Buddha for your home, garden, office

Photo: monsyb

This is one of my favorite meditating Buddha statues. This one's in our backyard on a wooden table with a beautiful bougainvillea that's growing over it. Got it a few years ago at Target. And now that it's a little older and weathered, it looks even better.

 

I have a couple more Buddha heads/statues in our home and one on my office desk. It's nice to have a Buddha in your home, garden or office. Particularly the meditating Buddha, because it represents the hope for peace and harmony of the homeowners or the office occupant. Very relaxing to look at.

 

You don't have to be a Buddhist to have one and they're everywhere now because they're pretty popular in the home/garden décor world, so I'm sure you can find one you really like. Try Target, TJMaxx, Homegoods, ebay, etsy, garden stores, etc.

Happy Weekend

All photos: Target

 

Mossimo Supply Co. for Target. Boho printed crossbody bag. Adjustable strap. Zip closure top, zip pocket inside and open pocket inside for cell phone. The perfect weekend crossbody bag. Also makes a great present.

Love the black and white print design on the strap. Really love the little pom-pom tassels, but if tassels aren't your thing, you can take them off. A great way to add a little zing to your spring/summer outfits for just $19.99. This one won't last long, if you can still find it.

Gloss Bar Miami

Photo: glossmiami

Okay, let me preface this by saying I have the best manicurist in Miami, Ines Garcia. Been doing manicures/pedicures with her for over 20 years. I've tried everything else in Miami when she goes on vacation and nothing else compares.

 

Having said that, I'm very intrigued by this new place, Gloss Bar Miami, in Coral Gables on Andalusia Avenue. The first organic natural nail salon in Miami - hallelujah!! Thank you, organic gods. I'd say it's about time for this to get to Miami.

 

Gloss nail polishes are chemical-free, and Sandra Weir, the owner, offers over 100 colors. Even the nail polish remover is 100% organic so it doesn't burn the inside lining of your nose. I haven't been yet so I can't review it but from what I've read in the press and checking out the website and the pictures, I think it's right up my alley.

 

Most of you know I don't paint my nails for health reasons (still haven't been able to give up painted toes,though), but I just might get them painted so I can try Gloss Bar out. And it doesn't hurt that it's next door to Chocolate Fashion, best French pastries in Miami, so you can get a real French croissant or raspberry butterfly and a café au lait then go get your nails/feet done. Heaven.

Starbucks Protein Bistro Box - perfecto

Photo: cookinglight

This is so perfect for a light lunch or when you're on the go. Yeah, you can for sure make it yourself at home but when you can't, Starbucks Protein Bistro Box is better than opting for fast food. It comes with a cage-free hard boiled egg (I know you organic, granola people like me love this), white cheddar cheese slices, multigrain muesli bread, honey peanut butter, apple slices and a bunch of red grapes.

 

And if you wanna be really green, save their little plastic container and when you make your own protein combo at home, just use this one to store it in. Great to pack for kids that do sports after school and need a quick, healthy snack when they're riding around in the car.

The Burch sisters

Photo: Trademark

Tory Burch's ex-stepdaughters, Alexandra and Louisa, have entered the family business with their new company, Trademark. Their ready-to-wear line debuted in February with 105 pieces, including this awesome necklace, called the Kiss Lock necklace. $188 on their website.

 

The line is classic, clean and modern. I can see some Tory influences in some of the pieces but the price-point is lower. Good for us. Check out the clothes, bags, jewelry, shoes and accessories at trade-mark.com

Spring is here

Photo: southernliving

Spring 2014 opened officially last Thursday, March 20. I don't know what says spring more than seersucker. Love this fabric, always have. I think it has something to do with the fact that my uniform from the time I was in kindergarten up through about 5th or 6th grade was made out of light blue seersucker. Believe it or not, we didn't have A/C in the classroom at the Catholic grade school I went to up until about 5th or 6th grade.  Un.Be.Lievable. I know, but it's true. There's nothing cooler than seersucker on a hot, humid Miami day. Then when we got A/C units in the classroom, hello new polyester uniforms. I wish I still had my old seersucker ones. The fabric was so soft from washing it so much; it almost felt like an old t-shirt. If I still had them, I'd have a seamstress make something out of them for me. Oh well.

 

Anyway, check out the "Rebecca" dress from Jolie and Elizabeth. Love that scalloped hem and diagonal pockets. Comes in pink and blue. $189, and Southern Living readers get 20% off online orders using the code SOUTHERNLIVING14.

 

To edge this up a little, I'd wear it with a military jacket like the Boyfriend Fatigue Jacket from J. Crew and either some white converse or a flat, nude thong sandal.

Happy Weekend

Photo: westelm.com

 

Love Dhurrie rugs. This one from West Elm especially - the Phoenix Wool Dhurrie. Comes in a variety of sizes. The 3'x5' is $139 - not too shabby. Just the right touch to liven up your space and warm it up. Matches with any decor - traditional, modern, cottage/country, boho/eclectic, you name it. Never goes out of style.

Please let this come to fruition

Photo: independent.co.uk

Okay, Sofia Coppola is one of my all-time favorites for many reasons. Her chic, understated style; she's an incredibly-talented director, she's Marc Jacobs' muse, etc. So brace yourself  'cause she's in the works to direct the live-action film of The Little Mermaid. And not the Disney version. The  Hans Christian Andersen fairytale original version, so it's gonna be bleaker. Oh boy.

 

The Little Mermaid live-action movie has been percolating for a few years. Shame screenwriter Abi Morgan submitted a script in 2011 and was quoted as saying that the story was "so beautiful and exquisite and painful, so we absolutely have to have the original ending."

 

If you don't know what the original Andersen fairytale entails, before it was Disney-fied, here goes: The Little Mermaid longs for the prince and an eternal soul. She goes to see the Sea Witch who sells her a potion that gives the Little Mermaid legs, in exchange for her tongue (yikes!). Drinking the potion is very painful, but once she's done it, she will have two beautiful legs and will dance like no other person has danced before .The clincher: it will feel as if she's walking on sharp swords and her feet will be constantly bleeding. The other clincher is she only gets a soul if the prince loves her and marries her. If he doesn't, at dawn on the first day after he marries another woman, the Little Mermaid will die brokenhearted and turn into sea foam.

 

Ay. Dios. Mio. This is gonna be torture waiting for this.

Mila-amor

Photo:mila-amor

Love, love, love this Colombian Wayuu Mochila bag. If this is your type of accessory and you're into boho décor, jewelry, etc, you need to check out mila-amor.com, run by mother-daughter team, Claudia and Camila. So many beautiful things on their website. If you can't travel around Colombia, Peru, Guatemala, Morocco, etc., this is next best thing.

 

Not sure if this color is still available but if not, it comes in other colors. Perfect for spring/summer.

 

And for those of you that think you're too young for this bag, you thought wrong. It's all in how you wear it. 35 years old or so and under, wear it any which way. Anybody older, it would look great with a crisp white button-down shirt, jeans, nude leather thongs. Just the right punch of color.

Anthropologie monogram mugs

Photo: Anthropologie

Got these for all my family members a few Christmases ago. One of my best Anthro purchases ever. $8 so you really can't pass it up. Look great on the open shelves in my kitchen. They're still available so get them while you can. These are a classic.

Spring 2014's top sneaker

Photo: Nordstrom

The spring 2014 sneaker is perforated and slip on. I like this one from Tory Burch. $165 at Nordstrom. In this bleach color. It also comes in gold, but bleach is better which is why it's sold out everywhere. If you can get your hands on a pair, buy them.

Happy weekend

 

 

Photos: Niebaum-Coppola Winery

I love mini-sized things. I love champagne (or sparkling wine, Prosecco, cava, etc.). It's my drink of choice. I LOVE Sofia Coppola. So roll all three into one and you get the insanely perfect Sofia Blanc de Blanc sparkling wine in mini-cans with it's little straw attached to the can!!! The $20 4-pack comes in this beautiful box (I'd keep it to store some stuff).

The 187 mL can holds a mix of Blanc de Blancs from California made with a blend of Pinot Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc and Muscat grapes. Dry but sweet. Delicious. Enjoy!

Mad Men Season 7 - exactly one month and counting!

Photo: madmen

Season 7of Mad Men starts April 13! Yeah!!! Cannot wait. My favorite show ever (tied with Breaking Bad). Best part of season 6 was seeing Peggy in Don's office, wearing her badass late 1960's pantsuit. Love it! So Marc Jacobs. With a little fine-tuning here and there, that pantsuit can be worn today. Can't wait to see what Mad Men's designers have in store for Peggy this season, which is still 1960's time, my favorite clothing era.

 

Matthew Weiner hired graphics guru Milton Glaser, whose work epitomized the look of the late 1960's. Check out the poster Glaser designed that will be appearing on buses and billboards in anticipation of season 7. Gotta figure out how to get one.

Photo: amc

Printemps in Paris

Photo: instagram @parisinfourthmonths

 

God knows, when spring comes to Paris, 

the humblest mortal alive 

must feel that he dwells in paradise.  

- Henry Miller

 

Paris is blooming right now. If you love Paris, do NOT look at some of the spring time pictures on Instagram, 'cause it'll kill you. And if you REALLY want to torture yourself, check out the blog, parisinfourthmonths. The nail in your coffin.

Birkenstocks It moment

Photo: Vogue

I've always loved Birkenstocks. Been wearing them for years. I have the Mayari style in lavender leather that I got for my birthday a few years ago at Anthropologie.

 

If you follow fashion, you'll know that Birkenstocks are having a moment, as they say. They are on the runway, Vogue, seen on fashion editors everywhere, you name it.

 

Some tips if you're going to wear them. They can't look old and worn, so get a new pair. Also, a pedicure is crucial so you don't look like a leftover from Woodstock. Metallic leather, patent leather or an unusual color like white or pastel helps in taking the hippie-edge off the shoe. And they look especially nice worn with a pretty dress, like here.

Lonny magazine

Photo: lonnymag

 

I love magazines. My favorite home décor magazine was Domino, which sadly, is no longer published. Lucky for me, I now have the online magazine, Lonny. It was started by former Domino magazine market assistant Michelle Adams and her friend, photographer Patrick Cline.

Lonny is also a website and a blog. This is some serious decorating information. It's a feast for the eyes - so many cool homes and ideas. I refer to it over and over. Lonny was launched in 2009 so you have a TON of catching up to do. You're welcome!

 

 

Happy weekend

Photo: Nordstrom

 

What a great skirt for spring (and summer)! Nice inverted pleats, crisp white color, quilted diamond jacquard fabric. And my favorite style - classic A-line midi skirt.

 

This one's from Topshop at Nordstroms. $96. Looks great as styled here by Nordstrom, but I also like it the way Topshop has it styled on Nordstrom's site with denim jacket and black flat ankle boots. A lot of possibilities with this one.

The one that got away...

Photo: Ikea

 

I missed the Leran pendant lamp at Ikea a few years ago by like, what, a few months? I kept seeing it over and over in magazines, other blogs, etc., and when I finally realized it was what I wanted, it was too late. It's no longer available in stores in the USA. And it was only $89 for this substantial piece, and I passed it up!!! My only hope  now is ebay or craigslist, but not too many people give up their Leran lamps so it's highly doubtful I'll find one. It's still available though in Ikea, Australia, if anyone's headed that way.

The Leran lamp adds just the right touch of bohemian, matches with anything - modern, country, simple, classic. It's what I tell all my friends all the time, if you decorate with what you love, even though the items are different styles, it will all work and go together because the single thread running through everything and tying it all together is that you love it, so it works.

 

Has that happened to you, let a home decor item get away that is no longer available? This has happened to me many times before with different items. But I guess I never learn, I just never learn.

An oldie but a goodie

Photo: Nordstrom

Best. Blush. Ever - Nars The Multiple Stick in Orgasm. $39 at Nordstrom, Sephora, etc. The most natural sheer color that looks great on everyone, any time of the year. It's the only blush I use and been using it for years.

 

It's a multi-purpose, cream-to-powder stick formula that you can use on your eyes, cheeks, lips and body. This color in particular looks best on cheeks.  It's a cult classic, always on every top beauty product list, every single year. Try it and you'll see why.

Xochitl Totopos

How come I didn't know chips were called totopos in Mexico until now? I think I'm gonna have to use that word more often cause it's too cute.

Anyway, Xochitl (pronounced, so-cheel) totopos are my favorites. No preservatives, no cholesterol, no trans fats, no gluten, no GMO's. They come in different varieties, but my favorite is sea salt. These are thin and crispy, just like you get at a Mexican restaurant. Get your totopos at Publix, Target, Whole Foods. 

Nairobi blue

Photo: E!online

Best Support Actress Oscar winner Lupita Nyong'o nails it again. This time, it's a stunning pleated sky-blue Grecian Prada grown. She said she picked a blue that reminded her of Nairobi. I think a lot of people are going to be picking that blue for Spring/Summer 2014. Amazing.