Happy Weekend dear readers. How great is this Minimalist Spook dining room. My good friend Kristen decorated this year at her 5 year-old son’s request. She lives in a beautiful Scandinavian-like home in Connecticut and did this just right, I think. I love her style.

What are you all up to this weekend? We’re going to the Circus! I cannot wait. This will be the bebes’ first time under the big top and we have ringside seats. I’m so curious as to what they will think of it all. They’re still pretty young so there’s no telling how long they’ll be game, if they’ll like it, be scared, I don’t know- all bets are off with two 16 month-old little people. Chances are one will love it and the other- not so much, that seems to be the way things go around here. Cin Cin and Happy Weekend!

What I’m Drinking This Weekend:

Cold Heaven Makepeace Pinot Noir: from the Santa Rita Hills in the Central Coast of Cali. Morgan Clendenden is in charge here. Yes, of those Clendendens. She’s married to wild man Jim, the legendary producer of Santa Barbara’s Au Bon Climat, one of the first wines made in the French style to really put the Central Coast on the international wine map. We served Au Bon Climat’s Chard at our wedding. Big fan.

I can’t get enough of the St. Rita hills ever really, but particularly at this time of year. Their pinots are earthly and mellow but yet bright with ripe fruit and spice. They don’t tend to carry that heavy barnyard note that Willamette Pinots do (though I love that too), these Pinots are of a different breed. They go terrifically with fall fare. I’m thinking about making a roast chicken with some roasted carrots and maybe some red roasted potatoes with fresh rosemary- a real roast fest to pair with this beauty. If you have any good roast chicken tips, please send them my way!

I’ve been visiting this wine region since I was an wee Angeleno back in the late 90s, just out of school. Dare I say, it is my most favorite wine region anywhere. A pre-Sideways devotee, I’m always true to these parts. With wacky Dutch-influenced Solvang a few miles down the road, the Lompoc Wine Ghetto, an ostrich farm and Pea Soup Anderson’s in nearby Buellton, this region is right up my alley. I’m a happy camper when the Santa Rita hills are in my house.

A Few Things:

1. A nice reminder of what the weekend is for via Kinfolk Magazine. It would be great to live the weekend this way at least once in a while.

2. I need to get myself an espresso maker on the double so that I mix up these bad boys- Easy Espresso Martinis- a fun idea for a late Sunday brunch party.

3. These Halloween looks are killing me. Little Miss Wintour. Toddlers as fashion icons- come on- these are great. Oh Happy Day rocks out the homemade Halloween goodness with killer creativity and style- three cheers for Jordan Ferney. (Her artist hubby, Paul Ferney, is creating a canvas of our bebes for Christmas via his Commission Project- I can’t wait to see it, what a talented couple). Check out these great homemade Halloween looks via her blog as well- I love that robot, so old school.

4. The ultimate IKEA hack, this kids’ bike was purchased as a stool. Yes, you read that right. I would like to meet the mind of the person that thought this up. Talk about thinking outside the box- how do you look at a stool and think- bike!? I love it.

5. These shoes. Not in the budget I’m afraid, but a girl can dream.

6. This clutch. From one of my favorite etsy shops, somebody better buy this before me.

7. Holy fall feast- I made this salivatingly good mushroom herb lasagna this week via this month’s issue of Sunset Magazine. Made with béchamel sauce and lots of fresh herbs, it’s is completely awesome. For those of you who read this blog, you know I love my Sunset Magazine. It’s a hold-over I think from all the dreamy western trips I took as a kid. That and my mother-in-law used to save her issues and give them to me each month. After she passed away, I subscribed myself and look forward to it every month. For me, their recipes have never failed to make our mouths very happy. I love their travel, wine, interior and outdoor features as well. Big fan, all around.

8. This is hilarious. Real men posing like male underwear models. Bravo guys!

And a few other things:

Alice Munro just won the Nobel Prize for Literature. A master of short story writing, her Runaway is one of my all time favorite reads- haunting and thoughtful, her characters really stick with me.

Can somebody please explain this 3-D printer thing to me. They’re going to start 3-D printing human organs? I just don’t get it.

There is a VEGAN strip club in Portland. I can’t believe I just wrote that, I don’t even get it. Tofu and naked gals, hmmm.

Brown butter and all its wonder.

Did you know that it costs New York State $167,731 just to house one inmate for one year. I can’t understand this. That’s like going to Harvard (almost).

Real Simple’s Smart Decorating Tips for Any Space

Russian billionaire Dmitry Itskov has vowed to cure death within the next three decades with his “2045 Initiative”. Say what? It’s all very Avatar involving cyborgs and the “quantum nature of consciousness” and the like. Trippy.

Paintbrush-free indigo mountains by artist Lynn Pollard. These are so dreamy and zen-ful. Lynn paints the mountains near her Atlanta home using a special dipping technique the involves a vat of dye and paper- no paintbrushes here. Check out her work at u-gallery.

I love the color palette of this kitchen.

For all of us that fancy ourselves little Liebowitzes, here’s an easy guide to shooting interiors that I find works well with other still life too. I love that stick figure drawing. I’ve caught myself in that position on the floor many times never to any success.

Diesel has launched a home collection. Look at this crazy couch!

A Francophilian playlist via Anthropologie. I’m always in the mood for some Frenchie tunes. I’ve been listening to the bebes French music lately. They take a little French class every Wednesday morning which is hilarious. They bop around and listen to tunes, play with a giant marionette and tiny papillons. It’s super cute although I’m not sure they’re really learning anything, they do love it. I love it too though mostly I sit there in a full-out sweat hoping that my little man doesn’t throw a fit when he has to put back his rubber serpent or vache. Mon Dieu!

{Images: Halloween Dining Room: Kristen Schaefer, Matches: Kinfolk, Espresso Martini: Emma Chapman, Lasagna: Annabella Breakey, Mini Anna: Sarah Hebenstreit, Ikea Bike Hack: Coroflot}

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For some reason, most don’t think of the kitchen as a place for art but I think it’s a great place for a little visual inspiration. The kitchen is such a sensory place (smells, textures, smoke, flames- the list goes on), why not add another element to the mix. I am not the proud owner of any of these darling prints, but I do have this handy print from Nashville’s Hatch Show Print hanging in my kitchen. Sidebar: If you love woodblock printing, letterpress and great design and find yourself in Nashville anytime soon, you must visit Hatch Show Print. They have designed all of the original show posters for the Ryman Theater for decades, their work is inspired and original. But back to the work at hand… some details:

Lemon Print by Tonje Holand and Ingrid Reithaug. This Norwegian duo has a way with fruit.

Citrus by Anna Bond. Anna and her husband own Rifle Paper Co., a great little design company whose paper goods I frequently ogle. I love this sweet print and its muted pastels.

Blueberry print by Ana at Anek etsy shop.

Orange by G. Anderson. A simple and bold handmade screenprint.

Citrus Love print by Ana at Anek.

Spaghetti print by Ana at Anek. If you like Ana’s style, she has lots of whimsical kitchen art at her etsy shop.

To Come: the beautiful illustrations of Tram Nguyen, half of the dynamic duo that produces the excellent food blog, Pen & Palate. A respite from all of the food photography in the blogosphere, Pen & Palate is a culinary journal accompanied by hand penned illustrations. I absolutely adore it. Their shop is coming soon where they will be selling their little culinary-inspired works of art.

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Let’s talk shelter. Have you heard that Domino is back? Woohoo. Michelle Adams is taking over the helm at the editor’s desk which explains her sly exit from Lonny, the online shelter mag that she founded with Patrick Cline. That’s her pictured above in her official announcement to the world via Instagram.

Domino will be published quarterly at $12/an issue which has already generated criticism from folks like Design Sponge’s Grace Bonney, who told the New York Times she wished the magazine was “more substantial” at that price tag. There could be a conflict of editorial integrity as the magazine sets its sights on e-commerce becoming an online storefront. Domino will now offer direct purchase via their website to goods by Jonathan Adler and the like, hoping to make a profit on the markup. The question remains- can Domino stay relevant and cool while trying to locate and retail high volume pieces? Hmmm. We’ll see, it’s a new world, folks. What do you say, game changer or clunker?

While we wait for the Domino site to launch (later today), I have a new favorite shelter goods site I’d like to talk about. I know, there’s one every day right? How in the world does one keep track of all the interior goodness out there? The anti-theseis to the new Domino, this one bodes one of a kind pieces direct from owner to buyer. I was led to Chairish by way of Emily Henderson’s blog. I love her styling ways and she is currently holding a garage sale of sorts via the site. Sort of an uber-edited ebay/craigslist with lower price tags- a poorer man’s 1st Dibs, I like this shop.

Chairish bodes lots of great pieces for the home- everything from stylish upholstered headboards to affordable abstract art to Bobby Short’s piano chair (seriously). Some things are still a bit pricey but you can find some deals if you hunt and peck. I found the Room and Board Architecture bed below for $650 (retails for $1499)- a deal if you live in the Bay Area. Even if you’re not in the market for a vintage dentist chair or a brass elk head, it’s still fun to look.

A few favorite finds:

1. Pink and Black Abstract Circle Print- love the colors, love the swirliness, would love this in my abode. This one is unframed so shipping is not so bonkers.

2. Handmade Beaded Chandelier- I’m in love with this. With this hanging in my house, I could pretend I was living in Laurel Canyon circa 1974. Dig. It. (also, it’s only $380- that’s like a West Elm pendant- not a huge commitment if you’re a little commitment-phobic).

3. Bobby Short’s Piano Chair- for real folks. I would jump on this thing if I had $1600 to spare. What a piece to behold. I saw Bobby Short play at the Carlyle in the late 90s, it was an unforgettable evening. That dude had some serious swank.

4. Geometric Olive Chain Pattern Dhurrie Rug- this is unbelievable. A Turkish rug with this delicious pattern newly marked down to $285. ($39 to ship). I seriously might have to buy this one for future use- would be great underneath a dining table or in T’s room.

5. Room and Board Architecture Bed- I have always wanted this modern version of a canopy bed. This one is a good deal.

6. Chartreuse Chippendale Chair- a great office chair. I rarely see Chippendale style pieces for less than $500.

7. Vintage Red Cross Flag- no words are needed for this- it’s just plain cool.

8. Curtis Jere Vintage Sunburst Sculpture- how cool would this be over the right mantle. L.O.V.E.

9. Mies Van de Rohe inspired vintage chair- this thing would go anywhere and used to live in Emily Henderson’s house.

A few other great finds that were just added to the site:

this amazing French-designed Edison bulb lamp- how I love thee
and
this gorgeous California redwood cocktail table

Chairish

{Image: Michelle Adams via Instagram}

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Ha. Ha. Modern day mean girls.

Happy Weekend dear readers. I hope you all are off to a spectacular and fun-filled fall weekend. We are heading out to the Outstanding in the Field dinner at Alexandria’s Arcadia Farms this afternoon. I have been wanting to do this for a few years now and we finally decided to treat ourselves for our fifth anniversary. The guys from DC’s Birch and Barley (yum) are headlining the event with Chef Kyle Bailey and Pastry Chef Tiffany MacIsaac at the helm- we’ll be in good hands. This particular dinner features a craft beer pairing with each course. I cannot wait. We’ve got some serious foodie friends coming into town this weekend as well so we’ll meet them at DC’s Jefferson Hotel for brunch on Sunday with the bebes. I’m just hoping the clientele is cool with a couple of toddlers in the midst of utensil experimentation. Wish us luck. Meanwhile, we’re trying to figure out whether or not we should take the plunge and head out to the ‘burbs. Never having lived in more than 800 square feet as a grown adult since well, ever- it would be nice to have more space but tough to leave city living behind. What say you suburban folks? Good stuff?

My Weekend Wine: What I’ll be sipping this weekend to help me mull over our impending ‘burbiness- Bordeaux baby. It is back, in a big way. Not too long ago, somms and winos alike were turning up their noses at the stodgy blends of yore. 2nd growths and futures on those big Chateau brands became a snore. Not anymore kids. When Richard Betts (probably the smartest wine dude in the business) sets out to make a $20 dollar Bordeaux, you know times they are a-changing. Somms in the know are wild about his blends. I’ll be sipping his ’10 Carte Verte. It’s a game changer folks, and a perfect fall wine. Bordeaux is cool- who would have thought.

A little link love and a few things that caught my eye this week:

This is one of the funniest things I saw this week. We are a #hashtaghappy society. It’s getting a wee tad bit out of control. Thanks QuestLove for setting us straight. #enoughalready #ha

1. Anna Watson Carl’s advice on throwing a fall dinner party and she would know. Chef, food and travel writer and test kitchen cook extraordinaire, Anna is infamous for the dinner parties she throws at her Yellow Table in NYC’s Nolita.

2. Designer Digs. Karl Lagerfeld is one voracious reader. I love all of those books!

3. These booties. I don’t know where I would wear them being that my threshold for heels over 2 inches ceased at 30, but I totally want them.

4. Is this cute or what! I am newly in love with this little shop for its darling little girls’ clothes. Affordable too.

5. I love this print by Britt Bass- again it’s that frustrated abstract artist in me that’s dying to come out. In the meantime, I’ll just admire and patronize the work of those that are actually imbued with painterly talent. (I just bought this one- will look great in our maybe soon-to-be new space.)

6. Giant umbrella-toting cement people floating over a city in the Czech Republic- sign me up.  I love this installation by artist Michal Trpak.

7. What a great idea. A plastic floor rug- perfect for the kitchen.

8. If Batman were a dad, it would be pretty awesome- this is hilarious. My favorite part is how annoyed his wife is with the whole thing.

And, I’m intrigued by One Fine Stay- a new vacation rental company that curates your stay in a local’s apartment complete with white fluffy towels and tiny shampoo for the taking. NYC, London, LA and Paris apartment rentals, these digs are pretty fabulous. Check out this minimalist apartment in Le Marais. Then there’s this one and this one in the Left Bank- those herringbone floors and those giant windows- I can’t stand it.

Ok, one more thing. “Six Words To Say To Today”- this is kind of interesting parenting advice.

{Images: Fall Dinner Party Chalk Board and Cake- Signe Birck, Karl Lagerfeld’s Paris apartment- Elle Decor Japan, Trpak installation- My Modern Met, Kitchen with Throw Rug- Laure Joliet}

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It’s no secret that I love a brushstroke and a splotch… and a drip and a blot. But I also love a dot, especially the polka kind and especially when it comes in watercolor form. Yao Cheng is busting out some seriously pretty polkas in her new series appropriately titled- you guessed it- Dots. I spied her work on one of my favorite affordable art sites, Buy Some Damn Art. Ms. Cheng is going places. A RISD grad, she has recently set up shop where she creates abstract, floral and landscape designs as well as custom calligraphy. Visit her here.

Original Signed Watercolor, $375
Prints available here for $20.

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I love the painterly thing- maybe because deep down I’m really a frustrated and unrealized abstract painter. I don’t know, I’ve never shown any talent and I’m certainly not studied but I do love a brushstroke. I’m dreaming of my future garage/shed/artist’s studio that I”ll furnish with my giant easel and paints so pretty I’ll want to eat them. In the meantime, I’ll settle for a splotch or a drip from a more skilled hand, especially when it’s blotted on something other than a canvas. That wallpaper is killing me- it is duly noted and pinned to my bath board for my next abode.

1. How fun is this inky hand-painted sofa from ABC Home? I love it, what a statement piece. Not exactly kid-friendly but then again maybe the kiddos’ handiwork would blend in with this painterly look. At just under $4,000, I don’t think I’d risk it, but I like to look at it.

2. Like I said, this wallpaper by Hinson and Company is itching to be in my next powder room (or let’s be honest- my first powder room- city dwelling does not bestow you with such luxuries). What a great look for a small space.

3. Pollock would approve of this drippy pillow by Megan Adams.

4. A brushstroked neutral rug. Fun. 5×8 for $178 by Safavieh.

{Image: Lonny}

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I am working like crazy for the next couple of weeks, so my posts will be short and sweet- just quick little bursts of inspiration here and there. I spied these dreamy prints on etsy’s tastesorangey shop- the handiwork of the talented California painter, Clare Elsaesser. I love these two prints in particular and would love to display them side by side just like so. What do you think? Housed in two beautiful oversized white gallery frames- I like it. Who are some of your favorite etsy artists? I am always on the lookout for interesting (and affordable) work.

16×20 prints by Clare Elsaesser: $65

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I love when I see beautifully displayed children’s artwork in a home. Really- what is better than a child’s eye and a little insight into his or her mind? Above is my first official piece of artwork from my son. He is 15 months old and managed to make this exquisite little image in under a minute. I’m not sure what it is but I love it. I looked over my shoulder and saw him editing like mad via Instagram. He had somehow managed to open the app, shoot a photo, and crop and filter within seconds (kids these days)- all of which I’m sure is unbeknownst to him, as he was madly swiping his finger back and forth over the screen. Or, maybe he actually had some sort of idea of what he was doing. Who knows, I just know I love it and had to share.

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I love a gallery wall. I shall one day enjoy one complete with a striped settee- totally going to copy this look.

Happy Weekend dear readers! I hope you have an excellent Labor Day as we officially kiss summer goodbye. Arrivederci summertime- ’til next year. I hope you have some fun plans. No biggies over here, just hangin’ round.

So… among more important things that occurred this past week, this happened:

I had to google the word “twerk”.

I endured a 7 hour bus ride to NYC (should have been 4.5). I know, whoa is me, right- 1st world problems- but when you get into the wine industry because you have a good “nose”, there is inevitably a downside. This said bus was wafting with an intense bouquet of ripe b.o. Yes you read that right. Having an acute olfactory system is awesome when you’re sniffing the good stuff but man oh man, I wish I could turn this thing off when things go wrong.

I caught up with my fabulous and dear friend Cristy and we stayed up talking way past my bedtime.

My kiddos are just getting funnier by the minute- it’s awesome.

I played charades with mom and brother via text. I did. And I guessed the clue with only a few characters. It’s a new world, folks.

Matt Damon comes to Ben Affleck’s rescue, “You know, he’s not playing King Lear. It’s Batman!”. Nice. What are you trying to say Damon? Affleck can’t do Lear? Ha. I personally think Ben will be a stellar Batman and loved Patton Oswalt’s thoughts.

“I’m the King of the Barbarians!” Tortured though he may be, Mike Tyson never disappoints with an amazing sound bite.

And as always, a little link love:

1. Support our dear friend Super Maeve by sporting one of these cute tees in her honor. Her inspiring parents are hoping to raise awareness for children’s cancer with this project. Maeve is the most amazing two year-old bravely fighting a rare form of cancer and kicking its butt. All hail Super Maeve!

2. Twerk Schmerk-this guy can take Miley any day with his mad Vogue-ing skills.

3. This is just fantastic!

4. I love Caitlin MacGauley’s illustrations. I just bought this leopard print for my desk.

5. And then saw this photo with my envelope in her bike basket via her instagram account- what a weird world.

6. I can’t wait to read this. Marilyn Hagerty’s book on food in America with a foreword by Anthony Bourdain. You probably recognize the 87 year-old Hagerty from her numerous tv appearances when her review of an Olive Garden restaurant went viral. Her earnest review started a snarkfest and Bourdain quickly rushed to her defense. In the foreword he writes that, “this book kills snark dead”. I like it.

7. On the flip side, I’m psyched about all of the chic-chic fall restaurant openings – especially Contra and Ivan Ramen in NYC (and if I still lived in Hell’s Kitchen I’d be psyched about Gotham West Market), Shoo-Fly in Baltimore and Maketto in DC.

And… this is silly and worth a few minutes: Sh*t Southern Women Say- this sh*t is funny- these gals are great.

{Images: Jenny Komenda Little Green Notebook, Nowness, Caitlin McGauley}

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It’s always the little things that make a big difference in an ordinary day. I recently wrote about the pretty flowers my neighbor left me for my birthday on my doorstep- simple, pretty wild flowers in a tiny mason jar- totally made my day.

Seven Simple Things you can do to brighten up your routine:

1. Put your makeup brushes in a pretty used candle votive.
It just looks nice and doesn’t cost you anything- even better.

2. Hang a pretty print or inspiring photo next to your dressing area or at your workspace. 
I spied this suggestion via Cupcakes and Cashmere. I love these baby animal prints by Sharon Montrose. They have been all over Pinterest forever and still bring a smile to my face.

3. Find a bench and take a seat.
Make a point to take a walk and sit down for at least 10 minutes without your IPhone in hand. No instagramming, no texting, no pinning, no facebooking and tweeting allowed- it’s a tall order, right. Just sit and look at your pretty neighborhood or town for a few minutes, take the time to people watch and take in a few minutes of fresh air. This one is hard for me to do but I’m so happy when I do- it’s my mini version of meditation and especially good when the kiddos have fallen asleep in the stroller.

4. Pour yourself a glass of bubbly before dinner.
I opt for Cremant because it’s delicious and inexpensive for bubbly. I am partial to Trader Joe’s Blason de Bourgogne Cremant Rosé because it’s good and about $8. I little bubbly always gives you a little lift especially at the end of the day, no?

5. Send an old school handwritten note.
It doesn’t have to be a long one. It can just say hi, I miss you. Your pal will so appreciate it, I love these. I almost never do this but it’s so easy.

6. Bake cookies for a friend.
Just because. Who doesn’t like a plate of freshly baked cookies? I am digging these salted dark chocolate chip walnut cookies that I recently baked and posted in a chipwich version. The cookies alone are ridiculous- seriously the best damn cookies I have ever made (or eaten for that matter- commence pat on the back). Your friend will LOVE them. I know you may be sighing like “who has time to bake cookies”- but these only take about 30 minutes max.

7. Pick up some sunflowers at your local farmer’s market. 
I almost never do this as I consider it kind of an extravagance, I’m not sure why as they’re pretty cheap, but it really makes me happy when I have them on my dining table.

{Images: Vanity Space: Cupcakes and Cashmere, Bubbly: EscapadeBlog, Cookie: Kelsey Zahn}

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