{happy friday!}

have a relaxing weekend everyone ~ any fun plans? xo amber gorgeous sparkling image: glen luchford

oh. goodness.

fresh blueberries? date & almond crust? no baking?? I'm on it. {easy peasy recipe here}

al fresco dreamin'

sigh....

my garden is the size of a tiny sugar pea, but I d r e a m of dining al fresco and entertaining under the stars. A vine covered canopy hanging heavy with hindi lanterns and lit up with fairy lights. I'm craving wide open spaces, can you tell?

tank + scarves

Lately, nothing in my closet comes together better than the white tank + scarf combo. I like them long, or doubled around and kind of messy, and the more color the better. I bought a few beauties at Urban for a steal.

{happy friday!}

Happy weekend, my sweet friends! I'll be wandering down to the park to see Ziggy Marley play, how about you? xo amber image via Yvette Inufio

the chain wedge

These leather beauties may just be my go-to summer sandal - fab with a dress or jeans, and I always love a wedge.

Ruby's Aloha Invites {done!}

The invitations for Ruby's 6th birthday party have all been sent out, each one boxed like a little hawaiian surprise. The kraft boxes are filled with green shredded raffia, beach shells, faux flowers and the invitation. Each one is wrapped with an adhesive printed address label, stamped and mailed off! These were so much fun to make, Ruby helped with every step, adding the shells and doing the hula while I cut, glued and stuffed each one. Can't you just feel the aloha??

message journal

A few years back, we used to live in a tiny tree-house-like apartment that somehow didn't seem so small at the time. I kept a thick journal by the phone for message writing (sticky notes and tiny paper scraps always seemed to disappear). Once in a while there would be a sweet love note amongst the daily scribbles of appointment reminders, and it would leave a plastered smile on my face for a week. I think it's time for a new message journal, purely for the element of surprise.

{surprise} weekend away

The hubby surprised me with a weekend away in the city (SF, that is)! Even though it's only 45 minutes away, it felt like worlds and we feel so rejuvenated. We spent 2 days at the beach - the weather couldn't have been better, dinner in North Beach at our favorite trattoria Sodini's - we even saw Carlos Santana hanging out, a bit of shopping during the day, and plenty of eye candy from the Bay to Breakers race on Sunday. What a city...I just love it.

{happy friday!}

Happy weekend everyone! I'll be working on Ruby's hula-birthday invitations, what about you? xo amber
image via audrey hepburn complex

food fun {cookie cutters}

Yeah, I'm that kind of mom. I packed these in Ruby's lunch today, she was all kinds of excited.

one-piece wonder

I've never been a huge fan of one-piece suits, they always reminded me of being on a swim team. But this beauty has me wondering if I could make the switch...it's strapless and has metal grommets (my two weaknesses). Isn't it gorgeous??

mismatched vintage

I like the idea of clustering little vintage vases together for a pop of color. Maybe in a glass case or over a fireplace - either way, it would be fun to thrift shop for these sweet vintage vessels. image: rice from denmark

Ikat {framed?}

Ikat is pretty much everywhere these days, though I can remember watching artists make it on a loom in Bali years ago (yeah, it was rad). I like the idea of framing a large piece to brighten a room - it's so graphic but kind of hippie/cozy at the same time - thoughts?? image: unknown

{happy friday!}

Have a great weekend! We've rented a cozy home in the tiny coastal town of Inverness for Mom's Day - back on Monday, xo Amber image: steta zozokovich

Rachel {got married}

The funny thing about blogging is the friendship and connection I feel with people I've never met. We share our ideas, rants & raves, and inspiration! My husband calls them my "imaginary" friends, but I have no doubt that if you gathered us all in a room we'd have more in common than just about anyone.
My point...is that my blogger friend Rachel got married and her pics are divine little treasures - her dress, the island, the table settings, all completely dreamy (so I had to share!). Check out her blog for all the pics and her RAD honeymoon photos from Ireland. xo

smitten {rob ryan}

I am a HUGE fan of Rob Ryan's intricately beautiful cut-out art. It's a combination of poetry, graphics, and art—but it's a simple yet timeless tale of love. So, when I saw his book out at Anthro today I did a bit of a happy dance.

crafting central {michael's?!}

Who knew? Beyond the Bedazzler's and tacky seasonal-decor, lies an oasis of uber crafting supplies at Michael's! On Monday's I venture out of my home office for a marketing meeting about 40 minutes away. There happens to be a Michael's nearby, so it's become sort of a routine stop afterwards. This week, I bought beautiful waxed twine, alphabet stamps, inkpads of every shade, teeny tiny swarovski crystals, round metal tins and thick textured papers. I'll let you know what it all turns into!

caftans {for everyone}

When I grow up, I will live on a white sand beach wearing nothing but flowy caftans like these. It's going to be great. via shoptalk

{pretty} hair pins

Everyday I use plain-old bobby pins to hold my bangs out of my eyes, but after putting together this collection, it may be time to step it up a notch. hibiscus pins, crimson creme, vintage, pink flower, vintage creme flower

{happy friday!}

I'm hoping for a weekend of long walks and big breakfasts...how about you? xoxo amber 

image via fffound

jump in!

I think all-white beds are so romantic and inviting, especially if they're a bit rumpled. This new bedding has me all in a flutter, right down to the lumbar pillow for the finishing touch.

have you read it??

My neighbor left the book Twilight on my doorstep this morning - she's been gushing about it for months now. Have you read it?

sale alert! {Kooba clutch}

You might not know, but....I have a wee bit of a Kooba purse obsession. Which is why I had breathing troubles when I spotted this little beauty on super sale right now.

{i heart} boxed invites

I have some deep love for boxed invitations, they just seem so special, like opening a little mystery gift. I'm designing a line of boxed invites now for Whish (yes, it's still in the works!). Papermart sells these multi-color combos at fab prices.  image: martha stewart

you will freak {in a good way}

Am I the last person in blogland to discover the DesignSponge sneak peak section?? Oh my...it's home decor heaven, be prepared to lose yourself for a while.

{happy friday!}

have a wonderful weekend, my friends! xo amber image: ashtapot/deviantART

vintage {style} sunglasses

There are so many inexpensive sunglasses out this season - how great to throw a pair into your beach bag and not worry about scratches! 1top left, 2 early dusk, 3 top down shades, 4 square frame

perfectly paris

I am officially addicted to Perfectly Paris, an enchanting website of the most perfectly-Parisian vacation rentals. A girl can dream...

so. simple.

Do you ever stop to notice all things simple? I just walked my daughter to school; heavy scents of wisteria and roses followed us (it was kind of magical) and a butterfly crossed our path. Back at home, my dog greeted me with his leash in his mouth, ready for a walk. We walked a trail surrounded by tall grasses and wildflowers, and again, those springtime scents filled the air. It felt so cliche to stop and smell the roses, but you know I did, I just wanted to take it all in before I begin my daily grind at the computer. I hope you get a chance - happy spring!

whimsy {for the wall}

Aren't these "wallflowers" fantastic?? They're making my otherwise blah day feel kind of happy.

{happy friday!}

have a great weekend, I'm still under the weather so I'll be living vicariously through you...xoxo

image by hanna jacob

{almost} lipstick

I've actually given up on lipsticks. The cakey-ness just doesn't cut it anymore, I'm completely in love with almost lipstick. My 2 favorite can't-live-withouts are Clinique Black Honey (for day) and Back Current (for night). They look like a sheer brush of color - and just right.

gypsy water

Just the name alone makes me want to try this new scent! The sandalwood-tea combo sounds subtle and earthy...

this makes me super excited....

hooray! they've begun taping the new season of my all time favorite show Entourage

and this just makes me queasy all over. psst Speidi...those shorts are all kinds of wrong.