I’m Back!

My last post dated back to 2012 – that’s totally like decades in blogging years.  Well…life gets in the way, and Instagram is honestly a much faster way to share my life…but it’s the new year, and I intend to be better about being on here.  With that said, I will still try to share all the fun things I’ve experienced in the past 2+ years because we just can’t let all of those fun times go to waste!

First up – I’m not even a SoCal girl anymore.  Life went on with many changes since my last post, and the wind blew me up to the Bay so now I am legitimately an SF “city” girl.  As everyone knows, city living is tough with tiny apartment space, and a style-lover like me was definitely having a hard time coping with the space issue.  But I’m a lucky girl.  E lets me have a whole room to myself for my closet space…YAY!  Here’s a little glimpse into my space.

And while decorating this space, I acquired a new hobby – trash-picking!  People in the city throw away GOOD furniture regularly, and they may not be in the best shape, but they do have potential.  My room is lacking a good chair so when I walked by this old wing back chair on my way to work one morning, I knew I’ve found something amazing…

Having the awesomest husband, one call to E, and he came to collect the chair and walked 4 blocks up SF hills to take this home.  A quick  trip to the fabric store , and twenty or so calls to find a perfect upholster from Oakland (waaaaay cheaper than having it done in the city plus free delivery and GREAT quality work – highly recommended), I have a beautiful, one-of-a-kind chair.  Did I mention I have a minor obsession with stripes?  That’s another post on its own.

Now I’m always on the look out for furniture left outside on the street because you never know what other treasure is waiting to be discovered.

So with this space (and this new city life…and a new hobby), my style has definitely evolves, and I cannot wait to share more later!  Stay tuned.

“POSH PLUM”

Totally Heart Events is honored to be asked to design a table at a charity event this year.  The 2012 Trace3 Table for 10 Culinry Event benefited Project HOPE Alliance which supports the homeless children in Orange County, CA.  The event took place the elegant the Balboa Bay Club & Resort in Newport Beach, CA.  Roy’s Restaurant Newport Beach was a part of this great event again this year.

We were asked to create a table that represents the elegant yet laid back dining of Roy’s.  To start off – Roy’s signature colors are plum purple and sage green; however,  I want to do a more modern color combination at this event so I thought I would draw from their newly designed logo of the silver koi fish named “Guchi” and the signature plum “Roy’s” logo instead.  The color scheme was plum purple, gray, white, and a dash of shiny silver.  Below is the board I came up with…

The table we were given was round table, which I find a bit more challenging to work with…but it worked out after I decided to arrange everything into 3 groups so everyone gets a “good” angle of the table decor.  This is how the table turned out…

We chose 3 different type of silver vases with different textures and finishes to hold the flowers, which I think give the design a bit of an eclectic look.  KC Floral Designs did the flowers for us again, and they turned out beautiful.

My most fabulous find must be these candle holders from Z Gallerie.  The design reminds me so much of Roy’s signature koi fish, Guchi.  I couldn’t believe I found them for just $19.95 each!

The white Casablanca lanterns (also from Z Gallerie) added some whimsy and a beautiful glow to the table.  The deep plum lotus votive holder (Z Gallerie) is a classic Roy’s style so I had to add that to the table.

And another element that I love is the silver graphic print napkins.  I made those myself from a panel of curtain!

And here are some pictures of the delicious food that E created.  The cauliflower soup looks great against the silver charger.

Here’s E working hard plating the main entree table-side…

I didn’t get to taste everything, but I did get a sample of the Nutella Macarons that were served…and they were to die for!

We had such a wonderful time setting up for this great event and  hope we get to do another one soon!

Photos: Courtesy of Bob Hodson Photography, Styles Photography, and yours truly.

“TREND TUESDAY [COLLAR NECKLACE]”

…for a lack of better term.  I don’t really know what to call them, but I know they are EVERYWHERE on fashion blogs.  I’m still making up my mind about them, but they could add a really fun touch to a simple outfit.

If you are not quite sure how these work…I found a few examples here of how they can be worn…

Just a touch of interesting to a plain tee or sweater.  What do you think?

Images: 1-6. What Do I Wear?, 7. Lust for Life

“OUT WITH THE OLD, IN WITH THE NEON”

…I have this weird obsession with neon.  Could it be because I was born in the 80’s?  I just love a splash of it here and there (or a whole lot of it…doesn’t matter really).  It just adds an unexpected touch of edginess to the whole ensemble.

My pick for neon?  It’s actually an item I’ve blogged about before, and I’m still loving it.  Illamasqua Neon Nail Varnish in Rare.  Perfect for easing yourself into this neon thing…

…or start off with a simple pair of sandals with a hint of neon like these from Forever 21.  At $7.50 a pair…it’s a fashion risk worth taking.

…and when you ready…I highly recommend this…

Fabulous~

Images: 1-3, The Glitter Guide, 4. Source unknown, 5. Adventures of Styles, 5.  Patterson Maker

“TREND TUESDAY [ENVELOPE CLUTCH]”

…so according to Harper’s Bazaar What to Buy March 2012 issue – envelope clutches are all the rage this season.  These oversized clutches are just large enough for day but still cool enough for evening.  What’s not to love?

My current obsession…classic YvesSaintLaurent.  Thanks to E, who listened to me whine incessantly about how badly I wanted one after my friend bought a cool gray one for herself.  Wish granted on ❤ Day.  Thank you, best husband in the world :-).

Images 1. Stylein, 2. The Real Me, 3. Street Peeper, 4. C’est si bon, 5 and 6, mine via Instagram

“MAD ABOUT [FABULOUS FUSCHIA] MONDAY”

I’m dedicating this week to blog about all things I’m currently obsessing with right now…and hopefully, these items will also transition beautifully into the Spring.  First off…anything fuschia.

Let’s be honest…when is pink ever not in fashion?  As Elle Woods once wisely said, “whoever said orange was the new pink was seriously disturbed.”  Well said, Elle.

My pick for pink…these B for Brian Atwood suede pumps.  Amazing, right?  If you could remember a few posts back, I was obsessing about these before X’Mas.  I guess Santa was listening and wish granted on X’Mas day :-).  My poor neighbors were probably thinking someone got hurt judging by the sound of my scream when I opened the box.  E, which from now on will be referred to as the best husband in the world, searched every store in the nation scouring for my exact size as apparently these were sold out everywhere during X’mas.  Luckily, someone returned my exact size while he was at the store.  I’m in love…

Images: 1 and 2. Yellow Weaver, 3. The Glitter Guide, 4.  I Dream of Shoes, 5 and 6. My own

“TREND TUESDAY [PILLOW TALK]”

…I’m getting bored of patterned bed linen and thinking of switching over to an all-white sheet set.  These pillows would be such fun additions to the simple, crisp, white sheets.  Don’t you think?

Images: 1. Not On The High Street, 2. Jaclyn Paige

“WEDDING WEDNESDAY [CHURCH]”

…holy cow!  How amazing would it be to get married in this church?

No decoration necessary.  It’s amazing as it is…

Wow~

Image: Yelloweaver

“TREND TUESDAY [MAXI DRESS…IN THE WINTER]”

…it can be done (at least in LA, that is)…as fabulously demonstrated here by Rachel Bilson.

Love her…and her amazing boots.  I wish I knew where they are from.  Perfect heel height and even more perfect shade of gray (my most favorite color ever).

Love, love, love~

Image:  The Pretty Haze

“A HINT OF SUMMER”

…in the middle of winter.  With all the rain, snow, and cold wind…I’m already day-dreaming about warm, breezy, and sunny California summer.

And who knew ikat (or GAP for that matter) could be so cool?  I’m not a big fan of the print (or GAP), but these shorts from GAP Summer 2012 collection are a perfect, way chic-er alternative to those denim cut-offs.  Pair them with a crisp, white button down or a loose, blousy white tank, a pair of worn-in leather sandals, shades, and tanned skin – casual, chic perfection.

Can’t wait ’til summer~

Image: Glamour