New Phone! New Life!

Well! I finally got around to ordering myself a new iPhone. I CANNOT even tell you the phone I live with. It can't do anything and it hasn't been able to for the past two years but basically make phone calls and take crappy photos. And because I settle for mediocrity when it comes to myself (maybe because I'm too exhausted at the end of the day from worrying about perfection for clients) that it has taken me this long to actually bite the bullet.

I'm so excited about all the possibilities! Pinterest on my phone while I wait for carpool! Google Reader while I sip my coffee in the morning! Instagram! Twitter (who am I kidding? I don't think I'm that hip). Using my internet at client meetings! AND it leads to all types of good case options. I've started shopping and here are some of my choices:

From Amazon: More masculine than I think I want, but sleek and probably pretty in person.

Another Amazon - Cheap and cheerful. Plain but pretty and spring-y, heck, anything for me to see it at the bottom of my purse...

A front runner! It appeals to the little bit of glittery vegas in me. Glitter Leopard from J.Crew. 

J.Crew: More subtle but still everything I love in an accessory item. It's called "Whipsnake" -- the only place I would like a whip or a snake is on my phone. 

Now, we might be reaching the holy grail of iphone covers from Plum Street Prints. I mean, Hello! Monograms, great prints, it's a match made in heaven. 

This one would be very "on brand" for my new logo that is being finished up. Navy and Greek Key. 

Ombre Prettiness, again from Plum Street Prints

Chevrons and monograms. Heaven. Also in many colors, but I love the subtle color.

And lastly, a departure, but it could be kind of cool. Hammered metal from Nordstrom. 

Moody Cocktails

My book club is coming over next week for cocktails and to discuss this month's pick, which I haven't read yet, but it sounds like every other woman in the country is -- 50 Shades of Gray. I think I'll need to focus on the bar in order to prepare myself for that conversation. 

Entertaining has me thinking about how I'll set up my house for food and drinks. I found these two different setups and they both have me thinking about how each is functional.  I would kill to have the space to create a designated moody bar. The top image reminds me of a hotel I stayed at in London where you could duck into a little alcove, poor yourself a drink and then join the rest of the party. It's the perfect entertaining setup.  

Via my pinterest

Since I don't have the room, the tabletop version would suffice. Glasses laid out for guests and when the party is over, back in the cabinet it all goes, but I still love how this photo captures the moody vibe. Now off to Amazon to order the book.  

Say yes....

I've been taking care of some sick little boys since Thursday and felt myself start to slip into the fever zone as well yesterday.  So, I stayed in my sweats all day today and watched a marathon of Say Yes to the Dress Atlanta.   I know.  Crazy.  But I have to say, I love this show.  It's way more fun that the original Say Yes to the Dress.  Those Southern Gals make for some great TV.  Once I see the first 5 minutes I can't walk away.  I'm such a sucker for anything wedding related (even though I've been married for almost 15 years)  and this show has all the dresses and drama.    I can't wait for my little sister to get married so I can go dress shopping with her.   I just hope I'm not one of those obnoxious opinionated sisters.  Who am I kidding...  

Anyway, it was the perfect sick day marathon.  Hope you had a great weekend.  

Abstract

I'm obsessed with abstract art this week.  Here are a few of my favorites.  Can't decide between the bright and poppy pink and orange combos or the moody grey/blues.   Maybe it's a perfect representation of my Gemini personality!

Todd Hunter

Kelly Wearstler

Tina Steele Lindsey

unknown

Allie Synder

Donna Hughes via Bradley- Hughes

Lynn Raney via Bradley-Hughes 

Tracy Rocca

Rolling Out the Summer Parties

I've mentioned more than a few times that I like to pour myself a glass of wine while I cook dinner. It's more about the ritual and that it's a bit of a Calgon moment for me in the midst of lacrosse sticks, army guys and piles of work I haven't gotten to. But lately I've really been feeling the powers of the cocktail. 

I thought a round-up of some of the bar carts on the market could be a fun way to usher in the warm weather and start of warm weather entertaining. I love how versatile they are both from an aesthetic perspective and from a practical standpoint. It's an engaging thing to have in a room and it can go anywhere! Roll that party on out! 

Arteriors' Lisbon

Arteriors' Ponce

High Street Market

Society Social's Draper

Williams-Sonoma Home

High Street Market's Alfred

Arteriors' Connaught

High Street Market (Can't beat this price!)

Society Social

Society Social

Capote in the Hamptons: Then & Now

Through one of those glorious internet rabbit holes I found myself on The New Traditionalist's blog where they posted on Truman Capote's Hampton's vacation home. It's so interesting to see the place he cherished and designed and decorated himself. 

It was the 50's and 60's, I'll give him that, but it's so interesting to see some of these other Hampton properties because in my head I always picture row upon row of Robert A.M. Stern/Ina Garten-esque East coast houses. I feel like this would be something that feels right at home on our San Juan Islands. 

Here are some photos dug up from a 1975 Arch Digest article featuring the property:

                           

 I love those bookcases flanking the fireplace. Chunky and linear.

                            

And what the property looks like today  after many changes: 

 Cute little out building with a stellar trellis. 

 If you told me this picture was from the northwest, I would have no problem believing you. 

 No more bookcases, but the change to the stairs makes such a difference to the space. It's just a little too severe for my taste but it's the furniture that's tripping me up, not the architecture. 

 I would be happy waking up in this room, but don't you think he rolled over somewhere when the first roller of white paint hit the walls? I love the European feel it's taken on, but it sure is different from the house Capote knew. 

Obsessing

I've been obsessing over the pink English arm sofas in Ann Mashburn's house since it was published in Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles.   It is so chic and happy.  

Who needs JCrew or the preppy handbook when you have a hot pink sofa.   

Are you kidding me Today Show?

I had to share the disaster I witnessed this morning while watching the Today Show: 

Behold, decals that go over a door that LOOK LIKE SOMETHING ELSE. That is NOT a hallway people. That is a bathroom door with a PICTURE of a hallway...

Don't let your garage doors get jealous -- they can have them too. Through the miracle of oversize printers, you can turn your ugly metal door in to a "beautiful" carriage dooooooor! (I can hear oprah in my head when I say this...)

In need of a vacation? Want to feel like you're driving in to paradise every night? Well how about this bad boy? I'm sure your neighbors will love it too. 

Do you ever feel like your art just isn't working hard enough? It's so lazy on the wall there, just hanging out for your brain's enjoyment. Put it to work by turning it in to a shelf for your drink or potted plant!

What about a 3D experience? You can add things to walls and canvas that poke you. 

                                      

 And last but not least, pesky kitchen re-models be damned, we've outsmarted tile by adding stickers to them! I knew my kids were on to something when they defiled my walls and cabinets years ago. Should have marketed it and wound up on the Today Show...

View the whole train wreck here.

Spring Favorites

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I think the unofficial theme of this week for me is Spring. We've gotten a short taste of it in Seattle so now I feel as though I can hop on the bandwagon -- not so fast people who got snow on the east coast (crazy!)

I few of the things I've been loving are here, favorites being those Kate Spade cork flats with the hit of pink, the crocodile laptop case that is a dead-ringer for a clutch and the j.crew sparkly bracelet that is stretchy for little (and big) wrists and is cheap, cheap, cheap! A few items for the home as well like tea from a pretty, pop-of-color teacup, my favorite crystal votives from Kelly at High Street Market and a cute silver mini dot tray for little odds and ends. 

Off to Coldplay tonight. We're taking my oldest to his first concert, accompanied by my sister and her boyfriend. Rock on. 

Gardens - Green and White

The weather here has been beautiful the last two days so I've been working in the yard.  I like to dig in the dirt and just listen to the sounds of nature as it's very grounding (no pun intended).   After years of purple, pink and blue gardens, I'm loving the idea of an all white and green garden.  It's so peaceful and it really allows you to focus on the architecture of the house.  

But it also satisfies my obsession with Boxwood's and Hydrangeas.  Especially when the Boxwood is used as a hedge surrounding the Hydrangeas.   Now if only I could keep my Hydrangeas white.  My soil likes to turn them blue or pink which drives me crazy.   

 Add some pea gravel and brick and I'm in heaven. 

Heavenly - the Pee Gee Hydrangea tree.  

Crepe Myrtles are my favorite flowering tree.  I tried to plant them in my backyard but unfortunately they don't love the Northwest climate.  I settled for white flowering Cherries instead.  But, someday I will have these babies.  

Climbing roses and vines make me swoon. 

Creeping Fig vines is another great option. 

 This border is divine.  Just wish Hostas and Tulips would flower at the same time at my house.  

Love this Azalea border with Hydrangeas.  This would be the perfect garden for the Northwest.