Fashion Friday: Nice Bones

Wow what a week….rain in Seattle after not having it for almost a month, I went to the top of the St. Louis arch and Dawn visited the set of the movie “The Details” where her LiTshades are going to be stars.

With everything going it's own way in the world, we feel it may be a good time to pull it together. Cinch things up, strap it back, lets put a little structure back in our lives...or at least show off our nice bones.

The boning of this corset by Jean Paul Gaultier really plays up the feminine shape and the "bones" of this antique frame do the same, plus they really make a show of the beautiful chartreuse cotton print, outlining the best...and hiding the rest, (the seams).

Hope you enjoyed these two amazing pieces of fine craftsmanship that bring a little structure to our crazy lives(or cotton prints). Speaking of amazing craftsmanship remember August 27th is the show Where is This? , an exhibit of imaginary cities at LiT. Put it on your calendar!

Fashion Friday: Oscar + LiT = Fabulous

Usually with Fashion Friday, LiT compares colors, patterns and shape. Very rarely do we come across an outfit that looks as if it was made out of the same fabric as the shade. However in this case the similarities are so, well, similar it's crazy!

Cameron Diaz, the modern style icon that she is, wore this beautiful Oscar De La Renta dress at the Women in Film-Lucy Awards ceremony. Now look at the white and red digital burn-out pattern by Maharam, which Dawn so expertly dressed this shade in. Notice the resemblance? .

Clearly Oscar and Dawn were on the same wave length or in this case fabric length (I love puns). You too can be on the same wave length by coming into LiT and seeing what LiTshade will match your favorite outfit.

*Today is the final day to get your lamp picture in for the LiT lamp makeover. Email your picture to Dawn at lit shades@gmail.com

　

Fashion Fridays: Beat the Heat and Feel the Breeze through Tuuli

It’s a heat wave in Seattle! Since when has Seattle ever been this hot?! The only thing to do is head for air conditioning, a big icy vodka tonic or meet some one with a pool or a boat...good luck with that.

However, if you can’t find any of the above, close your eyes and try to remember back to spring when the cool breezes were blowing and the new leaves were just popping out of the buds on the trees. Do you feel the breeze? I know it’s a stretch but what might make it easier is this Marimekko Kaiku fabric from the Finnish import store Tuuli on 1st avenue. They not only carry cooling fabrics, but clothes, house wares and collectibles as well as shades by LiT, made using Marimekko prints.

Now, go put on your smallest sundress-don’t worry, people will understand in this heat-get in the car turn on the air conditioning as high and possible, and head down to Tuuli. Believe me, looking at this fabric, especially illuminated by LiT, will keep you cool.

*Remember there are only eight, yes 8 days, left until the contest ends for the lamp-revamp!

Fashion Friday: Kiss of the Dragon

Hello LiT friends, with the above normal temperatures we've had for the past two days, I thought it was only fitting to talk about one of Dawn's "above the norm" shade requests. With custom, you really can have it all, but our favorite in a long while is this beautiful gem...

This shade was commissioned out of a lovely print by Schumacher ; a dragon printed in vivid hues on a background of stylized poppies, palms, and petals. Although a little out of the norm, I personally love the pattern and how it coordinates so well with the client's own yellow lamp. Dawn was excited because this is one of her favorite fabrics by Schumacher.

Another piece slightly out of the ordinary is this limited addition Gucci Boston Bag created by Frida Giannini. Only 200 were made for the grand opening of Gucci's 28th store in China on June 6th.

Much like the Schumacher fabric, Giannini used the Chinese dragon, this is a bag with a message! The red is for a prosperous business or life, and the dragon is a sign of good luck. This one of a kind Gucci is only available at the Shanghai Gucci store, but you can "get lucky" with a dragon shade of your own by simply stopping in at LiT.

Remember, the LiT "off the rack" sale ends this Saturday at 4pm so come in soon! You have plenty of time to stop in before your flight for Shanghai....

Unfashionable Friday Rant

Warm weather, finally! Back to tank tops and sundresses, spaghetti straps and short shorts. Speaking of spaghetti straps let’s have a little chat shall we? On the situation I will address below, that has lead me to call this Friday- “Unfashionable Friday.”

It all started Wednesday, when I came to page 80 in last weeks Us Weekly, yes I read it and I love it, so shut up. As I was saying, page 80, is usually just made up of random ads and things no one would ever need but will fix everything from hair removal to the unwanted middle. But this week- page 80 had a special treat, see the picture, yes notice the “jewelry” connecting the straps of her tank top?

This “amazing” invention is known as the Bra Barrett, fancy name isn't it? According to the website,

Be in command of your straps & feel confident in your clothing with the most beautiful bra clip available. The Plain Bra Barrette is perfect for women of all ages to stop bra straps from slipping, keeping them in place all day, comfortably. Keep one handy for gardening, business meetings, or swimming. Made in the USA, BB's are the ultimate bra strap .

I know what your thinking, "Britt my bra straps definitely need decoration in tank tops, but the one in the picture doesn’t match all of my tank tops." Well, Bra Barrett was way ahead of you and being the “fashion forward” site (I know I had a hard time typing that because of the laughter too, it’s not just you) they are, the “BB” (acronyms too!) comes in a number of colors with a number of ridiculous charms. You could even get the “style” pack.

I am aware this post did nothing for your life but when something comes along that is so ridiculous you just have to write about it.

On the opposite side of the BB, that would be the fashionable side, LiT will be out and about this Sunday. Come join us and our friends for Flat Stanley at the George Town Ballroom between 10-4. We will see you there, and remember to wear your BB, it’s supposed to be warm and how would your tank top look without it? (Oh the laughter!!)

Fashion Friday: Pretty in Pink

Pink is the new black, and in this case pink is oh so pretty, welcome to the life through the rose colored glasses of another LiT Fashion Friday.

Although, pink is not a huge favorite of mine, being friends with Dawn has turned me onto how easy it is to be pretty in pink(even if one is usually more comfortable in gray and black).

This vintage Versace skirt in coral silk taffeta with pleating in front and rouching in the back is paired perfectly with the Indian cotton, carry-everything bag by Piano Nobile.

Just to throw a little LiT light on the picture, we bring you this amazing PINK elliptical light box also printed at Piano Nobile.

Pretty in pink? Oh I think so. Until next week....

Fashion Friday:Tiptoe through the Tulips

Fashion favorites: perfectly ruched details done in taffeta, demure and refined clutches with gold and enameled closures, skirts-bell shaped, pencil, modified bubble and my present passion; the tulip. Tulip skirts are a modified version of the pencil skirt, high waisted and flared with pleats that tapers perfectly at the knee.

Since I am back, and I wore cargo pants and flip flops for the past three weeks (I don't want to talk about it)this week's Fashion Friday is a tribute to my usual more feminin wear, skirts.

Length, cut, material, lining, all so very important- and this LiTshade takes it all into consideration. Whether used as a pendant or a floor lamp shade, the cut is opposite of the traditional flare- and instead tapers in, just like a tulip skirt. The fabric is a tangerine silk dupioni and comes "fully lined" with silver and white floral wallpaper. The length covers what needs to be covered but still keeps a contemporary edge.

Wanting to update your rooms wardrobe? The perfect piece is here at LiT. You don't need a whole makeover, just a few tailored elements here and there. In closing, a quote from a skirt maker that I have always adored: "Every one was poor. I wore skirts made of flour sacks too, but at least my hem-lines were right". -Coco Chanel

Fashion Friday: Four Legged Fashion!

Meet Gus. A golden retriever who loves the simple life. Meet Jadee, the mischievous yellow lab who knows a good thing when she smells it. These beloved dogs of two sisters, are inspiration for the classic and stylish line of dog accessories- Gus & Jadee. The goal is simple — to provide quality products that you will be proud to own, and your dog will be proud to wear.
Where does LiT come in? Well, the shop dogs here at LiT: Louie the French bulldog, Nikki the Papillion, and Thelonius the pug, are very well bred. That means they expect the highest quality when it come to what they get decked out in-PetCo=No No!
This fashion Friday we do these doggies justice by saluting two business ladies who know how to kick the kennel and bring the dog couture to the cat walk. Bow-WOW!

Fashion Friday: individual Style

"Fashion is general. Style is individual." -Edna Woolman Chase editor in chief, Vogue 1914-1952

Edna Woolman was an intelligent women, something that we at LiT think very highly of. Another thing we think highly of is individual style. Welcome to another "individually" different Fashion Friday and as you are reading this I'm in Vietname being an "individual" -blonde, curvy, white girl, one of these things is not like the other.

It is this difference between culture and individual style Chase spoke of, that perfectly sums up what custom means. What personal style can bring. At LiT, we bring personal style to life everyday through lighting.

Fashion is so much more than trendy clothing, the perfect "little black dress", or the latest rendition of the espadrille sandal. Fashion is really style, an inspiration that has taken form in function. Style transforms the wearer from: shirt+pants=clothed, to boat neck washed out tee+high waisted navy pencil skirt=beautiful.

Here at LiT we often look to fashion to inspire us. We look for lines, patterns, shapes that we think will translate beautifully to lighting. Here is an example we ran across that made us stop and pay attention, like a white girl in Vietnam. Line and the unexpected. Layers, textures, positive and negative space- hmmmmm ideas are forming...

Stay tuned to where we go from here, from inspiration to creation and more about my trip to Vietnam.

In Living Color!

Today is supposed to be the hottest day so far, and I can not tell you how excited I am. Not only because I will (ideally) get a little bronze before I go to Vietnam, but I get to finally remove all of my black clothing and move into some color. Welcome to another colorful Fashion Friday, I’m so glad you could join us.

Today we are going to discuss the beautiful line of very brightly colored shades made at LiT and how those same bright colors are found in this years spring/summer collections. Yet again, I thought we should do a little fellow blog searching and look at this awesome write-up from the fashion blog: Stickers and Donuts. Every outfit screams from their Forget Neutrals post scremans "look at me!" And we do. And we like.

That sun-shiny feeling is exactly what you feel when surrounded by your bright and colorful LiTshades. Even if you have to be stuck indoors-they transport you poolside, drinky tropical alcoholic beverages. Ahhhh, lovely

So enjoy the weekend my fashion maven’s. I will be at a friend's bridal shower in Leavenworth hopefully drinking something fruity in the hot tube and working on my tan. I suggest you do the same, but first- come in and check out the bits of LiTcolor you can add to your house's summer wardrobe.

Dior did it again!

Finally the rain has cleared, the sun is out for an amazing 70 degree weekend, and so much is going on. Did someone say strapless dresses and peep-toe sandals?

Speaking of strapless dresses and sunlight, lets discuss this amazing multi-tiered strapless Dior in a lovely, layered gray. By playing with the way light hits the different folds and cascades of material, a certain volume and depth is created.

This same technique was used in developing this ceiling pendant by LiT. With a gray linen exterior and a silver Koi fish interior, light refracts off the inside and then disperses through the subtle acrylic diffuser below. The house of Dior would be oh-so proud.

While wandering your choice of parks enjoying the sun, or garage saleing in one of Seattle's best neighborhoods, we hope you will stumble into LiT. After all, it's always sunny here.

Fashion Friday: Ahoy Mateys!

Ahoy Mateys! This week launched the opening of boating season with, what else, a very wet week. Neither Dawn or I know anyone who owns a boat, a sad predicament for our summer plans, but great company we would make if invited out on your sailing vessel!

The opening of boating season seems to segue nicely into this week's Get LiT posts. All week I have been posting about semaphores and their use in furniture and lighting, so why not finish off the week with a nautically inspired Fashion Friday?

D&G were swept up in waves of inspiration, when they designed their seafaring Spring line, which debuted at Milan's Fashion Week. From the striped bathing suits, sailor cut jeans, seaworthy sunglasses and you guessed it, semaphore scarves, the runway decks were in bristol fashion.

Our friends at Piano Nobile, always style relevant, have designed an entire line of lamps to go along with their nautical themed furniture. The lamp base is a welded steel pipe which is then powder-coated white, with custom options available. In collaboration with LiT, shades for these fine vessels are done in gray linen with a silk-screened white grid pattern.
Sure to look winning on your yacht, or if you're like us and don't own even a dinghy, don't feel bad, even moored in your living room, these lamps are still a ketch.

Fashion Friday: Good Health and Design

Happy May Day (May 1st)! For all of you who enjoy happy hour, this day is for you. It is due to the 1872 Labor Movement which makes your 8 hour work day possible and the ability to still enjoy a happy hour or two. In addition to May Day, welcome to another Flu free Fashion Friday.

This week, we are all about simple-good-design. There are just too many other complications is the world right now, so lets appreciate fashion and form made with attention to proportion, balance and beauty.

The first, this vintage lamp frame, sans couture it is still a perfect example of good design. While only a series of metal wires, the lines themselves compose a delicate lotus. The petals are refrenced only in the negative shapes and have a semetry in it's pattern that gives volume to the overall shape. The pendant's "accessories" are a glass socket and a frosted vanity bulb so as not to detract from the simple design of the frame. And what hanging pendent is complete without antique twist cord used to suspend it from the ceiling? It's the belt that ties the shoes in with the rest of the outfit...

Wile not a pendant, this Marc Jacobs Fan Charm Logo necklace can be suspended around your neck to bring a little simple design to your attire. Check it out at Madberries and enjoy it's deconstructed look of simple blue letters and gold chain that produce something so prominent, playful and pretty!

There you go- fashion, design and history all in one post. Now go out and enjoy such a nice Friday happy hour, you’ve earned it. Just one LiT health note: until this flu is out like last season's lipstick, make sure you cover your mouth, wash your hands and unless they are cute enough to risk it-please don’t kiss any strangers.

Fashion Friday: Closet Redux

Hello, Fashion Friday fans. I have a head cold, which is probably the worst thing you can have on an amazingly sunny day like today. What's worse is when I tried to get dressed this morning, none of my clothes looked at all desirable which then made me not only wish my cold would go away, but that I had a entirely new wardrobe. Neither one seems to be in the stars for today. A cure for the common cold has yet to be discovered, but a cure for the common wardrobe, is easy with a few simple tips.

This week's fashion inspiration comes not from the great fashion houses in Milan and Paris, but from our blog peers at We Wear Things. Here, a simple grey tunic was placed over a white cotton skirt, to increase length, and coupled with a pair of super cute grey platforms, voila! the dress went from drab to fab in a matter of minutes.

This same redux was done to this Hollywood Regency lamp. With the simple addition of the grey linen LiTshade with a gun-metal grey interior and finished off with the slight sparkle of a gold finial you give a tired lamp, whole new "shade" appeal.

There you have it, now spend the weekend revamping your wardrobe and your house. I will be in Portland, ideally getting over a cold and doing a little tax free shopping. Does it get better than that…tax free shopping? Until next week

Fashion Friday: Do you smell Lanvin in the Air?

I told myself I was not going to be late picking Dawn up this morning to take her to the airport. So when I sent her a text message at two minutes to 6 this morning I expected her to be standing outside her front door. Well she wasn’t. She actually didn’t need to be picked up until 6:30am for her weekend vacation to San Diego. All of this made me late for “my real job” which made this post late. So I guess what I am trying to say is welcome to another Fashion Friday and so sorry it’s late. I know you were waiting with baited breath.

However, Dawn’s rather surprise San Diego trip and my posting late is a great introduction for this weeks Fashion Friday, because. I couldn’t figure out what to wear, I ended up with my black strappy, so three years ago Lanvin platforms and Dawn is on her way to So Cal, where it is warm, sunny, and the air is fragranced with the fruity smell of flowers and citrus. Ok maybe a slight stretch but I really am wearing the shoes.

Lanvin has recently launched their new perfume campaign for their latest scent, named forfamed French designer, Jeanne Lanvin. The new fragrance for women is the brain child of Anne Flipo and was introduced in 2008. Top notes are blackberries, citrus and pears, but don’t stop there. It also has peonys and freesias with just a slight hint of raspberries and sandalwood, just so you still smell sophisticated enough to make those boys drool.

Not sure is this is the perfect scent for you? Take a scent quiz. Dawn and I did and (no surprise) are both Miss Dior Cherie. This meaning “we are simply and totally sophisticated. Our style and class mesmerize everyone we meet. Underneath it all we are delicate and refreshing. We are different enough to make an impression.” I think that sums us up pretty well.

The shade that we feel not only goes best with our “scent definition”, but also with the Lanvin perfume look, is the tiny and delicate Jeanne Lanvin purple LiTshade. So tiny and cute but yet classy and statement making. With the addition of the crystal finial and base the final result is, as Dawn would say, magic.

Seattle’s supposed to be nice this weekend, and San Diego always is, which is great for new scents and strappy sandals. Enjoy the weather, try something new, and stay fashionable.

Fashion Friday: Take it all off!

Who would have thought that a company famous for covering it all up- thank you Burberry trench that gets me from the car to my lover's door without anyone suspecting there is nothing but naughty lingerie underneath-could be so fabulous at pairing it all down. Down to a couple of scraps of lining which when mixed with some ties and Kate Moss are down right adorable! I'm not usually one for Burberry, too traditional, that is unless it's paired with mustard yellow crocodile Prada pumps. However, in this picture I think they got it right. Scandalous? No. Sweet? Yes.

The LiTshade that fits this style study is the VERY minimalist approach of taking a great vintage shade frame, adding a mercury bulb (stay tuned) and that's it, Period. The lamp seen here is in the Piano Nobile Home collection and shows just enough "leg" to pull off at a topless beach.

Spring has sprung. Time to ditch that Burberry trench and go bikini kill.

Spring Break!!

Eric Draven said "It can't rain all the time". Well, Mr. Draven must not have been living in Seattle! What is with all the rain!?! My curls are frizzing and IF I wore those stupid ugly rubber rain boots, I would be tired of wearing them. Welcome to another sopping and windy Fashion Friday.

On this frigid Friday, lets look to spring and spring colors with the fabric artisan Christian Lacroix (La-croy) who clearly was not living gloomy, grey Seattle when he chose his spring 2009 Haute Couter color pallet. It's Morocco, meets Cuba ending with a severly topless spring break party in south Florida.

What LiTshade shouts COLOR in the same call as Lacroix? The Vanitas print Marimekko shade! Like the Lacroix collection, the colors are crisp and super-satureated. Florals, fruits and leaves are also a shared theme. One thing is for sure- even if you promise mardi gras beads- this shade will cover it's "bulbs" and not "flash" you.

Well fashion friends, stay dry, please don't wear rubber boots no matter if the water goes above your ankles, and as I've been saying everyweek, think spring! Or go out and buy a Lacroix dress and look like Spring, or just "spring" on a LiTshade that will make your room oh-so colorful! Seriously my lovelies, warmer weather must be just around the weekend...

Fashion Friday: Piece Out!!

Please excuse my tardiness for Fashion Friday this week. As Dawn and I had a "business meeting" at Boka, in Hotel 1000, last night and the time approached 8 then 9 then 10 and more vodka tonics came with each passing hour I knew I would be tardy on my post today. But how can you walk away from friends, drinks, great atmosphere and the all important question of what top to wear with my new Tiffany Miller skirt?

Speaking of how different pieces work together, this week’s Fashion Friday is about bringing arcs and angles together to create a whole through the art of "piece work."

During the Stockholm Fashion Week, fresh Northern ideas for the spring 2009 season were shown featuring brands such as Acne and Cheap Monday as well as up-and-coming designers nominated for the Mercedes-Benz Young Fashion Industry Award.

The Acne show brought tough, sophisticated looks with strict cuts, straight lines and a minimalist color palette- but added punkish distressed denim jeans to mix up the look, in addition to oversized ranger hats. It was also Acme's use of a casual jersey dress worn over sheer leggings, loose cropped trousers with elastic waistbands and origami mini-dresses (remember last week), which made Acne a crowd favorite.

The sophisticated look, minimalist color palette and many angles are seen in this slim silhouette light box/litshade. Dressed in a Mota Shang patterned wallpaper designed by John Mahoney. Sorry, no over-sized ranger hats.

Until next week, "piece" out.

Fashion Friday: International Baby!!

GOOOOOAAAALLLLLL! Well, if you didn't attend the first Futbol match for Seattle yesterday then hopefully you were watching it with a drink in your hand, looking fabulous and fashionable. Speaking of looking fabulous, hello again, my fashionable futbol fans, and happy Fashion Friday.

With International sports making it big in America (finally) this week we are going to look at American designers making it big internationally. Calvin Klein, need I say more, a household name for many years. This fall the CK fashion house brought us something new, dramatic and bold...origami.

Clean lines, light shapes and crisp folds define the silhouette of these pieces. Each piece from this collection was "made to look as if a flat box had been open" wrote Suzy Menkes when she featured the Fall 2008 CK collection in the International Herald Tribune's fashion section.

Menkes words can be used in the same way to describe this LiTshade where dramatic silhouettes, clean lines and simple colors create a smoother but still unfolded look, more like the origami balloons and less like the cranes.

Regardless, of cranes, boxes or balloons, both designs are very fashion forward and fabulously folded.

Fashion Friday: Vegas Baby!

Friday already, where does the time go? Well, this week it went to cold weather, me joining Twitter (better late then never), the market finally going up and my scheduling a trip to Vegas for tomorrow. Jealous much?

I've never been to Vegas, but if anything screams excess to me it's Vegas, which is why this Fashion Friday outfit is so perfect.

As seen at China's Fashion Week 2009, the multi-tiered, multi-fabric dress compliments the multi-tiered shade. So many multi’s. With the variegated colors of the dress and the addition of the hat, the outfit could definitely be in a Vegas show (substitute leggings for oiled and tanned high-kicking legs).

The LiTshade on the other hand is a bit more subdued, possessing a more lady like feel. Different colors, but the same print on each of the shade's layers keep it interesting without getting to kitchy. The block-print of each shade was designed by the Russian born artist, Alexander Kirillov(Read more about him in our blog archives).

Whether you want to rock the dress, or let the shade light up your living room, keep this in mind:

"Fashion is general. Style is individual."
-Edna Woolman Chase

Until next week my fashion mavens, enjoy the weekend and dress in your most fashionable warm weather wear, and I’ll think of you as I sip vodka tonics by the pool…in Vegas.