The City Sage

In the Company of Friends

I wasn't adept at making friends as a kid. My family moved around a lot, I was teased mercilessly for being brainy, and my parents weren't especially social so I wasn't inclined to be either. Now I am awed by the transformative power of friendship. Indeed, the support network I'd inadvertenly built in Los Angeles was a major factor in my move here last November. Somehow the universe had conspired to make the city my emotional hub without my even noticing it, and I thank the heavens every day.  

A moment of serendipity today anchored me more profoundly in my gratitude. One of the nicest things about living amongst friends is the spontaneity of chance meetings, the building of a physical community on top of my emotional one. This morning I met Ali for coffee at the same spot where Bonnie and Elizabeth happened already to be. We joined forces for two hours of cuddling Elizabeth's daughter Frankie while talking about work, life, love, ribbed-knit tights...the usual burning topics.   

What struck me most then—and I've been swimming in it ever since—was the deep well of knowledge at that table. The opportunities that we as friends have to learn from each other, just by doing life together, are astounding. There we were, four women, of four different ages, at four vastly different stages in our journeys, passing a three-month-old girl amongst ourselves. And what I wanted to tell Frankie, what she perhaps could sense me thinking as she chewed on my sleeve, was: "Little one, you are in the presence of Goddesses. Stick with us. We'll teach you everything you need to know."  

Tell me: Your friends—do they live close? Far? Are they as indespensible to you as mine are to me?

Images: 1, 2, 3. Bonnie Tsang Instagram 4. Elizabeth Antonia Instagram 5, 6. Anne Sage

Recap: The Lab Event Wedding Showcase

As you may recall, in January I had the honor of participating in a wedding vendor showcase in Sonoma. Not only did I get to model some gorgeous gowns by my lovely friend, the amazing designer Sarah Seven, I also had the pleasure of at last seeing an inspiration board contest that I'd hosted here on the blog brought to life by the talents of Kate Seigel Events and team. 

The whole evening was truly magical. How often does a girl get to flit around in lace and chiffon, eating cake pops and tiny hamburgers and laughing with friends amongst glowing lanterns, fresh flowers, and one very large, glamourous Shelter Co. camping tent? But the best part, of course, was seeing everyone's hard work come to fruition for newly engaged brides and grooms to enjoy.

 

Then came the fashion show. I was nervous. I had one goal: Don't fall like I did last year. Did I achieve the aforementioned goal? You'll have to watch the video to find out! (Okay, I'll save you the suspense. My knees stayed gouge-free this time around.) I drove home with a tummy full of mini treats, a heart full of love and admiration for my wedding industry colleagues, and my brain stoked for The Lab 2014!

Credits: Design and Coordination, Kate Siegel Events. Photography, Jennifer Skog. Florals, The Savage Rose. Cake Pops: Sweet Lauren Cakes. Stationery, Lilikoi Design. Furniture and Rentals, Milkglass Vintage Rentals. Tabletop, Classic Party Rentals. Lighting, Creative Lighting Design.

Loving: Rustic, Sophisticated Decor from South of Market

I'm still reeling from my trip to Charleston earlier this month (full report here). I spent most of my time with the Target design team wading through antiques on the outskirts of town, but I did slip away to the high street for some boutique shopping. There I found a mountain of treasure, including an outpost of Atlanta mainstay South of Market. Their mix of reclaimed and new goodies had my heart racing!       

The South of Market sensibility? Rundown Belgian farmhouse meets austere Parisian atelier. The key pieces? Paper-thin porcelain tableware, raw-edged oak furnishings, lighting so unique it I briefly considered checking my bags just to get some home—and given how I feel about luggage fees, that's saying something! They have an online store but many of their items are one-of-a-kind. Yet another reason to make a return trip with an empty trailer in the spring!

Shopping Guide: 1. Square Olive Oil Dish 2. Chunky Round Stump Table 3. Straw Sphere Light 4. Magenta Burlap Pillow 5. Round Purple Vase 6. Brown Throw 

Operation: Take Back the Weekend

For a long time, I joked that I didn't know meaning of the word 'weekend'. But there was nothing funny about the seemingly endless hours of work to which I subjected myself. Awake at 5 am. Immediately at the computer. There 'til 8 pm with few breaks. 7 days a week. I'm ashamed to admit I felt a sick sense of pride rattling off those figures. But truthfully, I wasn't excelling at any of my endeavors, I wasn't helping anyone to the best of my abilities, and I was definitely hurting myself.

Here's the deal. I'm extremely uncomfortable with unstructured time. The thought of sitting around with a cup of coffee and no particular place to go? Makes. My. Skin. Crawl. On the rare occasions when I would step away from my laptop, I'd take an exercise class, cook a quick meal, tick items off my to-do list. I thought I was creating space for relaxation. Retrospectively I was filling it right back up again, rather than letting serendipity seep in—or heaven forbid, allowing it to remain empty.

So lately I've been practicing weekends, with practice being the operative concept. It's a 'try, try again' situation. Sometimes I will have to work on a Saturday, and yes, I'm writing this blog post on a Sunday. But last weekend I lounged in a sun puddle all morning with a girlfriend. Our aimless chat about boys and art and life evolved into an impromptu iPhone portraiture lesson. Not knowing what could happen (or not happen) when I stay still is quietly exhilarating. I've found that comfy clothes, simple household goods, healthy foods, and great friends ease me through my aimless weekend, but that's me. I'll bet you have your own tricks of the trade. If you don't, maybe we can wander the skin-crawly discomfort together? After all, we have a lifetime of weekends ahead of us. Let's start practicing now!

Unessential essentials: 1. Apolis Market Tote 2. Oh Comely Magazine 3. Blue Bottle Coffee Beans 4. Striped Cashmere Scarf 5. Vince Textured Sweater 6 . Heath Ceramics Studio Mug 7. Nag Champa Beauty Soap Images: 1. Emily Johnston Instagram 2, 3. The Why We Love Instagram 4. Me!

Photographers on Instagram: Two to Follow

While I mostly follow friends and social media colleagues on Instagram, there's something about stalking perusing a professional photographer's feed that is particularly satisfying. When I'm not fawning over their framing, subject matter, and ability to capture light, I pick up a few tips to inform my own iPhonography skills. Here are two faves that I'm especially loving of late.

New Yorker Emily Johnston (above) has a way with still-life vignettes that makes me want to jump through the glass and into her world. Alan Jensen (below) is an Australian interiors and lifestyle photographer based in Amsterdam. His shots of snow and hot soup have me thinking that winter might not be such a bad thing after all. (Okay, I'm InstaCrushing on him.) Follow these two STAT, you guys!   

P.S. Who are your top Instagram recs right now? Tell me!

On the Hunt: The Best Spring Sneakers

You guys. We need to talk. What's up with sneakers? I feel over my head. Suddenly it's not enough to throw on a pair of Chuck Taylors. Women are dropping major money on 'athleisure' shoes, and while I'm accustomed to the idea of investing in footwear that makes my legs look like a million bucks, I'm not sure what to do with the notion of $700 for wedge gum soles—or their legions of knockoffs.

Here's an ugly truth. Part of me is bitter that I didn't get in on the trend at the beginning. If you'd handed me a pair of these a year ago and said, 'Wear 'em. You'll feel ridiculous but you'll be so cool in six months,' I'd have gone for it. However the other part of me genuinely would like an alternative to sandals and ballet flats this spring. It's just a question of how far down this rabbit hole do we go? 

Here's my criteria: With all the textures, colors, and prints out there now, I'd like to step beyond my comfort zone of plain white without going too crazy. Perhaps I'm bold enough to risk a hi-top if the fit isn't chunkifying? And although I'd happily wear a pair of Lanvin sneaks if they mysteriously landed in my closet, I simply can't justify spending a ton. Tell me—are you traveling to sneaker town this Spring?

Images: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

Dream Trip: Design Scouting in Charleston with Target

If you follow my Instagram and Twitter feeds, you may have seen that I recently visited Charleston. Not only did I acquire a new favorite American city, I came home with a list of pinch-me moments longer than the Savannah River. You see, I was invited to tag along with two directors of Target's in-house design team as they explored the city's antiques markets to inspire what we'll soon find in Target stores. The experience was unreal; I kept waiting for Candid Camera jump out and yell 'gotcha!'

I did a little shopping of my own (the syrup bottle and Japanese pitcher below are two of my finds) but I was most fascinated to see the process of discovery that the Target guys employed. They. Were. Tireless. We left no stone unturned. My feet ached by the end of the day. But we weren't looking for items to copy outright. Our search was for patterns, silhouettes, surface treatments. For the handle on a vintage armoire to inform the curve of a lamp. For the print of a 1950's skirt to combine with a motif spotted at Art Basel to create something altogether new for window dressings. It was a search for tomorrow's design, today.    

Along the way, the Target team had me cracking up with their tales of adventure—and misadventure. When your job involves unearthing the world's treasures, you're bound to collect as many stories as you do objects, and you'll need a great sense of humor while you're at it. Plus they've already traveled more this year than I have in my lifetime. I came away from my weekend with more respect and admiration for the design process than I've ever imagined. Not to mention a burning desire to return to Charleston with an empty trailer and fill it with antiques! 

Disclosure: As a Target Inner Circle member, this experience along with my travel expenses were provided by Target. I am not an employee of Target, and all opinions are my own. 

Etsy Is My Kryptonite: The White Pepper Vintage

Tonight I had one of those 'Oh my goodness if I don't order that brass turtle right this very second, surely some other savvy shopper will snap it up from under my nose and my life will be incomplete forever' moments. As often is the case in these instances, the panic passed as quickly as it arose when I remembered that I'm a girl on a budget, so I consoled myself by creating a collage of my favorite items from this darling vintage shop on Etsy. It's called The White Pepper, and it has me over the moon!

All the hits are here: curios and collectibles, books pre-organized by color, so-tacky-they're-terrific needlepoint creations, and larger items like shelving units and chairs. Styles vary slightly from Danish Modern to Atomic but all hover above that Midcentury sweet spot. Won't someone do me a favor and give this turtle a good home for me? He looks like he could use some love, wouldn't you agree?

All images from The White Pepper on Etsy.

A Love Letter to Valentine's Day

Oh, Valentine's Day. You funny thing. I haven't celebrated you in ages, and I'm not likely going to start. But here's a secret that you can't tell anyone, okay? You're my favorite holiday to look at. Now don't go getting too worked up, but it's true! WIth your pinks and reds, your hearts, x's, and o's, you can't help but appeal to the part of me that longs for sweet, tender gestures delivered with a kiss.  

My infatuation with your charms began in grade school. I'd spend hours crafting scented sticker notes for my classmates, my family, my dolls, anyone whose name could be written on a scalloped envelope. These days my taste runs more towards the graphically designed than the glittered and doilyed, yet I still stroll down the candy aisle at the supermarket with wistful glances at the milk chocolate messages of 'Be Mine'. So here's the deal, Valentine's Day. In the words of Margot Tenenbaum, "I think we're just gonna to have to be secretly in love with each other and leave it at that." 

Images: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 

Bathroom Design Finds with Fab

One of the trickiest things about living in a rental (holler if you feel me!) is decorating the bathroom. You can't just go in, rip out eyesores, install a chic sink, and call it a day. The small decor elements that serve as finishing touches in other rooms can transform a bathroom. Which is why I'm loving Fab. They're an unbeatable resource for everyday design products at killer prices—and with their vast selection I'm constantly discovering fun one-of-a-kinds to distract me from my linoleum situation.

At present I'm torn between two vibes for my bathroom. The first is a quirky industrial feel that will compliment the 1940's architecture of the apartment. Because Fab features vintage as well as new design products—their curated shop with architectural salvage studio Relique is killing me—they're a perfect marketplace for this look! I'm drawn to a worn step ladder as shelving, super soft Turkish towels, and colorful touches provided by antique science charts and Moonrise Kingdom-esque soaps.

But just as I settle on Plan A, my mind turns to Plan B: a playful spa sensibility grounded in modern lines and a clean white-on-wood palette. A bamboo towel rack would solve my space conundrum, while this Rifle Paper Co. print that I've had my eye on for a while is available for a seriously tempting price. Of course whichever route I go, this adorable llama box is a must. Looking at him makes me smile, which is more than I can say for the baby blue tile in my shower ;)

Shopping Guide: 1. Science Illustration Moth Print 2. Striped Turkish Towel 3. Industrial Copper Pendant Lamp 4. Vintage Metal Step Ladder 5. Utilitarian Soap Set 6. Vintage Leather Suitcase 7. Bamboo Spa Bench 8. Rifle Paper Co. Citrus Print 9. Pantone Universe White Cup 10. Wood Llama Box 11. Refurbished Vintage Dock Lamp All products found on Fab. Images: My interior design Pinterest.