Fab fashion...inspiration...

Time for a little change of pace!  I love fashion and thought I would share a couple of items from two European brands that are so chic, there is something for everyone, especially petites, which is what I am.  I have trouble finding clothes that fit me properly and usually find the petite sections are woefully short of chic clothes as compared to regular sizes.  I can wear some regular size shirts, but, trousers, coats, bathing suits and sweaters usually have to be cut in a petite size.  I included a couple of handbags, because, well,  I LOVE LOVE handbags as I'm sure you do too. 

How do you find your clothing?  I also find sizes vary from brand to brand, which is apparently normal.  One reason I love Chico's is that you can buy your sizes in 1, 2 or 3!! How great is that?  Let me know any shopping secrets you may have, I would love to hear!


Check out BODEN USA and LAREDOUTE:

FROM BODEN USA::

This bag just ROCKS!!

Can you tell I LOVE DOTS?? LOVE!!

Thank you Diane von Furstenberg -
the wrap dress is versatile, flattering
and sexy - 'nuff said

A tweed jacket to go with my entire
wardrobe? yes please!

 FROM LAREDOUTE:

A sexy black dress is a MUST HAVE for any
wardrobe -

I LOVE a handbag in red, so pink is just as
pretty and flattering to ANY color in your
wardrobe...plus the flowers, adorable

A sweater jacket for cool nights in spring or
 fall - perfect

Bootcut jeans flatter EVERYONE, these are
a must have for tall and petite alike -(images bodenusa & laredoute)

How do you like?  I love all these - which is
your fave??

For more fashion inspiration go here and here and
for even more visit my Fab Fashion Pinterest page
which is proving to be one of my most followed!!



Don't forget to check out my design services if
you  need some help refreshing or styling a space!!

Thanks for stopping by - have a GREAT
rest of the week!

xoxo

❤ Read More

Did you know I have a shop?

Hello fellow bloggers out there in blogland.  Happy Friday! I didn't know whether anyone out there knows I have a rather modest shop on my blog, aptly called 'The Shop' - I know, very creative! 

Well, I have some items that you might find interesting including a couple of pillows and some clothing that is virtually brand new.  I am moving soon and need to clean out stuff and as you know, when you get rid of stuff, you end up buying more stuff! (George Carlin said it, not me).  I just don't have enough followers to make any kind of impact, so I thought I would post and tweet about it. I have PayPal set up, so if you are interested in an item, send me an email (monacointeriors76@yahoo.com) and I will send you an invoice. Its simple! And you don't have to leave your house - even better!  I have posted a few items below to tempt you - I hope you will stop by and check it out and have a great weekend!!

Did you see Kate Middleton in her Topshop Polka Dot
Dress?? Dots are hot!  $10.00 + $3.00 shipping
(Petite Medium)

Hot, hot, hot dots!! $10.00 + $3.00 shipping
(Petite Medium)

Vintage Tray Table - Set of two $40.00 + $10 shipping or
one table for $20.00 + $5.00 shipping

Sweet yellow + white pillow $10.00 + $3.00 shipping

(images by me)
(image of Kate Middleton AP/INGphoto.com)


There are more items in the shop and I live in a
smoke free home!!

Check it out!

Thanks and don't forget you can follow
me on TWITTER
and on PINTEREST 

❤ Read More

Fashion inspiration...Vera Wang...

I recently bought a Vera Wang top and I was thrilled as I've been looking to buy something from her petite collection at Kohl's for ages!  It is a multi-colored top with an asymmetrical neckline which gives it a unique and slightly edgy design. One of the things I love about it is the mix of colors, which got me thinking about how it would influence the colors in a room. I'm sure we have all thought about this, when you buy a piece of clothing what do you love about it? I think Domino magazine used to do a feature on clothes/rooms.  So here is my interpretation of how you could use this top to design a room:

(image by me)

(image by me)

Hopefully you can see the colors here - it is 

brighter than it looks with lots of yellows, greens,

reds and pinks and hint of teal -

(image)

(image)

(image)

(image)

(image)

(image)

(image)

(image)

I LOVE this TETRIS lamp! This is my favorite example -

I love all the colors here - 

(image)

All images from my PINTEREST boards -

Do you have a piece of clothing that could influence the design of 

a room for a client or in your own house? 

Don't forget to check out my Monaco Interiors Shop!! 

Have a great Easter!!

❤ Read More

Best of MI...Organizing the closet 101...

BEST OF MI - FROM 2010-

January is a great time to clean out, organize, throw out, reorganize and putter around when its cold outside.  I used to work for a closet company and learned the right way to organize my closet - if you are at wit's end, keep reading and get organized once and for all!! 

Ok, here's the deal...I cleaned my linen closet yesterday and then decided to clean out my clothes closet and...um...3 hours later my back and feet were killing me because I went crazy and ended up getting rid of most of my clothes and then some!! Sooo, I thought these pictures were fabulous of what I would REALLY like my closet to look like, but, doesn't even resemble.

I used to design and sell closets for a local company and the first thing we did on a consultation was advise the client to throw out what they haven't worn in a year or less and basically just chuck out everything else not being used. That includes the 'I'll keep this skirt just in case I wear it in the future' - well, that happened to me and I realized 5 years went by and guess what??? I NEVER WORE IT!!!

Next step is, once the closet is cleaned out, its time to arrange the clothing by style for easy dressing in the morning. So, I have all my blouses together, slacks, short sleeved shirts, jackets and so on...it really makes life easier to have everything hanging together.

I highly recommend wooden hangers - they are great for keeping shirts shapes (try saying that 3 times fast)...also, the slim velvet hangers that allow you to hang more clothes in a tighter space...plus you can buy so many pretty fabric boxes now to keep all your extras in...

This closet is a good example of using space efficiently...by having the double hung areas, it allows you to have more clothes in a small space instead of one long bar along a closet.

I try to keep moth repellent handy as well - I lived in a house where I had an infestation and it was a nightmare, so its always good to store woolens in an airtight container or bag. I just bought travel bags that don't allow any mildew, mold or pests on your fabrics. Love these! I'm going back to buy a few more...

I also want to buy a nice handbag hanger this week - it keeps all your handbags in one place...I have been keeping mine inside another big bag!!! I know you all have probably heard or read about closet organization before so I hope you don't mind me blathering about it.  Oh, and I took control of the linen closet by labeling all the towel piles because I have people (um, hubby and sons) who keep grabbing any old towel - usually a swim towel to dry off.  It just makes more laundry right?

Hope you have a great week and please visit again and say hi!!

(images California Closets)

If you need help with organization in your home, making a space pretty or just not sure about what furniture, fabric or paint to use...contact me and I can turn your space into an inviting place. Contact me @monacointeriors76@yahoo.com.

❤ Read More

5 MORE TIPS for downsizing...

WHEN IN DOUBT, TAKE IT OUT -

Michael Taylor, the iconic interior designer credited with originating the 'California' look - light, bright and breezy in the '70's. He lived by this and its an adage we should all consider doing on a daily basis. 


Here are another 5 tips for your notebook:

1. Take all your old towels (you know you have them) and sheets to an animal shelter or hospital or find a drop-off for animal shelters that are always looking for old towels, comforters, blankets and sheets for their sick pets. This goes for pet food and toys too.

Lucy says 'donate now!!' and thank you...

Scooter says 'do the right thing and give us your old linens!'

...and thank you...

2. Got old 8 tracks?? Some of the younger bloggers won't know what the heck those are, but, they HAVE to go!!  Tapes? forget it...old movies on VHS? fuggedaboutit! (as they say in Jersey) -these
are great donations to a library, hospital or school...(in some cases, just chuck 'em out please)...

3. CLOTHES, uh-oh, this is a biggie and almost warrants its own column...If you haven't worn something for 3 months to a year, its time to go. It may look pretty on the hanger, but, really, its just decoration at this point. This goes for handbags, shoes and winter boots as well as winter coats or any kind of coats. Dress for Success (helping women look great for job interviews) Drama clubs, Goodwill, Salvation Army and various other charities are always looking for clothing. If you have a lot, fill out a tax form and collect at the end of the year.

This is a hat you may want to toss...a bit 

outdated don't you think??

(image)

4.  TOILETRIES - this is another big one. If you are like me, you collect hair and skin products just because you can and because you got a 'deal.' Well, truly how many mousses can one possibly use?? When not in use, these bottles are taking up precious real estate in the bathroom, linen closet or perhaps its spread to the bedroom. This is not good. The best place for these? How about a women's shelter? These products are great for women who have left abusive husbands or partners etc. who want to not only look good, but feel good.

(image)

5. PHOTOGRAPHS - this is another big one for us older bloggers. If you have hundreds, maybe thousands of photos like I did, I literally grabbed a glass of wine, plunked down on my living room floor and went through boxes of photos that took an entire afternoon. I threw out mostly scenic shots (you know 10 pictures of the Eiffel Tower or Leaning Tower of Pisa can only go so far, they're all the same!) and filled a Hefty garbage bag that was so heavy I could barely lift it.  I only kept those pictures that are meaningful and they are now downsized and organized accordingly in shoeboxes or similarly sized boxes. I felt great when I was done, because they were sitting in storage for the better part of 8 years. What good is that? 


BONUS FENG SHUI TIP: putting pictures of deceased relatives around the house or on your walls means that even in the spiritual world, they are actively looking out for you and protecting you. It can only be good. 

Should this stay or should it go?? Probably a keeper since its 

the Juliana and went down the Thames today carrying the Olympic torch!!

So, if you really can't part with certain things, put it all in a box, close it and check

back in a month or two...you won't even remember what's in there. So, like Michael

Taylor, when in doubt, take it out!!

(images by me unless noted)

Happy Olympics! Will you be watching the Opening Ceremony? I will so 

enjoy! 

LONDON 2012

Please contact me for interest in advertising or interior styling, cleaning out, organizing or choosing

paint color or art work for your home at monacointeriors76@yahoo.com.

❤ Read More

Dear Santa...xx

Well, I guess I can't deny its time to start hinting or just plain asking for what I want for Christmas...here, just a couple of items...what about you? all set? Wow, I just noticed my trend in whites!

Hey, I need to keep warm in New England! Love this beautiful winter white coat...

This is just a great layering item to wear anytime, goes with anything...

This is my number two pick above - a more stylish version of an Irish Fisherman's sweater...

Number one on my list - love the colors - they remind me of my little Scottish cap I had when I was little...

Do you have your list made? Happy Tuesday!

For more of the above, go here

(images landsend.com)

❤ Read More

The white shirt...

The cool white shirt...This classic never goes out of style...it is a bright alternative to black and looks good on everyone. I like wearing silver or turquoise with it. Do you own a white shirt? Do you dress it up or down with jeans? If you don't own this classic, why not add it to your wardrobe for a new look?  Have a great Tuesday!

(image gap.com)

❤ Read More