BLACK friday is around the corner....

Thanksgiving is the day to eat your heart out; its the one day we are allowed to over eat without being judged ( I mean, I'm not speaking from experience or anything...) But really. Not going back for thirds is like an insult to the host so OVER INDULGE!! I have to be honest, I save turkey day to binge on the sweets: pumpkin pie up the yin yang, cookies, mixed drinks...that's what I'm talking about!

Now, it is the next day better known as Black Friday, and you are full beyond belief and have left overs for days...what else to do but shop right?! Most places will open at the buttcrack of dawn (I know target opens at midnight, and Pottery Barn will open at 7)  Why do people shop so early? NO CLUE.  But i do know that there are some killer deals out there...Target is marking down a ton of their electronics and clothing AND they are giving out $25 gift cards for certain online purchases, best buy has the best deals on electronics/dvds, and Kohls has deals on clothing and jewelery.  The problem with black friday for me is that I usually never have my x mas list finished yet...I pretty much finish my xmas shopping the second week of december.  If you are in the downtown slo area come visit me, I will be at Pottery Barn 1-8!

Happy Eatings!!!

Oh, Kelly!

So earlier last month I posted about my favorite interior designer, Kelly Wearstler, and I just have to dedicate another post to her home accessories line.  I am absolutely in love with her collection (which can be seen in full on www.kellywearstler.com) and the way that she incorporates different textures with bold colors. Her pieces can easily be incorporated with additional accessories or simply just stand alone on a coffee or console table.  They certainly are not cheap ($300 and up), but a girl can dream right?!

This is a Brass Hostess Dish and would look great by itself or with a lovely candle in it!

"Brass Legs"  they are so unexpected, and so fun!

"Brass foot"....kind of random, but why not?

"Striped round bowl"  I bet this one looks so pretty in person.

"Kaleidoscope"  Very cool looking but with a hefty tag of $3,000!

Avila Valley Barn...a fall tradition!

So every fall, the best place to get your holiday pumpkins, delectable homemade pies, and your fix of the countryside, is at Avila Valley Barn! Anyone who is a local on the central coast has been to this famous barn at some point in their lives, whether it was when they were toddlers riding the tractor to the pumpkin patch, or when they are older, coming with their families to create new traditions.  I love going to the barn just for the scenery....not to mention their great food!!  If you haven't been there yet, you should make an afternoon trip!

Here is their website for more information: http://avilavalleybarn.com/

Here is a snapshot of the main entry of the barn.  Plenty of people and pumpkins!

Beautiful fresh flowers.  I love open air markets!

Matthew and I posing for the cam. I'm enjoying a cup of their pumpkin roast coffee...only a $1!

Their sunflowers make for a lovely background for a photo session hehe

Goodbye October...November it is!

October came and went just like that, and now we are in the month of lots of eating and lots of thanks giving...
I haven't written in a couple weeks because of the craziness that surrounded my 21st birthday...as you can imagine my mind was in a bit of a haze.  But I am back in action!

Matthew and I at my birthday dinner. Note the tiara :)

my lovely cake! Madonna Inn..mmmm

My friend Livi and I having my first legal drink at the always classy R & D's

My birthday present from Matthew :) Lucky gal i am!

My family, Matthew and Livi at Ventana Grill for my birthday. It was deeeelish.

 

After the week long celebration, then came Halloween in San Francisco...

Me and my friend Kathryn.  She was little red riding hood!

Matthew and I at Dolores park.  We spent all day saturday there drinking beers and people watching!

Matt was Ryan Gosling's character from the movie "Drive."  I liked my pocohontas costume but my black wig kept getting caught in people's costumes! 

We drove up with three of our other friends and got into SF around 3 am saturday morning (I know we were crazy for driving up so late, but I didn't get off work on friday until 10.)  We spent Saturday at Dolores Park and then headed to the Mission district to get our drink on.  We ended up leaving sunday around 1 pm.  It was a short but fun trip.  I always enjoy getting out of town for a bit but after my birthday and halloween, I am ready to get back on track with my diet and regular schedule. 

November is a fun month...I am looking forward to it!

A Little Tribute to Norma Jeane

So we all have that one celebrity (or maybe a few) that we are completely enamored with...at least I do! That celebrity would have to be the late Marilyn Monroe.  I don't know if it was her charisma, her sadness, or her sudden death that I am drawn to. It has been almost fifty years since her death, and she is still continuing to inspire artists.  I'm including some of her more rare photos...so enjoy!

I have this one framed on my wall compliments of Matthew!

just chillin with Abe

Call of Duty

It's PUMPKIN TIME!!!!

Well it has FINALLY cooled down in the central coast, with heavy fog last night and now this morning.  I have to say, my favorite way of waking up is with the fog and a cup o' joe! (or a pumpkin latte, but lets not get fancy).  I have had a pretty crazy week with work and school that I finally realized Halloween is two weeks away!!! That means it's time to bust out those pumpkins.

How cute is this Louis Vuitton pumpkin?

My boyfriend, Matthew, is an amazing artist..I think I will see if he can replicate this cool Atlas pumpkin I found..I'm sure he can!

Since this is my favorite month, I tend to go all out on the pumpkin-ness.  I never pass up a chance to get a pumpkin latte from starbucks (if you have not tried the salted caramel mocha...you are missing out!!!) pumpkin frozen yogurt, pumpkin cookies (well, they're not MY pumpkin cookies, but a lovely friend bakes them and ships them for me for my birthday...which is in 9 days eeek!!!) pumpkin pie, pumpkin pancakes....I mean the list goes on. 


On my next day off, I'm planning on trying this pumpkin cookie recipe off food network (http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/pumpkin-cookies-with-cream-cheese-frosting-recipe/index.html)  I will let you know if it's yummy!!


Happy pumpkin-ing!

What will the home of 2015 look like? Here's an clue...

Here is the home of 2015, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).  These homes are expected to decrease in size; current homes are averaging around 2400 square ft, and these homes will average around 2150 square ft.  Even if the real estate market jumps up, future homes will decrease in size and also lose the living room,  but instead gain a great room (which combines the family and living room).  With keeping the house smaller, builders are able to have more creative freedom and cater to what home owners really want.  We can expect to see larger laundry rooms, larger master suite closets, eat in kitchens and more ceiling fans. 

Overall, I think downsizing the house is a good idea because there is so much wasted square footage when you get up to the 3,000 and up sq ft. house.  Also making the houses much more affordable is key in a slumping economy. 

If you'd like to read more, check this site out: http://realestate.yahoo.com/promo/a-look-ahead-at-new-homes-of-2015.html

We are well on our way to the Jetsons look!

The HI-MACS house in Bavaria

Love the window-walls. what a view!

 I'm constantly browsing design blogs to find the latest and greatest architecture finds.  This house is called the HI-MACS House in Bavaria, Germany, and it is made entirely from HI-MACS solid surface, which is made from 75% natural materials and 25% acrylates.  The villa was built for a very lucky family following the style of the Bauhaus movement.  A little too modern for me, but still pretty nonetheless.

Exterior view of the pool.

Ultra modern interiors but kept warm with great ambient lighting. 

Design-milk accessories

Sort of Coal is a Danish company that focuses on simple pleasures.  Everybody loves coal in the shape of soap right?

 One of my favorite websites for inspiration is Design-Milk.com.  They feature everything from the latest designs in accessories, to unique architecture and design.  I found some neat accessories...so enjoy!!

How cool is this watch from Mr. Jones Watches?  The font reads "remember you will die" so you will learn to cherish every moment you have.

This is called "the picker's wallet" by W + P.  Cute!!

Moleskin Ipod, Ipad and Iphone accessories.

Oscar de la Renta's Ipad case...yes please!

Don't piss me off if I'm wearing these!! By Barbara Gogini

Bust out your rainboots...

 Here on the Central Coast we are VERY spoiled with our weather... we rarely notice when the season changes because our weather stays pretty consistent all year round.  Until last night, when the rain gods decided to dump buckets of rain and wind our way.  Now this would be all fine and dandy if we lived somewhere like Seattle for example, because they're used to it.  But us central coasters tend to freak out when our sun decides to take a snooze.  Drivers are disoriented, people are grumpy, and all our department stores "run" out of cute rain boots.  As for me, I do love the rain but HATE going out and about in it.  I've decided that rainy weather was created so we can be lazy bums in bed all day eating homemade brownies and watching re-runs of Sex and the City....or maybe that is just me.  Unfortunately I'll have to post-pone that activity for now because I'm off to work..boots and all! Have a safe and slippery day!

Workin' it in the rain.. I give her props!

A house built in a sand dune???

How cool is the front exterior?

 I was on Yahoo! this morning and ran into this fun article about an actual house built IN a sand dune! This house was built by architect William Morgan in Atlantic Beach, FL. in 1975.  When Morgan began surveying the land, he hated the neighbor's houses and didn't want to "associate" with them, so he went underground.  Dubbed the "Dune" house, this spectacle is actually for rent, listed now for $1.4 million.  It is actually two symmetrical apartments joined by a main landing.  After it was completed, Playboy magazine approached Morgan and asked if they could do a photo-shoot featuring the home.  Who knew Playboy had good taste in architecture?!
Each 750 sq. ft. apartment is two stories tall and features  a built in kitchen with plenty of picturesque views.  Morgan stated that he built the house like a "seashell" and wanted it to feel like being in a submarine.  As far as temperature goes, the grass roof assumes the ground temperature of 70 degrees.  Also, each room comes complete with a humidifier to control the humidity!  What a fun summer you could have by renting the Dune house....Who's in?!

A view of the backyard

Interior shot.  I love the built in sofa and the curved stairs! The wood paneling is also great! Not loving the carpet though.

Another view of the interior.  I like how each space has a view to the outside to prevent this from being like a cave. 

Mid century Homes

I love all aspects of Mid Century Design and was sooo obsessed with Eichler when I was in high school.  He was known for building stylish, affordable track homes in Southern California as well as Northern Cali.  The floorplans were single level houses with an indoor atrium that was often placed in the center of the house.  Every now and then, I'll search and see if any Eichler houses are for sale just to see what condition they are in.  Most often, their home owners restore the interior according to Mid Century style which is always good to see.  I'd love to visit one....someday!

Here is a photo of the exterior of an Eichler house from the backyard.  I love the exposed beams, the glass walls, and minimal aspects of the design.   

This photo shows the drama of the glass walls mixed with the wood panels of the ceiling.  If you look closely you can see some Mid century modern type furniture inside.

An Eichler Brochere

Here is a picture of a couple walking through an indoor atrium. This was common in Eichler houses because he wanted to bring "the outside in."

Fun Friday!

Happy Friday everyone! I've been studying Stats for the past two days so that has pretty much taken over my life..except I did go to the Drive-In with Matthew (the bf) and we saw Contagion followed by Drive...I HIGHLY recommend this movie.  It starts off slow, but picks up speed VERY fast.  Ryan Gosling does an excellent job as the ultimate dark super hero.  The soundtrack is also great.  It is a mix between a B-movie feel and of the 70's extortion movies (aka lots of violence, little dialogue).  All in all, it is well worth seeing! I can't wait to see it again!

get yo hump on...its Wednesday!

Happy hump day! It's days like these that remind us the weekend is a short breath away!  Here is some eye candy for you to enjoy.  Its part of the Inojima Art Project.  Pretty cool right?! Here's some more info on Injojima: http://archrecord.construction.com/projects/portfolio/archives/0907inujima-1.asp

Happy Wednesday!

Manic Monday

For many, including myself, Mondays are not possible without several cups of coffee.  The first day of the week always tends to take a little bit more energy than the other days.  If it was up to me, I would begin every Monday with a mimosa or two, but responsibility calls me to work and school.  Maybe tomorrow ;)