Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Be heard, don't forget to vote on Tuesday!!

November 2nd is the big day. 

Check out www.smartvoter.org for more information.  Be educated before you go!!



Friday, October 22, 2010

Oh the weather outside is frightful!

I lived in New England for 20 years and although I can't say I miss the long winter or the slush filled sidewalks or the days where you can only wear your REAL winter boots, not just the cute ones.  However, I do miss the cute winter coats.  I did have a bit of a coat obsession and loved picking one out in the morning.

Winter coats have only been cute the last few years and maybe that is because I moved to Boston and saw such a selection. I felt that function was first, fashion, um never?  You know, the ones that had the fleece liner and the water resistant shell in black with some color blocks?  Now that I live in Lalaland, I get excited for trips to the cold purely so I can don my warm bundles of fashion!

It has been raining and gray here in LA for a week so it got me inspired, if I lived somewhere I needed a new winter coat, what would I choose?  Here are some of my faves after a quick glance. 


This comes in a longer version as well. 


All the coats from Aritzia are super cute and look very warm! 



Love color in the ugly gray winters


Great sporty look and warm too.  My NF has the softest fuzziest liner. 


This one I could wear here in LA!  Love this color!

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

What day is it?



Ever since we moved, I haven't been able to put a finger on my wall calendar.  If you must know, I have a thing for calendars.  In my old office, I had a wall calendar, a fiscal year calendar from my company, Outlook calendar, my phone calendar, and I know I am missing one.  Currenlty, I am missing 3 of those. 

Last night while my lovely bf was watching, "Flash Gordon" (which I DO NOT recommend) I found these cute wall calendars which can be part of your office (or any rooms) decor.  I also love calendars that after the year is over, you can repurpose the images into real decor by throwing it into a frame.  Voila - cheap art!

Here are some of my faves:
Vintage Fruit Calendar



Anything by Cavallini & Co.








And because Copley is on my lap helping with this post...



Wednesday, October 13, 2010

HELP not wanted but needed!!!



Doing design boards is so much fun!!  It really can tie your thoughts together and is a great tool for convincing the significant other where your brain is going.  I have come to a fork in the road.  Our living room and dining room is basically one open room.  We have divided the space with the couch BUT can I change the color scheme with the rooms being so close together??  Here are my ideas but can it work?

Picture this, the front wall of the house (looking inside out) L to R goes fairly large window, big front door, empty space (now a entryway.bar cabinet) and then another large window.  We have a corner sectional so have the 2 rooms divided with that.  Now, here are my design boards.  How can I tie the two ideas together? 

The bones of the house (ie. walls, moldings) are very greyish neutrals.  Now we want to add color and personality with our decor.  That is why I don't want the neutrals to run throughout.  HELP!!!


Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Perusing Portland - Part Two



I stopped at Urban Outfitters to see if a particular dress would fit and O.M.G., the lighting or the mirrors were awful. They did NO justice to my poor body that hasn't been worked out in MONTHS and has been intaking junk like its going out of style. I mean, come on, if you want me to buy clothes while carrying an extra 5-10 pounds, please manipulate the mirrors in my favor!! It's better for your bottom line and mine! If I had my own store, I would make all sizes run a size too big (so some fine lady who normally wears a 8 now wears a 6) AND looks skinny and not at all dimply in the mirror. I know it's not right BUT you know you like it better when you have to go down a size.   However, here is the super cute dress that has caused much drama and frusturation the last few days.  What do you do when an online store has the WORST customer service and policies but really cute stuff? 


I also found an AMAZING pottery shop, direct from Poland. Very cute stuff. Not only cute but dishwasher, microwave, and oven safe! Check them out in Portland and Seattle or online at http://www.polishpotteryseattle.com/. They have limited stuff online but you can call and they will send you pictures of other designs you might like.

I finished the evening at 23 Hoyt and it was amazing, so I went to the area Kirstin suggested but never made it to the other stores she suggested, there were too many great places to stop in!

So, I have returned to my bed, blisters on my feet, psyched that I found a cool option in case CA begins to wear on me.

Monday, October 11, 2010

The West coast Portland! Part One



Ahh, my favorite thing to do on work trips after long meetings, hang out in my pj's, in a comfy hotel bed and watch TV.  But before I did this favorite thing, I did my other favorite thing, exploring!! I explored the amazing West coast city of Portland.  For those that know me, know I lived in Portland, ME for a few years.  I have never been to Portland, OR and I have definitely been missing out, it's amazing!

After work, I decided to go explore.  I sent out a "tweet" and asked a few people what are the top things to do if I only have a few hours of free time to spend in Portland.  I specifically asked one of my favorite bloggers (http://www.restoredstyle.com/ or @restoredstyle on Twitter) since she is a native.  Wow, she made mye whole night with her divine suggestions.  I am staying downtown on Pine Street and her suggestion was to visit NW 23rd which I think is called, oh damn, I forgot, something District.  But before I get there, I had a great walk.  I needed to break in my boots for the Fall and who else was going to do it so I decided to walk the 20+ blocks.  The weather had a slight Fall chill and was perfect.  The funny thing about walking in a stange town/city is often after having a great walk, I mention to someone that I walked through a particular neighborhood and I get that look, you know that look, "you walked where?  By yourself??"  So, as I was walking and taking in the scenery, all the people seemed normal and then after a little bit, I ran into a Whole Foods so I knew I was going to be alright.  Then peeking its cute head around the corner was the word "Elm" so I had to go inspect the possibility I would be able to look at merchandise in 3-D vs. on glossy pages.  Very inspirational. 

When we bought our couch, I REALLY wanted a gray couch but I lost to my 2nd choice which was an ivory/cream color.  Well, my bestest buddy Copley has turned that couch into a brownish tint.  We want to eventually get a slip cover so maybe I will get that gray eventually?  Not sure.  Anyhow, all their fun pillows and odds and ends were so inspiring.  They had these great bottle centerpieces.  All of these photos are from West Elm and are West Elm merchandise. http://www.westelm.com/

Glass bottles - West Elm


Pillows - West Elm


Henry sofa - West Elm

Below is the view I had most of the day in my meeting.  It WAS beautiful but also depressing that I was in a meeting and not out there, exploring. 



Thanks Kirsten at http://www.restoredstyle.com/!