The City Sage

Playing Hookey with Son of John

Let it be known that the Huz and I work extremely hard--most days from the moment we wake up 'til the moment we drag our sorry butts to bed. But once in a blue moon, we both find ourselves with no pressing obligations. Such was the case yesterday afternoon--so we went on an impromptu date!

For the occasion I wore the chicest tee in my closet. The folks at Son of John kindly sent it over a few weeks ago, and I have been living in it ever since. Usually I pair it with flats and slouchy jeans, but since I was on a date I slipped into slim cargo pants and heels--a perfect complement for the glam sequined pocket on the shirt.

Our first stop was Bi-Rite Market, a local hotspot for flowers and gourmet groceries. After picking up a pretty bouquet, the Huz and I succumbed to the siren call of Tartine, San Francisco's most celebrated bakery. I think you could look up the word 'glee' in the dictionary and find my facial expression there.

Our choice? A mini banana cream pie featuring sweet whipped cream, creamy banana custard, flaky crust and shards of melty chocolate. Add that to the mix of a super cute outfit, a bunch of my favorite blossoms, and a handsome Huz, and you have the perfect mid-week escape!

P.S. See the whole Son of John collection here, and buy it here!

Elle Decor Book Signing and a Giveaway!

Last night I attended a party to celebrate Margaret Russell's latest book, Style and Substance: The Best of Elle Decor! Not surprisingly, Margaret was the picture of grace and glamour in an exquisite silk chiffon dress and sky-high patent Louboutins. Even better, she exuded warmth and generousity--and she kindly signed a copy of her book for one lucky City Sage reader!

The event took place at Gump's, San Francisco's most splendiferous home store--a must-shop if you're ever in town! Between hobnobbing with Bay Area design royalty and snacking on an endless supply of mini beef wellingtons, I couldn't wipe the starry-eyed wonder from my gaze. I even bought a fab new scarf for the occasion!

This is one book that every decor junkie needs on her shelf; organized by room and featuring the most magnificent kitchens, parlors, boudoirs and more, it's a smorgasbord of design inspiration. To win a signed copy of Style and Substance: The Best of Elle Decor, simply leave a comment on this post, and be sure to tweet the giveaway for an extra entry!

My Shrine to Pink!

Remember last week when I talked about collecting by color? That was mostly a thinly veiled attempt to justify my own tendency to buy little pink tchotchkes wherever I go. And frankly, I'm feeling pretty good about that tendency, because now I have a budding collection on my hands!

Other than the unifying hue, there's no rhyme or reason behind these acquisitions; a Royal Haeger platter meets a Michael Ruh mallet vase, which in turn rubs elbows with a footed Lenox candy dish an exquisite tea cup of unknown origin. Of course it helps that my walls are also pink...a sign perhaps that I love this color more than I'd care to admit?

P.S. There's still time to enter today's Valentine's Day stationery giveaway!

Bright Shiny New Year's Intentions

In the flurry of activity leading up to the New Year, I didn't have much time to think about resolutions. But as I've sought to find my post-holiday routine this week, I've given some thought to the intentions I'd like to set for the coming months. And I've decided that as chock-a-block full as my life is already, I want the next 357 days to be packed even tighter; I'm determined to make 2010 the year of 'more'.

I want more order. More organization, more thought, more planning. More good habits to support this order--storing my keys and phone in the same spot all the time, putting my clothes away when I take them off, tidying the house for a few minutes every day so the chaos is kept at bay.

I want more art. More hanging art on my walls, more making art with my hands, more viewing art on display. It's time to get my print collection framed and mounted, pick up some blank canvases and get creative with them, make some calendar dates with the gallery and museum shows around town.

I want more pretties. And I don't mean buying more--I mean wearing the ones I already have. So many lovely pieces have been passed to me from my mother and grandmother, but because I race out of the house each morning they languish in my bureau. So I'll take more time to drape myself in jewels, dahling.

I want more meals at the table. I want them to involve the vast collection of tablewares that I've acquired but never used. In this I am inspired by my mother, who gets out her best china just to eat her yogurt in the morning. It's her way of transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary. And who couldn't use more extraordinary in her life?

I want more life in the house. More flowers, more greenery, more smells from the outdoors. This could be as simple as opening a window, or buying a big bouquet of peonies simply because it's Wednesday. I started this one right away by arranging some tall spires of snapdragon on New Year's Eve, and I was amazed at the quiet sense of satisfaction it brought me.

I want more fun with the huz. We both work so hard and are exhausted by the time evenings and weekends roll around. But towards the end of last year we made an effort to get out more, see some football games, socialize with other couples, and I'd like to keep that streak alive. Even if it means I have to---gasp!---play Settlers of Catan with him.

Finally, I want more of this blog. More of the content you love, more of the creativity and inspiration that I hope keep you coming to visit me every day. I'd love to hear what you'd like to see more of at The City Sage. What are your faves? What are your reasons for coming here? And for that matter, what do you want more of in your life this year?

Have a beautiful, awesome, jam-packed weekend everyone!

Image Credits: 1. Cote Maison 2. Urban Eco Chic 3-6. The Find 7. Perfect English

A Tale of Two Christmas Cards

Every year the huz and I send out a silly Christmas card to all our friends and family. This year I decided that two cards were in order: the traditional goofy one, and a second classier greeting for just my friends. So we played around with my blog banner art and came up with the above. What do you think? My art department elf (aka the huz) got out the Gocco and printed up a whole whack of cards with this charming and cosmopolitan design. I couldn't be more pleased with the result!

We then turned our attention to the crazy card. Not to be outdone by the 2008 edition--or by 2007 for that matter--we pulled out all the stops for our nutty photo. Fortunately this year we had a top secret weapon up our glitter-bedecked sleeves: the kittens! Combine tacky holiday sweaters and a photoshopped fireplace background with cats wearing hats and a Santa beard, and what do you get? Solid Christmas gold baby!

P.S. Stay tuned later today for our regularly scheduled programming, and thanks for humoring my oddball tendencies :)

December Anticipation: Just Around the Corner!

I hope everyone had a lovely weekend, and that those of you celebrating Thanksgiving enjoyed plenty of good food and great company. I am giddy with delight; my favourite time of year is nearly upon us! And what better way to get in the mood than by browsing through the December back issues of my trusty magazine collection?

Before I can get completely into the holiday spirit, I need to revisit the projects and goals that I planned for November. Good news: I kept my promise and started to pretty up the bedroom! We (by 'we' I mean my husband and father-in-law) painted the ceiling a deep blue-black with a high gloss finish, and the walls a cool cement white. Next up is some new lighting--I'm picturing something like the space-age chandelier in the image above.

Another item to cross off: we hung some of the artwork that had been lingering in storage! The hallway now looks charming with a grouping of four vintage fashion drawings. I'm still itching to get a big, bold, colorful piece up over the sofa, and I recently purchased an antique gilt mirror that needs to be mounted in the hallway. It's a never-ending to-do list and I love it!

Now onto the good stuff! This year we're traveling to visit our families for Christmas, so I'm not sure how much decorating we'll do in our own home. But it would be nice to give a nod to the season--perhaps with some strategically placed greenery and a few colorful ornaments. I adore the vibrant global sensibility of the vignette above.

My number one way to ring in the holidays? A major bake-a-thon! Yesterday I stocked up on butter, sugar, flour---the works---and I've got my list of recipes all planned out. As usual, I'd like to have my goody packages mailed out well before the 25th, and as usual, I doubt my ability to make it happen. But isn't the hustle and bustle part of the fun?

Of course the most important part of the holiday season (other than charity, goodwill, and all that jazz) is the presents! It's such a thrill to hunt for the perfect gift for everyone on my list. I have oodles of terrific stuff planned for us here, too, including gift guides, decor inspiration, and tons more---so let the holiday season begin!

Tell me: what's on your agenda for December?

Image Credits: 1. Inside Out Christmas 2009 2, 3, 5. Domino December/January 2009 4. Inside Out Christmas 2008 6. Martha Stewart Living December 2007

Happy Thanksgiving: Meditations on Gratitude

Here in the States it's Thanksgiving tomorrow. Between brining the turkey and baking the pies, setting the table and shelling the peas, it's easy to forget that above all, Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on the bounty of our lives. So permit me a moment to share with you my gratitudes.

I am thankful for my home, for the roof above my head when so many have none. I love its nooks and crannies, its quirks and idiosyncrasies; it has become a canvas for my creative expressions.

I am thankful for my city. The more I explore it's peaks and valleys, bridges and bays, the more I feel that I have found the home of my heart. Even the thickest of fogs cannot obscure the culture of peaceful and progressive thinking that abounds here.

I am thankful for my colleagues, for their commitment to the vision of our little company, and I am grateful for the opportunity to partake of that vision. Their passion for entrepreneurship and personal growth inspires me every day.

I am thankful for my family: for my kind and clever husband; for our two sweet mischievous kittens. For my mother and father and for their love and support; for my sister who has grown into a strong and sincere woman; for my grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins, all far from me in body but ever-present in spirit.

I am thankful for you, my readers and blog friends. I am eternally indebted to you for coming to visit me each day, for taking a moment to revel in all that brings me joy. Without you this blog would be just a collection of thoughts floating in the ether; I hope I have brought you as much pleasure as you have brought me.

If you're celebrating Thanksgiving--or even if you're not!--tell me what you're thankful for, and have a wonderful rest of the week :)

Image credits: 1. Mikkel Vang 2, 5. Domino 3, 4, 10. Martha Stewart Living 6, 9. Flea Market Style 7, 8. Atlanta Bartlett 11. Roland Bello 12. Perfect English Sponsored Links: Guaranteed RH302 exam preparation with help of 650-575 dumps questions and 70-448 practice exam!

The Great Bedroom Project of 2009: Inspiration to Start

I've said it before, but this time I mean it: time to get my bedroom in order! One reason I've been procrastinating is that it's so difficult to start with a blank slate; the options seem endless and I don't know where to begin! So I've gathered some images to help me identify what I like, what I don't, and what my next steps should be.

In terms of the overall style I want to cultivate, this photo sums it up nicely. We have a fairly strong mid-century vibe in the rest of the house, and while I don't want to depart from that completely, I would like to inject a more traditional sensibility. Think classic shapes and luxe touches meet a subdued palette and plenty of texture.

But of course I don't want the space to feel over styled--there's nothing worse than a room you can't relax in. This little vignette has such a lovely organic feeling to it, as though the pieces have congregated over time. And it's important to have a bit of fun too--pink chest of drawers, anyone?

So far, so good, right? Well, it's when I come to the question of the bed that I get really stumped. Do I want an upholstered headboard? How tailored should it be? I do love the tufted number in that second image, but then again this more casual and slightly shabby example has its appeal too. Plus it looks like a project I could easily take on myself...

When I was growing up my whole family had antique wrought iron beds, so there's a certain nostalgia factor to that option. My mom scoured the flea markets of rural Georgia and hunted down some major scores--the one in her bedroom now is simple, unfinished iron from the 19th century (hey mom, don't suppose you want to donate to the cause?).

But then again, am I sure I want a headboard at all? There's something to be said for the simplicity of a spare, spartan frame piled high with cozy blankets and pillows. I could hang some fabulous artwork on the wall above the bed--and let's not forget that headboards can be expensive! Going without would free up funds for other elements in the room.

Speaking of those other elements, let's talk accessories, shall we? I've gotten it into my head that I must have a lamp with a black shade. I don't know how that will fit into the overall scheme, but right now I'm drawn to the stark drama of it. Such a sophisticated detail, no?

Giant wicker bed? Mmmm...not so much. But I can get behind a smorgasbord of snuggle-worthy throws and a few carefully chosen pillows. I'm a sucker for sweater-y pieces in the bedroom, especially with winter approaching. There's nothing like a cable knit blankie to warm your tootsies on a chilly night!

While I would never do something quite this opulent in my space, I'm reminded of that ever important question: To treat or not to treat...windows, that is! In storage I have some stunning raw linen drapes from our old house, but I'm now the mommy of two mischievious kittens who love to climb. Do I dare risk it?

Though I seem to be stressing about these questions, in reality I'm having such fun daydreaming! For as much as a blank slate can be paralyzing, it's also exciting to have a world of decorating possibilities before you. So here's to enjoying the journey! Now tell me: What are your bedroom must-haves?

Image Credits: 1, 3, 5, 9. Atlanta Bartlett 2. Martha Stewart Living, September 2009 4. Urban Eco Chic 6.Flea Market Style e 7. Elle Decoration UK November 2009 8. Elle Decor October 2008

Welcome, November!

2009 is almost over? Oh my goodness, where has the time gone? Though I hope everyone had a lovely Halloween weekend, let's get down to what's really important here: the approaching festive season! My favorite way to get in the mood for the coming month is to flip through back issues of my trusty mags, so here's some November eye candy from years past.

With the daylight hours growing ever shorter (how much do you love the extra hour we got yesterday!?) you'd think I'd want to counteract the darkness with light, bright interiors. But in fact it's just the opposite--I want to burrow even deeper into hibernation mode! These moody, dramatic interiors are really calling my name...

My response to this shade of blue? Come to mama! I've been searching high and low for a color scheme for the bedroom, and this midnight hue with accents of gold and cement white is a serious contender. Wouldn't this inspire some under-the-covers snuggling while the weather rages outside?

Earthy, organic materials also strike my fancy this time of year. Rough hewn reclaimed wood, smooth textured stone, and a modern pendant that looks spun in nature--together they make me want to pull out my cast iron Dutch oven and cook up a batch of thick, belly-warming stew. Add in a loaf of my best brioche and you have some serious November comfort!

Of course the coziest indulgence this time of year is a blazing fire in the fireplace. It satisfies all the senses--the smell of burning wood, the crackling and popping flames, the glow of heat on your face. Do I have a fireplace? No. Do I want a fireplace? You bet your bottom dollar I do! In the meantime I'll just gaze wistfully at this photo...

With a new month ahead my mind also turns to the little tasks and projects I'd like to complete. Goal number one? Dig out my fancy wedding china! Gosh darn it, I'm going to put those precious plates to use, even if it means unceremoniously eating my Eggo's off of them. Though a charming display like this one could be lovely too!

Also on the to-do list? Hanging the vast number of prints and photos currently languishing in my closet. I've been procrastinating on this one for months, partially because the last time the huz and I hung pictures we nearly strangled each other, and partially because I look at my big empty walls and don't know where to begin. Now enough excuses--it's time to take action!

The holidays also bring out my crafty side. No needle and thread is safe when I'm around! I've already begun some fun projects that I can't wait to share, and there are plenty more floating around in my imagination. Though this year I'd like to finish every project I start--something I've failed miserably at in previous years. Does anyone else have this problem?

But the most important item on my agenda? Get the bedroom in order! I know I say this at the outset of every month, but mark my words: this time I'm going to make it happen! A little paint, some strategic vintage furniture hunting, and a lot of creativity. That doesn't sound so hard, now does it?!

Tell me: What's on your November to-do list?

Image Credits: 1, 5. Elle Decor November 2008. 2, 3. Martha Stewart Living November 2008 4, 9. Blueprint November/December 2007 6. Domino, November 2007 7. Martha Stewart Living November 2006 8. Martha Stewart Living November 2005

Seduced by Halloween!

No, this isn't my audition for the new Courtney Cox series, it's my Halloween costume! This predatory pencil skirt doesn't see nearly enough action, and my cougar crush on Finn from Glee shows no signs of abating, so what better get-up than the original cougar MILF, Mrs. Robinson? I learned several important lessons while assembling this costume: 1) Very fine, very straight hair does not a bouffant make 2) Press-on nail glue is no joke 3) It is way too easy to find a sheer leopard print blouse at Goodwill.

And, it's been ages since I posted a recipe--but it wouldn't be Halloween without some sweet indulgence! These monster cookies are not only aptly named, they're also way more satisfying than those fun-sized Snickers you've been sneaking from the candy dish at work. Think chocolate chips and M&M's studding a moist, craggy bedrock of oats, peanut butter, and brown sugar goodness. Honestly, I wouldn't bother turning on the oven, 'cause the dough is Just. That. Good.

Do you have any grand or ghoulish plans for the Halloween? Tomorrow the Huz and I are doing Habitat for Humanity--it's my first time and I'm super excited, though I think I'll leave the leopard skirt and highball at home...Have a smashing weekend everyone!

Monster Cookies (recipe courtesy of 'Baked: New Frontiers in Baking' by Matt Lewis)

5 3/4 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking soda
Pinch of salt
3/4 cup cold butter, cut into cubes
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 1/2 cups firmly packed light brown sugar
5 large eggs
1/4 teaspoon light corn syrup
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups creamy peanut butter (NOT the natural kind!)
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup M&M's (bonus points if you used the Halloween theme colored ones!)

In a large bowl, combine flour, soda, salt and oats. In the bowl of an electric mixer cream butter until smooth and pale. Beat in sugars until just incorporated. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each. Add vanilla, corn syrup and peanut butter and mix until smooth. Stir in oat mixture in three additions, then fold in chocolate chips and candies. Refrigerate at least 5 hours or overnight. When ready to bake, heat oven to 350 degrees. Scoop generously sized balls onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 12-15 minutes, then remove from oven and let cool. Enjoy!