being girlie...

I took photos of all of our make up in the desert last weekend... which one are you?

Dawny

Lo Lo

Me

Nicole

and Jenny.

Happy Friday!! Have a wonderful Halloween!! oxo

Catherine's visit

I know I have said 100 times before how much fun it is when you meet your "blogger friends" in person. Well... sorry I have to say it again... IT IS SO MUCH FUN! So Catherine came in on Thursday and even though we had emailed, talked on the phone once and commented on each other's blogs a gazillion times, I still had no idea what she was like... you never really know. So I went to pick her up before the trunk show and instantly I felt like I had known her forever. Since she was staying at the same hotel as all of Ross's family for the party, I got to see her even more than just for the trunk show... we got dinner and had drinks on Friday and she now knows all of Ross's family {which cracks me up}. I think my major take-away from meeting her is being so inspired by her energy. She has such a successful business... HELLO Lonny! and is still a sweet southern bell at heart, love that.

Okay so I didn't know where Melissa lived but heard that she had the perfect venue for the trunk show. OMG. So this little gem on the right {above} was built by Charlie Chaplin for his mother. It is right on the cliff in Leaucadia and is one of the most beautiful, charming homes that I have been in. Melissa is an interior designer and has done the most beautiful job making this place, well... perfect.

The kitchen. So for an old historic house the layout was so open. It is perfect for entertaining and every room is filled with tons of light and a cool ocean breeze. mmm heaven.

The entryway... I don't know why I don't have a photo of the view but just pretend if you were standing where I took this photo and turned around you would basically be falling into the Pacific.

Love the fabrics, love the piano {seriously the prettiest Grand I have ever seen}, dying over the painting, did I mention the wood work... Oh my gosh I could go on and on.

And finally, as a little thank you for Melissa, Grace and Catherine and I wrapped up some garland but had to take a photo for you all to see the milk caps for wrapping... aren't they fun?

Thank you so much for visiting Catherine, and thank you all who came to the trunk show. It was so much fun. ox!
P.S. A lot of the fabulous gals who came wrote about it on their blogs... Bianca from Bink & Boo, Haydee from Happenstance, Grace from Grace Happens, Heather from La Feem, Alex from Rustic Rooster and Catherine from Rikshaw {of course}.

Launch Party: Mini & Maximus

Are you dying?... how cute are these T's! I am loving this new little brand out of Orange County, Mini & Maximus. Such adorable branding and purpose. If you are in Southern California you must watch them 'launch' this weekend...

June 2010, Martha

On the flight to Newark I watched a movie {The Tooth Fairy... worst movie ever but it was an uninterrupted movie nonetheless} and I read two magazines cover to cover {Vanity Fair & the newest Martha}. I dog eared almost every page of Martha so that I would remember to look it up when I got home. Here are just a few of the stand-outs... + the Pineapple Basil Margaritas recipe... yum!
Shuron Glasses
Cotton Napkins on a roll {honestly I don't get it but I am intrigued}
Labels that you can download here
Antique Absinthe Saucers great for ice cream, change, hors d'oeuvres... whatever

Pineapple-Basil Margaritas:

Pulse 4 cups pineapple chucks (about 1 pineapple) in a food processor until chopped but not pureed. Muddle 1/3 cup fresh basil with 1 tablespoon sugar in a large pitcher. Add chopped pineapple, 2 cups limeade, 1 cup silver tequila (preferably agave), and 1 tablespoon coarse salt. Refrigerate for 1 hour. Fill pitcher with ice cubes. Garnish with pineapple chucks and fresh basil. Serves 6 to 8.

3 potato 4

If you have not dove into 3 Potato 4's online store you must. It is absolutely amazing, it is full of inspiration and goodies. I have been savoring ever piece of paper from my paper pack. {thank you Laura!}

final NY thoughts...

I have to mention again how absolutely breath taking the weather was. It was the most time I had spent in Central Park and I couldn't get enough of it. I decided while I was there that a New Yorker must have come up with the scent "fresh cut grass" because it was the first time in my life that I actually thought it smelt good. I get it now. It isn't just the smell but the emotion that if the grass is being cut it is a beautiful day.

At 180W 58th Street you will find the Alwyn Court Building. This building was built in 1909 and is so incredibly~fabulously~beautiful. Rumor has it that Martha Stewart has an apartment there. On the ground floor is Patrossian which is an exquisite restaurant {I didn't eat there but I smashed my nose against the window so that I could stare at all the fabulous women 'lunching'}. Next to the restaurant is Patrossian's Cafe which is known for their amazing croissants and caviar. fancy.

Billy Johnson Playground. This was the most magical children's park that I had ever been. My mom, Henry and I spent many afternoons mixing it up with all the mini New Yorkers. My favorite part was a huge granite slide built into the hill, I loved that park.

Madewell. So I must live under a rock because I had never heard of this store and I absolutely loved it. I was taken by the stores design and walked out with a navy blazer that I have not taken off in 5 days.

Hot dogs in the park and late night soft serve on the street corner. Don't knock it, it was good.

Maternity at Top Shop! Confession: this section gave me a slight case of baby fever.

Well that is it for now. I have a few more things to say but I will save them for another day. I hope you have enjoyed my little recap of our big adventure.

Purl

Next stop was Purl at 459 Broome Street. More eye candy! The store is beautifully organized with the most decadent fabrics, sewing supplies, knitting supplies and inspirations all around. I was blown away by their beautiful selection of fabrics {it was the first time that I actually saw Liberty of London fabrics in person}. I was so overwhelmed by all the loveliness I could have spent all day looking and touching every fabric.
So the most exciting little tid bit that I left with is that Purl's online shipping warehouse is in Tustin, California {15431 Red Hill Avenue Suite D, 92780} and open to the public {Tuesday - Friday 9-2:30}!

Tinsel Trading Co.

This is one of my favorite places on Earth...

Look at these little stamens and fruits. They are so cute to tie to a gift. I found a little bunch in London years ago that I have been saving so when I found a store full of them I didn't know what to do with myself. The crown on the right is made by a women named Marsha Tancredi {I couldn't find any info on her... wonder if I am spelling her name correctly}. I am not sure if this photo does it justice but these crowns are crazy beautiful in person.

I was a total kid in a candy store {can you tell?}. Look at all of that ribbon.

In the back of the store is where all of the antique ribbons and laces are, they were so beautiful. If I knew about this little jewel when I got married I would have had a beautiful antique sash from Tinsel Trading Co.

This book on the left is the reason that I knew about the store. Kaari Meng who wrote Treasured Notions is who I am going to France with this summer. She wrote a book telling the history of Tinsel Trading Co., which has been around since 1933 and has a collection of 'tinsel' dating back to the 1800's {maybe earlier}. In her book she takes beautiful things in the store and makes the most incredible creations. It was so inspiring to me that Tinsel Trading Co. was my first stop.

I had to include this photo because I am totally kicking myself that I didn't buy more ribbon. I was so overwhelmed that I didn't even know what to get but look at this ribbon, all antique grosgrain ribbon. 50 yards for $5. I actually didn't put that many in my basket because I was worried if it was really $5 for a yard that I would be totally embarrassed putting them all back.

NYC

First I have to say that I had the best trip to NYC ever. The weather was perfect, Henry was so good, it was so much fun to spend so much time with my mom, and with all the blogging I have been doing it was so much fun to go to places that I really really wanted to see, I saw tons of friends and my sister { Jillian} played hooky from school, which was the best. I have been going through my photos and I can not wait to give you the detailed run down on all the playing we did but for today I have a few photos that made me smile as I reflect on our week to the city.

A little out of order... but this was our last day {the only day it rained}. I was packing up my goodies that I found at Tinsel Trading Co. And yes it really was amazing.

Central park. The flowers were incredible, everywhere you looked something was in bloom. A few mornings I ran in the park. It was such a gift, I loved every second.

Jillian, my youngest sister. It was the first time I saw her since she was accepted into Parsons in NYC. I am so proud of her. She is an AMAZING photographer and makes me laugh. One of the days we spent with my check list of places to go and we road the subway all over town. I love you Jill.

I had so much fun seeing bunches of friends. This was the perfect night planned by my girlfriend Sarah. She found the perfect eatery and the perfect drinkeries {I promise I will elaborate}.

The morning after a fun night, on the way to the park with H... in desperate need of something bad for me.

aaaahhh the windows at Bergdorfs. sigh.

Mom thank you for such an amazing trip.

on our way...

{photo found at Snippet & Ink}

By the time you see this Henry and I will be on our way. We are going to visit my mom in the Big Apple. Do you like my photo of me flying with a cocktail... YEAH RIGHT! If I get to JFK without a blow out and a complete melt down we will be good. The only thing that I have going for me is 4 episodes of Sesame Street on my iphone. Send me good vibes {wink}.

While I am getting the stink eye from all the passengers on the plane I will be daydreaming about where to go when we get there. My mom has offered to be on H-duty so there are a bunch of places that I want to see but on the tippy top of my list are these three spots. The Purl Bee, Tinsel Trading Company and Moomah.

where else? where else?

P.S. While H & I are gone I have a fun little line up for you. A bit of decor, a bit of chickens, a little bit from my sister and of course a Take 5 {oh also I am a guest at My Pretty Mommy on Wednesday with my Daily Obsessions.}

enjoy, ag

this weeks loves

just a few things that caught my eye this week...

Shanna Murrays wall decals. {seen on Cup of Jo}

Custom artwork for your nursery. {found in Cambria Cove's catalog}

elephant in leg warmers print {found in Johnny & Stacie's etsy shop}

I am loving gold/brass accents. {found on Rikshaw Design}

How dreamy was James Dean {found on Happenstance}

Emerson Farm

Call me a farm-loving-romantic but this is the best story I have heard in a long time. Girl starts company making flowers in NYC. Girl and Boy get married. Girl and Boy decide to give up the city life and move to a farm. Girl continues to build company with Boy's support and business savvy. Girl and Boy have chickens and are launching a clothing line this year. This is the very simplified story of EmersonMade. Check out some of my favorite photos of their farmhouse. Everything about their story and farm are a dream come true.

Ryan & Emerson {"Boy & Girl"}

love love love

Pottery Barn Farmhouse ceramics.

Strawberries that taste like a pineapple. {found on House 09}

Merci Beaucoup letterpressed card.

One piece suits. Left~ J Crew. Right~ Anthropologie.

This puts a skip in my step.

...and finally I love this photo that I temporarily stole from my mother-in-law's office. It is my in-laws {Nini & Buck... that is what Henry calls them} 40th wedding anniversary this summer, aren't they adorable.