The Holiday Bar - Year Round

Cheers

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!

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!

In The New Year.....

If the shoe fits, wear it.

Stop and smell the roses.

Seize the moment.

Reflect and Resolve.


Celebrate.

Happy New Year!

image 1: sea of shoes image 2: nestled in image 3 & 4: nathan turner image 5: roost image 6,7&8: lovely clusters image 9: scarlet for moet

A Very Very Merry

You'll do alright with your Christmas of white but I'll have a blue, blue Christmas.

I'm headed south to Cabo for a very nice, very long vacation where I plan on sipping tequila instead of nog, replacing the warmth of the fire with the heat from the sun, and trading in the smell of our douglas fir for the shade of a palm. I'll be back in a few weeks, sunkissed, full of new memories, and no doubt incredibly happy. See you in the New Year.

Happy Holidays!

A Wonderful Weekend

I had to share pictures of our anniversary weekend at the Casa Del Mar in Santa Monica. It was too lovely not to!


I thought I had died and gone to heaven under the beams of the ceiling and the glow of the sun.

Milo approved.

The suite felt more like a bungalow than a hotel room with very personal touches such as shelves of books and ocean keepsakes.


I am day dreaming about curling up on the chaise and spending the afternoon reading some of their library.


The view out to the pier was a nice surprise...

2e planned to propose to me on this ferris wheel but I was being a brat that day. Instead he popped the question on the beach, coincidentally almost directly out front of our weekend suite.

my resort collection...

boys at play....

.......and the happy couple

I would give my eye teeth to be back there right now......

Black Man. White House.

The most important color trend...

Today is a glorious day!

Pink Satin and Pin Stripes

The gorgeous Kate Winslet, Elle UK

I'll be kicking a cold and entertaining some friends this, the first weekend of 2009. See you in a few days with my pictures from the past few weeks back east and, finally, our episode of Small Space, Big Style.

Update: Some of my New Years Eve shenanigans here.

New Years Eve

My poor little blog has taken a back seat to my big, busy life. The past two weeks have been whirlwind but wonderful. Returning to Boston takes me back to a really different world that I am missing so much in my new grown up life. Moving to Los Angeles 4 years ago was the most difficult thing I have ever done. Prior to LA I had also lived in Arizona, Santa Cruz, Mexico, and France. No stranger to new places, the change wasn't what made it so hard. It was the reason.



Tonight I am lucky enough to have my oldest girlfriend and my newest girlfriend around my table in LA to ring in the New Year together. Just us and ours, cozy as kittens, devouring dinner and reminiscing on the past year.

2008 brought me a new husband, a failed friendship, many memorable travels, and my 30th birthday. It was a milestone year. It also brought me this blog which in turn brings me much happiness. I have yet to find the time to share all the stories that make me me and the real things that inspire me everyday but that's just that lil' obstacle we touched on called a big, busy life.


This year I resolve to balance work and play. To kick bad habits. To stop falling asleep on the couch. To read more and gossip less. To chew my food rather than inhale and to wash it down with the occasional glass of water instead of just wine.



I want to paint my bedroom green, oh, and add 2,000 square feet onto the back of the house to include a new master suite, a wrapping room and an interior courtyard. No thang!! If rollover resolutions are permitted than this will also be the year we debut our custom rugs at Empiric, working out becomes a priority and I will travel to Buenos Aires, Greece, and to the corners of my mind. Anyone care to join me?

Included for no other reason than just because....

photos (with exception of J & J): marjchun