Livin' La Dolce Vita

Photo via So Ninion

I'm very excited today! The lovely Paloma of La Dolce Vita invited me to be part of her "10 Things I Can't Live Without" series. This couldn't have come at a better time, because I've been in such a blogging funk. Sitting and writing about what really matters to me is a great way to get my creative juices flowing again. So, check me out here! 

Friday Favorite: Unhappy Hipster

I know I'm not the first blogger to write about Unhappy Hipster, but it is sooo funny. I've been practically in tears. Thanks to Swamplot for finding this site, and pointing out at least one Houston home that has been included. Can you find it? Hope you get a good laugh on your Friday:) (Also thought this was funny after my last post)

Have a great weekend!

A Gentle Beckoning?

Is someone trying to tell me something? I've been lacking anything to say and desire to be very creative....it just hasn't been working for me. Something funny has been happening though, everywhere I look; I see lovely camera related details. So many pretties that I would love to have! First, I fell in love with this classic preppy looking camera strap. So awesome! Next, I found a classic camera bag by Leica, while reading through Lucky magazine. There aren't many things I love more than beautiful stitching in leather. Does that sound crazy? I just think its such a beautiful detail!

On occasion, I actually enjoy being girlie. I know its hard to believe isn't it?! Ha, ha! Anyway, on those rare days, I would love to own one of these gorgeous bags by Epiphanie. As hard core as I am about photography, I often leave my handbag behind in order to carry my camera bag. Its not very pretty, especially on formal occasions. Finally, there is a solution for that dilemma. Anyone else ever have that problem?

I'm starting to think my old friend (my beloved camera) is calling me to pick it up again. Its been a while...but perhaps its time.

Links found via:
Diary of a Mod Housewife
Lucky Magazine
T Spoon of Sunshine

My Christmas Wish

Hey everyone! Thanks so much for the great comments on my last post. All of you

are so supportive. Actually, that's why I feel comfortable sharing my

feelings, because I know you all will be so kind. I will be on the road today and

with family for the week. I'm not sure how much posting I will be able

to do, so I'm leaving a Christmas treat for all of you. I love Judy Garland so

much, and this song is just perfection. Hope you enjoy it.

Merry Christmas to all my readers, fellow bloggers, and friends!

Love

Carolina

I Need New Jewelry!

Because I don't have anything that looks like this! Found these at Tinctory.

(Via Pia Jane Bijkerk)

Can't Wait For Sunday

Normally, I save music videos for Sunday; but I had to share this today! While reading The Pursuit Aesthetic (A fantastic blog!)
I discovered Vampire Weekend's video. Love it! Maybe it will make Hump day go by a little faster:)
One more thing, check out the incredible guitars in the video. Are they vintage, I wonder? Don't know but they are cool.

Look Up!

(Found via Yatzer)

Commercial spaces are such a great place to get design inspiration. They are often very bold and adventurous. One of my favorite things in commercial spaces is the attention given to ceilings. No boring white planes of emptiness!
This beautiful Spanish restaurant does an amazing job of making the most of the large expanse above. Its interesting how subtle the rest of the decor is. The intricate angles of the ceiling are such a focal point, the space doesn't need much else. Love it!

I realize most of us can't tear down our ceilings and build an entire new shape, but there can still be a lot done. How about at least painting them a more interesting color than white? Also, add details like antique looking medallions coupled with modern light fixtures. That's a personal favorite!

One more thing! I'm crazy about the hand drawn pictures on the restroom doors. Doors as art? Who knew?

Cool It

Hope you have the day off, today. Sit back, put your feet up and groove to some music:)
(P.S. Thanks to Ashley of Decorology and Becky of Hatch, for including me on their amazing sites. I'm so flattered!)

Does A Beautiful Office Make You Think Better?

I'm certain no one could deny this. Imagine a place like this waiting for you every Monday morning:)
(Office of Orla Kiely, found via Uppercase Tumblr)

What A Tease!

This morning I was scrolling through my phone and found a note I made for myself. All it said was Guy Matthews, Australia. I had no idea what that meant nor when I typed it. So, I went to trusty Google and found photos of an amazing vintage store in Melbourne. Now the frustrating thing is that there doesn't seem to be a website for the place. So I'm left with a few photos that lure me in and leave wanting more!

(Top Photos via Jesterhoax)
(Bottom Photos via The Design Files)

Intriguing, right? Any Australian readers care to fill me in a bit more? I would love that:)

Friday Favorite

Hello all! Sorry for the lack of posts this week. Still struggling to be inspired.
I did want to share these beautiful photos I found today. So much beauty in such simplicity. I can't tell you where they came from, but I can tell you that I found them on a blog I am really loving right now. Its called Either the Drapes Go Or I Do. I couldn't resist that name and I'm so glad I found it. Perhaps for now I will enjoy other people's inspiration.
Have A Great Weekend!!

Local Event: Harbenger Duo @ DWR

Attention!
Houston readers don't miss Harbenger Duo's furniture line at Design Within Reach, tonight.
I'm so excited to see this cool line and to meet Audrey!
P.S. if you're there stop me and say hi:)

One Lovely Blog

I would like to thank Sparrow of Simon on the Side for giving me a "One Lovely Blog" award. I'm honored:)
After receiving this, I am supposed to pass it on to 15 newly discovered blogs. It took me a while to compile this list, but I do like sharing these sites with all of you. Be sure to link over if you haven't seen them. I'm sure you will enjoy these blogs as much as I do.
So here is my list:

1. The Brick House (Love this room from her house, featured on Design Sponge)
(*Fellow Houston bloggers)
2. *Harbenger Duo
3. *Under A Paper Moon
4. *Late Check-In
5. The Design Boards
6. Knack
7. Little Brown Pen
8. A Room Somewhere
9. Design Fabulous
10. Bluebird Photography
11. Indian Summer Vintage
12. My Adventure is Your Advantage
13. Style Swoon
14. A Life More Fabulous
15. Design Studio

Personal Questions

I can never decide how I feel about personal questions. On one hand I wonder why it is that not many people ask personal questions (boo hoo) and on the other I feel somewhat uncomfortable when they do. Crazy, I know. Well, I took a leap and answered some for the lovely Nikk at a very fun blog called Onions+Garlic. Let's be honest, I did enjoy
talking about myself. Ha, ha!
Check it out here. (P.S. Don't you just love this banner?)
Thanks Nikk!

Hot Off The Presses

If you are like me, you took a Monday off from blogland. If you did you may have missed the release of
Refueled magazine's third issue. If you haven't seen it, its a great collaborative effort by bloggers Chris Brown,
Cheryl Schulke, and Don Weir. I'm a big fan of their styles and love this magazine! Check out the
article featuring Courtney Barton's home...although it makes me a little sad that Courtney is so far away now:(

I also love the article these photos taken at the hotel Saint Cecilia. definitely need to put this on my list of
places to stay. It is the most recent venture of the creative minds who formed the Hotel San Jose. So fabulous!

This Just In....

At this precise moment, I am obsessing over this dining room.
More news later.

(Found via Deco-Inspiracion and Houzz)

To The Market and Back!

(Peek at my booth)
Well, we did it! Over the weekend we showed at the Houston Urban Market for the first time.
I'm only now recovering enough to write about it. (I also had a kid who got sick on Monday).
It was quite an undertaking, I have to admit. Its funny that I never gave to much thought to the process of setting up a booth, whenever I was out shopping!
Both Paloma and I (and our handsome assistants) began setting up Saturday afternoon. Everyone was a little nervous because of some ominous looking skies, but we kept going. In fact, it did rain that evening, but
thankfully it mostly just cooled everything down. After that we returned early Sunday morning to finish preparing for the 9:00 opening.

Paloma's chairs were amazing! I can't believe I forgot to take more photos of the rest of them!

My two favorite guys were very helpful. Liam even set up his first display w/ his own cars! Of course I wasn't allowed to actually sell his cars. If you're wondering, Liam didn't hang out all day, Mark was a very accommodating babysitter.

Some of our blogger friends also made an appearance. It was great to see them!
Left: Lauren (Material Girls) and Paloma (La Dolce Vita) Center: Joni (Cote de Texas)
and her trustee Starbucks coffee. Right: Paloma and Courtney (Under a Paper Moon).
Unfortunately, I missed meeting Sarah of Jeune Marie. Sarah, I also missed meeting you at
Courtney's garage sale last month. Maybe we'll coordinate some day:)

I didn't have time to walk around very much, but I did find a couple interesting pieces I really loved. Including, what else; but a couple of amazing chairs!

I couldn't resist snapping shots of several interesting characters roaming around.
What surprised me was how willing they were for me to photograph them.

By the end of the day everyone was pretty worn out and I was wishing that I could be magically transported home.
I loved getting to meet several readers. I especially cracked up with a lady who called me by name to ask for a price and talked to me like we were old friends. That was fun! Thanks to everyone who stopped by and thanks to Paloma and Fabian for sharing a booth with me. Most especially I want to thank my wonderful husband for helping and supporting me. I had a great time and hope to do it again!

Gifts For Mama

A Formula For A Great Mother's Day!

1. Add some delicious chocolate.
2. A few favorite flowers
3. Maybe some pretty shoes. (Extra points if you get these right)
4. Most importantly...smiling faces

Hope that helps!
Happy Mother's Day.

Many Thanks!

Over the last couple of weeks the photos of my most recent house stalking excursion,
have traveled around the web. I wanted to say a quick thanks to those of you who
posted my photos and a quick hello to all the new bloggers I've met.

1. Desire to Inspire
2. Swamplot
3. Better Living Through Design
4. The Brick House
5. Vintage and Chic Homes

I love finding so many new blogs, including several of which are from Houston!
P.S. I thought I would share one more little treat from this amazing house!

Boutique Style

Having never been to Paris, I imagine it has more amazing boutiques than any other place in the world.
For now, I can virtually enjoy the simple and dramatic showroom of Damir Doma.
I'm particularly infatuated with the beautiful marigold color draperies and chair!
P.S. I found these images via a "new to me" blog called Childhood Flames. The writer has a great style!