May 23rd, 2013

With the holiday weekend around the corner, I’ve decided instead of hitting the road like many of you are, I am going to keep it easy and stay at home. As you know, I travel quite a bit for work so the idea of a staycation right now sounds might amazing to me.
Today, I potted some ferns for the front porch and decided to invert some pots to give them height. Let’s hope I don’t kill these guys! (inside tip: the plastic pots the ferns came in can be dropped off at any Lowe’s stores for free recycling, even if you didn’t buy the pots from Lowe’s).

Leaning some artwork by the kitchen sink against the large panes of glass windows actually works! I like the unexpected feel of it.

Cute upcycling idea to turn packing material into a garland…

Yarn bombing?

And my new collection of recycled wood furniture is hitting stores like TJ Maxx and Marshalls right now. This little side table (made from recycled wood from old boats) is just $19.99.
Have a wonderful weekend. I’m off tomorrow and will be back Tuesday!
May 22nd, 2013

Had a lovely weekend recently in Ojai, CA which I might just called the greenest, nicest place on Earth. The beyond perfect Ojai Valley Inn was home for my short trip which mixes meandering gardens with lushly appointed rooms and stellar customer service. Can not say enough about the place.

Ojai is famous for their Pixie oranges, but they also grow tons of other citrus and produce as well (including probably the world’s best avocados). I love how the farm stands are all done on the honor system.

A pretty Saturday afternoon with hanging lanterns above.

Here is my pal and photographer Shelly Strazis as we shoot each other at lunch. I shot the visit to Ojai for an upcoming story. Yes, I am developing my own magazine!

Ojai is also a very spiritual place and we were lucky to accidentally find this dome where classes were taking place… We shot the interior and exterior for the magazine.
May 21st, 2013

I did something rather grown-up recently and I’m really happy I did: I commissioned a fine artist by the name of Katya Usvitsky to make me an original piece of artwork to hang in my home here in Bucks County, PA.
I met Katya through a mutual friend who suggested she might be great to work on a freelance graphic design project. But when I spent time in her studio space in Brooklyn, NY, I saw her real side passion as a fine artist was something I could gravitate towards…

As my work is being created (it will take 6 months), I saw she had some smaller pieces she made to be wearable art that I thought were very original and darling.

Love the pop of color on this ring. Still trying to figure out her technique….

Another lovely piece.

On my way out, saw many floors of raw industrial space in the building. Can you imagine what kind of incredible loft home/studio/office this could be?
May 20th, 2013

Obsession Alert: Chloe’s Soft Serve Fruit Co.
It’s in New York City and they basically take frozen ripe bananas and somehow turn it into delicious soft serve like ice cream that is dairy, gluten and artificial anything-free.
Totally reminded me of this gadget—the Yonanas machine–I saw on HSN a while back…

Since I neglected to take a before photo since I wolfed it all down, here’s what it looks like. Lots of yummy flavors, but the original is what I love: a very subtle banana taste, super creamy, light and feels like a guilty indulgence but really isn’t.

Fruit and Water: That’s it. How can you go wrong?
Welcome to my new obsession…..