Friday Five: Holiday Candles

My heart is 100% in Christmas/Holiday mode. I'm definitely on team "Thanksgiving can be Christmas-y!" Unfortunately, there is much debate in society on what is appropriate so I'm holding off decorating (really because the BF isn't around until this weekend to help carry the tree in). I have allowed myself to sneak in a little holiday scents via candle. It's so refreshing coming home to an apartment filled with a little winter-y, holiday spirit. These are my absolute favorites!

Ralph Lauren Holiday Classic

{instantly reminds me of childhood Christmases... although I think my mom had the potpourri #80skid}

 Voluspa Branche Vermeil

Nest Holiday Candle

Thymes Fraser Fir

{Whole Foods sells them in cute, gold jars but I can't find them anywhere else!)

 Jo Malone Roasted Chestnut

Draper James

I could not be more excited for the launch of one of my favorite lady's lifestyle website!!
Ms. Witherspoon launched Draper James earlier this month and I'm coveting everything. I can't wait to see the blog posts, I'm already planning a spring luncheon of my own.




The site has everything from skirts to stationery, but these items are at the top of me list!

Cocktail Napkins

Magnolia Cocktail Ring

Vanderbilt Tote

Lovely Leopard

I've never been the biggest fan of animal prints. For some reason my mind goes immediately to the Jersey Shore when they're mentioned. I've been seeing them pop up more and more places recently, and may have even purchased a super soft casual sweater with a dark leopard print (justified by the minimal contrast in the tan background and black spots).

Princess Catherine's leopard Coat from earlier this week was so sophisticated and breath taking, maybe leopard isn't so horrible when done correctly.

  

Room Sneak Peak - B Is for Bonnie Designs

As I put the final details on my room, I'm planning on posting little previews of the little projects it took to put it all together. I had most of the furniture from my old place, it was just a matter of the details like wall art.  I really love the way Ralph Lauren mixes traditional looks with pop culture. His old Hollywood pictures are stunning. After almost 4 years of searching my mom and I found similar frames at Home Goods. I did have these 2 solid black frames I had found and while I loved the black accent, I knew I had to find "lighter" prints to keep the contrast and neutral look.   If you follow my pinterest  or tumblr you know that I love quotes and after some etsy searching I found the gold foiled prints {incorporates the slight metallic) of b is for bonnie and knew they were just what I was looking for!

She has so many cute options {and an amazing blog for all you #bossladies out there} but I decided to go with these 2.

They look great in the frames and fit perfectly in this little nook on the side of my bed! So cozy!

                         

Weekend Re-Cap

Although I don't know if I'd say it started out great, I would have to say I had quite an amazing, fun-filled, just-what-I-needed weekend!

It started with a "I'm a grown up" trip to Home Depot, Ikea and Target.  Where I picked up some things I've been eyeing for my room.





Finally settled on a rug, found a 12" drop bed skirt (shipped directly from egypt), picked up my new nightstand that I'm painting a metallic champagne.

Although, now I'm thinking of completely re-doing the layout of my room so we'll see how much progress.

Saturday night I put together snacks for Sunday's outing (will get to shortly) and  I got drinks with a couple girlfriends I haven't seen in a while and it was so great to catch up!!

Sunday I was invited by a friend to join her for the Opening Day Celebration at the San Francisco Yacht Club. With all the recent rain I was worried, but it was absolutely beautiful and just what I needed. Got to wear sperry's for their actual purpose and cute nautical stripes too! We chatted, ate delicious food, enjoyed a Pimms Cup or  2, sat in the sunshine and...cheated a bit by taking out the motor boat for a quick ride. I was so exhausted I went straight to bed when I got home.

Room Inspiration

Moving came with lots of purging and reorganizing. Only 1 trip to the Container Store so far though!
When I moved to my last apartment 4 years ago, I started to re-decorate my bedroom. It happened slowly over the course of the years, but never finished. I hoarded picture frames and was hoping that in the move I would make a decision on what I wanted and get rid of the rest. No dice. Thus I've decided to not rest until my room redecoration is complete!

I really like the soothing elegance of neutral colors in  bedroom. I had pale pink for a while, but I think that's a little to girly for being in my late twenties. These pictures have been my inspiration. The top one kills me a little every time I look at it!

I already have an upholstered headboard, which I'm not so into anymore. I might get a new slipcover for it, in neutral. My bedding is all white save for the monogrammed euro pillows that are monogrammed in sand.
My room also has hardwood floors, which are gorgeous, but not so welcoming. I need to get an area rug. I'm thinking white.

My desk, dresser and bookshelf are all dark cherry. I want to get this table from ikea to use as a nightstand and spray paint the legs a metallic to lighten up the dark accents.

Oh and I want a bench. A bigger version of the ones featured in the last picture to put up against a wall.

Moving on {up?}!

I've officially crossed 1 thing off my 2014 to-do list. I've finally found a new apartment!!! In December, 2 weeks before Christmas, one of my roommates & the master lease holder, informed us she was moving out after 6 years in the house. If you don't follow real estate San Francisco housing prices have gone from ridiculous to preposterous in the last 6 or so years. Our landlord let us know that with the new lease, rent will go up about $500/person/month. That ain't gonna work for this lady.

To be honest I was more than a little nervous about finding a new place. Our land lord was nice enough to give us 6 months before the hike, but in general it was going to be tough to find a place that wasn't far away, didn't have 5 other roommates and was up to my aesthetic expectations within my price range. I had casually been perusing craigslist for listings that were up to my high standards, and I found an adorable 2 bedroom in the Noe Valley neighborhood with a lovely roommate from North Carolina and a kitty named Finn. It's a little farther out than I'd like to be; I've been living closer to town in Russian Hill. But it still has a cute shopping street near by and is closer to the AMAHZING restaurants in the Mission. The BF is happy too, as parking should be a breeze.

I've got a lot going on this month: mini-vacay, finalizing Junior League event details, moving, and the actual Junior League event, but I'm so happy to have this weight off my shoulders....and can't wait to start re-decorating!!

Thanksgiving Weekend {a.k.a Christmas Prep}

I chose to spend Thanksgiving in San Francisco again this year. The stress of 2 days of traveling for 2-3 days of Family and Friend chaos has just proven to be exhausting. Especially if I'm returning in a few weeks for Christmas.

Thanksgiving itself was pretty relaxed. The BF and I took a small hike through the Presidio, watched a little of the Cowboy's game {....I napped} and went to his former co-worker's house for the meal. His co-worker is Philipino so it was kind of fun to have some different food mixed in with the usual Thanksgiving fare.

The rest of the weekend was prepping for Christmas. With only 25 days to celebrate this year, I wanted to jump right in!

I got this gorgeous bay leaf wreath at Trader Joe's for only $10!  I 'fake' hung it with red grosgrain ribbon. I didn't trust the ribbon to hold it on it's own so I used a wreath hanger and then pulled the ribbon up from the top! I'm kind of obsessed with how perfectly it goes with our new Red Front Door!

I purchased gifts for my Grandma's a few months ago, and have since been looking for the perfect ribbon to go with my classic brown wrapping paper. I love how simple and elegant it looks! I ventured to Britex in Union Square {braving the crowds of out-of-towners}. I'd never been there before, but for having 3 stories filled with every button, ribbon, fabric, sequin you could ever want I of course found what I was looking for almost instantly. This dark evergreen ribbon, it's grosgrain with a little stretch for fitting around the packages.

Saturday night Emily and I went to Book of Mormon! First time seeing it and it was spectacular! Everything I hoped for and more. I'm going again Thursday with the BF and cannot wait. We tried to get a pic doing the exuberant jumping pose from the banner. Obviously #nailedit.

Operation Crafty Christmas

In between holiday parties, baking, work, shopping, Junior League and not blogging I some how found time to throw together my parent's Christmas present.

My mom is not really into pictures, or at least archiving them in something other than a shoe box or random drawer. They've lived in their current house for a little over a year and their walls are empty so I thought it'd be nice to spruce them up and document our family's growth and locations. We moved a TON growing up. 9 times for me and going on 11 for them.

When I saw this on Pinterest I thought it was the perfect gift idea.

I had my Grandma's scouring their collections for the pictures, but the scanners turned out to be too much of a challenge for them so I had to turn to my brother. He was able to snoop around my parent's house and find some gems. We found enough frame-ables, others didn't make the cut but were just plain hilarious.

My mom and I circa 1989

My brother and I circa 1997

My brother and I and our cousins circa 2001

Parents circa 2004

When I was planning to do this myself I bought an old school Rand McNally book and scanned in the states. My brother was actually able to take those and photoshop, tint and make perfectly proportioned "cut here dummy" lines for me to match up the maps with the Matting. With the help of an X-Acto knife (and the company printer) I cut them out and glued them to the mattes.

When it was all said and done I had 9 frames! In order from top left:

Huron, Ohio (1984-1985): Wedding Picture
Minneapolis, MN(1985-1988):  my parents and I in front of our house before my baptism
Hudson, WI (1988-1990): My parents, my sister and I & My brother, our dog (Reggie) and I
Grants Pass, OR (1990-1993): My parents, my brother and I on the Rogue River
Wausau, WI (1993-1997): My brother and I with the Wausau Woodchuck mascot
Walnut Creek, CA (1997-2001): The fam at Skipolini's Pizza
River Forest, IL (2001-2005): The fam & the dogs (Sparkles and Miss Mama) in front of our house
Oak Park, IL (2006-2009): The fam at the Capitol One Bowl in Orlando
Madison, WI (2010-2013): All of us at my cousin's wedding

Countdown to Christmas: Personalized Gifts

We've all been there, invited to a party hosted by an aquaintance, struggling to find a gift for the person who has everything or the person who has extremely specific tastes. In these situations I find it best to stick to the simplest gifts. Those things that everyone needs. Napkins, candle sticks, clutch, hors d'eorve tray, stationery...Maybe you use it everyday, maybe you use them once a year, but you cannot go wrong with a classic, functional gift. The problem with gifts like this is that they're usually pretty plain and come off as a little impersonal and that is the exact opposite of what a gift should be.

How do you spruce it up??? Well, with personalization of course!!  Here are some of my favorite personalized gift ideas!

The Everyday Leather Zip Pouch {mark&graham}
You can use it as a clutch, put your iPad in it, carry travel documents etc. Really it's an all purpose and unisex gift that anyone will appreciate! I love it in Porcelain Blue with a center monogram!

2013 Diary {Smythson}

For the more traditional calendar keepers you can't go wrong with a datebook. Smythson offers a variety of sizes, fun colors and personalization options! And the leather bound covers make sure they'll never wear out. Graphic Image offers some equally stylish, but less expensive options.

Letter or Zodiac Pillow {Jonathan Adler}

I have been pining for one of these letter pillows in black and white!!! Jonathan Adler also offers some  more whimsical personalization options with his Zodiac collection as well.

Silver Plated Julep Cup {Pottery Barn}
A GREAT hostess gift idea! It's a classic shape will fit in almost any room and she can use it as a candle holder, a vase or even a Julep!

Lilly Pulitzer Personalized Serving Tray {Lifeguard Press}

You can find these everywhere on etsy right now, but I like the fun designs that Lilly Pulitzer offers!

She has her classic 'ropes' print or you can go crazy with one of her more signature bright, palm beach designs. If you're looking for something a little simpler Design Darling has a adorable standard monogrammed tray too!

Lilly Pulitzer's 'Rope' Pattern

Cleaner look from Design Darling

Happy Shopping!!

Ga Ga for Ginger Jars!

Nothing is more traditional in home decor than Ginger Jars. Well, except maybe ducks and plaid, but that has too much Bunny and not enough Charlotte for my taste. The jars have a very rich history throughout American and Chinese Aristocracy. 

The truest Ginger Jars are made of porcelain  emerged from China around the 10th century with the development of porcelain pottery. In the late 19th century the jars became a popular product for export as wealthy Westerners began to buy the imported jars filled with ginger, largely for decorative purposes. In China the jars were made as gifts to Chinese emperors and are were traditional wedding gifts to grooms.

Their curvy shape and classic blue and white patterns go with almost anything and add a great splash of color to a neutral room! They're multi functional as well. Historically, ginger jars held provisions, including not just ginger but salt, oils and other spices. In the West, ginger jars are mostly decorative rather than functional. They can be used for every thing from stand-alone decorative peices, to lamps of vases. I absolutely love how they look bursting with some white hydrangeas!

If you don't want to go antiquing for them C Wonder has a beautiful collection in multiple shapes and sizes.

Quality > Quantity

I hope everyone had an absolutely amazing weekend! San Francisco 'summer' has officially arrived and it was gorgeous!

This weekend was full of a lot of changes and letting go for me; between redecorating our living room, adjusting to new roommates and (gulp) cutting the cord with that 1 guy you always go back to it was a difficult, but productive weekend. Change is always scary and, especially, immediately after making changes I always find myself second guessing my decisions. A friend of mine shared this blog post on facebook this morning and I couldn't find it more relevant and absolutely true. The thing that almost scares me more than change is empty space and sometimes you have to face that fear and just let it be.

Boys, furniture, friends, food this is applicable to everything.

How to make space for quality to show up in your life.

What does bad home decor have to do with reaching your full potential? Thought you’d never ask.
Imagine an ugly chair — in your own living room. And in walks an angelic and hip interior designer who’s on a mission to help you create fresh, contemporary comfort in your space. And she says, “What’s with that damn ugly chair?” And you say, “I know it’s horrible, I hate it. But I haven’t had the money to get a new one.” Cosmic designer then orders you to get rid of ugly chair that very weekend. Pronto. And you protest, “But what will we sit on?”
Angel of design dictates, “Sit on the floor. Pile up on the couch. You’ll figure it out. The sooner you get rid of it, the sooner the right chair will show up.”
You resist, “But they’ll be a…big…hole in the room.”
Designer of flow says, “Yep! It’s called space! Every time you walk by that space, you’ll be thinking about how great a new chair is going to feel.”
You keep resisting, “But shouldn’t I order the ideal chair first, before I get rid of the old one? Have the new one delivered, then have the old one taken away?”
“Actually, it’s better of you don’t. Let the space be there. It’ll change the way you look at the whole room. And besides, maybe a chair isn’t what’s best. You won’t know until you let go…of the chair.”
The light dawns. You pipe up, “You know, I really can’t wait to get rid of that freakin’ chair.” Nodding. Grins. “I’ll call the Goodwill pick up guys.” Action!It’s a beautiful sight when right that very instant you shove that chair into the garage for it’s re-using destiny.
Letting go makes way for something closer to your truth…which is always more beautiful. Always.
Making space signals the universe that you’re ready for ideal…or at the very least, much improved.
Making space expands your being and clarifies (and dare I say, actually minimizes) your needs.
The Divine Law of the Ugly Chair applies as much to furniture and stuff, as it does to lovers, careers, and thought forms.
Because: Going without, and holding out, is better than selling out.Always.
Let’s milk the chair metaphor a bit longer. You’ve got the nasty chair (or…boss, or incessant critical thought, or crappy winter coat,) in your space. Every time you come across it in your physical or psychic area, you consciously or subtly think, “Meh, that damn… boss guy…self-criticism…crappy winter coat.” And you affirm to yourself that it’s okay to put up with fugly, or nasty, or uncomfortable.
You make “making do” your normal. You’re giving up precious space to something that isn’t precious to you.Things you don’t use. People who use you. Possessions-roles-gigs that make you feel pinched, or awkward, cheated, compromised, heavy, confused…stuffed — they need to go. You know this. But it’s not just because dumping the chump and reducing your carbon footprint is a rightful, socially responsible and life-affirming action. It’s because possibility requires space to unfold.Clear space.Expand possibility.Everywhere.

Currently Crushing...

Lots going on this week and that means lots of things to love!

Febreze AntiMicrobial

I've always been a fan of Febreze, but that obsession may have just reached a new level with Febreze AntiMicrobial. There is just some peace of mind that comes knowing my running shoes not only smell good, but are also free of any microscopic critters

Ashley Brooke Designs Blog! 

Ashley Brooke

Ashley (self portrait on the right) is a fun, sassy southern gal with great style and a passion for good stationery and homemade popcorn (not microwave ladies).  Her blog has everything from recipes from her weekend baking adventures to style and career advice. She's also an amazing artist and sells her custom stationery and wall prints on her website. The Princess and the Tweet would look PERFECT  as a part of my office collage wall! She also does a, free, monthly calendar download that are always adorable. The August one is currently the desktop on my blackberry!

Home Design Magazines

I have been eating home design magazines alive (as well as pinterest and tumblr). I've been in super nesting mode lately...I even bought a dining room set. Talk about adult. I'm kind of freaking out!!

Avicii Levels Video (yes, I know it's old)

 I feel like this has been me all week and I'm so excited it's finally the weekend so I can let my crazy dance lady out!!