Patterns and lace at the Philbrook Museum

Looking at these photos, it's hard to believe that I didn't jet across the world for a quick photoshoot--I drove 20 minutes across town. The Philbrook is one of my favorite historical sites in Tulsa. With its Italian-style architecture and pink stucco walls, its a monument of new wealth and European culture in the heart of the Midwest. 

It gets very humid in Tulsa during the summer, which can make building outfits difficult, but I loved this look because it paired lace and patterns. I haven't experimented with mixing textures and patterns a ton until now, and I'm so interested in the different dimensions you can get by layering them.

Villa Philbrook was built in the 1920s for the renowned Philips family. I couldn't help imagining the parties that took place on the property as I walked around the garden and strolled through the Grand Hall. It's the kind of home that makes you wonder if the real Jay Gatsby ever traveled from West Egg to Oklahoma, if only to visit with one of the wealthiest families in the West. 

On the left is a lithograph work by Picasso, and on the right is "The Shepherdess" by William Bouguerdeau. The Philbrook also has a wonderful exhibit on French Impressionist artists specifically Mary Cassatt, Edgar Degas, and Camille Pisarro. 

I bought these shorts last summer at Gap, and they have a few similar designs for this summer, like this washed out floral pair and  this linen striped pair. Both pairs are precious; Gap designs some of my favorite summer pieces! 

xx,

Em