You’re My Boy Blue!

I played some beach volleyball last night after work in preparation for a tournament I’m playing in this weekend and the whole time I couldn’t stop feeling nostalgic for summer.  Mostly because it was windy and overcast, as it has been for most of the summer ova heeya. 

And then, out of nowhere, my nostalgia took a dark turn, and transformed into a more melancholy, cynical sentiment leading me to realize that I felt straight up gypped, man!

 What am I going to do about it?  Probably nothing except continue to look at pictures on the world wide web and my facebook and “remember when” as I sink into an even deeper depression which can safely be diagnosed as FOMO.  Or figure out some kind of sun dance and quick.  I mean, we’re already halfway through August, dammit! 

Where you at summer?!  I’m waiting…

So indulge me for this wan posting (dub me the “Little Boy Blue,” if you must) as I look on, in search of that glimmer of sun to come out and stay for a while!

Speaking of "blue", wouldn’t it be nice…

If you lived here?  Or summered here, rather?

Apparently this flawless, cobalt blue lake house was designed inside and out by the homeowner herself, Dee Dee Taylor Eustace.  According to internet research, she is quite the Canadian celebrity, having been featured on Oprah for some of her work and also hosting a show on HGTV.  She was even named as a good candidate for a theoretical “Real Housewives of Toronto” show along with her sister, Mary Jo Eustace.  Now, Mary Jo, as you might recall, was the scorned woman in the Tori Spelling/Dean McDermott debacle when Dean ran off (sidenote: why do people always assume when people get together in a forbidden romance, that they are running?) with Tori after he and Mrs. Eustace had just adopted a newborn child (oooh ooh, such salacious gossip)!  Also quite hilarious and unrelated, the sister, Mary Jo, just released a cookbook titled, Cooking for Your Cub, for "cougars."  (Yes, the “cub” she is referring to, ladies and gentlemen, is a "boy toy", not the legitimate offspring kind). 

But I’ve got to give the girl [Dee Dee] props for A. rocking an old school name like that and B. for the fact that every little detail that I can see of this house is immaculate!

Look at the lights in the kitchen over the island. And the legs on those "shorty" barstools. Word association game, Go: Cool. Blue. Unique. Fitting. Perfection.

Of course she’s freaking gorgeous too… OF COURSE.

Probably my favorite part though, save for the provision of using the upstairs balcony as a diving platform, is how she has used the exterior shingling inside the house as well to serve as the wall treatment.  And then those outdoor sconces, inside!! AHH, the awesomeness is too overwhelming!  I feel like I have a brain freeze of home envy.   It hurts.

Ok this next photo isn’t "technically" from this house but, don't you think it could be? Should be?  I think I'm picking up on a trend here... shingled blue lake houses are the bomb.com? Yes, I believe that's it.

Ok, I’ll admit, after going through these photos again (I first saw them here, after they were featured in the August 2012 issue of Style at Home), my “blues” are now on the upslope.  So, thank you for allowing me this indulgence.  I'm feelin' better already!

Hawt Flashes

My weekend was great, thanks for asking.  I got to experience peak temperatures during the hottest time of the year in scorching Palm Springs.  I swear, I was sweating out of my eyeballs!  But I still had a blast, found $4 on the ground at the Ace Hotel, and played the adult version of Apples to Apples (AKA: Cards Against Humanity).  Let me just tell you, we offended more than the whole of humanity but let's just keep that between us ;).  And then, on Saturday night.. Things got a bit cray. 

Hanging from the chandeliers cray!  Trust me, it was one for the books!

But actually, I want to talk to you guys about something more serious.  Have you heard about FLASHTAT.com?  Probably the hawtest thing since sliced bread, just sayin'. 

Holy moly people!  My first question when I saw this was: why hasn't this been thought of sooner?!  It's brilliant! Literally.  And ladies, you wouldn't even have to take your jewelry off before going to bed (HUGE problem, now solved!)

I don't know if you've noticed, but I am actually a huge temp tat fan.  And I like to bring the flash whenever I can.  I have already purchased the "Nikki" and will be applying ASAP upon receipt of purchase.  So that, when I walk in the club, all eyes on me... (I'm with the party rock crew) and thus, ALL DRINKS ARE FREE!  Good strategy?  I thought so.  So if we're out at the clurb and you see me, being all fly and flashy, holla at ya girl and I'll get you some free drinks too!  Or, you can just get yourself some of these flashy tats and then we can be twinsies!  Hey now.

So, just in case, that's not your thang, I've got some flashy interiors that are sure to fit anyone's fancy: 

Do you think there's a pot of gold at the top of the stairs?  Cuz I do.

If you like to read, this bookcase area would probably feel like the Land of Oz, don't you think??

Watercolor Walls?  Sure, why not?

Woah Nelly! That's BRIGHT!  And the chandelier fits our flash.

Oh, and last night, me and my fam went to see Supertramp at the OC Fairgrounds Amphitheater.  It was magical.  Roger Hodgson (or as I call him, "Rodge the Hodge") really brought it (black jeans, white kicks, cowhide vest and all)!  So allow me to pass the good stuff and light up your week with some magic:

Come on, Monday, give a little bit! 

Tent Week: Ace's Aces

Oh Me, Oh My!  Something WILD has happened!  My real life has aligned itself with my blog life!  Are you all as astonished as I am?  You see, today is the final day of tent week and boy, have I got a great topic comin' atcha:  The Ace Hotel in Palm Springs.  And... as luck would have it, I happen to be headed down there in a few hours to celebrate the last few weeks of my dear friend's "freedom" (jk, E ) before she gets hitched. But don't get too excited because I won't be sharing any of those juicy details with all you voyeurs!  What I will be sharing though, is one of my absolute favorite hotels ever!  That features (yep, you guessed it): TENTS!

This FABULOUS hotel is situated in a converted Howard Johnson motel.  And they have an on-site retro diner called King's Highway in a refurbished Denny's (talk about an upgrade, right?)  

It's truly a summer camp for adults (and not just in the way that people always say that, this time I really mean it!).  They have the best games (which obvi includes ping pong), you can “rent” bikes (and by rent, I mean, for free – so hippy, so lovely), they offer "boozy sno cones" out of a bar stand they call the "short bus" (truth), there are HAMMOCKS GALORE and there's even a Yurt sauna in the middle of the patio (which I couldn’t find a picture of besides one of the spa, so now you’ll all have to go there and check it out for yoselves).

The room walls are covered with tent canvas to give the illusion of “camping” without all the “ew” nasty stuff of actually camping (LOL), each room comes equipped with a record player (and records, of course)... yes, in your f'ing room, and macramé curtains in the lobby (hell yes!).

Did I mention that they also have outdoor fire pits, these green canvas palm frond like things for pool umbrellas (see below), and a spa (I know I already mentioned that but I think it’s worth noting twice – all adult summer camps must have a spa)?They're also rocking sick beats playing at the pool party (or "swim club" as they call it), and have ahhmazing food (basically, the best chilaquiles I have ever had).  ALSO: Hot pre-pubescent lifeguards and the weirdest robes imaginable, probably just to get you out of your comfort zone :).  If you're eclectic and have a shred of coolness, this is right up your alley.  I swear it on all things holy.  There's no point in denying it, it's hipster-esque, BUT it's done in a way that really everyone can appreciate. 

Best part:  When I went there last, there was a group of people there that were getting married.. IN THE POOL.  Um, yes.  The bride's dad literally walked her down the pool steps in a wedding dress to her groom.  And all of the guest were wearing ridiculous and enviable hats of all sorts!  Where the heck else are you going to see something like that?!

Basically, it's zee best!  That's all you really need to know. 

Sorry for the predominantly picture post… And lack of my special brand of wit (I mean, they say "brevity is the soul of wit" right? So chew on that for a while!)… I'm just a bit rushed today.  But, if I’m being honest with myself, I’m sure you all are actually pretty relieved. So...

Hope you have a saucy weekends!  I lurve you all!

It's S̶h̶a̶r̶k̶ Tent Week!

F that "Shark Week" noise, it's "Tent Week" up in hur at Keeley Kraft!  Yeah, that's right, get excited!!  Oh, what was that?  You didn't know?  Well, me neither (shh)...  Not until I realized that there has been a latent theme (tents) among the posts going up this week, that is.  So now I'm going with it!  Why fight it, when it feels so right to embrace it?!  Am I right or am I right?

So, jump on board, my friends, cause this train's leaving the station and where we're headed is... freaking awesome!   And that's a fact.

Woah, double take, right?  Bet you weren't expecting all that goodness to come out of all that questionable intro text, huh?  Well, listen up and feast your eyes upon, Cabanas Cuatro Cuatros.  A bit of a mouthful, I'll admit, but in my book, they've earned it.

For all my Cali peeps, you are in luck (just as long as you've got your passports handy)!  This jewel of a destination is our backyard (and by "our", I mean, America's).  Just off the California/Mexico border, err, two hours south of San Diego, lies this vineyard "settlement."  (Yes, settlement probably isn't the friendliest of word choices but we are talking about Mexico here folks, and trust me, I think you're safer settled than not!)  

If you were wondering what kind of stuff I'm into (after reading my blog about what kind of stuff I'm into), this sums up a lot of it.  Wine tasting and glamping. On the water.   (Sometimes, I feel like the stuff I write on here would be better suited for a Match.com profile than a furniture shop/interior design blog but maybe some potential suitors might graze over this site on their journey to find true love?  Maybe? Maybe not? A girl can dream.)   ... And dreaming is just what I'm doing!  Now feast away:

Kind of obsessed with these bright colors and fun patterns!

See that metal contraption on the left there?  That there's a mini-fridge.  Praise.

Crop Circle Vineyards.  After Signs, I think I'll stay far away from those!

A movie night?!  Sold.

They also have a spa, deep sea fishing, sailing, horseback riding, cultural tours and the like for all you wine-y brats that get bored easily.

Also, this was on the website.  Really, need I say more? 

Tijuana (and the surrounding Baja California area) is not just for desperate high school kids on Spring Break anymore!

Are you still not quite ready to venture South of the border but love wine tasting? Allow me to introduce you to the "Flight Pack."  Seamless segue?  Meh, debatable.

This "flight" of wine tasting and dinner party kit includes:

- Four sets of each three etched bird glasses (12 glasses total)
- Three wine/food pairing menus (small bites, cheeses, and desserts)
- Three bird stamped tags to distinguish your varying bottles of wine

Essentially, you have four guests that get to sample three different wines as part of a flight.  Each bird denotes the bottle and food pairings in the form of either cheese, small plates or desserts are provided on the pairing menus.  Can you say "FUN"?!    Yeah you can!

Alright, officially signing off! Catch ya'll on the final day of TENT WEEK! AHH! 

Beverly Hills, What A Thrill!

I have a friend in town visiting on a business trip and she is staying in Beverly Hills (where I too am staying for a few nights as I am a grade A friend and have generously offered her the "gift" of my company during her visit).  As we pulled into the hotel last night, I was suprised by how much I started to feel like a tourist all over again... And consequently, woke up this morning with the hair-brained idea that we MUST go have cocktails at the Beverly Hills Hotel.  Is this even cool anymore?  Most importantly, it made me realize that the dreaded may have happened: that I've become out of touch with what's hip since I've been living in my little beach community bubble on the outskirts of the city.  No but seriously, I've now been living in LA for 4 consecutive years and had a few brief summer stints out here on three separate occasions prior, but it should tell you something that it was only on my very first trip to LalaLand, when I was 13, that we went to the infamous Beverly Hills Hotel (where saw Monica Lewinsky, hiding out in "inconspicuous" Beverly Hills, during her heyday. O.M.Gee!).  

THAT woman.  That HAIR! 

But back on topic, the whole thing begs the question: Am I just living my life in circles?!  I guess that's kind of my problem, not yours, huh?  Regardless, I love what they got goin' on over there.  Check it:

So let's just continue down memory lane and go on a little throwback trip, shall we? Did ya'll ever watch Troop Beverly Hills?  PLEASE TELL ME YES...  Remember the highfalutin but FUN Phyllis Nefler and the EVIL Velda Plendor?   Is "Attention K-Mart shoppers, blue light special, aisle 13 - cookies" ringing any bells for anyone?  What about the yellow and white backpacks that everyone in the troop had, that turned into a pull-out closet?  Gawd I love that movie!!!  And so, in my research for pics for this post (because you know I'm always trying to bring you fresh-to-death content), I found these to-die-for "round ups" of how to achieve that Troop Bev. Hills outdoor glamping look.  (Hopefully, it's not a total newbie blogger no-no to take this from another blog, but I will most certainly credit my source:  Design Sponge also wrote a post on this fab movie (click here for their post) and I will allow you to call me a "babe in the woods" (pun totally intended) for this potentially rookie rule-bender).

1. Yellow and White Striped Tent, $1400; 2. Glow in the Dark Compass, $5; 3. J.Crew Satin Jumpsuit, $300; 4. Girl Scout Cookies, $4; 5. Desert Sleeping Bag, $84; 6. Giorgio Body Powder, $2; 7. Louis Vuitton Agenda Book, $535; 8. Pocket Corkscrew, $54; 9. Champagne Stand, $30; 10. Marshmallow Skewers, $34/set of 9

Scene Reference:

And then... didn't you all just breathe a little sigh of relief when the troop finally ditches the damn wilderness and heads for the one and only, Beverly Hills Hotel (bet you were wondering just how I was going to connect all these dots :).  I mean, the whole part of the movie is to imagine, for a minute that you too, as a young girl scout, also live in the lap of luxury, right?  The moral of the movie happens in that scene too, when the housekeeper declares: "We don't need no stinking patches!"  Damn right you don't, Rosa! 

Movie scene refresher:  

And now: How to achieve that glam indoor camping look (compliments of Design Sponge's "Living In: Troop Beverly Hills"):  

1. Martinique Banana Leaf Wallpaper; 2. Rhinestone Frog Pin, $16; 3. BriteLyt Lantern, $134; 4. Green Beret, $14; 5. Antique Campaign Chair, $3250; 6. Vintage Cigarette Holder, $15; 7. White Birch Logs, $15; 8. Nikon Binoculars, $84; 9. Crosley Desk Phone, $40; 10. Copper Fondue Set, $99

Well, sure hope I tied up the plethora of the loose ends in that post (huge thanks to Amy M.) because now, I'm out.  And I'm headed back to Beverly Hills, bitches!