Happy Thursday! Exciting news...

{Emily Chessar}




 


I am very excited to announce that starting next Thursday, my lovely friend, Emily Chessar, of Chessar Design, will be writing a weekly post on all things interior design. Emily has a keen eye for color and room layout and an uncanny sense of how to make spaces come together perfectly. I am so thrilled to share her talents with all of you... 



 {Here is a sneak peak of her beautiful work!}

 
                                          

And please feel free to stop by and join us for a rickshaw design trunk show this weekend at Emily's amazing abode! We would love to see you there for a little champagne and some beautiful tunics...

Wednesday Words: Oh hello beauty!

Clean lines.
Gold.
Classic.
A wee bit geometric.
I love you Clayton Gray.

Monday Musings: I am crazy for Blue!

I am not sure if it is because I am in love with blue that I seem to see it everywhere right now or if blue really is everywhere?!




                                                                              Check out this awesome outdoor pillow from West Elm



















I think this would be fun paired with any of the others from their current Summer Collection...

Or check out Benjamin Moore's Bermuda Blue as seen in Lonny Mag



It is like vacation on a wall!





















                                                                              Or the blue sky of La Jolla!

Payton running after the birds...

I have always loved nautical blue in bedrooms but I am starting to think that I would like a blue family room or even dining room! I would love to hear about your blue room dreams!



{Meg Braff for House Beautiful}

Happy Easter from The Laings!

We had so much fun going to the MAC Easter Egg Hunt this morning at the  Jeld-Wen Field. Payton was a real pro at collecting eggs and at one point filled up her entire bag and then proceded to start dumping it back onto the turf... :)

{The mad dash begins...}

{Soaking up the sun with Mom.}

 

{Enjoying the chocolate with her friend Pitt.}



{Pay's BFF Sloane}

{Mr. Pitt concentrating on his treasure.}

{Admiring the Easter Bunny (from a distance) }

It was the first sunny day we have had around here in awhile and you could feel the happiness in the air. I hope everyone has a wonderful Easter celebration for whatever that means to your family. We are off to The Heathman for Brunch tomorrow morning and then an Easter egg hunt for Pay at home. Have a wonderful Sunday.

Monday Musings: Dreaming of Sunshine!

We had so much fun at the San Diego Zoo  last week and I have been thinking about how wonderful it was to walk around in short sleeves and feel the warmth of the sun. Seriously, though. If you live in the Pacific Northwest then you know what a wet, cold Winter we have had this year. I know, I know, everything is green a lush and lovely here. :) But, alas, I am still ready to be outside for the season and I am daydreaming of sunny days ahead...

I haven't actually seen Meerkat Manor, but I can only imagine from this shot! :)

We waited in line for quite awhile to see this beauty, but she was well worth it! So cute!

Payton avoiding kisses from Mom (per usual...)

We have an amazing Zoo in Portland which we visit frequently when the weather is nice. My favorite part is the elephant exhibit. I love that we celebrate their birthdays and that you can attend evening concerts in the Summer on the lawn. This is especially fun with all of the babies and kids dancing and running around!

Payton's first Zoo trip @ 10 months

Wednesday Words: Resonance

"There are moments in our lives when we summon the courage to make choices that go against reason, against common sense and the wise counsel of people we trust. But we lean forward nonetheless because, despite all risks and rational argument, we BELIEVE that the path we are choosing is the right and best thing to do."

My brother posted this today on his Facebook page and it really resonated with how I have been feeling lately. We surround ourselves with amazing friends and family so that we can reciprocate consistent guidance and support, but occasionally we just know what is right for ourselves. It isn't that we are being contrary, just that we have to be our own self sometimes even if it means no one else will understand.

Monday Musings: The wonderful world of Southern California

I just spent the last 5 days in the San Diego area and I have to say, by the end of the trip we were trying to find reasons to move there! My hubby had a conference at the Rancho Bernardo Inn so Payton and I tagged along for a quick vacation. The architecture of this Inn is spectacular. I really love the moorish qualities of the windows and lines of the woodwork and stucco around the grounds.

The weather was mild and a little drizzly during our visit so we didn't spend much time in the pool but the golf course is stunning and each of the restaurants has a covered patio that looks out onto the golf course and the valley beyond.

I need to spend some time editing and organizing our photos from the rest of our adventure and I will share them soon. (Let's just say that Tidy Tuesday will mostly be spent on Picasa and Photoshop)

Have a lovely day!

Saturdays are for food.

I just had a lovely Brunch with my girlfriend, Sarah, @ Mother's Bistro in downtown Portland. They have cozy tables with crystal chandeliers and floral patterned pillows everywhere. (Very shabby chic.) I love their concept and their food is delicious!

They focus their dinner menu on a different Mother each month and actually use her family recipes! They also write up a beautiful bio. explaining her cultural heritage and why these particular recipes are important. What an amazing idea, right? Wouldn't it be so great to compile a recipe book with the best recipes from everyones' families?

I came home to my daughter watching Cinderella and playing in her kitchen. I wonder if she was dreaming up all of her family recipes?