aesthetically pleasing.

This is going to be a non-food focused post since I have always been quite inspired by design, especially clothing and home goods. Hope you enjoy.

In the last few days, I have been thinking a lot about my internship days and how they influenced me. A few years back I had the great opportunity of interning for Harper’s Bazaar. Days after classes ended for the spring, I took the bus from Boston to NY and headed into the Hearst Tower to venture into the world of magazine publishing. I was such a naive magazine writing student beforehand and had no idea how the summer would affect me. As the only intern for a special supplement issue, A Fashionable Life, I was immersed in all aspects of the publication. This issue of the magazine, usually fashion focused, was all about home style. The editors let me attend press previews for brands like Anthropologie, assist on photo shoots, and even help fill the pages with items I loved.

Instead about raving about the experience in fear it may come across as “too perfect,” I want to share with you an apartment I fell in love with in the Park Slope, Brooklyn (also where I spent the early days of my life).

livingetc.com

At that time, J. Crew was going through a little (or major) makeover by the new Creative Director, Jenna Lyons. She was adding in some modern and vintage twists to the overly preppy label. These changes by Jenna have made the brand one I really admire much more now. Although some of the prices have gone up, it is with good reason because she has added a special section called In Good Company featuring some classic brands like Tretorn, Barbour, Ray-Ban, Sperry, and Thomas Mason. Some modern brands like Fenton/Fallon and Lemlem have also been added to the mix for the modern edge. You can also take a peak at her pick’s each season on the website with some words of wisdom to go along with each garment.

Unfortunately, most of the Bazaar shots really focused on her when I feel there could have been more images of the amazing space her and her husband designed and live in with their adorable son, Beckett.

One of my favorite home magazines, that didn’t survive the downfall of magazines in the last few years, Domino, featured Jenna and her home with more great shots by Melanie Acevedo.

Just a few things I love about her apartment:

-Dove grey walls downstairs with her husband’s artwork and vintage glass or crystal chandeliers

-Chalkboard paint in the master bedroom showcasing her bed and fireplace.

-A clawfoot bathtub with classic english fixtures

-The Saarinen table she sits at to read her morning paper and drink coffee. I love mid-century furniture.

-Beckett’s yellow and white striped ceiling

-The industrial kitchen with a farmhouse table and french doors

-Jenna’s closet is the ideal space for keeping garments with shoe shelving and racks.

Other links:

The Habitually Chic blog shared many images of her home here.

Apartment Therapy also wrote about how styling can really influence how Jenna’s Brownstone looks.

Here is a video of a day in Jenna’s glamorous life and career from Oprah’s dream job series.

The Livingetc article and images of Jenna’s Brooklyn Brownstone (slideshow here).

An article comparing Harper’s Bazaar’s A Fashionable Life to Vogue Living.

Here are a few items similar to some of my personal favorite looks by J. Crew.

Tuxedo shirts and cutoffs.

Boatneck striped shirts and bubble skirts.

Military inspired jackets.

Cargo style pants dressed up.

Layering…especially shawl collar jackets and button down shirts.

Casual summer tunics for the beach or with cutoffs.

Henley’s, boyfriend jeans, and strappy sandals.

The Catalog was recently shot in Antigua, Guatemala.

Some things:

-Do you read design blogs? Have any favorites? I read design sponge most often and my favorite photo blog featuring eclectic individuals is The Selby.

-Have you noticed the changes in J. Crew over the last few years? Do you like the brand? I actually am not a big J.Crew wearer but do have a few pieces I truly enjoy. They also are doing wonderful things with the lower priced and younger line, Madewell too.

I hope you enjoyed the change of scenery around here. I would love to know if you would be interested in more fashion or home design inspired posts. I will be back with some words on recent delicious eats.