with only the sky above you as a roof

   Here's to a weekend filled under the sun.. Off for some wine tasting, then a little hollywood bowl action, finishing it off in Palm Springs. Don't think it gets any better..

   If your labor day weekend is taking you a la plage,  here are some essentials courtesy of Santa Barbara Magazine. I love this spread {I dream of a job spent styling props and setting up still lifes} and you will too, perhaps a little more so if you are familiar with the beaches of Santa Barbara...

Have a fabulous Labor Day Weekend!

We danced on the moon, we danced by the sea

Is it summer yet?

wild nothing- summer holiday

the irony all lost on me.

  Unfortunately its raining outside, but I was lucky enough to wake up to the most beautiful enormous blooms and their accompanying, intoxicating scent. I wish it felt as lovely outside as it does indoors... Hmm, makes me almost not want to leave.. Almost..

  Here are some beautiful songs {and videos} to warm up your day courtesy of Mumford & Sons..

Pull me from familiar walls.

Perfect folksy tunes for a sweet summer afternoon.

{Available on iTunes}

one day i dont know how my whole life evolved

Thank you Erika for sharing the awe-inspiring photos of Pelle Crepin.. 

I feel they are the photographic counterpoint to the songs of one of

the most incredible singer/songwriters of all time,

Ray LaMontagne.

{Which is one of the highest compliments I could give them}

contemplative. simple. soulful. beautiful.

Even breathing feels alright

Peonies of every size and color..

  I anxiously await peony season every year, as when they are in bloom it signals so many good things, not the least of which is the beginning of summer. All year I can't wait to fill my home with the big blooms, and its a happiness unlike any other when I start seeing them in bouquets, but most simply at trader joe's, which is where I can always find them for $6.99 a bunch for a few sweet weeks around my birthday.  I originally fell in love with them in an ukiyo-e class in college, and have done a couple paintings of them over the years, but more than anything I love them in abundance around the house.

The suns in the sky, makes for happy endings

  It's funny how in life a series of rather dreadful days can be followed by days so utterly exquisite, it makes you so appreciate the beauty that is found in the unknown of every next second.. I've found peace in a couple of incredible days in Santa Barbara, spent reconnecting with old friends and celebrating beginnings of all sorts. Needless to say I am excited for all of the prospects of whats to come, but for now I couldn't be more thrilled for one of my dearest of friends, Shylene, on her wedding day. She will undoubtedly be a beyond beautiful bride, and I couldn't be more excited to celebrate her and her love in such a beautiful environment with the best of friends...

The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen

or even touched, 

they must be felt with the heart.

-Helen Keller

Congratulations beautiful Shy, may this day be everything you ever dreamed of...

Images via {this is glamorous}

You said it was not inside my heart

Spending a much needed couple of days celebrating love and wonderful friends.. Hope everyone has a dreamy couple of days..

{ideally sun filled}

There beneath the blue suburban skies

The New York Times Magazine did a Style profile a couple of weeks ago on one of my all time favorite interior design gods, Kelly Wearstler. She has created an aesthetic and a brand that is all her own, and is reflected in everything from her homes and hotels to her personal style. I can't get enough of her seemingly care-free spirit, and the inundation of colors, patterns, volume and textures. 

I've got a whole world where you'll never find me

Just some sweet tunes to chill out with. 

I have telephones, opera houses, favorite melodies

I'm not going to lie, I have been spending an unnecessary amount of time

looking at apartments in NYC when the move is still approx. 2 months out

but it is so very much fun looking through the spaces and dreaming them up 

as my own. I've been going back and forth as to where I want to live, and perhaps with whom,

but I can't imagine moving into someone else's existing space in a big new place-

I can't wait to build a little sanctuary, a little piece of home, of California.

So I've been perusing the smallest of studios in my dreamiest of locations {soho preferably} but am also being realistic and looking all across the lower portion of the city and Brooklyn, which is home to my dearest friends, but for my first experience in the city I think I've gotta be right in the heart of things.

After looking at empty apartments, I have also been having a wonderful time looking through all the amazing interior design blogs out there, and of course apartment therapy. Each year they do a contest on the best of small spaces, the majority of which end up being in NY.

These were some of my favs-

I love this little nook. This was taken from the IKEA family live site, which is a fun place

to see what others have done with the same furniture you see over and over..

z

This last image was the winner of the teeny-tiny bracket, and I must agree!

What a great use of space {and color}.

Clearly my style is vast and wide-ranging, but I'm sure to an extent 

the interior will be dictated by the environment and the space.

It will be a big change going from my huge one bedroom with backyard,

but I can't imagine myself being more excited by the prospects of this move,

than anything else. 

Looking forward to so many amazing times {and spaces} ahead..

Search for the time before it leaves without you

This is one of the sweetest, and yes {gag} cutest things I have seen in a long time..


Hitching A Ride. from MARC CAMPBELL on Vimeo.

You bet this mighty river is both my savior and my sin

Pictures from First Fridays hosted by KCRW

at the Los Angeles Natural History Museum

May 7, 2010

featuring Gamble House and the Tallest Man on Earth

When you're lucid you're the sweetest thing

Hi Santa Barbara...

home...

How cute are they??

Bye Santa Barbara...

Had a weekend full of adventures- on Thursday was my first Dodger game in at least 10 years, Friday quick trip to Santa Barbara and then a night of exploration at the Natural History Museum and The Tallest Man on Earth {+ late night french dip at Cole's, yummm!}, Saturday was spent cooking and preparing a feast for Mother's Day, and Sunday was of course spent in the company of my wonderful family. Though I may be short on sleep, definitely not short on love!

My beautiful grandma- love you!

{ and you beautiful momma!}