Happy Birthday Josh!

Today my husband turns another year older and we've done our fair share of celebrating over the last 4 days to ring it in right! Here's to a wonderful birthday my Love and to many more to come! Cheers!

Fancy Lady Watch Wednesday

If you've been reading my blog, you will know that I have been dreaming of owning a Michele Watch for sometime now. I first wanted the Deco, then I thought I liked the Deco Park Baguette, but over the weekend after trying on styles at Nordies I realized The Coquette and I are made for each other! I've been dropping hints to my hubby that it would make the perfect 1st Anniversary gift! But then today at work, after an 11 hour day, I said to myself, "I'm going to reward myself when I earn a couple of bonuses." Working hard to buy yourself something that you truly love is the best motivation!

Pretty Little Things: Elizabeth Showers

I'm literally speechless after viewing Jan's daughter, Elizabeth Showers, jewelry line! If you were to look in my jewelry box, you would see countless turquoise pieces that I started collecting in my teens.

From the Native American pieces I picked up on a trip to New Mexico in the 80s, to the countless pieces purchased while in college at the University of Arizona (The Tucson Gem Show is more like it), to the aqua turquoise from Northern Morocco that I purchased in Ibiza, you will understand my deep admiration of this gem.

As I've matured and my tastes and styles have changed, so has my preference for turquoise. The older I've gotten, the more light aqua blue I prefer it to be. I am really favoring it set in gold these days. I used to not care for gold, but I just can't seem to get enough of it. I think it takes a certain personality to wear gold, someone not afraid to really wear jewelry and stand out in the crowd. Gold can look so delicate and on the right skin tone, really make one's self sparkle!

Elizabeth's line is utterly perfect! The jewels, gems, and metals are blended so beautifully it would be hard for any of her pieces to go unnoticed.

Like her mother's line of furniture and accessories, I see many similar qualities in their design aesthetics. Elizabeth's pieces remind me of Jan's lamps, translated perfectly to dress up and put the final touches and details that are sure to make an impression.

I'm so enamored of this aqua marine color! My Christmas wish list is screaming out for one of these little baubles.

My favorite thing about Elizabeth Showers line is that everything can be layered, mixed in with your existing jewelry, go from day to night, jeans to gowns, dressed up or dressed down. For me, that is good design at it's finest.

The energy this necklace is exudes is almost magical. It is said that turquoise has many calming qualities and those who wear it give off good energy. I can just imagine wearing this one with the perfect white tank, white jeans, and brown leather sandals, running around town in L.A. I think I am going to start saving for this one.

I'll choose beautiful jewelry, and beautiful pieces over clothes any day. In the end, jewelry tells a story, conjures up memories, and can be passed down for years to come. For me, jewelry is personal and is the connection to one's soul.

Jewelry Week

Lately, I've been a little obsessed with adding to my jewelry collection, so I've decided this week is dedicated to being thankful for beautiful jewelry. Be sure to check out my new favorite jewelry finds and what's on my Christmas Wish List this year! Clothes, shoes, and purses (except really well kept ones) come and go, but jewelry lives on forever!

Who's that lady?

Over at The Glamourai, I am inspired daily by this fashionable lady! I especially love her vintage Isaac Mizrahi black blazer with gold buttons! I loved it so much, I was inspired to buy 2 vintage blazers while on my R+R in Palm Springs (if you want great designer vintage, you don't have to live in a major city, just visit any resort town, where old stylish ladies run rampant and have since cleaned out their closets, you'd be amazed at the inventory and even more amazed at the very affordable price tags!) So, I found a black Yves Saint Laurent, with HUGE gold buttons for hardware, and a Complice military jacket with gold buttons, who was apparently a big italian designer in the 80s (at least that's what the flamboyant man working the register told me - remember this was Palm Springs - where fashionable men run rampant and when they give advice on fashion, I take note.) Total cost = $100 for 2 pieces, minus the cost of tailoring. I highly recommending investing in good tailoring, there's nothing like wearing a structured blazer that fits just so. You will look like a million bucks, minus the big bucks price tag.

Thirsty Thursdays: Make Mine a Cosmo

Without Sex in the City, the Cosmopolitan would not be the wildly popular cocktail it is today. Created in the early 80s, the drink became well known because Carrie frequently ordered the rosy-hued concoction. I used to order a "Sky Cosmo" in the late 90s while in college, when I visited my older sister in San Francisco, as it was all the rage in the city. Today, I still enjoy a stiff one on nights out with the girls. It's pink, it's pretty, it's fun, it's giggly, and it gets the job done!

Ingredients

1 1/2 oz. vodka

1/2 oz. cointreau or triple sec

3/4 oz. cranberry juice

1/4 oz. fresh lime juice

Directions

Combine all ingredients in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake well. Strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with a lime wedge, if desired.

OCD

I'm all for being organized. I believe everything should have its place, easily accessible and serve a purpose. Shoot, I even color coordinate my closet and bookshelves, but this library takes the cake on freaking OCD! I thought I was bad, well someone else has it worse and I love every bit of it! I found this over at the blog etc. I've grown addicted to this great blog of "extras" by the author of Le Fashion, Le Love, Le Smoking and Olsens Anonymous. (I don't know how she manages FIVE blogs; I can barely cope with one!)

I heart Holly Golightly

Via Breakfast At Tiffany's

Checkered Floors and Black Doors

I have always dreamed of one day having a checkered black and white entryway or kitchen floor laid on the diamond. For me it's always evoked a 20s Deco vibe that I remember in movies like "Mommie Dearest" or "Annie," when she moved in with Daddy Warbucks. It just looks cool, graphic, and interesting. Here are few of my favorite floors and black doors done just right.

Juicy Couture Store

Love, love, love a built in banquette in a kitchen, especially the black and white floor laid on the diamond with white cabinets as accents. (anything oak or wood, get gone!)

The "perfect" entryway a la Lizzy Dinkel Design. How amazingly stunning does the green Chinoiserie wallpaper look peeking out down the hallway??!!

This black door makes a statement with just the right amount of hardware - don't you just love the silver accents, especially the center doorknob?

I have to say, I just adore the pink front door here! This floor reminds me of Spain with the Moorish influences....how casual of the owner to just leave their bike in this grand entryway! I mean, that's just fabulous!

Black glossy walls with white accents and a marble floor is utterly striking in this entryway! It looks so simple, sleek, and chic, yet I can't quite put my head around the fact that I am a bit afraid to try this. I keep thinking to myself, this is what my next project will be, yet I can't get the courage to actually work with black paint! I promise, I promise, I promise to one day paint in black!

Finally Friday: Date Night

What a crazy week it has been!!! My new job as a recruiter at The Creative Group is super demanding and non-stop! I have managed to put in 11 hour days, with no lunch breaks, and somehow I have found the strength and stamina to keep on pushing. Friday is finally here, I've painted my nails my favorite shade of Chanel pink called Django, and my hubby and I are off to Mastro's in Beverly Hills to sit in the piano bar, sipping dirty martinis, and eating steak! Because, what good is working hard if you can't enjoy the fruits of your labor. I believe in work hard, play harder! Here's to being employed again and loving every minute of it! I hope your weekend is as rewarding as mine...cheers!

Coffee + Lacque de Chine

I love coffee. I can't start my day without it. I'll take mine super strong to make it through the afternoon. I registered for these cup and saucers for my wedding and I'm seriously considering purchasing a set of 4 for myself this holiday season.

Or better yet, 8 salad plates would perfectly accompany any china pattern.

I just love the look of the aqua blue and gold.

Lacque de Chine by Haviland in Light Blue

White Tufted Beds

I just can't seem to get enough of white tufted beds with mirrored night stands as accents. I am currently working on redesigning my bedroom and the first piece on my list of purchases is a dreamy, plush white tufted bed. Here are just of few of my favorite styles.

I have found that a head board alone is the most cost effective,

but I am thinking of holding out for a complete bed frame.

I am also getting tired of my dust ruffle always looking messy, and I just love when I check into boutique hotels the bed takes center stage with its clean lines and cozy linens.

I really love the height on this headboard and that it's in cream, all the monochromatic tones of whites and creams looks so soothing in this room.

Gwyneth Paltrow's bedroom is just right in House and Garden Magazine. I especially love the lavender wallpaper set against the pure white bed. My next choice for night stands is all white like the one above. For me, I constantly like to change things up, so white is the perfect choice. Paint, pillows, and accents can come and go, but the white bed frame still packs a punch of drama and coziness.

R + R

I'm off to chase the desert skies this weekend with my partner in crime Miss Chelsea Valentine. On the agenda: rest, relaxation, rejuvenation. Nothing like a little sister time (and pool time) to feed your soul. Peace, love, unity, respect!

Shake dreams from your hair my pretty child, my sweet one.

Choose the day and choose the sign of your day, the day's divinity.

First thing you see.

-Jim Morrison