California Dreamin’: The Avalon Hotel and Pelican Hill Resort

My trip to California last week was jam-packed with activities, especially in Los Angeles, which didn’t leave me too much time to enjoy The Avalon Hotel in Beverly Hills to the fullest, but I did enjoy my stay and the central location. It didn’t take me more than ten minutes to get anywhere. The Avalon was a favorite of Marilyn Monroe’s back in the 1950s and it has become a favorite of design enthusiasts since Kelly Wearstler redesigned the property.

 

{The cabanas by the pool feature fabulous mosaic-like murals.}

{Sadly, I didn’t have time to eat at the glamorous Oliverio restaurant, but I have heard wonderful things about the food and service. Aren’t the chairs fabulous?}

{I was given a premium room which was super spacious, with a sitting area and separate workspace. The rooms feature Sferra linens and the bed and pillows were incredibly comfortable.}

{The rooms have more of a mid-century modern influence than the public spaces downstairs.}

{The Large Workspace}

{The bathroom was roomy and had plenty of space for laying out my things.}

{A Second Look at the Bathroom}

{I loved that The Avalon is eco-conscious, choosing to use full-size bottles of Neil George toiletries instead of small ones. The products were very luxurious and smell divine!}

 

{The Breathtaking Grounds at Pelican Hill}

The two hotels that I stayed in during my trip were both very chic and comfortable, but completely different. On Wednesday, I headed down to Newport Coast because my friend and her family had invited me to stay with them at the gorgeous Pelican Hill Resort. The resort is ultra luxurious with every amenity one could possibly wish for. It’s best feature is the gorgeous views. It was my first time in Newport and Laguna Beach and I am already dying to go back!

{The Main Courtyard at Pelican Hill}

{The Main Pool}

{Stunning!}

{The Adorable Children’s Camp}

{The Beautiful Grounds}

{Chic Spa}

{Watching the Sunset from our Terrace}

{Pathway Leading to the Front Door of our Beautiful Villa}

{More Breathtaking Views}

{Part of Our Terrace}

{Villa Floor Plan- It was such a fantastic size!}

{The Large Living Area – The whole villa was such a great size. I would move right in!}

{Dining Room}

{Nice Kitchen}

{Jeni and I on the Balcony at Sunset…Thank you so much for inviting me to stay with you and your family at such an amazing place!}

 

{All Images by Paloma Contreras- Please Do Not Use without Express Consent}

10 Things I Can’t Live Without: A Diary of Lovely

Helena is the super sweet and stylish blogger behind the London-based, A Diary of Lovely. She muses daily on her love of interior design, fashion, and travel, so it is only natural that it is one of my favorite blogs!

I'm beyond excited to be here today sharing my 10 things. Paloma is flawless in everything she does so I'm honored to be part of this fun series. Thanks, Paloma!

1. My Family, Mum, boyfriend and friends. I wouldn't really be anything without them. Their support, smiles, friendship, advices means the world to me.

2. Blogs: Who am I kidding, blogs are an absolute basic in my life. They are  the food that keeps me alive! This is a small selection of my daily reads.

3. My laptop & Iphone: Poor old fella has just suffered a bad accident and is sick but he is my good companion anywhere I go. My Iphone keeps me updated on the go, a must if like me and all of us love social media.

4. Scented candles: There is something utterly romantic about them, must be the scent and the light.

5. Cakes, cupcakes and chocolate: Forever and ever.

Via: here

6. Diet coke: 2 a day, please. I should cut it down but unfortunately I don't want to.

7. Books: I love many many genres, from thrillers, to chick lit, books are my way to travel to untouchable worlds.

8. Travel: Is there anything best that discover the beauties of the world?

9. A relaxing bedroom: A sanctuary to retreat after a long day, in mine I have all my favorite stuff and I love to lay in my bed and enjoy some relaxing time.

Via: here

10. Clothes and Shoes: French Sole, Louboutin, Anthropologie, high and low, fashion makes me happy!

Via: here

California Dreamin’

I’m back from a whirlwind week in Southern California! I spent the first half of last week working and meeting up with fellow design bloggers in Los Angeles. On Wednesday, I headed down to Orange County where I spent time in Newport and Laguna Beach, both of which were breathtaking! Unfortunately, I didn’t have much time to explore LA. On Monday, my dear friend Jeni took me to some of the shops in the La Cienega Design Quarter and on Tuesday, I spent the entire day working (More on this later. It was an unforgettable experience!) and then met up with the fabulous Erin Gates of Elements of Style and some of our stylish friends for dinner at the Palihouse Hotel. I wish I had taken some pictures of the Palihouse because it was a pretty fabulous, though hard to find place. On Wednesday, I met up with fellow bloggers, Ashlina from The Decorista, Jami from Imagine Design, and Arianna of Arianna Belle for lunch at Toast on Third. The entire time I was in LA it was hotter than Houston. Just my luck!

{Our first stop was at Hollywood at Home, which carries the most amazing textiles by Peter Dunham and John Robshaw, among others.}

{I loved the stacks of books atop this zinc table.}

Hollyhock

  {Hollyhock has a a lovely, very refined, traditional assortment of goods.}

{We also visited Downtown L.A. and Mecox Gardens, but I didn’t snap any photos. Oops!}

  {Dinner at The Palihouse with the Girls- Clockwise from Top: Shannon, Erin, Marie, Jeni, Paloma, and Ashley}

{Lunch at Toast on Third – From Left: Ashlina, Me, Jami, and Arianna}

{The Gorgeous View from our Villa at Pelican Hill}

On Wednesday afternoon, I drove down to Newport to meet up with my dear friend Jeni and her family who invited me to stay with them at their villa at the gorgeous Pelican Hill Resort. It is completely breathtaking!

{Watching the Sunset with Jeni}

{My First Pinkberry Experience…Um, we need one in Houston, STAT!}

{One of Several Pictures Taken on our Morning Walk in Pelican Hill- I will be doing a separate post on Pelican Hill and the Avalon Hotel, where I stayed in Los Angeles later in the week.}

{The AMAZING pool at Pelican Hill}

House Hunting

{Seeing as how I fell in love with Newport and Laguna, it was only natural that we would go looking at houses. I think this one will do just fine! Both the house and the trees are super charming. Unfortunately, I don’t have the millions it takes to live in that area just yet, but a girl can dream.}

{Belgian Style on the California Coast}

{Jeni and I at the Montage} {Before Dinner at the Montage in Laguna Beach}

{Amazing! Seriously, can I please live here?}

{The Incredible Montage Resort}

{After dinner, we were given a tour of the kitchen which was a very cool experience for this Top Chef junkie.}

{Beautiful Food}

{Perfection.}

I realize that this is getting to be a long post and I could honestly post a million more photos of the beautiful views from the Montage, but I’ll spare you and save them for Facebook! Be sure to check back tomorrow for posts on my favorite store in California and The Avalon Hotel in Los Angeles and Pelican Hill Resort in Newport Coast.

This Week’s Quote

Fabulous Room Friday 10.01.10

California has been an amazing whirlwind! I am heading back later today and will share the details and some pictures from my trip next week. In the meantime, I’ll leave you with this fabulous bedroom by Philip Gorrivan. Let’s see… upholstered, tufted headboard? Check! Fabulous lighting? Check! Stacks of beautiful books? Check! Turquoise? Check! And a variety of textures? Check…including walls covered in manila hemp by Phillip Jeffries and an interesting ceiling treatment. Could you see yourself in this bedroom?

Have a fabulous weekend, everyone!

 

{Image Credit: William Waldron for ELLE DECOR}