These are a few of my favorite things: March 2015

1. Hard Candy Life - City Chic Poppin Pigments - Love when eyes pop with pigments
2. NYXcosmetics - Slim Lip Pencils "Mahogany" and "Soft Brown", perfect for day and night!
3. Glam up your brunch with Glitter Donuts! With just the look of these I am seriously considering a brunch wedding.
4. Color Luxe Fine Tip Gel Pens - I found these at Pigment in North Park and haven't written anything down in black ever since. Life's more fun in color :)
5. Instagram: moonlndjmpr - Slyoung Kim is a wonderfully talented artist with a great eye for details

Z Gallerie

So...I know it's been a while, I shouldn't have left you, without a dope beat to step to....

It's so good to be writing again! Trying to get back into the blogging scene with all this new creativity stirring!

With new creativity comes new adventures to boutiques and antiques...so, I recently took a trip up to Encinitas only to discover a whole new place of wonder...Z Gallerie. It's a bit of Crate & Barrel meets Homegoods - and good indeed! From furniture to cute apartment trinkets, it was really hard for me to leave this store - especially where everything is actually pretty affordable. I fell in love with this Boston mural of the most well known streets of the city as well as the these pup bookends. I like that the store offers ideas in sets, but that everything really can work separately so you can make your own unique and comfortable setting.

Smells of Rich Mahogany

A few weeks ago, I took my parents to my old stomping grounds to show them around the area, knowing their love for antiques and good craftsmanship. As we strolled into the David Alan store, it was impossible to not to be drawn to the time and detail that must have went into every piece. The staff was wonderful, informing us of the stories behind each tree featured, that were found right here in California - making these items all the more unique. And while their 40 foot ancient armour below tells a story all in itself, my personal favorite was the rooted coffee table (3rd below). See all of what David Alan has to offer here.

Form & Function

Form & Function has just been added to one of my favorite store's for all unique household items.  Using only natural metals and wood, you can find lots of distinguished talking centerpieces to fill any room! From playful pillow patterns to bright woven benches, and my favorite, light signs. I'm completely inspired to try a DIY version myself within the coming weeks for my living room to add some very personalize accents. Stay tuned!

Cacti Pots

I've been seeing these really vibrant cacti pots as decor everywhere in San Diego, so I was really interested in getting some for the patios of my new place, or as a kitchen table centerpiece. After hitting up a really cozy garden center here in Solana Beach, I realized these cacti could end up well out of my price range ($200-$300 a pop!)...but I'll keep looking or grow them myself! The Cedros Garden area boasted a lot of other unique items, like these mosaic outdoor showers and high top outdoor patio sets - its about time we start seeing more of these!

Solo Cedros - Solana Beach

 
I've been really excited to work on South Cedros street in Solana Beach, not only because of a great music venue (The Belly Up) across the street that I hope will bring some great acts this coming year, but because the area is booming with interior decoration stores and firms. Right up my alley. When heading out on quick coffee breaks, I've been venturing into the little shops and fell in love with Solo Cedros the minute I saw these intricate items placed about the store. From the Cypress Pine Candles right in time for Christmas to the deer skin book covers I think would be perfect for my dad. The store has a variety of unique home decoration and books about just about anything. This is just one of many stores on the street so I'm very intrigued on what I'll find on my next coffee break. 

Throwing a College Shower

This past weekend, my whole family threw my sister Kat a college shower before her departure next week. She's heading off to Umass Amherst and I can only imagine the trouble and fun she's about to find herself in - I can't wait for the stories to start pouring in!

But a college shower? I got lots of questions about what exactly this is, seems it is not such a common thing after all! So I thought it would be a great to show how we run one of these little shindigs. We've done it for every child in the Banks family and it's really a great way to send the youngsters off so they are prepared for the long days of "studying" to come.  Everyone is able to contribute and see the future student before heading off, and it's a great excuse to get the family together over the summer!

Opening her new mini fridge

So If you've ever thrown a wedding or baby shower before, than your golden, because its about 50% of the work you have to do for parties like that. We don't have special favors or catered food or anything, its simply a themed cookout! We have our guest of honor fill out an amazon wishlist (and right now you can save 25% on college essentials) where everyone purchases an item or two. Generally these things are anything from the notebooks, shower caddies, robes, sheets, etc. We all rally around to watch the opening of the gifts - and this time we had darling helpers, Miss Casey and Jaymie! 

Kat got everything she wanted, while also making out with items from my apartment that I can't bring with me to California to her new home in western MA. I say this kid made out good! We will miss her as she enters the world of adulthood, but can't wait to be living vicariously through her Umass years!

A robe to cover up in those dorm hallways - from cousin Corky!

I thought I'd show what a sweet little girl she can look like...

before I show you she's a real big goof at heart...

Beauty Insider: Lancome Gift Set

 

Our beauty insider at Lancome has a wonderful offer to share - a hot new Lancome Gift at Macy's online and in store*! Starting today, with any $35 Lancome purchase, you can build your own seven piece gift set. A perfect purchase to gift to a friend or to indulge yourself!

Just choose from one of Lancome's new makeup clutches (red or black) and fill it up with 6 of your 13 favorites† from the Lancome collection (no duplicates):

• Renergie Lift Volumetry Volumetric Lifting and Reshaping Cream SPF 15
• High Resolution Refill-3X Triple Action Renewal Anti-Wrinkle Cream SPF 15
• Absolue Premium Bx Absolute Replenishing Cream SPF 15
• Creme Mousse Confort Comforting Creamy Foaming Cleanser
• Creme Radiance Clarifying Cream-to-Foam Cleanser
• Hypnose Drama Mascara
• Color Design Eye Shadow quad in Pink Pearls, Designer, Exhibition, and Lava
• Color Design Eye Shadow quad in Regal Sapphire, All Made Up, Little Blue Dress, and Splendid Sapphire
• Foundation Brush
• Le Lipstique Lipcoloring Stick with Brush in Mauvelle (full size)
• Color Design Lipcolor in All Done Up
• Juicy Tubes Lipgloss in Miracle
• Bi-Facil 
• Lancome clutch in red or black

*while supplies last
† products are similar or exact to link, product offers could vary

A day out in Ptown!

The weekends go by so fast don't they? But it was a great weekend with a trip to Ptown with the fam on Saturday. The weather was gorgeous, the sun was out, and everyone was in great spirits...and in Ptown, how can you not be!

 

We left early in the morning for the two hour boat ride across the bay. The water was so clear and it was smooth sailing all the way. We arrived around noon, called in our mooring and got picked up to head in to the dock! Boat to boat service...I like...

 

We walked around for a bit before sitting down for lunch at Pepe's Wharf, overlooking the harbor. I got an amazing lobster salad and we quenched our thirst with some nice tropical beverages!

We shopped at all the little trinket stores, spotting some vibrant glass coasters and colorful Dakine plaid luggage set...want!

And with so many shops and boutiques, we shopped some more...before we spotted Carson in the Roots home decorating store! An amazing find! ;) This store had so many great items and some of the greatest pillow artwork. I especially loved the pillows displayed below!

So after a wonderful day of sun, food, drinks, shopping, celebrity sightings, we took to the sea to start our journey back across the bay. A beautiful sunset await us and it was the end to such a great day.

These are a Few of my Favorite Things: August Edition

It's been a pretty productive week and there is a lots to feel good about going into the weekend. With just a few things left to do on my list, I think I can really look forward to a good road trip and enjoying my time visiting new cities and spending time with friends along the way. Only a few weeks away, but time always flies! 

These are some things I'd love to acquire once I have my apartment set up and once I get on my feet out there. That might become the hardest thing, keeping myself from spending my moolah on the road! It's gonna take some real resistance especially visiting cities like New Orleans and Austin!

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend in store and some much needed R&R in the mix! Enjoy! xo

1. Alternative French

2. Matchbook Case - Indy Cases

3. Ravioli Stamps

4. Log bowls - seems to me a cure for slouching while eating your cereal ;)

5. Creative Credential Stamps

6. Better Half Blonde Ale package design concept and story

7. Book laptop case - can we say Penny from Inspector Gadget? I always wanted one of these!

8. Stacking luggage side table - genius...

Some-fin is in the Water....

I really wasn't sure if I'd be able to celebrate the worlds love for shark week on here, given I didn't want to post images of people half mauled by a rogue shark (impressed?) or videos to scare the bejesus out of you from entering the water this summer, especially with 8...EIGHT I say, great whites spotted off the Chatham coast.

But alas, there are plenty of shark fanatics making light of this predator of the sea. And despite some of these items being rather humorous, I think the two Cape episodes airing this week will keep me from entering the ocean no further than my knees for just a bit while longer. 

1. Sealife Ring

2. Shark Socks

3. Shark Hoodie Tutorial - super easy!

4. Fin Time Release Tea Infuser

5. Baby Fin

6. Fin Lamp

7. Under the Sea - theme party

8. Cake Obsessed Fin Cupcakes

Get Organized

Oh boy, this week is really getting away from me! But I'll be back to a regular schedule in no time, and hopefully will have some great news to share!

Sooo, I think I am a very organized person. Laugh it up. No honestly, I will find you.

But I will clarify that this probably doesn't stretch across all aspects of my life. There I said it. Which brings me to this tidy post today about being organized not at work and not in to-do lists...but at home! It's so easy to be on top of your game during the day when you got your go get em attitude and are dealing with things that your paycheck depends on, but when you head home, your just downright exhausted! But these simple tricks and items could help you get IN the game and make your evenings dedicated to relaxing and decompressing, not cleaning up.  Enjoy!

1. Laundry storage - great for separating whites and colors, or assign one to each person!

2. Grains Storage - very big, especially for pastas and grains which can welcome unwanted pests!

3. Clothes Storage - this is perfect, especially with the word pantalons thrown in the mix

4. Under the Kitchen Sink - a simple rod will allow you to hang all those different sprays without getting in the way

5. Make up Storage - this is a biggie and will help you keep up on cleaning your brushes and replaced old make up

6. Inside the Bathroom Cabinet - these Magnapods are perfect for utilizing space

These are a Few of my Favorite Things: July Edition

1. Vital Screen Printed Glasses

2. Talking Pillow Cases

3. Iphone Art by Society6 Artists

4. There's a Shark in my Soup!

5. Hungry Hippo Toothbrush Holder

6. Baby Seal Kids Sweater - beware, the adult version is not pretty!

7. Rolling Trunk Luggage

It's the London Look.....

It's just a fun line to say isn't it? And you certainly can't do it without a pout. 

Anyone waking up early for the Royal Wedding tomorrow? I know someone who is having a royal sleepover - yes CB I'm talking about you! :) 

I know everyone has probably feel like they've heard enough about the Royal Wedding. I haven't really been watching a lot on it, so I thankfully haven't been overexposed (tee hee). But it's still a little exciting that it's here and I feel like it might be one of those moments in time where you don't want to miss it. 

So if you can stand to get up a little earlier (a littler birdie told me the wedding is actually at 6!) to catch a glimpse of that handsome Harry...and those two getting married, then make yourself a mimosa and cheers to the Royals dahling!

1. Crown Wallpaper - Graham & Brown

2. Lazy Oaf Cards

3. Royal Treatment

4. Royal Magnets - Etsy

5. Beauregard Headband

6. No More Waity Katie Lip Gloss & Nail Polish - Butter London

7. Royal Cupcake

These are a few of my favorite things - April Edition

1. Wine Sippy Glasses - Never have red lips again! - Amazon

2. No more burning Toaster - Transparent Toaster - Coming soon! Why didn't anyone think of this before?

3. Ink Calendar, Each day the ink leaks into the next day - Designed by Oscar Diaz

4. Hand Engraved Reaching Branches Pint Glasses - Etsy.com

5. Moroccan Hair Care - SO soft - Your local Hair Salon or Boutique

6. Chilling Carafe - Wine Enthusiast

7. Creative Candles with multiple wicks - Dornob

Hidden Memories

Over in the Netherlands, Miranda van Dijk is creating unique ways to keep your lasting memories safe. I truly love when there is such an original idea out there and this is one of them! Miranda uses cotton fabric in the shape of leaves (or other requested objects) and digitally scans your old photo to print on the fabric. As you can see, she's even made custom jewelry to showcase your ornament filled with family history. 

Although it was virtually impossible for me to read the website, I was able to at least read this :): Email: info@puuranders.nl for more information. 

I think its a great gift idea and one that my parents would def enjoy!

 

Workin for the weekend...and these fancy products

Were arrived to another weekend, which means its time to refresh and reflect, a new week and new beginnings are upon us...especially now that this week has proven to be off balanced with the horrible tragedy in Japan...so unbelievable. Hug and love the ones you hold close.

So while these products below have absolutely nothing to do with any of this, I just thought they were fun and creative and are incorporating so much of what this Friday has brought on...

GET ME BACK TO MY BED - Yes please! What fun decor for a room! - Livingstones by Samarin Design - Pretty awesome things by this group!

LACK OF COFFEE THIS MORNING - Very true...and exactly how I felt this morning....TypoTees

LOTS OF MUSIC TO KEEP ME GOING - VERY green with recycling old credit cards....and a guitar players dream! Pick Punch

LOTS OF ORGANIZING FILES - Don't worry! There is every girls dream as well :)  - Organization Station

CANDY ON FRIDAYS IS ALLOWED - What a perfect little candy bowl! Unzipped Glass

STRESS RELIEF TEA! - Tea Lovers SUBMERGE! with your Tea Sub