positano perfection

i had to take my oldest daughter to a doctors appointment yesterday, and while we were waiting to be seen, i sifted through the parents and newsweek magazines, and spotted an architectural digest. score! i was a subscriber to architectural digest for what seemed like forever, but dropped my subscription a few years ago because it seemed like 90% of the magazine was advertisements, and most of the interiors featured most of the time just didn't EXCITE me...

i may have to renew my subscription...

because, i let out an audible *sigh in the doctors office when i saw these pictures:

uh...for real?? does it get any prettier than this? these images are from the recently restored and redecorated villa tre ville in positano, italy. as liz lemon would say. "i want to go there."

 i was so intrigued by this over scaled "sunburst" behind the headboard, and love how the graphic damask on the pillows feels classic and yet modern at the same time.

really, without the pillows and the sunburst, this room is a very simple, all-white room...but with those two "wow" elements, the room becomes mesmerizing. 

 the pinstripes in the tile and the moravian star are GORG-eous.

i LOVE stripes, and love the way that simple little line in the tile really makes a statement...but in such an understated, elegant way.

the view is, afterall, the STAR here.

one day, this girl is going to get herself to italy. ONE day...

isn't this view stunning?

can't you just imagine curling up here with a book and a drink?

****sigh.

(and wouldn't you know it...i was right in the middle of a glorious daydream...right there on that chair with my book and my drink, when the doctor walked in. i think it's the first time i have EVER wished that a doctor was MORE late than he already was. i was SO enjoying that view...)
where do you dream of traveling? do tell.

all images via architectural digest, july 2011.

boo.hoo.

i've got the flu.

i'll be back in a day or two.
(yes, that rhymed.)

(i thought i might give you a visual of exactly

what i look like while recuperating from the flu.)

***

the nasty bug has been making it's way around our home,

and i am it's latest victim. 

and you know you're not feeling well AT ALL

when even typing on the computer wears you out.
(phew. see, i am about to fall asleep RIGHT NOW.)
and i am sure that you are all DYING to see
the other "4 things i have learned the hard way",
but it will just have to wait. 
(i'm thinking i should add 
"not getting a flu shot" to the list....
***

oh, and i hate to be the bearer of bad news,
but that is NOT the way i look while
in bed, recuperating from the flu.
it's actually a MODEL in room at the
viceroy anguilla,
designed by kelly wearstler.
..kinda wishing i was there right now.
enjoy the view:

i think i might be feeling better...
pretty interiors = me.
 spinach = popeye.
see you soon friends...z..zzzzzzzzz....

vegas: the room

ahh..it's good to be back!
thanks for your patience!
so, first off, i have to say that my first ever 
official girls weekend was a blast.

we shopped, we ate, we shopped some more, 
we went to see two shows, and

we ate and shopped some more. 

it was great to hang out and chat and laugh and

have no agenda. it was perfectly heavenly.

we had originally boooked a room at the bellagio, 
but a few weeks ago, my

friend called me and told me she was considering 
moving our reservation to the trump.

 i know what you are thinking,

because i was thinking the same thing...

that it was going to look a lot like this:

and be really tacky inside. 

but, when i got online and looked at the rooms and the lobby,

 and read a few of the reviews, 

i was convinced, and we switched our reservation.

here are the items that won me over:

late (4pm) checkout.

 since we both had evening departure flights,

 this was ideal for us.

a kitchenette in every room.

this saved us a lot of $$, 

as we ate breakfast in our room everyday.

no casino=

no smoke=

no labyrinth to cross to get to our room.

location:

right next to the largest mall in nevada.

nordstroms was literally steps outside the front door.

plus, 

the decor was really nice.

(way nicer than the bellagio, in my opinion.)

plus, the bed was dreamy.

here's a few pictures...

check it out for yourself:

obviously, this is from the hotels website, but in person,

the rooms are nearly identical.

 nice lighting.

 a kitchenette,

 tons of storage!

we actually really liked having the

television behind the mirror. 

we didn't have to miss a single second of

access hollywood while we were getting ready to go out.

i really liked the mix in the bathroom:

great textural wallpaper

ornate mirror frame

classic modern sconces 

 the toilet and shower were encased in glass doors.

a really elegant solution, i thought.

i've never seen anything like this in a hotel before.

 the shower was really big and very nice as well.

the finishes were all very luxe.

 a framed photo above the toilet.

 another mirror above the bathtub.

 a framed photo in the entry of the room.

 my phone didn't take the best picture, but this upholstery

was a really beautiful greenish grey mohair.

the yellow/gold pillows looked fabulous against it.

 loved the cut velvet fabric on the chairs!

and isn't that lamp interesting?

cool texture.

i thought the mix of fabrics and colors was really well thought out, and

very sophisticated and soothing.

the lighting was really great also, and i thought it was interesting that

all of the lamps were different.  i loved all the storage...

i think these rooms were originally intended to be used as condos.

overall, i am really glad we stayed here. 

maybe we'll stay here next year, on our

second annual official girls weekend!

it's ok to start planning for it a little ahead of time, right?