weeeeeeeeeeee!

polaroids, ribbon candy, + rainbow super slides. happy friday.
photo found here.

wait for it...

our first dance video.
the laughs came heartily. thanks Cam.

fresh air + sunshine + other people

I've been a house prisoner for 5 days due to bronchial gunk + a clogged noggin.
Need salty air. Off to the beach with the squishable Rem.
photo by this guy.

Introducing - B.E.E.s Knees

Who knew I'd open the door to blogging + find so many things I love to share. Today is my first B.E.E.s Knees entry! b.e.e. meaning bash eco events, and knees.... well you get it, right? My faves. Like raindrops on roses, whiskers on kittens, black copper kettles... (oh Julie Andrews, you would definitely make the BK cut). Hope you too will find these buzz worthy.



Handcrafted artisan fabric gift wrap using
sustainable textiles + earth friendly embellishments.
Lovely makers, Persimmon and Pine.

Let's Back Up...

mr. appel + me before the nuptials shot by charley star.

Golden + Ivory

Summer sunshine + ethereal textures + romantic creams = happy wedding.

Hairpiece by twigs & honey.
Boutoniere by stephanie williams.
Dainty handmade bowls via poppytalk.
Party favors by randi brookman harris.
Hemp ring pillow by heather heron.
Astilbe flower via katy elliott.
Cake by vanilla bake shop.
Matrimony art by abigail doan.
Light columns via martha stewart.
Pretty dress via ohjoy!
Lemonade + biscuits via randi brookman harris.

Jive + Shoot

preview of the funky, fresh 40th birthday party for melissa!
photo booth hosted by polite in public.

me + my coolio assistant kara
my client's hubby + friends
my super cute client melissa + friends
me + the dapper hubby

more details to come!

once wed ➸ the free wedding

when I renew my vows....
photos by our labor of love.

see full spread here.

EcoStiletto One Year Anniversary Bash!

{July 28, 2009}

I'm holed up in bed with a fever and a runny nose, so my wonderful assistants are taking over for me on this one. Not that the über-ambitious Rachel Sarnoff needs anyone to hold her hand! This girl rocks some super-savvy content and can work a room like a magical eco-diva. She deserves to celebrate the success of her online eco-magazine.
Join her at Environment Furniture tomorrow night for lots of stiletto-size goodies.

dreamy saturday

photo by this guy

sneak peek ♥ my wedding

{june 20, 2009}

photos by the brilliant charley star.
event design: yours truly
venue: our backyard + art studio
dress: fabulously decadent + responsibly rented. designer st. pucci
shoes: j.crew
hemp ring pillow: heather heron
bracelet: sid vintage
florals: seed

friday night lights

spinning + spinning to get this event produced for friday night!
melissa is gonna bring on the 40's + bring on the party.
sneak peak: front + back invite designed by the
superfly justina blakeney.
(and printed on 100% post consumer recycled stock with soy ink).

kids just wanna have fun!

I'm definitely young at heart + love to plan kid parties.
My clients always want affordable + creative party favors.
Here are a few faves in a range of prices.

Handmade, all natural play-dough by DoSi Dough.
Sculpt, squeeze, even safe enough to eat. Via Etsy.
Smencils! Made from recycled newspapers.
My son draws for 3 hours straight, what mom doesn't love that?
Sarah's Silks rainbow streamer. Pretty whirly fun.
Via The Little Seed.
Girly party! (Although I've been known to paint my son's nails black). Priti non-toxic nail paint. Via Spirit Beauty.
Save your pennies! Organic flower packet + mini terra cotta pot. $5 total! Get those kiddos gardening. Via Botanical Interests.

the blues

raksha bella organic baby blanket via TRUNKSHOW

linen pincushion via etsy

blue sky + lone barn via snippet and ink

airy wedding gown by reem acra via look book

wallflower: painting by kevin appel

thistle by abby try again

hang me up!

Crazy crush on homemade banners right now. My house is about to get hung + then some.

Barn adornment by paper n stitch.
Vintage linen flags by jump up and down.
Bird prayer flags found on etsy.
Recycled fabric banner made for my wedding by the lovely Roberta Maran. (email me for info)
photo by charley star.
Handmade Dutch whimsy via plastica.

Sherbet + Rose

Bright Idea!

I've always loved pink + orange for a baby girl shower.
I'm planning one for tomorrow + was feeling inspired
to share some visuals + tips.

Frenchy cloche for one-of-a-kind baby gift from etsy.
Rose raspberry macaroons courtesy of gourmet australia.
Big fan of homemade banners!
Make your own via the purl bee.
Handmade rag dolls tea-dyed by jess brown.
Whimsy place cards are easy peasy with stamps and ink.
These originals are by the talented rebecca thuss.
Beautiful blossoms arranged by dandelion ranch.
Fragrant pink lemonade with citrus + rose petals
via country living.

Happy Showering!

coolin' off with a cocktail

i've been in texas visiting family for the last week +
wondering why we chose hot July for our trip.
(oh yeah, family reunion).
104 degrees outside today.
humid as hell. thick air, frizzy hair, dewey skin.
every evening we make a refreshing spirit +
sit outside to chat + listen to the crickets.
thought i would share one of my faves with you tonight.

prairie organic vodka
fresh squeezed lemon juice
homemade simple syrup
(boil 1 cup of water, add 1 cup organic sugar,
turn heat off + cool)
fresh picked mint from my yard
muddle, shake, pour over ice
voila! - relaxation

get comfy on your porch swing + soothe yourself in summertime

Divine Nectar

my gal pal cristina whom i've known almost 20 years is a woman to be known. wellness chef, organic gardener, outdoor adventurer, loving spirit + wisdom seeker. i wish she could move in with me. her ayurvedic approach to food is not only healing, but delicious. she is hosting a series of classes at urban remedy on abbott kinney that is a must-do.
no kitchen experience necessary. no knife skills required. no knowledge whatsoever. just go + prepare to be inspired. email her to sign up: cristina@rasafoods.com and check out more about her sweet kitchen alchemy here.
peace + love + rasa

summertime shindigs

lately i've been planning a couple of beach side clambakes for a few clients + feeling nostalgic for my parents summer parties with their best friends. i fondly remember my fresh squeezed lemonade stands + my mom's homemade peach ice cream + the pretty frenchy-floral tablecloths she sewed + the simple pleasure of burying my brother in the sand. their troop always rotated houses each week + i remember my mom dashing out to the market multiple times + buzzing about in the kitchen making her pot luck dish humming while she cooked. i remember my nana's orchard where we picked the ripe, seasonal peaches for the ice cream + the old hand crank maker filled with rock salt that took hours to churn the milk, cream, + sugar into pure happiness. i remember gleefully running through the yard sprinkler with the other hot kids until we were allowed to dip our finger right into the bucket. mmmmm.

those days seem long gone 'round these parts. most of my clients (whom i love dearly) don't want to squeeze lemons or pick peaches or turn a crank or sew a tablecloth or even hire someone to do any of that for them. why o why? its not necessary they say. store bought lemonade is just as good. ben + jerry's is the best vanilla in the country. poly-blend rental tablecloths look fine. a bounce house is quality activity for the kids. "no one notices these things, they say."

(frowny face from moi). "oh yes they do. these things live in your guests subconscious memory bank...forever."

here at my house we still do it right. (yes, i said right). call me elitist, or fancy, or overambitious, or old-school, but i go to uncommon measures to make sure my parties are inspiring, homemade, organic, memorable. i practice what i preach. my hubby and i for 2 days squeezed 10 pounds of lemons for the juice splash in our wedding cocktails. we made our own basil infused simple syrup for his 40th birthday party. baked our own italian lemon tarts for valentine's brunch. churned our own lavender ice cream for 4th of july. whipped our own garlic creme fraiche for our wedding buffet. (our caterer didn't even know how to make garlic creme fraiche.... huh? wtf? you work in catering?) these are all simple recipes. no brainers really. (that's just the tip of the ice cream-berg, i will get into decor + activities another day) still to this day, guests email me for the basil simple syrup magic trick which i debuted a year + a half ago. seems they noticed.

i hope i'm at the heart of the comeback. the lost art of homemade-chic ice cream socials. nostalgic memories infecting my kids memory banks. creating indelible ties hobnobbing + celebrating with friends. i'm definitely giving it my best shot. not only in my home but also with my clients. this week i've been workin' up some eco-modern beachy pointers for their summer soirees. re-used seashell garland, fresh coconut drinks, heal the bay activities for their kids, carmela ice cream stands + even hemp frisbees. they are lovin' it. i'm excited about it. mother earth appreciates it. guests will notice it. fond memories will be made + and that's what i hope for.

that + a vintage yellow boy short swimsuit. bringin' it back this summer.

Let's Go Fly a Recycled Kite

my dear friend is a resourceful visionary.
her patient search + skilled craft raises her work to a thrifty, purposeful + artful height. sage raval constructs textured environments with repurposed packing material, organic muslin, thread, yarn, out of print LetraSet, fruit netting, + cheesecloth. her view scopes whimsical scenes, modern interiors, nostalgic solitude, quiet nature. her dedication to dainty details + sound construction make this the crème de la crème of eco-art.

this set of three reminds me to:
dust off my pink bike
+
find a good napping tree
+
let the kite fly me away

ecofabulous is buzzing about SR too!

Puddin' n Pie

I just ordered this book + can't wait to try out the recipes.
Sarah, when o when will you open an L.A. shop?
Or just come bake in my kitchen?
Yummy + pretty + organic. Perfecto.
Check out wonderful ideas from Sarah's blog: http://sarahmagidcakes.blogspot.com

America the Beautiful

I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations

as the great anniversary festival.
It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance,
by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty.
It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward for evermore.
- John Adams, letter to Abigail Adams, July 3, 1776

I'm just trying to find a way to make pictures. - Jasper Johns

painting: jasper johns white flag 1955

organic love

my very recent wedding to the most dapper man was on june 20th
this stunning ring bearer pillow was made for me by heather heron

organic hemp, antique lace ribbon, handmade stitch with a crystal inside

when you wed, get yourself one
customized wedding accessories by miss sunshine

more to come about those nuptials...

a new neighborhood

bash is in the blog house
welcome to my housewarming party!
hope you find delights + warmth inside
beware of compost critters + precocious children
i'm ready to do this.
xoxoxoxo

this charming cut paper art is made by julene