Happy Charitable Weekend

Today I am at the opening reception for a shelter in Culver City where 18 designers donated their time and skills to create safe retreats for homeless families. I was lucky enough to be involved and donate furniture and I brought my camera so prepare to see some pictures next week!


Also on the calendar, our No Cookie Left Behind crew is hitting the sidewalk outside of Scoops to sell a cupcake {or 1000}. The response has been truly incredible and the selection is going to be pretty amazing: from chocolate Guinness cake, and salted caramel pudding to pumpkin bread pudding, a bazillion delicious cupcakes, vast varieties of cookies, plus vegan and gluten free treats and much, much more.

Cookies Without Borders: A Bake Sale for Haiti.

We will be featuring a dizzying array of sweets from both professional kitchens and local homes, as well as a few jars of choice homemade jams, and all proceeds from the bake sale will go to Doctors Without Borders, a Nobel Prize winning international humanitarian organization working to meet the overwhelming medical needs of post-earthquake Haiti.

WHEN: Sunday, January 31, 2010. 2 – 5 pm

WHERE: Scoops Gelato. 712 N Heliotrope Dr. 90029. In East Hollywood, just north of Melrose, between Normandie and Vermont.

CAN’T MAKE IT? If you can’t make it to the bake sale, but still want to help out, you can mail a check directly to Doctors Without Borders. Please write “Cookies Without Borders Bake Sale” on your check so they know we sent you!

Doctors Without Borders USA
PO Box 5030
Hagerstown, MD 21741

QUESTIONS? Contact us at nocookieleftbehind@gmail.com if you are interested in donating baked goods, helping out on the day of, or if you have any questions.

I hope to see my Angeleno readers there!

Featured Items of The Week

How adorable is that duck? The weather vane is definitely worth a second peak {click the image above for more pictures and info of all our new pieces} but I it has been months since I shared a before and after. The lines on the Broyhill Brasilia Collection are so unique I was drooling over this guy even before he was redone.

Hubba Hubba!

Creator: Broyhill
Period/Style: Mid Century Modern
Date: 1960's

Description: 6 drawer, Brasilia by Broyhill Premier dresser. The lines and waves of this furniture were inspired by the architecture of its namesake city, the capital of Brazil. Refinished in two tone dark walnut and white lacquer. Original brass hardware.

Dimensions:
58"W X 19"D X 31"H

Price: $2,195

Get Inspired!

New York City March 2005

I just stumbled upon a disc of old photos I had no clue existed. So special! I'm teary reliving the memories..


These are from a day in New York a few months before I moved to LA. I quickly caught The Gates as I zipped by Central Park in a cab.

And stayed out into the wee hours of the morn with friends at Pastis. I love how there is a ribbon of orange weaving this series together.

I haven't been to NYC since but I just booked a trip for my birthday in April and I can. not. wait!

Collections of vintage dog portraits have been popping up in decor recently. This pre-Milo purchase has me thinking of starting my own.

image source unknown

And..... Scene

Let us please shut the door on this week of rain (torrential), cold (yes its still balmy compared to NY but I live in a stucco house with no heat!), hail (HAIL), and then bursts of bright sun and rainbows that can only mean the end of the world. I am longing for the dog days of summer.


I'll settle for Milo asleep on my desk instead.

xoxo

Ground Control

Over the past 6 months we've been perfecting our rug line and new prototypes, in amazing eco-friendly materials, are in production. It will be a while until they hit the floor though so in the meantime, we're using our rug rack to sell one offs of different designs. A few of my favorites..

Crown Rug Hand Tufted from soft New Zealand wool. Crown pattern in cream and eggplant. Imported. 5 x 8 - $675. * no other sizes or color combination's available.

Maze Rug Hand Tufted from soft New Zealand wool. This contemporary maze design is comprised of contrasting pile heights in soft green tones. Imported. 5 x 8 - $675. * no other sizes or color combination's available.

Michael Stripe Rug Hand Tufted from soft New Zealand wool and viscose in cream tones. Imported. 5 x 8 - $675. * no other sizes or color combination's available.

Kazak Rug Hand Tufted from soft New Zealand wool. Light gray back round with traditional cream pattern. Imported. 5 x 8 - $675. * no other sizes or color combination's available.

We've also recently added the popular Arabesque Rug from GV.

Arabesque Rug Hand Tufted from 100% wool in ivory, coral, and orange color combination. Modern geometric pattern. Available in four sizes. Imported. Immediate to 8 week lead time pending stock. 5 x 8 - $735. 6 x 9 - $975. 8 x 10 - $1475. 9 x 12 - $1965.

Designing rugs has been an invaluable experience and it has made me appreciate the work of my peers on a very different level. I can't wait to share all our new designs with you!

Its Clutch

Join the party! Clare Vivier's gorgeous clutch is (once again!) being featured on Target's Red Hot Shop and causing quite a stir so go. Now. Post haste!

More Jane

channeling gaga (at theme parties) above and below

Jane

The Power of Soup

Rainy days make me crave soup! This recipe looks yummy. I wish I could invite all of my girlfriends over to join me around my {imaginary} fireplace to eat hunks of broth soaked bread and talk. When I was growing up my mother owned a couple restaurants in Marblehead. She was also the head chef so you can imagine the impact growing up in her kitchens has had on me. I take for granted the ease I feel in a kitchen and how naturally creating recipes and menus comes. It is literally second nature.

I haven't spent a whole lot of nights at home these past few months but I think tonight I will dust off the pots and pans, pull out Tried and True Ambrosia and fill the house with delicious smells.

LA Gift Show

Last week I did a quick sweep of the LA Mart to view the new pieces from our vendor's 2010 lines. I didn't take nearly enough photographs but here is a little peak.

Color coordinated vignettes at Tozai.....

Tozai has the most beautiful cloisonne jars. This season they have a blue and black herringbone pattern by Francois Bernard that I ordered along with the tray.


I also fell in love with these ceramic animal busts. They look great as a collection or all on their own.

Roost was capturing the pure essence of spring. Very refreshing after, frankly, so much crap in most of the showrooms. I reordered popular pieces we already carry but did find a few new things.

Gorgeous terrarium tablescape

The days highlight was stopping by our new vendor Royal Apothic. I love their packaging and displays.

The complete Royal Apothic line including 6 fabulous new fragrances


The ambitious Sean O'Mara and yours truly

Overall a successful and I can't wait to share some of the goodies as the packages arrive.

Quiet Saturday

Because Friday flew by. Back next week. xoox

image via Feaverish Photography

Featured Items of The Week

I love the collection of catchers masks 2e and I put together last weekend. Shopping for a collection of anything, be it duck decoys, toy tops or my beloved elephants, just never gets old. I think this is one of my favorites. I guess its the New England girl in me!

Collection of 6 assorted, vintage metal and leather masks. Examples manufactured by Yale, Spalding, and Rawlings show the evolution of this equipment for America's favorite past time.

New Year/Fresh Floor/ Clean Slate

Let's kick off this round of resolutions with some house cleaning! Or in my case, store. All apologies to any customers who saw the state of our showroom post holiday madness. It was, by no stretch, a disaster. Not worthy of a before picture (because it was honestly depressing) let's just focus on the after.

I have so many fun projects to share in 2010 I am itching to put pen to paper and get to work. This new, de-cluttered environment has me feeling very inspired....

Reflections

I haven't had a chance to hunker down and commit to some resolutions for the new year. 2008 I celebrated some pretty big change but this past year I am leaving with less closure and more projects up in the air. Looking back it is clear that I didn't fulfill my resolution to balance work and play. Expanding in this crazy economy was a source of great pride but it didn't come without some blood, sweat, and tears. Working 6 days a week from January through the end of September allowed me to get a good grasp on business but I was very tightly wound. Turns out one day off a week just isn't enough!

empiric today

Looking back at the list of last years resolutions though, all was not lost! I did paint my bedroom and we are almost done renovating the first floor (formerly our Culver City showroom) to expand our living space which I'm over the moon about (and need to share with you!).

a peak at downstairs as staged by woolly pockets

In 2009 we finally debuted our custom rugs at Empiric, working out became a priority (part of downstairs is a home gym) and I took a few amazing vacations both with friends and 2e.

2e and yours truly on vaca last week

I can't finish a post about 2009 without mentioning the most life changing thing that happened to my family. My Milo. He is my whole world!

I think I'll take the weekend to mull over the next 12 months and set some new goals. Back Monday!

Bambino!

Its another nephew for 2e and I (9 total!!). One of our two nieces is holding him. Proud big Sis!

Sunsets

The last sunset of 2009 was really beautiful...

But the first sunset of 2010 was breathtaking...

I hope the rest of the year follows suit!

We had a truly wonderful holiday south of the border. The best prescription for what ails us is rest and relaxation, sunshine, friends, and lots and lots of wine. Well, that's what I'm telling myself anyway....

Today, I'm ready for all that 2010 has to bring.
Tomorrow, we'll have to wait and see.

Yoo Hoo crazy life, come crash into me!