tuileries ring

love, love, love kate spade. not sure how much involvement she has in the company that bears her name since it was sold several years ago to the liz claiborne people (have noticed some slipping in the designs), but i do love this ring. find it here.

happy weekend, my lovelies.

fun wallpaper + a serious problem

red bussess and black cabs by lizzie allen

jazz in central park by lizzie allen

happy friday, my lovelies!

two of my favorite cities are london and manhattan (i know, real original) and uk designer lizzy allen has captured the essence of these glorious cities in her wonderful wallpaper series "london calling". i love the illustrative quality that harkens back to 1950s advertising and, of course, the ingenious palettes. i need to find a room for one of these. the office, perhaps? not sure matt would go for it. oh well, a girl can dream.

in other news. i have a big problem. see, i like to read at night before i go to bed. it's really the only time of day i have for this activity. but right now i am reading this:

and i am laughing so hard i am crying. i can hardly breathe. and matt is trying to sleep! i think i will have to finish it during the day this weekend or i'll never make it.

have a great weekend!

ban.do

i think these fabric corsages are so pretty. ban.do makes beautiful things. find more here.

no. 150

i'm thinking about taking up quilting. i'd like to try something like this to start. you know what i am thinking--it looks easy, but it's most likely not. so cute though. these images are from this amazing woman and the quilt is available for sale here.

happy monday, all. oh, and this is my 150th post. is that a milestone?

xoxo,

m

7131 mezzanine way, long beach, california

Loyal readers know that my style is pretty classic, even traditional at times. Because I am a Gemini I like to think of myself as eclectic--a lover of good design but open-minded to all periods and styles and not at all predictable. Today, something a little different--an authentic, mid-century rancho designed by architect Cliff May.

I must live in one of these homes before I die. What great bones. You have to look past the somewhat dull furnishings (a least there are no Chippendale armoirs or, egads, country motif wallpaper border which, I kid you not, I have seen in houses of this style and era...a travesty) and take in the amazing layout and architecture. I just wish the posted photos showed the fireplace.

Man, I could do so much with this place...

See complete listing here.

so, so sad

Read about Smith & Hawken's closure here.

pastrami, swiss, and sweet onion marmalade

Sunset Magazine

Made this last night. Loved it. Had it again for lunch. Think it would be perfect for a cold, fall or winter evening. Get the recipe here.

love me some hamptons | gorgeous remodel

From Elle Decor. Be sure to check out the before pictures! Amazing.

i can't stand...

...how much i love this green fridge (and this fun story that goes with it. thanks, decorno!)


and this bedroom (from here).

summer 2009

click to see larger image

things i am particularly fond of at the moment: durham ranch tent cabin, keswick caning bangle, red geraniums, raw silk skirt, hand-painted silk parasol, perrier, green olive + pistachio tapenade, durham ranch pool, clement tablerunner, strawberry-rhubarb gallette, iron wire baskets, tuberose shave soap, tretorn canvas sneakers. enjoy!