POP-sational!

THE WRAP: When I was in Los Angeles a few weeks ago, browsing the shops on Robertson Blvd. with my friend John, I discovered the POP Phone at Kitson, and it was love at first sight. I purchased the "Retro" handset in red, mainly because I thought it looked pretty swell with my new custom iPhone case from Gelaskins. It feels just like the phones I used when I was young, but it's more comfortable to have resting on my shoulder due to the soft touch paint treatment! The speaker and microphone work beautifully, and the pickup/hangup button means that I don't have to struggle with my mobile while accepting or disconnecting calls. Best of all, the POP phone eliminates over 99% of absorbed phone radiation! ❀❀❀❀❀ (out of 5).

Images | Styling by Lauryl Lane.

bica coffeehouse | east bay

On a recent rainy day in Oakland, {lovah} and I landed at the Bica Coffeehouse to enjoy an espresso {lovah} and a green tea {me}. It was one of those perfect days in the East Bay, chilly and wet outside, but warm and cozy inside. We sat by the window and worked on our computers (Bica has speedy, free wifi) while watching the rain pound the pavement outside. If you're in the Rockridge neighborhood and in need of a good cuppa, check out Bica.

Bica Coffeehouse 5701 College Avenue Oakland, CA 94618 (510) 350-7875
Images by Lauryl Lane.

a visit to grammy and grandpa...

I took these images at my Grandparent's winter abode, their San Antonio condominium, three and a half years ago. My {lovah} and I were visiting for the Thanksgiving holiday, and it had been quite a few years since I'd been there, so I wandered around one afternoon, taking pictures of things that I remembered from when I was a little girl, fascinated by all the lovely, fragile items that my Grammy decorated with. My skills with the camera have improved dramatically since I shot these images, but sharing them now seems necessary, cathartic.

My grandfather is dying. He doesn't have long. I plan to be with him soon in Cleveland, to say goodbye, but every day is difficult. My grandmother loves him so much, and I can see her falling apart at the seams as she contemplates life without him. They've been married for over sixty-five years. It seems so unfair to me that they've recently reached such a milestone, only to have it be their last. In between my daily meetings, photo shoots, writing contracts and recipes, sketching design ideas... I spend time on the phone. With my grandmother, my mother, my siblings, my cousin, discussing the inevitability to come. I break down crying, in random moments, while I'm typing at the computer or washing dishes or even in the middle of a morning run.

My grandfather is nearly 88 years old. He's lived a long and incredibly rewarding life. He's touched many lives, saved many lives, during his years working as a neurosurgeon. He's been such a kind and generous grandfather. In fact, he's been like a father to me- giving me advice when he knew I needed it, pushing me to work harder, to follow my dreams. He financed most of my education, an education that I am so grateful for today.

I could go on and on about my Grandpa George, and I'm sure I will, eventually. But for now, these pictures remind me of all the happy times I spent here with them. In the next month, my mother and I will be dismantling this house. It's been sold, my grandparents won't be back. The thought is devastating, but I suppose that all good things must come to an end. Even the lives of those we love.

I thought that I would narrate these images, but it seems unnecessary. My grandmother has very eclectic taste, which I'm sure is quite obvious from the images. She loves chinoiserie, and there are bits of oriental design and art throughout all of her homes. She has a knack for arranging things so that even the most mundane items are aesthetically pleasing. My mother has that knack, too. They both passed that knack on to me. I am grateful. Grateful for the dearest, sweetest, kindest, most wonderful grandparents in the whole wide world, for everything that they have taught me. I wouldn't be the person I am today if it weren't for Grammy Laurie and Grandpa George, and I just felt the need to put my feelings out there, into the universe, into the world wide web, so everyone can know how much I love and adore these two beautiful people.

instagram library

As an amateur photographer, I am addicted to Instagram, a social media app that focuses on photography with fun filters, borders and tilt-shift capablilties. I take pictures on my phone all the time using this tool, I think of it as the modern equivalent to the snapshot! Here are some of my "snaps" from time spent recently on the road and in Southern California.

Images | Styling by Lauryl Lane.
Shot with the iPhone & Processed with Instagram.

the best view in the world

Although I definitely consider myself an Angeleno, the East Bay will always be my second home. I was born in Berkeley and lived in Oakland until my mother and stepdad migrated our family to the MidWest. My Dad has remained in the Bay Area, and now my eldest sister and her husband have settled back into the Oakland Hills after years of living on the East Coast. This is the view from their home, and as much as I love Los Angeles, I have to admit that there is no prettier view in the world than this view of the Bay Bridge, the Bay, San Francisco, and the Golden Gate Bridge. Heaven on earth.

Image by Lauryl Lane.

back in the saddle

I've been traveling for the past two weeks, wonderful wonderful days of work + play in my home city of Los Angeles. I'm energized and inspired after spending time with some of my best friends in the wedding industry, after getting lots of great counsel and advice from people who know what makes me tick. I have been jotting down ideas and goals, pages and pages of them, but my number one priority now that I'm back with my {lovah} in Colorado? Finish organizing my office!!!

It seems a little silly to finish this project when {lovah} and I have decided that we'll be moving when our lease is up in two short months, but I figure that the more organized my office is now, the easier it will be to pack and relocate when the time comes.

I still need to clean out my files and do some purging, but things are coming together. I have loads of styling jobs and lovely weddings on the horizon, but I also have dozens of projects from the past few months to share with you. I've missed blogging, and I'm looking forward to getting back in the saddle!

Images | Styling by Lauryl Lane.