Bridal Gifting
Our wedding at the Cottage is less than a month away! While we don't have a traditional bridal party or groomsmen, Adam and I are of course celebrating with our nearest-and-dearest this month in anticipation of tying the knot.
I wanted to gift something practical and beautiful to my closest friends, so I decided to make them little gift boxes featuring some of the goods I use daily here at home. I'm pretty happy with how they turned out, but Sophee is quite the critic:
Inside the boxes:
Lulu & Georgia Acrylic Sheepskin Throw
I use this Sheepskin Throw daily to cover my desk chair. At night, I move it out into the garden when I lounge around with Adam and the pups. I have another that I placed in a willow basket and turned into a spare pet bed.
True & Co "Best Lace Hipster Ever" Panties in assorted colors
The team over at True & Co. is completely delightful, and their underwear is 🔥🔥🔥.
Nohmad Snack Co. Chocolate
The makers of Nohmad Chocolate and I have been close friends for years. Their chocolate is my absolute favorite, and is my go-to gifting item from the Cottage.
Aquiesse Candle Travel Tin in my favorite scent, Luxe Linen
I burn these Luxe Linen candles daily-- I even pack one for road trips. The smell relaxes me, and the branding is simple and beautful.
Urban Decay NAKED products
I use Urban Decay any time I put on makeup. Naked 2 is my preferred eyeshadow palette, and I always have one of their Naked On the Run boxes in my purse.
California & Venice Cards by Brittney Banks
I recently discovered the California-inspired illustration of Brittney Banks in a local store, and it actually made me laugh out loud. She created a compilation card of iconic Venice Beach visuals, and it's spot on. Not only did I get these cards for my Bridal friends, but I also got one for every party attending our wedding.
Cinch Belts
Since the ladies range from sizes 0 to 12, and since some of us are pregnant-- from the first trimester to the third-- I included a selection of Cinch Belts for us all. I've been using my Obi Belt Long (in Camel) a few times per week to help accommodate my rapidly-changing waistline (I'm currently at week 16). These compact and versatile wrap belts make for handy gifts and accessories.
Fresh flowers, bread and satsuma mandarins from the Venice Farmers Market
I love our little Venice Farmers Market, just a block away from the Canals. (Click here to view my #WLMMarket series.)
Click on the images below to enlarge:
Discussing Venice & the Canals Neighborhood with Shinola
Check out my latest Venice guide via the Shinola blog! This wonderful company just opened a new store on Abbot Kinney (about a 10 minute walk from the Cottage), and we're delighted to welcome them to the neighborhood!
Tiny Live/Work Office Space
Lately I've received numerous inquiries about my live/work office space. (Does it REALLY look like that? Where's all the stuff? What is it like working and living in the same tiny space?) In this post, I'll provide a list of my go-to supplies that help keep the room organized and uncluttered.
Here is how the office generally looks on a daily basis. Sometimes it's a bit messier, sometimes it's a bit more simplified, but this is usually the norm:
First off, I should mention that nearly all of my business work is done digitally. My office is not a traditional artist's studio, so I don't have to house hundreds of materials and tools. Having said that, I do store craft supplies, a printer, a scanner, my business documents and standard materials, chords and tech accessories, reference materials, and other such office items my tiny home-office.
This is what is in, on or around my desk at all times:
1. Apple AirPort Time Capsule
Like so many people, I've experienced a total loss of my main hard drive... and it was pretty devastating, both personally and professionally. For better or worse, our computers are now our record collections, photo albums, filing cabinets, bookshelves and more, so I will never again make the mistake of failing to back up my machine. The Airport Time Capsule by Apple looks clean and minimal while backing everything up in case of calamity. Plus it provides a strong WiFi signal (with multiple network logins) so my collaborators and team members can work throughout the cottage and garden with me.
I got this particular Airport Time Capsule from ENJOY, which just launched here in LA (they're in numerous other cities as well). One of their experts (Umair) brought it to the cottage and installed it for me at no additional cost. Umair set up the Capsule and reworked the new WiFi networks within 30 minutes. (We also arranged a special discount code for $50 off any Apple product from Enjoy.com to share through 6/30/16: RAF-WHITNEY)
2. Big Jambox Bluetooth Speaker
The Big Jambox Speaker is great for small spaces. It's about 10" x 3" x 4", and comes in a variety of colors. This one blends into the cottage perfectly-- I keep it in the corner of the main room, above the kitchen cabinets. I can hear it clearly throughout our home and garden. It's wireless, and the charge lasts for around 15 hours. I stream Spotify or iTunes to it from the iPad and my old iPhone all day long.
3. Brother DS-620 Color Mobile Scanner
This little gizmo is one of the best purchases I've ever made. I scan all of our financial records, medical documents, pet paperwork, cards and notes. It saves me from accumulating piles of paper around the cottage, and helps my business run more efficiently. It measures 11.5" x 2" x 1.5" inches-- basically the size of a thick ruler. I highly recommend it, or a similar model.
4. Muji Handy Paper Shredder
After scanning all our documents, I need to shred a good deal of them. Usually it's just a page or two, along with a few receipts per day, so I use this amazing mini shredder from Muji to get the job done. It measures about 7.5" x 2", and is sleekly designed.
5. Poppin Supplies
Poppin is pretty much the best. They make modern, beautiful office supplies in a variety of colors to suit your taste. For those of us in small spaces, it helps when functional items are also pleasing to the eye-- that way we can leave them sitting out (as storage is so limited), while maintaining a clean and mindful space.
6. Cord Taco by This Is Ground
(See item #8 for details)
7. BackPack for iMac by Twelve South
The BackPack for iMac shelf is probably the handiest tool in my office. It stores my portable scanner, hand-held shredder and client hard drives-- all safely and out of sight. I recommend it to everyone with an iMac, no matter what size space you have.
Here's the description from their website: BackPack is a sleek, sturdy shelf designed exclusively for your iMac or Apple Display. This gorgeous slice of steel makes a perfect perch for hard drives, USB peripherals or business cards. Included vertical support pegs prop up tall drives, Time Capsule or even your MacBook Air. BackPack hangs on the back (or front) of your iMac using two clips and gravity. Built-in cable management rails hold your power cords in place for grab-and-go convenience. BackPack is here to help you create the minimalist zen-like workspace your Mac was made for.
8. Tech Dopp Kit by This Is Ground
I'm obsessed with This Is Ground-- they make the greatest leather organizational tools I've ever used. I also love the team behind the company-- they're based in downtown LA, and I've worked with them on several occasions in the past. This is the regular-sized Tech Dopp Kit, and I use it to hold my mirrorless camera's accessories. I also use their Cord Tacos, Mod Laptop and Mod Tablet daily.
9. Not Pictured: Organizational Pouches in Baskets
Lastly, I keep organizational pouches containing miscellaneous tools, cords, envelopes, etc. in zippered toiletry cases from West Elm (but you can get these pretty much anywhere). I keep them in baskets throughout the living room. Much like the printer, the baskets are stashed in the few built-in cabinets (some exposed, some covered) surrounding our couch.
#LoveMyCity Venice with Shinola
Our friends at Shinola invited me to partake in their #LoveMyCity campaign in celebration of their new Venice location, which opens this April on Abbot Kinney Boulevard (just a 5 minute walk from the Cottage). Adam and I are both sincere fans of the brand, so I was delighted to join in. (And you know I love any excuse to share photos of our beloved 90291...)
Based in Detroit, Shinola is dedicated to producing American built products of the highest quality. I've tried their watches, leather goods, pet products, and their bikes. Everything I've used is beautiful and meticulously crafted.
Here are some recent pix that Adam and I snapped of our Shinola favorites around town (at the farmers market, canals, beach, and local businesses).
The Cottage on POPSUGAR
The Cottage is currently featured on POPSUGAR! (Click here to view the story.)
The Cottage on Style Me Pretty Living
The Cottage is currently featured on Style Me Pretty Living! (Click here to view the story.)
The Venue Report: My Guide to Venice
Our friends over at The Venue Report invited me to do a round-up of my favorite businesses and activities in and around Venice:
Click through the story to see some of our favorite local imagery, as well as a list of my go-to spots for food, plants, homewares and more!
We're Expecting!
This week was a good one. #StanleeStubs cleared his senior wellness exam with healthy results, I booked some exciting new clients, Adam was promoted at work, and we finally feel safe and comfortable enough to start sharing the news that I'm pregnant! Our baby boy is due in early October.
We took this photo at the first Venice farmers market of April. At 13 weeks, I do have a tiny bump. I've been relying on boho tunics and leggings to keep me comfortable in this time of awkward growth. (It pretty much just looks like I ate a massive burrito...)
At 35, I'm considered to be of "advanced maternal age," which I think is simultaneously hilarious and scary. But our experience thus far has been uncomplicated and a pure joy. (Knock on wood.) Everyone has been incredibly wonderful and supportive already, and I feel so fortunate to be surrounded by the most loving people on the planet.
We've received the following two questions several times recently, both in person and via Instagram:
- Will we stay in the Cottage?
- What will we do with the pups?
First off, YES! We will be staying in the Cottage, and we can't wait to introduce our tiny boy to our tiny home! Living in a house that's under 400 square feet with two (tall) adults and two medium-sized dogs has thus far been a surprisingly easy and rewarding experience. We see no reason why we can't welcome the baby into this environment. As he grows into being a toddler, we'll review our options. But in the meantime, I am delighted to tackle the challenges of raising a baby in a small space.
Now for the pups, Stanlee and Sophee (#StubsandSoph):
Stanlee, who I adopted when he was 2, has been by my side day-in and day-out for over 7 years. This may sound juvenile, but he's my best friend and I can't imagine my world without him. He has been great with my nephew Finn, who lives in LA and spends a significant amount of time at the Cottage. (Some of my favorite photos of Finn and StanleeStubs can be seen here). We believe Stanlee will be equally as terrific with our newest family member.
Sweet Sophee, who is still a puppy, will go through professional behavioral training and baby-preparation with a local trainer this summer. She's a quick learner and a complete love. We are confident that we will be able to safely introduce her and our son to one another this fall.
Thank you all for your kind messages, and for sharing so much love. We feel it all, and are so sincerely grateful.
Friday Mornings at the Venice Beach Farmers Market
I'm so grateful for our little Friday morning Farmers Market here in Venice.
This morning was particularly wonderful-- check out the blooms and herbs we found today.
View the rest of the market series via Insta: #WLMmarket
Another favorite "tiny house" in Venice
What do you do when you need a mini-vacation, but you don't have enough time to travel? Airbnb! In-town vacation rentals are perfect for unique staycations. Adam and I just spent a couple days at my other favorite "tiny house" in Venice (which I first discovered on Airbnb), and I completely fell in love with the space:
Meet the @craftsman.mini.me by @shophbleu. Isn't it a dream? The fig vines creep in at every corner, stretching from the outdoor shower, which is the most gorgeous little place to relax and breathe:
At 400 square feet, this house is only slightly bigger than our Tiny Canal Cottage. But, much like our home, the numerous windows and doors make the space feel open and airy.
Learn more and/or book the house here.
(My camera is currently being repaired, so these photos are mainly iPhone. Sorry for the less-than-ideal quality, but the subject is so amazing that it hardly matters. Enjoy!)
Dealing with a Built-in Couch (while having 2 Dogs)
For those of you who’ve inquired about how we keep the house so clean while having two dogs, here are the honest answers:
- We simply don’t own much stuff. With fewer belongings, we naturally make less of a mess.
- Everything is washable.
For the past 5 years, we’ve used throw blankets to cover our white, built-in couch, which helps us handle the pet hair and paw prints. But I recently received THE BEST PRESENT that anyone has ever sent us for the cottage— custom couch cushion covers from @rachelashwell by @officialshabbychic:
When I first got the swatches, I literally rubbed them on the pups to see which cloth hid the most hair. (Our 9 year-old rescue beagle-mix Stanlee sheds A LOT.) I best loved the results and the overall look of the Grain Linen:
We've now had the covers on for two weeks, and they look and feel amazing. They've weathered the wear of the pups perfectly, and they help our little living room / dining room / guest room / office look clean and bright.
This is not an advertisement, nor a paid post.
Apartment Therapy's Great Design Instagrams
Thank you, Apartment Therapy, for including the Cottage in your Great Design Instagrams feature!
Functional Decor from the Cottage on Domino
Good morning! We're thrilled to be back on Domino today, where I'm sharing some of our most notable functional decor tips from The Tiny Canal Cottage. Click here to read the story and view the photos.
Cottage Porch on Domino
What a delight to wake up to the Cottage porch (and #StanleeStubs) on Domino this morning!
We were excited to see our client, The Butcher's Daughter, in the slideshow, too! Check it out here in "21 times we had MAJOR patio envy" via Domino.
Birthday Workout
Today (March 7th) is my birthday. I wanted to do something local, low-key and out of the ordinary to celebrate. Rather than going big (weekend getaway!) or going standard (meet for happy hour!), I thought it would be fun to go healthy.
The wonderful Heather Dorak of Pilates Platinum generously invited us to try out her new Venice Beach studio for a private group Megaformer session:
It was crazy fun. We all got extremely sweaty, and one of us MAY OR MAY NOT have fallen clear off the machine at some point. But we had such a great time and got an absolutely killer workout. Lindsay was our instructor, and she did a flawless job of balancing all our skill levels (or lack thereof) and creating a balanced session that worked for us all. I whole-heartedly recommend this studio to anyone considering reformer pilates.
This is not a paid post. This is simply how I feel. (I also feel sore.)
Temporary Dishwasher Cover
So many people have asked about the fun lil' dishwasher cover featured in one of our recent Cottage images:
The artwork pictured is a piece of wallpaper that was designed by my friend (and total genius) Justina Blakeney for Hygge and West. Instead of fully adhering the paper to the front of the dishwasher, I simply used four magnets to hold it in place.
Try extra strong magnets. Or, if you'd prefer to use adhesive, try something "damage free," such as contact strips.
Wrapping paper is a wonderful way to expand your options, and switch up your look at very little cost.
Luxe Interiors + Design
Thank you for featuring the Cottage in your latest print issue and online, Luxe Interiors + Design!
The Venice Beach Canals
It's no secret how much I love the Venice Beach Canals. We walk the pups along the waterways daily, and look forward to the special events thrown by the Canals Association (such as the holiday boat parade and the 4th of July rubber ducky race).
Unfortunately, more and more of the cute, old bungalows like ours are now being ripped down for modern, zero-lot-line behemoths. To each his/her own, but it definitely bums me out to witness all the demolition. I'm all for change, improvement and progress (yay for green architecture and interesting design!), but I wish that more people tried modifying the smaller, historic homes before building and filling up new mansions.
These are some of my favorite shots we took on (or at places inspired by) the Canals this past year:
