The City Sage

Three Swoon-Inducing Blogs!

My goodness it's been a busy week! With a new lighter schedule at my day job, I've been ramping up here at The City Sage and have been visiting tons of new (to me) blogs--the talent out there astounds me! For example, Poppy & Leo has sent my imagination soaring. When Caroline's airy New England aesthetic meets crafts, art, illustration, and casual fashion finds, inspiration abounds!

You know that girl who does it all effortlessly? The one who keeps a stylish and tidy house, bakes fresh bread on Sundays, and remains cheerful and generous throughout? That's Ashley Maureen at The Chicline. Most of the warm and homey photos on the blog are her own, and you'll delight in the small pleasures and musings of her days.

I fell in love with Hooray Design based on the header alone--and the content more than lives up to that awesome name! Clean and simple, cozy and sweet, reading this blog is like snuggling under the covers with a foamy caramel latte. Be sure to visit Abbi's papergoods shop of the same name. Have a wonderful weekend everyone :)

Image Credits: (via Poppy & Leo) 1. Castanet 2. Country Living 3. Ruche 4. Abby Try Again (via The Chicline) 1. Dezeen 2-4. The Chicline (via Hooray Design) 1. Hooray Design Papergoods 2. Danske 3. Living Etc. 4. Sarah Smedley

Acquired: Giant Nerd Glasses!

Remember a few weeks ago when I was on the hunt for a pair of big nerdy glasses? Well after much tomfoolery and ballyhoo, I finally decided on a pair. They're ultra huge and ultra geeky, and they're exactly what I was hoping for!

Today we finally had some respite from the rain, so I got gussied up and dragged the huz out for a photo shoot. I even wore my most stylish heels and got two comments from random strangers! One woman deemed them timeless; another declared they were 'too f**king loud'. Yikes!

The frames are from Oliver Peoples-- the product of a recent collaboration they did with Nom de Guerre. New glasses, a sunny day in San Francisco's Mission District...what more could a girl want?

P.S. I case you want more of my grinning mug, catch Maggie's Alt Style Report!

A Little Obsessed: Whiteport Home

On Monday I mentioned a new favorite boutique that was organized entirely by color--so how about a shop devoted completely to the absence of color? Behold Whiteport, an Australian store that takes the breezy, rustic romanticism of Aussie style, bottles it, and ships it straight to your doorstep!

From tablewares to bed linens, storage solutions to spa towels, Whiteport carries everything you need to kit your house out like an issue of Donna Hay. And even if you're not in the mood to drop some dough, I highly recommend an afternoon's escape to their site. The fresh, creamy aesthetic is what you'd expect if a vanilla milkshake and a pale sandy beach made sweet, sweet love.

And while we're on the topic, let's talk Australia, shall we? I don't know how or why, but that country keeps pumping out the most spectacular and swoon-inducing stuff! Those Aussies have cornered the market on pretty, on warmth and humour, and on the dreamiest hunks south of the Equator.

So tell me: Would you decorate your house all in white if the laws of dirt and reality ceased to exist? And is it just me, or have you too noticed the Aussie style revolution that's sweeping the world?

P.S. In case you need an antidote to all this white, yesterday's Daily at Design for Mankind is like living in a box of Crayolas!

All images courtesy of Whiteport. And in the interest of editorial disclosure, I must reveal that half of my husband's family is Aussie, my BFF since childhood is an honorary Aussie, and they truly are the coolest people on the planet!

Round-Up: Vintage Housewares on Etsy

When it comes to vintage shopping, I can't resist the lure of the hunt. But I don't always have time (okay, I almost never have time) to cruise the myriad vintage shops that abound here in San Francisco. Fortunately for Etsy, we can all stalk our vintage prey, without the funny smells and pushy sales folk! So here are some of my top vintage shops Etsy jungle.

Directly above find samplings from High Street Market. I swear, shopgirl Kelly has supplied me with every knickknack I own! Head there for refined midcentury treasures like bookends, clocks and brass figurines. At the very top of this post, feast your eyes on rustic, timeworn pieces from New Dominion Blues. A trip there is like an escape to an old Maine fishing village.

If you feel like you're looking at the prop room of your favorite shelter magazine, you're not far off---Blue Bell Bazaar is a favorite stop for editors and stylists! And below, the quirky and cheerful goodies at Sweet Love Vintage will leave you giddy and trembling with retro fever.

Tell me: Do you love to search for vintage housewares? What are your favorite hunting grounds?

On the Hunt: Baggy Boy Khakis

It has been ages since I looked at women's khakis with anything other than a sneer. But never let it be said that I'm not open-minded, because lately I'm totally jonesing for a pair of slouchy tan trousers. I think the key is that these aren't women's khakis--not really, anyway. This style is taken straight from the fellas and made just right for us gals.

I'm hopelessly drawn to the versatility of this look. Team these trousers with a blazer and sneakers for a casual weekend brunch, or wear them with heels and a ladylike jacket at the office. Most often I've seen them cuffed, but find the right fit and you can definitely sport them full-length and flowing.

If you're resourceful you'll buy them secondhand or 'borrow' them from your significant other. If you're lazy like me, you'll go to your nearest mall and do the butt check in the mirror until you track down 'The Ones'. I'm especially loving the uber-affordable iterations from Urban Outfitters and Gap. And yes, I did just use the words 'love' and 'Gap' in the same sentence. See how open-minded I am?!

P.S. Get your girly fix over at Project Wedding with the final inspiration board in my Vintage Romance series!

Fashion credits: The Sartorialist Shopping credits: 1. J. Brand 2. Joie 3. Gap 4. C&C California 5. Lark & Wolff by Steven Alan 6. J. Crew Sponsored Links: Easy and fast way to get high tech OG0-093 certification! Subscribe for LX0-101 online training and pass 642-481 exam on first attempt guaranteed.

Lately Loving: Sleepovers!

I'm just going to come out and say it: AltSummit was the most fun I've had since college. From dishing over dinner and bonding at a funky teashop, to a late-night gab session with my amazing roomie, I flitted about like a social butterfly who hasn't stretched her wings in way too long. I was reminded of the fabulous sleepovers I had as a kid, and it made me wonder: why did I stop?

I guess for all I know, some grown-ups do have sleepovers. Or at least we should. Because sleepovers rock. Makeovers and movies, 'Truth or Dare' and Ouija boards, snacks and sleeping bags...these were the things that made being a little girl awesome, and can't we all use more awesome in our lives?

So mark my words, I'm going to have a sleepover one of these days. I'll need chic pj's and slippers, a stylin' overnight bag and toiletry kit, and some seriously cozy bedding. We'll bake cupcakes, scarf popcorn, slather goo on our faces, and watch the greatest miniseries ever made. I call dibs on Mr. Darcy!

P.S. This morning's ooey gooey chocolate banana bread makes for ideal sleepover indulgence :)

Image Credits: 1. Anthropologie 2. Petrina Tinsley 3, 5. Found Style 4. Toast 5. Liz Ham 6. DwellStudio 7. Jessica Claire via Style Me Pretty 8. Corrie Bond

To Die For Recipe: Chocolate Marble Banana Bread with Peanut Butter Streusel Topping!

I returned from my weekend travels to discover a Banana Situation. We've all been there: caught standing shamefaced in the kitchen with a bunch of smushy brown bananas, the very same bananas we so confidently brought home from the grocery last Monday, positive they'd be eaten by the end of the week. But do not despair, gentle readers. Salvation is here, and it's covered in peanut butter streusel.

This is more than just a vehicle for using overripe bananas; it's a celebration of all that the humble fruit can achieve. Moist, mellow banana-y flavour joins in a menage a trois with deep chocolate and chunky PB crumble--so scandalously good! The separate steps make this recipe a bit laborious, but stay the course and you will be richly rewarded. So next time you find yourself with a Banana Situation on your hands, dry your tears and reach for this recipe.

Chocolate Marble Banana Bread with Peanut Butter Streusel Topping
Makes 2 loaves. Adapted from myrecipes.com

2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup butter, softened
2 cups mashed ripe banana (about 4 bananas)
1 egg
1/3 cup plain low-fat yogurt
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
Cooking spray

Combine dry ingredients in a small bowl. Cream butter and sugar until pale and fluffy, then blend in banana, egg and yogurt. Add flour mixture to banana mixture and stir until just combined--don't overmix! Melt chocolate chips in the microwave, then pull out about half the banana batter and stir into melted chocolate. Layer dark and light batters into two 8 x 4 inch baking pans, swirl with a knife to create a marbled pattern, then bake at 350 degrees for about an hour--top and sides will be browned and a knife stuck into the loaf will come out clean. Let cool and then devour!

For the Streusel Topping--technically it's optional but you'd be remiss not to try it!
Before baking, combine 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour and 1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar in a small bowl. Cut in 1/4 cup butter and 3 tablespoons creamy peanut butter with a pastry blender or fork until mixture resembles small peas. Sprinkle mixture evenly over batter in pans. Bake as directed.

Magazine Lust: Style at Home

In the great wide world of magazine websites, there are winners and there are not-so-winners. In the former category and deserving of a bright shiny gold medal is Style At Home. This gem of a publication based in Canada (w00t!) offers 'like butter' interiors shots and much, much more!

Feast your eyes on plenty of real home tours. This high-rise apartment in Vancouver has stolen my heart! The eclectic mix of pattern, cozy texture and juicy citrus hues brilliantly illustrates how a basic sofa with great bones can be accessorized to suit any taste.

And speaking of diverse tastes, Style at Home really does offer a little something for everyone. From the clean, modern farmhouse above to the contemporary warmth below, you'll find a million ideas worth swiping. (P.S. Green hydrangeas? My new fave!)

The mag offers tons of accessible, approachable and aesthetically awesome decorating ideas. A bank of low consoles looks so sleek you'd think it was a custom install. But behold! It's actually a row of Ikea PS cabinets!

Also be sure to check out the vast 'How To' section of the website. Get the skinny on creating a chic and welcoming winter foyer. Transform a discarded coffee table into a smashing Suzani bench. These are DIY projects you'll be itching to complete yourself!

   

But my favorite column? The High/Low series: Read how an editor styles an haute design space then re-styles it using nearly identical pieces for a fraction of the price. It's like insider trading for the decorating world, and I can't tear my eyes away!

Tell me: what are your must-read design websites and magazines lately? I'm always on the hunt for fresh inspiration!

All images courtesy of Style at Home. Follow them (and me!) on Twitter!

Collecting by Color

Happy Monday, everyone! I arrived back from AltSummit feeling excited, energized, and eminently grateful for the opportunity to bask in the presence of so many friends and respected colleagues. Of course I also made time to hit up Salt Lake City's fabulous antiques shopping scene. A highlight? Retro Rose, a vintage housewares shop organized entirely by color!

As I plumbed the depths of Retro Rose's rainbow of displays, I got to thinking about how color can be a terrific guiding light for the amateur collector. Sure it's lovely to assemble a priceless grouping of 18th century Wedgwood Jasperware, but it's equally satisfying--and much more accessible--to mix pieces of different styles and eras, all united by a single favorite hue.

You don't even need a zillion items to give impact to a monochromatic collection. Here a small handful of sweet vases and knickknacks makes for a charming turquoise and gold vignette. Add a stand-out treasure in a complimentary hue--in this case a yellow figurine--for extra pow.

Glassware in a range of amber and smoke tones gives this console a modern yet historied feel. The hodgepodge of various shapes and silhouettes is a feast for the eyes, and classically shaped lamps in solid black give weight to the ethereal quality of the glass.

A serene and soothing display of canning jars and crockery looks even better when bound by a palette of robin's egg and yellowware. Consider mixing several smaller, less expensive pieces in one hue (ie. the jars) with a couple larger, pricier items in another (ie. the mixing bowls). It's a budget savvy way to make your collection seem larger than it really is.

Not everything in your collection must have an antique pedigree. A massing of bowls from inexpensive sources such as Target or Anthropologie provides oomph, while items such as a cake stand and enamel stock pot offer a unique vintage feel.

Collections are often like potato chips--once you get started it's hard to stop! Above, each shelf is organized according to a different shade, and below, the graphic appeal of floral plates make them a handy stand-in for wallpaper.

Tell me: do you have any collections? If so, what are your organizing principles? I've been building a few of my own, and if the sun ever comes out here in San Francisco, I'll take some photos and share!

P.S. For more vintage eye candy, check out the next installment in the series of inspiration boards I created for Project Wedding!

Image Credits: 1, 7. Flea Market Style 2, 4. Martha Stewart 3. A Passion for Collecting 5, 6. Country Living 8. Vogue Living: Houses, Gardens, People

At Last, My Wedding Pictures!

I'm thrilled to announce that today my wedding is featured on Save the Date, Glamour Magazine's new wedding's blog. I have been waiting for ages to reveal these photos to the world! Planning my wedding was the most fun and exhilarating project I've ever undertaken, so bear with me while I inundate you with a 'few' extra images--just for today, I promise!

Our day began with an early morning ceremony at the oldest Episcopal Church on the Pacific coast. The combination of soaring ceilings, stained glass windows, and my sweetie waiting at the altar was an overwhelming site. Thank goodness for waterproof mascara; I cried the whole way down the aisle!

When I first began thinking about my ideal wedding, I was enamored with the idea of a having a breakfast reception instead of an evening one. That turned out not to be practical, so instead we did the American equivalent: a post-ceremony brunch at a diner! My mom always took me to this restaurant for pancakes when I was a kid, so it was a blast to share my favorite spot with our guests.

Next up was a stop at a 19th century fort near the base of the Golden Gate Bridge. The architecture and the sense of history added a magical dimension to our photo session. Plus, while we were there, a local theatre troupe did an impromptu performance of MacBeth!

We couldn't have asked for better light, and the wind was blowing like crazy. With my gown swirling around my ankles in the breeze, I truly felt like a princess for a day. And perhaps I'm biased, but doesn't the huz look handsome in his suit?

Last stop? The Sonoma Valley for a candlelight reception at the Sonoma Mission Inn. Our flower arrangements were housed in family heirloom silver that I gathered from my mother and grandmothers. A live band played swing tunes, and our guests were welcomed to their tables by menus and cookie favour boxes--all the work of yours truly!

The huz and I spent the months before the wedding taking swing dancing lessons, and we did a choreographed number to Ella Fitzgerald singing 'I'm Beginning to See the Light'. Huz in particular stole the show! After that, everyone hit the dance floor--it was amazing to see our loved ones having so much fun.

Of course, there were the requisite speeches, the cake cutting, the tears and the riotous laughter--all part and parcel of a perfect wedding! We felt so honored to have our friends and family travel from all over the world to celebrate our marriage.

The entire day was captured through the lens of the phenomenal Anna Kilbridge--she's an incredible talent and a beautiful soul. Thank you everyone for letting me share my photos and my wedding story with you, and have a great weekend full of love and beauty!

Sponsored Links: Guaranteed pass 70-293 exam with online 70-685 training. We offer best study resources to help you complete 70-433 certification.