Haute Halloween.

 

Halloween is almost upon us. Costumes, make-up, parties and candy = I’m in. I will say however; every year I struggle with What to Wear?

While some of us can get into the whole transformation from “Hi, my name is…” to put “sexy” before anything you can think of; I can’t. I studied method acting in college and my teacher always used to tell me, “lose your cool card, become ONE with the character.”

While it was a bit easier for me on stage, picking out a costume is a challenge.  I don’t want to have blood dripping down my face. I don’t want to wear a rubber mask. Isn’t sexy supposed to be subtle? I want to be me, but just dressed up as someone else. You know what I mean?

 

 

My solution/mantra every year has been the same. Buy vintage, add in a little DIY and overall less is more. With this in mind, I present costumes to consider for this years festivities.

They are super inexpensive and can be cut, sewn or finished off with fun accessories. Channel your inner Project Runway and make something that is totally you – just portraying someone else. You might even find you can wear it  in the real world after Halloween is over. How do you say perfect in French?

  

Luella says…Let’s make it a Haute Halloween this year

BETTY DRAPER

HUSBAND / BOYFRIEND / PARTNER role: Don Draper 

 

BARBRA STREISAND Sailor Gown

 

JAYNE MANSFIELD - Sailor Dress

HUSBAND / BOYFRIEND / PARTNER role: Ship Captain, Skipper

 

EDIE SEDGWICK - Mod 60's Girl

HUSBAND / BOYFRIEND / PARTNER role: Andy Warhol

 

Gloria Swanson, Marion Davies, Constance Bennett and Jean Harlow OKTOBERFEST Ladies

HUSBAND / BOYFRIEND / PARTNER role:

German Beer Drinking Man, Oktoberfest attendee

BIANCA JAGGER – Studio 54 Girl

STUDIO 54

HUSBAND / BOYFRIEND / PARTNER role: Mick Jagger, Steve Rubell, Andy Warhol

 

If you need help choosing accessories or add-ons contact me at Luellasays@yahoo.com and  I will help you complete your costumes.

Have fun, be safe and remember to party like your boss is watching. 

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Let There Be Light.

     

As much as I love fashion, I love home decor.  I am fascinated by  how much it can change and/or create a space.  For the last 7 years, I have collected various antiques and vintage items and have refinished, re-painted, appliqued, sculpted and DIY-ed them to fit into my aesthetic of beach shabby. I am planning on detailing some of my “finds” in upcoming posts so stay tuned for that.    

Now to the rest of the story. Our friends from Encinitas are renovating their beautiful home.  They have been searching for the perfect chandelier for their master bathroom to no avail. (Can we say luxe? Love it!) She loved my idea of INSPIRE TO FIND and to my absolute delight has commissioned me to seek out some possibilities for her.        

Chandeliers are the perfect accent to any room. They are decadent and purposeful, the perfect combination. Below are some of my favorites. Click on the photo to view more details. I also took the liberty of adding in some inspiration photos of rooms designed in various tastes. Let me know which one is your favorite!          

Let there be light.          

      

Old World Glamour.           

     

Neiman Marcus Venetian

 

 

Erich Grinder Mansion

 

     

Art Inspired.         

     

 Traditionally Elegant.        

     

Brocade Home

 

Anthropologie High Minded

 

  

 Beauty at the Beach.        

      

Jayson Home and Garden Madame Noire

 

 

Design Within Reach Murano

 

     

Seaside Hideaway.         

     

Graceful Estate.         

     

Neiman Marcus Harlow

 

 

Jayson Home and Garden Eliza

 

     

Art Deco.         

     

Great Chandelier Jet Black

 

 

Ethan Allen Michaela Twelve

 

   

Vintage in Virginia.         

     

A Room in the Manor.         

     

Neiman Marcus Durango

 

 

Jayson Home and Garden Jenny

 

     

Art Deco          

     

    

Atelier Abigail Athern Neo Baroque

 

 

Atelier Abigail Athern Mud

 

     

 Scandanavian Retreat.         

     

Country Cottage Chic.         

     

Unica Home Venini

 

 

Erickson Beamon Glam Rock

 

Inspired?        

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I Do, in June.

  

J’aime vintage. I got married in June, to a man named Ralph, in my favorite place in the world, my parent’s backyard in Brookfield, Wisconsin. I am now a wife and I have a husband. Crazy but true. I can’t say I spent my childhood dreaming of my wedding day, it was more that I was dreaming of who I would be married to.

Even still, when it was my turn to be a bride, I wanted to plan it like an intimate dinner party. I love vintage as aforementioned and thus was born my theme. Mismatched china, a sideboard to hold our cake, handmade table numbers made of vintage French apothecary and soap labels, ball jars, green depression glass and cream hobnail vases, Lisianthus, Gardenias, Peonies, Green Hydrangeas and Ranunculus flowers, tuxes and candles; essentially “splendor in the grass.”  To accomplish this, let’s just say a lot of DIY, Etsy and imagination.

I knew some things were beyond my control and I left those to come as they may. At the end, it was an evening filled with lovely memories I will keep with me always. It was perfect. Wonderful friends, family, decadent food, drinks, dancing and laughter.  We are blessed. I know I relied on others inspirations to create my own so enjoy! 

(photos by Krystal Muellenberg and Studio Noveau) 

   

   

   

  

“Let’s turn to the West, Let’s turn up the music, Let’s hope it’s always as good as this” – Chris Pureka

(Venue: Shully’s Garden Tent, Cake: Sweetness by Alice, Flowers: Esther)

 

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