Hannah B. Design

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Hello, Gorgeous!
Style File
Dress the Part
Sit & Sip
A Belle’s Essentials
P’s & Q’s

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If a martini can’t cure what ails you…

Article Posted on Thursday, January 12th, 2012 at 1:25 pm

{ Record / Xanax jar / I Like You: Hospitality Under the Influence / Auntie Mame }

If you ask me that girl could use a few of what we Belle’s call “mama’s happy pills.” I saw this album cover on Spotify the other day and, obviously, things went downhill from there.

Tags: Dress the Part

With a Capital T & That Rhymes with B & That Stands for Bobby Jean

Article Posted on Friday, November 11th, 2011 at 9:00 am

It was Bobby Jean’s 27th birthday. You know what that means, don’t you? She was almost 30. Almost 30. Single. The librarian at the local high school. Never been in trouble a day in her life. That’s when she got “the gift.”

It was a birthday party like so many others. Bobby Jean’s 3 best girlfriends had decided to take her out for a night on the town when her friend Sally presented her with the gift. It was an adorable flask and on the front was a girl smiling coyly at her with the words: Why yes, I am that kind of girl.” But Bobby Jean wasn’t. It was then and there that she decided. They were going to have a night to remember. So they filled that flask with a little Jackie D. and went wild.

Looking for your own outfit to go wild in? Think 60′s cut dresses (these are from Shabby Apple), a scarf, and some vintages specs. Who would suspect a gal that looks so adorable?!

For inspiration: Oceans 11 (Bobby Jean could watch George Clooney rob casinos all day), To Catch a Thief (classic), and Dr. Strangelove (Bobby Jean doesn’t know who this is, but he sounds like just what she’s looking for!)

While you’re at it, here are a few other things that may come in handy…

{P.S. I found the “Bobby Jean” photo on Pinterest and couldn’t resist. Do you subscribe to my boards?}

Tags: Dress the Part

A Little Daydreaming is Always a Good Thing

Article Posted on Tuesday, November 1st, 2011 at 10:00 am

*This Dress the Part was inspired by a *lovely* layout (see p.90) in the Sept/Oct issue of Lonny Magazine.

It’s Fall Break and Sophie has snuck off to the North East to spend a weekend with her beloved grandmother. She’s packed an old trunk with just what she needs (a few books & a stylish outfit–the necessities!) in hopes that she might sneak some of grandma’s beloved treasures back home with her.

As with any stylish college girl, Sophie is never without good literature. On this trip, there are three books packed away in her chest:
Franny & Zooey : for American Lit, of course
the Capote classic Breakfast at Tiffany’s : to celebrate 50 years
and a little David Sedaris for a touch of comic relief!

Kate Spade Cardigan & Earrings She couldn’t resist the built-in corsage and bows. // Pink Hunter Boots In case she needs to muck around in the pumpkin patch.

clockwise from the top:
Grandma was so sweet to give Sophie this old Avon peacock perfume bottle that has been on her vanity for ages.
(You can get your own on Etsy.) // These hand-painted Japanese figures from Grandma’s trip to the Far East in the 60s will look perfect atop Sophie’s mantle. (Etsy) // Grandma taught Sophie a new stitch to practice. (She’s planning on taking a cue from Design Sponge and making her own calendar to dress-up the wall of her apartment.) // Sophie is never without a bottle of wine. Her current favorite? The Velvet Devil and, to top off the bottle, these Hofdame bottle stoppers from Anthropologie. // Sophie has been lusting after this pink lamp for more years than she’d care to count. This time, it’s finding it’s way into her chest… after all, what are the odds of Grandma going into the guest room any time soon? (Etsy) // Sophie couldn’t resist sneaking a few of these wool blankets into her chest for a cold winter’s night back at school. (I saw these on Etymologie this week.) // Every girl needs a monogrammed pillow! (these little lovelies are from Jonathan Adler)

Happy Daydreaming!
xo~ Hannah B.

Tags: Dress the Part

Dress the Part…

Article Posted on Wednesday, August 10th, 2011 at 9:42 pm

This evening Husband is out with friends recouping after his first day of school. So here I am, perusing the web and watching the documentary Herb & Dorothy. It’s about 2 of America’s most-loved, and most unexpected, art collectors who have made it their life’s work to search out art that speaks to them before anyone else finds it. It is the sweetest story of how a post office worker and a librarian literally changed the face of New York’s art world. If you are interested in art or if you just love an interesting story, be sure to add this film to your queue.

All that to say, I while watching this film I came across this gorgeous outfit in Club Monaco’s new collection (I’m a bit taken with this skirt!), and I just couldn’t resist…

1. / 2. / 3. / 4. / 5.

Tags: Art, Dress the Part

Moonlight & Magnolias

Article Posted on Wednesday, June 29th, 2011 at 10:00 am

We lived our little drama
We kissed in a field of white
And stars fell on Alabama
Last night

I can’t forget the glamour
Your eyes held a tender light
And stars fell on Alabama
Last night

I never planned in my imagination
A situation – so heavenly
A fairy land where no one else could enter
And in the center – just you and me

My heart beat like a hammer
My arms wound around you tight
And stars fell on Alabama
Last night

{ JCrew / Anthropologie / Alexander McQueen / Lanvin }

Tags: Dress the Part, Music, Style

A taste of Milk & Sugar…

Article Posted on Friday, June 17th, 2011 at 1:13 pm

Here in the south, Summer is in full force and is the uniform of summer when it is 90-something and humid below the Mason-Dixon? Seersucker, of course!

Seersucker:
from the Persian ‘shir o shekar’ meaning ‘milk and sugar.’
A thin, all cotton fabric characterized by the juxtaposition of rough and smooth, thin blue and white stripes.

One would assume that all Southern children are trained in the art of seersucker, but it has become increasingly evident lately that this is not the case. (i.e. Instead of seeing Seersucker in the market to keep Southern ladies cool, I’m seeing more and more skanky dresses.) Therefore, I’m considering it my civic duty to offer a little guidance.

Let’s start at the beginning.

{ Gant // Brooks Brothers }

Every man Southern Gentlemen *must* have a seersucker jacket (although a suit would be better) and every Belle needs to have a seersucker skirt in her repertoire. Also worthy of a mention: a nice seersucker dress and short.

{ NineWest at Macys // JCrew }

Next comes the classic question of how to accessorize. For the Belles, this is simple: Think pearls & pretty shoes!

{ Pearls // Bakers // Ralph Lauren // Kate Spade }

For Men: shoes with personality. Beware that 2 issues may arise from this:
1.) It is hard to find men’s shoes that are bold and have a lot of personality unless you know where to look. In our house, the go-to store is usually Cole Haan.
2.) Men are not always confident enough to wear bolder shoes. If your man isn’t confident enough, I suggest dumping him for a new one. Shoes speak volumes about a person.

{ Cole Haan… *note: ‘Go-to-Hell ankles‘ are especially attractive with seersucker}

Other ways for your man to dress up his seersucker…

{Noteworthy: The Madras pocket square and Madras belt… Husband just got a fun one from Brooks Brothers. }

Finally, since we are modern Southern Belles it is worth noting that there are some designers (not many) that add charm and edge to seersucker without taking anything away. My favorite examples this season are both from Gant.

{ Gant // Gant }