y’all may know san francisco-based photographer leslie santarina from her guest posts here on the blog, and from her own beautiful blog spotted sf but did you also know she’s the author of a brand new book The 500 Hidden Secrets of San Francisco? leslie is always on the go and is one of the most curious people i have ever met, so she’s the perfect person to write a book about what to Eat-Drink-See-Shop-Stay around san francisco. her book has so many hidden gems — the kind of secret spots you want the inside skinny on, especially from her local’s point of view.

The main objective of The 500 Hidden Secrets of San Francisco is to share places not typically included in tourist guides, so visitors (and locals alike) can venture off the beaten track and discover hidden gems tucked within the hills of San Francisco — with really detailed maps included. As you leaf through the guide and examine the categories you’ll discover the city’s renowned restaurants, secret watering holes, curious little shops and galleries, old historic places, as well as the favorite haunts of locals themselves. hunting for the city’s best burritos, places to satisfy your sweet tooth or the best spot to slurp oysters? leslie’s got it covered. from the latest food trucks to san francisco’s classic eateries, they’re all included in the book. for more local gems (and beautiful photography) from leslie, be sure to follow her instagram account at @spottedsf.

• photography by leslie santarina for her book The 500 Hidden Secrets of San Francisco.

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Wallpaper is something I typically adore from afar but have yet to implement in my own space – – and I’m not sure why! With its innate drama and an incredible knack for completely changing the feel of a room, wallpaper is one home trend I’m genuinely happy to see coming back around lately. When I rounded up my favorite light fixtures last week, I knew I wanted to do the same for all of the peel-and-stick and traditional wallpaper options tugging at my heartstrings right now. From dark and moody florals to subtle neutral patterns, I’m loving a pop of pattern in every space.

Keep scrolling for a few of my favorite motifs.

xx, chelsea

• sources in order of appearance: drop it modern; anthropologie tall grass wallpaper; Studio Four NYC + Sally King Benedict faces mosiac; anthropologie logan wallpaper; house of hackney smoky rose wallpaper; studio four nyc shibori buff wallpaper; studio four nyc x avo; betapet botanical wallpaper; drop it modern femme terracotta wallpaper; kelly wearstler channels wallpaper; floral coloray soft leaf wallpaper; betapet monochrome herringbone wallpaper; Urban Caterpillar Wallpaper by Genevieve Gorder; drop it modern ‘body paint’ wallpaper; drop it modern shape shifter mural in blush; betapet delicate marble wallpaper; chasing paper crosshatch wallpaper; anthropologie meadowfield wallpaper; kelly wearstler askew wallpaper; chasing paper starburst tile wallpaper; Chasing Paper And Kate Zaremba Swansy Removable Wallpaper.

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what a week! so very busy and today was insane. do you ever have one of those days where life just feels broken? i had that day. so here i am at 9 o’clock thursday night writing this post. thankfully, i save so many inspiring images on pinterest that when it comes time to put together my friday finds, i usually have more than enough beauty to go around. enjoy your weekend everyone, and i’ll see you back here monday for a short week — as our independence day is just around the corner!

xo, victoria

1. this bedroom is as simple as they come, but also just sublime. it’s the work of the Netherlands pantoufle design and i’ve become their latest fan.
2. another wonderful design firm I’ve stumbled across is studio db, and this park avenue dining room mural is just one example of their lovely work. the entire home is stunning with an amazing use of wallpaper, so have a gander.
3. los angeles-based nail salon olive & june takes their design very seriously, so getting pampered in one of their many locations is always aesthetically pleasing. their santa monica shop’s waiting area with its pretty pink cushions couldn’t be cuter.
4. Australian stylist Sarah Ellison’s new collection of cement tiles for Teranova are just over the moon marvelous. i love this Mediterranean color palette of (very apropos) half-moon shapes.
5. i’ve become a big fan of protea of late and not just because they’re beautiful in a kind of prehistoric way. it’s also because even when they’ve dried out, they still look gorgeous.
6. and if you can’t find the real thing in your neck of the woods, these faux protea are quite a pretty alternative, too.
7. this home based on a small island in Copenhagen featured recently on a cup of jo is a must-see. and not just because this dining room is a dreamy and very wabi-sabi kinda space — the whole home and its soothing color palette are very inspiring.
8. another rather wabi-sabi or japanese vibe i’m really loving comes from this kimono as art featured on one of my favorite blogs, freunde von freunden. it’s the stunning home of Fashion Designer jan-Jan van Essche, based in Antwerp — have a look!

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it would appear that this week’s friday finds have been inspired by both nature, and great photography and how the two worlds often collide. maybe i need to get out more? but oh, L.A. how very hot you’ve been, and when will you cool the heck down? soon please, i’d like to enjoy the pasadena city college flea market this sunday without dripping in sweat. have a cool weekend, where ever you are!
xo victoria

1. this is an inspiring instagram feed to follow if you love the great outdoors. it’s the feed of @thecraziethewizard and this stunning photo of big sur makes me want ‘to go to there’ right now.
2. bespoke furniture restorers extraordinaire revitaliste invited me into a lovely group of designers to share our favorite L.A. spots and have put together an inspiring guide to the city of angels. included is one of my favorite florists, moon canyon design — have a peek at the full guide!
3. i love the music & brilliant lyrics of father john misty (aka josh tillman). and through his work i’ve become an avid admirer of his wife & muse, emma elizabeth tillman’s photography — she shot this lovely image of him and has directed some of his latest music videos. you can find her beautiful prints available in her big cartel shop and follow her on instagram.
4. leslie williamson is another of my favorite photographers and authors (Handcrafted Modern and Modern Originals and the newly released Interior Portraits), and i love the way she captures interiors in an unfussy, totally unstaged way — this pretty dining space is a prime example. plus those windows, that greenery. sigh.
5. i’ve been very into vintage crochet and have even considered dying some of these old pieces — jet black! i have a few crochet tablecloths i’ve thrown over bed covers lately and love the look — like this pretty daybed featured on design*sponge.
6. these botanical photographic prints are just stunning. created by Runa and Holly, two friends, Icelandic and Kiwi, Photographer and Florist, living in sunny Gisborne, New Zealand, they’ve recently joined forces in a new collaboration creating these beautiful limited edition art prints.
7. one of my favorite instagram feeds @haarkon_ are scouts of all things green and beautiful (cactus gardens, greenhouses, anyone?). haarkon has a new shop, and i love their new art prints, too. also – check out their beautiful new book, greenhouse glasshouse.
8. i love the site in bed store, not just for their beautiful bedding, but for the home tours they feature. this particular home in mexico city is lovely — doesn’t this indoor hammock seem like a grand idea?

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Fall is finally beginning to make its appearance in the crisp chill of the morning breeze and the arrival of seasonal gourds at all of my favorite haunts. This means my sights are set on all things dreamy and autumnal. To that end, one of the decor elements that’s currently catching my eye is dried florals. With texture abounding and some of the most beautiful natural muted tones, these arrangements scream fall in a subtle way — maybe they simply whisper autumn?

Easy to maintain and wonderfully festive, dried florals are making the rounds right now. My personal favorite are long stalks of wheat-colored pampas grass, sweet little billie balls, and graceful eucalyptus spilling out of all kinds of vessels.

Are you loving these whimsical arrangements as much as I am?

xx, chelsea

• photography credits in order of appearance: the lane; mente flores; rue de seine bridal;  yoli & otis; warren hill; Eliza May Nehrybecki; nath j.; tizianatosoni; studio mondine; the lane; glitter guide; taylor sterling; the lane; store house.

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almost the weekend greetings! today our friday finds are all looking rather au natural, if you will. style in spades but what look to have been created in a very organic way, which is feeling really easy on my eyes this week and bringing me some much-needed serenity. i hope you find some time to recline and relax, or maybe get out in nature this weekend. i’ll see you back here on monday!

xo, victoria

1. isn’t this cottage kitchen dreamy? designed like an outdoor greenhouse, it really brings the outside inside with those beautiful big windows and cobblestone courtyard.
2. this is a very charming set-up — a sweet kitchen nook that’s got that casual and effortless European vibe, not styled at all, but ends up looking like they worked hard on it!
3. i quite like the idea of this eclectic collection of vases – a very unique mix of vintage and new pretty glass vessels, in different shapes and shades of color.
4. now this is what i’d call a green cafe! it’s floral asheville — a botanical living boutique + cafe. grab a mug of coffee, wander through their plants and flowers, and submerge yourself in a floral botanical experience.
5. i’ve got an unexpectable crush on these gold gilt kind of fleur-de-lys — they’re a little bit gaudy and for some reason, i love them and have several of my own. against this green wall i love them even more.
6. these little mesh covers may be to ward against fruit flies but this is one sweet tablescape and i really love that long single branch — sublime styling, indeed.
7. this little seating nook is very charming. i love the lovely pair of vintage eames chairs, the simply styled mantel, and the industrial lighting. that painting pulls it all together with a great splash of color.
8. more green painted walls make for a very bold color palette in this kitchen and combined with that exposed copper pipe lighting looks super fabulous. love it all.

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i don’t know about you but i’ve been hankering for london holiday. even in chilly months i love londontown — running around all bundled up on the tube, hopping from the tate modern to the saatchi gallery — it’s all good. and when it’s time to warm up, how about a visit to the hackney coffee co.? i visited hackney in east london on my last trip and it’s a quirky and artful neighborhood on the rise — think artist’s lofts (the real deal), pubs, cafes and shops. enter hackney coffee co. — the building traces its history to at least as early as 1868 — the site was once a transport depot and mechanic’s garage, now restoring its history brick by brick, and completely re-imagined as an urban jungle-like cafe, supper club, cocktail bar and music venue. we’re thinking our favorite biker jacket, wide leg black denim and mod boots are just the thing here. while you await your mates, we suggest sarah jessica parker’s first foray into the publishing world in partnership with hogarth — a place for us by Fatima Farheen Mirza , a deeply moving and resonant story of love, identity, and belonging.

wear this there: GANNI Passion Biker Jacket (on sale!); Corey Lynn Calter Polka Dot Buttondown shirt; club monaco Long Chain Necklace; j.crew Crossbody buckle bag in blush Italian suede; club monaco Colleen Cashmere Beanie in black; yoox SUPER BY RETROSUPERFUTURE Sunglasses; MAKE Matte Lipstick in Tangerine; read this there a place for us by Fatima Farheen Mirza; JINsoon Nail Polish in Hope; MARNI Short socks; Reike Nen Ring Slim Boot in Black; GANNI Rienzi Denim Wide Leg black Denim.

• photography courtesy of @angelacoomey and @hackneycoffeeco.

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hey hey, happy valentine’s day! do you believe in the romance of this holiday, or is it just a scam brought to you by hallmark cards? i’m single (yet again) this year, but i think i’ll just celebrate me! i mean it’s all about the self-love these days so why not show yourself a little extra care and do something special for yourself? the possibilities are quite endless, but perhaps you need a few ideas. never fear, i’m here to help! might i suggest starting the day with breakfast in bed? well, then i do!

how about you treat yourself to some art? i just joined LACMA because not only do I get to soak up all kinds of artful inspiration, i figure their regular social events could be just the place to meet mister sfgirlbybay. can’t hurt, right? and i love a lazy solo day at the museum with or without hot art-loving guys. it’s good for the soul.

make yourself a ‘mixed tape’ — or a spotify playlist if that’s your jam. i make myself all kinds of playlists on spotify — from workout music, to my DJ V mix, i love all kinds of music and i’ve got a mix for every mood. i find making these mixes quite therapeutic, too. and on spotify i’m constantly finding new musicians per their spot-on recommendations. my latest obsession? father john misty (Joshua Michael Tillman’s made-up stage name) — not only are his lyrics pithy, he’s quite an amusing real-life person, as well.

play hooky. hey, i know it’s only thursday, but c’est la vie. i think you’ve got a low-grade fever and you’re probably very contagious. so skip work. take the phone literally off the hook and treat yourself right. maybe take a day trip somewhere you’ve always wanted to go. sometimes i just get in the car and drive without any real destination in mind. or, i’ve got an idea of where i’d like to end up and i just meander there slowly — via the long, scenic route. i’ve taken some of my favorite photographs on trips like these. just wander. run amuck. stop by an old diner. drive down a street you’ve never driven before. drive down the block you grew up on. do what you want to do.

stay in bed. all damn day. you deserve a rest. you don’t have to sleep — you can watch all your favorite movies. amélie? check! eternal sunshine of the spotless mind — a thought-provoking masterpiece. wes anderson is always good for my inner child — moonrise kingdom or the royal tenenbaums for a couple of quirky little stories that are sure to put a smile on your face and a spring in your step (the soundtracks alone are worth a watch!).

or, stay under the covers with a good book. maybe a great book. i find literary escapes some of the best. or go totally nuts and visit your local public library — they’re so old school romantic, don’t you think? sit and read a classic, or better yet check out some love poems. take them with you and read in your favorite secret spot.

maybe this is the obvious choice but do treat yourself to a little pampering. a new lip color, maybe two! a trip to your favorite spa – nothing like it to make you feel anew. or, still feeling like hanging in your pj’s? try priv — a new app where they come to you – mani, pedis, blowouts you name it. want to try something a little daring and very valentine-ish? kristen ess has a new Rose Gold Temporary Tint for your hair. if you’ve always wanted to try pink hair — do it! i double dare you!

and lastly, “you’ve gotta dance like there’s nobody watching, Love like you’ll never be hurt, Sing like there’s nobody listening, And live like it’s heaven on earth (thanks for that quote, William W. Purkey). be kind to yourself. be sure and buy yourself some fresh flowers. heck, buy yourself a whole big bush — a permanent one and plant it in your yard to remind yourself that every day you’re growing and you’re gorgeous, weird and wonderful just as you are. happy valentine’s day!  xo, victoria

• photography credits in order of appearance: Margaret Kilgallen; emily blincoe; pinterest; cult of tomorrow; visage by leigh wells studio; the cool hunter; NATALIE CHRISTENSEN via cos; father john misty via GQ; agence saint germain; Mica Dieterich; you can cool my desire; bar luce; the culture creative; amélie via crome yellow; moonrise kingdom; the royal tenenbaums via minimal movie posters; eternal sunshine of the spotless mind; quotes; pengion books via bol; designlovefest; Greg Miller and young woman reading by Mark Wyse; tradesy; pink braid via etsy; j.crew; pastel hair; Coming of age by Petra Collins, by Rizzoli via milk decoration; Audrey Hepburn in the 1957 film Funny Face; alex; Jean Renaud dancing on a Paris rooftop 1950; gregory halpern; everyday is a holiday.

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today we’re headed south — atlanta, georgia to be specific and checking in at the hotel clermont. vintage vibes abound at hotel clermont open since 1924, the hotel has hosted many a character and is still an important communal melting pot set in Atlanta’s Poncey-Highland neighborhood. A den of good times offering a swinging French-American brasserie, Tiny Lou’s, a sultry lobby bar, a buzzing café, and a rambling rooftop bar. With an atmosphere that’s full to bursting with positive energy, Hotel Clermont is all set to host your good times and your next best memory. we’re getting kitschy with it and a bit bold — pairing a pink & white plaid trench, some yellow print silk trousers and some delicious pink slides. but the pièce de résistance is that beaded floral clutch! should you find yourself catching some rays on the rooftop bar, we suggest reading normal people — a new novel by sally rooney about how difficult it is to speak to what you feel and how difficult it is to change. It’s wry and seductive; perceptive and bold. It will make you cry and you will know yourself through it.

wear this there: J.crew Icon trench in oversized pink & white gingham; j.crew V-neck Boyfriend cashmere sweater in vintage citrus; j.crew The Charleston T-shirt; Baum Und Pferdgarten Narethe Silk Trouser; Yuul Yie Abel Leather Flat in Pink; Lizzie Fortunato Amber Gem Earrings; Patchology Moodmask; D.S. & Durga I Don’t Know What Fragrance Enhancer; read this there normal people by sally rooney; butter LONDON Fruit Machine Patent Shine Nail Polish; anthropologie Floral Patchwork Beaded Clutch; Madewell x Karen Walker® Argentina Sunglasses.

• photography courtesy of @hotelclermont and hotel clermont; and @gabivalladares.

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i’ve had a rough week emotionally — you know the kind. you just don’t sleep well and feel down in the dumps. it happens, and thankfully today i’m feeling a bit better. so this week’s friday finds i find myself focusing on special little moments in time. specifically, these lovely little nooks and vignettes captured for us to enjoy and be inspired by. i’m really working on my gratitude this year and finding the joy and appreciation in the little things in life. these images do that for me and i hope they do for you, too.

xo, victoria

1. this perfectly styled countertop styled by Jenn Elliott Blake just makes me happy. i imagine the woodpile eventually building a warm, cozy fire and the placement of the vintage painting, mirror and glass cloche just look sublime. simple, but beautiful.
2. i’ve long admired these sliding kitchen cabinet doors shared by haarkon. i love that you can see subtle shapes and colors behind them, but there’s still a bit of mystery. they’ve got a rather retro, vintage vibe i like contrasted with the modern kitchen shelving.
3. this is another very pretty little kitchen corner. it’s so fresh and clean looking with the modern pale green kitchen cabinets and i like the unexpected placement of the portrait painting and contemporary lighting fixture.
4. artist serena mitnik-miller and general store shop proprietor always has a killer eye and i love this lone palm frond, captured in her lovely image of foraged nature as decor on a recent rainy L.A. day.
5. i love everything about this inspiring dining room space from photographer kate sears. it’s eclectic and warm with such a unique collection of home furnishings and accessories. love that glass front display cabinet, too!
6. i’m a big fan of all that lobster and swan creates and especially get inspired by her contributions to the urban jungle bloggers — a global community of plant lovers. this simple glass vessell growing mint is so pretty and such a lovely idea for a window sill.
7. this home office from anthropologie shared by coco kelley looks like such an ideal space to get work done. even though there is a lot of objects and books, it feels like everything is in its proper place. and i love the pop of the green desk chair and lamp (and that pretty green glass!).
8. this is yet another beautiful kitchen dining space. located in a home in Lille, in northern france it’s so cozy with a wonderful collection of mismatched dining chairs (my favorite kind!).

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every time i see someone galavanting around mexico city i have major FOMO. this place is very high up on my list of must-visits and now that i’ve discovered rosetta i want to go pronto-like. the food looks extraordinary and the lush, garden ambiance just so inviting. located in a charming old house in the Roma neighborhood, its cuisine is based on a deep respect for the Mexican ingredient — their Ravioles de ricotta, limón amarillo y tomillo limón are calling my name! everything on the menu sounds mouthwatering and lucky for us, they even have a beautiful cookbook! we’re going casual this time around, with a sweet gingham dress, a classic denim jacket in case the evenings get cool, and to dress it up a bit, a pretty print wrap with fringe and some sexy slides. i need to learn more about where to wander here, so i suggest we check out a copy of Wallpaper*’s City Guide Mexico City.

wear this there: anthropologie Greta Gingham Dress; j.crew Classic denim jacket; A Peace Treaty Vagos Silk Bandana in Green; Paloma Wool Vino Drop Earrings in Dark Green; j.crew RAEN® Optics Figurative sunglasses; read this there: Wallpaper* City Guide Mexico City; Aesop Geranium Leaf Body Balm Tube; BY FAR Virgo Suede Slide in Green; clare v Half Zip Wallet; Louisa Woven Mini Tote Bag.

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friday greetings, y’all. i’m sooo ready for this weekend, how about you? i’m also in a major spring cleaning mood and trying to simplify around the house, so stay tuned for a rather large yard sale coming your way in the very near future. whatever i don’t donate i’m going to be passing along at a good price. i’ll let you know when! in the meantime, here’s some eclectic inspiration for you. have a great weekend, everyone!

xo, victoria

1. i love this room and i so admire the work of its owner — italian Interior architect, designer and collector giacomo totti. his signature look is eclectic, bohemian and quite beautiful.
2. this is such a wonderful vintage modern mix. i love the pop art paired with the vintage furnishing and especially that lovely old radiator — it may be in slight decay but it just adds charm.
3. these two photos have such great effortless style — wonderful collectibles with loads of layers — on the left is “London Leisure Palace of Design Phenom Luke Edward Hall” featured in GQ and on the right, lucinda chamber’s delightful capture of print and pattern.
4. have you checked out openhouse magazine yet? it’s an inspiring print magazine and guide to creative people around the world who open their homes and private spaces to us so that we can share cultural activities and experience life together. this is from the recent feature on amsterdam based photographer Mirjam Bleeker and stylist Frank Visser. you can subscribe here.
5. i love the ceramic work of artist leah goren and i especially love her nude dishes, but be sure and take a look at all her work, from colorful textiles to prints. you can follow her latest creations on instagram, too.
6. india hobson’s instagram feed is a visual delight and this image with its lovely shadows and light really caught my eye. her entire instagram feed is ‘color coordinated’ and a beautiful and inspiring thing to take your time with.
7. this kitchen is a long-time favorite of mine. from the tall glass doors to the arched tiled ceiling to the beautiful clay tile floor i just love everything about it. it’s light, airy and looks to me like the ideal place to cook for family & friends.
8. did you know the scrunchie has made a comeback? thanks to designer Line Sander Johansen of comfort objects — she’s taken abandoned and luxurious vintage textiles like Chanel scarves and reimagined them as scrunchies, and now petit tote bags, too.

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as i mentioned recently, i’ve been seeing a lot of green around the internet, and i don’t exactly mean envy, but many of these looks are indeed quite enviable. i just mean shades of green seem to be on trend lately, and i can see why — green can evoke passion and can be strangely exotic, but it’s also so fresh, lively and bold. add a dash of green to your interiors, whether it be the real thing, like some lovely houseplants, or a beautiful painting or piece of green upholstered furniture and it literally brings a room to life. green is a color that’s timeless, and then again, right on trend.

• photography in order of appearance: aestate; domino; ellen degeneres’ homes via domino; parson’s dining table from super marché; amsterdam modern; @nomibis; lina ostling; vintage floral still life painting from super marché; house & garden; ida magntorn photography for my scandinavian home; homes to love; @fidel_arias; entrance makleri; cacto shop; inside out magazine; calm in trees; @tasknewyork; the leo is all in the mind; homes to love; @nomibis; ruth iauda; ida magntorn photography for my scandinavian home; @helloiamnaz; homes to love; @carlaypage.

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what a week! so very busy and today was insane. do you ever have one of those days where life just feels broken? i had that day. so here i am at 9 o’clock thursday night writing this post. thankfully, i save so many inspiring images on pinterest that when it comes time to put together my friday finds, i usually have more than enough beauty to go around. enjoy your weekend everyone, and i’ll see you back here monday for a short week — as our independence day is just around the corner!

xo, victoria

1. this bedroom is as simple as they come, but also just sublime. it’s the work of the Netherlands pantoufle design and i’ve become their latest fan.
2. another wonderful design firm I’ve stumbled across is studio db, and this park avenue dining room mural is just one example of their lovely work. the entire home is stunning with an amazing use of wallpaper, so have a gander.
3. los angeles-based nail salon olive & june takes their design very seriously, so getting pampered in one of their many locations is always aesthetically pleasing. their santa monica shop’s waiting area with its pretty pink cushions couldn’t be cuter.
4. Australian stylist Sarah Ellison’s new collection of cement tiles for Teranova are just over the moon marvelous. i love this Mediterranean color palette of (very apropos) half-moon shapes.
5. i’ve become a big fan of protea of late and not just because they’re beautiful in a kind of prehistoric way. it’s also because even when they’ve dried out, they still look gorgeous.
6. and if you can’t find the real thing in your neck of the woods, these faux protea are quite a pretty alternative, too.
7. this home based on a small island in Copenhagen featured recently on a cup of jo is a must-see. and not just because this dining room is a dreamy and very wabi-sabi kinda space — the whole home and its soothing color palette are very inspiring.
8. another rather wabi-sabi or japanese vibe i’m really loving comes from this kimono as art featured on one of my favorite blogs, freunde von freunden. it’s the stunning home of Fashion Designer jan-Jan van Essche, based in Antwerp — have a look!

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this week’s instagram worthy feed is taking us all the way to berlin. it’s one of the things i love about instagram, that it can instantly take us somewhere else — and then invite us to experience a new culture, or visit a completely different part of the world. meet @______theo, aka Theodora and Interior, travel and lifestyle content creator based in Berlin, germany. theo invites us into her charming plant-filled apartment and then takes us along on her european travels, too. have a gander at theo’s beautiful images and then hop on over and follow her on instagram.

• photography by @______theo.

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now that i’m living at the beach, and on an acre-wide cactus garden, i’ve gotten really into outdoor living. i have succulents, cacti, bamboo and all kinds of palm trees surrounding my little cottage, and not only are they beautiful, but they’re also all such low maintenance plants! they’re all drought-tolerant so they need very little water, and they propagate all on their own, so the more the merrier. i’ve rounded up some low maintenance looks for you — some more than others, although they say once a living wall gets going it never stops! i really love the look of these cactus paddles hanging, too, so i may have to try that as i’m soaking in these last days of warm california weather!

• photography credits in order of appearance: tara pearce photography; @dos_ombre; nicole franzen photography; albeli home rental; flying feathers; @waynepate’s Paris Elemental, The Pigeon Outside My Window painting; cote maison; dos ombre; remodelista; 100 layer cake; @anne_parker; o format; @sarahtonin_._; james schororos photography; fran muñoz for micasa; cb2; pop & scott; foreign rooftops; botanical palm art print from heart in colors; @sincerelyjules; xo amys; @jessicamenda; leslie shewring’s studio via decor8; caroline legrand design; xo amys; @carlaypage; barts boekje; @jessicamenda; @mygypsytribe.

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flip flops are usually my footwear of choice, however as the seasons change and the days (and nights!) get cooler, a girl can’t always get by with just a pair of beach sandals. boot and shoes are kind of a must even in california winters, so i like to support my favorite shoes with some stylish socks! there are so many great resources for cute socks these days — from one of my very favorites, hansel from basel, to happy socks and for extra sassy socks that speak your inner thoughts and say the quietest things out loud, i just love blue q. so, without further ado, here’s some seasonal sock inspiration!

clockwise, from left to right: glamobserver; madewell Contrast Stripe Trouser Socks; socks and sofa by ulas & merve photography; gorman runway by carine thevenau photography; hansel from basel nori crew sock; @lisasaysgah red sandals and socks; ban.do BEMBURG FRINGE CREW in MAUVE by hansel from basel; anthropologie Dana Crew Socks.

clockwise, from left to right: Sheer Socks in Confetti from poketo; COS COLOUR-BLOCK COTTON SOCKS; free people Whisper Border Socks; MARIA LA ROSA Colorblocked Cotton-Blend Mid-Calf Socks; Madewell Contrast Trouser Socks; blueq this meeting is bullshit crew socks; sfgirlbybay journal; KULE The O RLY Socks; sequin socks via You’re so French! style book; free people Dolores Sheer Crew Socks with daisies.

clockwise, from left to right: gucci via fashionista; socks with velvet mary jane heels via vogue; antipast japan socks; happy socks temple blosson sock; vogue socks on models; Crew Socks in Color Swatch from poketo; floral knee socks via bonne maison; happy socks optic square sock; ban.do socks; color blocking via vaux vintage; blue q i heard you and i don’t care socks; free people Candy Stripe Sheer Socks.

clockwise, from left to right: pink crew socks via vincentli; Hansel From Basel Lava Shimmer Ankle Socks; pompees Pink Chiffon Socks; Hansel from Basel Two-Pack Geo Shimmer Socks; mismatched color socks by design scene; Hansel From Basel Lava Shimmer Ankle Socks; MARIA LA ROSA Colorblocked Cotton-Blend Mid-Calf Socks via not jess fashion; loafers and socks by @SaraMerz; madewell Jungle Cat Ankle Socks; white fishnet socks via glamobserver; hansel from basel plaid fringe crew sock.

• all other photography credits in order of appearance: hansel from basel buro crew sock; @beatrice.gutu; Bemberg Rib Short Crew from hansel from basel; hansel from basel nori crew sock with pink fuzz; @nl_wonderlander; hansel from basel Petit Chucks Sheer Crew socks.

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today’s instagram worthy feed is really giving me beachy inspiration for my laguna cottage. we’re headed down under and visiting @mrjasongrant — one of Australia’s favorite stylists, designers, and design book authors. i’ve long been a fan of jason’s work and his latest vibes are ever so lovely. he seems to be taking strong cues from the beautiful nature of his homeland and bringing them indoors, giving them a whole new life. warning, @mrjasongrant: i will be stealing ideas from you. i’ve already got the palm frond going on, but i’m about to go foraging for more — cactus paddles, birds of paradise? yes please. go visit jason’s beautiful feed and his website for much more design inspiration — it’ll be a great way to start your week.

• photography by @mrjasongrant.

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there’s a wild and woolly storm over southern california as i write this post, which makes it the ideal time for foraging for foliage — after the wind and rains subside, that is. with the storm comes a lot of dried foliage falling from our local palm trees and tree branches, and they make for some beautiful floral arrangements and decor accents — they’re my new favorite thing! a kind of japanese ikebana if you will — the purpose of making ikebana floral arrangements is to learn to appreciate certain things that people normally ignore in nature and the beauty of the shapes of the flowers and foliage. all kinds of plants make beautifully unique arrangements — date seed shoots, pampas grass, cactus fruit, if you can forage it, you can use it!

i love this idea and as i posted earlier was super inspired by stylist jason’s grant’s use of dried or discarded foliage (and love his use of a cactus paddle as table decoration, above). there’s also a beautiful book out by artist and floral designer louesa roebuck called Foraged Flora: A Year of Gathering and Arranging Wild Plants and Flowers if you’d like to learn more about foraging. and, if you’re nowhere near a palm tree but like this look, check out the Desert Collective Co on etsy and raw sunshine coast — they sell all kinds of these dried beauties. happy foraging!

• photography credits in order of appearance: patti murphy design; @mrjasongrant; @jacqui_turk; lilly red; style indicator; @littlegreenshed; @mrjasongrant; bakchic; Blossom and Blooms Apothecary Jar from anthropologie; @byaudreyjeanne; BANKSIA Dried flowers from Bunny Flower Boutique; @jessicatremp; dos ombre; bianca snow; @mrjasongrant; @_designtales_; yak and yeti trader; @misterjasongrant; lilly red; the leo is all in the mind; raw sunshine coast; @misterjasongrant; magnolia rouge; raw sunshine coast; Giant Sun Dried Fan Palm from Desert Collective Co; the design files; @nelvanvooren; almost makes perfect; Sago Palm Leaves from Desert Collective Co; fashion gone rouge; @misterjasongrant.

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well, my friends, this is the last friday finds of the year and this one’s filled with lots of light — thinking towards a fresh, bright new start to the new year, i suppose. i can’t quite believe how another year has flown by so quickly — why is it as i get older the years seem so much shorter? alas, i digress — i want to wish you all a wonderful holiday season, one filled with lots of friends and family, as well as some downtime to reflect and think about your hopes and dreams for next year. i hope there’s time away from the computer and social media, and just some honest to goodness real time, face to face where you can feel empathy and kindness towards others, and feel it truly reciprocated. i so appreciate you still being here with me after so many years, and if you’re new to the blog — welcome! i plan on chugging along until the last reader has left, even if some say blogs are dead. i love it too much to give it up, so as long as you’re here, i’m here, too. we’ll be back to work in january, and until then, have a very happy holiday however you wish to celebrate it and a very happy and healthy new year.

xo, victoria

1. i went light on holiday decor since i’m mostly all on my own this year, just adding lots of candles and putting up white fairy lights (if you spray paint them gold, they glow and look extra special!). that’s why i love this fireplace mantel so much — it’s elegant and yet simple and can stay this styled this beautifully all year round — light all these candles and i’ll bet it’s magical.
2. i’ve always had a crush on vintage wall sconces, and often the tackier or ornate the better. i have a few i’ve found at flea markets and i love the way these look in this rustic kitchen — such an interesting and unexpected juxtaposition of fancy and practical. i may have to pull a copycat.
3. you know i love mismatched dining chairs, and this look is perfect for this time of year when you’re gathering so many extra guests around the holiday dining table.
4. this is one very beautiful light-filled space — supplied by those extra special stained-glass windows. i love the white floors and fireplace, too. all it’s missing is a big old tree all lit up in front of those pretty windows.
5. this is a beautiful bright, light living room, too. what is it about those very European floor-to-ceiling glass doors that always make a room so much more special? i’d have them in every room if i could.
6. big beautiful paned glass windows are pretty grand, too! i love this dining area — there’s so much empty space and yet it feels so inviting. perhaps it’s lovely chandelier taking center stage that makes it all just shine.
7. i love the idea of decorating the christmas table ‘from above’ so to speak — hanging bits and bobs from nature along with some tiny white lights. this dining table looks so beautiful bringing in a bit of greenery in the form of foraged branches paired with a simple white linen tablecloth, candles, and natural stoneware.
8. doesn’t this look like the coziest spot to wake up and have christmas breakfast? it’s the captain’s rest, a charming and rustic seaside inn all the way down under in tasmania, australia and it doesn’t have one uncharming bone in its body. putting this spot on next year’s must-visit list.

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