Window shopping by the beach with mom

 Back in August I went on a little outing to the beach with my mom, Newport Beach/Corona Del Mar to be exact. I live relatively close to the beach in comparison to some of you that live in say, Iowa? So yeah I live like 25 mins away...but never seem to get down there because the traffic is always horri-bad and I have work or school everyday. But on one fateful afternoon my mom and I managed to make it down to the beach on my first day of vacation! We stopped by so many places including Anthropologie, Tommy Bahama, Bristol Farms and Bliss Home Design. I took alot of photos on the way, mostly for inspiration and to show you. So take a look at what I found. 

ANTHROPOLOGIE: FASHION ISLAND, NEWPORT BEACH CA

I came here in hopes of an out of this world window display but was a bit underwhelmed when I saw what they had in the window. Super simple and low key, not that it looked bad just not what I had expected. 

 Super simple window displays.

 Up close shot of the installation.

 Love the scarf and peach pants.

 Really digging the painted cinder block installation. Perfect for a garden. 

 Like the hanging ropes. 

 Saw this spoon napkin holder thought it could easily be recreated. 

 So so summer. Love the green blue and turquoise and fish netting.

 So many layers of merchandising.

 Thought this was a really intricate wicker bench. 

 All the glassware is nice but I'm drawn to the island more than anything. 

 Get it gurl! Visual design team working on installation art. 

 Now this is a whimsical door/cabinet. I would love to make on of these. 

 Love the bathtub. 

 The ruffle shower curtain is catching my attention. Liking the color scheme alot. 

 Flowy circle installation. 

 Everything has a mauve look to it. Makes me think of early morning when everything has that bluish purple glow. Cool Ikat chair and handwriting bedspread...Mhmmm. 

 Can you spot the chair on top of the canopy?

 Bold colors, Robes and light wood.

 Upon closer look there is a balcony. A kids dream come true. 

TOMMY BAHAMAS: CORONA DEL MAR, CA.

I always feel like Im on holiday time when i step into this store. Everything makes me want the weather to be hot and for my skin to be tight and tan. Their dresses are tdf but somehow never go on sale...? Do they and I just don't know it? Also love the sandals they sell here, very luxurious. 

 Sparkly sandals in silver and gold, perfectly paired with a french manicure. 

 This summer I was obsessed with the dip-dyed ombre look. This dress would have been my go to for summer date night. 

 I had to go around and touch everything, love the feel of soft sweaters while shopping in air conditioning. Love their visual merchandising. I feel like Im in a fancy walk in closet because of all the built in shelving that has decorative molding around it. 

 NEED those sandals, cute idea for displaying on faux grass. 

Relax is right.

BRISTOL FARMS: CORONA DEL MAR, CA

For those of you not in the know, Bristol farms is a fancy schmancy gourmet market. It's under nice in there and so are the prices :) But it's still fun to stop by when Im in the area and pretend that I'm a millionaire for the day. I walked by the soup bar and a most mouth watering scent passed my way. I had to find out the cause. Out came the camera and I snapped a photo of the savory artichoke soup, now I know whats in it and will be making it this fall, ahhh yes. 

BLISS LIVING HOME: CORONA DEL MAR, CA

I had heard of this store before and finally got a chance to see it in person for myself. I spent a while drooling over all of their very well curated designs. The girls working there were friendly, I did happen to see an interior designer and she was working away at her desk and said hi to me. I saw that she had some client boards near her desk and I looked at them because for some reason I wasn't sure if that's what I really saw. I love that their firm does boards because I heard it was a dying art form with everyone using programs on the computer for faster results. Even the drawings including the elevations and axio's were hand drawn, not by her but the girls working for her! Great job ladies @ Bliss Home Design! 

TIME TO GO HOME: 

While walking back to the car I spotted a vast collection of Adirondacks chairs! I'm obsessed with these damn chairs, one of my friends and I have an ongoing joke about these chairs. 

BUT NOT HOME FOR LONG

...the next day we left for Miami Florida! 

-Side note: To my mother if you're reading this...you're one of my favorite people to hang out with. You and I can have such fun pretending to be rich while window shopping at the beach. It never gets old. I love you :)

Kitchen Redesign: Coffee, Comfort, Cooking, Color and Canning!

     I recently worked on an A.D.A. kitchen design remodel and thought I would share with you my designs and materials boards. 

My clients are a couple in their 60's originally form Argentina but have lived in California since the late 1960's. They have two grown children and 4 grandchildren. 

Recently one of the clients (husband) hurt himself  doing one of his usual D.I.Y. stints. So he is recovering from injuries in a wheel chair for a few months. 

My clients Mr. & Mrs Losada, have decided that they would like to live in their current house for a while and would like to do some upgrades so that it is easier on them in the future. They live in Floral Park, an historical Santa Ana Neighborhood in California. Their home is a farm house style with a tri level layout. 

Below is a before and after of the floor plan of the kitchen. 

The 5 C's: things they love

Coffee, Comfort, Cooking, Color and Canning! 

Silvia & Mario's Kitchen Requirements List: 

double sink, six burner range w/ hood, 42" refrigerator, double oven, microwave, tv/dvd, menu planning station, dishwasher, pantry, wok burner, island, eating for 4, counter space, 25% display w/glass doors, wine fridge, wine rack. 

Since Silvia wasnt exactly sure what she wanted the kitchen to look like we went looking at fabrics together just to get her mind thinking. The print that stood out to her the most reminded her of the colors in her kitchen as a child in Argentina. This is where we started and this is what I came up with as a design concept. 

I drew the kitchens color palate straight from the fabric (bottom left) from the burnt orange, buttery yellow, clear blue and ruddy red. Their home has a rustic farm feel with modern amenities. There is a canning display shelf, pantry, menu planning desk, a wok. Pretty much everything on their list was included in this kitchen plus more. 

We took old orange package artwork and framed it and put on the walls thoughout the kitchen and dining room. They worked perfectly. And as for the lighting? We hired a local artisan to create a mason jar chandelier to go over the dining room table that seats 8 comfortably, as well as mason jar sconces for decorative wall lighting. 

The kitchen cabinets are an off white color with a slight distressed look to them because we wanted the kitchen to look lived in. The back splashes were a bronzed material but different styles for the sink and oven. For the sink we chose the penny circles and the oven we chose the square tiles and randomly placed floral tile that was pretty nearly the same motif as the fabric we used for the stools in the kitchen. 

Counter tops were made from recycled glass and concrete, dark antique stained engineered bamboo flooring, organic rattan chairs for dining room with burnt orange seat covers in hemp fabric as well as hemp curtains that resembled vintage coffee bags. Paints colors were drawn from the floral fabric and are all zero V.O.C.

This project was alot of fun but definitely challenging with all of the building codes to follow. 

Thanks for reading. 

Patchwork Holiday Show 2011 Applications Due soon

HOLIDAY EVENTS:

PATCHWORK LONG BEACH

 NOV 6TH 11-5PM

 MARINE STADIUM BAYSHORE @ APPIAN WAY    

  

PATCHWORK CULVER CITY

 NOV 13TH 11-5PM   

HELMS BAKERY VENICE BLVD @ NATIONAL

  

PATCHWORK SANTA ANA

 NOV 27TH 11-5PM

 MAIN STREET @ BUFFALO  

hey everyone...

DON'T FORGET APPLICATIONS ARE DUE IN LESS THAN A WEEK! SEPT 23RD...GET THEM IN THE MAIL ASAP.  

Come join us for great events that keep getting bigger and better each time!
past patchworks have been featured in the oc weekly, on npr (national public radio), ranked in orange coast magazine best of 2010 and on tons of blogs and other press media. We always get great press coverage for our event!

There is less than one week to apply to be a part Patchwork's unique craft fair located in Sunny Southern California! Please go to the following link for info on becoming a vendor!

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9/11 though 18 yr old eyes

I can hardly believe how fast the past 10 years have gone by. I remember it like it was yesterday. I had just graduated high school, having an awesome summer, met a guy, had not a care in the world. Summer was filled  with lots of parties and working odd jobs and counting down the days till I would start my first semester of college. I was very excited to be taking classes that I was actually interested in besides Drama and government. 

Although being a sophisticated college girl then, I still had a few friends that were still in high school. One of them being Andy, a friend I have known since 1st grade. Andy and I were pretty close and hung out almost every day and would spend our time watching Britney Spears music videos and eating junk food. 

One day in early September we were hanging out and he had told me he had something strange happen to him. Something that sounded too weird to ignore. He told me that when he looked at the digital alarm clock in his room or any clock that it read 9:11. He said this had been happening for at least a week. We told his mom, whom is a Christian and she said it must be a sign. He took it as a bad sign and that it wasn't going away , he kept seeing 9:11. 

Later that week Andy told me that he had a horrible feeling about why he was seeing the numbers 9:11 over and over again. So he decided he wasn't going to school that day because he was so scared. I believed him when he told me his thoughts on this. I remember the night before 9:11 I was hanging out with the guy I was dating and his friends. When they dropped me off that night I said to them " When you wake up tomorrow, you will find out that something really horrible has happened". They kind of looked at me crazy and I said my reasoning behind it and went inside and to bed. 

My dad woke me up and ...all I could think of is that the world was ending. My friend was right a horrible tragedy  had happened to our country that day. 

Top 2 favs Sheridan French Spring 2011

Ella Swim Dress in Pink

Hot pink, orange and yellow are such a great combo for spring/summer. The deep v neck is perfect for wearing a tank under or your contrasting swim top. And how cute are the ribbon ties on top.

Sheridan Shopper in Olive Peacock

This is my ultimate Dr bag! My mom makes fun of me because I have had two black bags that are shaped like a house call Dr's bag. Love the shape and the songket material is so vibrant and lovely to look at. 

Check out Texan Fashion Designer Sheridan French and her newly remodeled website which includes a bright and bold look book for Spring 2011! 

SheridanFrench.com

Jennifer Lolpez >The Kartrashians

I find it quite funny that after taking a quiz in my fashion analysis class I secretly want to look like a sexy alluring vixen. I usually dress in a boho/preppy style, thanks to my east coast roots. I admit I do have a bottom half that is comparable to J. LoL and Kim Kartrashian so it only makes sense that I have an alter ego that longs to dress in a more revealing curve hugging way. I know that if I started wearing clothing like that I could get alot of attention...maybe this is why I don't dress this way? I usually wear a uniform to my day job and dress casual at my other job and school. Where can I fit in this LOOK AT ME style of clothing  without looking like a trick? I guess that is the one problem I have with this style its over the top and not in the way that Im used to. I wear lots of color and patterns but not low tops or super short skirts or skin tight dresses. I'm willing to step it up in the dressing department and try out this look the next time I have a chance and see how I feel about it; physically, psychologically and sociologically. 

And finally I would like to say that I went to Kohl's today in high hopes of looking at the Jennifer LoLpez clothing line at Kohl's but it's not out till September 8th sads. I already caught a glimpse of The Kartrashian Kollection at Sears and as I mentioned here it looks WHORE-ABLE (get it?). 

Jennifer LoLpez for Kohls  > Kartrashian Kollection for Sears 

Go back to doing nothing, you're better at it. 

Daaaamn

Kate Winslet walking in New York.

Kate Winslet in a Stella Mcartney dress while walking the red carpet at Plazzo Del Cinema, Italy. 

I love how Kate looks during her downtime and I know we all agree she looks amazeballs on the red carpet!  Kate has certainly embraced her curves while putting Kim Kardashian on the back burner IMO. Btw I saw the Kardashian clothing line at Sear's...cheap looking and overpriced. Some items were $100.00 No Thanks. So anyway, I cant wait to see more of Kate's looks, both on the street and the red carpet. 

Jeans check Boots check...celeb inspired fall fashions

One of of my all time favorite trends for fall is jeans with boots! I know this is a look that everyone seems to rock when the temps go down. Make this look your own by dressing up or down by adding sweaters, scarfs and jackets. Here are a a few examples featuring the look I love.

}Rachel Bilson-Coffee Shop Stroll{

Coffee Shop Stroll by Mslay featuring Marc by Marc Jacobs

}Katie Holmes-Katies Cableknit{

Katies CableKnit by Mslay featuring Rupert Sanderson shoes

}Natalie Portman-Natalies Nuetrals{

Natalies Nuetrals by Mslay featuring Rick Owens Lilies jackets

}Katherine Heigl-Kozy Katherine{

Kozy Katherine by Mslay featuring Fendi

}Jessica Simpson- Sexy Jess(

Jessica Simply Brown by Mslay featuring Old Navy

}Jessica Biel-Keeping it Biel{

Keeping it Biel by Mslay featuring American Eagle Outfitters

}Jennifer Love Hewitt-Jennifer Loves this Look{

Jennifer Loves this look by Mslay featuring Dorothy Perkins

}Katie Holmes-Walking Holmes{

Walking Holmes by Mslay featuring KORS Michael Kors shoes

How do you make a look your own?

Can't stop looking

Can I just say "I love this dress!"

While on her I don't know how she does it press tour SJP wore a super bright Prabal Gurung dress. I could definitely see myself wearing this to a wedding.

Spicy Secrets

Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte doesn't officially come out until September 6th...but starting today you can ask your barista to make you one! It wont be on the menu, so this is our little secret, ok. 

image via

Before you run off to get one....

How do you order your Pumpkin Spice Latte?

Also, if you were wondering here is the calorie information.

Design Becomes Her

     So long Summer and sleeping in, I have traded you for sleepless project filled days and nights. All in due time the senseless will make sense. Analyzing, cutting, pasting, drawing, coloring, shading, deciding, doubting, touching, feeling, describing, misleading, understanding. 

     What the hell am I talking about? We'll this is just how I feel right now. I have changed my approach to school and have decided to make it work for me. I have been on the fence about my major for a few months now. I wasn't sure if I was really wanting to do what I really wanted to do for so long. You know, the typical doubts and fears that you get when things seem to be taking longer than planned or when other things around you seem to be more appealing than what you are so involved with. 

     After doing some research and soul searching I decided to major in Textile Design. Why? I love fashion and I love Interior Design. While in high school I was constantly told I would be a great fashion designer. I instead decided right out of high school that I wanted to be an Interior Designer, because one of my mentors was one. 

     I remember going to class that first semester and feeling very glamorous and dressing up for classes and feeling very enthusiastic about interior design. Somewhere down the line I had a change of heart and immediately stopped and began taking fashion design classes. I was doing really well and had fun all at the same time. I made pajamas, t shirts, skirts, went on field trips to L.A.'s fashion district. I thought I had found my calling. A few months later I had my heartbroken and stopped going to class. What a stupid reason to stop perusing what I thought was my dream. I still have my half completed dress that I was very excited about designing. I made it with a Valentines date in mind. I couldn't bare to finish the dress because of its psychological meaning. 

     A few years later I went back to class. I started out by taking only general ed classes to ease my way in. It was nice not knowing anyone. I was anonymous, but soon I would be back with my peers. Would they remember me? Would anyone still be in the program? Sure enough there were many familiar faces, and for the next year I would be working alongside them. Everything seemed to be going ok except some of my instructors seemed unapproachable. On a whim I decided to take on semester off and try out a new school for a different perspective. It was the best thing I could have done at that point. I got an amazing opportunity to intern and I got a better grasp on math and drafting, two things that I struggle with. 

     After my semester away I did some thinking...about what I really enjoy and love. Yes I love interior design yes I love Fashion Merchandising how I can I mix both and get a degree? Textiles and clothing degree and a certificate in Interior Merchandising. I'm very interested in window display artistry, installation art, visual merchandising. 

Don't give up on your dreams, find a different way to get them to become a reality.