Happy Halloween!

Halloween is my favorite holiday- playing dress up, the sweets, party's- whats not to love?? Saturday we have a costume party and Sunday will be spent with my niece and nephew. I'm looking forward to a frightful weekend!

DIY Bookends

What a great DIY over at Design Sponge- gold rock bookends. It looks super easy! You can use a high gloss gold paint to make it even shinier. Head over to Design Sponge for instructions.

Kitchen Inspiration

Still loving dark colored kitchen cabinets...

via Sunset Magazine

Sex and the City II on DVD

Yay! SATC 2 is on DVD today! I didn't watch the movie in theaters, so sad! But tonight is the night. I told my husband, I'm going to cook him dinner, so he needs to eat and exit the premises for 2 hours while I enjoy the movie. I'm not sure I can handle his commentary of the film, I already know SJP's nose is a bit on the large side but I don't care! I want to enjoy all the clothes, the sets, the clothes and the men (Yes, I know I said clothes twice). Critics were so harsh on the film but most of my friends who saw it, liked it, a lot. So I'm going in with low expectations- I mean it's Sex and the City people not Citizen Kane. Let you know tomorrow!

Patio Lust

I would go bananas for a patio like this, it's like a magical wonderland.

via Commune Design

High Watering

There's a men's fashion trend right now that cannot be ignored. I'm see it everywhere, from Milan to New York and on everyone, young men and old men. It's the ankle length pant . Ladies, I guess we're not the only ones who like to show a little leg...

Photos via The Sartorialist

The great debate- Lawn?

There has been much debate and conversation over the issue of lawn in homes. Near us in Santa Monica and Venice, more and more home owners are opting for fake grass and alternate landscapes. A few years ago, I was staunchly opposed. I hated how fake synthetic lawn looked. I have completely changed my mind. I have been caring for grass for the last five years and frankly am getting a bit sick of it. Constantly having to change the timer to coincide with city watering mandates, worrying about dog dug holes, crab grass, the high cost of watering and last but definitely not least, the nagging guilt about using so much water. I'm always on the look out for innovative ways to landscape without lawn and recently came across this Huntington Beach home in the LA Times. Wow! Not only is it aesthetically pleasing its completely functional. I would have tons of party's if I had a space like this. The whole home was given a face lift by Adam Wheeler, who I just read used to work for Frank Gehry. I can tell! Enjoy the pics!

Photography by John Ellis Photography, "Before" picture by Joshua White.

Fall Booties

These booties are on my lust/wish list. How better to start the week than contemplating shoes?

available here.

Happy Weekend!

Hope you have a restful weekend.....

Inspiration {Office}

This office designed by the uber-talented, Timothy Whealon, is one of my all time favorites. The green accents really make the room pop. The vertical storage is useful, efficient and good looking!

I'm lucky enough to have a a room dedicated as my office. Initially, when my husband let me take the room and turn it into an office, I felt so guilty. How can I make it MY room, it could just as easily be guest room/office, a game room/office. Eventually I got over it and outfitted the room with two desks and two bookshelves. Added some accessories, chairs, extra seating. Now I realize, we spend so much time in the "office". And oddly, so do guests. Last night, James, my mom and I were in the office finishing our taxes (yes, we are complete procrastinators). We took our time, drank some wine. Anyway, I don't mean to ramble but my point being that rather than being strictly an office the room turned into a tv watching, dog playing, laundry folding, video game playing kinda room.

Is it Friday yet?

I cannot wait for the weekend to arrive! This week is proving to be quite stressful, my head hurts. Why doesn't anyone tell you how hard it is to be an adult?! Before I get caught up in this little pity party, here is today's post. A gorgeous little home I saw in House and Home Magazine. I really like the turquoise subway tile, it's an easy, inexpensive way to brighten up your kitchen. Happy hump day! I think today calls for happy hour.

via House and Home

Fall Trend {Capes}

Capes are going to be the rage this fall and I am more than excited. Forget wearing with leggings and ugg boots! I'm going to pair it with a dress or wide leg pants. This is why Fall excites me so! Hats, scarves, (faux) furs, coats, boots- I get giddy just thinking about it!

Via Vogue

Samantha Pynn

Now here's a bachelor pad I wouldn't mind living in! Samantha Pynn designed the apartment for her brother. How lucky to have a Designer sister who's super talented! (Correction from my previous post: The home was NOT designed for the Pure Design television show on HGTV) Still, I love the show! It's a simple idea, follow a Designer on projects- no gimmicks! Check out more of Samantha's work on her website www.samanthapynn.com.

Photos via Virginia McDonald. Virginia's website is chock-full of amazing interiors.

Inspiration {Home Office}

Loving this office...

via Adore Magazine

Manhattan Apartment

It has been raining cats and dogs here in Los Angeles. As I type I can hear the roaring sound of rain drops falling on the roof. I actually love this weather, it's such a rarity here. BUT, it does prove to be gloomy and after a few days I wouldn't mind some sunshine back! Makes me crave color! That was the inspiration for today's post. The home of Jeanine Lobell and Anthony Edwards is so bright and cheery. Bright green kitchen cabinets, they are one gutsy duo! I was thinking, in a city like New York where much of the year is rainy, snowy and gloomy, why wouldn't you want to walk into a home this uplifting? I would! (Isn't the paper in the powder bath to die for?)

Via Elle Decor.

Halloween

Halloween is my favorite holiday of the year. I love the pumpkins, candy, costumes, decorations. Well it's almost here! I have only 28 days to buy my pumpkins, get our costumes and figure out what we're going to do this year! The Martha Stewart website has great ideas for decorations. I think I'm going to do the witch hats for the outside pumpkins and gold spray paint for the inside pumpkins. Yay! Can't wait.

Cocodot

I am a huge fan of paper stationary. For many reasons- I appreciate the craftsmanship, I love writing messages rather than typing and saving them gives me great pleasure. But in this digital and eco-friendly era, I have made the compromise that it can't all be traditional paper invitations and cards. Until recently, Evite has been the rage. I have never been a huge fan, the designs are a bit cheesy. I just never felt like it could come close to a real inviation. So when I heard about Cocodot, I got really excited. They have the most fabulous designs and a multitude of options, personal stationary, cards, even wedding invitations! The only catch is that there is a fee, which at first I was a little miffed about. But when I navigated through their website I liked that it was ad free and felt morel like a service. It's $5 per month, which isn't bad. Here is a small sampling of their card designs. For more information visit their website.