Belly's

guys deserve gifts, too

Today is our sixth wedding anniversary, and while searching high and low for gifts for my husband I realized I neglected to address this aspect last week in the "get your gifts ready" series. So I asked some of my favorite design bloggers (who also happen to be guys )to help out, and today I'm glad to showcase the picks of Will from Bright Bazaar. Will has the most colorful, inspiring blog that always makes me smile (and which you are probably already reading loyally), and he writes and styles for design magazines, like Rue (check him out on page 77). Take it away, Will! -Chedva

 

Habitat FLAP clock




Sophisticated and masculine in it's design, this clock would be make the perfect addition to the home office of any modern man.

J Crew field notes stationery

 

You can't go wrong when it comes to gifting stylish stationery. These notebooks from J Crew are perfect for slipping into the pocket of a suit jacket or adding some colour to a grey office cubicle.

Jack Spade Bag
I was lucky enough to treat myself to my first Jack Spade bag on a trip to NYC over the summer and I've been sold on the brand ever since. Understated but ever-so cool, Jack's designs are versatile addtions to a cool guy's wardrobe.

J Crew Gingham Shirt

Back to J Crew, I know, I know, but these guys just get it so right! Often buying clothes for guys can be kinda tricky but I don't think you can go wrong with a classic checked shirt. This vintage navy number is a great staple and with it's supersoft peached finish it would make for a great gift.

Nixon Bright Blue Watch



Buying for a guy who loves his colour? This Nixon watch would make the perfect gift. A statement piece for a not-so statement price!

outfit with a past: for the love of shoes

Organizing my closet during the process of packing, moving and unpacking again reminded me of the many special items of clothing I own, each with its own story (or stories) and memories attached. Every Friday I will try to feature one garment or accessory and tell you a little bit about them.

The best thing about having a walk-in closet, tiny as it is, is I finally get to see my shoes, on display on eye-level so I can enjoy them. I know I talk a lot about shoes, and I sure try on many of them, but I'm actually a pretty difficult shoe-shopper, and I only commit to those I know I'll wear the hell out.

Well, the first pair (first from left) I actually only wore once, on my wedding night. I had plans to dye them and wear them anywhere and everywhere, because I'm truly in love with them, but they somehow managed to shrink and don't fit me anymore (but I wear other shoes the same size from the same brand - Nine West - isn't it weird?). They were perfect for my understated gown, with that little cute heel, elegant and high (at 8 cm, about 3.5 inch) so I won't look like a midget beside the tall groom, but yet comfortable enough. I'm very un-emotional about wedding keepsakes, but this pair I keep near the shoes I wear most frequently, as a fond memory.

the shoe(s) in action

The next pair on the bottom row is my beloved heart shoes- I practically live in them, they're the most comfortable shoes I ever rested my feet in, and they let me get the exhilaration of wearing heels on day-to-day basis without the pain, as I am no longer able to walk hours in 8 inch heels (which I could, until I had a baby). They are Miss L Fire, and from my favorite shoe boutique- Shoeshoe.

the last one on the bottom row was a great score. My mom kept her eye on them all season 5 years ago, but they were too expensive at 300 dollars. When they're price was reduced to 50$, she was no longer interested- but I was, and so I asked her permission to buy them (I felt like I had too, although she wasn't into them anymore). I wore the hell out of them, and writing this post reminds me I need to fix one of the soles...

What now? Well, I think it's time to introduce more color to the shoes' section of the closet, so stay tuned for that. See you next week with another outfit with a past (drum roll...)

cuckoo

Yesterday marked the third yahrzeit (or death anniversary) of my grandma. I was about to write my beloved grandma, but that would be such an understatement. I don't think I mentioned this blog is named after her; her middle name was Bella and she sometimes regretted not using it as her first. I used to spend all my summers with her in NYC and Brooklyn and I can't start to count all the many, many things she taught me. 

She had a leopard staircase, very much similar to this one by noted interior idol Miles Redd, that were considered the height of distaste in my family, a peach colored kitchen with cane-backed chairs and many, many patterns going on. I have no doubt in my heart she'd be best friends with both Kelly Wearstler and Dorothy Zbornak.

We'd stay up all night and talk about books and ridicule people, and we could spend days scouring up and down Madison or 5th avenue and making up stories about the clothes in the window fronts and to which occasion we'd wear them.

The summer I was 17, after a few summers I haven't spent with her due to school activities and whatnot, I flew to NYC again to escort her to her chemotherapy sessions in Manhattan. It never seemed like a sad chore. We giggled and talked and bashed ugly interiors in magazine during her treatments. That's when she gave me this cuckoo clock lookalike pendant she once bought in Switzerland, which I am wearing right now (if you try really hard, you can catch a sneak peek of the office right there). We sure had some cuckoo times together, grandma. I miss you a hell lot.