Monday, June 29, 2009

photo boxes {for crafties}

I went into serious office-organizing mode this weekend. Michael's sells these photo storage boxes for $1.99, I bought 12 and made simple labels for each. Now, all of the little do-dads that collect in my office have all found a happy new home. Some of the labels: Sparkle, Stick, Ribbons, From-the-Sea, and Vintage Flowers.

Friday, June 26, 2009

{happy friday!}


have a lovely, spontaneous weekend, my friends! xo amber image via loveology

Thursday, June 25, 2009

through the forest {and into bed!}


Now this is what I call an enchanted bedroom - and it's on Etsy! How sweet is this for a little girl's room, she'd be a true woodland fairy.

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

daydream, anyone?


Can you just imagine the dreamy naps in this gorgeous, airy bedroom via style files?? 

a man works from sun to sun...


...but a womans work is never done. My grandma had this on a plaque in her kitchen for 40 years, it may sound old-school, but sometimes it's kind of true. I just cleaned out the office and my closet (yikes) - I'm worked!

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

sparkle + merengue


I'm pretty sure I've missed my calling as a wedding planner, so daydreaming and full time weding obsession will have to do. If I did it all over again - these 2 ultra-dreamy elements would set the scene. dress of my dreams + ring (??) via 100 layer cake

Monday, June 22, 2009

one pretty picnic


We live in an ideal picnic town, all vineyards and parks create a natural backdrop. These not-too-fancy picnic sets would be so fun for a summer picnic party! les petits sets

Friday, June 19, 2009

{happy friday!}


Isn't this image just plain sexy? Happy weekend to all! xo, amber

Thursday, June 18, 2009

what's for dinner tonight...


I'm making this creamy summer sqaush soup from the always inspiring 101 cookbooks. It's not too hot out yet, so a fresh green summer soup seems like just the right kind of meal.

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

cherry, rose & coconut ice cream


Seriously? Could anything look more dreamy than this combination of milk, cream, cherries, coconut milk and rosebuds from the crazy talented Tartelette? And her images are something to behold - brace yourself for some serious food beauty.

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Aloha! {the party}



As promised, pics from Ruby's 6th Aloha birthday party - a super fun day for the kiddos (and adults!). Everyone was greeted with a flower lei, we did the limbo, played pass-the-coconut (like hot potato), and made hibiscus necklaces in the self-made tiki hut. The favors (in the top photo) were hibiscus hair clips for girls, footballs for the boys and packaged up nicely in cello bags. The cupcakes were topped with hawaiian umbrellas and fresh flowers and the tables strewn with shells. What a fun day, oh to be 6 again...let me know if you want any tutorials and I'll put them together!

Topanga Canyon {wannabee}


I've had a secret obsession with Topanga Canyon ever since our friends took us to a delicious hole-in-the-wall Italian restaurant there years ago. The location is prime - a blend of California arty bohemian nestled into a lush green canyon with hiking galore. This photo shoot from British Vogue is quite dreamy, don't you think??

Monday, June 15, 2009

I'm back..and with softer skin!


Our trip rocked (pics to come!), but I couldn't wait one more second to share this beauty product extraordinaire with you. In Carmel (a crazy-cute European style beach town) I stopped in to Lush to pick up something girlie and fresh after 3 nights of camping - enter BB Seaweed facial. OMG, my skin felt insane, all dewy and nourished - and no, Lush is not paying me in gobs of seaweed facial that I would gladly accept. It looks curiously like a spinach dip, but smells like the beach, and with ingredients like lime flower and violet leaf, you really can't go wrong.

Monday, June 8, 2009

road trip!


And...we're off! Camping for a week (in our tent trailer) along the central CA coast, gazing at the open road, the endless night sky and not one plan on the agenda. I'll keep you posted if I can get service! xo images via laporterouge

Friday, June 5, 2009

{happy friday!}


happy weekend, everyone! we'll be in luau-birthday mode, and hopefully some relaxing afterwards. xoxo amber image: tiara mia

Thursday, June 4, 2009

the last day...


Today is Ruby's last day in kindergarten - she's all smiles and I'm a total mess. These milestones are so special (and intense!), they always leave me in a teary emotional puddle. Her first day seemed like yesterday, and I'm amazed at how far she's come in only one year. Congratulations, my sweet, spread your wings and soar! xo, mom  image: taken this morning while she checked on her butterfly cocoons.

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

dreamy room


High ceilings and plenty of sunshine..I'd live here, could you? image via marie claire maison

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

current girl crush


It's no secret that I have a girl crush on Zooey Deschanel. Her dreamy music (that voice!) and fab style kind of rocks my girl-crush world. I love this pink meringue top she's wearing - so great for photos.

Friday, May 29, 2009

{happy friday!}


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

Thursday, May 28, 2009

oh. goodness.


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

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

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?

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

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.

Friday, May 22, 2009

{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

Thursday, May 21, 2009

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.

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

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??

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

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.

Monday, May 18, 2009

{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.

Friday, May 15, 2009

{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

Thursday, May 14, 2009

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??

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

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

Monday, May 11, 2009

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

Friday, May 8, 2009

{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

Thursday, May 7, 2009

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.