A reader commented on Friday about the Frye boots I posted and was thinking of buying. She said there was a pair at Target that were identical and more comfortable and super cheap. Well, this morning I was early for an appointment nearby Nordstroms and went in fully intending buy me some Frye's for fall. But they were really clunky. And really not comfortable. And really $275.00.
So I swung by the Target nearby and FREAKED when I saw their knockoffs. The leather seems nicer, the fit a bit less clunky and the price- $49.99. To boot, (pun intended) they are wicked comfy. I know because they are on my feet right now. :)
Which one is which? I'm not telling!

Can I persuade you, dear readers, to vote for me as a favorite style blog on Divine Caroline's Awards? There's a button to the right over there you can click to do it or just go here!
It would make my day! :)

So the survey site I used only allows for 100 responses at a time. Here is a copy of the survey for the next 100...

Click Here to take survey

Sorry it's such a pain- thanks so much! 200 responses should be a great amount of info!

Hello my darling readers! In an effort to both make this blog better for you AND help me see who my demographic is (for marketing and editorial purposes) I beg of you, in the most adorable way I can, to take this really short survey for me. And to sweeten the deal, every survey completed enters you into a drawing for an 8 foot piece of any vintage wallpaper for sale in my Etsy shop (they look awesome framed in pairs or triplets OR used to make cutouts like these!)
Click Here to take survey

Today is an edition of "Deep Thoughts by Erin"- with a smidge of design on the side:

I was out shopping for baby gifts last weekend (as many, many have graced the Gates family in the last 2 months). I was perusing Lester Harry's, a very lovely but VERY pricey baby boutique (cue Andrew yelling from across the store "This baby shirt is $95 bucks!!!What the f*ck??) when I saw it. The Serena and Lily embroidered baby sling that makes my tummy do flip flops of joy. I have coveted it before online, but had not seen it in person yet. I picked it up and inspected the lovely detailing and then actually, to my horror, held it up to myself. "Trying it on", if you will. I looked at Andrew and said "I think I might buy it"-- he assumed I meant as a gift for one of the baby momma's, but no, I meant for a very un-pregnant me.
My reasoning being that what if they don't make this particularly fabulous sling when I am actually pregnant? How upset would I be knowing that it existed and I hadn't bought it? I was trying to avoid future buyers remorse, but is it creepy (and bad luck) to buy a baby item when you don't, in fact, have a baby...or even know when you might want to have one? Looking at that sling brought up lot of questions for me: am I ready? Will I ever be ready? Do I even really want a baby or do I just want this stupid sling (which could be refashioned for carrying one of my dogs I suppose- granted they'd have to be heavily drugged to allow this)?
I think a lot of women my age face these questions with their 30th birthdays looming on the calendar. And it's especially present in my life when I spend a lot of time oogling adorable baby things for the blog, designing nurseries, working mostly with hip, young moms (and having friends who all are becoming hip, young moms too). I see posts like Erika's about her "bring you to tears it's so gorgeous" nursery she's designed (blew the one I designed outta the water) for her little one on the way and start craving to design my own. Look at this space- Oscar de la Renta fabric, drapes with coral and white stripes on the bias for trim, antique chandelier and a GOLD crib? This kid is going to have the most impeccable taste if this is how she starts her life!


Erika's sister Darby is like SuperMom meets Martha Stewart and her blog is something I love to read- with all their crafts and sticky fingers and cute adventures (and if my kids are even half as cute as hers I will be thankful) and yet she still has time to creatively redo her bathroom (love this before and after) and make her own baby clothes and accessories and then blog tutorials about them! If she can do it all, can't I? (Booming voice in my hed: NO!)
I've mysteriously also gotten hooked on the mega-mommy blog Dooce (for it's hysterically honest writing) and even oogled her nursery in which she used the awesome Julia Rothman wallpaper I posted about months ago! All of the sudden I am hit with more pangs of "buy that for the fictitious nursery- just in case!"

I had a client/friend ask me to do a post about what shelter magazines that are left are worth reading. It feels like there aren't any, but there actually are (none can hold a candle to Domino in my opinion though). So here is my list of what you might consider picking up during your next stop at Border's.

The Basics-

Met and Elle- If these two fold, we'll all be int trouble.

World of Interiors has some gems in it, and House Beautiful is an easy to read, more accessible option.

Traditional Home is not always just traditional AT ALL, I love it. Renovation Style has amazing ideas for kitchens and baths!

Site Specific:

Sunset is a lifestyle magazine with some amazing interiors and will make you want to move to California if you already don't live there. Coastal Living has wonderful beachy images.

Southern Accents is more traditional while Western Interiors has a sleeker west coast vibe.
New England Shout Out:

I LOVE Design New England (not to be confused with my father's firm, New England Design!) Boston Home is also great if you live in the area....

My dad subscribed me to the Cottages & Gardens magazines (Westchester, Connecticut, Hamptons and Palm Beach)- these two versions are my favorite. I've found some great ideas in here! At Home Fairfield County is quite amazing, but only 4 issues a year....
The International Crew (i.e. be prepared to spend at least $7 a copy!)

Living etc. is as close to a Domino as I've found image wise- very clever, bright and a mix of modern and traditional (and great online galleries!) Vogue Australia has delicious imagery.

Canadian House & Home is also a possible Domino replacement, but I fear I heard a rumor that they were folding as well... I hope not!

As I've said many a time before- as a designer I find it impossible to decide on items for my own home. I can pick things for other people all day long (and do) but am not as good at doing it for myself. So help me out, my dear readers and vote for which tripod lamp you like best (I've got a v. exciting photo shoot soon and am in full on re-decorating mode!)

Pottery Barn's Ashland floor lamp with it's sleek wooden legs and antique nickel detail- a modern shape with traditional materials.

Or the modern CB2 Twine floor lamp. Sleeker and lighter adding a different feel...

Oh, and it's going on the corner where the lamp on the little makeshift table lives right now...