EMERALD GREEN SPRING

I'm ready for spring, I've said it before and I'm hoping if I keep saying it, it will finally arrive. What's making it harder is that while spring flowers are blooming everywhere, the trees have not gotten their full set of leaves. I think that's why I'm craving the color green. Not just any green, but a deep rich emerald green.

It all started when I spotted these pants in an ad from Gucci....

Obviously I couldn't afford those, so I found a cheaper option at Zara.

But then I started seeing green everywhere...

source unknown

I spotted this incredible sofa in the home of interior designer Bailey McCarthy in the latest issue of Rue Magazine.

My friend Mary Kate's fantastic Nick Olsen designed apartment was featured on ShelterPop. I can't get enough of those gorgeous green stripes in her bedroom. Check out the rest of her cool renovation here.

photo: Mary Kate Frank via Shelterpop 

This bright green piece of art stands out in a crisp white living room.

 Found via Lipstick on your Teeth

 I have always loved this Miles Redd designed kitchen from House Beautiful.

What a lucky 3 year old to have a bedroom like this with gorgeous wallpaper and headboard.

Real Living Magazine

I found these awesome Grant Hamilton prints over at Kate Spade

And how about this gorgeous green wedding dress spotted over at Green Wedding Shoes...

photos: Susan Dean

Yes, green is definitely my new favorite color for spring. Have you found any green interiors that you love?

TAKING IT TO THE FARM...

There's nothing like getting out of the craziness of the city, even if it's for just an evening. This weekend, armed with my new camera and a fellow foodie/chef, I hopped on metro north to visit Blue Hill at Stone Barns.

Easily accessible, just 45 minutes outside of the city, Blue Hill at Stone Barns is known as one of the best restaurants in the country. It's helmed by renowned executive chef/co-owner Dan Barber, Dan's brother David and David's wife Laureen. Foodies can expect an ever changing menu that takes the farm-to-table to a new level. 

Before dinner, we walked around the huge greenhouses on the property and "sampled" the many rows of seasonal vegetables that would be used in that night's dinner. 

Chickens, cows, pigs and sheep are all raised on the farm. 

This huge sheep dog took his job very seriously, but eventually warmed up to us...

One of the more innovative farming techniques included mobile chicken coops that regularly relocate around the farm. 

Once inside, the food to say the least was amazing. While I didn't capture everything (too busy eating), here were a few of my favorites....

The vegetables on the fence were beautifully displayed with a simplicity and goodness not often found off the farm. 

(Image courtesy of The Girl Who Ate Everything)

This course included a trio of fresh carrot juice, radishes and turnips, whimsically displayed in a bed of soil. (Off to the right is a shot of scented geranium infused vodka).

The gardener in me delighted in the fresh pea shoots that were pruned table side.  I've made my dinner companion promise that he'd help me recreate the lemon vinaigrette. I had to stop myself from licking it off the plate. 

One of the best meat dishes was a compilation of pig parts (heart, snout and cheeks) served with ramps and broccoli rabe. The bottom of the plate was a mixture of shaved lardo and immature egg. Paired with a Roja this dish was INCREDIBLE!

After almost 12 dishes, we walked out feeling completely satisfied and happy, but not overly full. If you get the chance, definitely worth the trip. I know I'll be back again soon... 

GOING GRAPHIC WITH WEST ELM

I'm back after a few very long, busy days in NYC.  I've been knee deep taking photos for O&B, edits, taxes (ugh!) and working on some upcoming projects and so my blogging has suffered just a bit, but I promise to be better friends.

I received this via email from West Elm this morning. Couldn't you imagine these patterns sew together as an amazing coverlet?

 I dove into the collection and there are definitely some fantastic new graphics. Here are a few of my favs...

 Mediterranean Lacquer Trays

 Sunshine Tea Towel (I'd love a dress made from this print!)

Modernist Bowls

Moroccan Canape Plates

Aegean-printed cotton mat

Do you have any favorites from West Elm's new collection?

MUST BE SPRING

Yesterday, my apartment was filled with gorgeous flowers as I prepped for a photoshoot for iVillage. In my mind there's nothing better than a cluster of delicious smelling flowers on my desk.

Here are a few sneak peeks...

How gorgeous are these bright red peonies!

One of the arrangements I was working on...

BACK IN THE BAY

So you know when you have the perfect weekend planned out... dinners with friends, lazy afternoons chatting on the roof, runs in the park, vintage shopping, etc and then whamo something happens to derail the whole thing? Well that's definitely what happened with me with this past weekend in San Francisco...

I flew to SF on Thursday and had a great time exploring the city. I mean it was 75 degrees and sunny to start with (basically unheard of this time of year) and I got to experience Off The Grid, a weekly gathering of gourmet street trucks. Yum! I had the Chairman Boa pork buns (I would have shared a pic, but I ate them too quickly!)

On Friday my friend and I headed up to Pt. Reyes, CA to Hog Island Oyster Co and Nick's Cove. You've probably heard me talk about these places before, as they're two of my favorites in Northern California. It was a beautiful sunny drive up and when we got there the fact that it was still 70 degrees by the water was crazy! We bbq'd some oysters and clams and enjoyed a little sunshine.

At Nick's Cove, we headed out to the boathouse on the dock. It's a secret, but you can take drinks and food out there. In fact...

 you can even order it...

I passed the time watching this VW van try to get the boat out of the water. I wasn't sure it was going to make it...

 (Image courtesy of http://blog.gorgeousgrub.com/)

Sat was filled with friends and a fantastic dinner at Local Mission Eatery... Spring greens topped the menu with braised quail and charred squid.Yum!


But Sunday, the wheels came off the cart so to speak. I had a 24-hour bug that knocked me down and out. So much so that I didn't make it Alameda Antiques by the Bay (my favorite vintage shopping). I was sad to miss out, but glad that I'm feeling back to normal today. There's always next month...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, OCTAVIA & BROWN!

Where can I begin... Octavia & Brown just celebrated our 1st {blog} birthday on Friday!  I am beyond thrilled for all the friends I have met and humbled by all the wonderful comments that have been shared over the past year. Thank you so much for your continued support and here's to a bright and happy future!

 (Amber Karnes via sfgirlbybay)

While in true O&B fashion, I'd love to throw a party for all of you complete with champagne in vintage stemware on gorgeous serving trays, since travel might be a bit of an issue, I thought I'd offer 15% off all items at Octavia & Brown from 4/5/11- 4/10/11 (excludes shipping).  Just use coupon code 1BDAY at checkout. Just a present from me to you.

Happy April Fool's Day

Happy April Fool's Day! I'm not a huge player of practical jokes, but love these misfortune cookies from imeodesign.

Have a great weekend and I'll see you back here on Monday!