SUMMER DREAMING

1/2/3/4/5/6

With memorial day less than a week away, I am getting more and more comfortable saying the word summer. This spring in LA felt so magical that I am having a hard time letting go and excepting the hot months to come. But when I look at photos like these, or think about the fun trips we have planned I get slightly overwhelmed with excitement. Reading in the grass, bbq's with friends and longer days are a few of the things I am looking forward to. What about you, what are you looking forward to the most? 

SWEET. SWEETER. SWEETEST.

Sweet.  Insight Rose Bikini $86.98
Sweeter. Plum Bell Tanksuit $98
Sweetest. Mix & Match High Waisted Bikini $55.86

How was your weekend? I got to hang at my friend's pool yesterday, so i've got swimsuits on the brain. I haven't bought a new suit in three years, so I am feeling like it's time. I usually stick to a one piece, but i've been wanting a high waisted bikini. They are not always flattering, but this one above is cute and inexpensive. I just might have to give it a try. 

SWEET SOUND // VOLUME 9

1. Ane Brun // Do You Remember
2. Françoise Hardy // Le Temps de L'amour
3. Andrew Bird // Danse Caribe
4. Vacationer // Be With You
5. Nick Waterhouse // Is That Clear
6. Little Joy // The Next Time Around
7. Miike Snow // Enter the Jokers Lair
8. Daniel Rossen // Waterfall

{listen on Spotify or 8tracks}

Happy Friday! This week has seemed to fly by. My mom came in to town to celebrate Mother's Day on Tuesday and Wednesday,  which made the week feel like a weekend. While my mom was in town she helped me paint my living room white- something I've been wanting to do for a while now. It took much longer than anticipated, so I was very thankful for all my sweet sound mixes. I asked James to make a new one for us and this is what he put together. I hope you enjoy it!

photo via james' instagram

RAW DATE TRUFFLES

One of my dearest and most adorable friends Jacqui made me these raw date truffles the other night and I could not stop eating them. They were so delicious I immediately asked her to let me share the recipe with you all and photograph her making them. Lucky for me she agreed. Thanks Jacqui! I hope you all enjoy this recipe. 

This recipe is an adapted version of vegan truffles that my friend makes...he uses walnuts (not my favorite), so I swapped in some cashews, threw in some vanilla extract and voila!! These truffles are so easy it has become a problem for me, and I have eaten them for dinner on more than one occasion. Oops! 

Raw Date Truffles
(Makes about 15 truffles)

1 1/2 C. Medjool Dates (remove the pits)
1/2 C. Raw Cashews
3 Tablespoons Cocoa Powder
1 teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract

Blend everything very well in a food processor. Then begin rolling the mixture into the truffle balls. Once you are finished rolling you can refrigerate the truffles, or eat them all up like me. 

P.S. No need to stick with what I do...if you prefer a different nut over cashews, want it more chocolatey, etc., change it up and happy eating!
-Jacqui

SNAPSHOTS FROM PIONEERTOWN


I just came across these images that I never shared with you from our trip to the desert back in March. On our way back from Palm Springs we stopped in Pioneertown to check out the famous Pappy & Harriet's. Pioneertown was built to be a movie set for old westerns from the 1940s-50s, but the buildings still remain. Supposedly the post office (which is still up and running) is the most photographed post office in the country.  Walking through the town, you can't help but be transported to a different time. If you are planning a trip to Palm Springs or Joshua Tree I highly recommend a day trip here. 

SWEET. SWEETER. SWEETEST.

Sweet. Zinc Display Boxes $39.95
Sweeter. Zinc Terrarium $39.95
Sweetest. Glass Pyramid $100


Why hello, happy Monday to you all! How was your weekend? Mine was so much fun, I think I need a few nights spent at home to recover. The Rufus Wainwright show was wonderful. Getting to hear to songs from his first album and Poses made me feel nostalgic for the days I lived in Chicago. Music has an uncanny way of taking you back to an exact time in your life. Realizing that more than ten years have passed since those days is mind blowing to me. Do you ever feel like you've lived multiple mini lifetimes? Looking back on the last ten years I am overwhelmed by how much my life has changed, in the best of ways. Even though I still long for growth in my life and career, I am truly happy and I can't say I have always felt that way. I owe a lot of that happiness to this blog and all of you sweet readers. Thank you for coming back each day. Ok, enough of that sentimental stuff. 

LATELY

The last few weeks have been a total whirlwind. Juggling both work and socializing can get tough when you freelance, but with each year I'm getting better at finding that balance. My friend Teissia is staying with us through the weekend and I am loving having her here. Even though she is here for work, we are making sure to sneak in time together as well. Do you have any plans this weekend? I have a few fun things planned. I'm shooting a blog project with a friend and going to see Rufus Wainwright at the Orpheum. It all sounds quite delightful. Here is a look into my life of late and a few of the sweet things making me smile...


Happy Weekend! xo

SWEET STYLE. PINEAPPLE EXPRESS

wearing:
whistles pineapple dress
vintage loafers {similar style}
vintage coach bag via ebay
madewell bracelet
wendy mink & catbird rings 


On Sunday the boyfriend and I took a bike ride around our neighborhood. The sun was shining and it seemed like the perfect occasion to wear my new favorite dress. I am not usually one for cutsie patterns, but this dress was irresistible to me with it's vintage cut and subtle colors. 

FIRST FÊTE

My dearest friend Teissia gets into town today from New York and will be staying with us for the next few days. I haven't seen her in far too many months and I can hardly wait for catch up time and late night chats on the porch. For those of you that don't know, Teissia is an incredible wedding planner and owner of Firefly Events. These photos are from a recent inspiration shoot she did, photographed by the talented Jana Williams. Firefly just launched a blog called First Fête, where they share wedding ideas and DIY's. I urge you to take a look. 


{photos via style me pretty}

SWEET SOUND // VOLUME 8

1. The Big Pink // Hit the Ground (Superman)
2. Alabama Shakes // I Found You
3. Wreckless Eric // Whole Wide World
4. Van Morrison // It's All Over Now Baby Blue
5. The Troggs // With a Girl Like You
6. The Black Keys // Sister
7. Pixies // Here Comes Your Man
8. The Zombies  // Tell Her No
9. Paul Simon // Mother and Child Reunion
10. Clarence Carter //Slip Away
11. Father John Misty // Hollywood Forever Cemetery

{listen on Spotify or 8tracks}

Oh yeah, it's mix time again. This time it's a mixture of songs both new and old, perfect for making tedious activities more fun. I listened to this while I cleaned the house yesterday and you better believe there was some sweep-dancing going on. 

SWEET. SWEETER. SWEETEST.

Sweet. Gillian & O'Malley Pajama Set $24.99
Sweeter. Eberjay Jersey Pajama Set $105
Sweetest. Equiptment Silk Pajama Set $440


Happy Monday! How was your Cinco de Mayo/Derby weekend? Mine was spent mostly working, but I made sure to sneak in some fun too. James and I have been riding out bikes to brunch once a week and it has quickly become my favorite tradition. I love exploring the pretty tree lined streets in our neighborhood and the blooming flowers are so fragrant this time of year. Do you have any weekly traditions with your family or friends? 

**Incase you missed it, the lovely Anna of Canoe Design had me stop by on Friday to talk about my favorite piece of furniture. Make sure to check it out to see what I picked.  

CINCO DE MAYO

banner
tequila
glass
dress


What a week! I'd be lying if I told you I wasn't happy about it coming to a close. I took on a few too many things this week work wise and my health and sanity are paying for it. Even though I have work to do this weekend, I plan on taking a little time to relax and celebrate cinco de mayo. I could never say no to two of my favorite things, tortilla chips and tequila. Do you have any fun plans? 


Happy Weekend! xo

HOME SWEET HOME // WITH LILLY WALTON


For my second installment of Home Sweet Home I'm taking you to the home of my oldest and dearest friend Lilly. Lilly is the owner of Nell's Compass Candles, she lives in Venice with her husband Charlie and four month old daughter Clementine in a 1920's Spanish home. I've always been blown away by her eye for color and interior design. I'm sure you can see why.

What is your design aesthetic and how has it evolved though out the years?
My design aesthetic is pretty eclectic. As a young adult my style was heavily vintage and heavily hand me down. I would mainly shop at The Rose Bowl and other local flea markets and I scored some great key pieces from my mom's storage unit. As I've gotten older, I've added in some more sophisticated, more modern touches, even though I am still very much drawn to older things. I would say my style now is sophisticated bohemian with a touch vintage nostalgia. I've always liked old objects-vintage cameras, binoculars with worn leather, globes, french grain sacks-items that have history, but I like mixing them into a more modern, clean aesthetic.
Does your taste in fashion meld with your taste in home decor?
Yes it totally does! I love nautical stripes and hippie dresses and that completely translates into my home (see next answer).

What are the 5 items you cherish the most in your home and why?
Not including my husband and daughter, I would say...
1. Our charcoal grey upholstered bed is my favorite piece of furniture. Having a bed makes me feel like a real grown up! It was a wedding present from my dad and step-mom and I love it. 
2. My graphic rugs that add pops of color-LOVE. My whole nursery inspiration started with that yellow and cream striped rug (from Dwell Studio).  See, I wear stripes and they are in my home. 
3. My collection of John Robshaw pillows. I have a serious JR pillow addiction and not enough couch/chair/bed surface areas to cover them in! I love global inspired textiles-anything hand-stitched, block-printed, ikat (hippie dresses!). 
4. Photos/Art. I cherish our family photos scattered throughout the house, as well as our amazing collection of Webster photos (thank you Jessie and Guy). We also love our collection of America Martin paintings. Great art made by great friends. How lucky are we! 
5. My pair of Eames chairs. Love love love.
What was the hardest item to find for your home?
I find that affordable outdoor furniture is really hard to find. I looked for a long time and ended up getting the chairs from Ikea and picnic table off of craigslist. Both total scores!

What are your favorite places to shop for your home, both in store and online?
I love Weego Home for colorful inspiration. Rose Bowl for hidden treasures.  I just purchased yummy linen sheets from Restoration Hardware and have my eye on a few other items. Heath Ceramics for dishes and vases. I wish John Derian had a store in LA, but it's probably best that it's in NYC or I would be in trouble. When it comes to online, I could look at the Jayson Home and Garden website all day, everyday. 

LUCKY FABB

All in all Lucky Fabb was a really fun day. I had a wonderful time getting to meet and know such a talented and innovative group of bloggers, but more than anything else the friendships are what I will take away from the last few days. 

As someone who has been blogging for two years now, I am no beginner. Don't get me wrong I have PLENTY to learn about blogging, but the conference topics I was hoping to delve into with bloggers and retailers I admire were simply brushed over. Most of the day was spent talking to celebrities, and as much as I love all of those ladies I didn't feel they had much to offer me in terms of blogging. I hope you realize I mean that in the most respectful way. In terms of the panels, there were interesting and informative conversations being had that just didn't get to play them selves out due to time. This is coming from someone who went to a hippie school for twelve years, but wouldn't it be nice to have more of a discussion instead of a panel? I'd love to get down and dirty on the business of blogging. I guess that's what friends or Blog Brunch are for. 

In the afternoon I attended Bri Emery's break-out session on taking your blog to the next level. I really enjoyed what she had to say and think her advise was spot on. I thought I would share some of the main points from her talk.
Look & Act Legit:
-Spend the time/money on making your blog beautiful. Have it designed or learn how yourself. The more professional your site looks, the more readers will take you seriously and companies will want to advertise.
-Get business cards made. 
-Have a media kit ready to send out to all perspective advertisers.
-Create an email signature with your blog logo.
Design:
All photos should be the same pixel width. People will spend more time on your site if the layout is clean. 
- Learn how to add text to posts and make pretty collages & layouts.
- Pick three fonts and stick to them.
Content:
-Your blog should be 80% created content and 20% recycled.
-Utilize your creative friends by having them contribute to your blog in exchange for one of your skills. 
-Try switching blogs every week with one of your favorite blogger friends. 

At the end of the day I had an incredible time enjoying inspiring conversation and cocktails with fellow bloggers. The Annenberg Beach House is a gorgeous venue and as you can see above had been decked it out by Zappos with the most killer styling. It was like The Coveteur meets the natural history museum with some Liberty London thrown in. Doesn't it make you want to start integrating your favorite accessories into your home decor? After saying goodbye to everyone at the conference I had a warm and fuzzy feeling about my fellow bloggers. I love what blogging has brought to my life and being part of such a creative community. You all motivate and encourage me daily. 

LUCKY ME

Yesterday was the LuckyFabb conference at the beautiful Annenberg Beach House and I must admit I am pretty exhausted. It has been three days filled with networking events and blogger meet-ups and while I ultimately had a great time, I need some time to recuperate. I have lots to share about my experience, but I want to take a day to gather my thoughts on it all. xo  

LATELY

Somehow it's Friday, which means LuckyFabb is only three days away. Are any of you going to be there? These conferences rarely happen in LA, so I'm feeling pretty excited that this one's so close. I'm mostly excited about getting to meet some of my blogger friends in person. There is something soothing about having so many people in one room that can understand and relate to your blogging life. It can also feel quite lonely at these things if you don't know anyone. Sometimes the blogging world can feel like one big clique that you're not part of. If any of you are planning on attending I urge you to come and say hi. I'd love to meet you! 
Here is a little look at my life of late and a few of the sweet things making me smile...     

Happy Weekend! xo

PHOTO QUESTIONS

Hello my dears! Since I've been busy with shoots and working on my  new photo website, photography has been heavily on my mind. So today I thought I would answer a few photo questions I get a lot.

What camera do you use? 
I use a Canon 5D Mark II. I have been a canon girl for as long as I can remember. My dad always used canons and I was always lucky enough to get his hand-me-downs. I am in love with my camera and all it's capable of. If you are trying to become a photographer I can't tell you how important it is to have a professional camera like this. 

What lenses do you use?
I use a 50mm f/1.4 and a 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 for pretty much all my shoots. 

How do you edit your photos? 
Photoshop CS5. It's my best friend. Having a professional camera and a great lens is extremely important. It ultimately means you can spend less time retouching/editing your photos. But Photoshop can take your photos to the next level. If for some reason you can't afford a top notch camera, then I think it's even more important. It can turn an ok photo into a great photo. 

Did you go to school for photography?
Nope. Well, unless you count my dad. My dad actually taught my photography class freshman and sophomore year of high school. My dad is an amazing photographer and I've been very lucky to get to learn and work with him my whole life. If you would like to see his work please check out his website GuyWebster.com.