{happy friday!}

A very happy weekend to you all! How much do you love this sparkly fairy dust image?? xo
image via bigcitydreams.com

the right blue

We're giving our bedroom a bit of a makeover - fresh paint and a new bed. I'm in love with this relaxing blue in Tori & Dean's bedroom (hey, it's summer, there's not much on the tube), but I can't find out what the color is. Does anyone have the perfect bedroom blue?

so. not. fair.

I'm a fan of Lucky magazine, but sometimes that beauty editor really chaps me. Each month she waxes poetic, gushing like a schoolgirl over a single beauty product. Seeing as she's an editor, her writing is nothing if not convincing, which is why spending $140 on shampoo actually sounds sane after reading her review. I'll admit, I'm somewhat of a product addict, so when she says this shampoo 'grants wishes', I want it! I want to rub it like a genie lamp and make all my frizzies disappear forever. But, not for that price, which is just really a bummer.

pool heaven

Isn't this a little slice of outdoor heaven? It looks ready for entertaining or just relaxing, and I love those turquoise cushions and walk-up bar. image via home magazine

the swap soiree!

Years ago I hosted an annual gathering, usually in the super-blah winter months, that I called the Swap Soiree. It was a ladies-only evening, with finger foods and plenty of wine and best of all - presents! Each soiree had a theme, but mainly the concept was to bring a wrapped gift to swap/steal/and leave happy with. These parties rocked, my friends always went out on a limb, while some brought pretty soaps from Anthropolgie, others made decoupaged toilet seats and some brought vintage sex-ed text books. All in all, a rad evening.

Here's my question - what do you do to gather for an evening of all-out girly goodness?

image: me, looking uber excited, at a holiday photo-shoot for restoration hardware (about 5 years ago!)

{happy friday!}

Have an awesome holiday weekend everyone! We're having family over for a pre-fireworks bbq, what about you? xo, amber

{it's for real...} I'm pregnant!

Well friends, I have reached the 18th week of being preggers! I didn't want to mention it too soon, just to make sure all was ok, but I can't hold back any longer. It's been a wild ride - those first 3 months were almost unbearable, I was so. very. sick. Like 24/7 nausea with a bit of fatigue/the bloats/and headaches for good measure. Good times!

But, I'm happy to report that this second trimester has been lovely, I'm teaching yoga again and hiking almost daily. The nesting instinct is on complete overdrive, and I must organize something everyday. I must!

Yesterday we found out what the baby is - and it's a................

G I R L!

Will keep you posted throughout, but promise not to make the blog all about my belly,

xo amber

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.

{happy friday!}

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

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.

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!

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

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

{happy friday!}

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

image via mary ruffle & design lovely

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.

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.

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??

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.

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

{happy friday!}

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

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.

dreamy room

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

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.

{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