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I am collector by nature. I love groupings, assortments and clusters. Whether it’s design books, succulents or beautifully displayed jewelry, assembling a collection is a great way to express your style.

Here are some tips on creating varied collections that look pulled-together, natural and effortless.

1. Embrace imperfection. Mix sizes, split up pairs and let your collection have a bit of randomness. Display pieces at different angles and leave space and blank spots in the collection.

2. Create the unexpected. Nothing draws attention as much as something surprising. By elevating ordinary items in a creative way, we create a fun and eccentric style. Play with bold colors and varied patterns.

3. Make it accessible. Don’t make the collection too precious. Scatter a few groupings outside the case or set apart a bit from the main collection. It gives a more causal feel to it.

4. Give it height. When assembling groupings try to create a varied horizon line. Think of the highs and lows of a cityscape and juxtapose tall and short pieces to give it a varied look.

5. Opposites attract. Collect objects that have opposite qualities. Rough and smooth, angular and shapely, light and dark. This adds depth and richness to your collection.

6. Maximum exposure. Mount the collection on the wall at eye level,  display it on a mantel or create the perfect lighting to best highlight it.

7. Grow it over time. Take time to collect. The best collections are built over time, letting each piece tell a story.

{ weekend glimpses }

Hello, I’m back! Last week was a whirlwind of travel, presenting, networking, schlepping and meeting some really amazing people. LAUNCH went really well and I am so glad that we went. Deadlines are very helpful for making things happen!

After getting home, we spent the weekend with the girls, playing tennis, riding bikes, hiking, eating and playing. It was a good weekend all around. Since the time changed and days are lighter, I took a look around and gathered a collection filled with a bit of sunshine.

Hope you have a great week ahead!

Cup / Tote / Photograph / Shoes / Interior / Dress / Basket / Art Print

It’s a bright and beautiful Friday morning. My husband and oldest daughter are heading to a mountain camping adventure with a group of friends, so it’s me and the little one this weekend. We have some fun things planned. This picture of a beautiful tent in nature sure does make me wish I was joining, but I’ll be home channeling the Sander-Hansen home (image nine) with a busy working desk and piles of papers getting ready for the conference next week.

These are some of the lovely things I discovered that are making me happy. There sure is a lot of goodness out there and I am feeling some of that inside too. A good talk with my ever patient and loving husband always helps me feel back on track.

Hope you enjoy and have a wonderful weekend!

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{ kate spade }

Hey there, happy valentines! While I am not an overly sentimental person and generally don’t have an overwhelming love of red, on this day I’ll share a few of my personal moments and spots of red that I’m mad about!

Let’s start with Kate Spade. No matter what color she is highlighting in a given month, she simply does it right! And who doesn’t love a red leather couch.

{ jenna lyons office }

J Crew’s Jenna Lyons red desk! Love it. Again, this woman can’t miss. This splash of color is perfect for the office since red is all about intensity.

{ self portrait; heart in buck, cluster collection }

Here’s me, not wearing red, but wearing my husbands sweater. As I was getting dressed this morning to take the girls by their school for Valentines Day festivities, I saw his sweater on our dresser.  He wore it yesterday and I knew it was the perfect thing for me to wear today. Nothing better than going through the day with the scent of your lover nearby.

{ mi corazón esta rompiendo todo técnica, knoll }

I love the red in this painting by Alejandra Knoll.

{ eying the paints in the butterfly room }

And finally, preschool valentines day. It was a super sweet day with the girls. One of the best parts about having children is seeing the world fresh through their eyes. Every holiday is magical and each ordinary day is still so new. Tonight, D & I will be enjoying a candlelit dinner at home with Indian takeout, a 1977 Argentinian Malbec and a Mast Brothers Maine Sea Salt Chocolate Bar. A perfect evening.

Tote Bag from Teddyfish.

Photograph by Skye Zambrana

Happy Monday! Back at work after a lovely weekend with friends and family. The highlight of the weekend was a Mad Men themed party which was fantastic! I’ll be sharing pictures in the coming days.

It’s another sunny and warm winter in San Diego and this lovely tote has the perfect feel for the day. I love how this dip-dyed trend is inspired by nature.

How’s the start of your week going?