BLOG OUT LOUD!

I'm very excited to be a part of the BLOG OUT LOUD event happening next weekend here in San Francisco!

What is BLOG OUT LOUD? It's a chance for anyone interested in blogging to engage in a town-hall style discussion about blogging, community, and creative networking. New & seasoned bloggers looking for new ideas on how to promote, grow or maintain their blog.

The panel of bloggers will include some names you may recognize; Cassandra of Coco + Kelly, Anne of The City Sage, Christina at Ferm Living, Susannah of Petunia Face, and moi! It is all hosted by Sasha at Belljar where the event will take place Sunday, August 23rd.

The two incredible ladies behind the event, Rebecca at loving.living.small, and Megan from Beach Bungalow 8, will be moderating the panel.

Make sure to go to the BLOG OUT LOUD website to RSVP as space is limited. If you're in the Bay Area please come join us!

I'm Back!

photo from Vignettes, San Diego

What a great little getaway I had visiting my friend Janet in San Clemente. I just had to share some of the fun places she took me to!

One of our first stops was the town of Orange. Orange has so many antique shops and collectives that you really have to plan on spending a whole day there. We were on our way to another destination, so we couldn’t go to many shops, but stumbled upon this darling cupcake shop, The Perfect Circle. I couldn’t help myself!

Such a pretty assortment!

Of course, who can resist a Tiffany blue cupcake?

Love the decor of this cupcake shop!

Laguna Beach is pure heaven. A gorgeous coastside community with amazing boutiques and restaurants. Janet had told me so much about the Montage, that we made a trip over. Incredible. The property is breathtaking, and the ocean view speaks for itself.

A gorgeous turquoise blue tile mural graces the grounds of the Montage...

But of course, I couldn't escape the Montage without purchasing some goodies from their Spa gift shop. I bought this robe, but in hot pink. Definitely perks up those foggy San Francisco days!

This Voluspa candle is custom made for the Montage. It smells like a heavenly spa. I purchased one, but have a feeling I'll be buying more!

Next stop was to visit Lucy & Tony Torres of The Paris Flea Market. If you don't know Lucy, she is one incredible woman. One of the gurus of the Shabby Chic & cottage look...and fab French finds. It's always great to see them and peruse all of Lucy's fabulous treasures nestled in their ocean view home. What a treat!

Lucy & Janet

Lucy's collection of French & Italian tole and beaded chandeliers. Decadent!

Lucy's husband Tony...always with a smile!

I just love the Cedros Avenue Design District in Solona Beach. There are great little restaurants, boutiques and antique shops. Definitely worth making a trip if you're in the area.

This shop Solo is an upscale collective showcasing the collections of eight creative sellers, each with their own distinct style.

I was especially intrigued with this booth. Love this old hotel sign!

Interesting old French menu attached to an old French sign.

Great curiosity pieces...

More fun booths at Solo...

You can't take a trip to Southern California without stopping in San Diego. Ocean Beach has about 6 antique shops/collectives including the charming Vignettes, owned by Lori Chandler. Yes, some goodies in there!

Lots of eclectic finds at Vignetttes...

Okay, now we get to a sad part of the trip. Janet had been eying these amazing chairs for some time now...ready to put them in her dining room. I nearly flipped when I saw them in the window of this antique shop. They were from the Parisian shop of the late, great French interior decorator, Madeleine Castaing. Most likely dating to the 50's or 60's.

These gorgeous chairs have satin upholstery...well, you can see how stunning they are. Not to mention a set of 6! And from Castaing's shop...it was a no-brainer. Janet put them on hold, got home to find out that another person had purchased them earlier that day. What are the odds? Needless to say, some lucky person owns this set of 6 gorgeous chairs and it's not my friend Janet. Sad.

I have to share my Janet's (& husband Larry's) lovely home. Warm and cozy, decorated with whites and creams, natural elements, shells, chandeliers. It's amazing.

One of my favorite spots in her kitchen...hotelware from the Meurice in Paris.

One of the gorgeous bugs that Janet designs with natural elements or vintage brooches...

Their beautiful courtyard where Janet and I spent mornings and evenings having long chats. So relaxing...

This is Janet's work room where she gets inspiration and creates some of her whimsical pieces. I could spend hours in this room looking through all of her treasures. Each one has a special meaning.

I also had fun looking through all of their books and the fun little things nestled among them.

Thanks for joining me on my post Southern California trip. Janet and Larry were the best hosts and I had a glorious time. Now, back to the grindstone. Thanks Janet for an AMAZING four-day holiday!

I'm Off!

Getting all ready to take a few days off to visit my dear friend Janet in Southern California. I can't wait to leave foggy San Francisco and take some morning walks along the beach, shop for antiques (but, of course), and have some fun "girl time!"

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend and talk to you in a week!

photo credit: Tim Irving

The Delightful Di

flower-inpired perfume bottle - photo Fulvio Bonavia

If you've never visited the fabulous blog, Designer's Block, you must. Di Overton comes up with some of the most unique finds on the web. Based in the UK, Di is busy scouring the planet to share her stories and finds with us. I nearly stopped in my tracks when I saw these interesting flower-inspired photos by photographer, Fulvio Bonavia. Just another great find of Di's.

flower-inpired helmet - photo Fulvio Bonavia

"Dinner for One" table - Di Overton's Ghost Furniture

Di also manufactures her own line of unique furniture, Ghost Furniture. She takes vintage finds and turns them into new and beautiful items with a touch of 21st century eco-chic. Fab.

Make sure and visit Di's blog , but warning... you may find yourself off in Amsterdam purchasing the latest scarf that Di stumbled upon!

Just added...

Biltmore Hotel Toast Cover

Some unique pieces of hotel silver from my own collection, and a collection of early 1900's trophies. You can take a peek here...

Hope you're enjoying your week!!

Fog Decor

photo credit: marksmotos

I love summer! Just kidding. Summer in San Francisco is like...well ...winter. June, July and August are the foggiest months here. Fog forms over the bay when warm air is cooled by the waters of the Pacific Ocean. If you drive 10-15 miles south of San Francisco, you can be in 80 degree temperatures. Very strange. Whether you're living in, or just visiting the City by the Bay, be prepared to wear winter attire.

I stumbled upon this article in the San Francisco Chronicle, "How Fog Colors a Designer's Palette," written by fellow blogger & freelance writer, Anh-Minh Le. It focuses on the challenges that decorators face with the foggy climate of San Francisco.

Designer Suzanne Tucker says yellows add warmth, as in this Julia Morgan apartment. Photo: Matthew Millman

San Francisco designer, Candace Barnes, used a regal palette, sparkling silver accessories and classical furnishings of her own design in her salon for the 2008 San Francisco Decorator Showcase.

Designer Susan Tucker- "The fog is a tremendous factor to consider in San Francisco. Obviously, colors like yellows and apricots are inherently warm and work beautifully. But when dealing with whites, grays and blues, you need to have a certain element of warmth in them to counteract the gray days and the quality the fog creates. Pick warm whites that have a slight yellow undertone."

my living room with a an off white palette & black & gold accents

my living room at night. Note the warm-colored white walls.

my dining room

When we moved into our home, (which happens to be the foggiest part of San Francisco), we left the original paint interior the sellers had painted. It is a warm white--almost pale yellow hue. It warms the room and gives is a glow. During the dreary foggy months, it adds cheerfulness and instant sunlight. I wish I had the name of the color. When repainting, I've had to match paint chips. It's a wonderful color, even in a non-foggy climate.

Designer Steven Miller used warm colors as an antidote to the foggy weather in this Parnassus Heights home. Photo: Cesar Rubio

Benjamin Moore color palette with warm colors

Designer Steven Miller- "The antidote to fog is color. A warmer color temperature in a room is a really good approach, so you don't feel like you're living on a glacier. The palette can include everything from a warm white to ochre, to brighter colors like orange, yellow and red. Burnt orange - an earthy orange - is a favorite of mine."

Blues can work well, but the red adds the needed pop of color. photo from Sunset Magazine

San Francisco interior designer Palmer Weiss was named in Domino Magazine's Top 10 Designers for 2008.

Summer in San Francisco can be dreary. Many people find themselves depressed, with the sun rarely making an appearance. I imagine it's similar to the London fog. In any event, it's good to know that there are some great decorating ideas out there to brighten up our homes. Candles & lighting work great too! And for most of you in living in squeltering hot climates...well..let's say, I'm a tad bit envious!

photo from here

"I wandered out like a haggard ghost, and there she was, Frisco, long bleak streets with trolley wires all shrouded in fog and whiteness." -Jack Kerouac, 1957