Wide Open Skies in Santa Fe

This past week, my daughter and I were able to take a magical trip to Santa Fe, New Mexico and write about our experience for Matchbook Magazine. This was such an honor - Matchbook has quickly become my favorite on line magazine to read with such quality in both the writing and the subjects written about.  Our trip was so much fun and having to write and photograph the trip meant we somehow spoke to local folks in a more meaningful way. In the end, we met some amazing people and saw so many incredible places.  If you have a chance, pop over to Matchbook and read all about it (page 36)!

photos: caitlin flemming 

I apologize for my long absence.  I needed a break to catch up with work and life!  I missed my blog community and look forward to getting back into the rhythm! 

For Japan With Love

I've been away from blogging the last few weeks - trying to learn how to give credit in a better way.  I know that may sound silly, but I feel terrible that I've been only giving credit to the place I found the images.  I am now determined to figure it all out and come back better than ever.

I leave you with a fundraiser so many bloggers have been involved with. It was started by Lydia  and Lucia  and has raised more than a thousand percent of its original goal. They created the site - For Japan With Love . The donations go to Shelter Box USA - one of the first groups called by the government of Japan to help out in this tragedy. THIS is the reason I have fallen in love with blogging. We really are connected! My thoughts and prayers are continually with our friends and their families in Japan.

 image: ever ours via Sacramento Street 

Sweet Simplicity - Delikatissen

I adore everything about this home - the brick walls painted white, the mix of modern and antique, and of course, the neutral palate.  My mind is able to focus more in a neutral setting - perhaps there's already enough color in my life elsewhere!  I especially like the bedroom with the door to a garden.  What's not to love!

photos: delikatissen 

Mustard Yellow - Spring Is Almost Here!

While yellow isn't a color I would decorate with in my neutral color palate, I must say it's such a happy color.  Recently I read all of Vicente Wolf's books and he always uses a touch of yellow even if it's just the flowers. I especially love the yellow daybed - such elegance and the yellow keeps it looking young and fresh. This color reminds me of the enormous mustard fields in Southern France.  Wish I were there - a girl can dream anyway! Or maybe I could live in a yellow submarine!

photos: here 

Blog Crush: Pia Jane Bijkerk

I'm sure most of you are followers of Pia Jane Bijkerk .  I always look forward to her posts as well as her stunning photography.  I ordered two of her books as Christmas presents for my daughter and now she has a new website.  I became familiar with her when she was living in Amsterdam.  Previously she lived in Paris and now she is home in Sydney.  I had a difficult time choosing photographs to include as there were so many that spoke to me - there is something about all of them that evokes an elegant simplicity that I strive for.  We are all so fortunate to have Pia and her talent in the blog world!

Matchbook Perfection

I have to say I'm quite smitten with the new Matchbook .  I actually ended up staying at work an extra two hours as I couldn't tear myself away from the spectacular magazine.  The superb writing pulled me in and I was transported by the articles.  I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.  Which was your favorite feature?

photos: neotraditionalist 

Contemplation

I find myself thinking of the simplicity of the past in this photograph.  I can just imagine writing (by hand of course!) at this stunning little spot.  Where do you sit to write?

photo: browndresswithwhitedots 

Kitchen Inspiration

I am so sorry for not being around the past week.  I was still recovering from a nasty flu and had a baby shower to prepare for at my house this past Sunday.  My sweet daughter flew in from San Francisco to attend.  It was a magical weekend with dear friends and I just couldn't break away to post.  So, I hope this dry spell is now over!  I love the images below of a variety of kitchens.  Which is your favorite? I think the first would have to be my favorite - that window and staircase are spectacular!

photos: here