The City Sage

Lately Loving: Crate&Barrel Fall 2011

Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy! That sound you hear is me running in circles around the apartment like an excited school kid. Because even though the weather still says summer, the calendar says that Fall shopping is nearly upon us and that catalog season has begun! The new one from Crate&Barrel landed in my mailbox last Friday, and it's a doozy folks!

From the fresh mid-century-meets-global styling to the always inspiring Marimekko prints and patterns, the ideas in here feel less 'bought the shop' and more 'hey, pick and choose and make it your own'. Which is nice to see from a big-box store, know what I mean? I'm dying to pop over to my local C&B at Union Square and see some of these pieces in person! Field trip anyone?!

San Francisco Music Gem: Nicki Bluhm

I am having such a love affair with San Francisco lately, in particular because the music scene here is truly blossoming. And Nicki Bluhm is the brightest flower in the bunch--pun intended! Her tunes are quintessential California, perfect for rolling down the windows and hitting road while the sun beats from on high in the sky above.

Nicki and her husband Tim Bluhm (a founder of The Mother Hips, another local fave) often sing together, their voices blending in nectar-sweet harmony. I have a major life crush on these two. They set off into the back country for weeks on end, then return with tales of hiking and skinnydipping, carrying with them entire albums' worth of new songs.

Nicki will be performing at the Outside Lands Music Festival tomorrow at noon, and I can think of no better place than Golden Gate park for her voice to ring out over the crowds. I do adore a 'hometown girl makes it big' story, especially when the heroine is as humble, deserving, and talented as Nicki. Download her on itunes, and have a beautiful weekend!

P.S. These photos taken by Noa of Feather Love Photography--of course!
P.P.S. I seriously love Nicki. I even told Daily Candy as much!

One Year Ago: Rue and ban.do!

My goodness how time flies! Exactly one year ago, your intrepid blogstress found herself in a bright and sparkly studio in Los Angeles, surrounded by sequins, ribbons, tissue poms, and the most talented crew a girl could ever hope to encounter. Yup, it's been 12 months to the day since the Rue Magazine/ban.do shoot. And if a blog post could give hugs and kisses, this one would.

I'm in awe of the creative posse of frolleagues* I met that day: Jen and Jamie of ban.do, of course, but also my beloved Bri of DesignLoveFest (and Rue's Art Director!), photographer Max Wanger, filmmakers Brian of Shark Pig and Steve of Son of Sharkpig, DJ Michael of The Flashdance, Catherine of The Lifestyled, Jaimi of Fiore Beauty. Visit their sites and give 'em some love, wontcha?

*friends + colleagues

<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/14662237?title=0&amp;byline=0&amp;color=ffffff" width="400" height="225" frameborder="0"></iframe><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/14662237">ain't no party like a ban.do party</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user2803113">Shark Pig</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>

A Delightful Little Extra: Blogshop San Francisco Video!

Well! Hope everyone is having a lovely Wednesday! I was just chipping away at my to-do list when this charming video landed in my email in-box. It's the final goodie from Blogshop San Francisco! Not only did we all get vintage scarves and swag bags from NUDE Skincare, we left with our brains full of mad Photoshop skillz. Just watch--then sign up for Blogshop near you!

In Case of Blogging Emergency...

When your Macbook has a run-in with a grande hazelnut Americano, I do not recommend going to Kinko's and using their $0.40 per minute PC's to craft a blog post in Photoshop. You will tear out several months' worth of painstaking hair growth trying to navigate the unfamiliar waters of Windows Vista, and you will end up with nothing but a sore scalp to show for your suffering.

However I do recommend going to Pinterest and typing the words 'calm bedroom' into the search box. This phrase yields a plethora of soothing images guaranteed to assuage any number of ills--including those brought on by an infuriating ignorance of keystroke shortcuts. You'll find crisp white sheets to slow your racing heart, and fluffy down pillows to cool your boiling blood.

Another suggestion: When you're finished at Kinko's, head to the nearest Apple store. They open at 9 am, and they'll let you use the demo computers for a while. Ignore the energetic youth practicing his rap skills to YouTube videos next to you. Sure he's reciting the lyrics to Nelly's 'Grillz' over the Top Gun soundtrack, but at least you have access to a ⌘ key.

And if all else fails? Go home. Cuddle the cats. Clean your IRL bedroom while you listen to Nicki Bluhm. Your precious Mac will be fixed soon, good as new, and you can go back to your tech-dependent ways. But maybe also take this as a wake up call, and consider your extreme panic over a spilled cup of coffee and a busted computer as a sign of larger issues to explore...?

Image Credits: 1. Etsy 2. Tumview 3. design*sponge 4. Emmas Blogg

Outfit to Room: The Retro Man Candy Edition

Hey James. (Can I call you Jim?) It's a special kind of man who can wear a striped sweater like that without coming off like a smarmy French sailor. Lemme just say, you are that special man. Let's hop, skip, and jump down to Rio for some alone time in the morning sun. Feel free to gaze longingly at me instead of out that window, huh?

Hey Paul. Paul, in your khaki jacket. Nothing complicated, nothing fancy. No games, no tricks. Just sweet, simple, homegrown Paul. Let's go make babies breakfast in the kitchen. Come stand behind me, wrap your arms around me while I flip flapjacks at the stove. Stir the syrup so it doesn't burn, nibble that spot behind my ear that always makes me smile.

Hey Elvis. I'll admit, I don't always get it. But then I see photos like this, where you're caught off guard, wearing argyle socks and loafers, newspaper in hand, and I want to discover your secrets. To let you take me out for ice-cold Coca Cola in a bottle, sip it from a straw while you nurse a beer and tell me about your Momma and how she'd like me. Oh, Elvis, now I get it after all.

Interiors Images: Rue Magazine.

Rue Magazine Website Facelift!

Sometimes it's nice to spruce things up a bit. Which is why we gave the Rue website some love--a wee nip and a tuck, as it were. It's a small step, but it's an exciting peek at things to come. Would love for you to pop over and have a look. Personally I'm loving the bold black background and think our pretty new cover stand out better than ever before, don't you? 

Get Em While They're Hot: Feather Love Photography Sessions

I'm a behind-the-camera girl: rolling up my sleeves, taking charge, bossing people around. So when Noa of Feather Love Photography asked me to step in front of the lens to help spread the word about her workshops and shooting opportunities in Europe this September, I was a little nervous. But Noa has a way about her--an utter ease and confidence--that made our session a breeze!

Noa's hitting Europe with her BFF Teo, the designer behind the kicky Unforeseen Circumstances romper I'm sporting here. Teo styled, Noa had me vogue, and we pranced around her studio in San Diego for an afternoon. The girls will be in London, Belgium, Italy and Greece next month, and are available for portrait sessions, weddings, engagements, the work--an experience NOT to be missed!

Email info[at]featherlove.com for the scoop! And we couldn't have done this alone. Kristin Henry did amazing hair, and Morgan Gates had our backs in the makeup department. What a fantastic day this was. Thanks you guys!

No Big Deal: Gwyneth Paltrow in Elle Decor

I'm on the edge of my seat for August 16 when Elle Decor September 2011 hits newstands! We'll get the scoop on all of Gwyneth Paltrow's must-haves for being an uber-fab girl next door--but in the meantime here's a peek at Gwyneth's favorite things. You know, the usual. Penguin books, De Gournay silk wall panels, a tub in your bedroom. No big deal. (Call me G. SRSLY.)

More of Gwynnie's faves here.

Afternoon Coffee with a View

Nothing like an afternoon kaffeeklatsch to cure what ails us. (Decaf for me or I'll have a devil of a time sleeping!) These chairs make for the perfect spot to sit and sip and gossip--is Fifi stepping out on Chip? has Eunice had the baby yet? did Perdita honestly tell Midge that her hair looks like a squirrel's nest?--and of course you love the new rug. It really does tie the room together.

Images: 1. The Rug Company 2. Emmadimes 3. Vogue Germany via This Is Glamorous