'Macy's for the Material Girl'

Madonna with daughter Lourdes Leon

This celebrity may be known best for reinventing herself, but not this time around. Looks like celeb Madonna will be the one inventing a new fashion line - sold only at Macy’s to teens.

Madonna’s trendy daughter Lourdes Leon, 13, is on hand to help with the collection of clothing, handbags, footwear and jewelry due to arrive in stores August 3. Dubbed the ‘Material Girl’ collection, the exclusive line will consist of affordable ‘Back to School’ pieces from $12 to $40.

Forget the iconic cone-shaped Madonna bra that equally made its designer Jean Paul Gaultier famous. But in keeping with the eighties’ ‘Material Girl’ that we remember so well: lace gloves, frilly skirts, oversized tees knotted at the waist and leather jackets.

Sketches from the 'Material Girl' collection

There will be some of that (updated and redesigned to suit its young target customer) and a few plaid shirts, tulip-shaped skirts, vests and studded accessories.

Rumors started to swirl about Madonna’s possible collaboration earlier this year. (Macy’s is licensing the line from Iconix Brand Group.)

But the gossip seemed unlikely. Besides, a deal with Macy’s doesn’t at all seem like something Madonna would do. Or would she? Have we forgotten about Madonna's M collection at H&M some years back?

Typically ahead of the curve, Madonna the designer falls behind the rest of Hollywood with its own fashion lines in department stores: Gwen Stefani, Jennifer Lopez, Kimora Lee Simmons, Jessica Simpson, Britney Spears, Miley Cyrus, Selena Gomez, etc.

It’d be curious to see how the “Material Girl” collection unfolds, compared to Madonna’s past music and fashion endeavors.

Already to come this week is a personal blog from Leon, who will be heading to Macy’s Herald Square location with her mother Sept. 22 to highlight the launch. The 13-year-old serves as a ‘creative consultant’ of sorts for the brand, sitting in on meetings and even styling the campaign images.

But "Lola" will not be carrying the brand. Later this month, an unbeknownst teen celebrity in the will be revealed as the face of the brand – with advertisements set to print in the fall issues of Teen Vogue, Seventeen and Cosmopolitan.

My guess is Zoe Kravitz. Who’s your pick?

Whoever it is, let’s see if the “Material Girl” can bring the teens back to its stores and away from other fast fashion retailers like H&M and Forever 21.

-S. Gonzalez

*Photos courtesy of www.opposingviews.com; www.cdn.picapp.com

'By Invite Only'

Between traveling to Europe for vacation and catching up with business, it’s been a constant hustle and bustle since the start of this past month. Being this my first weekend back, I wanted nothing more than to spend time at home.

For a guarantee of comfort and relaxation with a few of my closest friends, I turn to the following:

Jute cube footrest, bottom right

Sure it’s made from hand-braided jute and looks more like a square basket than a foot rest, but this jute cube ($89) is my favorite living room footrest. This low-lying cube doubles as a coffee table and even as an extra seat when there’s a lack of seating to go around. The woven texture re-energizes the wooden accents and furnishings, creating a sense of warmth.

Lean back and relax thanks to pillows that come in splashes of color and a variety of prints. From watercolor painted pillows in raspberry shades to Byzantine floral patterns, there is a pillow for everyone in my house. This Eliz flower pillow ($19.99 for both) comes in an 18” square size with large flowers in clever color combinations like olive and blue, and yellow and sherbet.

Art Glass wine stoppers

Nothing like a bottle of wine to get the conversation flowing and raise our spirits after a long work week. Once I’m done pouring glasses of Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux into my friends' large wine glasses, I like to top off each bottle with one of my own wine stoppers. Who wants dull cork when there are lovely art class wine stoppers on hand? These tear-drop shaped stoppers ($14.99) are a swirl of color, made entirely by hand from skilled artisans.

Emsley Table Lamp in Dark Walnut

Lighting is key. No one wants a guest banging into a floor lamp conveniently located next to a conversation spot. Place the lamps close to the wall and remove table lamps if necessary. A modern table lamp like this one ($95.40) has a sleek design: a white square lampshade and a series of dark walnut circles that form part of the base. You won’t have to worry about this lamp being a get-together casualty with its resilient 10.5 pound weight.

Choosing the right accessories: plush furniture, smart lighting, muted walls and floor coverings create an inviting space for me and a few of my closest friends to unwind.

-S. Gonzalez

*Photos courtesy of westelm.com; decorinnovation.com; lampusa.com

'Easy Breezy'

Keep your house cool as a cucumber this summer with a few easy-to-do changes to your décor. And with Fourth of July sales just around the corner, you can stock up on these easy-breezy options:

Those heavy damask curtains, which work beautifully for winter, must be the first to go. New summer arrivals, including indoor/outdoor curtains are now available at Décor Innovation. And are 25% off starting now until July 4.

Scalloped Valence and Tassels curtain

A blackout curtain with a scalloped valence and tassels around the trim are a classic update to your Old World inspired drapes that lost its luster seasons ago. These blackout curtains ($52.50 p/pair on sale) will satisfy almost any home’s color scheme, available in rich color options from burgundy, green and navy blue. Easy to install and machine washable, these blackout curtains are what results when style meets purpose.

Basket weave Curtains

Looking for something other than mosquito netting to curtain off your porch or line patio doors? These basket weave curtains, besides having its great woven texture, are water resistant and machine washable. This means that you can hang these basket weave curtains indoors as well as outdoors. Each 52”panel ($63.75 p/pair on sale) comes with eight bronzed grommets for easy installation. Doesn’t get much better than that.

Crushed voile curtains

Fall in love with a set of crushed voile curtains. I know I have. Quality like this on a set of sheer curtains (a steal at $18.75 for a pair) is impossible to find. These fluid curtains allow sunlight to filter into the room and add texture to a décor without adding weight. Team with heavier curtains in the fall, but for now, let them lightly dress your windows this summer. Test out the curtains in a lovely jade, a pale blue or plum.

Make sure to measure your window length and purchase new rods and brackets to complement your new set of curtains.

How do you plan to celebrate this Fourth of July?

-S. Gonzalez

*Photos courtesy of Decor Innovation