All posts filed under: Fantasy

decor: splashes of white kitchen design

No matter how hard I try to avoid the color white in the kitchen, the more I seem to lean towards it. I guess it is my way of making sure all things are clean and bright since I spend a good amount of time in the kitchen cooking and baking. For some reason dark cabinetry doesn’t inspire me enough to spend any time in the kitchen. I feel a kitchen is a canvas and all food products are the colors which give it the character to be a warm and inviting kitchen. So, here I go again, looking at white cabinetry as an option, but this time I would use white marble countertops. As for  the floor color, texture and style, that is yet to be determined because it is contingent upon the actual location of the kitchen in the apartment (a.k.a flats and lofts)  I am currently searching to purchase and redecorate. Here are my top pics for ideas, let me know what you think?

2010 in a nutshell and happy new years

With a blink of an eye, 2010 comes to an end. This year was the most eventful for me because I celebrated a milestone birthday, lost a job, sold a house, lost a family member, rekindled relations with extended family as well  as travelled to some interesting destinations and some not so interesting. I admit I experienced too much and from it learned alot in the course of  365 days. One thing I must say, thanks to maturity and an unexplainable sense of self-control (which I think is associated with maturity),  I was able to cope with the “personal” events which unfolded during  the course of the year  and in a way survived the outcome(s) with minimal damage to my mental health 🙂 . As I result of 2010,  I have decided to pass up on making New Years  resolutions altogether so that I am not too disappointed in myself, should I not be able to uphold the commitment.  Instead,  I have set some flexible goals for myself, which I am going to do everything …

new years eve movie night

Just in case you have opted to stay home for New Years Eve this year and are tired of watching reruns or  reality shows on television, then consider renting some of the films I have listed below to keep you entertained. So, grab a bottle or two of champagne, pop some popcorn, turn up the fire, snuggle under a blanket with a loved one or not and enjoy a movie or two or three 🙂 1.  The Apartment (1960) 2. Breakfast At Tiffany (1961) 3. La Dolche Vita (1960) 4. The Thomas Crown Affair (1968) 5. Holiday (1938) 6. High Society (1956)

new years eve shoes and clutch glamour

I know most women, who plan to attend some formal event this New Year’s Eve, have  already planned out their New Year’s Eve attire. But,  just in case the shoes and clutch have not yet been considered, I have included some  of my favorite pairing suggestions for 2010. Oh and just in case you are wondering about the photo above  left, it is Jimmy Choo – Marine Jeweled evening shoes. I know…breath taking and I wonder where were these shoes when I was in my 20’s?

a few of my favorite holiday decor

I love the fact holiday decor or decorating ideas  have come a long way throughout the years. The suggestion to use  shades of blue and silver or whites throughout the home is most amazing and in a way  esthetically pleasing to the eyes. Seriously, in my opinion, there is nothing better than to come home from the craziness of the outdoors to a lighthearted and airy Christmas decor throughout a home. So, although I may be too late in the month for this entry, nonetheless, I have included a few photos of my favorite holiday decor, which I plan to incorporate throughout my temporary housing  this year 🙂 . Let me know what you think?

a nostalgic holiday experience in san francisco

I am a sucker for nostalgia and usually get very sentimental during the holiday season, like (I am sure) most people do. I miss the past and long for when life seemed a little simpler and less demanding, when families where closer and holidays really meant something and  Christmas shopping was truly a creative and rewarding experience rather than a search for the trends and holiday sales. In light of this topic, I can honestly say that although I cannot change what has happened to family and tradition, I can suggest  finding a piece of a reminder from the past and escaping there, if only for a day. I personally do this by taking a day  in San Francisco to go downtown and walk only through historic ( iconic)  retail stores  encompassing Union Square,  so that I can detox myself from the demands of modern-day shopping frenzy through  a “Westfield Mall”. I walk through Macy (no 4) and then cross the street over to Neiman Marcus (no 6) . Afterwards,  I cut through Union Square …

chocolate hues in your home

Chocolate hues in decor can either be a hit or a miss ,if one is not careful while selecting the color to decorate a room. The wrong hue or a combination of chocolate (brown)  shades without accent colors can sometimes drive a person away from the room rather than embrace the environment. I, for one, love the color and while contemplating incorporating it into a friend’s apartment theme, I put together the following photos for her to reflect upon in order to “get it right”. Let me know what you think of using chocolate-brown in decor? Also, if  you have dabbled with the color in your interior decor, please do share your photos or links.

black gowns and special occasions

It is seldom difficult to go wrong with hints of  black when planning for a formal gathering, and since  the holiday season is right around the corner, we have to begin thinking about what to wear for that special party or gathering, particularly for a formal New Year’s Eve  celebration. Although, this decade I prefer to stay home and drink champagne with family and friends throughout the holiday season, I can’t help but admire, while thumbing through the racks at shops and boutiques around Union Square, the beautiful gowns available  for my viewing pleasure.   Nonetheless, here are my favorites:

christmas ornaments for 2010

Early you say? well perhaps but as far as Christmas ornaments are concerned I love to get a head start each year by  eyeballing the ones I want to add to my collection. I am one of those people who refuses to have a theme when decorating our Christmas tree. So, what I do is, each year I shop and select anywhere from 1 to 5  unique decorations and incorporate them with the ones I have from the previous years. As long as there is some uniformity to the colors, it works out pretty nicely. So in essence I create my own theme. This year is no exception of course as  I have already started  shopping for those special pieces to add to my collection.  I have included the ones I am considering for now. (This list may change so stay tuned).

happy holloween from rawsilkandsaffron.com

I have a love/hate relationship with Holloween. As a kid, I was often made fun of for my choice of costume because I made them myself, so I stopped dressing up for the occasion. Then when I was in my 20’s I was forced to dress up at work because it was required of us to be a “team player”.  In my 30’s I ignored the occasion all together. Now, I have made it a habit to walk  through different neighborhoods in San Francisco in order to see  all the little ones in their adorable costumes as well as those who took the time to decorate their homes as if it were Christmas. Anyway, either way, I do want to wish all my followers and  friends and family the Happiest Holloween and please play it safe.  So, in honor of Holloween, I have included photos of some of my favorite pumpkin carvings. I am going to miss my traditional walk through neighborhoods on Holloween in the U.S. this year, but from the picture below, can …