One Of A Kind Pieces For Your Home (and gifts for Mom) From Nat Geo's NOVICA

I have this Mosaic Egg Box in my living room and everyone always asks about it. It's sculptural and natural, one of my favorite combinations.   Lacquerware Mosaic Mango Wood Box,  $32.99, novica.com. 

In every room I design, I always incorporate at least 2 special pieces that have been handmade and are one of a kind. It may be a great batik printed pillow from a small textile designer in Wyoming or a delicate box made of abalone shells from Thailand. Whether the house is traditional, ultra-modern, or contemporary, its unique and interesting pieces that give a home character, charm, and make the simplest West Elm bookcase interesting and much less West-Elm-ish.  For unique home accessories and art, one of my go-to sites is National Geographic's NOVICA. 

Founded in 1999 to connect artisans from around the globe with worldwide buyers, NOVICA has facilitated over 46 million dollars in sales for people whose goods would otherwise have only been available to those who were lucky enough to travel to their shops and villages. NOVICA's business philosophy is to "Spread Happiness" by allowing international artisans the freedom to build success from their crafts and create sustainable businesses. 

From blankets, to tableware and original artwork, the pieces here will not only beautify your home, but will make you feel good knowing you helped a skilled artist build a business on the other side of the world. So whether you are shopping for your home, for a house-warming gift, or for your Mom (order by Wednesday to receive it in time), here are a few of my favorite home pieces. Added bonus: each piece comes wrapped with a personal note from the artist, thanking you for your support. 

Handcrafted Natural Henequen Cushion with Leather Accents, $62.99, novica.com

Handcrafted Eggshell Mosaic Jewelry Box, $44.99, novica.com. 

Geometric Alpaca Wool Blend Beige Throw, $59.99, novica.com

Iron Sculpture, $274.49, novia.com. 

Batik Cotton Cushion Covers, $72.99, novica.com.

Pair of hand crafted salsa bowls and spoons, $39.99, novica.com.  

Abstract Acrylic on Canvas, $129.99, novica.com. 

Set of Four Cotton Placements and Napkins, $74.99, novica.com.

Katie Vernon Prints

Gemstones print by Katie Vernon, 11x14, $30, etsy.com

Happy Monday everyone! Wow, it's been awhile since I've had time to write a few sentences, let alone blog. But I'm happy to be back and writing about things I love always inspires me. As I was stumbling around Etsy this weekend looking for art for a nursery, I happened upon Katie Vernon's print shop. Full of texture, color and all things found in our natural world, they are some of the best I've seen lately. Here are a few of my favorites.  

Sea Botanicals by Katie Vernon, 11x14, $30, etsy.com. 

Colorful Botanicals by Katie Vernon, 8x10, $20, etsy.com. 

Rabbit and Fern by Katie Vernon, 8x10, $20, etsy.com. 

Black and White Botanicals, 11x14, $30, etsy.com. 

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year everyone! It may be cliche, but it's as good a time as any to set new intentions, let go of bad habits, and reevaluate. In my case, January always seems to call for a reevaluation of my entire life, including my closet, weekly dinner menu, vitamin supplements, running shoes, skincare, and most importantly, remerchandising my bedside table. (kidding. sort of.)  I'm still working on figuring out what exactly I want to work on in 2014, but the one thing I'm intent on doing is reminding myself that there really are so many reasons to be happy. All of the beautiful and creative people, places, and things that I'm fortunate enough to be surrounded by can also get me down and leave me thinking "if only I had ___________"(fill in the blank with a bigger house, more Chanel, a body like Giselle's, etc.). For now, I'm figuring out my New Year's game plan, but I'm happy. I'm happy even though I put on a few lbs during the holidays, got my Christmas cards out AFTER Christmas and just realized that I only accomplished 2 of my 10 New Year's resolutions from last year. Maybe I'll dial it down to 5 this year. Then I'll be at almost 50%. 

"Segundas Pieles" by photographer Miguel Vallinas. 

Based on the weather we've been having here in L.A., I've decided to pretend it's still summer, at least for a few more days. However, a look at the calendar confirms it's decidedly fall. New York Fashion Week is in full swing and sweaters and coats have found their way into my favorite stores. A few days ago, I discovered what could be the best line of the season - a series of photographs by photographer Miguel Vallinas entitled Segundas Pieles ("Second Skins").  For Segundas Pieles, he took more than 50 animals and dressed them in sophisticated and chic ensembles (I'm particularly partial to the gorgeous coats he used), blurring the line between animal and human. I'm dreaming of my stairwell lined with these gorgeous rabbits, lions and flamingos in their ascots, tweed and fur. Amazing! In another series entitled Pieles, Vallinas portrays himself in various occupations, from doctor, to matador to firefighter. Through both bodies of work, Vallinas offers a fresh outlook on identity and the ease in which one can morph into someone or something completely different, while still remaining the same. Visit Vallinas's website here to view more of his fantastic work. Here are a few of my favorites. Enjoy!

Photographer Miguel Vallinas in a portrait from his "Pieles" series. Here, he portrays himself as a shoe repairman. 

Summer Kicks From Nike

Customize your own pair of Nike Blazer MID. I chose a black snakeskin for the swoosh and a cheeky message on the back. Nike Blazer Mid, $135, nike.com.


Not sure if I'm the only one preparing to jump back on the Nike bandwagon, but you should consider joining me. My brand loyalty to Nike pretty much died after high-school  and it didn't help that my college was sponsored by Reebok. Every serious runner/marathoner I know is an Asics devotees and I always heard that Nike made some of the worst cross-trainers on the market.  I can't comment on their longevity or support, but what they may lack in function, they more than make up for in form. This summer I'm prepping to give my Converse and Sauconys a break and get a couple of these into the rotation. They may never see the inside of my gym, but I'll be guaranteed to have some of the flyest kicks on the playground. 

I'm in love with this glammy gold. These would definitely motivate me to get to the gym, or at least
 maybe walk into Starbucks instead of going drive-through.
Nike Free Run+2, $109.00, finishline.com.

These black and mesh hi-tops are more functional (at least for my lifestyle) than the wedge sneakers I've beenseeing everywhere. Moms can rock these right?
Nike Blazer Mid Mesh, $85, nike.com. 

I'm picturing these with skinny black jeans and a black blazer. Seriously, this is design at its best. Nike Free Inneva, $199, finishline.com. 

Summer Tabletops To Love

Image via Martha Moments. 

After Wednesday's post, I decided to stick with the entertaining theme and kick-off the weekend with some fabulous summer tablescapes. Whether its hardy succulents or precious peonies (I think we still have one more week of their season!), tulips or simplistic baby's breath, flowers are in abundance this time of year. Rustic, formal, casual or traditional - I can't decide on just one theme so I'll just have to have enough dinner parties this summer to experiment with them all. Have a great weekend everyone - I'm off to a short staycation here. Get outside and enjoy the sun!!! 

Image via Tory Burch Blog. 

Image via Jose Villa Photography. 

Image via Kinfolk Mag

Image via Could I Have That. 

Image via Magnolia Rouge. 

Image via World Of Aerin. 

Image source unknown.

Image via Martha Stewart Weddings. 

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Image here. 

Summer Essentials From Ikea

This weekend I popped over to Ikea with a very specific shopping list.  Well, it had been at least a year since I'd wandered those aisles, trying to find everything that I didn't need. This visit, I kept myself in check for the most part, but I did pick up a few great things I'll be using for summer entertaining. Here are some of my favorite things currently in store:

Clockwise from top left: Lattad placemat, $4.99; Glansig tealight holder, $1.99; Elly dish towls (Set of 4), $3.99; Fabulos Glass, $2.99; Oleby Wine Bucket, $9.99; Glanta Tablecloth, $19.99; Korken Carafe, $3.99; Kastanjenot Serving Basket, $9.99. All items available in-store. 

Shop This Shop: Marcade Vintage Prints On Etsy

How sweet would this be in a little girl's bedroom?!! Antique Nursery Rhyme Print (1870), $10.15, 

Although I used to love combing through wooden milk crates full of vintage prints at my local flea markets, Etsy has changed the print game forever and made finding and buying vintage prints a chinch. I wanted to share one of my absolute favorite sellers - Marcade Vintage Prints. Based in the U.K., Marcade sells just about every type of vintage print and ephemera you could dream up. I'm always partial to botanicals, which they have in abundance, but I've also found great child themed pieces as well as beautiful architectural prints. You name it, Marcade has it (and at fantastic prices!). Here's a sampling of current offerings. Have a great weekend everyone! 

Antique Fern Print, $35.12, Marcade Vintage Prints on etsy.com. 

1950's Fish Print, $13.27, Marcade Vintage Prints on etsy.com. 

Peter Pan Vintage Print (1931), $28.88, Marcade Vintage Prints on etsy.com. 

Vintage Butterfly Print (1964), $13.50, Marcade Vintage Prints on etsy.com. 

Vintage Rose Print, $11.94, Marcade Vintage Prints on etsy.com. 

Antique Architectural Engraving (1829), $22.64,  Marcade Vintage Prints on etsy.com. 

Summer Maxi Dresses

Dress, $59 from sheinside.com.  Image from Fashion Salade. 

Nothing like a long holiday weekend with gorgeous weather to kick off my annual hunt for a few easy-breezy chic dresses (I'll coin that a new fashion phrase) that will work for summer weddings, outdoor cocktail parties and drinks on our favorite rooftop in Laguna Beach.  I usually prefer them long and flowy - maybe it's the romance that comes with blooming roses and daylight that lasts until 8:30, but short and tight just doesn't seem right for summer, especially here in California. Whether you're off to casual summer soirées or an evening wedding that calls for something a little more refined, these dresses can do double-duty by changing out your flats for some heels and adding a fabulous necklace or earrings. The only problem is going to be choosing just one.

Long Studio Dress in White, $159, zara.com. 

Zara has seriously stepped up their dress game over the last year and this is one of my favorites in their spring/summer line. With the sheer front panels and the side fringe, all you need is a great tan and some red lipstick to steal the show.

Brooklyn Ombre Dress by Young Fabulous and Broke, $202, shopbop.com. 

I'm a sucker for just about anything ombre and the vibrant colors on this strapless number scream summer. I'd add a big gold cuff, some long earrings and some messy beach waves in my hair. 

Layne Dress by Parker, $264, shopbop.com.

If you follow me on Instagram, you might know I've had a few major black and white moments lately and I haven't tired of this combo yet. Parker consistently makes great dresses and the geometric print on this one is sophisticated, chic and a little edgy all at the same time. 

ASOS Maxi Dress with Deep Plunge, $76.36; Oasis Rope Next Maxi Dress, $115.40, both at asos.com. 

Give me chiffon (or a good impostor) and I'm set. Seriously, who doesn't want to look like an ethereal summer goddess? I loved both of these dresses for their classic silhouettes and sophistication with a bohemian edge. I'll leave you with one last photo to tape to your closet door. 

Image via The Satorialist 

TOTAL. SUMMER. PERFECTION.