Inspirational Outings ~ The Huntington Library, Museum & Botanical Gardens

We spent a beautiful Saturday afternoon at The Huntington today.

It was a perfect January day to stroll the gardens, get some fresh air...and take a few photos of course!

Chinese Garden

Orchids

Views of the San Gabriel Mountains

Statue in Sculpture Gardens

Family in Contemporary Art Gallery

Succulents 

Cheers ~ Lara

Reflecting on 2012

It's hard to believe another year has come & gone...and boy am I sad to see 2012 go.

This past year has been an exciting one, as I've made new friends and created memories across the world. I never imagined the journeys it would hold...but I've realized that saying "YES" to unexpected propositions can lead to opportunities I would've never dreamed possible.

Clockwise L to R: Singapore Skyscraper, Flower in my front yard, Sunset in Kenya, Camels on the Beach in Diani Kenya, Temple in Bali, Mosque Door in Casablanca Morocco

I've been fortunate to see the sun rise and set on 4 continents within the last 12 months and I swam in the Indian Ocean in both Asia & Africa.  I've seen beauty in poverty and felt danger in places that should be safe. Many dream destinations have been checked off of my list, and my urge to see more of the world is stronger than ever.

Clockwise L to R: Little Girl in Mombasa Kenya, Old Canoe in Kilifi Kenya, Starfish found in Sunset Beach CA, Rose from Long Beach CA, Downtown LA Sunset

While many months were highlighted with new experiences, my day to days passed as always. I continue to question my life and wether it's moving in the right direction or if it's time to make some major changes. I've spent unforgettable time with family, and experienced success and loss in equal amounts. I've strengthened friendships and lost love ones, and felt pain and joy just like every other year I can remember.

Clockwise L to R: Monaco Palace, Door in Marrakech Morocco, San Francisco Bridge, Sunset in Kenya, Lombardi Street San Francisco, Statue in Eze France

I've begun to recognize the beauty in the everyday, and that it's my perspective that chooses to see it or ignore it.  I also realize how much I enjoy photography and capturing my life's magical moments.

Clockwise L to R: Bridge in Singapore, Yacht in St. Tropez, Delano Hotel Pool Marrakech, Levitated Mass LACMA, Sunset Beach CA, NYC Skyline

I feel truly blessed and so thankful for the people in my life who continually support, encourage, and strengthen me and for Tim who accepts and allows me to be me.

Clockwise L to R: Kenyan Sisal Field, Mosque in Singapore, Singapore Pay Phone, Cali Flower, Bench in Morocco

While 2012 didn't bring all the answers, I have realized a few things: People, no matter place or circumstance, are more alike than they are different. Time passes faster with each year, and seize opportunities when they are in front of you as they may never come again. 

Clockwise L to R: Singapore Botanic Gardens, Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, Marrakech Fountain, Queen Mary Long Beach, Nassau Bahamas, Statue at Bali Temple

I don't know yet what 2013 holds, but I look forward to having it unfold! I'll be putting my letter of resolutions to 2013 down in the next few days and I'm excited to write the chapters of a 2013!

Happy New Year!
Lara

Globetrotting in 2012 - Part 1

Clockwise L to R:
Singapore Bridge, St. Tropez Yacht, Delano Marrakech Pool, Levitated Mass LACMA, Sunset Beach CA, NYC

I feel so blessed to have traveled the world in 2012, and cant wait to see where 2013 will take me!

Here are a few of my favorite captured moments from this past year.

Thrift Share - Fun Furniture Finds

It's been forever since I've done a Thrift Share post. I've been so fortunate to travel a LOT this year, and between that, work, & life I hadn't stepped foot into a thrift shop in about 4 months.

But...I'm redecorating (for real this time). You may remember that I've blogged about my design dilemma's and living room re-do's for months now, and I'm ashamed to say that my projects are still in limbo. But, I did make a little progress this past week & came across some pretty cool furniture that I thought I'd share, along with where these new pieces will go during the redo.

1st up...this totally cool pair of vintage chairs. I'm in love with them. The crazy avocado upholstery is original & I'm amazed at how great of shape they are in.  I couldn't find any makers marks on them but they are very well made and the backs are button tufted and totally cool. I'm guessing 1950s or 1960s but furniture isn't really my expertise.I originally thought I'd put them in our formal living room, but it's really bright in there and I'm afraid they will fade too much, so I'm putting them in the den instead.

(That leather couch is headed to the living room and a new rugs coming in here) 

I don't often tell how much I pay for my goodies, but on these next few things I have to share my sticker shock with you! 

I found this HUGE wool rug for $25!!!  That's right, $25!  It's not vintage, but it's a beauty and the for the size (8X11) and price I couldn't pass it up. To my surprise when I got home, the original tag was on the back and I was able to find out a little more info about it.  It's a Sphinx 100% Wool rug mfg by Oriental Weavers & guess what it retails for? $1,800!!! Thats right folks, this one was truly a steal!!!  It's in almost new condition and though it wasn't the exact look I was going for in the front room, I know I'll still be able to make it work.

At the same thrift I also scored this set of Bernhardt table frames.  They were brand new with the tags attached, so I googled them on the spot.  They are called Palmer Metal Cocktail & End Tables, and they were missing the glass tops so I got the pair for...$25!!! Yep, that was the magic number at that store & guess what the retail was on these puppies??? Over $1500 for the combined MSRP!!!  I took them to the glass shop this weekend and had new tops cut for them, now they look good as new. Oh wait, they are new!  Lol!  I'm moving these into the den where the oversized ottoman is now.

Last but not least, I found my 1st piece of Paul McCobb Planner Group furniture.  I happened upon this beautiful 3 drawer chest at a thrift & debated about bringing it home. It was a little on the pricey side, but after talking the store into a 20% discount I had them load it into the car.  My first inclination was to resell it on CL, and I do actually have it posted on both the LA & OC listings.  I've had 3 people contact me on it with lowball offers (in addition to 3 scammer emails)...but I've moved it around the house a few places and I'm really starting to get attached. It seems to work in both of the rooms I'm redoing and Tim really likes it...so I may not let it go.  EEK!

So that's it! Hopefully I'll be able to share the finished rooms with you soon.  Decorating around here is certainly a slow process, but thrifting new goodies keeps it fun & fluid so I'm really enjoying the process!

Cheers ~ Lara

Two Peas in a Pod

Lucy & Stella are certainly Two Peas in a Pod.

Spoiled rotten and onery as ever.

Love my silly Girls!

Cheers ~ Lara

Spring Blooms

Happy Easter!

I just love all of the flowers blooming right now.  I took these pics this week while out strolling with my dogs in Long Beach.  

Hope you have a beautiful weekend.

Cheers ~ Lara

Girls Weekend Santa Monica & Santa Barbara

I spent last weekend surrounded by some wonderful ladies!

Sometimes it's good to get away, even if it is just in your own backyard.

An overnight in Santa Monica & a day trip to Santa Barbara was a great way to warm my heart.

 Cheers ~ Lara

Beautiful January

It's been a warm & beautiful January!

I Love Long Beach!

Cheers ~ Lara

2012 LA Art Show

Tim & I enjoyed our 2nd year at the LA Art Show
(2011 highlights can be found HERE & HERE).  

Once again, it was a great day filled with amazing art, inspiration, and quality time with my honey!

I recently began following the work of Ellwood T. Risk, and was excited to see a few of his pieces from a local gallery at the show.  He's an LA artist that often incorporates shooting targets into his work.  

Ellwood T. Risk ($6,000)

This work by Paul Balmer was pretty striking as well.  I love his use of color and simple lines that dominate his large abstract cityscapes.

Paul Balmer "Urban Sun Down" ($16,000)

Italian artist Mimmo Paladino was well represented by a gallery at the show, and I found several of his "Mixographia on Handpressed Paper" pieces very interesting.

Mimmo Paladino "California Suite 4" ($4650)

Shame on me that I'd never heard of famous American Abstract artist Lee Gatch.  I certainly fell in love with the composition and textures of his nature inspired abstractions.  I'll have to take note next time I'm in an East Coast museum, as that seems to be where a multitude of his works are held.

Lee Gatch"Archaic Tree - 1960" ($24,000)

So maybe this picture doesn't do any justice to the work, but the newer series of Butterflies by Damien Hirst just popped off the paper.  They were printed with foil and gold leafing and with the light hitting them they were quite stunning.  Love him or hate him, Hirst certainly sparks controversy in the Art world. Obviously very prolific, he was certainly well represented at the show with several galleries selling his work.

Damien Hirst ($5,500 each)

The most realistic & captivating sculptures at the show were by American artist Carole Feuerman. She's most known for her hyper-realist resin sculptures painted in oil...and I can certainly understand why.  Peering into the faces of these amazing series of swimmers I felt almost certain that they would blink or smile back at me.  

Carole Feuerman "Butterfly" ($48,000)

In addition to all of the amazing art we saw, this years visit was highlighted by few more celebrities...most notably Jack Nicholson.  I'm not typically star struck, but I'll have to say it was pretty cool to see Jack out & about somewhere other than a Lakers game!

Can't wait till next years show!

Cheers ~ Lara

Bouquet of Blooms

Blooms on a beautiful Sunday January afternoon in Beverly Hills.

Cheers ~ Lara

Inspirational Outings - More Moore

Sculpture Gardens at Norton Simon Museum

I had an opportunity to visit Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena this past weekend.  I wanted to visit the Printmaking Exhibition that was being shown for the “Pacific Standard Time: Art in L.A. 1945-1980” series.  It was a wonderful exhibition, and though I was struck by the amazing prints shown...my favorite part of the museum had to be the abundance of Henry Moore sculptures.

I've always admired the work of Henry Moore, but his pieces really spoke to me during this visit.

I can't wait to visit the museum again!
Cheers ~ Lara