Pretty Gift Wrap

Whenever I get the chance (time) I like to wrap my gifts rather than take the lazy route, known as "stuff-it-in-a-bag-and-done." Trust me, I have stuffed gifts in bags many many times, but wrapping is just so much more personal and special. I often go over to Oh Happy Day blog for great ideas on, well, just about anything. I loooove Jordan's craftiness..you must check out her blog. Anyway, I recently wrapped this lovely gift for a good friend of mine. I love calla lilies and this was so easy to put together. Sorry I don't have the step-by-step, but go here to see how these paper beauties are made.

{photos by me}. XoXo, Iris

Welcome Sweet Baby Girl

Baby, Baby, tiny bunny, sweet potato little honey, small wonder, darling dove, cutie pie, Hello Love!

So, I have a new best friend. Her name is Nicole Catalina and she is my sweet beautiful baby niece. Born May 27 at 7 lbs. 3 oz. She is just so yummy. I love her to pieces.

Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday weekend. XOXO, Auntie Iris

Polk-a-dot-Red-Stripes-Peachy-Coral....

is what I am totally obsessing over right now. I am loving anything polk-a-dot like these fun colorful Current/Elliott skinnies.

Navy Polk-a-dot long skirt

Soft polk-a-dot blouse...perfect for work and a casual weekend.

Red & Stripes

I especially love wearing red lipstick and stripes.

And I am all over the peachy coral lip color right now. Just bought MAC's Blossom Couture and I kinda feel a little summer sexiness come over me when I wear it,haha.

{images via Current/Elliott Spring look book, lauralizabeth, night-onthe-run, classy-in-the-city, Mariel Fox, myheartistry, dutyofstyle} XoXo, Iris

Checkered Love!

Okay so anybody else watching Keeping Up with the Kardashians on Sundays and obsessing over Mama Kris' checkered floors in her home? OMG...I die!! I love them so much. I think I would go more casual with checkered wooden floors maybe...just more my bohemian style than the glam glam in KK's home. Here are some lovely photos I found to inspire. Would anybody dare paint their floors black and white (or green or blue) checkers? I totally would if I could :-)

On another note...8 years ago today, My babe and I went on our first date. It was a beautiful day and I remember it like it was yesterday :-)

This photo was taken at our 5th year dinner celebration.

{Photos via, 1.bp.blogspot.com, dangerbird, cococozy, Elle decor, Apartment Therapy, Kate Spade Hamptoms home, inspirebohemia, and luxeandlillies} XoXo, Iris

Paris Photography

I am really, really itching for a vacation. I was hoping to make it a yearly tradition on May 16th to leave for a wonderful trip. Two years ago on this day, I left for a very memorable trip to South America, can be seen HERE HERE, and HERE. Three years ago also on May 16, I left for Europe. Last year I wasn't able to go on vacation because I had just started a new job, and well, had about zero vacation time. This year just came too fast to even plan a vacation. Total bummer, would have loved to have left on the same day every year to experience and explore another little piece of the world. Hmm, so many places I would love to visit next...Prague, Budapest, London, India (would be my ultimate trip), South of France...and of course, Paris again. And since I am dreaming of traveling...here are a few photos from my trip to Paris in 2009 (also went to Spain, but I will share those another time...I'm pooped from going through all of my Europe photos). So, here is a bit from my love for travel and photography. Enjoy.

View from the little hotel where we stayed. HOTEL de la PLACE des VOSGES. In the perfect location, in lovely district of Marais.

This photo was taken at 9 p.m. The sun was just setting and it was such a beautiful sight...probably my favorite of all 500 photos I took in Paris. This was hangs on my wall photo gallery in my office.

Ah Yes! The spectacular Eiffel tower. This was the very first place we went to when we arrived in the evening. Perfect timing, the lights went on when we arrived. Sparkle!!!!

A view from the street outside the hotel, this one of the tunnel that goes into the Place des Vosges.

Inside the Louvre.

Champs-Élysées

Eiffel tower...almost there. We walked from the hotel to the eiffel tower on this day...wow, what a walk it was. Magical city.

Cute fruit stand right outside of out hotel.

Adorable cafe we found exploring the city.

Candles inside Notre Dame

PALACE of VERSAILLES!!!!!

How perfect is this? As we were leaving, there just so happen to be a "par-tay" happening, excuse me, an elegant ball I should say. It was way cool to see people dressed up going into the palace.

Jardin du Luxembourg

Last photo I took in Paris.

So there you have it...Paris! Are you dreaming too? Do you have any vacations planned? Where would you love to travel to? XoXo, Iris

Turquoise Bling Loving

I love browsing through ETSY. I should add, it's pretty darn addicting. I can spend hours looking through the very creative shops, trying really hard to hold back on purchasing everything I see. Today, I was obsessing over turquoise. Loving this bling...may have to buy 1 or 2.

1. Rustic large turquoise ring sterling silver, 2. Handmade Sterling Silver Turquoise Ring with Classic Old Blue Gem by Lita, 3. Turquoise Gold Four Leaf Clover Necklace, 4. Turquoise Necklace : Tribal Turquoise Howlite. XoXo, Iris

Small is the New Big

I like to pick up my July/August 2010 issue of House Beautiful when I need a little inspiration. You see, the "Beach Shack" aka, "the Sugar Shack" as Peter likes to call it, is T-I-N-Y, and this HB issue features "is small the new big" with several tiny places that are -oh so fabulously- decorated. I often get stuck on what to do with the place, often complaining that if I had more space, it would look nicer...but looking at these images totally inspire me and remind me that 2 humans + 2 dogs in a tiny place is not THAT bad...it's cozy.

My favorite, designer David Kaihoi's East Village apartment where he lives with his wife and child.Absolutely beautiful. Oh,and it's 390 sq. ft.

Love the deep purple velvet used in the corner banquette. Space used for dining area and to host guests by folding up the dining table.

Floor-to-cieling stunning bookcase. Total elegance. Notice the corner banquette is just to the right?

Lovely bedroom. Hand painted, patched, 18th century Chinese wallpaper. Their little girl's bed slides from under the big bed. Perfect.

Closet was painted using Tulip Red by Fine paints of Europe. His and hers clothes and a stackable washer/dryer inside.

Tiny kitchen appears bigger with the use of mirrors, black marble, and high gloss Bottle Green by Fine Paints of Europe for the cabinets.

Now on to a stunning studio, at 450 sq.ft, in Gramercy Park belonging to design consultant Ellen O'Neil.

So romantic and cozy. I love the black and white throughout.

OK, so if they can do it, we can too..right? The only downside is that, unlike these NY apartments that were purchased, we rent...so painting walls a dark color, or demo-ing and re-building certain areas are not options. But, nonetheless, I have lots of plans to spruce up the place...we'll see how it goes. I tend to be a clutter-bug...so first things first...de-clutter. Hope you are all having a beautiful weekend. XoXo, Iris