Hot, Hot, Hot

June 10, 2013 By pearleandpiercehome in Fashion, Interiors, Obsessing Over, Uncategorized Tags: Emily Henderson, hot pink, hot pink chairs, hot pink dining room, hot pink furniture, hot pink sofa, hot pink wallpaper, Kishani Perera, Mary McDonald, Mimi Mortimer 1 Comment

Hot Pink.

It’s the latest color I am obessessing over.

I am super excited that one of my favorite clients ‘N” approved hot pink curtains with her Hague Blue Walls.

It is going to be divine.

My client “E” let me sneak some in her living room which made me super happy.

Hoping to do more.

In the meantime

Here are some of my favorite images featuring my color crush.

Hot Pink Sofas

Photo: Emily Henderson

Photos: Pinterest

Hot Pink Chairs

Photo: House & Home

Photo: janellemccullochlibraryofdesign.blogspot.com

You’ll always be in the “hot” seat in this chair.

Great price too!

Photo: Keep.Com

Photo: House Beautiful

The pop of hot pink on the chair cushions make this room.

And no wonder the room is so chic, it belongs to one of my style crushes, Minnie Mortimer and her husband Stephen Gaghan.

Photo: Pinterest

Hot Pink Entry Way

Photo: Mary McDonald

Typically not a fan of the hot pink/black combo.

It tends to look at little too “Gallery Z” for me, but this entry works.

Photo: Jonathan Berger

Throw some hot pink into your tablescape for a chic summer look.

Photo: Pinterest

Throw some hot pink into some of your accessories.

The hot pink pillows on the blue gray sofa gives the room pizazz.

Photo: Kishani Perera

I love the navy and hot pink on this throw and the serape vibe makes this a winner.

Buy It Here: www.biscuit-home.com

The hot pink color jumps out in these wallpapers.

Photo: hdwallpapers4desktop.com

I love this Elizabeth 2 Grey and Pink wallpaper by ”Madison & Grow” .

Photo: www.betterlivingthroughdesign.com

I love this shot and her outfit.

If only I could walk in heels.

I haven’t done that in 10 years.

Photo: www.pinterest.com

xoxo Carrie

Top two photos: Pinterest

Falling in Love Again

April 25, 2013 By pearleandpiercehome in Chit Chat, Interiors, Lifestyle, Obsessing Over, Where I am Shopping Tags: beach bags, Brass Home Decor Items, Hand Sanitizer Cozy, Jonathan Adler, Peacock Table, Pendant Lights, Pottery, Pouches, Shearling Chair, shearling Stools Leave a comment

When you are with your mate for a long time, you get used to them. You love them without doubt, but life, kids, etc. takes a toll on a relationship. You know what I’m talking about….It’s just not sexy time as much as it once was.

And then one ordinary day you take a second look and realize why you fell in love in the first place. And bam… all the fun, goodness and sexiness comes roaring back .

Just like when you were falling in love.

Well I have always loved Jonathan Adler. His quirky goodness. His campy style.

It was love at first site.

I have some his earliest pieces of pottery. They’re classics. But then, I took him for granted and started driving by his store.

Occasionally, popping in for a gift, a decorative pillow, some bookends. But I wasn’t coveting any furniture. I kind of just got used to his designs being around and started to ignore what was going on in his stores.

And then one ordinary day, I took a second look and realized why I fell for him and his work.

Now, I’m in love all over again.

Here are some of the things that are rocking my world and must have!

The Rio

$394

This is a great pendant light. I think it could work in a multitude of rooms.

Maxime Chair

$2,250

Spring is certainly coming in more like a Lamb than a Lion.

I am mad for shearling and fluffy lamb decor.

It’s catching on!

Mongolian Lamb Stool

$1,445

My friend Monica was just coveting some lucite and shearling stools on Ebay.

Wait till she sees this number.

Pagoda Umbrella

$495

This outdoor umbrella has great big style!

It makes me want to re-think all my outdoor decor.

The Junior Hand Sanitizer Cozy

$42

No germs around here with the adorable needle point hand sanitizer cozy.

Who really wants to look at that unpleasant plastic bottle on a counter?

Sun Jute Pouch

$78

The perfect little pouch to throw in your beach bag!

Money, keys, lip balm, i-phone, ponytail holders, sun screen, done.

Brass Peacock Table

$3,695.00

I sure would be proud to own this Peacock table!

I’m so glad I fell in love again.

I hope you can too.

It’s fun.

xoxo Carrie

Best Coffee by a Longshot!

March 2, 2013 By pearleandpiercehome in Obsessing Over, Point of View, What I'm Buying..., Where I am Shopping Tags: Coffee, Coffee+Food, Flat White Coffee Drink, Longshot Espresso, Mobile Espresso Carts 1 Comment

I am obsessed with Coffee+Food (more on that later) located in the Old Wild Oats Cafe space on Melrose.

One of the main reasons, besides the awesome Panini’s and the Kale Salad (it’s addictive, you’ve been warned) is their coffee.

Soooo while I was dreaming of the coffee to come I struck up a conversation with the oh so cute and charming man behind the coffee machine.

His name is Julio Uriarte and he is actually a “guest” barista representing the coffee company and he’s fabulous.

But the coffee he uses is even more fabulous.

The coffee beans come from Longshot Espresso.

It’s smooth, rich and strong, but it doesn’t have the bitterness that some chain coffees have.

And it’s not so strong that it melts your stomach lining.

Photo: LA Weekly

So here is the scoop on Longshot Espresso.

Aussie, Mark Baird relocated from Sydney to Los Angeles and discovered that our dear City of Angels didn’t have the espresso he loved and served his customers back in Australia.

He then set out on a mission to find a coffee that would not only satisfy his longing for a good bean, but to rescue Angeleno’s who have been sipping the bad stuff for so long.

He tested various roasts and beans for over a year until he found the perfect blend.

And that would be the classic, Longshot Australian Roast.

Longshot Espresso can be ordered on-line. It’s $14 a pound which is super reasonable for a gourmet coffee.

If you are having a party, they have a mobile espresso bar!

Brilliant if you need to sober people up before they head home.

The mobile espresso bar has also graced many a TV and movie set.
It’s the go to coffee service for some of the best caterers and party planners out there.

If you are a simple pedestrian like me. you’re in luck, you can pick up a cup or some beans at

the Yamashiro (season starts April, 2013) or Sherman Oaks Farmer’s Market.

Or my beloved Coffee + Food.

Do it soon.

Julio’s guest starring stint is coming to an end.

Ask for the flat white.

Yum.

xoxo Yours Truly,

Pleasantly caffeinated, Carrie

I’d rather call it Pistachio

February 1, 2013 By pearleandpiercehome in Fashion, Interiors, Obsessing Over Tags: interior design, J. Crew, Mint Green, Pistachio Color in Home Decor, Pistachio Cookie Recipe 3 Comments

I am obsessing over pistachio.

Photo: Julie Schaeffer Nasenbeny

It’s really mint green I am digging right now, but that color sends me too far back in time. It pains me to say that my Prom Dress was a polyester mint green number with a sheer matching cape. It was also the color of my circa 1987 Laura Ashley Towels (with a lovely peach accent stripe) that I bought for my first apartment in Chicago.

But I am finding new life and inspiration in this color that I’ m calling Pistachio.

I think it has to do with the new J Crew catalog.

I did some real damage shopping last night and the stand out color of my purchases was pistachio.

Here are some of my purchases.

(I am praying my husband doesn’t read this)

The pop of green in the flower pattern is what I like about this shirt.

Carnation Silk Top

Buy It Here: J Crew

The color of the shoe got my attention, but the lilac bow sealed the deal.

My new favorite spring shoe.

Contessa Snakeskin Bow Pumps

Buy them here: J Crew

I am hoping this brocade number will work for an evening fundraiser I have coming up.

I always feel more comfortable in pants than a dress so when I find a dressy look that will work for a formal occasion I snap it up.

Gilded Brocade Pant and Top

Buy them here: J Crew

Pistachio has also been inspiring color for me in the interior design department.

I just won’t go back to the 1980′s peach and mint green rage, but combining the color with some jewel tones or quiet neutrals can make a room a winner.

Photo: Pinterest

Designer Lizzie Dinkle did right by pistachio in this lovely Brentwood dining room

Photo: www.elizabethdinkeldesign.com

Rasberry + Pistachio= a delicious living room

Photo: Pinterest

The color reflection off of the collection of mirrors in this dining area is simply gorgeous.

Photo: Pinterest

I love the pops of green on this neutral mantle.

Photo: www.laylagrayce.com

Certain to never go out of style is the Pistachio nut.

Here’s a great cookie recipe

Brown Butter Pistachio Cookies

Photo: www.lawyerloveslunch.com

And who could argue against the beauty of the product packaging and the deliciousness of the Laduree Pistachio Macaroon?

Photo: www.wherecanifindtheperfect.com

Pistachio Perfection.

xoxo Carrie

Go Ahead and Cuff Me

September 19, 2012 By pearleandpiercehome in Fashion, Obsessing Over, What I'm Buying... Tags: Chanel Pink Cuff, Cuff Bracelets, Hermes Cuff, Rhinestone Cuff Leave a comment

I love a cuff bracelet.

I have quite a collection going.

Here are some new beauties I’d like to acquire.

Crown Jewel

Lanvin Tutti Frutti Cuff

Available at: www.barneys.com

Oh Mamma!

Jennifer Fisher

Brass Mama Cuff

Available at: www.barneys.com

Gaga Gaga for Balenciaga

The Balenciaga Guillochet Cuff

Available at: www.elle.com

Ooh La La Chanel

Pretty in Pink

Available at: www.elle.com

I love Hermes “H” Cuff

I think I need this color

Available at: usa.hermes.com

I’m not Horsing Around

Gucci Horse Bit Bracelet

Available at: www.gucci.com

Bright and Shiny

JCrew High Shine Cuff

Available at: www.jcrew.com

What do you collect?

xoxo Carrie

Hey, Mr. Sexy….

August 28, 2012 By pearleandpiercehome in Obsessing Over Tags: nail polish, perfume, sunglasses, tom ford 2 Comments

Tom Ford

aka

Mr. Sexy.

I think you are a genius.

Really I do.

Everything you touch.

The super high heels and leather pants won’t work in my car pool line.

www.tomford.com

These sunglasses will.

www.neimanmarcus.com

Who else would get me to spend $280 on a bottle of a unisex perfume?

You would.

www.bergdorfgoodman.com

Again, I went outside of my financial comfort zone for you.

I spent $30 on nail polish.

It’s such a delicious color.

But the name I am not so sure about…. Bitter Bitch.

I am not Bitter.

xoxo Carrie

The Fabulous Fig

August 6, 2012 By pearleandpiercehome in Fashion, Interiors, Lifestyle, Obsessing Over Tags: Fig Fabric, Figs, Marion Fig Trees, Summer Entertaining 6 Comments

Photo: www.botanicalfeast.com

It’s that time of year.

Fig Season!

Stuffed with blue Cheese, wrapped in prosciutto, roasted and served on top of arugula with a crunchy bread.

Photo: www.designsponge.com

Plopped onto a tart, bread or made into jam.

How about the Fig Newton?

Figs are fabulous.

My friend Kate Paul (of Foodink and Basil Limeade Fame) even has a Fig Fest (which I will report on later) to celebrate the magical fruit.

Here are some photos from years past.

The love affair with the fig doesn’t have to stop in the kitchen.

You can live with a tree year round.

No fruit, but the glorious big leaves are just as good.

This Marion Fig is one of my favorites for the home.

I think that everyone should have a tree and plants of some sort in their home.

Photo: Elle Decor

If you have a black thumb you can always use Peter Dunham’s fabulous fig fabric

Photos: Peter Dunham Interior Design

Here’s another way to get a little Fig into your life.

The Fig Diptyque smells divine!

All your undies in the dirty clothes hamper?

Just grab a fig leaf.

xoxo Carrie

Mad for Plaid

July 23, 2012 By pearleandpiercehome in Fashion, Interiors, Obsessing Over Tags: Plaid Decor, Plaid Fashion, Plaid on Plaid 2 Comments

I’m Mad for Plaid.

I’ll blame it on my Scottish Heritage (que bagpipes).

I’m a descendent of the McIntosh and McGregor Clans, so how could I not like plaid?

McIntosh Plaid

MacGregor Plaid

I love a little plaid in any room.

Photo: Domino Magazine (RIP)

In my opinion one can never have too many plaid blankets and throws.

Photo: House Beautiful

Photo: Domino Magazine (RIP)

I love this Michael Smith room.

The plaid pillows in conjunction with the saffron and red patterned pillow make the sofa sing.

Love this retro chic plaid room.

Photo: www.osborneandlittle.com

I have been wanting to use this plaid on one of my design projects.

Photo: www.lucyandcompanyblog.blogspot.com

How cute is it on this bench?

Plaid Knoll Chairs

Photo:www.instructables.com

How cool is this plaid foot stool? It is actually made from an old vintage skirt.

Photo: www.architectdesign.blogspot.com

I bought this Prada bag last summer.

It’s the perfect “Mom” bag, hard to ruin, can handle crushed Goldfish Crackers, and anything else I put in it’s path.

But above all else it is cute.

If I were in the market for another plaid bag, I’d jump all over this Celine gem.

Photo: www.thistimetomorrow-krystal.blogspot.com

I love this plaid on plaid outfit.

The cut of the pant, jewelry selection and shoes make it current and hip.

Photo: www.marylandpinkandgreen.com

Classic Prep Plaid Ensemble

J Crew’s Plaid Fashion Statement

Photo: www.beastpieces.com

Letter Press AND Plaid, seriously chic.

Hand over the keys.

xoxo Carrie

Decorating A Cabin

July 10, 2012 By pearleandpiercehome in Exteriors, Interiors, Lifestyle, Obsessing Over, Places, Uncategorized Tags: cabin decor, decorating weekend house, lake house, Wisconsin 4 Comments

Photo: www.decorology.blogspot.com

When I married Adam he promised to love me in sickness and in health, etc… the one promise I will not let him forget is that we will one day own a cabin, on a lake, preferably in my favorite state of Wisconsin where I am now.