SIX TO BLISS: the cassandra lavalle edition


Who: Cassandra LaValle (such a beautiful name)
Where: Seattle, WA (love)
What: interior and event stylist + gorgeous blogger of Coco and Kelley 

She doesn't need much of an introduction. We all know and love her style. 
I am so honored to have her here to share her 6 secrets of domestic bliss...
(i'm definitely taking notes) 
Enjoy!





 1. loads of tabletop options. i'm addicted to dishes, candlesticks, s&p shakers... anything to add personality to the table.
 2. always having a variety of nibbles and wine on hand for unexpected company or indecisive dinners.






 3. plants! they last so much longer than flowers and add a fresh feel. (not that i don't love flowers, too...)
 4. photo walls and art. they both tell so much about the inhabitants of a home.
 


 5. cozy throws around the house for cool summer breezes or chilly winter nights

 6. candles for every room! fresh citrusy scents for the kitchen and warm spicy scents for the bedroom...

thank you so much, cassie, for sharing your brilliant style! We all adore you woman! 



images credits:
dish: martha stewart
nibbles: marcus nilsson
plants: marie claire maison
photo wall: thomas o'brien
throw: living etc.
candle: hugh stewart

the decorista dreams...The Gatsby House hotel in Ireland

Ever since my first visit to Miami, and I saw the gorgeous dramatic design of the hotels, I knew that I wanted to be a hotel designer. Interior design has always been my absolute passion and having the freedom to style an outrageous hotel would be my ultimate bliss. 
The Gatsby House in Ireland is the perfect example of hotel design done right.
Extravagant and luxurious, the Swell group does not disappoint my visual cravings.
In this particular hotel they created an old hollywood glamour look with each room named after a stylish movie star. Wouldn't you like to stay at this hotel on your visit and sip tea by the fire?
Enjoy the goodness.
the sitting room
the dining room

the Rita Hayworth room
the Grace Kelley room

the Judy Garland room

the Cary Grant Bathroom
the Shrimp room

for more of the beautiful hotels visit the Swell group .

secret of domestic bliss #17...decorating la baignoire

ooh la la. le bathtub.
it's probably one of my most favorite places in the world.
After a long day at work or tired from entertaining your friends and family,
there is nothing more luxurious that indulging yourself with a nice, long bubble bath.
Obviously it's going to be heaven to soak with your favorite candles burning or lovely bath oils...
but don't under estimate the power of a well dressed bathroom.
This is the place to literally create the sanctuary of your dreams. 
Go extravagant...make it your own. Your 'me time' will thank you.








Images courtesy of...
this is glamorous
ladolcevita
shabbynest
countryliving
dailymail
unknown

photo number six...a blogging game

I am the worst when it comes to awards...
I never feel like I'm worthy + the thought of choosing only a few bloggers to give the award to makes me nervous because I love all the blogs out there equally! 
i really do.
but this one seems kinda fun.
The sweet Anna from Lona De Anna + Debby of Inspired Design tagged me in this game.
To repost the 6th photo I ever posted.

Sad news...when i looked at my archives, the 6th photo i posted is now FORBIDDEN. ugh.
So, I chose a photo I posted before I knew what I was doing on my blog.
This super stylish girl from Stockholm Street Style.
This was YEARS ago and I wanted to recreate this look on me but I never did.
Now I am inspired to do it again!
So thanks, ladies for the inspiration + memories.
she is too cute, no?

And now to pass this award on (and stay in the 'memory' spirit), I am choosing the first girls who gave me big comment love when i was still a super baby blogger...love to you beautiful ladies!!!

Michelle @ Bohemian Season 
Bethany @ DirksenDabbles

my first actual blog mate
Louise @ Table Tonic
my first "hang out in real life" blog friend.
Terri @ LaDolfina

XOXO

tablescape tuesdays

Lately I have been drawn to the beauty of clear glass as the ultimate household staple...
Glassware can make such a difference when pairing with the perfect china and flowers.
I love changing colors up all the time (its the decorista side of me) and the perfect
way to ensure my success is by having a few bits of clear glass up my hostessing sleeves.
I will be ready for every occasion. 





images courtesy of...
eventpeeps.com
styleathome.com
maisonboheme
decorpad.com

the Art of Living...cocktail hour

The ubiquitous bar cart.
We all love it. We all need it. We all want it.
So why not make a nod to the timeless phrase 'cocktail hour' and create an adorable + stylish space for 
your refreshments.
Even if you aren't a big drinker you can really still make stylish bar accommodations
for your digs. I like to make a big pitcher of cucumber water or lemonade and I do love the way green Pellegrino bottles look in the home. 

(see that cute one in the back? adorable)
veranda
southern accents
domino
lonny

SIX TO BLISS: the Sasha edition

Who: Sasha Esquerra
Where: Sunny South Florida
What: Fabulous and super stylish mom + blogger of Everything Fabulous 

(I asked for her secrets to how she stays so fabulous and I was lucky to get more than I asked for...)

Six to Bliss that are actually nine..! The fabulous Ashlina asked me write 6 secrets to Bliss..but when I finally started putting together the post..I could not stop at 6..and then I could take out any one...my apologies!


I use trays everywhere...to decorate..to display my perfume collection...to organize the kitchen sink...or the everyday cooking seasoning! I use from vintage silver trays to little plates..anything that would allow me to organize and tidy display a small vignette! Plus you always have room for a little flower vase!

Love anchoring a room with a blanket! In winter I take out the winter blanket in rich browns faux blankets..and in spring/summer I might even use a pashmina as a nice touch of color!!

ohh Flowers...I can't go without flowers in the house! Love having fun with it and placing little bouquets in unexpected places...Sometimes I'll go with a big centerpiece and then the next week I would just do a collage of vintage silver vases! I usually tend to keep it simple it's either one type of flower..or one color per set! There is no such thing as to many flowers for me....love them!

I am so in love with my blue & white collection!! Such a classic touch! I am even learning how to incorporate into my tablescapes...!

Another thing I can't live without...books! I love reading as many books as I can (use to be 3 or 4 a week...motherhood had given me the gist of enjoying maybe one per month...!)...plus I think they create such a cozy ambiance in a house...! I usually try to color code the books in the shelves...they seem more organized! To decor I loove antique books...!

Ok here is where I allow my imagination to go wild..! Love having fun with the decor of the coffee tables! I am usually changing it every week...take a vase here, put it there..change a book collection..put magazines...! Books, flowers and candles (the ones I make using vintage silver vases or old china)are what I tend to use the most!

Love creating different vignettes with my apothecary jars...! And when it's party time love filling them with yummy candy!! You can have so much fun with what you put in them..! I am currently keeping a collection of all the corks of the wines we drink..!

Love paintings..from a painter or from my kids (this are truly my favourite..!). I like displaying pictures but usually in a corridor,etc...for the rest of the house love big paintings!! My secret for great art is to find an up and coming artist and share some pictures of the type of art you are looking ( they need a little bit more guidance at the beginning..) and then voila...art!!! At the end there is never wrong art...! When it comes to framing I either leave it on the canvas or just put a very simple frame!! For my kids art I just use frames from Wal-Mart that I spray paint...!!

And last but not least..J'adore tablescapes..! I never use paper plates...only for my kids birthday party (but I really need to train myself for it before). Everyday I try to use a simple tablecloth (love love the ones from Anthropology) and for special occasions I usually end up with a white tablecloth and then play around with different plates,etc! Sitting at the table at the end of the day..or even for breakfast is one of the biggest pleasures in my life...and by setting a nice table (even though we might be eating sandwiches that day..) I feel I am conveying that message to my kids "us at the table is something special!".

Thank you Ashlina so much for asking me to contribute to you Bliss series..!! It really has been such a joy working with you on this!! and thank you for your patient...!! I really hope you and your readers like it!!

Sasha


{Images via 1. Flickr & Lonny Magazine Lonny Magazine, Martha Stewart & Veranda 2.House Beautiful 3.Everything Fabulous tumblr 4. Absolutely Beautiful Things 5.Elle Decor, Absolutely Beautiful things and Flickr 6.House Beautiful 7.Flickr 8.Elle Decor & Absolutely Beautiful Things 9.Absolutly Beautiful Things, Sunday Suppers and Martha Stewart}

weekend finds...

So after hearing your feedback on my post about my love affair with empty frames
I took your advice...
I want you all to know how much I appreciate the love + feedback you always give.
It warms my heart. 
After scouting for a few more gold frames, I found 2 that fit perfectly inside the big one.
(in real life...it looks bangin'. photos don't do it justice)

also, while at the flea market
I found this beautiful framed Vintage Vogue print. 
It was marked for $25 and I got it down to $15.
it is now happily at home over our bar cart. 
we love it.