I'VE ARRIVED IN SAN FRANCISCO

Sunday afternoon I pulled into San Francisco, the sun was shining, and driving over the Golden Gate Bridge I felt intrigued.  Intrigued by this city that seems to be a combination of Seattle and New York.   Maybe this is the best of both worlds.  Since I have arrived I have been driving around the city getting to know the streets (by the way most of them seem to be one way at the most inconvenient time), finding the dog parks for Mikey (my pup), and preparing for my first day at Joyus (which is today!).  

I dropped by a local coffee shop, in my new neighborhood - Pacific Heights.  Of course being from Seattle I am a bit particular about my coffee - Jane makes a good cup!

Tomorrow I will be moving into my San Francisco pad.  I am subletting for a few months to get to know the city, and am looking forward to unpacking.  Living out of a suitcase this past month has not been much fun.  The apartment was designed by a San Francisco based interior designer...

...and of course I am already planning my first series of soiree's.  

Once I am settled, my first plan of action is a regular morning workout routine - starting with the famous Lyon Street steps.

Have you been to San Francisco?  What are your favorite spots?  

OBSESSED WITH GOLD

It's no secret that I am passionate about decorating tabletops.  I have incorporated hints of gold throughout many of my designs, but right now I am completely obsessed with gold flatware.

via Horchow

Here are a few of my favorite tables that are sparkling in gold...

via Cline Rose Designs

via The Sweetest Occasion 

via Ritzy Bee

via Rashon Caraway

via Dilly Dalias

via The Lennoxx

NEW OPPORTUNITIES

Starting a new chapter in life is exciting, scary, and can be a bit disorienting.  The bottom line is that with new opportunities anything can happen.  All you can do is make a decision, wrap your arms around it, and jump in with both feet and give your best.  So, I am jumping into a new opportunity with both feet.  I am spending a few months in San Francisco to explore being part of an exciting and growing company, Joyus.  

Joyus was founded by former Google executive Sukhinder Singh Cassidy. She is a powerhouse with a great vision, and is supported by a group of very talented people.  Joyus teamed up with fashion blogger and tastemaker Gina Pell from Splendora (which Joyus acquired earlier this year) to produce beautifully shot segments where Gina walks viewers through collections and some of her favorite products, or interviews designers about their collections.  You get an intimate view of the designs, products, and people behind them.  I will be working with Joyus, partnered with a very talented buyer, to develop their home division as well as anchoring home segments - sharing great home products with you.  I hope that you'll follow me there.  Keep an eye out here, and on Facebook for some of my favorite products.  

HERE'S THE STORY...

Happy New Year everyone!  I hope that you had a very happy holiday.  As you can tell I have taken a break from the blog and Twitter world over the past month.  I have had some personal challenges, and some professional decisions to make.  Taking the time off to think, sleep, and spend time with friends and family has been vital for me.  I am so grateful for the acceptance, support, and love of the people in my life.  

Over the break I watched the movie Eat, Pray, Love (adore) and there was a scene where Julia Roberts was trying to find a word that defined her.  My word for 2012 is BALANCE.  As hard as I have worked over the years to build a brand, I can say that there were many sacrifices that were made.  Some of those sacrifices were necessary and some I very much regret, but now I can only move forward.   I will be moving forward with balance in mind and so I am moving from New York.

New York was an experience - more of a roller coaster ride.  I am thankful that I made new friends and for the insight I gained about myself, and my career.  There is a time for everything, and after six months in the Empire State, I am ready for the next opportunity.

That doesn't mean I will stop building my business, or being creative, and in fact I am on to a new adventure that I will write about tomorrow.  It does mean that there may be a day I don't post a blog or that I take off from Twitter, I need to remind myself of that balance I am now seeking.  I will be working to live, not living to work. Working towards more dimension, texture, and interest so that I can continue to grow as a person - not just a brand.   I hope that you will continue to join me on my journey.    

BERGDORF GOODMAN

When I lived in Seattle I used to pray for a business trip to come along to New York during the holidays just to see the windows at Bergdorf Goodman. They are always so over the top, and the detail is incredible. This year in one window those details included jewels. The theme is “Carnival of the Animals,” they took their inspiration from diverse settings reimagined in various materials… and the animals that dwell there. Crazy! Here you go...

I'M SPEAKING AT THE DESIGN BLOGGERS CONFERENCE!

Yes, it's true!  I'm so excited and honored to be speaking at the Design Bloggers Conference in Los Angeles.  I'll be speaking with Hardy Wallace about Building Your Brand: Growing Your Blog with Video.  If you don't know about Hardy, five years ago, he started an Atlanta based wine blog – Dirty South Wine.  With no goals or direction besides to just enjoy writing and shooting videos about wine, Dirty South Wine’s out of left field tone gained a loyal following of consumers and wine professionals.

It will be just in time for the launch of my new video show Make It Moore.  Yes, that's an announcement too!  I am in the process of taping a video series for my blog.  I am having a blast and I am hoping you will enjoy it too. 

We have something in common we both have been following and building a dream, and video happens to be an expression of our passion.  I am looking forward to being in the company of the other speakers that I know and adore like Tobi Fairley, Cassandra LaValle, and Ronda Carman of All The Best.

So sign up now, it's going to be a great event, and if you sign up now you can save $100 on your registration fee.  

TEA AT THE PLAZA

Even if you are away from home for the holidays you can learn to embrace the city that you are in and their traditions. That is what my mom and I did yesterday, we had tea at The Plaza Hotel.

The gorgeous hotel, the ceremony of it, and the Christmas music setting the scene underneath it all. A bit of history behind the tradition of High Tea first, it all started with Anna, the Duchess of Bedford (1788-1861) as the creator of teatime. Because the noon meal had become skimpier, the Duchess suffered from "a sinking feeling" at about four o'clock in the afternoon. At first the Duchess had her servants sneak her a pot of tea and a few pieces of bread. Adopting the European tea service format, she invited friends to join her for an additional afternoon meal at five o'clock in her rooms at Belvoir Castle. The menu centered around small cakes, bread and butter sandwiches, assorted sweets, and, of course, tea. This summer practice proved so popular, the Duchess continued it when she returned to London, sending cards to her friends asking them to join her for "tea and a walking the fields." The practice of inviting friends to come for tea in the afternoon was quickly picked up by other social hostesses.

Our High Tea experience started at The Plaza Hotel, as we were greeted by Betsy Johnson's Eloise Christmas tree.

Of course, the floral arrangements were amazing, fresh flowers dipped in glitter in silver and gold....

Then we entered The Palm Court, sat down and had a lovely tea.

The cute little sandwiches...

My favorite part, the desserts!

Although I miss my holiday traditions in Seattle, embracing those in New York with my mom in tow has been a very special experience.  One I will never forget.

If you are going to visit NYC anytime soon check it out, here are the details:



The Plaza’s Palm Court
Location: 768 5th Avenue, New York, NY 10019
Cost: From USD$48 per person and USD $28 for children
Dress code: Business casual attire recommended, but I say get dressed up!
Reservations: By phone on (212) 546 5300, palmcourt@fairmont.com or OpenTable.
When: Served daily 2pm – 5pm




After tea, we popped over to Bergdorf Goodman to check out the holiday windows. Come back tomorrow for those amazing pics!