Ladurée Soho

I ran across this great piece the other day on the One Kings Lane blog covering Elisabeth Holder, Co-President of Ladurée. Not only do I love all things Ladurée, but I also love reading about successful businesswomen, especially effortlessly chic French ones! Holder's family purchased Ladurée in 1996 when it was, as she puts it, "a sleeping beauty." Since then, the luxury French bakery has exploded in popularity due to their famous macarons, opulently decorated tearooms, and impeccable attention to detail. On my first visit to Ladurée in 2010, I even saved my paper napkin and sugar packet for my scrapbook! Every aspect of the experience was just so exquisite and worthy of savoring. 

A Ladurée-Inspired Kitchen

I'm loving this little kitchen remodel I stumbled across on the One Kings Lane blog the other day, and not just because I have a soft spot for macarons! The lucky owner of this petite cuisine dreamed of turning her 1970's blah kitchen into a sanctuary that felt as beautiful and luxurious as one of her favorite places-- the Ladurée in Saint-Germain-des-Prés. To recreate the feeling of Paris, she had the cabinet color custom-mixed to perfectly match the famous French bakery's trademark mint green colored boxes and tins. I've honestly been struggling to decorate our house lately, so this simple concept totally inspired me! Why not reflect on your favorite places from your travels and bring them home?

Could next month get any better?

What's life without having things to look forward to? Today, I thought I'd share with you what I'm most excited about in the month ahead!

Sketch of Ladurée's new Madison Ave. location / Ladurée's facebook page

1. Ladurée Opening in New York--  I think I better repeat this for significance. Ladurée is coming to New York!!! My mother-in-law tipped me off to this after reading about it in Veranda Magazine, even though I didn't find confirmation from Ladurée until just a few days ago. If you are at all familiar with me or my blog, you are aware of my love for all things Ladurée, and can probably guess at my excitement for the Parisian macaron shop/tea salon arriving stateside.  Yet, I must admit that I have mixed feelings about this. Sometimes, when I reflect on globalization, I feel conflicted about its effects on traveling.  There's something magical about getting to visit Ladurée when you can only do so in Paris. But I guess if London and Tokyo get to share in the fun, so should NYC! I can't wait to visit the new shop next time I'm on the Upper East Side! It officially opens at 1 PM this Saturday, August 27th.

Fashionista

2. Missoni for Target-- I feel like I've been hearing rumors of this epic 400-piece collection for months now, and I can't believe there's finally proof! I am a huge fan of designers collaborating with chain stores like Target and H&M, because of the way this makes the designer's most signature looks accessible to us normal people.  Missoni's fabulously colorful zigzags and mod floral prints will be coming to a Target near you on September 13th.  (But if your Target is the same one I go to, I'd appreciate if you hold off for a few weeks.  I call first dibs!)

The Cut/NY Mag

3. Karl Lagerfeld for Macy's Impulse-- Karl Lagerfeld is one of the few living people who completely fascinate me.  After seeing a photo of one of his Macy's dresses in Vogue, I've been searching for more. I think the collection is just great. I'm not super inspired by it or anything, but I definitely want the Karl tank top and am pondering if this might finally be my chance to attempt (faux) leather leggings. I like how New York Magazine describes the collection: "It's all very Karl, meaning that if you want to dress like the girl version of him, but not invest in real leather, it's just the thing for you." The 45-piece collection hits stores on August 31st.

Personal photo / Amateur state illustrations also by yours truly

4. Julianne Meets Maryland!-- On September 20th, one of my best friends is flying all the way out from California to visit me in this little state of Maryland I've learned to call home.  I can hardly contain my excitement for a week of East Coast adventures!

Sooo... what are you looking forward to in the next month? :)