easter treats

Easter is early this year, landing next Sunday on April 4, 2010. This is a very special holiday in my family and I will miss some of our annual traditions as we all set sail next weekend. (no egg dying or hunt this year.)

My Mom and Grandma Mary were THE BEST at filling up huge Easter baskets for my brothers and I full of jelly beans, malted eggs and chocolate bunnies. Here's a few of my favorite sweets for your little chickies...



Chocolate Truffle-Filled Eggs in a Box from Williams-Sonoma.



Laughing Bunnies and Spring Chicks from Woodhouse Chocolate.

Chewy Spring Marshmallows from Dean & Deluca flavored with Rose, Passion Fruit, and Violet.

Hoping one of these springtime sweets finds you this Easter holiday!!

Floral fixations

While out doing a little shopping for my upcoming cruise–I've been noting the chic gardens blooming in just about every retailer this spring. I'm specifically on the hunt for cruise-wear, so this isn't helping me much–but it IS getting me in the mood for spring!!








From Liberty of London prints at Target on every product you can dream up, Trina Turk blouses, Kate Spade necklaces, Tibi dresses, and Tory Burch scarfs.... there's a pretty garden party for everyone! Even H&M has a fresh garden growing of their own!

***Images via Trina Turk, Kate Spade, Tory Burch, H&M and Tibi

lovely wednesday

Very sorry for my delay in posting this week. It's been a busy one and the week is almost halfway over already! I've been trying to check off many of my to do's this week before my cruise. Only 11 more days and counting!!

Hope you're having a lovely Wednesday!!

***Image from Rutherford, April 2010

happy spring weekend!

Yipee!! It's been a fun week and I'm so happy for the weekend again!! Writing these Friday posts make them come around a little quicker–when it feels like I just wrote one yesterday!

I've successfully accomplished one major goal for the week–but I have to admit–I was a little pressured by the thought of being seen in a bikini soon.

This weekend I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this sunny gorgeousness we've been experiencing in San Francisco stays with me through Sunday. I LOVE sunshine. Believe it or not, I'm heading to Napa again (more family wino's in town). I'm also collecting the last of my cruising gear and hitting the driving range to practice my golf swing (I so need it!) so I can play more this spring.

Wishing you a fabulous weekend!

***Image via Elise Francesca Fargnoli and thelovelist.net

exotic chic

I have a new found fascination with traditional printing styles + block printing and I'm in love with, John Robshaw. His fabrics are made of the traditional method of block-printing and inspired from his travels around the world. "When you look at my textiles, its like you've been on the world tour along with me."


Robshaw first journeyed to India to find natural indigo dye for his paintings but instead, he fell in love with the local artisans fabric-making traditions.


He describes the block-printing process as, "so simple and natural. You touch a woodblock to wet clay and then to the fabric. After the clay dries, you dip the cloth into the indigo vat and the clay stays on. One dip gives the fabric a sky-blue color, two dips and it deepens to cobalt, three dips and its a saturated midnight blue."


"Then the fabric is laid out to dry in the sun and later the clay is washed off. The dyer says the indigo vats are like a mistress because they need constant attention."



"I was completely fascinated by the dyeing and printing processes, as well as how the finished product is used. Textiles become intimate companions in daily life, whether as a pillow, bedcover or sarong."

The fabrics are sophisticated and vibrant and have a true handmade appeal that make them both exotic and romantic.

John is also a consultant for Aid to Artisans, a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating economic opportunities for craftspeople in developing nations, and in support of local textile artisans, which I find just as inspirational as his gorgeous fabric is!

***Images via John Robshaw

weekly wish: love

This is my weekly inspiration for the third week of March and when I think of the meaning of 'love' I think of one of my favorite verses: "Love is patient, love is kind. Love does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. Love is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, and keeps no record of wrongs. Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres." 1 Cor. 3:4-7

And then the hopeless romantic in me hums a silly little love song from the movie, Moulin Rouge, Elephant Love Medley, sung by Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman. "Love is like oxygen, love is a many splendid thing, love lifts us up where we belong, all you need is love...."

Wishing you a year of Love... and a lifetime of Love to all of my engaged friends, Alisa, Bonnie, Noelle, Kaitlin and Liz!
xoxo

off-the-shoulder

Springing forward... and so happy for the longer days with the time change! I'm already feeling like I've captured back a little more of my day with Spring's arrival.

Don't you just love all of these one-shoulder necklines from Tibi's Spring 2010 Collection. I'm always on the hunt for flattering styles and nothing says sexy like showing a little shoulder. These are perfectly feminine, modern and chic!






***Images via Tibi, New York

good morning, monday!

What a fabulous (and sunny) weekend! The highlight for me was venturing up to Napa on Sunday morning to give my cousin the Valley tour. Even a short escape for the day is always so relaxing. We started with a glass of bubbly on the patio of Domaine Chandon, and then enjoyed a delicious lunch at Rutherford Grill. We drove up winding roads to Calistoga and back down for cappuccino and shopping at Dean & Deluca, and finished with one last tasting at Alpha Omega. After all this fun, I think I'm officially ready to dive into Monday!

here's a few of my favorite valley indulgences for you to sample:
1. I don't know a girl who doesn't love chocolate so when I'm in St. Helena I visit, Woodhouse Chocolate for the prettiest
2. Dean & Deluca for a boutique grocery shopping + browsing experience over a cappuccino
3. I like my Pinot's from Santa Barbara so when I'm in Napa on a hot day I enjoy a white sauvignon blanc or chardonnay from Alpha Omega on the patio
4. sushi, and for some reason Go Fish is so deelish on a warm evening after a day of tasting
5. Indian Springs Resort and Spa in Calistoga is my first choice for a lovely bed, massage and day by the mineral pool
6. a sunset valley view from the bar at Auberge de Soleil

***Image taken at Alpha Omega

happy weekend!

Friday is here, and what seems as usual, the rain has arrived just in time for my weekend and the city is covered in a thick fog and drizzle. Hopefully the rain will bring some blue skies.


I'll be spending it painting and visiting with family in town. On Sunday we are heading to greener pastures, can you guess where we are off to from the photo?

Wishing you a pretty and restful weekend... xoxo

***Image via Carneros Inn

bronze goddess

I'm reminded by my crusing post that I must share one of my favorite fragrances with you, Bronze Goddess by Estée Lauder. I really wish this post had a scent-app. Described as a sensuous and sun-drenched blend of Bergamot, Mandarin, Tahitian Gardenia Petals, Coconut, Amber, Sandalwood and Vetiver– perfect for my dream wardrobe below. It smells like a delicious tropical drink by the pool and anything that takes me on a beachy vacation on a Thursday workday, is completely wonderful in my book! Next time you have a chance, test it out and let me know what you think....

nearly cruising...

Early this April I'm setting off for my first carribean cruise and the countdown is on... just 25 days to go! I'm dreaming of breezy warm air, open seas, sunshine (a golden tan!!), sandy beaches and destinations unknown. And I've just discovered my entire dream wardrobe at Calypso... what's there not to love about any of this? Ikat pants, embroidered kaftans by Allegra Hicks, sequined tunics and a hot little bandeau bikini that makes me want to hit the gym twice a day until I click my heels and cruise away.... ahhhhh, bon voyage!!

***Images via Calypso

monday blooms...

Don't you just love Mondays! This weekend proved not to be so rainy after all and instead, was amazingly gorgeous and sunny in San Francisco so I decided to stay in town and soak up some sunshine with friends. On Saturday morning I spent a little time perusing Etsy over coffee and found these adorable flower shoe clips and accessories at b. poetic. The shop is full of beautiful handmade blooms made with love from vintage fabrics. These pretty blooms are sure to add some sweetness to any special occasion or everyday outfit.

***Images via b. poetic

happy rainy weekend...

It's been such a busy week filled with Holiday 2010 presentations (yes, already) + a fabulous Blog Out Loud SF event last night and I'm so happy the weekend is finally here I could almost cry. I'll be spending it catching up with my girls and nesting inside on Sunday, watching the Oscars. Tomorrow, I'm grabbing my rain boots for some day-tripping adventures and dreaming of heading to Napa, Half Moon Bay or Alexander Valley as possible destinations... where do you think I should go?

Hoping you have a splendid one!!

pretty and green packaging...

Voluspa makes some of the yummiest candles and as a packaging designer by day, I just have to blog about these gorgeous little packaging gems. The beautiful boxes are made of Palownia wood and are paint, stain and lacquer–free, making them earth friendly + chic. I love the script typography, rich wood texture and labeling. The kitchen candle collection by Chef James Boyce is designed to be burned while cooking or dining... and I can't think of what could possibly be a better trio this rainy weekend... delicious foods and fragrance by candlelight!

sorry gorgeous....

Happy Thursday! I just love this adorable little card a friend received for her birthday. Cheeky + simple is super stylish.

coral obsession...

This spring it's no secret that coral is my color of choice and I've found inspiration in decor and textiles for my Pretty Chic Coral Geometric Notebook.

***Images via Trina Turk, David Hicks, Kelly Wearstler, Bonesteel Trout Hall and Pretty Chic SF.

Juxtaposition Home:: Newport Coast

So happy I finally have a venue to share one of my favorite stores, Juxtaposition Home. It's filled with home decor goodies galore and nestled just off the sand and the Pacific Ocean in Newport Coast, California. 









As you can see, they have just about everything, fabric, furniture and decorative accessories– all to die for. I so looooove this store! For those of you who can't make your way to California just yet, you can visit them as a dealer on 1st dibs.

weekly wish: make it count...

This is my weekly inspiration for the first week of March. We all need an inner voice to cheer us on throughout the week and I'm excited to share some of the quotes I've collected for my Pretty Chic SF 2010 Planner's.

I believe in making the most of our days, in our relationships, our work and in every hope and dream we have for our lives. I encourage you to expand your vision and think big! You have unique gifts, abilities and talents, live passionately and seize every opportunity! Life moves quickly, so let's make every day we have, count!

Wishing you a wonderful week!