Sunday, May 31, 2009

Pillow Talk



The best home made brioche french toast with lots of berries....and I am not tooting my own horn. The boyfriend said they are the best and Tazer and Jade confirmed it.



The New Pillows. I'm in Love


The Sea foam pillow was only $3. I know, I couldn't believe it either. I ran out of the store as quickly as possible. I kept thinking the security guard was going to come after me.


Let's begin by saying that I hope you all are enjoying your Sunday as much as we are. We started our day by having some home made french toast, all organic of course and now we are off to the store to bring home with us a new dishwasher. I am so excited. I told you already, I need some serious help. Who gets excited about a new dishwasher? Well, I do. I get excited about anything new or old, or even better if is vintage coming into our home. Except, who wants a vintage dishwasher. Let's scratch that one out of the equation and stick to new. Speaking about new goodies. I promised to post some picks of the goodies I scored at Home Goods a couple days ago. So here we go... I am so excited with my new purchases and the price tag was the best part. I am a serious shopaholic but always on a budget. So, what's girl to do but buy the most adorable pillows, each for less then $10 . Yes, you heard me. I am beyond myself. I did pat myself in the back a couple of times and even did the happy dance in front of Tazer and Jade. You should of seen the look on their faces. Enough about me, I don't want you to think that I am completely insane. Enjoy the rest of your weekend!!

Saturday, May 30, 2009

Enjoy your weekend :)


(View of the Sunset from our backyard)

I am sure a lot of you got to enjoy a perfect summer day wherever you may be, but here in South Florida it poured. In fact it has been raining nonstop for the last two weeks, I am just sick of the rain. So, God please cut us some slack. I know that I am being selfish, since 99% of the time we have gorgeous weather but we (I am speaking on behalf of all South Floridians, some might disagree with me on this one) are just about ready to hold hands and cry out loud that we want our gorgeous weather and people, I mean beaches back. Also, I just need to ask for one more favor keep the hurricanes away this season. I am sick of watching the news, that is all they talk about like we have not experienced enough hurricanes and tropical storms to create a new alphabet in order to name the new ones coming our way. Give us a Break this summer, pleaseeeee. Wow, Am I over dramatic or what? I probably need some help, please don't tell anyone. I want to enjoy this summer by gardening, laying on the beach, and hosting outdoor parties by the lake. I really don't feel like renting a van, loading our two dogs plus two crates and driving to Disney World. ( that's what we do when there is a hurricane coming, we skip town).

One thing I can't complaint about is our gorgeous sunsets, it almost makes the nonstop rain bearable. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and please send your good wishes our way and we will be sure to return the favor this coming winter.

Friday, May 29, 2009

My love for all things Vintage

If you find yourself in South Florida make sure to get your hands on one, or two, or three, or even a dozen of these delicious cupcakes. When in NYC you eat Magnolia cupcakes, when in LA is sprinkles and in Miami we indulge ourselves with Misha's Cupcakes.




I don't know if you had a crazy day, I mean week like me but I wanted give you some eye candy straight from my closet to cheer you up. Here are some of my most cherished possessions that I have collected through the years. The clutches are my pride and joy and the necklaces put a smile on my face every time I wear them. I have a lot more vintage necklaces and rings but they are stuck in a box in my jewelery drawer and I'm just too lazy to dig them up for a pic. I will make it up to you next time, promise. In the mean time here is a pic of the most delicious cupcakes I brought home right after my mani/pedi. Isn't it crazy how great you feel after getting your nails done or eating a delicious cupcake, and after the day I had at work I very well deserved both of them. I hope you are having a great night and have a wonderful weekend. Stay tune this weekend to see all the great stuff I scored at Home Goods.

Thursday, May 28, 2009

New Obsession

Among many of my obsessions candles are pretty up there. In a recent trip to HomeGoods, I came across Wood Wick Candles and I can now call myself obsessed. I have them scattered all over the house among my favorite scents are Honeysuckle and Brown Sugar but I don't discriminate. Not only do these candles come in all different delicious scents but they also make the crackling sound of wood burning. In South Florida, we don't have many homes that have built in fireplaces including mine. As you can imagine, I am having a blast at pretending to have a fireplace without dealing with having heat exhaustion inside my own home while enjoying the sweet and sophisticated scents these candles have to offer. Enough said, do yourself a favor and run to your nearest HomeGoods and buy as many of these yummy candles you can get your hands on. Have Fun finding your favorite scent.

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

More weekend projects and more drama

I've gotten a lot done around the house this weekend including painting the office (more on that later). However, we've also had a rough couple of days here at home. Our amazing 7yr old American Bulldog has an infection on one of his eyes and it breaks my heart every time I see him. Tazer is strong (105lbs, same as mom) and full of energy, normally keeping up with the little volcano he shares this household with named Jade (pic above). Lately, all he does is sleep and can barely open his eye. The damn meds are taking really long to work although the Vet keeps telling us that it will. I just want to see my little boy running around giving Jade a taste of her own medicine which she very much deserves. I'm not normally an emotional person but there is something about seeing your kids in pain that just takes it all out of you. I know that they are not literally my kids, I didn't give birth to them but might as well had because they are a huge part our lives. I hope everyone can be as lucky as we are and have two wonderful and amazing dogs like Tazer and Jade.



My silver tray full of necklaces



My favorite milk glass vase


I have been wanting to change the look of our bedroom dresser for the last couple of weeks. The boyfriend and I have been debating while we should hang a plasma on that wall (which I'm totally against the idea by the way). I understand that this is a very controversial topic but my idea of romance does not include a giant screen in my bedroom. After much consideration I decided to paint the two frames white and I love the contrast of the white against the bright blue walls. It was a cheap way of changing the look and still incorporating something we had which brought the cost to $0. The boyfriend is please for now although I know he won't be dropping the idea of the plasma any time soon and I won't be budging either. The large white frame originally held a wedding picture of my in-laws which I added to the gallery wall in our living room. I kept the frame because I loved the bamboo detail it has as well as the sentimental value. I also used tissue paper from last Christmas for an inexpensive yet chic piece of art work.


Here is how the frames looked before the fabulous paint job. They looked so sad and there was too many wood tones competing for attention.

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Weekend Projects. Total cost, Priceless


Ikea free floating bathroom shelve $20

I have been wanting to do this for a while since we didn't have a place where we could have all of our perfume and cologne bottles easily accessible to us. I have decided that I will add a second shelve right underneath this one where I can store all of our towels and toiletries. I will post pics of that as soon as we get that project done and by we I mean the boyfriend who happens to be very handy with the drill. He'll be very happy that I just gave him some credit :)



Tea Roses from Whole Foods $12

I love tea roses in all sorts of colors. I try to keep fresh flowers in the house as much as possible. I normally buy them at Whole Foods since they have a great variety of flowers. For the last couple of weeks I had peonies so I opted for tea roses this week. By the way the small vases in the master bathroom sink and my night stand were originally candle containers. I usually do this if I like the shape of the container once I'm done using the candle. I have been doing it for years and is a great way to collect vases of different shapes for no cost.




Dining Room Table Centerpiece $6 for the Ikea plant and pot.




I rearranged the centerpiece in our dining room table with some milk glass from my collection, my prized foo dogs and an inexpensive plant from Ikea, which I am sad to report is already dying. I seriously think I am cursed when it comes to plants. How is it possible that I kill every living green thing that comes into our house, including succulents and a cactus. More on that later before I start to feel sorry for myself.



The first floor guest bathroom. Total makeover cost $15

I had another target print that I hung by the sink adding some much need pizazz to the lonely corner.


This frame above the toilet was an old white frame I had in the garage, which I decided to paint black. By hanging an inexpensive target print in the center of it I have created a focal point that's modern and chic.



First, I would like to apologize for the delay. I was planning on posting the pics of all the little projects that kept me busy over the weekend but like the ditz I am, I forgot to charge the battery for my camera beforehand. All these projects were very inexpensive and took very little time.

Sunday, May 24, 2009

I hope you are having a wonderlful weekend :)

Sanibel Florida

I have been working on a couple of projects around the house all weekend. Make sure to come back tomorrow to view the pics.

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Guest Bedroom, a work in progress part II

The Louis Ghost Chair by Kartell for the desk


Throw Pillows from Anthropologie


ZGallerie Lamp base with the Anthropologie Shade above


Parsons Desk in white from West Elm

Sunflower Mirror from Zgallerie




Nesting Hexagon in white from West Elm



West Elm, Morocco Duvet Cover in Cinnabar


West Elm, Zebrawood Headboard




I have been trying to start decorating our guest bedroom/Office since we moved in to our home eight months ago. I have changed my mind a million times about what color scheme I would like to use. As much as I love blues and browns, we already have those colors in our Master Bedroom. I have decided that I want to try a neutral color on the walls and add pops of colors with all the accessories. Besides, the boyfriend and I might want to spend the night in the room once is ready and it will hopefully feel like we are in a resort since the colors will be the complete opposite from our master. I hope to post pics very soon. My choices of furniture or accessories will probably change since I can't seem to make up my mind like Sean Penn and Robin Wright.

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

The Biltmore, A South Florida Jewel


Palm D'or at The Biltmore. The best Creme Brulee in Miami


The Famous Everglades Suite, better known as the Al Capone suite.

The famous pool. Sunday brunch by the pool is highly recommended.




If you travel to Miami, make sure to stop by The Biltmore or even better, stay a couple of nights. You will be happily surprised with the level of elegance and attention to detail. Make sure to have a dinner at Palm D'or and take the carriage ride the resort provides for all their guest through historic Coral Gables. I am so proud to have such amazing architecture within minutes away.

Here is the website: http://www.biltmorehotel.com/

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

I'm a happy girl today!!





Guess what? The famous Serendipity3 opened a location in South Florida within 30 minutes from my house at the Famous and renowned Boca Raton Resort & Club, a Waldorf Astoria property. Check out the pictures and the original Tiffany lamps as well as the art nouveau fabric walls. I know it will not be as whimsical as the original spot in NYC but for this South Floridian is enough. As much as I love sipping my frrrozen hot chocolate in New York I will sure and try to enjoy these mouth-watering drink while touring the legendary grounds of the resort. More pictures from moi are soon to follow.

Monday, May 18, 2009

A beautiful outdoor space in Napa




This amazing home belongs to designers DAVE DEMATTEI and PATRICK WADE. They executed an astounding job at recreating a Tuscan Villa. I can totally picture myself hosting a Sunday brunch on that terrace and sipping mimosas while sun bathing on that patio.