Black and Blue

Over the last couple of months I've discovered that everyday life boils down to a series of important questions.  Do I scoop the cat shit in the litter box or do I watch the Kardashians? Do I make that amazeballs pinterest recipe for dinner or do I throw on an XXL tee and shovel a gallon of ice cream into my mouth? Do I pluck my eyebrows or shave my big toe? Juuuuust kidding about that last one...

Yes, life is full of choices and in light of my new 'big girl job as a buyer's assistant,' I find myself partaking in those tasks that require the least amount of brain power after a long day of work. 

One task that is far less embarrassing than toe shaving and crying like a hormonal freak when Kourt Kardash pulls her baby out of her vagine, is browsing Nastygal's latest store additions! When I came across this sequin blazer I couldn't resist it's Jackie O aesthetic. While everyone loves a solid preppy look, I thought I'd offset it's 'kosher-ness' with some grungey harem pants. Their subtle circular pattern and royal blue hue is a perfect match for my blazer. xx

The fact that it's not even May and it's 85 degrees out explains the appearance of my delicious ice cream cone in this photo sesh. I'm not really built for hot weather... or even cold for that matter.  I'm already a slightly 'whiney' person, so when the temperature is outside of my comfort range (i.e. 70-75) I resort to drastic and dramatic measures such as parking myself in front of large, window air conditioner units airing out my armpits with a tasty iced beverage in hand. I'm kind of a puss.

Ice cream on my lip, don't trip.

 In my last blog entry I told you all about my plans to spruce up our sad looking bedroom. I am happy to report that I've been successful in painting, installing IKEA track and curtains for our faux canopy and transforming 3 yards of the most incredible vintage Marimekko fabric into a sassy blanket. 

While the room is still a work in progress and not quite ready for photographing, I did want to show you the bedside table I found thrifting yesterday. I paid only 20 bucks for it and I'm IN LOVE. You like?

Amazing mirrored art deco inspired bedside table

Would someone please tell Percy (on the left) to stop licking my eyelids at night?

xo, Have a happy week everyone!

So I'm not sure who or what inspired this look. It could have been the darling 90 plus year old grandma I saw in the grocery store the other day who had on a siiiiick pair of green pants that fit her like a glove or my previous post revealing my 'emerald' obsession. Either way I threw together my latest thrift finds and topped the look off with my prized Oscar de la Renta white linen blazer. The results are... to be honest, I don't know where I stand with this outfit as I was slightly delusional while dressing.

So it's the end of the day and I'm pooped from training for my new stylist job. I am also swearing to myself that I will never spray tan my face ever again in the morning before work (while I'm still half asleep), because when I returned home, I took one glance in the mirror and realized that I looked as if I had smeared a jar of pureed carrot orange baby food all over my face. I hope my coworkers don't assume I have a terrible case of jaundice or liver disease. Oh well, oompa loompas look rad in green, right?

P.S. I'm redesigning our bedroom which is at the moment looking like a really sparse, creepy, non sensual, anything-but-relaxing place. I drew up two quick sketches for design direction for our 'faux bed canopy' and wanted your opinions. Vote in the comment section for the design you think we should execute. I need help and will show the end results and design process.

I know I look like a total goober in this photo but Purrcie is so model material.

Option 1

Option 2

Fall 2012 Forecasting: Emerald City

I loved seeing vibrant colors linger in Fall 2012 RTW collections. Nothing updates a look more effectively than the simple injection of hot pink, fuchsia or fiery reddish orange. One hue in particular caught my eye during Fashion Week and conjured up images of yellow brick roads, ruby red slippers and best of all, sultry emerald tones. You can bet I'll be stocking my closet full of this irresistible color after this spring/summer's pretty pastels are played out.

*Images from nymag.com and elle.com

From L to R:

Corey Lynn Calter

Tori Burch

Sachin and Babi

J Mendel

Married with Kittens

Don't worry, this will be the only neon I force upon you. ;)

Tiny baby plays with the Lita

Purrcie is a 'special' little lady

Tales of a bored housewife 

Our mantel with my prized ceramic Persian Princess

I'm a slave for high contrast

Love my Etsy Turkish Kilim Pillow

Like my high gloss black walls in my office?

Oh blog friends (if you're still out there) I have missed connecting with you all over the internets. All I can say is that life has been incredibly hectic with getting married, moving into a new place, getting a new job (as a stylist at the new Nordstrom in City Creek Center in downtown Salt Lake), a new last name, a new kitten, eeeeeek I love my sweet Purrcie! Trying to adjust to a new everything is quite overwhelming but also very enjoyable. 

The husbie and I have been basking in our new registry gifts and have been fattening ourselves with delicious waffles from the new waffle maker and good home cooking with our extra sharp knife set and sparkling frying pans. We've definitely been treating ourselves. 

All that aside, I am excited to get back to real life and to have time to focus on the things I loved prior to wedding planning.

As you can see I'm shoving quite a bit of neon down y'alls throats. I know that I'll be sick of it soon and I tend to be rather 'black or white' so I thought I'd purge my system of the seemingly quickly diminishing trend. 

Anyhow, I hope you're all doing just lovely and grateful to those who still take a second to peek at my dorkiness on here.

P.S. Who is sad they're not at NYFW? I am pretty bummed and as result my next post will be dedicated to all the glorious new designs flanking the runway this season. 

1. Messeca - Coraline Velvet Wedge in Burgundy: $169.95, Solestruck.com

2. Alexander Wang - Marion Bag in Azure: $650.00, Shopbop.com

3. Karen Walker - Patsy Sunglasses: $180.00, Barneys.com

4. Rebecca Minkoff - Anja Two Tone Fur Jacket: $1898.00, Shopbop.com

5. Paperself - Faux Paper Lashes: $19.00, Sephora.com

Better Run

Close Encounters

I hope all of you enjoyed your freedom this weekend. It's pretty unlikely that you had less fun than I did as I spent the entirety of my weekend at a religious retreat called 'Engaged Encounter' or as my fiance likes to call it, 'Encounters with the Turd kind.'  In a nutshell, this marriage preparation encourages couples to discuss before they get hitched, the controversial topics/hot spots that are commonly known to cause bumps in the marital path. Super FUN things like finances, values, kids, in-laws , etc. Since my fiance is Catholic, we knew this would be on our list of pre-wedding 'to do's'. 

I know the turd comment is a little crass but really, after 12 hours of writing in journals, covering issues we've hammered through countless times in our relationship, we felt pretty emotionally vacant. To my surprise, the whole experience wasn't that bad and aside from the poor sweet lady who wouldn't stop crying during the meetings and the couple who engaged in some strange sounding intercourse in the room next to us, we found that our values regarding marriage were actually strengthened and reinforced. I'm glad we went through it together, but even happier that we will never have to do it again.

On another note....

I have been so intrigued with the fact that color blocking has continued into the winter season. I'm freakishly giddy over the unusual combinations of eye-popping citron, coral and violet/blue hues with the more toned down rust, forest green and berry colors traditionally seen this time of year. 

I found this maroon knit cardi while shopping at H&M's opening VIP party and decided that it would look glorious with my favorite salmon colored button down. 

Hope all of you are faboowus.

xo 

Winner Winner, Chicken Dinner

I had a blast hosting the contest for the H&M Grand Opening Pre party at Fashion Place. It was even more fun to meet the contest winners who attended the party last night - you were all so beautiful, kind and thhhuper stylithh (of course.) I think all of us can agree that the best possible way to bond is over shopping and cocktails.

Thanks to those who entered! 

Here are my top picks selected from the winning submissions in no particular order: 

Now this girl can WRITE! I read this to my friends in the car ride over and it had everyone in stitches. Allie, I don't know you but I think I'm in love! ;)

Everyone rejoice, for Brittanee was finally able to use her gift card!

Dear Stephanie, Can you please work on this Cat dress? I need it in my closet right MEEEEEOW!

Bonus points for animal usage

CONTEST: H&M Grand Opening VIP Party

As a 20 year resident of Salt Lake City, I reflect fondly upon my younger days as a Crossroads Mall rat. The junior high weekend routine was clearly established: invite skinny, 11 year old, brace face friends over for a Friday night sleepover, write in journals about who is ‘dating’ aka ‘holding hands with’ who in the seventh grade, engage in a lengthy binge of 90210 episodes and then stay up as late as humanly possible.

The true magic of my 11 year life culminated in meandering aimlessly throughout the mall. We’d begin our journey in Limited Too, migrate slowly toward The Gap and conclude our trek in the Food Court. Here, we would gorge on cinnamon buns until our blood sugar levels soared high enough to carry us through an intensive photo shoot in the photo booth at the lower level magic shop.

Fourteen years later, Crossroads is no longer standing, and in its place stands the massive City Creek development. While I was initially saddened by the loss of Crossroads Mall, I am elated by the much needed metamorphosis of the Salt Lake shopping experience that is taking place. 

Since the era of Crossroads we’ve witnessed the opening of the Gateway Mall which introduced new to market retail giants such as Urban Outfitters and Forever 21. We’ve also witnessed the Trolley Square remodel and the arrival of our first American Apparel. While these events have indeed been a step in the right direction for Salt Lake, nothing will elevate the shopping experience more than the grand opening of H&M in Fashion Place Mall. 

Gone are the days of the mandatory and obligatory H&M visit while on vacation. No longer do we need to worry that our return suitcase, crammed full of H&M swag, will exceed the airlines weight requirements resulting in a luggage fee. After years of waiting, our fashion prayers have been answered. We finally have a store that we can call our own. 

_________________________________________________________________

Okay… now onto the CONTEST PORTION of this post:

Now that I've told you what H&M's arrival means to me,

 I would like you to tell me how YOU feel about it!

CONTEST RULES:

1.  FOLLOW MY BLOG TO ENTER

2. EXPRESS WHAT THE FASHION PLACE H&M OPENING MEANS TO YOU. For example, send a videolog of yourself getting weirdly emotional (just don't be naked please,) draw a picture, write a haiku or sing a song... do whatever you like, just as long as your content can be submitted via email. 

3.  EMAIL YOUR SUBMISSIONS TO kristenrapp@gmail.com WITH ‘H&M CONTEST’ IN THE SUBJECT LINE. 

4.       PARTICIPANTS MUST BE RESIDENTS OF SALT LAKE/SURROUNDING AREA.


Tip: Don't over-think this... it's supposed to be fun. You'll get bonus point for humor. 

WINNERS WILL RECEIVE:

ADMITTANCE TO THE H&M GRAND OPENING VIP PARTY, NOVEMBER 10TH, FROM 7-10pm. 

I will be giving away 7 invites total. Each invite allows for one guest. Contest closes tomorrow @ 7pm. I will post my favorite submissions on my blog and will contact the winners via email on Thursday by 10AM MST.

Pickles is REAAAALLLY excited about H&M coming to Salt Lake!