Ice Cream Dreams

Oh. My. Lordy. This spread for Mulberry's Spring/Summer 2012 collection (photographed by the amazing Tim Walker) has got to be the best thing to grace pages in...well...a long time.

Walker is known for his abstract, fantasy-themed photographs from which viewers can't seem to look away. The sorbet colors, the melted "ice cream cone", the boardwalk and pier backdrop...it's just too much!

This post has done two things for me:

1) I'm now craving old fashioned ice cream, waffle cone included.

2) I feel a serious urge to go shopping. (Which typically happens 6 out of the 7 days of the week.)

1 // 2// 3// 4// 5// 6

I love the thought of integrating colors from the items above into outfits this spring to create a Mulberry-esque look. What do these images do for you? Are you as captivated by them as I?

Be blessed, lovelies-

La Oficina

via Pinterest

Hi girls! Hope everyone had a fantastic weekend! We (Stephen and I) didn't do much of anything, which was just fine with us : ) We did finish putting up all the Christmas decorations and also cleaned out our 2nd guest bedroom, which we're going to turn into an office/library. We don't have guests that often and having two un-used rooms just seemed silly to us.

So naturally, I've been perusing the inter-webs in search of decorating ideas and furnishings for a chic home office.

via Pinterest

To my husband, any room with a tabletop and chair functions as an office. Give him a ball point pen and a laptop and he can work just fine. Neither gale-force winds nor harsh overhead lighting can stop him from cranking out spreadsheet after spreadsheet. He is a man's man. And that is why I love him.

I, however, crave a room that inspires ideas, cultivates creativity and makes me want to work. I need soft lighting, a luxe chair and opulent office utensils. I am, essentially, an office snob.




I also need a really awesome tape dispenser.

Below are a few little items that I think would look right at home in our new office...don't you?

1) Seychelles Chandelier by Serena & Lily; 2) Pink Moroccan Leather Pouf by Serena & Lily; 3) Martini Side Table in Lemon from West Elm; 4) Honeycomb Lamp w/White Shade; 5) Waste Basket from Ikea; 6) Zig Zag Rug

In other home decorating news, we are STILL waiting on the delivery of our new coffee table and end tables. I'm honestly beginning to wonder if we would've been better off to procure some timber and build them ourselves, at this rate anyway.

...............................................................................

P.S.- Come back tomorrow to learn about Savoir-Faire, a store that's taking NWA by storm!

Be blessed, lovelies-

Do You Rue?

Whew! Ladies and guys, I do believe the work week is drawing to a close...anyone else as elated as I am about this?

Thought so : )

Last night I got to spend some quality time with one of my besties Dee, which included the requisite pumpkin spice lattes and shoe shopping. We didn't really make any big purchases, but we did get a chance to finally catch up on each other's lives and laugh our heads off about silly, girly stuff...and really, can you put a price on that?

I thought we'd kiss this week goodbye in style today. I mean, is there any other way to do it?

And by "style", I mean this.

What happens when a team of whip-smart women with impeccable taste join forces with some of the best and brightest stylemakers in the world?

Rue Magazine, that's what.

Crystal from one of my favorite decorating blogs, Plush Palate, recently followed her dreams and started her own online home decor magazine, along with Anne from The City Sage. Crystal's blog was one of the first I followed and she was also a kind supporter of A Blonde Ambition in its infant stages, too. So please stop by and take a look at her newborn publication...you won't regret it.

Rue Magazine will be a bi-monthly publication that will feature gorgeous decor, home and fashion styling tips, shopping advice and boatloads of other dazzling content.

Their first issue dropped yesterday and I literally spent an hour before work oooo-ing and ahhhh-ing over the devastatingly beautiful photos and brilliantly written articles.

After seeing this, I will be not-so-patiently awaiting the November issue...sigh...Go now and get your Rue on, girls.

Well fair friends, I am off to tackle this Friday and enjoy the next two days of weekend bliss. Be happy, be safe and most of all...

Be blessed, lovelies

Photo credits: Rue Magazine

Floridian Escape by Nate

Hey guys, welcome back from the long weekend! I hope everyone enjoyed these past couple of days of Independence Day celebrating as much as I did.

First off, I wanted to thank you guys again for your super-sweet comments and emails following the Celebrate article last week. Things were crazy busy last week, so I didn't get a chance to properly express my appreciation to you Blonde Ambition readers.

Secondly, within the next week our blog will be getting a little facelift and I'm totally excited about it! Kelly from Fabulous K Creative has been working double-time on a design, which I know is going to be amazing. So just a heads up, if ya'll stop by later this week and things look a little different (in a good way), you'll know you're still in the right place : )

Alrighty then, let's get to it:

Today, we'll be visiting the Palm Beach digs of Allison and Robby Adams, a Florida couple with an impeccable sense of style and a top-notch decorator-to-the-stars, Nate Berkus. The Adams wanted a place where they could host parties for friends and relax in their downtime.

Architect Rick Penza took their concepts and designed a 6,500-square-foot villa which the couple shares with their two daughters Dallas and Adelaide.

With its gorgeous pool, shaded terraces and charming Spanish influences, this home defines Floridian glamour. Berkus's unique style was just the ticket to creating the warm, eclectic vibe that the Adams so desired. The home features furniture pieces from many different time periods, creating a cool juxtaposition of old-meets-new.

The great room features an original firescreen and Tommi Parzinger-inspired cabinet, both designed by Berkus himself.

The Helene Aumont dining table and Mattaliano chairs create the perfect balance of elegance and comfort.

This effortlessly cool study showcases a 1940 Rene Drouet stool and Richard Shapiro cocktail table.

Globe-shapped light fixtures by Historical Materialism bring a sense of modernity to the kitchen.

And come on, who wouldn't want to go for a dip in this unspeakably chic Urban Archaeology tub?

You can check out more on this feature here at Elle Decor.

Be blessed, lovelies-

Photo credits: Elle Decor by Photographer Roger Davies

A Reason to Celebrate

Ok, so I have a little something to share with you guys today that is SO exciting for me....

I was recently approached to do an interview and photoshoot about A Blonde Ambition with Celebrate Arkansas Magazine for their July issue and, (of course), I said yes! It was released yesterday and I couldn't be happier with the finished product.


In addition to getting to talk about the blog, I also got to visit two of my favorite stores in Fayetteville and choose pieces to be spotlighted in the feature.


You can check out the digital version here!


A special thanks goes out to the lovely and oh-so-talented Jena Anderson who coordinated and wrote the article, photographer Jason Hudson and the team at Celebrate. Also, a big thank-you to Maude and Lola Boutique!

And lastly, but most importantly, a BIG "gracias" to you amazing readers. You guys continue to rock my world more and more everyday.

Be blessed, lovelies-








Photo credits: Celebrate Arkansas Magazine , Jason Hudson for Hudson Photography

Divine in Dallas

Greetings and happy Monday, friends! I hope you all enjoyed a most delightful weekend and are fully ready to take on the week ahead.

Whilst surfing the web last night, (do people still say "surfing"? probably not..), I stumbled upon this spread from D Magazine which featured the Dallas digs of Kari and Kirby Schlegel. If these drool-worthy pics don't put some pep in your step this morning, then you may need to refill your Starbucks and come back again later : )

The Schlegel siblings occupy 12,200 sumptuous square feet of the W Tower in Dallas with their aptly named, "Victory" space.

You see, Kari Schlegel fell in love with high-rise living during a brief stint in NYC where she worked as an intern for Tory Burch. When she finally returned to the Big D in 2007, she had no interest in purchasing a house, but she DID want a place at the W.

In a coincidental turn of events, Kari's brother Kirby also wanted a place at the W, so the siblings decided to purchase a corner unit and co-habitate. Cool, huh?

Decorator Jan Showers used ideas from Domino magazine (God rest its soul) and color schemes inspired by the collections of Tory Burch.

All rooms of the unit pop with colorful accents such as yellow French Louis XVI chairs and fun animal prints. The space is wonderfully uncluttered, making it the perfect place to throw a party and host weekend guests, (something both of the Schlegel siblings enjoy.)

A marble and white bathroom is a blissful escape from the hustle and bustle of the busy city.

Kari's favorite room of the house is the massive industrial kitchen, which makes for the perfect space to experiment with new recipes and whip up old favorites.

And please, let's not even talk about the craziness of this shoe closet....um, heaven much?

Well, I hope your day is as brilliant and bright as this living space : )

Be blessed, lovelies-

Photo credits: D Magazine

Style Inspiration: {Jack + Karen}

It's Monday and what better way to start the day than with a big dose of rock and roll style, brought to you by one of my favorite musically-inclined couples, Jack White and Karen Elson?

Shot by renowned photog Annie Leibovitz for the June issue of Vogue magazine, the spread features a whimsical roadtrip through the southern U.S., complete with fringe, vintage guitars and a plethora of dive bars.

Styled to the nines in ensembles from Marc Jacobs, Alberta Ferreti and John Galliano, the feature commemorates this month's debut of Elson's first album The Ghost Who Walks, produced by hubby White, (of course.)

Makes me wanna marry a genius musician and travel around in an El Camino wearing fabulous couture outfits.

A girl can dream. *Sigh*

Be blessed, lovelies-

Photo credits: Vogue June 2010

That's Alive With An "A"

Lord, almighty.... Did ya'll think I'd abandoned ship? Haha!

Have no fear, this blogger is still alive and well thankyoukindly. I won't even play though, things have been INSANITY this past week. Whew.

Glad that's O.V.E.R.

Now, I know it's the weekend and you guys are probably anticipating this post about as much as Kate Gosselin's next appearance on Dancing With the Stars....but....here's a little something to tide you over til the day of Mon'.

...it's called Lonny Magazine...

Look at the bright pretty colors....breathe in its home decor-y goodness....visualize yourself sitting pretty on that gorge-ola zebra print ottoman.

I'll be back in the flesh in a fortnight, (well, not that I'm not in the flesh now, but, well, you get the idea.)

Be blessed, lovelies.

Photo credits: Lonny Magazine