Desert Summer

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When Lori and I started this blog more than 3 years ago we decided to embrace the fact that we live in the desert.  Back then it wasn't trendy or chic.  Where we live we are close to areas that are very dry desert spots (like the Mojave desert) as well as more tropical resort locations like Palm Springs.  There is something very beautiful about where we live and it's nice to see it more appreciated in current styles.

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photo by Kim Trzyna

The above image is of Lori and I when we started our blog. We had to check for snakes before we set up and it was very windy that day, but what a sunset!  

Today it is hot hot hot!  As in 104 degrees, hot.
Stay cool out there!

Minor Obsession: Zara Home

When we were in Paris, the Cat and I made it a point to go into a Zara Home while we were window shopping on the Champs-Élysées.  Now, I know some people might think we are nuts, going into a store like that while in a place like Paris.  But.  We love Zara. And we love Zara Home.  And as of yet, there are no Zara Home locations in the US.  (Why?!!!)
So when we saw that store front, we made it a point to go in.  And let me tell you, it was definitely worth it.  The store was beautiful.  And it smelled good.  And there were beautiful things and beautiful displays and we wanted one of just about everything.  And now the online site is having a sale, and we can continue our shopping that we couldn't quite do in Paris due to strict weight requirements imposed on us by the airlines.  I mean, come on.  Is it really that bad if my suitcase is stuffed with home goods and weighs 150 pounds?!

ZARA HOME

See how there are clothes and shoes in that picture?  That is because Zara Home does not limit itself to housewares.  Oh no.  They also sell scarves, and hats, and swimsuit cover ups.  And they sell the pretties slippers, the kind worn by A Little Princess and Shirley Temple.  

It's worth a look, to pop on over to the site. And if you ever find yourself in a country that actually has a brick and mortar Zara Home, I think it is worth it to pop inside! I hope you have a lovely weekend! I have no plans, which is actually kind of nice.  How about you? Any plans?

Home Tour: Kay Kornbluth {of One Kings Lane}

Today my handy dandy husband is pouring concrete for our extended patio.  I'm so excited and have wanted to do this for years.  Isn't it even more fun when you have looked at something for so long and wanted to change it and finally you get to?  I think it is very satisfying and makes me fall in love with my home all over again.

I want to take you on a very chic house tour, care of elle.com and home of One King Lane's third employee Day Kornbluth (Vice President of Merchandising).  This is a 2,200 sf Cobble Hill apartment which Kornbluth refurbished without the help of an architect.  She lives here with her husband, an internal medicine doctor, and their two children.  

For my part, a curator at One Kings Lane couldn't live anywhere else but here;  it's eclectic and super stylish.  

I am worshipful of anyone who can put together a vignette the way Kornbluth can!  I could just steal some of her furniture pieces and artwork and I could just move right into that kitchen.

Have a lovely Thursday,

New Project in the Works: Marble Contact Paper

The other day I had a very successful trip to a local antique store.  One of my finds was a black,three tiered rolling cart that I immediately decided I needed to take home, spray paint, and recover the shelves.  I came across a few blog posts awhile ago that used marble contact paper, and I've had it in my mind ever since that I'd like to use it for some kind of project.

A Thoughtful Place

It still blows me away that the above counter top is not real marble; it's covered in marble contact paper.  I think it turned out beautifully!
And really, projects abound of people using this paper on their projects with stellar results.

I Heart Organizing

This was an IKEA hack.  Brilliant.
My little project should be completed tomorrow, as my own roll of marble contact paper just got here today. I'm excited to finish the project, and I will definitely post pictures when it's done!
I hope your Wednesday is going well!  Yesterday my friend Kim made some pillows out of some of the fabric I found in the garment district; I'll have to post pictures of that little project soon, too.
Cheers!

DIY Bench Re-Upholstery

I'm thrilled at the prospect of Lori's closing in on the perfect leopard fabric for her bench project!  I figured I should start studying up on the subject of re-upholstery.  I have re-covered chair cushions before many times but I wanted to see what other people said and if there were tips I had overlooked.  I found a few helpful hints on the blogs below.  If you are also considering this sort of project, I suggest you check these out!

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I can't wait to hear if she found the fabric on her little excursion yesterday!  I know it will be fantastic.

Day Trip: LA's Garment District

Hello, all.  Happy Monday!  Today I am headed down to LA with some friends to wander around the garment district.  Last time we went, I came home with a bag full of pretty fabric scraps.  This time, I'm hoping against hope that I will find some leopard print fabric for the bench I'm planning on recovering.  Or having recovered.  Or having someone (hint, hint, Rebecca!) help me recover since I am pretty useless when it comes to that kind of thing.

Online Fabric Store

This is what I want.  This is Ralph Lauren, and it is $268 a yard.  Which is a little bit, shall we say, pricey.  Although the bench was free, and I wouldn't need that much...
Anyway, I am not expecting to find that fabric today, but it would be lovely indeed if I could find something similar.  Fingers crossed!
I hope your week is off to a fantastic start!

Fornasetti Plates

I'm very late to the Fornasetti scene.  Lori did a post on Fornasetti wallpaper awhile back and I'm always struck by stylistic genius of the pieces.  I have really been impressed with the plates and the cheeky quality they bring to any space.

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'Piscibus' Trompe L'Oeil plate

These blue and white Trompe L'Oeil fish plates are my favorite right now.  They are very cost prohibitive for me but I like to imagine owning a few.

I want to wish you all a fantastic Friday!  We are entertaining good friends this evening so I have some cooking to do.  I will enjoy every minute.

Anthropologie Sale Picks

It's Friday (right?!)!  I can't believe we are already two weeks into our summer vacation, although, arguably, we have gotten to do a lot so far.  Unfortunately, I can't make any plans to go anywhere next week, seeing as how I have to report for jury duty on Monday.  Fingers crossed that they don't choose me (bad, I know), because I'd like to take my kiddo to the beach and maybe to the Getty.  I guess we'll just have to wait and see.
This morning I woke up at 4 a.m., which is unusual for me, because when I am on vacation, I like to sleep.  But my body still thinks it is in France (and the darn cat knocked over a lamp, which is really what woke me up!), and so here I am, coffee and breakfast made, and ready to start a new day.  One of the first things I did (after having a facebook conversation with another one of my fellow travelers who is also still on French time) was check my email, and I am glad I did, because Anthropologie is having a SALE, and I could spend thousands of dollars there on any given day, and who doesn't love a sale?!  So I am bringing you my top Anthropologie sale picks, which I would snatch up in a heartbeat if I hadn't just spent all of my money in French pharmacies!

Level 99, $59.95

I love my Level 99 denim trousers, and these linen pants are the same cut.  They look great with wedges or a kitten heel and make you look like you have legs for days!

Flora Vignette Dress, $99.95

I am a sucker for this style dress, because the proportions are so nicely balanced.  To me, you can go shorter like this since the dress shape is so loose.  It balances out.

Harper Joggers, $59.95

I want these.  Enough said!

Anthropologie Sale Picks 

I really want those lingerie sets and that mint julep lip balm.  And those pants, and that chambray dress...

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!