Meet Crystal...

Halloween is my favorite holiday. I'm not sure why but I've always loved everything from the wonderful spooky decor, to childhood memories of sitting on the floor sorting my little candies after a night of "trick-or-treating" with my best friend.

Every year I try and purchase a new item to add to my little Halloween collection. My collection ranges from vintage jack-0-lanterns to new pieces crafted by talented artists.

Crystal creating in her studio

The other day I stumbled upon this fabulous site, VintagebyCrystal. Boston-based Crystal is a full-time crafter and creates amazing one-of-a-kind items by using antique and vintage materials.

All of Crystal's work is inspired by objects of the past. She specializes in cotton-spun ornaments and figures much like the ones that German artists made over 100 years ago.

AND, the talented Crystal has been featured on the Martha Stewart Show. You can watch her with Martha here.

So, what did I purchase from Crystal? A cotton-spun cat lady and a funny jack-o-lantern head figurine.

But I must tell you that her things sell quickly since they're one-of-a-kind. If you love her work as I do, get her updates by following her blog, her website, and her Etsy shop.

Her Christmas items will be for sale very shortly. And I'm jumping for joy as she has created a Chanukah line! I'll be buying up some of those treasures for sure!

Thanks Crystal...can't wait to get my little people!

images; Vintage by Crystal

You Won't Want to Miss This!

I'm thrilled to announce that Joni from Cote de Texas and I have teamed up to offer this special giveaway.... an antique gold leaf lyre-shaped convex mirror (above) from Paris Hotel Boutique!!!

But first I must introduce you to Joni. Houston-based interior designer Joni Webb shares her love of house & garden, antiques, interior design, and country French decor interpreted for the Texas coast in her popular blog, Cote de Texas.

The blog is mixed with a bit of history and a lot of humor. Joni's blog has won several awards including The Washington Post's top 10 blogs in 2008. Additionally, she has been featured in publications such as Better Home & Gardens, Houston House & Home, and HGTV.

And Joni c0-hosts a fabulous blogging and interior design weekly radio show, The Skirted Roundtable, with the fab Megan from Beach Bungalow 8 & Linda from Surroundings. They have interviewed some of the most influential designers and editors including Margaret Russell, editor-in-chief of Elle Decor, and Stephen Drucker, editor-in-chief of House Beautiful to name a few.

So go visit Joni at Cote de Texas, check out her lovely blog, and enter our giveaway!

Good luck to all!

Ethereal Eye Candy.

Happy Ever After~
Is this what Cinderella saw through her eyes?

That is the title of this stunning blog post by Jamie Beck, From Me to You.

I was elated to discover Jamie via fellow blogger Shilo while searching photo credit for that lovely pink chair image that I recently posted. Funny thing is that I had swoon over Jamie's blog before, but just assumed that the photos were random images taken from the internet. But no, the entire blog is Jamie's brilliant photography.

Jamie resides in New York City, collects vintage cameras and typewriters, and shares her beautiful photography with us. These images are of Jamie daydreaming among the French rooms that inspired her at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Stunning, don't you agree?

For more amazing eye-candy, be sure and visit Jamie's blog From Me to You here.

image credits: Jamie Beck

My Second Blog

Just in case you're tuning in now, I recently started another blog devoted to my great-grandfather's woodcarving. Sam's work has not been catalogued, and I am attempting to chronicle some of his work for my family and people interested in California history. His work graces many of the churches in San Francisco, as well as the extraordinary Hearst Castle.

If you want to follow me on my journey, click here...

Jeweled Macarons Anyone?

The Caketress, a boutique cake company based in Canada, created an exclusive dessert bar shoot for New York-based event planner, Amy Atlas. I nearly flipped when I saw Amy's blog post this morning. {I've definitely been in "sweet tooth" land lately!}

This all grey and white chic dessert bar also included pearls and lace; lace wrapped pumpkin cupcakes, macarons, malted chocolate pearls, and licorice white cotton candy! Oh my!

Click here to read the entire post and view the rest of the photos. Divine!

credit: Taylor Jackson Photography, via Amy Atlas

Giving Credit Where Credit is Due

photo: beBo

Why the random photo of a pretty staircase? Because I wanted to blog about it, but can't seem to find out who the photographer is...

Which brings me to my point. Let me preface this by saying, I'm not the "blogger police," but just wanted to post a little blogger etiquette.

I first discovered this staircase photo on We Heart It.

which led me to Tumblr, Would You Like to Swing on a Star,

which led me to The Life is a Rose,

which led me to princess-queen-v. Then nothing.

That's right. No photo credit for this lovely image.

So, what to do?

• There are all sorts of legal and copyright rules for the internet. Some of which you can read about here on this informative post.

• How many times have you read a blog with numerous images and there are absolutely no image or link credits? Frustrating? Very. I frequently find something I'd like to view or purchase with no trace of where the image originated from.
  

• When you post images that you do not own, you should always credit the photographer if you possibly can. It is their art, not yours. You should also credit the source of the information (where you found it), and any sources that they have named. So, if you found the image on another blog or website, at least credit them with a link back to their site/blog. It's only fair.
  

• An interesting quote...“Tumblr is the place where copyrights and credits go to die.” - Door Sixteen
  

• I know we bloggers frequently stumble upon random images on the internet with no credits at all. What to do then? I'm not really sure how to answer that one. Perhaps do a little more research. At the very least, make an effort to try and find the credit for it.
  

I realize that there is no way to control the vast world of the internet. It's like the Wild West. But, it sure would be nice if we try and give credit to people's images when we can. If I was a photographer, I'd certainly watermark my images!

I hope I don't sound "preachy" as I'm definitely not the authority of the blogging world. Just wanted to share some thoughts.

Other bloggers and photographers, do you have any tips to share on image etiquette or guidelines for usage?

Ada & Darcy

I recently discovered Ada & Darcy, the gorgeous blog of Australia-based interior designer Kellie Collis.

Ada & Darcy takes my breath away with Kellie's eye-catching photos of her own home, her DIY projects, and the pure & simple beauty that she admires.

Kellie has a passion for all things beautiful, especially fabulous interiors. She is always looking for new and gorgeous things for her interior design and styling business, and for her online store that will be opening very soon.

Her precious babies, Lily & Molly...

Colorful pillows & vibrant flowers grace Kellie's home...

If you're looking for endless inspiration, a romantic and ethereal place to get lost in, visit Ada & Darcy here. You may find yourself spending much time perusing it as I have! It's fabulous!

photo credits: Ada & Darcy

Something to Make You Smile!

Balloons...from oh, hello, friend collections...

Have a happy, fun-filled weekend!!


photo credits: Oh, hello, friend

Pin it Forward: What Home Means to Me

I'm thrilled to be a part of Pin-it-Forward, a blogger mashup organized by Victoria of sfgirlbybay and Pinterest, a visual bookmarking site. The theme is "what home means to you," and over the course of several weeks, 300 bloggers will share their photos and passions of "home." It's so much fun!

So, here I go...What does home mean to me?

You may have already figured out that I live in San Francisco since I talk about it so much. Born and raised here, with roots going back to the 19th century. I love the open feeling of living near an ocean and bay, and breathing the fresh dewy air. Even with the dreary fog that encompasses this City much of the year, San Francisco is home.

Ahhh...comfort. Nothing cries "home" more than snuggling into bed enveloped by a down comforter with my little poodle Vito as my pillow. Home is a place of solace...a place that we can escape the outside world and surround ourselves with comfort.

Family heirlooms and antique finds reflect my passions and the past. Being surrounded by these special objects brings a uniqueness to my surroundings and puts a smile on my face.

I don't like to get too serious about decorating. I love a home filled with the unexpected. Nothing too staged, and reflecting the owner's personality. An eclectic mix of pieces from different eras and touches of whimsy always makes for an interesting space. What awaits me when I turn the corner? I never know!

Guilty as charged. Guilty of stashes of candy in drawers & cabinets. Not too much, but just enough to be able to pull out that licorice when I'm in the mood. Total comfort. Stashes of wonderfully scented candles and magazines to devour. Nirvana!


I'm crazy over small touches of glitz that bring me back to a bygone era. And I love mirrors! They make a small house seem larger, and the reflections they create are magical.

Home is my retreat. Husband, dog, family and friends. It's my favorite place to be!

my Pinterest page

Many thanks to Victoria at sfgirlbybay and the group at Pinterest for the opportunity to participate in this fun event, and for enabling my new Pinterest addiction. Just what I needed...another fun thing to take me away from my work. Actually it's a wonderful source to "bookmark" your favorite photos while browsing the web!

To follow the other boards I've created, hop on over to my Pinterest page. You can also check out other bloggers participating in the "Pin it Forward" by viewing the full schedule here.

And now... I'm passing the baton to art...work, so be sure to check out her post on Monday.

Happy Weekend Everyone!

photo credits found on my Pintrest page