We love to wear black. We wear black when we want to stand out, when we want to blend in, when we want to feel sexy and when we want to feel fierce. We wear it for Thanksgiving dinner, or to class or on a Tuesday. We love black jeans, black boots, black nail polish, black blazers, and oh!—the little black dress. There is the perfect one for everyone and anyone, or anyone you choose to be for the day.

It’s like that episode of Mad Men where the ad campaign asked if women believed they were a Jackie or a Marilyn. Or maybe now we can ask, are we Karlie Kloss or Kim Kardashian? Claire Dunphy or Gloria Delgado-Pritchett? Or even the Wicked Witch of the West or Glinda? Will you choose prim and elegant or va-va-voom and vampy? Will you dress with a crisp white collar and patent leather flats or will you choose a plunging neckline and a spritz of No 5?

We don’t need to stop with our wardrobes either. A striking monogram on bed pillows and a rich black cashmere blanket versus a lush velvet covered headboard framed by glittering mini chandeliers. Bold, preppy stripes and buttery leather or plush faux fur and sparkling sequins. We can pick either one or anyone. And let’s not forget the days where we choose the crisp white collar and a spritz of No 5.

Ask Marlena to help make you a Jackie or a Marilyn here.

Photo Reference 1-2-3-4

Jackie 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8

Marilyn 1-2-3-4-5-6-7

Aside from our Memorial Day barbeque pool parties this past weekend, one could argue that the quintessential summer moment is on a hike and looking out over a vast desert plain. The sun is hot on the backs of our necks as it’s been baking the red earth laid out in front of us. We can’t drink enough water and it’s a little too lukewarm anyway, but we’re surrounded by that very particular dusty green smell of desert sage.

The sun sinks lower as we make our way home. Our skin seems to hold the sun’s warmth for hours after, and the sky turns the colors of rainbow sherbet. It’s bigger out here, the sky, out west.

We start itching for cinnamon-spiced sangria and tortilla chips with smoky salsa. We don’t need much by way of entertainment this time of year, under woven lanterns, when it’s the relaxing hours. All we need are bright white linen tee shirts and handmade tumblers for our drinks, our bottom lips pressed against the natural grit.

For a later cocktail party, we have dresses in earthy colors with warm leather accents, or khaki shirtdresses with a hint of leopard print peeking out. Our sun kissed glow is helped along by our favorite bronzer/blush combo (and maybe the sangria.)

Back at home we pad across color-drenched woven rugs and light a fresh candle before sinking into soft white sheets, blissful with the realization that in the morning we can do it all again.

Photo Reference 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10

marlena design group llc - 100 S. Madsion St. Denver, CO. 80209