Introducing...my secret addiction | Disney Pin Trading

Hi. My name is Nancy and I am a Disney pin collector.

There - let it be known - because I sure can't keep the excitement inside any longer!

Rainy Day in Los Angeles

     Finally! A rainy day here in Los Angeles. The skies are over-casted, the window panes are tinkling with rain drops  - yay! Fall is finally here in Southern California and with this rainy season, it's time for me to bring out the rain boots, umbrellas and rain coats!

Ode to Hot Pink

HOT PINK? Yes... please!!!

artwork here by Greg Lamarche one of my FAVORITE artists

     Hot pink is definitely not for everyone - still - there is a place for it! I would definitely avoid using it around the house on a wall you stare at EVERYDAY, but I think it is such a fun color, why not an accent wall in the office? It could be that perfect extra punch you need in artwork or the unexpected element in your daily outfit. I LOVE how it's paired here with camel colored pieces above. 

So - anyone ready to let me paint their walls hot pink? Any takers? :D

pictures by this lovely website

Office Remodel | Preliminary Inspiration

Happy Saturday Everyone!

I'm trying to start the inspiration board for the remodel I'm doing for the office. I haven't started picking out furniture or anything yet- its all very preliminary. Still, here is what I think the office should feel like...

Overall, you can see it's starting to look very feminine - but a little touch of masculine accessories, clean and minimal furniture profiles/shapes, and a mess of work should balance this out. :D

Officially Tired | Work. Drained. Enough. Hello Weekend!

This is exactly how I feel about this week at work. Enough is ENOUGH I say!

Thank goodness for the weekend. I kind of hope it stays gloomy here in Los Angeles. I am ready for a cold day where I can cozy up at home and just hibernate.

.. this is after my weekly Disneyland Resort visit of course.  :D

Have a wonderful weekend everyone! 




image found here

Fashion Inspiration | Grown Up Polka Dots

New Trend | Unsure?

This trend is finally hitting the US! I part of me loves it, then a part of me feels like it could be borderline tacky? I don't know!!!!! Help me!

What do you think?

New Projects | Sneak Peaks

It's been a long time since my last post, and here is why!

I've had the pleasure of working with Mary McDonald on creating the new front window for Moura Starr.  In contrast to how most people see Moura Starr, we created a front window that looks almost "night and day." In place of the usual crystal and high gloss lacquer finishes are raw, open pore ceruse woods. Instead of the silk blend rugs, we used sea grass flooring and burlap window treatments. The space was filled with linens, cow hides, burlap and wool. We mixed metals such as polished stainless steel, brass and bronze to give it depth and variation. Overall, it was a neutral and peaceful palette, but it still had that Mary McDonald punch with accessories that really grabbed your attention- such as the crocodile skull, wood carved eye wear, splitting head book ends and a hammer head shark painting. 

This project was an intense one. With a lead time that was nearly impossible, we managed to get it together in time for Fall Market here in Los Angeles. My team and I ended up putting this project together in approximately 3 working days. This project is yet another reminder that a designer is nothing without their team. A project manager (like myself) is nothing without the team. As designers, its because of the great relationships we have with our team and vendors that make magical things like this happen. 

**Special thanks to Christine for helping me make this happen. :D Love your burlap folding skills. haha **

The Final Salute to Summer

Summer is coming to an end and though I am very excited for the start of Fall (and all the wonderful fashion finds that comes with it), I'm really going to miss the bright yellows and blues that came with the summer. I will definitely miss the beach days, stripes and nautical elements. 

I love the beach landscapes like the one here. It isn't quite time to pack up the summer decor - so keep the sea shells, woven baskets, drift woods, stripes and bright colors out until it gets a lot cooler. 

Goodbye Summer... until next time!

Fashion Inspiration | Working on the new wardrobe

     I have had the opportunity to work for restaurants to military bases and corporate firms - and I have to say - I LOVE working in the design industry where I can be a bit more creative with my work uniform. My closet is composed of classics/ staples and then there's the "trendy" portion. This portion of the closet gets purged every so often. Some pieces will become a classic because I know it'll come back soon enough, and the rest gets donated. 

     It's that time again. As I'm purging my trendy wardrobe, I'm keeping an eye out on new items that I think could be a great addition to the new trendy pile or even better potentially a new classic! I'm a huge Kate Spade shoes fan, and the dress above is one of my favorite florals by Valentino. I really like pairing up unexpected things for work- keeps things interesting - so a green jacket will do the trick! :)

Happy Weekend | Disneyland Fix

If you had to know one thing about me... or two... the one thing you should know is that I am ADDICTED to Disneyland. During the summer, when the days are longer and Disneyland opens till midnight, I go to the parks at least 3 times a week. I unfortunately haven't been able to satisfy this fix for nearly a week now. :(  Definitely having withdrawls. WIth that - this weekend I am clearing my entire schedule and heading to my beloved Disneyland - NO DISTRACTIONS. 


I've had enough long hours of work this week - no work, MORE PLAY!

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

Celebrity Interiors | The Smith Family

     Architectural Digest's September cover features the powerful and just simply iconic Smith Family. I love the fact that the family's style is so unexpected. Unlike the typical celebrity love of glamorous, modern, and/or eclectic, the Smiths opted for an adobe built estate with a worldly palette.

Nearly everything in this home as made by hand. Master woodworkers, metalsmiths, stonemasons, plasterers, and upholsterers all gave it their continuous hard work to make this 25,000 square foot estate happen. Will says," We wanted to feel the love and labor that went into every piece of this place."

The adobe living style suited them after further examination. Jada stated that Will and herself have always been very natural, organic and earthy. They really wanted a place that was closely related to the land. The inspiration for the adobe flavor started in 1998 when Will was working with costar Gene Hackman for Enemy of the State. Gene loves Santa Fe and during his visit, Will eventually started to love the feel of Santa Fe himself. What sold Will was when the were filming Wild Wild West which was filmed outside of Santa Fe. After that - Will said," I just loved that adobe flavor and feeling."

Definitely check out the new Architectural Digest September Issue. If you don't subscribe, stop by a book store and just take a peak. :D There's just so many great things happening with this magazine. 

Emma Watson | Remember when?

Like many fans, Harry Potter has been perhaps one of the longest relationships I've ever had (haha). With the last movie coming out, I felt like it was appropriate for me to take a moment and share one of my FAVORITE editorials featuring our beloved Emma Watson in all her glory. Can't wait to see what she'll do next!

Crazy Stupid Love | Why didn't I see this sooner?

Just got back from seeing Crazy Stupid Love. Why on earth did I ever wait on seeing a movie with Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, and Steve Carell? It was such a satisfying movie for me. Not only was it romantic, it was a comedy, it was dramatic, and if all else fails - Ryan Gosling is just gorgeous. I felt like a middle school girl who was squealing over the Leonardo Dicaprio, circa Titanic, Romeo + Juliet (Girls, you know what I'm talking about.)

Love, love, LOVE them. 

Can't wait for this to come out on DVD/BluRay - this is going to have major replay value for me. :D

Fashion Inspiration | Time to Reinvent

    

It's about that time of year again - time to reinvent the look. I know the whole 90s look is coming back, but I can't bring myself to do it. Instead, I'm loving this look. I think something like this mixed with pop art is where I'll live. :D More developments to come! yee!

Designer Resources | Manuel Canovas Fabrics New Collection

One of my favorite places to go for fabrics is Cowtan and Tout. They have fabrics in such great price points and not only is the quality there, they have nearly every kind of fabric you need. It's definitely a one stop shop for me. A great line they carry is Manuel Canovas. Their new collection is so vibrant and yet it still has such a great traditional sensibility. It's everything we love and adore about florals, stripes, embroidered fabrics but still new and refreshing with the color face lift.

Heaven in a Store | Flats & Ballet Shoes

For days now, I have been drooling over the new Anthropologie August catalog. I'm trying my very best to resist temptation... but look at all the colors and textures!

I guess Xmas is coming sooner this year...

An Odd Mix: Swiss Wood Carver's Chalet with Modern Interiors

     Designer Daniel Truffer had his work cut out for him. When he initially took on this project, there was an endless list of issues that had to be address. This list included, rain leaks throughout the chalet and a staircase that connected the floors that was OUTSIDE.  Even with issues like those, you can't look past the fact that the bones of the chalet are nothing short of charming, unique, and romantic even. Despite the ornate wood carving details throughout the space, it somehow still reads very modern. In an effort to not distract from the wonderful detail throughout the space, Truffer opted for a spacious and open floor plan. Modern furniture was the perfect choice for the chalet - it gives the place a great point of contrast and at the same time gives it a great clean palette to highlight the wood carvings.

     The only downfall I think is lighting. Where is it? (haha) Would love to see what kind of lighting Truffer ended up using. :D