un-mom no. 11 | fall 2010

click me and i get bigger

i don't know about you , but i'm glad that fall is here. like most people, i think, fall is my favorite time of year. it's taken a bit for it to arrive in these parts (n. california) but this weekend it dropped in on us with a vengeance--major rain storm. actually, i think a little bit of winter showed up as well. anyway, true fall weather always calls for a wardrobe change, so i thought i'd whip a little something up. i am thinking shopping in the city here. i know what you are thinking, "what's with those shoes, saucymom? not really for walking." you're right, but i am having a bit of a bootie shootie moment and i really like these with the cropped minnie pants. but, if the shopping trip is really shopping and not just popping into a few stores to browse on either side of a long and fabulous lunch at your favorite cafe with your bestie, try a leopard print flat.

what's involved
1. rustling leaves sweater tunic | ruche | $63
i really like these sweater dresses, but let's face it, these are way too short for that. they do make adorable tunics over sassy cropped pants--we're channeling laura petrie here. and the color screams "autumn leaves", no?

2. stretch twill minnie pant in coal | j crew | $80 (select colors on sale for $40) these are classic, go with everything and according to my inside source at j. crew look great on many different body types.

3. kim ruffle booties | dollhouse | $60. i've said my peace on these.

4. oona earrings | fay andrada | $60.
g o r g e o u s. that's all.

5. blue suede buckle bag by kimchi | urban outfitters | $68
i've been eyeing this bag for a long time. better snatch it soon before it's too late. super classic shape and color. wear if over your wrist for a more sophisticated feel or throw it over your shoulder for ease.

6. the turquoise blue bird and the perfume pendant | freshy fig | $34
this pendant has a long chain, so the scale is great for the long sweater. the detailing on the gold is sublime and the cute little birdie adds a sense of humor.

m3

jaeger-lecoultre ladies stainless steel reverso squarda watch with diamonds on alligator strap. £4,850 ($6,775). jaeger-lecoultre.com.

the butterfly house

hello, sweet chickens! it’s been toooo looong. well, i’m back…i think. anyway, enough of all that--let’s start back with an amazing, no PHENOMENAL, house. it’s the butterfly house, one of only five true ocean front properties in carmel, california. can you imagine waking to that view every day? those icky home-staging, 80s furnishings would have to vamoose, but i think i could hang there for a couple of days. enjoy, mes amis.

see you tomorrow?

not sure why they need the pool--too chilly to swim there most days, but it does create some stunning views

 look at that view! that window is like a work of art!

Jackson Takes a Bow

summer share | east hampton, ny rental

i don't know about you, but i already feel like i need a vacation from my summer vacation. and you know i love me some hamptons. how about his place? only $45,000 for the month of july. come on, we'd only need like 18 families to go in on it to make it affordable. some of us might have to pitch tents in the yard, though. oh well, it's fun to dream. in my dream, we'd spend mornings at the farm stand, then go into town and stalk barefoot contessa, followed by an afternoon poolside before cocktails and a clambake on the beach. care to join me?

deets, here.

this WILL BE my next bathroom floor

...and there is no telling what will happen if anyone tries to deny me.

find it here.

discovered via design vagabond

lamp fetish

i am just going to say it--i have a problem with lamps. i just love them (still dying over this one). i love them so much that i don't have enough space for all of them. i do have a very bright house, though. i am currently in love with these.

clockwise from top left
brass ring lamp :: horchow :: $515
helios table lamp :: gump's :: $475
fluted-glass table lamps :: west elm :: $149-269
sydney marble lamp :: horchow :: $599
jasper table lamp :: my sparrow :: $515
pierced bone china lamp :: gump's :: $298

pin it forward

good morning, chickens! the baton has been passed from ashley-nicole and today it is my turn to share 'what home means to me'. been wondering what that 'pin it forward' badge is all about over there? well i am lucky enough to be part of a project conceived by the lovely victoria at sfgirlbybay and the folks at pinterest, the online software that let's you bookmark your favorite images and catalog them--it. is. awesome. so let's get this party started. these are the things i dream about...

lots of light, a big family table and a place of my own to work, make things and dream.

a big oak tree to sit under with family and friends, some great food and drink and beautiful flowers (that i don't have to take care of).

a little kitchen with open shelves, a vintage stove and, of course, lots of green.

a dutch door and possibly a cow (but not sidney greenstreet).

my boys (big and small).

there is of course more. and i am lucky enough to have many of these things already. the truth is home is where i keep my heart. things are just things, but those 3 boys are what home really means to me (sappy, huh?). if you want more, you can check out my pin board here--adding stuff all the time. and get yourself a pin board, you will love it.

now it's time for me to pass the baton to justnoey for tomorrow's installment. don't miss it! and be sure to enjoy your day(:

almost here

the weekend, that is! and, boy, am i ready for it. a couple of things on my mind...

relaxing poolside at this hampton's retreat.

gorgeous new 'marigolds' gift wrap from paper-source. thinking about framing a sheet and using it as art.

wearing one of these pretty kurtas from rickshaw.

literally obsessing over these snakeskin wedges from tory burch. the picture absolutely does not do them justice--they are PHENOMENAL (that's for you, court) in person.

what are you dreaming about?

contemporary farmhouse love

totally diggin' this lovely farmhouse in the california wine country town of st. helena. more pics and details here.

2324 sunnyside avenue, charleston, south carolina

good bones is what this little gem has. the kitchen is a bit drab, but we could do wonders with it, i know. i mean, that window is stunning! the porch is too much and look at that view of the marsh. heaven (plus, a little humidity...)

2324 sunnyside avenue, charleston, south carolina

3 bedrooms/2.5 baths

2294 sq. ft

listed at $580,000

more photos and listing here

dear fairy godmother

if you are so inclined...here.

ruche

i love me some one-stop-shopping* and ruche never disappoints--cute stuff and great prices. here are some of my current faves:

moonlight sonata dress by ark + co. $64.99
adorned beauty leather ring in pear $18.99
almond delight striped handbag $34.99
leisa gray platform wedge sandals by pink studio $52.99

* i am not compensated in any way for any of my posts. i always post items i would purchase myself from vendors i have experience with and trust (:

just because | mallorca

photo found here.

pom poms

i turn 40 on saturday and i think i deserve these. just sayin'.

the shirtdress

as you can tell, i have dresses on the brain in a major way. not sure why. maybe because the weather in these parts has been dreadful lately. while i didn't get spring fever as early as i usually do this year, a prolonged period of wind, rain and chilly temps has this girl jonesing for some normal spring weather. not sure my legs are prepared to see the light of day, however.

shirtdresses are the best--feminine, practical and e a s y. here are some i'm particularly fond of:

beaded appliqued linen dress

elizabeth shirtdress

madras shirtdress

ruffled belted shirtdress

blues sisters dress

cotton shirtdress

belted denim shirtdress

just because | ms. patchett

image from here

dress fetish

okay, how flippin' cute is this dress? god. i think i have a problem

san rafael live/work space

i have all sorts of dreamy little dreams. one of them is to open my own store complete with all sorts of goodies--the kinds of things i like to share with you here. it would be so great to have a place to interact with clients and friends in a retail space while running my graphic design business from the back office. and what more can you ask for than a fun loft-style pad upstairs to call home? have you ever read friday night knitting club? it reminds me of georgia's sweet set-up. plus this place is in marin county--quite possibly the coolest place on earth.

what do you dream about?

find all the juicy deets on this fun set-up here.