You're Invited! Come Join Us Thursday

Chloe Rose is tucked away in the middle of booming Union Street, and let me tell you, once you discover it you will want to make it a weekly ritual to go see the latest inventory. When I first walked in it I didn't know where to start - from the fabulous(and affordable) cloths, to the jewelry that had my heart pounding, to the table of scarves and denim . . . I was in heaven. Not to mention that the owner, Marissa, is so sweet and adorable. I just want to pop into the store to chat with her. She is so darling and down to earth. Oh, and I almost forgot to mention that I'm obsessed with her wallpaper and "For Like Ever" poster in the dressing room.

This Thursday Erin from Apartment 34 and I will be helping kick-off her one-year anniversary party - we'll be styling guests, drinking champagne, offering a raffle and providing stellar gift bags. Of course it wouldn't be a party without a photo booth! I hope all of you stop by to say hello and mix and mingle with other bloggers and guests. It's going to be one heck of a party.

Check out Apartment 34 tomorrow for a little teaser on what we may (or may not!) be wearing!Hope to see you all Thursday!

Photo by Caitlin Flemming

NYC Blogger Soirée!

Yes, you read it right - we've planned a girls trip and we can't wait to meet all of you. Erin, Camille, Lisa and I are ready to hit the streets of New York for some shopping, good food, meetings and get togethers with new and old friends. We thought that a cocktail party would be a great way to meet all of you while we're in town. Come join us Sunday, July 31 and be sure to RSVP, because we'd love to accommodate everyone.

See you soon and let the packing commence!

xx,

Caitlin

Invite designed by Nicole Schultz

a taste of summer . . .

Although there is fog in the city, it doesn't mean that we don't get to enjoy summer weather - let's just say you've got to get creative. Like hopping in a car and driving up north to Napa. But on the rare summer days that are warm in the city, you'll find me soaking in the sun in the back yard with my a good book and enjoying one of these delicious mojitos. My best friend from high school and I always meet up for them at our favorite joint in Portland, but this year we might have to make them ourselves. I can tell you one thing, I'll definitely be indulging in these over the next few months!

*Photos by What Kate Ate

it's friday!

Last night’s SF cocktail soiree went off without a hitch - it was lovely to meet new bloggers and of course catch up with old friends. Check out some photos on Alicia and Taylor's blog. I look forward to the next (yes, it's already in the works)!

Today I'm off to spend the weekend in Portland. Looking forward to fresh snow, my favorite restaurants, spending quality time with my wonderful mom and hosting a baby shower. It'll be a jam packed weekend, but I'm excited.

Hope all of you have a beautiful weekend where ever you might be.

xo, Caitlin

Photos: Haute Design and Vogue.com

happy monday!

What a weekend - I got to spend the day chatting away with Alicia and Taylor, found my new favorite nail polish color (Tickle My France-y), and the best part, my best friend got ENGAGED! I couldn't be more excited for the happy couple. Mostly I'm relieved that I no longer have to keep it a secret anymore . . . it was rough. I had so much fun planning the night with her fiance and I got the pleasure of helping him pick out her beautiful ring. I'm still giddy with excitement!

I hope all of you have a wonderful start to your week, whether you've got the day off or you're working. I look forward to a busy week (when is not?) but I'm especially excited about our San Francisco blogger cocktail soiree on Thursday night!

Photos: Ciara Bird, Say Yes to Hoboken, Inside the Loop and the Beauty Couch

a little cocktail soiree!

Since the last blogger soiree in January was a smashing success Alicia, Katie, Taylor and I decided that we should start having them more often. So we enlisted the fabulous Lindsay to help us find a beautiful space for this month's gathering. Well ladies (and gents), we've hit a home run - the owner of Lalola has reserved their private room for us on Thursday, February 24 at 6pm. They'll be providing appetizers for our entire group and giving us happy hour prices the entire night. We even have some doorprizes in the works from Gilt City and Yes to Carrots!

If you can't make it on time, don't fret - when you get a group of bloggers together we end up mixing and mingling for at least a couple of hours. So, if you're free come stop by and we might even have some gift bags in the works!

So, mark your calendars! Look forward to seeing all of you again.

Lalola

1358 Mason St

(between John St & Pacific Ave)

San Francisco, CA 94133

(415) 981-5652

*Photo: Party Tights

it's friday!

Getting back in the swing of things after the holidays is always rough, but this week flew by - I can't believe it's Friday. What a week! Tonight I'm getting all dolled up for a cocktail soiree with San Francisco bloggers (if you live in SF please come join us). The rest of the weekend will consist of celebrating one of my good friends birthdays, keeping myself warm by hanging out at home, booking Spring travel plans and going on a secret mission for a special someone (wish I could tell you!).

Have a lovely weekend!

xo, Caitlin

*Photos: Everything Fab, .straw cut. and schoener-wohnen.de

what to wear? that is the question

This Friday Katie, Taylor, Alicia and I decided that it was about time to have a San Francisco blogger cocktail party. I can’t wait to meet up with some new friends. The question is, what should I wear? Everyone keeps asking me – are you wearing a skirt, dress, sequins, leopard or jeans? Ladies, I’ve got no earthly idea what my outfit will be, but I can assure you I’ll probably be wearing jeans. Do you have any cute go to outfits you wear out on the town? And for those of you coming, what are ya’ll wearing?

I’m counting down the hours until I get to meet everyone. See you Friday!

ps. And the WINNER of the January sponsorship is . . . Jeanette from JVW Home Design. Congratulations!!

Photo: Patterson Maker

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

New York: Launch Party + What's New What's Next Event

Talk about a magical night. I've never in my life felt more proud, loved and honored to be part of such an amazing team. Everyone that came to celebrate with us, welcomed us with open arms and were so supportive about our leap into the publishing world - it felt so good. I know you've seen countless blog posts about Rue Magazine's launch party (like here, here and here) but I just had to share one of my favorite photos from the night - it's of the team before the party got hopping.

Last Wednesday Rue was honored to be part of New York Design Center's - What's New What's Next event. Rue's amazing food columnist, Marissa Lippert, put together a mouth watering cooking demo with seasonal apple dishes - I can't even pick a favorite, they were all delicious. You can find the recipes in the premiere issue of Rue (page 62).

A huge thank you needs to go out to Jacqueline of Merci New York and Kathleen of Kat Flower for the beautiful tabletop display (it's my fall dinner party inspiration) and the gorgeous flower arrangements - we couldn't have done it without you ladies.

After a wonderful afternoon in the InHouse showroom, we headed up to the John Saladino showroom where Rue Magazine gave a wonderful toast to the end of a wonderful What's New What's Next event and the launch of Rue. It was fun catching up with new and old friends - I couldn't think of a better way to end a eventful trip to NYC.

If you want to find out more about the New York trip, Crystal covered the entire week. Plus, you'll get to see a lovely picture of me waving goodbye to her at 3am as Anne and I get into our black town car.

A big thank you goes out to the New York Design Center for welcoming the Rue team with open arms. I've never met such an amazing group of ladies. You made our launch party become a reality and it was truly amazing!

*first photo taken by the wonderful Kate Murphy and the rest of the photos taken by the lovely Rima Campbell

balloons + celebration

Today, I'm happy to share that it's my birthday! I'll be celebrating tonight with my hubby and best friends at one of my favorite little restaurants in San Francisco. I can't wait for yummy food, wine and hopefully some delicious dessert! This weekend I'll be celebrating in style at a party a friend put together for May birthdays . . . we'll be dancing the night away celebrating four birthdays. Needless to say, I'm one happy, happy girl!

{photo courtesy of Erin Ever After}

Happy Birthday Honey!

Today is my sweetie's birthday. I've been so wrapped up in our wedding festivities and planning that it's been hard to plan anything this year for his birthday dinner. But the grocery shopping is done, the presents are wrapped and . . .

. . . a little sweet treat with candles shinning bright will be present. Wish his twin brother could celebrate with us. Luckily, we'll see him next week.

Happy happy birthday my love!

xoxo

{photo courtesy of apartment 34}

Happy {PARTY} Weekend!

Hello weekend, so nice of you to grace us with your presence. I'm over the moon excited about this weekend . . .

Tomorrow Eric and I will be driving up to Napa to do our FINAL walk through for the wedding. I can't believe the day is almost here. Then I'll be hugging him goodbye at the airport (he's off to Spring training) and racing home to get ready for my bridal shower dinner and dancing party. I can't wait to dress up, eat yummy food, drink champagne and dance the night away!

Sunday will be all about relaxing at home, packing for Palm Springs and working on the wedding (of course).

I hope all of you have some fabulous plans this weekend. See you Monday!

xo, Caitlin

{photo's courtesy of this is glamorous}

Picture Perfect Party

I've been re-reading this post on 100 Layer Cake from a few weeks ago because I think it would be such a fun Wedding Shower or low-key Bachelorette Party to throw for a good friend. Anything that has to do with making my own bouquet of flowers is at the top of my list.

I am positively swooning over every detail…so perfect! Love the workstations with scissors-and-ribbon place settings.

Sarah from Blossom and Branch taught everyone how to put together a picture perfect bouquet. I love how each bouquet is colorful, but reflects each person’s individual style.

Sarah offers this service for any group interested in learning simple floral design principles and techniques. The best part, she will come to you! To hire Sarah for your next soiree or put your name on the mailing list for her next public floral class, email her sarah@blossomandbranch.com.

Styling: Jillian Event Design
Calligraphy: Love*Jenna
Photos: Scott Clark
Cookies: One Girl Cookie
Wine: Spin the Bottle
Craft treat bags: Nice Package
Note Pads: Linda & Harriet

I'd like to thank 100 Layer Cake for an unique party idea. This is definitely something I'll be doing in the future with my friends.

{images courtesy of 100 Layer Cake}

Happy New Years Eve!

What I love about NYE is that you can do something different every year. One year you can go up to the mountain and sit by the fire drinking hot chocolate and/or champagne, the next year you can host a party (like I am doing this year) and invite all of your friends, or you can just stay home and enjoy some much needed R&R. This year I'll be putting on my heels and heading out with a bunch of friends. I don't think I've dressed up this much for NYE in a long long time. How are all of you celebrating New Year's Eve this year?

I want to thank all of my family, my friends, my readers, my fellow bloggers, and most importantly to all of you who have shown me their support since I started my blog this year.

Here's to a happy, healthy, and wonderful 2010!

{photo courtesy of Plush Palate via Julia}

A Night Filled with Holiday Parties

My San Francisco festivities are in full swing starting tonight. I can't even begin to think about all of the parties in Portland until I get on the plane next Tuesday. But for now . . .

I'm all dolled up for my DivineCaroline company soiree and later tonight I'll be heading over to Berkeley with my ET girls for our annual holiday dinner at Erica Tanov's house.

I love when all of the ET ladies get together because we always seem to have great conversation, delicious food, amazing wine and of course everyone looks fabulous.

I'll be back tomorrow with my guys gift guide.

{photo's courtesy of this is glamorous}

Artistic Stylist: Shana Faust

Shana Faust is not only a stylist, but an artist. I've been obsessed with her styling since I read the interview that Holly from decor8 featured last month. Shana creates a story with each photograph taken. The way she uses the colors, lighting, backgrounds, clothes and models makes her pictures unique (not to mention that I would love to have one of these outfits for the holidays, can't a girl dream)?

I can't wait for her DIY book that she's collaborating with the ladies from behind HelloLucky! that will come out next fall. It's definitely going to be an amazing book. Be sure to check out her full interview over at decor8.

{photo's courtesy of Shana Faust}