Happy New Year!

Happy New Year Graphics

Wishing all my blogging friends a glamorous sparkly New Year!

Merry Christmas

I can't believe how fast this year went by.

I am very grateful for my blogging friends and

your thoughtful comments mean the world to me.

I love seeing your blogs and all your creativity too.

I'm wishing you all a wonderful, magical Christmas.

"The French Inspired Home" by Carolyn Westbrook Giveaway Contest

Judy at the "French Laundry" blog is having a contest to win "The French Inspired Home" book by Carolyn Westbrook. This is a beautiful book that is sure to delight you for hours. I just entered and you can too. Please check out the contest, open thru November 17th, on the lovely "French Laundry" blog for more info here.

Judy is going to include some French inspired goodies along with the book. This is sure to be quite a treat after seeing her French Laundry blog.

Judy has another wonderful post about "The French Inspired Home" book including some dreamy photos on her blog here. What a wonderful way to start November! Thank you Judy!

Boo to You!

I'm trying to dream up a post for Halloween,

Something clever to make you scream.

But I can't seem to top my story from last year,

Check it out here.

Do you have any plans for Halloween?

The Beauty Loft in Beverly Hills

Head on over to The Beauty Loft in Beverly Hills and put your best face forward! If you live in Beverly Hills or nearby, or even if you are in town visiting, I highly recommend Sandra Dee at The Beauty Loft for your all your beauty needs. She is a true artist when it comes to makeup and waxing, and creating perfect eyebrows and eyelashes. She will also do your makeup for everyday, special events and weddings. With the Holidays coming up and lots of parties, you'll want to look your best! You won't want to hide behind a mask at Halloween! So please give Sandra a call and check out her website for more info here.

Sandra used to work at Umberto's Salon on Canon Drive in Beverly Hills for many years, but has moved on to a new location. She has set up her new place down the street at the Joseph Martin Salon in their light and airy loft upstairs.

Sandra does the makeup for quite a number of celebrities, including Natalie Cole, but always makes everybody feel like a star! I have been going to Sandra for years and can't say enough positive things about her work. I am a natural redhead, and actually have blond eyelashes and eyebrows which make me look rather faded away. She dyes or "tints" my eyelashes black using a very natural dye that is not harmful. It doesn't hurt to have it done. She shapes my eyebrows perfectly, and tints them ever so slightly too. I always feel I look better afterwards. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to see her in quite some time due to an eye injury but I can't wait to go back.

A glowing review from another fan:

"The Beauty Loft, upstairs at Peter Ishkhans at Joseph Martin Salon is LA’s version of New York loft beauty. In this bright airy space you can’t help but feel beautiful. The lighting is exceptional for make-up and trust me, Sandra Dee will not miss a hair on your face. The salon's vibe is fresh, easygoing and is all about making our clients feel exactly what they deserve, “the best.”

Call and make an appointment today!

You'll be delighted with the results!

Sandra Dee

310.880.0682

sandra@thebeautyloftla.com

thebeautyloftla.com

The Beauty Loft

Located upstairs at Peter Ishkhan's

at the Joseph Martin Salon

275 N. Canon Drive

Beverly Hills, CA 90210

Photos from Sandra Dee's website

Behind Our Mask

The time is near for Halloween,

will you join in the party scene?

Wear a mask and costume,

or ride around on a broom?

Take the children door to door,

gathering trick or treats galore?

Just be sure to put on your best face,

so you'll arrive with grace.

Short poem by me

Carnival Mask photo via We Heart It

Going, Going... Almost Sold....

Just a quick post to tell you about an Ebay auction I just stumbled across. It's for a "Vintage Hollywood Regency Gold Faux Bamboo Flatware Set" that could make a chic and glamorous table setting. It reminds me of days gone by, out by the pool, with decor in the manner of Kelly Wearstler, Joe Nye, Mary McDonald, Woodson & Rummerfield, and so on.

This is the direct link...

Vtg Hollywood Regency Gold Faux Bamboo Flatware Supreme

I don't normally post things I discover that are up for auction but this looks so pretty. There are only about 11 hours until the auction ends and there are already a lot of bids. It's a set of 10 complete servings stainless steel and gold electroplated by Supreme. What do you think of it?

Colors of the Night

Don't you just wanna wear that and lye on that bed!

Charcoal grey and peachy mauve look pretty together

and the patterns and textures are amazing.

Time and Time Again

Happy 10-10-10

at 10:10:10 am & 10:10:10 pm

Only once in a hundred years,

will this time ever pass us by again.

Yet each moment comes only once in our lives,

then forever passes us by.

Thinking about where Ive been,

Wondering... should I go down that path again?

Whats around the other corner?

Better pause a moment to wonder...

and ponder...

before I just wander.

More of the same?

Humm... I think it's time to change.

Rambling Thoughts by Me

Hello October

Fall has changed the leaves,

and there's a slight breeze.

All is a glow in amber golden light,

telling me every thing's gonna be alright.

Wishing everybody a beautiful weekend.

A little poem by me :)

Photo Credits:

Hello October via tumblr

Fall Leaves via Slss blog

Bird in Sunlight via Amarynthia on Flickr

Fall Leaves and Trees with Girl by Lake via Live Internet

Redhead and Fall Leaves via Image Shack

I Dreamed A Dream

Il Podere Villa in Grosseto Area, Tuscany, Italy

Sometimes I'll have a dream and then years later, I'll find a picture or see a place that matches the scenery in my dream perfectly. Years ago, I had a dream I was at this villa in Tuscany, although in my dream it was definitely night time. How can that be when I've never seen this place or been there before? Has that ever happened to you?

It's been a while since I've posted on my blog. I'm still here... and wanted to just jump back in and say hello to all my followers. Thank you so much for staying with me. It means a lot to me you're all still here too. I hope you are all doing well and that we can catch up. I will have more to post soon! Bonnie :)

Photo Credits:

Il Podere Villa in Grosseto Area, Tuscany, Italy

(I'm not sure if this info is correct but that's how the pic was tagged

although info and pic are now missing from the original website.)

via We Heart It and

via ItalianVillas.com

La Cienega Design Quarter Events

What events and places are you going to? Click here for LCDQ's Event Schedule and more info.

I went to Rose Tarlow Melrose House this morning for the "East Meets West" Panel Discussion with Virgil McDowell, Joe Nye, Mary McDonald, and Carolina Irving and Lisa Fine of Irving & Fine, moderated by Pamela Jaccarino, Editor in Chief of Luxe Interiors + Design. There were so many people there... it was packed! It was a fabulous discussion with the panel showing wonderful pictures of their work. It ended with a great vignette of old Hollywood movies featuring some fabulous designs!

I had the wonderful opportunity to meet Virgil McDowell and to see Joe Nye again after many years. I also met Brooke Giannetti who has the lovely blog, Velvet & Linen at this morning's event too.

Well, I just can't sit around knowing the doors to the design world have been flung open... so I'm going back out there to see what more I can see! Maybe I can meet some more of my fellow bloggers out there... Christian May of Maison21 and Ivan Meade of Meade Design Group, and anybody else who's going... look for me... I'm the redhead with the big smile on her face gazing at all the fabulous decor!

This afternoon was a beautiful sunny day, perfect for walking around La Cienega, visiting with others, and seeing the stunning designer showrooms.

We stopped by Lee Stanton Antiques for refreshing cocktails and tasty h'ordorves and feasted on the "MANtique" decor. What is MANtique? It's "the use of masculine, chic and streamlined antiques and the creation of a strong, classic and current style." Unfortunately, I missed the panel discussion but many others were there to hear more about MANtique from Interior Designer Waldo Fernandez; David Keeps, of Los Angeles Times and Ovatition; and Giles Taylor, Chief Designer Jaguar Cars, Ltd. moderated by Mitchell Owens, Editor at Large, Elle Decor. Judging by the decor, it must have been magnificent.

Moderator, Wanda Jelmini, Marc Friedland, and Irene Neuwirth

I was able to attend the panel discussion for "La Dolce Vita, The Sweet Life of design with color influences in the home, film and fashion." Our panelists included Wanda Jelmini, Creative Director, Missoni Home; Marc Friedland, President, Creative Intelligence; and Jewelry Designer, Irene Neuwirth. Ronda Carman who we know from her wonderful blog, All the Best, was to moderate the discussion, but she was unable to be there. We had a wonderful sub who's name escapes me. Please tell me if you know... It was a lively talk covering everything from black and white, the 64 crayola coloring box, all the colors of the rainbow, and the entire Pantone spectrum. They spoke about how color trends of the season are chosen, about different colors combinations, and how color is seen on us each day and around the world. Be sure to check out their websites for some incredible sights and sounds!

The lovely gift bag from Missoni Home included many colorful brochures, a sample of Missoni Acqua Eau de Toilette, and a beautiful soft towel that looks surprisingly good with my colorful 1930's Art Deco tile bathroom floor. Definitely check out the Missoni Home website, it's FABULOUS! It's so fresh, colorful and lively with some great music on it too! Thank you Missoni Home!

It was indeed a beautiful day sprinkled with laughter and smiles. I can't wait for more tomorrow.

Architecture ~ Our Couture Structure

Lee Plaza Hotel in Detroit closed in 1990's

Urban Decay

Girl in the Balloon via Amy Sol at Disign Milk

Foggy Dubai via Dave and Mairi on Flickr

"Dubai had this incredible building boom over the last some years. Huge real estate development projects have included some of the world’s tallest skyscrapers and most massive projects, like the Emirates Towers (the 12th and 29th largest buildings in the world, connected by a huge shopping center, the Boulevard), the Burj Dubai (a needle-thin building, at 2,684 ft., tallest man-made structure in the world), the Palm Islands (fantastical artificial island complexes, including one photographed from space that looks like a palm tree), and the second most expensive and tallest hotel in all the world, the Burj Al Arab (the one that looks like a giant sailing ship)."

From The Dubai Debacle by David S. White,

Head of Real Estate and Business Litigation at Fainsbert Mase & Snyder, LLP

December 1, 2009 ~ via Fox and Hounds Daily

La Mer via Tamishka on Live Journal

New York: The City That Never Sleeps

via Cbeji 7pu6 on Live Journal

Consolation by Alexiuss on DiviantArt.com

Homo Disparitus by Artist Francois Baranger

Angkor Wat via Phenomenica

Biblioteca do Convento via Fabio Panico on Flickr

Ruins

Star Wars Episode III ~ Revenge of the Sith

2005 Lucas Film, Ltd.

Digital Matte Painting by Yanick Dusseault, Visual Artist

Space Collective

The Ephemerist via Sparehed.com

La Douleur Exquise via Miss Wall Flower on Tumblr

White Tower by Snow Skadi on DiviantArt.com

Life is Grand via Paul M. Watson on Tumblr

Dynamic Architecture

Dubai

This is a real building.

Green Dreams Are Made of This via Gunpowder Magazine

In Gorgeousness We Trust

ET Comes Home via Gunpowder Magazine

Made out of moulded concrete and secured to a metallic pad, Jet House is like nothing the design world has seen before, with sweeping round curves and a saucer-shaped silhouette. Created to look as if in motion despite being anchored in place (and there we were hoping it might actually take to the skies!), the architectural masterpiece features a Jetson Family-style elevator and James Bond-inspired button-activated staircase. Indeed, it's the type of minimalist pad we can imagine Dr Evil calling home.
www.jeromeolivet.com / Images: Jérôme Olivet

Planet SF via Focused on Light

Photo by Stephen Des Roches

Taken from Treasure Island very early in the morning, Stephen Des Roches built a 17 frame pano of the San Francisco skyline but at 34000 pixels wide, it was a bit too much for the web. Using a section of the photo, this was his first attempt at creating one of those planet things that are becoming fairly popular.

Johanna Uhrman

Oh Joy Happy Friday Summer in the City via Oh Joy blog

Popflower Le Blog Tendance Pop

Architecture

Our Couture Structure

Couture Architecture

Couturechitecture

Architcouture

Are We Sure?

I have a collection of architectural photos, many are above, some are in books, others are out there in internet land, some are of old family homes and others are places I've been to, seen with my own eyes, walked through, climbed to the top of, even wandered in by mistake. When I look at them, I begin to think about time, and our desire to create something new, only to set it aside after a while in search of something else, the next latest greatest creation. We move forward, demanding change, reaching higher, building bigger, stronger, often wiser and brighter. But when we get the latest, it seems we try to recreate the past once we realize what we had is no longer here.

Ever notice the difference between "Here" and "There" can be seen as only a cross in the road, perhaps just a different direction? How would things be if we took a different path in life, or lived in a different place? Must we always be changing? Why can't we just "be?" Sometimes I long for things and people to return to the way they used to be. I realize that it is often the people that are really changing more than the buildings they occupy. Sometimes it's their presence or lack of it, that creates the emotions I feel towards a place.

I admire both the architecture and interior design of the past, as well as the modern styles, even that which exists only as a fantasy in the movies or in one's imagination. However, I find it sad to see old buildings, furniture, and other such treasures left behind, discarded as if they are meaningless, often left to fall into ruin. They were important to someone at some point in time. What makes one person so sentimental for the past, even for a time long before they were born, more so than another who doesn't care about it at all?

I am sure it would be great to have a nice new modern home, and I can just imagine shopping for the sleek chic furnishings such as those in my previous posts and even some I hope to show you... in the future. It would be so nice to have a place that doesn't have cracks in the walls, foundation problems, or plumbing problems, and other such issues.

Despite all the possible problems one can have with an old home, or place, I actually prefer an older home with character, warmth and charm. Then again, my old home is full of good times that linger in my mind as memories do. I have a great fascination with old villas, chateaus, cottages, and homes and wonder about their history and who lived in them. I'm always wondering what might be in their attic or basement, or behind that closed door that needs the old key to open it. It's as if there must be something fascinating to discover, some old photos and fine treasures in an old forgotten trunk, and maybe even money stashed in the walls. Perhaps I will tell you some stories about the old treasures I discovered which helped me learn more about my family and myself.

For now, I love hearing about the older places that were saved and restored and returned to their fine glory. I wish I could restore my old place, just need to find a bunch of money behind a wall or in a trunk!

It just seems this pattern of changing so much happens with other things too. Toss out the old, in with the new. Let's just pause a bit before we act so quickly. We can make room for both in our lives whether under one roof or separately and that goes for people too. Everybody is important. Let's admire and respect both, for what is new today, will be old some day too. Discover the purpose, beauty and joy in both.

Love Your Place where ever you may be in life.