Saturday, August 23, 2008

Pyrex ??!!

So, I have to admit something -I LOVE my pyrex containers!! So much better than plastic containers, they go from oven, to table, to microwave -they look great and are easy to clean and don't stain like plastic. You can eat out of them and cook in them and carry leftovers to work in them.
OK -now that I have that off my chest -next week we return to the normal 'pretty' :-)

Thursday, August 21, 2008

effective advertising

Jude Law is the new face of Dior homme. I suppose perfume / cologne ads are difficult -how do you convey scent? However, I think this is a very effective ad -what do you think?

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Blackle


Did you know Google has a homepage with a black background?


A black background saves a lot of energy rather than a white background but is also easier on the eyes (especially when your eyes are accustomed to the black screen in CAD)! I used black as the background here on my blog because I think it makes photos pop more but now this is definitely a good reason to switch over elsewhere! I just changed my computer's homepage from google to blackle!!

Check it out!

Inspired by Blass

The Sept 2008 issue of Veranda has the apartment of Bill Blass's former employee (model then design director), Laura Montalban, who seemed to have learned a thing or two from the master, Blass. Namely - impeccable taste! The apartment screams refined elegance in the form of restraint and a collection of beautiful but edited pieces.
I love the white mouldings against the gray walls and the dark brown carpeting. The walls supposedly are a different shade of gray in each room which seems a bit over the top, but you can't deny the beautiful results. She opted for carpeting here instead of wood as the floors were in bad shape and I think it works. It definitely feels cozy due to the carpeting. The only thing I would change is to get rid of the leopard print fabrics ( i know it's supposedly stylish but it's just not my thing!) and maybe opt for more architecturally shaped upholstered pieces in the living room. I don't mind a little bit of mirrored wall as this is probably a dark and small space in the city, but the wall of mirror behind the secretary is over-kill. The bedroom has soft color with the green fern prints on the wall and the green swan vase as well as the beautiful carpet and bedspread. What a relaxing retreat in the city!!!

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Check out this HOUSE!

So one of my favorite hollywood couples, the perfectly adorable Jennifer Garner and cutie patootie Ben Affleck, are probably purchasing the most perfect family home west of the Mississippi! Located in swank Holmby Hills in LA, this beautifull restored home from Hollywood's golden area makes me drool with envy!! I spotted it here on the Real EstalkerThis foyer is so beautiful! I love the marble floor, that glamourous hollywoody staircase for grand entrances and the furniture; Those mouldings are really nicely done and I love the lantern!This cavernous master bedroom is really cozy -i love the french doors out to the deck! What a cheerful room to wake up in :-)This is the 'his' of the 2 bathrooms in the master suite. I LOVE this dark wood and the sink -not so crazy about that marble in the shower but I'd live with it. I'm just glad it doesn't have a black toilet to match the marble. I think black toilets are the most disgusting cess pools of disease I've ever seen -ugly too -never look clean!
This is the 'her' bathroom in the master sweet with dressing room beyond. This is really a beautiful room - i love the fireplace next to the bathtub with garden views! My grandparents who have been married for 67 years attest their long and happy marriage to having seperate bathrooms -I could not agree more! If you can afford it, it's one of the things I would look for in a home!

The back of this home is really pretty nice, I LOVE the poolhouse -but notice anything missing? umm - landscaping? Is this a soccerfield? First things first - hire a landscaper! So much potential!! I see some trees, bushes, a rose garden, big lilac bushes, an herb garden -there is room for it all! Make it lush! Hope you enjoyed the home tour! Hopefully it will be in some trashy celeb magazine in a few years for us all to check out!

Monday, August 18, 2008

Ciao Bella!

I came across this gelato from Martha Stewart Living -she mentioned the company and in particular their blood orange gelato ( yummy! ). I've become a fan of this brand and have about 3 different tubs in my fridge now with my 3 favorite flavors - hazlenut ( my FAVORITE i've had from any brand!), blackberry cabernet ( really delicious) and of course chocolate. I like that they use all natural ingredients, have delicious but unusual flavors and the packaging is really pretty (i'll admit that is part of the draw! call me a snob!). Definitely check this out next time you are at the supermarket for a special treat, you won't regret it! I recommend any of the flavors listed above -if you try any others let me know what you think!
Pretty website online HERE

Saturday, August 16, 2008

The Queen as mum

I came across these photos on Bunny Tomerlin's blog. I love how they show the Queen as a normal mom with Prince Charles. Look at that huge smile on her face! Isn't it funny how Charles looks exactly the same now (without the baby fat!) - plus he's still as surly and dour-looking as a child!
Enjoy your weekend!

Friday, August 15, 2008

flowers!

I got flowers here at work this week! So a big THANK YOU! I thought I would share them with all of you to brighten up your day, like they did mine and now do to my desk!

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

WS Home 2 - ARGH!

So, I got an answer about the basket shown in the Williams Sonoma home catalog - it's not offered for sale by them!! The ONE thing in the entire catalog that is not sold by them is the thing I desperately want! I received this polite email today

Thank you for contacting Williams-Sonoma Home. The magazine basket you have inquired about is a photographer's prop and is not currently offered for sale through Williams-Sonoma Home. Please know we have not been provided any information as to where this item was obtained. However, we have forwarded your suggestion to our Corporate Buyers for review and possible inclusion in future marketing plans.
If anyone knows what this basket is, please let me know!

WS home

I love WilliamSonoma home - I anticipate the seasonal catalogs from them like it's 'World of Interiors' , 'Domino' , 'Elle Decor' or some other publication! Check out these beautiful nickel and glass trays. I am so resisting getting the rectangular tray for my coffee table! It would be SO BEAUTIFUL THERE!!!!
The Presidio bed, alone in leather and in a room setting


I especially love their Presidio collection of furniture. I hate when everything is matchy matchy -but I really love each piece so much. I want the bed, the chair, the couch and the settee/daybed! I guess you could always mix and match velvet and leather, etc. I love the clean and classic lines of them -they're very architectural!
However there is one thing in the catalog I can't find on their website or in the print version. In this photo below you see that basket beside the couch with all the 'architectural digests' in it? (yes, my eyes are that good). I would love that beside my couch with all my 'world of interiors' in it that are curerntly hiding in the recesses of my bookcase. Anyone have any idea where to find a storage container that shape and size?? I just may break down and buy it!
I went to the william sonoma home store in Portland, oregon every day I was there just to hang out! I got some great silver mint julip vases/cups there as well as a suede edged cashmere blanket! DC really needs one of these stores!! Are you listening, WS home? I would SOOO work at you part-time!