News Flash--Guess Who I Saw at The Market?

No kidding.

I was in the check out line early last night in here in Mammoth

 (the closest main skiing area to Los Angeles),

 buying the ingredients to make Stone Gable's Asparagus Leek Soup.

These two tall, big shouldered men were in front of me...

one was a bit taller than the other, low baseball cap,

chiseled chin, face even better than the movies, pulse stops,

drop the leeks,

light headed--altitude?

I'm cool.  Pay for groceries.

Walk out and see Ben loading his black SUV with whom I think must be his brother.

Oh Jennifer, you lucky woman.  Just googled "People" magazine
that they had their third baby last month...

must be a quick boy's weekend (I saw the beer).  Hey, come on, the snow is great.

Our son, Tommy, saw Adam Sandler with his kids at the burger joint here in January...

don't think he would have the same effect on me, but Tommy was thrilled.

Check out  Debbie's beautiful home tour below!!!

PS.  Howard, you are cuter than Ben.

Gorgeous Beach Home Tour--You Are Invited

After recently showing Debbie's kitchen, I received an email from

"Jamie from Tallahassee" asking if I would show the rest of her house.

  Over time, I have shown parts of Debbie's Lido Isle house, but I told Jamie that I 

would pull the photos, along with some new ones, for a tour.  

Come on in!

Welcome to Debbie's entry.

I love the circular window. The dried boxwoods (really good ones)

are from Restoration Hardware and are placed in unique cement urns.

This chest is just inside the foyer and beyond is

Debbie's living room.  Her spring pillows are made with fabric by Raoul.

This is one of our favorite places to hang out.

She has a great collection of design and art books...and its hard to yank myself out of here.

You can see where we removed one of her winter pillows and placed it to the right of the chair

...just playing.

I have been to some fun parties in Debbie's pretty dining room.

The chandelier is by Niermann Weeks.  This is the view looking into the living room.

Here is the comfortable family room.

She has already changed the cushion covers on these chairs...ha!  another post, I guess.

This is the view looking into the family room from the kitchen.

You can see lots more details of Debbie's kitchen here and here.

This is the pretty powder room with Pillement Toile wallpaper.

I ordered it for her when I was working for Scalamandré.

Love this stair design.

Thanks so much, Debbie, for letting me be a tour guide.

Notice the sky light which illuminates the interior stairwell.

 Please come back to see the upstairs and the garden next!

I am in Mammoth, taking advantage of 

all the recent snowfall for a beautiful morning of

Spring skiing.  Wish you were here!

Participating in 

Somewhat Simple Blog Link Party

Open House Party

Easy Table Decor, Recipe and Veranda Interiors

Melissa from

asked me to participate in her guest series called "In Ten."

See my ten different

table settings by mixing and matching HERE.  

Melissa is a talented designer from Calgary. Canada. 

As a child, we took lots of summer vacation 

trips up to visit my grandmother who lived near Calgary

...I have a special attachment to the area.

This is one of Melissa's kitchens (cool wooden shelving).  I love checking out Melissa's fab taste in lighting and hardware and her occasional mouthwatering recipes.

Speaking of recipes...

My friend, Nancy (our boys were high school basketball team-mates),

writes the deliciously entertaining  A Communal Table.  

Last night, I made her Moroccan Chicken.

Nancy's photo

This is easy enough for a week night but special with the layered flavors. 

Take a minute to set the table and give it a try.  

My new raffia placemats are from Home Goods and the 

cotton striped napkins are from Pottery Barn.

Thanks for stopping by!

Participating in

Wow Us Wednesdays

Swing Into Spring It's A Party

White Wednesday

Farmhouse Porch Cowgirl Up Party

"Surf's Up" Shower and a New Baby

Recently, my mom and I attended a SWEET baby shower for my niece, 

Kathleen, given by her sister, Carly.

The party was in

  also known as Surf City, USA.

 photos courtesy of the Huntington Beach Visitors and Conference Bureau

Mia, the big sister, welcomes us to the party...

See the shark fin and the bite out of the surf board?  Gnarly.

That guy swimming in the cupcakes is in trouble!

There was an awesome candy "bar" at the baby shower.  

Felt like a kid in a candy shop...cute paper weight for the candy bags.

See the gummy shark pool?

These "sandy" cupcakes are dipped in toasted coconut...love the beach chairs and towels.

They knew they were having a boy and already named him Jax.

The "woody" car is made out of rice krispie treats.

I didn't get a picture of it, but they had baby swim trunks pinned to a line hanging above the tables.

This is the gift I took...inside was a little pair jeans,

a striped short sleeved t-shirt over a long sleeved t-shirt

and a bunch of surfer brand onesies.

And look who arrived not long ago,

 a little surfer dude named Jax...

with his mama and my "baby girl."

Definitely something to celebrate!

Also, Annie from "Lovely Things" was just at my home to visit
and gave me this darling leaf and twig chick.

Happy Spring!


Participating in
Making the World Cuter Monday
Show off Your Cottage Monday
It's Party Time 3-25-2012

Seven Things I Love Around the House Right Now

1.  Colorful Carpet

This new rug from Home Goods is nice on the feet and 

makes my chores in here a bit nicer.

2.  Handsome Dog From Boston

This dude is not going to get pinched on St. Patrick's Day.  

Yes, his dog polo shirt is from Ralph Lauren but he has a very limited wardrobe

(and the old boy deserves it).

3. Pretty Spring Flowers

How do you say/spell these soft, lacy flowers?  

Ranunculus...I just Googled it.

4.  Tangerine Geometric

My new tangerine (so hottt right now) linen pillows from Mitchell Gold 

(they were at the 50% off sale) make me happy. 

 I'm also liking that little, bright green plant if it will cooperate 

and stay alive.  Tip:  go outside and clip some greenery to bring inside.

5. Scent of Lavender 

Speaking of outside...our lavender plants are blooming again.  

6.  Pattern Play

I like this Jonathan Adler pillow with the houndstooth check from
Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams and paisley fabric on our living room sofa.

But since these fabrics have wool in them (read: Wintery)...they will be rotating out soon.

7.  New Fun Read

My autographed copy of "The Joy of Decorating" by Phoebe Howard.
It's a good one.

Anything you are loving around your house right now?


Participating in
Sundays Best Par-tay
Thursday Favorite Things
Transformation Thursday
Open House Party
Wow Us Wednesdays
Anything Goes
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
Tuesdays Treasures
Seasonal Sundays

Closet Confidential for Hampton Hostess

In a West Coast -- East Coast conversation,
Barbara from Hampton Hostess interviewed me about my closet. 

Hint ...what's in my closet for Summertime:  

Trina Turk white dress and tan wedges, Chanel sunglasses,

Rebecca Minkoff Canvas & Leather Tote Bag.

Get a taste of the Hamptons lifestyle with 

Barbara's take on style, design, travel and entertaining and...

You can read about ALL my "closet confidential" responses 

HERE.

Thank you so much for visiting!