daily inspiration: apartment 34

Hello luvies! Erin from Apartment 34 here - and so tickled that Caitlin invited me to share my own inspiration vignette. I do hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

I'm currently reveling in treasures I received from family and friends over the holidays. They include a bevy of great coffee table books - I cannot stop flipping back and forth through 100 Years of Fashion Illustration. It's so amazing to see how times have and have not changed! I also received incredibly thoughtful gifts including the lovely rose gold necklace from Miss Caitlin herself, the gold painted paper mache bowl from Etsy (I'm using to hold a little collection of glass marbles that I love) and a 2012 calendar featuring water color images of Seattle, gifted by my mom. I think she wanted to make sure I don't forget where I'm from!

I'm also smitten with our holiday decor which includes a pair of stunning white candle sticks that I found in the Barneys home department (on sale!), a little bud vase and a vase full of magnolia branches that is sitting atop our coffee table. They add a touch of glamour and softness to the loft.

Here's to finding inspiration in what surrounds you!

Hope all of you have a wonderful and inspiring new year.

Photo by Erin of Apartment 34

daily inspiration: cheetah is the new black

Alicia from Cheetah is the New Black here and I'm extremely excited to be here on Savramento Street! Each and every week I look forward to Caitlin's Monday morning posts, today I'm sharing my own inspiration. Enjoy!

1. I'm constantly inspired by what I read and always enjoy WSJ Magazine which my Mom mails to me every month.

2. I'm also inspired by music and enjoy finding new bands and artists. I recently downloaded Spotify on my phone which has been rather life changing.

3. Being back in San Francisco for the holidays has given me a fresh perspective on the city I love so much. I've been indulging in all of my favorite hotspots including multiple cups of Blue Bottle Coffee.

4. I'm usually not a bright pink lipstick wearer but I can't get enough of this adorable Supercalifragilipstic! tube by Kate Spade. It's just so happy and cheerful.

5. Caitlin and I have a soft spot for Cris (a gem of a consignment store) on Polk Street where I picked up this rhinestone necklace last week. I think it has New Year's Eve potential!

6. Lastly, a fresh glittery gold manicure is necessary for both Christmas and New Years! I was impressed to find that only one coat of FACE Stockholm nail polish (found at J.Crew) is needed.

Photo by Alicia of Cheetah is the New Black

daily inspiration: destined to design

Happy Thursday, Jessica from Destined to Design here! A few recent acquisitions that are brightening my days and bringing me a bit of inspiration heading into the new year...

1. A tiny tea pot I bought at an open air market while I was traveling in Granada last month.

2. A bouquet of blush pink daisies in a milk creamer I snagged on my last visit to Broome Street General Store.

3. A beautiful wooden spoon gifted to me by a dear friend for the holidays.

4. A ceramic mug handmade by a San Diego artisan from Dekor in Echo Park.

5. Brian Ferry's Quality of Life -- endless visual inspiration.

6. Some simple bangles and rings from Madewell.

7. These fun wood slab coasters I picked up at Hemingway and Pickett.

Photo by Jessica of Destined to Design

daily inspiration: pennyweight

Morning Sacramento Street readers, Elise from Pennyweight here. The holidays may be just about over, but I love the scent of balsam fir in my home all winter long. I picked up this fir incense as a stocking stuffer for my husband, but selfishly got it for myself as well. I'm loving this beautifully packaged Saipua soap gifted to me by a dear friend. A few of my other favorite things... I recently subscribed to Brooklyn Magazine and adore the design and photography throughout. These earrings I purchased awhile ago from Jennifer of A Merry Mishap are still my favorites! I love their simplicity and soft color and have been wearing them throughout the week. Cheers to a brand new week!

Photos by Pennyweight

daily inspiration: camille styles

Good morning y’all! Camille Styles here, with some pretty little things that are inspiring me right now. I was so excited when Caitlin asked me to pop in this week, since her brand new week series is my very favorite on Sacramento Street. There’s something so fun about seeing the items that our fave tastemakers are loving...and I always add at least one of them to my own shopping list! So what can I not get enough of right now?

My lavender Compagnie de Provence hand soap turns the act of washing hands into a total luxury.

Yarn-died organic napkins from West Elm are the epitome of utilitarian chic.

My new alphabet stamp collection has got me stamping everything in site: place cards, holiday gifts... you name it, I’ve stamped it.

Japanese washi tape adds festive polka dots to otherwise-mundane objects.

In She Walks in Beauty, Caroline Kennedy shares the poetry that’s inspired her at key moments throughout her life.

This Kendra Scott necklace adds a luxe-tribal note to cozy winter ensembles.

Thanks for having me Caitlin, and hope you all have a wonderful week! xo

Photo by Camille Styles

a brand new week + guest series . . .

Christmas has come and gone a little too quickly. Right as I was getting in the holiday spirit it speed by so fast. I hope each and every one of you had a wonderful Christmas wherever you might have celebrated! This week's board is a collection of treasures I got for Christmas - I'm loving everything.

This week I have a special guest series for you - I've asked some of my best friends and fellow bloggers to put together their own inspiration boards about what's inspiring them this week. I've already received a handful and they are fabulous. There is definitely something for everyone!

So I bid you adu and enjoy the next few days of inspiration!

I'll be back next monday!

Photo by Caitlin Flemming

The Art of Window Display

Since Bergdorf's is incredibly famous for their holiday windows I called upon Lauren and Christen of Material Lust to document the incredible windows. This post exceeded my expectations - they are stunning! Enjoy a little dose of holiday cheer.

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For over two years David Hoey and the visual team behind the famous Bergdorf holiday windows have prepped for the fifteenth installment that lines Fifth Avenue. This year’s theme, The Carnival of the Animals takes the birds of ‘The Brass Menagerie’, the sea creatures of ‘Testing the Waters’, the zebras of ‘Teacher’s Pet’ and the polar bear of ‘Breaking the Ice’ into a lyrical setting of couture, antiques and detailed craftsmanship. Material Lust takes you up close to the art of window display.

Ten months in the making, this single window allows viewers to dip their toes in ‘Testing the Waters’ through a sea of hand cut Italian mosaic metallic waves, sequin coral and fish made by artist Brett Windham, and a seashell dress from the Alexander McQueen Spring 2012 collection.

Viewers then head to a colder setting 'arctic party' whose guests include a polar bear, a moose with silver leafed antlers and monkeys dressed with crystals and sequins. They surround the hostess who wears J. Mendel at a table of icicles and cakes of ‘Breaking the Ice.’

Layers of hammered brass and steel metal leaves against the vintage birds made by artist Sergio Bustamante, and a dress designed by Naeem Khan makes the window of ‘The Brass Menagerie.’

The teacher, dressed in a black and white lace Marchesa gown leads her class of a zebra, white peacock, ostrich and porcupine made of over 300 different pieces of paper and hand lettered labels by calligrapher Bernard Maisner for ‘Teacher’s Pet’.

Viewers then step inside the still life of the sculptor’s workshop filled with wooden figures and animal models that make up the concluding window, ‘Artists and Models.’

Take a look behind the scenes with the visual team photographed by Ricky Zehavi here.

Photos by Material Lust