Beatriz Macias

Second dozen

2011-08-08T20:00:00.003+02:00

The 52 Weeks project is alive and well. I am almost halfway done.

I think I will make a 2012 calendar for my store, some of these are just too beautiful not to keep them at hand.

Friday favorites

2011-07-22T20:11:00.003+02:00

Guerrilla knitting and the feeling of looking up or down to find a surprise.

My new Ipad and the wonderful book I am reading: State of Wonder by Ann Patchett.

SUMMER, I am a big fan.

Triathlons and training buddies. I am hooked now, no going back.

Cherry pie. I am becoming an expert at making it and eating it too. Great recipe, just use half the sugar.

Ice coffee... need I say more?

Inspiration

2011-07-15T02:52:00.010+02:00

Untitled, a photo by anja mulder on Flickr.

While organizing my little collection from the Pacific Ocean, I was reminded of the amazing work of Anja Mulder. Do yourself a favor and visit her photo stream.

Summer is keeping me busy

2011-07-14T02:14:00.002+02:00

We are rediscovering California, traveling, camping, walking on the beach, wearing flip flops, leaving a trail of sand wherever we go. Life is good, but all projects have taken a backseat at the moment. I have a bit of news, but I can't tell you just yet. Don't get any crazy ideas though, it is related to the blog and I will leave it at that.

A little gift from the Pacific Ocean to your computer. Enjoy.

It is up!

2011-06-24T20:04:00.004+02:00

I am a happy, happy woman! My David Trubridge Coral lamp is up! If you are a design aficionado like I am, you might be familiar with this beauty. I first got a glance of it on Camila's blog and later I spotted it at Door Sixteen.

I bought it directly from a New Zealand vendor, and I got it in the mail less than a week later. The lamp comes unassembled, which is convenient for shipping purposes. But to put it together is a challenge that is easy for some and more than difficult for others. I am not declaring in which camp I am standing, suffice to say that the lamp is assembled and hanging!

This image is more of a tribute to the lamp and its shadow play on the wall. I still need to take some images of the lamp in context... and I will... promise. I just need to finish hanging the artwork in the hall and building the bar area right underneath the lamp! TO DO lists... don't you love them?

Inspiration no more

2011-06-16T23:17:00.001+02:00

I am not giving up on creativity, inspiration or random aha moments. I am just glad that all the collecting, archiving and lusting after images of beautiful picture arrangements have come together in one of my walls. I am still inspired, how can I not? Take a look at some of the images in my collection...

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The Following two images are of my own house. Lots of color on these images, but there is plenty of white too. What do you think?

Mirror, mirror on the wall...

2011-06-14T01:20:00.001+02:00

Today I am looking for the reflection of light in all the right places. I am searching for the perfect mirror, and while I wait, I figured I could collect some of my favorites in my Pinboard. Aren't these gorgeous?

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The thrift bag

2011-05-29T02:28:00.002+02:00

These came home with me from goodwill: A vintage Ira Denmark tin, a beautifully illustrated book from 1964, and a Jonathan Adler ornament. Great finds if you ask me.

52 Weeks - The first dozen

2011-05-25T19:43:00.001+02:00

I am working on a little project of mine in which I photograph VW buses. One a week, a different one if possible. So far, I have been able to keep up by opening my eyes and keeping my camera at hand. Truth is, that my new iphone's camera rocks! I have a couple applications that make it even better. My favorite is Camera+, followed by Hipstamatic and my new love, Instagram. I give you my first twelve:

May 17th is as good a day as any other

2011-05-17T19:42:00.002+02:00

I have many things to share but I will limit myself to the item that took me away from the blog, the item that had me on my own most of the time, the one item that made me stronger, wiser, if somehow tired... I am talking about our kitchen remodel!

It seems like it was a long time ago that we started demolishing cabinets and ceiling, taking out tile and old appliances, and living of take out and our neighbor's generous cooking. We started it all two weeks before Thanksgiving, and we were mostly done before New Year's. Not bad!

This time frame is just the construction-destruction part, there was a long time spent planning and making budget conscious decisions. There was a lot of time finishing the little details, and making the necessary adjustments.

I am happy to say that we like the space much better now, even though I would have loved to open the kitchen to the dining room, but with so limited space, we did the only thing we could, and this was to keep the same layout, and just make smart choices.

My husband and I did most of the work, but we left the demolition and the new raised ceiling to an expert. A good friend that works in construction and who made this remodel a great experience.

Now for the images...

An image of the kitchen before the magic, just for good measure...

I am having a sale!

2010-12-28T08:30:00.002+01:00

I am having a *****SALE***** at my CiaoItaly shop!!! End of the year clean-up, making room for new ideas kind of sale... Just enter code ITALIA2011 at checkout and you will get a 25% discount on your order!

Hurry! Sale ends January 1.

2011 is almost here!

2010-12-25T20:50:00.000+01:00

Dear readers,
Merry Christmas! Hope your holiday is blissful and happy.

Just wanted to share with you a quiet moment.

On fire!

2010-12-09T19:36:00.000+01:00

This is what December looks like in Southern California. We are still enjoying warm temperatures and sunny days. I am not complaining!

I miss taking pictures every day, I miss looking with open eyes, I miss having time of my own. I know I will be back to my old creative self after the renovation is done, and I am looking forward to that. I have a list that grows every day with projects to do around the house. We are doing a good share of the renovation ourselves, and it takes a little longer than expected.

We managed to set up the Christmas tree amongst the packed boxes, and there are lights shinning bright outside our house. I could fool anyone from the outside into thinking that I have it all together! I don't! I have not even started shopping! Help!

Off I go to paint a bathroom and install a sink...

Favorites this week

2010-11-24T20:47:00.001+01:00

Not to bore you to death, I figured I should share some of my favorite things this week. No kitchen remodel items included! Those will come later...

I am reading Every Day in Tuscany by Frances Mayes, I like its simplicity and the fact that I go back to Italy every time I open the book.

Taco Tuesday! Need I say more? Tacos at a dollar a piece, at many Mexican restaurants in town... YUM! I wish every day was a Tuesday...

KCRW, our local NPR radio station with its eclectic music and great programming. Check it out!

Calendars, calendars, calendars... so many beautiful choices, so little time... I have one in my store too.

My son enjoying the neighborhood again; riding bikes, climbing trees, running around... It is good to be back.

Countdown

2010-11-20T22:01:00.002+01:00

What do people do when they are late? What do they do when they do not show up at all? They ~~make excuses~~ explain why they were not there when everyone expected them. Right? So, my dear faithful readers; I am sorry I have not been around, I am sorry but... I still have no internet, we still have no furniture, our kitchen has been demolished, and I am still running around trying to find the best appliances for our remodel.

But there is hope as I come bearing news! I have purchased the cabinets!!! We are using Ikea cabinets that we will assemble and install ourselves. I am so excited! We chose the Akurum-perfekt abstrakt in white (for the uninitiated I will add a gallery of images). Consumer reports rated Ikea cabinets as a best buy, and all the forums are bursting with good reviews for the product. You can't beat the price either!

Things are happening, not as fast as I would like, but they are happening... meanwhile we are eating very creative meals, and enjoying some of our sweet neighbors cooking. Next week will be lost, as our contractor and ourselves will be out of town. We hope to have a brand new kitchen to host some holiday fun. We will see.

As they say, an image is worth a thousand words. Enjoy!

Apartment Therapy house tour

Redneck Modern

Grassroots Modern

One month!

2010-11-12T02:13:00.002+01:00

We have been back in California for a whole month! We have seen the weather change slightly, with colder nights and windy days. We enjoy the sun filled days so typical of southern California. The Colombian in me doesn't like Winter. I don't like the cold, the snow, the short days. I grew up in a place where every day the sun rises and sets at the same time, where the trees always have their leaves, where there is always a plant in bloom and ripe fruit hanging from a nearby tree. Because Colombia is so close to the Ecuator, the temperatures remain the same year round. It is always hot the closer you are to sea level, and it cools down in the mountains. It is beautiful, and it is home.

I have learned to enjoy the seasons. Spring is always so beautiful after long winters, and the colors of Fall have no comparison. Yet, I feel homesick with every change.

Today, I am thankful for the beautiful, clear sky outside my window. Today, I am closer to home.

A chair is a chair,

2010-11-04T07:13:00.001+01:00

until it isn't.

I have found a new job! Well, I don't get paid really, and I end up paying others... but I believe it is my true calling to be a treasure hunter!

In the last two days I found and old venetian mirror, a pedestal sink, two mid century style chairs, ~~and a possible Eames parchment zenith chair!~~ Every single item in this list I found for a fraction of its value! I knew that all those hours browsing design sites on the web were good for something!

As a teaser, here is a really bad picture of one of the mid century replicas that I got. They are Cherner chairs look-alikes, but they are not the real thing. I don't care! I ADORE them, and I am keeping them.

What do you think? Do you like the style? Do you have information on it? Let me know in the comments please.

What I am doing with my time...

2010-10-29T07:22:00.001+02:00

I am spending more time than necessary browsing through Apartment Therapy, Ikea Fans, Heath Ceramics, and my latest obsession, Craig's list.

Why? Well, we are going to remodel the kitchen! Yes! For the first time since I learned to cook, I am going to have a brand new kitchen! I am so excited about this! I have had some time to think about THE kitchen of my dreams, and I am enjoying the choosing and picking of tile, counters, appliances, cabinets, etc.

The best part about this project is that I have learned to be true to myself. Many people change things based on what is fashionable, or they follow their designer's or contractor's advice. I am not saying these options are wrong, they are just not the way I want to go.

Our little house was built in the "cape code" style. In California. I actually like the way the house and the neighborhood look. But I like clean lines and simple things around me. I don't want anything that is golden, dark, or ornate inside the house. This realization has allowed me to choose the things that I really love against the advice of many. I am making choices for us as a family and I am not making choices for an imaginary future buyer. There, I said it!

I will post pictures of our progress, and you can all come and comment as to how beautiful everything is. All right?

Have a happy weekend!

Two things I am loving

2010-10-26T17:40:00.002+02:00

Now that we are back in California, I'm looking at my surroundings with fresh eyes, enjoying what we have. I guess I am looking for the unique detail, the inspiring place, the things that make California MY California. One place that defines Southern California more than anything else is the beach. Did I ever miss the beach while living in Italy? I loved the lakes, but the small rocky beaches of the Pacific coast? They are a world onto themselves. Two weeks after arriving home, it was time to visit...

We went to the beach on Sunday, trying to catch some sunset magic to bring the day to a close. We walked to the tidepools, our barefeet on the cold sand, clouds and fog keeping us protected under their embrace. It was quiet and beautiful. I love the beach almost as much as the mountains. It was everything I knew it was, and more. I have to remember this feeling, the luscious landscape, the small details. I have to go back often.

This spontaneous outing of ours found us with our camera in tow. Husband was taking some close ups of a star fish and I was happily waiting for him to finish when I remembered that I had my hipstamatic with me! Well, the next best thing: the application for my iPhone. I can foresee many more outings for us two (my camera phone and I.)
I LOVE the results. Don't you?

The places you will go...

2010-10-22T05:32:00.000+02:00

It has been a long hiatus. I needed a break from everything to focus on the big changes happening this fall.

We have left Italy with a heavy heart but with the knowledge that we were fortunate to live there three wonderful years. We made friends that will be friends tomorrow, and the day after tomorrow, and the day after that. We have walked through ancient cities, we have shared meals and laughter, we have opened our eyes to a wider and special world.

AdornmentsNYC

We have left Italy but Italy has not left us. So much was learned there, so many doors opened, so much inspiration drawn from the mountains and lakes that I believe us part Italian now. Our home deeply rooted in Colombia, with a wide and strong Californian core, blooming with Italian colors and scents.

We are back in beautiful California, and the warmth that has welcomed us is a good remedy for our longing. We are back home to good friends, friendly neighbors, open arms and endless possibilities. I am thankful for what we had and for what is to come. I feel I live a privileged life.

I wear the necklace pictured above every day. It is a good conversation starter, and it brings out the Italophiles around me. It is a beautiful thing!

I will be back soon to tell you all about our plans for the future. Ciao Ciao.

#240 The end

2010-09-30T23:39:00.005+02:00

The last one. I did not get even close to 365, but I have to say that the project helped me to open my eyes and really look! It has been a blast!
This image was taken in Milan, while having some grown up time with my friends. One of the many goodbyes I don't want to say...

365 Days in Color
240/365 The end
Originally uploaded by beatrizmacias

#239 My world in my hand

2010-09-28T23:14:00.004+02:00

239/365 My world in my hand
Originally uploaded by beatrizmacias
365 Days in Color

The rest of the year

2010-09-24T10:39:00.000+02:00

Available in the shop now! A farewell of sorts...

New calendar in my shop!

2010-09-24T00:10:00.001+02:00

I am getting a little ahead of myself. I have finished the calendar but it is almost midnight, so I won't be posting it in the shop until tomorrow. I just want to give you a sneak peek.

#236 It doesn't hurt

2010-09-22T17:31:00.004+02:00

Not in my hand. There is a little pain though in witnessing the change of seasons as our life in Italy comes to an end. My 365 days in color is also ending this month. Closure.

236/365 It doesn't hurt
Originally uploaded by beatrizmacias
365 Days in Color