Home is Where the Heart Is.

One of the projects that I feel I'm always tragically failing at has to be to bring more art into my home. While my last two places in Berkeley each had their own rotating gallery walls and a few DIY hangings, this newer (and by new I mean I've lived here for almost 14 months now...) place didn't quite get the same wall art love. I've put up a few finds from Melrose Trading Post, but it's still not the curated collection that I've dreamt it to be.

And with Valentine's day right around the corner (hashtag treating self) I'm feeling totally inspired to add a few more pieces to my walls. Whether it be one of the perfectly adorable art prints from Minted (fave new find for when you're feeling Etsy-ed out) or a 3 dimensional DIY install like the heart above (via Minted's equally lovely blog Julep) it'll be the perfect way to show my place a little love. File as home, sugar.


[Images via: Julep]

Update Nothing, Impress No One.

Yeah, yeah it's been a while since I've posted here. Chalk it up to the fact that I've moved on to a new role with the insanely-just-a-smidge-too-cool-for-me Malibu-based company Planet Blue and have spent the majority of my weekends unplugging from my digital domain. Seriously upping my game as I type... As always though, I had to come back if not just to share what I'm currently obsessing over (and have been pinning like mad.) File under see you around more often.

After a terrible haircut over Thanksgiving break that's literally scarred me for life (actual time: until it grows out) I'm tempted to do something drastic. Good luck trying to talk me out of this one.

Paris is always a good idea. The only question is how much willpower I have to save and not spend pre-getaway.

As a notorious nail biter (natch, only when my anxiety is high) nail art has never really been my thing. But maybe the promise of artfully designed nails will curb my habit.

There comes a time every year when I want to completely redecorate my surroundings. The time is nigh. 

Just couldn't resist this one. #firstworldproblems

[Images via: Pinterest, duh.]

Bath Time.

Acting as a one woman incubus for the viral plague (JK, but not really; *sniffle*) I've spent a considerable amount of time these past few days going back and forth to my bathroom (why I don't just bring the tissue box into my room, I'm still not sure) and let's just say after too many hours of that combined with a massive Pin Binge, I had an epiphany about my home priorities. Here goes: the majority of my day is spent at work (not perusing Instagram all day) and the little time that I am at home, it's spent either in the bathroom or at my vanity getting ready in the morning, or taking a deliciously long bath or shower before I crawl into bed. Now, that's a lot of time in my minuscule excuse for a bathroom (hey, it has a window!) so what's the harm on splurging on a bathroom accessory that makes everything that much more lovely? Enter: the Missoni bath towel. You will be mine someday, and you will love whatever bathroom I put you in. File as Italian dreams.


[Image via: These people's home. Jerks.]

Home is Where Your Wifi Connects Automatically.

Two images courtesy of new French blogger crush Hello Elo. Ok, yeah I can't read most of what she writes (and by most I mean everything) but it doesn't mean I can't ogle her pics with envy. File as home sweet home.


[Images via: Hello Elo]

Labor Week.

For the first time in about 4 weeks (hence the hiatus), I've got my own apartment all to myself with no guests, no itineraries and absolutely nothing to do. Absofuckinglutely nothing to do. In the meantime while I recoup from what was an awesomely amazing month and a half, I feel compelled to share a few end of summer inspo images that I had no idea what to do with. File as all over the place.


[Images all via @TheMargaretFile on Pinterest]

Current Obsessions: California Adventure.

Confession: I used to constantly make fun of one of my closest friends (#sorrynotsorry) for wearing his stinky Birkenstocks circa high school with literally every outfit and to places where sandals are definitely not considered shoes (at least for dudes) until I shamed him so much that he was compelled to change into a less offensive shoe when he was around me. Fast forward a few years later, and I'm totally lusting for a pair of Birks of my own. (Trust me, he was the first to know of this new obsession as well as the first to support me.). And with the new ugly shoe resurgence (thanks Refinery 29 for this article) I'm feeling like I'm definitely not alone in the universe. So adding to my grunge wishlist will have to be a pair of black on black stocks. Now if only I had the modern Santa Monica compound to go with it - aren't they one and the same? File as one day.

UPDATE: Stop the presses, even more support of Birkenstocks has emerged!! ...feeling a little behind the trend at this moment. But really, I don't give two hoots. Hashtag time to go shopping.


[Images via: Pinterest]

It Girl: Aimee Song

Currently obsessing over one of Aimee Song's newer collabos with Vogue Spain for a 7 Days/7 Looks feature. The filtering on these photos, the relaxed feel of the whole thing, and obvs the peek into her home - file as can't stop looking.


[Images via: Song of Style]

Sweet Escape.

Giving off some sweet sugary pink vibes today, with a hint of black (duh) and drama to keep things interesting. Sweet escape, here I come. File as until Tuesday.

[Images via: @MaggieMurrieta on Pinterest]

Change is Afoot.

Even though I wouldn't describe my current state of being as particularly moody or dramatic (some people in my life may disagree with that statement), something lately has been drawing me over to the darker side of clothing. Is it terrible that my wardrobe is consisting of more and more black pieces and is practically void of any and all color? Some LA-resident I am. File as gravitational pull.

[Images via: @MaggieMurrieta on Pinterest and @TheMargaretFile on Instagram]

Current Obsessions: Softy.

Decorating my new place has left me with one obsession: lucite ANYTHING.

You had me at light pink lacquer, Ms. Kayture.

Downtown LA flower markets. The BEST. 

I mean, are words even necessary?

And lastly, obsessed with my city. Loving every inch of it.

[Images via Me on Pinterest]

ApartmentPhile: Black Beauty.

I'm not sure what the deal is with my current obsession with all things dark romance (hmm...very 'Fifty Shades' of me) but in my quest to pre-design the perfect studio space for my next apartment I have found it rather difficult to envision exactly what I want the living/lounging space to look like. I've gone back and forth with three other options (you can find the first here, the second here and the third here) and although this one does seem very close to the first, it brings in a little more direction to the actual pieces that I might purchase: a ghost chair for the hand-crafted desk (side note: I love my boss and her furniture-building maverick boyfriend), a black-dyed Indian rug, a charcoal tufted settee, black and white floral curtains with lots and lots of leopard accents, and maybe a leather club chair (just like that lived-in Proenza Schouler bag). Ok, and maybe one pop of color with that light pink/coral/plum pillow. 

But all this does bring up the question: can I live with just one little pop of color in a pillow? Guess I'll have to sleep on this Fifty Shades... File as tied up. 

[Images via: Harpers, Studded Hearts, Tales of Endearment, Zara, West Elm, and the rest via Pinterest @TheMargaretFile]

ApartmentPhile: My New Place.

So my official move-in date may not be happening for another two weeks, but that doesn't mean that I can't begin the decoration marathon for my brand spanking-new art-deco studio. And that cute little drawing above? That's my place!! Stay tuned over the next few weeks, because I'll be sharing all sorts of home posts here from the beginning stages of inspiration (coming very shortly), a couple DIY Ikea hacks, definitely some flea market hoarding and of course, the finished project! If you could ever really call any of my spaces "finished." File as more to come!

P.S. Clearly this is NOT drawn to scale, but you get the picture!


[Images via: My iPhone, drawn by me, Margaret Murrieta]

Current Obsessions: Lilac Dreams.

I'm not sure what it is about this color, but I'm totally falling for lilac right now. When I was very little, my room was a certain shade of lilac (made my father repaint about 34 times before finding just the right one) but circa now, when paired with lived-in red, glossy white, and cool black pieces, lilac is so super chic. File as in love all over again.

[Images via: @TheMargaretFile on Pinterest]

House Hunters.

If only apartment hunting could be as simple as decorating one, I would have been living in my new place yesterday. (Tiny rant time here.) Who knew that with all the apartments in Los Angeles, all the ones that I seem to be interested in are already leased to someone else probably much more fabulous than myself. (Craigslist, you are no longer my ally in this search.) So I find myself endlessly calling, requesting, viewing, cringing and feeling let down by my options out there. I'm just barely trying to hold on to the hope that my apartment is still somewhere in the Los Angeles Area. One thing for sure is that I'll already have lots of decorating ideas to fill it with whenever I find it. File as still searching.


[Image via: Pinterest, duh. Follow me @TheMargaretFile]

Current Obsessions: Romance Intolerant.

Carrie may have asked that question in the final seasons of Sex and the City (yes, I still watch them on DVD; it's my thing, get over it!) and I even though may have asked that questions to myself a few times in the past; after this romantic wedding weekend for two of my best friends, I can't help but smile with it and not at it. Whether it's the pretty softness of the Valentino couture collection, the indescribable scent of the new Coco Noir fragrance (getting my hands on immediately if not sooner) matching twin doors, or a petite French pastry, I'm all about this new romance. File as last chance. 

[Images via: Pinterest @TheMargaretFile]

----Current Obsessions: Blue Shield---

blue marabou shoe | Takashi Murakami's Homage to Yves Klein | navy entryway

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Home to Runway: Smoke Signals.

Pink eye never looked so good...not to mention that you can never go wrong with pink cushions.

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Insane amount of blue crushes here, reminding me how chic cobalt can be.

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Yellow eyeshadow and a matching yellow canvas? Sign me up.

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There is a reason that a grey smokey eye (along with equally dark linens) are classics.

[Images via: My Pinterest @TheMargaretFiles] 

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ApartmentPhile: My Next Place Option III.

My boss got me thinking today. Not just about the massive to-do list I have looming over my head this week, but also about my current home situation. Instead of contemplating if the coupons were finished printing I had my mind wrapped up in duvets, chaises, and directional storage options. (Call it a job hazard if you like, but my mind often wanders to these places, unguided.) So her quest reminded me of my quest to decide my next apartment style whether it be funky, boho and super luxe like option two or chic, masculine and rich like option one. Now, I have another option to throw into the mix. It's a little less cold as the first option, a little more girly than the second and a whole lot closer to what I'm used to. Hey, I've been a single gal living on my own for quite some time...a little pink never hurt anyone. File as another choice.

[Images all via Pinterest, links to follow]