Tuesday... feels like a Monday

In the frustrations that filled today, I just have to remember that... 

Giving Thanks

DwellStudio

This year has been full of joyful milestones, painful growth spurts, and many many unexpected blessings.  I have so many things to be grateful for, so many people I need to say "thank you" to.  I hope this Thanksgiving is a special one for you,too.

Happy Friday!

Have a wonderful weekend!

A little weekend inspiration for all the D.I.Yers, dreamers, and doers out there...

On A Kitchen Kick...

Finding the photos for my post on Tuesday sent me into a DecorPad rampage.  I'm getting ideas ready for the staging of my spice jars in a kitchen, and taking a few minutes to tune out and virtually shop for my dream kitchen online was such an escape.

Here are a few of my favorites:

 {all images via Decorpad}

What I Want Wednesday: This In My Kitchen

It's Complicated, but I'm Officially in Love

I laughed out loud and fell in love all at the same time this weekend when I watched "It's Complicated".  Meryl Streep was amazing (as usual) and I'm now in complete infatuation with her house, her garden, and her bakery from the film!

Soooooo gorgeous!

 

 

 

White marble island... I'm in love...

Don't you just want to be there, laughing with the ladies?

 

Love the wide-open *loft* feel of this bakery

 

 

Monday, Monday

Miami Nights, Happy Friday

As much as I don't want to admit it, south Florida is starting to feel like home.  It only took 5 years, but hey, at least I feel like my roots are really starting to finally grow.

This weekend will be a blast.  Nice glass of wine, a sushi dinner out, good company, and Miami for the Design District's "Design Nite".  The weather couldn't be more perfect... clear night and about 75 degrees...

Have a good weekend!

{Image via PhotoMike07 @ Flickr}

Intriguing or Disgusting?

I'm usually a big fan of Giada, but I don't know how I feel about this promotional photo:

 I think it may be a little True Blood-esque for my tastes, no pun intended.  I can't say that this promo makes me jump out of my seat to go and buy her marinara sauce.  Actually, I think it makes me wince and crinkle my nose up... yuck!  I am the only one who thinks this is unappetizing?  Who approved this?!

{Image via killahbeez}

What I Want Wednesday: To Be Jo Malone For A Day...

I'm working now on finalizing some design options of the SL's logo, and Jo Malone has certainly served as some great sources of inspiration.  I hope the SL's final design evokes the same class, simplicity and luxurious feeling as Jo Malone's incredible line of products. 

If you're not familiar with Jo Malone products, stop reading my blog now and go familiarize yourself with her genius!  She's 21st century scent innovator mixing new unexpected aromas, fusing spice with flower, and she never never disappoints.  The best thing about Jo Malone's scents?  They last.  She'll have you smellin' like a goddess all day!


What an interesting lady, too, with a crazy connection to McDonald's-- a fascinating juxtaposition between classy elegance and American fast food.  Read Vogue UK's bio by Jo Craven:

The name Jo Malone sends most women into a reverie of cream boxes with black edging and original fresh scents. As a child, Jo Malone would make her own perfumes with flowers from the garden and grated Camay soap. The family home was in Bexleyheath, Kent - her mother Eileen was a beautician and her father an artist.
She worked as a florist and gave facials in her kitchen at night. It was when she met her husband Gary at the age of 19, that their business, featuring her handmade scents and products, took off. She gave her Nutmeg and Ginger Bath Oil as a thank you to her clients and the orders began to flood in. No wonder there is traditionally a queue around the block from her shops at Christmas.

• Jo Malone created a lemon fragrance for the scented hand wipes in McDonald's
• She takes her own white linen sheets with her on holiday and likes them changed and starched every two days. She also takes her scent-making kit and a dictaphone to keep by the bed
•  Jo Malone opened her first store at 154 Walton Street in London in 1994
• By 1999, she launched her flagship store in London's Sloane Street
 
That same year her company was purchased by Estée Lauder with Jo still at its UK helm as chairwoman and creative director. Then in 2006, she sold it to them in its entirety. "After much soul-searching, I believe that this is a good time to make this decision as the brand is in a secure position and I have many other dreams and passions I would like to fulfill," she said.

Her storefronts, packaging, and product designs are simple and beautiful, very reminiscent of the treasured Coco Chanel products that we all love and adore.  I'd live in her store if I could!

{Interview and portrait photo via Vogue.com, product pictures via Jo Malone, London}

Peony: A Boutique Perfumery

 I love peonies, and I love this storefront!

 

 {all images via fellow blogger, Fanciful Designs}

Finally Friday

My life the past eight weeks has been a challenge... I finally feel like I made it through the storm... so ready for the weekend. Happy Friday!

{Etsy Shop Vol25}

Take Me There Thursday...

To le Pavillon de la Reine in Paris...

What I Want Wednesdays: The iPad

Ummmm.... I want one.  Now.

 {images via wired.com and gigaom.com}

Interior Fetish: Vinology, Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, Michigan, is where I grew up.  I never really knew how neat of a town it truly was until I moved away.  Not only is this lively town riddled with culture brought in by the University, but it's blessed with old architecture, good restaurants, and a great nightlife.

This week's interior fetish is Vinology, one of my favorite wine bars *ever*.  Nestled on the north end of the busy but quaint Main Street, Vinology's decor is truly an experience.  From the bubble room to the wine bar, the interior design firms working on this project got is sooooo right:

"To create the warm contemporary atmosphere of Vinology we worked with local designers to maintain the historical attributes of the space while relating the decor to wine education. To evoke the elements of the winemaking process we used materials of stainless steel, cork, and glass. Our preservation efforts lead us to restore the tin ceilings and exposed brick walls and create four separate spaces for our guests to enjoy."

Definitely takin' notes for the SL storefront!

Vinology   Ann Arbor, Michigan

The Bubble Room

I love the bubbles!  My good friend had some of her wedding photos taken in this room.

Love the exposed brick and tin ceiling... character and ambiance appropriate for the product.

Bottle Glass of your finest pinot noir, please.

{Quote and photos from Vinology}