Friends since our Design Club High School days, before the word blog existed, it is a treat to be asked by Caitlin to be her New York City contributor for Sacramento Street. As an Interior Designer in New York City, Sacramento Street is my go to Lifestyle Blog for design for a West Coast perspective. It is truly an honor to be apart of such an inspiring blog. To kick it off I had a chance to work with the talented photographer Jamie Beck, from the blog From Me To You, to cover the Elle Decor Modern Life Concept House in New York’s Chelsea gallery district. The ten Interior Designers selected by Elle Decor were each assigned a room and paired with vendors to create their vision in two, two bedroom apartments. After a quick sweep through both, I was drawn to the east apartment 10C featuring designers Beth Martin, Sara Story, Grant K. Gibson and Aurelien Gallet. Beth Martin, one of Elle Decor’s A- List Designers to Watch in 2011, was selected to do the Living Room with Calligaris. New York City ‘alumni’ and now San Franciscan, Martin says the best thing about leaving New York after ten years was putting away her high heels! “New York has a masculine energy,” says Martin “I wanted this space to have the same energy, yet sexy with feminine elements through lyrical feminine forms in the artwork and walking female figure sculpture.” The juxtaposition carried through out from the cement and metal base coffee table that sat on the soft white alpaca rug, layered with books, a large wicker tray and rock crystal paperweight, to the textured columns that were covered in a slightly metallic cork wallcovering takes the Living Room from cold modern to organic industrial chic. One of my favorite pieces in the Living Room was the bark covered ‘Giacometti esque’ arm chair – a piece of art rather than a place to sit. Placed next to it, in perfect contrast, was a sculptural steel floor lamp with a single exposed filament bulb from, a new favorite source of mine, Battersea. Check out the rest of their inventory from vintage trunks to Moroccan pottery on 1st Dibs. Martin’s design flows seamlessly into fellow San Franciscan and A-List Designer to watch in 2010, Grant K. Gibson’s Kitchen and eat in Dining Room with Bosch. Known for his “well edited, classic spaces that are not only beautiful but functional”, Gibson’s design is clean, simple and clever! My favorite part had to be the use of take out menu pages as the Kitchen backsplash – how genius and something anyone can do on their own. What would you use – newspaper? wrapping paper? pages from your favorite book? The Concept House is open to the public now for three weekends until June 5th. If your in New York, make sure to put it on you weekend to do list and don’t forget to grab a copy of the June Elle Decor to see who else made the A-List! Until next month, Lauren *Photo: All images taken by the talented Jamie Beck exclusively for Sacramento Street #interiors

Sacramento Street is going bi-coastal! I’ve been thinking long and hard about something new to bring to my readers – there were lots of brainstorming sessions and finally it became clear. I’m incredibly excited to announce that we’ll now have a New York contributor, Lauren Larson. Lauren and I have known each other since third grade. As we’ve grown from girls with pig-tails, into career women, we’ve grown extremely close because we both have an incredible passion for Interior Design. Lauren has been living and working as an Interior Designer and Blogger in New York City for seven years. Her Interiors have been featured in the New York Times and on NBC’s Open House New York “Tips of the Trade.” She recently founded her blog MATERIAL LUST with her partner, Product Designer, Christian Lopez Swafford. Curating together, they describe themselves as artists masquerading as designers. The Material Lust blog strives to ‘design a conversation’ around their admittedly ominous aesthetic. The blog was initially created as a mood board for the Material Lust brand and their line of products, but quickly turned into its own full time project driving Lauren to feverishly seek out new types of work, artists and designers. Any given weekend you can find Lauren digging through flea markets to find old, discarded fashion and architectural magazines. They are currently collaborating on one of a kind products, including, but not limited to, home goods that are set to launch later this year. Once a month Lauren will be writing a post here on Sacramento Street centered around events, design and even fashion. Tomorrow will mark Lauren’s first post that I can hardly wait to have live. We’ve been collaborating and scheming up this piece with an amazingly talented photographer. Please welcome Lauren with open arms and look out tomorrow morning for her first AMAZING post! *Photo: by Jamie Beck #lifestyle

I thought that it was about time for me to tell you about a few of my favorite booths. When I first walk into the market I immediately go Grenouille Antiques to say hello to longtime friends Fred and Coco – they’ve known me since I was a baby. Once I’m done going gaga over their French treasures I head over to Cottage Girls where they have lots of smalls – perfect for styling. After that it’s all about walking the aisles looking for items that catch your eye. * Grenouille Antiques (Booth A17) * Cottage Girls (Booth C17) * Atelier de Campagne (Booth J20) * Tinsel Trading (Booth L7) Then I finally arrive to Atelier de Campagne – where I’m greeted by Trinidad Castro and Johan de Meulenaere. Buyers beware, it’s easy to spend every last penny of your cash here. It’s filled with wonderful treasures that make my heart skip a beat. Luckily, they have a store you can visit all the time in case you need a little pick me up between markets. And then you finally stumble upon the lovely Tinsel Trading. For the love of ribbon, it’s a dream come turn! Bursting with so much goodness that you’ll instantly get inspired by all of the patterns and colors. I hope all of you have enjoyed my take on the Flea Market. If you ever have any questions don’t hesitate to ask me questions or email me. *Images: a BIG thank you to my cousin Claire for taking these photos. #lifestyle

Just wanted to pop in to let you all know that the lovely Victoria of sfgirlbybay and I had the pleasure of updating the design*sponge San Francisco city guide. It was so much fun taking a few adventures around the city to find some secret spots to tell all of you about. If any of you have any questions or need recommendations for hotels or day trips don’t hesitate to email me. I love creating travel guides for readers. Thanks again Grace and Stephanie for having us! #lifestyle

Many of you have been asking about my experience at ALT – my head is still brimming with inspiration and I’ve got a to-do list a mile long, boy do I have my work cut out for me. Here’s a little recap of what I took away from the panel’s I throughly enjoyed. Tips + Tricks: (Megan Reardon, Erica Reitman, and Susan Brinson) * Capture online screenshots with Skitch (sorry, only available for Mac users). * Want a place to organize all of your images, links, notes, etc. check out Evernote. Best part – you can snap a photo of a business card with your phone and have it stored within your Evernote account. You’ll never have to go searching for a lost card again – genius! * I’m newly obsessed with Zinio – a magazine reading app. * Lastly, most of you know about Pinterest but if you don’t click on over because it’s an amazing bookmarking website. Beware, you’ll be sucked in for at least five hours. Advertising Beyond Banners: (Erin Loechner, Liz Gumbinner, and Maggie Mason) * Reinvent the wheel – get creative. * Be sure to tell your readers when a post is sponsored. You don’t want your readers to feel tricked. * Measure your digital footprint. Be sure to have something beyond your numbers, like a press page. It gives you an “at a glance credibility.” * Always be authentic and transparent to your readers because if you are your readers will cheer you on. * Pitch your passions. Blogging Ethics + Etiquette: (Emily Newman, Grace Bonney, and Joy Cho) * Commenting – If you start to get a lot of negative comments, be sure to come up with a comment policy. It’s important to have it posted somewhere just in case you need to point it out to readers. * Crediting – Always, always, always credit anything you put on your blog (photos, sources, etc.). Some sites you should look into that Grace recommends are tynt.com and tineye.com. Both tell you where the photo has been and can locate the original source (amazing!). * Giveaways – They should be saved for items you truly love and want to feature. It’s a special post about the product and you’re giving it a lot of press by featuring it. * Social Media – It’s another outlet to get genuine readers, but always remember quality vs. quantity. Grace’s way of using twitter – 30% business // 30% communicating with users // 30% fun // 10% to fill in where it’s needed. Another fun panel I was able to go to was “The Best in Up & Coming Blogs” with Amy Turn Sharp, Danni Hong, Joslyn Taylor, Liz Stanley, Melanie Blodgett – although some of my favorite blogs were outed (grrrrr…), I found some new blogs I’m loving. To see the full list click here. Hopefully these notes helped you out a little bit – I tried to take as many notes as I could for y’all. If you have any questions feel free to email me. I’m truly inspired by so many lovely ladies I met over this trip, including Lisa F, Karey, Joslyn, Rebecca, Megan, Camille, Suann, Anna, Crystal, Lisa and many more amazing bloggers! And I couldn’t have asked for better roommates – Erin and Kirsten – I’m having withdrawals . . . and my outfits consultations aren’t the same (Eric isn’t as fashionable as you two ladies). If you didn’t attend this year, come next year – it doesn’t disappoint. And for those of you who did attend this year, I hope to see you in Salt Lake next January! Only 360 ish days away. Photos: Alt Summit flickr stream and Kate Spade photobooth #lifestyle

Today, I’m excited to announce a BIG giveaway – drum roll please . . . a one month Sacramento Street sponsorship for January! To enter to win this giveaway, become a follower of this blog & leave one comment per entry about what you envision your dream home to look like. Would it be rustic, modern, or traditional? Be sure to check out my dream home over on La Dolce Vita today – wishing I could live in my dream home right now . . . lol! For extra entries: 1. Follow me on Twitter & tweet about this giveaway (and please include @caitlinflemming in the tweet) 2. Follow me on Facebook The winner will be chosen at random and announced on New Years Eve at 5pm (PST). I wish all of you the best of luck!! Photos: 1. dress, design, decor via Verada 2. Morten Holtum 3. french by design 4. Paul Costello #lifestyle

Happy Monday! I have a skip in my step because I’m incredibly excited that Christmas is right around the corner. Warm Christmas cookies, family time, hot cocoa and seeing old friends is what will be on the agenda when we touch down in Portland on Wednesday. Lots of packing is to be done before we leave. What are you up to this week? Traveling? Spending time with family? Today, the lovely Mackenzie from Design Darling is guest blogging. She’s about to graduate from Bucknell University in May and she’s looking forward to leaving her mark on the design industry in a yet-to-be-determined way — whether in fashion, interiors, or the editorial side of things. I know she’s going to be wildly successful because she has already done so much at such a young age. Thank you Mackenzie for your wonderful post! * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Hi everyone! I’m Mackenzie from Design Darling and I’m so thankful to Caitlin for having me here today! Caitlin and I met in September at the launch party for Rue and I’ve been a huge fan of her blog ever since. I love this series and I’m excited to be participating at a time of year when it’s all too easy to take life for granted. I’ve kept my list very light-hearted but rest assured that my family knows they’re loved too! 1. Ballet flats. Anything I can wear year-round in Connecticut becomes an absolute wardrobe staple. I love my Tory Burch flats because I can wear them for everything — to class on weekdays and out to dinner on weekends. I own these in orange leather and pink suede but I would love to add this leopard pair ($225) to my repertoire. 2. Costume jewelry. Nothing puts the finishing touch on an outfit quite like the perfect bauble. This Kenneth Jay Lane cocktail ring (on sale for $98) is the brightest piece in my jewelry box and thus my go-to for jazzing up plain jane looks. 3. Glee. What could be better than a musical comedy that features the sexy Matthew Morrison and endless style inspiration from Jayma Mays’s Emma Pillsbury? The guidance counselor’s wardrobe is a chic reminder that, as a redhead, I too can pull off a little color. 4. High heels. The higher, the better. I’m known in my circle of friends for wearing heels to every social function regardless of the time or weather. Snowing and sticking? That calls for heeled over-the-knee boots. Lounging in the backyard during the day? Time to bust out the five-inch wedges. Currently I’m coveting these Jessica Simpson wedges (on sale for $80). 5. Nantucket. This little island off the coast of Massachusetts is quite simply my favorite place on earth. Our family owns a summer home here and I have been lucky to spend several summers on the island working in retail. I highly recommend that everyone visit if you get the chance! 6. Magazines. I just can’t get enough! They’re the perfect complement to my favorite blogs and online publications. My current favorites are Marie Claire for fashion and Elle Decor for interiors. 7. Manicures and pedicures. My mom, sister, and I love to treat ourselves to the occasional mani/pedi. It’s our chance to catch up and unwind, not to mention walk out a little prettier than we came in! My favorite color has long been Essie’s Fiesta — the perfect hot pink! 8. Our puppies. Well, they’re not really puppies anymore. My parents surprised me and my three siblings with Coach seven Christmases ago. We decided he needed a buddy so we adopted his half-brother Fenway that summer (and the Red Sox won the World Series that October!). Our cockapoos are just the light of our lives and I’m instantly happier when I’m with them. 9. Things that sparkle. I’m in love with my new sequined skirt from J.Crew (similar style here, $275). It will be the perfect dress-it-up or dress-it-down item for soirées pre- and post-holiday season. It’s not just the skirt though; a pair of crystal candlesticks, a polished silver frame, a mirrored dresser… Really anything sparkly will do! 10. My computer. My Macbook Pro ($1,199+) is my lifeline. I use it for blogging, editing photos, writing papers, online shopping… I can’t imagine life without it! I’m looking forward to my phone upgrade this spring — it just might be time to spring for the iPhone! Thank you again, Caitlin! Happy holidays to you all! #lifestyle

Happy Monday! I’m ready to take on this hectic week – I’ve got lots of projects to complete, work is crazy, holiday parties to attend and to top it all off, I’ll be traveling to Portland tonight for a 36 hour trip to celebrate my dad getting an award from the Governor of Oregon. Today, I’m honored to have the lovely Amanda from Stylish Bird sharing her 10 things. She’s an Interior Designer in the Bay Area and will be launching her site in early 2011! Amanda and I live incredibly close to one another and have tried to plan coffee, lunch and dinner dates – we’re finally meeting up later this week! I’m so excited because we have so much in common. We love interior design, the bay area and from this post I realized we have SO much more than I thought in common. I thought I was alone in my Rodin face oil obsession – if you don’t use it RUN, don’t walk, to your nearest Erica Tanov or Barneys. Thank you Amanda for guest blogging here today! See you on Thursday. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * I was so flattered and excited when Caitlin asked me to participate in her “10 Things” post. I’ve been a long time reader of Sacramento Street, so guest blogging today is really an honor. It’s always fun to see what people choose and I love that it gives you a little glimpse into their lives. I decided to focus on the everyday items that I use that truly put a little extra bounce in my step… 1. Ethnic textiles. I’m a total sucker for an ethnic textile. I know that at this point suzanis are a little played out, but I don’t care. The colors, patterns and vintage quality can give an interior a unique soulful quality that I just can’t get enough of. Pillows from Jayson Home & Garden 2. Stationary. Letterpress to be exact. I love the feel of thick card stock with the colored indentations. It has such a luxurious feel that you know is special the instant you touch it. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate a handwritten note. Linda & Harriet custom notecards & envelopes from Soiree San Francisco. 3. Products. I’m a girl who loves her lotions and potions. Especially in the winter when it’s so dry out. I swear by Rodin Olio Lusso face oil. It’s made of a blend of essential oils and it smells positively heavenly. I slather it on before bed every night and wake up with glowing skin. It’s a little pricey, but a little goes a long way. Rodin Olio Lusso Face Oil from Barney’s New York. 4. Lipstick. Until recently I had never worn lipstick a day in my life. The red lip trend piqued my interest, so I went out and bought one. Now I am totally addicted. It makes me feel a little more glamorous and feminine when I go out at night. Every woman needs a good red lipstick in her arsenal. Laura Mercier lip pencil in Ruby & Nars pure matte lipstick in Vesuvio 5. Boots. Living in the Bay Area means it’s cold. A lot. I live in a uniform of jeans, blouses & boots. These Madewell booties have been getting a lot of play time this season. They are the perfect little black bootie. You can dress them up or down, wear them with high waisted jeans, skinny jeans or with tights and a dress. Madewell Shortcut booties 6. Coffee. The taste, the smell, the ritual. I love it all. The first thing I do in the morning is make my coffee and sit down to read all my favorite blogs. It’s like the quiet before the storm and I cherish that time. I like all types of coffee, but Blue Bottle Coffee is especially good. If you are a coffee person I highly recommend giving it a try. Blue Bottle Coffee Co. 7. Handbag. This summer I turned 30 (gasp!) and took a 6 week trip to London. I wanted a high quality bag that was versatile and that had a flap that closed to discourage those who might be inclined to lift my goods while standing uncomfortably close together on the tube. I decided to get myself Mulberry’s Alexa bag. It’s made of soft buttery leather and you can carry it as a handbag, shoulder bag or cross body. Definitely a splurge, but you only turn 30 once, right? Mulberry Alexa bag from Net-a-Porter. 8. Magazines. I adore my monthly magazines. The second they arrive in the mail my heart starts beating a little faster and I have to stop everything to do a preliminary fly through before I have time to really sit down and devour the whole thing. I love so many magazines for all different reasons, but I’m a California girl and C Magazine is my favorite. Get a subscription here. 9. Technology. I am constantly connected, so my iPhone is an important part of my life and my business. I never knew I needed it before I had one, but now I couldn’t live without it. iPhone from Apple. 10. Scarves. Again, the Bay Area is cold and any local knows it’s all about layering. I am never without a scarf, and in particular, I’m never with my blue scarf. It’s my favorite! Love Quotes scarf in Marina from Tobi. #lifestyle

Sitting down to write this post, I can’t begin to think of what to write – my mind is completely blank. When the final version of my 7×7 Magazine feature landed in my inbox, I gasped for air, my jaw dropped to the ground and I may have been bouncing up and down at my desk. Coming up with the overall tabletop design and every single detail was so much fun. I enjoyed every minute of it – from finding family heirlooms, to bringing the chartreuse green branches and lotus ponds on the plane with me (flight attendant couldn’t believe it), to waking up before the sunrise to go to the flower market. This table was a labor of love. A big thank you goes out to Leilani Marie Labong for selecting me to be to featured for this 7×7 Magazine piece. Seeing our ideas come alive was so much fun and your writing captured every detail. I’m truly honored to be part of the December 2010 Holiday issue. *Photos: Cody Pickens for 7×7 Magazine #interiors

Ingredients 1 cup sugar 1/2 cup water 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon allspice 1/4 teaspoon ginger Two peeled and chopped pears 12-ounce bag of fresh cranberries Directions Dissolve the sugar, water, cinnamon, allspice, and ginger items over low heat—about 5 minutes, depending on the heat. Then add the two peeled and chopped pears. Simmer for 5 minutes. Add fresh cranberries and bring to a boil. Turn off the heat when the cranberries begin to pop. Enjoy! I tend to eat all of it before we even sit down for Thanksgiving dinner. #recipe #entertaining