Coffe Table Clutter - A Style Guide

Styling a coffee table is a great way to exercise your creativity and give guests a glimpse of your personality and taste. My coffee table vignette is constantly evolving; whether it's a subtle change in the floral arrangement, the addition of a new objet d'art or the perpetual rotation of decorative books from my shelves, I always try to keep my coffee table interesting.
  While there are a variety of things you can use to spruce up your coffee table, I've narrowed it down to 7 essential items that, if styled properly, can result in a stunning composition. 
 
1. A tray - go for something versatile that suits your personality and taste. The neutral hue and nautical rope detail (pictured below) is perfect for the coastal vibe in my apartment.
2. Books - large coffee table books that are visually oriented reflect your interests and keep guests entertained (in between mixing drinks and preparing hors d'oeuvres)
3. Candles - large pillar or scented candles placed inside charming lanterns
4. Flowers - casablanca lilies are my personal favorite. Potted orchids tend to make an appearance around my apartment as well.
5. Objet d'art - a novelty piece, something unique - a sculpture or something of personal value.
6. Coasters are crucial. Make it a habit now to avoid ruining tables later. Ideas: sliced agate or these nautical coasters I recently came across on Etsy.
7. Something from (or inspired by) nature - I have a penchant for items sourced on the beach or at sea so I usually go with seashells or a large piece of coral.


I encourage you to look around your home and allow yourself to get creative with what you already have. Keep in mind that your coffee table is like an unfinished work of art with its contents perpetually changing. Take the time to experiment with different variations of these items until you create a vignette that you're happy with. 
{Share your ideas with me at alison@sanfranciscoblonde.com}
 

Baked Kale Chips

Spring is a time of growth, renewal... and practically starving ourselves back into bikinis. With that in mind, I wanted to share a simple, low-cal recipe that's sure to satisfy any salty craving.

 
You'll need: 
kale 
olive oil
salt

Basic Recipe
 Preheat oven to 200 degrees F. After you've washed the kale, make sure it's completely dry before moving on. Slice kale into 2-3 inch pieces. Throw the chopped kale into a ziplock bag and drizzle with 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil. Shake, shake, shake making sure all the kale pieces are coated evenly. Lay the kale out flat on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and sprinkle with salt. Bake for about 25-30 minutes or until crispy.
 
In addition to the olive oil and salt, I used cayenne pepper, and sprinkled some grated asiago and parmesan cheese over the greens (halfway through the bake time).

Once you have the basic recipe down, the possibilities are endless. Here are a few other tasty flavor variations:
Sesame: 1 1/2 tbsp of tamari or soy sauce, 1 tbsp of sesame seeds
Chili-Lime: 1 lime, a hint of zest and 2 tsp of chili powder
Balsamic: 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar, 1 tbsp of dijon, a dash of herbs de provence
 
Not a fan of kale? Replace the kale with brussels sprouts: trim the base to remove the leaves of each sprout and follow the steps above.

Enjoy!

Neon Pop


Denim J.Crew, similar here | Striped top and Chambray shirt J.Crew | Bubble necklace | Timepiece Michael Kors | Sunnies Ray-Ban | Pictures by Nicole from Flat Shoes Are For Quitters

With warmer days just around the corner, brighten up a casual chambray look by adding neon hues, statement baubles and a hint of nautical.

Eight Things


A long overdue reminder to celebrate all the little things that currently bring you joy. Here are eight of mine... 

{A black lacquer door and a lion head knocker I came across during my trip to London} 

Lady in Lace

 
Dress Nha Khanh, similar style | Pumps Dior similar here; outfit also pairs well with these | Jewels David Yurman Chopard, Pearls custom from Shreve & Co  Bangles similar here Watch and Purse Chanel | Photography by the talented Mira Zaslove
 
After a month of holiday parties pouring off the pages of my planner, when January rolled around I began to experience what I'd like to call "post party season blues". What had once been an overbooked agenda was now ready to be repurposed as a paperweight as it sat on my desk accumulating dust. Finally, a swank little birthday soiree popped up that called for boys in bow ties and ladies in LBD's. So I instantly broke my new years resolution {read: to stop buying a new outfit for every occasion} and prepared myself for a little taste of the preceding season.
 
Lace can be difficult to pull off since it can be perceived as overbearing or tacky. However, with its nude-hued lining and delicate black floral overlay, this little number proved to be the perfect party dress.

Covet Collection

In an effort to get back into my blogging routine, here is a collection of things I currently covet. I typically use Pinterest to indulge in materialism so take a peek at my page for more pretty things I'd rather buy instead of groceries.
Clockwise from top left {a Chanel inspired camera strap} {all my favorite colors in one statement necklace} {the perfect flat featuring leopard print calf hair + a little heel} {a stunning stool in vibrant ruby} {brass sculptures perfect as a centerpiece}

Eight Things: Ornaments Galore

The Holiday season is my absolute favorite time of year. I adore every aspect of it:  the overabundance of festive decor, the flood of invitations to seasonal parties, reuniting with friends and family, basking in the simple luxury of cozy sweaters and hot cocoa by the fire, the smell of fresh pine and of course decorating the tree. Here are a few of the ornaments I'll be adorning my tree with this year...and for years to come.
I discovered {and became obsessed with} these {8} Starry String Lights at the SF Flower Market a couple years ago and today I found out they're available at Restoration Hardware as well! The
 
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