FASHION FORWARD: HOW FASHIONISTAS LIVE!

The London loft of Tank Magazine editor Caroline Issa reatures a modern gray sectional and a wonderful shelf wall with cubbies in all different sizes. (above)

It is New York Fashion Week right now.  I'd love to be there.

I was at Fashion Week in New York a few years back and it was fun.  I only saw one show but it was fantastic.  Years and years ago I was also in Milan for Fashion Week there and that was an experience of a lifetime - I went to all of the shows - Dolce & Gabbana, Versace, Prada, Armani and more.  Wow.

So far, this New York Fashion Week (NYFW), I have loved perusing all of the sites showing the street fashion of those going in and out of shows and presentations and seeing next year's fantastic spring clothing collections - all from afar. I wish I could be there - hobnobbing with the most fashionable people in the world, wearing cute dresses, darling coats, sprinting from show to show in high heels. I also am little happy I am not there - there is a lot of pressure to show up looking chic and to exude an unforced sense of style and elegance I would think. I know, I know, one's sense of style is innate and natural and we should all be proud of who we are...but I would still agonize over daily outfit choices...I know I would.  Okay, I take it back...I want to be at Fashion Week.  I would figure out the clothes....it is an amazing event and I want to be there!

So instead, for reasons that have nothing to do with agonizing about Fashion Week wardrobe,  I am here in Los Angeles...going to work in just a bit, wearing cute workity work clothes and then going to some sort of Hollywood work party tonight.  I'll enjoy this fahionable week in New York via the web I guess.

Okay...enough about me...

In honor Fashion Week, I thought I would share with you some images from one of my new favorite websites...Tales of Endearment. It is a collection of fashion related photographs and blog posts by a Brooklyn based fashion consultant named Natalie Joos.

Natalie from Tales, also takes photos of all of her fashionable friends and acquaintances digs. From flats in London, to NYC lofts, and even over to Sydney to an apartment belonging to a model.

I like to see the way the most fashionable in the world live...don't you?

Caroline Issa's 1970's polka dot Givenchy dress and a 1960's cream, navy blue coat with red trim. (above)

In an open concept living plan, a  small one wall kitchen with black cabinets opens directly onto the dining room table. (above)(

Fashion editor Caroline Issa in her London apartment. (above)

Living room of Australia based model Tanja Gracie (above)

A turquoise dress with feather trim and an electric blue croc bag. (above)

Tanja Gracie at home.

Tanja's dining room features yellow Eames chairs around a modern dark wood table. (above)

Which of these two fashionistas apartments do you prefer?  I like booth...but am probably leaning towards the London loft of Caroline Issa.

Hope you had a great weekend and hope you have a fabulous week!

Happy Monday!

xo
Coco

Photos: Tales of Endearment

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AN cute dress, dining room, dress, dresses, Eames, fashion, FASHION FORWARD, Givenchy, living room, london, polka dot, sectional sofa, small kitchen, vintage clothing

MY FOUND BOTANICALS! (AND A SNEAK PEEK OF OUR NEW OFFICE FURNITURE)

All photos in this post by Coco of COCOCOZY

So...was rummaging through some closets in my tiny cottage in the Hollywood Hills this past long weekend...not really cleaning anything out...really just rummaging...looking for stuff...I actually was looking for some stories I had written years ago about my Grandmother.  While rummaging, I happened upon these...

They are botanical prints  that I bought in London maybe 8 years ago.  I bought them at the Portobello Market in Notting Hill while wandering through the market with some friends.  They were about $10-$25 USD each and one of them has "circa 1870" penciled in by the merchant on the back.   If it is true, they are antiques.

I bought these botanicals, brought them back the U.S. to be framed, put them on a counter I'm sure, and then into a closet for safe keeping and then tah dah here they are...years later.

I chose this plant and flower prints for their colors. I liked the tropical plants...the palm tree is my favorite and then I loved the bright orange red color of the mums and the soft yellow of the Acacia flower.

Such a fun surprise to find these pretties...tucked away in a closet...treasure hunting at home I guess!

Which of these do you like? How would you group together on a wall? Do you like botanical prints in home decor or as art? Do tell.

I will get these framed. The question is what kind of frame to put them in? The other thing I was thinking is that I could have them pressed inside a lucite coffee table tray or something...hmmm...thinking... Help!

Happy Thursday!

xo
Coco

P.S. COCOCOZY HQ Office Furniture Update - We got some more furniture yesterday at COCOCOZY HQ in Beverly Hills - 2 huge book cases and a desk were delivered yesterday afternoon! Have been waiting for 12 weeks for this furniture to arrive.  I picked out these pieces back in June or May I think...and because we wanted some customization as far as colors it took 3 months for the items to arrive.  It was a game of patience waiting for these goodies.   We also got a cool outdoor table from France a few weeks ago (it is not shown here) and that is our main conference table.  Went straight to COCOCOZY HQ after work last night to see our newest office furniture.  I immediately took these blurry pictures. Reminder...the office is small small small...the furniture just came yesterday...nothing has been put on shelves...nothing has been styled...but I think we'll be able to work with these new pieces.  I like them! Again, sorry for the blurry pictures...it was getting dark outside and the light was low.

Wood desk that arrived yesterday with custom white lacquer and one of my brass vintage Stiffel lamps. (above)

One of the super tall cases I had custom painted for the COCOCOZY HQ...just came in yesterday so we have to figure out our storage bin situation right away. (above and below)

The COCOCOZY HQ is oh so tiny...we now have to get rid of the temporary furniture we've been using -- you can see a bit of it here on the bottom right. (above)

P.P.S. We are still waiting on a few more pieces but wanted to share the latest. Most people who are smart and coy only share the before and after....I can never wait that long...so does that make me not smart and not coy?  Over Sharing Syndrome (OSS) kicking in as usual!! Wooohoooo....! Let me know what you think.



All photos in this post by Coco of COCOCOZY

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AN antiques, art, art gallery, bookshelves, botanical, COCOCOZY HQ, desk, furniture, lacquer, london, office, prints, shelf, wall art, white

LONDON LOFTY!

Keeping it simple is the decor theme in this London loft apartment. All white pretty much with touches of color here and there...letting the architecture do the talking...high ceilings, elevated windows, a glass second story loft wall and even a spiral staircase.

No frills but it works. A lofty idea...keeping things simple. Hmmmm...







My favorite picture is the small home office made from glass open shelving and a clear Philippe Starck chair...almost invisible. Good idea.

Happy happy Monday! Remember...keep things simple!

xo
Coco

P.S. Thank you readers and Nbaynadamas FACEBOOK PAGE followers for weighing in on this past weekend's UGLY OR PRETTY? I enjoyed reading your comments...insightful and very amusing! If you haven't already, check out what the Facebook fans had to say!

P.P.S. Got a cool new Blackberry which makes it easier for me to tweet...so now, on top of everything else, I have decided to start tweeting more too by the way...check out my most recent tweets regarding my choice of clothing to wear to work and a very weird and bizarre "design" find!!!!

Photos: Shoot Factory

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AN apartment, loft, london, Nbaynadamas, white

A FAB GLASS ENCLOSED KITCHEN IN A LONDON HOME!

Photos courtesy of Light Locations

A London area home has a spectacular glass ceiling that lets light flood into the space. Natural light is reflected and absorbed by the white paneled walls, dark stone counters and off white cabinets - a great balance of light and dark. (above)

Happy day after the 4th of July! After celebrating America's Independence for a full day (fireworks and all), I thought I would go international and share a home from across the pond...from England.

The best part of this Victorian home is definitely the kitchen.

A kitchen with a glass ceiling! Who would have ever thought of that? Well obviously someone did. Perhaps the coolest small kitchen I've seen in awhile. I love it. Genius. Bright, light, airy, modern, clean and the windows make this tiny cooking space seem much larger. Looks like it was an addition to this home that is just north west of London.

The garden is quite lovely too. I think I could live in London (no disrespect of course to the good ole U.S. of A. a day after we celebrated our country's Independence). If I did, I would like a house with a kitchen and garden exactly like this. Is anyone taking notes out there???


View of the brick exterior of the house and of the outside of the glass kitchen. (above)


A very long teak outdoor dining table sits in the paved part of the garden conveniently located close to the kitchen. (above)


No glass ceiling in the living spaces...the main living room (or sitting room as the British might say) has wide plank wood floors, tall windows, built-in bookshelves and a lovely iron fireplace with white mantel. (above)







I'm charmed.

What do you think?

Hope you have a great day off (if you have the day off)!

xo
Coco

P.S. I spared you all of the workplace glass ceiling, titles, jokes or references...i.e. The Glass Ceiling Goes from Work to Home...Hitting the Glass Ceiling at Home?...etc.

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AN bedroom, england, fireplace, kitchen, living room, london, Nbaynadamas, shelves

MODERN LONDON LIVING SPACES!

Photos courtesy of/copyright by Fisher Hart Architectural & Interiors Photography

A black fireplace mantel makes a statement in a modern London living room. The space also features two facing dark blue sofas, wide plank wood floors and intricately carved crown moldings. Classic architecture + stylish modern furniture = perfect. (above)

These gorgeous living space photos come directly from the portfolio of Susan Fisher Plotner and Cecilia Hart Wilden of London based architectural and interiors photography firm, Fisher Hart.

Modern decor...all clean and simple...but with incredible levels of detail in the architecture and the accents...very posh, very chic, brilliant!


High ceilings are the focus of this room. A flat in the Hampstead area of London features a living room (or sitting room as they say across the pond) with a stunning round modern ceiling medallion surrounded by raised square ceiling panels. Cream walls, sofa and furnishings get a dose of color with spots of bright orange and red throughout the room. (above)

A bold graphic black and white rug from Knots Rug, Ltd adds visual interest to a very bright white sitting room! (above)
Do you have a favorite?

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AN fireplace, living room, london, Nbaynadamas, rugs