It is no secret to anyone who knows me, I love to shop. I love things. And it’s not a materialistic thing, I just love things that are beautiful or unique or awesome in some way. I buy things because they speak to me, generally with absolutely no thought as to what I will do with them.

I also really enjoy the art of shopping. And there definitely is an art to it. (I actually know a number of people who say they don’t like to shop. What? That is so foreign to me.) Shopping is like a hunt, an adventure. To find the perfect item, the perfect bargain, the hidden gem, that one little something special. I think it gives me endorphins or something, because it definitely gets my heart pumping. I joke that I could actually enjoy shopping at CVS (the local drug store). I could, though.

So here’s just a few of my latest acquisitions:

For the office we picked up another dress form, a couple of Argentinian mid-century chairs and the most awesome pony hair ottoman…

FInally found the perfect "trying on shoes" pouf

for home, I picked up another ottoman and a vintage hat box for my boudoir…

And maybe my favorite new item of all, the new crown jewel of my accessories collection, this amazing and unique vintage collar…

I see amazing things just about everywhere I go, so I think I’ll make this Favorite Things post a regular feature. Tune in next week to see what else I’m obsessing over

{vintage wire dress form, pony hair ottoman and tapestry ottoman from Revision Home; leather and metal chairs from Architectural Artifacts; vintage hat box from Study Vintage; vintage collar from Hazel }

For our latest cover story, we took our inspiration from some gorgeous photographs Erika Dufour took while in Japan recently (bamboo scaffolding, geishas on cell phones… have you ever seen such things?!)

Erika shot film (with her Hasselblad, the same camera she used to take the awesome images she captured in Japan) and Arlene and I channeled our inner geishas. Here’s what we came up with:

Ours was sort of a reluctant and petulant geisha-in-training, if “geisha” at all. But we definitely had fun and LOVED the challenge! So so so fun to just go out and get creative. Although a lot of time and energy went into it, it really did feel like good old-fashioned play time. And I am totally okay with that.

{image credits: photography by Erika Dufour (with assistance by the mahvelous Melinda Jane Meyers), styling by Arlene Matthews and Brandon Frein, hair and make-up by Kristina Marie, and model Erica Miramontes of Ford.}

Please check out the entire story here. (Yes, there’s more!)

and

We’re teaming up again for another pop-up shop with our friends over at Revision Home. So join us for the best of what’s new in fashion and the best of what’s vintage in home furnishings and accessories.

Special preview Thursday, May 12th, 5:30pm - 7:30pm

Warehouse dates Friday, May 13th and Saturday, May 14th, 11:00am - 4:00pm

2132 W. Fulton in Chicago

Let’s get it viral folks, ’cause the twentythirtyforty.net pop-up shop is ON! Lots of fabulous clothes (much not even live on the site yet) and tons of awesome stuff for the home. Desks, lamps, flat files, bookends, dining tables, end tables, headboards, benches, chairs, artwork. Some of the cuteness…

Our "desk." Wanting that table now. Like, need it. Really great copper top, too. It's awesome.

Didn't I just post a picture of gongs? I think it's a sign that I must have this one.

My very favorite: the orange chaise. Does this tell you something about me?

It’s a one-of-kind opportunity, really. Revision’s sales only come around 3 times a year — always with fantastic “new” finds that sell out quickly. Not to mention it’s a rare opportunity to see Arlene and me in action So, if you’re in the area over the next 2 days, please come out and say hello. We get awfully closed off in that little studio of ours and really love to meet like-minded people!

Click here for pertinent info.

Hope to see you!

Peace,

B and A

A few months back we did a photo shoot at the space of Revision Home in Fulton Market. We really hit it off with the owner and curator, Katie Ernst, and Katie almost immediately started talking to us about bringing some of our stuff in for her next sale. Well the time has come and we’re happy to announce that you can find us this weekend hawking our wares and doling out style advice at Revision Home Thursday night and all day Friday and Saturday. Going to be so much fun. We hope to see you there!

When we first shot with our friend Erika, she mentioned something about wanting to do a shoot with a sort of Wizard of Oz witch-under-the-house thing with models’ body parts sticking out from underneath beautiful, ornate furniture {the girl is all sorts of crazy talented creative, don’t even get me started.} Anyway, Arlene and I immediately thought of Revision Home, a space that is literally right down the hall from Erika’s studio. We called the lovely and generous Katie, proprietor of Revision, and went over to take a look at what she had in stock. You can see many of our favorites in our latest cover story (I’m still hoping that the elephant stool and/or hairy bench will find their way under my Christmas tree).

But the thing that stole our hearts from the moment we entered was a 66 year old dressmaker’s dummy.

Love the way she proudly sports her age and the signs of aging...

and comfortably sports the finery of Sway

Although she won us over from the start, we’re struggling with her name. We’ve been calling her both Judy and Rosie, but can’t seem to settle. We love her too much to refer to her as, “hey, you!” Or “Rosie/Judy/Judy/Rosie”

Judy/Rosie is quickly becoming a very integral part of our lives and she already holds a special place in our hearts, so help us name her! What do you think? She’s not a skinny-mini, our Rosie/Judy, but she’s definitely confident in her own skin. She’s our kind of gal, for sure. And look at how nice she cleans up…

Any thoughts? We’d love to hear what you’d call her!

Shoes!  And lots of great jewelry by Sway.  Brandon & I faced our fears and shot an accessory shoot yesterday…luckily, we collaborated with (one of the best) Ms Erika Dufour and Revision Home.  Guru photographer + amazing backdrop for accessories = pretty damn good editorial!   Unexpected luxe for the holidays….

Gorgeous! Bravo Erika! Bravo Katie! Bravo Kimberly! and BRAVO Sharon!!

Thank you Erika! You are amazing!!

Rachel Comey Shoes at The Shop.

Loeffler Randall Sloane Ankle Strap pump at The Shop.

more behind-the-scenes on Facebook

Brandon & I were thrilled when a friend of ours turned us onto Revision Home.  Revision Home is a beautiful assortment of vintage and reworked home furniture & curios, curated by Katie Ernst.  What we love about Katie is that she’s all about doing what you love and making it work, definitely our kind of gal!  Katie is showcasing her amazing finds (out this great space in the fulton district)…today, tomorrow & Saturday.  If you can’t make this one, Katie plans these fabulous sales four times a year.  Plan it!  It’s worth the trip!

how pretty

I wanted the stoplight from her last sale Long gone :(

Check out more photos from this morning over on facebook

Many thanks to our good friend & painter, Kelley Shields for giving us yet another obsession…Revision Home.  I would save my pennies all year for one of the quarterly sales at Revision Home.  Owner & founder Katie Ernst has the most unbelievable eye.  Her hand picked furnishings and home accessories are sophisticated and playful…they add just enough glam and personality to any setting.  Tonight is a special preview and opening reception for Ms Kelley.  What better plans for a Thurs evening??  Definitely stop in before all the fabulous goods (and paintings!) have been scouted and scooped up.

Brandon has her eye on these most adorable stools

I would love to get my hands on any/all of the hand printed pillow

and this would be perfect for the hundreds of art projects stashed throughout my home

My favorite work from Kelley. See it up close @ Revision Home

Revision Home May Preview and Opening Reception for Kelley Shields

Thursday, May 13 - 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm

SALE DATES:

Friday May 14 & Saturday May 15 - 11 am to 4 pm

2132 W Fulton Chicago, IL 60609