you should...decorate with pink peonies {flowers for mother's day}

This mothers day, while I am celebrating in the beautiful San Diego with my mom...
thoughts of pink peonies will be dancing in my head.
Especially because I keep seeing them at my local whole foods.
I am so needing my fix. 
Aren't they just gorgeous?
Happy mothers day to all the mom's out there, the world would not be as beautiful without you.

images courtesy of...
house beautiful
unknown
martha stewart
eddie ross
high street market
weheartit

all white, modern + chic home by Carrie Livingston

For a while now I have been keeping my eye on interior and furniture designer...Carrie Livingston.
She is based in Beverly Hills and has been featured in publications all over LA and I just can't get enough of her work.
As you can expect, I was thrilled when I opened this springs Angeleno Interiors mag and
noticed a feature on Mrs. Livingston. Here, she has updated a 1908 Hollywood house and turned it into a 'bright white with pops of color chic' home.
Extremely cozy and charming with elements of fun and playful...it's the perfect nod to today's LA style.

The artwork in the room below is perfection.
This fantastic acrylic and white patent leather chair is one of Livingston's own furniture designs.
So cozy + glamorous.
I want one.
The white dining room is modern yet oh so romantic...perfect for sunday brunch.
I love how she adds funky, whimsical pieces to her spaces. Very chic.

Images courtesy of Angeleno Interiors  
Photography by Peden + Munk 

bliss in the kitch' {pink + blue for Mother's Day weekend}

My sweet mom is coming to San Diego for Mothers Day Weekend
i don't know about you but i'm thinking 'mother/daughter weekend at the beach'.
In my blissful thoughts our place to stay would look like these lovely bungalows...
This is where we will gab + make goodies...
and this is where we will dine + dish. 
love.
bazaarofserendipity


in other blissful news I am at Legends of LaCienega today. So exciting! 

SIX TO BLISS: the alison + gail edition


Who: Gail + Alison
Where: Studio City, CA
What: the gorgeous mother/daughter duo of the incredibly gorgeous blog Frou Frou Fashionista and owners of the adorable + extremely well decorated lingere boutique Faire Frou Frou 

In honor of Mothers Day, today I wanted to showcase this amazing mother/daughter team who are as delightful as their blog and their endless lingerie inspiration just radiates all things femme. I am kind of obsessed!
And how could I not support my local LA ladies?


It is such an honor to be part of Ashlina's Six to Bliss series...we just love her blog and it's almost as though she is channeling our taste in every post she does. The following are 6 things that make my life filled with bliss (in no particular order):

1. A sunny, light-filled room is so important to me...I even make sure my boutique is cheerful and bright at all times. Perhaps I'm solar-powered, but I love natural light and light surfaces & mirrors to enhance the effect.

the white painted floors in my bedroom (& my feet!)

I painted the floors in my house white, and also recently had the floors in my store painted a high-gloss white just like this. The shine on the floor makes the room that much brighter!

2. A lovely fragrance goes a long way. I have a slight obsession with Diptyque products, especially the 'Roses' room spray. I use it almost daily in my home, and also have my Diptyque candles that are perfection.

3. Fresh-cut flowers elevate the mood of the room and make a space complete. I really make an effort to have fresh flowers in the house throughout the year, and of course peonies are my favorite. Here's a display I photographed in an antique urn that I absolutely love.

peonies & roses on my dining room table...


roses on my living room table...


white tea roses on my bedroom dresser...


Fresh-cut roses in my bathroom...yes, I need my flowers in most of the rooms!

4. Coming home to a pet that you love. Here is Chickie, my pomeranian. She's one of my 2 dogs and 4 cats...yes, I have a pet adoption addiction! Sometimes there's nothing better than seeing that sweet little face after a long day.

our Shiba Inu, Nicky (in bed with a fake yellow chick)

our cat Riley, on my sheepskin rug

5. Books. I treasure my books...I'm one of those people who doesn't even loan books to friends because I don't want to lose them! I'm so proud of the collection that I've read, and excited about the collection I will someday read. I love ending my day with a good book, so displaying something that I enjoy only makes sense. Even if you don't enjoy reading, they sure make wonderful home accents!

image above via Douglas Friedman

6. Sweets! Anyone who knows me knows about my sweet tooth, and the running joke in my family is that my house is like a bakery (basically it's a place to avoid if you're on a diet). I don't cook, but I certainly do bake! Pretty much not a week goes by when I'm not making cookies, brownies, a cake, etc. I'm all about comfort food!

images via Martha Stewart

 Thank you so much gorgeous ladies for your awesome support + lovely secrets of domestic bliss. XO

secret of domestic bliss #21...decorating with collections

Lately I have been noticing how much I adore designing with collections.
I really think at least one collection of special items is vital to your home.
A collection can say so much about a person...what you love, where you have been, etc.
Figuring out what to collect can be a bit daunting if you are not a collector.
All you have to do is find something that you enjoy looking at or have a fondness for and then starting picking them up everywhere and anywhere you see them.
I have a collection of elephants that I absolutely adore and each one brings back memories of the fun places that I picked them up or the person who gave them to me as a gift.
Collections can be such an enjoyment for your space. 
If you have no idea what or how to collect, here are some inspirations for yours!
source 
theselby
 tobi fairley
 traditional home
 paperbean

book love: jonathan adler Chic + Inside Today's Home vintage

If you haven't read Jonathan Adler's book
My Prescription for Anti-depressive living 
you must get it now!
It's so much fun and filled with so many great ideas and inspiring photos.
One of my favorites has always been this little vignette of his home...I think it is the adorable guy with a little mustache. 
Anyway, I always had this photo in the back of my mind and always was curious about his book selections (like I am every other designer). 
To my absolute surprise...I recognized this book
INSIDE TODAYS HOME at a vintage store in palm springs...This book is fantastic.
Jam packed with decor tips and photos from the 70's. It's like a fun encyclopedia of decorating with everything from spacing to fabrics to glass to resources. I love it.
Score!
If you see this book at a local thrift store, get it. You wont be disappointed! 

and in other blissful news...I am guest blogger today at the beautiful Helena's blog...
A diary of lovely. and it is so lovely!
check out her blog and the post here.

art + room: green living + colorful 5 de mayo

something about this big piece of work just spoke to me...
luxurious emerald sofa + citrusy lime green walls + colorful abstract painting = 
domestic bliss

and now a few more crazy colors + mexican decor in honor of CINCO DE MAYO...

oh how I love mexican serapes...they make the best beach blankies.
and pillows too!
how fun does this party look?
image courtesy of...
the neotraditionalist via VOGUE LIVING
design sponge


enjoy the holiday! ole!

decorating with collections + Palm Springs vintage shopping

Happy Cinco de Mayo everybody! Hope you guys are ready for a fun day...
The past few weeks have been very busy for me.
I have been on a shopping spree for my online store that I will be opening soon (stay tuned).
I have hit up my favorite spots all over LA and Palm Springs with gusto. It has been a blast!
The shops in Palm Springs just blow my mind, they have the most amazing and rare items. 
One thing I love is the abundance of collections and I really love decorating with collections. 
Here are my favorite collections I found on this particular shopping excursion.


The above collections were found at one 'must shop' Palm Springs boutique... Bon Vivant.
 Rare and gorgeous glass (similar to the glass in the Parker Hotel). I think this glass in collections would be gorgeous in any home. These brass owls are adorable too, it was so hard not to want the entire group of cute little guys.

These gorgeous horses and uber cool vintage VW beetles are from HEDGE. It's a ridiculously gorgeous + fun vintage furnishings store in Palm Springs, that I just could not get enough of.
{Kelly Wearstler + Trina Turk shop here}
The guys who own the store are out of control friendly...if you ever get to go ask for the special iced coffee. It's delicious!
{I was so smitten with those VW beetles, I had to come home with the pink one...too cute!}

Here are some more shots of the packed with goodies store.

SIX TO BLISS: the aubrey messick edition

Who: Aubrey Messick
Where: Huntington Beach, CA
What: an uber fabulous floral design master + blogger of Design by Aubrey 

Since this is a super festive week (think Cinco de Mayo + Mothers Day) I wanted Aubrey to share her secrets of domestic bliss...flower style. So you can be inspired to whip up some gorgeous floral masterpiece for your mama!


My Top 6 Secrets to Domestic Bliss:

1. Fashion and design are all about what's hot so keep the look in your home current with flowers in season. Right now is the time to show off the fragrant lilac and playful ranunculus.

2. Spring is a time when everything comes back to life.  Use a tall container to display fresh cut cherry branches in the entry of your home to invite the energy of new beginnings.

3. Make use of the fruits and vegetables in your kitchen.  Add a few lemons or a fresh artichoke to an arrangement of hydrangea and roses for a dining room centerpiece that will have your guests talking.

4. Peonies are known for their sensual nature.  Place a vase of these luxurious blooms next to the bed to invite love and romance into your life.

5.  Use a small arrangement of flowers to brighten up your Powder Room, a space usually void of natural light.

6.  Flowers are a natural way to help relieve stress.  Place a bouquet of lavender by your favorite reading chair and relax as your get lost in a good book.


gotta love any girl who can work her magic with flowers...am i right?

apartment therapy: a perfect NY apartment + Rita Konig NY english

I am absolutely smitten with this adorable NYC Hamilton Heights Bungalow.
Decorated by Nicole and only a teeny 650 sqft.
I love the gorgeous gray walls and extremely cozy vibe.
It's very Domino mag, no?

and speaking of domino mag,
Rita Konig (one of my personal idols) lives here...

and I am BEYOND in love with the place!

images courtesy of...
apartmenttherapy + NY mag 

tablescape tuesday: setting the table with hints of pinks and greens for Mothers Day!

happy tuesday my gorgeous beauties + gents!
I am so thrilled that this Sunday is Mother's Day...my mom will be visiting California from Texas and I am so happy to have her here. I am hoping that Sunday, I can whip up something splendid for us to feast our eyes on, like a beautiful outdoor brunch!
I hope to inspire the hostess in you for this weekend...

Check out the amazing Eddie Ross guide to dressing a table for your mom!
images courtesy of...
traditional home
So Haute
unknown 
rikke
iffer 
elizabethanne 
unkown
visualize
eddie ross

Hillary Thomas Interior Design...and the beautiful color sea foam green

Hillary Thomas
Designer. Wife. Mom.
and she is from Brentwood 
(my fave neighborhood in LA)
Does it get any better?
This woman is just so fantastic. I have totally fallen for her style.
This particular image has my heart because I spotted this adorable little elephant (my obsession).
Isn't he cute? He happens to be in this irresistible sea foam green color.
 It seems to be a particular favorite of miss Thomas and I must admit is starting to become a favorite of mine as well. It mixes with so well with other colors that I adore. 
Enjoy these photos...and if you feel the need for some more eye candy check out her site!

Decorating for a Cinco De Mayo Fiesta + RECIPE

I love holidays (any excuse to decorate and I am on board) and Cino de Mayo is no exception. It's all about mexican food, drink and decorations. I am a sucker for Mexican Food so I love learning new recipes and finding new decorations for fun and festive get-togethers. 
Why not try some colorful mexican themed banners, fun colorful flowers + tablecloths?

Want to learn how to make tissue flowers like these?
Check out a step by step DIY here.
or check out how to make these here.


On the menu for my fiesta...Out of this world SHRIMP TACOS (my fave!)
This recipe is from Real Simple (where I get most of my recipes)

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 3 tablespoons milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 1/2 pounds large shrimp, peeled
  • 3 tablespoons butter, melted
  • 2 large garlic cloves, minced
  • 4 limes, cut into quarters
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 8 6-inch corn tortillas
  • 2 to 3 cups finely shredded green cabbage
  • bottled green tomatillo salsa


Directions

  1. Whisk together the sour cream, mayonnaise, milk, and cumin. Set aside. 
  2. Skewer the shrimp. (If using wood skewers, soak them in water for 10 minutes beforehand.) In a small bowl, combine the butter and garlic.
  3. Preheat a gas grill to high; adjust to medium after 15 minutes. (If cooking over charcoal, allow the coals to burn until they are covered with gray ash.)
  4. Brush the skewered shrimp with the garlic butter. Place them on the grill with the limes. Cook about 4 minutes on each side or until the shrimp are opaque and the limes are browned. Remove from grill. Lightly salt the shrimp.
  5. Grill the tortillas for 30 seconds on each side, then place inside a paper bag to keep warm.
  6. To serve, pull the shrimp off the skewers and divide them evenly among the tortillas. Top with the cabbage, sour cream sauce, tomatillo salsa, and a spritz of grilled lime.
  7. This is the method i use: Broil the shrimp and limes about 4 inches from the heat using the Total Times above. Wrap the tortillas in foil and heat in a 350° F oven for 15 minutes, or wrap them in a napkin and microwave for 3 minutes

Trust me...it is absolutely DE-LISH!




images courtesy of...
vintage domino
elizabeth ann 
martha stewart

my street style {black and white stripes}

Happy Monday everyone!
Hope your week is off to a great start. 
I have been on a whirlwind of vintage shopping + getting things together for some design clients.
I am hoping to accomplish my super long list of things to do before 
this fun week with Cinco de Mayo and Mother's Day events.
whew!
It's been a while since I have posted a 'street style' look.
So I wanted to share todays look with you...
especially because of how in love I am with black and white stripes.
The details:
Top: H + M spring collection
Skirt: Amazing studded mini I found at a thrift store for 10$
Shoes: Jessica Simpson ruffled open toe booties.
Watch: Guess black dazzling sport watch
Ring: Nordstroms black diamond cocktail ring

HAVE A SUCCESSFUL DAY!!!!!!!!