Punching My Card

Im off today, recharging my design batteries, and looking for some new inspiration. Back tomorrow. xo

all images Jason Christopher via Flckr

The Ace Hotel

The Ace was more fun than imagined and not a bad backdrop for catching up with close friends.


The beautiful Stacey (top left) is 5 months pregnant and glowing! This was coincidentally the one year anniversary of my trip out there last year to celebrate her bachelorette. We tried not to torture her but with drinks like the adult snow cone served up in the short bus (Ace's poolside bar) it was hard not to get a little wild.

The occupants of this rowdy suite were clearly feeling their snow cones but I'm proud to say it wasn't us.

The hitchhiker

Somehow we managed to drag ourselves out of the sun and get home in time for dinner in the "bu" which was the perfect end to a perfect weekend. We didn't manage to get home however, without destroying a huge tumbleweed that then attached itself to my ride. I had no idea it was there but was happy to find out why everyone was staring at us. Hysterical. Shall I see you there same time next year ladies?

Au Revoir for now!

venice beach canals via hillhaus

How is everyone passing the time this weekend? 2E and I are meeting up with a friend in Venice tonight, and tomorrow I'm off to Palm Springs with the girls. As if I wouldn't be totally content with all that, we have a sunset birthday to attend up in Malibu Sunday evening.

desert pool scene via creative campus

sunset at moonshadows via flickr

Until Monday...... xoxo

My Home Office

My friend Cassandra included me this week in her first (e)scapes series focusing on the home office. Things have taken a different direction since my original post. Above and below are the 3D renderings of the room but you can see more of the changes {and my new ideas} here.


Thanks Cassie!

Reese Fierce

Today I have to concentrate on finishing up a project and need a break from furniture and design! So I give you Reese, the girl who just keeps getting better with age. She is my inspiration for 31 (which is right around the corner!) and a reminder that sometimes you can have it all.

Stylish New Yorkers on a Budget

Eames for Herman Miller Sideshell Chair $125.

I just stumbled upon a great resource for New York designers and consumers alike. Severely Vintage is a blog featuring great vintage furniture at really reasonable prices. Most of the pieces are in their original, vintage condition and need a little TLC but based on all the DIY projects I see in blogland you guys are more than capable of tackling these small projects.

1968Rand McNally Moon Map - $350.

It looks like it has seen better days but the dreamer in me loves it for a childs room or any creative space. The sky is the limit!

Petite Slate Bench $125/ 2 for $200.
The perfect solution for extra seating or surface space when guests swing by.

And the best part is you can buy in confidence because all of the items are available to view, by appointment, at their showroom on the Lower East Side!

Vintage Dining Chairs

I totally fell for these overdone dining chairs at the Long Beach swap meet. The upholstery was so unexpected and the bright colors cheered me. To sit in them is the icing on the cake. This upholstery job would be incredibly expensive and I have no doubt their original home was something for the design books.



They were practically giving them away but, alas, I have no need and I wasn't ready to commit to the high price restoration they would need to undergo for resale at the store. Have I gone mad or are you feeling them too?

Unique & Chic

From the lovely Jeana Sohn

Today is the first day of spring and although LA is the city of eternal sunshine we do get to enjoy some seasonal changes too. I noticed yesterday that the trees along Crescent Heights are budding and the jasmine is in full bloom all over the city. My favorite.

I hope it is bright and beautiful wherever you are enjoying today! I am taking it all in from behind the sales counter and, if it hasn't been blatantly obvious, that is where I spend most of my time these days. My posts have been sporadic and a little uninspired but my little laptop should be home from the hospital soon and life can return to normal. Well, sans all my photos but I wont start on that again!

A few weeks ago Lucinda over at Chateau de Lu gifted me (among others) the Unique & Chic award and I would like to take this opportunity to call out some other blogs, not in my roll, that I really enjoy. So with that, I will wish you all a happy spring and will see you next week.

A Bloomsbury Life: Lisa was in the shop not long ago and mentioned her blog which is full of great pictures from all her many travels.

Yellow Brick Blog: Cassandra of Coco+Kelley introduced me to Lindsy a while back and she is just as sunny in real life.

Design Around Denver: Kelly and I share a mutual girlfriend in addition to good interior design.

If you aren't familiar with these blogs have fun getting acquainted!

Feeling Lovey Dovey

(*)

" Absence is to love what the wind is to fire. When it's a small fire the wind kills it but when it is a real fire it intensifies it. " - DVF

A year ago today I sat down at my dining table with a pad of paper and a pencil and scribbled lyrics, poems, and phrases until Relish Small Pleasures was born.

You're A Saint

I'm a sucker for the color green and any excuse to drink during the day so, although I don't have a lick of Irish blood running through these veins, Happy St Patrick's Day my Lucky Leprechauns.

photo credit: Fashion Copious

Just Another Manic Monday

Monday's are incredibly busy around the store now that we close on Sundays. Back tomorrow.
xoxo

fabulous wood and brass horse head bookends in original, vintage condition
$225/pair

Have A Scandalous Weekend

I'll be having some good old fashioned family style fun but someone, somewhere get crazy for me.

image: Al Rossi via Empiric

Art Crimes

As spotted driving over Laurel Canyon one sunny morning last week. A few older posts with some of my favorite's here but usually I notice them in passing when I'm not armed with a camera.

This Wedding Stinks

My girlfriend Colleen, above left, directed (and starred in) a series of hysterical photographs at a wedding a few years back. We added to the collection a few weeks ago at the Mexico City nuptials of Dana and Raul. If it isn't obvious, the theme is that we are all having a really. Bad. Time.





How adorable are the flower girls?! There are tons more but these were my favorites. I highly recommend playing this game at your next gathering (wedding or otherwise...).

Big Bear Lake

The short drive is almost as special as the lake. This photo was shot on our way up, early Sunday morning. Last year when we took this trip we promised ourselves to do it more often but like most things - out of sight, out of mind.


The view from our room was, well, picture perfect. This shot is of the Observatory which is such a dramatic little dot on an otherwise dark coastline.


As it got dark (after 7pm which is such a nice change) the fog rolled in and we lit a fire and enjoyed the view with some wine.


I shot this as we dashed out the door on our way back to LA. It was such a peaceful place and a wonderful way to wake up. Big Bear this time we promise to be back (soon.....)

Whoa Is Me

It is official. The computer that houses all of my personal photos and images of inspiration is kapoot. I'm sure all of you would never be careless enough not to back up such important information but I am a little more dim. I will mourn only momentarily and then brush myself off and start anew.

Although my personal photos are the highest priority all of the many images I've grabbed from you (and Domino) are what is really killing me. Hours of time down the tubes. All my magazine scans gone.... I had my vision for the side room and bedroom project we are about to take on figured out and the resources bookmarked so you'll have to wait a few more weeks until we "break ground" but hopefully the finished project will be worth the torture of tracking down the resources again.

For now I am hard at work but stop by later for pictures from our romantic vacation up in the mountains this weekend. It was beautiful!

image Clement Jolin

Have A Celebratory Weekend

This weekend we are celebrating 2e's birthday (its a big one!) and we are returning to Big Bear for a little skiing/snowboarding and possibly a snow ball fight. I am getting a little emotional writing this post because it is this very weekend last year that I wrote about in my first post. So much has happened! Yet hardly anything has changed. This blog is allowing me to bookmark my life and have time to reflect, compare, regroup, and enjoy. Thanks for listening..

Raclette with a Side of Broken Hearts

My computer is still down for the count so my posts are sporadic these days. Luckily Sweet Heather is picking up the slack for me.


I hosted a little dinner party on Monday for the Bachelor finale. Check out the pix and our food spread over at LA In Bloom. {here}.

Mushroom Salad Recipe (which is beyond easy and absolutely delish)

Heat half a tablespoon of olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat
Throw in 1-2 cups of a variety of different mushrooms, sliced
Saute for a few minutes until soft
Add a tablespoon of truffle oil and a tablespoon of white wine vinegar
Remove from heat and serve over a bed of greens

Your mouth will thank you!

Fantastic Fashion

These clothes sum up how I wish I could dress every day. The whole collection is insane. 1920's Hollywood(land) glamour with a modern twist on the hairstyles and sky high hemlines. Of course, it doesn't hurt that they included my signature hat in many of the looks.


If the hemline theory is true this collection is both optimistic and beautiful. The rest of James Coviello's creations here.

I stumbled on this designer's site while surfing around my usual blogs this week so speak up if it was you. Im having trouble remembering. xox

Babes In Blankets

How cute are these little munchkins?

Add A Little Color To Your World

Some bright cheer from the new Kikkerland catalog. I hope everyone has a shiny happy Monday. I am feeling back to reality after some bogged down days. Has Spring sprung?