In Love with Chester...field that is

At 27 years old, I still have the same $400 eggplant purple sofa in my living room that I bought my sophomore year of college - yes, that's 8 years of use on this thing - and let me tell ya -

I still LOVE it! 

It has held up so well and I hope to have this sofa for YEARS to come because I love the color - but I've been thinking lately - it's definitely time for an update.  It's probably time (I say this with an almost-tear in my eye) to retire to a different room and let a new sofa take center stage for a while.

Being that the next sofa needs to be stylish, something I can live with for a really long time (I'm not made of money!) and has to be pretty all-around amazing to replace my purple one - I have decided my next sofa will have to be...

...a Chesterfield.

Before you click away - I know this looks like something that goes in a 70-year old lawyer's home library or something. (no offense to any 70-year old lawyers who might read our blog)  :o)

Let me show you some rooms first...

They come in leather...

Velvet...

Love the colored ones!!  :o)

Anyone recognize this apartment??

Gossip Girl ring a bell??

Kelly Wearstler uses a modified-chesterfield at the Regency - doesn't have the arms but has the tufting

Another "modified" version...

I could go on for miles with pictures of this sofa - I'm so infatuated with the shape and look of it.  But I won't - I'm sure you have other things to do.  :o)

~ the Brunette

(images: anthropologie, apartment therapy, apartment therapy, Chandler Creative offices, apartment therapy for the next 5, peacock feathers, plush palate, domino, ???, kelly wearstler, ???) Okay I still missed two, but I told you I'd get better not perfect!  :o)

{book review}: The Carrie Diaries

Let me start this out by saying, I am the hugest book nerd of all time. I hated reading until my sophomore year of college, I picked up a book on Christmas break and I haven't put one down since.

Sometimes (like now) I read 3 at a time. So I had this idea to do quick book reviews on the blog in case anyone is looking for something to read??

Please know, I am in no way an expert, and will not be analyzing metaphors or anything, just providing a general synopsis and maybe a little something extra!

I always have books on stand-by as soon as I finish one, but I'm open to suggestions if you've heard about a book and wonder how it is!

I recently finished The Carrie Diaries by Candace Bushnell

We posted about this book about a week ago, and I gave a summary about what I could determine from the first two chapters, but now I have made it all the way through...

I don't want to give anything away, but here is a little to go on:

The story takes place Carrie's senior year of high school.  She is not (by choice) part of the popular crowd and has a very close group of friends.  She is rebellious.  She already smokes and her favorite drink is the Singapore Sling. 

She meets her first love.

A few questions SATC fans have wondered get answered also, such as:

1. Where is Carrie's family?

2. Does Carrie have a mom/dad/siblings?

3. Where is Carrie from?

4. How does Carrie end up in New York?

But the best of all, and I swear I got chills and maybe a couple tears - you find out which New York friend she meets first, and how she meets her.

I can't tell anymore without ruining the book but if you're a fan of the show and have wondered any of these things, it's not a drama-filled, edge-of-your-seat book by any means, but it will answer some of your questions.  I should say the book ends the summer after her senior year, so there is still a 10 year gap that is left unanswered, but I think this book is a great glimpse into why Carrie is the way she is, and answers some of those bigger questions.  I really enjoyed it!

~ the Brunette

P.S. My next book will be Three Cups of Tea - I've had this for years and for some reason haven't read it yet.

April Showers Brings May...Showers?

Here in Arkansas, we had a cold, rainy Mother's Day.

My mom and I spent the afternoon bundled under blankets, reading and napping...

It's predicted to rain all week here, and as amazing as it normally sounds to bundle up and stay inside,

it's springtime and we want to be outdoors!!

So I thought it's time to check into some trendy rain gear, starting with jackets...

Obviously, the Burberry trench is the classic perfect coat,

But since only a lucky few have thousands of dollars to spend on a trenchcoat, here are some other alternatives...

J. Crew's Icon Trench is a perfect classic fit, available in black, khaki or ivory...

and of course Anthropologie always knocks it out of the ballpark!

For a girly, skirted fit, I love the Topshop Tulle Trench...

and the Rachel Roy Double-Breasted Trench.

For a patterned coat, my picks are Rachel Roy's double-breasted coat with the splatterpaint print

Or Marc Jacobs leopard print - who doesn't love a little animal print?!

To keep those feet dry, there is nothing better than a pair of Hunter boots.

I have on my Hunter boots today...

(yes, I'm wearing jeans to work - I'm telling you the weather is naaasty)

J. Crew also has some practical wellies...

Target always carries some cute patterned boots as well...

I don't personally carry an umbrella so I wouldn't even know where to start to look for one - usually the dollar store because if I remember to carry one, I don't remember to bring it home!!

If you have an iPhone, there's a great app called the "Feather Report". 

Fashion + Weather = Feather

Basically you type in the weather (hello sunshine!, baby it's cold outside, hot mess, etc.)

then you type in the occasion (date night, ball game, girls' night, etc.)

and lastly your body type (i.e. Tall Tina, Skinny Mini, Booby Brenda...)

and BOOM some great outfit suggestions!  Here are a few of her suggestions for "warm rain"...

If you don't have the phone, she has a blog too.  She always includes great umbrella selections on rainy days and if there is only a chance of rain, she picks a little one that fits in your purse!!

I love the app and have so much fun playing with it!

Hope you have a great Monday and stay dry!!

~ the Brunette

{going global}: safari

One of my dreams is to take my husband on an African safari so when we decided to start this weekly "going global" series the first destination was easy...

Observing these exotic, beautiful animals in their natural habitats would be a dream come true.  Aren't these shots amazing?

Now this is the kind of camping/tent I like:)  I could definitely handle this for a week or forever.

You can always opt for this equally charming lodge

with after safari drinks here...

and an outdoor shower.  I've always wanted an outdoor shower!

Though, I don't know if anything has ever looked as relaxing as this outdoor tub.  Can't you imagine lying here after an amazing day.

And this one would work too...

We all can't live in this luxury, but we can draw a little inspiration for our own homes.

I love the serene colors and antique medicine bottles in both pics!

 

This bedroom is perfect to me and screams "modern safari"!!

Back to the point of a safari...the animals!
Who doesn't want to ride an elephant in a little black swimsuit:)

Or just sit by one in more appropriate attire...

Speaking of attire, safari inspired clothing is so huge right now.  I would wear this upon arriving to my fabulous luxury tent.

and this would be my more practical outfit for a day of exploring...

I'm in love with this glammed up, safari inspired runway show from Ralph Lauren!
I would wear those gold pants in a minute and how cute is the glitzy canteen?!?

Doesn't this look remind you of the white bathroom?

I'm so in love with all things safari!  The safari vibe in decor and fashion is so classic and definitely here to stay. 

Hope everyone had a great trip and an even better weekend (b/c this trip was pretend and the weekend is really here)...enjoy!
~the blonde

we're going global!

'A Blonde and A Brunette' is Going Global...well, not really, but it's a good title...right?!?

During the month of May we are featuring a different country or area of the world each Friday.  Some places we have visited and some we just dream of, but all are wonderful and intrigiung in their own right. 

So pack your bags and join us...

Now it's time to sit back and relax, get a little shut-eye tonight...

because tomorrow the blonde will take you on a safari!

See you there!