on LITTLE CHANGES, BIG IMPACT: The Chair Edition

This is the story of a chair. No, I'm totally kidding. Except, yes it is. Here's the deal: I got that gorgeous desk from craigslist awhile ago, maybe like six months. Twas my dream desk, twas free, and twas perfect. Due to this amazingness, I seemed to have missed one important aspect of having a desk.. using it. So while she became a great holder of books, and collector of important receipts, that was about it.

Enter in many changes made in my apartment as of late. Mama just about got on a nesting kick over here. And by nesting, I mean craigslist. And by craigslist, I mean holy crap I have a problem incredible gift for using craigslist.

It's interesting how a very small change can have a massive impact in your life. The night I got the chair home, and sat in it, well my whole world just about changed. I work at my desk now, in my desk chair, and it still gives me a thrill each time. Stay tuned for other updates on the little big changes around here. I know these are the exciting posts that keep you coming back for more. Oh, I know. I know indeed. Now, if you'll excuse me, I am going to go sit in my chair, after which, I shall look at my chair. Busy night.

on OH VIESSO

you guys know i have a serious lust for design, yes? yes.

you can keep up with all of the things that are inspiring me,

the most incredible modern homes and modern furniture,

and all things design over at viesso.

i write their blog, and run their social media (full disclosure, obvs)

but even if i didn't, i'd be all over the moon for them.

go take a little look, and you'll see what i mean.

plus, there are great giveaways ('like' their facebook to know first)

and you basically get a sneak peek into my mind and design taste.

so.. bonus? ;) let me know if you check them out, and any thoughts.

on LIGHT

all found via pinterest

When I'm curating collections of images for personal inspiration, for blogging or for my work on other blogs, I am always drawn to light. Which makes sense because that's how it is in real life, too.

When I first enter a room, I'm immediately assessing how the light gets in. What are the windows like? When will the sun be there to spend time with me? I thrive off of light, and have to have it.

When I meet a new person, it's the same thing. Where's the light? How do they shine? What lights them up? (Does anybody else do this? Is it really just me?) There's something about seeking out the light within someone, while seeking out the light in the natural world, that fuels me.

Summer is slowly starting to descend, and as it does, I'm trying to soak up as much light, sun, time outdoors, water, sand, relaxing, and summer-only things that I can. And I'd surely spend any of these summer days in any of these spaces.

on DON'T IT MAKE MY BROWN EYES BLUE

Sometimes it's good to have the blues. When they're really, really pretty designs for your home, that is.
Check out my latest post for Viesso, with some seriously inspiring rooms (& shades!) of blue.

If you dig the blog, follow along via blogspot! xo

on A COLORFUL WORLD

color outside of the lines, friends. be bold!

have a good weekend :) xo

ON My Dream Desk

I have been coveting this desk from Crate & Barrel for a long time now. Well, to be fair, the bookshelves first. But then.. the desk. The gorgeous, leaning, sleek, fancypants desk that I would surely not be able to afford.

And so I turned to where I always turn when in need of a piece of furniture: Craigslist. Natch. And there, that very day I thought to myself, 'well let's just have a looksie' .. there it was. And just a mere neighborhood away! No price listed. And posted three days prior to my finding this listing. Troublesome signs, but an email was sent anyway. And lo & behold, the next morning a response that the ONLY item he had left from his listing was this very desk, and if I wanted to come grab it, he'd give it to me for free.

Shabam, boom, bang. Dream desk: acquired. And already a total mess :)

ON closet crushes

I've just rearranged my room for the gazallionth time. In my itty bitty, 7 ft by 11 ft room, there isn't that much to move and change, and yet, I still try. No matter how many times I switch things up, the one thing I cannot change is the lack of closet space. Oh, how I long for multiple closets. Large, vast, spacious places to hang, store, organize and stack. 'Tis the dream. Don't even get me started about the closets turned into offices. I swoon over craft closets, and small spaces to create in. And imagine? Closing the doors at the end of the day to all of the work you've done and leaving it hidden away until the morning. Sounds dreamy.

What's your closet space like? Do you have a little closet office? Send me pictures so I can be jealous :)

ON hey i'm a working blogger & the gilmore girls, of course

You may have noticed things have quieted down here a bit. That isn't because I don't love you. I do love you. Baby, I love you big time. But, well, there's a new blog in my life. And that blog pays me.

That's right: I'm officially a working blogger.

A little fact I've not mentioned here is that aside from acting/singing/voiceover, dog rescue, life coaching and the million other things that I do, I also work as a freelance social media strategist. Fancy title, right? I've worked privately with a handful of clients and am super excited about my latest job, with a kickass modern & eco-friendly furniture line and company. I love social media and I love blogging and I love interior design and, hell, I love Santa Monica. So this is right up there with the dream jobs and I feel super lucky.

My latest post is on these super neat TV show floor plans, like this one:

Yes, that's right: just when I honestly couldn't imagine this job getting any better, I got to include something about the Gilmore Girls. Who are just my favorite fictional characters in all of the land. It's literally my most favorite TV show, I (sadly? impressively? not sure on this one) own all seven seasons and have probably seen every episode at least six times. I want to say this is because I don't have cable and so I often just leave the episodes running as TV noise in the background, which IS true.. except I also do this because I honestly can not get enough.

I used to say if you want to win my heart, you'd have to bring me flowers and an avocado. Now.. well, now it just may be bringing me this floor plan print. Which I would frame and hang in our home. Yes, our home, because I would marry you on the spot.

Plus the flowers and avocado thing has been done already. And he even threw in cornbread. I know, I know: true love. Gentlemen, you have got your work cut out for you, I tell you.

I'm not sure why this photo was already on my hard drive but whatever, Lauren Graham and Alexis Bledel can do no wrong in my eyes, so even this photo, where they are eating, is genius.

Remind me to tell you the time about when I offered someone a beer and oh, it was Alexis Bledel. Nearly fell over, I did. Don't worry, kept my cool. I did memorize her outfit though. I'm lying. Just her shoes. And coat. OKAY FINE THE WHOLE THING.

I'm not sure where I'm going with this post anymore, but the point was to tell you that I'm a working blogger and I'm really excited. Plus, now you know who to turn to for all of your social media needs. I tell you what: the day I find (create) a job where I'm a recurring role and/or host for a TV series that has to do with dogs and/or interior design, that I also get to run a blog for, and give a portion of the proceeds to animal rescue? Well, that is what heaven looks like, my friends. And then the blog turns into a book deal?! Oh, we are just getting crazy now. Just crazy.

:) Happy Friday, xo

ON a home away from home

when i'm traveling and looking at places to stay, it's imperative that the design speak to me.

most people go with budget, location, size, etc. for me? all about the energy/look of the space.

the first time i walked through the door, it felt like i lived here. which, when you're traveling, is the absolute best feeling to have. a little home away from home to create, learn, dream & play in :)

in related news: can you handle how much sunshine exists here?!

it felt impossible to get any pictures that weren't full of light. LA, i love your sunlight!

i can't wait to have my real camera back in my life, in the meantime, iphone it is!

ON Viesso for Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is less than a week away. Awesome, right?

Custom, modern, eco-friendly furniture line, Viesso, has great ideas for those beyond traditional gifts.

Maybe you're into buying your loved one flowers, but want something that will last.

The Lotus Flower Chandelier, shown here in white, is the perfect gift.

Or, perhaps you think your girl or guy just about puts the stars in the sky.

The Constellation Pendant Lamp is a great find to show how star struck you are.

 Next up, the Urbio Big Happy Family, is a sweet find for those just starting out their families.

Maybe you aren't ready for kids, but plants? You can totally commit.

Last up, the Howard Grey Travel Set. Because nothing says romance like a weekend getaway.

Go click around on Viesso and see what you can find as your perfect gift. 

Then report back here and let me know! However you celebrate, and whatever you gift,

here's hoping your Valentine's Day is a day full of Love.

ON our little kitchen (that almost wasn't)

Our little kitchen came together in a mishmash way.

My bookshelf became our shelving for plates, cups, pots, pans, and so on.

An 'As-Is' cubby unit, spied at bed, bath & beyond fit perfectly next to it, making a complete pantry.

Those last-minute table and chairs all came from craigslist, the microwave & toaster from my family.

And weirdly enough, despite everything coming from different places, it was all white and matched.

Some splashes of yellow paint, little nicknacks (like my fav measuring flowers) and we were done!

Do you decorate this way? A little this, a little that, letting it fall together?

Or are you more of a planner type person? (I think I'm a mix of both.) Share please! xo

p.s. isn't it crazy how different the quality of my iphone shots and my dslr pictures are?!
this makes me want to officially only use the dslr. which is 3000 miles away from me. hm.