Miami Design District - Marni Fall 2011

I just returned from Miami and was so happy to see the expansion of the Design District since my last trip several years ago. If you are planning a trip to Miami, the Design District is a must see. I will be featuring some shops, designers and items that caught my eye on this visit for the next week. But today is fashion, I'm a huge fan of Marni, and the shop was lovely. So was Pia, the sweet, young woman who waited on me. No haute couture attitude here. She was as approachable as the designs, and happy to share information whether she sensed a sale or not. As for the clothing, jewelry, shoes and bags... to die for. A great mix of texture, interesting drape, color and pattern, both geometric and contemporary floral. Coats in quilted down, shearling and wool were wonderful. Chunky jewelry in horn, wood and acrylic were high impact but comfortable to wear. The shoes... sculptural works of art and funky fun. I can't say enough about this line. You really have to see it, feel it and try it on to fully appreciate it.

Pan Am Today!

As a child, I flew on Pan Am several times. Those where the days when just getting on an airplane was an exciting event, and Pan Am made it even better. Children where often given Pan Am wings to wear and a Pan Am deck of cards to occupy them during the flight. You couldn't walk through an airport without spotting the Pan Am blue bags. They brought a new style to the air that is making a comeback in the new CBS series "Pan Am" scheduled to start tonight. You can own your own piece of this nostalgia in reissues of Pan Am products. Photos from panam.com.

Gilt Group Guilt Free

Head on over to Gilt Group today and check out some of these fun items. The best things about Gilt, everything is on sale, there's something for every budget and every style, and there's new stuff every day! Guilt free.

Contemporary Swim Wear

Swim wear is a not so pleasant topic for many women for obvious reasons. I take a simple approach. Clean, modern lines are flattering to everyone and timeless. In fact some of my favorite swim suits are 10 years old or older. Here are just a few that have caught my attention this year. Enjoy and cut yourself some gentle slack. Click image for link.

I Pod, What's you're perfect cover up?

Bubble

Portel

Macware Eco-Envi

Whanganui Case

E-volve reversable

Julie Boyels

Hello! I know it has been a long time since I've posted but I'm back after some intense life changes. Since I was not posting during the wonderous event of the release of the iPad, I have to treat it like the old news that it is. But I wanted my first post to be related to my favorite technology.... Apple. Since I love my iPad and need a case for it what better place to start.

Choosing a cover for your iPad is a very personal thing. In addition to superb design it needs to be based on the function you're looking for in the cover or case. Is it an outer-skin so when you put it in your bag it doesn't scratch or is it a carry case with pockets, strap or handles? Form with your choice of function. So I included some interesting options for a variety of uses. Enjoy!

Medallion Skirt

I don't do a lot of fashion posts on Design Mind, but I had to share this with you. I saw this skirt in Target and fell in love with it. When I got home I tried it on and it look spectacular. I wore it to a party last night and got more compliments than I have in years. For $25 this modern design is an amazing find.

Nada Go Go T-shirts

Looking for unusual t-shirts? Check out Nada Go Go for Cotton tees for the modern art minded.

Effortless Modern Fashion, Eileen Fisher

A modern fashion sense doesn't have to mean space age design, vintage wear or high end couture. Eileen Fisher makes modern dressing easy and comforting. Effortless! Check out her full fall and winter line at her web site.