LCDQ Legends Event

Every year I get excited about the LCDQ Legends event {which went down last week.} As I've said before, working from home can get a little lonely {my pup Chapman isn't terribly talkative} so it's great to get out and mix with other designers, and hear panels and discussion that keep me inspired. So I was thrilled to be asked to be one of their Social Media Ambassadors. No, I didn't wear a tiara during the event, but I tweeted, instagrammed and blogged up a storm to share with my fellow designers how excited I was about the event. So here's the lowdown on the event last week, if you weren't able to make it. 

The fun started Wednesday night with the opening gala at Therien, hosted by 1st Dibs and Coldwell Banker Previews.

Here I am on the red {brick} carpet, rocking red shoes and red lips.

photo courtesy of Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for La Cienega Design Quarter

Here I am with my lovely fellow social media gals, Kelly Lee of Kelly Golightly and Megan Arquette of Beach Bungalow 8.

photo courtesy of Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for La Cienega Design Quarter

Day One:

Thursday started off early with the Blogger Breakfast, hosted by Merida at Lee Stanton. I decided to wear another pair of red shoes {this time flats to get me through a long, long day.}

Some of the great ambiance at the breakfast - gold and black chevron coasters, and a fabulous rug designed by Ross Cassidy.

I even spoke to someone from the Hollywood Reporter at the brunch and was quoted! 

Next it was off to George Smith for a panel with Philip Gorrivan, Mark D. Sikes, Ron Woodson and Jaime Rummerfield, hosted by Luxe Interiors. It was a great reminder about designers from the past and how much they influence interiors today {designers like Albert Hadley, Dorothy Draper, Michael Taylor, David Hicks and Billy Baldwin.}

Packed house! 

Then it was off to lunch at Rose Tarlow hosted by Elle Decor.

Delicious food eaten on a stack of fabric samples {life of a designer!}

Rose Tarlow patio. I will never tire of brick/tile/whatever in a herringbone pattern.

Next stop was a panel with Thom Filicia, Oliver M. Furth, Molly Luetkemeyer at Janet Yonaty about buying new vs vintage. My favorite take away was the idea that through design we are helping clients interpret and tell their story. I love that idea. We are storytelling through design - expressing who these people are and where they want to go.

My final panel for the day was at The Rug Company. Mayer Rus from Architectural Digest moderated while Chris Barrett, Natasha Baradaran, Jay Jeffers and Christopher Sharp spoke. Jay Jeffers was absolutely adorable and shared this gem "Create beautiful things for appreciative people." Yes. No more ugly things for jerks. Or beautiful things for jerks.

Yummy rug from the Rug Company.

I finished out the night where I started, at Lee Stanton. We partied {and I forgot to take pictures.} But I didn't party too late, as I knew I had another full day ahead of me.

Day Two:

Friday morning I popped into the Elle Decor panel with Kim Alexandriuk, Timothy Corrigan, Alex Papachristidis {who I loved, especially because he had his Yorkie terrier sitting on his lap throughout the panel} and Madeline Stuart. Madeline Stuart shared this interesting thought: "we want to be surrounded by real beauty, honest beauty." They were talking about furniture and periods that come in and out of style, and I just liked that idea of honest beauty. 

At Jean de Merry I listened to Jane Hallworth, Tim Clarke and James Huniford speak. I learned about online shopping site Dering Hall {I must have been living under a rock, but I had never heard of it before.} I also learned that I want to become best friends with Jane Hallworth, she is just that cool.

I fell in love with this chair at Jean de Merry and have starting designing my future bedroom around it.

My afternoon was spectacular - after years of writing about her on the blog, I finally met Kelly Wearstler. Just as I suspected, I was a goofy goober who had nothing interesting to say other than how much I like her designs. But she was lovely.

Me and KW

I finished out the day with a panel on social media at Baker {I missed the first part, but in my notes I reminded myself to follow Mr. Call Designs on every social media outlet possible. He was a great speaker, a super talented designer, and I'd also like him to be my best friend.}

The rest of the day is pictureless - I was having such a fabulous time {at a party at Harbinger, then another one at Sherle Wagner hosted by Veranda Magazine} that my iPhone stayed in my purse while I hobnobbed and enjoyed the tray passed munchies.

Aside from the panels, parties, galas and more, another huge part of the event is the windows - each showroom has their window designed by a different amazing designer, based on the events theme. Here were a few of my favorite windows - but you can see them all here. 

Clockwise:  
1. Ralf's Antiques, Inc., south window designed by Wendy Haworth
2. Mecox, window designed by Mark D.Sikes 
3. Harbinger, south window designed by Thom Filicia 
4. Dragonette Ltd, south window designed by Mary McDonald 

As you can see, it's a two day event filled with lots and lots of good stuff. I'm already starting to get excited about next year!

I Joined a Gym {and I Liked It}

For most of my longtime friends, the title of this post is a shocker. I've never been much for gyms. I've gone through exercise phases {heated yoga in college, regular yoga when I started working from home, and spinning a few years ago to manage my IVF weight gain.} But I've never been a gym girl. In college there was a free gym on campus which most of my friends went to regularly. I went once in 4 years. I joined the gym on the Paramount lot when I worked there on a tv show one summer. I paid $30 for a month and went once. So I think my husband was pretty shocked when I mentioned that I wanted to join a gym a few months ago. I've been really in love with spinning recently {I've been a semi-regular at Soul Cycle in Brentwood, but it's not very close to my house so the commute keeps me from taking more classes.} And after a few months of spinning I felt like I needed to vary up my routine a bit.

So fast forward to last month, when we did it. We joined a gym. An Equinox gym opened not too far from my house, and once we saw the gorgeous interior design, great equipment, and in-house smoothie bar, we were in. And I actually go. And I like it.

So here's a little insight into my {fairly new} fitness routine - some clothes and gear that are so cute I'm excited to put them on to work out {and some that I would love to add to my collection} and also some music that keeps me motivated and ready to go.

   

one // two // three // four // five // six // seven // eight // nine

Out of the Office

I'll be out of the office for the rest of the week. For most people being away from the office means they get to kick off their heels and forgo their business suit in exchange for more casual clothes. But since I work from home and I mostly work in comfy clothes or even {gasp!} pjs, that means I have to put on clothing that makes me look like a respectable person in public. Today I'm out and about shopping with a client for furniture, mirrors and tile, and Thursday and Friday I'll be here.

I love my home office design, but I wonder if I worked in a chic environment like this, wouldn't I feel like getting dressed up everyday?   

Love everything about this office, designed by Nina Freudenberger of Haus Interiors

It's Finally Here... {LCDQ Legends!}

It's finally here - the Legends event at the La Cienega Design Quarter! It all starts tonight with a fabulous gala {I still don't know what to wear} and the party won't stop until the Legends finale party on Friday night {if my poor old feet haven't given out by then!} I hope to see you all there. And for you non-LA dwellers, you can still have a piece of the action - One Kings Lane is doing a sale of items used in the window designs {and with designers like Wendy Schwartz, FORM, Mary McDonald, Mark D. Sikes and Kelly Wearstler, you know there's going to be some amazing finds.} Click here to go to the sale. Proceeds benefit Habitat for Humanity, so your money is going to a great cause.

There are some great events happening this week - Thursday there's a blogger breakfast at 8:30 am, where we will feed your bellies, and feed your minds with discussions of blogs and all things social media {co-hosted by me, Kelly Lee of Kelly Golightly and Megan Arquette of Beach Bungalow 8.} I'm really excited about all of the Keynote panels {see below for more info, or click here to see a detailed list of all the events.}

Hope to see you all there!

Spotted and Dotted

I hope everyone had a lovely weekend {and a Happy Cinco de Mayo!} We celebrated Cinco de Mayo in style - by eating Chipotle in bed while watching Mad Men. That's how it's meant to be celebrated, right?

I wanted to share some gorgeous home details I spotted on Pinterest. The first is a staircase designed by Kelly Wearstler {who I get to meet on Friday at her book signing at the LCDQ Legends event - click here for more info.} I love that the spots and dots on the staircase runner are reminiscent of leopard print without being literal. And that banister? Unreal.

And for a punch of a little more sassy leopard print, I love these x-bench ottomans at the home of Michelle Adams {from Lonny.}

Mama's Day Gifts

Mother's Day is just around the corner! Have you thought about what to get your mama this year? I have. Here are some ideas of what to get that special lady in your life this year...

For the pampered mom - who loves to garden, take long walks and treat herself to some pretty beauty goodies.

Nail Polish // Lavender Eye Pillow // Sunglasses // Sun Hat // Lipstick

For the city mom - who knows how to use her iPhone, wore an "arm party" long before we knew about them and has a chic, polished style.

Shoes // Gold Bangle // Pink Bangle // Wallet // iPhone Case // Belt // Sunglasses

Much love to my mama, one of my biggest supporters and one of my favorite blog commenters.

Gorgeous Goodies

I really love Elle Decor's feature on S. Russell Groves' NYC apartment. My favorite thing? This vintage Paul McCobb etagere.

I wish I had a spot in my home for an etagere. If I did, I'd get this gorgeous one and fill it with all these goodies.

etagere - to the trade {contact me for info}

heart paperweight // terrarium // peace sign // snakeskin boxes // rhino // wishbone // globe // S box // bird bowl // candle

A Little La Cienega Shopping

Monday I needed to do a little client shopping {I'm seeking out mirrors and sconces galore for a project} so I hopped over to the La Cienega Design Quarter to check out all the gorgeous goodies they had.

This light fixture blows me away {from Remains Lighting}

In my next house I need to get a powder room where I can put this wallpaper {from Scalamandre}

I fell in love with this painting {along with many other goodies at Antonio's Bella Casa}

I was tempted to bring this adorable dog home with me, but thought Chapman {and the dog's owner} might not be pleased about it {from Reborn Antiques}

Some other gorgeous spottings on La Cienega - clockwise from top left:

The entry door for Todd Alexander Romano
Yellow sofa {with gorgeous pillows} at Kristen Buckingham
A beautiful flower blooming in front of Neil Lane
A malachite tabletop at Paul Marra

All this shopping has me even more excited for the Legends event coming up soon {May 8th - 10th} at the La Cienega Design Quarter. Are you coming? Have you RSVP'd? Find a schedule of event and sign up here. Because you know you don't want to miss amazing speakers like Newell Turner from House Beautiful, Mark D. Sikes, Molly Luetkemeyer and Madeline Stuart. And windows designed by amazing talents like Kelly Wearstler, Wendy Schwartz and House of Honey.