Such Pretty Things

Shabby Anticipation

 

From literally the very first second I get into L.A., I start counting the minutes until I can get over to Shabby Chic on Montana Avenue in Santa Monica. It is truly my favorite of all of Rachel's beautiful shops - probably because it's the original one and also because it has such a dreamy, ethereal quality to it.

Here are some photos of all the shabby loveliness...

Rachel is also opening another shop in mid-September at her gorgeous new B&B, The Prairie, in Round Top, Texas.  And for those of you who can't make it to one of the brick and mortar shops, on-line ordering is now available on the website! Yay!

:-)

Jessica

Clayton's Coffee Shop

When visiting San Diego, we always stay in Coronado. It's such a beautiful and picturesque little town. One of our favorites restaurants for a casual breakfast or lunch is Clayton's Coffee Shop.

A true 1950's diner-style coffee shop - Clayton's seems to be truly untouched by time.

From the super cool jukebox...

...to the glass pedestals filled with sprinkle donuts.

Sit at the counter for a truly authentic experience and order yourself a delicious milkshake or BLT.  You can even buy a pretty apron to take home!

So, if you find yourself in Coronado, be sure stop by Clayton's and take a step back in time.

:-)

Jessica

Pretty Travel: Las Vegas

We just got back from a family vacation to the West Coast.  Although we were barely gone two weeks, we managed to squeeze in Las Vegas, San Diego, and Los Angeles! As always, I brought along my camera so that I could capture some prettiness to bring back and show you. Our first stop was Las Vegas.  Now, I know what you're thinking...Las Vegas is not exactly what comes to my mind when one thinks of pastel and pretty, but there are definitely some pretty (and yummy) places that are worth checking out. The girls were with us on this trip, so we focused on the shows, the food, the shopping, and the people watching. And let me tell you - there was plenty to watch!  ;-)

To begin with, we stayed at The Bellagio. There are many excellent hotels/casinos in Vegas, but we really love this place. It is so pretty and the rooms are very posh and luxurious.  Plus, they have really good toiletries in the bathrooms and that's what's really important, right? The Bellagio is known for it's famous fountains out front...

...and it's gorgeous lobby with a magnificent chandelier called Fiori di Como, designed by glass sculptor Dale Chihuly...

It is comprised of 2,000 hand-blown glass blossoms!

The lobby is also host to whimsical installations whose themes change with the seasons.  This time there were live birds and hot air balloons!  So magical...

But what we mostly love about the Bellagio is...the GELATO!  Yes, the gelato.  Worth a visit in itself...

There are a zillion dining options in Las Vegas - everything from fast food to five-star cuisine.  Again, since we had the girls with us, we decided to forgo some of the more gourmet restaurants (Alize, Fleur de Lys, Bouchon, and L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon) and instead went to places that were more "family friendly".  We personally adore Mon Ami Gabi - a wonderful French restaurant located right across the street from The Bellagio in "Paris". The brunch is especially fabulous.  Case in point, the decadent blueberry french toast!

And the girls' favorite - french bread and Nutella!

For lunch, Stripburger is a casual, fun place with terrific burgers...

...and the best PICKLE fries! You really have to trust me on this - they were absolutely delicious!

Dinner at Pink Taco (in the Hard Rock Hotel) is always a blast - excellent mexican cuisine with a very hip vibe!

We saw a few shows, but I especially recommend Cirque du Soleil's LOVE.  It celebrates the music of the Beatles and the incredible costumes and dreamy sets are an experience not to be missed.

If you are visiting Vegas and have a little extra time (and a car), I also recommend taking the 25 minute drive to see the Hoover Dam. 

It's educational for the kiddies and truly an engineering marvel.

Las Vegas is a very interesting place - sort of like Disneyland for gown-ups! But after a few days, I am usually ready to hit the road.  And so we did.

Next stop: San Diego...

XOXO

Jessica

P.S. Where do you like to go when you are in Vegas???

 

Pretty Resources: Potomac Floral

If you are planning a wedding or party (or just love flowers like I do), then I have a wonderful resource for you...Potomac Floral.  Potomac Floral is a wholesale floral warehouse that is open to the public. They have a fabulous and extensive selection of fresh cut flowers, plants, and rose petals. The warehouse is filled with a rainbow of beautiful flowers and the prices are quite reasonable.

I love that they have such a large selection of flowers. They have Hydrangea in every color...

Tons of roses - in so many varieties and colors...

They even carry garden roses, with all those yummy layers of petals!

And so much more...

Potomac Floral is located in Silver Spring, Maryland, but will also deliver/ship to those located outside of the D.C./Baltimore area. They have a wonderful website that lists what flowers are currently in stock, prices, shipping information, etc...

I only learned of Potomac Floral very recently when a good friend (Thanks, Deb!) recommended it to me and I am beyond thrilled to know I now have a wholesale flower market so close by.  If you live in the area, it is totally worth a visit. Oh, and if you do go - don't forget to take a sweater!  It's freezing in those refrigerated rooms.  :-)

XOXO

Jessica

Pretty Shopping: The Gilded Bee

Today I thought I would share one of my all-time favorite shops with you. If you are not already familiar with Sasha North's jewel box of a shop, The Gilded Bee, than you are in for a real treat!

Sasha is an incredibly talented artist who creates the most beautiful miniature paper flower bouquets...

Aren't they stunning!

Look at Sasha's attention to detail...

In addition to her lovely paper flowers, Sasha's etsy shop stocks the most wonderful crafting provisions - from paper lace and colorful Italian trimmings to paper butterflies and candy-colored cabochons...

Sasha's work has been featured on numerous blogs and in national magazines including Martha Stewart Weddings and Bride's Magazine.

She also has her own beautiful blog, I am The Bee, so make sure to check it out!

Happy Thursday!

:-)

Jessica

Miette, San Francisco

If you love pretty candy, delicious gourmet cakes, and gorgeous packaging then you will absolutely fall in love with Miette in San Francisco.  Miette has several locations around town, but I especially love their shop on Octavia Street.

This stunningly beautiful store is a true feast for the eyes, as well as the stomach. From the lovely papered walls to the rows of sparkling glass candy-filled jars.

The displays are so whimsical...featuring lots of pretty cakes stands.

Miette offers many unusual and hard-to-find confections from all over the world. Each one prettily presented...

The beautifully decorated cakes look like they are straight out of a Thiebaud painting...

And the packaging is so sweet...

So, next time you are in San Francisco, be sure to check out Miette!

:-)

Jessica

Pretty Shopping: Bell'occhio

For me, no trip to San Francisco would be complete without a visit to the enchanting Bell'occhio. This exquisite, jewel-box of a shop is absolutely brimming with vintage and handmade treasures.

"Bell'occhio", which means "beautiful eye" in Italian, is well named. Just one look at the glorious vintage ribbons and you know you have wondered into someplace magical...

The lovely and talented owner, Claudia Schwartz, takes great pride and pleasure in assuring that her shop is a visual feast for the eyes.

There are rows upon rows of vintage trims...

Antique ribbons...

Bell'occhio's signature handmade boxes...

And the finest sewing notions...

Every display is carefully constructed and beautifully designed.  The shelves hold miniature scenes...from a whimsical woodland menagerie...

...to Marie Antioinette herself!

I remember the first time I walked into the shop many years ago and saw the gorgeous, millinery-embellished chandelier...

Just breathtaking.

Bell'occhio offers so many special and personal touches. For example, the in-house calligrapher can monogram a pretty burlap bag just for you. And Claudia will wrap up your precious purchases so beautifully - it will make you want to cry. It is really no wonder that Martha Stewart considers this one of her favorite places to shop! Now, if you live outside of the San Francisco area, please don't despair - Bell'occhio also has an extensive online shop!

Bell'occhio                                                                                                                                           10 Brady Street                                                                                                                                  San Francisco, CA                                                                                                                    1.415.864.4048

 :-)

Jessica

 

Crown & Crumpet, San Francisco

Well, I'm back from my business trip to San Francisco and I must apologize for not posting sooner.  But I am hoping that you will forgive me when I show you all the eye candy that I brought back with me. :-)  While I had a bunch of meetings to attend, I managed to fit in quite a bit of fun.  First stop was Crown & Crumpet. This gorgeous tea room has been on my "to-do" list for several years now. Owned by the incredibly talented husband and wife team, Amy and Christopher Dean, Crown and Crumpet is a feast for the eyes as well as the stomach!  I knew the moment I saw their millinery-festooned "open" sign that this was going to be my kind of place...

Crown & Crumpet's British meets Shabby Chic meets funky decor is beyond beautiful - filled with Cath Kidston's vintage floral prints, colorful artwork, jars of candy, and pretty china.

Wonderful fabrics abound...

This sweet oil painting over the faux-fireplace was so lovely.

Glass jars filled with candy covered every surface.

No detail has been over-looked in this tea room - from the pretty menus to the fresh roses on the tables.

The entire family accompanied me to afternoon tea and we stuffed ourselves on dainty tea sandwiches, classic English scones, and yummy sweets.

Fresh flowers garnished the tiered stands...

The selection of teas was extensive, but after much perseveration, I finally chose the "Marie Antoinette".  Absolutely delicious.

And how can you not love a place that ends your meal with a pretty candy bracelet wrapped in cellophane and tied up with a ribbon bow?

Crown & Crumpet also has the most adorable gift shop filled with design books, Japanese stationary, unique jewelry, china tea sets, and linens.

Everything is whimsically displayed.

There are also pretty and hard-to-find Bristish candies like "flying saucers" artfully arranged...

Or how about a giant rainbow-colored marshmallow kabob to go?

I am serious when I say that Crown & Crumpet is just one of those places that you must visit in your lifetime! It is located in Ghirardelli Square in the heart of San Francisco. If you are planning a trip, I highly recommend making reservations well in advance, as this a one very popular tea room! And do check out their website for some fabulous photos of their shop - I fear my picures just don't do it justice as it was getting dark when we arrived and I was losing my light.

Thank you so much, Amy and Christopher! It was such a pleasure to meet you and experience your incredible tea room!

I'll be back tomorrow with more pretty things from San Fran!

XOXO

Jessica

 

 

 

Definition of a Good Husband

If I were to advise a friend (or one of my own daughters someday) on what qualities to look for in a good husband, the list would undoubtedly include loyalty, honestly, kindness, a sense of humor, intelligence, and good looks (always a plus).  But, if one finds a man who travels far away on business, is busy all day with a million exhausting meetings, is suffering from severe jet lag and is coming down with a cold, but still waits in line for an hour just to bring you home these...

...then I say, "Marry him!"

Lucky for me, I did.

:-)

Jessica

(Macaroons by laduree, Paris)

Pretty Shopping: Anthropologie Accessory Shop

Did you all know that Anthropologie has opened it's first ever "accessories-only" shop?  Like many of you, I am a huge fan of Anthropologie's beautiful clothing and home decor, so I was very excited to check out their newest offering.  Luckily, the shop just happens to be located in Chevy Chase, MD (just outside of D.C), so it was super convenient for me to take a peek in person.  It's a lovely, boutique-style shop filled with a colorful and well-edited selection of high-end jewelry, bags, accessories, and shoes.

But, for me, the best part had to be the shop's decor...there was a "candy and sweets" theme throughout the store.

Personally, I think shoes should always be displayed on a plate of colorful macarons...

Too bad these were faux!

I also loved the shabby, vintage touches everywhere.  How incredibly cool is this wall of vintage framed floral oil paintings...

Everything in the shop was artfully displayed. I fell in love the the hand-painted screen below...

So pretty.

And these delicately beaded tops looked like they came out of a antique-clothing shop.

So, if you find yourself in the Chevy Chase area, Anthropologie Accessories is definitely worth a visit!

Back tomorrow...

:-)

Jessica