I'm Mad About...

If you haven't seen this video yet, it's a real heart-breaker—but don't worry, it has a happy ending:



Have a wonderful weekend!

Weekend Getaway: Palm Springs

Have you seen this brightly colored beacon in the desert? It's the new Saguaro Hotel in Palm Springs, and I'm dying to check it out. Not just because of its happy color palette or that it's been all over Pinterest and in-the-know blogs of late, but because I stayed there a few years ago, when it was a much more low-key Holiday Inn. Crazy, isn't it?

By The Saguaro

I came across a picture of the new Saguaro and, despite the shocking new facade, it looked familiar, so I did a little sleuthing and discovered it was the place where we had stayed.

The Holiday Inn was nice enough. I'll admit that when I travel, finding the chicest hotel isn't my top priority. I like clean, comfortable rooms in a good location at a good price, and that's what we got. Plus it had a nice pool area, and the mountains in the background are pretty spectacular.

The only bummer was that the poolside bar was closed when we were there. I had imagined sipping mai tais by the pool. I don't think I've ever had a mai tai in my life, but it seemed like the thing to do. So instead I went to the indoor bar and got a pina colada and brought it out to the pool.

The new version, brought to us by the folks behind the nearby Ace Hotel, retains the great pool area and, from what I can tell, the reasonable price, but adds a whole lotta personality. It's also pet-friendly, which I always like, even if traveling with our dogs is out of the question.

If you're planning a trip to Palm Springs, I recommend stopping by Pomme Frite for a decadent croque monsieur (mmm, melted cheese!), and don't forget to save time to check out the area's midcentury modern houses. We saw a road runner on our tour!

Color Me: Passionate for Purple

The color of royalty (and rock royalty), purple ranges from vivid violet to soft lavender. It's a great accent color for fashion and home.

From upper left: Viv suede flower flats, J.Crew; amethyst in gold and silver ring, Etsy; New Bond Street Florence handbag, Kate Spade; via A Colorful Mind; John Lewis spring 2012 collection, via Bright Bazzar; round velvet pintuck pillow, Urban Outfitters

I'm Mad About...

Spring is here and, as of Sunday, Mad Men will be too! Are you as excited as I am? I hope so, because the things I'm mad about Mad Men this week.

Got my new icon:

• Here's a little '60s behind-the-scenes to get you ready for the show.
• Ideas for Sally Draper's tween bedroom. 
• On another note, please don't buy cosmetics that have been tested on animals.

Mini-House Tour

Since I gave you a little peek at my home on Monday, I thought I'd let you see a little more of it today. I've been holding out on doing a house tour until I get a better camera, but that might be awhile (it can take me forever to make up my mind about something). So think of this as an introduction, not a full-on house tour.

The living room:

 

The Ork poster is new. I love it.

The dining room:

The kitchen:

The bedroom:

I hope you enjoyed this little look at my home.

11 Questions (and Answers)

A couple of weeks ago, Charmaine of my best friend craig tagged me to play along in the 11 Questions game (thanks, Charmaine!). Be sure to stop by her blog and see her beautiful home.

Here are the rules:

• You must post the rules.
• Answer the 11 questions the tagger posted for you and then create 11 new questions to ask the people you've tagged.
• Tag 11 people and link them in your post.
• Let them know you have tagged them.

Here are my answers to Charmaine's questions:

1. What is your design style?
Modern classic.

2. What is your favorite room in your house?
That's a toughie. Probably my bedroom (because it's blue!), but I really love the living room, too.

3. What is your dream vacation?
It used to be Venice, Italy, but these days I'm dreaming of going to Prague and Vienna.

Prague, by fklv (Obsolete hipster)

4. What is your favorite city?
Definitely LA. I love San Francisco, London and New York, but my heart belongs to the City of Angels.

5. Spring/Summer or Fall/Winter?
I used to be a fall/winter person, but I've grown to really like summer, despite the heat we get here. It's just so freeing being able to wear shorts and dresses and flip-flops. And spring—I've always loved spring. Everything is fresh, and the jasmine and citrus blossoms are so fragrant.

6. What is your proudest DIY project?
I'm not much of a DIYer. Most of my projects involve adding trim to something. I've made some curtains and hope to make some more (if I ever find fabric I like), but that's about it.

7. What is your biggest indulgence?
In my home, I'd have to say it was the Tempur-Pedic mattress. So comfortable and worth every penny!

8. What is your favorite food?
Cheese! (Although anything dairy is good.)

By nate steiner

9. Lake house or condo in the city?
Both!

10. What is your most treasured item in your home?
Since I can't rightly call my husband or our pets "items," I'd have to say it's a tie:

This painting was done by a family friend, and I just love it. I have hanging right across from the front door, so you can't miss it when you walk in the house.

My dad picked up this writing desk years ago at an antiques store. It's so elegant but not overdone. It's been banged up a bit over the years, though. One day I'll get it refinished.

11. What is the last book you read?
Shanghai Girls, by Lisa See (on my Nook Tablet).

These are the talented ladies I'm tagging:
Fallon of a lovely being
Heidi of a thousand laughing starfish
Danielle of danielle oakey interiors
Jessica of The Aestate
Shannon Marie of More to Hollywood
Julie at Little Pink Rain Boots
Megan of A Lived in Home
Amy Beth of Amy-Beth's Beauty Bits
Alissa of THE GOODS design
Jana of Just Sew Jana
(I know it's only 10; I'm such a rebel.)

And here are my questions for them:

1. How do you define your style?
2. Tomboy or girly-girl?
3. What's your favorite fragrance?
4. What's your favorite flower?
5. Dog or cat?
6. What's your favorite store? 
7. What made you decide to start blogging?
8. What's your favorite room in your home?
9. If you could do anything for a living, what would it be?
10. Chocolate or vanilla?
11. Where do you wish you were right now?

Thanks for playing along!

I'm Mad About...

Hi, all. I hope you have some wonderful plans for this weekend. I intend to get some much-needed rest and hit the brew pub for some St. Paddy's Day merry-making.

I'll leave you with a few things that caught my eye recently:

                                                                Source: Uploaded by user via Jennifer on Pinterest

• Knowing that the "Keep Calm and Carry On" poster began as British World War II propaganda almost makes me like it.
• These awesome paper dolls have me feeling like a kid again. 
• I'd love to be welcomed to a hotel by any of these cute critters.

All in the (Smythe) Family

Did you know that the fabulous Tommy Smythe has a sister, Christie, and that she's also a designer? Not of interiors but clothing.

I think I've mentioned before how much I love this kitchen Tommy designed:

House & Home

Now, how gorgeous is this jacket from the Smythe spring collection:

Smythe

Talent is definitely in their genes (and their jeans!).

Fashion to Furnishings

I came across this stunning image recently and haven't been able to stop thinking about it. It's from the New York home of Vogue's Hamish Bowles, and it's divine. Since he specializes in both fashion and interiors, I thought it might be fun to pair the space with equally lovely apparel.

They're both pink, sparkly and textured—elegant but not too serious:

What do you think? Are these shoes the fashion equivalent of that room?

I'm Mad About...

We're headed to LA this weekend to see a George Harrison exhibit at the Grammy Museum (I didn't even know there was a Grammy Museum!)—and maybe get in a little shopping.

Here are some things that caught my eye this week:

Garrapata State Park

• This is a wonderful idea: In an effort to raise awareness, a Northern California woman (joined by friends and her foster dog) is visiting 70 state parks set to be closed because of budget cuts and blogging about them. So far she's hit nearly 30 parks. I've been to several of the sites on the closure list and am sad to hear that they might not be accessible to future travelers.
• It's time for another Pinterest challenge. Will you be participating?
• I love the idea of bed linens for dogs (but I doubt it will keep the little ones off of our bed).
• Orla Kiely bedding for Bed, Bath and Beyond? Yes!

Tray Display

The beauty of a tray isn't just in the materials it's made from but in the way it can elevate even ordinary things. Corralling items gives them purpose and style, and keeps piles from looking like clutter.

I have trays in nearly nearly every room of our home, holding everything from the makings of a cocktail to perfumes, magazines and even my husband's cell phone.

Of course trays can hold food, but there's so much more they can do. Here are some of my favorite ideas:

From the Right Bank via Houzz

Glitter Guide

Martha Stewart Living via A Lovely Being

Breakfast at Toast

Via Arianna Belle Organized Interiors

Making it Lovely

Do you use trays in your decor?

Designer Crush: Thomas Paul

I've been a little obsessed lately with Thomas Paul's whimsical but elegant fabrics and home and fashion accessories. They play right into my love of nature and animals. I mean, seriously, how perfect are these:

All images via thomaspaul.com

Lighting, rugs, pillows, bedding and laptop covers—Paul has it all. He also offers a line of fine stationery and even e-stationery. I just might have found what I've been looking for!

I'm Mad About...

I'm hoping to get a jump on spring by picking up some outdoor plants and gardening supplies this weekend. Whether I'll get around to planting anything remains to be seen, however.

Have a lovely weekend. To kick it off, here are some things that caught my eye this week:

Hamptons tote

• I must get to San Francisco soon so I can get a close-up look at these beautiful totes!
• If you pin half as much as I do, you'll appreciate these great tips on Pinterest etiquette—and some words of warning.
• Love these peeks behind the scenes of movie productions by a talented French photographer.
• I might have to redo the (recently redone) living room to fit this coffee table in.