It's a Winter Wonderland... in our Hallway

Woot woot!!  The hallway is ready for the holidays!!

I tackled this area of our house last night, and I'm REALLY happy with how it turned out!!  I'd bought this deer head a while back when Target's "Stag Head" collection came out, and while he's been living on our bookshelves for the last month or so, he's made himself right at home in this little winter wonderland scene!

We (sadly) don't have a mantle in our apartment, so I like to decorate this area the same way I'd decorate a holiday mantle.  This year, it's a snowy woodland scene...

This table has actually been in our living room for the last year or so, acting as the drop spot for keys, mail, etc, but since we had to make space in the living room for our Christmas tree, this table had to move back into the hallway.

Initially, I wasn't a huge fan of having the table in the hallway - our apartment is pretty small, so to me it felt more cramped when you walked down the hallway.  The table is narrow so it doesn't actually take up much space - it was more "visually" cramped than anything else, but now that it's decked out for Christmas, I absolutely love it!

Well hello there Mr. Deer...

I can't tell if he's totally creepy or totally cute.

That blank stare looks totally "zombie killer deer" up close, but it's much less creepy in person.  I kind of love him - although I think he'd be even more dapper with a bow around his neck...

And the trees!!  I picked these up at Target for like $8 each, and I had a coupon for 30% off, so I think my mini forest only cost around $18 in the end.  I didn't love that they were all the same height though, so I got creative.

I still had some fake cobwebs from Halloween, so I just fluffed those up and stuffed them in the bottom of a clear vase to re-purpose them as "snow".

I then propped the other two trees up on whatever planters I had laying around - you can kind of see in the above picture that the "tallest" tree is actually on a candle votive stacked on top of a planter than I quickly painted gold (for continuity). You can hardly see them, so it looks just fine to me!

I also love how the "mercury glass" frames look all frosty here.  Originally when I had hung all the frames on this wall, they were empty, but I saw some mirror spray paint, and in a moment of curiosity decided to try it out.

I'd read that it doesn't come out as shiny as a normal mirror, so I decided to make it more like mercury glass - you just fill a spray bottle with water and vinegar, spray down the glass, and spray the paint, then wipe it off.  The water / vinegar mixture creates these cool splotches making it look A LOT like mercury glass...

The ornament garland was a DIY project that I worked on last year - click here to read the tutorial on that... super simple and inexpensive, and it has really held up!!

I was playing with the different settings on the camera and really like how crisp and clear the forefront of this shot came out.  

Despite taking these photos in the early morning light, its nice and bright...

And this next photo was a really proud moment for me... 

I was able to play with the aperture on my camera settings to get the background really blurred out, and the foreground really focused.  I'm still a total photography novice, but I'm always so proud when I manage to get a really great picture...

So that's our little hallway turned winter wonderland.  The rest of our place is STILL a hot mess, but we're getting there slowly but surely.  My goal is to have everything decorated and cleaned up by the weekend.

How is your holiday decorating coming along??  As slowly as mine??

Powder Pink Winter Coat

I need a new coat like I need another hole in my head.  Which is to say, I don't need a new coat, BUT... how amazing would it be to trot about town this winter in one of these??

Pink Coats by beckyc1923 featuring a wool coat

Gianluca Capannolo pink coat / RED Valentino wool coat, $865 / Sartoria Italiana Vintage pleated wool coat / RED Valentino coat / Jigsaw leather coat, $395

A soft pink wool coat!  LOVE. And if Kate Beckensale is on board, I am too!

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Amazing with grey, perfect to dress up jeans... Obviously fab with black and white, and the perfect femme touch for leather pants.

AND... if you weren't already sold it's a breath of fresh air among the black, grey, and brown colors of winter!  Don't you want to stand out??

Perhaps this will go on my Christmas wish list this year.....

Heart Gloves

This is such a random thought, but aren't these just the sweetest gloves??

Yastikizi's Etsy Shop is full of handmade warm, cozy, nostalgic knit goods, and these gloves would make such a perfect gift!

I could imagine little girls running around with these, as easily as I could imagine myself rocking them on cold days (and nights)!

They also have versions with the finger tips cut off (convenient for texting - of course), and they come wrapped up with yarn, in these adorable bundles!

I heart them!

Dark and Moody

The weather has turned again, and I woke up very early this morning to the first storm of the season.  The rain was coming down in buckets, and I had to get up for an extra blanket before I went back to sleep.  This kind of weather puts me in the mood to hunker down, and that mood is definitely reflected in the colors I am drawn to.  The deep dark colors of these rooms are so rich, and  if it weren't so hard to paint back over, I'd be slathering our bedroom in a dark hue tonight.

You'd think that a dark color in a small space would make it feel smaller, but with bright accessories, and the right lighting, I actually think it makes many of these spaces look even larger (check out that powder room with the slate grass cloth - fourth down).  SO amazing!

Enjoy these inspirations from Houzz...

Eclectic Home Office design by Los Angeles Media And Blogs Lisa Borgnes Giramonti

Traditional Bedroom design by Los Angeles Interior Designer Tracy Murdock Allied ASID

Traditional Family Room design by Boston Architect LDa Architecture & Interiors

Contemporary Bathroom design by Sacramento Interior Designer Kerrie L. Kelly

Contemporary Bedroom design by Orange County Interior Designer Domicile Interior Design

Contemporary Living Room design by Boston Architect LDa Architecture & Interiors

Contemporary Dining Room design by Calgary General Contractor Veranda Estate Homes & Interiors

Rainy Day

Photo courtesy of barriebriggsspang
Call me crazy, but its a rainy day here, and I am thrilled!  We have been so blessed this winter to enjoy summer-like weather.  It has been mild - and dare I say it, downright WARM!  To be flouncing about town in a sundress in January has been kind of amazing, but I've been craving some cozy winter weather.

Finally... it's here!  The rain started up last night, and I just LOVE to listen to the rain as I fall asleep.  I keep all the windows open and pile on the blankets - its so comforting and cozy.

Days like today make me want to hunker down in some flannel pajammas, light a few candles, and watch romantic comedies a la When Harry Met Sally and Pretty Woman.  Sooo good - tonight, we are headed to a fancy schmancy dinner at this new restaurant / lounge called 25 Lusk.  I have only been to the bar scene there, but have heard the food is FABULOUS!  It's no rom com with a bottle of wine, but I'll take it!

Happy rainy day!

Groundhog Day

And the verdict is?! 6 more weeks of winter!

Photo courtesy of National Geographic 

Winter in San Francisco is Lovely

This winter has been one of the mildest winters I can remember - the weather has been so incredibly beautiful, its hard to remember what bad weather is like (ask me in June, I will be singing a different tune).

This weekend was no exception to the gorgeous weather!  I spent most of my time outside, lunching with friends, and hanging out at the park.  Sunday, Kris and I headed to the beach, and I sunned myself in the sunny 70 degree weather, while he and some buddies surfed.  I snagged his fancy-pants camera, and was able to get some amazing pictures of him surfing.  Unfortunately, I have not yet uploaded them - professional shots to come, but just look at how lucky we are to live in California.

To my friends on the east coast, be jealous... be very very jealous!

Kris, very seriously prepping his gear (he would NOT smile for a picture! Too cool for school)

How cute is he?!

Me... snuggled in Kris' hoodie once the afternoon wind kicked up

The three stooges... prepared to shred, ha!

Back to the Bay

It's a rainy Monday morning in San Francisco, and while it's good to be home, I am so sad that my my escapades in Park City for Sundance are over!  What a whirlwind weekend!!  Despite many many hours of waiting in the airport due to multiple flight delays, it was so fun, and so worth it.

The weekend started sunny and relaxing, I arrived in the early afternoon, and after some lunch and gossip girl talk with my good friend Rebecca, I treated myself to some much needed relaxation at the spa at the Westgate Canyons resort. Not only was it one of the best massages I've ever had, but the facilities are absolutely gorgeous - very rustic with stone work and wooden beams, and dark and peaceful - many of the rooms were lit only by candles.

That night was really laid back, since a storm had started brewing, and many of our friends flights were delayed and cancelled.  We had clients coming from Seattle, and since the pacific northwest had been hit all week with a huge storm the Sea-Tac airport was completely shut down.  Bless their hearts, they DROVE five hours to Eugene and caught flights from there.

That night, we ordered Pizza, drank a lot of  a bit of wine, and it was fabulous!  The next morning, we woke up pretty hungover, and had a leisurely breakfast before gearing up and hitting the slopes.  It had snowed all night, and there were several feet of fresh powder waiting for us on the mountain.  The snow was still falling, and it was so pretty.  The gondola ride from the Canyons Resort to the top of the mountain is breathtaking, and so quiet.  The trees were blanketed in soft white snow, and it was so peaceful.  We came back to the room early afternoon because the snow had REALLY started to come down and we were ready for some Après Ski - this pic I quickly snapped from the window.  You can hardly see the buildings across the way!!!

After coming back, the spa was calling to me (again), and so I indulged in some more pampering.  Once cleaned up, the group had met up at the larger condo (the party condo, so it was called all weekend), where a private chef had come to make dinner.  WOW - the food was amazing, and somehow the hotel had brought in several more long tables to accommodate our huge group - there were close to 30 of us!  After dinner and a few drinking games, we headed out into the snow, down into Park City proper, to see and be seen (so to say).  The bars were packed, "being on the list" clearly meant nothing, but through a little sweet talking and a few threats and bribes, we made it into the Bing Lounge on Main Street, where we saw hung out with the entire cast of True Blood, Bruce Willis, Chris Katan (SNL), and Liv Tyler.  Kind of awesome.

The drinks were good (a little too good actually) and the music was pumping.  Drake performed downstairs, and we stayed out until around 4am.  I was quite impressed with myself!  The next morning, no one felt up to hitting the slopes again, so we decided to go tubing.  I'd never done it before, but it was so much fun.  There was a park built with different runs where you essentially use heavy duty inner tubes to fly down the hills - so fun.  I felt like a kid again playing in the snow, wind in my face - the sun was out, and it was the perfect end to a fabulous weekend!

I'll have to upload the rest of my pictures from my actual camera, but needless to say, its sad to be back at work!

Happy Weekend

I am off to Park City for the Sundance Film Festival on a VERY early morning flight tomorrow.  I am so looking forward to a break from work, an escape from rainy San Francisco, and some exciting celebrity sightings!

Have a very happy Weekend!

2012 Fashion Obsessions

A new year, a new look - things at work have been a bit slow today, so I have been spending a bit of time contemplating my new must haves for this year.  My look is classic contemporary - a mix of classic pieces, spiced up with some fun new ideas.  For inspiration, I am always drawn to the '50s and '60s - the hip retro clothes are so amazing - full skirts that accentuate the waist, a great trench, bright colors, shift dresses, flowy fabrics, soft feminine silks, and of course a good blazer or trench NEVER goes out of style.

Most recently I have been experimenting with more flashy touches - red lipstick, big buns on top of your head, over-sized scarves, and statement necklaces.  I am really into gold jewelry right now, but still go back to my basics - striped shirts, skinny jeans and cigarette pants, and any leopard accessories I can get my hands on.

Here are the things I am most in love with for the remainder of winter and early spring:

OVERSIZE LEOPARD SCARF:

How chic does she look?!  Effortless but pulled together - the red lips, oversize glasses, and big bun scream classic retro, but the scarf is very on trend.  Also - leopard can easily go from trendy to trashy, so look for a print with depth to the color, rich golds and browns, and variation to the size of the prints - monotone colors and prints end up looking cheap.

FULL SKIRTS:

So flattering it will blow you away - full skirts nip in at the waist - at the NATURAL waist I might add - and flow out over the tummy and hips.  They can be ladylike like image #3, or hip like  image #2 or flirty like image #1 (love her shoes too!).  Pair with tights when it's still cold out, and let your legs bring on the stares when it warms up!  So amazing - loving the ultra full skirts recently - a good pleat keeps them from getting bulky around your middle.

DRESSED UP SHORTS:

LOVE how its preppy, but still covered up - this is the perfect combination for brunch on a gorgeous day that might have a bit of a crisp bite to the air still!

Clearly I have summer on the mind, because this outfit is not going to fly in San Francisco in January.  I am loving the combo of casual and flowy, with the sky high heels and clutch.  My new thing is bright colors - even in the winter, and the periwinkle with coral is so fresh and lovely.  I makes me want to sit out on a patio on a warm day with a cold glass of sauvignon blanc.

BIG BUNS:

This bun is SO over the top fabulous - its fancy and messy all at the same time.

MILITARY INSPIRED:

 Military inspired styles always have clean lines, big brass buttons, and mix chic and pulled together simultaneously.  A good pea coat never goes out of style, and the cropped version or the skirted version are a little more unique and lady-like.  LOVE.

SPARKLES:

Sparkles draw attention, so be sure that whatever it is, fits impecabbly and is really flattering.  If your problem area is your mid-section, do not do form-fitting sparkles - not only is it an attention grabber, but sparkles can also make things appear larger than they are.  A safe bet for sparkles is footwear - everyone's feet are petite, so if a lot of sparkle scares you, start there.  This look is definitely a date night / night out with the girls type look - NOT work appropriate, so sparkle with caution!

HIGH WAISTED PANTS:

This is upscale, and utterly retro - be sure pants fit around the natural waist (at the tiniest part) to ensure no extra bulk.  Avoid pleats of any kind - flat front works on most body types.  This is very Jackie O, so pair it with a fitted sweater, or tucked in blouse.  Add some pearls if you are going for a more classic / timeless vibe, or funk it up with some modern statement jewelry.

So that's it - these are my most recent obsessions.  As the spring collections go mainstream, I'm sure there will be more to add, but this should keep my credit card occupied in the meantime!

xoxo