Peep Show

Don't you just adore Easter colors?? I do!!

Mom and Daughter Chiang Mai

I know Schumacher's "Chiang Mai" has been blogged before, but I thought it would be fun to share a few pictures of how my mom and I used the fabric. We both used it for pillows, but that is where the similarity ends. I love how well it works in both of our rooms.

MOTHER-

My mom's living room. This a really bad picture taken with a camera phone. Hard to tell in this shot, but the fabric has beautiful shades of blue and green. Along with other turquoise accents (not shown) in her living room, it really pops the blue and white scheme. I love her home, she did such a fantastic job decorating it.

DAUGHTER-

My version.....in the master bedroom. I am obsessed with the colors in this version of the fabric. It adds so much character to the room. Thanks to this pillow, I love making my bed in the morning!

XOXO

Happy Valentine's Day!!

Tinsley Mortimer @ Home

Photo © PatrickMcMullan.com

Maybe it's because I too have a fetish for dresses, but I love NY Socialite Tinsley Mortimer's style. She always looks polished and feminine. So it was no surprise that her apartment, featured in the new March issue of Bazaar, is no different.

Below are a few highlights.......already clipped and added to my favorites

The fabric is Scalamandre, and the headboard is designed by Joseph Hercules

I love the wallpaper in the dining room, I'm guessing it is de Gournay or Gracie?

The Louis XV chair in the back caught my eye (another Scalamandre fabric!) and white hydrangeas are always perfect in my book

All above photographs of Tinsley in her home are by Douglas Friedman, Bazaar March 2008

Get to Work

Mary McDonald's office, the ultimate!! Image from Style Court

I am contemplating a job that would require me to work from home. That means a commute across the hall......and an excuse to decorate a work space! I thought I'd post my favorite offices for some inspiration. Even if you work in a cookie-cutter cubicle, there is no reason not to carve out a space at home for bill paying and late night blog reading ;)

Actress Sarah Wynter's office...In Style magazine

From Domino, designer Jenni Kayne's home office. Totally messy-chic. But can Hermes boxes ever look messy?


From one of my favorite spaces featured in House Beautiful, a study any woman would covet!

By Ruthie Sommers; image from Pink Wallpaper. I love everything about this room.

Celerie Kemble's office, as seen on M.A. Belle...so many elements are perfection

From Cottage Living, I love the desk and rug!

Aerin Lauder in Bazaar.....She had me with the Gracie wallpaper!

Please Mr. Postman.......

Browsing Domino.com today, I noticed they are "teasing" the March issue already! Please Postman sir, can you deliver it before the newsstand gets it this month so I don't end up spending an additional $5. It isn't fair and frankly just mean.

If this chic pillow is any indication, it should be a great issue!!!

Photo by domino digital studio
March 2008

My Spring Bag Crush

Valentino - Spring/Summer 2008

Handbags and shoes are always worth the splurge because they can make any item you wear look expensive. Stores are getting new Spring merchandise in and while it may be too chilly for dresses and sandals, wearing this won't be a problem........

The "Couture Braided Tote" from Valentino

This bag is stunning in person and comes in a multitude of colors. There is so much to love......the beautiful braided detail, the lack of a tacky logo, the fact that the straps are long enough to go over the shoulder.....yes I already tried it on. Plus, the fact that this is Valentino's last season designing for his namesake house, I can justify that it will be a collector's piece! Now the only question is, what color?

Miami Dreaming....

Will it ever stop raining? I feel like it never will. Living in Southern California I rarely dream of escaping the elements but I need some sun!!! I'm going to be Vitamin D deficient. I think I need to get on a plane back to South Beach ASAP....

Beachside at the Raleigh....all I need is a Pucci bikini, US magazine and a mojito........

After a long day by the beach, one of my favorite spots for dinner is Casa Tua. You feel like you are dining in someones chic beach cottage and the food is outstanding. There is also a private club on the second level and an adjacent boutique hotel. Casa Tua is run by Leticia and Miky Grendene, a gorgeous couple, who have backgrounds in the fashion industry. Even more than the food, I love the decor. I took a few snapshots last time I was there (I'm no pro, so don't judge!).

I love the zebra mirror! It adds some glamour to the coastal cottage feel.

You must go there the next time you visit Miami!! For now, I'm putting on my trench coat and wellies.....

Design S-O-S

My sofa (taken with my iphone camera, so forgive the awful lighting!)

It's been rainy and gloomy here in LA, so I've started some "pre-Spring" cleaning. I won't bore you with my entire list, but here are a few things...... I took a yard of fabric, that I've had in the corner of my bedroom collecting dust for 6 months (yes it was still in the packaging), to the upholster to finally get a pillow case made. I cleaned out my fridge and my closet (okay, part of it!). The one thing I didn't accomplish was fixing my cushion situation. Ugh.....

My "naughty" cushion......

.......how it should behave!!

I ordered the circle cut-out chairs from West Elm as a budget alternative to Chippendale chairs (I wish I had just waited and ordered the WS Home or Jonathan Adler ones, oh well). The cut-out chairs actually look great in person. I even put them together all by myself (woo woo) but then opened the cushions to discover that they don't even fit the darn chair. Did I call up customer service to complain or return them to the store? No, of course not!! Instead, we've been sitting on ill-fitting cushions for months now. I take them off when guests come over, so no one notices them. This is just ridiculous. I'm done. I know I need new to have new cushions made, but I can't decide on a fabric for the cushions. I've toyed with plain turquoise but is that boring?

So now I ask your help, dear design experts........any fabric suggestions for my new cushions??

My dining room and living room are adjacent so the colors need to flow. The only graphic in the space is the KWID fabric on the pillows above and other accent colors are orange and turquoise. I feel like I need something traditional to neutralize the modern elements. Can't wait for your insight!

Who doesn't adore Giada?

Giada in Town & Country magazine - January 2007

I love to cook....but it wasn't always this way. When I first started dating my future husband, I was terrified of the kitchen. I didn't even know how to make hard boiled eggs. My mom and dad cooked, but I never paid attention or cared how the food ended up on my plate. It wasn't until 2001 when I discovered Nigella Bites on the Style Network that I became motivated to be a "domestic goddess." I was mesmerized with how easy and natural she made it look. I went out and purchased all of her books published in the US. I graduated to Saturday mornings spent hungover with my roommates watching "cooking school" on the Food Network. I loved Sarah Molten and Bobby Flay!! But it wasn't until I started watching Everyday Italian with Giada de Laurentiis that I truly felt inspired. Not only is Giada bubbly and adorable, her food is really doable! Her show always has a stylish theme and the recipes are fantastic! I went to one of her book signings in NYC a few years ago (when I lived there) and she was even better in person. I have all of her books and they are great. Below is one of my favorite recipes, I've made it a dozen times and it is always a crowd pleaser!


Parmesan-Crusted Pork Chops
Recipe courtesy of Giada De Laurentiis

2 large eggs
1 cup dried Italian-style bread crumbs
3/4 cups freshly grated Parmesan
4 (1/2 to 3/4-inch thick) center-cut pork loin chops (each about 10 to 12 ounces)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
6 tablespoons olive oil
Lemon wedges, for serving

Whisk the eggs in a pie plate to blend. Place the bread crumbs in another pie plate. Place the cheese in a third pie plate. Sprinkle the pork chops generously with salt and pepper. Coat the chops completely with the cheese, patting to adhere. Dip the chops into the eggs, then coat completely with the bread crumbs, patting to adhere.
Heat 3 tablespoons of oil in a very large skillet over medium heat. Add pork chops, in batches if necessary, and cook until golden brown and the center reaches 150 degrees, about 6 minutes per side. Transfer the chops to plates and serve with lemon wedges.