Topping my Christmas wishlist? The decadent tome American Fashion Designers at Home. Full of gorgeous, creative spaces by America’s top fashion designers, I’m always on the lookout for interior design inspiration.

And I am in love with Libertine designer Johnson Hartig’s LA home, which I first spotted a few years ago in Domino (may she rest in peace). I love that they kept the walls white, but that the space still feels like a colorful, artsy explosion. It’s a home I’d want to party in, to create in, to really live and thrive in.

Equally enchanting is Rachel Roy’s home which feels cozy and modern, never an easy feat. Again, I adore the white walls and bright pops of color through accessories like pillows and books. I can’t wait to see the rest. You too? Pick up your copy of American Fashion Designers at Home.

p.s. A happy Veterans Day to you, darlings. Without our brave, selfless servicemen and women, I don’t even want to imagine where we’d be. To our troops and their families who sacrifice every day, thank you, thank you, thank you.

[Images via iVillage]

Behind the Buss, The Blog

Knowing that I’ll read anything with the slightest mention of Audrey Hepburn or Breakfast at Tiffany’s, my fab father-in-law tipped me off to Sam Wasson’s new book, Fifth Avenue, 5 A.M.: Audrey Hepburn, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, and the Dawn of the Modern Woman ($11) and I can’t wait to devour it. All about the making of Breakfast at Tiffany’s, it’s chockfull of juicy tidbits, like how Truman Capote wanted Marilyn Monroe to play Holly Golightly (imagine!), that any lover of Audrey Hepburn, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, New York City, or the 1960s will surely love.

BussBuss Book Club

Have you been reading The Carrie Diaries by Candace Bushnell, about Carrie Bradshaw’s teen years? I finished and loved it and wanted to share my favorite part. From the first page of Chapter 6:

I’ve had boyfriends before, and frankly, each one was a disappointment.

There was nothing horribly wrong with these boys. It was my fault. I’m kind of a snob when it comes to guys.

So far, the biggest problem with the boys I’ve dated is that they weren’t too smart. And eventually I ended up hating myself for being with them. It scared me, trying to pretend I was something I wasn’t. I could see how easily it could be done, and it made me realize that was what most of the other girls were doing as well — pretending. If you were a girl, you could start pretending in high school and go on pretending your whole life, until, I suppose, you imploded and had a nervous breakdown, which is something that’s happened to a few of the mothers around here. All of a sudden, one day something snaps and they don’t get out of bed for three years.

I found this hysterical and terribly relateable (brilliant hubby aside – thank you lawd). You too? It seems like something all girls go through and, if you’re lucky, you wake up and grow out of someday. Do you have a favorite part from The Carrie Diaries? Please share below!

BussBuss Book Club, The Blog

If you’re looking for an inspiring business read, Delivering Happiness: A Path to Profits, Passion, and Purpose by Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh delivers. While many business books are dull and dated, Delivering Happiness author, entrepreneur and Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh reveals, in very down-to-earth language, how he became so successful at such a young age, the mistakes he made along the way and why Zappos pays new employees $2000 to quit (plus, you’ll find out how to get on the Zappos VIP list!). His top recommendation on creating a successful company? Focus on company culture as the top priority and seek to change the world. While most of us probably think Zappos is about delivering shoes, Hsieh says the Zappos mission is to deliver happiness. That’s the kind of goal we can get behind. You too? Pick up a copy of Delivering Happiness: A Path to Profits, Passion, and Purpose and we’ll meet back here to discuss shortly! To think about: Perhaps success doesn’t bring happiness, rather happiness brings success.

{Follow Tony on Twitter; Join the Delivering Happiness Movement; Photo by BussBuss; Many thanks to the Zappos team for sending us this book for review.}

BussBuss Book Club

Beyond darling Easter outfits and baskets full of chocolates, a few books the little ones might enjoy finding in their Easter baskets (and ones my darling, darling 3-year-young niece did a little early).

[The Velveteen Rabbit -- a classic tale of the power of love; Big Rabbit's Bad Mood -- the illustrations alone helped me cure my own case of the mean reds and will teach your treasured darling that it's okay to have a bad mood sometimes; Duck! Rabbit! -- a fun optical illusion that will engage both sides of your baby genius' brain]

Behind the Buss