signs of spring

Today I'm seeing signs of spring in the form of...

hand-stamped birdie notecards

and hippie headbands

Moroccan Feast

I have an obsession with Moroccan-themed dinners; thick floor cushions, jewel toned glasses, glowing lanterns, and being outdoors with friends. It's so inviting and informal - my style completely! image via KimVallee

Spring {on the Lane}

Yesterday was balmy and warm well into the evening. Ruby and her friends gathered on our block and decorated Dave's skateboard with flowers and grass, making a new home for a slug. Ahhh, spring!

viva Brazil

I've never tried a Caipirinha, but after seeing this picture I need one pronto.

spring dinners

It's not quite hot outside yet, but the buds have bloomed and the nights seems longer already. I'm looking for quick, springtime dinners that are filling but light enough to whip together while the kiddos are outside jumping rope. Have any favorites?

the sisal hunt is on

I dragged my family all over the Bay Area last weekend in search of the perfect sisal rug for our dining room. There are so many different varieties - color, texture, weave...it was not a quick decision kind of day. We found a great remnant place, but the binding cost as much as the rug. Last night I ordered one online, but without actually touching it first, I'm skeptical of it's quality. I was hoping to find a huge sisal warehouse like an oasis at the end of a long journey, but no luck. 

fairytale garden

We spent this weekend digging in the garden (loved it!); we planted seeds and herbs, then cleared out the piles of dead winter leaves. This image looks nothing like my garden, but I do love the beveled mirror & tub, it reminds me of a fairytale garden. image:?? if it's yours, let me know!

{happy friday!}

hooray for Friday! the sun is shining, the flowers in bloom, have a free-fallin' kind of weekend, xo amber
beautiful image by kari-shma

pink, pink+lots more pink

Apparently, Barbie is not feeling the recession, not even a bit. For her 50th, Mattel threw a grand party with a real Barbie dream house decorated by wedding planner extraordinaire Colin Cowie. 750 Barbies were used to create a wall behind the bar (above), and then framed with jewels. The pink pictures say it all, and I can assure you that all of my 8 year old dreams (and current) would have come true had I been invited.

crafters: start your engines

Long gone are the days when I'd put Ruby down for a nap, turn up the Ben Harper and sit at my dining table for hours creating layered pages of memories. Where did all that free time go?! Besides working on my own business, I'd really like to begin scrapbooking again - this blog has the most beautiful ideas using transparencies & stickers. I can actually see an addiction coming on...

tropical umbrellas {DIY!}

I'm not sure which is prettier - this tantalizing summer cocktail or the sweet handmade umbrellas. Imagine all the gorgeous papers you could use! Learn to DIY here & here. image by rachel whiting

BIG letters

I've had this image on my fridge for weeks now, torn from the Sundance catalog. We're looking for a new dining table+chairs and this combo is my favorite so far (rustic table + modern chairs). But now I've fallen hard for these giant letters in a dining room, I love the way it makes that whole wall POP.

we're at the beach!

hunting for heart shaped rocks

playing littlest-pet-shop in the driftwood

and meeting the local lizards

be back soon! xo

{happy friday!}

 You never know what you'll find when you take that leap ~ have a gorgeous weekend, xoxo
image via absolutely beautiful things

pancakes, anyone?

Mornings in our home are so. very. rushed. Weekends are the only time I'd get to make a gorgeous plate of berry pancakes like this one. Can't you just imagine these with warm maple syrup?! mmmm...come to mama. via decor8

{friendly} reminder

so. so . true. xo via absolutely beautiful things

a good pair of shoes

It seems that I need a good pair of shoes. Don't get me wrong, I have many pairs of great shoes, but what I need is something "sensible" (but still cute) to run to the market in, instead of flip-flops and certainly not in my new 4" wood platform sandles. Any suggestions?? via the cherry blossom girl / image Chloe miu-miu

{a place for} daydreams

Introducing...the bedroom of my dreams - just right for an afternoon nap and a few daydreams.
image: rachel whiting

Ruby's Room (redux)

When you're about to turn 6, a "baby's room" just won't cut it. We've been hard at work - fresh paint, fun paper lanterns and new etsy artwork - she loves it!

{pretty} poster

I'm pretty sure this gorgeous Feist poster will live happily over my office desk.

copper 'n lace

There are some very pretty  (and affordable) necklaces and headbands over at tree & kimball right now - very similar to the (much pricier) necklaces in the Anthro spring collection.

{happy friday!}

This ought to put a little Spring in your step, happy weekend everyone! xo  image: rinne allen

in case you had {any} doubts...

And don't forget it.  image via black eiffel

evil {to the core}

I hope I'm not the only one watching The City (the best thing on TV right now, since Gossip Girl has left us dry). Olivia-the-socialite is awful, I was grinding my teeth as she took credit for Whit's Elle cover pull, which was completely gorgeous btw. PS - don't be fooled by this sweet pic - it's a hoax - pure evil, I tell you.

Kooba slouchy-dream-hobo

Anyone have a mere $700 I can borrow for the new slouchy (and completely fabulous) Dale bag from Kooba??

I dream of treehouses

I've always wanted a treehouse, a little wooded hideaway nestled among branches and clumps of leaves. These grown-up versions just may be the most beautiful treehouses I've ever laid eyes on. from here & here.

save the date {hankies!}

I am in LOVE with this idea of printing save-the-dates directly on to vintage hankies. So, so inspiring.