sea foam & brass.

It's been a while since I've been inspired. Sad, but true. Hawaii kick started me back on track, and Pinterest always helps me along, but for whatever reason an early morning rendezvous with boyfriend and some friends to Half Moon Bay, with Birdie in tow, this morning brought me back.  Something about the dense, white, foggy air was peaceful and mysterious. Sort of clearing in an odd way. And it got my creativity flowing. Anyway, if I were to buy beach front property in the misty coastal haze in Half Moon Bay TODAY, it would involve the following...

1. twin fin for the wall (& sharky waters) 2. ocean tonal geometric fabric 3. the worlds dreamiest wave architecture 

4. brass casters 5. beautifully designed bubble bath (TokyoMilk) 6. elm bowls 7. brass & aqua pendant

*all found here.

PS. Can it be summer already? 

The crisp air is refreshing, but I want a warm breeze & full trees!

replacements.

You know. There was a moment when I was about to go gung-ho on our apartment and replace all of the items that I had not loved.. you know, initial wedding registry gifts, quick fixes, items that were needed and the lowest cost was the only concern. And I didn't do it. I'm actually glad I didn't. Whaa? I'll explain.
Well, in the last 4 years I have learned not only my style, but we actually now have NEED to replace some of these things. More specifically, 98% of the reason for making the change NOW has to do with Hippo and his mouth. Yes, his crazy cute wrinkly face has wreaked havoc on a few select items. The other end is also guilty of doing some damage. I'm glad I didn't make the switch a few months ago when I had the itch, because luckily the items needing replacing are the ones Hippo has decided to add his 'character' to. Namely the media cabinet, the bedroom drapes, and kitchen rug. The other items have just been on my list anyway.

1. I have some beautiful linen fabric I've been saving for drapes. I've been waiting for a sewing machine, and am glad I have. Otherwise they would have been peed on and played with. Drapes make great toys for a crazy puppy. Our current drapes are ugly and were purchased just to fill the need. We have surprisingly tall windows and a really LONG window in our room and I just needed whatever I could find so long as there were 4 panels of the same style and height. Hippo likes to chew, twirl, and pee on them.. and I don't blame him. I'd pee on them myself if I didn't know if was a naughty thing to do. I'll probably be able to make these linen drapes when we move which will work out well because we'll hopefully be done with puppy teething and potty training. Can't wait.
2. This item is non-Hippo related, but you have known I've had the itch for this clock forEVER. See here. Best news was that I found out who produced it, and thanks to Walls it will be mine very soon!!
3. Hippo is not a couch chewer, thank goodness (we don't own the ones we're using currently), but he DOES shed. This item has ALSO been on my list for some time. The West Elm Baxter sectional is one of my favorites. You know it's worth buying if you haven't forgotten your love for it in well over a year's time. Also, I feel pretty strongly that it is worth investing some money into a fairly neutral sofa if you know you're paying for quality that will last. The fabric is a faux suede in their "saddle" herringbone colorway. I have a swatch and it's darling in person. That and the nice thing is that it hides the dog hair so well! I've tested out both Hippo and Bird's hair (even though she doesn't shed) on my swatches, and that is ultimately how I decided on the fabric. West Elm is kind to offer free swatches to anyone who is considering their furniture.
4. This is the inspiration for my painting. It's the panoramic I've mentioned before that Andrew is working on for me for our living room. It's a view of 2nd point at Scorpion Bay from the palapas. The saturation is perfect. It reminds me of the hot Mexican sun (Arrested Development anyone?), and makes me want a Sangria from the Cantina. (: The view from this shot is honestly one of my most favorites in the world. I cannot wait for that canvas to be hung.
5. This will be one of the best replacements. Our media center right now is one of Hippo's favorite chew toys. It's wood. Big no no. The bottom right corner is gnawed off, with bite marks along the middle shelf. And a chewed vhs player to boot. It was never my favorite piece. It's finish is a cherry color, which is not my style of wood, so the destroyed factor luckily does not make me upset. I've eyed the Ikea consoles for some time now, and have figured this one to be the best. First, it's METAL.. this is a much less attractive material to our chew happy fat man. Second, it has no open shelves! Also good for the biting pup. And third, it's low and long... my kind of console.
6. This is actually just a really fun Lee Jofa fabric I've fallen in love with recently. It would make for great additional pillows in my living room. Marrying my native american patterns to my industrial, coastal, modern taste. The triangles are actually a metallic silver! Cool stuff.

Most, if not all, of these things will happen 'post move' to wherever it is the wind takes us. Doesn't make much sense to invest in furniture while Hippo is still so young and chew happy. Also, knowing that it will probably get dinged up in the move and require a bigger truck no less adds to this decision. Waiting a few more months is a wise choice.

But still. CAN'T WAIT TO DESIGN MY NEXT DIGGS!

Santa.

Chevron Knot Rug- 1. Bexley Aqua Lamp- 2. Chemist's Jar- 3. Embellished Fur Throw- 4. Amber Tumblers- 5.
Santee Sofa- 6. Deep Sea Dishes- 7. English Bulldog- 8. Linen Towels- 9.

Plates Galore.

Guys. I LOVE PLATE WALLS!! One of the seemingly silly little designs I'm excited about doing when owning my own home someday is simply to put a plate wall in my dining room, or even the kitchen. Heck, maybe over the fireplace. Basically we might end up eating from the dishes hanging on every wall in our house.

Oh man, here are some reasons why I love them so...

You can be colorful.

You can be refined yet dramatic.
You can use just a few.. or build gradually.

You can focus on pattern.

You can focus on shape & depth.

You can group them in tight corners.

You can hang them in whatever direction you choose.

You can use them to unite spaces.

You can mix old with new. You can be organic or use symmetry. You can spread them out or keep them close. You can be comical or timeless.

Basically.. there's no wrong way to arrange one, and the key is in the selection.

Advice: Make it YOU.

I can't wait to make one ME. (:

Cheers.

The Bears.

I just found these on Andrew's phone from our little trip to the Pacific Science Center in Seattle, and thought I'd share. Sometimes I worry our future children will have complexes because their parents are total goobs.

Ok I take that back.
We're pretty awesome.

Our kids will love the fact that we're super down with skateboarding in the house. I told Andrew when he buys me a house, he gets a huge fatty family room/garage to build mini ramps and rails for our own real life fantasy factory (I believe I've talked about this before). I mean, I want distressed hardwood and concrete floors anyway, so might as well let the fam enjoy it. Andrew got to do it growing up and I loved that about his upbringing. Our kids also get pillow fights galore, buttercups (don't ask), and sock bomb wars. Hopefully once we've bribed them with all the 'rad parental moves,' they'll freely forgive us for embarrassing them with our weird ways.

Then we can be a family of crazy bears together. Hopefully without head lice.
We're glad we didn't get any from those costumes.

Edland

Growing up, my parents have always had a 4 poster bed. I loved it as a child because it was awesome to play on. It was really sturdy and fun to swing on, but as way of aesthetics go, it has never been my cup of tea. Since then, I have always assumed I don't like 4 posters in general. But I've come to learn that I DOOOO.

When Andrew and I become real adults within the next year, and move to a place where he will work a full time job, and we live in a fairly permanent residence, I plan to buy us a BED. Right now we have the most ghetto second hand metal frame & headboard, and our box spring makes us feel like we're sinking in the middle (isn't that what a box spring is supposed to prevent?). So I'm thinking it'll be high time when Andrew graduates and we pack up and leave (if not.. sooner.. muahaha) to invest in a REAL piece of furniture.

As far as budget is concerned, I'm thinking we'll still have to be modest on what we select, and what is more modest in the cost factor than Ikea, right? Anyway, I just received the catalog, and somewhat have fallen in love with their Edland 4 poster bed. See for yourself...

I love the thin lines, and the white-acrylic finish. Not to mention, it costs like a dollar! Well, you know what I mean. Anyway, I'm seriously considering it, although my mind will probably change a year from now..

What do you think? Are you a fan of 4 poster beds, or what? A part of me thinks drapery would be so fun to change up with this thing... but I have yet to know if Andrew would even go for such a bed. It might not be manly enough for him, although he has always loved my design/decor preferences (minus our second hand rocking love-seat.. which I LOVE!).. so who knows.

We shall see.

Spanish Vibe.

My sister is in Mexico on her honeymoon. Boggles my BRAIN. But I'm so happy for her. Her wedding was tender and beautiful and she really is madly in love. I was so glad to be with her the week before. It was such a good time.

Anyway, thinking of Mexico always brings so many different memories and images. Currently my mind trails to the times we've spent in a little private community known as Las Gaviotas. It's got one of the best northern Baja surf breaks, a pool, and a spa. What more can you ask for?! You rent (or buy if you're super awesome) their little attached homes that are usually so visually obviously Spanish in style it's incredible. One of things that comes to mind about these homes is usually very festive bathrooms covered in decorative ceramic tiles and even a colorful sink. I love that about Mexico. I would totally throw that style into a guest bathroom, or half bath just for my own bliss.

Possibly use this bathroom sink...

And maybe a tiling similar to any of these...

This tiling company is in San Diego, how appropriate. They know what's up when it comes to producing Mediterranean/Hispanic tiles, and they've definitely beautified various parts of the city that my heart belongs to.

Whatever I end up doing in the distant future with our home's bathrooms, this look is something that I consider fairly regularly. The look is chaos and harmony in one. I just love it. I love Mexico, and wouldn't mind incorporating a lil somethin to say, "I love you."

Globe Pendant

So every time I get my West Elm catalog in the mail, my mouth waters for the Globe Pendant. Yes, it's that good that they keep it around for catalogs to come. Pretty timeless if you ask me. It's on sale now, but still not at a price I can really say "wow, totally worth it."
So until then, I will just dream, and sigh, and then lust some more.

{via West Elm}

Weimaraner

I will adopt one someday...

..and this is one of the reasons why.
Does this picture not totally melt your heart?
Make you giggle?
Do you suddenly have the urge to watch Sesame Street?
Good.

Baxter Sectional

I want this sectional.. STAT.
I'm serious.
Andrew approves. However, I need to sit in it first before such a HEFTY commitment, and there's no showroom in Utah... boo.
Mom, perhaps you can venture to the San Diego (Mission Valley) West Elm store, take a seat, and tell me what you think..? Ya? Thanks. (:

Oh it is lovely.
{via West Elm}

Jewelry Armoire

So I have quite the collection of jewelry. I go in spurts of not really wearing any, to wearing way to much.. and I love it that way. (: So I have an armoire from Walmart and the style is kinda bleh (unless I were to repaint it, which would be a pain with so much detail work!), so I was perusing for no good reason (not like I can afford to buy a new one right about now).. and found THIS!! How convenient! And we could use a quality stand up mirror!... check it...

Genius!
..someday. (:

Woodsy

So you know this laptop I've been oogling for some time now? (yes, the link takes you to the upgraded & way classier version).. well, someday it will be mine, and when it is.. I'd love to keep it cozy in THIS laptop sleeve!

Oh.. how I wish I had the funds for a new computer. Especially with school around the corner, I'm gonna need it!
...Christmas?

Home

Andrew and I really adore our little home (it will be a sad day when we leave this charming little place), but there are times that I crave owning a home so we can do lovely things to it.. like having a beautiful stairway and simplistic entertainment center like this.. just beautiful, light, airy, and cozy!

{via 2Modern}

Oh those will be such lovely days. I can't wait to learn how to make my home even more lovely! Wait, what?.. you ask? So I've come up with my short term goals, and I think you're going to like them. They've changed around a little bit, and I think we've found the final decision. There's a school in Salt Lake known as LDSBC and turns out they have a BOMB, first class Interior Design program! So I'm running with it! After a semester at UVU, I will transfer and have the time of my life! Yes, I'm sure it will be hard, but I look forward to squeezing every drop of information out of my schooling as I can.. I can't wait! I even get to "apply" to the program with a design board, oh my YES! I'm not scared, I'm STOKED! There are design boards flowing through my brain on a daily basis, haha. I get giddy thinking of the wonderful and challenging tasks that are ahead.. and I embrace them with both arms. Cheers, to the future.. and a charming home that I will someday create. (:

Happy weekend!

Speaking Of..

YES! what better than to have a swing, INSIDE!?

Oh man, my brain is on overload with all the future ideas I have for our home. Andrew just keeps telling me "just you wait.. as soon as school is over, I'll have so much knowledge, I'll be able to buy you a house and you can decorate your heart out!"
--Now, I in now way am pressuring that venture, to be quite honest, I think paying rent is wonderful, and I love where we live.. so it's cute because this is just something a loving husband wants to do for his wife to make her happy. (: His own pressure. Sure, my constant posts & attempts at doing what we can in our apartment might add to it, but I've never said a word about getting a house. (: Oh... except for that ONE! He knows the one. There's one in Provo, that I just LOVE. A green house. I've told him if he bought it for me, we'd keep it all our lives, and rent it out when we're done here. That's the only pressure.. but I'm only half serious with that one. (:

Anyway, until then.. someday, my swings, someday..

PS. Happy weekend!

{via AT}

Shiver Me Splinters

Oh, you know how I love a good swing!!

These are so precious! If I owned my own property with trees, we would own one of these!

{via Etsy}

Help..

I want my medicine cabinet to use these containers someday!

I think they're awesome, and the OCD in me likes the idea of no longer having mixed bottle sizes/different labels.

{Via BLTD}

{Purchase HERE}

PS. If you're bored, they might have a cure for you, here. (:

A Sale

..is going on at West Elm.
And they've got some pretty awesome stuff up right now.

If I had a home and a yard to decorate lavishly, I would with all of these beauties!

{via West Elm}

Fuji Camera

I would LOVE to own this!
I was sad when I heard a while back, that Polaroids are no longer going to be produced (I don't own a camera, but was hoping to eventually), so this little thing would be the perfect new step. Business card sized instant photos?! Oh yes, that would be lovely. Plus, this thing has multiple light settings to help the photos process even better. Someday I would love to own one. (:
Japan, thanks for all your creative and genius endeavors.

{via Haus Maus}

Del Mar

Lots of really good things live in Del Mar. The San Diego Fair (which I STILL can't wait to go to!), HOT AIR BALLOON RIDES! (yes, getting to that in a second), my bff sister (yes, I just used that acronym)- her man- and their soon to be wee babe, lots of horses (they get pretty stinky), and so much more!
Anyway, I've always had quite the infatuation with those large parachutes & baskets that carry you into the sky. I even had a boyfriend that leaked to my family that he planned on proposing to me in one! Yikes! Luckily that never happened, although that would have been nice if Andrew had done it that way. Don't get me wrong.. I have no complaints, he surprised me and it was bliss. (: Sorry, side tracked...

Ever since Andrew and I have been down, Ash and Jer have lived in Del Mar, and it's made for a great excuse to head down south by the beach. (: Can't complain, I love that drive. But my only complaint is the yearning that makes my heart ache for those sweet balloons that embark just outside their window! Whenever I sit in their humble abode, or stand in their kitchen by their trashcan (you think it wouldn't be such a pleasant view with that little stinker at your feet, but it is).. I long for those things. Del Mar, someday I will take off into the air from your precious location.. and it will be glorious. Until then, I will just watch them soar into the gorgeous San Diego horizon.
How I love summer.

{photo via Flickr}

Fire

I love EVERYTHING this living room has to offer..
I want that fireplace, for sure!

{via Apartment Therapy}