Ghouly Spaces or Gorgeous Rooms?

{images via House Beautiful}

Freedom Friday...Live Freely...Live Inspired.

Happy Halloween....Be Safe...Have Fun..

{image via starshinechic}

Casual California Style

Perfect for fall. It is now October and the Santa Ana winds seem to have arrived a bit early. But no fear...this is the perfectly, chic outfit to forget all about those dreaded winds and focus on those killer boots and stylish fedora. 

Everyone seems to be crazy over the latest trend: faux fur. We love it. Imagine the above pieces paired with the perfect pair of jeans...or white jeans. This outfit it trendy and hot...and perfect for a night out for drinks with friends, or wear it out to the comedy club on Sunset, in L.A. 

{images via msn.com}

Classic Santa Barbara Style

{images via coolsantabarbarahomes.com}

This is a great example of a classic Santa Barbara home. This home has a detached garage and a small studio that is "separate" from the main house. I love the simplicity of Spanish architecture and design, and this place evokes a serene life-style that we could all appreciate...I'm sure. 

Magnificent Monday

Today can be Magnificent....if I were laying in this bedroom. This gorgeous, chic bedroom may just do the trick and shewwww away all the things on my to-do list. Don't we love a gorgeous bedroom that's enveloped in pure chic-ness? I sure do...and this bedroom fits the bill.

Plantation

I'm sure you've seen their advertisement in ELLE DECOR. The above image has been on my inspiration board for a while now.  And now I've added a new inspiration piece to my inspiration board; look below. I received my new ELLE DECOR issue two days ago, and Plantation has a new advertisement. Have you guys seen it? It is SUPER gorg. It is a great example of perfect, contemporary design meets art deco meets ULTRA CHIC-NESS. It is no wonder Plantation was voted best furniture and design store in 2009 in Los Angeles. 

 {via my cell phone}

Don't you love it? First, allow me to apologize for the bad photography; my blackberry takes horrible pics. I love the allusion to the neo-classical element as seen in the bright white used in the bedspread, bed, side table, and wall. The white seems to glow side-by side the perfect amount of accent hot pink and green. My mouth dropped when I saw it. I plan on offering to re-do my niece's bedroom for her 15th birthday next year, and this bedroom inspiration would be perfect to redo for her.

House Beautiful Does It Cinema Style

This beautiful Manhattan apartment was completely redone to mimic the gorgeous Hampton home featured in one of my all-time favorite movies, Somethings Gotta Give (my other favorite is As Good as It Gets). Who are the masters behind this masterpiece? None other than James Michael and Phoebe Howard. The muted, soft shades of white, silver, blue, and understated woods evokes a contemporary casual that screams comfort and ultra chic-ness. I am drawn to these rooms for their beauty and aesthetics, and these are rooms I wouldn't be afraid to actually use. Kudos to both of you, Michael and Howard.To check out entire before and after pics go here. 

 

{images via House Beautiful}

Thomas O'brien

Thomas O'brien: Interior decorator, designer, innovator, talent. From his hanging light, area rug, lighting, and furniture, his designs exude understated, timeless, elegance...which makes it super easy, for anyone, to include in any decor scheme. Below are some of my favorites:

 

But we can't forget about his design....it is full-on eye candy; enjoy!

{images via veranda and various other sources; please click on image to see source}

Freedom Friday...Live Freely...Live Inspired.

Don't let anyone rob you of joy. ~ Sara

It's Pumpkin Pie Season

{image and recipe via delish.com}

Pumpkin Pie:

• Deep-Dish Baked Pie Shell
• 3/4 cup(s) sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 1 can(s) (15-ounce) pure pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix)
• 1 cup(s) half-and-half or light cream
• 1 1/2 teaspoon(s) pumpkin pie spice
• 1/2 teaspoon(s) salt

Pecan Brittle (optional):

• 1/2 cup(s) sugar
• 2 tablespoon(s) water
• 2 tablespoon(s) chopped pecans

Whipped Cream (optional):

• 1/2 cup(s) heavy or whipping cream
• 1 tablespoon(s) sugar

---

Directions

1. Prepare Deep-Dish Baked Pie Shell (same as 9-inch Baked Pie Shell). Cool on wire rack at least 10 minutes. Reset oven control to 350 degrees F.
2. In large bowl, with wire whisk, mix sugar and eggs until blended. Mix in pumpkin, half-and-half, pumpkin pie spice, and salt until smooth.
3. Pour filling into pie shell. Bake 48 to 50 minutes or until edge is set but center still jiggles slightly. Cool pie completely on wire rack, about 4 hours to serve at room temperature. Or cool slightly, about 1 hour, then cover and refrigerate to serve cold later.
4. To prepare Pecan Brittle (optional): Line large cookie sheet with foil; place cookie sheet on wire rack (note: foil and cookie sheet will get very hot when topped with caramel). In heavy 2-quart saucepan, heat sugar and water on medium until boiling. Cook about 5 minutes or until mixture turns golden. With heat-safe spatula, stir in pecans and cook 30 seconds. Working quickly and carefully, pour hot caramel onto foil and carefully lift and tilt cookie sheet slightly (holding foil in place) to spread caramel into a thin even layer. Let brittle cool completely, about 30 minutes. When cool, peel foil away, and break brittle into 10 pieces to garnish pie.
5. When ready to serve, if you like, in medium bowl, with mixer on medium speed, beat cream with sugar until soft peaks form. Serve each serving of pie with a dollop of sweetened Whipped Cream, and garnish with a piece of Pecan Brittle. Refrigerate any leftovers up to 4 days.

La Velvet Margarita Cantina...Hip Hot Spot in Los Angles

{via velvetmargarita.com}

This trendy, velvet encompassed, day of the dead homage, and celebrity hot-spot is famous for its margaritas...hence the name. I've been there twice, and even though I didn't see any celebs (but then again, I wasn't looking), I completely enjoyed the atmosphere. The food is pretty good (not the best Mexican food I've had, but it was good), the drinks are tasty but pricey...as are most drinks anywhere in Los Angeles, but for me, it was well worth it. I love great food, but the place (be it a bar, restaurant, or chain) has to have some type of decor appeal. In other words, the space has to be beautiful. If the place isn't beautiful, I would rather take the food to go. And this place, although it is over-the-top, is gorgeous in a retro-trendy-chic-kinda-way. So, next time you're in the area, and you're looking for a trendy spot to enjoy friends, drinks, and decent food...stop by the Velvet Margarita. Go here and check out what I'm talking about. 

Magnificent Monday...via Nicky Hilton's Jewels

Nikki Hilton, with the help of Amazon.com, is making her chic jewelery collection available to the masses. Why should we love it? The jewelery has a vintage appeal and trendy design without being over-the-top and tipping into the tacky zone. Nikki has created three collections: Soho, Bryant Park, and Chelsea. All are an homage (all from a different perspective) to her family and life in New York. And, who doesn't love the epicenter of fashion and design? Anyone can take a simple weekend outfit (jeans, white t-shirt, stylish jacket, and ballerina slipper) add any of these pieces, and instantly transform a typical ensemble and elevate it to ultra, understated chic-ness. Below are a few of my favorite pieces from her collections.

{via amazon.com/nickyhilton}

A New Trend ?

{via mastelladesign.it/}

Inspired by the calla lily, Mastella has created a line of pedestal sinks and bathtubs which are being described as minimalist. But, I'm not quite sure this can be described as minimalist. Sure, it can "fit" into a minimalist design, where this pedestal could then be the piece of  "jewelery" of the room. But by itself, I feel these can not be considered minimalist...simply because the curvature and overlap of the material is seemingly ornate. However, I do like the bathtub..the downward curve of the rim is understated and certainly not over-the-top. What do you guys think?

Freedom Friday...Live Freely...Live Inspired.

Look within; assess; accentuate your soul; 

and, change those aspects that have yet to evolve into the best you. ~  Sara

Have a great weekend!

Neiman Marcus' Goodies

 {via neimanmarcus.com}

Yummy candy.