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

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Dear Design Diary...bedroom love...

I have to admit I LOVE lounging around on Sunday mornings and if it goes into the afternoon, oh well right?  Love having my coffee while I blog and surf the net.  Now its time to actually get some things done ,so before I shower and go off shopping and hit the beach for a much needed long walk, here is a beautiful bedroom I wouldn't mind hanging out in.  LOVE the pinks and florals - do you? And please feel free to check out all my Pinterest boards here.

What are you doing today??



(image Pinterest)


Need help refreshing a bedroom? Contact me for interior styling at
monacointeriors76@yahoo.com.

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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 -

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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!!

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Best of MI...Traveling in style indeed...

Happy Weekend bloggers! Well, I have to go to work tomorrow for inventory so I will not have a full day off...but, this cold weather here in downeast Maine has me dreaming of warm climates and sandy beaches or European cities, I'm not picky!   Please join me for another post from my 'Best of' series about traveling and looking oh-so-stylish. I would LOVE to look this chic all the time...oh well, a little dreaming is ok right? 


Best of MI from April 2012:

Well, I was supposed to be in London this week but got a cold and was unable to fly. I won't bore you with the details, but, I have had four ear operations and flying with any congestion is just not possible. So, I was thinking...a long time ago I lived in Great Britain and flying back home regularly introduced me to looking more like a grown up rather than a student, since I was a few years out of college: looking great while making the skip across the pond. I used to make a real effort because I didn't want to look like a typical American in a nylon jogging suit that made a loud swishing sound when walking. I was determined to stand out from the crowd. I remember one outfit of leggings, a beautiful pair of brown boots and my mother's big brown faux fur coat. I thought I looked pretty good and I probably did!! It was better than sweats...so, from my favorite pin board take a look at these:

OMG, who wouldn't want these gorgeous bags to fly with???

I would love to step off the plane wearing this, preferably on the tarmac 

where the paparazzi are waiting...;-)

Yes, I will take those sunglasses and I want my hair like that too...

Ok, Kelly Ripa doppelganger (I think)...but the pearls and glasses make the

statement...hello love, I'm here...

I would like to carry this bag on the plane with me, but, with white gloves on too...

I secretly wish I could dress like its the 1950's all the time...I would love

to wear this for travel...or to work...

Back to reality...I love this chic and colorful outfit and it 

would look right in London...

Or polka dots...I would love to wear this while pulling my 

suitcase behind me at Heathrow...

The more casual travel look, but still paparazzi-effective with the scarf...

This looks so comfortable - the bag isn't too big,

the leopard scarf, Birkin like bag and smile just 

screams 'I'm cool' -

Now, my grandparents used to drive one hour home from their lake house and 

would dress up - suit, tie, dress, patent handbag...the works.  They might

stop for dinner and run into people they knew. But, full disclosure, my grandfather was a former Congressman so he could be recognized and always wanted to look his best. 

I think we have lost the art of dressing up everyday and I wish we could go back to a time when everyone made an effort to look presentable whether at the grocery store or dropping the kids off at school.

When you look good, you feel good and people will treat others differently based on appearance. 

Do you like to stand out from the crown when you travel or go to the store? Do tell!

Have a great week, welcome and thank you to my new followers!

(images via)

Please email me for help with styling your home at monacointeriors76@yahoo.com - 

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Fall fashion tips from Anya Sarre...

Hello! I apologize its been awhile since my last post, but, I have a very exciting guest post to share with you from Hollywood stylist Anya Sarre, who has worked with celebrities including Kim Kardashian!  If you are looking for fashion tips for the fall, you have come to the right place so let's go!

Embrace Exciting New Fall Fashions to Redefine Yourself

Embracing fall fashions and new looks is a great way to begin re-taking control over your life and exploring the beautiful you that is just bursting with eagerness to make an appearance!

It does not matter if you take a few minutes to toss on something fashionable, or if you have spent hours preparing your look. When you leave your home dressed for success, you will have the odds in your favor.

If you have no idea where to get started this year when it comes to trying out new fall fashions, consider the maxi skirt.  This simple and breezy skirt is a gem that can be paired with multiple types of button-up work blouses, blazers, cashmere sweaters and long-sleeve T’s with fashionable scarves! Adding a silk scarf that is tied breezily around the neck will set off any maxi skirt.  Pair this outfit with a knee-high pair of English-style riding boots or a sophisticated set of high-heeled strappy sandals in golden and bronze fall colors for maximum effect. Don’t forget, shoes can make or break a look, so complete your fall red carpet look from head to toe!

Dressing in a lovely denim jacket that is paired with a white peasant blouse and a long, brown suede skirt is the perfect outfit to consider wearing to a fall concert, fall festival, or out to dinner with a boyfriend or spouse. Or try paring a long cardigan paired with a beautiful print blouse and retro corduroy jeans. To convert this look to a more feminine one, substitute the corduroy jeans for a knee-length corduroy skirt.  Combine this slightly vintage and romantic look with chunky black shoes or a pair of slim brown boots that taper down the calves and accentuate long legs.

courtesy Anya Sarre

Accessories for fall can be bright and festive to match the colors of autumn. Red headscarves that have a tail which flows down to the shirt can make any woman stand out from the crowd.  Chunky jewelry in hues of gold, oranges, svelte browns and emerald greens are other colors that work well for accessories, handbags and jackets for high fall fashions!

courtesy Anya Sarre

Exploring your personal style and dressing to impress will not only turn heads when you walk by, this will also give you a new and bolder sense of self-assurance and vitality.  Take advantage of the numerous designer apparels that are being released this fall and step out of your front door looking and feeling your absolute best!

Anya Sarre is one of Hollywood’s most influential trendsetters. A nationally recognized celebrity stylist, Sarre is known for her impeccable eye and ability to tie any look together with the perfect accessory. Named “Best Television Fashion Stylist” for her appearances on Entertainment Tonight, The Insider and countless other media outlets, Sarre is the go-to fashion expert for Hollywood’s biggest celebrities.

I hope you enjoyed these fabulous tips!!  Thank you so much to Anya for her expertise, I know I can always use tips to look and feel great.  I would love to have Anya back, so please leave any comments or questions you have for her!!   

For more information about Anya, go here, where you can follow her on Twitter and Facebook and see her appearances on 'Entertainment Tonight' and 'The Insider.'

Have a great week!! 

(images courtesy Anya Sarre and Monaco Interiors) 

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Fashion runway to home...

Fashion trends this season according to In Style magazine, include florals and black + gold. I wanted to show you how you can easily translate this from the runway right to your home.  First up is the floral frenzy - everything floral with bright colors on dresses, handbags and shoes. This can easily move to the home by adding wallpaper with bold and colorful flowers or fabrics that scream 'look at me' on a chair. Would you add this floral decor in your home? It is kind of like a 'shabby chic' on caffeine!

On the runway:

To Home...

In Style

(images via)

The second trend as seen in 'In Style' mag is black and gold.  Now I love black + white, but, this color combo definitely offers a little more glam and a little more chic to the usual combo.  I found some decorating inspiration for both your wardrobe and your home:

On the runway:

To Home:

In Style

(images via)

I love the black and gold and have seen a lot of it in Jen's apartment over at Made by Girl - I love her style.  I wear a lot of black and white and to refresh my look, I can always add gold jewelry to perk up the outfit and as a great accent.  

Will you be updating your wardrobe to include either of these trends?  I would probably add a colorful scarf to an outfit instead of floral head to toe - I am petite and I'm afraid it would overwhelm my small frame!

Have a great week! 

For information and pricing for my decorating services, please contact me on monacointeriors76@yahoo.com.

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