Fall Must-Have: The Tuxedo Trouser

Doesn't Blake look altogether sharp and sassy? Her tuxedo trousers are singing to me, utterly chic and my new favorite way to sport the menswear look. What's at the top of your Fall Must-Have list?

Must-Have Tuxedo Trousers: 

Sparkle & Shine

Cobalt Stripe

RZ Flare

Simply Aspirational
Metallic Leather

DIY

Weekend Picture Book

This past weekend we celebrated my beautiful cousin's 25th birthday. Jackie is one of the sweetest people I know and even though we're only three years apart, I feel like she's my baby sis.

We got all dolled up for dinner & drinks. I wore a vintage, thrifted necklace that I bought for about $5 and a Zara dress I got for super sale. I couldn't find it on their website anymore, but I found it here! 

Call Me Maybe - 2012 USA Olympic Swimming Team

 Even they couldn't resist! This is a favorite. Go Team USA!

p.s. If you live in New York, here's where to watch the opening ceremony!

How to go Neon Now

Fall is already on the brain (cozy sweaters, crisp evenings, riding boots, sumptuous leathers!) so I've made it a point to cut off summer wardrobe spending. I still love my pops of neon so to get my fix I've been going neon on the fingers and feet. Do you have a favorite from the polishes below? I would love to know! 

Favorite Neon Pinks:

Lights

Disco Biscuit

Collide

Jackie OH! (What I'm wearing now!)

New Sponsor: Kimberly Lewis Home

Living in the city, I have the pleasure of meeting so many like-minded, go-getting entrepreneurs. Kimberly Lewis, whose products have been featured everywhere from Design Sponge to Apartment Therapy (and even the cover of my Magalog!), is one of them!

Kimberly works full-time during the days and squeezes in her labor of love, Kimberly Lewis Home, everywhere in between.  She's currently working hard on launching her new home collection and being a small business owner and designer myself, I can personally tell you how hard and pricey (!) the product development process can be, not to mention everything else that goes along with owning a start-up.

The majority of small business owners won't see a profit for years so it takes major guts to keep on keeping on! I admire Kimberly for her hardworking and "ain't nobody gonna hold me down" ;) attitude and am so honored to have her as one of My Cup of Te's newest sponsors!

In welcoming her, I'd like to share her kickstarter campaign. If you would like, you can help Kimberly by donating a few dollars to get her new collection off the ground or at the very least, check out her very fresh and very colorful line. I would love to know what you think!

The Weekday Date

Alan and I are always trying to catch up with one another, especially now that his company is being cray and his work schedule takes him right through to the weekend. Yesterday he asked me on a lunch date since a meeting was going to be nearby.  I was giddy with excitement at the thought!

With convenience in mind and a little extra special, it wasn't hard to turn lunch break into date break.  First things first, I changed out of my work-at-home gear and put on a siren red dress. No need to hold back even if at noon, and a bright color is perfect for a rendezvous, something that already makes my heart race. You can read about it here!

He was to be heading to a meeting directly after so I put away my favorite reds and pinks and opted for a clear gloss (and mints of course!) since I knew there was going to be at least a greeting kiss. ;) No need to share that with co-workers!

We chose a mutually convenient spot, in this case Coffee Shop at Union Square, so we wouldn't have to rush through our meal in our barely an hour time window and tried to limit conversation to anything but work!

Because we chose our restaurant strategically, we even had time to enjoy some sunshine with a post-lunch walkabout the park. It was such a lovely switch up and a great way to keep things fresh if schedules refuse to get along! How do you weekday date? Let's share ideas!

i carry your heart with me (i carry it in my heart)

Bold and beautiful statement necklaces are extremely popular, I have my fair share, but I'm also a softy for dainty little thangs. This darling heart necklace would be such a sweet touch layered underneath an outrageous strand. pssst, if you peek under my Roxy, you'll uncover a whisper of a "cheers." :)

Necklace by Giorgie Jewelry discovered over the weekend here!

Weekend Picture Book

My best sister friends came in from North Carolina to visit.  My head nearly popped off with excitement when they arrived and anyone in earshot must have busted an ear drum. I already believe you should always greet guests with a cocktail so an arrival like that merited that and much more :)

The trio reunited, we didn't waste anytime catching up and hitting the town. Banc, Gin Palace, No Malice Palace, throw in a speakeasy serving cocktails larger than your head, a comedy club, and of course a late night diner! We made it to a table top or two and maybe should have toned it down a bit based on how one of us (who shall go unnamed) felt the next morning haha

Saturday Shopping List

Leather and houndstooth make for A-line edgy. McQueen I adore you.

Pleated peplum equals a statement fleece.

Cozy and chic are an aspiration in my book!

Wrap me up in red wool, Dame Malandrino.

Silk and ikat make Minkoff so necessary!

Leather lapel, come to Momma.

I need this everyday. I could see Kate Middleton wearing it, too. 

Let's just say I need to sell more bar carts.

What's on your shopping wish list lately?

Fuerza Bruta

People fly.

There's manufactured mist, rain, and wind. I kind of lost myself. 

There's pounding, stomping, touching. 

Rave-worthy music and lights. I think my brother lost himself too. 

It was a first for Alan and I. We have the standard Broadways under our belt, but no such thing as this interactive awesomeness.

Remember the girl flying? Her name is Khadija. We met earlier that week at the Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden. One word: kindred! 

Explaining much more will cause confusion. You should just GO!

Friday, July 6th, 2012...

Do you see me? ;) Fuerza Bruta here!

Contrast Welt Sofas

Crisp lime green & white.

Chic pink & black.

Serene white & coastal blue.

Quirky lavender & white.

Modern navy & white.

Exactly what I had in my mind when I designed my Quinn. (Made in the USA!) She sits in my New York apartment in a stark white and black. Confession: I've only ever owned a white sofa. Living on the edge when you have a penchant for red wine ;) What about you? What's your sofa style?

My Designs on Joyus!!

I'm so excited to share that my bar cart designs are being featured on Joyus! They made this snazzy video to show you how we're bringing the bar cart back. I would so love it if you hopped over to check it out :)

psssst! The sold out Double is available in a limited quantity!!

Weekend Picture Book

We hopped all around town this weekend, even in the heat!

I melted at Union Square.

Jumped for joy on 10th Ave.

Shopped and sweated some more in SoHo.

Brunched it around Kips Bay...

...found an early morning disco ball too. 

and ended the weekend with some "lobsta" at Chelsea Market!

Hope y'all had a wonderful weekend as well :)

Back to regular programming soon! 

Retro-Inspired Gold Ball Drop Earrings

I first spotted them on the Mad Men episode in which Don whisks Betty off to Italy. I knew I had to have them for myself the first Society Social photo shoot; they would go perfectly with my retro-inspired hostess gowns, after all.

After a a few funny google search variations, I was surprised to find them so easily, and in gold and silver too! As you can see they arrived just in time for the shoot. I tried to find them again for those of you who have been asking :)

Unfortunately I couldn't find the exact earrings (wah wah wah), but I did find some beauts if you're willing to spend a pretty penny! For example, this micro-pave version is a total stunner and if you want your "whole head to sparkle" (ROTFL) snatch these up by Kenneth Jay Lane.

Mine seem to be long gone, but I bought them from this website for about $20 (!) in the case they may come back. On a side note, that's my brother and I who's here visiting for the whole week! We're cabbin' it on our way to dinner (it.is.too.hot.to.walk.anywhere), I'll be sharing a few pics of his visit soon! Happy Friday, darlings!

The Bar Cart is Back

And I wouldn't mind scooping up the art and lamp too!

More bar carts.

Artist Love: Kate Lewis

Haven't we all been smitten by watercolors lately? Here's another reason to swoon- Kate Lewis.

pssst, I heart art.

{"Kilims Are Cool"}

Guest Posting at Small Shop & Domestikated Life

You can find me today playing over at Erika's and Kate's. I dish about my favorite wallpaper company and brought in their official spokesperson for a special treat (!) as well as share necessary items for your picnic basket for a summer sunset social in the park! Stop by!

{Tiffany Richey Design and the Tipple Trolley Bar Cart for Manifesto Magalog June 2012}

Hand-painted Social Media

How darling are these hand-painted social icons? You can buy the png files (they come with 13 photoshop brushes!) and use them for your business, blog, or however you please. What a freakin' clever idea! I have a feeling a few of you would fall for these ranunculus and peonies. Or perhaps a sweet octopus? ;)

p.s. Did you notice Sarah hand-painted My Cup of Te?

Our Marriage and Trying New Things 2

Last Friday my dear cousin invited Alan and I to a comedy show at The Comedy Cellar in Greenwich Village. We've never been to one together so we jumped on the opportunity to add this to our trying new things list! She warned us that the comedian may make crack jokes at our expense. I smiled when we were seated in the front row :)

Have you ever been to a comedy club? I would totally recommend it for a fun date night. A first one even better! My sides hurt the entire time and the laughter put everyone in a beaming mood. The host even took a few jabs at me for raising the roof. Ha! Is that entirely uncool these days? I had no idea. After the show, we were introduced to The Kati Roll Company...

...per their website "really good food, plain and simple." They aren't lying! It's basically a quick stop for Indian street food with a super basic menu featuring Kati rolls.  A Kati roll is made by wrapping a variety of meats and vegetables into paratha, a type of Indian flat bread.

Of course it's bursting with Indian spices and cheese, but all you really need to know is, Number 8 is where it's at! Like last time, Alan did a short interview right on MacDougal street. Warning: I was still feeling a little giddy and silly from all the belly laughs!
Have you done anything new for a relationship in your life lately?
Tell me about it!