we have one villa available...

and its priceless. 

yesterday we had the pleasure of visiting 

the getty villa in malibu. 

sister to the getty center in los angeles, which houses art from the middle ages to present day, the getty villa is an educational center and museum which showcases art from 

ancient greece, rome, & etruria. 

both magnificent properties boast stunning landscapes, gardens & architecture, each in its own setting and style. 

the getty center has become a regular in my rotation since we moved to los angeles four months ago, and after visiting the getty villa yesterday, it will definitely be added to the lineup. 

taking the girls was a breeze, as they had plenty of space outdoors to run and play in, and they even had a kids' room where they could decorate "ancient pottery" with dry erase markers...

recreate scenes from ancient times...

...learn how pottery is made, and more! 

brilliant.

the reflecting pool and surrounding gardens were gorgeous. 

seriously. i could live here. 

i need to live here. 

(no pressure, dave.)

remind me next time i visit to wear a long, floaty dress to waltz around the gardens in. 

attention to detail was paramount; even the floors were gorgeous.

i was really hoping to hear "a gentleman will be by with your bags in a moment"... 

ain't that the truth?!

tip up your cups!

it was breathtaking. 


the fact that i got to experience it with my sister, who has a very strong art history background, was a major plus. 
not to mention, having someone by my side who is just as much a gushing, excited-to-be-here, loving-every-moment-of-this persona as i am 
is beyond comforting. 
and fun as hell. 


today we're headed to the beach to film some flashback scenes in a new film where bunny is playing the younger version of a certain disney star... more on that later. 


oh. and my birthday is tomorrow.
which is super fun and all (i love birthdays, even my own)... except that it means my sister leaves the next day. 
boo. 

but! i think she's fallen enough in love with SoCal to consider the big move west after nursing school is done next year. 
yay! 


fingers crossed.


i hope you all are coming out from under the holiday hangover and basking in all that 2011 has left to offer. 
which, really, is whatever you make it. 


(i have to feel this way. having a birthday in between christmas and new years necessitates in one a certain sense of optimism after being double-gifted and ho-hummed most of your life. :)
enjoy!
xo

be my guest

i'm so excited i can barely contain myself. 

my big sister is coming to LA to visit! 

for ten days!

i love having guests, especially one i haven't seen in far too long; she's flying across the country to spend the holidays 

(and my birthday!) with us... its extra special. 

not to mention our first official houseguest since the move. 

needless to say, its important that i have 

the guest room outfitted appropriately. 

(via)

being a good hostess is very important, and in my opinion there are a few key ingredients to creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere that makes guests feel at home. 

it goes without saying that a cozy & clean place to sleep is a must. whether your guests have an entire wing to themselves or a murphy bed in the butler's pantry, giving your guests the best you have to offer in the bedding department is essential.

further, i always have a carafe of fresh water 
and clean glasses at the bedside table. 

(via)
a small plate or tray of fruit, crackers, or some other 
type of snack is also appreciated; 
be aware of any food allergies in advance, and plan accordingly. 


i love using my family silver for these occasions; a recent guest told me "not to go to any trouble", 
and i told her it wasn't any trouble at all--and i meant it. 
it is one of life's great pleasures to host company, and if you're not going to use the good stuff for your nearest and dearest, 
who are you going to use it for? 

(via)

 in addition to refreshments, a pad of paper and a pen 
on the side table is always helpful. 
you never know when you might need to jot something down. 
taking that idea a step further, wouldn't it be lovely to visit someone and see your own personal stationary by the bedside? 
consider treating your extra special guests to the gift of correspondence; i promise they won't soon forget the favor!

(via)
another thoughtful touch that always makes guests feel extra special--like you took the time to think of everything--is a framed photo of them (and their husband/family/etc),
displayed somewhere in their room. 
what a great way to show the love! 
trust me when i tell you, guests love this. 
wouldn't you?


in the bathroom, my guests enjoy fresh, clean towels folded on a stool or chair, rolled onto a tray on the counter, or stacked neatly on a shelf--whatever you're working with. 
an assortment of fresh, full toiletries await in the vanity area.
clean, monogrammed "guest" robes hang nearby, 
and plush slippers are lined up neatly on a tray on the floor.

(via)

here's another opportunity to take the visit to the next level; consider giving your guest their very own (new) monogrammed robe to use while they are there, then to take home with them. 
who wouldn't love that? 


there are many ways which you can make your guests feel special; putting the time, energy & thought into it is everything.
whether its a hand-picked bouquet from your garden in a vase by the bed, custom gifts as i previously mentioned, or just a cozy, clean space, making them feel welcome ensures you'll create an environment that will beckon guests back time & time again.


what kinds of things do you do to make visitors 
feel welcome at your house? 


xo
(all images via pinterest unless otherwise noted)

happy birthday mfamb

this is my dear friend jenny, aka mfamb, 

aka my sisterwife fo life.

(isn't she gorge?! those legs are legit, y'all!)

today is her birthday.

happy birthday, lovey!

i miss her dearly, seeing as how she's on one side of the country and i'm on the other.

boo.

last year we were here

(via)

 boozing it up and eating delicious french food. 

but since i can't do that this year...

lets hop back on that imaginary plane 

and go celebrate. 

first, we'd stop here 

(via)

for cocktails and provisions.

then travel onward to here

where we would have the men play outdoors with the children so we could relax, drink wine, read mags & blogs, relax, watch movies, cook & eat amazing food, relax, drink wine... 

i'd also ask a favor and get the yet-to-be-released new season of this:

and we would watch it and drink tea cocktails 

and speak in our best accents... 

(which we always do on the phone. you should hear it.) 

it would be glorious.

and then we'd go here for adventures.

and more eating. and more drinking.

then we'd leave the childrens with the supernanny

(via)

(she doesn't like to be without her girl for long, nor do i... we'd bring em with, duh)

and the "grown-ups" would go here to party for the night.

(all via)

then we'd all go here for a family weekend. 

we would spin around in this field, singing at the tops of our lungs, sound of music style. 

we would enjoy a private concert from them:

we would all become fast friends.

i would give her these.

and we would celebrate with this.

happy times.

(ok, since we couldn't do all that, i'll just send flowers. 

i love you, j.)

xo

(all images via mfamb and pinterest unless otherwise noted.)