The Langham: Sydney

The Langham Hotel, Sydney recently completed a renovation and its just real, real pretty. I'd definitely endure that 16 hour plane ride for a few nights at this place: the Harbour view outside your window, three gorgeous restaurant options, and even a 'pampered pets' program. I might never leave. 

The Grand Foyer: 

The Ballroom Lobby: 

Suites & Accommodations:  

Dining Spaces: 

Possibly my favorite space, the Chef's Tasting Table: 

- CMD

Weekend Reading: "The Rosie Project"

I needed to rest this weekend. Although I didn't manage to make quite enough time for it as I should have, I was smart enough to get myself a book which usually keeps me on the couch at least for awhile. I started and finished Graeme Simsion's first novel The Rosie Project in less than 48 hours and enjoyed every minute of it! 

If you love The Big Bang Theory's Sheldon Cooper, you'll love this book's main character, Don Tillman, just as much or (dare I say) more. A genetics savant, schedule-following, socially unaware professor who doesn't know it but likely sits on the autism spectrum, Don decides its time to find a wife. With the "Wife Project" fully underway, a mistaken applicant (Rosie) walks into his life and turns his order into chaos. 

As Don and Rosie work together to solve her genetics mystery, Don finds himself having the best days of his life since his pre-teen years at New York's Museum of Natural History (which previously held all top three spots of life's best days). Although not sure if he is able to feel love, Don inadvertently makes a pretty good boyfriend, and maybe more...  

The Rosie Project is a beautifully written novel with a fresh take on the genetic variant that is Asperger's syndrome, the benefits of unlikely relationships, a willingness to change oneself and the joy that can bring. 

And I already downloaded its sequel - The Rosie Effect! 

Check out a real book review on The Rosie Project here. 

- CMD 

March: The Dusty Spring

Spring is ALMOST here. March feels like the 'dusty' spring. Like its trying to come out of winter, shaking off all the snow and cold as we head into April. March feels fresh (we had 70 degree temps yesterday!) but is still a little subdued, a little quiet as we wait for Spring to truly arrive. 

Check out these things this March: 

Inman Park Restaurant Week

(The Luminary has been added!)

Washington D.C. Cherry Blossom Watch Updates

(watch the blossoms bloom through a photographer's eyes)

Freedom Farmer's Market Opens!

Club Monaco's New Spring Arrivals 

Wine Tasting Event at the High Museum

(a preview to their annual wine auction) 

  Dining Table // Jenna Lyons // Decor Cues at Club Monaco   

- CMD 

My Favorite Art Trend: The Oversized Piece

Art is so personal. I love to choose art for my clients, but I particularly enjoy it when I can tap into what they love and find them something that really speaks to their heart in particular. Bonus, if I love it too! 

The gallery wall has been such a big trend in art placement for so long, but I'm a bigger fan of one piece of oversized art to fill a large wall. OR like the last photo below, a large grouping of similar pieces, framed the same way and hung edges touching. 

An oversized pieces of art can work in basically any space, heres proof: 

One // Two // Three // Four // Five // Six // Seven

- CMD 

WORK OUT: for free!

One of my 30 Things in Year 30 was to seek out and utilize more free workout options in Atlanta. I'm pretty cheap when it comes to paying for fitness, telling myself instead that I'll 'definitely just go run outside' or 'play tennis twice a week' or 'lift weights at home'. But, alas, when its 30 degrees outside (or even 50 degrees outside, lets be honest) my motivation for those by-myself outside workouts is pretty weak. 

A workout class is probably my favorite type of fitness activity - love a Pure Barre class, spin class, Pilates, you name it. But those classes add up FAST. 

So, I did some digging and although I didn't find as many free workout options as I'd hoped, Atlanta has some pretty great offerings at the low cost of no cost!

- Atlanta Beltline Free Fitness Classes 

(I've added a bunch to my calendar!)

- Atlanta Activewear Complimentary Yoga

(Saturdays at 9 AM- beautiful shop in a great location)

- lululemon Saturday Sweat Sessions

(variety of classes at their Westside shop)

I plan to take advantage of my first one starting next Saturday, and hopefully many Saturdays to follow. 

Image via Nike. Shop the collection here. 

- CMD

Pug Lovin'

Today is National Love Your Pet Day, and I couldn't love these two pugs more. They are so full of personality and loyalty and courage - just like every dog God created. Give your dogs a little extra love today. I'm going to miss these two pug faces this weekend! 

Photos by Larissa Rene Photography

- CMD

Spring by Serena & Lily

Serena & Lily's new Spring collection is a definite breath of fresh air. Its basically an arctic chill in Atlanta right now, but my mind is on my one-day-away trip to sunny and (relatively) warm South Florida! Serena & Lily usually gets it right, but I'm really loving the sophisticated but artisan feel of this very beach-inspired line. I really want two of those folding stools in the blush leather!

 One // Two // Three // Four // Five // Six // Seven // Eight

- CMD 

Herrera Homes

I met Carolina Herrera once while I was in high school. I volunteered to help change models' clothing backstage at Herrera's fashion show at The Breakers hotel in Palm Beach. It was basically as glamorous as it sounds, and so was Carolina. She was gracious and kind and funny. I'd seen some of her gowns on the red carpet prior to that day and loved them. But after meeting her I was smitten with the entire line, the designer herself and now her daughters. 

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week is taking place in New York City this week and Carolina Herrera is debuting her Fall line today. Oh what I wouldn't give to be backstage! Instead, we'll have to settle for her (equally glamorous) daughters' homes. 

First up is Patricia's NYC apartment. Patricia is Creative Director for her mother's fashion line and I think her home is reflective of that title. Its sophisticated, unexpected, eclectic - creative. 

Carolina (daughter) is the Creative Fragrance Director for Carolina Herrera. She lives in Madrid in the amazing apartment below. Its equally as eclectic as her sister's home, but feels but more laid back to me. I don't know which one I love more! 

Which home would you want to live in? 

Carolina's Home // Patricia's Home

- CMD

World's Most Amazing Flower Markets

Valentine's Day must be this country's biggest day for giving and receiving flowers. I like to receive flowers, but I like to give them more. This year, I'm working on my flower arranging skills as part of my #30thingsinyear30 and so far, so good (I've given one bouquet, but it was a success!). My favorite part of giving flowers is shopping for them. I absolutely love a flower shop, market, grocery store section, street stand, you name it. 

In honor of Valentine's Day, I searched for the world's most amazing flower markets and I was pretty blown away.  Want. to. visit. them. all. 

Brussels, Belgium

Blumenmarkt Kalkutta, India

Amsterdam, the Netherlands

Bali, Indonesia

Covent Garden, London

Bangkok, Thailand

A Guide to Shopping the L.A. Flower Market

- CMD

Porter Teleo: A Painterly Palette

Every time I walk into the Porter Teleo section of their local Atlanta showroom, my heart skips a little beat. Their pieces are just so darn pretty. When Kelly Wearstler boldly used one of their wallcoverings in her stair foyer, I  was seriously impressed. As was the rest of the design world. 

Since then, their designs continue to be equally statement-making, while always feeling completely refined. If such a bold approach isn't your thing, a little Porter Teleo can also go a long way - I'm dying to have some throw pillows in our bedroom! The company was founded and is run by two women, artist Kelly Porter and interior designer Bridgett Cochran. Everything they create is hand printed and hand painted. And beautiful. Just sayin'. 

One // Two // Three // Four // Five // Six 

- CMD 

Be Still My Heart: 2.7.15

A roundup of things that made my heart happy this week- weekend reading! 

This insanely gorgeous French restaurant, Claudette, in Greenwich Village. I've already added it to my list of things I have to do when I visit this year. I love when a restaurant can just transport you to a place, this one has me dreaming of a trip to France as well as one to NYC. 

Shakira just seems like the coolest and she recently welcomed her second precious little boy. For both children she has worked with UNICEF for a World Baby Shower to raise money for water kits and measles vaccines for children all over the world. She's literally changed the lived of hundreds of thousands of children by raising money and awareness during such a special time for her family. She don't lie, her hips don't lie, she's an inspiration. 

Its almost Girl Scout cookie time. Its. almost. Girl. Scout. cookie. time. The Bourbon Review posted on the best bourbon pairings with Girl Scout Cookies. I don't even like bourbon, but I really like Girl Scout cookies. 

This adorable tassel sconce by Coleen & Company. Wouldn't it be so cute in a little girl's nursery!? 

I've been following Jessica Shyba's instagram feed of her beautiful family for a bit now. She's gained fame by posting incredibly lovable photos of her son Beau and their rescue dog Theo napping together every day. This week she released a book on the same topic. Its awesome to see a happy family find some success simply for being happy (and tons of really hard work, I'm sure!). 

- CMD

5 "Making Memories" Valentines Gift Ideas!

Husband and I are not big "gift" people for Valentines Day, and by that I mean the type of gifts that come in a box. Probably this tradition started because I really wanted tickets to a Jimmy Buffet concert or something sophisticated and romantic like that, but we usually opt to gift each other some sort of experience.   I can remember a lot of the things we've done over the past 15 years and thats pretty special to me. Although our lives have gotten so busy that I'm sure there were years where our annual Feb. 14th pizza date (our other Valentines Day tradition) was the only adventure we had, we tend to get back to it more years than not. I'm sharing a few of my favorite Atlanta-based ideas, ranging from budget-friendly to budget-busting! 

1. Billy Joel concert tickets 

2. Richard Petty Driving Experience (for the adventure-loving couple!)

3. Wine Tasting at Murphy's Restaurant 

4. Georgia Tech Basketball Game (we did this last year and it was so much fun!)

5. Fernbank Science Center Observatory (its free!)

#letsmakeamemory

- CMD

Pin-Worthy: 6 Bloggers to Follow Right Now

Pinterest is like a little mini-vacation for your brain, any time you want to go somewhere. Its non-stop inspiration for our homes, our wardrobes, even our lives. Although sometimes Pinterest can be just a wee-bit overwhelming (at least for me), most of the time its a very happy place to be. These six bloggers, whose daily musings I also highly recommend, go a long way to keep my Pinterest feed joyful, inspirational and full of beauty. Follow them all here: Mackenzie Horan of Design Darling, Caitlin Flemming of Sacramento Street, Jamie Meares of I Suwannee, Haskell Harris of Daily Shot, Camille Styles of Camille Styles and last but certainly not least Emily Henderson of Style by Emily Henderson. Happy pinning! And be sure to follow my pages here.

Photo credits: Closet // Beads // Tablescape // Cabinet // Magazines // Em's House

- CMD

Take me Away... to Casa Mosaico

Its cold out. The #blizzardof2015 is in full swing up north and Atlanta is pretty cold too. On top of that, I've been jonesing for some travel. Usually at this time of year, I'm juggling the dates on my calendar to book some wedding trips and a vacation or two. But not this year. So, while I was wistfully thinking of all of the warm places I'd rather be, I remembered a little hotel I'd come across and tucked away for a blustery day. Today's the day.  

Casa Mosaico is bursting with about as much charm as one little rental home can have. Its in Granada, Spain and the website says its surrounded by orange, lemon and cherry trees. Sold. Admittedly, its actually not that warm in Granada right now. But this home exudes so much warmth and coastal cuteness that I could lay around in it all day and just pretend its 80 degrees out.

- CMD