sister love rock

a few day's before our journey to tulum, mexico, i received a package in the mail from my sister. in it was one of her new creations, what i like to call my sister love rock. this rock has really not left my pocket since i left san francisco and i believe has found a home there.

i know, you probably think it should be out displayed somewhere special at home, and it is..sort of (she sent me 2...1 for home and 1 for my pocket). these are handmade, about 1.5 inches and have this amazing crochet snuggly wrapped around it. i really don't know how she did it and will not ask her to give up her secret, but it is precious in person and the string she used looks and feels like something organic. i swear it looks and feels like something from days of past

a new, modern twist on the couture doily.

love it. thanks sis! you all must check out her mastery at her shop fringe. brilliant work.

daily catch

i'm not sure if it is legal to bring these conch shells home with me, but a photo is totally harmless...right? (i will find a way to get a few of them home) they are abundant on these vacant beaches and i am sure one or two should go unnoticed.

not a lot of anything going on right now other than trying to determine when the next combing begins.

cheers!!

the room

they must have taken their benjamin moore color chips and walked 50 yards to the beach to get that perfect color match, because all the doors and shutters are this turquoise that is identical to one of the layers of color in the ocean , and this as we all know is the color of the season. i could live with this season for many seasons to come.

above, the closet. a bamboo stick hanging from the thatched roof. adorable.

room with a view

2 days into mexico and i am finally able to pick up the computer and post. you know how it is...total decompression and lack of movement, just taking long walks on the beach, napping in the hammock's and swimming in the ocean and that is in no particular order.

a whole lot of nothing here. empty beaches for 5 miles on each side of this "off the grid" retreat. the weather is perfect, nice breeze all day long, warm & clear water and a room with a view.

on the short path to total relaxation.

when less was more

1958 Christmas Day edition of the Times of Cyprus newspaper. this is when sophistication was simple and pure.

i'll take the combo with fries please

i'm really liking the combo of that great mid-century chair and the sweet, little, white dresser. it works and especially in that montauk cottage look.

looks like the middle drawer may have had an early demise, but don't fret as this is still usable....shelving.

installation art

now you see it, now you don't. i love this kind of art.... it is so in the moment. some may not call this art, but i find it quite inspiring and off guard. whatever you call it, you have to admit it gives you a wink and a smile.

my friend, and now on location photographer, patti took this photo during one of those still moments in central park. you can almost hear the silence and smell the sunbeams. this was taken in central park, behind behind the metropolitan museum of art.

lets table this

check it out: great door (black), great windows, great painted plank wall, dark floors & that marble slab table in the center of the kitchen. overall A+

a happy upside-down heart

i still have an affinity for horns and i am going to cop out by saying my family is a family of hunters, although i'm not a hunter. i did have to get up at the butt crack of down, in freezing cold weather, get in my dad's truck, pick up my uncle....and on we went in search for the perfect spot.

anyway, the horns are in honor of nature and i will always have them in my home. these particular ones are in the back mud room and i walk by them at least a dozen times a day. today i was struggling with a post for all my special peeps out there. i wanted the "just right" image for you.

well, this is what you get. hope it was a great day of laughter and fond memories.

they don't make em like that anymore

the flooring that is. i'm passionate about flooring like this and WHY does it have to be so rare here in the US. too much demo 30 years ago.

there is a twinkle in my eye.

6 days...and trying to calm down

vacation is approaching and in the spirit of preparation and "chill", i decided to break out the bonnie doon pear brandy, called calvadoon (one of our fav santa cruz vinyards). i think it is 46% alcohol.....blv me it is for sipping and it is working as i type this.....

decanter = traded in south of france for a handmade v-neck sweater i was wearing and the crystal top i bought for $18.00 at that same flea market.

glasses = salvation army, $1.00 each.

Brandy = 75.00, but it has lasted 8 months.... you can only order this for shipping if you live in california. boo!!!

let there be white

i'm obsessed with that white stove/oven. forget the new car...

found in the hollows of living ect.

nyc the white way

the expectation, not the reality.

when i moved to nyc i was sure i would find some great industrial space with high ceilings, great windows and a little "in the raw".

ha, long shot. but why not set the bar high.

amsale aberra's loft in the garment district, nyc. images found on great blog called kikette-interiors.


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a union made in heaven

the detail on this sofa knocks my crazy socks off. this sofa is designed and manufactured in new zealand by Paula Coulthard and Sue Haldane, so i don't know how i would get this one home. check out their website and other pieces at Union Furniture.

it is a great old tufted style club sofa that is pretty traditional and could live in a modern space and or your little cottage in the hills or the hamptons.

the new monogram

have i been sleeping under a rock or is this fresh and easy. looks to be hand printed.

if this is something that has been around forever, please feel free to bring me back to reality. this is my new project. inspired to find the perfect font now.

image and design from fluegge interior design

thinking of you....

this is nothing new to any of us, but a quick reminder of ways to create ambiance on a budget and remember those who are celebrating life, struggling through it or just need a shout out for a little bit of hope.

i can't always justify that $50.00 candle and can easily substitute that crave with a $0.99 candle you can get at most drug stores.

this particular candle has a scrap of leather (from a package i rcvd from my nephew) and simple tag you can purchase at most craft stores. i like to write the names of my friends and family i remember when i light this candle (for privacy i turned it around ;o)

utility wins

in my book. i'm in a constant place of conflict when it comes to clean & modern vs. banged up & old. this sink is the perfect size..great for the dog, soaking linens and just every day.

i'm plotting while hunting for a new house, and the requirements are evolving every day. i think it has to be compatible for a sink just like this one.

let there be light....and lots of it

i think this paris apartment just be what i am looking for. bright white, rich, ebony floors and an amazing terrace.

oh the things we could do.

happy saturday!!

bring on the green

in my food that is (loyal to my neutral interior pallet).

my good friend laura sent me this photo from a great blog janalaurene, along with some recipe notes.

laura wrote "the best thing since grilled cheese sandwiches" and i do indeed think she is onto something here. all the things i love.

its a grilled cheese sandwich made on sourdough bread, pepperjack cheese (or havarti..mmm), avocado (the green), bacon, and apple slices.

this is my sunday brunch this weekend. maybe with some mac & cheese. i better go eat something.

do you see what i see??

a great trompe loille tote from old navy. this is a great little re-usable tote and comes in many colors and designs. a spring must at the right price of only $5.00.

i'm being serious here....get to old navy this weekend and buy at least 6...they are moving fast.

i bought this one last weekend and no kidding, i have been stopped a dozen times to ask where i found this bag.

at last

i finally made it to the candy store here in sf. this premier shop was featured in domino quite some time ago and i intended to beeline there the same day i read it, but life stepped in the way and my mind forsake me.

well, i was in the russian hill neighborhood and stumbled upon it and my heart skipped a beat. i will forgo the total experience as it overwhelms me to think about, but i do want to share this amazing, handmade vanilla-caramel covered marshmallow vitamin.

they are from a candy company in denver called mitchell sweets and i think you just might have to place your online order RIGHT NOW.

and on to the kitchen

same Uruguay home as below, and into the kitchen we go. i don't think you can see the amazing counters as well as the original, but they are a rich, dark brown plank board and perfectly worn.

where to start....the great door, the counters, the lighting....all ready to move right in. it looks well loved.

where to start....

this is when i really start to go nuts. all the primitive woods and window and great old lighting. what really sent me over the edge are the amazing windows separating the kitchen and dining room.

same brilliant home in uruguay, maison francaise.