I wanted to love the new Conran Shop.

Post Farmers Market this lovely New York Friday, I ventured to the basement of the new location of the Conran shop.   Now fine, I agree that the old location was out of the way, but for me, that was kind of the charm. Under a bridge = Awesome. They still have all the right stuff, merchandised in all the right ways, but I will never again be racing in a cab to the sample sale- looking at the east river glimmer, and marveling in my 90% off the retail price chair…. alas.  Hopefully the new Basement location sees it through.   I still love you Conran Shop, don’t you worry.

Weego Home. No, really– Go!

In lovely Santa Monica there was an amazing store, which my couch now has a lovely ikat throw from- Organic, and Califabulous (totally an adj).  WEEGO HOME is located at 2939 Main Street, and they have a website… and someday I will be getting a Cabinet with their vintage fabric finds, ya know when I win the job lottery- which is totally going to happen!  When one covets interiors, as I do, one must be always hopeful!!

WWW.WEEGOHOME.COM (or just take a peek below)

Venice, CA

I think I lived in LA at a weird time.  Food was as passion of mine, and it was not even a whisper out there until a few years back.   I didn’t spend much time on Abbot Kinney when I lived in WeHo, but this trip, it’s all I wanted to do.  Granted I am more into overpriced coffee, and throw pillows than I ever was before, so that may be my new found love for the place, but I also love that it’s a beach town without having to actually be on the beach (I am a tad WHITE) – Anyways- a few must-go’s that blew me away!

GJELINA 1429 Abbout Kinney

Food, A+ – Decor, A+, Birthday Mimosas from a Bike Hipster- A+.

Coffee Place, you just HAVE to find. I have to just give this place a damn fine A+ all around. Just go there, you will see why…

I didn’t get custom jeans made, but i soooooooo wanted to! Stronghold, 1625 Abbot Kinney Blvd Speakeasy Upstairs, Hipsters down…need I say more??

I got an amazing Black Dress here… Madley, 227 Abbot Kinney Blvd.; 310-450-6029

Tasting Kitchen, 1633 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice, 310.392.6644. L & D Tues.-Sun.

Lastly, The Tasting Kitchen.  Besides the overzealous Bartender (Please stop talking about your show on the Oprah Network) who did make  me a delish Honey, Ginger, something or other…. the place was my style.  Very detailed Chalkboard, people WAY to into Farm to table and food, and a story… I love a place with a story. A +

Bottom Line, I could spend all day long in Venice, and I did, a couple of times.

Coachella Style!

My 10 day, Malibu, L.A.- Palm Spring Mania kicks off on Saturday, and I am extremely excited.   I have taken some blog time off, and after the next month there will be so much to say!  Sorry if you have been bored at your desks!!!  Peace, Love, and California!

I Keep reading how Coachella sets trends every year with style- and shopbop.com (one of my favorites) even has a Coachella Style section.

I am starting to pack up my Sunblock, my SPF, my GINORMOUS hat, and my crazy jumpsuits, and tie-dye.   Watch out!

Heritage.

Heritage n.

1. something inherited at birth, such as personal characteristics, status, and possessions

2. anything that has been transmitted from the past or handed down by tradition

3. the evidence of the past, such as historical sites, buildings, and the unspoilt natural environment, considered collectively as the inheritance of present-day society

4. something that is reserved for a particular person or group or the outcome of an action, way of life, etc. the sea was their heritage the heritage of violence

5. (Law) Law any property, esp land, that by law has descended or may descend to an heir

I think our personal design taste comes from, well… where we all come from. I have lived in major cities for 13 years, but I bring the south wherever I go.   I love sitting in the sunshine with an extremely over sweetened glass of iced tea, even if it’s on my NYC deck.  When I lived in California, I still chomped for the gators… If I end up in the tri-state area forever, I will always make grits and take my kids to Savannah for vacation instead of Cape Cod.   It’s just in my Blood.  You can take a girl out of the south, but never the south out of the girl.   I’m serious Ya’ll.  You did see Sweet Home Alabama right? Best movie EVER.

Rainy Day Activities for Adults.

Rain, Rain, Go Away.

If you google “Rainy Day Activities” it’s 99% for children.  Now kids are great and all, and I am excited to someday have some… but guess what, I don’t, and it’s still raining, and I am in my 30’s.

Rainy Day Activity #1 Take Pictures: Rainstorms are beautiful things to look at. As the storm rolls in, grab your camera and take pictures. This is a wonderful way for adults to enjoy a rainy day, because it forces you to get outside and be creative.  Ok, maybe not outside– but you know what I mean.

Activity#2: Movie Marathon When’s the last time you spent the whole day watching movies? I bet it’s been a while. (ok, not for me, but for you oh employed one- I bet it’s been a while) The next time you’re faced with a rainy day, break out your favorite movies and actually enjoy them. Or do what I do, watch movies that you never thought you would watch ever… I just finished The Rage of Placid Lake from Down under… totally weird and great.  Perfect Opposites just started on Showtime, so uh- I’m good.

#3: Catch Up on Reading A storm is the perfect time to catch up on your reading.  I for one will go Chick Lit and you MUST read the Saturday Wife- Totally fabulous and disturbing… but whatever floats your boat.  Just please stay away from reruns of Jersey Shore and Real Housewives.  I’m not saying, I’m just SAYING.

#4: and my favorite COOK take the time to actually make a delicious meal from scratch. This is something that is good for the soul.   What am I working on for tonight?  Fresh Smoked Maple Kielbasa from Tamarak Hollow Farms and some Shallot Mashed P’s.   Hoping it takes the edge off of the Hub’s Friday…

#5 Online Shopping – Ok so this may be my actual favorite, but I will say that cooking is.  Try the sales at Shopbop.com and Nordstrom… you can thank me later.  Other gems for deals ToryBurch.com- OneKingsLane.com – Gilt.com, Ruelala.com, HaydenHarnett.com…. I could go on.

So Photo, Cook, Shop, Read, & Movie Watch yourself to a great rainy day.

Now it’s time for the Jiffy Pop.

My other true love, ETSY.com. Buy, Sell… well mostly BUY.

I have purchased many things on ETSY.com (many, many, many things) and they are all treasures….  It’s best (BEST) wedding resource out there, and a great way to buy things all over the planet that in your hometown (even if a big city) you would not normally have access too.  We (I) got so many amazing things for our wedding on EtSy, and I have purchased gifts, helped shape my brand, ordered packaging ideas, all with the clicks of a mouse.  Our 2 year anniversary is around the corner and I can’t help think of amazing memories when I see our cake topper….

Our Custom Cake Topper from oilpainta @ETSY

The finished Product!!

I want my Dad to sell his amazing tables on here (Driftwood, Cypress, you need one!) , and I want to someday make an ETSY store of my own, but until then I will be shopping for more this to help me Keep Calm and Carry on!  Search for anything your heart desire, and I am telling you they have it, and it was made by someone great, and not a machine, and not in china.

hijirik @ ETSY

New Hope, PA & Lambertville, NJ

Lovely, Lovely, Lovely. If you ever have the time and the transport, go to this area of the planet.  It makes me happy… It makes me love the Northeast.  I really wish it was commutable to NYC.   The Hubs and I took some amazing shots while there, and found a great store that with luck, we will have a Rutgers Football watching seat from someday soon.   So take a trip!

Downtown New Hope

Bridge to Lambertville, NJ (featured in the hubs favorite show, Antiques Roadshow)

Only Cute towns have turquoise Hydrants!

Get your ass to a music fest for they are in great shopping towns.

One of our favorite bands- discovered at Austin City Limits.

….if only to buy cool band posters.  No, i would never do that.  Just go to a music frst to spend time with friends, shop, and listen to new bands?  *hrrm* But I do plan on doing some serious “life shopping” while out in CA for Coachella, and down in NOLA for Jazzfest.   I have some blank walls and I need to fill them.   I am hoping for something amazingly art deco/beachy cool from Palm Springs- like something from:  Trina Turk Residential or one of the amazing Mid-Century places I crave that are abundant in Southern Cali. From NOLA, I’d like some jazzy funk bluegrass art that features a dude with a beard on a banjo (too specific?)  Did I mention I LOVE New Orleans— that’s for another day…

It’s always fun to look around the house and see things from places you have been, people you have met.  Like where I am sitting right now I can see  1)  Glass Fish for change from a trip to the Northfork  2) Giant piece of petrified wood that I got taking the Route 66 drive with my Dad 3) A vase filled with shells and seaglass from the last 10 years of the Jersey Shore and Long Island trips. 4) A long Winters poster from a show @ Maxwells in Hoboken… I could go on.

It’s nice to be reminded of where we have been, and look forward to where we are going.  And you have music as your motivation for the travel, everybody wins.

So, like I said… get your ass to a music festival.