*images for collage via galbraith & paul

*images for collage via of the young & the restless website

z gallerie :: lacquer frames

crate and barrel :: mimic plum cubes

pottery barn teen :: clear beauty storage

AND a twist on this “decor post” FOR THE FASHIONISTA…

kate space :: grecian

company c :: medici

merida home :: thrive – flourish

chairs :: interior design

pittsburgh :: orchid petal

bellacor :: volant II purple table lamp

sabz via “design milk” :: purple tall table

ac design :: purple table

It was  a gift to me a few months back (a really awesome gift!), and I’d yet to have a chance to take it all in. The first thing I read, “Abrasive as it is, why are we so attracted to big city living?” I got to thinking…that is so true. Why would I limit my space so that I feel packed into under 600 square feet, just me and all my belongings. Why would I want to live in the hustle and bustle, stress and chaotic order of a BIG city. The next sentence read, “irresistible (EXACTLY!!, I thought it is indeed irresistible…) siren call of culture, trade, and society, including America’s most successful designers, who make all sorts of compromise and often sacrifice space to live this way” Kelly hit the nail on the head, it is like a giant “melting pot” everything and especially of all great things design!! It is inspiring to simply walk down the street, and knowing that my only “tamed part of the city” be the retreat I seek behind my closed apartment door, I am still okay with it. With that in mind, you learn to create your own little oasis in the teeny-tiny bubble of air space around you. I concluded that this could have an effect on my blog as well. A good effect, I hope. It might give a rebirth to my blog, with the variety around me I hope that the over stimulation of my brain can be channeled into somewhat organized thoughts right HERE! Low and behold, the very next page I read in Kelly’s book read this… (got me thinking again), “What makes a good decorating blog?” I like to dwell on the somewhat rhetorical questions in books before I actually read what the authors says, so I thought some more. I thought a lot about the blogs that make my do little back flips in the chair while in front of the computer when they have new posts. I thought deeply about what I liked loved about them, and I made a list of positives! Then I read on, “daily postings covering a wide variety of finds and inspirations, written about with enthusiasm and passsion (that’s KEY!) that both entertain and educate (Yes, we want to learn something!). And the best of all, they aren’t afraid to have a point of view”. That gives readers a way to related, learn, and feel enthusiasm themselves! So for me, this book was like a mid-year resolution read!! THINK creative and be INSPIRING!!! Why? b/c the best reads for me are creative and inspiring, they make my blood rush, and my heart beat real fassssst!

house beautiful :: color highlights [+]

house beautiful :: grosgrain rainbow pillow [+]

rainbow notebooks [+]

marston & langinger :: colorful ampersand glasses [+]

rainbow heart earrings [+]

rainbow ombre dress [+]

swatch color the sky watch [+]

rainbow converse [+]

an antique chandelier :: fresh white painted built-ins complemented with brass light fixtures :: expressed structural columns :: colorful books :: and wide plank wood floors

:: architectural work of Meyers-Davis Architects in NYC who both have Auburn ties might I add!! [+] ::

but the fact that you are headed to a snowy white place makes for a joyful smile!

We were just about to jet across the United States to the beautiful, mountainous state of Colorado. When you think that fact that you are going to SNOW cannot get any better, you look out the window and see the most amazing creation!! I think that the view from the window is very reminiscent of an ancient map. There is something so fascinating to me when it comes to seeing aerial views of the world in which we inhabit! Wow, God is pretty darn creative!

We landed safely at the Eagle Airport. Greeted by crisp air. Bright blue skies. Chilly temperatures.

Couldn’t be better.

Welcome to the beautiful village of Bachelor Gulch…

*forbes

*the ski channel

and we were lovin’ every single minute of the trip this far, especially the girls (and guys) we were with.

We met every morning for breakfast at spago. I was pretty fond of the steel-cut oatmeal and fresh berries. I do not get it, but you just cannot find fresh (tasty) berries like that back home? This is where I met Wolfgang Puck. Yes, I was fond of the food, but the interior was fascinating! Not one detail was overlooked. You can imagine after 5 days dining at breakfast here I pretty much “eyed” every little nook and cranny.

Design Side Note: The warm environment crafted by esteemed New York-based hospitality designer Tony Chi. Most designers design and that’s it. They create a beautiful space and their job is done. What makes Tony great is simply that he cares about more than just design and he has the intuition to back it up. He understands that design without functionality is hollow and functionality without people who care to utilize it defeats the purpose. He doesn’t merely deliver aesthetics, he delivers an experience.” He really does deliver an experience, pretty amazing designer in my book. The 4,400 square foot restaurant captures the essence of the surrounding mountain landscape. A mix of both the rustic elements of the Colorado Rockies and modern materials mediate between the sophistication of the restaurant and the log+stone cabin feel of the resort. My favorite part by far was the clear and wooden glass tower displays housing the glassware for the restaurant. It was a sketch that went down in my “to remember design ideas”. And my second favorite part was the the bar. The bar top was an etched silver, resembling the branches and outdoor characteristics of the ski terrain. BEAUTIFUL!! Now, the fanciness of spago it splendid, but you cannot go wrong with the Nachos Grande: Pico de Gallo, Black Beans, Crema, Cotija, Guacamole, with Chicken or Beef from the Buffalo Bar. Somehow this plate of nachos feeds 8 people, and some are STILL left on the plate. It’s crazy, wish I had a picture!

After breakfast, the long dreaded buckling of the boots. Honestly by the time you have loaded on the layers of ski clothes and buckled the boots you have already burned of the calories of breakfast. It is tiring. We haven’t even started skiing yet.

Andrea would agree, hot hands are my life saver. Cold fingers and toes make me wanna call it a day!

slight resemblance to two bank robbers? a.k.a. my brother and mom.

Yeap the snow was plentiful and the skies were always sunny…leaving a need for rejuvenation. I am not talking spa and R&R, but something better.

At 3:15 everyday the BELL RANG, and we came a running. That meant hot cookies and hot chocolate.

THEY ALL GOT DEVOURED!!!!!!! Not one little crumb or morsel left!

We kind of took of the back corner of the lobby for the rest of the day. It became like our very own living room. own tv. beautiful view. big couch. lots of chairs. wi-fi. and we were waited on…spoiled, but enjoyed!

we even colored the back of the kids menu and doggie Bachelor, the resort pet. In our illustration he skies.

the nights were snowy and cold.

we stayed by warm blazing fires or BUNDLED up. check out the guy we do not know giving Stacy bunny ears in the picture…

dinners were great. warm evenings inside. laughs and happy conversation. great food and wine. entertaining waiters. and SUPER fantastic interiors too!!

from the three of us sisters HAPPY NEW YEAR!