The Fantasy Home

Dually inspired by the fantasy of moving out of the cramped, funky (like bad-funky), dark apartment we're living in now and moving in somewhere light-filled and spacious (spacious meaning Andrew can't spread his arms and simultaneousy touch opposing walls in the bedroom), I've been spending a lot of time looking at interior design and architecture blogs. This house made me pee in my pants a little bit, so I thought I'd share.  Courtesy of Dwell.

I love the earthy colors and and vintage furniture mixed with the modern materials choices. And that pink canvas on the concrete wall! Full on.

There are floor to ceiling windows that open to this view. Yes, please.

If you're an artist and you live in a house like this, you have to have a record player.

If I lived here, I think there would be a lot of magic happening. I'm just saying. 

Have a lovely weekend.

Eloise as Inspiration

"Getting bored is not allowed."

-Kaye Thompson

Eloise reminds me 

to be a little audacious

to embrace our peculiarities

to be a good listener

to get a little exercise now and then

and to dismiss the idea of perfection.


Thanks, Eloise.

"Eloise" was written by Kaye Thompson and beautifully illustrated by Hilary Knight. 

Finding Fall Here

Let me give it to you straight: I think Summer is over. All through the marine-layer laden last few months, I was holding the hope in my heart that we would have a killer Indian Summer come September, but alas, I almost froze to death in my quilt-less bed last night, and now I'm looking out the window at a dull grey sky.

But let's not dwell on the negative now, shall we? 

I actually adore Fall. Growing up in a place without true seasons, I looked to a venerable and highly revered source to learn about Fall: The J. Crew catalog. And I learned that it meant cuddling on the couch with my dog and my handsome husband at the Lake House in my Cashmere Popover Hoodie in Burnt Sienna, reading the newspaper, drinking coffee,  having perfect teeth and a lot of fun.

Oh you marketing geniuses at J. Crew. 

My feeble and impressionable mind still clings to these imaginary scenarios which will be forever burned into my brain, and I get very excited when the weather turns cold, which here in Santa Barbara means 60 degrees Fahrenheit.

Much to the chagrin of my 17 year old self, I didn't grow up to live in a J. Crew catalog,  but there are certain things to do around town that help me get in the Fall mindset:

Knit and Pearl Boutique

I don't know about you, but I know it's Fall when I have the urge to start knitting. This year I'm determined  to learn to make something  other than  a scarf (like maybe a blanket?). Knit and Pearl Boutique has beautiful natural fiber yarns and offers an array of classes as well as Knitting Social Nights every Monday. Check out their blog for updates and classes.

5 E. Figueroa St., Santa Barbara

My Fall Heaven

The French Press

I find a very strong cup of coffee can be just as helpful as prescription drugs  when Seasonal Affective Disorder kicks in, so you will probably find me hanging out at The French Press sipping on one of these:

Amanda S., via Yelp

 1101 State Street, Santa Barbara

The French Press serves Verve Coffee which is actually french-pressed and everyone who works there is friendly and artsy-looking. If you squint your eyes, you could pretend you're in Austin or Portland. They have two patios where you can read, write, or pretend to read and write while people watching. 

The  Santa Barbara Public Library

September will always remind me of going back to school, even as I'm approaching 30, but now I get to read for pleasure rather than homework. I love libraries (it's FREE!) and frequently boast about my collection of library cards hailing from San Francisco to Albuquerque to Grenoble. Having a lot of library cards means I'm very intelligent.

The Santa Barbara Central Library has it's own distinct brand of cool and (besides books) offers everything from muttering homeless people to hip librarians (check out the staff picks blog!) to an extensive music selection. The have a lovely Great Room to curl up and read in, but disinfect the chair first and don't fall asleep or you'll get kicked out. 

This is not the Santa Barbara Library

This is the Santa Barbara Library.

I barely got to break out my bikini this past summer, but I'm going to just accept it and move on. Now it's time for writing, reading, cooking soup, knitting and general hibernation. What is it about Fall that makes me feel so domestic? Did I really just say cooking? 

This time with you, dear reader, has been lovely, but I must get back to the cabin now to look thoughtfully out the window and write love letters to my handsome and scholarly boyfriend in a comfortable Heather Grey Schoolboy Blazer. Talk to you soon.

Love,
Meg

Municipal Winemakers

In starting this blog, it was the author's intention to fete (that's French)  local people, places and  happenings that get her excited and inspired and happy. After a couple blog post departures from the original manifesto, she's ready to get back on task, get focused on local coolness and  probably also stop talking in the third person. Bob Dole!

Well it's Friday and I'm nursing a slight hangover from the Alberta Cross show last night, but my nausea is  not going to stop me from talking about my new favorite winery and Friday afternoon hangout! People! Get thee to Municipal Winemakers and get there with haste. 

Dave Potter and his design-brilliant girlfriend Stephanie Dotson have created the most delicious wines and a uber hip (I think I'm saying that ironically, but I'm not sure) atmosphere in which to enjoy them. I could talk at length about how yummy each of the different wines are, but I don't really know what I'm talking about and you should go find out for yourself anyway.

Dave and Stephanie

They have a rotating list of wines on tap straight from the barrel,  a refillable bottle program (so you can look down your noses at your friends who still put their used bottles in the recycling bin) and if you arrive by bike, they will deliver your purchases to your home for free so you don't have to wobble home with a bunch of heavy loot.

The outdoor patio in the back is perfect for doing some serious thinking:

Or hanging out and looking cool in your 50's greaser getup:

Steven and Katey pour with a heavy hand and are tons of fun to talk to. They're not boyfriend and girlfriend, although it looks like it here. I'm in awe of that beard, too, Katey. 

I was really digging Katey's outfit and made her pose for me. Sorry for the blurry, I'm still learning how to be a photographer.

You can pick up a tshirt (but don't get this one because I have it)

and make sure you get Steven to hand you an iPad (!) so you can sign yourself up for their wine club, "Club Awesome". Awesome!

I'll be there at 3:15. See you there?