We began in “Istanbul” where there was a hookah lounge set up on the entry level.

Which also included a spread of Turkish deserts, nuts and spices along with Turkish coffee.

The lush grounds of the Houdini Estate took us to the next level via steep steps and a bridge.

The background on the second level was “Paris” with park benches and bistro chairs and tables, music and a mime.

A map of the estate and themed areas which also included activities, such as an area where you could make your own perfume.

On the top level was “London” which included a fun Polaroid photo booth.

It was a fun night with design friends (l-r): Edith Ponciano, Giuseppe Colucci, Kam Kamran, and Allan Dallatorre.

And with the designer himself - Marcel Wanders! (Whom I first had the pleasure of meeting back in 2012 on Blog Tour London.)

One of the biggest parties of the year took place during the Pacific Design Center’s annual Fall Market. As a much anticipated event, we celebrated the Lifetime Achievement Award Honoring Rocky LaFleur, our design community icon. I was fortunate enough to attend the party with many of my friends and colleagues. In addition, my friend Allan of LA Event Lights provided the spectacular lighting for the evening - illuminating the entire fifth level double height atrium of the Pacific Design Center.

Here is a before picture of the corridor space on the fifth and sixth levels of the Pacific Design Center that was transformed for the night’s party.

The space is illuminated by lighting, including custom GoBo projections for the sponsors.

The attendees filled the space which included a center bar and stage. All of the lighting is LED production and 90% battery operated technology.

With the honory guest of the evening, Rocky LaFleur (center) along with design friends (l-r): Lynnea Schweiters, Gregory Firlotte, and Amanda Neistat. Both Gregory and Amanda helped in putting together the event for the big night.

And great job to LA Event Lights for the amazing lighting display! Such a fun and celebratory night!

Las Vegas Market just released a great recap from Summer 2018 Market. For an in depth look covering all the highlights from Summer Market click here.

Thank you Las Vegas Market for the mention!

The Inside and Homepolish have teamed up to release a line of furnishings by Los Angeles based interior designer, Katherine Carter. The collection features textiles, wall covering, pillows, and furniture all for a very affordable price point that is cool, contemporary, and should I just add - very, very chic.

Shop these throw pillows on The Inside - “Black Fracture” by Homepolish, 20” square with feather insert for $49.

Loving these removable wallpapers (need for my own place!) that I got to preview in person this past week at The Inside x Homepolish event.

How cool is this marble fabric upholstered platform bed from the collection!? I love it!

I got to test out these chairs in person too at the event - for $399 they are a steal!

The pretty patterned removable wallpaper collection.

Thank you to The Inside and Homepolish for hosting us! It was a beautiful evening setting from the Hills Penthouse West Hollywood!

Circa Lighting has opened a stunning new showroom in Los Angeles, in our popular La Cienega Design Quarter, in West Hollywood. I attended the showroom opening this past week and am absolutely impressed with the new space. The showroom features two levels, a ground floor with lighting collections organized by designer, and a second floor mezzanine level showcasing tech lighting.

Some of the designer lighting collections on the first floor include Kelly Wearstler, Aerin Lauder, Kate Spade, Suzanne Kasler, and more.

The showroom displays an array of gorgeous pendants from the ceiling.

Contemporary wall sconces on the second level tech lighting floor.

Glass and metal mini pendants on display.

Loved these large scale pendants over the stairwell.

Colorful and clear glass mini pendants.

As part of the opening party guests received signed copies of Kelly Wearstler’s book “Rhapsody” from Rizzoli.

Circa Lighting is located at 525 N La Cienega Boulevard

I was recently sent a pair of pillows to try out from Adoric Life Premium Quality Bed Pillows and happily traded out my inexpensive quick fix big box store pillows that I purchased when I moved into my new place just over a year ago.

I love how they were shipped flat, vacuum packed and tied with a pretty bow.

The pillows are super comfy. I’ve been sleeping on them for over a week and finally tossed out my old pillows now that I’m convinced these are keepers. I love that they are hypoallergenic and dust mite resistant too. Gives this clean freak that I am peace of mind. To purchase, click here.

{Disclaimer: I was provided with a free product in return for my honest review. This review includes an affiliate link. If you purchase items through my affiliate link, I may earn a commission. There is no additional charge to you.}

This past week Sunset Magazine and Lamps Plus hosted a group of us at the newest, latest Idea House in Beverly Hills. A modest home in the hills that was completely transformed with sleek contemporary furnishings, kitchen and bathroom renovations, and of course, all the lighting selections featured are from Lamps Plus.

The dining room area with a metal base table and chairs.

The lushly landscaped and very private backyard with pool.

The master bedroom is light filled with a great view of the yard.

A pair of these wall sconces flank the bed in the master bedroom - a favorite!

The master bathroom features bath fittings from DXV.

A guest bedroom with table lamp lighting from Lamps Plus.

A contemporary bathroom with sink from DXV.

Love the terrazzo stone tiles and shower niche in the guest bathroom.

It was great to see fellow design friends, left to right: Jeanne of Cozy Stylish Chic, Jeffrey Johnson of Jeffrey Design LLC, Lynnea of Lynnea Jean Interior Design, and Erica Islas of EMI Interior Design.

Thank you to Lamps Plus for hosting us!

Bend Goods has opened a new showroom in the Melrose District of Los Angeles - and it happens to be right in my own neighborhood! This past weekend I attended their opening night party with friends. It was great to see the very cool newly opened showroom and the party was lively with a DJ, drinks, hors d’oeuvres, and a fun photo booth.

An overview of the showroom space - an eclectic mix with pops of vibrant color and a white backdrop.

Metal chairs and barstools on display.

Love these dual pendants.

Love the chic retro look.

Fab combination of green and gold chair detail with great pillow and seating cushion shapes.

Another showroom overview pic with lots of color mixes.

From the SnapBar photo booth had fun seeing friends Christian May of Maison21 and Megan Reilly of Westedge Design Fair.

If you’re in the neighborhood stop by and visit Bend Goods at 7007 Melrose Avenue or come see them at Westedge Design Fair October 18th-21st - I’ll be there too!

Over Labor Day weekend I attended The Taste LA at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles. The studio Backlot couldn’t have been a more perfect setting for a food festival. With the ambience of a NYC street scene, lights strung between buildings, tents set up featuring fare from local restaurants, and great music - we sampled bites from Eataly, Border Grill, Trois Mec, Granville, Stella Artois, Pacific Dining Car, and many more.

The scene for The Taste LA encompassed several “streets” on the Backlot of Paramount Studios with some of the “sets” open to showcase bars and shops, such as a Los Angeles Times cafe featured on site for the event. It was fun having access to and exploring the various streets during the event - all the while eating and drinking!

Stella Artois had two great set ups for serving their Belgium beer - one a cafe, a smaller location and another larger walk in serving bites and full glasses of beer on tap. It was so good - we went back twice!

Chef Bernhard serving up small bites at Stella Artois.

This year at The Taste LA honored a tribute to the Los Angeles Times own renowned food critic, Jonathan Gold.

Aperol Spritz had a super cute drink stand and these yummy drinks went down easy.

Drink Bai had a fun photo booth with GIF pics that we took pictures in.

Paramount Studios was such a great setting for the festive event.

Thank you to The Taste LA for including me at this years event! If you missed the LA event or looking for the next one, The Taste moves to OC next month. For more info and tickets, details are here.

This coming Labor Day weekend in Los Angeles is the annual Los Angeles Times “The Taste” event being held on Paramount Studios Backlot. The festival includes three back to back evenings of amazing food, wine, spirits and chef experiences, plus unique culinary pop-ups and collaborations. Dozens of local restaurants will showcase the city's rich and diverse culinary scene by serving their best each evening. I’m looking forward to attending and covering the event this weekend.

The first nights event begins on Friday, Aug. 31, 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.:
L.A.’s pop-up and underground restaurants will take the stage with a demo of Cajun-by-way-of-Compton cuisine from chef Michael Lawless (Shad’s New Cali Catering). Ludo Lefebvre (Trois Mec, Ludo Bird) will showcase his French flair. Master of the grill, Burt Bakman (Trudy’s Underground Barbecue), will lead a barbeque how-to. Ricardo Zarate (Rosaliné) and Jonathan Yao (Kato) will provide a glimpse of what makes their dishes imminently Instagram-able. The Bar Stage will be serving up white wines of Italy with Wes Hagen of J. Wilkes Wines. Restaurants include: Amor y Tacos, Baltaire Restaurant, Bone Kettle, Casa Vega, Chao Krung, Farmhouse, Hinoki & the Bird, Otium, Pop’s Bagels and Wanderlust Creamery.

The second night Saturday, Sept. 1, 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.:
Delicious food will be the special of the night as Briana Valdez (HomeState) celebrates breakfast all day with a demo of her signature dishes. Sommelier Ira Norof will give you 101 reasons to drink wine. Restaurants include: Cento Pasta Bar, Border Grill, Crustacean Beverly Hills, Jaffa, Kali Restaurant, Madre Oaxacan Restaurant & Mezcaleria, Mayura Indian Restaurant, Prawn, Taste of Tehran, Trois Mec and Winston Pies.

For the last night, Saturday, Sept. 1, 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.:
Experience the diversity of flavors in our fair city when Sean Lowenthal (Little Beast Restaurant) and L.A. Times Test Kitchen Director Noelle Carter highlight Southern cooking, Minh Phan (Porridge + Puffs) shares her technique for elevating porridge, and Charles Olalia (Rice Bar/Ma’am Sir) gives a master class on Filipino cuisine. Niki Nakayama and Carole Iida-Nakayama (n/naka) showcase Japanese cuisine. Wine expert Christine Dalton will raise a glass to rosé. Restaurants include: 71Above, Banh Oui, Coni’Seafood, Holbox/Chichen Itza, Hotville Chicken, Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken, Inko Nito, Kobee Factory & Syrian Kitchen, Meals by Genet and Prince of Venice.
 
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This year’s event also includes a special tribute to the Los Angeles Times very own food critic, Jonathan Gold.

​For more info and to purchase tickets, click here. Hope to see you there!

All images courtesy of JS2 PR and attending on behalf of as media.