Hurricane Isaac is knocking on my door!!

Well, in case you haven't heard - Hurricane Isaac is en route to hit us folks here in New Orleans probably late this evening. It's The Hubs' first ever hurricane and I haven't been through one in maybe 13 years?! We decided to stay and wait out the storm and of course all our favorite neighbors are here with us! :)

The weather still hasn't really turned for the worse so here's a couple of pics of what we've been up to last night and today!

Oh you know we had to be obnoxious locals and go get a hurricane before the hurricane! ;) 

And we are ready for the storm as far as cuisine & reading materials go...

Hot Cheetos & Takis...

And we took in some wonderful only in New Orleans (Bywater) sights...

Our adorable neighbor, Clio in front of the perfect backdrop! 

Love the creativity of this "boarded up" house!

Can you read the quote above the little old lady above?! It says "Y'all want some turds? For FREE!"  

LOVE IT!

SO that's what's going on here in Bywater, NOLA while we ride out this storm. Tonight shall be board games and dinner party....

Be safe my NOLA people! 

NYC & AirBNB...

I just got back last night from NYC where my boss & I had a FABULOUS time! The Gift Show was a huge success for us and I'm so excited about all of the awesome vendors we discovered and will soon be carrying at the Shop. We also did some work on a clients studio apartment up there as well. We were running around like crazy - I forget how much WALKING you do there! (and I'm outta shape!)

I still have to upload the pictures from the trip but I wanted to share with y'all the adorable studio apartment we stayed in while there. We found it through Airbnb (which I plan on always using for future trips!) Here are some pictures of the place:

How cute!? It was in the heart of Chelsea - which I loved. I had always lived on the East Side so it was fun for me to see what it's like to live on the "other side" :)

Loved the grasscloth wrapped parsons table under the TV.

 Cute little dining room. The apartment was filled with antiques and original artwork - we loved it!

There was a lovely arch and a step down to enter the bedroom area.

Another cute arch detail. 

TINY kitchen! I think this was the size of the kitchen of the apartment I lived in on 14th Street.... ahhh memories! It's amazing how you can live in such a tiny space and need so little. And now we're living in a 1,400 square foot space and I feel that's too small! ha! 

Check out the full listing HERE. Once my lazy butt uploads the other NYC pics I'll share! We were definitely inspired by the trip!

Start Spreading the News....

I am going to NYC TOMORROW!!!! Yippeeeee! And I'm so excited to say that I'm going with my boss to attend the NYIGF! Yeah, yeah, I lived there for 9 years but this will be so much fun to go for work & to go with my fellow design obsessed boss :)

We are going to look for new vendors to carry at the Shop and to do a little work on a clients condo in Manhattan as well! I'll be sure to take lots of pictures of anything & everything fabulous to share with y'all once I'm back! 

Meet me for a cosmo perhaps?! ;-)

ABC and D&D here we come!! 

Something is happening to my taste buds....

If you read this blog, I'm assuming you are a fellow design addict. Does your taste evolve every couple of years or are you consistent with your taste? I am definitely shifting towards a more minimal look. I look around my house and wonder - what is all this stuff?! That feeling was reinforced when I opened this months Architectural Digest and drooled over Kelly Kleins new home in Florida.

The good old saying "less is more" is exactly how this home was designed. It goes to show you, save your money, buy what you truly love and it will look amazing. Notice that floating bench behind her shoulder - love that! And the pillows underneath for extra seating. 

Talk about open indoor/outdoor living!! LOOOOVE!

Stunning kitchen!

 I like that the house is not a huge McMansion - it's only 3,000 square feet.  (which, yes is big but not obnoxiously huge) 

It reminds me of a Neutra or Mies Van Der Rohe design. 

Tangent:

When I was in college at NYSID I had THE BEST professor for one of my architecture classes - the whole semester was spent analyzing your pick of any Mid-Century Architect and studying all the greats in general. My love was Mies Van Der Rohe & his Villa Savoye. We then had a final project to design a studio space for an artist/designer in the style of our architect we studied. (Betsey Johnson's lounge/studio was mine! It was so fun to do, I'll have to see if I can dig up the drawings...) 

Anyhoot, just wanted to share this minimal, other half of my design love! However, being a New Orleans girl, you know I still love me some crown moulding, silk drapes, bohemia... etc. Now I'm off to  clean this cluttered house and get rid of stuff!!!

My Fridge's Baby Daddy... & Shelving Inspiration!

Was at a clients house this week taking measurements and was DELIGHTED to see my fridges baby daddy! (whatever, that's what I'm calling him! He's gorgeous and I could only dream of one day having this bad boy!)

While there I also got some shelving inspiration - LOVE these thick built in shelves... I want to do this in my house some day!

It's a definite bonus to get to see some amazingly beautiful homes as part of my job! Love it! 

Gotta Love These Old Historic Buildings...

This happened yesterday a block from our house!

An old warehouse collapsed out onto the street! Thank goodness no one was hurt! These are the dangers of living in a historic district... a building could literally fall on you! AAaaahhhhh!! 

Trimmin My Balls...

Our topiaries are alive and kickin'! I was afraid the brutal Louisiana summer would fry them but so far so good! It's kinda fun to trim them too - maybe I'll eventually do an Edward Scissorhand type of look since we live in cooky Bywater World....

P.S. Sorry for the complete lack of posting! We were in Maine for almost a week and I am just not motivated to post anything in this dang heat!! Bare with me! Hopefully I'll get re-inspired soon... :(