Ashlina's Holiday Wishlist...

This holiday season has been ultra busy, where has the time gone? I've been trying to score all of my gifts online, especially with all the fab gift guides going around the internet. With my birthday right around the corner, I have been eyeing things to add to my wish list. So, I felt that it was appropriate to make one just for me. Things that I am loving and wanting right now. 
How fab are these items?


for the home...
ONE. Diptyque candle.
TWO. C.wonder tortoise bowl
THREE. black and gold tray
FOUR. Kelly Wearstler Rhapsody
FIVE. smythson planner

for my closet...
ONE. gold tag necklace
TWO. rebecca minkhoff bag
THREE. gold tipped pumps
FOUR. gold skull watch
FIVE. heart sweater

FLOOR SWAGGER

So the other day I was walking into yet another apartment building on my quest for the perfect apartment in this city. It's very difficult in new york, you know. Anyway, I walked in an the marble on the walls and floors was just to die for. It really got me thinking how not too many people pay attention to the floors, its the most overlooked aspect of a building, let alone the home. Then of course I was checking out some kelly wearstler design and of course, she always nails it...
The marble sunburst art deco style floor paired with marble walls and ridiculous furnishings...oh my goodness. It's just too good for words. I think if I were able to redesign a home for myself, I would get a little crazy with the walls. Bathrooms and entryways are the best places to get a little wild. 
This is probably my favorite. Black. white. pink. marble. Hello! 
images via Rhapsody + lonny. 

FOR THE LOVE OF GOLD

Okay, after this years color of the year announcement, I have really come to terms with the fact that my favorite color is GOLD. I know its not the normal favorite color like blue or orange but I really just have this love affair with gold. If you have seen my work, you know I am a fan of painting ceilings gold or adding the metallic color the bottom of your dining table. I love and I just can't get enough of it. Especially in home decor accents...

I was taking the time to look through Elle Decor's lookbook and it occurred to me that all of the rooms with beautiful gold and brass accents were my absolute favorite shots. How amazing is this large round coffee table? I literally would do anything to get my hands on one of these. 
I love gold bases. The bottom of these small side tables in this living room are so perfectly touched with just the right amount of gold. Again, in this glossy black dining room, the gold base of this glass table is just stunning. 


Not to mention, gold lighting, gold chairs and gold finishes are all incredible accessories for any room. Talk about adding the perfect amount of glamour. So very decorista!
all images via Elle Decor lookbook

10 things that rocked my world this week...December 8

1. Where in the world did 2012 go? Wow. I really feel like time is just flying by. 1 month exactly to my birthday. Eeeeek! I am getting super excited for the NEW THINGS that come with 2013. I just have this feeling that its going to be a fantastic year. This photo of me was taken at the start of what feels like a fleet of birthday/holiday parties. Lots of celebration in life right now. Has me reflecting on all of the blessings of the year, especially my friends, old and new...

2. Guggenheim. This place will just never get old to me. Even just walking by it gives me the chills. I just love well done architecture. Hence, my fascination with @thedoorsofnewyork.
3. I am so enamored by this gorgeous mirrored mannequin. I want one so badly for my apartment. It would just rock my world on the daily.
4. I am always smitten with a good glossy red room. I fell hard for this particular one with beautiful greenery and a warm amber scent. I was in complete domestic bliss, it's all about the details, no?
5. How stocked am I that this years Pantone color is Emerald? Oh, I am so excited I can hardly contain myself. SUCH a good color to work with. 
6. I don't know about you all but I am totally that person that likes to wake up everyday excited about something. I think it began back when we used to have that "first day of school" feeling. Oh, and we should always be thankful for something too, right?
7. I was apartment shopping this week, checking out some potential new digs and I ran across these three gorgeous oversized brass sconces on top of a marble wall. Oh my word, it was so GOOD!
8. More good lighting in the city. I have always adored these pendants but especially in white and gold, they are fantastic! 
9. I love unique ways of displaying collections. Like this awesome sneaker wall in one of my favorite trainers office. This girl is such a rockstar and her shoes are gorgeous! Love. 
10. Okay, so if you don't know that I am a total SOUL CYCLE girl, now you know. I am obsessed with spinning and for the past 2 years I have been an addict for it. The new Soul studio on 63rd is so chic. Love this neon sign on the wall as you walk in. Neon is always a good idea. 

3 Ways with Emerald {PANTONE'S COLOR OF THE YEAR 2013}

 I am just overjoyed that PANTONE named EMERALD green color of the year. Green is absolutely one of my favorite colors to decorate with. It's a little bit darker than normal bright green but it's pretty close. So this year, its going to be such a joy to play with this color. I love mixing green as an accent color in a gorgeous palate...

Greens and black and white is always a super chic look. I love a little pink mixed in too, pink and green is one of my favorite combos. 
This dining room in Nicky Hilton's glamorous pad is one of my favorite uses of green and pink.
Aside from being just an amazing accent color. This room makeover just shows you what a stunning color it is on its own. I love what emerald green did for this little white bedroom. 


one//two//three//jessiegrey

Tablescape Tuesday: Glam Factor with Kelly Wearstler for Vogue Daily

Ms. Kelly Wearstler outdid herself for a recent article on Vogue Daily. She dreamed up and imagined her perfect dinner party including a star studded guest list. She customized each place setting and chair to fit their personality. I swear, she just takes creativity to a whole other level. Loving this glamorous madness...

The chairs of course are killing me softly. Each one is so modern and sexy. I can't help but dream of those white and brass ones in the background for my very own home. The touches of gold are just insanely good. Don't you think?
photography by denise crew.

LATELY LOVING: grey brick walls

One of the things I love about city living is that architectural elements and details in so many rental apartments. It's so incredibly inspiring when decorating around them. After Paris, I became secretly obsessed with brick walls. They are all over NYC but something about the ones in Paris really inspired me. However, red brick is just not really my thing so if I can daydream that my home had brick inside, I think I would want to paint it grey...

 Obviously grey is such a good neutral color and in my opinion would take an ordinary brick wall to the next level. A little grey paint makes it instantly more chic. So, in my next apartment (which I am still tirelessly searching for) I am going to look for a brick wall because now I am kind of a little obsessed with creating this look. It's good. 





all images were sourced here and here 

10 things that rocked my world this week...December 3

1. Agh. I had the most awesome week. Ever. I can't believe how fast this year has gone by and I've been taking inventory of the many blessings in my life. A huge one being that I am still blown away that I get to do what I love to do every single day. Blogging + The Decorista is such a dream for me and one of the best things that has come out of that has been the relationships I've built. At this dinner are a few ladies you might recognize (Crissie + Cassandra of Coco + Kelley, me, Dallas Shaw, Jessie of Style + Pepper, and Grace of Stripes + Sequins, not pictured the nicole's SoHaute and Sketch42)
Watching these girls do what they love to do inspires me even more that I already am. So blessed to know and work right along side these gals who are passionate and are making things happen... "WHO RUN THE WORLD???"

2. Orchids. They just might be the most awesome flower. I think they look amazing alone but together in bunches they just look like gorgeousness! 
3. My spiked tray from the way we are is so awesome! I love adding a little edge to my apartment. Metallics just rock my world on the daily. 
4. My cousin was in the hospital this week and we just fell in love with this little heart shaped rose stone quartz. I've never really been a believer in the crystals and that woo woo stuff but I have to say were absolutely feeling major love in that room. We couldn't stop smiling and laughing and praying...that little stone was magical. 
5. LOVE. Quite possibly my favorite word ever. It's so good. I love seeing little things with the word on it in home decor And I love this little sculpture had me at hello. Especially because its in Red, I am just so into the color red right now.
6. Romanesco. My new favorite veggie. It is absolutely gorgeous to look at and even more delicious than I thought. 
7. I don't know what it is about Everlane but I am obsessed with their sweatshirts. They held a pop up shop in NYC this past weekend in MeatPacking and it was really good. I am pretty much wearing sweatshirts on the reg lately. I felt like I hit the jackpot. "I'll take one in every color, thank you."
8. Pastis. My favorite brunch spot in the city. I always just feel like I am somewhere in Europe when I go...it just radiates that vibe. I love it. 
9. These purple chairs. My goodness they are good. I can't help but want this in my apartment right now. I can't stop thinking about them and how I would build an entire room around them. 
10. My favorite building in New York. I will never tire of looking at it when I go for coffee in the mornings. Sigh. I love the upper west side. 
BONUS: I love my church HILLSONG NYC. I can't begin to describe how the people, the pastors, the passion... just rock my world everyday. I never thought it was possible to have a church that I love so much but God said..."all things are possible"

MASCULINE decor

 This morning I had an incredible breakfast talking to a fella about potential collaborations. We talked about the genius of a good masculine style apartment. Masculine decor is one of my silent obsessions. So, when I laid my eyes on this dining room, I fell instantly in love. At first sight, the combo of the straw chairs and acrylic chairs really looks chic. The masculinity of this glamorous and chic space is stunning...seriously stunning...

 Dark walls and furnishings from probably the most incredible vintage markets in the world. I can't imagine how insane this looks in person. Leopard rugs are always essential in a space like this, too.
images found here. 

TO & FROM Holiday Gift Guide...FOR MOM

The holiday shopping season is in full swing and from what I can tell all of us are so busy, we have no time to even think about shopping. So, the fab duo Meg Biram + Modern Eve have gotten together all of your favorite style makers and trendsetters from our beloved blog land and cultivated the ULTIMATE gift guide for your shopping list and cleverly named it, TO AND FROM.
 From moms to pets to even your very own home, you will find the perfect gift. I am beyond honored to be part of the fabulous crew who created gift guides...
Check out my round up for moms, where I pulled together some fabulous items that any mom would be sure to adore.

bliss in the kitch'...gold and copper with Marjourie Skouras

My heart always melts for any sort of metallics in the home and this adorable little kitchen just makes me weak in the knees. A white stove with gold details...whaaaaat!? I can't even explain how amazing this is. Where would one find such an indescribably good sort of thing? Not only is the stove marvelous, this woman has a collection of copper pots and pans that would make any domestic gal go gaga! Oh, and that mirror...

I have only shown you a few pictures of her rich and lusciously layered spread but if you want to peep more of this womans style see her home tour on Apartment Therapy here.

PARIS INSPIRATION...black and white checkered floors


So, as I settle back into the post holiday work days here in New York, I can't quite help but revel in the magic that I experienced in Paris. One of the main things I noticed was the abundance of black and white checkered floors. I mean, this look was absolutely everywhere, even on the city streets. It just confirms my adoration for this look that I already had but now I am loving it for much more than kitchens and entryways but now I am feeling it in any room...

Living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms...it really works well in any situation. 

one//two//three//four//five//six//seven//eight//nine

10 things that rocked my world this week...November 25

1. Unfortunately, my time in Paris ended on the earlier side of the week. I spent time at the Museum of Decorative Arts before I left and I must say, I was a little blown away. 

2. Upon my return, I got a few tweets from fabulous fans who bought my ebook and are making it work for them! Tweeting and instagramming photos of how they study, just absolutely rocks my world. My favorite things in the world to do are teach. inspire. motivate. encourage. Go girls! 
3. A few of my Parisian shelter magazines I brought back. They are so incredibly good it has taken me all week to devour the magic inside. These are all I ever need in terms of souvenirs. Shelter mags rock my world. Especially ones from Europe. 
4. I spotted the most beautiful cabbage on the upper east side. The colors were so vibrant, rich and delicious. I just fell in love instantly. 
5. I am all about diamonds right now and I don't mean in jewelry. I'm love Rihanna's song Diamonds, anything diamond shaped especially these amazing side tables I spotted in Paris in the shape of diamonds. So beyond good. 
6. I love Thanksgiving. This was where we had the most fabulous yummy dinner and I was so delighted to stare out the window at the gorgeous view and that light fixture. 
7. Paris? Oh, no...this is an entryway vestibule on the upper east side. Hello, took me right back to my beloved Paris. It is incredibly gorgeous in person.
8. I love the holidays for a few reasons. One is family. It was so hard being away from my family this week because I just miss them so much. Thank GOD for skype...we could skype together all day. 
9. The other thing I love most about holidays. Decorating the christmas tree. Oh, its probably my most favorite thing to do, other than wrap presents. The sweet smell of pine just permeates the sidewalks of new york and I am in heaven. 
10. A little motivation for the week that totally rocked my world! 

HOLIDAY SHOPPING with FAB

While I am here in New York for the Thanksgiving holiday and apart from most of my family in Texas, I can't help but want to spend this black friday shopping it up. This year my newest fetish is shopping on FAB. First and foremost I am always on the hunt for affordable artwork for clients and Fab always has great finds. Here are a few pieces I have my eye on...
After finding the things I need for clients, I think FAB is such a perfect place to get gifts for those that I love the most. They always have cute, unique finds that make a thoughtful and fun gift. 
My aunts will adore this fab chalk cheeseboard, and my sweet cousin in art college will love this marilyn mac sleeve. This cute mint phone is perfect for my friend who is constantly on her phone, and the empire state iphone case is for my tech guy. Who wouldn't love a few pink heart office organizers or a shower curtain fit perfectly for a Francofile? like moi! 

This post brought to you by Fab.

MODERN BLACK + GRAY GLAMOUR

Let the inspiration just continue to flow. How about this home of a powerhouse interior designer + photographer couple. Hello, such a winning combination and their home... well its more than stellar. 
The dark floors, the dark walls and the above average light fixtures absolutely took my breath away. Not to mention this home is in Australia, one of my absolute most favorite places in the world...

images via ChelseaHing; photography by nike

MUSINGS: MURIEL BRANDOLINI style

Ever feeling inspired by my recent travels, I can't stop daydreaming about the decor in Paris (especially in the glossies). It's just filled with modern, edgy glamour that is out of this world. So, I have been on the hunt for gathering a collection of photos that represents the look. This apartment totally inspired me. It's gorgeous + greige, like my current abode and I would love to update my space with more modern, French + artistic elements....

I love love love the look of this space. The apartment is edgy chic with a dose of feminine, cozy glamour. The most prevalent part for me is the muted walls, the soft color just keeps the feeling romantic. 
A few more shots of her style that I love and inspire me to mix things up in my space...

all images decor by muriel brandolini

Black and white for THANKSGIVING...

One of my favorite things about the holidays is tabletop decorating + styling. So when my good friend Nicole enlisted me to help her plan out her Thanksgiving tabletop I was beyond excited. Her apartment is so fabulous already so it was easy to make it pretty. It was just important to come up with something simple and uber easy because she is a busy mom with lots to do. Nothing too fancy or frilly...

THE ESSENTIALS:
There are a few essentials needed when wanting to create a tabletop with not too much fuss. You can bring in bright colors through simple items already in the kitchen like artichokes, tomatoes, etc. Also, little flowers from the local market provide such a great pop of color, too! 

Nicole is such a good DIY-er and made fabulously chic and so very 'Kelly Wearstler' black and white cocktail rings that really stole the show. A cocktail ring can be where you bring in pattern and style while keeping the plates and placemats pretty simple. No need to purchase expensive dishes. I also think by having a fun and chic pair of salt shakers can really add some style to the table too. It's all about the small things. 
 By the end of the session we filled the table with all of Thanksgivings essential elements and the food brought in such rich colors it was such a stunning sight. 
 HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!

all photo credit to nicole + her fab camera.