home inspiration

Due mostly to the fact that I've been spending a lot of time at home, I feel the need to do some updating/home improvement. The challenge is thinking of things to do without spending much (or any) money. Impossible, right? Well, sort of.
My focus has primarily been on the living room and dining room, which haven't changed much since we moved in 3 years ago, other than a new sofa. So, I spent all of Sunday going through my cabinets of accessories to see if I still like anything enough to use. I found a few treasures that I had forgotten about, which is just as good as buying something new. And, I found a few items that just need a little paint to give them an updated look. My painting adventures begin tomorrow.
For now, I found these photos from Domino Magazine for inspiration...

I love how great this small space looks. The colors and highlighting of the architectural detail are fantastic.

This space has a lot going on, but all of the elements are so interesting & there is so much sitting room in a very small space.

This one is my favorite, mainly because of the kitties & silhouettes. But, I also love the blue and green & the fresh feel of this space.

Black, white, and green - my ideal color combination for my bedroom. The kelly green sofa is a bold element that goes perfectly with the patterned wallcovering.

found...sunset sandals

While shopping (browsing) this weekend, I spied these splendid Sunset Hurache Sandals at Urban Outfitters. I absolutely love them & at $38.00 a pair, you can't go wrong, even if they only last you through the summer. I've added them to my list of necessities for my Peru trip in August.
Me gustan mucho!

must have.....gold watch

I NEED a gold watch & this Cartier is a dream! Although it isn't likely to become my reality, it's perfection & all I can think about.
Be still my heart!

dreams of gold

Gold appeared in massive amounts on the Fall 2008 rtw runways & I am loving it.

YSL

Nina Ricci

Givenchy

so, tell me a little bit about yourself....

Interviews are always interesting/nerve-wracking experiences, as mine was today. I'm still trying to figure out how I feel about how it went, etc. But, one thing I do know for certain is that I felt good in my outfit selection.

Here's what I wore.....

White Button-Down: Barney's
Grey Pinstripe Vest: F21
Grey Wideleg Trousers: Anthropologie
Black Patent Roundtoe Heels: Charles David

broach season

photo by chakkababy

Although I always consider Fall & Winter to be the ideal broach season, I am craving colorful flower pins to brighten up my Summer wardrobe & carry into Fall. The broach is a staple in my wardrobe that I picked-up many years ago & plan to maintain into my granny years. Most of my broaches are vintage, purchased on Ebay and flea markets because I love an accessory with a history. I have lots of cameos and big gold jeweled pieces, but I don't have many sunny Summer day options.

And, so the search begins for fun & flowery treasures to pin to my person.
Inspiration....

Agapanthus Corsage/Boutonnière by Ekaminsk
I adore the idea of wearing a corsage around during the day or for an evening out. Of course, fresh flowers are always best, but a tasteful silk arrangement like this one is simply stunning!

Camellia Pair of Fabric Flowers by Rumah Kampung
I think I'm going to buy these because they are fabulous! I love the colors & the fact that they are made from remnant fabrics - the green from taffeta and the indigo from silk. They are the perfect size & do not look cheesy like most silk flower pins.

photo by bliss24
I am always drawn to enameled broaches, but have yet to buy one of my own. They are perfect for summer & more casual occasions to add a little something to your ensemble. These daisies are adorable!

paradis & miu miu

The beautiful & so very French, Vanessa Paradis, will replace Kirsten Dunst as the new face of Miu Miu for their Fall 2008 ad campaign. Of the campaign, the company says, "At once a deconstruction and a pure visual composition, the campaign addresses the exploration of beauty in conjunction with intellect, imagination and divergence".
Now that's a campaign we can get behind.

reminder....reality bites

A film for our generation and another reminder that Reality Bites.

It was my favorite movie in high school & remains on my list of all-time greats. The characters are quirky, smart, and funny & the storyline is an authentic portrayal of life after college & the daunting realities of the "real world". Plus, Ethan Hawke is so dreamy as Troy Dyer!

The cassette tape of the soundtrack became the music of my adolescence. My favorite songs were "All I Want is You" by U2 and "My Sharona" by The Knack. My bestie & I had the gas station dance routine to "My Sharona" down pat & we performed it every time we were together. Blasting the song & singing at the top of our lungs. Those were the days, no?

I curled up with the kitties tonight & watched Reality Bites for the hundredth time, but somehow this time was different. I could relate in high school & right after college, but not as much as I can now (6 years after graduation). It reminded me of how much we struggle to make something of ourselves, the things we give-up, and the compromises we make.

I was that idealistic college student once, with a romanticized view of the world and how things "should be". And the idea that all I needed was a brain, a good work-ethic, and an education in order to obtain success. All of which were crushed the moment I graduated and got a "real" job. But, I did what I was supposed to do. I found a career path, worked hard, brought home a nice paycheck, and advanced in my career. My recent lay-off from said career has set me back some & it seems that, given the current economic status, it may take a while to find employment in my field. Which is why, this scene is pure PERFECTION (I laughed and laughed)......

Lailana: Mom, I need to talk to you about a loan.
Step-dad: Is it for drugs?
Lailana: No, no. It's not for drugs. I was f.....I lost my job.
Charlane McGregor: But, you shouldn't have any trouble finding another job, sugar bugger.
Lailana: No. See, I tried. I applied for every single opening in my field. But, there's just....there's nothing right now.
Charlane McGregor: Hmm....well, I hate to say it, but times are hard. You're just gonna have to swallow your pride. Why don't you get a job at Burgerama? They'll hire you. My lord, I saw on the TV...they had this little retarded boy working the cash register.
Lailana: Because I'm not retarded, Mom. I was valedictorian of my university.
Step-dad: Well, you don't have to put that down on your application.

Yes, reality bites.

make believe shopping

Since I can't exactly shop right now (as tears roll down my cheeks), I have resorted to 'pretending' to shop. It's a great exercise and is almost as good as actually buying. Well, not really......er, not even close. But, a girl has to get her fix somehow and racking up credit card debt isn't exactly the smartest option. So, I play the make believe game instead.

If I were to shop, this is what I would purchase....

Gee WaWa (awesome name) Playa in Black Luster
I am going to dream about these beauties for weeks. The heel is 3.25" high & with the platform I actually think they would be comfortable. I could run a marathon in these & look fabulous while doing so!

Marc Jacobs Basketweave Tweed Skirt
The perfect transition piece for Fall! I love the color and raised seams. Nice details with a vintage feel.

Marc Jacobs Printed Satin Dress
A beautifully cut dress with swans on it! Need I say more?

10K Gold Name Necklace
Oh, to have a 'Dianna' necklace!
I swear I have wanted one long before the 'Carrie' necklace on SATC, but never got around to buying myself such a treasure. Just thinking about it makes my heart go pitter-patter!

Tory Burch Myahh Cuff Linen Pants
The tab front waist & wide leg is so flattering and I love the color. Of course, the cuffs are the best part!

resort review....naeem khan

Naeem Khan's resort collection is fresh & new. With no shortage of bright colors & fabulous prints, the silhouettes are bold & inspiring!

nolan resort

As a big fan of Charles Nolan, I was excited to see what he had to offer with his Resort 2009 collection. Although the assortment didn't bring anything new to the table, I am still loving his nautical-inspired summer looks.

holiday....la semaine deux

I could really get used to this not working thing. Week 2 of my Holiday was spent mostly outside, on my bike, at my drawing table, and in front of a book.
Not too shabby.

The hubby is on vacation from work, so he was my buddy this week & we had a lot of fun.
We rode our bikes to the Newport Back Bay mid-week, which was a good workout & helped ease my guilt from skipping the gym the entire week (oops!). The photo above was taken from the Back Bay Loop bike trail. The most exciting part of the day was watching the flying fish enthusiastically jump out of the water over & over again. So cute.

I worked on some ink drawings this week, which I will post when they are complete. Spent one whole day at my drawing table listening to my iPod with a nice breeze blowing in through the window. Why has it been so long since I did this last?

I finished The Bell Jar (added to the list of all-time favorites), and moved on to Infidel. So far, so good.
More time to read, more time to draw......like I said, I could get used to this.

I spent Father's Day with my dad & the rest of the fam at Bolsa Chica Beach. We visited the Bolsa Chica Wetlands & enjoyed all of the beautiful birds (including the Egret above).

On to week 3....

happy friday!

Jazz-Age Lawn Party on Governors Island, New York
The Sartorialist

must-have maxi

Noa Noa

In search of the perfect maxi....

The maxi dress is a must-have for summer, but I have yet to find the one for me. It's the ideal piece to throw on for day & easily dressed-up for night. I love all of the great prints and bold colors. A great choice for comfort and style. Plus, you can accessorize the hell out the maxi, which only adds to its fabulousness.
Where are you my maxi, where are you?

Patrizia Pepe Silk Owl Print Halter Maxi Dress

Patrizia Pepe Tie Dye Bandeau Maxi Dress

show-off

Missy Foo is such camera hog! She loves having her photo taken & poses for me until she gets bored & falls asleep. Here she is this afternoon lounging in the sun & being a ham...

Betty looks annoyed as she watches Missy show-off.

Mes amours!

oh, the places i'd go...

So, this whole involuntary 'holiday' that I'm on has me wanting change. Not just the job change that I'm having to make, but a life change. I want to live in a place where it snows & where there's lots of room to breathe. Don't get me wrong, I love my life in Southern California. We live in a nice suburb in Orange County in a great little condo that I LOVE. But, I can't help but wonder what our life would be like somewhere else. The hubby has his dream job here and our families live near by, so the chances of us picking up & moving are slim to none. However, this doesn't stop me from dreaming.

So, my 'Oh, the places I'd go' series begins....

The first on my list of places to live is Fayetteville, Arkansas. No, this is not a joke. I was born in a small Arkansas town south of Fayetteville and spent every summer of my childhood there. So, you could say that Arkansas is in my soul. It isn't all about non-progressive hicks and cousins marrying cousins, Arkansas is a beautiful state. And, Fayetteville is a wonderful college town with a stunning landscape, fabulous architecture, a nice balance of old & new, and a climate that brings vibrant fall leaves, thunderstorms on humid summer nights, and snow in the winter.

And, there's the history...the history of the architecture and of the town itself. Coming from a town that is only a few years older than I am, it's the history that fascinates me.

I took these photos when I was there last summer...
View of the beautiful Ozark Mountains from Artist Point.

University of Arkansas - founded in 1871
Old Main

Old bridge along 1 lane road - spectacular.

The price of our 2 bedroom/1 bath, 1,000 sq. ft. condo in The O.C., would get us this in Fayetteville.....

Historic Beauty
3 bedroom/3 bath, 2,900 sq. ft.
Built in 1903
I love, love, love old homes & all of the wonderful, well-crafted details they contain.

The cabinetry and molding around the windows and doorways are so elegant & signs of great craftsmanship & a strong foundation.

A claw-foot tub and tiled walls! What more does a girl need?

This bathroom looks like it's right out of a magazine. I love the built-in cabinets on the side of the shower/tub and the pedestal sink.

Beautiful wood floors & another fabulous doorway. Of course, my furniture will make this room look much better & more modern when I move in (wink, wink).

Modern Home in the Woods
Architect: Audy Lack, built in 2000
3 bedroom/2 bath on 0.75 acres
This modern yellow gem has gorgeous views and plenty of trees.

I love the way the modern architecture lends itself to bringing the outside in with lots of windows & no window coverings.

A great fireplace & exposed beams!
The listing says that this home also has slate floors, which is something that I've vowed to have in my next home.
Gorgeous!

Now, how will I decide which one to buy?