I've been craving creativity.  There's something to be said about finding a little fun in recreating a space with what you have and looking at something differently.  You take a step back, give it the benefit of the doubt and usually the moment you stop thinking about it, things click.  A refresh.  My studio and I had that moment.  So romantic, right!? 

I've always loved to be surrounded by pretty things, have baubles displayed for days and using a somewhat unconventional piece in a decor moment.  AKA a lion head door knocker next to my window because it can't be on my pink front door just yet.  And as I look around, my studio is kind of like living in a store, so it's no surprise I've ended up working in retail.  Everything has a place, a meaning (even if it's silly) but each piece plays a role in the vignettes I've created.  And funny enough, I love the element of whimsy in my home even though I tend to be a bit serious and analytical outside #203.  My hope is the space I've created makes you think about channeling your inner child, take a page out of a fashionable coffee table book or sling a coyote fur across your back while you stare out the window, hopefully with a glass of bubbly or four.  This apartment has become the vision board for what I aspire my future home to be.  

The mission.  I had two in mind when I spent a gloomy Saturday staring at the studio version of a Rubik's cube.  In a small space, you have to get crafty.  The first; open up the bay windows.  I wanted more natural light and luckily, my desk had already become an area I love to sit, write, sip a glass of wine and stare out into what every night is a different sunset.  Each window sill had something against it creating barriers.  I took a long running table under the furthest window, shifted it behind my couch and added a little reading area with an adorable white Acapulco chair.  I slung a serape blanket from the Saguaro Palm Springs hotel on it to remind me every day I need to make a trip back.... stat.  And I can't even tell you how this has changed the way light streams into my place.  It makes you linger just a little longer, or so I hope.  The coyote fur will always be special.  It was a fab find when I first moved to San Francisco in my Nordstrom days.  I think I've worn it twice outside this apartment but it's luxe, looks perfect against the desk that was a labor of lacquered love and reminds me of where I've been.  

The second mission; re-merchandising my bookshelves.  It's one of your first stops in my studio.  I discovered a major game changer with color coding books and I've cultivated quite the collection that will someday be featured in my walk in closet.  Don't worry, just geeking out over here but I love how it adds clean lines through the shelves.  Pretty sure during an earthquake this will crumble but until that moment happens, I'm just sitting on my palm print couch admiring this beauty.  

5 fun facts about what you can find in 5 stories of shelves. 
1)  The bottle of Veuve was from my 30th birthday.  I was ecstatic when I found giant palm leaves at Ikea to sit with her.  You can find a few sprinkled throughout my apartment.   
2)  The gold birds were a find from my mom, Kimmy.  I vividly remember her calling me at brunch during my sister's Bachelorette weekend when she discovered them.  I missed her call and by the time I reached her she left the store.  But of course, immediately asked if she should head back to snag them to which I screamed a resounding, "yes!"  They were destined to live with me.  Birdie beauties, I heart you and my inner old lady is swooning. 
​3)  I'm not the most experienced cook.  If it's not grilled cheese, scallops or poached eggs, I'm not your girl but the stack of colorful and pretty cookbooks inspires me to try new things in the kitchen.  Maybe craft something else besides a dirty martini.   
4)  A framed Leo's Oyster Bar menu.  You guys, I'm obsessed and made a girlfriend of mine steal it.
5)  The Chanel bag.  It was a right time, right place kind of thing.  She is vintage, special and has even met Palm Springs.

The color coded shelf needs it's own picture because includes books I gravitate toward.  I'm not the best reader.  I always start books and never finish them unless they are career related.  Snooze.  But they inspire me to be better and never settle in my job.  The latest teal one I can't wait to read.  I added a large stud of a necklace because these pages are royalty in my mind.  

When you change your perspective, things around you can shift even if it's something as simple as what you are surrounded with everyday in your home.  You can make change, be creative and escape.  For me lately, that's been key.  Take time.  Think about things and your next move.  Come back with fresh ideas.  It's what I come home to everyday.  It's the Taylored Approach​.  

6 years.  2,190 days.  3.1 million minutes.  Let's just let that sink in for a second and yes, I did the math.  I think back to the girl who pulled the trigger 312 weeks ago to make a leap to a city she had no idea she would like.  She followed a dream and I sometimes wonder... what happened to this girl?  She was timid.  She was unsure.  She was ready for change and had no idea how to get there.  But she had one thing, believe in herself things would work out.  I've figured out over the last 6 years as a Marina dweller that is the game of life.  And no, I'm not scheming to get a blue peg in my pink car just yet (well, kind of) but really, I think back to the girl who had her parents packing her two bedroom Scottsdale apartment to fit into a studio and I have never taken a moment to thank that tan, blonde girl.  Don't worry, I've thanked my parents.  But alas, this girl didn't question life, moved to a city with no apartment and no idea of what the future would hold and amazingly, she had no worry.  Instead, she was optimistic and had faith.  Faith that family was the right thing to bring her back closer to home and as she drove down the Embarcadero on many past city visits, she knew someday she would find herself at the Gap Corporate offices.  And guess what, that's what she did.  

As I sit here and realize math has become one of my best friends at work, it's put my 6th city anniversary in perspective.  If I could talk to that Scottsdale TC, I'd share a few facts with her from San Francisco TC:

1)  Dirty martinis should always be a basic food group.
2)  Blanche is a perfectly acceptable and necessary alter ego.
3)  A studio apartment is a blank canvas and glimpse into the personality of your future home.
4) Your career is one vehicle to your trademark in the world but no matter how hard you work to climb the corporate ladder, it should never define you.  Instead, it should be flamingos, sequins or a pink door.
5)  If you surround with the best of the best gals, you've made friends for life.
6)  As much as you try to be superwoman, everyone has a moment of weakness.  It's ok to feel lost.  Accept it.  Get over it and move on. 
7)  There will never be a shortage of pink houses.  If it's front of mind, you'll always fall into it.
8)  The man who makes you forget you want to be a boss in the office will be the one you hang onto. 
​9)  When you find that mental "click" as you are tourist in our city, get out that camera and capture it.  Heck, use it to decorate your house. 
10)  It's easy to be your own worst critic.  Take a moment to leave those thoughts behind and thank yourself.  You are right where you need to be.  Bold that one.  

Ironically as I googled wedding gifts for year #6, they could not be more opposite; candy + iron.  Sweet and reliable which if I looked San Francisco TC, she's turned out be.  Her mind is like iron, almost too strong.  It doesn't take a break, cut her any slack and always has her thinking she should strive for more.  She's never done and never settles.  You guessed it, the work side.  Then, there's the sweet.  The personal side.  She's too nice and should take a page from the bold iron boss.  Sure she might be cute but inside, she could cut you if she chooses too but that sweet candy side gives you the benefit of the doubt.  I would be lying if I said Maddie, my Mac on Chestnut, wasn't playing Mandy Moore's Candy as I'm writing this.  It felt right.

Cheers to San Francisco, Chestnut Street and the amazing journey I've cultivated in my 6 years so far.  I get emotional when I scroll through photos from the last 1.8 billion seconds (thanks Rent).  

Little did I know, you would give me the key to be me.  

​The inspo for this week is probably no surprise.  It revolves around that pretty red shape and matters of (you guessed it), the heart.  As I think about things in my life I've been able to conquer with ease, it's time to address the dreaded L word, where I admit I've stumbled along the way and that's OK.  I'm here to say boldly, I'm bad at love.  Don't cue that Top 40 song just yet, although it's catchy.  Instead, hang out for a sec while I tell you why.  You're not ready for real love until you have self love.  Enter Carrie Bradshaw's quote on the biggest relationship you'll have is with yourself.  And let me tell you, it's SO true.  It's a big one and something that has taken me a bit to find. 

To say I've been hard on myself is an understatement and those who know me well can attest to it.  I failed to see the positive, failed to understand the power of my presence and was always quick to criticize any part of myself.  I couldn't see what others saw in me both inside and out.  I got in my own way.  Always.  Until now.  Something the blog has taught me is to appreciate any photo op (no matter how awkward I may get) and instead of picking myself apart, finding a hair out of place or an angle that is not my best, I choose to see a girl who is happy, a girl who shines and more importantly, a girl who believes it.  And that's the key, belief.  Don't get me wrong, I still have my days like any girl but I've grown leaps and bounds in the last few years that I barely recognize the insecure blonde, tan babe in old photos.  I've become a confident, independent and at very small moments, an undercover sensitive Sally (although I hate to admit that) who has taken the time to find herself.

So this Valentine's Day, I'm raising my glass to you, TC.  A girl who never saw boundaries in the office and who slowly realized there aren't personal boundaries if you choose not to see them.  She knows who she is, funny quirks and all and is not afraid to be herself.  Whether it be Blanche covered in sequin in Palm Springs, realizing I'm an 85 year stuck in a 33 year old body watching Dateline or the girl who is ecstatic about finding a duo of gold birds.  It took awhile but I'm here now.  And silly things aside, I will always be loyal, always see the good in people and always give you cheeky words of advice.

And alas, since it is love day, I'll leave you with a few of my favorite quotes. 

"Your company.  The pleasure of your company.  I want your input on video rentals.  I stand there for hours, I can't pick anything out.  I want someone to say goodnight to, a last call of the day.  I don't have a last call of the day.  Do you?"  ​Buddy Amaral (Bounce)

"I love that you get cold when it's 71 degrees out.  I love that it takes you an hour and a half to order a sandwich.  I love that you get a little crinkle above your nose when you're looking at me like I'm nuts.  I love that after I spend the day with you, I can still smell your perfume on my clothes.  And I love that you are the last person I want to talk to before I go to sleep at night.  And it's not because I'm lonely, and it's not because it's New Year's Eve. I came here tonight because when you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible."  Harry Burns (When Harry Met Sally)