Black {Magic} Friday

UPDATE!

Great news! This little black cat was sitting in her bed this morning! 

I guess felt like taking a little midnight (24 hour) Halloween cruise. 

Naughty kitty. 

My dear, sweet Magic 

went missing yesterday. 

She's been with me for the past nine years. She moved all the way across the country with me from Fargo, North Dakota to California! I love and miss you Magic! 

Thursday's This + That

Lovely bones...

Get spooky with this gothic throw pillow and that upcycled cashmere sweater.

Wednesday Weekend Warm Up (Dracula Style)

Needing something quick and easy to serve at your Halloween bash this weekend? Try the Halloween Sunset! Bright & fruity with a minimal amount of ingredients. 

Halloween Sunset

Ingredients

3 oz tangerine juice

1 1/2 oz white run

3/4 oz grenadine

ice

Directions

Combine juice and rum in a tall glass filled with ice. 

Top with grenadine. Serve.

If this fruity concoction doesn't float your boat try Bayou Slime or this Milky Way Martini. And if you really want to impress your guests, add some of these Halloween accessories to your barware collection.

*recipe from Martha Stewart, images found here, barware here, here and here

{Tuesday Thoughts}

If human beings had genuine courage, 

they'd wear their costumes every day of the year, 

not just on Halloween.

-Doug Coupland

I'm curious, what will you be this year for Halloween? I have yet to find myself a costume. I was considering dressing up as Katy Perry from her California Gurls video, but when my costume came in the mail and after trying it on and realizing that there is no way in hell that I'm going to wear something that short in public, I'm back to square one! I don't know, I'm really digging these simply seductive masks. Simple, sweet and totally chic!

*photo found here and here
*Mustache Ring, Burlesque Corset, Hocus Pocus Headband, Mini-Halloween Victorian Riding Hat

Makeover Monday: Insider Tips, Tricks & Expert Advice

It's Halloween week here on imagine! Halloween has always been one of my favorite times of year; not only because of all the fun parties and dressing up, but it marks the official start of the Holiday season! All week on the blog, I'm going to be sharing with you some Halloween goodies like these adorable Halloween poms below that I spotted on Etsy.

If you haven't decorated for Halloween, it's not too late! Real Simple has always been one of my favorites site to hop to when I'm in need of a little holiday decor inspiration. This year they've rounded up a couple handfuls of treats that are fun, festive and frightful!

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 

Who says Halloween is just for kids? 

TRICK: You don't need to spend a lot of money on Holiday decor. 

All these finds above are under $35!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

www.interiordesignbyimagine.com

IT'S UP!

That's right people; my brand new website is up and running and I couldn't be more pleased! 

Please go check it out and tell all your friends! A BIG thank you goes to Keely, of Luxe + Lillies who made it all possible. Keely offers fast, creative and affordable website design amongst other design services. 

Another big thank you goes out to all my friends (online + offline) and family who have been so supportive of me as I create my place in the design world. Your phone calls, emails, comments and conversations have provided so much encouragement and support!

THANK YOU

xoxo,

Jami

*Halloween finds from Real Simple, photography by Dana Tarr, poms found here on Etsy

It's Friday!

Update: There will be a slight delay in the launching of my website. I'll keep you posted!

I'm jumping for joy not only because it's Friday, but my WEBSITE is launching tonight as well!

www.interiordesignbyimagine.com

It will be live tonight at midnight! 

I'm so happy and excited, I can hardly stand it! I've been waiting for the longest time to have my very own website and it's hard to believe that it's actually happening...and so QUICKLY! Keely, my Web Designer, has been such a dream to work with. She is fast, efficient and has the uncanny ability to read my mind. Not only that, she is creative and has offered a multitude of suggestions when I'm stuck on something or when I don't know which direction to turn to. She has taken my jumbled ideas and laid them out clearly and concisely in a beautiful and user friendly way! I'm beyond thrilled with the results! 

If you're looking for a Web Designer, or if you've had that thought floating around for a while that is saying, "I want a website. I wonder what I need to do?", then Keely is the designer for you!

Learn more about Keely on her website Luxe + Lillies and her blog!

*photo from LalliSig

Thursday's This + That

chocolate sprinkles...

Dangle this ROSANTICA Poseidone zoisite bracelet from your wrist while prancing around on that Chandra Avalisa Chocolate rug from One Kings Lane in your living room.

*as always, "Thursday's This & That", inspired by the creative Joy from Oh Joy!  

Wednesday Weekend Warm Up

So I have something to celebrate this weekend...

3 years ago, I met this man. Nick and I randomly met (at a bar, yes) and two months later, he asked me to move in with him! Holy cow! 2 months after he asked me to move in with him, I sold most of my belongings, quit my job and moved from the city I was completely in love with (San Diego) and headed north 2 hours to a suburb just outside of Los Angeles called La Verne. We've been living and loving life together ever since!

I'm warming up for the weekend today with one of our favorite cocktails...the margarita! Our standard cocktail of choice is usually vodka + club soda or red wine (we're health nuts), but sometimes we get a hankering for one of those classic limey salty thirst-quenching mixtures in a glass! I know, I know, I know...margaritas are usually sipped on by the pool in the summer rays of sunshine, so that's why I'm sharing a blood orange margarita recipe with you today! I at least wanted to get the color correct for this beautiful Fall season!

Blood Orange Margarita Recipe
Makes one cocktail

Ingredients:

• Coarse sea salt for rim
• 2 ounces of tequila
• 1-1/2 ounce fresh lime juice
• 3/4 ounce orange liqueur
• 1/2 ounce simple syrup
• 3/4 ounce blood orange puree (see below)
• 1 lime wheel
• 1 blood orange wheel optional

Directions: 

1. Moisten the outside edges of a rocks glass with a lime wedge.
2. Sprinkle a little salt on a small plate and dip the moistened rim in the salt to coat it lightly.
3. Fill the glass and a cocktail shaker with ice.
4. Add the tequila, lime juice, orange liqueur, simple syrup and blood orange puree and shake vigorously.
5. Strain into the glass, garnish with lime and blood orange wheels.

*recipe found here

{Tuesday Thoughts}

If you can find a path with no obstacles, 
it probably doesn't lead anywhere. 

- Frank A. Clark

Hi friends! I want to apologize for being a bit absent lately! I've been blogging, but I've been pretty quiet. I've been busy working, keeping up with design projects & clients and working with Keely (she's amazing) on building my brand new business website (I'm SO excited to show you all!). It's been a fun/rough week. This path that I'm on - starting my own Interior Design Business - has created a couple obstacles, but nothing doesn't just make me want this more! Do you ever feel more inspired by the pressure of it all? I hope you're all off to a great week! 

*images: Tina Colada 23

Makeover Monday: Insider Tips, Tricks & Expert Advice

TIP: Paint your own headboard!

I've done this in a couple of bedroom makeovers for clients and they love it! It's simple, easy and an affordable to get that custom-designed look! 

*I'm always available for design consultations if you're located in the Southern California area! My Interior Design office is located in La Verne, California.  For those of you living outside of Southern California, and would still like my design advice, I offer e-design services as well.  Please email me for rates and more info. As a recent Interior Design graduate, I offer affordable and comparable rates. I'd love to help you make your house a home!

*images from: Style at Home, Lulu Painting, Canadian House and Home, The Decorista

Fresh Find Friday!

Mixing of the elements...

I don't know why, but lately I've been so drawn to the natural elements of the Earth! It's no wonder why Valerie MacCarthy's collection jumped out at me. My favorite is the wood bangle. To see more of Valerie's collection, go here.

Thursday's This + That

Oh so soft and sweet!

Send  sweet notes to your friends on this set of Phalaenopsis Orchids Greeting Cards from Etsy while setting that set of Magenta Genie Bottles  from One Kings Lane on your writing desk. 

*as always, "Thursday's This & That", inspired by the creative Joy from Oh Joy!  

Wednesday Weekend Warm Up

This weekend, one of my best friends, Keturah, is having her boyfriend, Jamie (they share an international love story involving overseas moves and strong leaps of faith!), in town from Carlisle, Cumbria! To celebrate, Keturah's hosting a good ol' fashioned barbecue here in sunny Southern California. I decided that I want to bring something very American, yet festive, fun and appropriate for this fine Autumn season. So what could be more perfect than "Drunk Pumpkin Punch"?!

Half Gallon Apple Cider ::  Fifth of gold Rum  ::  One large bottle of Ginger Beer  ::  One med-sized pumpkin

Close to party time, fill your hollowed out pumpkin or pumpkin punch bowl with the cider, rum and ginger beer, stir and add a frozen block of ice to keep things cold. Have your guests ladle the punch into punch cups.

*recipe and image found at Mr. Booze

{Tuesday Thoughts}

“You can only percieve real beauty in a person as they get older.”

― Anouk Aimee

[Iris Apfel]

Isn't she fabulous? 

"She calls herself a 'geriatric starlet' but she's fashion's latest muse, inspiring everyone from designers to glossy magazine editors. Iris Apfel talks to Gaby Wood about a lifetime's obsession with dressing up – and why she'd never spend more than $15 on a pair of jeans."

*images from: Alexis Bittar, info from: Gaby Wood

Makeover Monday: Insider Tips, Tricks & Expert Advice

Wanna add a little fun to your bedroom closet? 

Wallpaper it! 

TIP: "Wallpaper the inside of your bedroom closet." 

Here are some of my favorite wallpaper and wallcovering websites:

Mod Green Pod, Osborne & Little, Hermitage

Fresh Find Friday!

Today, I want to quickly share with you a "Fresh Find" that Nick and I found last weekend while we were visiting wine country in Temecula, CA. I've lived in Southern California for almost 6 years, and I had no clue how beautiful and expansive the Temecula Wine Country is!

Since we were riding our Harley, we stopped at only one winery: Ponte. I recently visited another winery while I was back in Minnesota a couple weeks ago, and let me tell you, I'm sure enjoying my wine tasting!

Ponte is a beautiful winery! As we drove up the winding driveway, through grapes upon grapes, we came upon a tall, wooden barn-like building with a charming front porch and over-sized windows, which lets in a ton of natural light.

As we entered through the doors, we were greeted my a chipper young lady who explained to us that 6 tastings is $15 and we got to keep our souvenir logo wine glasses. Good deal! So we spend the rest of the afternoon tasting our grapy concoctions, perusing their gift shop, strolling through the beautiful grounds and enjoyed not only the scenery, but each other's company. 

We enjoyed ourselves so much that we're thinking about taking a little mini tour down to Temecula Wine Country yet again this weekend! If you're ever in the Southern California area and you're looking for something other to do that catch some rays at the beach, head inland about 45 miles where you'll be amongst grape vines, winding roads, lush green hillsides and friendly faces! 

Thursday's This + That

Southern California this week = precipitation, rainwater, drizzle, rainfall, raindrops, driving rain, mizzle, Scotch mist...enough already!

Keep dry under this, this or this umbrella while out and about from Umbrellas.net and stick it in that Jonathan Adler lacquer umbrella stand when you get home.

*as always, "Thursday's This & That", inspired by the creative Joy from Oh Joy!  

Wednesday Weekend Warm Up

I'd be content spending a Sunday in the park sipping on some of these pretty purple punches...

What will you be sipping on this weekend?

*images via duskjacket attic

{Tuesday Thoughts}

“Every leaf speaks bliss to me, fluttering from the autumn tree.”

― Emily Brontë

As most of you know, I was able to spend a week with my family and friends (and my parents puppers!) in my home state of Minnesota. I love living in Southern California, but I sure do miss the change of seasons, especially the changing of the leaves in the Fall. 

Thankfully, I was able to capture some rusty reds, burnt oranges, forest greens, golden yellows and hints of mocha browns while I was visiting. Nothing says Autumn like the magical changing fall foliage that seemingly never fails to surprise and delight us.

The cool, crisp Autumn breezes while being wrapped up in a scarf, leaves me yearning for a Midwestern Autumn, but once the leaves fall and the snow and ice settle in, I'm ready to head back to my warmer climate and temperatures here in sunny California. 

*all images 
(via 

Jami Goldsmith)

 captured from or near my parents home, except the river shot (from Adam Hammer)

Makeover Monday: Insider Tips, Tricks & Expert Advice

PROGESS REPORT!

I just wanted to keep you all up to date on the progress of the bathroom project I've been hired to design. All materials, finishes and fixtures have been selected and construction has started! Here's a sneak peek and a list of some of the resources that are being used. 

roll-in shower

preliminary sketches

fixtures

finishes

Square Crystal Ball 8-inch Chandelier from Overstock 

Stone Mill Cabinetry Hardware from Overstock 

Chrome Oval Recessed Mirror from Lowes

Silestone in Chrome

Ostrich Grey Honed Quartzite from Arizona Tile

Casa Optima White Flower Ceiling Fan from Lamps Plus

Princess Collection Wall Sconce from Lamps Plus

Sherwin Williams paint in Soothing White & Starry Night

*I'm always available for design consultations if you're located in the Southern California area! My Interior Design office is located in La Verne, California.  For those of you living outside of Southern California, and would still like my design advice, I offer e-design services as well.  Please email me for rates and more info. As a recent Interior Design graduate, I offer affordable and comparable rates. I'd love to help you make your house a home!

Fresh Find Friday!

Toast! 

Ashlina (The Decorista) :: Paloma Contreras (La Dolce Vita) :: Jami Goldsmith (imagine :: Arianna Belle (Arianna Belle)

Fridays are usually reserved for some fabulous design product that I recently found or for some glitzy glam jewels that I'd want to adorn somewhere on my body, but this Friday's Fresh Find is a cute little bakery called Toast that I and a few Blogger buddies met at for lunch on Wednesday in Los Angeles. 

Toast is located on 3rd Street in Los Angeles. I ordered the half size of the Chicken Chow - "A bed of lettuce topped with grilled vegetables, grilled chicken breast, crumbled feta cheese, fresh avocado, tomato and cucumber served with house vinaigrette" which was plenty of food since I even had some leftover to take home to my honey. Unfortunately, there were no celeb sitings for us although Toast is known to be a local hangout for celebrities such as the ones pictures below. 

Kate Walsh, Kristin Cavallari, Eva Longoria & Tony Parker, Michelle Trachtenberg and Brian Littrell, 

Ashton Kutcher

(click on the name for photo source)

Toast was buzzing with people brunching, lunching and chatting. The food was good, the service was fast and the company was incomparable! 

*PS - calling all Los Angeles Style Bloggers! We're meeting tonight (October 1, 2010) at O-Bar in West Hollywood, California. 

It's just an informal gathering of local Los Angeles Bloggers who want to network and connect with like-minded individuals! Come join us if you're a Style Blogger in Los Angeles! See more about it here!