pigment

robert & I stopped in a great store in san diego called pigment. they have really unique home deco, stationary & gifts. but one of the coolest things in the store is the make-your-own-terrariums. they sell these beautiful hanging glass orbs, which you can fill with sand or rocks & then a plant of your choosing (miniature succulents, a cactus, etc). wish I had snapped a photo of them - they were rad.

I felt like I needed to leave with some sort of treasure, so I picked up these pretty little stacking ceramic bowls. they are handmade, so each one is a little different shape & size. they'll be perfect for jewelry or buttons or even to use in the kitchen. I love finding awesome stores in new cities.

king's highway diner + lounge

as if the ace hotel photos I posted didn't make that place look hip enough, they also have this restaurant on the property that is  just as awesome. the owners restored an old denny's restaurant & turned it into a super-hip diner, serving the most delicious food, most of which is organic & locally grown. one of the best parts is linda, "the singing hostess", who slienced everyone in the restaurant so that she could sing to us (and apparently she also hosts bingo on monday nights!). pretty rad.  

 {our great hosts for the week, eric + megan}

 {these ricotta pancakes were heavenly. I fully intend to make them at home}

 {and breakfast chilaquiles}

eames house

robert & I are big fans of charles & ray eames. we were out driving around in los angeles & I decided to put their address into the gps to see if we could find the place. sure enough, right near the edge of a cliff in the pacific palisades, in front of a grassy meadow & overlooking the pacific ocean, it stood.


charles & ray built the house in 1949 and they lived in it until their death. the couple's family now maintains the house to preserve their collections & decor. it was quite exciting to get to wander around the residence & experience this mid-century masterpiece up-close. it was definitely an unexpected highlight of our trip.

{the front of the residence}

{constructed entirely from "off-the-shelf" parts available from steel fabricator catalogs}

{there was a crack in the curtain & I was able to get a shot of the interior}