A little shopping trip

Its been a crazy week here with getting the two oldest back in school and trying to find my "back to school" groove.  I've also been crazy busy with some new clients and my posting may be a little more sporadic over the next few weeks.  But I promise it will all be worth it once I am finished and have pics to share.

This past week I was out shopping for a client and of course couldnt help but find some fun things I wanted. I had to keep telling myself to focus....and walk away....just walk away...

Like this gorgeous wooden sunburst mirror.  Its huge- over 60" wide.  Im kinda loving those green glass floats on the console as well.  Green has really been catching my eye lately.

Or this ornate craved wood mirror... oh my...

Then there's this one from a little shop in Laguna Beach that I found while we were on vacation (more from this beautiful shop soon).  This mirror was massive! and it came with an $8,000 price tag- and I can't imagine what shipping would cost!

Speaking of wood- saw these fun wooden wingbacks at Restoration Hardware the other day- how cool is that?

And this drum shade chandelier is seriously wanting to come home with me- I have seen it three different times in three different showrooms- its a sign- It wants me- I know it does!

Along with this mirrored coffee table (it has storage!!)

Beautiful gray sofa with gold pillows:

So after all that wonderful eye candy- the only new thing I have purchased for myself is this red bubble necklace- and Im not a red fan I have to admit- but Im kinda digging this necklace.

Well hope you all have a wonderful 3 day weekend- I know we are so ready for it!  My youngest turns 4 next week so we will be celebrating his birthday with family and I plan on eating lots of cupcakes.  

Cheers!!

Guest Post

Hello friends today I am over at Michaela Noelle's wonderful blog participating in her "She loves me, she loves me not" series.  Visit me here to see my faves and where I refuse to shop....

An Afternoon with Kishani Perera

A couple of weeks ago I had the pleasure of meeting Kishani Perera and her 17 (yes 17!) year old pup, Bob, while I was in California.  We met up at her local LA shop, Rummage where I got a little private tour.  Her shop is filled with beautiful treasures that she has curated herself.  I was immediately drawn to her amazing collection of vintage lamps.  Some women collect shoes, Kishani collects lamps.  

Love the detail trim on this shade.

These yellow beauties really stand out with the black shades.

  This brass one with a gray drum shade was by far my favorite.  The texture and patina was to die for!

She had other beautiful lighting pieces.  Like these chandeliers:

Loved this metal one:

And this wooden beaded one:

A cute yellow bamboo one:

And then there was the wall sconces:

A great way to modernize a pair of traditional sconces- add these round candle bulbs instead of the traditional candelabra style.

There were amazing accessories hidden in every corner of her shop:
These jade green & gold boxes really wanted to come home with me.

Beautiful tea/coffee service

Love these vintage plastic tumblers.  Arent the colors perfection?

Great furniture pieces as well:
Love the brass knobs on this piece.

A brass & glass piece that would make a great bar or console table.

A soft charcoal gray wingback:

I feel in love with this greek key detailed coffee table:

The detail on the legs.....

After my little tour Kishani, Bob (yes he goes everywhere with her- its so sweet) headed down the street to a local tea shop. We chatted all things design.

Unfortunately this is the only shot I have of Bob.  He was fast asleep in her lap.  What a life, right?

Kishani's shop Rummage is also on-line so if you see anything you like you can purchase it here.  

Thank you Kishani for such a lovely afternoon!  
And stay tuned for a "Coffee With" Series with Kishani soon!

A feature Friday & e-book

Happy Friday lovelies.  Anyone else have kiddos going back to school on Monday?  We are in the final stages of getting everyone ready, so I will be out in the trenches with the other crazy moms picking up last minute stuff and lets not even talk about the grocery store! ugh!

I have two fun things to share- today Debra over at Bungalow is sharing my home for her Friday Feature. 

Debra and I met at Haven when we shared a cab ride to the airport and had a fun time chatting about blogging.  Head on over here to see the feature-she was so sweet to share my home and had such lovely things to say- I teared up reading it!

And if your ready for Fall like me- there is a great little e-book all about Autumn front porch decor and features several bloggers including myself.  Its $6.97 to download and has some fun tips and photos all Fall inspired.

Well Im off to the Mall to find some Sketchers- shoot me now......

Client Project

Thank you all for the sweet comments about my sisters announcement.  I can't wait to get my hands on decorating the nursery- of course along with that comes me painting it- because she's going to pull the "im pregnant and can't paint card".  I know this only because I did the exact same thing to her when I was pregnant. tee hee

This week I finished up the final details and on client install that I wanted to share with you. 

When my client contacted me they had just moved into the home and did a complete purge and moved in only with their sofa.  wouldn't you love to do that-purge everything and start over?  Because they have two small children the easy to clean sofa will stay for now.

I used a large silver bowl to corral all her magazines and baskets under the coffee table for blankets.

Custom pillows made in Windsor Smith Riad and Kravet's Jelly Bean really help break up all the beige on the sofa. 
***quick tip**** to get the big fluffy look to your custom made pillows always use down inserts and buy the insert larger than the finished pillow size- so if you have a 20" finished pillow use a 22" down insert.

Easy decor:  fill a large ceramic bowl with fresh fruit.  Its inexpensive and good for you!

Small vignette with books and a succulent.

We used a pair of these Arteriors lamps on either side of the sofa. Love the hammered metal finish.

The Entry:  Love this Pottery Barn console- its nice and long.  We used baskets underneath for extra storage and hung this huge gray mirror with shells set in the panel.

Close-up of the shells.  

We are still waiting on chairs for the kitchen table and a rug.  But my client was thrilled when she came home to all of this.  And this is why I do what I do!  I get pure joy out of making someone's home a place of peace and comfort.  Oprah once stated that "your home should rise up to greet you" and I truly believe that.  Its good for the soul to have a home you love.

Cheers!!

Im going to be an Aunt!!

My sister just announced her pregnancy today.  They waited until the 1st tri-mester was over, and let me tell you- trying to keep this secret has been so hard!  Im not good at keeping my mouth shut-just saying.....

Here is the picture they posted on FB and Twitter:

So adorable!!! and Im loving the look on her little Yorkie's face.  She has not clue what is about to happen to her little world!

California fun

Im back from a wonderful little vacay in sunny California.  It was my father in laws birthday and we surprised him with a wonderful outdoor tuscan-style birthday party in their beautiful backyard.  My mother in law lined up tables decorated with sunny tuscan linens and ceramic pitchers filled with sunflowers.

It was fun being with friends we had not seen in a while.  We dined and laughed well into the evening.

On Sunday afternoon I got the chance to meet up with Courtney from A Thoughtful Place.  She is such a sweetheart and beautiful inside & out. If you have not been on her blog- you must!  Its full of great quick projects and organizing tips (something I suck at).

On Monday I had the honor of meeting Kishani Perera and had a private tour of her amazing shop, Rummage.  You may remember her book giveaway I hosted a few weeks ago.  It was such a treat to get a chance to chat with her over tea.  More details on our visit later this week, plus a little "Coffee With" interview from her later this month.  

Now its back to piles of laundry and a mad dash to get the kiddos ready for school that starts next week.  Where has the summer gone???