It has been a rough winter in Santa Barbara. From the Thomas Fire to the mudslides, everything has been turned upside down. We have not had rain since the slide and with warmer than normal temperatures, it certainly doesn’t feel like winter. Although it is only the beginning of February, I was feeling the need for a bit of color and to lighten things up both aesthetically and emotionally.…
Too much rain, too fast, and too soon. I can not believe I am sharing another disaster in our community on the heels of the Thomas Fire. On Tuesday January 9th, at around 3:45am, unprecedented heavy rain fell at almost an inch per hour and caused the recently burned mountainside to give way. It sent a torrent of mud, boulders, and debris careening through many parts of Montecito, a suburb of Santa Barbara. Experts estimate the damage lies over a…
Instagram can be an amazing introduction to small businesses and trade from all over. When I first saw an incredible wall hanging on The Beach Lodge’s Instagram feed, my jaw dropped. Of course I had to follow up! I found out it was from The Dharma Door , founded in 2004 by Australian Shannon Sheedy, with the “dream of creating products that combine good design with ethical production. Shannon and her husband are one of the leading sources for contemporary fair…
When we moved to The Little Glass House seven years ago, we redid the landscaping. You can see some of the changes here. Things grow incredibly fast and big here in Southern California, and before I knew it, that cute tiny rosemary hedge became a four foot monster! Here’s what the back yard looked like when we bought our house as seen from inside……
Growing up, I wasn’t the biggest fan of fall. Oh, I loved the hot apple cider, wearing sweaters and boots, and of course the changing colors of the leaves…but sweaters turn into coats, leaves need to be raked and before you know it, winter is upon you! At the first sight of mums in the grocery store I would be resigned to the fact that summer was truly over. Maybe that’s why I never really caught on to fall decorating…
When my friend and makeup magician, Fredericke Grillitz (IQ Beauty…see blog), suggested I meet her at San Ysidro Ranch to pick up my cosmetics, I didn’t have to be asked twice. She visits the Ranch for tea and a bite whenever she’s in town meeting her Santa Barbara clients. I haven’t been to the Ranch in years so I jumped at the chance, as Fredericke promised to take me on a stroll through the gardens.…