Rainy Day Accessories

It is not a beautiful day in my neighborhood today so I have decided to brighten it up with some must haves to get through the down pour.



This is so fun and cheerful!

yankodesign.com



Who says an umbrella holder can't be a piece of art.
cassoni.com




This reminds me of Go-Go boots

zgallerie.com


Slap on some waterproof liquid eyeliner and you are ready to go-go out into the rain!

Clear Petunia Raincoat by Valentino R.E.D
stylebop.com




I think everyone should own a silly raincoat for splashing around in puddles

ASOS Rain Trench with Ears
asos.com

Catching Some Z's

Shopping for a new bed is sooo exciting.  After living with Ikea Malm for waay to many years and having it collapse in the middle of the night a few times it has got to go!

Here are some beds that are making me sleepy right now.

Zzzzzz.. Good night!







Hippy Heaven! I don't think this would really work in my apartment right now but one day darn it I will have this!    


 Indoor floating bed by floating bed.com                         





Chesterfield Upholstered Bed by Restoration Hardware





I have seen this bed in person and it is so beautiful.  It lends itself well to an eclectic room.

Large as Life bed by Cara Cole





Simple and elegant.

Bernhardt "Langford" Tufted Headboard by Horchow






This may be a good compromise for my husband who loves low platform beds and my desire for a comfy tufted headboard.

Phoebe Tufted King Bed by Ballard Designs

Sleeping Beauty

                           

     In recent weeks the hubby and I have become OBSESSED with finding the perfect new bed.  I want a tufted head board and he is holding out for the minimalist platform bed... we'll see how that goes!  The one thing that we can agree on though is that we are going to have a picture perfect comforter and fluffy pillows.  
 
It's a bit of work to get your bed looking and feeling it's best but after you learn how to make the perfect bed you won't forget it.  Here are some great tips from maids.com 

Step 1: Sheets

Kind of a no brainer, but put on the fitted sheet first. Make sure that all the corners are lined up and pulled extra tight. Next, place the top sheet upside down on top (you do this so that when you fold over the top edge, the pattern or finished edges are visible). 

Step 2: Blanket

Find a thin blanket that compliments the color scheme of your bedding and lay it over the top sheet. Think comfort and texture. At the head of the bed, fold the top sheet and blanket over together about 12 inches. Tightly tuck the sides of the top sheet and blanket under the mattress. 

Step 3: Comforter

Whether you have a duvet, or a comforter, drape it over the blanket. The comforter should be centered on top of the bed with equal amounts of overhang on the sides and bottom. Then, fold over the top half of the comforted revealing the top sheet and blanket underneath. 

Step 4: Pillows

A trick I learned about pillows…try to create a triangular shape with your pillows. Start with three larger accent pillows at the back against the headboard. For the second row use standard sized pillows and have one less pillow than the back row. Then, add the small decorative pillows to match. For example, you can place two small square pillows with a smaller pillow in front like a round pillow or a neck pillow. 

Step 5: Added Details

Adding a folded quilt or blanket at the foot of the bed can add another layer of visual interest to the overall look of your bed. Be careful not to get too crazy with the patterns, but if fits within the design, go for it!

Shopping for bedding can be confusing, read below to finally find out what the heck a Euro sham is.

• Bedding: A generic term to describe the sheets, pillows, bedspreads, etc. used on a bed.

• Bedspread: An outer bed cover, usually decorative. May include duvet covers, comforters, coverlets or quilts.

• Bed skirt: A decorative fabric piece inserted between the mattress and box spring to cover the area between the bed frame and the floor.

• California King: Any mattress, bed frame or foundation that measures 72″ wide by 84″ long.

• Comforter: A thick, warm bed cover filled with a natural or synthetic material. Generally long enough to hang over the sides of the bed.

• Coverlet: A woven spread used on top of a bed. It can be large enough to hang over the sides of a bed or only cover the mattress top.

• Down: The soft, fine, fluffy undercoat of bird feathers, usually from geese or ducks.

• Dust ruffle: A decorative fabric ruffle (similar to a bed skirt) that attaches around the box spring with an elastic band.

• Duvet: A warm, soft down-filled comforter.

• Duvet Cover: A decorative, washable cover that holds a duvet.

• Euro sham: A decorative pillow covering which fits a large 26” x 26” pillow.

• Featherbed: A soft, thick mattress topper filled with down or feathers.

• Filling (Fill): The material that fills of mattresses, pillows, comforters, etc. It can be down, polyester or other materials.

• Fitted sheet: The bottom sheet in a bed sheet set. Generally has elastic corners to keep it in place on the mattress.

• King size: Any mattress, bed frame or foundation that measures 76″ wide by 80″ long.

• Pillowcase: Removable cover for pillows. Generally matches the bed sheets.

• Pillow sham: A decorative covering for a bed pillow.

• Queen size: Any mattress, bed frame or foundation that measures 60″ wide by 80″ long.

• Quilt: A bedspread made up of a top, batting and backing held together with stitching through all three layers.

• Thread count: The number of vertical and horizontal threads per square inch of fabric in sheets. Higher thread counts are a tighter weave and often a thicker texture.

• Top sheet: The topmost, flat sheet in a bed sheet set.

• Twin Extra Long: Any mattress, bed frame or foundation that measures 39″ wide by 80″ long.

• Twin size: Any mattress, bed frame or foundation that measures 39″ wide by 75″ long.

Being Stuck at the Office Has Never Been So Stylish

It's Friday afternoon and you just haven't been able to get through the pile of work on your desk.  The evening plans have been cancelled and it looks like Saturday is done for too.  Why not brighten up your work space with a few new organizational accessories?    If it's a creative block that you're facing sometimes it's necessary to loosen up and go back to the drawing board... or perhaps a floor to ceiling removable white board sticker by the babes at WhiteyBoard.   Seriously, these things are a life changer and they also make dry erase paint in various finishes!

Skyline Desktop Organizer
See Jane Work$28

Bicycle Paper Clips
The Container Store
$3.99/Pack of 4

Bird Letter Opener
Walker Shop
$16

Archie Grand Notebooks
Walker Shop
$12/each

Cord Clips
The Container Store
$9.99/Each

Black & White Folders
Kate Spade
$15/set of 12

White & Lime Under Desk FilePoppin$150

Design A Desk with 
Poppin
 $5-$24

Lime Green Task Chair 
Poppin 
$250

Ghost Whitey Board 
whiteyboard.com

Artwork On a Shoestring Budget

In the last 2 years I have moved a lot!   First from Canada to the U.S and then from Texas to California.  I've gone from big apartments into smaller ones and vica versa.  Now that I've settled (somewhat) in the Bay Area it's time to fill my barren walls.  Here are some of my picks for budget art so far.

Support System, by Andrea D' Aquino 

Sagacious, by Arcane Arts

Gallivant, by Arcane Arts

Birds of the Wild, by Meeralee

Wintourfeld, by Don Oehl

Jacoppola by Don Oehl

My Butt, by Helena Wurzel

Women on Rocks, by Elizabeth Huey

Terracotta Warriors

It's always a struggle to get the creative juices flowing on Monday's.  I was feeling very uninspired today until I came across a new tile line from Ann Sacks and POW! I am back in the game.  Haveli by Neisha Crosland takes inspiration from Native American weaving's.  Here are a few of my favorite patterns:

Thunder Field in Black on Cream

Pollen Field in Orange Red

Thunder Field in Black Henna

Zig Zag Field in Black on Cream

FALL IN LOVE

As the days get shorter and cooler, we find ourselves spending more and more time indoors.  Why not take the time to make your home as cozy and comforting as possible?  Here are a few hot essentials to to take off the impending chill.

Ombre Velvet Pillows 

Velvet is hot this season. Why not take the runway to your couch with one of these beauties?

Anthropologie

Cashmere Knit Throw

Nothing says comfort like cashmere.  It may be a splurge but you'll be thanking yourself  on chilly winter nights

Jonathan Adler

Patchwork Ikat Duvet

If you're not lucky enough to have a patchwork quilt made by your Granny or passed down through generations etc etc you can pretend with one of these babies.

Urban Outfitters

Owl Umbrella Stand

I need this! As someone who constantly looses and abuses umbrellas, this is a game changer.

The Cross

Gold Zebra Hide

Warm up a cold floor with this luxe hide.  The gold color would look great in candlelight. 

The Cross

Warm Vanilla Sugar Candles

These are to die for! There is nothing like a little aromatherapy to get you through those stormy nights.

Bath & Body Works

Soup Tureen

Why not have a beautiful place to put that chicken soup?

Le Creuset

San Francisco Vintage Shopping Guide

September is a time of change for many of us.  We dig out sweaters, send the kids back to school and even hit the books ourselves.  Last month the boy, the dog and I U Hauled ourselves from Houston to the Bay Area.  Escaping the heat and sprawl of Houston is a big plus, however, our furniture took the brunt of the move. Many pieces had to be left behind or were pretty banged up in transit. Considering I have next to zero budget I am going to be hitting vintage shops in and around San Fran looking for gems.

Here is a list of shops that are a must:


STUFF
150 Valencia St.,San Francisco
Store Hours: 10 am- 9pm Daily
Tel: 415-864-2988




Owners Will Lenker and james Spinello have created  17,000 sq. feet of design heaven.  Their group of dealers have amassed an amazing assortment of artwork, furniture and unique accessories from the Deco, Mid-Century, Mod and Atomic eras.  They also have a giant Big Bird which I had to pry myself from.


THE OTHER SHOP 
327 Divisadero ( at Oak)
Store Hours: Mon- Sun 12pm-6pm
Tel: 415-621-5424

This is a great shop for 50's, 60's and 70's nicknacks, furniture, artwork, records, lighting and dishware.  Stop by often and if you like something snatch it up fast otherwise some other lucky soul will.


THE APARTMENT
3469 18th St. (between Lexington St & Valencia)
San Francisco
Store Hours: Mon, Sun 12pm-5pm /Wed-Sat 11am-6pm
Tel:415-255-1100



A favorite Mission shop filled with items from the furniture and accessories from the 70's and earlier.  I always spend way to long looking through the vintage photographs.


MICKEY'S MONKEY
2188 Pierce St. ( between Haight St. & Page St.)
San Francisco
Tel: 415-864-0693
Store Hours: Mon- Fri 12pm-7pm/Sat&Sun 10am-7pm




Mickey's Monkey is wall to wall eccentric goodness.  Prices are affordable and the staff is very friendly and knowledgeable.  It is definitely a place to go if you're looking for that 'hipster granny' aesthetic.

ROOM 4
904 Valencia St.
San Francisco
Tel: 415-647-2764
Store Hours: 1pm-7pm (best to call ahead)

Room 4 is a great shop filled with clothing, furniture and accessories hand picked by Owner/Designer David Marks.  Prices are surprisingly affordable and they also offer Design Services for those who need a little help making sense of it all.

FLIPP

1400 Green st. @ Polk

San Francisco

Store Hours: Wed-Sun 11am-6pm/Mon-Tues By Appointment

Tel: 415-440-3547

Fl!PP is a Russian Hill shop that is dedicated to sourcing one of a kind pieces from American, European, Asian and African sources.  They also throw great store events with art exhibits, food  and wine tastings, as well as courses in interior design, urban gardening and sustainability.  FL!PP also offers private event hosting in the Fushia Garden.


THE COMMUNITY THRIFT
623 Valencia St.
San Francisco
Store Hours: Mon-Sun 10am-6:30pm
Tel: 415-861-4910




If you love the thrill of the hunt this place is for you.  One day it's a gold mine and others it is a mixed bag of wackiness that only exists in SF.  Regardless, there are great deals on furniture to be had for those who don't mind having to put a little TLC into a piece.  If you are looking to donate items this is great place as you get to choose the charity it goes to.

Pop Up Madness!

I am in love with this guerilla retail trend.  If you are still in the dark get with the program.  Pop up shops or flash retailing are temporary retail shops set up in an otherwise empty commercial space.  They come, set up and once the merch is gone..poof! Shoppers late to the game are left wanting more and so the hype builds.

The fact that these spaces are temporary and fleeting is all the more seductive to retail junkies looking for their next fix and the concept itself relies eye catching visual merchandising as well as social media.

Here are some of the poppiest of pop ups that have made me drool.




Parra Pop Up @ Wood Wood, Berlin



British Style Mag Lula Curates a Pop Up @ Harvey Nichols



Kate Spade Igloo!  SO cute