upholstery fabric {for the tent trailer}

I blogged a few months back about the new addition to our family, the tent trailer. Ready for the coastal camping trips planned this summer, all it needs is a bit of sprucing up and we're set. We took it on as a remodel project of sorts (watching HDTV will have that effect), so far tearing out the flooring and laying down new bamboo floors. Next up, reupholstering the cushions & curtains. I'm pretty sold on this fabric titled "surf & sand" that I came across on Etsy. I'll be sure to keep posting pics as we make progress!

the {huge} straw tote

Doesn't this bag just scream farmer's market?? It's all roomy and begs to be filled with heirloom tomatoes and sweet smelling tuberose stalks. I need one, and not this one which is $110, but one just like it of course.

calling cards

I love the simplicity of these cards by Brooklyn Social Cards, and of course the letterpress is so elegant and tactile. Once my design business & website is (finally) up and running, I'd like to have a selection of these. Great for moms who want to connect, and just an easy way to make a lasting impression.

cinco de mayo {fiesta!}

Our friends Aubrey & Joe had a Cinco de Mayo fiesta last night, complete with live music, fresh lime margaritas and a potluck table that would rival any authentic Mexican restaurant. Delicious! It was a great evening (and on a school night, no less!) with great friends. What better way to celebrate Mexico's victory over the French?

banana bread + wildflowers

Ruby and I woke up to 5 brown bananas in our fruit bowl and we gave eachother the "ewww" look. A minute later we both had our aprons tied and we began our banana bread adventure. While it baked, we took the dog on a walk, saw a new set of ducklings in the creek, collected handfulls of wildflowers and came home to the yummiest banana bread smell ever. If I could have bottled that moment - I would.
I took the day off today to be with Ruby, and really just to frolick around. It's the first time in a long time that I'm not buried in invitation work, but I do have a few jobs to catch up with now. Happy Cinco de Mayo!

bahama mama {the balm}

The last time I exited a Benefit I swore it was the last time, there's always a guy working there who literally can convince me to buy ANYTHING. I don't know know what's wrong with me, but somehow I end up with the most random products like frosted/crystallized lavender lip gloss and some sort of lemon eye goo that is pretty much useless. Anyhooooo, Bahama Mama promises me a "fresh off-the-beach glow", and is not by Benefit (but you could have fooled me with the copycat packaging), but I do kind of want it. Just hoping I don't regret the purchase 24 hours later.

amy butler {abode}

This is the home of fabric designer Amy Butler, whose beautiful graphic fabric patterns I've long admired. Their abode, located in the mid-west, is described as “kinda modern-organic-primitive”. I love all the personal touches, it all looks very cozy and inviting.

Invitations are d o n e!

My client is throwing a surprise party this summer to celebrate her mother surviving cancer. The job was a labor of love (even lost a finger, see post below) filled with bright happy colors, a tri-fold layout and a perforated postcard r.s.v.p. These invitations make me smile.

the {x-acto} crime scene

the incident:

the culprit:

Having 10 fingers was so 2008, but it was fun while it lasted...

wedding pretties

These gorgeous little undergarments from French designer Kiki De Montparnasse take a fun twist on the average wedding night wear (and they're begging to be mine). Sweet & sassy, without a hint of trashiness, what lingerie should look like if you ask me. ps - this site contains some fairly, um, risque items, don't say I didn't warn you... via peonies & poloroids

Dear Target,

Dear Target, (tar-jay)

Just a few props because I don't think you get enough. You've got style, Tarjay, sometimes a girl just needs some quick shopping therapy without the big 'ol pricetags.
Thank you for being there for me when I constantly change my tastes and styles like the wind...my loves and hates, all within weeks at a time.
Your collection is the coolest; gourd lamps, fun beach towels, bean bags and everything else under the sun.

You're rad, don't go changin'
Thank You,
Amber

beaded flower necklaces {DIY}

If you don't have easy access to granny's jewelry box and have a few hours to kill, this beaded necklace is just the thing. I love how it hangs with the flower up on one side instead of directly in the middle. Even though the sun is shining bright today, this seems like a fun rainy day project, you can watch the how-to video here.

Terrain {has sprouted}

The founders of Anthropologie and Urban Outfitters have a new lovechild ~ Terrain, a gorgeous garden and landscaping emporium filled to the gils with green. There's only one location so far, in Philadelphia, a huge 11 acre garden center and home store. The goal of Terrain is “to transform the local garden center into an experience that celebrates the beauty and abundance of nature while offering an eclectic mix of garden-inspired products tailored for the contemporary customer,” according to a company press release. I'd love to go! If anyone visits, please give me all the moss covered details.

I found it! {on Craigslist}

Sunset magazine was always in my home growing up, I associated it with my parents and their friends, but always found myself taking a peek here and there. And now, I'm a full on fan. If the new issue is on the newsstand and mine hasn't arrived in the mailbox, I'm totally peeved.

Well, now they've even gone up a notch. Sunset has started a new monthly section called "I Found it on Craigslist" featuring furniture makeovers and cool vintage finds. I love this, it's like going to the flea market but without the dusty aisles and price haggling.

made {in the shades}

I've never been one to own nice sunglasses, mostly because I lose each pair approximately 2 weeks after purchase. But, I changed my tune a bit when I saw these brown beauties and bought them on the spot. I knew it was love at first site when I didn't need to go home to "think it over", nor did I do the nervous ho-hum dance at the counter. It was a smooth and deliberate transaction, and I have to say, through these, the world looks a little brighter.

corners I covet {my home}

The sunlight in my bedroom is so pretty in the early morning. I don't have too much color in the room, a bright pillow here and there, I like it very serene, like a little sleep haven. These are the gourds lamps I ended up with (after a month long search), the linen shades look so warm when they're lit up in the evening. The "For Like Ever" poster was a gift from my mom, I think it's cute over the bed, and I haven't heard any complaints from the husband, so it's a keeper!

today's the day {shoes!}

Those who know me will agree, it takes me a while to make any sort of decision. I'm just not the spur-of the-moment kind of gal, I don't think I got that gene. Case in point: my closet. It needs serious updating, a spring cleaning frenzy, really and then I can start fresh. First things first, though, and that's the shoes. I need new shoes of every style. Pronto.

with legs like these...

If I had legs like these I'd wear short with heels, too! But seriously, do you know anyone who could pull this look off?

another day at the beach...

Just got this great email blast from J.Crew and it made me long for my past job. I used to work on photoshoots for Smith & Hawken, spending weeks in beautiful homes and lush gardens. The food is always top notch, the people are creative and (usually) great fun to hang out with. There was more manual labor than I ever expected, though, plus the crazy requests, like the night I spent painting a gigantic garden arbor turquoise just to have on hand should they need it as a prop (they didn't). This email made me slightly envious thinking of team J.Crew spending weeks at a gorgeous beach resort, long days of photo work, then warm nights filled with fruity cocktails and retail gossip. Oh, the good 'ol days.

{stephanie+tim} invitations

I finished up these invitations the other night and delivered them to the bride-to-be today. After receiving 2 hugs and a few tears, I've decided that wedding invitations are hands down my favorite type of graphic design. This picture is just a few of the items; there's also a map, reception card, rsvp card and thank you cards. As I'm writing this I should really be working on my next two that are due in about a week (eeek!).

mango pudding {yes, please!}

I've been so crazy busy latey with three invitation jobs back to back, cooking has been the last thing on my mind. Can someone please make this delicious creamy dessert and let me know how it turns out? The salty sweetness of the whipped condensed milk topping looks divine...

fresh {like cut grass}

This top from Banana caught my eye the other day, actually I did one of those over exaggerated double takes, but the point is, I love it! With jeans (maybe even white trousers?) and some cute wedges. And look at those cute little capped sleeves, I mean, come ON.
thank you, Mrs. Preppy for the reminder!

house hunting in Paris {if only!}

So, my husband and I are a wee bit obsessed with the HGTV show House Hunters International. Home hunters and their realtors check out all sorts of architectural styles and work through the details of buying real estate in other countries, and then they choose the home to purchase. It's addicting. This weekend was by far my favorite, about a single woman looking for a flat in Paris, and oh, was it dreamy. The quaint flats sat just above the flower stands, the farmer's market and the vine covered buildings.

wanted: floppy sun hat

I don't just want one of these fabulous floppy sun hats, I need one desperately. The sun is harsh these days and let's face it, I haven't exactly ignored the sun my whole life, just the opposite, I worshipped it. And, now, I repent and I need a hat, but it has to be just right, of course.

corners I covet {my home}

There are certain areas in my home that just make me smile when I walk by. These are the spots that make me feel like I'm home, cozy and warm, that surround me like a big smushy blanket. This little spot is nestled on my fireplace, the painting is my most favorite piece of artwork we own, bought in southern California at a surf gallery in Del Mar. It's titled "Holiday" and is filled with the most relaxing colors and patterns. These tulips just opened last night, I try to get fresh flowers whenever, wherever, it's such a treat. I spend a lot of time by the fireplace, sitting with a magazine or jotting down thoughts for the blog...it's just a good place to be. I'll be posting my most coveted corners, every Friday until, of course, I've run out!

the evening ahead {a veggie delight}

My mom and I have a date tonight and we're headed to Ubuntu, an all organic, vegetarian "farm-to-table cuisine". All the vegetables are grown there and there is also a world-class yoga studio on the premesis. My mouth is watering already!

replace those mirrors

This doesn't seem very "green", but pretty darn clever!
image via photojojo

flowers + pottery {whitney smith}

This post is here for a few reasons...
1. because this pottery is bea-u-tiful, the colors, the glaze, the flowers, all so pretty.
2. for my husband, should he take a gander at my blog and decide to buy me a gift for no reason at all, this would be the one.

wedding wonderful

If I had to do it all over again, I wouldn't change a thing, however...after finding this little wedding inspiration gem, I'm filled with great ideas for summer gatherings and such. So cheery, makes me want to drink lemonade under a shady tree, with a freshly painted pedicure, of course.
image via the finer things

typography calendars {pretty + free}

Typography and flowers are two of my favorite things, so imagine my luck to find Smashing Magazine and their free monthly wallpaper calendar. Lots to choose from, all by different designers, but this one really caught my eye, designed by Vane Kosturanov and titled "Aprilily".

birthday weekend {galore!}

The wild birthday time-of-year has finally arrived, and because the weather has been so pretty, I'm ready! This weekend Ruby had 2 parties, one at the beautiful Batholomew Park Winery, where the kids played with water balloons and climbed in the trees like little monkeys. The next was at a ranch where they rode pony's and visited with all the animals (she gave horseshoes for favors, too cute!). Great friends, spring sunshine and giggling kids = happiness.

springtime munchies {before the movies}

We had some people over this weekend before heading over to the Sonoma Film Festival. I made Crostini Alla Romana, and Tomato, Watermelon, and Basil Skewers. Both were bursting with fresh springtime flavors - they worked so well together, and super easy to pull together while people mingled about. For refreshments, we had Prosecco (Italian champagne) with mango orange nectar, kind of like a Bellini without the peach puree. These tasty appetizers were a total success, so I'll definitely make them again!

happy friday!

The weather is going to be G O R G E O U S this weekend, so open all your windows and enjoy. xo
image: medio images

rooms that inspire!

These rooms are nothing if not inspirational! Just plop me in the center of any of these spaces and I assure you a stream of creativity would magically appear.
images: marie claire maison

wall decals {yay or nay?}

I keep spotting these sweet wall decals just about everywhere lately. Etsy is a great resource if you're in the market, and Urban Outfitters has a kitchsy little collection, too. Not completely sold on placing stickers on my wall, but the it could add a nice little pop to a blah space. Image from Lewas Design