PFM Confessional: The Quiksilver Pro Comes to My Town

I admit to never, ever trying to surf. In fact I love the beach, but rarely go swimming in the ocean unless it's super hot and that's after I already looked for the closest outdoor shower. And the only name from the surf industry that would make me think twice is Kelly Slater. But I was never one to shy away from watching sexy guys riding waves, or a chance to shop the latest Quiksilver collections. So when I heard that the Quiksilver Pro surfing event was coming to NY and was going to be held in our very own city of Long Beach I was...well...curious. For me enthusiasm is highly contagious, and it didn't take much time before I was riding the wave (get it?) of excitement that was pulsing all over town. I mean come on- we heard A-Rod & Cameron rented a place down here to catch all the happenings. My spirits did come crashing down when the Long Beach bigwigs announced the cancellation of the festival portion at the last minute. Bummer. I was really looking forward to the bands that were lined up, esp Matt & Kim, Flaming Lips, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, and Taking Back Sunday. Feel free to judge me. Anyways, the finals are tomorrow morning so my man and I headed down to the beach to check out the current situation. Excitement was in the air! Surfers and camera crews were out in full effect. The Quiksilver/Roxy boardwalk shop was packed with goodies. Plus the sky was just looking so darn pretty. I do love this city of mine. 

 

  

 

 

(Rachel Pally Dress- Shopbop, Bandeau in Neon Pink- Ooh La La, Splendid Striped Cowl- Anthropologie, Gold Havaianas- Gilt Groupe, Hot Pink Chain Link Earrings- MavenFresh)

Design Lust: Beach House Art

This would be the blank wall.

Lately I've turned my attention to the big blank wall that's in my living room and what can fill it. We are lucky enough to live really close to the beach. Since I am not into clichés (i.e. you will never find lighthouses, fish wall hangings, nets, or ship wheels spread all around our house) I am trying to get that beachy vibe without being too literal. I'm thinking these could be the way to go. Any other recommendations? -becca

The yellow/blue/grey color palette is perfect for the room & I love all of this artist's work!

 Link: etsy; minagraphy

His name is Sammy, and how could you not like him? And his boots?

 Link: Wayne Pate

Swoon!!! This would be within reach purely if I hit the lottery.

Link: Michelle Armas

Daily Outfit: Bohemian in the Burbs

There is nothing like an outdoor party on a sunny day to bring out the bohemian in me. Backyard birthday celebrations are just so much more fun when you are wearing a bright & flirty maxi skirt. I am always on the lookout for saturated prints, so when I spotted this skirt I knew I had to have it. And on sale...ooooh even sweeter!

If you had summer all year around, do you think you would you miss the change in seasons? I decidedly would not, except that my winter wardrobe would feel so left out!

(Ancient Myths Skirt- Anthropologie, Tank- Anthropologie, Snakebite Belt- Anthropologie, Elliptical Earrings in Grey/Dove/Neon Yellow- MavenFresh, Sandals- Sam Edelman)

Daily Outfit: She's Long Gone

I am wearing my dress as a top. Mostly because this tunic-dress hits upper thigh and I did have to go to work and short hemlines are kinda frowned upon. And partly because I felt very glam with it tucked into my denim pencil skirt. And a little bit because when someone says "I love your shirt, where did you get that?" I get to innocently tell them "oh this- it's actually a dress!" Wink, wink! And then that person gets so motivated by my ingenuity that they are prompted to go home and create a similar look for themselves. Thus, I was an inspiration to somebody by wearing this outfit, which just makes me feel so darn good. 

Disclaimer: that actually happened (just the conversation; I have no way of knowing what she did when she got home). And the title of this post is not a reference to the outfit...it was just in my head while I was writing. Happy Monday, everyone!

(Tunic Dress- Forever 21, Skirt- Anthropologie, Wedges- BCBG, Distressed Belt- J.Crew, Chunky Bracelet- Anthropologie, Gold Mandalas Mini Earrings- MavenFresh)

PFM Confessional: sesheta speaks

i think of the PFM confessional as the platform, similar to the time on reality shows where the characters commentate on the scenes that are happening, where becca and and i can give a little more insight as to who and what we are - as designers and people.

that being said, i watched the show "Hoarders" for the first time tonite.  all i can say is OMFG (had to add an expletive in there).  i know that i am an extra sensitive person but this show really struck a chord with me.  witnessing the degree to which people will let their quality of life degrade is literally painful.  don't get me wrong, i totally get that this becomes a sickness for these individuals.  triggered by loss, sickness, depression, etc., either way, hoarding is definitely a dis-ease.  honestly, for me, it is downright scary to see how far some people let it go.  i think what rings so clear for me is my identification with having an affinity for "things".  i like so many different types of things and have also been overtaken by the need to have certain things (more often than i'd like to admit)but i have been blessed with some degree of discipline.  it seems like the people affected by hoarding at some point or another decide to give up.  they become so overwhelmed by life and situations, that taking the next step is too great to conceive.  watching this show leaves me with mixed feelings.  on one hand, i am saddened by what i've seen.  while i understand that this is a real sickness, it highlights the level of wealth that we have in this country and the fact that so many of us take that for granted.  there are people who don't have homes and/or don't know when they will have their next meal -- in America and in other countries. on the other hand, i am so glad that there are people like the "Hoarders" cast who are willing to go in and assist these people with re-claiming their lives.   i also applaud all the individuals documented for being able to take that first step.  all in all, i am left with a new found appreciation of how blessed i am to have all that i have.  i know that in an instant it can all be taken away, as many have experienced due to Hurricane Irene.  the good thing is that, while things are fun to have and obtain, i know that i am not defined by material things.  what about you? - sesheta

Daily Outfit: Australian Princess

Wait, wait let me explain. Yesterday my co-worker took a look at my outfit and told me "you look just like an Australian princess." what. does. that. mean? I had no choice but to smile wide, thank her, hold in my laughter and then get to my desk to google what exactly this term could be. After coming across the 2005 Australian reality TV show by that same name, I decided that this could not be what she meant. Hmmm I'm just gonna go with it.

I was feeling a North ForkChic vacation vibe when I put together this outfit. I would definitely wear this for a day of wine-tasting & thrift store shopping. The jumpsuit was a fab find in H&M; Sesheta pulled it from the racks for me to try on & it was love. She knows me so well! I am really into the ease and flowiness of it. I decided to mix it with some nautical stripes and bad hair (cue the fedora & side braid). The hat works so well that I would have worn it even if it was a good hair day!

By the way, someone else really loves this jumpsuit too. While I was trying to pack a lunch & get out the door I suddenly felt someone furry with claws clinging to my calf. Yes, my cat had swiftly climbed inside my pant leg. What can I say, he likes flowy fabric too.

Hooray for the weekend!

(Jumpsuit- H&M, Navy Stripe Bandeau- American Apparel, Fedora- Gap, Rain Drop Earrings- MavenFresh, Wedges- Sam Edelman @Bloomies; sold out)

Design Lust: Hatchworks

Link: HATCHWORKS

Yes, we did just recently buy a house. No, none of these pictures are of the house we live in. But oh goodness, I want one of these to call home. Or maybe a vacation home? We are planning on painting the exterior of our cute lil bungalow...of which I will have to show you a pic or two soon...the current color right now is sort of a muddy white with some black trim. That just will not do for this color-obsessed girl! But we do have a lovely porch that could so eventually look like these beauties with some work. So being that I am a total color freak, and I have been known to erratically cite paint colors from the Benjamin Moore paint deck at a glance (kind of embarassing sometimes but I guess it's a side-effect from my design consultant alter-ego), I have been looking for inspiration and stumbled across this amazing site. Hello, orange stripe around my bungalow! What would the neighbors say? All I can say is, if the masterminds behind Hatchworks were based in NY, you may have a stalker on your hands. Kidding (kind of). -becca