Monday Muse | Ray Eames

photo via

"Take your pleasure seriously.”
 

~Ray Eames

Southwest Chic | Georgia O'Keeffe

Georgia O’Keefe and her minimalist desert lifestyle were the perfect definition of southwest chic. Simple elements mixed with a very select statement piece, be it a piece of jewelry for the wardrobe or a piece of furniture or decor for the home. 

I am inspired by her simple approach to her life and surroundings, yet her style was always in tact with a few basic staples-timeless. This is Georgia re-imagined in my mind for the modern day lady who like her southwest to be chic.

1. western chambray shirt | 2. black coated jeans  | 3. brown boots | 4. bull skull cuff | 5. hat

6. lamp | 7. pillow | 8. serving tray | 9. brown leather butterfly chair | 10. rug | 11. coat | 12. scarf | 13. georgia o’keeffe

*and just in-case you missed it…you can see some of my styling work, dedicated to the desert chic look in the september issue of matchbook magazine!

xx~syd

Desert Chic No. 2

The second part of my hometown series, Desert Chic. If you missed the first part, you can see it here.

styling: sydney ballesteros

photography: puspa lohmeyer

location: barrio viejo, tucson az

wardrobe:

quilted midi skirt: vintage | tooled leather clutch: vintage | copper accessories: vintage | silver + turquoise necklace: handmade by my father in the 1970s | silver rings + earrings: vintage

xx~syd

Desert Chic No. 1

 I was born and raised in the deserts of Tucson, Arizona, an eighth generation native. This series, Desert Chic is a homage to my hometown and the elements that make it so special and unique. It's landscape, spirit, culture, history and simplicity. There is just something so magical and peaceful about t the desert, the old pueblo.

styling: sydney ballesteros

photos: puspa lohmeyer

wardrobe:

vintage squash blossom: desert vintage | turquoise + silver cuffs: vintage | copper earrings: vintage

xx~syd

J.J. Martin

Any woman with an eye for truly good style and a passion for vintage fashion and home decor is a fan of mine. J.J. Martin and I should go on a hunt date together and exchange stories about our vintage clothing scores. That. is. all.  This woman has a fabulous collection of vintage clothing and an apartment (in Milan) full of equally fabulous one of a kind treasures to match. Oh, and did I mention that she has a “thing” for vintage chairs? That was just the icing on the cake for me really….why are we not friends yet?

Her recent interview on the Tales of Endearment blog, just made me feel like I am somehow connected to her from all the way over here in my little corner of the world. Especially, the part where she talks about getting just as excited over finding a $35.00 garage sale piece as she would a vintage couture designer label. It was too perfectly close to home for me. Her eye for mixing vintage clothing with bold patterns + colors in a modern way is impeccable and interesting in every photo I have ever seen her in. Done just right without being over the top, she manages to maintain a very chic aesthetic while going about all of it, and I dig it. I also admire her life history and how she managed to ambitiously pursue her goal to focus on getting where she is today as Editor at Large of Wallpaper Magazine. Inspired.

photos via natalie joos of tales of endearment 

xo~syd