{ Introducing Kate Earl }

I'm kind of addicted to this album. I just can't get enough! Her name is Kate Earl and back in May she released a preview of four songs in hopes of catching the attention of listeners. Well Kate, I'm listening!

Kate's full album release is set for next Tuesday, August 18th! Haven't heard her sounds yet? Click HERE and HERE. If you like what you hear iTunes is offering "Melody" as a FREE download all next week. Happy listening.

{ An Obsession With Color }

Is anyone else obsessing over how beautiful the cover of the new September issue of House Beautiful is? It's been my favorite magazine for quite sometime now, and for obvious reasons. I mean, their covers are always beautiful, but this month is just WOW! It's so beautiful I can hardly stand it! Ever since I can remember I've always imagined myself cooking my family a meal in a gorgeous white kitchen. White cabinets, white carrera marble, white subway tiles, maybe a butcher block island, and some sleek stainless steel appliances. But after seeing this navy and white kitchen, I might have changed my mind. Sometimes I feel my brain works much like Claude Monet, for he once said "Color is my day-long obsession, joy and torment." So true!

:: Slip 'N Slide Surprise ::

Who knew a little soap and water could be so dangerous? Wednesday night the masses gathered at Salt Creek Beach in Dana Point for a little Slip 'N Slide Surprise party for Jason Kimball's 23rd Birthday!!! Gosh that makes me feel old! I tagged along with the intention of just being a spectator by reason of a sprained ankle. It's been over a week now and I think I've seen it turn just about every color of the rainbow. However, Wednesday night it was looking quite green so I figured it was a sign to GO ahead and Slip 'N Slide. Probably wasn't the best idea. At least the night was fun while it lasted.








And that my friends is my battle wound. Got my arm caught in a hole in the tarp while someone simultaneously ran over me. Whipped my whole body around and just about broke the thing in half. Felt real good! I actually thought my arm had been decapitated. I guess my black and blue ankle needed a little company. I feel like I've been run over by a semi!

{ Thou Shalt Not Covet }

The swimsuit I've been coveting from Anthropologie was just marked down from $218 to $125. I know it's still WAY too much to pay for such a small scrap of fabric, but how can one say no to a scrap of fabric this amazing? I must have!

{ Friend + Vendor = Friendor }

Soooo excited to design the wedding flowers for these two little lovers next week. I've known Miss Lisa Taylor since our younger years at Dana Hills High School when I could be found running around the track and Lisa was running across the field in a dolphin mascot costume. Honest! No one can make me laugh like Lisa! I just love this girl.

Stay tuned for the incredible arrangements we'll be creating for her citrus-themed wedding. You're gonna love what we can do with an apothecary jar, some flowers and a handful of fruit! Here's a little tease to wet your pallet in the meantime.

:: Knotty & Nice Bag ::

Looking for something fun to carry around your summer sunscreens in? Perhaps something fresh and funky to tote around town? With a few easy twists and a couple of basic knots, a scarf or fabric square can be turned into your very own handbag. For a video tutorial on how to make this oh-so-adorable scarf tote, click HERE, or just follow the simple directions below. I think I'll make me one for our upcoming family vacation. Happy crafting!

Knotted Bag

WHAT YOU'LL NEED:
32-inch-square scarf
or 45-inch-square tablecloth

1. Lay the scarf facedown. Pull one of the corners through one hand to create a tail about one-third the length of the side; tie a knot.
2. Repeat the same tail-knotting on the scarf's other three corners.
3. For handles, tie the upper two tails together in a square knot (right over left, left over right); repeat with the lower two tails.

Try dressing up your bag with a few bangles from your jewelry box as handles for a cute hand tote with a little flair.

{ Home Furnishings For Your Soul }

I recently happened upon a new LA design company called Room Service. They're a "full-service furniture store with a mid-century modern slant" and cater to some of Hollywood's hottest celebrities like Jay-Z, Beyonce, Zach Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, and Lamar Odom to name a few. And with fresh and funky finds like these, it's easy to see why! The owners design most of the furniture themselves, gathering inspiration from vintage stores, swap meets, European design, and old Hollywood regency style glamour. Check out some of my favorite finds...





I could so see myself sleeping on that bed, eating at that table and surfing channels on that sofa. One can always dream.

{ There's An App For That! }

It seems like there's an iPhone app for just about everything these days, but finally there's an app out there made just for me! The "Ben Color Capture" app lets you snap a photo and then, in a tap or two, match up any color in it to a Benjamin Moore color swatch, supplying the name and number of the hue. Once you've selected your color, give the phone a quick shake and it will offer up a complete palette of coordinating colors. Wow! I think the iPhone just got a little cooler. What do you think? To download the app, head online to the iTunes AppStore and search for Ben. Best of all, it's free!

{ Lisa's Sunflower Soirée }

Sunflowers, swimming, and slides? Absolutely! Last Saturday my friend Holly and I threw the bride-to-be, Miss Lisa Taylor, a "Honeymoon & Housewife Bridal Shower & Swim Party" in my parent's backyard oasis. For months we planned and schemed and this weekend our hard work all came together for one fabulous Bridal Shower. I hope you'll agree!

:: Seven4One Wedding ::

Remember that visit I made to the LA Flower Mart? It was to purchase the flowers to make these beauties! Last Saturday, my co-worker Hannah and I had the opportunity to create the floral arrangements for a lovely ocean side wedding at the boutique hotel Seven4One in Laguna Beach.






We had so much fun designing the 2 dramatic alter pieces for the sunset ceremony, several lavish bouquets to dress up the chain link curtains at the cocktail party, and the elegant centerpieces for the dinner reception. I think the results were stunning!