Summer Styles

We just booked a trip to Hawaii for our wedding anniversary next month and I can't wait to hit the beach. This dress will be the perfect thing for cruising around the island and exploring the sights!




Ice Cream Sandwich Dress from ModCloth

Happy Friday!

Hilarious! Thanks Lisa!



"If you find yourself the last to arrive at Gary and Elaine’s dinner party, you’d better enjoy sitting on swivel stools and staring at images of a haunted forest all night."

Catalog Living

Apartment Therapy

Since we moved into our own house about 2 years ago, I've become more and more obsessed with interior design. I want to make changes but I get nervous to make mistakes. One of my friends and favorite bloggers, Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan just sent me a copy of his gorgeous new book, apartment therapy's Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces and I'm in love. It shows you that whether you are designing a foyer or a nursery, just fill it with things that you love. Whether it's a vintage tea cup that prompts you to curl up with a book or a framed photo of your family - let your personality shine through and mistakes will be few and far between.

My Besties

I love living in California - it makes me happy beyond words - but the one thing that I don't love is how far away my two best friends are. Come visit!

Together. Christmas 2009

Shoes Please

I love these wedges by Toms shoes. I hope they make more before the summer is out because they're sold out in my size.

Toms Calypso Canvas Wedges

Happy Friday!

It's almost time to log off for the weekend and head out into the wilderness! Well, sort of. We'll be glam-ping this weekend in Bear Valley. See you Monday!

Lake Alpine Resort

Toast

My friend Hannah recently told me about this brilliant company in the UK called Toast. Their catalog is dreamy and makes me want to hop on my bike and head to the countryside with a pile of books and a picnic. They're currently having a sale so head over and check it out!

Toast UK

Seahorse & Sunshine

I love this Seahorse pillow! It's the perfect accent for my sunny backyard.

Thomas Paul Seahorse Pillow

Sometimes Dreams Come True

I got my dream bike. (the basket is coming next week) Happy July 4th!

Bike riding in Sonoma, CA

Bikini Babe

Marc Jacobs Gone Fishing Bikini

I've had my eye on this bikini from Marc Jacobs and it popped up today on Gilt. Yay! We'll have to book a beach vacation asap!

Mexico Comes to California

My hubby and I often escape to Mexico and we love the iron star lights that decorate many of the restaurants and hotels. We've tried to find them in little shops but have never found exactly what we were looking for. Who knew that we'd stumble into them in our own backyard, and on sale! We need to refinish our deck but once we do, these lovely lights will be lighting up our patio just like Kim Mitchell would have wanted.

Filagree Star Pendants, Pottery Barn

Bike

My hubby and I went on a leisurely bike ride yesterday morning and ended up a few towns over in Larkspur where I found my dream bike. This is the bike that I've had in my head for over a year. The only thing missing is the wicker basket on the front. Weeeeeee!

Electra Amsterdam Original

Stylish Pup

Handmade by BowWowCouture

I just bought this adorable handmade dog tag on Etsy for Rufus. Can't wait to see him sporting his new bling.

My New Favorite Store

I was just introduced to Lotus Bleu in Hayes Valley here in SF. It's the most amazing interior design store filled to the brim with colorful fabrics, wallpapers, rugs, vases, pillows and more. If you are looking to spruce up your space, this is a perfect place to spend an hour or two. After all that shopping you can zip over to Paulette for some macarons. Heaven!

Image from Lotus Bleu

When I Feel Sad

Not sure where this came from but I love it!



Gotta love NPH!

On Repeat

I currently can't get enough of Massive Attack's Paradise Circus - I've had it on repeat in my car for 2 days now...

Kelly Green Envy

I've been wanting a men's watch for a while now and I just came across this gorgeous vintage Rolex on 1st Dibs. I love the kelly green face and the tailored lines. It's simple, classic and perfect.

Love Lonny

The new issue of Lonny is online - I love it! I wish it were in print so I can curl up in my backyard with a lemonade and read it in the sunshine...

Community Gardening

Last Friday our company closed it's doors so the employees could head out into the community and volunteer. My group went to the Hayes Valley Farm, a community garden built on the former 101 on/off ramp. We learned how to create dirt out of old cardboard boxes and horse manure, grow potatoes in a cylinder made of chicken wire and painted signs to display around the garden. I was inspired to start my own mini-food garden so hopefully we'll start that in the near future!

Love Notes

wall decal by Shanna Murray

I love these wall decals that I came across on Design*Sponge. I'm planning to paint a chalkboard wall in my kitchen one of these days and this would be the perfect message for my hubby to see every day.

Club Monaco

Since I moved to the Bay Area I seem to always forget about Club Monaco. It was my go-to staple when I was in Toronto (it's hometown) and somehow I never make it over there any more. I just saw their Fall 2010 lookbook on refinery29 and I'm reminded why I used to love it so. Simple and classic, yet fashion forward and inspiring. I must go shopping!

Photo by Garance Dore in the Fall 2010 Club Monaco Lookbook

Sunday Jewels

Today the hubby and I took advantage of the gorgeous weather and cruised up to Yountville with the top down in the Mini Cooper. We met up with our friend Kirsten Muenster to enjoy a fabulous trunk show for her new line of jewelry. I had a hard time choosing a favorite as I could have easily gone home with every piece she creates - from the incredible rings to the amazingpendents to the handsome cufflinks - I seriously want it all.

The show was held at Ma(i)sonry in Yountville which is a wonderful space filled with art, antiques and curiosities. We sat in the garden under a canopy of trees at a huge fallen wood table with good wine and old and new friends - it was a splendid way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

Coachella

We just got back from an incredible adventure in Palm Springs & Indio, CA at the Coachella Music Festival. I'm not a festival person per se but Coachella was honestly one of the best experiences of my life. So much music! Spectacular scenery! Gorgeous people! Happy people! It was amazing.

We found a ton of new music that we've had on heavy rotation since we got back. Currently playing on repeat? Miike Snow's Sylvia. So good!

a day in the bay

puppy

ferry building

divisidero

golden gate

marin

rodeo beach sunset

Liberty of London

We had a gorgeous day bike riding in Sonoma and on the way home I convinced my hubby to stop at Target so I could check out the Liberty of London launch. I had seen that my local Target was almost sold out so we ventured to one near Sonoma which turned out to be the smart thing to do! I picked up some adorable dresses and a top for our upcoming trip to Mexico. Love!

I got this pink ruffle halter dress and this blue smocked top maxi dress. Both will be perfect for sipping margharita's by the ocean.

Light Me Up

Spotted on Design is Mine

I've been looking for a new light fixture for my front hallway because the one that is currently there is a bit traditional for my taste. I think this one would look really pretty.

"It look like she is wearing someone’s sheet."

I love the Oscars. Thank you Famecrawler for this hilarious post.

Image from Famecrawler.com

Bonjour Coco

My lips are naturally very red and so I find myself rarely wearing lipstick as the color never looks the same in the tube as it does on my lips. I've been obsessing lately however, over the new Chanel Coco Rouge lipstick ad campaign starring Vanessa Paradis.

image from Stylefrizz.com

She is the perfect Chanel woman in my mind and the image of her singing from her perch in a giant birdcage from their 1992 campaign is forever ingrained in my mind.

I think I'm due for a new look and some bright, gorgeous lipstick just might do the trick. A stop at the Chanel counter sounds like a good plan for tomorrow.

Perfect Mornings

Recently I've stopped drinking coffee and eating most pastries (I guess I overdid it in Paris?). I needed a little pick-me-up this morning however and I decided to head to my favorite new hang-out, the Woodlands Cafe. It's heaven. It really is. I tried the blueberry scone which was fresh out of the oven and it didn't disappoint. Happy Friday!

I ♥ Macarons

Today's Wall St. Journal had an article on the rising popularity of macarons and it featured the new Chronicle Book, I ♥ Macarons.


I love when they are a little bit dense and slightly chewy and not too airy or creamy. On a recent trip to Paris, I am proud to say that I visited Laduree daily and it didn't disappoint. The quaint little green jewel of a store was like something out of a highly stylized movie and I loved it. Each box was carefully packed with all the colors of the rainbow and they would bring me an unexplained feeling of joy. Now, if only they'd open in San Francisco...

I Wish I Had Dinner Parties

I've never been the person who hosted fabulous dinner parties - but I'm going to be. To help facilitate that New Year's Resolution though I need a new dining room table and chairs. I've been looking for a round table that could fit 6 people and I think I've finally found it at Z Gallerie of all places. Introducing the Harper table
and the Lola Side Chair in Pewter. You like?

Happy Birthday Weekend

Last month we celebrated my hubby's 35th birthday with a ski trip to Lake Tahoe and then a secret getaway to Calistoga - we called this combo the Ski n' Soak. One day you're swooshing down the slopes, the next you are floating in a natural hot springs pool. Ahhh... California.

It's Fall! It's Fall!

I get so excited when the leaves start to rustle and fall from the trees, the light turns a golden yellow and the days are warmer (at least in San Francisco!). I just want to run around and play! I think Rufus agrees.

Last Minute Holiday Gift

Happy Holidays everyone! Even though Christmas has now come and gone, I'm sure some of you will still be visiting friends and family in the next few days and need something to bring as a gift. This was my favorite treat to give my co-workers and neighbors this year and it takes less than 10 minutes to make.

ToastnCandy's Easy Holiday Bark

1. Get a bag of 60% cocoa dark chocolate & a prepackaged bag of fruit & nuts from Trader Joe's. I used a mix of almonds, pistachios and dried cherries but you can use whatever you like.


2. Boil a pot of water.

3. Place the chocolate chips inside a mug and set inside the pot of boiling water.


4. Stir the chocolate until it is melted.

5. Pour the chocolate onto a tin foil-lined baking sheet and spread it out so it's even.

6. Sprinkle your nut mixture on top.

7. Let sit overnight to harden.

8. Package in pretty bags, tie it with a bow and voila! Easy (and yummy!) holiday gift.

Pretty Stationery

I'm so pleased with my new personalized stationery (a gift from my hubby for our 5 year wedding anniversary!) that I had to share. It's from the lovely ladies at HelloLucky! here in San Francisco. If you live in the city, definitely stop by their offices on Howard St. & 6th to say "hello", you won't be disappointed.

Tree Jewelry

What a happy thing to find on a Friday! I'm not sure why, but I just love this TREE JEWELRY. Can't you picture it gleaming in your backyard on a hot sunny day?

The view on my morning bike ride

Mmmmm... Poutine.

On the road

Greetings from Philadelphia! We're heading to Ottawa to see my family
for a few days and we're enjoying a relaxing layover in Philly. Here's
my hubby chillin' in a rocker - the airport is full of them.

The 80s in Canada at it's best

Springtime munchies

My kitty doesn't like anything except chicken. Max Cat Roasted Chicken
to be exact. So when I brought home a little pot of kitty grass the
other day, I thought it was the next to find itself snubbed by Miss
Misa. To my surprise, this kitty grass has had magical effects on my
cat. She lazily lounges beside it, gazing at the fresh green pot as if
she were madly in love. Now that's one happy cat!

iPhone test

A friend just taught me how to post from my iPhone!

Ode to Yellow Shoes

This fall when I went to Barcelona I had visions of finding some beautiful yellow heels. I searched high and low and even dragged my hubby clear to the other side of town to a little shop rumored to have designer shoes at bargain prices. Alas, they did have designer shoes and the prices were just north of bargain but they were a little too er... European for me. Zippers. Odd colors and high heeled boots made of plastic and mesh. Sigh...

I just received a mailer from the clever people at Piperlime for 20% off my next purchase. Egad! These are the shoes from my visions! Maybe my hubby will find them a suitable Valentines gift?