Schuman - Cupcakes and cashmere: a design guide for defining your style, reinventing your space, and entertainting with ease

Editors: Rebecca Kaplan and Laura Dozier
Design: Topos Graphics
Production Manager: Kathy Lovisolo

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Schuman, Emily.

Cupcakes and cashmere : a guide for defining your style, reinventing your space, and entertaining with ease / by Emily Schuman.

p. cm.

ISBN 978-1-4197-0210-5 (hardback) 1. Fashion. 2. Entertaining. 3. Seasonal cooking. 4. Beauty, Personal. I. Title.

TT515.S38 2012

746.92dc23

2012008030

Text copyright 2012 Emily Schuman Illustrations/photographs copyright 2012 Emily Schuman
Front cover image Max Wanger

Published in 2012 by Abrams, an imprint of ABRAMS. All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, mechanical, electronic, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the publisher.

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When I first began my blog, Cupcakes and Cashmere , in 2008, I wanted to create a place that brought together all the things I was passionate about. I was a few years out of college, and eager to find more of a balance, so that my life didnt revolve solely around my job.

After one particularly long week, I found myself bitter over seemingly trivial thingsa parking ticket one day, a fight with my mom the next, and a dinner that came out looking more like a charred tire than a roast chicken. It occurred to me then that we all could use a reminder to focus on the little things that bring us happiness rather than dwelling on those that dont.

I started a recurring weekly post called Five Things that spoke to that exact idea. Unlike magazines that had one primary focus, I wanted to incorporate a variety of topics, including fashion, food, interior design, beauty, and entertaining. My goal was to create unique content on a daily basis that inspired others to live an elevated, charmed life.

This book revolves around the core ideas from my blog, but provides a much more in-depth view that simply cant be captured online. Its categorized by season, with my tips, tricks, and tutorials on how to make the most out of the different times of year. I share how to organize your closet as a part of spring cleaning, how to master beach beauty in summer, recipes that celebrate the flavors of fall, and a comprehensive winter gift guide. I hope youll find this book full of inspirational ideas and helpful tips and tricks, and that it will serve as your go-to guide on how to celebrate lifes little pleasures.

The year officially starts in January, but it always feels like spring is the time for new beginnings. Everything is fresh and vibrant, and I love the variety in the daysbrisk mornings, warm afternoons, and chilly evenings. Its a time to get organized at home (Im all about a good spring cleaning!), to pull out your pretty pastels that have been lying dormant all winter, and to slip into sandals without the addition of tights.

In this section, youll find my favorite ways to embrace spring, an extensive guide on how to navigate flea markets, the five dresses every girl should have in her closet, how to organize jewelry in a way thats aesthetically pleasing, and ideas for how to spend the perfect spring day.

Springtime fashion should feel reinvigorated and fresh, full of colorful basics and classic staples that will bring your wardrobe to life. Im always about simple dressing in spring and like to wear light layers, pretty chiffons, and bright prints.

Colorful skirt

Neutral satchel

Sleeveless blouse

Crisp shorts

Earth-tone sunglasses

Lightweight blazer

Cashmere cardigan

Bright headband/headscarf

Striped T-shirt

Trench coat

Vintage-inspired shift dress

Brown belt

Boyfriend jeans

Cropped trousers

Nude sandals

My obsession with flea markets began when I first moved to L.A. I was attempting to furnish my first place on a very tight budget and loved the idea of finding unique and affordable little treasures. One market in particular, at Melrose and Fairfax, became a weekly ritual. Id get up early in the morning, grab a cup of coffee, and head over to peruse each and every aisle. I found it therapeutic, exhilarating, and oftentimes very rewarding. Over the years, Ive become quite the expert, so here are a few of my tips for navigating around a flea market.

Dress in comfortable, casual clothes. Browsing through dusty old furniture and knickknacks is not an activity that calls for your wardrobes best for two reasons: (1) youll get dirty, and (2) if youre wearing something that looks expensive, you wont be able to bargain as efficiently. Be sure to wear layers if you plan on trying on clothes, and pack an extra pair of socks so you can test out shoes without going home with some sort of weird fungus. Bring sunglasses and a small bag you can wear on your shoulder or across your body.

Before you go to the flea market, decide how much you want to spend. Since most vendors dont accept credit cards, pick up cash before you go. Limiting yourself to this amount is a great way to stick to your budget. If youre looking for furniture or art, know the dimensions of your place. Theres nothing worse than coming home with a perfect sofa thats too big to fit in your living room. Have an idea of things you need (vases, bookends, jewelry), so youre on the lookout, but also be open to discovering random pieces that you hadnt considered before.

Knowing how to bargain at a flea market is one of the most crucial parts of the experience. Heres how to go about getting something for the price you want: