This photo from the nümph brand news feed is a real treat!  The bold and retro mosaic pattern jumped out at me for obvious reasons, but the artist here has introduced enough “busy” elements to keep things interesting and balanced.

I’m a sucker for a good geometric pattern, and while I used to be a die-hard polka dot enthusiast, I’ve recently found my tastes graduating to triangular tessellations. Lucky for me, triangles are everywhere these days–from art to fashion, triangles are downright trendy.  Is the triangle the hippest shape out there right now? Check out some of the inspired pieces below and weigh in on the debate!

Clockwise from top left:

Cassette Society metallic gold triangle tee on ShopBop.com ($58.50)
1960 tribal triangle necklace by House of Harlow on Bloomingdales ($80)
Geometric beams dress with bead embellishment from Beyond the Valley via Asos ($450)
Cropped triangles top from Fred Flare ($33.99)
Geometric pop earrings by nomilktoday on Etsy ($9.50)
Multi triangles heather grey tee by jessalinb on Etsy ($36)
Converse triangle-print hightop Marimekko sneakers via Saks Fifth Avenue ($80)
Occult triangle badges from PandaEyesPendants on Etsy ($5 for 4)
Beaded geometry bag from Anthropologie ($228)
Geometric mosaic cuff by American Apparel ($24.50)

Uh-maz-ing. It’s like this bag is speaking to my soul. Maybe it’s because today’s high was only 20-something degrees, but these pieces from Mara’s resort collection are looking especially good right now. The colors and the patterns are spot-on trend, and I’m kind of wishing there was a beach in my near future!

This photo posted by Miss Heather of New York Shitty has been stuck in my brain since she shared it last month. This gem was spotted on the corner of Noble St. and West St. in Greenpoint, and is apparently the remnants of a recent photo shoot at this location. While one half of my brain is preoccupied with making plans to conduct my own shoot there before it disappears, the other half is spinning excitedly with ideas inspired by this gorgeous muted palette and super simple geometric pattern!

Clockwise from top left:

Pantone color chips for custom Pantone interiors paint (starting at $40/Liter)
Pipa table lamp in pierced resin and hardwood by Oly Studio (price upon request)
TwistTogether interactive block lamp from Glide Inc ($109)
Mosaic tile patterns from the Dwell collection at Heath Ceramics ($24-$48/sq ft)
Customized 4 x 6 rug from Jonathan Adler’s Design Your Own shop ($720)
Lamp table from Johnny Egg’s Daphne collection (price upon request)
Summer bud vase set in yellow, opaque white and aqua from Heath Ceramics ($100)
Danish modern love seat in chartreuse at Urban Outfitters ($398)
Smoky gray carafe and tumbler set from Haus Interior ($100)
Imperial trellis pillow cover in two-toned grey by Nena Von on Etsy ($35)

Yesterday we tweeted about a cardigan-centric post from You Are my Fave, which featured this photo of an embellished sweater from J Crew . The ruffled beauty is unfortunately sold out, but that shouldn’t stop you from re-creating the style with pieces from your existing wardrobe!

This old tank and cardigan have fallen out of  normal rotation – the tank is a little short, but I love the pattern and couldn’t bear to part with it in my most recent purge.  The sweater? Just a big bored with it.  Feeling inspired, I decided to combine the two into something new!

I thought this shirt would make a great ruffle for two reasons: 1. it’s a cute, neutral color and pattern and 2. the soft jersey knit material will hang well and can live without a hem. First, I split the shirt down it’s side seam. Luckily for me, the lace trim was only on the front, leaving a nice open area on the back for me to trace my first ruffle.

The first strip I cut was for my larger, bottom ruffle. I measured the fabric out to remain 5″ wide from start to finish. The second ruffle was cut out of the front of the tank, on the bottom half. This second strip  started out at 3 1/2″ and tapered off to 2″at its end (about 18″ long). I wanted this strip to have a narrower end so that my top ruffle would have more defined layers. 

Thread a needle through the top hem of your ruffle, folding the fabric back and forth (like a paper fan) as you sew. As you pull the thread, the fabric should gather and start to ruffle. I used a regular thread, but I’m assuming this would work even better with an elastic.

With a steam iron, I carefully pressed my pleats to form sharp creases in the fabric. Easier said than done, but the results came out great! Now, lets fold these bad boys into their final ruffly state…

1. Start with the small tapered ruffle, laid out flat

2. Fold the top half of the ruffle down over the bottom half, with the reverse side of the fabric showing

3. Fold the remaining bit down, print side up, to form a wedge shaped piece for your top ruffle

4. Next, lay the larger 5″ ruffle out on a flat surface

5. & 6. Fold ruffle back and forth in a zig-zag to create alternating layers of patterned and reversed fabric

7. This is what my completed bottom ruffle looked like when I was done folding.

8. Once you’ve laid out both ruffles, pinch the folds and discreetly sew each layer to secure.

9. Here are the finished pieces! I decided not to sew them together, in case I wanted to use the top or bottom ruffle separately on another garment.

10. Use a safety pin to secure the bottom ruffle to your cardigan. You can also sew them on, but I wanted the option of removing them before laundering as well as using them as embellishments elsewhere!

DONE! Pin the top ruffle in place and VOILA! A magical creation, all your own.

Only took 2 hours, and it didn’t cost $118 from J Crew. Score.

Big, decorative letters seem to be a growing trend in interior design. You can get these letters everywhere now. The hardest part is really which letters to buy and what to spell. Suggestions anyone? Or should I just create an homage to this blog, M-I-S-M-A-T-C-H-E-R-I-E?

Clockwise from left:
Letter A light from Perch! Design
Personalized G napkins from Envelop
Letter D from Daily Dropcap
F pendant from Ariel Gordon
Initial ring from MAstyle
Typographic fashion E and A from TypeNeue
Letter P from Briar Press
Letter Lights Balls from Perch! Design
Letter B from Daily Dropcap
Laser Cut Scarfs from LittleFactory
Austin Press calling card from Snippet and Ink
NB from Wohnbedarf
Fail Harder Pushpin Board from W+K
Cut paper Q from Grayhood
Hand Lettering from Joel Holland

The Uniform Project takes the simplification process to the extreme, in a good way. Sheena Matheiken wears one dress for one year as an exercise in sustainable fashion and to create awareness for the Akanksha Foundation. It’s a fascinating exercise in accessorizing and layering and basically stretching what you have. She’s really got a knack for it.

This particular photo reminds me of fall (is it the orange against the green?) in the city. The little “1″ in the corner is especially endearing!

TCHO Chocolate bars from The Lovely Package
Bottle lighting from Zero
Hidden Hamlet Plates from Anthropologie
Honey Dipped Booties from Anthropologie
Tin Can Lids from Twig and Thistle
Brooks Brothers Black Fleece Fragrance from “Fashion’s Night Out”
Soap packaging from Pan tu nie stal