Yeah, I chopped it. And I promised a post. So here you go, my dearies.
Tres sassy, non? (I know, that's not really French).
Ok, here's me looking smiley and normal. Good lord I need to get my eyebrows waxed.
Thank you to my job for allowing me to take these fabulous shots on my lunch break. Oh, and God Bless Macs, while we're at it.
Now back to our regularly scheduled work day already in progress.
This was supposed to be a post on my love for conservatories. How I love the architecture of these stunning spaces because they allow you to see the bare bones of the building... just glass and metal rising all around you.
I've always loved the summery cabana feel of yellow stripes...
... and I'm not exaggerating when I say I think it stemmed from those Giorgio perfume ads in the 90's. I used to tear them out because I thought they were so cool...
'Sunset. Rodeo. It's so Giorgio....'
Summer is officially here, and my mind has already wandered to fall palettes. Figures! While I still plan on incorporating a touch of pink into my bedroom, my living room has moved from this beachy theme, to this...
Gee... I wonder where my inspiration came from? If you look closely, you'll see...
I absolutely loved Julianne Moore's living room from the May issue of Domino. The funny thing was, I already had all the elements to recreate this for myself, they were just in different rooms. The deep blue pillows have been in my bedroom, and the yellow Thomas Paul floral pillow was already on the couch. (Psst, the alabaster bowl that I looove is for sale in my Etsy store which I will be updating again very soon!) Other changes? I moved my bar over to the corner, and put a little side chair in its place...
The chair is from Ikea, and the bar cart and the furry little pillow are from Empiric (oh, and so is my couch!). I wanted to add more texture, which is why I opted for the wicker chair. Plus, it lightens things up a bit! (Also, isn't it fun to see how everyone uses the 'Keep Calm' poster in their home?).
Besides Julianne's home, I've filed away plenty of other inspirational rooms with a similar feel to them to share as well! Most of them show a great use of a saturated color, but also great contrast, which is what I love the most.
Drew Barrymore's kitchen via Domino.
Thomas O'Brien's home.
I am absolutely in love with this space found via Desire to Inspire. I even tried throwing a red pillow into the mix on my couch... what do you think?
I might have subconsciously been trying to emulate Ivanka Trump's apartment that has been posted on so many times...
Of course this room from Nicholas Haslam might be the ultimate in saturation and contrast... 
So, dear friends, I have to ask. Do you like the couch with the red pillow? Or should I keep it simple with the blue and yellow? Of course, knowing me... I'll be switching it up again in another month or so anyway!
If I were hosting a fabulous 4th, I'd take a seaside theme and run with it!
Mercury glass votives and red and white coral from Z Gallerie, blue coral via Beach Dwelling, linen coral napkin and silver rope pitcher from Vivre, and red glasses from Horchow.
I would cluster red white and blue coral for the centerpieces, and accent them with seashells and mercury glass votives placed throughout the table. The gorgeous silver and rope collection of serving pieces at Vivre would add a special touch, while festive red glasses add a pop of more color. I like the subtle coral pattern in the linens (don't want to go overboard with one theme - it gets a bit kitchy!), and adding some neutrals to the palate keeps it fresh and clean.
And what to wear? I'll take a cue from Bill Blass and Armani resort styles by taking nautical to the next level with mixed matched stripes in red white and blue.
PS - I'd totally add this bling to my arm...
I love rockin' a starfish. (From De Grisogono.)
Happy 4th of July everyone! Be safe, have fun, and I'll see you on Monday!
Well, I think I'm all out of girly-ness (I told you I didn't have a lot in me!) so we're back to pure classic sophistication and inspiration with this room from Eileen Kathryn Boyd.
I think the reason I am most in love with this room is that the colors are very similar to what I have going on in my living room. But the yellow and aqua really pop here. The curtains and windows are so amazingly dramatic, they just tie the whole thing together. I also love that the glass-topped desk doesn't even register as a desk when styled like this. Of course, it really does function as one...
See? Pretty! I love the chair, actually. Just what I'm looking for for my own desk.
And here's another view of the room...
Interesting how they matched everything almost TOO well. (Did you notice that even the books on the desk were color coordinated?). Of course, this was for a showhouse, so we can be forgiving of how ridiculously perfect it all is! I don't think I could stand something so matchy for long... but it sure does make a fabulous impact!
I'd never really looked at the vintage section of Beach Dwelling, but while I was browsing through looking for (duh) beach decor, I found this:
A gorgeous French canopy draped with vintage gold and mauvy linen. I don't know if I'll ever own a house worthy of this, but it certainly makes a statement! And a slightly feminine one at that, so I figured I could included in this weekend of girly goodness.
However, I think I'll take this guy:
I'm not gonna lie - I thought about maxing out my credit card just to have this gilded goodness for a good minute or two. He'd be oh so perfect in my bedroom!
Yesterday was one of THOSE days. By 5pm I was ready to head home and either pop open a bottle of wine or run out my stress on the treadmill. Luckily I already had a gym date, so I was a good girl and got a good run in before the wine. You know what I really needed though? Flowers! So I did a little 'shopping' through my two favorite floral blogs, and got myself some beautiful bouquets. 
For the living room, via Housemartin's archives.
And for the bedroom, via Saipua. (PS - I love how fitting the stack of books is for this romantic bouquet!)
This could be the most perfectly girlish dress I've ever seen. And I think what makes it work on Alexa is her undone hair and the casual black belt. Or does she just look like she's dressing up in an old prom dress circa 1991? Either way, I kinda like it. That and I've been coveting a diamond peace sign necklace. (Such a hippie these days!)
I'm getting my hair cut today and part of me really wants to just take this photo in with me and get it all chopped off... think I could pull off the dress too?
After discovering the images I posted yesterday from Lisolette Watkins, I happened by the Spring 2008 Ready-to-Wear collection from Nathan Jenden, and couldn't help but recognize the same theme.
Big floppy bows...
Loads of stripes...
And some adorable dresses (lovin' the bloomer-pants!)
So similar, right?
MONTHS ago, I emailed Grace over at Design*Sponge to see if she had anyone working on a Seattle Shopping Guide. No!? Well, then let me just whip one out!! Little did I know how much work it would actually be to keep up with such a quickly growing city with beautiful shops, boutiques, restaurants and cafes constantly popping up. 
Well, it's finally done! And it's finally up, so go check it out right here right now. Thanks so much Grace, for letting me contribute to your inspirational blog! And to those of you Seattleites, please add your own favorites in her comments section! I know there are many more great spots on top of the ones that made the list.
Admittedly, I am not the girliest girl I know (that title is reserved for Lyndsy over at Yellow Brick Blog), but I do have my moments. And lately, I've been feelin' the girly side of me come out. Haven't been watching as much ESPN. Letting myself get stupid about boys. Decorating with pink. And, falling in love with these pretty baubles from jewelry designer Wendy Gell.
Wendy creates all sorts of jewelry but her wristies, as she calls them (how cute is that?), are my favorites. They're absolutely ridiculous and over-the-top. The one above might be the most tame design she has. Other pieces exhibit large Disney characters, overloads of bling, and small figurines. My other fave is this one...
I mean, if that's not girly, I don't know what is. And, you know what? I would ROCK that barbie wristie right on my tan little arm. Talk about an easy way to fancy up a simple ensemble. Add it to the wish list!
It's Armani. It's hot. There is no pink, no ruffles, no bows, and I freaking LOVE it. Especially the zig zag accessories ~ what a perfectly subtle way to add a trendy pattern. Dig it.
A couple weeks ago I posted on the talented Lisolette Watkins, who is an incredible stylist and (as one reader pointed out) illustrator. I promised to share my second favorite series with you, so here it is!
I love the fairy tale concept going on with so very girly big bows, ruffles, and candy stripes carried throughout! 
Slightly Alice in Wonderland-ish, right?
I absolutely adore this one with the loads of ribbons spilling out everywhere.
And how perfectly is the striped theme carried throughout each shot?
So fun! More girly goodness coming up tomorrow!
I promised I'd be back this week with more girly-inspired posts, so today I'm celebrating my new favorite obsession with interiors (which is an old one for many of you, I'm sure): a dash of pink.
So warm and unexpected in grown-up spaces, using pink sparingly is quickly becoming one of my favorite design practices.
This interior from Alan Higgs is amazing for one reason: It successfully combines two colors typically reserved for nurseries into a clean modern space. I love how, looking through the rooms, the colors all play off of each other. The pink wall and the rug; the blue chairs and the painting. Lots of white keeps it simple. I also like the warmth of this pink the best - it's almost peachy!
This space, via the archives of desire to inspire has been a longtime favorite of mine, and uses a similar color scheme. There are so many great details going on here, yet the decor is very simple. The white trim on the neutral door and the blue striped walls in the adjacent room play off the colors in the dining area - natural rattan and a bit of blue in the painting. I think my favorite part though is the use of the pink cushions on such an organic material. The tree trunk table is just a little extra touch of genius.
How adorable is this? The pink chair and door adds a dash of playfulness to this dining area. Again, I love the use of pink in contrast with a more organic material like these raw wood floors. Photo via emmas designblogg.
A couple more kitchen spaces:
Via living etc.
A brighter pink backsplash from a post I did back here. I also like a pop of bright pink in a room - it's a little more sassy and adds character! Of course, it's also a bit more obvious, buuut...
... how cute is this bedroom from Amanda Nisbet? There's a lighter pink panel on the awning over the bed, and then you get the pop of fuschia down the hall. Very girly. VERY fun!
Another pop of pink from a pair of chairs flanking a very cool console bar from Eileen Kathryn Boyd Interiors.
While I don't know if I could do a whole room in pink and live with it for very long, these little accents have me swooning... and thinking I could use a little dose of this color in my own life!
If I had to sum up how I'm feelin' this weekend, I think this space would do it:
A sexy, exotic, hot outdoor space, that's playful at the same time. Perfect for the ridiculously sunny weather we've been having. The best part? It's right in my own backyard... well, a backyard that's here in LA anyway.
Have a hot sexy weekend lovers! I'll see you manana!
So I've been staring at a few images this week that remind me of some of the gals in my life, which makes me so happy and thankful for them... this Friday's little things is for you ladies!
This sweet sweet ring is for Annie. For her love of elephants and her pending nuptials. An elephant ring seemed to suit the occasion! (You can find it here!) Next weekend she will be heading home to Marblehead for what's sure to be an amazing wedding! Congrats again to you and Michael and I cannot wait to see you both when you're back!
This sweet face is for my friend Erin who absolutely loves her some Frenchies. This little lady was particularly adorable, so I had to share!
And finally for all my girls headed out to Palm Springs this weekend...
I couldn't resist a little vintage Slim Aarons. Have fun ladies, and stay cool!
As for me, I'll have some visitors in town to look forward to, and some more girly posts (to continue on this theme) next week! Oh, and thank you all for helping and indulging me in celebrating in my anniversary month of June. Here's to one year!
Luv & Ciao!
Cassandra
I've been on a bit of a clean kick lately - craving open spaces without much clutter - and this room is the perfect example. This kitchen proves that it doesn't take much to be functional and gorgeous... just an amazing marble-topped workspace, simple shelving, and a killer stove complete with white subway tiles! Of course, being the organizational freak that I am, I don't know how long I'd be able to handle staring at stacks of pots and pans and a transparent fridge door... but I will take the stack of firewood! In fact, I like it so much... 
I might as well share this one with you too! Interesting way to divide up a room, no?
Months ago I had fallen in love with this dining space in the now defunct Blueprint Magazine for one simple reason: I had to have those chairs.
Knowing that they were vintage and not much else, it seemed an impossible task to track them down... and yet...
FOUND! Right here at Andrew Hollingsworth, thanks to Rita Konig's silly little shopping guide in Domino. One chair = $110. I want one for my desk, but it's probably not the most comfortable. Perhaps a pair to mix up with my dining room table?
For lounging around the house: Brian Reyes, Jenni Kayne, Helmut Lang
For dinner parties: Abaete, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Derek Lam
For queen of the castle: Marchesa, Marchesa, Marchesa (channeling Cleopatra) YUM.I was originally tagged last month by Stacy at la budoir and have since had a few others ask me to join in on this survey, so I'm FINALLY obliging :)
1) What was I doing 10 years ago?
This was me 10 years ago - a cheerleader at Juanita High School in Kirkland, Wash. (For the record, I also was a drama nerd, in the choir, wrote for the school newspaper, was on the yearbook staff, and played tennis... but yes, I bounced around in a short skirt for a good solid year.) I love this photo because our uniforms were super old-school. They were originally designed when the school opened in the 70's and we kept the design until a few years ago! The adorable blondie to my left is none other than Lyndsy at Yellow Brick Blog. About this time ten years ago, we were graduating high school and getting ready to head out into the world!
2) What are 5 things on my to-do list for today?
I can't think of a more boring question. Um... here we go...
1) Schedule a hair appointment with my friend Jamie (coincidentally she is the cheerleader in the top row, far right) because my mop is out of control.
2) Take in my dry cleaning and get some pants hemmed (I'm so short!).
3) Blog blog blog blog blog.
4) Work out, because it's officially bikini season!
5) Mani/Pedi!! (This probably won't get done today, but I need one before the weekend, as I have some out of town guests coming, and we will be hittin' the town!)
3) Snacks I enjoy:
Addicted to Trader Joe's trail mixes, love me some apples and peanut butter, and of course a little wine and cheese... or wine and chocolate... or just wine...
4) Things I would do if I were a billionaire:
What WOULDN'T I do? I'd pay of my student loans. I'd travel. I'd make my coco+kelley wishlists a reality! Maybe buy a few homes? I've always wanted a flat in Florence, a cabin on Whidbey Island, and a cute little house in Manhattan Beach.
5)Places I have lived before:
Always did prefer the beach towns: Venice Beach, CA to Kirkland, WA growing up.
Spokane, WA for college (Go Zags!)
Moved out to the big cities: Seattle, WA to Los Angeles, CA
