Covet Living

1. Is it time to go back to France yet, where everything is enchanting and there’s a constant symphony of accordions playing La Vie En Rose and the “meep meep” of foreign cars and indiscernible chatter floating through the air?

2. If you’ve just looked at this pic of Caramel Brownies with a Pretzel Crust for more than 2 seconds, than you probably just gained 7 pounds. And I bet it was so worth it. I know this because I accidentally made them on Saturday night and washed ’em down with Sauvignon Blanc and then forgot to eat dinner. #whoops

3. Um. I don’t know who this chick is, but gyah I’m happy for her. How can you look at this and not be overwhelmed with joy? I saw it and may or may not have instantly burst into tears.

4. I. CAN’T. HANDLE. IT. The only thing that melts my heart more than chubby babies and golden retrievers is chubby babies and golden retrievers who are best friends. This is my new Insta-friend’s nugget and her (GusGus lookalike) pup, Oliver. It’s amazing how many Insta-friends you make when you hashtag your golden retriever – we’re all cut from the same cloth (…and apparently went to college together – who knew?)

5. So much more Lilly Pullitzer-esque than my white-on-white sensibilities would normally push me to do, but I adore this room by designer Anne Hepfer. The perky, kelly green fabric on the headboard… the hot pink piping and hot pink pompom throw… the scalloped pillowcases… the little bamboo nightstand. How could you ever walk in this preppy, tropical heaven and not be happy?? Isn’t that what good design should be all about?

6. This has been a *real* interesting year … and now that 2014 is rounding 3rd, I realize it’s taught me as much about myself and my own character as it has about all the people around me. At the end of the day, you can get all the advice in the world – solicited or not – but this is still the only way I know how to do business. And that is A-ok by me.

PS: here’s the board where I keep my happy vault. Hop on & follow along!

Have a great week you guys!!!

xoxo,

It’s been too, too long, folks. But just when you forget about us heifers, we spring back up like spider monkeys. So here goes – all the good stuff makin’ us happier than a dog wagging its metaphorical tail:

1) MY BEST FRIEND JONATHAN’S WEDDING LAST WEEKEND:

(James & Jonathan with their daughter Daphne)

Just look at these two handsome fellas, will ya? After being together for three years (much of that time long distance between NY and LA), J & J got married last weekend. I’ve been to a boatload of weddings, but something about this one felt incredibly special. Maybe it was cause history was being made a little bit. Maybe it was cause I’ve known Jonathan since the first week he moved to LA 13 years ago and have seen him thru love, heartbreak and everything in between, and now love again with a man who dotes on him with everything he’s got.

All I know is, I was absolutely speechless at how sweet and perfect the whole shebang was, held at the gorgeous Sunstone Winery in Santa Ynez. Sigh…

2) MILKMAID BRAIDS

“Milkmaid braids? What, are we living on a mountain with a bunch of billygoats?” This is the imaginary conversation I picture having with my husband. Well, milking cows has never looked so adorable, people. I freaking love them. They keep your hair out of your face. They make you look like Sienna Miller, at least in your semi-warped mind. And best yet: they’re so.darn.easy.to.do. See below – if I can do ’em, you can:

I feel like a cross between a much, MUCH healthier Olsen twin and an extra from National Lampoon’s European Vacation when I wear them. And I learned from the super easy instructions in this video:

3) ‘MARRIED AT FIRST SIGHT’ ON FYI NETWORK

The best new show on TV right now, hands down. Married At First Sight is a social experiment that follows six brave singles wanting to find true love as they agree to legally get married the moment they first meet. I know! Crazy right? Disclaimer: My company makes this show. And yet, though I know how it all turns out, I’m RIVETED. Take a look below, and if you’ve missed the first few eps, you can find them here:

4) MY NEW FAVE JAM FROM USHER

Cause it’s just so d*mn hot, folks.

And if you’re feeling extra feisty, check out this Disclosure re-mix:

5) THE BEST NEW COMMERCIAL TO HIT YOUR COMPUTER SCREEN

Commercials? Who watches commercials? No, I get it, I do. But you MUST watch this video of Jude Law dancing like no one’s watching for a new Johnnie Walker Blue Label short film. It is so fun, and so unexpected. “I don’t want to buy it with money, I want to win it – with a dance.”