our cottage by the bay.

I've had quite a few requests for views of our little place here in the bay of San Francisco, and so it is high time for a visual update. The last time you saw this place, it was naked & full of our smallest hodge podge of furnishings. Sadly, the better half of our items were sold before we arrived, knowing very well that they wouldn't fit into our new teeny space. But in the last 6+ months, we've moved on ..and haven't looked back.

Well, Ikea sure knows what they're talkin about when it comes to furnishing a space the size of a descent closet. Combine that with the friendly pricing and cute selections of target, and my old friend Emilie Jayne- the charming second hand store of SLC- and we've got ourselves a home. A gracious mention goes to some donated authentic Mexican end tables to the cause of cuteness from my parents house in Baja. I must say, 400 square feet is more than bearable when it looks like this. (;

Also, the sizey yard (which is by far larger than our entire interior mind you) is definitely the lifesaver here. Hippo would otherwise go insane. And my freshly sprouting green thumb would wither away. The cilantro has never had it so good.

And my final thanks of the post go to... our first tax return that was not pitifully small due to studentdom. What a glorious day your arrival was. I couldn't have done it without you.

Sincerely,
A budding designer & homemaker.

Be ye warned, I am NO photographer... alas, I gave it my best.

Welcome to our home.

PS If you know anything of designers or the design process, then you know very well that this is 'To be continued...' indefinitely. (;

That said, we love it, and our little life here. Feel free to impose any time... that sofa's a sleeper, so if you need a getaway to San Francisco (and you don't mind bulldog farts), you know who to call!

lovebug humbug.

I've never been a fan of Valentine's Day. I mean, I've usually had a significant other to share it with, but it's never really pulled at my heart like say, Christmas, or a birthday, or my favorite, 4th of July. I usually attribute this to the fact that I hate the color red (I know, odd right? but I'm working on it), hate roses (spent all of V-Day last year selling the blasted things- hence the sign), I'm not HUGE on chocolate, and I don't really have an appreciation for the 'heart' shape in general. I prefer angular, geometric shapes if you were wondering.

But regardless, I must say I am immensely grateful for my perma-valentine. He's awesome. And if I could pick anyone to be dis-interested in celebrating a not-so-relevant-to-myself holiday with, it'd be him.  So if anyone wins a prize for causing my Grinchy heart to grow a little bit toward this holiday, it's Andrew.

Last year when I was a bit down in the dumps, and craving to fulfill some of my maternal instincts, he oh so kindly let me adopt puppy number two...

And although said puppy turned out to be a HUGE adjustment (not unlike you human mothers with human babies out there), and even though the pup falls under the category of a "daddy's boy" ...I wouldn't change it for the world. I love that fat, shedding, farty Hippo of mine. And I thank boyfriend for speaking to MY heart, in ways that it loves, rather than feeding it the gamble chocolates. He's a keeper.

So now I share with you a glimpse of what melted my heart just 1 year ago this holiday, on the very day we brought our boy home.

Consider it my gift to you, this Valentine's Day. (;

Cheers!

sea foam & brass.

It's been a while since I've been inspired. Sad, but true. Hawaii kick started me back on track, and Pinterest always helps me along, but for whatever reason an early morning rendezvous with boyfriend and some friends to Half Moon Bay, with Birdie in tow, this morning brought me back.  Something about the dense, white, foggy air was peaceful and mysterious. Sort of clearing in an odd way. And it got my creativity flowing. Anyway, if I were to buy beach front property in the misty coastal haze in Half Moon Bay TODAY, it would involve the following...

1. twin fin for the wall (& sharky waters) 2. ocean tonal geometric fabric 3. the worlds dreamiest wave architecture 

4. brass casters 5. beautifully designed bubble bath (TokyoMilk) 6. elm bowls 7. brass & aqua pendant

*all found here.

PS. Can it be summer already? 

The crisp air is refreshing, but I want a warm breeze & full trees!

kauai.

I've decided it was HIGH time to share with you our Hawaiian adventure. That, and it's frankly slipping further into the past, which makes me sad. How time flies. The "Garden Island" as it's called, was more than we could have asked for. We ventured out the day after Christmas with Andrew's family, and enjoyed a week and a half of pure bliss. We swam in the warm sea, soaked in the sun, ate delicious food, snorkeled with the fishies, watched the locals dance, hiked in the jungle, drove to the north shore, shopped the tourist spots, and of course SURFED! Not to mention, squeezed in plenty of pool/hot tub time, CNN & surfing channel viewage, and other essential vacation-esque things. And honestly, what better place to ring in the new year, eh? I mean seriously. Best place, and best time we've had in a long time.

If we had it our way, Andrew would buy up farm land for us out there, grow us our food for the dinner table, and enjoy the hot sun! ...no but seriously, he wants to farm and be where it's always warm.. and you KNOW I'm not fighting him on any of that! Even if it means we'd be broke farmers. It would still mean I could surf, a LOT. Without a wetsuit. Sigh..

So look out future, the island might end up our destiny.

Until then, enjoy some snap shots of our recent trip. (: