Faux Vintage Find

I had been on the hunt for an affordable vintage/vintage style map.  I always heard about finding them at a flea market, but I have not been so lucky.

via Lonnymag Oct/Nov Issue

via Lonnymag June/July Issue

via Restoration Hardware

A vintage map from Restoration Hardware will run you upwards of more than $1000.

I found this one at my local Papyrus store for $5.  Add a frame and voila, I had the look of a vintage map  at a fraction of the price.

Giving me that global inspiration I so crave when sitting at my desk.

Chic Shoe for Less

At the beginning of this year I had a hankering for strappy shoes, with a zip up heel, in camel (apropos, it's one of the go-to colors of the season).

These fit the bill:

Tory Burch Liv Shoe

The price tag of over $300 had me going back and forth and finally deciding I would not be purchasing them.  (They are not at Tory Burch any longer, but you can still get them on Ebay).

A few months later, I missed the boat on these:

Cynthia Vincent for Target

The wedged heel wasn't exactly what I was looking for, so they weren't ideal.  What was ideal, was the price tag of $29.99.  I think you may have had to battle throngs of people to obtain a pair upon their debut at Target.  Weeks later they were selling on Ebay for more than double the price.

Not to fear I recently found these:

Zara

Strappy, camel colored, zip up back, higher heel (always a plus in my eyes), and with a price tag of $49.99.  They are still in stores and online.  Perfection!

California Love Part 2

As part of my quest to visit some must-see spots in California this year (also see here), we went to Catalina for my husband's birthday.  My parents had been over twenty years ago and were so scarred by the seasickness they experienced on the ferry to the island they never really quite felt like going back.


We braved the seas for a day trip to the quaint island.

Avalon Harbor

Descanso Beach

My wonderful husband, the birthday boy

Shout out to BlindLove

Never underestimate the importance of window coverings is my mantra.  I may be a little biased, given that my mom owns the fabulous window covering company, BlindLove.  As soon as we moved in to our home, we ripped down all the dusty and grimy mini-blinds and replaced the family room blinds with these.

I love how the woven wood blinds complement the color of our espresso hard wood floors.  The rest of our house has white plantation shutters, except for two of the master bedroom windows, which we haven't finished yet (ssshhhhhh they still have temporary blinds from Lowe's, which I still maintain look better than the old mini-blinds).

Speaking of Design/Textile Idols...

I happened to make a trip to LA to visit the design quarter on La Cienaga.  I finally made it to Hollywood at Home, a store I had been wanting to visit for quite some time.  After seeing me fawn all over the John Robshaw prints (hello, they have a whole room of his textiles like a patchwork quilt covering the walls) they mentioned that John Robshaw would be coming to the store that week, and they would be having a party.  Count me in...

Images taken at Hollywood at Home

I adore John Robshaw's textiles, as a lover of all things global, his prints instantly give me wanderlust and a yearning to return to India.  A country I visited in 2002, which has left an indelible mark on me.

And after telling him that we drove from San Diego, he immediately decided to gift us this stationery from his line:

How sweet!  The party definitely didn't disappoint, with the lovely staff at Hollywood at Home, and of course Mr. Robshaw himself, it was more than worth battling LA traffic.

Home Tour: Kitchen Before & After

Kitchen Before.

In case the photograph doesn't capture the misfortunes of the kitchen.  Let me explain: slate floors in the most unfortunate of colors, drab cabinets with rusted hinges, beige tiled countertops and half backsplash, original appliances, and wallpaper (and I'm not talking this kind of wallpaper).

And...

Kitchen After.

Selamat Jalan (Bon Voyage)

Moorea, French Polynesia

Hoping for a smooth and relaxing vacation that is very much needed!  My blog will NOT be going on a hiatus with me (posts have been added in advance so be sure to check the blog anyways).