Monday, November 30, 2009

Relaxing and it feels so good...



Began our morning with exercise and an hour by the pool. Can you stand it?  We are here to get motivated, inspired and fill up our cups. The hotel has been a great source of inpiration.



These "rooms" are all situated around the pool.















We had a ton of laughs-more on that later...


Sunday, November 29, 2009

Los Angeles we have arrived!






We have arrived for our long awaited shopping trip ready to relax and enjoy a slower pace. Our list is long but just lingering over our morning coffee while the sun is coming into our room is almost more than enough for us. 



Our Hotel: The Avolon. It's a quiet place that's pretty hip in the day and lovely by candle light at night. We are happy...







We rolled into town and stopped for a $70  lunch at The Ivy. Of course there was a couple of star sightings by Sister Extraordinaire. We sat street side so you can't help seeing the limos arrive and who was getting out of the cars. You could feel the energy in the air changing-it's weird. We saw:



Adam Corolla



Jeff Bridges



Tara said she would promise to be a better poser for me becasue I am not always posting cute photos of her. But here you have it. Tara at the Ivy.



Behind me is where "everyone" arrives.

We are off to a fabulous start!

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Happy Thanksgiving!

I give thanks for creative people.
Cool Stores.
Great Neighborhoods
and
People who are nice.







Three knit turkeys all in a row! (I wish you could see the other 2.) This is such a sweet store front. The window displays are always amazing. Created by Zoe Sherman-super star window designer for Hilltop Yarn on Queen Anne in Seattle. Rumor has it she's for hire....

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Add to your contacts


My friend Lisa is an amazing woman. She has an eye for treasures. Her story of finding a beautiful diamond ring in a pile of costume jewelery is just one of her many adventures. Phone her to view the ever-changing collection she has set up in her garage. I have also attended the Estate sales Lisa has conducted. Below are some of the things I saw today while I was picking up a mirror for my sweet salon.



I thought of my stylist friend Kamie. She would love this!


This pretty mirror sits on the porch waiting for a friend of mine. How lucky.






The "mirror" against the wall is going in my studio. I am painting it a high gloss white and using it for my idea board. It's almost as tall as me.






Lisa found this mirror for me. I had to paint it and add glass but even with that it was a steal!


My dining chairs and table came from Lisa.



This summer I picked up this pretty little canvas from her. I'm telling you she has treasures galore!


Call her to fancy up your home.

Monday, November 23, 2009

So many creative ways to save the earth

.



Who would have thought that a font would change our consumption? I know that between my two businesses we use a ton of ink cartridges and it drives me crazy. Ecofont uses up to 20 percent less ink by omitting parts of the letters. Here is a creative way to reduce your ink consumption. Cleverly created by a Dutch firm.




Friday, November 20, 2009

Hoo Hoo wants chocolate?

Loving the creativity that goes into Chocolopolis' window displays.







This is a lovely chocolate shop on Queen Anne. Everyone raves about their fancy hot chocolate. I love each season's window display.

Thursday, November 19, 2009

rain rain go away....



Seattle is wet. The rain has striped the leaves off the trees so it is very dreary. We are leaving soon for Los Angeles... The timing could not be better!

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

My Star....

Poise [balance and stability]

MARLEY


Marley is a superstar stylist at my pretty little salon on Queen Anne. She is wise beyond her years. Some say motherly. She's calm and ever-so-lovely. Someone that is a pleasure to interact with every day. I wish you all could have a dose of her.




{top photo-bethany,bottom photo-erin}

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Seattle Shopping

A not-to-miss shop in Seattle is Watson Kennedy. You will go crazy for the displays all organized by color. The green section with glass, dishes, soaps, cards and more will send you. The lovely little blue section will keep you lingering through the layers of blue watercolors, file folders, jewels, stationery and trinkets. Little vintage jars of buttons, scrabble letters, typewriter bracelets and candles are all sprinkled throughout the shop . The owner, Ted Watson, has an incredible eye for treasures.



He sells this lovely chandelier and writes how it hangs in his entry and it is the first thing he turns on in the morning and the last to go off at night. I too have one in my entry and feel very much the same way. It sheds such beautiful light. It is very much worth the splurge.



Another piece I own. This white ceramic vase holds a plant for me but in the shop he inspires you to use it in ways you never thought of before.





Here again is one of my favorite artists Cody Blomberg. I was thrilled to see he found his way into this divine store. You will discover these beautiful paintings in the bird section of the shop and hanging upon the  trompe l'oiel branch. I just received another one for my birthday and am hoping for just one more so I can have a pretty trio.

I had a chance to meet Ted yesterday after my visit to the Seattle Art Museum. We lamented over the loss of domino magazine and other home/shelter mags. Wonderful man and very glad to see him still at the store.

Happy Shopping Everyone....

{photos..Ted Watson}



Monday, November 16, 2009

Food Week



Lunch at 35th St. Bistro in Seattle's Freemont neighborhood.
It was devine indeed.










Seattle with a sense of humor...
 Hanging outside the bar.

MOSHI MOSHI SUSHI



A wonderful birthday dinner at Moshi Moshi. Great cocktails-whoosh!


MADAM K's



A former brothel located in Ballard.... The food was great-interesting visual. Dress up clothes to boot.

ANITA'S CREPES




Dinner at Anita's Crepes to celebrate more birthdays.


GREEN LEAF



Birthday lunch with Liz
International district. It's amazing food and always packed so don't go there!

Friday, November 13, 2009

November Reading

Books can be dangerous. The best ones should be labeled “This could change your life.” Helen Exley





I began the month at the Taproot Theater with a wonderful stage show of The Enchanted April.  I followed it up with the novel which is wonderful. It just swept me away to Italy again. Last night I watched the movie for the 3rd time. Italy is very beautiful in the spring. It has always been my favorite time to travel there.









 My daughter's class is reading Treasure Island so I thought I'd join in. We will also be attending a stage rendition of it next week.




And... our classic. Our book group has selected this for our November read. I must get started....

{all images-google}

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Happy Day to Us!



Both of us sisters celebrate our birthdays in October & November. Happy Birthday to us! And  Scorpios as well. (Watch out for the tail....)



Water color by Anne Nordhaus Bike







Happy Birthday to Jayme as well!


{cake-google images, scorpio-Anne Nordhaus Bike,sisters-open house}