The Ivy and Indigo Seas

~~ republishing a post ~~

Dining is closed here in Southern California

so I am revisiting a magical lunch!

~~~~~~

In my effort to to instigate some new holiday traditions this year

Jeff and I took off for LA this weekend

for lunch at the iconic Ivy restaurant.

I have to admit it's reputation as a star gathering place

had me very intrigued

and 

when it was time to drive up

it also had me a little nervous and intimidated as well.

There was a moment before we got out

that Jeff and I asked ourselves

if we really wanted to do this …

and

I am so glad we bit the bullet and just went for it!

I have heard stories of people lunching at The Ivy for years and years

but 

I had no idea what a truly charming and cozy space it actually is!

As far away from my idea of what a Hollywood hot spot could possibly be!

It is so warm and inviting 

with all the comforts of visiting someones home.

Every seat had the most wonderful down pillows

always at the ready for a comforting meal.

Upon checking in for our reservations

we were ushered inside to the small bar

and

 served complimentary champagne

by the most attractive of servers

all attired in perfectly crisp pink shirts and white aprons

while we waited for our table.

Not being a celebrity

I wondered what far off corner of the restaurant we would end up

but I had decided before hand

to enjoy our lunch 

no matter where we sat …

because at least we were 

at The Ivy!

So I had to pinch myself when we ended up with a perfect table out front on the patio!

There was so much to take in

it seemed like a blur

as we sat down

to make decisions on what to eat!

Every where I looked there was such beauty

from the vases

stuffed tight with multi colored roses on every table

to the hand crafted stone wear at each place setting

to the murmur of interesting conversations all around …

I was so happy to be actually  sitting outside  on the patio at The Ivy

on a most beautiful crystal clear day

I felt absolutely giddy inside

and 

it took a lot to effort on my part

not to squeal in delight!

The Ivy is so well known as a celebrity hot spot

that tour buses  literally make the rounds out front on a regular basis!

So it took me a little bit 

to actually relax into the experience.

I understand now the draw of the restaurant

the food is incredible

as is the exceedingly attentive staff.

It was a lunch that I didn't want to end

but the time did come

but I made sure to order some cookies to take home …

just to bring a little bit of our magical lunch home with us.

We decided out front was as perfect place as any 

to take some outfit shots

being as we were so taken with the patina of the exterior…

As we were finishing up the pictures

we realized that behind us

wasn't the Ivy restaurant at all …

but instead an interiors shop

that had all of the interior ambiance as the Ivy itself!

Come to find out we had almost literally stumbled on

what I was soon to find out

The Indigo Seas

which Harper Bazaar Magazine

deems
one of the 25 best boutiques in the world!

As we were looking around in amazement at the beauties in the shop

I was approached by a most beautiful woman

who said she had seen me from outside

and

 had loved my outfit so much

and 

that it reminded her of being Paris.

Wow, one look at this stylish woman

complimenting me so beautifully

well ...

my day was pretty much made!

As we talked further

it took me some time to realize

that I was talking with the one and only

Lynn Von Kersting

 co owner of the Ivy 

and 

the creator  of the beautiful

  Indigo Seas!

Lynn is an absolute delight

 She shared with me how much of her style is influenced 

by places from all around the world

where in  many of the locales she has homes as well.

We were lucky enough to get a tour  of her back room

which housed so many more beautiful collections.

I was so charmed by Lynn

and 

ever so grateful

when she sent us home with so many 

beautiful treasures

from an iconic Capri scarf

a cozy chintz pillow

mugs of her own design

that the Ivy is known for …

and
most captivating to be sure

a copy of her book

Amore e Gioia Sotto il Sole
An Indigo Seas scrapbook of Ivy recipes and summer snapshots

It is such a beautiful coffee table book

 I have already spent hours devouring it.

I also have  visions of summer parties next year

using the recipes she shares form the Ivy

with dreams 

also 

of visiting the Island of Capri myself!

It is a joyous book of sunshine
and
 romantic gatherings!

I am excited to weave some of Lynn's magic

into my own life …

Thank you Lynn for sharing your passion for beauty and life with me.

Your compliment on my outfit

will always be a moment 

I hold near and dear to my heart.

As always my friends

I wish you love and joy

as you style your life

PS….

I was ever so happy today to see
The Ivy
shared this post on their
Facebook and twitter!

Thank you India!

linking with
Style Mind Chic

Chameleon Caftan

I recently received a fabulous caftan from

Ocean and Main

"ECO FRIENDLY CAFTANS INSPIRED BY THE OCEAN, MADE ON MAIN STREET. ETHICALLY SOURCED AND LOCALLY MADE IN LOS ANGELEs

So I thought it would be fun to take the gorgeous caftan

out to the desert 

and 

stretch my styling talents to get

three different looks with

 the caftan.

Caftans can be wonderful pieces to add to your wardrobe.

You can style them up or down

so their versatility 

makes them excellent traveling players.

Think loungewear to evening wear.

Pool coverup to casual sightseeing.

For the first look I paired the caftan with some

 comfy wide legged pants

turban

flats

and

bold sunglasses

keeping the lines of the outfit 

simple and clean.

This ensemble worked perfectly for our

road trip 

travel day to the desert.

Next I used the caftan as a solid base

for a much more casual look.

It was the perfect base

to showcase 

my vintage poncho 

I got in Austin, Texas.

To complete the  South Western look 

I added

cowboy boots

vintage tooled purse

and 

my now favorite hat

 from

Allen Boots in Austin.

I really love wardrobe pieces 

that can morph into 

different looks 

with my prized accessories.

Next I glammed up the caftan

for a night out.

For this look I added my

encrusted brooch necklace

cuffs

heeled slides

sparkly turban

and

 oversized sunnies.

Adding in 

a faux fur stole

and 

vintage metallic clutch

brought the glam all the way home.

The  fabulous caftan by 

Ocean and Main

also played wonderfully with my newest

New Year's Eve Crown!

Well there you have it my friends!

You can see how

Neutral Caftans 

can be such wonderful wardrobe players!

As always my friends

I wish you love and joy

as you style your life

Austin - Family Vacation

Now that things are slowing down here at my house

(fingers crossed)

I'm sharing our family trip to Austin

for our niece's wedding.

For Christmas presents this year

we gave all of our kids and  their significant others

plane tickets and hotel stays

so our entire family could attend the wedding!

We were gone for five days

with so many different events 

I put particular care into packing my wardrobe.

I always lay out my travel wardrobe the day before

to make sure I have everything I need for a travel day.

When I travel with various events to attend

I always write out each event on a note card

then list each piece I need for a complete look.

When I travel I am definitely not the light packer

because to me 

dressing creatively is one of my art forms.

This trip was a 3 large suitcases trip.

To present the Christmas gifts to the kids

Jeff typed up a few pages describing the hotel and wedding venue.

I found these leather portfolio's at Anthropologie

added the Cocktail Kits, a patch and charm also from Anthropologie 

added some greenery and tied them with festive twine!

I was so happy how they turned out!

Oh course I got kits for Jeff and I as well!

How cute are these kits!

Complete with everything you see here.

We just had to order the alcohol!

We all stayed at Lone Star court

located in Austin's trendy Domaine.

Jeff and I had a  spacious 2 room suite.

When Ellis and I were researching Austin hotels

it was these SMEG refrigerators in every room

that really helped sell the property to us!

Sweet dining table.

Really love the sliding barn door into the bathroom.

This was our first time doing a vacation with all of our kids and their significant others.

We got rooms for each of our kids and one for us.

I have to say 

it worked out lovely!

We could get together easily on the property when we wanted

and

everyone was free to go do what ever they wanted!

It was the best of both worlds!

Jeff and I even sat outside in our rooms rockers.

 Since the wedding was over an hour out of Austin

Jeff rented a limo

so we could all enjoy the wedding.

As a Momma to these kids

having them all together for the ride out and back

was one of my favorite parts.

Reminded me of all the road trips we took while they were growing up

and 

that cozy, cozy feeling of having everyone together!

It was such a beautiful wedding

I only remembered to take a couple of pictures!

Love this one of these four!

But I didn't  even get one of Slater and his girlfriend

or even Jeff and I.

Our niece was the gorgeous bride!

How adorable are Sarah's place markers!

and

 those succulent cupcakes!! 

After the wedding festivities

Jeff and I hit the road to go explore 

some  of rural Texas!

Jeff and I are big fans of road trips and 

finding all the charm along the way!

We made our way to Waco to visit 

Magnolia Farms.

I was expecting a sweet little space

and 

was shocked by the number of people in line to just get into the store.

The wait was close to an hour ... just to get in!

If you ever plan to visit I would get there at opening

and 

not on the weekend!

How beautiful are the flowers in the entry.

The gardens are are inspirational with a sweet little gift store.

Honestly the property is beautiful

but I personally highly prefer the Magnolia  Home at Target

their Hearth and Home line.

The designs are much fresher and better quality.

Back in Austin Hunter and Megan went kayaking.

Next time I'm in Austin

I'm definitely putting that on my to do list.

What a wonderful way to get a feel for the beautiful skyline!

My favorite part of Austin was definitely South Congress

for some shopping.

The houses in the area are so charming.

I have big love for smaller homes and there were so many lovely ones!

This one helped inspire us to redo part of our front yard.

One of my Austin trip highlights was visiting my dear friend

Jen Rose Smith (on the right)

who is the Art Director for the 

Camille Style blog (Camille is on the left).

I had the pleasure of seeing their new office space

which was so remarkable.

Camille converted a small home into

a lifestyle blogging dream work studio!

Rooms were reconfigured and everything painted white.

Torches for the best tacos anywhere!

All kinds of great little shops!

Fun night life!

Great eating!!

Boy finishing this post has me missing the fabulous city of Austin!!
Have you been?

As always my friends

I wish you love and joy 

as you style your life

linking with
Visible Monday