Empiric on Tori & Dean

A perk of the job for me is seeing our pieces on production sets and on the finale of Tori & Dean last week, their new family room was over flowing with Empiric pieces. James McGowan, Tori's friend and designer, was having a dilemma with the long wall opposite the windows. Ultimately the enclosed bookcase and framed African Bird etchings, above, were the perfect solution.

In the center of the room they used a gorgeous convertible bar cart. Fully extended, along the back of the sofa as a console table, it divides the two seating sections and allows for additional lighting.


Over the mantle they positioned a large mirror made from tin ceiling tiles (which they painted white). I love the symmetry of this focal wall and the fabric they used for the curtains. Although not from Empiric, I also adore the red Chesterfield sofa in this vignette. The coffee table they purchased is made of Pecan. Slow growing fruit wood is rare to come across in furniture made today and is very expensive. Every once in a while we strip a vintage piece and discover a rare wood such as this with beautiful grain.


They scrambled to put this together and, despite the time crunch, James did an amazing job transforming this room from a dark den to a light airy room catered to family and socializing.

Girls Justa Wanna Have Fu-un

My time with May and Michelle in Palm Springs was short but super duper sweet. We rolled into town on a Thursday in the late afternoon and didn't waste a minute getting into our swim suits and toasting to the good life. The Viceroy is not the best place to stay in Palm Springs but their special rates (only available for a few more days...) made it THE BEST place to stay. I loved the sunshine, the champagne, the shopping, and adventure. Most of all, more than anything, I loved having that time with two really special people in my life. We had to rush back to LA but I have no doubt this weekend will be revisited over the years. It is such an easy escape for me and a fantasy destination for all so hopefully, just maybe, my girls far far away will come west more often for martinis under the orange trees and lazy days without a care in the world and absolutely nothing to do.....

Michelle, apparently I also love your boob :)

Thank you both. I love you to pieces and needed you more than you know! Well, maybe after the Britney Spears "impression" you do know. Wink-Wink.

Morning Vignette

Waking up to this pretty scene on my nightstand and a chill in the air. Hopefully today will not crawl back up into the 90's by noon!

Santa Barbara & Ojai

We just returned from a Labor Day weekend spent up north in Santa Barbara. At the last minute I booked a room at The Canary Hotel which was a great choice for a weekend of rest and relaxation!



On our way home we swung through Ojai for shopping and lunch at Suzanne's Cuisine. It was the perfect ending to a spontaneous road trip get away.

Home Away From Home

The Flowers Residence

Long before my days as shop girl I was a member of another exclusive club, The Babysitters Club. For a year and a half I spent my days chasing babies around the fish pond and down the front hill of this beautiful Marblehead home.


This past trip the family was away but we were lucky enough to stay there and enjoy all it has to offer. And oh what it has to offer!!!


I will try to dedicate a future post to the interior design of this home. From its hand painted wallpaper, to the custom upholstery, master suite and 3rd floor billiard room it is flawless and cozy and full of love. Thank you Laurie!!!

You Get What You Get And You Don't Get Upset!

Or you try really hard not to.

This is the cake that I wanted albeit without the frosting flowers and with a few small Dahlias.....

Flickr

These are the cakes that were delivered.

Heather Taylor

In lieu of centerpieces we had 6" cakes for each table which were to be iced on milk glass cake stands in a fondant bright white frosting - seamless, classic, gorgeous, elegant. Rather we got 6" cakes in off white buttercream frosting with some sort of wavy, cheesy, tacky 4 year old birthday cake trim placed on 7" pieces of cardboard extending over the rim of the cake plates.

I'm tortured but I know I have to let it go. Whats done is done. Brides to be, dont make the same mistake as me. Pictures speak a thousand words and luckily you wont need nearly that many describe your special cake. One persons seamless is another persons crackled and color is in the eye of the beholder so get your inspiration pix in order before you get your ordering in order! Says I, the slightly disappointed perfectionist bride.

Yellow Brick Blog Wedding At Last

Last year ms. coco+kelley was assisting us at the shop while simultaneously assisting her great friend Lyndsy with her Malibu wedding. When I saw the engagement shots from Natalie Moser I just about died. After emailing with Natalie and learning she would be having a baby this summer and wasn't available to shoot my own wedding a little part of me actually did die. She is that good.....





Lyndsy, you make it look so easy! Congratulations Mrs Cook.

Mexico City Wedding Inspiration

My girlfriend Dana is marrying her long time love, Raul, in a Mexico City 2009 celebration. Her colors are bright yellow, white and black which, coincidentally, were almost my colors and are, in general, very popular right now. Kelly Wearstlers modern spin on Hollywood Regency has brought this combo into the spotlight and inspired many a designer in her wake.

Viceroys Estrella Lounge  

Denver's 5 Degrees

Patricia Grey Interior Design

Dana has always had a strong sense of style and I have no doubt her take on this popular look will be entirely unique.