iPhone4 commercial

to buy or not to buy a new iPhone? My generation one is about 85 in people years, but I would feel like a traitor replacing him before he dies. Or would I be doing both of us a service?

I'll at least wait for the white.

make it your own

This girl needs some sun! the weather in Cali up until a week ago has been less than stellar- I can honestly say I felt like I haven't even had a summer.

Well, luckily I am in Cleveland now, where, like the rest of the world, (other than California,) it is hot! hot! hot!

Over the years I have spray tanned, St. Tropez tanned, dyed my body with tea and currently walnut extract, but tomorrow it's back to a little old fashioned vitamin D.

weekends are for daydreaming

in the countryside

just outside the city

with three pugs

and a freshly baked pie

nO One iS SaFE

If it looks like you it probably is.

Kisses from Above

I'm on a Boat

This will be an ongoing series...

I offer you an olive branch

When I first put the duvet cover, below, onto our bed, J remarked he liked it because it is "gender neutral."

Needless to say did this get me thinking. Poor guy! Is he living in a world of pink and sparkles? What does it mean to decorate for a man and a woman? I always thought of the home as the woman's grounds and that femininity came with the territory, but now imagining a dolled-up girly girl in a more masculine space has me intrigued.

I quite like the idea of me in piles of pink, chiffon and bijoux amongst large leather couches and deep grey pointelle. I am now understanding Kelly Wearstler's boldness, and how it lends itself to the androgyny I am looking for. If you want to make a statement she's the girl to learn from.

I have officially added Kelly Wearstler and Starbucks to "things I thought I hated but actually love." This list is getting so long that if I want to guess my next obsession I simply try to think of something I am repulsed by.

I'm kind of obsessed

I chose the duvet because Olive trees have always been meaningful to my Mediterranean influenced family . (I didn't realize what I was getting myself into.)

Olive tree symbolism: peace, wisdom, glory, fertility, power, purity.

red watering can and clogs

The jam:

feather earrings: a great DIY

all that is House of Harlow like the necklace above

ps: e-mail me for more info on this necklace and other House of Harlow jewels on sale!

coffee drinkers have more fun

in harem pants

Astrid Parker on the job

I know I am about 10 years behind the curve, but I just frequented Starbucks and finally understand the mega-obsession. Not just the skinny lates, but the little packaged fruit/nut/cheese/chicken/crudites are all essentials in the working and traveling world.

Extra shot of espresso please.

These Jimy Choo sunnies are wild, I saw mama Kardashian wearing them in Kourtney's baby shower episode then found them at OffSaks.

and this, my friends, is how it's done??

The making of a (not-so?) successful painting

16" by 20"

Dysfunctional Birds of Paradise

splash and spray

Your heart away!

Less messy and consuming than tie dye, but equally fun, is spray paint for clothing that can be found at most art supply stores. Do you like the results?

(Click on the photo to get a closer peep.)

It's all in a day's work

Finished this painting I started over the weekend! It measures 3feet by 4feet. J, my biggest fan, wants to hang it in the living room. So sweet.

this is what I wore to work today.

So often I will go through the whole day without eating much of anything green. A reminder of my favorite every morning "smoothie" (think drink not meal.)

Almond milk + spinach +Barlene's greens, the tastiest green powder

add one optional banana or 1/2 banana for girth

It is better to vary your greens, but this smoothie is so doable and palatable I just assume get other varieties at lunch and dinner.

Another favorite green food: Green Tea! Brew 3 bags every morning, let cool, pour in to a pitcher, place in the fridge and sip as iced tea through out the day, but not too close to dinner time. Add wedges of lemon/orange etc as desired.

the daily DIY

decoupage!!!

I move a lot... in order to take my collages with me I have devised a system. I create mini, or not so mini, panels that are very resilient. I simply:

1) glue/tape on photos/cut-outs on desired sized sheet of sturdy paper.

2) apply strips of fat clear (packing) tape over them and/or a clear top coat spray/brush sealant.

I like my panels to have a theme- not just 'fashion' or 'home' but a color, season or mood...

I tape them inside closets, behind doors, on bathroom cabinets and all over my armoire. And can move them whenever I please.

Voila! Murals and images that speak to you wherever you go. Its fun to see how over time your taste does or does not change and how trends repeat themselves over time..

These images form an inspiration board that is proven effective in shaping ones future through repetitive subconscious implantation - so choose visuals that speak to you.

stop and see the sunset

J and I sometimes find ourselves reminiscing upon our life in D.C., our quiet cabin in the mountains, old jobs, former employers, offers turned down and opportunities forgone.

"I am a slow walker, but I never walk back." Abraham Lincoln

We find so much amusement in where we have ended up (e.g. dating since high school, marrying in the fall) and how many wishes have already come true.

"May the dreams of your past be the reality of your future."

-Wayne Dyer

Even more frequently we bat around ideas for the future, the where, when, what and whos of the coming years.

"I am not afraid of tomorrow, for I have seen yesterday and I love today."

-William Allen White

This inevitably leads us to discussions about happiness and what it means to us to be successful and what we want out of life.

Success is what you attract by the person you become."

-Jim Rohn

Pretty heavy stuff.

All I really need to know I learned in kindergarten

by Robert Fulghum

Most of what I really need
To know about how to live
And what to do and how to be
I learned in kindergarten.
Wisdom was not at the top
Of the graduate school mountain,
But there in the sandpile at Sunday school.

These are the things I learned:

Share everything.
Play fair.
Don't hit people.
Put things back where you found them.
Clean up your own mess.
Don't take things that aren't yours.
Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody.
Wash your hands before you eat.
Flush.
Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you.
Live a balanced life -
Learn some and think some
And draw and paint and sing and dance
And play and work everyday some.
Take a nap every afternoon.
When you go out into the world,
Watch out for traffic,
Hold hands and stick together.
Be aware of wonder.