Strong Socialite Showing this Spring

Gotta love alliteration... anywho... I am only, like, ten pages into the May Domino and I am loving it. First off in the editor's cravings section is a page on Babe Paley, who some may consider the queen of all socialites ever, and then a piece on chinoiserie. A piece on Babe Paley hot on the heels of Alex V.F. maybe next month they will do an editor's craving on C.Z.

Cute Book

While I was in Las Vegas over the weekend the Anthropologie in the Forum Shops at Caesar's had the cutest display set for a new book, Lauren Child and Polly Borland's version of "The Princess and The Pea." To the left you can see a bed made with heaping piles of Anthro bed linens, wedged mid-way between the many layers are serveral cans of peas. I saw the display before I actually saw the book, but immediately knew the reference and it made me smile. I'm not sure if the other stores have a similar display set up so I thought I would share it with you because I thought it was adorable. The book is equally adorable and would make a cute gift for any little girl.
Whilst on the subject just a reminder that Anthropologie is having a sale on their upholstered furniture.

Out and About: La Jolla

Today I went shopping in La Jolla and to one of my favourite shops there, Seaside Home. Seaside Home has first and foremost an excellent selection of design and art books to choose from. They carry Baker furniture, Janus et Cie, William Yeoward crystal and more. This is a truly beautiful store with very polite and helpful staff. Before you drop by start you day off right with breakfast at Nine-Ten within the Colonial Hotel. I recommend the Nine-Ten omelet, yummy.
The shop is two floors of goodness. I am personally in love with the needlepoint leopard throw pillows seen in the photo to the left, they are absolutely brill.

Von Fabulous

In the nineties the Miller sisters were "it" girls of the New York and international social scene. Two out of three married princes (technically), the third marrying an oil heir. Fast forward to now, two out of three are amicably divorced, one retains the title of princess, and all three seem to have begun to lead more of a private and/or quiet lifestyle. That being said, my favorite of the three, Alexandra Miller von Furstenberg is featured in this May's Vogue. In the article they take a look at Alexandra's home in L.A., that she shares with her two children. It seems like a clean, bright, laid-back Californian space, which by the tone of the article is what Alexandra was seeking after leaving both a gossip laden New York and "dark" London. What caught my attention most was the interesting fireplace treatment that Alexandra had schemed up. She placed huge glass diamonds on black boxes within each fireplace. This is so random but I think it looks really pretty, and I'm thinking of stealing her idea as I came across some big glass diamonds the exact same day I read the article ...design destiny I tell you!

Inspiring Architecture

Last week my friend and I went to have an early supper at the restaurant Prado in Balboa Park, in San Diego. The beautiful buildings and surrounding gardens and ponds are a great place to picnic or sketch the surround architecture. On a side note funny story, my friend went here on a date and was remarking about how beautiful the old stone buildings were and her date knocked on them to prove her point about their age and enduring quality. To her surprise and his amusement they were hollow plastic. "Yeah really old huh?" said he.
In any case still worth a visit and a look.

Crate & Barrel wants you to have Modern Glamour

The Crate and Barrel Living came in the post today and whilst thumbing through I felt like I had seen some images before. Well not exactly but just in time for spring Crate and Barrel has some lovely pieces that could make your space feel like a posh room at the Viceroy. Seen here is the Atrium collection which would look good by any pool or perhaps in a courtyard, with crisp white, black, yellows, and just the slightest gray.


Also the lovely Laurel side chair, which calls to mind a graphic wallcovering featured in Modern Glamour. Also the beautiful bombe Francesca chest sits in the background, wouldn't that just be sexy in an entry hall with new hardware?

Big Week

So far this week I have got a new (to me) car, and actually taken steps away from just being an overly critical house-wife to having an actual career of some sort in the design field. Today I went to look at a school and had a meeting with an admissions counselor. It means four more years of school, and a drastic change of majors (political science is kind of like interior design) but I have a lot of time on my hands anyway so no big deal. I am excited to be moving into a career path that I think I can be happy in and away from one that was really bumming me out. Other big things this week include a trip to Las Vegas for the weekend.
In other news... If you haven't picked up the Spring edition of In Style Homes the Ruthie Sommers fans out there may want to thumb through. There is a feature on Ruthie's eclectic style and why it works. The other stand out for me in this issue was Darren Randall's L.A. Home. Really lovely mix of fresh graphic flocked fabrics, bright colors, and beautiful traditional architectural features.

"Can you just be whelmed?"

I think you can in Europe.

I am watching this special program "Homes of Paris," on HGTV. Maybe I just haven't had enough Tab Energy this morning, but I am so not feeling it. These places are by far and away running circles around my hovel, however, I haven't seen anything that would make me want to devise a plot to assume the identity of the owner, whom I had locked in the wine cellar, so I could live in their place. I was really excited to see Prosper and Martine Assouline's place and then kind of bummed. I was waiting for a phenomenal library because let's face it if my last name were Assouline I would have a pretty spiffy collection of livres. I suppose they don't like to bring work home with them. One of the more amusing apartments had to be completely gutted starting with the drop ceiling. I just have a hard time picturing a drop ceiling existing in Paris. It just seems wrong and unnatural. Maybe I am putting French taste and style on a pedestal. Anywho still worth a watch because after all you never know what will inspire you.

Apartment Living

Ahh, gotta love living in a city where the average home price is above half a million. It really allows for a mediocrity in apartments and homes that is unrivaled. So this is what I'm starting out with folks. Near future plans in the Bedroom include: Window treatments, replacing our cheap just-until-the-dog-sleeps-on-his-own-bed-duvet and linens with the nice ones packed in the linen closet, using my husbands ratty dresser as firewood and replacing it with a beautiful mirrored one, possibly upholstering the walls in a non-permanent way.
Near future plans in the bathroom: Paint, constructing a shade to go over the Hollywood trailer lighting, framing out the gigronomous mirror, added artwork, and perhaps seagrass or jute to cover the icky poo linoleum. What I am going for is kind of a James Bond feeling in the bathroom. Read: English & Exotic; not Kitschy or Themey.
If you have any genius ideas that spring to mind when you see my forlorn apartment let me know!

Real Estate

Kelly Wearstler fans may find this link :http://guests.themls.com/..%5Cview_photo.cfm?mlsnum=06-148869# of
of interest. It is apparently her Kings Rd. abode in Los Angeles. Fun for a sneak peak at the least or for the very serious Kelly fan a possible purchase?