its upon us....

it's right around the corner...

once that infamous ball drops...
2009 is O-V-E-R...

What am I ever going to do with myself?
At times I can't believe there are not more days in this year. I had so much more that I wanted to accomplish. I guess I can just attack 2010 with gusto. 
At church this Wednesday we are going to make our lists of GOALS for 2010.
I am soo procrastinating making my list...I feel like I barely just finished my Christmas list,
geez.

Here are my 10 in 2010........(drum roll please)

Resolution #1. This year I will to pray more. 
It's funny how little I remember to pray for and stay positive in faith. It is something that I always want to do. To be thankful for each and every blessing that I have. This also means that I will make a huge attempt to attend church every Sunday and sing God's praises.
Resolution #2. I will write everyday.
I love blogging and even though I am not even near an expert at it, I find that it is the best thing I have ever experienced. Blogging allows you to let your creative juices flow out into cyberspace where the world is your audience. It's fascinating! I have always dreamt of being a writer, but I couldn't take enough years in college to do all that I have ever wanted to do. 
Resolution #3. I will experience all of LA that I have yet to.
The Getty, Catalina Island, Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum, a Dodgers game, Disneyland, Downtown Fashion District, Los Feliz shopping, etc. There are so many great things that Los Angeles has to offer. I try to get out of town almost every weekend because I love to travel and experience everything. But this year I vow to try to stay home and explore this beautiful city. 
Resolution #4. I will Eat Macrobiotic food.
Last year I went on a macrobiotic diet to cleanse my body and get rid of all the toxins. You would be surprised if you knew everything that we do in a year to our bodies. Most people have probably never even done a cleanse. Needless to say, macrobiotic food was fantastic. I loved every minute of it. I felt so full always and my body felt so nourished. It's so hard for me to stay away from my morning iced coffees but this 2010, I vow to try harder to eat cleaner food and in the end, feel better.
Resolution #5. I will Buy more vintage.
This year I really have come more into a love of thrift shopping and vintage items and I really want to keep it up. I get so lured to walk into the beautiful new stores, Barney's, Nordstroms, Anthropologie, Bebe...but I resolve to BUY MORE VINTAGE. It certainly is easier on the wallet + easier on the environment. Gotta love that! 
Resolution #6. I will Take more photographs.
Oh boy am I gonna try. In my previous post, I explained my new fascination with photography. I think every blogger gets this, its contagious. The whole precept of blogging is deliriously beautiful imagery. My grandfather was the master of photography and I want to make him proud. 
Resolution #7.  I will advance in my yoga.
I love yoga. Nothing makes me feel better in the mornings and nothing makes me feel more at peace. I can work out everyday and feel amazing, but there is simply nothing more fulfilling than mastering a new yoga pose. This I will do, thanks to my countless brilliant yoga teachers.
Resolution #8. I will adopt a dog. 
My boyfriend has promised me a puppy. We are on the search for the perfect dog to add to our lives. I lost my Chihuahua about 2 years ago and my life was definitely impacted by my little guy. He was the joy of my days and my best friend. I think in 2010 I will be ready to get a new best friend. 
Resolution #9. I will Throw more dinner parties.
In addition to all of my other hobbies, I think I am Martha Stewart. No, seriously, I totally do. In fact, at times, I feel like I could compete with her. Now I know that I am a far cry from this woman but I feel so powerful in the kitchen. Everytime I work my magic and create a dish, I feel so accomplished and so strong. I feel WOMAN! Now I know my boyfriend is ridiculously sweet and loves, and I mean loves each and everything I put in front of him. I am so blessed. 
On a Saturday night, there is nothing I would love more than to have a few friends over, decorate my pad, whip up some dishes and pour out the wine. Dinner parties are the best and this year I vow to host more. Why not?!?
Resolution #10. (Last but not least)  I will generate a hefty savings.
I probably have made this one before. In fact, I know I have. I never stick to it, I always spend it because I feel that experiences are so much more valuable than money. BUT, this year I will save! Suze Orman says I should and that alone is enough for me. If this economy has taught me anything, this is what I know, saving your money is a must! This one is not going to be easy for me but for my own benefit I hope + pray that I am able to stick to it. 
Here I come 2010! Watch out for this girl.
 I am going to rock your socks off!

getting snap happy, luxuriously

Ever since becoming a blogger, I have become a little snap happy.
Everywhere I go and everything I do, I want to document it.
Not to mention the fact that I lost my grandfather earlier this year and not only was he an AirForce fighter pilot, but he was a photographer as well.
He took pictures all over the world and thanks to him our family has thousands of happy memories in film or digital form.
Lucky me!
Needless to say, I am ever so anxiously trying to become a leisure photographer.
Simply as a hobby, nothing less, nothing more.

In my research I have learned that LEICA make the best cameras.
And the rockstar that I am, I feel that I must have the best. 
This beautiful orange number is exclusively made by Hermes, only 200 were made. 
Oh how I wish it could be mine...A little, ok maybe a lot, out of my price range, at 14,000$ these bad boys are costly. 
Camera couture...it't genius.
I want it sooooo bad!

So I can look like this...

and this...

shades of blue

Everyone remembers this photo, right?

I'm sure you are missing Domino as much as I am. I know, I know...don't remind us.
I was smart enough to have subscribed to Domino, so I have every single issue that ever hit the shelves. I have collected tear out pages from each one and I put all of the pages into huge portfolios that sit right under my bedside table. Every so often I pull them out and devour the pages. I recently looked at the pages with this tiffany blue kitchen and i remember feeling love at first sight. 
So...now I am inspired and loving blue kitchens, makes me want to repaint mine and start all over again. Health tip: I heard through the grapevine that the color blue turns off the appetite. This means that painting your kitchen blue could help you lose weight. Maybe its just a myth, but color stories are usually true. What do you think?



{images from countryliving}

NYE bash ideas

Having a New Years party this year?
I found this video at Decor It Yourself for some cute DIY ideas for the home.
You should check out the website, they have tons of creative videos.



Also, here are some adorable NYE decorations you can find on Etsy.com


 These adorable decor gift toppers from MothtoaflameStudio

Happy New Year double banner from bekahjennings

Party Pom Pom Set from OrangeKisses

Masquarade Decor from SimpleJoyPaperie

Even New Years Party dresses you can find at OtherPeoplesProperty
Don't you just love Etsy?

easy sunday

This is my theme today. 
I love my Sundays..they are for church, rest, relaxation + reflection.
I have so much to be thankful for, including the beauty of the world around me.
It's best to take some time out for yourself on Sunday, so that we can 
attack Monday with greatness. It helps the mind, body + spirit.
And if I have learned anything from yoga, it is that my mind, body + spirit needs all it can get.
Enjoy the beautiful day, wherever in the world you might be!

i heart art: Jason Rohlf

NY Art Beat is the place for art. While searching mindlessly for beautiful inspiration, I found Brooklyn artist, Jason Rohlf. His work is really contemporary and colorful.
My best friend loves birds, and she apparently has one of his paintings, 
and LOVES it. His work makes me hear chirpy indie music in my head.

I am now a huge fan of Jason, and now secretly wishing he would show in our gallery.

Check out his stuff on artnet.com too.








{images found here}

loving it: Molly Sims home office

Molly Sims has homes that have every girl lusting after them.
Kishani Perera  (check out her site...its brilliant)
has helped Sims achieve this by giving her homes the Perera touch.
Fun, funky, vibrant, femininity + brillance...that is Kishani Perera.

Molly has recently expanded her career to jewelry design. 
(This is a personal dream of mine as well)
Perera has helped transform Sims office into to this wonderful setting...
(i think i am going to attempt to replicate this huge collage in my bedroom)
...from this fantastic fantasy of a home office that it was. 
I am so loving both focal points...
the black frames collage + the one black collage of photos.
sooo loving it.

{images via: shopolive}

Design Idol: Kara Mann

Chicago, city of so many great things, the Bears, the cubs, Michigan Ave. shopping, 
the House of Blues, Intuit Art Gallery, the Chicago Cultural Center, and it is the birthplace of my grandparents love. :)
I love visiting Chicago and maybe my favorite thing as of late to emerge from the windy city is my new design idol, Kara Mann. 
This girl is rockin'. Her taste is revered all over the design world, AND the fashion world. 
She has a hip look and with that, who wouldn't trust her design opinion.
She integrates lighter and darker hues that blend perfectly together by her addition of funky elements. She uses dark grays (so my favorite right now) and throws in earthy, edgy pieces that pull it all together. Skulls, contemporary art, tree branches and wild animal fabrics are never out of place. 
She is a girl after my own designer heart. 
I think you rock Kara Mann! 







merry christmas eve...

Having finished stuffing my self silly, unwrapped all of my presents, watched a billion youtube videos and played enough board games, I find myself browsing the world wide web.
It's like a mini-world that doesn't close on Christmas and most of my favorite online stores are already having sales. I love this part of Christmas. 
In addition to shopping, I have been broadening my mind files of art filled interiors.
I am fascinated by art and how art is placed within one's home.
I found this image over at apartment therapy, and while searching for more, 
I couldn't keep myself away.
I think this art is so funky, and I really love how such different forms of art are placed on the wall and make a cool mix. I'm always looking for cool contemporary art.

And now just a few more images that look like art to me...






{images via: apartmenttherapy}

getting through the 9-5

(A typical day at the office.)

Things I love about my work day
*staring at an a amazing gallery of photography + art*
*standing in line at Starbucks for my morning caffeine*
*typing at my macbook keypad and loving the sound of the key-press*
*blogging + new things from the blog-o-sphere*
*taking my lunch break to shop instead of eat*

These are the things that make my days go by quickly.
What helps you + your work day? I am dying to know.

Art is the gift that keeps on giving...

For all of you photographers out there + amazing art collectors, I dedicate this post to you.
Bob Willoughby passed away this weekend. During his career, he made a huge impression on the entertainment industry with his photographs. He even had a very close + personal relationship with Audrey Hepburn, one of my favorite Hollywood starlets.
His photographs bring the old hollywood to any wall they are displayed. 
These invaluable pieces are worth more than gold. 
To my designers, this is a perfect way to add glamour to any room and they are on my christmas wishlist.
Maybe a wee bit out of my personal price range, but a girl can dream right???




the fantastic original prints are shown at the gallery at which I work
{pick up yours for the holidays}

having a 'gray day'

Gray is so the hottest color right now!
I bought a gray dress today to wear to my friend Meghan's birthday party at The Village Idiot tonight. 
It is one of my favorite places to go in Los Angeles, the perfect place to sip some wine on a cold night. 
I am loving gray right now, it's everywhere. It seems to be the new color of 2010, not only in the fashion world...
but in the interior design world as well.
Here are some ways to add a little gray into your world.

2. Gray circles lamp from West Elm.
3. Gray Nairobi throw from ZGallerie
4. Rebecca Minkoff bag Hobo
5. Stockings from grace home
6. Alexander Wang Daphne Duffel
7. Mark Rothko, Blue + Gray 1961 from Art.com



my gray inspirations:
victoria beckham, of course...
elizabeth and james Fall 09 collection...
molly sims 'gray-tastic' home
{images via people + instyle }

peace out Palm Springs

My sweetheart and I came back from Palm Springs today.
We were visiting some family, friends and our favorite thrift shops.
Palm Springs is my favorite place to get away from work, traffic, etc.
Each time we visit, we like to hit up a hotel, have a glass of champagne and sit poolside and chat. Sometimes we even indulge and make way to the Spa for some nice R + R. 
I wanted to share some images of our favorite hotel, the parker, designed by Johnathan Adler.

Imagine this, 
the sun is setting, the fireplaces are starting up. It's cocktail hour by the pool. Girls are dressed in their saturday night best, the smell of cologne is all around.
We walk around, taking in all the eye candy and even put our feet in the sand that is the poolside beach. It is almost as if the decor time warped us back into the 70's.
Feeling good.
And now it's off to dine at Mister Parker's.
Everything in this place is fantastic.
Especially the ice cream, we tried 7 different kinds...coconut, mint, strawberry, vanilla, chocolate, etc. They have it all.
The chairs, are so comfortable, and amazingly mismatched.
The little devil logo-ed napkins  + menus make me happy, because it makes me feel ok that I have been sinful 
with all of the amazing food we have eaten.
Isn't it fun to dine and be sinful????
poolside during the day
Mister Parker's fantastic dining room
guest room
sitting nook
the lobby


...until we meet again Mister Parker!

{images found on google, travel.com, and sunset}

a holidays worth of memories

So, our little holiday dinner party turned out to be a huge hit. My cousin (the lovely roommate) and I worked so hard on making our cozy + blissful home into a party pad.
The dinner was fantastic, we had tortellini and fresh turkey meatloaf, amazing sauces and a cheese platter that anyone would die for. In fact, one of our party goers stayed at the cheese spread all night. ;) (i heart you matty!)
I love holiday parties and the holiday spirit! 

UNFORTUNATELY, our wacko neighbors have been complaining about bedbugs...
(sidenote: their place is so cluttered and messy and they always leave their trash 
by the front door for weeks...yuck!)
The ORKIN men came the day after our dinner party, turns out they have to exterminate the entire building! ugh.
Our happy + beautiful christmas tree aka 'chrissy' died. 
She couldn't handle the poisons. 
Needless to say, we are utterly bummed.
Bright side: we get to do the whole 'decorating the tree while listening to Christmas music' madness all over again. 
I guess its worth looking at the brightside.
For now, some pictures from the fiesta to document our beloved Chrissy!

my cousin and i (the happy hosts)


we miss you Chrissy!





The joy of thrifting: Part 2

Remember back when my sweetheart and I went thrifting,
and we found a jewel for his super swanky pad?
(to refresh your memory see post here)

Well, we finally got it up! We are so excited and my boo is so excited because 
he picked it out all by himself.
After much hard work,and a few hefty tools...
Our prized piece is now on display...
It's perfect!
Don't you just LOVE vintage finds for the home?
We soooo do.