howe have i missed you

i was browsing through a new blog i just found (the new victorian ruralist), and he hits the nail on the head all the time and keeps me thinking about design elements and craftsmanship.

anywho...he recently posted images from a london retailer named howe, and boy oh boy did this ignite the fundamental touchstone of my design aspiration. his ability to focus and keep is simple makes me want to gather all my friends who are looking for special pieces for their homes, get tickets for tomorrow morning, and head over the pond to london to pay a visit.

i could post all his images and create a year of blogs from his objects. now that would be lazy. for now just 2 images that make me run in circles.

and this is 2010

and for this i am proud to be an american. these photo's were taken this summer in NYC. i'm sure you have all seen them already on the sartorialist, but i have to post them to mark them and keep them in my file.

these photo's also reminds me that i want to live in nyc again one day. i love nyc for keeping the american spirit alive in the good old fashioned way....to celebrate life together. to dance with strangers and to practice hard.

nyc has always had something for everyone. these beautiful people recently gathered on governor island for the jazz age dance party. i remember seeing last years photo's and loving them and now this years seem even more reminiscent of my grandparents photo's. DELUX in deed.

photo's found on the sartorialist.

stacks & piles..and more

these rooms exude home, comfort and organized clutter. what i really strive for. unfortunately my ocd tends to kick in more than i like to admit, but a nice little stack and pile can lead to a real sense of freedom.

this great little cupbord, with the easy access to bowls, glasses and what seems to be dish towels or napkins in the bowls seems really practical and effortless and looks great.

the bedroom also has that "lived in, gonna take a nap and leave everything just like i left it after my nap" feeling.

striving to lead the simple life.

photo's found on skona hem, photographed by hons blomquist.

clothing kidnapper

someone keeps kidnapping my levi's jacket...AND this time they may have gone too far.

the last kidnapping took place a few weeks ago on a chilly summer night in san francisco. the jacket was taken only blocks from my home to the levi's valencia print shop.

the iconic brand returned to Valencia street in the mission district to open a print shop/work studio for artist of all kinds, to learn the art of print shop making. from rubber stamping, to screen printing, to using a vandercook press proof to make your own artzine. actually, the face on the inside of my jacket is Gutenberg himself.

i really can't complain about this particular kidnapping...cause i dig this inside surprise..oh and the original work logo.

if you are in san francisco and enjoy projects and learning, check it out and visit the valencia print studio. i promise, they won't disappoint.

happy weekending to you all.

more less is more

i have this file of inspiration photo's for the mountain shack and they are not all named or identified, so i am sorry to say i cannot give you source for this.

well, i have been dreaming about this super fantastic and seemingly quite hard to find vintage sink. we are on the hunt for something just like this, but for now will belly up to the reality. for some reason this photo transports me to some place far, far away....i think europe, i think wide open spaces....

isn't if funny how an image can really call out your name. inspired.

a rough beginning

holy cow...magic before my very own eyes!

so, we are suppose to close on the cabin end of this week. just waiting for a few more signatures and approvals and then the passing of the money....then the panic attack...you know the rest of the story.

yesterday we hit up one of the local salvage yards in search of an old utility sink for the kitchen (total demo and redo project) when i spotted this old work bench. it only needs a little TLC and it will be a show stopper...at least i hope.

i'm thinking about marble or butcher block on top. at this point your guess is as good as mine and honestly, i am just basking in the amazing deal.

the best part of this re-purposed piece is it was only 109.00 smackers..including tax. now we just have to figure out how to haul to the sonoma mountains.

they're back

and better than ever. i know, i know...i have already posted these caramels...but these are a new flavor.

someone knows the way to my heart and that is with sweets and sweet revolution is at the top of the list. maybe even #1....maybe. you know that good chocolate can run over any contender...but these are the best caramels i have ever had.

and the newest addition to her already perfect maple/honey organic caramels has again captured my heart. toasted almond.

lets just be honest. i was enjoying my morning cup of coffee and this unopened box was looking me right in the eye. the box held a gun to my head and made me open it and eat one. yes, nothing like starting your saturday morning with a handmade caramel. this is going to be a great day.

check out sweet additions online and where you can get them. we can usually find them at bi-rite her in san fran.

i can see you

in the bathtub. at least you can close the door if needed, but i love a master bath that opens up and has a great light source.

maybe it is the amazing bathtub that sealed the deal, but this room and bath are just what i need in my life.

courtesy of daskal & laperre interior design

worth saving for

we all have those friends that keep us connected with the "cool" happenings and spots. the ones you know you have to experience.

one of my connections is my friend patti from nyc. she just turned me on to outstanding in the field

the saving begins today.

read below about this amazing event, that may be in your neighborhood soon. i missed the spring bus, and the holiday evens are full, but i will keep my eye out for next spring and hopefully be able to participate.

"Our mission is to re-connect diners to the land and the origins of their food, and to honor the local farmers and food artisans who cultivate it.

Outstanding in the Field is a roving culinary adventure – literally a restaurant without walls. Since 1999 we have set the long table at farms or gardens, on mountain tops or in sea caves, on islands or at ranches. Occasionally the table is set indoors: a beautiful refurbished barn, a cool greenhouse or a stately museum. Wherever the location, the consistent theme of each dinner is to honor the people whose good work brings nourishment to the table.

Ingredients for the meal are almost all local (sometimes sourced within inches of your seat at the table!) and generally prepared by a celebrated chef of the region. After a tour of the site, we all settle in: farmers, producers, culinary artisans, and diners sharing the long table."

this one takes the cake...at least today

well, it looks like the adventure team will have the keys to the cottage/cabin/shack in the sonoma mountains on the 20th of july. that is only 10 days away....holy crap.

anyway, i have been pre-occupied with all this house stuff/contingencies/bug inspections/counter offers and on and on.

this photo is seriously what we will strive for in our renovation. the dark grey with white pop, the olive tree in the galvanized container, the lavendar and the chase lounges.....so, don't turn me in when you see an exact replica posted in the next year. hee.

feeling blessed and grown up....

photo from skona hem

summer suiting

i purchased this great indigo dyed, woven, striped levi's vintage pull-over shirt in late spring (wow is that a mouthful) and it has become the staple to my summer wardrobe. i really wish i could buy 4 more and have a clean one for every day. the problem with that scenario is that these were limited production for levi's European market and they only had a few.

the real purpose of the blog is the shirt box it came in. can you believe this great packaging....i think this is why i really bought this shirt.

not quite bored

as bored is a bad word, but i did spend the day at home and took a few shots around the house.

i brought the plant in the old jar back from idaho last weekend. my parents grow this beautiful vine in their garden and it has become the most amazing fence cover. well, it was sent back as a good luck gesture for the rustic cottage in the wine country.

b-mo celebrates too. happy 4th friends!

we have hope for peace in our world and can only wish and pray that our troops will come home quickly and safely. no more war.

we will remember how fortunate we are to have a roof over our head, food on the table, clean water, no troops invading our streets and the freedom of expression without fear.

b-mo's hat provided by old navy dog supply. he is not so into it today.

this little light of mine

i love the great mid-century type globe lighting, smacked right down in the middle of this primitive looking, stripped woodworked (all of which is equally loved) home.

the warm hues of all this wood, seem to create a glow that could evoke anyone to slow down and appreciate beauty as it is meant to be: imperfect, seen some life, made some changes and finally back to its intended/natural state.

photo by anna g tufvesson

stimulating summer

more summer stripes.....lots of white....weekend retreat.

it has been one of those weeks and these images have that magical power of transporting me from those little bumps in life that can feel like mountains. can't you just feel the warm summer breeze and smell the ocean humidity? i sure can.

photos found

bunking up

hi all! sorry for the long empty spell. i was in idaho for my dad's 70th for a 4 day weekend and then driving back and forth to the country for the inspections for the new and hopeful property and then just dealing with life.

i have been scouring photo's for idea's for the little cottage and found this one and the light bulb went on...first little room gets built in bunk beds. it is the original screen in porch that is only 6.5' wide and 11.8' long, but needs to be a practical sleeping room. just a thought and i will try and reign in my dreaming until the key's are in my hands.

photo found on my scandinavian retreat. in deep like with her blog.