Canyon Road in California

I run a certain path after work not for the heavily shaded trail but for the homes that lay beside it. 

Do you ever peek into homes and try to figure out what their lives are like? If I were to stroll by this Lafayette property, I would immediately think the owners were adventurers. It's surrounded by lush foliage that show off the Bay Area's unique climate; it's open windows are inviting and peaceful. Design is key to this property, especially since everything is clean and modern. Wouldn't you want to be their friend?

{images via Zillow}

An Afternoon With

 

I am not sure whether I am the last one to discover the wispy site An Afternoon With, but I couldn't be more happy that I finally found it. Inside, intimate interior portraits of creative ones from around the nation are captured in their most private spaces - I fell in love with Sabine's space, a prop stylist who also has an equally as inventive blog of her own {find it here}. Very inspiring for a creative hopeful - I love the mix of colors, patterns and portions (plus, lucky me, I already have that splash of wall color in my home!) I think I can emulate some bits of this space in any new place.

Winter + Spring

Joanna's bedroom makeover was totally inspiring - and showcased a great mix of feminine decor that might also appeal to a male uncomfortable with color. 


{image}

Dwell Studio

Josh surprised me the other night with a new subscription to Dwell Studio {yes, I am a design dork}, and the 2011 Holiday catalog just arrived. We're looking for a few more accents to complete our home, including throw pillows and a new media center, and Dwell Studio offers some great inspiration. The pillows are exactly what I love, though I'm having trouble convincing the boy of the same, as well as some fun knick-knacks for accessorizing the house. It's perfect for newbies with a little edge. 

Have you checked out Dwell Studio?

20x200

 

It always amazes me how creative some people are. Whenever I feel a little glum at work, or need a pick-me-up, I head to some of my favorite design or fashion blogs - these days, everyone is adding a little "DIY" into their lives. 

Though my recent attempt was a little less fantastic than I had hoped {I took serious inspiration from Coco + Kelly designer Cassandra}, I want to keep on trying. Especially after checking out these inspirational pieces from 20x200, an artistic endeavor that makes putting unique art affordably into your home. If you haven't tried it yet {I've got one, and given one}, it's worth a peak - you can get some pieces for as cheap as $20! 

{images: 1, 2, 3}

Happy Halloween

This weekend a friend and I headed north to the Long Beach Antique Market. I didn't find everything I wanted, but I did spot a pretty lovely tray that fits my new ottoman perfectly {despite having finally found a place for my Missoni tray}, and a new nightstand for our guest bedroom {at a steal for just $10!} I'm still trying to convince the boy on that one.

Last night we took apart a pumpkin for a new recipe, and while I mashed it up I toasted up some pumpkin seeds for the ultimate holiday snack. On the table are a few seasonal decor items that I'll need to replace once Thanksgiving is over. Here's hoping that they last longer than my carved friend (he's now made a home in our front porch). Happy Halloween!

a list

Things to try this summer:

1. Attend a showing at the local drive-in theater

2. Make my own jewelry {inspired from Anthropologie above}

3. Travel...a ton

4. Finish up the house (new sofa, coffee table and kitchen painting

5. Run a race

6. Learn to sew on my machine 

7. See a new band in concert 

dippin dots

Just a few snapshots of the new place. All taken at night because I don't have the time or energy to do it before I go to work at 7am, and it's not on my mind during the weekend. Such is life - what can I say. 

a handful of characters

My first Picnik experience - it's with pictures that i have used before on the blog, but since we have been using this photo tool at work, i thought it'd be a fun experiment to use it for Surviving Green. Hopefully i'll be able to use it a little more often. 

keep a song

This might just be the only completed 

part of our new home, but then again, 

things can always change. I love the detailing

on this table - it was a purchase during our trip 

to the Long Beach Antique Fair (as discussed here)

and made it's mark in my home. It's the first piece 

of real furniture I've ever owned, and guaranteed 

it's going to be with me for a while. 

hello, goodbye.

Here are a few snapshots I 

stole before leaving my old home 

of nearly two years. It was

a girlie place, to say the least, but 

just a few blocks from the beach so 

it was hard to complain about anything else. 

family matters

While it might not look like it, 

this was a total success in my mind 

as it was the first real meal I cooked 

for myself & Josh in our new place. 

There aren't any after pictures worth 

sharing because, well, I was still getting 

used to the oven...but nonetheless this simple 

meal - using Trader Joe's dough, eggs, 

bacon and shredded cheese - was delicious. 

home is where the heart is

Josh & I are finally making progress in finding out new home, and while we've had our disagreements about the exact neighborhood to live, we always agree on one thing - it has to be near the beach. Let's hope that we can find a great comprise this weekend.

Happy Friday!