JONATHAN ADLER'S MANIFESTO

I came across Jonathan Adler's Manifesto today which made me giggle and nod in agreement the entire way through. Please read and enjoy...

Our Manifesto

We believe that your home should make you happy.

We believe that when it comes to decorating, the wife is always right. Unless the husband is gay.

We believe in carbohydrates and to hell with the puffy consequences.

We believe minimalism is a bummer.

We believe handcrafted tchotchkes are life-enhancing.

We believe tassels are the earrings of the home.

We believe in our muses: David Hicks, Alexander Girard, Bonnie Cashin. Hans Coper, Gio Ponti, Andy Warhol, Leroy Neiman, Yves Saint Laurent, and Madonna.

We believe in the innate chicness of red with brown.

We believe in being under dressed or overdressed always.

We believe in infantile, happy emblems like butterflies and hearts.

We believe celebrities should pay full price.

We believe in rustic modernism: Big Sur, A-Frame beach houses,raw beams, and geodesic dome homes.

We believe in Palm Beach style: Louis chairs, chinoiserie, Lilly Pulitzer, The Breakers circa '72.

We believe our designs are award winning even though they've never actually won any.

We believe in Aid to Artisans.

We believe dogs should be allowed in stores and restaurants.

We believe in mantiques - suits of armour, worn chesterfield sofas, heraldic tapestries.

We believe you should throw out your Blackberry and go pick some actual blackberries.

We believe colors can't clash.

We believe in blowing your nest egg on our pots.

We believe our lamps will make you look younger and thinner.

We believe in irreverent luxury.

KITCHEN LOVE

I am loving this kitchen...

this kitchen is just screaming for me to come cook in it. i love the layout and size and the island adds so much workspace and functionality. Since the kitchen is the center of our home, this island's additional seating would get constant use.

i am really loving white subway tiles these days but that green subway tile back splash really turns it up a notch. So bright and clean. I think those tiles may actually be glass which would be even better.

i have been having an internal struggle lately with white versus natural wood cabinets but I'm really leaning towards white i think. it always looks so crisp, clean and inviting. I like how they used white cabinets and black counter tops on the majority of the kitchen but on the island they reversed it. love that.

the floors are the perfect shade of dark wood and have enough striation that maybe, just maybe, the dirt and dog hair wouldn't show:)

what makes this kitchen FABULOUS though are the two lights above the island. nothing makes a room like lighting. Candice Olson taught me that and that is something i will always remember. she can do no wrong...and that's not debatable.

PLEASANTLY SURPRISED

Ive never been a huge Gweneth Paltrow fan but i stumbled across this little cooking video she made and i am somewhat surprised at what a "normal" person she seems to be. isn't that terrible to say..."normal" person. I mean, i think i could even hang out with her. she seems charming, a little funny, and she looks like a great cook...not like one of those people on TV who pretend to cook and then you see their knife skills and cringe. anywho, watch and enjoy and let me know if you are as surprised as I am...

BE STILL MY HEART...

I tell you what...i am not much of a cake kinda gal...I'm not really even a sweets kinda gal but after stumbling upon Enjoy Cupcakes in Los Olivos, i take it all back!! these little cupcakes are pillows of goodness sent from heaven! http://www.enjoycupcakes.com/

they are the perfect amount of sweetness and each little delight has a surprise filling inside. My favorite being anything with cream cheese. All of the cupcakes are made using various wines from the Santa Ynez Valley and let me tell you what....they are ADDICTING!

and to kick the cute factor up even higher...parked right outside their store is this charming trailer which they take with them when they cater events. so fitting, isn't it?

I'm dying to throw a wedding shower or baby shower just so i can hire them! (someone needs to get pregnant or engaged A-SAP)

Here are just of few of what they offer...and i am ashamed to say I have tried most of these:) These cupcakes are STUPID!! (which translated, means unbelievably delicious!)

Chocolate Blackberry Syrah *signature treat*
Chocolate, syrah infused cake, filled with dark chocolate belgium fudge, topped with blackberry frosting and a wine soaked blackberry that's rolled in sugar crystals

Chocolate Salted Caramel
Moist chocolate cupcake with gooey caramel core and topped with a lightly salted cream cheese caramel frosting and drizzled caramel

Strawberry Peach Chardonnay
Chardonnay cake soaked with strawberry puree, filled with vanilla pastry cream and chopped peaches, topped with peach frosting and strawberries

Dark Chocolate Salted Caramel
Chocolate cake, filled with vanilla bean caramel, topped with dark chocolate glaze, caramel drizzle and a light sprinkling of sea salt

Black & White Cheesecake
Rich chocolate chunk cake, filled with vanilla cheesecake, topped with chocolate frosting, & white chocolate shavings

Lemon Honey
Vanilla bean cake with a creamy honey filling, topped with cream cheese frosting and drizzled with lemon honey & honey comb

Coconut Key Lime
Vanilla bean cake with a fresh key lime filling, topped with coconut frosting, sugared lime zest and coconut shavings

Can we also talk about what an absolutely adorable shop they have. They share a tasting room with Saarloos Winery and the decor is absolutely stunning. The palette is pewter and chartreuse with accents of mercury glass and I am now convinced we will have a similar room in our house...

GREAT, now I'm craving one!!! i may have to sneak one in this weekend!

update: i did indeed "sneak" one...the chocolate salted carmel cupcake is ridiculous!

2971 Grand Ave. Los Olivos, Ca 93441

PHOTOSHOPing FUN

I am a self proclaimed photoshop professional. this of course couldn't be farther from the truth but i like to think of myself as one:) It all started when i had to fix a red eye here, a double chin there. i taught myself how to use the program by just playing with pictures and seeing what worked. i don't know how many under eye dark circles i have removed, or pudges i have erased...too many to count, i can tell you that. who needs plastic surgery when you have photo retouching!! i really think this is something everyone should learn...it does wonders for your self esteem!

Below is a photo i just did a couple minutes ago of Tom and my little niece Bella. The moment was so adorable but the photo didn't capture it with all the surrounding "noise" behind it. I decided to make it black and white because come on, who doesn't love a b&w? By blurring out the background and softening the edges you really feel drawn into the moment. Nobody else around except uncle and bella...and to them that's exactly what was happening. just the two of them... on a mission... to dance.

before...

after.

too cute for words.

point. made.

flawless.

chic, fun & utterly stylish

Please lets take a gander at this absolutely fabulous wedding i stumbled upon while stalking another photographer's blog (http://lindachaja.bigfolioblog.com/). To me it says chic, fun, laughter, happiness, and utterly stylish all rolled up into one! this color palette is delicious...the various shades of yellow combined with the grey and khaki is perfection. love love love this!!!

I am clearly a sucker for any bouquet with succulents in it. i think it adds such texture and detail. these yellow heels are simply adorable and prove how much fun this bride must be.

her hair is so "now"...if i have an event to go to anytime soon, you could place a bet that it will look like this. I'm not one for stuffy perfection when it come to hair so i love how this is loosely pulled back and slightly off center.

these little yellow billy buttons could not be any cuter. they are very whimsical yet modern and contemporary.

I have a stock pile of beautiful photos and as i browsed through them i stumbled across the photos below. they are very similar and once again prove how delightful this palette and texture combination can be.

is it weird that i stalk other people wedding photographs?

SOME DAY...

Here is the first of many "somedays"...

some day when i have my own event planning business i will have an office in our house that looks like this...

i absolutely LOVE the textured grey walls and the perfect shade of pink that is paired with it. By utilizing the closet as your desk area, almost any room could double as guest bedroom and office. so clever!

PS- substitute yellow for the pink and you would get the same fabulous effect!

"THE SEPTEMBER ISSUE"

how much did you love the movie The Devil Wears Prada??? well i just stumbled across this little bit of goodness. This is basically the real life story behind the movie...SO FUN! I have always wondered if the rumors about her are true...

HAPPY 4th OF JULY

Happy 4th of July everyone!!!!