Entre Nous.

Why don't you...

 

l Sweatshirt & Balloons l

 ...just chill out. That's what I keep telling myself of late. What with an obscene amount of stress infiltrating my life these past few weeks, I need a chill pill. 

Luckily 'tis the season for getting my beach on, along with relishing every other splendid element summer has to offer. With the first official day of summer mere days away, it's time to compile my summer to do list. There will most definitely be trips to Savannah and NYC penciled into the agenda, along with perhaps a road trip with the girls to Cannon Beach. I always like to catch at least one out door movie this time of year. Then I'd like to host a summer soiree of sorts, out of doors, with the girlfriends. Beach read after beach read will be devoured, if not at the actual beach, then at least in the sunshine. I'd also like to decide on a signature cocktail for summer 2014 and imbibe pitchers of the stuff. There's my sisters wedding, in which I'm a bridesmaids, which is taking place in a mere 4.5 weeks. Then there's the thrill of sourcing new merchandise for Life Styled.

What are your plans for relishing summer?

Life Styled

This is a monumental weekend for me. Not only is it the unofficial start of summer (yay!), but my online shop, Life Styled, is launching on Monday (YAY!). I like to think of this as a soft launch, focusing on a capsule collection of items all produced by local artists and artisans. Some of the merchandise will be hyper local, coming from artists on the San Juan island on which I reside. Other pieces will be coming from artists residing further afield, but still from the Pacific Northwest.

The item that I'm most excited to showcase is a print by the uber talented fashion illustrator, Maya Beus. Maya currently resides in Vancouver, BC. She produced a spectacular piece for my shop titled, 'Girl with Flower Crown'. It's so unbelievably striking that I can't help but keep one of the prints for myself. It will have pride of place in my living room just as soon as I find a fitting frame.

   

I've given a sneak peek on Instagram of several of the items that will be available in my shop. The chain link scarf is actually something I knit and which I'm extremely excited to start producing again. The scarf will be available in a variety of colors and lengths. Also in the accessories realm are some baubles by a jeweler named Naomi Jarvie. Her abalone shell earrings are TDF.

Coming down the pike are some stunning baskets made from kelp by Judy Arsten. Judy's versatile baskets can be used as a functional piece or as a piece of art to be displayed as such. Also on the horizon is some striking Raku pottery from the talented artist Lynn Dee.

I am beyond thrilled to be able to share some unique products on Life Styled, created by artists and artisans passionate about the work they are producing. 

Aprilgram

Life summed up via Instagram. 

   

• Lilacs abound.
• Matthew Cuthbert forever and always.
• Spring sunset over the San Juan Islands.
• #tbt me and my cousin.

   

• Forget your troubles come on get happy!
• Hear! Hear! Cicero
• Getting my malachite on.
• Hi Hats at Trophy Cupcakes.

   

• Loot from the Easter bunny.
• Tulips up close and personal.
• Tulip fields forever.
• Bald Eagle love.

   

• It's official!
• #tbt charm heaven.
• Hello Kitty crashes Easter.
• Blooms from a tulip tree.

   

• A snoozy Morrissey.
• This little island of mine.
• #tbt my grandmother and mother.
• Good art.

   

• #tbt my parents ride.
• Cherry blossoms abound at The University of Washington.
• Aviation cocktail with a view.
• The New Yorker always gets it right.

Follow me on Instagram: @HissAndTell

Homeward Bound

a video by Fine Dining Lovers

I'm thrilled beyond belief for the success of my friend, James Beard nom, Blaine Wetzel and the recognition he's bringing to the island I grew up on. "The idea is that each days menu reflects almost like a moment in time in nature or on the island", what a lovely sentiment.

On another note, the radio silence on this blog of late was due to the fact that my blogging platform, Typepad, was hit with a DDoS Attacks, which started on Friday. Everything appears to be status quo at the moment and here's hoping it's smooth sailing from here on out.

   

Over the weekend I managed to attend a joint Birthday party for my Dad and sister in Seattle. While in Seattle I also managed to fit in a blowout at Swink Style Bar and snagged a limited edition Hi-Hat cupcake from Trophy Cupcakes (gluten free, naturally). Then on the drive back up northward towards home, we took a meandering drive trough the tulip fields in Skagit Valley. Whenever I'm living in Washington I try to always make a point of not missing this spectacular sight that occurs around Easter, when all the tulip fields seem to bloom simultaneously. Easter Sunday was comprised of church, treats, and a lovely dinner. All in all not too shabby of a weekend.

Marchgram

Life summed up via Instagram.

   

• Early morning ferry crossing
• Butter London's Trout Pout manicure
• SJP's Pola Pumps, autographed no less
• Agate inlay on my desk

   

• Evidence of Springs official arrival
• Zoya's Charisma manicure
• Early morning sunrise while boarding the ferry
• #islandlife

   

• A sunset over the San Juan's
• My parents ride, a 1953 Buick
• Sporting a Tattly "Bitch" tattoo
• The indifferent Mr. Morrissey

   

• Making time for a manicure at Seatac airport's Butter London, upon my return from LA
• Butter London's Molly Coddled manicure
• Till next time LAX
• A lone palm in Beverly Hills

   

• After hours graffiti on a WeHo newstand
• A stop at Sprinkles Cupcakes before heading to LAX
• Caviar for breakfast at Cafe 101
• A mint julep and a Mickey beignet at Disneyland

   

• A Dole Whip at Disneyland
• BFF day at Disney, just missing Marisa
• Mecca
• <3 Ban.do necklace

   

• A cocktail in the Living Room at Shutters in Santa Monica
• Gorgeous view of the Santa Monica pier
• The spoils from playing games on the boardwalk at the pier
• TDF view

   

• Chris Burden's Urban Lights at LACMA
• DVF's Journety of a dress exhibit
• Andy on DVF
• Hear, hear!

   

• Me & Sidney taking photos on the giant bed mid DVF exhibit
• Sprinkles maple bacon cupcake
• Margaritas at El Coyote
• A salted caramel ice cream in a red velvet cone from Sprinkles

   

• Sprinkles cupcake ATM
• A succulent wall in Beverly Hills
• Bagels & Lox from Nate 'n Al's
• My first flight with Frends headphones

   

• Sporting my California earrings
• Having a tete a tete with SJP
• Last snow of the season
• After movie appetizers at Temple Bar

Follow me on Instagram: @HissAndTell