Home is Where the Heart Is.

One of the projects that I feel I'm always tragically failing at has to be to bring more art into my home. While my last two places in Berkeley each had their own rotating gallery walls and a few DIY hangings, this newer (and by new I mean I've lived here for almost 14 months now...) place didn't quite get the same wall art love. I've put up a few finds from Melrose Trading Post, but it's still not the curated collection that I've dreamt it to be.

And with Valentine's day right around the corner (hashtag treating self) I'm feeling totally inspired to add a few more pieces to my walls. Whether it be one of the perfectly adorable art prints from Minted (fave new find for when you're feeling Etsy-ed out) or a 3 dimensional DIY install like the heart above (via Minted's equally lovely blog Julep) it'll be the perfect way to show my place a little love. File as home, sugar.


[Images via: Julep]

Punk: Chaos to Couture.

Just a little taste of one of my fave parts of my visit to New York a few weeks ago. Oh, and don't tell me that this is the least punk thing ever... earmuffs. File as punk love.


[Video via: The Met]

Current Obsessions: Black Magic.

Graffiti for angsty teens | That boxy Balenciaga *swoon*

Montreal Madness.

Oh, my goodness. What a whirlwind these past few weeks have been. Between the seemingly never-ending search for my next place, hanging with some very dear friends, jetting off to Montreal for the LOULOU Shop 'Till You Drop event, and planning all those outfits (for all the upcoming events too!), I'm not sure how I've managed to keep the balance (Pretty sure Starbucks has played a very large role in keeping me sufficiently caffeinated.) For the past four days I have been romping around Montreal (in lots of chunky tights and flat boots) for the big event and let me just say that it was very, very difficult getting on the plane to leave. I completely fell in love with the city (how can you not?!) and can't wait to plan a return trip. Check out some of the photos I snapped, and stay tuned for lots more posts coming up next week! File as back to reality.

[Images via: My Instagram @TheMargaretFile]

Lose Yourself.

[Image and quote via: Pinterest]

Current Obsessions: Lilac Dreams.

I'm not sure what it is about this color, but I'm totally falling for lilac right now. When I was very little, my room was a certain shade of lilac (made my father repaint about 34 times before finding just the right one) but circa now, when paired with lived-in red, glossy white, and cool black pieces, lilac is so super chic. File as in love all over again.

[Images via: @TheMargaretFile on Pinterest]

Insta-Files: Dreams Can Come True.

...now if only it was actually my size and I wasn't holding a wad of the fabric back with my other hand. Guess I'll just have to wait a little bit longer to add some Rodarte to my closet (better news for my wallet than my very sad closet.) File under *heavy sigh.*

P.S. See it on-the-runway here!

[Image via: @TheMargaretFile, that's me, on Instagram]

----Current Obsessions: Blue Shield---

blue marabou shoe | Takashi Murakami's Homage to Yves Klein | navy entryway

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Home to Runway: Smoke Signals.

Pink eye never looked so good...not to mention that you can never go wrong with pink cushions.

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Insane amount of blue crushes here, reminding me how chic cobalt can be.

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Yellow eyeshadow and a matching yellow canvas? Sign me up.

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There is a reason that a grey smokey eye (along with equally dark linens) are classics.

[Images via: My Pinterest @TheMargaretFiles] 

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ApartmentPhile: My Next Place Option III.

My boss got me thinking today. Not just about the massive to-do list I have looming over my head this week, but also about my current home situation. Instead of contemplating if the coupons were finished printing I had my mind wrapped up in duvets, chaises, and directional storage options. (Call it a job hazard if you like, but my mind often wanders to these places, unguided.) So her quest reminded me of my quest to decide my next apartment style whether it be funky, boho and super luxe like option two or chic, masculine and rich like option one. Now, I have another option to throw into the mix. It's a little less cold as the first option, a little more girly than the second and a whole lot closer to what I'm used to. Hey, I've been a single gal living on my own for quite some time...a little pink never hurt anyone. File as another choice.

[Images all via Pinterest, links to follow]

-----------Logo Nation-----------

Art shmart; I'm all about these logos above. Done up of course in the most fabulous of watercolors, inks and florals (clearly obsessed...see the Roberto Cavalli Resort 2013 post below) these logos are re-imagined in a way that is truly stunning. File as loving.

[Images via: Unknown Source]

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ApartmentPhile: My Next Place Option I.

Even though I may not have a place of my own just quite yet (fingers crossed that I can afford something in the next few months)...a girl can dream! And I am definitely one who loves apartments and all their quirks- hence the new ApartmentPhile post label. So over the next few weeks, I wanted to share some of the apartment design styles that I've been throwing around (virtually of course) one of which will make it into my next tiny-ass apartment. The style featured below may be equal bits rustic, glam, chic and industrial but it makes a very big statement with just a simple color palette. File as hard chic, option one.

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[Images via: Pinterest]

Current Obsessions: Bad Romance.

"Kiss" by Dan Colen | Keith Haring Schott Brothers Jacket | unknown | Mary-Kate Olsen Elle UK Sept. 2008 

Current Obsessions: Hard Glam.

Graffiti via Sincerely Jules | Charlotte Free | Woven jeweled bracelets via Pinterest

Eyes Wide Open.

[Image via: Pinterest]

Bunny Ears.

One of my favorite fashion shows ever, Louis Vuitton's Fall 2009 collection is one that I will always remember for being so over the top, completely sexy and totally unforgettable. One of the most ingenious pieces in the collection was those bunny ears- lightyears in chicness away from those Playboy bunny ears and just strange enough to warrant a wear by Madonna at the Met gala that year- but for today, Tanya Ling's print (buy it here, I'll just be lusting after it) is just the thing to wish everyone a very happy Easter Sunday. File as hop to it.

[Image via: Tanya Ling via Vogue UK]

Decisions, decisions.

Why is nail color always so difficult to choose? My favorite right now has to be the nude, but that mint would be the perfect pop for this Easter Weekend. I hope everyone has a lovely time this weekend, whether it is extended or not (I would fall under the latter category) and whether you're spending time with friends and family (that'd be me!) or just curling up on the couch to spend a little quality time with yourself. One thing for sure is that I'll be repainting my nails this weekend...now if only I could pick just one color. File as tough one.


[Image via: Pinterest]

Art Eye: Sandy Bottoms.

Even though I featured Christian Chaize here once before, his newest print for 20x200 is just calling out for me to share with you. I'm not sure if it's the amazing weather today here or just my obsession with all things beach vacation, but the only thing I want to do right now is step right into this picture. Taken off the coast of Portugal, Chaize has a way of capturing the scene so that it is ever so close, but just out of reach. Buy the 11x11" print here for $60; it's a bargain compared to the airfare. File as take me away. 

[Image via: 20x200]

Art Eye: Dance, Dance.

Dance has always been a fascination of mine (probably because I'm no good at it) but with this new print from Sam Taylor-Wood, I can maybe bring a little rhythm into my home for just $60. There is so much that I love about this piece- the movement, the muscles (hello) and the flexibility of the dancer not to mention the whole softness of the palette- I can't stop looking at it again and again. File as I just want to dance. 

[Image via: Sam Taylor-Wood via 20x200]

Art Eye: New York State of Mind.

Ok, so I know I haven't been sharing as many art-related posts as I intended to when I started this blog, and that is going to end today! From now on, you'll be finding some weekly art installments amongst all the fashion, home decor, travel, recipe and party hoopla that are all regulars on The.Margaret.Files! I'm so excited to share with you this amazing series by Jason Polan, especially after my trip to NYC for the holidays, considering his subject matter. Just a little bit cheeky, these pieces would be the perfect addition to any office or art wall to remind me of my time in one of my favorite cities in the world. File under this is art!

[Images via: Jason Polan for 20x200]