Thursday, September 30, 2010

C is for Cupcake


and cupcakes are for me! I'm going cupcake crazy. I told myself over the weekend as I baked my 3rd batch of pumpkin cupcakes, no more. I tell myself they're for others but I always end up sneaking a few in my mouth. So last night as some over ripe bananas sat there staring at me I said, smoothies! Yes, i'll make some healthy breakfast smoothies. Soon I caved and made banana cupcakes. I'm not sure what has gotten into me but I really enjoy baking. I never thought I would. I spent an hour last week at Sur La Table looking at baking tools. Last night I watched a bajillion you tube videos on how to frost cupcakes. I'm drooling over everything at Bake It Pretty, an online baking store with so many goodies! So if anyone wants to take some cupcakes off my hands, call me!

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Sad News


I'm so sad to hear the news that Brad and Rachel are no more! Details at People.com.

Dog Room?


So I was checking out Madeline Stuart's portfolio and came across this picture- could it be?? A room decorated and dedicated for a dog?? After the initial shock wore off, I kinda started day dreaming of what a room for my Stelly would look like. And then I stopped myself! I said, "Kala, don't go down this path-this is too crazy, even for you!". I mean I already named this blog after her. (But in my defense, that was more because the name was so pretty and I couldn't think of anything else) Well it wouldn't kill anyone if I day dreamed a little bit longer....

Frederic Fekkai's New York Townhouse






Oh my gosh, I love Frederic Fekkai's NYC home. It is Ba-Yu-Ti-Ful! I love the art work, the vibrant colors and the mix of old and new. That's usually my advice to most people, don't be afraid to mix styles, materials, textures, pattern and color! Matchy, matchy sucks. I'm not sure if it's the Indian in me, but I love "gaudy" pieces, so the orange and red velvet chairs are calling out to me. More pictures available at Elle Decor, including one of Frederic with his adorable family.

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Trend {Baseball Jacket}


So I really wasn't sure how I felt about the baseball jacket trend, I was on the fence about it. Until I saw this crazy, freakin' cool coat by Proenza Schouler. This is a jacket I can get on board with. If you have so happen to be in the market for one, you can get it here.

Friday, September 24, 2010

Happy Weekend!



I hope you enjoy the first fall weekend. Did anyone catch the Super Harvest Moon, on Wed? From what I understand it's the first time in 20 years the start of autumn has coincided with a full moon. Basically meaning the moon shines the brightest during the Super Harvest. I don't fully get the details, so you can get more details from the Nasa folks here. These are some cool shots James got last night. It really did feel like the sky was glowing. Happy weekend!

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Before & After {Bedside Table}





You may remember a few months ago I bought a pair of super cheap nightstands from the Goodwill ($30, for both!). They were pretty horrible looking but they were reminiscent of campaign furniture I had seen and envied. So I thought with a new coat of paint, they would be just the thing our bedroom needed. They're a little shorter than I'd like so I'm going to put brass cup casters on them. I also want to add corner pieces so they look more like traditional campaign furniture. For now, here's how it looks!

Monday, September 20, 2010

Trend {Hippie Chic}




I love the vibrancy of this new Hippie Chic trend. We're seeing it on the runways, interiors and accessories. I'm getting inspired to shake things up a little in my home. Kind of odd that I'm feeling this impulse as fall begins to rear its head, muted colors and all. The bag above is from Halston's Heritage line, which is to die for!

photos via Net a porter, style.com, anthropologie

Thursday, September 16, 2010

The Home Front


I spend insane amounts of time thinking about my garden- which new plants to seasonally add, what to trim, constantly wondering why the vines aren't taking, what to put in my window boxes. Then I saw Angie Hranowsky's home, it was like a light went off in my head. Maybe simpler is better, not just in terms of maintenance but also aesthetically. For a hedge Angie chose one plant, the repetition makes a bold statement.(In my backyard, I have hop bushes lined up to hide the neighbor's ugly chain link fence) She added a statement plant or two, the big hydrangea bush above. The look is completed with a tree at the front door that can be swapped out seasonally. Easy! Landscaping can be such a complicated, overwhelming process, just remember to keep things simple!

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Ming's Cupcakes






For anyone that hasn't yet heard of Ming's cupcakes, her recipes are a must try. I made the banana cupcake with maple butter frosting for a family party on Saturday and they were a huge hit. Small tip, slice bananas and garnish right before you serve them, otherwise the bananas brown. The recipes are so easy and in my opinion better than Magnolia's. I have the Magnolia's cookbook and have made theirs too but Ming's cupcakes have so much personality- there's chocolate cupcakes with mint marshmallow frosting, sour cream chocolate cupcake with nutella frosting, vanilla cupcakes with lemon filling and meringue frosting. I want to make every single one! I'm in a fall kind of mood, next up Pumpkin cupcakes with cream cheese frosting. Check out all the recipes and more great photos at Ming's Cupcakes.

Monday, September 13, 2010

Style Spotlight {Drew Barrymore}










Ok, so I said it so now I gotta deliver. Next up on Style Spotlight- Drew Barrymore. To me, Drew is hippie meets 80's meets Hollywood. She really mixes all those styles well. In one of the pics above she's wearing this totally classic floral dress but accessorizes with neon sunglasses. Or how about the white sundress with an edgy leather jacket. Don't we all have that friend who's style we envy because we're too scared to make such bold choices. And we always say, "yeah, but so and so can completely pull that off, I can't". I remember reading in some magazine where Drew said she doesn't understand why people are so harsh on fashion risk takers. She went on to say, isn't that what fashion is all about? (of course, I'm paraphrasing) Well, in the spirit of Drew, next time you go out, where the jacket or shoes or dress that has never seen the light of day- not because you don't love it but because your scared what other people might think. Be fearless!

photos via InStyle and Red Carpet Fashion Awards

Jenna Lyons


Ah, Jenna. Showing us how chic denim on denim can look.

via The Sartorialist

James Nares










James Nares work is phenomenal. I first saw it in the home of Laura Day in Lonny Magazine and kept noticing it in other interiors. At first glance they seem so simple but look in more detail and you see how much movement and depth there is. The brush strokes change direction resulting in these beautiful swirls. Below are photos of him while working, he suspends himself above the canvas. It's beyond interesting. You can see more of his artwork here.

(Note- Please bear with me while I figure out how to put photo credits below each photo)

Wine Cellar






In my dream home I would have a fantastically fitted wine cellar to entertain guests. The idea of having a room dedicated to one of my favorite things is heavenly (hopefully I'm not sounding too much like a wino!). Everybody has their thing right? My husband wants a 5 car garage and a movie theater. For me, it's a wine cellar and a huge room dedicated to my clothes and shoes. Ok, enough dreaming for one day.. back to reality...

via Sunset Magazine

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Fashion's Night Out


Last year I was in New York City during Fashion's Night Out but I didn't go to any boutiques or events. Yeah, dumb, I know. I just thought the crowds, the craziness, why deal? Now I think, just a glimpse of Anna Wintour would have been worth it. This year the event has spread across the globe. Kind of crazy. Los Feliz, 3rd street and Abbot Kinney are hosting some cool events in the Los Angeles area. You can get event info and maps here. Cocktails. Fashion. I'll be there.

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Inspired {Kitchens}



I'm working on a kitchen right now and am using this Angie Hranowsky designed kitchen as inspiration. Usually I'm drawn to white cabinets but lately I've been gravitating towards the dark colored cabinets. The white backsplash and countertops keep them from feeling too heavy. And geez louiz, those lucite counter stools are magnificent.