Smile…it’s a (big hat) kind of weekend!

Hello Friday! We’ve been experiencing a heat wave here in Southern California this week, and this weekend is supposed to get even hotter! I love it! You see, I grew up in chilly Minnesota and headed south to bask in the glorious rays of the sun.

 

This weekend, I’m hoping to relax, chill and enjoy the sunshine along with friends and maybe some of these. It’s funny, when I was a teenager, I used to lather up with baby oil and lay in the sun for hours, not caring what the rays were doing to my skin! But as the years creep up on me, I’ve been slightly more cautious of the amount of sun exposure I lend to myself.

 

And that is why the “big hat” has become a necessity in my summer wardrobe! It’s a good thing they are cute and will never go out of style!

What will you all be doing this weekend to enjoy the last couple days of July? Can you believe we’re already rolling into August? Pretty soon, we’ll be putting away our big flopping hats and trading them out for big wooly sweaters! Enjoy your weekend, whatever you have planned! I’ll see you next week!

*click on image for source

A Love Affair: Decorating with Elephants

Now, I’m not an elephant nut and I haven’t jumped on the elephant band wagon, but every now and then I like a little bit of trunk and tusks! I do like to add a bit of animal to my rooms, and this gentle giant is the perfect accessory to put in the corner, on the table or on the wall! But, please, do not go overboard with the elephants! No one needs to look like they are living in the middle of safari land! Keep it simple and limit yourself to AN elephant or two!

(click on image for source)

La Verne Real Estate: Sold By Nick (Abbadessa)

La Verne RE/MAX Realtor, Nick Abbadessa, proudly offers:

2071 Golden Hills Road, La Verne, CA 91750

Magnificent Corner Lot! Priced at $799,800

Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 4 Home Size: 3,250 sq.ft. Garage: 3 Lot Size: 15,076sq.ft. County: Los Angeles Property Type: Single Family Detached Year Built: 1981

Magnificent, well known corner lot with great curb appeal. This home was completely remodeled and features new landscaping, hardscaping, smooth stucco & a wrap around balcony with a dramatic staircase. The formal entry offers a curving staircase & a beautiful chandelier. The kitchen features new cabinets, granite counter tops, stainless appliances, built-in refrigerator, commercial grade cook top, recessed lighting & an eating area. The adjacent family room offers a media niche, recessed lighting & a marble fireplace. Formal living room with custom window coverings, newer carpet & an adjacent formal dining room. Downstairs half bathroom, laundry room & an unfinished theater room with a bathroom. Upstairs master with retreat, fireplace & slider to the balcony. Master bath offers large jetted tub, separate shower, dual sinks & a vaulted ceiling. There are two other upstairs bedrooms, a large bonus room with a wet bar & balcony access. The backyard features a large outdoor living area covered & offers automatic storm shutters all the way around. Huge entertaining area with a built in wet bar & a separate built-in barbecue. RV parking on one side of the house & a large side yard/ dog run on the other. Three car garage, one side enclosed as a 4th bedroom.

Features List

• Curb Appeal
• Stamped Driveway
• Formal Entry

• Remodeled Kitchen
• Remodeled Baths
• Master Suite

• Entertainer's Dream
• Covered Patio
• Built-in BBQ

• Wet Bar
• Granite
• Bonus Room

• View
• Side Yard
• RV Parking

For more information about this home visit: http://2071goldenhillsrd.epropertysites.com/, or if you’d like to see this home, please call Nick at (909) 292-7888 or email him at Nick@SoldByNick.com

Wednesday Weekend Warm Up: Chocolate Margarita Recipe

Holy cow, this looks good! I’ve been a long time fan of chocolate (who isn’t, really?) and also an even bigger fan of margaritas, so, naturally this was a winner in my book! I’m don’t know about mixing tequila and chocolate, but I’m not opposed, so these ingredients have made their way to my grocery list. Sweet.

Chocolate Margarita

ingredients:

1 ¾ oz silver tequila
1 ½ oz orange juice
1 oz Kahlua
1 oz half n half
1 ½ TBS chocolate syrup
ice
Oreo cookies

directions:

Place Oreo cookies in a sandwich bag and crush. Place crushed Oreo on a small plate. Combine liquid ingredients in a cocktail shaker and stir in chocolate syrup. Add ice into shaker and shake well. Moisten cocktail glass lightly and rim with crushed Oreo. Pour into rimmed glass and enjoy.

*deliciousness found here

{Tuesday Thoughts}

You never know until you try and what’s the worst someone can say? No? This is a little reminder I give myself every now and then when I’m hesitant to make a leap or a move that is a little uncomfortable for me!

*found here

Smile…it’s a (Palm Desert) kind of weekend!

Happy Friday people! TGIF! This summer has been the best! Hot weather, trips to Vegas, spending weekends in our pool, hanging out with old and new friends and this weekend we’re heading to Palm Desert to do a little birthday celebrating! I’m so excited! I love Palm Desert and Palm Springs and I’m so happy we’re just a short 1.5 hour car ride away!

 

I found this fab editorial spread over at Dustjacket Attic (favorite!). It’s Arthur Elgort who photographed this editorial for Vogue UK March 05. Julia Stegner. Another fabulous find, which I seriously can’t get enough of is “Monkey in Los Angeles”. Seriously, this girl’s got it going on with her style and fabulousness. I spent, oh…about an hour, scrolling through her geniusness! I love this Palm Springs round up that she put together ------> So cute!

***From Monkey in Los Angeles. This is NOT my work, I totally stole it from her! Love it!***

I’ll be sipping on this Palm Springs Kicker and wishing you all a fabulous weekend! Enjoy!! We only have about 6 weeks left of this gorgeous summer sun!

Chroma Bash: White White White

Pure, angelic, clean, fresh, crisp…white! Perfect for making a subtle, yet eye-catching statement!

<< feather pen snow globe french door print feather collar tank watch clutch gown necklace bikini >>

La Verne Real Estate: Sold By Nick

La Verne RE/MAX Realtor, Nick Abbadessa, proudly offers:

6094 Via Naranjo, La Verne, CA 91750

$589,800

Beds: 3 Baths: 3 Size: 1,800 Sq Ft

Well maintained pool home tucked away in a quiet cul-de-sac! Featuring a large backyard with a sparkling pool and spa, large patio with "alumawood" patio cover and a gentle hill in the back which adds privacy. The remodeled kitchen offers new cabinets, granite counter tops, black & stainless steel appliances, an eating area and wood flooring. The kitchen opens up to the family room which features a brick fireplace, wood floors and a slider to the backyard. There is also a formal living room and an adjacent formal dining room which offer cathedral ceilings and double sliding doors to the back patio. There is a half bath and a laundry room on the main level. Upstairs, the master bedroom offers a vaulted ceiling, a ceiling fan, a walk-in closet, and a master bathroom. The master bathroom features dual sinks, a separate shower and a tub. The open upstairs hallway features built-in cabinetry, and access to two other bedrooms and to the full upstairs bathroom. There is a three car garage with a one spot currently used as a permitted room. Other features include new energy efficient, dual pane windows, walking distance to acclaimed elementary/pre-school Oak Mesa Elementary school and to the popular Marshall Canyon hiking trails.

If you’d like to see this home, please call Nick at (909) 292-7888 or email him at Nick@SoldByNick.com

Wednesday Weekend Warm Up: Rhubarb Mojito Recipe

I’ve taken a liking to mojitos this summer and after I came across this rhubarb recipe from Closet Cooking, I knew I had to share it with you all! Doesn’t it look totally refreshing? Yum!

Rhubarb Mojito

A pink take on the classic mojito using sweet and tart rhubarb syrup with mint, lime and rum.

Servings: make 1 drink
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients

4 mint leaves

ice

1 ounce lime juice, about 1 lime

1 ounce white rum

1/2 ounce rhubarb syrup

club soda

Directions

Place the mint leaves in the glass and muddle them to release their oils.

Fill the glass with ice.

Pour in the lime juice, rum and syrup and fill the glass with club soda.

*recipe from Closet Cooking

{Tuesday Thoughts} quote + pretty porch

You’re doing the best you can!

AND…

don’t you just love this space?

*found here and here

Makeover Monday: Painted Blue and Green Kitchen Cabinets

Go ahead…do it! Don’t be afraid to paint those kitchen cabinets of yours! I’ve, for a long time, felt that if you were going to paint your kitchen cabinets, the only color that was allowed was white. Or you had to stick with a wood grain – dark or light. But now, more and more, I’m seeing lovely shades of blue and green that are gracing the covers of design magazines and I’m loving it! Be bold! Paint your cabinets whatever color you like! Here’s a handful of inspiration to get you started!

If you need some assistance in adding some color to your cabinets, let me help! 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. Please visit my website and email me for rates and more info. I offer affordable and comparable rates. I'd love to help you make your house a home!

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Slim Aarons + Jami’s 7 Ways to a Pool-tastic Backyard Bash!

Hello everyone! I decided that it was about time to start a new little series here on Imagine Design Blog, which I’m calling “Jami’s Ways”. It’ll be a collection of ways that you can create your own perfect little setting, party, get-together, date night, picnic, hike, drive, etc… I’m kicking it off this week with “7 Pool-tastic Ways” to create a perfect pool-tastic backyard bash, since it’s my boyfriend’s birthday this weekend and that’s exactly what we’re doing! I hope you’ll be able to get some great ideas to host your own event!

bikini board shorts grill iPod nano port o pong

I was searching and searching for some fabulous pool party pics to inspire and it finally dawned on me…Slim Aarons! Duh! He perfectly captured the jet set era of the 50s and 60s. His subjects were primarily the upscale and wealthy, from young Hollywood starlets to Pucci-clad Italian princesses and WASPy American socialites. I love these photos that he captured of people while lounging around the pool. Cheers to a fabulous weekend!

 

   

click on image for source