So, I’ve been diligently working to feather my new nest, and have discovered the following:

1. I am unabashedly drawn to bright colors. Sunny yellow, in particular;
2. While there is inspiration aplenty online for all-things-yellow, I’m hard-pressed to find any in-the-flesh versions;
3. It’s practically impossible to find a yellow upholstered headboard.

I have become obsessed with the idea of a bright yellow, upholstered headboard. Obsessed. But, try as I might, I have been unable to rustle up even one viable option. And so, while feeling particularly whiny and despondent after an embarrassingly long online search (see: “yellow headboard” “fabulous yellow headboard” “upholstered yellow headboard” “why won’t anyone make a fabulous yellow headboard, dammit?”) I posed the query to my Facebook friends, hoping someone would send me a link to a magical site filled with nothing but fabulous, yel—oh, right. You remember. Anyway.

Because my Facebook friends are so gosh-darned smart, no less than five people immediately suggested that I make one myself, easy peasy. I mentally palm-smacked my forehead: of course! I’ve watched TLC! HGTV! All the other home improvement acronym television stations! I’m handy, and best of all, am very good at following instructions. So, that’s the plan. And while I’m drawing up my vision, I’m using these gorgeous images as inspiration:

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This week’s wish list includes a smattering of the pretty things I’ve seen and heard this past week, of which I just can’t get enough:

1. Pretty Smitten’s Shop: Fabulous customized iPhone covers, lucite trays and stationary? Don’t mind if I do.

2. Frightened Rabbit: I was able to take in the Death Cab for Cutie show last night at The Greek Theater, happy as a clam in the pit (!). The openers were Frightened Rabbit, a band I hadn’t yet heard of, but am now pretty darn smitten with (see how I did that? Pretty smitten?).

3. Metallic Wellies: Thanks to the looming fall weather, I’ve had Wellies aplenty on my mind. This metallic pair from Hunter ought to do the trick.

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Last week, a group of friends and I celebrated our dearest Jacqui’s 30th birthday, with a croquet picnic at the Silverlake Reservoir Meadows.

I can safely say that I have not enjoyed such a perfect afternoon in a long, long time. The picnic spread was beautiful, and pink, pink, pink.

We indulged in childhood favorites, including a treasure hunt:

And a particularly rousing game of duck duck goose (made even more so by the champagne):

We snacked on delicious and picture perfect picnic foods:

And rocked a round of croquet (also made even more fun by champagne, it turns out):

We paused our strenuous athletic activities, and dug into the strawberry cupcakes-in-a-jar I made for the birthday girl. She had spotted this post on my blog months ago, and loved the idea:

And then it was back to our mallets. If I recall, there were talks of unifying a croquet league, but that may have just been the sun:

All in all, it was the perfect summer day, spent with a delicious group of people. Happy Birthday, Jacqui!

Photos courtesy of the talented and lovely Lani.

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I mean, really: is there anything more drab than standard issue office supplies? Whether you work from home, a poorly lit cubicle, or your very own corner office, you can brighten up the mundane with these fun, chic office supplies. Even TPS reports could be fun, if you had a bedazzled tape dispenser sitting next to you. (Frankly, I’m pretty sure a bedazzled tape dispenser would make anything more fun.)

1. Crazy Keys USB Storage, $34
2. Pink Moleskine Notebooks, $12.95
3. Moustache Eraser Set, $4.99
4. Bling Tape Dispenser, $26.10

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Growing up, we moved around a lot. A lot. My parents went through what a writing professor once dubbed as their yuppie-turned-hippie phase, which resulted in us living in various parts of the country, depending upon where the spiritual winds beckoned loudest to my mother.

Being an only child in possession of a vivid imagination, I was already prone to loving the written word and the stories they told. But add to that my peculiar upbringing full of solitude and brand new places, and  books were bound to be my first constant friends.

And although I’ve grown into a woman blessed with piles and piles of lovely human friends, there’s still nothing like curling up with a good book. Many lists are made each summer, featuring suggestions for which book should make the cut into an already full beach tote, but I’m an advocate of year-round reading. And the books featured in this week’s wish list would be fabulous companions in summer, spring, fall or winter.

• Broetry, Brian McGackin I am particularly excited to include this book, because aside from being hilarious, and a brilliant concept, the writer is a friend. I was fortunate enough to attend USC’s Master of Professional Writing program with Brian (who has an article out in today’s Huffington Post), where I heard some of these poems, prior to publishing. It’s “poetry for dudes” but I assure you, the ladies will love it just as much.

• 40 Years of Chez Panisse, Alice Waters Chez Panisse, the gold standard for local, sustainable and organic, is turning 40. And luckily for us, its queen (and chef) Alice Waters shares her favorite recipes and stories in this destined-to-be-a-classic culinary tome. I might even sleep with it under my pillow. That’s how excited I am about this book.

• My Year with Eleanor, Noelle Hancock There are few things I love more than a good journey memoir. You know, the Julie & Julia type, where the author takes on some sort of project, while learning oodles about herself along the way? Love it. And this book promises to be a new favorite: Hancock takes the late great Eleanor Roosevelt’s advice, and does something every day that scares her. For one year. It’s bound to be tasty, no?

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1. Jonathan Adler Bon Voyage Luggage Tag, $5.95
2. Wishing Fish Luggage Tags With Attitude, $12
3. Tepper Jackson Luggage Tags With Travel Phrases, $17

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I’m always stumbling across delightful thing-a-mabobers, about which I shriek “I’m obsessed! Obsessed!”

But, lickety split, I find myself forgetting all about these people, places, or things (which by definition changes them to almost obsessions). It’s not because I don’t adore them; I’m just an out of sight, out of mind kind of gal.

But, because one of my very favorite things in the whole wide world is to share all of the goodies I find with you, and I can’t do that if I’m forgetting all over the place, I knew I had to come up with a solution.

Meet Wish List, a compilation of the people, places, or things I’m loving right now. I’ll publish a new Wish List each Friday, and would adore to know what you’re currently obsessed with, too!

And, so that I can keep all of my online obsessions in one place, I’ll finally be using Pinterest, after much prodding by my very smart husband.

So, without further ado, this week’s Wish List. I’m in a vivid, cheeky, retro mood, as evidenced by my picks. And while I don’t know that I could actually pull off a turban, I’d sure love to try:

1. ASOS Blue Crepe Feel Turban, $13.79
2. Aliza Darik Black & White Zig Zag Zipper Clutch, $21.95
3. Jonathan Adler Brass Muse Bottle Opener, $98

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I stopped by the DailyCandy Deals L.A. launch event at Fred Segal Santa Monica last week with my friend Sheila, wooed as I was by the promise of cupcakes, champagne, manis & makeovers. What more could a girl ask for on a Thursday evening? We had a marvelous time, and left totally pampered.

Both Fred Segal Santa Monica buildings were bedecked in pink! pink! pink! for the event. I desperately wanted to take home these balloons:

But, I resisted, and instead nabbed some sweets from the candy bar, and sipped on pink champagne:

Then, it was on to the OPI Mani Bar for a fresh coat of polish:

And finally, I stopped by the pop-up Stila Makeover shop, and put my face in the hands of the lovely makeup artist  Shery Weaver. I love the fresh, relaxed look she gave me (psst…it’s all about the Stila Prime Pot):

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A few weeks ago, I spent the most delightful afternoon at Anastasia Beverly Hills‘ newish Brentwood location gathering beauty tips, learning how to (finally!) achieve a smoky eye that doesn’t leave me looking like an ’80s raccoon, and watching brow legend Anastasia Soare demonstrate the perfect brow shaping technique. A technique for which half of Hollywood is grateful, as evidenced by the wall of thanks posted in the chic, sunny brow studio.

The blogger beauty event was held in honor of Anastasia’s newest beauty products—the brow queen is branching out to beauty, with a purpose. She has a paraben free makeup line does that double duty, acting as super moisturizing skin care in addition to adding color to your cheeks (or lips, or eyes…).

The eye shadow palettes have the loveliest colors, and go on much more sheer than you’d think. But, if you want to pack a major color punch? Simply dampen the brush, and then add the shadow—one of the many helpful tips I scribbled down, thanks to makeup artist Andrew Velazquez.

And there’s also the fabulous line erasing creme with Goji berry—I’ve been using it for a month now, and am officially obsessed. I don’t exactly have lines yet to erase, but a girl can never be too prepared, right?

One of my favorite beauty tips of the day was one so simple, I feel foolish for not stumbling across it sooner; to prevent the dusting of eye shadow that often makes its way to settle stubbornly on your already powdered cheek (grr!), just place a tissue underneath your eye, as you brush on shadow. I’ve been doing it every day now, and it works like a charm.

We gave rapt attention to Anastasia’s brow tutorial, and I was able to capture a video of her describing the “Golden Ratio” of brow proportion, allowing us all to shape the perfect brow, at home.

We gathered for a photo, before heading outside for lunch.

Lunch was prepared by celeb chef Beth Ginsberg, who focuses on healthy fare that is explode in your mouth delicious. But, before the food, a little design moment—how pretty is their outdoor area?

The spread was lovely, and the perfect way to end such a fabulous afternoon. And the ridiculously chocolately brownie served for dessert was, too.

They generously sent us off on our merry way with a goodie bag filled with the products they demonstrated, and we left looking prettier than when we arrived—and with the knowledge of how to recreate the gorgeous, at home. Who could ask for more? Many thanks to the Anastasia Beverly Hills team for hosting us!

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I was honored to be invited to the QVC Pre-Oscar party at the iconic Four Seasons Beverly Hills this past Friday evening. There were as many celebrities in attendance as rain drops (rain, in LA? Quelle horreur!) and Paul and I sipped champagne as we dodged the soggy grass, looking on at the live broadcast hosted by Lisa Robertson and Isaac Mizrahi, of whom I’m an enormous fan—does anyone else remember his amazing talk show? That stark white set, those irreverent questions, the guy playing the piano? Amazing.

Cameras weren’t allowed in the party, but Paul snuck a few shots of me in a fabulously sleeved Costume National top, which I wore as a dress (and snagged from Crossroads Trading Co for $50—hello, recycled clothing!), with black tights and black suede platform heels. I added my favorite Sunken Treasure Subversive Jewelry necklace, and hoped it detracted from the electrifyingly frizzy mess my hair soon became—it, like LA, isn’t built for rain. Ah, well.

Related posts:

1. {VIDEO!} Crossroads Trading Co. Street Style!
2. How Ethel McCormack Revamped My Style
3. Bright & Bridal