Saturday, July 20, 2013

Sweet Summer vintage blues

Morning Darlins...
Hope your staying cool where ever you are... Here in SoCal it is overcast and cool. 
My family is out on the bay this morning testing our boat after it's summer conditioning!
I stayed behind and will get some work done!
{NEED SUN}...

Anticipating summer...
 I think most of us love to dream of those laid back summer interiors that are really effortless. 
Where lounging around is expected. Entertaining implies, a come as you are, hang out and relax!

Here are a few inspiring photos I found via {Pinterest}.

I hope you you will feel that summer vintage cool blue vibe...



A vintage wood dresser and mirrors all faded and loved in pale blue.


A vintage rag top, just barely blue. Near a charming cottage.


OK... as a mother of boys this shot is classic! 
Barefoot boys in overalls on the tailgate of a vintage truck!

{I have a cool photo of 6 boys all in swim trunks in my vintage Mercedes ragtop} 
 It is my favorite photo!


This tile is beautiful... Just add a white farm sink and you could have a stunning kitchen!
So pretty in a bath with a crisp white pedestal tub... 
With tile like this the rest of the bath should be simple, not to compete.


Faucet is fab!

Who wants to ride and get some ice-cream?
 It would be so fun to hop on this vintage blu vespa!




My Design tip: Summer style is all about relaxed and comfy spaces. 
Adding some vintage fabrics like ticketing, seersucker and linen are timeless, 
plus they are easy to care for.

Visit my vintage collection for sale at  CASUAL LOVES ELEGANCE shop on SSO. SECOND SHOUT OUT has great summer decor pieces!
These are  perfect for summer decor!

I hope you come by and visit 
My Saturday's "Designing with Vintage" post 
every Saturday 

Have a sweeeeet weekend!
xo,
me


Wednesday, July 17, 2013

"Where the turf meets the surf" Looking back!

Today is opening day at the races...
Del Mar race track is iconic & legendary, steeped in tradition.

Over 47,000 race fans expected to merge here at Del Mar today...

I Love these B&W photos from Del Mar.
 Let's look "back in the day" at a few glamorous images!!!


Opening day, Opening year  (1937).
Founding father, Bing Crosby welcomes in the very first patron in Del Mar's History.
"And away we go!"



Boxing champ Jack Dempsey with the Del Mar jockey colony in the early 40's.


 Legendary horse trainer Charlie Whittingham was one of the horsemen that believed that the ocean water was therapeutic for horses.
"Where the turf meets the surf"


Old School Odds... 
This was the results chalk board at Del Mar.
Where the phrase began, "Betting on the chalk" started!

"Seabiscuit"
Shown here at Del Mar where he barely beats Ligarroti in a match race in 1938.
First ever nationally broadcast race over the NBC radio airwaves.

LOVE the film 
"SEABISCUIT"
- Toby Maguire - Jeff Bridges - Chris Cooper

Thank you Kathleen {Kennedy}, Frank {Marshall} and Dream Works
 for making such a beautiful story!

A beautiful day to all....
xo,
me









Saturday, July 13, 2013

Creating guest quarters, top 3 essentials

Happily the weekend begins!

Summer is the perfect time to have our guest spaces ready for welcoming i'm.promp.tu travelers!
Every space is different, but the essentials are the same...

My Top 3 essentials...

Some guests get pampered in vintage guest cottages... 


This is a very very special old little cottage that was on our property at the beach. 
We renovated it to become a guest cottage, we actually lived in it for over a year while we built the main house with our newborn baby... {That's another post}! 
The interior walls had beautiful old european cruise-line menus from the 40's and beautiful countryside photos that the original owners had decoupaged on the walls. 
I felt the love they put there...somehow there was a stuardship to preserve them and leave them in tack. 
The leaded window in the tiny kitchen was salvaged from the main house for the guest house. 
The cross buck dutch door I had made. It was a must have for me... I grew up in a old house in the midwest and our house had a front entry dutch door!
 Special memories too...
Our new little baby spent his first year and a half right there, about 3 feet away from us!
Many guests frequented this tiny seaside cottage with a ocean view...


This cottage has a nice space for a charming table and chairs for morning espresso!
Depending on your style you may have more elegant quarters.


 Guest essentials are the same...
A light filled room with nicely made bed of fresh crisp linens and cozy down pillows.
 Shades or curtains might be nice for sleeping in.
No.1 A great bed is essential.
Please...
No guest should sleep on one of those couches that fold out into a bed!
 {just try one, you will not stay more than one night}!!!
My family would rather throw down a sleeping bag!!!

This is my guest room, {above} a suite with walk in closet and full bathroom.
 A bit more masculine...a beautiful country view out the french doors over looking the pool.
We love for guests to enjoy it when my oldest is away at college...

{Pinterest}

An attic or loft room can be just as cozy with twin beds...
 again, a great mattress!

{Pinterest}

Your guest could have a small table or desk, a place to write a note or use their lap top.
Paper, pen, envelopes and stamps would be a sweet gesture.
Love how this vintage desk fits perfectly in the niche, pretty sconce for ambient light.

{Pinterest}

No. 2 essential to A place for them to unpack their bags so they feel settled in..
Love this idea...a simple DIY project!


Slip a little something sweet on their nightstand before bed. 
 Perhaps some fresh picked cherries, decadent chocolate or both!!!


Always *Always* Always
No. 3 essential to have fresh flowers!


Simply cut a few fresh flowers from your own garden! 

This is one of my favorite vintage baby bottles, 
I love to gather roses from my garden for my guests arrival. 
Simply implies 
 "Welcome to our home"

My Design tip: A guest room should be clean and comfy, a great mattress is essential, add some vintage french linens and viol`a. Sleep in your guest quarters and see if you would be back for another night!!!



SSO SECOND SHOUT OUT is a fabulous on line Vintage Lifestyle Destination shopping site.
 Everything you need for inspiration, designing and accouterments can be found there.
Fun to shop for your vintage lifestyle and find it beautifully curated on one site. 
They have some exquisite european monogrammed cotton sheets and linens for your guest quarters!
I LOVE shopping there and you will too!


Enjoy your beautiful weekend!
xo,
me















Thursday, July 11, 2013

Sweeeet!

Hi Darlins...
Hope your 4th was fun! 
Catching up around here, I need longer days! I haven't had time to post anything...
Started working on a new room and it takes a lot of time to fit that in too!
I will fill you in when I can.. sooo excited!
We have been enjoying the delicious fruit on our trees and from the farmer's markets...
These rainier cherry's are our favorite!



A few pieces of my ironstone collection!!!

I can't believe Lincoln, our new Saint Bernard puppy just had his Happy half-Birthday...
{6 months old}.

He is HUGE, probably weighs 80+ish! 
All I know is, it is hilarious trying to get him in and out of any vehicle. 
He doesn't jump,
 He doesn't like heights!!!
His fur is getting longer and he is so puppish and clumbsy! 
omgoodness, LOVE him, he's adorable.


Hope your getting ready for a Sweeeeet weekend!
xo,
me