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.

Kate Spade for Paperless Post

If you haven't heard of Paperless Post it's a fabulous website that offers beautiful & sophisticated notes, holiday cards and invitations. Sort of like evites....but classier :)
I've used it for dinner parties and acquaintances holiday cards. It lets you manages guest lists and create an address book. The Junior League uses it for all their meetings invites and reminders; it's just a little cuter than a casual e-mail.

The spectacular Kate Spade has combined forces with Paperless (just in time for the holidays) for a gorgeous collection of note cards,   thank you's, holiday cards and invites!

My Favorites below:

Thursday Tumbls!

Some of my favorite tumblr posts from this week!

I don't usually go for blondes, but ouch he's good looking.

Truth..

Okay,this is from last week, but I am OBSESSED with this dress from Oscar's Spring Line..

Love the dog. Love the look. Love the Claw Footed Tub. Love the turquoise and gold..

Last but not least,

Quote of the week..

Fall Wish List!

To most people Fall means cozy sweaters, chic riding boots, light jackets and maybe a Pumpkin Spice Latte. To San Franciscan's fall means summer. The midwest girl in me can still dream right?

Ralph Lauren Black Label Slim-Fit Cable Cashmere Sweater in Evergreen

Can I please just get one in EVERY color? Would it be weird to sleep in it too? It's just soooo soft.

Tory Burch 'Elina' Riding Boot in Coconut
I have a pair of RL boots, but they're heeled and I'm starting to feel a little hookerish every time I wear them.

 J. Crew Perfect Shirt in

 Buffalo Check 

I've been purposely avoiding the lumber jack shirts, but I may have to suck it up for this one...

The North Face 'Nuptse' Quilted Down Vest

Was debating between this and the Patagonia, but I decided I liked the wider quilting.

LL Bean French Sailor Shirt 
My mom has one in every color (still)  from the 80s!

The J.Crew Lady Jacket in Double Serge Wool

Absolutely love the pink and the navy, but the gray and the black would definitely make a great investment. Choices. Choinces. 

Angora Crewneck Sweater from The Gap 

The cashmere crewneck t-shirt has always been a wardrobe staple, but I'm seeing the style pop up everywhere this fall! It's perfect for the chilly(er) weather of California winters!

Uggghhh I can't wait for it to be winter and therefore be cold enough to wear these fabulous finds!!

Liebster Award!

The ever so sweet, Elizabeth at Moonlight Goodbye nominated me for the Liebster Award!

I'm not quite sure what that means but it looks fun! Thanks Elizabeth!

11 Things About Me:
1) I'm pretty short (5'2")
2) A hot cup of strong coffee is sometimes the only reason I get out of bed in the morning
3) I was a Theta in college
4) I've lived in 6 different states and 15 different houses/apartments in my life
5) I never go to bed without brushing my teeth
6) I'm really good at identifying random, d-list celebrities I don't even know
7) I still sleep with a stuffed animal
8) I secretly love falling asleep to the foghorns
9) I have an super sensitive and developed sense of smell
10) Abraham Lincoln is my 16th cousin
11) I have a minor addiction to Red Vines

Elizabeth's Questions:
1. What is your favorite thing about back to school season?
2 things: Not having to go back to school anymore & college football!
2. Which tv show are you looking the most forward to return this fall?
New Girl!
3. What is your best memories of this summer?
Celebrating San Fermin in Pamplona
4. What is your all-time favorite movie?
Psycho
5. One thing you can't live without?
Friends
6. What is your favorite season and why?
I like them all! However, my favorite day is that first day in spring when it's freakishly warm out and everyone ditches work/school to go have a beer in the sunshine.
7. What is your opinions about reality tv?
It makes me sad and happy at the same time.
8. What is your favorite thing about blogging?
Getting to read other people's blogs!
9. Where do you see yourself in five years?
I have no idea and it scares. me. to. death.
10. What is your biggest pet peeve?
Hypocrisy....but I have a HUGE list.  Right now I have a particular distaste for the people that walk up/down the wrong side of 2 way stairs.
11. What is your guilty pleasure?
Sweatpants


My Questions (well I stole some from James Lipton, but they're my favorite questions):

1. What is your favorite word?
2. What is your idea of happiness?
3. What is your favorite place to shop?
4. What is one thing you want people to remember you for?
5. Rainbow's or Sperry's on guys?
6. Favorite after work/school treat?
7. What is on the top of your wish list for fall?
8. Cupcakes or Brownies?
9. What quality do you most admire in people?
10. If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the pearly gates?

and the nominees are
Strat in the City
Life as Griki
The Penny Pinching Preppy

At the Lake...

I hope everyone had a great Labor Day Weekend! I had an amazingly perfect one!

I spent Labor Day weekend at my family's lake house. I usually go for a week or 2 around the 4th of July, but because of my European adventure I wasn't able to make it. Fiscally responsible me was thinking that I wasn't going to be able to make it at all this summer, but as the last, unofficial, weekend of summer approached my heartstrings got the best of me.

It's about 2 hours northeast of the Minneapolis in the small town of Wascott, Wisconsin. Both my Grandparents grew up 10 minutes north of Wascott in Gordon and after leaving to pursue careers and raise family, returned to live in their retirement. My Grandpa has 3 brothers and they all bought houses on the same lake. Those houses have been full of summer memories for 3 generations now and I quite honestly couldn't turn away a summer without it.

The sound of the water, the birds, the dogs and the thumping of kids feet down the wooden docks followed by a huge splash; the smell of nature mixed with a little boat gasoline; the feel of sandy grass in your toes those have been the only constants in a life full of changes (I've lived in 6 different states and 15 different houses in my 25 years). There's about a foot high step between the living room and the dining room and I can remember being so little I had to sit down to get down it by myself, without falling. There's no where else in the world I have those kinds of memories. That's a kind of comfort and relaxation that I can't get anywhere else. I would say I am truly at peace. It was quiet, but welcome refreshment in a very stressful work environment and allowed me to put a lot of things in perspective that I've been struggling with for a while now.

I can't believe I was there just a week ago. Besides the 3 mosquito bites on my legs and pictures; it feels so far away. T-9 months until next summer!