Squashes and Cukes

Are agrowin'

Lonny is here!

The new online Lonny Magazine is now live!  For those of us who have felt a sense of emptiness since Domino went bye-bye, Lonny keeps the memory alive.

Hope Floats

As many of you know I work for Wilson Associates which is one of the pre-iminent hospitality interiors firms out there (not to toot my own horn).  What a lot of you don't know though is that through the Wilson Foundation we also help some of the poorest rural communities in rural South Africa by providing education, supplies, and healthcare support.

The Hope Bracelet is a one of a kind black onyx and sterling silver bauble which features the foundation's logo.  One hundred percent of the net profit from each sale ($125) benefits the Wilson Foundation . The first 50 readers to order a Hope Bracelet will receive a collection of ten note cards featuring photos taken by African youth as they “looked again” at their world and used a camera for the first time via a program that helps HIV/AIDS efforts.

John Derian for Target

On Sept 5 John Derian introduces a new line of home decor and accessories for Target.  Love the nature inspiration.

The Mac Daddy

I'm thinking a long lunch might be in my near future now that I know about Mac & Cheeza downtown.

It's like a customize your own mac and cheese bar.  You choose your size, your type of noodle, your meat veggie and topper.

A little gluttonous but I'm willing to take one for the team and go try it.  And did I mention they deliver? Anyone been?  Let me know what you think.

Umber-ella-ella-ella

So our patio seems like it would be a beautiful oasis. But in reality in the mid-afternoon in the depth of summer, you have to hunch in the corner in the one shady spot to stay cool.  Umbrella to the rescue (yes, another joy of homeownership - see previous post).  I think we need a cantilevered umbrella and here is a roundup of a few options:

Home Decorator's Collection  $179

  Target  $449.99

Walmart $199.99

Overstock.com $259.99

Patio Umbrella USA $229.90

If I had a million dollars

I would definitely do a room in Fromental's Chinoiserie wallpaper.

I would go all out and do the hand embroidered version - so sumptuous!

And there is something so catchy about this mod painted Klimt-ish version of a Chinoiserie called Psychadelica - not sure what that says about my taste though!

Central Park

Yup - Pasadena that is.

We once again made the grueling uphill bike trek into Old Town Pasadena this past weekend and hit up Central Park Restaurant.  It's right across from, well, Central Park, hence the name.  And it does have sort of an East Coast vibe.  I had the breakfast Panini.  It looked sort of sad on the plate with no garnish and just a meager fruit bowl to accompany it, but I gotta say, that was one good breakfast panini.  Highly recommend it.  Scott enjoyed his Eggs Benedict as well.  Now we'll have to try it for dinner sometime.

Platform Bed Roundup

So my a friend of mine in Chicago just bought a new house has asked my advice on furnishing.  She is coveting this bed from DWR but is thinking her hubby won't be too keen on the $2500 price tag. 

So I helped her come up with a few alternatives.

$318 from Chiasso 

$600 total from West Elm

$1200 from Room & Board

$1500 from Room & Board

$899 from CB2

Fiddle Dee Dee

 

I'm thinking a Fiddle Leaf Fig (perhaps with a uplight behind it) would look quite dramatic in this corner of our living room.  Question though - where do you find one that isn't ridiculously expensive.  Rolling Greens had one for 200 bucks -  that seems a little much for a house plant, no?  Any ideas would be much appreciated