Happy Friday: lilacs

              image from here by D. Sharon Pruitt, flickr

Today, I woke up to the lovely scent of lilacs!  My house is infused with the sweet pretty scent.  The lilac tree is taller than my house!! I picked numerous branches and placed them around and I am enjoying this lovely kick start for the weekend!!

Gardening is high on the list, a run in the woods with the pup and having drinks with friends.
What's on your list?

Happy Friday!
xx
callie

INSPIRATION: colours of yumminess

Susannah Conway

Inspirational and truly beautiful photographs!

image  blog  

I love French Macaroons.
mmm, reminds me of school in Paris.
I wonder???? are they hard to make at home? Does anyone know?
xx
callie

PHOTOGRAPHY: Smitten with her photos!

Moulin Rouge

Carla's photographs just make my heart happy!

The lighting, colours and compositions.

She can photograph a woman and catch her beauty in one split second.

Stunning images!

tres joli!

xx

callie

Website

Blog

her books are beautifully done, I have both!! and the collaboration book with Vicki of My French Life!

   

OBSESSION: I want these SHOES!!!!

and they are sold out everywhere!!!

Cynthia Vincent Gladiator Wedge Sandals

All I need is a size 8

*sigh*

I am completely obsessed with my skin right now! 

April is wrecking my skin! 

dry patches and redness. cold hot cold. ugggh

then I found this!

I am using them daily and after the first day! 

WOW, my skin feels and looks smooth and soft.

 Completely hydrated!!  

Find the product information here

 Lumene Finland, purchase at Lumene Vitamin C+ Energy Cocktail - 1.0 oz.Lumene Vitamin C+ Day Cream with SPF 15 - 1.7 oz. it's cheaper online then the stores!!

I am loving this product!! Now I just need those shoes!!

xx

callie

DESIGN: Pure Loveliness

Martyn Lawrence-Bullard

I enjoy his style and use of beautiful things! 

Martyn Lawrence-Bullard is refined but over the top in a glorious way.  

Each spaces is just as beautiful as the next. His projects are diverse in a ethnic display of beautiful pieces of textiles, furniture, fireplaces and artwork.

xx callie

Kissing in the rain!

Audrey Hepburn and George Peppard famous kissing in the rain scene 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' 1961
Originally uploaded by a.heart.17

What is more romantic than completely loosing yourself in the moment of kissing someone in the rain?

I love the rain:) xx callie

Craigievar Castle, Dreaming of Scotland

Craigievar Castle
Originally uploaded by James_at_Slack

I hope to visit Craigievar Castle next time I go to Scotland. Last time it was covered up in renovation tents!

I have lots of gardening plans this weekend, what do you have planned?

Happy Friday to you all, enjoy the weekend. xx callie

The Violet Hour

This is the violet hour, the hour of hush and wonder, when the affections glow again and valor is reborn, when the shadows deepen magically along the edge of the forest and we believe that, if we watch carefully, at any moment we may see the unicorn.
~Bernard DeVoto "The Hour"

This past weekend, I went to the Violet Hour bar with my very best friend Trina! We had a marvelous time! Lots of chatting, not yelling over loud horrible music. But enjoyed the atmosphere of calm and serene sitting at the bar on huge square bar stools. Marble counter tops, creamy white and gorgeous chandeliers sparkling above the velvet seating. Enjoying this place where standing is not aloud, a true novelty! The place was full but not packed!  The elegance of a speakeasy. The historian in me was enjoying every bit of my night out!

The  best thing of all, Maura the most incredible mixologist! The best bartender I have ever come across!
My favorite drinks were "As You Wish" Plymouth, Lime, Neroli-Violet Syrup, House Tonic. The House Tonic was home made by Maura, tons of secret recipes!!
and "The Lady Grey" completely rocked my world: Lady Grey infused Tanqueray, Lemon, Egg White (and a few secret drops of something, yummy!)

At the Violet Hour they make the ice cubes by hand!

They have their own little vials of tasty secret ingredients: neroli-violets syrup, orange bitters, raspberry {perhaps??}

Maura pouring a drink for a customer! Look has awesome she is dressed!! All the bartenders were dressed very dapper!

When we left, the line was out the door! {they do not take reservations} We arrived about 8:00pm and waited 15 minutes. But obviously, the later you arrive, the longer the line. They are very strict about the amount of people aloud inside, remember no standing room. Which I was really thankful for the room!

Do go, I think you would enjoy it! and make sure you sit at the bar the first time and ask for Maura. She makes the best drink in town!

I know I will be back.
xx
callie

The Violet Hour
Bucktown, off Damen Avenue
(there is no sign, look for the yellow light!)

PHOTO: Tangerine Pink

Kate Mathis Photography

I adore this fresh palette 

tangerine orange, candy pink and taffy blue!

*sigh*

xx

callie

OBSESSION: Grey nails, pretty lips and panini's

Yes, I know I am all over the place. That is what happens with lack of sleep!!

I am obsessed over this nail polish! 

It is the perfect colour grey, everyone asks me what colour it is.... "Truth or Dare"

It wears like steel. I polished my nails two weeks ago and I just took it off to do a fresh coat. It just barely started to chip..... because I was out digging in the garden this weekend!

Now go and get yourself a bottle or two, here!

I highly recommend this polish.

THE NUDE LIP!

I won these wonderful products from 

Mary Jo, at Trustyourstyle blog(love her to pieces!!!)

Love the colour, adore the shine, and they make my lips soft and conditioned.

The lip enhancing gloss has orchid extract 

filling in the lines and wrinkles making my lips smooth and youthful.

Now on the my food obsession!

I finally bought the panini pan from target, the Giada Laurnetiis collection!

The cheery red colour, the perfect panini maker!!

(I can also grill vegetables in the pan! bonus!!)

This week: smoked gouda with prosciutto!

Next week: cheddar and apple

eeeee love this pan!!

What are you obsession over this week?

xx

callie

DESIGN: Laura Kirar

How pretty is this palette! Wow, just stunning!

That light fixture above the bar is just gorgeous. xx callie

Mercedes Star Lounge by Laura Kirar, TruDesign

QUOTE: Oh, Ms Monroe

"I could never live without artwork. It's a constant inspiration."

~Narcisco Rodriquez

That Andy Warhol piece is fabulous within the contrast of the traditional space!! 

It takes center stage.

xx

callie

PHOTOGRAPHY: Victoria Pearson, Entry

Victoria Pearson, photographer

Her work is always inspiring. The entry's shown her are an example of simple elegance to a fun &  spunky entryway. She draws you in and makes you feel warm and cosy! Her photos are pure and simple. They way one should live!
xx
callie

OBSESSION: FURNITURE- New Traditionalist

Environmentally Smart

traditional & cool

modern 

visit here

The New Traditionalist; a furniture company that developed ducduc, a children's line of furniture has designed two new lines of furniture for us grown ups!  Mason Gray and Union House.

Each piece is made to order with sustainable harvested hardwood and non-toxic paint.  Taking traditional pieces and adding colour or design elements to add a modern or eclectic feel making these pieces an obsession of mine.  The quality is in the forefront, "buy well once".  They don't believe is making disposable furniture, the quality of each piece will last through a life time to pass on to the next generations. 

I love the layers of colour or the unexpected pop of colour.   My favorite piece in the dark navy blue credenza, with simple nickel pulls and plaid leather fronts. *sigh* such simple elegance.

xx

callie

Armoire #564

credenza #84

Table #535 washed walnut whale grey with red tray

Savannah changing table