One day when I have my dream house I’m definitely going to have a swing inside. Not only an interior swing is unconventional and fun but it also a great way to break a creative block especially if you work from home. So I let myself indulge and add to my “dream house inspiration folder”. Are you with me for a ride?
John Galliano seems to be on fire for the past two years. Every season’s collection from Dior smashes my heart and drops my jaw even lower. Spring 2011 is Galliano’s salute to René Gruau, the illustrator whose work for Christian Dior in the forties and fifties created the house’s most iconic imagery.
The graphite smears, pencil strokes and scribbles, erasure marks, and gouache washes of Gruau’s illustrations were duplicated in cloth and embroidery, used, said the designer, “in an illustrative way.”
– review by Tim Blanks
The collection left me thinking what kind of job should one have to wear this dresses every day, ‘coz I definitely would take it.
<images via www.style.com>
I know you all are probably excited for the tomorrow’s Oscar show, so I decided to look behind the curtains into the Greenroom. Each year, AD selects a noted designer to transform a raw space into a backstage oasis for presenters and winners alike on Hollywood’s biggest night. This year, interior designer Michael S. Smith—who was appointed in 2010 by President Obama to the Committee for the Preservation of the White House—is the man for the job.
81st Annual Academy Awards Greenroom by Stephen Shadley, 2009
80th Annual Academy Awards Greenroom by Carleton Varney, president of Dorothy Draper & Co, 2008
78th Annual Academy Awards Greenroom by Roy and Dorothy Christopher, 2006Today is officially the first day of my life as an American citizen. To be honest, I haven’t had such a boost of positive energy in a long while as at the Oath Ceremony this morning. Seeing over 2,000 people, coming from different backgrounds in search of their own American Dream was very inspiring and uplifting. I have come a long way since moving to the US five years ago and just wanted to say how grateful I am to my new Homeland for all of the opportunities it has given and continue to give to me. I am truly proud to be an American.
<image via here>
Happy extra-day-off people! It feels like it’s the first time after Christmas holidays, that we get to take a breath in and break from the everyday pattern. With some unusual rainy and chilly days here in LA, we’ve got a lot of white mountain tops around…which means that the snow is calling again! I’m off hitting the local slopes at the Mt.Waterman for a day. Hope you all get to soak in the sun and recharge for the upcoming week!
<image via me>
I love the technique of traditional Turkish Kilims, as flat woven rugs they look very clean and substantial. But, to be honest, the traditional rug patterns are not my cup of tea. So I was uber-excited to come across Gypsy/Maturin rug collection. Created from all natural materials, the rugs are either made of vintage Turkish kilim and adorned with hand embroidery, or loomed out of plush mohair and textured hem. I’m just in love with the monochrome palette, how perfect they would look in a beach house…
<images via www.kathleenclementsdesign.com>
Still doubting whether or not should I disclose the best kept secret place in LA. I wish I could keep it all to myself. Malibu Wines winery is just perfect in all ways: it is a little quite place away from the hustle of the city, with live music on the weekends and delicious wine list. So we went there on yet another sunny California weekend (sorry East Coast for bragging), this time to celebrate my hubby’s B-day with a little picnic.
My favorite yellow truck, I would totally drive it if I lived in a countryside.
Since they sell only wine there, we brought some snacks and I set up a picnic table
Everybody loved my little newspaper pockets filled with popcorn, veggie chips, fruit and nuts.
We had such an amazing and relaxing time. Can’t wait for the rain to be over so we could go again.
Thanks to my dear friend for taking such lovely pictures. Great memories!
Hope all of you have had a wonderful Valentines Day and stacked up on sugary confections. I came across Sweetapolita Blog right before the big day and had already made other cooking arrangements to surprise my hubby, but have I been inspired! Besides having 2 cutie-pie daughters, Rosie from Sweetapolita has an amazing baking creativity and her fun projects can leave even the most sugar-overdosed hearts craving for some more.
Dreaming of Butterscotch Peanut Butter Marshmallow Hearts…
…or send me Love Letter & Scripted Heart Cookies 
or treat me to Love & Luxury: Boxed Chocolate Mini Cakes 
For more sweet goodness and recipes, click here.
<images via www.sweetapolita.com/blog/>
I’m a bit skeptic when it comes to Valentines day. Don’t get me wrong, I love treating my honey to a special surprise on the occasion. I just don’t believe in buying gifts, rather than fining a unique way to show your affection. But when I came across a remarkably decadent wishlist put together by 1stdibs for Valentines, I couldn’t help amusing there for a while. Oh ladies, I went all out!
Olivetti typerwriter…anyday! 
Still can’t get over this dining/library room from the latest issue of Interior Design by Steven Harris Architects and Rees Roberts + Partners. May be it’s an up-coming Valentines influence, but these magenta chairs seem to speak to my heart. And how perfect is the combination of library and dining, I can totally see myself sitting there with a cup of tea flipping though some art book.
I fear I’ll keep being restless until I get something if that magenta hue!
<image via www.interiordesign.net>
Design Apothecary 
