When I asked for book recommendations both Bridget and Amanda suggested The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger. I picked up a copy at our local Half Price Books not long after and couldn’t put it down. So you can imagine my excitement when I realized a screenplay was written and the movie was to star Rachel McAdams as Clare Abshire. Oh, I adore her! I cry every time I watch The Notebook, do you?
While packing up our house I discovered my old journal that I started as a 12 year old girl, with the last few entries dated in September 1999. It has not been opened since then so I immediately sat in my closet and picked the lock. Within the first few pages it honestly felt like I had traveled back in time. Corny but true. I could hear parts of the person I am today but also a much more optimistic and bright-eyed young girl with the world at her feet. Do you remember when you felt like you could do anything? Thankfully I’m working on getting that feeling back Do you keep a journal now? I use this blog as a notebook to document the things that I love about design and may one day turn it into a reference guide. But I think it might be time to start writing in my journal again to get down to the deeper and more meaningful thoughts about all of the changes in my life, family both near and far (Australia), love, and those feelings that you just can’t quite express to anyone but yourself.
If you are looking for an end-of-summer read, I highly encourage you to pick up a copy of The Time Traveler’s Wife before the movie is released on August 14 (thanks again for the recommendation). Here is the official trailer (and by the way, isn’t Rachel’s wedding dress simply stunning?):
Oh goodness, sorry for leaving you all for a few weeks. I had full intentions of posting during the move but didn’t realize how incredibly busy it would be. Since my last post I walked or rather dragged my sore feet through the streets of NYC to find an apartment (Stephanie, I owe you big time!), co-hosted a dinner party with one of my dearest friends, Erin, in her Domino-worthy apartment in Washington, D.C., quickly packed up our house in Houston and signed the papers, stayed a few days in the Pocono’s with Jon’s family, then made the drive over to our teeny apartment in New York. Getting to New York was the easy part but climbing the stairs a gazillion times in our building to unload was definitely a tough and sweaty battle. I slept like a log that night. But now that we are somewhat settled in I can honestly say that I absolutely love it here!
For the past few days we have been exploring our neighborhood. We decided to move-in to a recently renovated apartment on a charming tree-lined street on the Upper East Side. While my heart belongs to the pretty brownstones on the Upper West Side, we could not pass up the deal that we found for this particular apartment. We’re only 4 blocks from Central Park, which is a bonus for our dog! She is still trying to figure out how to pee on the concrete when we do not make it over to the park. But let me tell you, our pup has picked up her pace to fit right in with all of the fast New York walkers. I’m slowly adjusting to the lifestyle here: living in 350 sq ft, carrying our groceries all over town (which means that I only buy what we really need), not being able to drive to Target, and paying double the price for cheese. But making friends in the building and having a range of fabulous food within a 30 sec walk certainly eases the transition.
Unfortunately most of our furniture didn’t make it to the Upper East Side. We basically had to start fresh because our previous furnishings were way over sized. So perhaps we can design together? I’ll try to post some of the pieces that we have so far, including a major space saving idea that we just installed over the weekend. I think you’ll like it And since we’re on a tight budget it has forced me to be more creative with what we already have.
Thanks for sticking out the move with me and I promise to reply to all of your e-mails soon. Sorry for being such a terrible blogger lately. I was going through some major internet withdrawals until Time Warner rescued us.
Congratulations to Val! Enjoy your new Monya clutch from our wonderful sponsor, ChickDowntown, and expect an e-mail to arrive in your inbox shortly.
To start off the week I thought you might all enjoy looking at some enchanting images from photographer Denise Grünstein’s portfolio. They remind me of a secret garden that’s ready for a quiet afternoon tea party…
You may have already seen Michelle Adams’s West Harlem apartment on her blog, M.A. Belle, or more recently on A Cup of Jo, but in the off-chance you haven’t then get ready to be inspired…
I have been stalking blogs, magazines, and sites online for budget friendly ideas for our apartment in New York City. Michelle Adams’s apartment is such a great source of inspiration because she infused her personal style while keeping in mind her storage and budget concerns. Her apartment is a testament to how creative ideas can go a long way, as Michelle shopped at places like IKEA and op shops yet personalized her finds. The icing on the cake is certainly the use of her fabrics from Rubie Green, Michelle’s 100% organic cotton fabric line. You can see glimpses of it on the pillows, chairs, office area, headboard, and all of her bedding. If you would like to see more photos, pop on over to the spread from Real Living magazine here.
And don’t forget to enter the Monya clutch giveaway. It’s now open to all international readers as well. Does Rubie Green’s East Village chevron pattern remind you of the clutch too?
We have another giveaway! The girls over at Chickdowntown have graciously offered all Bandelle readers a chance to win a Monya Zig Zag Soft Clutch (retail price: $125.00). Our sponsor described it as, “Dazzling art deco patterns add kinetic energy to the sleekly tailored fold over clutch. Glittering glass beading plays out in the classic contrast of black and white, a sophisticated piece fully lined in gleaming black satin.”
Does this little clutch also remind you of Ron Marvin’s apartment that I posted about yesterday? Marvin personalized his space with a touch of glamour, just like the zig zag clutch would surely be a statement piece in any ensemble.
And just for fun, this is how I’d wear my clutch on a balmy summer night. Cocktails by the pool anyone? We have access to a community pool just around the corner from our house but I have yet to jump in. A few more days in 100+ degree weather may change that Now how would you wear your zig zag clutch?
TO ENTER:
Simply leave a comment with your name AND e-mail address. We promise not to use your e-mail address for any other purpose besides notifying you if you are the winner. No purchase necessary. One entry per person. Sorry, as directed by our sponsor, only US residents are allowed to enter.The winner will be selected at random using random.org and announced on Monday, July 13, 2009.
UPDATE: International entries welcome!!! Our sponsor has opened the contest up to everyone.
Ron Marvin’s 300 sq ft apartment in Chelsea will be somewhat of an inspiration for when we finally settle into our teeny 1-bedroom apartment in New York City. His studio has circled the blogosphere since its entry into Apartment Therapy’s Smallest Coolest Apartment contest for good reason: it’s a perfect demonstration of how to maximize your allotted space without compromising style.
There are several tips to take away from Marvin’s ingeniously designed studio, including:
Clearly define each area with the help of a graphic rug or large piece of furniture
Create a cohesive base color palette with a different accent color for each area e.g. primarily a chocolate, black, and white base with hints of yellow in the living area and turquoise by the office
Use reflective or clear surfaces to make the space feel larger
Layer lighting for a moody effect
Have a vision for items that you see at flea markets and on the side of the street — good style does NOT need to be expensive
Don’t forget about the vertical space for shelves and storage
You have all been incredibly sweet with your advice and e-mails about our upcoming move. In fact, Lindsay shared some excellent tips for small space living in this post (scroll down to Lindsay’s name in the comment section). I just wanted to make sure you all didn’t miss it.
I’ll be exploring small space living in the next few weeks as I gather inspiration for our new apartment. The perfect and most logical starting point will be Rebecca’s Loving Living Small — a blog dedicated to homes under 1000 sq ft, which will be a wonderful resource. Go check it out!
Stay tuned for another exciting giveaway that I know you’ll just love.
Before I start this post, I just wanted to say thank you to everyone for your words of encouragement about our upcoming life changes. You have no idea how much it means to me. And for those of you in the NYC area, I can’t wait to meet you! Thanks again, xo Kylie
We’re gradually going through all of our drawers and closets, discarding or donating things that will not make the move to New York. Even though I have never been a big make-up or skincare girl, I have still managed to collect bottles and bottles of lotions that honestly should have been tossed months ago. But this year I have made a conscious effort to look after my skin (I’m getting older!) and have narrowed down my must-have list:
Now I promise you that YonKa did not ask or pay me for praising their products today. I find that YonKa’s botannical and essential oils skincare line not only smells heavenly but is very gentle on my skin. And if Jessica Alba uses it, then it’s going in my bag! I would give anything to have her glowy skin.
1. Lait Nettoyant Cleanser — Very mild and milky. The added bonus is that it contains eye make-up remover.
2. Pamplemousse Moisturizer — I switch between the oily or dry skin versions depending on the season.
3. Alpha Contour Eye & Lip Cream — Applying eye cream has become part of my daily ritual because I started to notice little lines around my eyes.
4. Alpha Complex Gel — This is part of my new anti-aging experiment. I rotate between my moisturizer and this gel every 28 days.
5. Ti-Silc SPF 45 Sunblock — While my foundation does have some sun protection I do not wear it every day. Instead I have forced myself to get into the habit of applying a thin layer of sunblock on my face in the mornings even if I don’t think I’ll spend any time outside.
6. Napoleon Perdis Lip Service — I do not like to wear lipstick and asked my make-up artist to recommend an alternative on my wedding day. So she applied Lip Service under a sheer coat of gloss and I couldn’t have been happier. Plus the menthol helps to plump up your lips!
7. MAC Technakohl Eyeliner — Pencil shavings are messy so that’s why I love MAC’s mechanical pencil. It’s very smooth too.
8. MAC Plush Lash Mascara — My sister is a converted Plush Lash Lover. I described how to apply it here.
9. OPI Bubble Bath Nail Polish — This is a new addition to my make-up bag. I envy Giada de Laurentiis’s nails every time I watch Everyday Italian. When Paloma of La Dolce Vita sourced her nail polish I ran straight over to Ulta to pick up a bottle. This unoffensive and delicate color makes my nails look pretty and clean. Thanks, Paloma!
What’s in your bag? I have various eye shadows that I like to play with but the only thing that’s really missing is a bronzer. Do you have any recommendations?
I have been anxiously waiting to tell you all about our news but needed to get a few things in place beforehand. Our big news is that we are moving to New York in just under a month. This has actually happened incredibly quickly so I do not believe I have fully processed the situation. We of course had to think about our finances because New York is considerably more expensive, sell our house in this challenging market, discuss our baby timeline since I am 28 years old and about to make a significant career change, and figure out whether we could actually brave the cold (we’re both piping hot weather people). But now that all of the above have been resolved we can move onward and upward!
What prompted this move is the decision for both my husband and I to pursue our dreams. We’re at the point in our lives where the timing just seems right to “go for it.” I have been accepted into the New York School of Interior Design (NYSID) where I will be getting my MFA in Interior Design and my husband, Jon, is following his passion by breaking into the software industry. After my three-year masters program, exposure to the design world in NYC, and opportunities with what sounds like a great alumni network, I will hopefully be 100% prepared for what I have always wanted to do. And who knows, perhaps my Double Take feature may become even more detailed after taking a set design class!
We’re excited, nervous, and anxious all at the same time as we will have to make some significant changes and sacrifices e.g. squeezing into a tiny 1-bedroom apartment from a 4-bedroom house. I do like change but it always takes me awhile to adjust to new surroundings. And quite frankly, New York scares me a little. Jon says I have to toughen up But I could not ask for a more wonderful, loving, and supportive husband who is always reminding me that it’s all about the journey and that we’re in this together.
If you have any advice about living in Manhattan then we’re all ears. For starters, we’re deciding on an area to live. Our dog, Aura, is a huge factor in this decision so we’d like to be close to Central Park plus it makes more sense for the proximity of school and work. Overall we prefer the neighborhood feel of the Upper West Side but we may get a little more room on the Upper East Side. Opinions are very welcome — Upper West Side or Upper East Side? Also, it looks like we have secured a rental real estate agent to work with but please let us know if you can recommend anyone.
Things around here won’t change too much except that I will be sharing our experiences of living in New York and design school. I hope you’ll all come along for ride!
Despite his troubled times in the later years of his life, Michael Jackson was undoubtedly a pioneer in his field and talented to the bone. His music and dancing captured the hearts of many people across the world, including the tubby 2-year-old Kylie who used to bob up and down to his music in Australia. Last night I watched his music videos on YouTube and around the web for two hours straight and all of these memories came flooding back. Everyone has an MJ story of some sort and I thought I’d share mine.
Do you remember how scary his Thriller music video was to you as a kid? It still freaked me out last night. Our neighbors in Sydney in the 1980s had this awesome hi-fi system (before the home theater system truly existed) and they would play Thriller all of time. Oh, the chills! My sister and two of the kids next door would perform little concerts and pretend we had thousands of fans in the audience. I was always a back-up singer with a hairbrush or white-out bottle as my microphone. Unfortunately I never got the “good” brush because I was the smallest kid. Also I couldn’t ever be in the den (where we rehearsed) alone when Thriller was playing nor could I look at MJ’s poster because I felt like his eyes followed me. But oh man, I loved his music.
My love for MJ’s music continued to grow and I even got to go to one of his concerts as a 16-year-old. I dragged two of my friends to his concert one night early. We sat down in our seats, 20 rows from the front, then were told to leave because we came on the wrong night. That’s just how excited I was to see him!
Music really brings worlds together and I know MJ’s talent will be missed. Man In The Mirror will always be one of my favorite songs but I also loved I’ll Be There, Billie Jean, The Way You Make Me Feel, and Will You Be There. Do you have a favorite song or MJ story?
Congratulations, Evie! I seriously wish I could wear your Tolani scarf this summer.
Thank you to everyone for entering our Tolani scarf giveaway. It was so, so, so lovely to hear from all of you, including some readers that I had not heard from before. You all make this whole blogging experience so much fun for me so thanks for taking a few minutes out of your day to swing by this little corner of the world.
Just an Australian girl who is inspired by the Beautiful Things in Life - fashion, art, design,
and amazing places along my travels. I'm also a jewelry designer for Bandelle, an online custom fashion jewelry boutique. Feel free to send me an email. I'd love to hear what inspires you.
Do you keep a journal now? I use this blog as a notebook to document the things that I love about design and may one day turn it into a reference guide. But I think it might be time to start writing in my journal again to get down to the deeper and more meaningful thoughts about all of the changes in my life, family both near and far (Australia), love, and those feelings that you just can’t quite express to anyone but yourself.
And don’t forget to enter the Monya clutch 
Stay tuned for another exciting giveaway that I know you’ll just love.
If you have any advice about living in Manhattan then we’re all ears. For starters, we’re deciding on an area to live. Our dog, Aura, is a huge factor in this decision so we’d like to be close to Central Park plus it makes more sense for the proximity of school and work. Overall we prefer the neighborhood feel of the Upper West Side but we may get a little more room on the Upper East Side.
