Do you love list posts? I do! The biggest selling points are – they’re condense and generally contain a variety of topics, products, and tips. As we transition into fall, I’ve gathered some things currently on my radar and a few of my favorite recent purchases

Year after year, organizing and orchestrating The Academy France is my most fulfilling and beloved project. Not only is the environment so beautifully quaint and authentically French, the people I meet and the experiences we have together are unforgettable. I've been settled back home in California for a few months and have finally gathered my thoughts and images from this years event in order to share with you now. I hope it conveys all the magic that transpired this summer at The Academy.

One of my favorite shops, Elsie Green, just opened up a second location, and it's gorgeous! Their original location has always been a favorite source for inspiration and the design and atmosphere of their new retail space is just as incredible. The bold black and whites mixed with earthy browns are a perfect balance and their selection of wares is unmatched!

Almost everything at Elsie Green is sourced overseas from antique markets and French brocantes, meaning each piece is unique. There's something really special about European antiques - they have character and history that new, manufactured pieces can never replicate. They're one of my favorite home and prop sources when I'm searching for something truly special to add to a space.

This summer, instead of novels about faraway places or unrequited love, my reading has been filled with gardens, interiors, and seasonal cookbooks. The sunlight in the studio seating area (I promise a tour!) makes for perfect reading conditions, and I've been spending a few afternoons lounging on the sofa with an icy cold drink, a whirling fan, and a stack of fresh deliveries from Amazon. 

And while we're all here, do any of you belong to a book club? I've been talking about joining/hosting one for years but I'm at a loss as to where to begin. If you attend one - is it in real life or online? Are they fiction/novel/genre based or cookbook clubs? What about groups you can join on services like Meetup, or does GoodReads have local chapters? Sheesh, sorry for all the questions. You can see why I haven't joined or started one! #sendhelp How about we just get to what I've been reading and move on....

I've visited my fair share of local farmstands and independent grocers. Why, there are at least four produce stands within a few miles of my home that I frequent on a weekly basis. But this small, organic French grocery, Les Jardins de Vaissieres, has to be the absolute most charming one I've ever seen. When you step through the door, it feels as if you're taking a journey back in time or walking through a scene from a movie. Their gorgeous displays are overflowing with baskets of vibrant produce, cupboards filled with jars of homemade terrines and pâté, and crates of organic eggs - all under the "watchful" eye of a sleeping shop kitty....

Who says new beginnings only happen on Jan 1st? A mid-year refresh can be just as exhilarating, regardless of what the calendar might suggest. I've been wanting to switch things up over here so that the website better represents my professional services and workshops, while also organizing the blog and shop into a more streamlined experience for all. It feels good to have this massive project completed and I really hope you love the new space as much as I do!