Kate Spade's Animal Kingdom

Clockwise from top left: Daycation Bon Shopper ($148) / Queen of the Nile Camel Clutch ($348) / Camel Caravan Printed Scarf ($100) / Armadillo Handbag ($147 sale) / Cockatoo Raquel Halter Top ($70 sale) & Summer of Love Bottoms ($63 sale) / Tretorn Try Cockatoo Sneakers ($80) / Wild One Armadillo Studs ($38) all by Kate Spade New York

I can't tell if my tastes are getting preppier or if Kate Spade is just getting hipper, but either way I've found myself enamored of the brand lately.

It struck me one day last week when I stopped into the Newbury Street outpost to see if I could get my hands on a bathing suit on sale from Kate Spade's collaboration with Malia Mills. (In case you're unfamiliar, Malia Mills swimsuits are expensive as all hell, but they flatter like no other. Seriously.) Well, the suits were sold out, but I did find a veritable menagerie!

Armadillos and camels and cockatoos, oh my! Preppy or not, I can't help but love it.

The Cloud House by McBride Charles Ryan

With both Downtown Abbey and Mad Men on hiatus, I've been finding myself in serious period-design withdrawal. So what's a girl to do? Go trolling the interwebs for inspiration, that's what. While I'm more than familiar with all thing mid-century (à la the Draper household), I quickly realized that my knowledge of Downton-style Edwardian architecture is nil.

So, I wasn't terribly surprised to find this home referred to as an example of the Edwardian period:

[all photos by John Gollings via Contemporist]

But this? Edwardian? That doesn't seem right...

Now, here's the kicker: What if I were to tell you that these are two facades of the same house?

WTF?! Moment: Summer Edition

ASOS Pineapple Sunglasses / ASOS Eiffel Tower Sunglasses / ASOS Cocktail Sunglasses

It's been a while since I've posted a WTF?! moment, but these awesomely ridiculous sunglasses from ASOS inspired me. If any of you buy a pair of these and send me a photo, you'll have my everlasting love. Hope you're beating the heat in style!

Mosaico Athens by Kirios Criton

[photos of Vogue Hellas via Ann/Designed by Ann]

I was holding onto these photos of Greek Vogue that a blogger friend, Ann, sent to me until I could think of something eloquent to say about the blogging community. After all, I would never have set eyes on this incredible apartment if it weren't for another blogger half way around the world who just happened to think of me when she saw these images. So thank you to Ann and all of the other bloggers I've chatted with for your thoughtfulness, for sharing ideas so freely and for providing me with endless inspiration!

Apartment 502 in the newly built Mosaico building is a modern, eclectic enclave in the Metaxourgio neighborhood of Athens. Unfortunately, I can't find any information on the interior designer of the apartment, but the mixing and matching of disparate objects and animals is something I admire. Just take the living room - a veritable zoo with birds gliding over walls, elephants perched on end tables and fish swimming across lamp shades.

The Mosaico building itself was constructed by P.I. Zougnaelis S.A. and architect Kirios Criton...

Birds of a Feather

Charlotte Olympia Pandora feather Perspex box clutch [via Net-a-Porter]

Feather hair extensions have finally flown the coop (thank god!), but avian inspiration has gotten its toehold in fashion, and it isn't going anywhere. The evidence? This amazing Charlotte Olympia clutch and a bevy of other feathered finds after the jump...

Swap Time (and a Discount Code!)

Haven't bought your ticket yet? Use the code wellappointedcatwalk to save 25%. See you there!

West Elm's South Africa Collection

[all photos courtesy of West Elm]

Whenever I step into West Elm, I'm always overcome by the feeling that I could live there. Really - just add on a kitchen and a bathroom, and I'd be a happy camper. The store's latest collaborations with South African designers isn't going to make it any easier for me to leave the store next time I visit.

Rather than focusing on the country as a tribal otherworld or exotic land, the collection is widely accessible, expressing South Africa as the melting pot that it is today. Included are woven seats by John Vogel, furniture by Source, bright pottery by Mick Haigh, colorful silk pillows from Gemma Orkin, and unique lighting from artist Shirley Fintz’s Delft. In addition, West Elm is offering a series of limited-edition products, like the Kuba benches shown after the jump along with more photos.

Fred Perry Giveaway Winner

Source: shabbynest.blogspot.com via Susan on Pinterest

Just a quick post to announce the winner of the Fred Perry handbag giveaway. Thank you to everyone who entered. I used Random.org to fairly choose the winner, and that winner is...

Cynthia Richardson (@hofken)

Congratulations, Cynthia! I'll be in touch soon to get your shipping details.

Trina Turk for Banana Republic: Dog Days of Summer

If you've ever walked down a city street with me, you probably know that I love dogs even more than I love design, and it doesn't get any better than this. To introduce its collaboration with Trina Turk, Banana Republic has teamed up with the ASPCA to create this video of rescue pups frolicking amid Turk's signature prints.

If you managed to tear your eyes away from those cute, furry faces long enough to admire the collection, Trina Turk for Banana Republic will be available to BR Facebook fans tomorrow and will hit stores on Thursday.

GIVEAWAY UPDATE: I realize that some of you are waiting for me to announce the winner of a certain Fred Perry handbag. I'm leaving the giveaway open until midnight tonight, so you'll have to wait just a little bit longer. And, if you haven't entered yet, what are you waiting for?!

Vincent Bousserez for Louis Vuitton

[via Journal du Design]

French photographer Vincent Bousserez is known for the whimsical scenes he stages in miniature, but a collaboration with Louis Vuitton has him stepping further into the world of fashion after the stunning work he did for Cartier last year. Of course, the crossover is all on his own (tiny) terms.