the end of my holiday

new day, new job, new shoes - by strange.little.mama

Guess what?! I managed to land a joby job!!
That's right, I'm going back to the working world after 2.5 months of holiday. I'm so excited to have found a job in this crappy economy and one that I think I will actually enjoy. My holiday has had it's ups and downs, but I do feel like I've enjoyed my time off and savored it the best I could. And, it's not over yet! We'll be in Peru next week and when we get back I'll have time for some shopping and relaxation before I dive back in to the rat race. I cannot WAIT for Peru! And, shopping for new job clothes (of course)!
Goodbye holiday, hello paycheck!!

delicious dittos

Dittos Jeans are back!
The iconic 70's brand was relaunched in Spring 2007 under the creative direction of Frankie B's Daniella Clark. The collection encompasses the classic cuts with updated styles and gives the brand a modern look with a strong vintage feel.
I came across a pair of Dittos for the first time today & fell in love. The quality, fit, and attention to detail is exceptional. I really wanted a pair of my very own, but the shop I was at was charging a hefty $240 per pair, which is over my $200 limit for a pair of jeans. But, the good news is, I found them online for much cheaper.
I've added them to my wish list...

Ditto's Virginia Wide Leg Pipe Trim Jean

Dittos High Waist Wide Leg Boyfriend Kissit Jean

maggie g

We went to see The Dark Knight recently and although I'm not usually a huge fan of summer blockbusters, I really enjoyed this one.
I haven't seen all of the other Batman movies, so I don't know how Maggie Gyllenhaall's performance was compared to others as Rachel Dawes. But, I do know that I love her as an actress and in this movie. The best part, you ask? Her clothes - polished and classically chic!

One of my favorite looks these days, tailored perfection.

This gown was really beautiful and feminine (although you can't tell here, sorry).

A great trench - the definition of classic.

Bravo!

new sheets!

I just ordered a new set of sheets and I am so excited!!
I don't know about you, but sheets are one of those items that I very rarely buy (every 5 years or so). It took me noticing a hole in one of our current sets to decide that it's time. I searched far and wide and picked these Tile Organic Sheets in black from Pottery Barn. I love the graphic pattern, plus they are 100% organic - perfection! I was even able to use the PB gift certificate that has been burning a hole in my pocket (thanks to my sister-in-law). I can't wait to receive the package on my doorstep in 5-7 business days!

design spotlight on belle home studio!

"Belle Home Studio makes designing your home simple, fun, and affordable. We believe interior design should be accessible to everyone and your home should reflect your personal taste and style. Our personalized design plans are created to give you the designer look without the high prices."

BHS offers a smorgasbord of fabulous design services by the lovely designer, Julie Thigpen (also of Belle Maison blog). She is so talented and has an amazing portfolio of creative and chic designs for your home. Julie has a Bachelor's degree in Interior Design from the Interior Designers Institute and years of experience in both residential and model home design. From customized design plans, consulting, packages, and online services nationwide and in-person design services within Southern California, Belle Home Studio has everything you need to create your dream space. More on Belle services here.

Just a few of my favorites from Julie's portfolio...
More here.

existential love

Simone De Beauvoir's final words on Sartre's death (and her own in Adieux):
"My death will not bring us together again. This is how things are. It is in itself splendid that we were able to live our lives in harmony for so long."

lama love

A friend recently sent me the link to Lama, a fantastic new online boutique, and I fell in LOVE!
The story goes like this:
"Once upon a time, a young interior designer and her delightful doggy companion moved north from their L.A. digs to Oakland, CA. Working day after day at her desk in San Francisco, the girl came to a very important realization. 'I'm supposed to be doing something else with my life', she thought. So, out the door she went. Influenced by her love for design and passion for travel, the girl decided she would search the world for beautiful objects that were dreamt up and created by others who shared her fanaticism for the fabulous."

And so she journeyed to Latin America and discovered many beautiful things made by both ancient artisans and modern designers. A year later, the girl and her doggy launched Lama, Latin America in the Modern Age featuring pieces from her travels and works by Latino artists in the U.S.

Teapot with a Cold
Hand glazed, painted, and knit by Lola Goldstein. Imported from Argentina.
I squealed when I saw this because it is so freaking cute!

Pink Lady Pillow
Made by design duo Coty Larguia and Eugenia Troncoso in Argentina.
I love this whole series of illustrations on 100% cotton pillows. Perfect for a child's room or an interesting design element anywhere in the house.

Pig Grain Shoulder Bag
Handmade in Guatemala from recycled grain bags and hand-woven Guatemalan fabrics.
A bag with a pig on it made out of recycled materials?! Does it get any better?

Gato
100% cotton, baby safe with soft button eyes. Made in Buenos Aires by Sope de Principe. Imported from Argentina.
I want to squeeze him! So adorable & there are other animals available also, but the cat is my favorite.

fashion fix

Bowing for the Collections, French Vogue, March 1973
Louis Faurer
Quite possibly one of my most favorite fashion photographs ever. Faurer captures the graceful movement and soft abundance of the fabric with perfection.

Bubble on the Seine, Paris, Bazaar, 1963
Melvin Sokolsky
A fashionable life in a Parisian bubble. I love this shot and how obvious the clothing is, even in this beautiful setting.

Dovima with Elephants, 1955
Richard Avedon
Elegance tames the wild.

Nina and Simone, Piazza di Spagna, Rome (Vogue), 1960
William Klein
The fashion world's version of Abbey Road.

worker bee

Being under the weather for a few days set me behind on my latest Lulu and the Bee projects, but I'm back and ready to work!

I finished these escort cards for a wedding that is happening this week at a local winery.
Vivaldi font with chocolate ink.

I also did the table names, which were various wines chosen by the couple. A unique and very appropriate touch for a vineyard wedding.

The bride and groom will sit at the Dom Perignon table, of course.

sleepy sunday series

Missy Foo and I had a nice sleepy Sunday afternoon. She's my little shadow around the house and she loves it when it's time for a little snooze. She usually sleeps in the same position as I do, as seen here. And, she has to be leaning up against me at all times. Just sleeping next to me is not close enough.
My little buddy...

Passed-out

Pretending to sleep, but keeping an eye on the camera.

Never too tired to pose.

a family affair

A few recent projects for ma famille....

This photo is from a baby shower that my sister-in-law hosted in NYC for her bestie, who is pregnant with her 2nd boy. The whole set-up turned out really nice. The place cards were done by moi to go with the cute invitations (on left). Tres chic!

My brother is donating two of his beautiful photographs to a silent auction for charity next weekend. My mum contributed by having them custom framed, which turned out really nice.

My contribution was to create signs for the front of the frames giving the title of the photograph and my brother's name. And, I wrote his information and the framer's on the backs.

Scott Vickers Photography

the road to recovery

photo by upnorth memories

Sorry for my lack of posts and commenting over the last few days. I've been under the weather and laid-up in bed for a bit. But, I'm on the road to recovery and will be joining the real world again soon.

Sadly, I missed a shopping date with my good friend on Friday because I was on death's door. I am so, so, so disappointed! It's been too long since we've seen each other and I NEED a girls day at the mall DESPERATELY. Prior to being laid-off, I shopped at least once a week - at LEAST. But, not so much these days. It has been months since I've strolled the pristine walkways of South Coast Plaza, smelled the crispy newness in the air, and stood (drooling) in front of the smudge-free windows at Chanel, Chloe, and Dior. Just thinking about it makes my heart race. I'm hoping we can make it there next weekend, or I will DIE (seriously)!

On another note, while catching up on my blog reading, I discovered that several other bloggers have been under the weather (here and here). This is terrible news, but I'm glad they are also on the road to recovery.
Get well soon girls!

155 envelopes and ink-stained hands

Today I completed my latest Lulu and the Bee project....155 wedding invitation envelopes for a So. Cal. bride and groom who are tying the knot in September.

The font is custom, which I created using elements from 2 existing fonts. I named it Megan, after the bride. I'm excited to give them to her on Friday!

More projects in the works...
1. Table Signs and Place Cards for a Camarillo wedding in late July
2. Place Cards for a Long Beach wedding in late July
3. Envelopes for a good friend's wedding in early October

vacation style

In preparation for my Peru trip in a few short weeks, I'm in search of vacation style inspiration.
My travel bag is small, so it is crucial to pack only a few key pieces that will be transitional from day to night and will be appropriate for a variety of activities (sightseeing, shopping, hiking, etc).
My ideas so far...

Gucci Resort 2009 Collection
I have yet to find the perfect must-have maxi, which is a necessity for Peru. It screams comfort and ease. Great for warm days paired with comfortable sandals and with a hoodie for evening.

Giorgio Armani Resort 2009 Collection
Comfortable wide-legs that can be worn with flip flops or tennies for day and flats for night. Tanks and tees during the day and add a jacket for evening.

Diane von Furstenberg Resort 2009 Collection
A pair of cropped jeans or pants would be perfect for most daytime activities and great with all types of tops and footwear.

Most of my travel attire will have to be shopped for in my existing closet, but I think I can justify a splurge on a couple of new items. Yippee!

the dopeness

We saw The Wackness this weekend and loved it. A great story set in the mid-90's about a New York kid who spends the summer before college selling dope, trading it for therapy sessions, living for hip hop, and falling in love. Very nostalgic and hilarious for those of us who went through our teenage years in the 90's.....A Tribe Called Quest, mixtapes, Zimas, and Adidas Superstars, need I say more?
A must see for all late 20 to 30 somethings.

saying goodbye

photo by steffanmacmillan

This may be a bit of a morbid/depressing post, so I apologize ahead of time.
That being said, I attended a burial at sea on Saturday for my bestie's father. Although funerals and burial services are extremely sad and not something you look forward to, they are also a nice way to remember and pay respects to those who are no longer with us. The same is true for cemeteries, which I find to be quite beautiful in both form and function.
This was the first burial at sea I had attended and it was very peaceful and serene. We took a large yacht out of Newport Beach in the late afternoon. The weather was perfect, sunny with a cool ocean breeze and the water was calm. We rode out about 2 miles off shore to a quiet place without other boats around. The ceremony took place on the back of the boat where words were said and the ashes were poured into the ocean. Fresh flowers followed and we watched as the flowers floated further and further away. A final goodbye.

tgif

photo by la tartine gourmande

Happy Friday all! Have a fabulous weekend!

birthday letters

Ted Hughes and Sylvia Plath, 1958 by James F. Coyne

Birthday Letters by Ted Hughes is a collection of poems addressed to Sylvia Plath, written over a period of more than 25 years, all after her suicide in 1963. A powerful telling of their life together and his recollections of her. I'm loving it.

The Owl
I saw my world again through your eyes
As I would see it again through your children's eyes.
Through your eyes it was foreign.
Plain hedge hawthorns were peculiar aliens,
A mystery of peculiar lore and doings,
Anything wild, on legs, in your eyes
Emerged at a point of exclamation
As if it had appeared to dinner guests
In the middle of the table. Common mallards
Were artifacts of some unearthliness,
Their wooings were a Lypnagogic film
Unreeled by the river. Impossible
To comprehend the comfort of their feet
In the freezing water. You were a camera
Recording reflections you could not fathom.
I made my world perform its utmost for you.
You took it all in with an incredulous joy
Like a mother handed her new baby
By the midwife. Your frenzy made me giddy.
It woke up my dumb, ecstatic boyhood
Of fifteen years before. My masterpiece
Came that black night on the Grantchester road.
I sucked the throaty thin woe of a rabbit
Out of my wetted knuckle, by a corpse
Where a tawny owl was enquiring.
Suddenly it swooped up, splaying its pinions
Into my face, taking me for a post.

- by Ted Hughes, Birthday Letters

fall finds

I'm dreaming of fall as the hot summer air drifts in through my windows. Fall is my most favoritist season and even though it's only July, I can already feel the fall frenzy coming on. I feel the need to shop for fabulous things (even more than usual)!

Fall inspiration...

Juicy Couture Diamond Weave Wool Coat
Can a girl ever have too many coats?
I love, love, love this Juicy prize and dream about adding her to my collection.

Joie Brett Ruffle Top

BCBG Max Azria Charmeuse and Crepe Dress

overcast

photo by tibularvader

Although the sun is sure to come out by afternoon, the morning is overcast & I am soaking up the cool, crisp air.
Happy Wednesday everyone!

great green guide

Thanks to my pops, I recently found out about The Big Green Purse!
Written by Diane MacEachern, The Big Green Purse is a book and a website, created based on the fact that women contribute 85 cents of every dollar spent in the marketplace. Our consumer power is huge! And, because big business responds to consumer demand, we have the power to make the world a greener place by simply spending on eco-friendly products and expanding our awareness. More here. So, get out there & shop girls!

The website is an excellent guide for finding green products and resources. From clothing to appliances, they have it all! A few of my favorite finds...

Sublet Alison Dress from Greenloop
A fantastic resource for eco-friendly clothing, shoes, and accessories.

Embroidered Flower Pillow from Real Goods
This site offers products to support a green home and life.

Ceago Sauvingnon Blanc Presentation from Organic Bouquet
A great site for organic flowers, gift baskets, and gourmet foods.