The Dahlia

I am so thrilled to announce my new project! I am working in collaboration with a wonderful chef Danny Ong to create an underground kitchen experience.

The first one will be held on November 20th in Chicago. I am diving into this as the planner, and Danny is taking care of all things food. He is so creative, and the menu is going to be delicious! It will be an intimate affair with five courses.

This is something I have wanted to do for years, so to finally see it all come to fruition is really exciting. I want anyone interested to attend, so please check out the website for more information www.thedahliadinnerparty.com






















Invitation designed by EDWIN MENACHO

Halloween Candy

The best part about Halloween as an adult is...well the same thing that was so great when you were a kid - The CANDY!!!

This ridiculously adorable set up is from Amy Atlas Event's website. They are an event company out of New York. I can get lost in all the photos. I will have to show more of them in the future. There are not words to express how stunning the table-scapes are that they put together!

Happy Weeked!

I have a super busy weekend planned. I am going to a friend's wedding tomorrow and then the pumpkin patch on Sunday! More about both to come. I will be crossing my fingers that the weather holds out for both. I hope everyone enjoys their fall weekend as well!

Home Library

Oh man how I love this room. I mean, I really just love everything about it - from that awesome floral pillow to the patterned rug to the modern coffee table to the tribal stool to the wall of books to the vibrant green drape to the gold floor lamp. All of it and more. ahhhh....

Loves It

Oh man. How adorable are these tea cups. The pink, the gold, the heart shape. Loves it!

Pick up a set of them here.

Things That Make You Go UH.

I am obsessed with this picture from the TOAST catalog (I mean...the colors, the textures, - Yum). What is it about a great shoe lining that makes a girl go crazy?!?

Chicago Marathon

The Chicago Marathon is this morning, and while I definitely don't run - I am going to head over to cheer on my good friend's brother. Go Greg!

Day Off

Though I technically have the day off of work today, I have been working on the plans for a new and exciting project that I have in the works. I can't wait to tell you about it, but for now - I wanted to share this picture with you. I love love the glamorous yet approachable style that it has to it. The stacks of yellow books (National Geographics perhaps...) are repeated throughout the entire wall of shelves! Plus, I adore contrast so the shape of the legs of the sofa to the modern vases. There are also great textures in this room from the wicker chair, to the fluffy pillows, and the sisel rug. I could be here.

Happy Almost Friday!

I love this picture from Metropolitan Home. The colors are so vibrant, and the patterns so electic. I would love to sit on this porch and drink a glass of iced tea with friends.

The French Chef

Alright! So I finally finished Julia Child's book 'My Life in France' last night. I am so in love. I have watched reruns of her shows my whole life, but have now added the complete series of 'The French Chef' to my Netflix because of this riveting memoir of her time spent in France throughout the years. She is so incredibly creative, hard working, and passionate (I cannot believe the amount of times she would test a recipe). I love her go-get-em attitude and brave approach to trying things (and prevailing though failure). On top of all that, (though I love that current Food Network show make cooking approachable), she presents the techniques and traditions surrounding food in a way that no one today does. It is so powerful and still unparalleled in its uniqueness. Here are a few of my favorite pictures of her that I found:






Moving around so much made her an expert on exactly how she wanted her kitchen set up. Check out the custom-made peg boards of pots and pans just ready to grab for a quick sauce or omlette!:



I love her independant way of going about things, yet maintainig a loving relationship with her husband Paul. They have exactly what I want (and have) - a partnership, a creative sounding board, and a best friend. I loved reading about the adventures they would partake on together - for both his career and hers. Such a lovely an honest life she lead. I adore her!


Bon Appetit.

Weekend End

I had a great weekend. Lots of relaxing, a bachelorette party, a record release show of my friends band The Fold, the finishing of the book I was reading (more about that soon), and great homemade meals. Wanted to share this photo I have had stored for a while. Wouldn't you LOVE to live in a converted church like this?!? The tall soaring ceilings, the crisp white paint, the open floor plan, and the soft furniture.

Salon de Thé

I love love love Laduree, the luxurious tea room in Paris. There are multiple locations (none in the states though), but it is a restaurant, pastry shop, chocolate shop, tea salon, and ice cream parlor (all things good really). Most of all it is famous for the elegant, colorful, and tasty macaroons. The array of hues that they come in are just as important as the various flavors.



The pictures on the website of the dining areas are to die for as well. I adore all the ornate details. Makes you feel like a queen (or king).

Real Wedding: Marian and Michael

This is a beautiful wedding that took place a few weeks ago at Chicago's Museum of Contemporary Art. I worked on this clean and almost zen design with Jesse of Botanicals.

Place Card Table Decor (loads of tall and thin birch logs anchored by piles of fresh dusky succulent blossoms):

Cocktail Table Decor (a single fragrant gardenia blossom nestled atop natural river rocks in a white ceremic dish - on of my favorite designs!):

Centerpiece Design #1 (a block of varied square glass vases filled with crystal clear water topped with floating candles surrounded by touches of offset fresh orchid blossoms):

Centerpiece Design #2 (Elevated vases soaring with leaning and integrated bundles of variegated alocasia leaves, Hawaiian dendrobium orchid sprays, and hanging amaranthus):





The tables were lined up down the main corridor of the museum which currently houses Olafur Eliasson colorful exhibit (which I have gone back multiple times to see)!

Photos by: Erica Barraca
Wedding Planner: Lauren Carter of LOLA Event Productions