Rodney Smith: The End

The incomparable photographer, Rodney Smith has released a new book entitled The End. His office was nice enough to send me an advance preview copy of the gorgeous coffee table book. Not only are the photographs beautiful and memorable, but Smith's point of view and tongue-in-cheek sense of humor resonate in each of the indelible images. To call Smith a photographer would be an understatement. The man is an artist and a visionary. The 16 by 20 inch limited edition books can be purchased here. Only 1,000 copies are available for sale and each one will be signed by Mr. Smith himself.

Images 1 and 2 of Mr. Smith's book taken by Paloma Contreras

All other images by Rodney Smith

Delicious Kitchens

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Wouldn't these beautiful kitchens be a wonderful place to cook up a storm - they're all so chic and elegant and just that little bit more glamorous than the average kitchen.

Image 1 - Homes & Gardens Magazine Images 2 & 3 - Eric Roth Image 4 - The White House (Caroline Clifton-Mogg) Image 5 - Matius Errururiz Image 6 - Tripod Agency Image 7 - Trevor Richards

Love .... Michael Grimm

Images - Michael Grimm

Blue Ribbon Design

One Kings Lane is having a Blue Ribbon Design event. Founded in 2005, Blue Ribbon Design is renowned amongst paper lovers for its collection of beautifully patterned letterpress greeting cards and stationery. Event ends on Friday....Happy Shopping.

Personal Style, Defined: Sarah's Fab Day

This week's installment of "Personal Style, Defined." will focus on the fabulous Sarah of Sarah's Fab Day. Sarah frequently features interior design, fashion, and food on her blog which is a great source of inspiration. She also features some fantastic-looking shops that she has visited as well as her adventures in motherhood all while showcasing her great sense of humor. I absolutely love the rooms she chose for this feature and am sure that you will, too!

“Wow”, was the first thing that I thought when Paloma asked me to be part of her Personal Style. Defined. series. So honored and mighty flattered so thank you very much Paloma. I will start by telling you a little about myself I'm Sarah from Sarah’s Fab Day. I’m no designer, not even a decorator; I’m just someone who loves good design and pretty things. My mom is a designer and my dad is an architect so I think being surrounded by design talk growing up made me appreciate all of the hard work and thoughtfulness that goes into making something beautiful as well as functional. I think that my own personal style is traditional with lots of vintage and unexpected touches. While I like new materials and fabrics what really makes me swoon are furniture pieces that have a story to tell.

Foyer designed by William Hodgins

This room designed by Monique Keegan that was featured in Country Living is one of my favorites. The room has lots of vintage pieces that are put together in an eclectic mix that is so inviting. While I love this room because of its unexpected use of something like an old hospital cart, I’m really crazy about the fact that you can see the owner in this home. I love pretty as much as the next girl but when a room tells a story about who lives there it gives the room life that being simply pretty just doesn’t do.

Living room designed by Monique Keegan

This closet by Celerie Kemble is a wonderful example to compare with the earlier room because while it is very lovely, don’t let it’s pretty face fool you. A simple closet is made exceptional by small details such as the wallpaper on the ceiling, the chandelier and mirrored cabinet doors. Again classic with some wonderful finishing touches that make the room sparkle.

Closet designed by Celerie Kemble

Something that I always strive for in choosing things for my own home is listening carefully to my inner voice. I always know what I like and I know all tastes evolve but I try not to second guess myself in my design choices. I want my home to look as if it’s been collected over time and doesn’t look like a showroom. Even if something that I’m drawn to isn’t being seen in the latest design magazines or blogs if it speaks to me and would work in my home I’m good with it. I think the most important thing in designing for one’s own home is to choose things that you love and will work for your lifestyle.

Louis Vuitton is Advertising with Madonna

Jingle, jangle I love a bangle....

Ever since I can remember I have been one of those girls who loves a bit of jingle jangle on her arm. I adore the tinkling sounds as metal bangles clink together and I love the deeper tones when wooden bracelets move up and down the arm with my movements. I am prone to wearing many bracelets on my right arm or pairs of bracelets, like cuffs. Silver, gold, pearls , diamontes, wooden or plastic - I love them all.

I am a big fan of the blog This is Glamorous and when I saw the Maya and Ruhi bangle featured I just had to leave a comment saying how gorgeous I thought it was. Guess what? I won this beautiful hand made purple agate bracelet in the giveaway. It is a cuff bracelet and truthfully, it hasn't left my wrist since it arrived (except for this morning's photograph) and I just love it.

I am a bracelet kind of girl as opposed to a necklace kind of girl and I am an earring kind of girl compared to a ring kind of girl. (Although I do have the occasional hankering for the big cocktail ring.) I am happy wearing as many bracelets together as possible and I am happy wearing the longest dangliest earrings I can find but I can't seem to bring myself to wear them together. This is one of my little foibles; I think jewellery like clothing needs to be carefully put together and pieces shouldn't conflict with each other. If I wear drop earrings I tend to leave my wrists bear and if I am having a jingle jangle moment I either loose the earrings or wear something very simple. If I can possible bare to draw attention to my less than perfect nails then the 'big' ring must do all the decorative work alone.

Earrings, bracelets, rings, necklaces - one, some, many or the lot....do tell? xv

Making an Entrance

Who wouldn't be happy opening their front door to these beautiful homes - they're all so warm and inviting. As they say, it's the first impression that lasts!

Image 1 - Tony Sheffield Image 2 - Tripod Agency Image 3 - Thane Studio Image 4 - Homes & Gardens Magazine Image 5 - Living, etc Magazine Image 6 - Carrier and Co Image 7 - Luke White

Back To Blogging

Hey Everyone, I'm back to blogging and shopping. I went to the Old Tustin flea market yesterday and found some wonderful items. This flea market only happens once a month but it's well worth the wait.

Love .... Ginger Jars

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Image 1 - Interiors on Line Images 2 & 4 - Flickr Image 3 - Tripod Agency Image 5 - Homes & Gardens Magazine Image 6 - Unknown Image 7 - Andrew Martin

Green, Rustic and Romantic Backyard Spaces

Sorry about the delay, internet connection went down at

home yesterday. Trying to get it fixed.

In the meantime, we've been having some great weather in

San Francisco the last few days. The weather has inspired me

to do more posts on outdoor living and backyard spaces.

The space above is rustic, charming and romantic. Can

you just see the space at night lit up with lanterns and

candles?

I think some of the most romantic things about

Paris are its wide boulevards, gorgeous architecture,

cafes and of course little romantic vignettes like this

little balcony overlooking the street. One doesn't always

need a lot of space to make special little place.

When I was young, I loved tree houses. Who am I kidding?

I still love them. Wouldn't it be dreamy to have a tree house

like this in your backyard? Complete with drapes and a bed.

I love it.

This is such a relaxing porch by the sea. I

could totally lounge here with a book all day.

If you don't have a porch but a courtyard instead,

it can definitely serve a similar function and space.

An inviting place where you might have tea or prune

your plants.

Talk about a fresh and romantic space for dining.

Here's the same space without the canopy

between the trees.

Nothing like a white table setting with

candle light for romantic ambience.

I love the idea of putting sconces on the trees.

The pink table cloth really adds color to this space. I love

all of the plants and the cute chairs as well. Looks like a

wonderful place to have a summer meal.

The Natural Shade Garden

The green and romantic spaces above led me to

think about shade gardens. There are certain

plants that grow wonderfully in the shade and

make for very pretty gardens. I've picked out

3 books on Shade Gardening if any f you are

interested.

Shady Retreats: 20 Plans for Colorful,

Private Spaces in Your Backyard

Making the Most of Shade

Hope you are all having a

wonderful summer thus far.

Photos from We Heart It,

House Beautiful, AhParis and more.