Perfect bouquet

Sonya Yruel Photography via Snippet & Ink.

Blogger Meet-Up

Jessica Davis is an interior designer who blogs at The Eagle's Nest. She reached out and invited me to a Blogger Meet-Up she hosted last Sunday. I was so honored to be included! Unfortunately, I cut outta there so quick for Nelson's birthday, I only got to chat with a couple of the people! Judging by the burger exchange emails that ensued post meetup, there must have been some great and fun conversations I missed out on. Boo.

Anyway, I did manage to snag a tour of Jessica's beautiful home. It's tucked up against a hill in Eagle Rock and is gorgeously turned out, natch. I was particularly taken with the nursery, adorned with pale blue/white stripes on the ceiling. But, I didn't want to be too rude so I contained my photo taking to the living/dining area when I had a tiny moment to myself.



When you get a chance, hop on over to these blogs. You'll find a treasure of style, creativity and inspiration. Each is a beautiful, delectable rabbit hole to fall into.

Kelly Lambert: www.craftedesign.com/blog/

Jessica Ahnert Davis: www.nesteaglerock.com

Sarah Ehlinger: www.verysarie.com

Amanda Habbershaw: www.lovecreativeblog.com

Theresa Dykes: www.inspirationcooperative.blogspot.com

Kelly Lanza: www.studiodiy.com

Callie Bloem: www.callmecal.com

Jen Sobel: www.punkyandthecity.com

Irene Lovett: www.designstiles.me

Work + Play Saturday

We went dancing last Saturday! It was a blast!



Before that though, we had such a busy day. I made Portabello steak and eggs for breakfast (no meat). Tasty! We spent the entire day cleaning (ugh) and then I made Kale Chorizo Manchego pizza. Very tasty!



Laure came over to grab some ambient shots in our yard of a product that is launching soon. Everyone had such nice things to say when they got here, we were like proud parents. I hope the agency chooses at least one of the product in our house!



And then, we rushed off to say hey to Whitney at Myrtle for the Tomboy Style book signing party. We missed Lizzie but Whitney let me trade the copy I got earlier with an autographed copy. She also gave me a generous pour of Jack + rhubarb soda. Of course, I spied a couple tops I am pretending not to plan on going back to get. (sigh)

Then we skipped a few doors down to Mohawk Bend to wave at Laura and Kate and a bunch of other cute gals I hope to meet again soon.

Then it was off to the Echo for Funky Sole Night to celebrate Andrew's birthday where we sipped more whiskey and danced the night away.



It really was a great day. It's so wonderful to get to know new friends.

P.S. Apparently instagram has taken over as my photo capturing method of choice. Photos from my real camera in the next post. Promise.

Bad Blogger, Bad Blogger!

ME: Whimper. (Scurries under couch with tail between legs.)

Sigh.

The technical difficulties sent me into a bit summer blog slump. Ain't gonna lie - it's been nice to have the computer break. Not that I've been all that productive. Beyond picking a color for the vestibule walls and getting plants for a planter, I really don't have a whole lot to report. I haven't taken a photo in god knows how long. harumph.

WORLD: Snap out of it already.

ME: Got it.

WORLD: Like, now.

ME: Okay, okay. yeesh!

So, I'll be back shortly with photos and stories and updates. Time kick this summer hibernation to the curb!

:)

Bloggity Faves!

So, still experiencing technical difficulties. Until I get my act together, please take a look at some of my bloggity faves!

Terri Planty (lush, planty love)

The Full Nilson (charm, sass, style)

Post Secret (voyeuristic & moving, AT THE SAME TIME)

Blog on pause

So I had all these posts in my head and was all ready to get crackin' a couple nights ago when we realized a virus was trying to kill my laptop. Ugh. So, no posting for a bit while we get it all sorted out. And by sorting out I mean complete avoidance with a jaunt to Palm Springs. I'm typing on my phone while Sergio is driving this very moment.

I know what you're thinking. "Damn girl, you just got back from Ojai!" Yep. This is not normally how we roll but June seems to be THE month into which we're jamming all our little summer getaways. Maybe next month we'll sit at home to practice our thumb twiddling skills and scheme some elaborate practical jokes on our cats. Can't wait!

So, happy Friday and go get your weekend on my pretties!

XO - elsie

Clever Design

Speaking of packaging design, have you seen the latest post on Invasionista? I normally carry my own shopping bag everywhere, but I would not hesitate to take a few of these home. Genius!

Photos via Invasionista.

You really should click on over to see them all.

Barefoot Foodie - The 6 Hour Cat

So, I found this story via Nicole's Making it Lovely Honor Roll.

I cannot believe I've only just found Brittany Gibbons. Her writing rocks my socks off. READ THIS:

http://barefootfoodie.com/2011/06/02/the-6-hour-cat/

Warning: It's disturbing. But so funny at the same time.

Alix+Manu

I like to imagine, if when I had have a wedding, it would have been will be like this.



It's hard to believe this is a real wedding. Everything is perfection.

photos via the bride's own blog, cherryblossomgirl.
found via stephmodo.

Bed me baby!

One final goal to accomplish before the new year? Get off the motherf-ing floor! Our "bed" has technically been on the floor since we moved in 2.5 years ago. Yes, years my dears, years. Our mattress sits atop a box spring so, deceptively, it appears like we have a bed. But we don't. And really, I'm 33. I'm, like, an adult. (Mostly.) I think I deserve to wake up in a real bed everyday.

I have been stalking the Edland bed from IKEA for years. Ever since it was yellow! Back then, it was called the Hemnes. I showed it to Sergio back then and said we could paint it white since I knew he wasn't into the yellow. He was not into the style either though. Since then, I made him accompany my visit with the bed every time we were in the IKEA showroom. Still no. Flash forward to yesterday. Young House Love posted about their Edland bed.

I forwarded the post to Sergio...and, drumroll....he said yes! yippeeee!

I purchased the bed today! (BTW, IKEA was ka-ray-zee today! I guess a lot of people need furniture for the new year.) We plan to assemble tomorrow when I get home from work. Or on NYE day before dinner. We WILL wake up in a new bed for the new year! We will, we will, we will!

I'll post before and afters, well, after.

Photo from younghouselove.com
(How cute is that little pup? Perhaps even cuter is that his name is Burger. That might beat out my favorite dog name!)

Jeana Sohn Closet Visit - Matilde Riccardi

Loving Jeana Sohn's Closet Visit series. Am kind of obsessed with the most recent visit.





The fashion, of course, is inspiring. But look at how she captured the light. The one on the bottom right with Maltilde wearing the red headband especially. It hints Vermeer.

Kids Are Smarter

Hey you baby parents out there! Check out today's Simply Lovely post for the absolute sweetness that you all have to look forward. As I suspected, people are smarter when they are seven. From then on, it's just a long, messy struggle to regain that level of clarity.

Hello Girlthursday!

Many, many months ago, Lois of hello girlthursday and I did some virtual bonding over our mutual CViv love. As I followed her blog, I began noticing a smattering of similarities between us and I left a stalkerish comment on one of her postings, listing a few of them. Thank goodness it did not freak her out because we got to meet up last week while she was in town for a cousin's wedding. I think she is so cool! And super nice to bring me a little treat from Toronto H&M. Sergio and Carlo chattered away in Italian all night, which made me happy.

Thank you (and Todd especially) for trekking through hellish LA rush hour traffic, all the way from Torrance! I picked my new favorite bar as our meet up spot. I was pleased that Betsy joined us as well. I think they're all pondering Lois' Cali beach shell spoils in those first few photos. Isn't her shirt chic and cute?




We ended the evening with a spot of gelato and a chat outside in the summer night.

So fun!

P.S. Neither of us spontaneously combusted or ceased to exist as we feared might happen when doppelgangers meet. Thank goodness. That would have been awkward.

Water Grill review revisted

Hey, check it out! My little write up on the Water Grill dinner I took Sergio to last year showed up on the restaurant website!

I'm keeping company with the likes of Zagat.com, LA Magazine, LA Times, NBClosangeles.com...cool beans!!!

Looks like I'll be pushed off soon as newer reviews are added to the top of the list. Still, kinda neat, huh?

(mmm.... i want to go back.)

New Dress A Day

Meet Marisa.



Cool transformation, huh? What makes her even cooler is that she creates a new piece, every single day. You see, she is 207 days into a year long project to forgo traditional clothes shopping, with the added challenge of making something new every day.

Armed with a pair of shears, a sewing machine, and sometimes, a good roll of tape, Marisa sets about customizing garage sale and flea market finds. I'm not a seamstress, but it doesn't look like what she does with the clothes is particularly difficult. What is impressive to me is her ability to see the better version inside each original garment and the public commitment to her self-imposed challenge.

Witness her quest on her blog: New Dress A Day.

Reading her blog makes me want a sewing machine. But I doubt having one would actually spark any kind of sustained creative activity. I am such a sloth. Lazy, lazy sloth. zzzz...z..

elauinc linked to seevivier!

I can't believe it. Clare linked to this here humble little blog from hers. eeeeeek! I am over the moon about this.

seevivier.blogspot.com is where you can read about Clare Vivier's style musings, fearless boot cutting, vivier empire developments, and sweet snippets from her family life.

And now, our blogs are linked -- even if it is in an ephemeral blogosphere kind of way.

You know, I play it pretty cool most of the time. Oh sure, I get excited about many things -- food, friends, martinis, furniture, art, fashion, a good book, vampires -- but rarely do I get star struck about a person. You better believe that my world was ROCKED when she added my blog to hers. How in the the sam hill is the rest of 2010 going to live up to this?!?

World's 50 Best Design Blogs - more for me to obsess over!

If you check out my list of bookmarks or blogs that I stalk, you will see that many relate to design of some sort -- usually with a DYI or vintage vibe. Unsurprisingly, this near obsession began when we moved into a home of our very own. I check these blogs religiously and am sad when my favorites decide to take a break for a few days. If they go on break for more than a week? Well, it nears personal offense. How dare they take breaks? They are not human. They are design superstars who I admire and most continually produce amazing-ness so I can constantly consume. nom, nom, nom.

Anyway, I happily discovered that TimesOnline UK put together a list of the word's 50 best design blogs:

http://property.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/property/interiors/article6953167.ece

I already had several of them bookmarked and Apartment Therapy is a personal favorite...but there is still a treasure more to be discovered on the list. More to keep me occupied!

Yes, I'm a little late in posting this. The story was published about three days ago I think. However, I've been sidelined, yet again, by another bug. This time of the stomach variety. Yes. Awful. I've been in bed for two days. Almost literally. Double-quadruple ugh.

But (I exclaim brightly) our big holiday party is tomorrow night and I'm all perked up now to clean, set up and host! really.

Browne Molyneux

http://laeastside.com/2009/10/sexismonline/#more-9302