hump day treat

My friend Sarah says, "Macaroons are the new cupcake.  They're all over NYC!"  I think she may be right.  Yesterday, as I was taking a quick work break and stumbled on this recipe for vanilla macaroons from Daniel Boulud on Elle Decor's website.  I think i may have to add "macaroon making" to my growing list of post-Election Day activities.  For now, I hope you'll test the recipe and let me know how they turn out.  So what are you waiting for?  Go fix yourself a little hump day treat!  

Not in the mood to bake?  Then sit back and be inspired by these photos from the gorgeous Parisian locations of the famed Laduree tea room and shops.

images via paper cakes finds | laduree

autumn

Well, it officially feels like autumn in DC.  The cool weather is settling in and we're even getting a few rain showers to boot.  My favorite part of this time of year is bringing my fall and winter clothes from the back to the front of the closet.  It's like getting a new wardrobe!   

image kate spade ad via MA Belle blog

before and after: my new black door

I finally painted the back of my front door after about six weeks of planning.  Remember the inspiration photos for the project?  Well, here are the before and after shots from last night.

before...

...and after!

So what do you think?  I think I need a better camera to really capture the door and its sheen in all its glory :)  But I'm totally in love with it.  Farrow and Ball's Off Black in full gloss was the perfect choice!  

P.S. You also get a bonus sneak peek at my new paint colors for the place.  Both are by Benjamin Moore.  The top is Grey Owl and the bottom is Pebble Beach.  I'm thinking Pebble Beach for the main room and Grey Owl for my bedroom.  Those are post-election projects though.  

notice anything different?

On Friday I promised a surprise for Monday morning and if you take a look at the top of the blog, you'll see the new urban tastemakers logo!  I have to give a shout out and huge thanks to Rob Kubasko, my friend and former colleague for designing the logo.  Let me know what you think!

I also changed up my profile picture to the right.  I love the new look of the Lonny blog and was inspired by the blogger bio section, so I decided to create my own little personal collage to share a little more about me with you.  Check out the larger version below and have a happy Monday!

P.S.  Check back later today for photos of my new black door!  

casual friday

It's been a long week!  Who else is looking forward to going home and crawling into bed for a little R&R?  I'm hoping to paint the back of my front door black this weekend.  If that happens, I promise to post pictures for you all to see since a lot of people have been asking about it.   

I also have a little surprise for all of my readers, so check back on Monday to see the big reveal!

image via this is glamorous

fashion week: ballerinas on the brain

There's been a ton of buzz in the blogosphere about J. Mendel's Spring 2011 collection.  Not only are the dresses gorgeous, but I can't take my eyes off the amazing orange ballet slippers each model wore.  I love the pop of color!  Apparently, Gilles Mendel took Christian Louboutin wedges and wrapped orange grosgrain ribbon around the ankles.  Sounds like a fun DIY project....

images via style.com

inspiration: masculine decor

My brother's house in Atlanta (Decatur, to be exact) needs a makeover.  Actually, like nearly every bachelor pad, it just needs to be decorated period.  I pulled a bunch of inspiration photos for his place and wanted to share them with you.  My vision for his 1950's ranch-style brick house is a cross between a lake house, surf shack and swinging bachelor pad.  

Thom Filicia's NY lake home (featured in Domino magazine) comes the closest to my vision.  I hope you enjoy these photos!

images via thom filicia | martha stewart | lonny

pieces of me

the giant orange lamps made the windows look awesome from the street

Happy Monday!  I'm back in DC after spending an awesome weekend down in Atlanta.  I was able to hit up Pieces to do a little shopping on Saturday.  The shop is full of goodies and beautifully styled.  The staff has done an amazing job of staging the pieces.  If you love design, it's impossible to walk out of the shop without ideas for your own home.  

I picked up a cool, gold sea urchin-inspired piece for my own home.  It looks a lot like the one I found on Jayson Home and Garden's website, but it's less expensive.  They were all sold out of the larger ones since US Weekly featured them in their Lady GaGa-inspired home web feature.  So, I'll just be patiently waiting until they get more in stock. 

The staff could not have been nicer to me and allowed me to take a few pictures to share.  I even got a shout-out on the Pieces Facebook page.  If you following them on Facebook, you can click here to 'like' them.  If you ever find yourself in Atlanta, I highly recommend taking a trip to the shop.  I promise, you won't regret it.  I'm looking forward to going back on my next trip!  

loved the jonathan adler letter pillows

I love the birch logs!  I'm planning to buy a bunch for my own fireplace.

the shop is full of awesome finds!

my mom loved this lamp

in fact, the entire store was full of amazing lamps!

it was also full of tons of amazing chandeliers!

this was my favorite little corner of the store.
i love the gold shade on this lamp!

this folding screen is amazing

I also really liked this cool owl umbrella stand

the entire store is full of cool things 

i loved these orange chairs- my favorite in the store!

i snagged the sea urchin wall art piece on the second shelf. 

all images by jen stolp for urban tastemakers

ready for the weekend

I'm headed down to the ATL for a much-needed weekend with the fam.  My parents are flying out from California to visit my brother, so I decided to pop down from DC for the weekend since it's my dad's birthday on Sunday.  I'm sure I'll manage to do plenty of work and hope to fit in a little relaxing.  My top priority for Saturday is to visit Pieces.  I'll have a post ready for you on Monday morning of all the treasures I find on my shopping trip.  Who knows, I might even run into Lee Kleinhelter herself!

image from pieces inc.

fashion week: lela rose spring'11 collection

While DC is hunkering down in election year frenzy, our stylish neighbors to the north in NYC are blowing it up for Spring Fashion Week.  I'm loving Lela Rose's new collection.  She was inspired by the people of Peru and incorporated the colors and textures found all over the country.  Knowing that makes me feel like I'm taking a little vacation by looking at these pictures....  

Finally, a quick note about my posting schedule for the next seven weeks.  Since this is the busiest time of the year for my day job, I'll be moving to a Monday, Wednesday, Friday schedule going forward through mid-November.  After that, I'll be back in full force with tons of photos and ideas of interiors, recipes, entertaining and fashion to inspire your holiday season.  

images from style.com