You're Invited!

I am not quite sure why I wanted to put together a little gathering--it was just on my heart to do it so I did!  Sorry I can't pay for everyone.  Who knows, maybe one year it will by my treat!

I can't tell you how much Chris and I love this restaurant.  It is our date night place....and one of the inspirations for the design of our home!  Check out its glory:

(image James Camp Photography)

do you spot lotus flower love?

Here is the menu Jennifer prepared especially for us....

wood fired margherita pizza 

spinach - fontina - prosciutto - caramelized onion pizza 

pancetta bacon - slow cooked onion pizza

fromage & charcuterie 

salt & pepper fried calamari 

hanger steak - chimichurri sauce 

van gogh’s crab cake - vanilla citrus beurre blanc 

goat cheese ravioli - sweet tomato sauce 

white truffle & parmesan frites 

house cured salmon pastrami - grilled pumpernickel - horseradish creme fraiche 

mini red velvet cupcakes-cream cheese icing 

$25 per person

cash bar


Please email us if you want to come.  We'll have a blast!


If you out-of-towners want to make a little trip of it, I'll get a sitter for Friday morning and we can go shopping and grab lunch.




I probably won't post as often this week, for I am writing two articles for the holiday issue for Rue!!!  Aren't you excited?  The spaces, again, are to die for.  I'll do my best to snag a sneak peek for y'all.  

Anisa has a great home tour to show you this week, too.  Here is a sneak peek of the home she designed along with the homeowners:

And a little cuteness--look at little Wyatt's preschool photo.  I can just eat my boys' cheeks.

take a little trip with me

Alys Beach, Florida truly is a litte glimpse of the mediterranean

on the Gulf of Mexico.  There is such love and care in the 

design.  

This is what will great you went you go to get your keys from

the property management.  No stinky office here!

The thoughtfulness in design abounds.

Three hanging planters here....

mirrors the three windows on the adjacent wall...

And a symbol you may spot at the coffee shop...

You might just spy it again on a home down the street.

I tell ya...I don't think there are any beautiful accidents here.

zsszwaq  (Wyatt just had to walk by and make his

contribution to this post.  We thank you, W!)

Okay, no more commentary from me for the rest of these

pictures.  You will see a mix of both Alys and Seaside.  Enjoy!

You know I couldn't stay quiet for long...check out the

playground at the coffee shop.  Does this tell ya anything?

I had to take a shot of their legs!!  These women are like

74-years-old.  The people looked like their surroundings here.

my chariot

I hope your labor day is this restful......Julie

oh--and a few pictures of my great room!  (an Atlanta designer's place, no less :)

You Know You're Designed Obsessed....

1.  When you choose to watch movies that you think may have cool interiors.

Case in point:  A Single Man

I love Collin Firth and Julianne Moore....so I thought I would like this film.

Didn't you love him in Bridget Jones' Diary?  Oh, how I devoured those books.  

He was so good in this film.  Such a love story, albeit a sad one.  

And the set design...boy I wish I had a good image of these symmetrical mirrors to do them justice.  So tall and striking, like Mr. Firth.

And the beautiful people in the cast.  (Hello, Bridget Bardot)

And I think Julianne Moore is so beautiful and talented.

Again, love the mirror, the fabric, the fur chair and the TALL lamps.

I would recommend this movie.  But remember I'm a former English teacher...I love some

movies that my friends would never even watch.  Collin (or Colin?) Firth is an English

professor in the film, so I really dig him.

images via design public

I also saw The Kids Are All Right

Loved it.  I didn't like Mark Ruffalo before this film.  No reason I can put 

my finger on...but I sure like him now.  He was perfect for the role.  And

the gorgeous blonde teen who played Joni (my prediction that she'll be

the new Gwyneth) just blew me away.  Such good acting!

The set was so hippie California that I love....outdoor patio lights strung from side to side,

well-weathered wooden tables paired with shiny silver Tolix, tons of bright and colorful

organic produce, bottles and bottles of yummy wine...and landscapes that look like they could only

come from this state.  Us Americans have such a love affair with California, don't we?

A shot of the bedroom shared by Julianne Moore & Annette Benning's characters.

Another side note:  I think I am drawn to them as actresses because of their

authenticity...not just in their acting, but their physical realness.  No lips plumped 

up (like Julia Roberts & Meg Ryan), no scary facelifts (Andie McDowell & Sharon Stone--

sure, they are beautiful, but Sharon Stone has ZERO wrinkles?)  That isn't real.  Therefore,

I don't find it beautiful.  I tend to spend my money on movies that inspire me, and Meryl

Streep, Annette Benning and Julianne Moore inspire me.  That is beauty to me.  I may have

wanted movies to be fairy tales with perfect people when I was younger, but I can smell

fake a mile away now.

Mark Ruffalo's home in the movie.  This blue looked so smoky and 

earthy in the theater.  I loved it.

images via LA Times

2.  Design obsessed people want to eat in restaurants that inspire them visually...

We had a great meal last weekend at a restaurant with horrible decor.

I can't help it....I don't want to go back.

3.  Design obsessed people may rebuy a magazine that they forgot they already have.

4.  Design obsessed people read design blogs instead of watch TV during primetime.

5.  Design obsessed people redecorate their family and friends' homes in their minds 

when they vist.

6.  Design obsessed people usually own big cars or trucks to haul around their finds.

7.  Design obsessed people usually long to have a booth, boutique, or online store.  

Not for any normal reason....they want a place where they can sell their

current stuff so they can legitimately buy more or different stuff.

8.  While learning to talk, design obsessed people's children learn words like

damask, eggshell and bentwood along with dog and car.  

One Good Thing!  Chris Campbell of Interior Homescapes wrote

to thank me for having them as one of my favorite resources on the blog.  He

made a special coupon for y'all.....just type "milkandhoney" when you 

checkout and you get 10% off.  Thanks, Chris!

No pics from Sheryl Crow....another headache.  Didn't make it.

Have a great weekend....Julie