Jonathan Adler's Parker Palm Springs

You'd think after battling the summer heat for months, the last place I'd want to be is the desert.  But Jonathan Adler's Parker Hotel in Palm Springs is calling my name, especially in the midst of a busy week.  Built in 2004,  the former Givenchy Resort underwent a $27 million reboot, adding 13 acres and 144 rooms of frolicsome Jonathan Adler-designed spaces.  The centerpiece of the 13-acre property is the legendary pool—chlorine-free so as not to turn my blonde tresses green.  A second, chlorinated jewel-box-sized pool is quieter and has an accompanying whirlpool. You’ll also find lawn croquet, pétanque, golf and tennis, and a funky brunch spot called Norma's.

The 16,500 square foot spa, Psyc, offers delicious treatments like the vanilla sundae and guilty pleasures.  But the spa lobby is delicious enough for me:

Shop This Board:

Open Back Drape White Vest $56/Tara Matthews Sarong $115/Tan Sandals $59/Palamino Necklace $138/Sagone Bandeau Bikini $225/Gigi NY Python Tote $207 (ON SALE!)/Hexagonal White Shades $340/Marlene Maxi Dress $295/

{all photos via The Parker Palm Springs}

So who's coming with me?

Designer Crush: Lilly Bunn Weekes

This weekend, while perusing the latest Elle, I was delighted to read about (new to me) interior designer Lilly Bunn Weekes.  Lilly is based out of New York City, has two young daughters, and a thriving design business.  Her aesthetic is colorful yet tailored, with the desire to create "livable" spaces.  In the feature, Lilly and the interviewer talk about the thin line between interior design and fashion.  Personal style has as much to do with one's home as it does in one's closet, Lilly believes, and I'd have to agree.  If you don't know what colors to focus on when designing your home, look inside your closet.  See a lot of blue, gray, or green?  It's probably a safe bet that'd you also like to be surrounded by those colors in your home.   I love all the detailed wallpapers and patterns Lilly uses in her portfolio:

Pretty talented lady, yes?  I find her work just stunning.  The perfect dose of Monday morning inspiration, if you ask me!  

Have a great week, my loves!

{all images via Lilly Bunn Interiors}

HSS Feed Guest Post

Happy Friday!  I hope you had a great week.  Today I am over at HSS Feed, a Houston-based fashion and lifestyle blog by Nina Rand, blogging about my favorite color combo- blush, gold, and beige!  Check out the post here and show Nina some love!

XOXO, Sam

Current Wishlist

Just a few frivolities that have caught my eye recently...

Shop This Board:

Chanel Book Collection $75/Esther Lace-Trim Robe $115/Altuzzara Bustier $1,995/Gem Bouquet Bib Necklace $54.40/Leopard Full Over Clutch $210/Charlotte Olympia Kitty Loafers $640/Luciana "Non" Print $12/

Kelly Wearstler's Viceroy Anguilla

Yesterday, Sam sent me a list of hotel websites to look at for potential honeymoon destinations (definitely one of the more fun elements of wedding planning we've experienced so far).  Our wedding is March 22nd and Sam has to be back at work April 1st for year-end, so we can't travel TOO far away.  Thankfully, we'll have an excuse to get to Provence, France in June for a friend's wedding, and maybe I can talk Sam in to taking me to Paris afterwards for a "second" honeymoon. ;)  Still, we're lucky that there are a million beautiful locales only a short plane ride away.  Of the 5 locations he sent, I was instantly drawn to the Viceroy Hotel in Anguilla.  Actually, I couldn't stop drooling over the interiors, never mind the picturesque beaches outside.  I thought to myself, "I've got to find out who designed this."  Well, OF COURSE it was Kelly Wearstler, the design goddess herself.

Is that brass rimmed table too good, or what?!

The thing I love about this hotel is that despite being on the beach, the rooms still maintain a feeling of luxury- no run-down coastal cottages here!  It's as if you could be in the middle of glamorous NYC, and then open your drapes and remember you're in paradise.

Leave it to me to make a honeymoon decision based on the interiors. :)

How's your week going?  Where are you dreaming of escaping to these days?

A Royal Nursery

Unless you live under a rock, you've heard the royal baby is a BOY!!  I was so sure it was a girl, and couldn't WAIT to see all the frilly accents in her nursery design, but a boy is pretty exciting.  Here's to hoping he turns out more like his mother and less like Charlie Sheen.   So when the exciting news came yesterday, I knew I just had to create a regal nursery design for today's post.  A palette of golds, creams, and blues seemed fitting:

 Shop the Royal Nursery:

Silver Bed Crown with Gold Gilding/Madeline Mirrored Sconces/AFK Gramercy Crib/Phillipe Swivel Chair/Arteriors Twisted Iron Accent Table/Circa Lighting Demijohn Lamp/Plush Giraffe/Blabla Cat Doll/AFK Toy Chest

A crown cornice was necessary because, after all, he IS royalty.  Add to that a vintage toy chest, a sheer canopy, and plenty of adorable stuffed animals... and I think we'd have one happy baby.  What do you think?

P.S.-  Today I am thrilled to be guest posting on Effortless Style about my bedding style.  Camila asked Sam and I to share our thoughts on monograms, sheet styles, and more as an engaged couple.  It was hilarious to see him try and answer the questions- he was clueless! ;)

Needing, Wanting, Loving: Dainty Gold

I love gold jewelry, but only recently have I gotten more bold with stacking and layering my gold pieces.  Seeing more and more fashionistas layer dainty gold rings, bracelets, or necklaces has caused me to follow suit:

{City Sage}

{Who What Wear}

{Izabel Goulart}

{Damsel in Dior}

{Gypsy 05}

Shop This Board:

Straight Shot Necklace $38/Kate Spade Bow Earrings $48/Anthropologie Gemmed Chainlink Bracelet $18/Stella & Dot Interlocking Cross Necklace $59/Design Darling Crystal Ball Bangle $32/Mary Margaret Stone Ring $39/

I've found that stacking multiple thin bracelets or rings can sometimes make more of a statement than a statement piece itself, and is a little gentler for summer.  However, I'll never tire of a fun cocktail ring, and had to include one in my board today.

What are your "go-to" jewelry pieces?

Wedding Color Inspiration

While hunting for wedding inspiration, I came across this to-die-for BHLDN Houston photoshoot.  The romantic aesthetic is exactly what I'm going for for my own nuptials, and the colors here are fantastic.   The shoot was taken by The Nichols, a husband + wife photography team based in Austin, who Sam and I have hired for our own wedding!

The rustic landscape, the soft blushes and creams, the gorgeous flower crowns- it's all too good.   I always imagined I'd get my dress or my bridesmaid dresses from BHLDN, because again, their aesthetic is so close to mine, but for some reason I haven't had any luck there.   We just purchased the bridesmaid dresses from Bella Bridesmaid- and for all you Houston brides-to-be- I highly recommend them.  

XOXO, Sam

{all photos above by The Nichols}

Elegant Nursery Design

I was recently hired by a local couple to design their first baby's nursery.  Their home is full of warm colors and has a very elegant feel, and they would like to carry that through to the nursery.  Obviously I was on board!  Nothing seems sweeter to me than planning a room for a newborn:

{House of Wentworth}

{Jamie Nichols}

{Liz Caan}

{Alison Royer}

So what are some key elements of a "luxurious" nursery?  I think a "wow" light fixture, something furry, an upholstered crib, and perhaps something mirrored are all ideal...

I'm so excited to begin pulling together a design for my client.  With a due date of mid September, we're working with a tight timeline! But I always love a challenge.

What would your dream nursery look like?