My friend Jen and I have been on a quest for the PERFECT trench coat for a good two years now and we both still do not own one. If money were no object, you would find us both at Burberry picking out one for each other while sipping champagne and toasting to our flawless taste- alas, we can't spend that kind of cash at the present moment. So why has it taken us so long to find one? Because when it comes to a trench coat, I am one pick motherf*cker. I want a tailored fitting, classically styled trench with simple buttons, flat lying or no epaulets (my shoulders are broad enough) and a mid thigh to knee length. No ruffles, so sheen, no fancy buttons, no extra "styling", no colors- just a clean, classic, beautifully fitting coats that will look as good on me now as it will when I'm 80. Oh, and it needs to be under $400. Is that so much to ask?
No one could rock a trench quite like Jackie O- and only Audrey could wear it as a bathrobe and look so cute! It's been staple in wardrobes forever, and will continue to be for many generations to come...

Burberry's two versions shown here are the classic and most desired, but the price tag is not exactly economical!

Club Monaco throws their hat int he ring with this stone colored coat and Banana's version in a creamier tan color:


Only got $50? No problem- Old Navy has got you covered.
A.P.C. takes on the trend and keeps it streamlined and a tad shorter.

Theory never strays from it's simple, classic lines and the trench is the perfect item for them to craft! And London Fog is known for their trenches and this updated silhouette on Overstock could save you some money too.

But my favorite this year, which I tried on today and LOVED is JCrew's version. I would throw my full support (i.e. my wallet) behind it- under $300, not too long or too short, the perfect medium khaki color and just enough classic details to make it timeless, but not so many you feel trendy. Done and DONE.

Some yummy china place settings for those brides to be out there!

These patterns by J. Chew (yep, CHEW not CREW) are fabulously fanciful yet simple. I'd love to mix the two patterns to create a really lovely look.



When registering for my china I coveted the Etoile pattern by Bernadaud below left. I hemmed and hawed and finally thought it would be something I might tire of. I was WRONG! I still love it! Nerds! Also love the Constance pattern too- I do believe that was Charlotte York's china!

For something a bit more fanciful, try the Mega pattern by Royal Copenhagen or Pompano Point by Kate Spade

Simple platinum rimmed china is something that will never go out of style: I chose Vera Wang for Wedgewood's Grosgrain, but Barbara Barry's Emrace is pretty great too!

I will not be posting tomorrow as I am gone all day in a meeting- but will post on Saturday to make up for a missed Fashion Friday!
Happy Weekend!

So what are we to do? With all these magazines closing I feel there is a heap of responsibility on the shoulders of us design bloggers to fill the echoing void left in Domino's (and others) wakes. So what shall we do? I am tempted to try to start a monthly design e-zine or website with a bunch of other design minded and inspired people I've met on the "interwebs"...but do you think it would take off? Would designers send us their work? Would people tune in and/or pay for a "subscription"... I'd love to hear from you readers about what you think would be the most fabulous thing to do to soothe all the sad hearts out there clinging to their back stock issues of Domino...

R.I.P dear Domino- I do hope we'll meet again.

P.S. If you have not bought the Domino book- now is the time to do it! it's a virtual catalog of their greatest hits!

Domino is done. Kaput. March issue will be their last.
I am devastated.
This day could not get any worse- a sick new dog, more snow and now this news.
I might cry.

A reader suggested I check out L'Hotel and man am I glad I did- these first two images made me scream with delight- that bedroom with the yellow, green and pink?? AHHH- now that is my idea of a Parisian hotel room!
And just when I thought I thought our hotel was picked for certain, I went to see another reader recommended hotel Hotel Banville and loved it as well (each room is decorated very differently, which is something I adore!)