Hello from the coyote fur covered chair in my favorite corner on Chestnut street.  I can't tell you the last time I walked into my humble abode, poured myself a glass of wine, put on a tune (currently one of my old school faves, King of Wishful Thinking) and let myself go on a blank page.  It's kind of liberating, a little scary depending on how I'm feeling but a pastime I need to bring back ASAP.  So the theme of tonight, getting re-inspired and giving back to yourself. 

I may have shared before but I'll tell you again.   I'm a big card gal.  Fun fact that I save most (usually the cutest which people who know me well find the most fitting ones) so there's a volume that's been building.  When I'm feeling uninspired or need a quick pick me up, they are my go to.  Another I've mentioned is the 8 page letter from FAC (my dad) because after 16 years, his advice still rings true.  If you are ever in need of entertainment and thoughts from the wisest guy I know, I'm happy to share as long as it's over a martini.  It will always be the most special pieces of paper I own which if you've seen my desk at work (I love paper), that's a bold statement.  When I read it, it makes me tear up every time which is a rare occurrence but it's only because I so vividly remember opening it in my La Paz dorm after my parents said goodbye.  I even quoted it in my Maid of Honor speech.  It's gold.           

Why Reserved for Tay?  Because I'm learning everyone needs just that and it's one of the hardest things to do.  Reserving a little time for yourself that's not spent responding to work emails or working at night, that's without noise in the background or in my case Making a Murderer and that's not even with a book in front of you.  It's flexing a different muscle; self reflection.  And not the self critical kind where your inner doubt let's you think you could have done more, said more or worked harder.  It's turning her off and just giving yourself a chance to reset and realize you conquered the day, however it may have gone.

This past year, I've found an overwhelming passion for photography.  I feel like my mind works in clicks.  I see something, I snap it and all of a sudden it turns out even better than I planned.  It's totally the approach of "don't try to so hard, it will just come to you" and lately with my iPhone, photos have been just that, easy.  We've got a good thing going.  

​I forget how I drummed up this idea but given my motto of being surrounded by pretty things, I figured why not surround myself with my favorite snaps.  Of course, typically pink door inspired.  I almost wish it could be like Mary Poppins where they jump into street art as lately my inspiration has been all about that Palm to the Springs.  Shocking I know.  But there is something about those rainbows brights that make me so happy that I wanted to incorporate it into my space. ​

3)  Deciding on a frame.  Given my space, I opt for clean white frames in my home.  It lets the photos stand on their own and the colors shine.  My go-to for frames is Amazon or Michael's.  For my latest plants on pink project, it was my largest print yet and one that made me so happy from a SoCal gf of mine.  24 x 36 and I lucked out with the perfect clean white frame at Michael's for 70% off.  The main wall in my studio has remained vacant since I moved in and now, these cacti fit in so well here on Chestnut.      
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4)  Time for your photo debut! ​

I tend to change my mind about things in my home so have found this DIY hack is perfect for me.  Change your photos with the seasons, feature a trip or give a nod to a place that makes you happy.  See life through a pink house, a perfectly crafted 'tini and get whisked away in this road trip we call life, or in your home... on that palm printed couch.  

A special thanks to CC for the photo that completed my studio decor & for making me realize I need to visit the Sands Hotel in Palm Springs... stat.

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​.