I like the quilts from Sari Bari. They are handcrafted by women in India. Be sure to check the inventory often because it is always changing.

{A San Francisco Cottage Rental}

When looking for a place to stay in California I came across the above rental cottage in San Francisco. It is pretty spot on with so many of the trends. I'd be up for staying in a well decorated cottage in San Francisco. I wonder who decorated this space?

Sorry some of the photos are blurry but the photos that I snagged were just too tiny. I have a request for larger photos so we'll see if my request is granted.

If you are interested in staying in this space when you go to San Francisco next then go here for the details.

{happy} just what the doctor ordered

I had the bathing suits, clothes, toiletries, accessories and camera set out within 20 minutes to go on a little get away without the kids....which is probably why I forgot a few items but brought way too many outfits. Why is it always an ordeal to leave town when one has kids? I almost always trick myself into thinking I should not be leaving but am always happy that I did about 2 hours into any trip...and it just so turns out that this little anniversary trip was no exception. Actually I could not think of anything better that we could of given each other than a hotel room with black out curtains and no interruptions in the middle of the night. Did you even know I have a husband....well I do and we were trying so hard not to laugh at our posed picture (refer above). I told him to look like we were madly in love...and it almost worked! I should've posted the outtakes.

PS - On the way home we took a detour to Palm Springs to check it out as a possible destination spot. I have been dying to see the Parker Palm Springs so we went to check it out first hand. If you are interested I posted pictures here a while back. Anyway, I am still smiling at the fact that when we left husband commented that he thought most of the place looked like someone had raided a thrift store...that Mr. Adler. I have to note the spa was also decorated by Jonathan Adler & was so beautiful with its dark navy blue walls and its nautical & Moroccan accents. Trust me the spa did not look too dirty or stinky like a thrift store;)

PSS - Hugs not drugs

How are all of you? How was your Easter?

{breakfast quinoa and a recipe}

I have been eating quinoa for quite a while now. One day my friend called me up wanting some guidance on how to prepare it and I suggested that she start out having it for breakfast because she could sweeten it with honey or agave nectar. She claimed that it didn't work out so well for her but it just may for anybody else out there who wishes to give it a shot. We have had so much success having quinoa for breakfast in our home. It kind of breaks up the steel cut oats regimen. We have also tried using amaranth, buckwheat, millet, spelt, and brown rice cereal to name a few...but quinoa is always at the top of the list for a couple of my boys. I always take comfort that even if we don't do so well at dinner we can make up for it in the morning.

My favorite breakfast quinoa regimen:

Rinse and cook the desired amount (cooks really fast..12 minutes or what seems equal to white rice). The water to quinoa ratio is 2:1. After it is nice and fluffy then add butter, cinnamon, nuts, honey/agave and milk (soy, almond, cow etc) and enjoy.

I haven't tried it yet but I have heard that if you actually cook the quinoa in milk rather than water that it turns out even better.

I came across the above recipe over here and thought it look like such a great new quinoa recipe to add to the mix for dinner or lunch.

inspiration found in a retail shop

Sometimes my favorite pieces of inspiration for decorating come from the world of retail. The above Paul Smith store has so many different elements that are just so fantastic. I don't make it to the mall very often but when I do I almost loose sight of any missions I might be on because of those beautifully and creatively decorated spaces that usually sell really expensive items. The Tory Burch store is always a favorite. I also love the Carolina Herrera store here in Scottsdale. Do you have any favorites?

Of course the above space was photographed by the talented Brian Park.

{small shop} framing on aluminum

I love, love Erika's blog and her eye for design. Anyway Erika recently shared a piece of her home in progress and I fell for her vintage treasures that she has added into the mix of her decor. Also I am paying close attention to the piece of art that she had mounted and framed onto aluminum. I think it lends for such a clean look. Have any of you out there framed something using aluminum?

To see more of Erika's work go and pay her a little visit here.

P.S. - I really want a vintage brass mushroom lamp like in Erika's space.

{strawberries}

Sometimes just one piece of fabric leads to thinking of so much more. For some reason the last few weeks I can't get the above Brunschwig & Fils strawberry fabric out of my mind. Of course that lead to me paying very close attention to all things strawberry. I would love to use that fabric in a little girls room.

Images 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

I love the above idea of planting a personal strawberry plant. Idea found via You Are My Fave from One Charming Party. For the how to go here.

I usually love to be busy.

Not too busy but just a balanced kind of busy.

I think I have been teetering on the unbalanced side of too busy...which makes sense that I am craving flip flops, sand and a bathing suit right now.

I really have no complaints..just a handful of kids.

In which I have explaining to do as to why it is not a choice to pick ballet class over going to 1st grade next year. Seriously one of my girls thought it was an option. Is it bad that they are already sick of school and they are only in half day kindergarten? If this carries on for too long I may have to enroll them into that one hippy school with no desks and a garden in the middle....have you heard of that one? Kids really are the cool ones...too cool for school obviously.

As of right now I am implementing the "no worries" code and there is a possibility that the computer does not comply with that code...that's ok because it is holding inspiration from my brain that wants to come out so at some point it is inevitable.

Anyway, hope you all had a nifty weekend.

P.S. - I still haven't been able to devour the new Lonny/Traditional online mag like I've been wanting to do...rats!

P.S.S. Why is framing so expensive? Refer to the unframed mess my kids are standing in front of while practicing the Pledge of Allegiance on Friday morning. They were getting a little nervous to be recorded saying the Pledge in their kindergarten class so I told them to stand against the wall and I would practice recording them. The fly on the wall probably saw me laughing...

{beautiful book cover)

I know this is not a new book but I just purchased Sara Midda's South Of France book from here (but is cheaper here in case you were wondering). I clearly bought the book for it's cover but I have a hunch it is even more beautiful inside according to some of the sneak peaks I have seen online. I read that this is Sara's wondrous sketchbook from a year spent south of France using watercolors. I can't wait to get it.

{images from inside of the book via here)

{Inspiration for refreshing a bedroom on a budget}

As it stands right now my room is pretty traditional looking. It has looked the same for the last 8 years and I am ready to make some changes. I would love to add some modern pieces to freshen up the space. Of course it will have to be done on a budget which means I will have to work with what I already have...which translates to we are working around browns (which does not rank as my favorite color but will fit nicely into a modern nature inspired space). What I can do though is add a reasonably priced rug, paint, add new pillow and reupholster a small bench with a fun print fabric. What I really would love is a new bed but as it stands right now the one that I want is not in the budget.

So far I have acquired a couple of unique pieces from the thrift store that has helped to jump start the refresher {refer to large shell and coral mirror, brass sculptural lamp and the above brass chair with the ovals.

Things I have my eye on:

2 marbelized pilows from here (not cheap but pack a big punch for the space and willing to save the money on other items).

Inexpensive indoor/outdoor rugs from here and here (durable and will work great until the day comes for an investment rug).

Window treatments (perhaps a DIY).

A couple of side tables from Craiglist.

I will keep you all posted.

P.S. - Husband dragged home the above mirror a few days ago and surprised me (sort of). It came from a thrift store in Sun City and the same one can be found here for much much more...like $2700 more (not that one can gage the value of something from 1st Dibs but I still love it when that happens.