Riviera View

photo credit - her e Took El Jefe to Santa Barbara this past weekend for his birthday. We stayed at the Canary Hotel - which by the way was really great. According to the front desk, Michael Smith helped with the hotel's renovation. And that makes perfect sense. We had less than 24 hours to relax (is that possible?) so we headed to Joe's Cafe for a cocktail and some local fare. The Tri-tip sandwich with au jus = Yum! My husband's birthday desire was to watch the Jets and Patriots duke it out. An easy wish granted, so after he was duly ensconced in the local scene, I headed out onto State Street for some indulging of my own. Spotted Tracy Porter walking down the street and thought, "hmmm....that mid-west girl is a long way from home?" Turns out Ms. Porter convinced her sister Robin and brother in-law George to go west. And now the trio has a store in Santa Barbara. The new shop is fabulous, bohemian and well worth the day trip. Below are two photos from a qu...

Are you ready to dress your walls in something unique for 2011? If so, designer Alix Soubiran's line of wallpapers named Princes and Crows might fit the bill. These wallpapers are designed with an eye towards children's rooms but can also be applied in other areas of your home. Lining a hallway, a ceiling or inside a cupboard or closet the designs add a touch of whimsy to any space. Prices average at $135.00 for a 27" width x 4.5 yard roll, and can be customized. Yesterday's L.A. Times ran an article about Ms. Sourbiran written by Emily Young. You can see more photos from that interview here . Pattern: Bodrum Blue Birds and Flowers Pattern: Enchanted Gipsy Ceiling pape r - Pattern: Santy Ano Ceiling detail Ms. Soubiran's studio Photo sources: Michael Robinson Chavez , Meredith Laing , and Princes & Crows website.