Anguilla Photo Diary: Sandy Island

A quick boat shuttle ride away from the main island of Anguilla lies a blink-and-you'll-miss-it desert island with nothing on it but a handful of palm trees and a tiny bar and restaurant.  Not that you'll need anything else!  Sun.  Snorkling.  Delicious cocktails.  A platter of grilled lobster and crayfish.  One perfect afternoon.

Anguilla Photo Diary: Around the Island

We spent the long weekend on the island of Anguilla.  It was like blissfully floating between two worlds - a heady mix of salt, sand, sea and sun, the occasional sounds of island music and the wafting smells of crayfish (small lobsters) grilling in the background.  Anguilla is one of those magical islands that, despite having a decent number of hotels, does not yet feel overrun by tourists.  You can wander down truly spectacular beaches and every so often discover that you are the only ones there.  

We spent our days sunning, swimming, snorkeling and sipping the occasional rum punch.  Whenever we got hungry, we would head for some casual beach shack of a restaurant that would proceed to serve us the most wonderful food.  Late in the day, we would often move over to the Sunset Lounge at the Viceroy where we were staying.  As the name suggests, there was no better place to watch the sun go down.  It served wonderful cocktails and delicious casual food like ceviche, sushi and sliders.

It may have been my first trip to Anguilla but it won't be my last.  I hope you enjoy the pictures.  I also have a few more that I am saving for another post.

Where we stayed: Viceroy Anguilla

Favorite beach: Shoal Bay

A few favorite restaurants: Straw Hat, Gwen's Reggae Bar, Sunset Lounge (at the Viceroy)

Favorite things to eat and drink: Grilled crayfish, rum punch

Summer Sandals + Saks Sale

Saks is having a Friends & Family 20% off sale through the weekend and it seems like the perfect opportunity to pick up some summer sandals.  Here are a dozen to get you started!

1. Rag & Bone Lara Two-Tone Leather Buckle Sandals

2. Kors Michael Kors Rosemary Leather Sandals

3. Ancient Greek Sandals Alcestis Metallic Leather Sandals

4. Cole Haan Air Catalina Suede and Leather Gladiator Sandals

5. Pour La Victoire Mariza Strappy Leather Slingback Sandals

6. Tibi Stella Tie-Front Leather Colorblock Gladiator Sandal

7. Ishvara Ibiza Leather Criss-Cross Sandals

8. Elizabeth and James E-Cree T-Strap Platform Sandals

9. Tory Burch Emmy Leather Thong Logo Sandals

10. Chie Mihara Walkiria Strappy Suede Sandals

11. See by Chloe Leather Thong Gladiator Sandal

12. Ancient Greek Sandals Myrtis Leather Slingback Sandals

And I'm Off!

I am traveling today, but I didn't want to leave you hanging.  These are some things you might like to check out around the Web.

What to read on the beach.

One of my favorite products to fake dewy, sun-kissed skin.  It's very subtle, perfect for everyday!

Beautiful photographs of surfers. 

And speaking of surfing, this is something I would really like to do. 

A yummy looking (and simple!) salad.

The hat I bought for my trip.

And...

If you are in New York this week, head over to Housing Works Design on a Dime event this Friday or Saturday!

Also in New York, the Kidini sample sale is going on through Saturday.  I have gotten some great things there in the past.

Massimo Vitali

Malibu Home of Courtney Cox via Elle Decor

Phillip Gorrivan via Canadian House & Home

Croatia #3902, Massimo Vitali 2009 via Bonni Benrubi Gallery on 1stdibs

Butterfly Valley, Turkey, Massimo Vitali via Bonni Benrubi Gallery on 1stdibs

Lakeview #3313, Massimo Vitali via Bonni Benrubi Gallery on 1stdibs

I leave for Anguilla tomorrow, and I thought I would share some photographs from Italian photographer, Massimo Vitali.  I love the way large scale photographs can instantly transport you to some other place, at least mentally!  (How much would you love to have a photograph from Massimo Vitali's Beach Series for all of the times you can't have the real thing?)

Check out more of his available work here and here.  I would definitely stop by Massimo's official website, too.  The sound of the rolling waves is guaranteed to draw you in!

I Got Naked!

I can't tell you how often I have bought an eyeshadow palette only to use one or two colors but these are two palettes that don't disappoint.  Urban Decay Naked and Urban Decay Naked2 are hands down the best two eyeshadow sets I have ever owned.  Each set has twelve universally-flattering neutral shades designed to take you from day to night and everywhere in between.   But don't take my word for it.  Check them out for yourself!

In The Beach Bag

This morning, I was considering what one should pack in the perfect beach bag and the best answer I came up with was, "Not much!"  A bikini, a towel, some sunglasses, some tunes and a passport (because, hey, you are going someplace great!) - what more do you really need?  

Ok, you'll probably want a hat and a coverup - you'll probably want a great beach read, too - but unless you are traveling with kids, I think it's best to keep things light!  Sea, sand, sun, maybe a cocktail, you are all set!

Your packing list after the jump.

Six Great Hats for the Beach

Gucci Grosgrain-Trimmed Straw Fedora, Net-A-Porter

J. Crew Panama Hat

Mint by Goorin Belted Panama Hat, Urban Outfitters

Next week, I am heading down to Anguilla with the hubs for a few days of R&R sans kiddos.  As I started assessing what I needed for my upcoming trip, I couldn't help noticing the fantastic selection of hats this season.  My favorite shapes fall somewhere in the neighborhood of Panama hats and fedoras.  These are some of my favorite finds.  

More pics after the jump.

Closet Case

My closet needs an overhaul.  While I would love a closet similar to the ones here, we rent our apartment and will likely stay here just one more year.  One possible solution is to call on my old pal, Ikea.  Did you know that you can design your own closet right on the Ikea website?  That's where I designed the one above.  Just choose the Pax frames you want and pick out your components.  (The mirror, by the way, is Hovet and the shelves are Lack.)

These are a couple of examples of a finished Ikea closets.  The first image definitely influenced what I envisioned for my own.  For more real-world inspiration, check out Nicole's closet on Making It Lovely.

Haylie the Dachshund

Our sweet dachshund is having surgery today to remove a benign tumor, so if you don't mind, please send her some love!  Haylie is a little nuts but she is an excellent big sister to her two brothers and one of the coolest hot dogs on the planet.

Inspiration Journals

In my very first post, I mentioned that I keep inspiration journals referencing my favorite fashions and interiors.  This week, I have been cracking open my interior design journals while I try to decide what small updates might be in store for our apartment.  I keep tons of images that inspire me on my computer and now on Pinterest, but there is something unique about putting them in a regular paper journal.  You can easily clip small images and group them together in a way that they visually relate, for example.  And in my opinion, there is something about flipping through real pages that makes you see the cohesive thread that runs through all of those things you love!

A word of advice... jot down notes under each image.  Note the magazine, the issue, the designer and any other information you might want to reference later on.  This is something I did not do often enough in the beginning and I have spent much time updating my files since then!

I Love Lemlem.

Lemlem Losha Scarf

I love having a selection of gauzy scarves for the spring and summer.  It may be warm outside, but go into an air-conditioned restaurant, or sit on a freezing-cold airplane for that matter, and they are great items to have on hand.  The best ones are wide and long and light as air.  

Right now, my favorite summer scarves are by Lemlem.  I have been familiar with Lemlem for some time. (I have great admiration for Liya Kebede who started the line.)  And this season, J. Crew started carrying select items from the line as well.  

Liya Kebede started Lemlem in 2007 as a way to support local weavers in her native Ethiopia and to help them preserve their craft.  In addition to making gorgeous scarves, they also make beautiful clothing for women and children.  (If I had a little girl, she would be wearing this, this, this and this for summer. : )

Find Lemlem products here and here.

What I'm Reading

I am going to give you one small excerpt of this book that should tell you all you need to know.  "Dive into that baby with a detached eye, a hardened heart and one small hour of time... "

Yes, yes, and yes!  You preach to me, Jennifer Ford Berry because those words are pure poetry!  (In case you are wondering, she is talking about organizing your refrigerator.)

I find a lot of organizing books to be wordy, complicated and well, a little dis-organized.  They sometimes spend chapters delving into the reasons why you aren't.  I don't need a shrink.  I need checklists!  I am organized by nature but I can use a fresh approach for our ever-increasing amount of stuff.  Two babies times two and a half years equals a lot more than we used to have!

I really like the way this book is laid out.  The concept is simple.  Fifty-six simple projects in as many weeks means a much more organized you.  I am hoping to cram fifty-six projects into a month, give or take.  It helps that I get to skip some like organizing your garage, attic and yard; living in Manhattan apparently means that I have less to organize. : )

Wish me luck!  Buy Organize Now! here.

Stylish Bookcases

Lauren Santo Domingo via APT with LSD

Ralph and Ricky Lauren via Elle Decor

Lulu de Kwiatkowski via Vogue 

Lindsay and Kristen Buckingham via Elle Decor

Christopher Coleman and Angel Sanchez via New York Social Diary

Devon Radziwill via APT with LSD

I have a thing for a well-styled bookcase.  The best ones say something about their owner, either through the choice of books, personal photographs, or other objects that are displayed on the shelves.  These are some of my current favorites and they caught my eye for all sorts of reasons.  I love the clever mix of everything from records to Bearbricks to sports equipment on the the shelves belonging to Lauren Santo Domingo, for example.  And the colorful cased glass vases just pop on the bookcase belonging to Christopher Coleman and Angel Sanchez, don't you think?