Meg's Haven

If you missed the few photos posted at Elle Decor or Yahoo Shine, or if you aren't planning on buying the June issue of Elle Decore, then I can't let you miss out on the Meg Ryan's splendid summer haven. It is every bit the sort of romantic softness that Meg embodies on the silver screen, but without all the fuss, make-up, and touch-up. Meg's home is defined by raw beauty, simple textures, and a dreamy harmonic color palette.

The love affair with Meg and this house started with a trip to Martha's Vineyard. She was stunned by the beautiful seven acre property. Using some assistance with Marsha Russell of Satinwood interior design firm, she built the stage for uncomplicated living. I love the vintage sign above the dining table. I adore the overall beach feel of this home, which is a look I have loved since my teenage years spent growing up in the beach cities of SoCal. This is a look that is very common from Manhattan Beach to Corona Del Mar. It's no wonder, either? It's all about living live with ease! No huge fuss! It also works with kids, too. They just have to leave the dirty rompers at the door!

Heavenly, right? I love the vintage-looking scones. They steal the show. The hardware on the door is a nice touch as well.

A pop of color from a throw tossed over a armchair and the electric color of nature make this space compelling. I want to sit for hours, reading books, drinking ice tea, and spending quality time near my loved ones. Isn't that what living the life really means?

{images via Yahoo Shine}

Meg has always had such a wonderful way of striking at the heart and it doesn't surprise me that her home has the same effect on me. Now...I need to bike to the grocery store to get this month's Elle Decor! I feel so inspired by these five images alone! 

The Passion of Celine

Time to Kick this Week off! After a furious jaunt to Costco this weekend, I managed to pick up a copy of Celine: Through the Eyes of the World for as little as $13.99. 

  I'll admit that I had images from How to Loose a Guy in 10 Days when Kate Hudson drags Matthew McConaughey away from a Celine Dion Tour. I really didn't want to be that girl, right! I even sort of hid the DVD in my shopping cart not that anything matters in terms of style when shopping at Costco. Who cares! I got it home and threw it on and it was SO AMAZING!!!

It wasn't that it was just about the music.  The video is totally inspiring because Celine is constantly talking about being authenticate, chasing your dreams, and how to deepen your experience of love. Of course, you also just gawk at her clothes, the production, the sets, the locations....all of it was wow! I was also moved to grab a copy of of Celine's DVD when I saw her interview on Oprah. I felt like I had a totally strange image of her until I realized how to down to earth and fun she seems to be.


One last song to kick off your week...in the spirit of Mother's Day!


Why not try to fire up some of the passion in your life! Do something that you love today and cherish the opportunities you have to love!

Weekend Forecast: Heaven is What You See

{image via Anthropologie}

Be an adventurer spirit this weekend, open up to new possibilites...

Chase your cares away and find a perfect place to read a book...and discover a new world on paper.

Has the late Spring got you homeward bound due to gale force winds or soft pattering rain? Invite a friend over and have a tea party!

Better yet, realize that heaven is all around you! It's what you see in the little and big things.

Find some contrast in your life. Grab a camera and find your slice of adventure. You don't have to travel to India, China, or Africa to discover a new world. It's all around you just waiting to be discovered.

{all images via Joyful Simplicities Flickr Pool}

Let's Escape to Miami!

Sometimes all it takes is discovering one picture of a new place to set the intrigue. As I was reading a great post at Eat.Live.Shop I saw the awesome room above, shot at the The Tides South Beach, and I knew I had to go. The Tides is considered the Diva of South Beach and I think I agree.

{image & great review via The Telegraph}

The rooms are fit for any diva! The subtle use of vintage glamour and local Miami color influences is genius. Isn't that fabric orange headboard perfect? Just a pop of clear color in a very warm toned room brings all the furniture elements together. The bathrooms are just as lavish.

{image via Hotels of the Rich and Famous}

Need to escape to the pool? Okay...you're going to die in luxe heaven!

{image via Porchlight Interiors}

Champagne, please!!! Time to stop by the ultra chic bar!

Or maybe just you want to grab a bite to eat...

Okay...ticket, sunglasses, bathing suit, and an unlimited credit card are all the things I need to pack! Mr. and Mrs. Smith have interviewed the designer of this sweet hotel, none other than Kelly Wearstler, so check it out here!

The Genius behind The Tides...Kelly Wearstler!

One more suggestion for a perfect stay...ask if a Tides Royale martini can be waiting for you on arrival! 

{image via Eating Healthy}

Now that's living the life like a diva!! Want to bring the The Tides home? Recreate this martini from their  bar, and, ahem, it's under 200 calories so no need to sweat the bikini thing!

Ingredients:
2 ounces coconut-flavored rum
1 ounce Midori
3 ounces pineapple juice
1 tablespoon Chambord
Edible flower (optional)

Instructions:
1. Combine rum, Midori, and pineapple juice in a shaker with ice.

2. Shake and strain into two chilled glasses.

3. Add 1⁄2 tablespoon Chambord (it will sink to the bottom) to each glass. Garnish, if desired. (Makes 2 165-calorie servings)

Eco-Chic 101: Reclaimed Wood

{image via Apartment Therapy}

In the world of new products, furniture, homes, and everything else made in China, sometimes it's wonderful to connect with things that have history. The price of history tends to be quite high, check the auctions at Christine's or Sotheby's, but emerging as trend in home design is the use of reclaimed wood.

As old barns, wharfs, industrial buildings, and vintage outdated buildings are being ripped down for new suburbs or new buildings, some people got smart and took measures to save these valuable pieces of material. You can reclaim wood for floors and have the most beautiful one-of-kind floors. I love the gashes and textures of vintage floors.

{image via Gaita Interiors}

Why not a reclaimed bed?

{image via Woo Home}

Why not make your space a bit more architectural with reclaimed wood?

The sky is the limit! Image a modern bathroom with salvaged wood...

{image via Green Eco Services}

If you even happen to stumble across just a few planks of wood, you can fashion a few hip table at a fraction of the cost. Instructables has got the design plans here. 

{DIY reclaimed wood table at Instructables}

Not feeling crafty? Check out some of these other wonderful uses to inspire your eco-chic taste.

{Recycled century old Korean wood-image via Mid Century Modernist} 

I also love the look of reclaimed wood frames.

{image via Fine Green Design}

The uses are endless. You can reclaim wood for large projects like replacing floors and walls, or you can use reclaim wood for the smallest home accessories like picture frames or pencil holders. The appeal is goes with the grain of being green in this trash cluttered age! 

Week Kick Off: Gerald Butler, Muse, and Ash

It's Monday, the start of a new month, and I just need some pick up! Nothing beats one of the hottest pictures of Gerald Butler, Muse (I'm on the last book of the Twilight Saga! So sweet & sad!), and one more surprise an oldie video from 2001 by Ash. Scroll down to rev up your week!

Serious eye candy! Perhaps the hottest picture in history!!! 

Muse, which inspired Stephanie Meyer to write the Twilight Saga...

The band Ash wrote this epic tune, "There's a Star" in 2001 and shot the video in Iceland. Fun to watch and lovely to listen to!