The Gray Lady

I'm a newspaper nerd. Can't help it. Comes from eight years of working on my college and high school papers, interning for trade pubs, and then moving into the PR and press world.

And thus, I need this candle, purported to smell just like a fresh issue of The New York Times. "With hints of guaiacwood, cedar, musk, spice, with 'a powdery note and velvet nuance,' this candle is intended to mimic the scent of black ink on newsprint

(via Refinery29)

So now apparently I'll be swinging by the Ace Hotel next time I'm in NYC to pick up a $65 candle. Just another thing to add to my To-Do list.

Stripes stripes stripes

Hi, my name is Marta, and I'm a stripeaholic.

If there's one thing I cannot get enough of in my wardrobe, it's stripes. To count the number of striped shirts, you'd need more than one hand. And if the fiance gets anything navy+white striped? Forget about it, that's going in my side of the closet. The last time I went shopping with my mom, I was like a puppy on a leash - she had to yank me away from chasing every striped item of clothing I saw.

But, really, what's not to love? It's so classic and simple - and it goes with everything (Just the other day, I paired a navy striped shirt with my printed Hermes scarf... Perfect). And right now, stripes are ubiquitous, so your options are endless. But because it's so versatile, you can customize the look to your personal style.

Not sold yet? Check out Francoise Hardy and this great Splendid ad that Shopbop found.

What my closet is missing is a striped dress. (OK, we can be honest that my closet isn't really missing that much - except maybe a Chanel 2.55, a Burberry trench and some Louboutins - but let's go with it).

Dresses, left to right: J. Crew Maritime dress, $78; Ali Ro belted stripe dress, $298; Milly Anais Hostess dress, $450

I do strongly believe that a striped shirt is a wardrobe staple. I'd argue for the classic boatneck style, but, as I said before, to each her own. Here are some great options in a variety of (similar) styles.

Shirts, left to right: Lands End Canvas, $29.50; LOFT watercolor striped T, $34.99; BCBGeneration top, $58; Tsumori Chisato paw striped tee, $176

Got the staples? Try a trendy look for spring: a striped jacket.

Blazers, left to right: Torn by Ronny Kobo Kat blazer, $396; Alice + Olivia Sage blazer, $368; Banana Republic striped jacket, $169.99

I could go on and on, but I'll save some for another day.

Just remember: Stripes. Go. With. Everything.

Striped curtains on the window, a striped sash on a wedding dress, and stripes on the F/W 2011 DKNY runway.

In conclusion, if there is a 12 step program for an addiction to stripes, I'd be a perfect candidate. But if loving stripes this much is wrong, I don't want to be right.

Too many clothes, not enough closet

Real estate in DC is not easy to come by. But what's really hard to find is a good closet.

My wardrobe is outgrowing my closet space quickly. But since a bigger closet isn't really in the cards right now, I just daydream about what my closet will look like someday...

(From ...Love Maegan)

A closet is the perfect place to go a little crazy. (Credit: Domino via Style Redux)

I really want a chair in my closet.

Celerie Kimble's closet (Credit: Lonny)

And a vanity...

(Credit: La Dolce Vita)

And a chaise, and a folding room divider to dress behind...

Doesn't get more classic than Jackie Kennedy's dressing room (Credit: prettythings4u)

With all my clothes hanging, easy to see, instead of crammed together in a 3x5 space...

Nanette Lepore's vintage glam closet - with adorable puppy (Credit: Elle Decor)

The ultimate closet is Carrie Bradshaw's, am I right?