beans and mango

rent the runway

2009-11-10T10:38:00.000-08:00

But what am I going to wear??

This question has been repeated so many times this year by myself or one of my girlfriends. With all of our friends getting married this year and holiday events coming up before you know it, wouldn't it be nice to look forward to something with out the stress of buying another dress?

Rent the Runway is a new concept that was introduced to me by Sara Riff. They give users access to high fashion for any of occasion at just 10% of retail cost. All you have to do is browse the designer dresses, pick what you want, put the dress in your shopping cart and specify when you need it to arrive on your doorstep in two different sizes. Some of the designers on the site include: Proenza Schouler, Tracey Reese, Helmut Lang, Giambattista Valli, and so many more.

food for furniture

2009-11-08T18:25:00.000-08:00

Thinking of redecorating before the holidays?

From now until November 25th CB2 stores in California, Illinois and NY are partnering with food banks to combat hunger. Bring in 5 non perishable items and you will recieve a 15% discount on in store purchases.

healthy child healthy world

2009-11-02T07:32:00.000-08:00

I have just discovered this website and it is fantastic! Our modern lives are filled with so many toxins in the food we eat, the air we breathe, the ground our children and animals play on. Healthy Child Healthy World is designed to educate parents all over the world and answer questions that they have regarding the safety of their families and homes. The information on this site is all reliable unlike so much of the pollution we encounter when researching online. Healthy Child Healthy World was founded by Nancy and Jim Chuda after they lost there daughter Collette to a form of cancer that was proven to be linked to hazards in the environment. The website is amazing and I encourage you all to add it to your bookmarks. Whether or not you have children this site is a wealth of information and such an amazing resource for all of us.

carry on

2009-10-09T18:26:00.000-07:00

Dreaming of a weekend getaway...

leopard carry-on. Get the weekend started off right! Believe it or not I actually own this.. Its light and durable.. Find it online at flight 001

For the more rustic weekend I would advise the Filson field bag on wheels. Love this bag.

If this trip means business this bag is a great choice. I love the lines of it and its very practical..

ahh.. J crew has done it again.. It doesn't hold much, but what are you taking anyway. This bag is more of an overnight bag but isn't it great?

Bon Voyage!

hot off the press!

2009-10-08T11:10:00.000-07:00

Attention! New magazine alert!

Lonny Magazine has now launched. Former Domino editor Michelle Adams launched the online only Magazine and I am loving it so far. The Magazine is published on a bimonthly basis in a traditional magazine print format on its web site.

the CLEANest shower

2009-10-02T18:23:00.000-07:00

I read the book Clean by Alejandro Junger a couple of months ago after seeing it on GOOP. One of the things I took away from the book was the amount of chlorine and other chemicals found in our water and how humans and other animals absorb them not just by drinking the contaminated water but more importantly absorbing them through the skin and inhaling the steam while in the shower or bath. Consumers are trained to spend all this money and time trying to drink the cleanest water and we are forgetting about the chemicals in the water we bathe in. After I read the book I did my research on full home water filters.. Maybe someday but they are just too expensive for now. After I realized that is not happening I started researching shower head filters and they are all SO ugly I just couldn't do it. Well a couple of weeks ago I decided to do some more research to see if anything new had come out and sure enough the people at Culligan.. Yes remember Culligan water sort of the equivalent of Sparkletts. Anyway Culligan came out with the shower head that you see above. It looks great and its super easy to install (according to Jesse:).Its $30 at Bed Bath and Beyond and you have to replace the filter every 6 months which I am hoping will be a satisfying (but sort of depressing filter change). I am loving this shower head and YES I completely notice a difference I can even tell there is more sheen in both Jesse and Bean's hair. I am assuming its great for color treated hair as well. So until you can afford to go put a water filtration system on your house this is the next best thing. I can't wait to hear what you think.

the new carver

2009-09-23T18:48:00.001-07:00

Hey everyone! I am so sorry I have not posted in ages but I have lots of exciting stuff to catch up on. First and most important I am involved in this amazing organization called The Skid Row Housing Trust which provides affordable housing and a second chance to the homeless people of Los Angeles. I strongly believe that the support of healthy surroundings adds so much to these peoples life and really lends them the opportunity for a fresh beginning. The Trust is launching there newest housing development called New Carver Apartments as well as celebrating the 20th anniversary of the organization tomorrow night. I am in EXTREMELY good company as one of the four designers who was asked to design a room for one of the future tenants and the Carver Apartments. The other designers include: The amazing Estee Stanley (just launched her website and its incredible you will be blown away), Ruthie Sommers who we all know and love, and Molly Luetkemeyer of mdesign who has been on House Beautiful's list of Top Designers in America four years running. I am so thankful for this opportunity and encourage all of you to check out the site and perhaps come to the event tomorrow night and support this great cause!

happy weekend!

2009-08-29T09:24:00.000-07:00

I hope these photographs by Yiorgos Kordakis inspire you to have a great weekend and enjoy the hot weather beachside.

or at the wet and wild pool...

ashlees birthday build

2009-08-21T08:26:00.000-07:00

I am posting about Ashlee Margolis's Habitat for Humanity birthday build because I think its such a great idea for a birthday celebration. We had a blast! Ashlee even had the great DJ Tendaji on the ones and twos. If any of you are looking for a creative way to give back and get your friends involved I would highly recommend doing a habitat build.

Happy Birthday Ashlee!

bastide de marie

2009-08-19T23:57:00.001-07:00

Jesse and I are busy planning our trip to France.. Does that sound pretentious?
Anyway check out this gorgeous hotel Bastide de Marie I found it today some while doing some extensive web research. This converted old farm is about an hour south of Avignon right in the heart of Provence, and the wine and the food is all grown on premises. While the website may be a little slow and and might test your patience you should for sure check it out. Jesse and I are going to stay a night here or at least grab lunch on our way to the South from Paris. If anyone has any recommendations for me please comment! I will send pics from the trip. Bon nuit!

creatures are calling

2009-08-18T18:07:00.000-07:00

Check out Andrew Zuckerman: Creature. Andrew shoots each picture on a white background which serves as his canvas creating a "frozen" in time perspective on each animal. The book took him 5 years to shoot I discovered it other day while shopping for a gift at the James Perse store. I love it and think it is such a perfect host/hostess gift for all of you freeloading vacationers. (myself included) You can buy this at select James Perse stores and its also on sale on Amazon for $37.80!

the art of basil

2009-08-11T21:47:00.000-07:00

Rashida is a close friend of mine and the first of many guest bloggers to contribute on Beans and Mango. She has introduced me to the wonders of Mrs. Meyers which has become a staple in my household. I have been begging her to share this discovery with you all. Read on..

I lived in London in 2003 and became obsessed with Fairy Washing Powder; it smells like you air-dried your laundry in your quaint English garden. In the UK, the washing machine cycle is almost three times longer than here and they use little tablets which drop easily into a side drawer. The result is a uniformly clean scent that isn't overpowering or nauseatingly flowery.

After schlepping the cumbersome Fairy packages back in my luggage several times from London, I finally gave up. Ever since, I've been looking for an equivalent stateside. Behold, an even better version! And it's natural, biodegradable and cruelty free! What else could an environmentally responsible, fragrance-obsessed girl want?

Mrs. Meyer's Basil Scented Laundry Detergent and Dryer Sheets was the sheer delight I have been waiting for. With a little note of green and a tangy sweetness that makes you feel like your life is a little cleaner than it may actually be; it is the exact way you want your clothes and towels to smell.

The other Mrs. Meyer's scents are all worthy

of your loyal procurement: the hand soap is great in lavender, the all-purpose cleaner in lemon verbena and the surface wipes in baby blossom.

Rashida Jones

Thank you Rashida for your amazing tips! You can buy Mrs. Meyers at Whole Foods, Target and online from the link above. Koontz Hardware I have found to have the best local selection of products and scents.

...canadian house and home

2009-08-11T15:40:00.000-07:00

I just picked up a copy of Canadian House and Home. (which I have never read before) I had an email from one of the editors that one of the photos on my website was going to be featured in the July issue of "Rooms the Work".. This is always very exciting for me but, what I am the most excited about is what a great magazine Canadian House and Home is! I couldn't find the magazine at my usual newsstands but Barnes and Noble does carry it and I am now a new subscriber. I encourage you to check out the website which previews upcoming issues and you are also able to subscribe there.

put this in your pipe and smoke it

2009-08-06T22:23:00.000-07:00

I just ordered two of these hemp poufs for my office. They are neutral enough that I can spread out fabrics on them.. or sit on them. I will let you know how they hold up.

thats the story of the hurricane

2009-08-06T22:07:00.000-07:00

I want these hurricane candles for my next dinner party. I think these would also be gorgeous as vases for flowers although I suppose they might rust.

happy birthday barack!

2009-08-04T19:45:00.001-07:00

I feel so much cooler now that I have found out we share the same birthday!

model as muse

2009-07-29T15:14:00.000-07:00

I am in NY right now and just came from the exhibit at the Met. "Model as Muse." if you are in the area it is definitely worth your while. I have posted a video of a walk through to give you an idea. The "Model as Muse" book is beautiful and makes a great gift for any of your fashion obsessed friends or yourself :). (make sure you get the hardcover)

fly balenciaga!

2009-07-27T21:25:00.000-07:00

The new uniforms designed by Balenciaga for Air tahiti Nui. What do you think?

I like them they are appropriate and seem to be flattering.

Check out these wrap dress uniforms designed by Richard Tyler (pictured) for Delta flight attendants. I am all for it!

have a great weekend!

2009-07-24T12:16:00.000-07:00

Some drawings from the Hugo Guinness most recent show at John Derian.

tart glassware

2009-07-21T18:54:00.000-07:00

Table Art is one of my favorite spots for china and other table accessories. They carry a lot of the classics but also have a more modern edge. I love the way these glasses look on an exposed shelf or in a glass cabinet. Table art manufactures these mouth blown glasses. Wouldn't it be pretty to do the 3 shades of blue.. Starting with the lightest? All of the colors are so great. Which colors would you choose?

more room for play

2009-07-20T13:07:00.000-07:00

My sister is always trying to come up with ideas to create a new space for her three children to have a room of their own for: art projects, playing, dress up and just be kids without messing up the main house. Unfortunately there is just not enough space without doing a major addition that is expensive and inconvenient. I have been looking in to other options so we don't have to convert the garage into this space. I love the clean lines of the Modern Play Shed. You start with a basic model play shed for that comes ready to paint or stain on the outside. The goal of these sheds is to be able to assemble them quickly using the tools included. then you can add additional options on the inside such as: chalkboard or whiteboard wall panels, play shed deck. I called this morning and spoke to the people at Modern Shed. They said that you can add additional green options such as green roofs, and cork floors that are normally reserved for larger sheds on the play shed.

Do you like the idea of a detached playroom?

roller babies

2009-07-15T15:34:00.000-07:00

My brother sent me this link today.. So cute!

wow!

2009-07-14T21:19:00.000-07:00

Check out this amazing barn designed by Erin Martin I found today on Remodelista.This place is available to be rented for events and parties through Mint Locations. Mint locations is an agency in Northern California that rents estates and properties for events and shoots. Very helpful if you are looking to Napa for a wedding..

P.S. Please invite me if anyone decides to have a party here :).

Check out this amazing barn designed by Erin Martin I found today on Remodelista. This place is available to be rented for events and parties through Mint Locations.

Mint locations is an agency in Northern California that rents estates and properties for events and shoots. Very helpful if you are looking to Napa for a wedding..

P.S. Please invite me if anyone decides to have a party here :).

i wanna go here!

2009-07-14T16:29:00.000-07:00

You may have seen JK Capri mentioned in some of my past posts. I have never been to the J.K. but the website has been inspiring me consistently since I discovered it nearly 3 years ago. I was visiting the website today and noticed they have added some new photos so I thought I would post them.

not a bad view from the pool.

Or the room...

The small unexpected accents of red on the lamp and on the pillow really make this shot interesting.

Check out the placement of the coordinating stripes on the sofa pillows and the bed pillows.. very clever.

warehouse sale!

2009-07-13T16:48:00.001-07:00

On July 18th from 10-4pm. Modernica will open its warehosue doors to their 20th anniversary warehouse sale! There will everything from daybeds, to George Nelson lamps to choose from. They are also doing a sale online the same day between 7am-7pm.

1420 East 7th Stree at Alameda.

happy birthday jesse!

2009-07-10T10:58:00.000-07:00

Happy birthday Jesse! We love you.

xoxoxo

hot summer

2009-07-09T18:16:00.000-07:00

Loving this color collage inspiration board made by Arianna Belle. Thank you for the shout out Arianna!

beach blanket babylon!

2009-07-08T08:06:00.000-07:00

Check out the 2009 Artist Towel Series at Artware Editio ns. I have seen them in person and they are gigantic! They could comfortably fit two people on them for a day at the beach.

I have posted some of my favorites below:

elizabeth paytonRayomond PettibonEd Rucsha

Kehinde Wiley

fit for a kid

2009-07-07T16:54:00.000-07:00

Why compromise on design when outfitting your kids furniture? Check out the modern classic pieces below to see. Some of the designers have actually shrunk there named pieces 20-25%. Others are just reproductions..

Loving the Pantone Junior by Vitra. This design was made to be enjoyed by children.

This is a classic Knoll Womb chair. Available in 3 sizes.

This childs classic Bertoia Diamond chair is 75% of the original size.

The madrid is a child size replica of the Barcelona Chair by Mies Van Der Rohe. Find out more at little nest.
Replica of the Eames lounge chair and ottoman visit little nest to find out more. This is amazing!

sole sister

2009-06-29T17:47:00.000-07:00

Imagine ordering a pair of ballet flats out of a vending machine at 1:00 am after a crazy night of dancing in 5 inch heels. Every girl has been in the situation where your body wants to keep going, but your feet won't allow another step... Rollasole Vending Machines are the newest thing on the London club scene. They cost about 8 dollars and are worth every penny! They also conveniently roll up and come with their own bag so after the night is over your can keep them in your purse to walk to work in, etc. My hunch is that we will soon be seeing them closer to home.. Perhaps at a wedding or nightclub. Love this idea. Would you buy these shoes out of a vending machine??

james beach

2009-06-25T12:32:00.001-07:00

The new James Perse flagship store out in Malibu is so beautifully designed using the furniture from the new collection. If you haven't been to the new store I encourage you to go check it out. I am so excited about this new line of furniture! I have posted some of my favorites below.

have been dreaming of this bed since I saw it...

This sofa is so inviting.. however it doesn't discriminate.. Beans and Mango would be trashing it in no time!
same scenario.. I wish.

I would love to see these chairs in an outdoor dining room. Preferably at the beach.

This chair reminds me of the deck at the J.K. Capri in Italy.
So nice sitting poolside..

how cool is this?

2009-06-25T11:49:00.000-07:00

I am currently obsessed with this new website Paperless Post. You are able to create custom online invitations and announcements delivered in personalized envelopes to your guests inbox. From there you can manage who received your invitations and track their replies. Check out this invitation I created...

otami time!

2009-06-25T00:02:00.000-07:00

Love to see one of these Otami quilts thrown over an all white bed to give a pop of color and brighten a bedroom up for summer! Swap that heavy throw for this lightweight, embroidered quilt. These embroideries are handmade by the Mexican Otomi Indians. One of these embroideries can take up to three months to make! They come in the most beautiful colors and they also look gorgeous when used as a tablecloth.

dwell 09

2009-06-24T18:47:00.000-07:00

My sister in law Amanda (my in-house green design expert) just reminded me of theDwell on Design LA event this weekend. It looks like the home tours on Saturday and Sunday are sold out, but its worth a call in to check. Aside from the home tours several green companies will be exhibiting at the event and showing off their latest and greatest green products! I am most excited about the Saturday evening Night at the Movies.

Visual Acoustics explores the monumental career of 98 year old Julius Shulman an architectual photographer. (winner of the best documentary from the 2009 Palm Springs International film festival)

The Greening of Southie which examines Boston's first residential green building and the men and women who set out to construct it.

In conjunction with Night at the Movies, will be the city's first mobile restaurant row.I have featured some of the places I am eager to try. All of the mobile restaurants here actually offer a inexpensive alternative to catering services so its a great way to check out the food for your next party!

The event will include Tacos Arzia.

Locali conscious convenience to give us a taste of fresh local, sustainable, and eco friendly food. No high fructose corn syrup here!

The Green Truck which is healing the planet one meal at a time. Can't wait to try one of their famous "Mother Trucker" vegan burritos.

Let's be Frank will also be there. I have been so excited to try this place since my friends over at farm fresh foodies blogged about them adding turkey dogs to their on Monday. They use 100% grass-fed beef and their "bird dog" they use turkey from one of the last family -operated turkey farms in the country.

After all of this talk about mobile local food. I am going to have some dinner! Hope to see you at the Dwell on Design Night at the Movies this Saturday night 5:00 pm.

Geffen Contemporary at MOCA

152 North Central Ave.

Los Angeles, CA 90013

cameron's house for sale!

2009-06-24T15:31:00.001-07:00

Cameron's house from Ferris Buller's Day off is for sale. Wouldn't it be cool to live there?

If you don't remember from the pictures.. Maybe this clip will help.

urban finds

2009-06-23T16:00:00.000-07:00

I have had my eye on this little settee below for quite sometime because its such a sweet and beautiful design. Its hard to make these decisions while shopping online without seeing the fabric and testing the comfort, you never really know what you are going to get. I was in a meeting with a woman today who had this strategically placed in her gorgeous office. I would have believed her if she had told me that she spent thousands on this well restored antique settee, the fabric was great and it was really comfortable. Lucky for us every once in a while Urban Outfitters (do you believe this!) surprises me with a really well designed piece of furniture and this one is just that.

While browsing the Urban Outfitters website, I also noticed this cute little rattan pouf

I think this pouf is perfect to throw in front of a sofa or chair to use as an ottoman in a space deprived spot. I love the natural element it adds to the space.

All of the above items including the letter lamps are available at Urban Outfitters.

capture that color!

2009-06-18T14:58:00.000-07:00

What's the latest and greatest iPhone application? ColorCapture Ben is the new iPhone, iPod touch application. You can snap a picture of anything you see that inspires you and instantly match its shade to one of thousands of benjamin Moore colors. Go the the apple website, search for ben, and download to your iPhone. Check out the video below to see how it works. When going in to purchase your paints make sure you ask for the Natura Line, Benjamin Moore's zero VOC odorless paint. Which can be tinted to any color imaginable.

blue and white

2009-06-15T19:53:00.000-07:00

When it comes to blue and white, you really can't go wrong. The spread "Mood Indigo" from the July issue of British House and Garden shows some great shots of different shades of blue and white, while also mixing stripes, ikats and solids. Love the modern furniture and natural elements they paired these fabrics with.

Great contrast with one yellow chair.

I really like the all white canopy bed with a simple blue and white ikat fabric thrown over the top.

Mixing natural elements with the blue and white always reminds me of summer.

The C&C Milano fabric on the couch has been in my favorites bin for a while. It has such a large repeat so I am happy to see the whole thing! I can't wait to use it on my next project.

John Robshaw makes the fabric for these pillows with natural indigo dye in the traditional process of mud printing. You can purchase them all on his website. I would love to see these on an all white, navy blue, or natural linen couch for summer time.

This is the "Ink bed" part of John Robshaw's collection. He makes it easy on his site to throw all of the fabrics together to make your bed look like the one above. I love how he chose this print below (which is mostly white) for the duvet and sheets and then layered the bed with darker pillows.

close up of the duvet cover

This rug is from John Robshaws new collection of Dhurries. Although they don't come large enough to fill and entire bedroom, I think it would be a great addition layered over a natural jute or sisal rug.

I love these pillows from Madeline Weinribs Amagansett collection. Would like to see these mixed in with some of the Robshaw prints above.

I mean, these Madeline Weinrib chevron print napkins make me want to have a backyard party...I can't wait for June Gloom to be over!!

black, white and a little...

2009-06-10T19:46:00.000-07:00

Black and white always looks clean and its a great way to emphasize pops of color.

From Garance dore a simple black and white background makes her red lips stand out. A great inspiration for a room!

From the DWR bubble club chair collection the clean white with black background really makes the color of the pool stand out.

The Selby featured Alexander Wang's showroom which is all black and white. I especially love this photo of his office. The black and white background shows off the industrial steel lamps.

Guest room at the Chateau Les Merles. A boutique hotel in the South of France with just 12 guestrooms. The modern black and white allows the antique oak armoire to really stand out. I just recently discovered this hotel on Habitually Chic. Its is now top on my list of places to go!

Gwenyth's black with white powder room with Apple's sweet little lavender stool.. Simple yet stunning.

I just love this room...

Great shot of a black and white winding staircase with a little pop of red at the bottom.

Gwenyth's all black kitchen really makes the center butcher block stand out in this photo.

The all black and white Versace plane. I don't really know what to say here. I dig it though.

This kitchen is amazing! I am not sure where its from I found it on the jjjjound site. if anyone knows where this photos is from, please tell.

Thats it for tonight!

xoxo

our anniversary

2009-06-06T14:29:00.000-07:00

One year ago Jesse and I got married in Las Vegas. Its so hard to believe that it has already been one year, it went so quick and it has been so much fun. I can't wait to celebrate our anniversary every year! We have so much to celebrate this weekend.. Congratulations to Jesse and everyone involved in The Hangover!

Love,

Katie

wedding party

2009-06-03T07:42:00.000-07:00

I love these photos from this month's Vogue Magazine featuring Sasha Pivavorova and Igor Vishnayakov's wedding party.

what to get for dad?

2009-06-03T00:12:00.000-07:00

Fathers day is June 21st , below are some early suggestions so you can get a head start this year. I am trying to stay with the local, small business theme we did for mothers day, after all it is a new month so $50 of our spent money should go into our favorite three small stores to help support the 3/50 Project.

I asked my favorite "Daddy's girls" what they were thinking about getting there dad's this fathers day and this is what they came up with:

Meg suggested vintage typewriter key cufflinks from Apartment Number 9, you can get them with your dad's initials on the keys, such a unique and personal gift. They also make great groomsmen gifts. Apartment Number 9 is owned by sisters Sara and Amy, they definitely have the best mens clothes around so even if typewriter cufflinks aren't your dads thing.. You can be sure to find something at this store that is perfect. Click on the link to find one of Apartment Number 9's three locations.

Allison and Natalie both suggested a round of golf at at your dad's favorite golf club, or better yet a golf lesson with a local pro. Great idea. I know that both my dad and my father in law would love this gift. (they both read my blog though so I have to think of something else:) Check out 1st Stop for Golf to find a list and information of the best local gold courses throughout the country.

Sarah L. will always take the cake for being the most original.. She is going to get her dad a subscription to The Bacon of the Month Club. Wow I bet you have never thought of that. A six month membership to the Bacon of the Month club includes:

One package of a different artisan bacon from different small mom and pop suppliers every month for 6 months.
A bacon of the month membership card
A pig ballpoint pen
A bacon tee shirt
A recipe each month using your selected bacon
A pig nose!

For new dads Xela suggested the eco friendly Green Dude. This is a diaper bag designed for a cool and stylish new dad. It's a messenger style bag made out of recycled plastic bottles with all of the compartments in a normal baby bag including a changing pad. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the Green dude go to Global Green USA.

Beans and Mango suggest Quoddy shoes from South Willard.These shoes are genuine moccasins handmade in Maine. I like the brown suede brick sole blucher pictured below and I think its a perfect gift for dad.

Beans and Mango think you can't go wrong with this nickel plated shaving set from Blenheim Bouquet.

For the professional dad Beans and Mango suggest any of these items from the Postal Co. Your dad will be sure to make a statement at his next meeting with these handmade in Japan notebooks and folders.

Hopefully these suggestions will help you get a head start this year. Please comment with any great ideas you have for fathers day gifts!

mom checklist

2009-06-02T23:36:00.000-07:00

My sister Alyson is the mother of three awesome girls. For years she has been a treasure trove of information for all of her friends with kids. She gets phone calls at all hours of the day and night from frantic moms on the other end, and Alyson is always their voice of reason and useful advice. Her husband jokes that she should charge for these phone calls because they occur so often. I am sure I am not the only one that has been telling her to start a blog with all of this useful information and she finally did! Check out her site The C HECKlist its a wealth of information for mothers with children of any age.. I even find some of the information useful for myself.

Enjoy!

bee aware

2009-05-31T21:38:00.000-07:00

I have been hearing about the honey bee crisis for the last year or so, but lately I have really been noticing the problem. The bees I actually see seem weak, hovering low to the ground, or fallen in my garden and along the streets. My friend Ashley stepped on a dead bee today getting out of the pool and it reminded me of this very serious problem. We rely on honey bees for at least one-third of our food supply, so when honey bees are in danger we are all in danger, and over the last three years more than one in three honey bee colonies have died. I discovered the website help the honey bees a while back from a link that was on the Haagen Daz website. I really am not sure how I ended up on the Haagen Daz website but I am glad I did, because help the honey bees is a really well done and informative site about the honey bee crisis and ways you can help such as planting a garden and supporting local beekeepers.

canopies

2009-05-29T07:22:00.000-07:00

I just started working on a master bedroom for a couple. The woman has always wanted a canopy bed, but her husband thinks they are too feminine. I have pulled some of my favorite canopies that are not as fussy to try and convince him.

I love the simplicity of these canopies and of the whole room.

I love this bedroom! The furniture is masculine but the De Gournay wallpaper is gorgeous. I also think the girl in the photo will not hurt the cause. This has been a favorite of mine for a long time from Elle Decor.

Ok.. A little fussy but I thought the colors and furniture in the room are masculine enough to balance it out. I think the whole room is a perfect design at the JK Capri.

Here is a very similar room, but the colors are muted. this is a more serene bedroom.

I couldn't help it, I have always loved this photo from Domino Magazine.

Love this and I think its the perfect mix of masculine and feminine from Domino Magazine.

This one is a little more country, it seems very cozy.

barry the freshman

2009-05-27T23:52:00.001-07:00

Lisa Jack, a photography major and fellow student of Barack Obama shot these pictures when Barack was just a freshman in college. Imagine the stress after he became a serious contender for presidency, I can't even imagine the pressure of looking for these negatives after almost 30 years! In fact I am sure there is a funny story about Lisa's early quest to find these photos, she had to have been ripping her hair out! Lisa is now a psychology professor and a therapist living in Minneapolis, she shot these pictures with Barry the freshman back in 1980, and was thoughtful and smart enough to wait until the election was over to release the photos. In Lisa's recent interview for the LA Times, Lisa says, "There was nothing out of the ordinary about the session," although it did impress Lisa that Obama (barry) had taken the initiative to bring his own props: the hat, the leather bomber jacket and cigarettes you see in the photos above. " he obviously thought about how he wanted to have his picture taken," she says. I am so excited to see these photos in person, come check out the show this weekend at M+B Gallery!

M+B Gallery

Lisa Jack

Barack Obama: The Freshman

May 28th -July 18th 2009

Opening Reception Thursday May 28th 6-9pm

ring ring ring

2009-05-27T23:07:00.000-07:00

I thought the water ring stains were the end of my French antique burled wood nightstands. Until I read the NY Times Article this week Removing the Rings. Turns out these rings can be removed with regular mayonnaise and hairdryer? That sounds too good to be true I know, but it actually works and its so much more cost effective than refinishing an entire piece and compromising an original antique finish. Let me know if this trick works for your stubborn wood stains as well as it worked for mine.

Tips:

1. If its a new stain try and evaporate with a blow dryer on a low setting. Sometimes doing this will simply evaporate the moisture right out of the finish.

2. That did not work for me so I had to get a little more serious. I wrapped a rag around my finger and dipped it in mayonnaise, then I gently massaged the mayonnaise into the white rings and the stain eventually disappeared.

3. If that doesn't work, leave the mayonnaise on the stain for a couple of hours and every once in a while, work it in to the stain.

4. If that doesn't work try using lemon oil with a steel wool pad. Ok I have to admit the steel wool pad on my night stands scares me so I would do a test on the back before trying this step.

5. I would probably give up on this trick if it hasn't worked so far. I am just being honest ;)

black tie pinatas

2009-05-26T08:50:00.000-07:00

I just noticed these confetti pinatas on a Cup of Joe and I am now inspired to throw a party. Jesse and I throw parties all the time where we have a taco truck come to serve food. They are always a blast, the food is always amazing and its such an easy set up/clean up situation. I am sure that these confetti pinatas will definitely get the party started!

eurobad

2009-05-24T23:19:00.001-07:00

Click on the link for an exhibition of Europes worst interior design of 1974.

how much space do you waste?

2009-05-22T19:02:00.000-07:00

Ever since New York Times featured an article called Thi nk Small back in February 2007, Jesse and I have been fantasizing about buying a peice of land in some untouched part of the country. It would preferably be near the water, and within driving distance where we could plop our own little prefab "tiny house," just to get away for a weekend. Maybe thats why we love the Carneros Inn in Napa Valley so much. Every guest room at the Carneros Inn is an individual pre fab house with a great outdoor area, appointed with high thread counts, a flat screen TV, and a fireplace. Who needs anything more? Lately their has been more talk about "tiny houses," between the green living boom, and the nation's financial crises the notion of downsizing is all the rage. Mimi Zeiger's new book "Tiny Houses" couldnt ask for better timing. Every house featured in her book "Tiny Houses is under 1,000 square feet.

How much space do you really need?

have a great weekend!

2009-05-22T18:51:00.001-07:00

throw out fifty things

2009-05-21T10:03:00.000-07:00

That is the inspiration for Gail Blanke's book "Throw Out Fifty Things" The book is about clearing clutter, and it acts as a coach during the process of clearing. Throwing out 50 things may seem easy but the point of the book is that one thing can mean cleaning out your entire medicine cabinet, or matching all of your single socks and getting rid of all the ones you can find a match for, or going through your entire pantry and getting rid of expired food and anything else you won't eat, it can mean digitizing your entire CD collection. If you don't have any plans this holiday weekend take advantage of the extra time. This process can be time consuming, but worth every minute. I do advise everyone interested to read this book, however I have listed some tips that I have learned:

1. Label 3 trash bags or large boxes with TRASH, RECYCLE, and DONATIONS, I added and additional bag labeled TO SHRED. Take these with you on your clearing journey.

2. When getting rid of magazine collections ( i know can be painful) go through them and tear out anything you want to remember and put in binders with files. Hold on to any Domino Magazines though they are going to be worth something. P.S. you can find all recipes online from any cooking magazine.

3. When clearing your medicine cabinets get rid of medicine that was used for old ailments. Keeping them will just let your mind allow you to get sick again. Clear it!

4. Keep a log of what you are tossing so you know when you get to fifty.

5. Don't be afraid to toss old photos that are out of focus and didn't come out right. Put them in the TO SHRED bag.

6. Get some small baggies out to keep jewelry or other small items together that you may want to donate.

7. bring some tape for busted garbage bags or busted boxes, having all the supplies with you will keep you from getting distracted when you need and have to go looking for it.

Let us know what you want to throw away and give us tips you may have for tossing.

roberta who?

2009-05-18T17:34:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Los Angeles! Roberta Roller Rabbit!

Roberta Roller Rabbit is hitting the Brentwood Country Mart by storm! What started out as a "pop up" store has now become a fixture in the Brentwood shopping circuit. Roberta already has a store in NYC, one in East Hampton, and now a 3rd in the Brentwood Country Mart. It was after Roberta Freyman found her favorite bolt fabric covered in brightly colored rabbits that Roberta Roller Rabbit was born. As soon as you walk in to Roberta Roller Rabbit you are immediatley struck with an explosion of color that will brighten your day. She carries the most gorgeous tunics, childrens clothes, pajamas, throw pillows, quilts, tablecloths, and napkins. Best of all she carries upholstery grade fabric at $15-$20 per yard. I am so excited to use her fabrics on my next project.

Table cloths and napkins featured in this months Elle Decor.

Love these bolster pillows to put a finishing touch on an all white bed.

Great throw pillows. The striped one in the middle was also featured in this months Elle Decor.

Some of the fabrics have been made into drapes. Love this print.

work it

2009-05-17T15:25:00.000-07:00

I have a few new clients, so I have been spending a lot of time in my office the last few days. I decided to post about some of my favorite office accessories, some of these items I already have and love, and some I really want :).

This seahorse paper weight was a birthday gift from my friend Andre Vippolis. It is from OK in Los Angeles. Every time I see it in my office it makes me smile. Thank you Andre this is one of my favorite things in my office! BTW, check out Andre's impressive photography portfolio...

Hable construction has the best office storage solutions. These bins come in a variety of colors, and they look great on a shelf filled with art supplies etc. These bins are definitely on the splurge side, and I have yet to use them in my own office, but I have used them in a few clients offices. They come in all different sizes and they are great for art supplies, and any other stuff that you want to keep at an arms reach that might otherwise cause office clutter. I put paper luggage tags on them to label the contents.

I love these Rhodia note pads. I started using them in drafting class and fell for the clean design and color. They are really practical for me because they are filled with graph paper and they are sturdy enough to throw in my bag during the day.

I love this "heavy weight tape dispenser from Unica Home. Its heavy enough to anchor the tape so its easier to cut a piece with one hand.... And it looks really cool too.

I use these gold paper clips from Staples, I use the jumbo ones for clipping swatches and ideas together to present to my clients and I use the small ones for office papers. Its a really inexpensive way to give your office a signature.

I like to go monochromatic and have all the same color pencils in the cup on my desk. For now, I have regular # 2 scantron style pencils, but I might have to splurge for these See Jane Work pencils in white. I think they add a sense of order to the office.

I found this lamp at an antique store a few years back. Its a great task lamp and it adds a little vintage charm to my office while still keeping it modern.

Please post any great things you have in your office that I can post.

barefoot in the kitchen

2009-05-13T21:59:00.000-07:00

If anyone watches the Barefoot Contessa you know that her kitchen is always pristine, organized and she always seems to have the best kitchen tools and accessories. I am a regular viewer of the Barefoot Contessa and I have taken note of some of my favorite things in her kitchen. With the help of her website and a little research I have tracked down what she uses and where to find it. Now what could be bad about that?

These glass mixing bowls keep Ina super organized on the show. She is able to prep the food ahead of time and keep them in the these simple little bowls from William Sonoma.

The kitchen Aid mixer Ina uses comes in all colors. This mixer is a staple on Ina's show she uses it almost every episode. I have the same one I got as a wedding gift.. I didnt think I would use it half as much as I do. I love it. We even have the same color :), white. You can also purchase this at William Sonoma.

Ina uses All Clad pots, she recommends to start with small and medium sauce pans and 8 in and 12 in saute pans. These are available at William Sonoma.

I love these simple black oven mitts and pot holders that she uses from William Sonoma. They come in every color but they are so "Ina" in black, here is a less expensive version from Ikea.

For Dutch ovens Ina uses Le Creuset. From watching her show I am always admiring her white Le Creuset Dutch oven its so modern and clean. Pictured above in her kitchen she has an orange one but I personally like the white one she uses on the show. She finds so many uses for this Dutch oven. Also available at William Sonoma

Apothecary jars like the ones pictured are lined up on Ina's countertop filled with: flour, sugar, brown sugar, and other daily Ina essentials. I have a couple in my kitchen where I store almonds and other snacks that I want easy access to. You can find these at Stonewall Kitchen.

These are all expensive items for your kitchen, but according to Ina they all last a lifetime. Its almost impossible to buy all of these things at once, but if you start collecting one by one you will soon have an Ina equip kitchen!

Please post some of your daily essentials that you can't live without.

brownie points

2009-05-12T22:35:00.000-07:00

The Sartorialist posted this picture of her friend in the brown jacket today and it got me thinking about incorporating this cool clean masculine look into a room. I have always loved brown with true white, or blue white, or another cool pastel. Brown adds warmth and depth against a clean, modern background. Using brown against a clean background is a good way to give something a masculine quality without it feeling heavy and weighed down. I love the way they use brown accents amidst stark white walls at the James Perse Store below, also the equestrian brown leather sofa with white cushions. Its so clean but still has a warmth to it.

my little pony

2009-05-11T21:18:00.000-07:00

I have been designing a lot of kids rooms and nursery's lately so I am always on the lookout for kid friendly art. I came across these amazing photographs from Sharon Montrose the other day when checking out a new store called Hands On 3rd. Hands on 3rd is a local store offering back to basics classes and workshops on anything you can make with your hands.. check out their site for a full list of classes, but back to Sharon..I saw this little installation at Hands on 3rd: (they are selling these framed images for $100 a piece)The woman at the store told me that Sharon spends a full day with each animal to insure that she gets the perfect shot. I loved them so much I went home to research Sharon Montrose and found her blog. Sharon is a commercial photographer specializing in animals and babies.. She also likes french fries? Moms check out her family portraits and baby shots, could be good photo wall material.. there are also links to the animal books she has published on her blog. I wonder if she would photograph Beans and Mango? I have posted some of my favorites below.

No animals were harmed in the making of this post.

fresh

2009-05-08T09:57:00.000-07:00

Check out the FRESH silent auction on Saturday. This is an opportunity to purchase art from over 30o artists from all over the world. Tickets are $85 in advance and $100 at the door. Unfortunately I will be out of town for this one but let me know how it is. Check out MOCA site to preview art online and I think you can even start your bidding..

dashing

2009-05-07T20:51:00.000-07:00

My mother in law Maddy is always in the know about new and great home wares. She mentioned Dash and Albert a while back and so I checked out their site... SO CUTE.. but, I want to see them in person before I order them.. What do they feel like, etc? You can make anything look good in a digital picture. I was in Mecox Gardens today and what did they have... Dash and Albert cotton throws, and they are even better in person than they are online. They are really soft and clean. A perfect summer -weight blanket, and you can't beat the $58 price tag. The jury is still out on the rugs, although I do have some favorites I have picked out. Let me know if you have seen these rugs in person I have posted some of my faves.

what to get for mom?

2009-05-06T15:43:00.000-07:00

Keeping the theme from the last post about helping out our local stores I asked my most creative and thoughtful girlfriends what they were thinking of getting their mom's this mothers day.

Here are some ideas they came up with:

Charlotte suggested: Customized stationary from Sugar Paper a Los Angeles based stationery store in the Brentwood Country Mart.. It might be a little late for this one but regardless, Sugar Paper has the cutest cards around so pick one up to put on your mother's day gift or to send to grandma in Florida.

Sara suggested: A gardening kit... I will find a local place to get one since I think its a great idea. Or you make your own basket from Rolling Greens in Culver City which is the best place in Los Angeles to get indoor and outdoor plants. You can also pick up some terracotta pots from a local hardware store such as Anawalt put some basil seeds, mint, thyme, potting soil, and a cute pair of gardening gloves in a basket and she will have fresh herbs all summer long.

Meg suggested: Cooking classes, and I know just the place! Check out The New School of Cooking in Culver City they have amazing classes all year long for recreational cooking. Meg also suggested a spa day. I know just the place for that because I was given the most amazing gift of a spa day from my friend Jessica. Check out Ona Spa they are offering four great specials right now just for mothers day! A couples massage with mom? hmmm. Have to think about that one but some of the others are amazing. Ona Spa is hands down LA's best local spa.

Rashida suggested: Periwinkle online for monogrammed cosmetic bags, linens, tennis racket covers, and other adorable personalized prizes. Again since this is last minute it might be a little late for this one as well, but you never know call and see. Talk to Caroline see what she can do this one might be worth waiting for!

Please send me more ideas for last minute mothers day gifts.

goodnight...

three stores at a time...

2009-05-06T15:09:00.000-07:00

Lets help our local economy. I am starting to see some of my favorite local stores going out of business, these stores make our neighborhoods special and the products, furniture and clothing we buy unique. Please support our local specialty stores before its too late.

Check out more at the 350 Project website for store list and other ways you can help out.

la cienega design walk

2009-05-05T08:25:00.000-07:00

The Legends of La Cienega Design Walk is the first event of this kind on La Cienega. I will be leaving town this weekend to go see my mom for mothers day, but I will be attending the events on Thursday and Friday. I am excited to check out the designer vignettes on La Cienega especially: Tim Clark at George Smith, Waldo Fernadez at Lee Stanton Antiques, Martin Lawrence-Bullard at Woodson Rummerfield's House of Design, Elizabeth Dinkel at Custom City Lamp Shades, and Suzanne Rheinstein at Downtown. If I have time I will be sure to check out all of them. I can't wait! I encourange you to check out the site for a full schedule, it will be an event to remember with good weather and good design, bring your mom if she's in town!

who's the fairest of them all?

2009-05-04T22:32:00.000-07:00

I hate having to put a TV above the fireplace, but the way most rooms are layed out it usually makes the most sense. When you put something above a fireplace it becomes the focal point of the room.

I have seen the version of the TV turning into a mirror when not in use, but I have never seen it actually work right. Either the mirror looks ridiculous or the picture is so bad on the TV, that it's not worth watching. I like the idea above because you can choose your own mirror without losing the picture quality of your favorite TV. Do you have any other ideas to this flat screen age decorating dilemma? I would love to hear them...

fab-ric

2009-05-04T14:40:00.000-07:00

This morning I went and checked Martin Lawrence-Bullard's new spring fabrics. I love the colors and patterns he uses and I am so excited to incorporate these on my next project!

incogneato!!

2009-05-01T19:20:00.000-07:00

Cancel any plans you may have for tomorrow evening between 7 to 9:30, and make your way to INCOGNITO, the Santa Monica Museum of Art's exhibition and benefit sale. The exhibit will feature of 480 artists who have donated their works in an 8x10 format, and all works are $300 each. Every piece is signed on the back and the artist identities are not revealed until after purchased. Regular tickets are $100 online and $135 at the door. Go to the Santa Monica Museum of Art website to purchase tickets. I have posted work by 3 of the 48o of the amazing artists who will be showing including Kim McCarty, Ed Ruscha, and Raymond Pettibon. I hope to see you there!

silly wet

2009-04-30T18:11:00.000-07:00

For our wedding Jesse and I had silhouettes of ourselves facing each other for our save the dates, our gift bags, programs etc. I think it was so personal but it also kept everything very clean. It became our logo and i just love it. They were done on the computer we just took profile shots of ourselves and had a friend photoshop them for us. I have been thinking that I would like to put some sort of reminder of it in our home somewhere but I didn't really want it to be digital so I have sort of held off. Last month O magazine featured a company called Cut Arts. Karl Johnson is a master scissor artist who will create silhouettes like the ones I have posted, he will cut any photo you send him. I can't wait to use these for a kids room or a fun room! Check out his site for more info.

custom doggy linens on sale!

2009-04-29T16:14:00.000-07:00

When I first got Beans I bought him a temper-pedic dog bed from Pottery Barn which he loves, and I got the cover custom made with a fabric that coordinated with my living room. The cover is looking pretty beat up after numerous washings and after Beans decided to eat holes in it. Not wanting to spend the money to get another cover made I went on the Pottery Barn website to see what they have, and I found a doggy bed cover sale! So I ordered the navy for $12.99, spent the extra $4.99 for monogramming, the whole thing with shipping was under $20 and voila! Beans has never felt more at home.

foto wall

2009-04-28T19:34:00.000-07:00

So there is a wall in Jesse's office that I want to put all black and white photographs on. I want to include fine art photos, baby photos, wedding photos as well as photos we that we have taken together. I have done them a bunch for clients and they have turned out great, but before I get started I want to do some research, and also share with you some tips I use for making a successful photo wall.

Consistency: I like to have some consistency, whether its all the same color frame, all color photos, the same size white mat around each picture, or all black and white, I think that there should be one consistent element in the photo wall, and the rest you can be creative. If you are mixing black and white with color photography and art I would use all the same color frame. If you are using all black and white you can mix it up.

Be accurate: Measure the area on the wall that you are planning to hang the photos, and then measure out the same size and area on your floor. Start laying out your photos on the floor within that area. Leave about 2 inches between each photo.

Keep photos secure: Use a level and hang frames on two hooks or you will constantly be straightening them on the wall. Using mounting tape on the back of the frames will keep your photos in place.

Staircase rules: When making a collage going up a staircase keep in mind to mimic the staircase lines in your collage. Also make sure to measure on every second or third step the distance from the collage to the stair to make sure it has the same distance consistently.

Get creative: Pick interesting photos from different times in your life and your family's life. Do not use only from one photoshoot. Its so much more interesting to mix an old pictures of your family (i.e. mom at the beach as a teenager) with more recent ones. Get creative, tell a story.

When all else fails: If you are still intimidated by the thought of creating a photo wall that works check out The Picture Wall Company. You can buy a template for a perfect photo wall all without measuring! I haven't tried it but I would love to hear from anyone who has.

It was hard finding photos of photo walls I really liked, but stay tuned I will post mine hopefully sooner than later.

Please send me any successful photo walls you have done or any that you love and I will post them.

spring clean

2009-04-27T23:02:00.000-07:00

Its the time of year when we all decide its time for a little spring cleaning. We try and reflect on what we have, and have not used in the past year and decide what stays and what should go. Its hard to stay focused and very easy to get sidetracked. I found a very helpful article to support us in that process. I especially like #5 .. The Obstacles (which I posted). Please comment with any organizing and de-cluttering tips you may have. Check out Aby Garvey for full article.

#5: Anticipate and remove your obstacles.

Before entering your space of excess, the place you want to whittle down a bit, think about which items will be easy to let go of and which will be a challenge. Add the challenging items to your worksheet along with the reason they’ll be difficult to let go of. The reasons are your obstacles. Now, let’s figure out some simple strategies for removing common obstacles.

Obstacle 1: The “I might need it someday syndrome.”
Strategy: Decide when someday is.
Here’s how it works. You come across something and think “I might need this someday.” Ask yourself, “realistically, *when* will I need this?” If you can’t come up with a definite answer then assign an arbitrary date up to six months out in the future. Put the item in a box, write the date on the outside of the box, and move on. If the “someday” (the date on the box) comes and goes and you haven’t needed the item … you are now free to send it off to a happier place. Ah, doesn’t that feel good?
Obstacle 2: The “I paid good money for this syndrome.”
Strategy: Accept that the money is spent.
No amount of hanging-onto an item can bring your money back. Whether you keep it or not, the money is gone. Forever. Cut your losses and move on. If you look at something and feel guilty about what you paid for it, yet you’re not using it, the guilt won’t entice you to use the item. You’ll continue to not use the item and continue to feel guilty about it. Why linger in the yuckiness? Let it go.
Obstacle 3: The “garage sale syndrome.”
Strategy: Find an alternative happy home for your previously enjoyed items.
The garage sale syndrome sets in when you have decided to let go of some things and yet they continue to linger in your presence, waiting for the big garage sale. It’s true; garage sales can be a way to turn some of your no longer needed items into cash. But not without a cost. If letting go of things is difficult for you, a garage sale simply extends the process. Instead, find a charity you’ll feel good about donating your items to. Schedule a pick-up for the day after your letting go session. Or check out www.freecycle.org. In no time, you’ll have treasure hunters lining up to relieve you of your things!
Obstacle 4: The “gift syndrome.”
Strategy: Take the fact that the item was a gift out of the equation.
When you come across a gift, ask yourself “Do I need, use or love the item?” It the answer is no, you aren’t obligated to keep the item. A gift doesn’t come with strings attached. I know this one can be hard to swallow… but it’s true.
There are ways you can honor the memory of the gift, without actually holding onto the actual item. For example, if you’re a scrapbooker, you could take a photo of the gift and create a mini scrapbook or scrapbook page called “gifts of love.” Record who gave you the gift and for what occasion, and then, why that person is special to you. This will allow you to focus on the person who gave you the gift, and their meaning to you, instead of feeling tied to the gift itself.

Let me know how your spring cleaning is going.. I am setting 30 every night to organizing and de-cluttering. Keep me posted on any strategies you have found that work.

sabastiao selgado

2009-04-25T16:21:00.000-07:00

images: Sabasiao Selgado
I attended an antique show at Barker Hanger in Santa Monica last night, I also sat in on a panel discussion panel including Martyn Lawrence Bullard, Thomas Lavin, Windsor Smith, Joe Nye, and Madeline Stuart, They were talking about the future of the Interior Design as well as the current economic crisis effect on the industry. It was a great evening and I am happy that I was able to attend. I got to see an old friend Peter Fetterman who I met years ago when I bought a birthday present for my boyfriend (who is now my husband) at his famous LA gallery which specializes in black and white photography. If you live in LA or are visiting, and you have never visited his place on Michigan Ave in Bergamont Station, you should definitely make the trip. The images posted are from the Sabastiao Selgado AFRICA exhibit that will be at Peter Fetterman from 5/13-9/9. I caught a sneak peak of some of the photos at the show last night and they are amazing. Check out the images I have posted and go on Peters website to see the schedule of Sabastiao's lecture and other events.

straight knock off

2009-04-24T17:32:00.000-07:00

I feel a little hesitant to do this but this is a far too good of a steal from none other thank IKEA. I am going to get shunned at Madeline Weinrib the next time I call but I can't resist, so I have posted a photo from Nate Berkus's Chicago apartment, the same photo that graced the cover of last Septembers Elle Decor with the Madeline Weinrib rug that made her famous. Her rugs are all so unique and beautiful, I am a loyal customer as she makes my favorite rugs on the market. Please check out her collection it is absolutly gorgeous.

So enjoy, quantities are limited to get in there quick.

former furniture

2009-04-23T21:27:00.000-07:00

I mentioned this site briefly yesterday its called Former Furniture. Former Furniture is an online marketplace for buyers and sellers of previously owned furniture as well as showroom pieces. The site was created by interior designer Lindsay Dann who saw the opportunity while assisting clients to sell some of their furniture while they were renovating their homes or moving. Former Furniture acts as a conduit between buyers and sellers to insure that both are satisfied with the process. Check out the website and tell me what you think, I have some posted some great pieces I have seen while browsing the site. There are really some great deals available.

pedi-cure

2009-04-23T21:18:00.000-07:00

My favorite pedicure in Los Angeles is the Dharma pedicure from The Paint Shop in Beverly hills. The Paint Shop is a hidden gem on south Robertson where they play great music and offer you herbal tea all while you relax in their comfy oversized chairs. The Dharma Pedicure is the one to get, its based on four thousand years of body wisdom from India. Darma means path in Sanskrit and is designed to energize the chakras through an intense foot massage. A chakra signifies one of seven basic energy centers in the body, and at the beginning of the massage.. I mean pedicure :), you are asked to choose which chakra you would like to focus on and they will hit pressure points and use coordinating colors to achieve this. I chose LOVE (which is the heart chakra) for my last pedicure.. Which one will you choose? Make sure you ask for Kevin he is the best!

do you know what today is?

2009-04-22T12:11:00.000-07:00

David Doubilet
It is Earth Day! I am not doing anything special today for earth day other than writing this blog, rather I am changing my lifestyle and have been, so that "Earth Day" is every day. Here are some things you can do in honor of "Earth Day."

1. Pledge not to trash the oceans! Help reduce your mark by limiting your plastic consumption. As I said yesterday, the majority of the trash on the beach is plastic and since its not biodegradable.. Its not going anywhere. Ditch the plastic water bottle its unhealthy for you anyway. Click on the link to find out other ways.

2. Shop at Stella McCartney not only does she not use leather or fur in any of her collections she also incorporates organic, and eco friendly materials. From now until April 29th 5% of all proceeds go to Oceana which is a nonprofit dedicated to keeping our oceans alive.

3. Shop locally and with a reusable bag. I am sure you have dozens of them from the recent campaigns going on promoting them.. Use them!! Click on the link and type in your zip code to find restaurants and farmers markets that use local produce.

4. Recycle... Obviously

5. Opt for riding a bike. See blog entry "the new status symbol" or carpool.

6. Educate your friends, kids, and anyone else who will listen.

7. When decorating your house.. Check out antique furniture, the usual 1stdibs also a new site I discovered former furniture.

8. Before ditching that old sofa, save some dough and help the earth by recovering it in a great new organic linen. Your family will thank you, older furniture has had time to off gas so the chemicals in the glue and the foam are less toxic than any new furniture you can buy.

9. Check out Benjamin Moore Aura line as well as the Natura line for every wonderful color Benjamin Moore has to offer. Minus harmful VOC's.

1o. Stay updated on new ways to help neutralize your carbon imprint, and most of all enjoy what nature has to offer!

Happy Earth Day!!

clean the beach

2009-04-20T15:32:00.000-07:00

When I think of summer I think of spending long days at the beach. What is better than spending the day at the beach with friends, or reading a great book under an umbrella, listening to the soothing ocean sounds, breathing in the fresh salty air. Being at the beach always gets me a little nostalgic watching children run around, burying each other in the sand, collecting sea shells, and having the time of their lives makes me think of summers as a kid visiting the beach with my family. The beach has given me so much joy in my life, my husband Jesse and I actually met each other for the first time at the beach four years ago this July. Since then we have visited the beach together at least a hundred times. Jesse grew up in Malibu, so the beach has always been a major part of his life and always will be, we talk about raising our kids at the beach and how we want the beach to be as much a part of their life as it is a part of ours.

Jesse and I talk a lot about getting more involved in beach cleanups. In fact I got a reminder email last week that Heal the Bay, a local non profit environmental group was doing its monthly Nothing but Sand Beach Cleanup this past Saturday morning. Jesse and I spoke about going to the clean up as we do every month after I get one of these reminders, but somehow Saturday afternoon comes around and we forgot, or a friend was in town visiting. There are always things that come up. Well something different happened this past Saturday afternoon. Jesse and I were spending our first (presummer) day of the year at the beach, the weather was gorgeous, we were so excited to be at the beach! Then we realized that there was so much trash and junk all over the beach, this gradual change in the beach is not so gradual. It is happening and we need to do something about it. Sunday morning Jesse and I came out early to the beach with two giant trash bags within a half an hour they were both busting at the seams. Together we disposed of about 100 straws, 75 bottle caps, 15 cans of soda, 25 plastic bags, 15 plastic bottles, a pizza box and many more disgusting mostly plastic items. After we were done we put up our umbrella and enjoyed an exceptionally beautiful day at the beach. We decided that every time we go to the beach we are going to bring two trash bags and do our own little beach cleanup, we owe it to the beach after all of the years its taken care of us, relieved us from stresses, and nurtured us, its the least we can do, and we are encouraging all of our friends to do the same. I am always looking for ways to get involved and give back to the world but its hard to find the time, this is such a direct way to really make a difference and it will make you feel so good, bring your kids! What a great way to get them involved. If you would like to find out more ways to get involved in saving the oceans visit Heal the Bay and Conservation International let me know if you have any other ideas or questions I look forward to hearing your comments on this one. mario vitali, photo

the new status symbol

2009-04-17T11:11:00.001-07:00

According to the New York Times last Friday, the new status symbol in transportation is not a Range Rover or another gas guzzling luxury ride... Rather it is the classic "glossy black Dutch bicycle," which has not changed design since WWII it has been showing up in the windows of clothing stores such as Club Monaco this season, it comes with fenders, a chain guard, a generator and a rack so you don't have to worry about getting grimy on your way to work in a suit. They even posted a slide show for men on what to wear while riding one of these bicycles. I decided I would find some pictures to inspire us girls to get on a bike and ride to work while wearing high heels, carrying a purse and talking on a cell phone. After doing some research on Dutch bicycles and others that I think are Beans and Mango worthy, I came across a company called Velorbis. They have the coolest bikes I have ever seen so I decided to dedicate this entry to them and I think you will agree with me. Velorbis ladies bikes feature skirts guards, wicker baskets to hold your pocketbook, you can purchase a strap on leather carrying case to hold any extra baggage, some of the models come standard with balloon tires which makes your bike feel more like a Bentley, also standard is the Brooks Saddle a classic leather handmade seat which is a must have accessory for any fashion forward bicycle. I am not able to find pricing as of now.. I am not sure if you can even buy them in the US but I am getting to the bottom of it and I will keep you posted. Please comment if you have any questions on these bikes. Let me know if you want more info on other bikes such as the Electra townie, or the Electra Amsterdam.

one kings lane

2009-04-17T10:30:00.000-07:00

I am so excited about this new website my good friend Joseph Varet introduced me to. Its called One Kings Lane and its an invitation required online shopping destination featuring brands such as John Robshaw, Matteo, D.L. and Co. and many more amazing brands up to 70% off retail for a limited 72 hour brand specific sales event. Each event includes a limited quantity of hand selected products from the specified brand.

Members also receive tips and inspiration from celebrated designers, chefs, planners and other industry experts.

This is definitely a site I will be frequenting daily!

Please comment if you would like an exclusive invitation to the site.

cut the cheese

2009-04-16T13:59:00.000-07:00

While shopping yesterday for a wedding gift I came across this amazing George Jensen Forma cheese board and stainless knife designed by the Paris based Danish designer Helle Damkjaer. I love the organic look of the asymmetrical wood board with the modern stainless steel knife. Who couldn't use a cheeseboard?

pestamistic

2009-04-15T22:52:00.000-07:00

I was in my backyard the other day and noticed a spider web in the tree branches of my lemon trees. I saw a giant black spider crawling out from the web and thought to myself that spider is far too big to be in my backyard and therefore couldn't possibly be dangerous as well... Then it spun upside down and I saw a perfect red hourglass on his belly.

So I ran!!!!!

When I came to my senses I decided to see what I could do about this problem. I cancelled my bimonthly exterminator a few months back because I thought is was better to have some harmless critters crawling around than to have chemicals sprayed all over my yard. My mind has since changed about the harmless critters but I still don't want the chemicals. After a bit of research I found Green Leaf Organic Pest Control. They use essential tree oils and other organic remedies to control pests, and at last resort they will spray regular bug repellent similar to those you put on your animals to control flees so we know they are at least pet friendly.

I will let you know how this all works, but for now I am very excited about this.

living in harmony

2009-04-14T17:22:00.000-07:00

I cannot help but have a smile on my face when I think about my experiences at the Harmony Hotel in Nosara, I spent my "engagement" week there two years ago and have already been back for a second honeymoon. The resort is inspired by 70's glamour tying that old resort feel with all of the modern amenities you want from a resort minus the ones you don't.

After a long and bumpy ride I arrived late at night to a place that can only be imagined in my dreams. Simple yet glamorous decor with a ginger tea waiting for me at check in. The next morning I awoke and made my way to the restaurant for breakfast I ordered the gallo pinto traditional Costa Rica breakfast which consists of black beans, rice and eggs along with a tropical smoothie with mango, passion fruit, and pineapple to wash it down, all the food is grown or raised organically on premises. I am officially in heaven. Off to a morning yoga class, Then on to practice my surfing. After surfing I indulge in the spa before dinner where they use ingredients such as fresh papaya, coconut oil, avocado and banana all grown right on property.

I was drawn to the resort after I read an article a few years ago about hotels such as the 60 Thompson appointing their rooms with Kiehls products and other high end ammenities, the article mentioned that the Harmony Hotel in Nosara supplies Red Flower products in their guest rooms. What is this Harmony Nosara? I was instantly intrigued, so I started my google search. The hotel uses Red Flower products because they are not harmful to the grey water system that is just one part of this eco friendly oasis.

There is so much at the Harmony Hotel and I encourage you to check out the website. Please feel free to comment with any questions you might have.

in the sweet bye & bye

2009-04-13T17:28:00.000-07:00

Thank you Jesse for Margaret Kilgallen: In the Sweet Bye & Bye.

This was such an amazing gift. The late Margaret Kilgallen is quickly becoming one of my favorite artists and I can't wait to see her work next time there is an exhibit of hers in NY or LA.

Her drawings are timeless and it was old time sources that gave Margaret her inspiration. She loved Appalachian music, hand painted signage, letterpress printing, and was inspired by the wandering culture of immigrant, railway workers and dreamers. She was especially interested in seeing evidence of a maker's hand in inspiration as well as in her own work. Margaret explained that as much as she tried to make the straightest line or a perfect letter it could never be as perfect as a machine. That imperfection is what makes her art so unique.

Let me know what you think I have posted some of my favorites from the book.

shimmi on down!

2009-04-13T10:26:00.000-07:00

Alas the long awaiting Shimmi bikinis are in stores now, just in time for summer. Scarlett and Alison have done an amazing job transforming their inspirations (i.e. Jane Birkin, French Mediterranean, and rock and roll) Into itsy bitsy bikinis that are somehow the most flattering suits I have come across. There attention to detail is really apparent when you try them on, the lines across the bottom are strategically cut to flatter any rump. Off to the gym!

gliding away

2009-04-12T10:26:00.000-07:00

I decided to make note of my favorite gliders for the nursery, since I have been designing so many nursery's lately.

Among them are:

1) Serena and Lily

White matelasse with contrast piping of your choice. Great classic shape. Shown in a blue twill but I personally like the white.

2) Q Collection Junior

Alberto Winged Glider- Made with all natural materials and formaldehide free glue. This Belgium linen covered rocker is not only great looking its also easy on the environment.

3) Nursery Works

Empire Rocker- by Lawson Fenning for Nursery Works. I love the modern take on this classic tufted wingback chair.

rise of the romper

2009-04-12T10:18:00.000-07:00

There have been a lot of posts about the rise of the one piece, jumpsuit, romper this season. I haven't been more excited about a trend in a long time so I decided to jump on the bandwagon and post my favorite four jumpsuits for summer. Its such an easy outfit for daytime to throw on with a blazer. A sexy nighttime look when thrown on with a pair of heels and a great necklace or belt.

American Apparel's Romper is perfect for over a bathing suit. Its made of the famous tri blend fabric. Go a size up because it tends to run a bit small.
Topshops feminine and flirty floral romper is perfect for a daytime barbecue with a pair of sandals. Add a jacket and some heels for a fresh office alternative.
Rag and Bone's Teddy all silk Romper is so great for any occasion. A girlfriend of mine wore this to her shower the other day and looked so radiant. The emerald green looks great with just about any skin tone. Can be dressed up or down with a pair of heels.
Steven Alan for Uniqlo has created this simple white Romper that you will not be able to take off this summer.

my first entry

2009-04-11T10:06:00.000-07:00

Hello Friends,

I have wanted to do this for a while now, but i have a bit of stage fright. I am really excited to be here. My denial about Domino Magazine shutting down has subsided, and i think it's time to try and fill a portion of that void. Stay tuned for more to come!

Katie Fine