The City Sage

Must-Read Blogs: Inspiration is Everywhere!

As usual, I'm scrambling to stay on top of my blog reading; with so many talented bloggers out there, it's impossible to keep up! Lately I'm especially fond of The Iconic Blog. From sunglasses to sandals, pizza to peonies, Melanie is the authority on the good life. Plus she travels extensively and takes her camera everywhere--for vicarious luxury at its very best!

Erika at 2 by Design describes herself as 'a writer by profession and an interior designer by passion'. You won't want to miss a single morsel of her hilarious words or her gorgeous images! Pay special attention to her titles (Suicide by Ceiling Fan! Teak It Down a Notch!) and her ability to create a mood board for every occasion under the sun.

Finally, it's not really a blog, but it is a must-visit. Ikea just launched LIVE FAMILY--a new resource for interiors inspiration. Upload your own photos to the flickr pool--you might later see them in the official gallery or even have your home featured! And if all else fails, at least you'll get some ideas on how to position your new Brygga ;)

Image Credits: Board One via The Iconic Blog: Louis Vuitton, Sabon, Russell + Hazel via dress, design, decor, Unknown. Board Two via 2 by Design: Poppytalk, Sweet Paul, Kitka Design Toronto, Ikea Sweden. Board Three: All via IKEA LIVE FAMILY.

A Little Spring Weekend Link Love!

Hello and happy Saturday! I don't usually post on the weekend but I thought I'd buck tradition and pop by with some links for a little lazy afternoon reading. Plus I put together this inspiration board and it was too refreshing not to share right away ;)

• Question: What do you get when a classically trained artist becomes a holistic nutritionist?
  Answer: The world's most beautiful health food.
• This stunning bedroom makeover has put me to shame.
• Baskets? Yes, really. Baskets.
• Teal and chartreuse? Yes, really. Teal and chartreuse.
• Will we ever tire of all-things-nautical? I doubt it.
• Not that I need another project on my to-do list, but I want to make a terrarium!
• I am a chair addict and seriously jonesing for these upholstered lovelies.
• Swingy skirts and chic bags. Casual bike rides around London. Playful perfection.
• Pale blue interiors and expert paint picks. The new Elle Decor website rocks!

And don't forget to enter this week's giveaway for a gorgeous silk tank from AIRA. Here's to a couple precious days of rest and rejuvenation! xo

Image Credits: 1. Marie Claire Maison 2. Toast 3. Urban Outfitters 4. Essentially French

Extra Credit: Long Weekend Reading

Here in the States we have a holiday weekend, so I've been whiling away the hours immersed in the archives of some new (to me) blogs. Even if you have only a passing interest in photography, you will instantly find yourself sucked in by Mocking Bird. Blogger Amanda interviews favorite photographers, shares her own lovely work, and creates gorgeous Flickr collages. Simply breathtaking!

'My eyes always find you first. Even on a nude beach.' Just one of the warm, happy, smiley, captions you'll read at t.ruffles. This collaboration between blogging superstars Karey Mackin and Mary Ruffle features sweet, spare morsels--a tasty image paired with a perfect sentence or two. Described as 'candy for your soul', it's yummier than chocolate and won't go straight to your hips.

You know that inspiration binder you never got around to starting? Don't fret; Tear It Out is the only inspiration you will ever need. Blogger Cheryl literally pulled the 'big dusty binder' out from under her bed and is gradually posting her most-loved images. No words, no distractions, just divine interiors awaiting your imagination.

Image Credits: From Mocking Bird 1. Eleonore Bridge 2, 3. Mocking Bird 4. Sycamore Street Press. From Tear It Out 1. Unknown 2. Vogue Living 3. Unknown 4. Thom Filicia

A Few Late Friday Links...

The weekend is officially upon us--and boy am I ready for it! Do you have any fun plans? Tomorrow night I'm going to a fundraiser with an '80's Prom' theme, and on Sunday I'll be at the Gump's Bridal Event. If you live in the Bay Area and you're as wedding obsessed as I am, come say hi! I'll be the busybody blonde with big glasses.

But first, a quiet Friday evening spent snuggling with the huz and catching up on my reading:

• In honor of The Feather Report's first birthday, the biggest and bestest giveaway ever!
• Lovely (and free!) printable Valentines Day candy wrappers. Is it almost the 14th already?
• I want to have a red-haired daughter so I can throw her a Raggedy Ann birthday party.
• Jane had better sleep with one eye open, because I'm totally coveting her shoes.
• Look up 'clean' in the dictionary and you will see this house.
• For years I played the flute, but I never rocked it nearly as hard as these guys.

All images courtesy of the incomparable Abby Try Again. Go to her shop. Plunder. Thank me later.

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

Weekend At Last!

Has your week been as busy as mine has? I'm traveling to Toronto on Sunday to visit family, so I've been running around like mad trying to tie up loose ends before I leave. The hectic days and the approaching Winter Solstice have me in the mood for reflection and relaxation, for palettes of white, grey and blue, and of course for catching up on my reading:

• The most spectacular dessert table I've ever seen.
• An awesome small space gift guide.
• Clean and serene interiors from Dutch photographer Louis Lemaire.
• Savvy tips and tricks for making your own inspiration board.
• Simple but effective food packaging ideas.
• See? Even models wear the same outfit twice!
• Southern style at its sophisticated best
• I once worked as an elf at a Santa booth in the mall. This brings back some seriously bad memories...

Have a wonderful weekend everyone :)

Image Credits: 1. Elle Decoration UK 2. Inside Out Christmas 4. Anna Kern

Weekend At Last!

Oh my goodness. I have spent the past week playing the post Thanksgiving catch-up game, and I am ready for a couple days off! There's tons of stuff on my plate this weekend, including packing up boxes of goodies, making homemade peppermint bark, and constructing a set of built-in bookshelves. But I'll be sure to take some time to visit my favourite blogs--because nothing gets me into the Christmas spirit like a holiday in Blogland!

• There's still time to enter this week's giveaway and win a pair of Tory Burch shoes!
• Speaking of giveaways, Jen has a Lubitel 166+ Camera up for grabs--worth over $500!
• If you like my Outfit to Room series, you'll love Andrea's blog Fashionable Interiors...
• Rachel really outdid herself setting the Thanksgiving table---so sweet and homey!
• Is it Spring yet? Please?
• Martha B. of Nibs Blog is back, and I couldn't be more thrilled!
• Are the rumors true? Do Southern bakers make the best cookies? Test for yourself!
• More wreaths than you can shake a stick at--complete with tutorials!
• Red lips. Will I never tire of this trend?
• Last year I bought tiny elf houses from Stephanie. This year you should buy tiny elf houses from Stephanie!

Have a lovely weekend full of cheerful hustle and bustle!

Image Credits: 1. Anna Kern 2. House to Home 3. Martha Stewart 4. Toast

TGIF!

I don't think this week could have been any busier! I've been scrambling to keep up since Monday, and I'm definitely ready for a little R&R this weekend. Anything exciting on your agenda? I'm going to pick out paint colors for the bedroom and try to get ahead of schedule with my holiday cards--have you seen last year's? Of course even though it was a nonstop week, I still had time to catch a few smiles in blog land:

• Golden, glowing browns for fall.
• Sweet, folksy stationery.
• Trench coats galore!
• I want to go to there.
• Inspired by 80's soft rock.
• Juicy: not just velour track suits anymore.
• Easiest. Centerpiece. Ever.
• Etsy: Your Thanksgiving tableware superstore.

Have a beautiful weekend everyone!

Image Credits: 1. Martha Stewart Living, November 2009 2. Katya de Grunwald 3. Melodie McDaniel 4. Martyn Thompson

Get Cozy--It's the Weekend!

Mercy me! This has been a busy week indeed! We set the mood for November, got the scoop on Hayden-Harnett, dipped our toes in the bedroom decor waters, and reveled in denim daydreams. With the holiday season speeding towards us like a bullet train, things will only get busier. So let's all find some quiet time this weekend--think of it as the calm before the storm! Brew a pot of tea, put your latest favorite song on repeat, and catch up on your blog reading:

• I'm honored to have guest styled over at The Feather Report--be sure to stop in and say hi to Melisa and her brand new baby girl!
• Will you ever tire of grey and gold? Because I am smitten for life.
• Speaking of smitten, how 'bout this inspiration palette from the very talented Anna Bond?
• Blair imagines the prettiest events!
• If Rachel Zoe did Outfit to Room...
• A monogrammed vase? WANT!
• Can you take the cuteness? Huh? Can you?
• Oh how I would love to travel to Wyoming--polaroid camera optional but desired.
• And you thought you were handy with a needle and thread!
• Best. Birthday. Ever.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone :)

Image Credits: 1, 2. Anna Kern 3. CameraLink 4. Elle Decoration UK, November 2009.

Take a Deep Breath...It's the Weekend!

Yay! We're only one day away from lazy mornings, pancake brunches, and aimless strolls through the neighbourhood. Do you have anything on your weekend agenda? We're going to a 1st birthday party, a 108th homecoming, and we might try to sneak in a nap or two along the way. Before you log off, be sure to catch:

• A chocolate cake worth giving up my skinny jeans.
• An indispensable fall fashion guide.
• A testament to the power of black and white.
• Decorating tips for the mad scientist in all of us.
• More chevron than you can shake a stick at.
• Want. This. Outfit. But with these shoes.
• "Idi Amin is alive and well and designing for Z Gallerie."
• My lovely friend Cyd recently redesigned her blog The Sweetest Occasion. Officially it's about weddings. Unofficially, it's about awesomeness.

Rest up, relax, and I'll see you all on the flip side!

Image Credits: 1. CameraLink 2. Vogue Living Australia 3. Domino 4. Amy Neunsinger