Friday's Simply Smitten - Blush & Blooms

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“Fashion is only the attempt to realize art in living forms and social intercourse”

-Sir Francis Bacon

Happy Friday! While I felt like a blank canvas a few weeks ago, I am now emerged in a creative overflow. All week I have been dreaming about painting flowers. Doing so in different mediums. I don’t know why, and I don’t know what it means, but it’s a welcomed vision.

A part of my creative spark stems from my visit to The Museum of FIT last weekend to check out their new exhibition Fashioning Wonder: A Cabinet of Curiosities. Within the exhibit they showcased clothing, accessories, and decor throughout the centuries that derived from art, texture, and the living. Garments that replicated paintings or had an element of embellishment such as feathers, sea shells, glass and more. It was fascinating to walk through and see the visions of designers and artists of the past. I learned 2 new words: kunstkammer meaning “chamber of art” and wunderkammer meaning “chamber of wonder”. Both obviously German. Whether or not I am pronouncing them correctly is another story, ha.

Monday I woke up with such motivation, I tackled 4 things off of my weekly to-do list. I think the warm weather has something to do with it. I felt alive, rejuvenated this week because of the somewhat high temps. Crazy what a little sun on your face can do to your mental health.

I went back to my usual Tuesday morning dance class at DanceBody. Now that I know the dances pretty well, I am enjoying fully performing them. I have accepted my fate that “Uproar” will always be a little challenging for me. I know the movements, I am forgetting what comes after what. C’est la vie. Still having fun though.

I took a little afternoon break from work to head uptown to Bergdorfs. I wanted to check out the new Chairish collection: The Chairish Emporium. Lots of fabulous decor items. They had a beautiful display of birdcages with ribbons hanging from it. I love this idea for an event. There was a fireplace covered in seashells and floral chairs that I fancied. Afterwards I went to the 5th floor to shop for my vacation coming up. Don’t worry, I am still doing my no-shopping February. Doesn’t mean I can’t go to stores to try things on. One dress that I have been swooning over for weeks now is this floral cut-out midi dress. It’s gorgeous!

Yesterday I had the privilege to go to Upper East Vintage. Hayden, the founder, kindly invited me to check out the boutique. She has curated some of the most gorgeous vintage pieces from clothing to jewelry. I am slowly starting to open up to antiquing and thrifting. A large part can be credited to some of my friends who make a living selling antiques or are always shopping vintage. Anyway, I tried on some gorgeous vintage pieces from Oscar de la Renta and Geoffrey Beene. There was a yellow dupioni silk matching set from Courrèges Paris that I loved and wanted to take home with me. Unfortunately a bride had called in wanting to see it – I wouldn’t want to stand in the way of a bridal moment. Anyway, I went home with a gorgeous pair of spiral shaped ruby stud earrings.

What I am watching: I finally got around to starting season 4 of Sweet Magnolias on Netflix. I love this show! It’s so wholesome. It’s one big motivational quote and scripture verse. I love the small town vibes where everyone is there for one another. I am halfway through the season and am enjoying it so far. I will say I wasn’t too keen on the ending of episode 1. Without giving anything away, it felt out of character. Other than that the season has been great!

I watched the final movie of the Before trilogy: Before Midnight with Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy. This time they are in their 40s with kids and established careers. This movie, while still carrying the essence of the films prior, was a little different in terms of structure. They still walk and talk, but this time there were more characters, different scenic scenes, etc. My favorite part of the movie was the dinner when they are amongst friends talking about life. Where everyone has an anecdote or an allegory to tell. I, however, found the argument between Jesse and Celine at the end of the movie to be ridiculous. He pokes the bear, she criticizes everything. Out of all 3 movies I liked the first one, Before Sunrise, the best. They view life with wonderment, beginning to form views and introspection.

I binged through the new Netflix docuseries about Gabby Petito. I was one who was fully invested in the story when it broke out back in 2021. While most of the 3-part docuseries I already knew about, there is a lot that is revealed. Mostly by the FBI agents who were in-charge of the case. I fully believe the Laundries should be in jail for either obstruction of justice or harboring a fugitive. They knew what Brian did. They knew. The whole thing is so sad and could have been prevented if the police officers treated Gabby as the rightful victim, not Brian. I have two theories on what could have lead to Brian eventually murdering Gabby: Either she tried to break up with him and he snapped or he found the text messages or phone call logs between her and her ex-boyfriend. Of course we will never know.

What I bought: As mentioned I am still on a no-shopping February. One item that I am excited to hit the purchase button on is this off-white drop waist dress from J.Crew– currently on sale! I think it will be a great dress to wear on vacation and throughout the summer.

Since I have been dreaming about painting flowers, another item that I have browsing are floral paint-by-number kits. While I would love to stop by Blick and buy a blank canvas and paints, it’s been a while since I have painted. Best to go back to the basics. I am also not looking to create an art piece to hang on the walls. I am also not opposed to buying a kit for kids, something easy to start off with. I just want to paint.

On The Blog

Sunday Shopping

My Vacation Wishlist

LTK Spotlight: Antonio Melani x Style by Simkins new collection

ShopMy Spotlight: This must have caftan

Top Seller: This pretty dress that would be great for Easter

This weekend I have nothing on the agenda except to watch the Oscars! I have a very busy 3 weeks ahead of me, so I do not mind staying in– calm before the storm. But not opposed to getting a drink with a friend. We will see. I do want to stop by the book store, maybe pick up flowers, and also shop around a little for outfits to wear on vacation.

Have a wonderful weekend xo

1. Loved touring Amy’s cute NYC apartment

2. Eyeing this classic shirtdress

3. A pretty pink cardigan for spring

4. These chic rope coin earrings are on sale for under $20

5. The best dressed at the SAG Awards

6. The seven husbands of Elizabeth Taylor

7. 100 years of Fendi

8. Do LED masks really work

9. How to become more creative in your 40s

10. Everything you need to know about wainscoting

Weekend Sales