Casa Azul

Don't you love it when someone's physical space reflects them just perfectly? I can't say I didn't expect it, but in visiting Casa Azul I was just floored at how effortlessly this space embodied its infamous inhabitants: Diego Rivera & Freda Kahlo. Washed in the most gorgeous shade of blue, almost a Yves Klein blue but somehow better, the airy home is smattered with remnants of a life well lived. Frida's paint brushes, photographs of important moments, old letters, paintings collected from friends, a cheery yellow kitchen still stocked with pottery, well-worn furniture and of course Kahlo's incredible wardrobe. Hand embroidered dresses, impeccable jewelry, cigarette cases, little cat eyed sunglasses & every gorgeous color under the sun stocked her closet. Photographs weren't technically allowed inside, but I just couldn't resist snapping a few quick ones of her collection (that turquoise yin yang bib necklace, ack!). Kahlo was born, raised & died at Casa Azul & it still feels as if she might be sitting in her studio there cranking out work or reading a book in the lush garden. It's a special place without a doubt.

Otomi Textiles

For ages I've been in love with this embroidered fabric. I've spotted it from time to time in chic houses or while traveling around, but I never knew what it was called. I'd hunt high and low, endlessly google, but no luck. That is, until I spent my Christmas holiday in Mexico City! I spent a crazy afternoon at the San Angel market (side note: if you ever make the trip to DF, it's definitely worth the 45 minute drive outside the city to see this market!) & found a handful of stands of women selling these gorgeous pieces. One of them was kind enough to clue me in -- they go by Otomi & are named for the indigenous Otomi people in several Mexican states east of Mexico City. Each piece is meticulously embroidered on cotton muslin & seems suited to just about anything you can think of. Clearly I'm late to the game because pinterest is a wash with gorgeous Otomi pieces. Just glad to be in on the secret.

Images via 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6

Beyoncé in Marfa.

Yes, Beyoncé in Marfa! I love that arguably the most famous pop star in the world can get down and have a good time in West Texas. Not that it's hard to have a good time in Marfa. It's the dreamiest little town and certainly the first place I think of when I get a little wanderlust. Good on you, B.

All images via Beyoncé.

Milkshake Lake

A pink lake! For real! Naturally occurring! Insane. There's no where I'd rather be right now. Lake Retba has officially rocketed to the top of my must visit list. 

"Situated north of the Cap Vert Peninsula in Senegal, northeast of Dakar, Lake Retba, or as the French refer to it Lac Rose, is pinker than any milkshake you’ve ever come face to straw with. And once you see it, you too will agree that a sippy straw may be in order over a boat. Experts say the lake gives off its pink hue due to cyanobacteria, a harmless halophilic bacteria found in the water. If the color weren’t enough to make you smile, it should be known that Lake Retba has a high salt content, much like that of the Dead Sea, allowing people to float effortlessly in the massive pink water. In fact, Lake Retba has an almost one and a half times higher salt content than the Dead Sea."

images via 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 

PCH Perfection

Sometimes I miss living in California. Not the way I ached for Texas when I was away. But, on perfect sunny afternoons winding up the spine of California on the PCH I really miss it. The ocean, the cool eucalyptus tinged breeze, the palms, the redwoods, the wildlife, the mountains -- California can be a pretty magical place.

Minimal Mies

One of my favorite places in Barcelona was the Mies van der Rohe pavilion. On a grey afternoon it looks just perfect. In 1928 the pavilion was commissioned to represent Germany in the upcoming 1929 International Exposition (a.k.a. The World's Fair). The hope was that the space would give "voice to the spirit of a new era" during the recovery period after World War I; that it would embody a new "democratic, culturally progressive, prospering and thoroughly pacifist" Germany. Sure, this is a rather heady goal for architecture, but somehow, that calm is perfectly encapsulated. 

sunglasses: vintage // sweater: Old Navy // t-shirt: F21 // jeans: Massimo Dutti* // boots: Aldo // jewelry: all vintage

The space is completely open seamlessly blending indoors and out. Such a cool concept.

In addition to acting as a beacon for the "new" post-war Germany, the pavilion was constructed to house simple,  purpose driven furniture. Cool, crisp lines, bright white marble and dramatic red drapes are the perfect environment for the now iconic Barcelona chair. Now these Bauhaus beauties can be spotted all over the place and are still sold today by Knoll. If only I could snag afford one of these babes!

Never intended to be a permanent fixture, the original building was torn down in 1930. Thankfully, this gem of Modern architecture was resurrected by a group Spanish architects and rebuild according to original plans in the mid '80s. Such a gem.

*BTW, have you guys heard of this shop Massimo Dutti!? I guess everyone across the pond has discovered this gem, but it was completely new to me. It's kind of like Zara's cooler big sister. Think perfect buttery leather jackets, tailored trousers, soft sweaters .. ack! It's pretty great! Rumor has it we're getting one stateside (in NYC) later this year.