Getting settled in...

Ok then. Here we are in our hotel in downtown Atlanta. We walked over to the Marriott Marquis and the inside architecture is amazing. Swarming with people for the show and hotel bound because of the show. Lookout tomorrow...... Here we come!!!

On our way....

Sitting on the plane in Houston. Atlanta, here we come!!!

Time to get shopping......

I am well on my way to the Atlanta Gift Show......so lots to share later in the week...tune back in for what's new.......
I'm travelling with the lovely Miss Pam of Ink & Peat......we are going to have a great time!

Check back soon!

Mrs. O....

So I am heading to Atlanta on Thursday (for the Gift Show).....and on our last trip (Morocco & Portugal) saw a total failure of my poor little suitcase. Total bummer as it was the perfect sized little wheelie with orange and white zebra stripes. (Never have to guess if that black suitcase is mine.....)..so today I was at TJ Maxx in search of said new suitcase, to no avail. Some are too big, some too small and some just too black. I know, I know, I wear nothing but black all the time, but this is different. Anyhoo......there was one piece that would have worked just fine, but for the fact that it was pink......uh, I think not!

While I did not find a suitcase, I did find a beautiful book. I am often amazed at some of the discount stores, to just how many cool books they have. The book I got is called Mrs. O - The Face of Fashion Democracy.

I LOVE Michelle Obama. She is completely lovely.....and intelligent, and stunning, and stylish..... as this book eloquently points out by featuring an event that she attended, such as the Inauguration, and then discusses her fashion style at the event as well as discussing the designer (like Maria Pinto) of the outfit. Love it! .....I almost fell over when the price on the book was only $5.99. Okay...I guess I will just have to get it then.....

While it is only 9:30, it is a chilly night, I have just put a new down comforter and new sheets on the bed and I plan to get cozy and pour over my lovely new book. Off I go........ Have a good night!

Petunia loves Stella. Hilarious.

Last cocktail for the rest of the week......really!

Last one, I promise! At the end of this work day...off we went to OBA - in the Pearl - for one last cocktail for the week.....this one was a Blood Orange Margarita - quite tasty!!! That's it then...... I'm pooped!

....and another one.....

OK - I am ALMOST done with my two day Happy Hour binge - almost - but THESE cocktails were not consumed during an actual Happy Hour...it was another lunch thing.....this time at Tasty & Sons - on N. Williams - SO DELICIOUS! Run screaming to Tasty & Sons and order the Maple Yams as a side dish - in fact, it is so delicious, you might just want to make it your meal. But be sure and add one of these drinks - I had the Spanish Coffee (delish) and Miss Cindy had the Vampire - a Bloody Mary with a SERIOUS kick.........

You will be surprised to know that I did manage to get a fair amount of work done over the last few days, despite appearances. Seriously. Quit rolling your eyes.

why stop now.....

Allrighty then..... so last night I went to yet another Happy Hour, this time at Beaker & Flask (with Miss Sue and Weirdo Todd - to record our weekly homestylehapyhour.blogspot.com) at SE Sandy & Washington - on the east side - 7th-ish and Sandy. I had a Rye Whiskey Sour - YUM! and we had the panna cotta - beignet thing - another YUM! So as of last night, I was at two happy hours in two days....YIKES!

Another Happy Hour......

OK...surely you have noticed that I LOVE a good Happy Hour...I love a not so good Happy Hour for that matter. All in all, I love going out for cocktails. So lucky me, for lunch yesterday, after checking out the event space at The Indigo, we went upstairs to Masu for lunch. Lunch. Then guess what we found on the cocktail menu? The Hello Kitty - so what do I love as much as cocktails - HELLO FREAKING KITTY! Imagine it - so I HAD to have it.....and what a delicious treat. I also had the pork ramen for lunch and it was a scrumptious combination.

A super cool event space......

I am helping out with an event this Friday at an amazing small event space. It is at the Indigo Building, at SW 13th & Washington in downtown Portland. The space is on the rooftop with a dining/living space - a small catering kitchen - an amazing 3 sides of the building rooftop entertaining space - amazing views and a 15 foot long fireplace in the space. What a lucky group having this luncheon on Friday!

Look what I found at the flower market this morning!!!

Mine. All mine. Agave Franzosinii. Yippee!!!!

Our sweet kitties....

Happy New Year from Buddy and Princess. So damn cute!!!!

Last day of the year at the shop......

Last day of the year at the shop....

HAPPIEST OF NEW YEARS TO ALL OF YOU!!!!

This morning at the flower market...

Check out this crazy unusually shaped pepper...of some sort. Had to take a picture. No tag on it, so the mystery remains. Anyone????? Bueller?

A day of trawling.....

I love lighting....LOVE. So today I went in search of some new to me/vintage lighting at one of my favorite spots, Lounge Lizard. I found these three killer pieces. If I had ANY room left in my house, I would sooooooo get the yellow periscope lamp. UP PERISCOPE! Totally unique. Yours for a mere $85..........

Now it's off to Pinot American Bistro with Sue and Eric and her parents visiting from Texas......I'm hoping they still have their amazing fried chicken on the menu.......

Have a lovely evening!

The Merriest of Xmas' to you!

...and your Agave......... (hilarious!)

...we had a relaxing day of cocktails, a side of bacon and new movies.......

Now it's off for a Chinese feast (and more cocktails) for dinner! Happy Holidays!!!!

Jj de Sousa sent you an ElfYourself dance!

Greetings!

Jj de Sousa sent you this ElfYourself dance:

http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/view/hKKPSI0NO6EH37brFQ2v

HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE.......I can't seem to get enough of this jub jab stuff...this time it is Elf Yourself..the 2010 version! Ho Ho Ho!

i love a good tulipere....

If you have been in my shop more than once, you will surely know that I have a few things that I really love......Gnomes, squirrels, all things chinoiserie......which would of course include tulipieres........ Tulipieres come in many shapes and sizes, but they were originally formed in a semi-pagoda style.......so you might be tempted to think that they might be Chinese of origin, but they are in fact, a Dutch thing. In the 1600's hybridized tulips were being traded on the market like stocks are being traded now. Certain new and exciting varieties would be traded for the same price as a house. So here is the Asian style tie-in.....tulips - which are thought of as a Dutch thing (and now really now are a Dutch thing...) actually have their origins in the Far East, so the tulipieres were created in an Asian or chinoiserie style to reflect that origin. The main purpose of the tulipiere was to show off individual expensive varieties of tulips, thereby showing off your extreme wealth. Interesting to note is that the bottom eventually fell out of the tulip market much like our modern financial disasters....time just repeats itself. I love the history of things.......geeky, but kinda cool!

Anyhoo..........The pair pictured below are very traditionally shaped tulipieres done in a typical Delft Blue and probably about 5 feet tall. I saw one similar (but bigger and more ornate - with gold ormolu) at the V & A in London.....

Of course, there are many modern takes on the traditional tulipiere, which I love...and we just got a bunch of them in the shop....here is what we have in the shop.....so many great choices! Don't you know someone who would LOVE one of these for Xmas?????

So modern and cool! I love these gray pieces....so unique and modern....

Here is a photo of a coral branching tulipiere and a smaller version of the gray one two photos back. The yellow roses really popped against the gray and were a good substitute for tulips. I also have placed tillandsias where tulips should be and it is SUPER cool!!!!!

These artichoke tulipiers are a more subtle and conservative version, but the green one ( I didn't get the pink one - blech!) is quite lovely!

Allrighty then........ have a great last week of Xmas shopping! We hope to see you!!!! As always, the espresso is on us!!!

A day in Seattle.

Miss Barbara and I spent Monday shopping at Pike's Market in Seattle
and stopoped at the Pink Door for lunch. What a great place. No sign
outside, just a pink door......

They actually have women swinging on trapeze during certain lunches
and at dinner. Crazy!!!

THE PANTONE COLOR OF THE YEAR 2011 IS......

HONEYSUCKLE.........
YIKES!!!!! Anyone who knows me knows I love color....just not this color........My new intern, Cullen, described it as "old lady lipstick". He hit it right on the nose........

Sorry to those of you that don't dislike shades of pink like I do, but there it is. Yuck.........

Anyhoo......here is the press release.....

----------------------------------------------------------

Pantone Reveals Color of the Year for 2011:PANTONE 18-2120 Honeysuckle

Energizing Honeysuckle Lifts Spirits and Imparts Confidence to Meet Life's Ongoing Challenges...

CARLSTADT, N.J., Dec. 9, 2010 – Pantone LLC, an X-Rite company (NASDAQ: XRIT), and the global authority on color and provider of professional color standards for the design industries, today announced PANTONE® 18-2120 Honeysuckle, a vibrant, energetic hue, as the color of the year for 2011.

While the 2010 color of the year, PANTONE 15-5519 Turquoise, served as an escape for many, Honeysuckle emboldens us to face everyday troubles with verve and vigor. A dynamic reddish pink, Honeysuckle is encouraging and uplifting. It elevates our psyche beyond escape, instilling the confidence, courage and spirit to meet the exhaustive challenges that have become part of everyday life. “In times of stress, we need something to lift our spirits. Honeysuckle is a captivating, stimulating color that gets the adrenaline going – perfect to ward off the blues,” explains Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. “Honeysuckle derives its positive qualities from a powerful bond to its mother color red, the most physical, viscerally alive hue in the spectrum.” Eiseman continues, “The intensity of this festive reddish pink allures and engages. In fact, this color, not the sweet fragrance of the flower blossoms for which it was named, is what attracts hummingbirds to nectar. Honeysuckle may also bring a wave of nostalgia for its associated delicious scent reminiscent of the carefree days of spring and summer.” Honeysuckle is guaranteed to produce a healthy glow when worn by both men and women. It's a striking, eye-catching hue that works well for day and night in women's apparel, accessories and cosmetics, and in men's ties, shirts and sportswear. Add a lively flair to interior spaces with Honeysuckle patterned pillows, bedspreads, small appliances and tabletop accessories. Looking for an inexpensive way to perk up your home? Paint a wall in Honeysuckle for a dynamic burst of energy in the family room, kitchen or hallway.

Presenting..the Digs Inside & Out Cookbook.....tried and true recipes

It's finally here.......our new cookbook arrived today and I am thrilled!

I love to cook and entertain so I threw together a small collection of my favorite recipes and had them put together in a small book. YIPPEE!!!!

The book is available in the shop for $30.......it would make a great gift...i'm just saying....