Design Within [Possible] Reach.

Design Within Reach is not a store for everyone. The style can be a bit too modern for many tastes, and the price can be way out of budget. However, I love mixing and matching styles in home decor and I think that no matter what your home decor taste is, many of these items would be lovely additions to your current home style. Luckily, going on until October 18, they have a 15% off sale, so I've rounded up some of my favorite items for you to check out. Keep in mind that a lot of these items are perfect gifts for the men in your life too.

Everyone needs flatware, we expect to see it on every dining table at every meal! However, while we all spend time focusing on the plates and napkins and how they coordinate, many of us are missing an important design opportunity. Try something unexpected like this matte black (or silver) set.

{DWR, Almoco Flatware 5 Piece Setting, $60. $51.}

The interesting finish adds a thoughtful fashion to your table setting while the classic lines keep the look elegant. This set is perfect for stylish casual everyday dining and works for any male/female/couple you may know. I love what they did here.

I think every office should have a globe. This one (which currently sits on our desk) is an art piece that provides perspective on our beautiful world, inspires travel and curiosity, and manages to be understated in our living room. It would be a great graduation gift too.

{DWR, Table Globe, $200. $170.}

The green is also nice if you are not into black accessories.

{DWR, Table Globe, $295. $250.75}

In our small apartment, I always have my eye out for chic storage solutions. I believe that having various textures in your home is as important as having them in your wardrobe. This eco-friendly basket (also available in blue and green) could hold my fashion magazines, my fiance's DVD collection, or even your child's toys. It's made from polymer felt that comes from recycled PET bottles.

{DWR, Restore Basket, $99. $84.15}

The designer said "I wanted the basket to have a non-obtrusive nature... And to give it a form that has a friendly appearance." I think he was right on. It would look great anywhere from a basement den to a semi-formal living room.

You know my obsession with gold right now (see post here). The classic lines and lovely metallic touch make this glassware a must have item on my list.

{DWR, Midas Collection, $50.-$70. $42.50- $59.50}

I'm dying to put these on a tray on top of my bedside table, but they look beautiful in a bathroom as well.

I love this unique accent table. It's made from reclaimed wood, specifically fir timbers, by a company that makes products with the sustainability of our planet in mind. The wood is coated in silver and would make a fabulous addition to my living room someday. I love the glamourous shine paired with the masculine weight and hard lines.

{DWR, 47 Table, $1200. $1020.}

From the photo here, I think it would look great in a bachelor pad too.

That table is my absolute favorite piece at the store. What is yours?

*Remember, you have THREE days before the sale ends!! www.dwr.com

Treat everyday like you are on the runway. 

Office Space.

Right now I'm working on a fall trends feature blog post for the amazing agency that represents me on the commercial side of my wardrobe stylist work. I feel lucky to have their support in other endeavors within the business. (Thanks Ennis Inc.) Check it out next week!

My environment has always been the first thing to inspire my personal style. Having lived in three very different states, I can always see how the weather, the people, and my comfort level with the energy of the place affected my fashion. Right now I find myself daydreaming about another environment. My workspace... or lack thereof.

In our lovely one bedroom apartment, I do a lot of my personal work and wedding planning sitting on our living room couch. There is a desk tucked in the far corner of the room but, unfortunately, my fiance took that space over with his editing station a long time ago. I don't mind working on the couch, I spent 8 years working on my bed in tiny dorm rooms at boarding school and in college. However, I daydream about workspace beyond my coffee table. 

I am a very organized person, and I love access to that organization. I can't help but wonder about my creativity in a pretty environment intentionally set up to motivate and inspire my work. However, we are planning an expensive wedding so that larger space is a ways off. Therefore, in the meantime I am just admiring these gorgeous personal office spaces and I had to share them with you. 

{All images via Pinterest.}

Amazing right? How about you, does your environment ever inspire your outfit?

Congratulaions on making it through your work week. Have a great weekend.

xo,

Tara

Treat everyday like you are on the runway.

Wedding Wear, Part 2.

What a weekend. Can you believe the weather we got in October?! You better believe that I took full advantage and spent every minute I could outside. Luckily, it was easy because I spent the long weekend in a beautiful place: Newport, Rhode Island. My fiance and I were there for another gorgeous wedding and reunion with old friends. After the pretty and ladylike look that I put together for the beach wedding last weekend, this time I went all out sexy. What inspired me? Two things.

1) Their invitations. Modern with warm tones, and perfect for their cocktail attire autumn estate wedding. Here is their Save the Date.

If you look at the colors on the bottom long enough you start to see fallen leaves or a cozy fire burning. I also saw the groom...

2) The groom's Moroccan heritage had me thinking in spice tones. And what could be more perfect for the fall season?

{DVF, Reara Colorblock Dress, $365.}

I tried on this little silk Diane Von Furstenberg number while I was out dress shopping last month, but it didn't fit me quite right (I bought this instead). However, the fresh, on trend, and unique color combination of ketchup and mustard stayed with me and I decided to re-create it for this wedding.

I wanted sexy elegance so when I put on this rich burgundy jersey dress, I knew I found the most important piece of my outfit. The scoop neck, 3/4 sleeves, and dramatic v-back were just what I was looking for. Anything that highlights my waist is always a bonus and the fit was perfect.

One sexy dress, right? (Alice & Olivia, Aerin Dress, $220.}

The next step was adding elegant accessories to balance out the sexiness of the dress. This mustard wool and cashmere wrap was just the color I was looking for and completely necessary for the cool temperature in the tent once the sun went down.

{Tissue Weight Wool & Cashmere Wrap, $88.}

With such bold and solid color in my outfit, the expected strappy gold sandal just would not do. Instead, I chose this black suede YSL platform pump to ground my whole look. The shoes kept my look sexy but modern and I love how the strong lines balanced out the drama of my dress.

Of course, no evening look is complete without jewelry. My ketchup and mustard ensemble was just the right backdrop for this rose gold bracelet and fabulous pair of Miguel Ases earrings.

{Miguel Ases, Bronze Rondelle Embroidered Teardrop Earrings, $270.}

The added sparkle made me cocktail ready and we danced the night away. I finished the look with my go-to black clutch. Mixing textures is a great way to add visual interest to an outfit without adding visual clutter. The subtle patent leather on my bag balanced out the heaviness of my suede shoes.

{YSL, Belle Du Jour Patent Leather Clutch, $475.}

Note: This clutch was an investment piece for me and is a great example of cost-per-wear. The price on the handbag was steep when I bought it three years ago, but the classic shape and timeless design have allowed me to wear it everywhere. Dinner dates, weddings, holiday parties, you name it. Cost per wear is definitely under $5 by now.

Here is a photo of the beautiful autumn sky and amazing view we had before the stars came out that night. It was a lovely evening.

Congratulations Adam and Clara! Thank you for letting us share in your special day.  xo Tara

Treat everyday like you are on the runway.

Wedding Wear, Part 1.

I went to a beautiful wedding this past weekend and saw one of my best male friends from college on the happiest day of his life. It was a great time and also a reunion for some of my favorite people. I decided to hang onto the last bit of summer and transition into fall with my upscale take on the color block trend (see post here). Here is what I wore:

1) This gorgeous Halston Heritage purple dress was a no brainer. It was the fourth one I tried on at one of my favorite boutiques, Intermix, and it came home with me right away. Bonus: The dress was an exclusive for the store so I didn't have to worry about anyway else wearing the same one!

{Halston Heritage, Open Sleeve Drape Back Dress, $495.}

The rich purple color almost looks royal blue in person. I love the flowing no-fuss, yet ladylike, style. It was comfortable during the ceremony on the beach while I was wearing flats and perfect for the delicious dinner and dancing that followed. What you can't see is the gorgeous drape back.

2) I put on my favorite Barbie shoes to compliment the femininity of the dress. This punchy pair of hot pink suede pumps (to get yours, see post here) added just the right amount of sexiness to my outfit. Christian Louboutin does "fun and sexy" the best when it comes to shoes.

3) Another crucial element to my elegant color block look was this pair of green earrings that my sister lent me. They are oversized, yet simple. The earrings are the final pop of color that brought my whole color block look together.

4) I finished the look with this BCBG Maxazria clutch handbag, a swipe of my favorite sheer nude pink lipstick, and a lot of carbon black mascara.

{Nars, Dolce Vita, $24.}

{L'Oreal, Telescopic Mascara, $8.99.}

Congratulations Joe and Jeni! We had the best time, thank you.

Stay tuned for the outfit I have planned for another wedding this weekend...

Treat everyday like you are on the runway.

Model Insomnia.

Last week I had the pleasure of working with a great team to bring our vision of a Model with Insomnia to life. Here are some unfinished behind-the-scene Iphone photos for you to enjoy. I can't wait to see the final product! What do you think?

{Beautiful model Christine Keenan makes shooting after midnight look effortless.}

{Hairdresser Justin Woods doing what he does best. We love big hair.}

{Guest appearance by Taco the dog.}

{Makeup artist Rose Fortuna creating a masterpiece.}

{Photographer Jackie Puwalski at hard at work.}

Special thanks to:
Jackie Puwalski
Rose Fortuna
Justin Woods
Christine Keenan
and Kitty for the use of her awesome loft space!

Treat everyday like you are on the runway.