oh the cupcakes! {live from NYC}

NYC has been incredible, it's been non-stop family/friends/shopping/shows and we're loving every minute! I don't really have computer access, but I had to share the cupcake trails that I've been blazing through the city. I'm on a mission to try them ALL, and since we walk all day long, I won't feel the guilt. Let's begin with the famous Magnolia bakery~love the small town shop atmosphere and the serve yourself white pastry boxes. The cupcakes themselves are a wee bit heavy on the butter cream for my taste, not that it stopped me. Next up, Billy's Bakery (image above) in Chelsea, a tiny old fashioned style joint filled to the brim with originality, the cupcakes are DIVINE, not too sweet and fab frosting/cake ratio. We'll be hitting up a few more today...and I'll be sure to share. xoxo

**Look for us tonight (Thursday) on the Dave Letterman Show!!**

bon voyage

I apologize for the complete and utter lack of design inspiration this week, I've been terribly busy packing and tying up loose ends at work. I'll try to post from NY, but for now I leave you with a very happy yellow kitchen, bon voyage!

NYC Bound

We leave for NY on Thursday for 12 days, if anyone has any recommendation for food, sights or entertainment please let me know!

off the beaten track

This weekend we took a gorgeous family hike (only about 2 miles each way) on the Tennessee Valley Trail in Mill Valley. A complete gem - the mountains, meadows and eucalyptus trees made way to the ocean and a secluded beach - it was breathtaking. We collected colored rocks on the beach, made wishes on dandelions and inspected a family of giant beetles. What a great escape!

happy weekend!

Isn't this image divine?
image from italian elle

wood block stamps

If I were to ever start collecting things, this would be it - wood block stamps (click image to see the details). My friends Rosalie & Susannah brought these back for me from a work trip in India. The little metal star-flower I found at the Camden flea market (in London), I always though it would make a pretty tattoo. Aren't they beautiful? I'd love for the whole shelf to be filled with them.

e.e cummings

Just after high school and well into my first year of college I fell in love with the poetry of e.e cummings. Couldn't get enough of his passionate words, all strung together just right. I carried a tattered copy of his poems in my backpack should I need to suddenly read "somewhere I have never travelled" while eating my lunch on the lawn, and smoking beedi's (it was such a bad habit, I know...). When I met my (now) husband, I wrote the words of "i like my body when it is with your body" in a love letter. I just found my tattered book and I think I may just start carrying it around once again, for old times sake of course.

pouf!

Ever since I spotted a giant orange pouf in a fabulous shop in San Diego I've been obsessed. Obsessed with poufs, seriously. I want one for our (unusually) tiny living room in lieu of a coffee table. They'd also look great at the foot of a bed. The great thing about these adorable poufs - they're portable! Instant extra seating, instant super cool style.
via sfgirlbybay & graham and greene

stack 'em up

Would it be dorky if I brought this stackable lunchbox to the office everyday chock full of healthy snacks? Probably better than the mismatched Ikea cheapies I'm using now, and check out the kids version - LOVE!!

birch bark soaps

I'm a sucker for sweet smelling soaps, hints of jasmine and pikaki mixed with creamy coconut - YUM. Any of these handmade soaps would look just right next to the bathroom sink, and smell like a little slice of heaven!

oh, hello my pretty

dear pretty pretty dress,
would you like to come home with me, live in the wine country, and hang proudly in my messy closet? I think we'd be really happy together, xo amber
via inside the loop

gee, your hair smells terrific.

My friend Susannah has hair like a Breck girl, you know one's that fling their locks gently from one shoulder while looking in the other direction? This is what was running through my head as she was telling us about her fancy "real" haircut and not her usual Supercuts do. Anyhoo, today I came across this hair mist by Victor & Rolf, but I have to say the thought reminds me of teen romance novels and afterschool specials. In the 70's there was actually a product called "Gee, your hair smells terrific.", and you just know I'd love to get my hands on a bottle of that. I kind of want to get this for Susannah for her next b'day, though $40 for hair that smells like apples & pink champagne - not so sure.

beach baggin'

I need to invest in a "real" beach bag, a roomy little number with thick straps and an inside pocket for my lip gloss, cell and money. Some contenders:
Rip Curl Tote
Red & White Paisley
Green Cotton Canvas
Rattan with Leather
Orange Cutie

pure Americana {rewind!}

Work has been a little crazy this week so my posts have been sporadic, but how could I not mention the 4th of July?! If you love the 4th, you must come to Sonoma, it's 100% pure Americana. The day was probably the longest I can remember; the town parade in the morning, our block party in the afternoon, family over for BBQ dinner, and then fireworks in the park at night. The kids loved every second - can't you tell? The funny part about this picture is that half of these kids are from Canada - but you know, any holiday is a great reason to celebrate!

no, really, do you like like me??

Even though I'm married, and I'm pretty sure my husband does like like me, these little notes are so adorable. I seem to remember passing these exact notes to friends circa 1985.

{needed} easy breezy

It's officially HOT here in northern California, and dressing for the office has become my morning torture. Jeans? Uh...no. Strappy tank? Not in the office...so now what? I need a serious hot weather wardrobe makeover. Isn't there a show I can go on that will do this for me? I love this look from Cookie mag, though much better for a sunset stroll than office wear...but cute all the same!

apricots everywhere

There are buckets full of plump apricots in my office today courtesy of my boss who has some sort of orchard in his garden. We're having guests over this weekend and I'm trying to figure out what delicious dessert I can create with them...so far I've seen an apricot pudding, this pie with ginger crunch topping, or apricot napoleon's that look kind of divine.

jeff canham {surf art}

I just stumbled upon artist Jeff Canham, whose funky typography inspired art is popping up in magazines and surfshops on all coasts. Some of his type designs are truly amazing, check his site out!

ruffle tops

I've been wanting one of these layered ruffle tops, don't they just look so comfy? This one by Cynthia Vincent would look so cute with jeans.

nonchalant flair

Swoon!! Did anyone catch the article in Domino this month on Nonchalant Mom boutique owner Carina Schott?! Incredible home, with such pretty Scandinavian flair. I love the fabric-covered sliding window she created from the living room into her kids room - genius!

{urban} summer goods

Just got a new Urban Outfitters catalog, all 18 year old sun drenched models sporting this season's trends. Sometimes I think I'm too old to shop at Urban, but they really do have some little gems.

raised beds {organic beauty}

I love raised beds in the garden that can be changed out each year - a mix of herbs and veggies are so handy to have around for cooking, too. We have a teeny garden, so we have our herb/veggie garden planted in a large galvanized tub (oval shaped), which I'd love to have lined around the garden, but space is limited. I find myself adding sage, basil and thyme to just about everything I cook now, even on sandwiches and i omelets - mmmm so good. PHOTO BY RICHARD FELBER

{scratching post}

Some of my very best memories growing up are at Phoenix Lake, in Marin County. This is where it all went down, long walk & talks with friends, break-ups/fresh starts, and big life decisions. I took Ruby there on her birthday as few weeks ago, where she jumped in pools of fresh water with little girls wearing rainboots and bikini's, and then carved her name inside a super cool old log cabin (currently the best play house around). I feel so lucky to be able to still come back here, every step is like a memory.

paper lanterns {as art}

This weekend we went into a great little children's shop with a display of painted paper lanterns hanging at different lengths from the ceiling. The lanterns were all different patterns, but looked gorgeous together. I'm doing this in Ruby's room - it's such a simple way to create a fun, arty room. LOVE!
image: farm2.static

happy friday!

I'm plum fresh out of ideas today...have a lovely weekend!

summer reading {the list}

Summer reading is all about dreamy, carefree writing about women finding their way and happy endings - I save the heavy stuff for Fall and Winter. Here's my list of beach/vacation/lazy Sunday reads for this Summer:
Girls In Trucks
Whacked
I Was Told There'd Be Cake
Chasing Harry Winston
Certain Girls
Love The One You're With
Belong To Me
Lovehampton

I've made it. {sans the white luggage}

My friend David told me you know you've really "made it" in life when you own a set of white luggage. Perplexed? Ok, his theory is this: should you own a set of white luggage, chances are you're traveling in serious style; ie not waiting at the baggage carousel as hundreds of anonymous ribbon-tied suitcases pour out sporting scuff marks and dents. With white luggage, no doubt someone is hand carrying these on and off of your private jet/yacht without as much as a shift in the contents.
luggage image via this is glamorous

pure beauty

I can't remember where I found this gorgeous image, but I can't stop staring at it! The colors, the lighting - it all combines into one dreamy, pinky, sensual tone. Love. via coco+kelly

cooking club {wannabe}

I'm not in a book club, or any other club for that matter, but what I'd really like to be in is a cooking club. Something where friends gather and create with food. I'm not sure how it all comes together, like if the "host" cooks everything, or just picks a theme and everyone brings a dish within that theme, but I do think it would be so much fun. Cooking can be so creative and such a treat for the senses, it can only be better spent with a group of friends ready to eat! Anyone interested?

chalkboard door {sooo clever!}

Great for little fingers and grocery lists, I think this is sun a fun idea for a kitchen or pantry door. This one was painted with chalkboard paint.
via apartment therapy

I blew it {a carbfest weekend}

I blew it big time, my wheat-free, sugar-free "cleanse" went out the window this weekend. From the big burrito on the beach, to the delicious grown up-mac 'n cheese last night at The Fig Cafe (it was SO worth it). It's back on, of course, but weekends are hard and my self control is almost non existent...what to do?
If you feel like really going for it, here's a great recipe.

peacock bedding {on sale}

This pretty peacock bedding is on sale at West Elm. It looks great in this shot but I wonder if it's a little too wild for my usual all-white bed...

a {gorgeous} day on the bay

Saturday was another scorcher in Sonoma, so we headed to the city for a bike ride and picnic on the beach. It was gorgeous! You never know what you're going to find once you cross the golden gate, usually being greeted by the thick summer fog. Today was one of those amazing SF weather days with just-right breezes blowing off the water, a good dose of the sunshine and a sailing regatta to top it off. Happy weekend, everyone!

{swingtown} so 70's - sooo good

It's official, my new favorite summer show is Swingtown, from the director of "Big Love" and "Rome," we just finished off episode 3 last night. The crazy 70's plaids, polyester halters, the decor and nights at the Bunny Club are reason enough to watch. Remember Grant Show from Melrose Place? Well, he and his wife are swanky swingers trying to convert the new "squares" on the block. It's fantastic. The food is truly comical - as a housewarming appetizer they made pickles, coated in cream cheese, wrapped in bacon, fried and sliced - can you imagine? If you have a few hours to spend in swanky Swingtown, catch all the episodes here, it's so worth it!

Sienna's been around the block...

I guess we're not exclusive; it seems that my soft and subtle summer fling, Sienna, has been known to have a tryst or two before me. While looking for images of the purse, I came accross this Flikr site of outfits created solely around Sienna! So crazy. Seriously, I ask you, where do people find the time?