, Carolina Irving and John Robshaw to name a few. Her showroom is in Melbourne and she offers her clients full design services for both residential and commercial projects. Congrats Diane! It looks incredible :)

Kate Spade on Facebook

2008-10-26T22:40:00.008-04:00

As if we all need another reason to spend more time on facebook, Kate Spade has recently added a company profile! The page features ad campaign photos, sale alerts, collection imagery and more. Here's some of my favorites from the Fall '08 campaign, which make me excited to be living in New York City :)

Rubie Shoes

2008-10-26T22:21:00.005-04:00

Quite a few of you have emailed asking where I bought my shoes, so I thought I'd let you know that they're comfy and decently priced and available here and here ;)

Homecoming

2008-10-18T19:51:00.007-04:00

Lion Door Knocker Williams-Sonoma Home

Hunter Boots Restoration Hardware, Lattice Pot Mecox Gardens, Mossy Lion Smith & Hawken, Antique Jumbo Key Jason Home & Garden, Lion Door Knocker Williams Sonoma Home, Maddox Knob Restoration Hardware, Greek Key Doormat Williams-Sonoma, Black Urn (sized to hold flowers or pencils etc.) Jayson Home & Garden, English Ivy Globe Topiaries Smith & Hawken.
Knock-Knock Ballet Flats by Lilly Pulitzer (These are so cute in person! It's tough to see in this photo, but they have little lions head door-knockers on them:)

Photo: Paul Costello for Living Room fall 2002

Christina Holmes for Rubie Green

Williams-Sonoma Home at Columbus Circle!

2008-10-15T11:28:00.013-04:00

As you are probably all well-aware, I have a small obsession with Williams-Sonoma Home, so I'm thrilled to share my photos with you from their recent press preview! The incredibly talented and gracious Williams-Sonoma Home team flew in from San Francisco to oversee the opening of their newest location at The Shops at Columbus Circle. They gave their wide-eyed guests a tour of the store, which features imported fumed-wood flooring, thick grasscloth wallpaper, (which is available to purchase!) white wainscoting and built-in bookshelves designed to mirror a classic home rather than a retail store environment. Here is what I found... (click on each photo to see its full beauty;)

Leopard print and paisley!

The check-out desk is reminiscent of the J.K. Florence reception room!

Leopard and plaid...mmmm

The store was designed by architect Howard Backen, and occupies the mezzanine level of the flagship Williams-Sonoma store.

What a cute idea for towel display! I always see beautiful Asian horse statues at the flea market, but I've never been into their serious vibe, so it's fun to see a new take on the look that tones it down and also makes it functional!

And there you have it! As usual, I'm inspired to completely redecorate. For those of you who need a bit of help in the decorating department, the retail stores provide complimentary design services in your own home to help you maximize your space and find a spot for all your favorite WS Home treasures ;)

Associated Press, Calypso Home + MA Belle!

2008-10-09T12:32:00.006-04:00

A couple months ago I was asked to participate in an interview with the Associated Press for a blogger series they're creating for their lifestyles department! The goal was to meet home design bloggers and figure out what they look for when shopping for their own homes. I was asked to select a favorite interiors store in the city, (which was so hard- I love so many!) so we contacted Calypso Home and they were thrilled to be on board. Although I'm terrible on camera, I'm incredibly flattered to be a part of this series and excited to show you why I love Calypso Home! Please excuse my dorkiness and note that I smile a lot more often in real life ;)

Happy birthday MA Belle!

2008-10-09T01:17:00.004-04:00

Photo: Patrick Cline for Rubie Green

So today is officially the one year birthday of MA Belle and I wanted to take a moment to say Thank you to all of my incredible readers. To be honest, I created this blog one year ago because my boyfriend had just broken up with me and my dog was put to sleep on the same day, (can you imagine?!) so I decided rather than spending the day crying I would sit down and create something fun. Clearly I had no idea at the time what an amazing experience this would turn out to be. Thanks to readers like you, I've made new friends all around the globe who inspire me on a daily basis. I cannot thank you all enough :)

October Inspiration

2008-09-17T23:19:00.010-04:00

Photo: Patrick Cline for Rubie Green

As the weather starts to cool down in New York and the moon is appearing earlier every week, I cannot help but get excited for my favorite season! Thick wrap sweaters, rich autumn colors, outdoor flea markets and fresh organic produce are enough to make a girl giddy, but this fall I'm adding a few more things to my list!

1. The highly anticipated domino The Book of Decorating hits bookstores this October and I literally don't think I've ever been more excited for any book release in my entire life! domino Editor in Chief Deborah Needleman commented, “We’re creating The Domino Book of Decorating for a new generation of homeowners and renters, and hope to make it the new décor bible--a source of guidance, inspiration, and excitement.” A source of obsession is more like it ;)

2. On October 10th the New Museum will open its doors to the "Live Forever: Elizabeth Peyton" exhibit, displaying more than 100 works made over the past fifteen years! Peyton is one of my absolute favorite artists, so I'm basically counting down the days on a paper chain in anticipation...

3. Also occurring on October 10th is the grand opening of New York's first Williams Sonoma Home store at the Shops at Columbus Circle! You may wonder why I find this exciting, but trust me, the minute you see one of these stores in person you will understand. I visited the Palo Alto location last year and was so wowed that I found myself whispering instead of speaking at a normal volume! It looked very similar to the stunning JK Capri with seagrass wallpaper, layers of framed photography, potted orchids, and chic white furniture.

4. Last but not least, I'm totally pumped for the release of Influence, Mary-Kate and Ashley's newest book! Ashley says the book will feature “the most interesting, challenging, creative people we know — the ones who helped pave the way for us and our generation.” For those of you who are brave enough to handle swarms of crazy teens and long lines, the Olsen's will be signing books at Barnes and Noble in Union Square on October 28th at 12:30pm! Pretty cool if you ask me ;)

Thank you JA!

2008-09-17T11:22:00.006-04:00

About a month ago I entered Jonathan Adler's Happy Chic Home Contest, and was completely blown away to recently win third place! Wow! I'm incredibly flattered and thought I'd share some fun pics from the contest :) Above is the signed copy of Jonathan's decorating book (which is hysterical by the way!) and above that is an image of the tray and candle that I bought with my prize :) Below are some awesome entries from the contest, and if you'd like to see more of my apartment you can check it out on the Blogger's Home Tour at the Love List ;)

Fashion Week

2008-09-05T11:50:00.016-04:00

Photo: Craig McDean for Vogue, 2004

Today marks the official start of New York Fashion Week, and the city is alive with cocktail parties and fancy dresses! So I thought it would be fun to share some of my favorite fashion illustrations with you, and also to fill you in on what I've been up to...

To bring a little fashion into the home, I love the idea of framing fashion illustrations and placing them on a gallery wall, or leaning them on a bookshelf, in a powder room, on a vanity, or even on a bar cart! The illustrations above are from my all-time favorite fashion illustrator, David Downton. While an original will cost you thousands, I was lucky enough to find a series of postcard prints that he licensed to Ikea back when I was in college! I think I spent $4 on a pack of 6 images, and I still treasure the one framed below in my living room today. From time to time they pop up on ebay, so if you're interested keep your eyes peeled ;)

Etsy is also a fantastic resource for inexpensive fashion prints, and sometimes even originals! Here are a few of my current favorites from redheather, all of which are limited edition 11x14 prints, modestly priced at $29 each. I'm really intrigued by the print on the far right, titled Seamless. (click the images to enlarge & see their full glory;)

As for my fashion week plans, I'll be headed to the Lela Rose and Cynthia Rowley shows! I'm incredibly excited for both, and curious to see what surprises Cynthia will have in store this season! Last year her models rode down the runway on Cynthia's Beach Crusier bikes (available in January!) which I also spotted last Monday on the season premiere of Gossip Girl.

I also recently hosted a little pre-fashion week soiree of my own! The Rubie Green launch party was (finally!) held last Wednesday at Lather Spa in Midtown, and it couldn't have gone better if I do say so myself ;) I partnered up with jewelry designer Samantha House who also previewed her Spring '09 collection, and together we co-hosted the event with editors, close friends, and some pretty amazing people from both the fashion and interiors worlds :) Lather Spa was even kind enough to give our guests free manicures while they sipped their cocktails and chatted with friends. My good friend, and fellow textile designer Michael Devine posted some great party pics here, as well as the images below which were graciously provided by events photographer Natalia Peters.

Aussie design

2008-08-24T15:58:00.009-04:00

The coolest part about starting my own company has definitely been all the amazing people I have met! I'd like to introduce you to two of them, my Australian distributors (and friends:) Diane Bergeron and Amanda Harris.

I actually had the chance to meet Diane in person a few weeks ago when she was in town, and was completely blown away by how friendly, down to earth and talented she is. She's absolutely incredible. Just check out her inspiration board above! Diane says this is only a small portion of the board, so I can't imagine how insanely beautiful it must be in real life. The next photo is of her working in her studio (love that book case!) which I hope to visit one day. She also recently started a blog, and her website is being created/updated to show her design work as well as the fabric collections that she distributes to the Australian market, including Lulu DK, Carolina Irving, Les Indiennes and Of the Young & the Restless to name a few.

Amanda Harris is also an exclusive distributor of my fabrics in Australia, and has become a friend of mine in the past few months. She has a great little blog that always makes me wish I had a seaside home where I could escape, and she is currently working on a new site for her company Oliveaux as well as a showroom which she plans to open within the next year! I was pleasantly surprised to find that she is also the distributor of my friend Michael Devine's fabrics, shown above. Small world :)