I Believe in Breakfast

I was the bad kid in class who wouldn't put my hand over my heart during the pledge of allegiance. I still am for the most part, but what I will do is pledge my allegiance to breakfast. I am a breakfast person -- I think it's the most rewarding meal and since I'm usually cranky and starving in the morning, it's made even better if it's purchased.

The perfect places for the perfect breakfast:

Zoka: The best place for a power breakfast. Sometimes there is the conflict of wanting breakfast and coffee out, but needing to do it fast. This one is close by to me and you can get a pot of tea and a mini bacon and swiss quiche while getting the quick & dirty from the friend you dragged with you.

Tilth: My favorite place for the brunch and booze.* It holds a special place in my heart because it's home to some of my favorite meals with friends, but emotions aside, the food is kickass. The bloody mary's aren't just filled with boozy goodness, it's boozy goodness made with heirloom tomatoes. And after I fill up on cocktails, I usually get the biscuits and chicken gravy (did you just hear my heart stop?), but it's so freakin' good I don't care. This is a place where you linger because it's so damn good and the company you keep promotes it.

Cafe Presse: Le Pichet in the morning. Oh so French, oh so Capitol Hill.

And finally, Bagel Oasis: The "hung-over/I'm too much of a piece of shit to cook breakfast" breakfast. I love their bagel, egg and sausage sammy with an over-priced Naked Juice. Every time I'm there I'm surprised that the health department hasn't filed some grievance against them, but I'm usually in a state of hunger-induced delirium so I don't care. And even better, the shabby Northwest-y appearance of the patrons and staff make me feel like I'm really not looking so shitty after all, despite the haphazard compilation of clothing that usually accompanies visits to the O.

* Note: It aint brunch if it aint boozey

I'll Wear It...

But don't ask me to adopt the lifestyle.

I say more power to you if you have convictions that are strong enough for you to abandon things like Louboutin and Gucci (or rather, the dream of Louboutin and Gucci) but for me, it's more of a "shut up, that's plastic?" bonus.

I recently started carrying this bag which I first fell in love with when my friend, Lisa, bought it on Orcas Island. If you're not familiar with the San Juan Islands, that is unheard of since usually you only choose between a gift shop t-shirt or a cinnamon bun. With her blessing, I bought it the next time I was on Orcas and 4 months later (island time) it was mine.

Now, though, when I get the compliments that I so adore, I blurt out "Oh it's vegan, like, plastic? And it's cheap. Like 70 bucks." I have NO idea why I can't stop this vomit of words that follows the compliment and I chastise myself thinking "that is NOT how Gwenyth accepts compliments on her Stella McCartney, damn you, damn you!" How did a vegan bag make my rule of grasciously accepting compliments fly out the window?

I've been thrown. I'm suddenly socially responsible and socially inept due to a bag.

Why?

Silk flowers for $185. Just don't. For $185 dollars I could buy a new arrangement of fresh flowers every week at the market and I wouldn't run the risk of reminding myself of my Aunt Sandy, who lives in a trailer and chain smokes Virginia Slims.

(They do look darn good though, but I'm partial to peonies).

Color it Wonderful

I'm a big fan of bookshelves. I think they say a lot about a person if they are given any thought and this one, well I might be inclined to say "obsessive compulsive" but I'm also going to say "brilliant."

From a profile of the editors' workspaces at Martha Stewart Living (via January 2009's issue).

Oh Gag Me

While partaking in the media gluttony that is watching tv and surfing the internet at the same time, I just left "Real Housewives of Orange County" out in the cold due to this scene:



(Shhh, Bravo, I'll be back next week, I'll get over it, but right now I want to throw up.)

Ode to Celerie

I've been pouring over Celerie Kemble's book "To Your Taste" and realized that I have a bit of a girl crush.

Celerie, your spaces are refreshing, your style and take on design -- inspired. I wanted to give you a big (straight) kiss when you acknowledged that there are no design emergencies, but yet still defended the profession and honored the place that good design has in people's lives. You seem to strike a balance that I find refreshing and I admire the pages where practicality takes center stage with inventive solutions.

Plus, let's face it, you rock a personal style that conjures up a more inspired Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy. Simple elegance, but slightly edged in prep school angst, like Carolyn if she hadn't been preoccupied with being all "Kennedy." I mean, photos of yourself in a marble bathtub? Balls man, balls.

It won't stop snowing

I'm starting to get cabin fever and our unexpected weather is cutting into my vacation time. Not only that, but I still need to do some Christmas shopping and a few of my packages are delayed. Looks like the family will be getting lovely printouts of the books that I bought them or a big card filled with "IOU." We're going on about 10" in Seattle and day 4 of ice and snow, and considering that Seattle has some of the worst drivers, it's not pretty. Perhaps you heard about the bus that almost nearly crashed through a guardrail onto the freeway like it was a scene from Speed? I thought so.

Little Duckies

I fell in love with three little ducks this morning courtesy of designlabshop.com. Vintage Konstglas made in Sweden -- I particularly love the blue color.

Christmas is a Comin'

For me, it doesn't really feel like Christmas until I have gifts to wrap for people. Especially because I am a paper whore -- I love me a good wrapping paper and ribbon combination. Few things get me more me more excited at Christmas than the sight of presents and (honest, I swear) it's because of the wrappings. Now obviously this giddiness is not going to happen with just any old package and a roll of dancing santa paper, but watch out if you give me a present with some prettiness on the outside. I'm planning my 2009 collection and I came across this totally unrealistic but awesome idea courtesy of the queen of unrealistic awesome ideas, Martha Stewart.


As a side note, it's known in some circles that I'm bad at receiving presents, this might also contribute to my love of the adage "'better to give than receive."

David Collins

I recently saw a posting by Habitually Chic the other day that has got me thinking about success in the design industry.

There seems to be such a range of paths that a designer can take towards finding success in this profession and to me, David Collins seems to have taken talent and passion and turned it into a real, honest to goodness business. I know that we're all doing that, or trying to do it rather, but on a large, obvious scale, he has. I mean, not only has he built a style that he can own, but he's built a shrine to his vision , an empire -- one that is sought after and studied. I know that this might be an obvious post, but in an economic time when everyone is cutting back and layoffs are everywhere, having a lucrative business based on a unique vision is a combination that is harder for some to find than others.