Vitamin B Boost: Accessorizing!!!

I was reading my new Real Simple magazine last night  (August 2011),  and I saw a quote that made me smile - "The only thing that separates us from the animals is the ability to accessorize." ~ Robert Harling, Steel Magnolias.  Being from the South I can relate to that statement.  We tend to adore ourselves more than women on the east or west coast.  Sometimes we go overboard too, I have seen my share of rhinestones on every part of an outfit- flip flops, hats, jewelry, jeans, belt and t-shirt.  It's a bit much.  Here's some accessories that I love and feel inspired by....

Anthropologie Penobscot Belt

Banana Republic Studded Stretch Belt in army green

Anthropologie Gumball necklace

Etsy: Minxshop - Dapper bow tie necklace - upcycled plaid tuxedo - SET OF 3

Waxing Poetic

Anthropologie Tie around Bracelet

Ann Taylor Bronze Lace Cuff

Leighelena

Anthropologie Encyclopedia Sketch Coinpurse

Kate Spade Postmark Jasper

What are your favorite accessories? ~Brandy

Feeling Blue

We are considering buying a house to flip. I found the perfect one, it's a super cute 1940's bungalow. So we actually made an offer the other night and I just couldn't sleep. My brain was going a mile a minute and I just couldn't shut it down. I kept thinking of all these great ideas of what I could do to fix the house up. After two Tylenol PM, I finally dozed off at 3:30 am only to wake up at 6 when my alarm went off.

So, I guess you could say that I am feeling pretty tired and blue today. My eyes feel like they have 10 pound weights attached to them so excuse me while I pick my eyelids up off the floor. My brain hurts from being in overdrive so I couldn't really think of anything clever to blog about today. I just thought, I am feeling very blue today, aha, blue, I can run with that.

So here it is, some really blue rooms. Yes, we are not going very deep today, but hey, everyone loves blue right? I opt for appealing to masses over controversial criticism.

There are so many different beautiful shades of blue represented in this picture. From French Terry to Robin's Egg. I just love them. Are you feeling like your house could use a little blue?
~Jessica

Brilliant!!!

Have you heard of Pinterest yet? It's only the best thing ever created, at least from a creativity perspective. How many of you have folder after folder with idea pictures in them that you've snagged from the internet? I personally have hundreds of images that I have saved over a couple years time and they are all organized in folders. However, unless I drop them into Powerpoint or something I can't see all the images together, side by side. 

In comes Pinterest. It's basically a virtual bulletin board that you can "pin" any image from online to. You can create different types of boards to stay organized and even add a little description to your picture so you can remember why you liked it. 

The most brilliant part about this website is the fact that all you have to do is put it on your bookmarks toolbar and click "pin it" when you see something you like. It will then automatically come up and you can choose which board to pin it to. This is simply fabulous! I love seeing all my inspirational pictures together on a virtual bulletin board. 

This will make coming up with client concept boards so much easier and faster. I am already obsessed with it and I know you will be too. 

Another great feature is that you can see other users boards as well for even more creative inspiration. This is like creative visual overload and I love it!

Here are a couple examples of Pinterest boards:

Thinking about doing some landscaping?....Start a Pinterest board with images that you like!

Here's an example of all your boards, nice and neat!

Check it out at Pinterest and start pinning!!

~Jessica

The Pulp- Are you Form or Function?

Louis Sullivan, Architect said "Form (ever) follows function".  The modernist believed that ornament was unnecessary.  

Example of Modernist Architecture - LeCorbusier -- Villa Savoye

Unlike Frank Gehry's work which is deconstructivism believes that form doesn't have to follow function.

Frank Gehry - LA Disney Hall

I would have to say I am more Form and than Function.  I can't completely throw function out the window, but form is a priority for me.  It has to be beautiful, make a statement, call attention to itself, or whatever I intend it to be because that is more important than the function of the space to me.  Although I do believe that a room needs to be usable and comfortable in most cases.


Here's some examples of Function:

There's a lack of ornament.  The "box" is simple and functional.

Simple functional t-shirt

The Function was the driving force in this design

Function

Here's some examples of Form:

Which came first the chicken or the egg?  The form doesn't take away from the function of the space and but it does makes an impact.

The slanted wall is more form than function but could be both.

Alexander McQueen Shoes- Definitely Form

 Here's some examples of Both:

The jutting eaves do function as protection from weather at the entrance but this design makes a statement!

This is a cool light that is out of the box!

I want this!  It's usable and fun at the same time!

This is a good example of function that is actually form.  The way they lined up the hats by color actually make an interesting design.

Here's some photos to quiz you on- Let us know which you think is Form, Function or Both?

1 - retail store

2 - office

3 -lofts

4- office reception

5- Anthropologie Savoy Quilted Jacket

Comment and let us know if you are Form or Function? Or what your philosophy is? And take the quiz! ~Brandy