Booties Splurge v Steal

These Isabel Marant booties are so cute and chic.  While they may be worth the splurge, you can't beat the price of these Old Navy boots that give the same look.  Old Navy has some great shoes right now--not really a place I looked to as a go-to for shoes but some of the boots they have on sale right now might change my mind!

Isabel Marant Dicker Suede Ankle Boots $615

Old Navy Faux-Leather Ankle Boot $22.99

Swiss Army Knife Apartment

I caught this segment on The Nate Berkus Show and became obsessed.  This married couple (who are both architects) managed to make their small NYC space into a masterpiece of hidden storage.  This appeals to my acute sense of organization--here, in 650 square feet everything has a place with more storage space than much larger abodes.  Not to mention, I love the sleek, minimal look of the apartment, all of the walnut wood, the floor to ceiling blue tiled bathroom, and the hydraulic table that doubles as kitchen counterspace.


Their apartment was originally featured in Dwell Magazine here.  In the article, the owner described her space, "our apartment is like a Swiss Army knife: a compact, well-designed, functional thing of beauty." I think this is such an apt description and also explains its broad appeal to me.  I have always been drawn to miniature items that fold into something smaller:

The kitchen table is on hydraulics and can raise to be used as counterspace.

They space saving Murphy Bed also has surrounding storage space.

There are drawers in virtually every piece of furniture.

Behind the bathroom wall is a laundry hamper.

You can see the clip here--where you can really get a sense of all of the organizational space and apartment configuration.

*Images via Dwell Magazine

Monday Escapes

Exactly a year ago we were here:

In Bali!

(Also, see HERE)

Part of the reason I enjoy taking photos (and I take many!) is because just one detail years later can bring you right back to a blissful trip.  For a moment, you can evoke all of the feelings of actually being somewhere exotic and far-flung.

Our next vacation might look a little more like this:

Images via Travelmoon

Have a great week!

House Tour: Master Bedroom

I revealed a peek of my Master Bedroom when I purchased our new King bed recently from a Joss & Main sale (Skyline).  Since, we purchased some new bedding, as I was thinking that the room called for a cleaner look. (Plus, our pin tuck duvet was slowly unraveling.):

I really enjoy the feel of the sleeker bedding and the all over soothing color palette. I am drawn to Master bedrooms that make you feel like you are on a vacation, a spa vacation preferably. It seems this makes perfect sense given my love for travel and searching out this feel in hotels I visit.

I purchased the Buddha in Bali from the artist who hand carved it, in Mas, a region known for its wood carving artisans.

The nightstands and dresser (not pictured) are from Ikea and the lamps are from Home Goods.  They were in our bedroom in our last home along with the John Robshaw pillows I picked up at Hollywood at Home.

The chair is from Plummers, the pillow is from Fabricadabra, the stool is from Room Service, and the painting I purchased from an art gallery in St. Maarten when we were there last year:

To complete the room, I would like to purchase art to hang behind the lamps over our nightstands.  As I have mentioned time and time again, purchasing art for our home is a slow going process that will definitely be evolving over time.

Baby Shower

A dozen people got together to throw me an amazing baby shower that was everything a girl could dream of!  Brimming with delicious food in a gorgeous home, surrounded by my best friends and family, it truly was a magical day:

If you want to see more, one of my best friends who attended all the way from Israel, also documented the event on her blog here.

Hotel Spotlight: Coco Beach Resort

I wouldn't have provided a full re-cap of our Belize trip without showcasing the Coco Beach Resort (also, see here and here).  I always put hours of time into researching hotels for any trip.  I don't feel like a hotel is only a place to sleep, but rather an experience.  I also don't think that staying at a luxury resort has to break the bank.  We timed going to Belize during the end of low season where there were many deals to be found.  In fact, the hotel rate went up significantly if we had booked our trip for just one week later.

The Coco Beach Resort is located on Ambergris Caye, just a ten minute boat ride from the main town of San Pedro.  Regular water taxis go back and forth between the resort's private dock and San Pedro for shopping or eating at the many restaurants in town.



When you arrive at the dock, you are greeted with this view of the spacious but intimate resort:



I felt like I saw the same people the entire time, everyone was very friendly and even blissful, as there were many honeymooners enjoying the grounds.

The multiple expansive pools were the perfect place to lounge.  The pools in front surrounded a hot tub and boasted views to the ocean.  While the pool in back by the casitas, has a rock formation that you can jump from if you dare, and also houses a slide:

I always find a pool bar adds a great ambience to a locale.  Nothing says tropical vacation like enjoying a fruity drink in or by the water.

The service was excellent.  You never passed by any of the hotel staff who didn't meet you with a smile and a greeting.  They cater to your every need: snorkeling, diving, or fishing trips; trips to the mainland of Belize; and excellent in-house spa services.  We enjoyed a couple's Belizean massage in the comfort of our casita, that was so relaxing we wished we could bring the masseuses home with us.  The room was spacious with a full kitchen, sitting room, and lots of Belizean wood:

The highlight of our hotel had to be that they happened to be filming the Bachelor at the resort.  I am an avid but skeptical show viewer.  Every new season I swear it off, but then get sucked in for some reason or another.  This time, I will sure to be watching, as the cast and crew were swarming our hotel all week.

Just a few things we got to see: helicopters whirring over our head getting swooping shots of the surrounding location and hotel from a birds-eye view, fantasy dates on the hotel dock, multiple sightings of the Bachelor doing his obligatory shots: diving into the pool and pretending to walk out of his hotel room.  Not to mention, the host, Chris Harrison, relaxing by the pool with his family.  Here are my paparazzi attempts:

Ben the Bachelor

Chris Harrison-The Host

So like I said, I will certainly be watching, if not for the only reason being to re-live our stay at this beautiful location:

Images via Travelmoon

Fur Throw Round-up

I know it's only the first day of November but it's difficult to not have the impending holidays on my mind, especially with the influx of holiday catalogs that arrive in my mailbox daily.  In each one I've received, it is quite apparent that the faux fur throw is taking center stage this season.  I can see why-- don't these look so cozy to snuggle up in while drinking hot chocolate (out of a chocolate mug of course) by the fire!  

1. Pottery Barn Ribbed Faux-Fur Throw

2. West Elm Faux-Fur Throw

3. Restoration Hardware Luxe Faux Fur Throw

4. ZGallerie Lazo Throw