a toast to 2011

I love this. I came across it a week ago here and just had to save it for today. This past year has been incredible - it's been filled with a lot of milestones. Married the love of my life, I learned to take a chance on new endeavors and follow my dreams. Most importantly, the challenges that came my way only helped me grow into the person that I am today.

First and foremost, I want to say thank you to all of my amazing readers - without you blogging wouldn't be the same. You fill my soul with happiness everyday. Your comments and emails bring a smile to my face. And to the friends I've met this year through blogging, your friendship means the world to me. I cherish the friendships I've made and can't wait to make even more next year!

I wanted to give a huge thank you to our incredible 2010 sponsors - each and every one of them are amazing companies. Bustle Event Design (getting married? email Erin asap!), Cottage Farm (beautiful housewares), Janezic (a fabulous clothing line) and Erica Tanov (a local Bay Area designer that inspires me every season). Their ongoing support means the world to me.

Cheers to 2011 - may it be filled with happiness, love, inspiration, and success!

Wish all of you a wonderful New Year!

xoxo, Caitlin

*Photo: Patterson Maker

homeward bound . . .

After a wonderfully relaxing week in Portland with friends and family, we're finally making the journey home to San Francisco. I'll miss my mom's delicious breakfasts, beautiful house and all the dinner parties we hosted, but I'm excited to bring all of our new Christmas goodies home. There might be some redecorating in my future . . . shhh, don't tell Eric.

Hope all of you were able to spend quality time with loved ones this holiday season - it always fills my heart to see mine.

*Photos: Global Atelier and House of Bliss

sponsor post: bustle events

Christmas is a popular time to get engaged - our family is giddy with excitement because my brother-in-law got engaged to his lovely high school girlfriend the day after Christmas. I feel as though I should start my "wednesday wedding updates" again!

For anyone planning a wedding, bridal shower, or event you should definitely contact our latest Sacramento Street sponsor - the one and only Bustle Events. Erin Taylor is a spectacular Bay Area wedding and party planner. Her great sense of style and impeccable taste are bound to make any event one to remember. I'm thrilled to have her as a sponsor and excited for what's to come in her career!

I'd highly recommend popping over to her blog, where you'll find endless amounts of inspiration!

*If you are interested in becoming a sponsor on Sacramento Street, please email us at sacstreet (at) gmail (dot) com for more information.

*Photos: Bustle Events

let it snow . . .

Working from Portland today was magical - I sat at my computer gazing out the window at falling snow. It was beautiful, but I felt like a little kid again, jumping up and down with excitement. Can you tell I don't see snow very often anymore?

*Photo: lesley kerr

fireside

I've been longing for a fireplace for ages - it's a rare thing to have in a San Francisco apartment but it would be a nice little perk. Especially having one in a bedroom. Although, I don't think I would leave my bed if that was the case!

*Photos: Global Atelier (found via 79ideas)

cape-tastic

Do you ever come across a look that you want to steal? It happens to me all the time. Sometimes I just want the bag, shoes, or the perfect handbag that needs to be on my shoulder - in this case I want the WHOLE look.  From head to toe, it's pure perfection. This gals got fabulous style . . . she even cuffs her jeans like I do.

Anyone know where I can get a cape and boots like hers? They are going directly on my wishlist!

*Photo: The Sartorialist via Global Atelier

giveaway + a guest post

Today, I'm excited to announce a BIG giveaway - drum roll please . . . a one month Sacramento Street sponsorship for January!

To enter to win this giveaway, become a follower of this blog & leave one comment per entry about what you envision your dream home to look like. Would it be rustic, modern, or traditional? Be sure to check out my dream home over on La Dolce Vita today - wishing I could live in my dream home right now . . . lol!

For extra entries:

1. Follow me on Twitter & tweet about this giveaway (and please include @caitlinflemming in the tweet)

2. Follow me on Facebook

The winner will be chosen at random and announced on New Years Eve at 5pm (PST). I wish all of you the best of luck!!

Photos: 1. dress, design, decor via Verada 2. Morten Holtum 3. french by design 4. Paul Costello

happy christmas!

I want to wish all of you wonderful Christmas and thank you so much for reading Sacramento Street this year. I've made amazing friends through blogging and I truly cherish it each and every day - I'm amazed by the creativity and support we bring each-other. 

A very merry Christmas to you and you families. Happy Holidays!

xoxo, Caitlin

*Photos: Global Atelier

it's vacation time!

It's official, I'm done with work and I'm heading home to do some last minute packing before we head to the airport - I expect total madness there today! This holiday Eric and I will be heading up to Portland to spend some quality time with friends and family. I look forward to it every year!

I hope all of you travel safely no matter where you are heading this year! Happy holidays!

Photo: eeuphoriaa

wreath envy . . .

When I came across this image from the lovely Kate - my jaw dropped, I had heart palpitations and I would love one to call my own. The combination of autumn blackberries, beautiful feathers and greens is dream-worthy and incredibly unusual. I'm in love with it, what about you?

*Photo: Saipua

drinks anyone?

Mark your calendars! Because on Friday, January 7th I’m going to be meeting Alicia, Katie and Taylor for casual drinks at lovely Taverna Aventine in Jackson Square - one of my favorite parts of San Francisco. The four of us thought it would be fun to invite all of you! I’ve made so many amazing friends through blogging and I hope you can come join us for a little cocktail hour. Stop on by, we'll be meeting at 6:30pm sharp - and we'll all be dressing up (what can I say I'll take any excuse to dress up)!

*Photo: This Is Glamorous from club monaco culture club

inspiring quote . . .

*Photo: Patterson Maker

book worm . . .

I dream of having an entire wall filled with wonderful books I want to read over and over again. From fiction, to non-fiction, to fabulous interior design books - I'd want them all to reside in my own little library. Wouldn't it be just marvelous?

*Photos: Arch Daily via Aubery Road

let it rain . . .

Although we've been hit with buckets of rain, I'm enjoying every minute of it. When else can you slip on your wellies and jump in puddles? It instantly made me feel like I was a little kid again. So much so that at one point I jumped into one giant puddle and got my husband completely soaked from head to toe – whoops!

*Photo: Patterson Maker

10 Things That Make Me Happy: Design Darling

Happy Monday! I have a skip in my step because I'm incredibly excited that Christmas is right around the corner. Warm Christmas cookies, family time, hot cocoa and seeing old friends is what will be on the agenda when we touch down in Portland on Wednesday. Lots of packing is to be done before we leave. What are you up to this week? Traveling? Spending time with family?

Today, the lovely Mackenzie from Design Darling is guest blogging. She's about to graduate from Bucknell University in May and she's looking forward to leaving her mark on the design industry in a yet-to-be-determined way — whether in fashion, interiors, or the editorial side of things. I know she's going to be wildly successful because she has already done so much at such a young age.

Thank you Mackenzie for your wonderful post!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Hi everyone! I'm Mackenzie from Design Darling and I'm so thankful to Caitlin for having me here today! Caitlin and I met in September at the launch party for Rue and I've been a huge fan of her blog ever since. I love this series and I'm excited to be participating at a time of year when it's all too easy to take life for granted. I've kept my list very light-hearted but rest assured that my family knows they're loved too!

1. Ballet flats. Anything I can wear year-round in Connecticut becomes an absolute wardrobe staple. I love my Tory Burch flats because I can wear them for everything — to class on weekdays and out to dinner on weekends. I own these in orange leather and pink suede but I would love to add this leopard pair ($225) to my repertoire.

2. Costume jewelry. Nothing puts the finishing touch on an outfit quite like the perfect bauble. This Kenneth Jay Lane cocktail ring (on sale for $98) is the brightest piece in my jewelry box and thus my go-to for jazzing up plain jane looks.

3. Glee. What could be better than a musical comedy that features the sexy Matthew Morrison and endless style inspiration from Jayma Mays's Emma Pillsbury? The guidance counselor's wardrobe is a chic reminder that, as a redhead, I too can pull off a little color.

4. High heels. The higher, the better. I'm known in my circle of friends for wearing heels to every social function regardless of the time or weather. Snowing and sticking? That calls for heeled over-the-knee boots. Lounging in the backyard during the day? Time to bust out the five-inch wedges. Currently I'm coveting these Jessica Simpson wedges (on sale for $80).

5. Nantucket. This little island off the coast of Massachusetts is quite simply my favorite place on earth. Our family owns a summer home here and I have been lucky to spend several summers on the island working in retail. I highly recommend that everyone visit if you get the chance!

6. Magazines. I just can't get enough! They're the perfect complement to my favorite blogs and online publications. My current favorites are Marie Claire for fashion and Elle Decor for interiors.

7. Manicures and pedicures. My mom, sister, and I love to treat ourselves to the occasional mani/pedi. It's our chance to catch up and unwind, not to mention walk out a little prettier than we came in! My favorite color has long been Essie's Fiesta — the perfect hot pink!

8. Our puppies. Well, they're not really puppies anymore. My parents surprised me and my three siblings with Coach seven Christmases ago. We decided he needed a buddy so we adopted his half-brother Fenway that summer (and the Red Sox won the World Series that October!). Our cockapoos are just the light of our lives and I'm instantly happier when I'm with them.

9. Things that sparkle. I'm in love with my new sequined skirt from J.Crew (similar style here, $275). It will be the perfect dress-it-up or dress-it-down item for soirées pre- and post-holiday season. It's not just the skirt though; a pair of crystal candlesticks, a polished silver frame, a mirrored dresser... Really anything sparkly will do!

10. My computer. My Macbook Pro ($1,199+) is my lifeline. I use it for blogging, editing photos, writing papers, online shopping... I can't imagine life without it! I'm looking forward to my phone upgrade this spring — it just might be time to spring for the iPhone!

Thank you again, Caitlin! Happy holidays to you all!

happy weekend + guest post

Can you believe it's a week until Christmas day? Ahhhh, I certainly can't. I'll be shopping 'til I drop this weekend. Be sure to pop on over to Pennyweight today because I'm guest blogging about what I love about the holiday season. Elise's blog is filled with inspiration - beware you might be clicking through her blog for hours.

Have a wonderful day luvies!

*Photos from This is Glamorous, martha stewart and we are infinate

TGIF!

What a week! It feels as though this week was a month long - most likely because the company I work for got acquired by Meredith Publishing. It's exciting and I'm ready for the new projects and tasks to come.

This weekend will be filled with holiday soirees, stylish frocks, last minute Christmas shopping (I haven't even started), and packing for our journey to Portland for the holidays. I wish it could be a relaxing weekend, but alas it will not.

What are all of you up to? Christmas parties? Ice skating? Cookie decorating? Whatever you might be doing I hope each and every one of you has a lovely weekend!

xoxo,

Caitlin

ps. Be sure to pop in tomorrow because I'm doing a special holiday guest post on one of my favorite blogs!

*Photos: Patterson Maker

wrap me up . . .

This morning my number one goal was wrapping myself up in my favorite chunky sweater and heading into work. Alright, I know it's not as cold as other parts of the country, but for San Francisco it's downright chilly. Hope everyone is staying snugly warm today!

*Photos: Pretty Stuff

season's musings :: must-have beauty products

I was so excited and honored when Caitlin ask me to write a guest post. I'm a makeup artist here in the Bay Area and one of my occupational hazards is an obsession with all things beauty! Caitlin and I were at a photo shoot and started talking about what our "perfect" medicine chest would look like . . . I decided to create my perfect holiday medicine chest and allow you to peek inside it. I hope it helps you look all the more dazzling this season.

1) Komenuka Bijin foaming cleanser and Silver cream moisturizer. I have used both of these products for years. The foaming cleanser takes off all your makeup and foams WAY up. You feel like you are washing your face with whipped cream. To have any makeup look great your skin needs to be clean and balanced...this face wash offers both things. I always finish with the Silver cream. This is a rice kernel based line made in a sake factory in Japan. The Silver cream is hydrating without being at all heavy and it leaves your skin glowing with a dewy finish. Movie star skin, supermodel skin, the skin you always wanted...

2) Botot toothpaste. I just bought this at Gravel and Gold in San Francisco and I love brushing my teeth now. First of all it's bright pink which just makes me happy and it tastes yummy. A little licorice bite to it.

3) Skin and Bones luxurious face body hair oil. This product was just sent to me by its maker/inventor Heidi about a month ago and I can't get enough of it. It is packed with luxury oils from Jojoba to Cedar wood. Its a bit much for my face but it is my new favorite go to body oil. The smell of it is sooooooo good that I recently started using a little on the ends of my hair too. I also love the packaging, it's sort of old apothecary meets goth girl.

4) Patch NYC and Soap and Paper Factory candle in the Buck scent. The Soap and Paper Factory is this wonderful little company owned by two women who make solid perfumes, bath product and candles. As a rule they make pretty girly (but great) stuff. Enter Patch NYC a clothing company owned by two guys. Put these two forces together and voila you have the perfect "mandles". Woodsy, earthy, and very sophisticated all at the same time. I love to burn the Buck candle while I put on my lip color it just feels RIGHT!

5) White japanese bobby pins. I love bobby pins. They are my secret tool both personally and when I am doing hair on set but I hate cheap ones. My favorite are these tiny white ones that you can work into any hairdo. They last forever and they don't get all bent out of shape.

6) Serge Lutens Paris scent in Fluers D'Oranger. I bought this scent for myself about 8 months ago at Barneys and I have never before been told how good I smell quite as much! I have a really sensitive nose so when I find a perfume I love I kind of become obsessed with it. The thing about the Serge Lutens scents is that there are about fifty of them and each one is better than the next. I told Santa I wanted both my Fluers D'Oranger (a bright fresh orange blossom scent) and A La Nuit (a deep mysterious night blooming Jasmine). I hope Santa knows what's good for him and delivers the goods!

7) Tom Ford lipsticks in Pure Pink and Ginger Fawn. I tried to resist buying these lip colors because they are pricey but I lost the battle (as I often do when it comes to cosmetics) and I have never looked back. The texture and pigment in these colors is off the charts great. I love hot pink lips on almost everyone. Its sort of a beginners red. My new lip obsession for the holidays and into spring is all mutations of the orange lip. The Ginger Fawn is a beautiful persimmon orange that seems to look great on lots of gals. It is not to bright and not to coral. Basically if you never thought you could wear an orange you can wear this one. Go and get these two colors. With lots of black mascara and a swipe of either of these you are holiday party hotness!

8) Diorshow Extase mascara in black. I know, I know everyone is sick of makeup artists recommending this mascara but I have to. It's just that good. It gives you length and volume and a deep inky blackness that makes one feel like a movie star/beat poetess all at once. For evening I like to do at least two coats and use the end of the brush to just slightly hit the bottom lashes.

9) RGB nail polish in Too Red. This is the perfect orangey red. It has a little of a 1970s Virginia Slims ad feel to it. Picture long feathered hair, a three piece boy cut suit and these nails. I like three coats of this polish. It is a small line out of Los Angeles that is toluene and formaldehyde free and they are always coming up with amazing new colors. You will be come a collector.

10) Herringbone leather neccesaire bag. These makeup bags are so cool that you will probably start using it as your evening clutch. They come in two sizes and are locally made. The leather is so creamy soft and it comes in a shiny silver and gorgeous orange. I carry my own makeup in one every day and it only gets better the more you use it.

So if I was stocking your bathroom with the goods for holiday this is how I would start. Have fun and put a little lipstick on!

~ Shawn

Thank you SO much Shawn for this lovely beauty post - I definitely know what I'm introducing into my medicine cabnient this season! Hopefully some husbands are reading this post and running out to buy all of us a few of these amazing products.

Sacramento Street readers, Shawn is available for private consultations and holiday makeup application and can be contacted at shawnburkemakeup@gmail.com. I highly recommend getting a private consultation - it's worth every penny!

1. Komenuka Bijin foaming cleanser

2. Botot toothpaste from Gravel and Gold

3. Skin and Bones oil from Skin and Bones

4. Patch Candles from Home 101 in Berkeley

5. White bobby pins from Herringbone Shop

6. Serge Lutens Fleur D'Oranger Eau de Parfum from Barneys New York

7. Tom Ford lipsticks from Neiman Marcus

8. Diorshow Extase from Saks Fifth Avenue

9. RGB polish from RGB Cosmetics

10. Herringbone bag from Erica Tanov

season's musings :: anora grey tablescape

I am Christina Loucks Ahumada from anora grey. Caitlin, first and foremost, thank you so much for asking me to guest post on your lovely blog. I am so honored!

There is nothing lovelier that a perfectly decorated table and it can truly be done with little effort and cost. Simplicity says it best, and the repetition of shapes and color is what helps to create a consistent design. Choosing one or two style flowers, you can create impact in multiples. To add some more style, choose vases that speak towards your personal aesthetic. In this example, I chose more modern style vases, which repeats the roundness of the baubles and the color of the white amaryllis flowers. Using things you have around the house, you can create a mood or seasonal impact. Here I chose gold baubles to spread on the table to create a sparkle that is most definitely a holiday necessity in my home. This gold and circular pattern was repeated wrapping the inside of a clear vase with a vintage-find gold garland, and weaving it casually through the candles and vases. The clear vases were paired on this scape again repeating the round shapes and the sparkle of the baubles. To create height and dimension, clear glass candleholders were placed as yet another great reflective element, that I find so important in a design. To match that height, the soft natural color feathers soften all the linear lines of the candles and add a bit of interest and movement into table scape.

To find some of the items you see in this tablescape has a look here:

* candle holders - CB2

* white vases - west elm

* gold baubles - Target

* gold garland - vintage find but you can find something similar here.

* feathers - save on crafts

Thanks again for having me as a guest. I hope this helps to inspire your table design this holiday.