Channeling my Illy obsession

I've been receiving monthly home deliveries of Illy coffee for over a year now. 2 cans every month. And in this time, I haven't been able to bring myself to dispose of the majority of my leftover cans. I have them lining the top of my cabinets, on my desk in the sunroom, under my kitchen sink... Tired of watching them multiply and simply gather dust, I am making a conscious effort to discover alternative uses for their red and silver loveliness. Here is use #1:

I love to grow fresh herbs. The local rabbits love to eat my herbs. My beloved Illy cans are tallenough that those adorable yet pesky furballs can't reach them. Also, I can easily transport them back and forth to the kitchen.

Get your own cans here

When Autumn Leaves Start to Fall...

In my day-to-day search for the perfect holiday party theme/decor, I have stumbled across some amazing ideas for fall weddings (or big events, in general). Here is my online ode to rustic fall romance...

Photos courtesy of Style Me Pretty, The Preppy Wedding, & What Junebug Loves

Fly Me Away

www.wishesinthesky.com/

So, I'm a perfectionist...you wanna fight about it!?

As many of my friends know, I tend to be a bit particular when it comes to events and details. The smallest things need to be perfect, all corners need to be crisp and everyone should listen to what I say. ;) With the holiday party just around the corner (Winter starts in October in the Sierra), I am making a list of likes and dislikes. Heed my words and all will be fine.

1. I don't do balloons.
When you say "formal", colored latex filled with air or helium is the last thing that comes to mind. When you say "tacky", I picture balloons crafted into smart little arches and tied to centerpieces with Smarties
hanging off of them. So, unless it's for a kid's party...


2. I will drown floating candles/flowers.
Nothing says "1990" better than some faded red rose candles surrounded by real red roses all suspended in glass fishbowl. To make the scene even more last century, let's add some clear glass pebbles and glitter. Nope.

I do, however, like these floating candles:




3. Two to three colors max!
We are hosting a classy and sophisticated event not a carnival or 60s flashback. Simplicity is key. Don't overwhelm the guests.


4. No fake flowers...EVER!


5. Scents make no sense
Leave the scented candles at home. Nobody wants to smell cinnamon apple while noshing on Filet & Lobster


6. Center, center, center
I'm a Libra so to me it's all about balance. If a centerpiece is a bit askew or the cocktail reception tables are a bit off, I will notice it. Please bring a tape measure.

There are more...many more but I will stop here for now. And please walk away knowing that I am not being rude, pushy or demanding. I am simply identifying my quirks and accepting them in all their greatness. :)

You lie like a rug!

So, my purty living room rug is starting to show its age. This is completely understandable considering the two frisky felines constantly playing hide-n-seek under it, the countless numbers of Truckee feet walking over it and a few hundred vacuum swipes on it (usually ending with a corner being sucked in. RRRREEEERRRRR)

In my search, I landed upon these nifty floor coverings. While they won't necessarily go in my place, I dig 'em

Trompe L'Oeil Floor Mats @ Urban Outfitters

All I need is a country club membership...

and I can indulge myself with an event like this...


Everything about this screams me...but with a lot more money.

Courtesy of the greatest event site: Style Me Pretty

Summer's finally here and I have to think about what?!

I just booked our date for the annual Clear Capital Holiday Party and I'm trying to avoid conceptualizing the theme for this year. Our past events were stunning and we are always challenged to outdo ourselves but the lake is just now warm enough...

(As always, click for larger images)

2007 Holiday Ball

2008 Black & White Enchanted Night

Team these 200+ person events with summer parties, floats, races, plus our own personal events and it's a great test of our creativity. Challenge, I accept you!

Photos: Robyn Scarton
Location: Resort at Squaw Creek

Hava!

We stumbled upon such a gold mine of goodie sites this morning that we were left us with "hava" and "yes,please" falling out of our gaping mouths at 2 second intervals.

I'll start with Three Potato Four today run by Janet Morales & Stu Eli (and their daughter, Holly) out of NY. Avid collectors of vintage and unique wares, Janet & Stu hock the finds they can part with on this nursery-rhyme named site.

This was around my house growing up. Thought for a minute it was mine, then again maybe it was my brothers. Wait, did my dad have it? Anyway, it's making me nostalgic even though I can't remember why/where.

I'm on a bird kick lately. Could be the weather, could be all the flowers, could be that they wake me up every morning at 5am.

You put your left foot in, you put your left foot out...

A nice sturdy phone which C would use to take out would-be robbers.

Tea time tea towel the color of tea teeth

My moment of Zen

All I would need is a good book, some lounge pants, and a hefty cup of tea. Elliot curled up on the arm would be a bonus...

BeachDwelling

Where are we going today?

How about we head back to Spirit Hill Farm?

Man, I dream of this place at night. Can smell the orchard air...


and taste the saltwater pool...


A group of us camped out here last summer...

and I recommend it to anyone who even mentions traveling to wine country.



Please go (and take me with you)!

Wednesday's Wonderful World of Web "Wears"

Happy Hump Day, ya'll!

Let's celebrate by viewing some more handmade treasures courtesy of Etsy...

At PhotoGlassWorks each necklaces is made of hand cut glass and pieces arrive in a turquoise and chocolate jewelry box held together by a sweet silver bow. I appreciate the balance between the delicate images pressed between sturdy glass dangling from ball chain strands.





http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=4288


oktak handmade bags & baby goods
I have no current need for baby goods but I always have a need for bags especially ones as styley as these.

Small


Medium


Large

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=88980

Scabby Robot
When I first saw the name I thought the shop was selling recycled electronics to hippies. So, not the case. Then I started singing "Dirty Robot" by Arlington & Cameron. Pretty close in the coolness factor







http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=63794

More gifts from Belle

Beauty Belle's friend, James Bringetto took these stunning cherry orchard photos and being such a sharing gal, she passed them along to us. When I have a few minutes to spare I plan on enlarge the shot below and mount it above my bed. Then I will pretend I am there and spin around and around and around.





Thank you Belle for the send and thank you James your eye.