Oh Joy!

with love... 9 Feb 2012

{1. heart measuring spoons from Terrain, 2. Antidote red flower + berry chocolate bar, 3. rose syrup from Royal Rose, 4. cheers vase from Uncommon Goods, 5. heart-topped lobster pot pies from Dean & Deluca, 6. diamond ring bottle opener from Fred Flare. — Joanna}

a pop-up flower shop... 9 Feb 2012

With the biggest flower sale day of the year coming up next week, I love seeing Valentine's Day options that are out of the ordinary. I've never been a red roses kind of girl, and instead would far prefer loose and wild florals like these by Saipua & Nicolette Camille. For you lucky New Yorker's, they're having a pop-up Valentine floral shop starting this weekend! See here for more details and to pre-order. — Joy

{closet & casa} with leah duncan... 8 Feb 2012

who: Leah Duncan, Illustrator/Designer

why leah rocks: I'm in love with Leah's illustrations, especially her quirky tea towels and art prints!

in her closet: I love this Madewell dress because of its pretty blue toned pattern and simple silhouette. I can wear it to the market with sandals or dress it up with accessories and heels in the evening.

in her casa: This vase is a hand-me-down from my grandmother. I can't quite put my finger on when I became obsessed with everything polka dot, but I'm pretty sure it all started with this vase.

Thanks Leah!
— Bri

{photos by Leah}

{make it} marshmallow tea latte... 8 Feb 2012

I'm a big tea drinker. And as a new mom, I've been needing my caffeine fix now more than ever. I love milk teas and tea lattes for that added creamy texture so I've been making milk tea at home, but the process can take a while to slowly steep the tea in milk over the stove top. But this morning as I stumbled into the kitchen in my early morning haze, I figured out a super easy version...stick marshmallows in your tea! You're never gonna believe it, but it adds both the creaminess and sweetness that makes a latte so satisfying, and you can control the level of sweetness...one marshmallow or two? Yes! — Joy

{photos by Oh Joy. chili pepper marshmallows by Red Bread, bowl by Dinosaur Designs.}

little lady locks... 8 Feb 2012

There's no question about it that shopping for and dressing a little girl is so much fun. So I'm loving these little bitty hair clips by Hello Shiso...super cute... — Joy

this & that... 7 Feb 2012

...carry this Falcon Wright coin purse, organize with that set of Crate & Barrel paper clips...

—Bekka

artful bites at the {lacma}... 7 Feb 2012

Yesterday, I had a refreshing and relaxing lunch at the LACMA. In my year and a half in LA, I had yet to visit the LACMA and was thrilled to see a wonderful restaurant there, Ray's and Stark Bar. Situated in the courtyard of the museum, the indoor/outdoor space is light-filled, relaxing, and full of great bites to eat pre- or post-museum walking....or even as a lunch all on its very own. I loved the Beef Chile that comes inside a roasted chile {top photo} and the Benedict Burger {not show, but yes, an Eggs Benedict on top a burger!}. The details were so fun with each table containing drawers with individual sets of utensils inside! It was perfect for people watching too, as I spotted a table of fabulous retired ladies, one of which was decked out head to toe in lemon yellow with the best floral clutch! Amazing. I'd gladly come here again to meet up with friends or bring the baby for an afternoon... — Joy

{top and bottom photos by Oh Joy, food and table photos by Ray's and Stark Bar}

this is what the inside of my brain looks like... 7 Feb 2012

It's funny, but when my brain is at it's most calm state, the visions I see in my head are of colors and patterns all overlapping with one another. These paintings by Diana Delgado pretty much sum up what I'm thinking about on a daily basis... — Joy

oh joy in the library... 6 Feb 2012

I always love seeing how people use our Oh Joy wallpaper in their homes. Here's a peek at a little library nook by Jess & Rob using the Petal Pusher wallpaper in gold. The industrial piping and reclaimed wood make for a gorgeous contrast against the metallic... — Joy

{via Picnics Under the Moon, photos by Spork and Knife}

feeling like a strawberry lemonade... 6 Feb 2012

{01. Serena & Lily pendant lamp, 02. Atsuyo et Akiko baby tee, 03. Esque pitcher & cup, 04. LemLem smock shirt, 05. Garnett Jewelry bracelet, 06. Julia Kostreva notebook, 07. Julia Kostreva pillow, 08. Old Navy flats. — Joy}

happy friday + a beautiful glow... 3 Feb 2012

As a new mom, I feel like a really appreciate every day a bit more than I used to. Time with my baby, time with my husband, and just time to enjoy the simple moments really have more meaning for me more now than ever. If you haven't yet seen The Glow, the site is a gorgeous depiction of talented, creative mothers and their children. Photographed by Kelly Stuart and written by Violet Gaynor, it's an amazing depiction of the love and bond between kids and their mamas. Have a great weekend all... — Joy

{photos of Zoe, Christiane, and Christina by The Glow}

the perfect pair... 3 Feb 2012

How sweet are these little stuffed wedding toppers by Sian Keegan? A great alternative to the traditional figurines and so fun to save afterwards! — Joy

{oh joy eats lunch with} sara forte... 2 Feb 2012

Who  Sara Forte, author of Sprouted Kitchen Blog and Cookbook

Where  Dana Point, California

Time 12pm. Sounds cliche, huh? I'm a frequent snacker, but that seems to be the time I actually sit down and eat something instead of grazing.

What's a typical lunch for you? My lunch is usually a bowl of greens piled with leftovers of whatever roasted vegetables, grains, dip, and what not I have around from recipe testing. I am really not particular, so as long as I've got a ton of greens, a protein, gluten-free grain and some avocado/hummus/vinaigrette to make it taste, I'm a happy girl. If we are making something for the blog, that becomes second lunch for us. I married a hungry man, so there is a lot of eating going on around here! Today it's a roasted tomato soup that we made recently for the blog and has been one of the most popular recipes yet. The ingredient list is short, but by roasting the tomatoes and onions, the soup has a lot of flavor. I'll just throw in some beans or have a piece of toast along side, and lunch is served! 

What's your dream/ideal lunch? If we're going to say "dream", I'm going big. I would love a big huge yard with a long table that's open for people to come sit around, touch base about their days, and share food. The lunch would be light and healthy with iced tea and a few treats. Oh, and there would be teleportation, so my blogger friends from all over the country could come sit at the table, too.

Dessert with lunch?  Always. It doesn't have to be much—a handful of chocolaty trail mix, a gingersnap, a spoonful of ice cream over the sink... but something to seal the deal.

Thanks Sara!
— Joanna

{photos by Hugh Forte}

{fashioned florals} pink and poppy... 2 Feb 2012

While searching for a new dress for an upcoming wedding I'm attending, I came across this See by Chloé dress that was the perfect mix of pretty and dramatic. Knowing that Valentine's Day is just around the corner, I figured this group of stunning pink garden roses, delicious-smelling white sweet peas, Italian poppies, blush ranunculus, and bush ivy from the flower market would be perfect in this pink and punchy arrangement. Set in a low silver plate bowl and photographed against a black backdrop to make the most of the contrast, it makes the everything look straight out of a painting...yes?  — Liz

{left photo from Net-A-Porter, right photo by Liz for Oh Joy!}

shoe drive me crazy... 2 Feb 2012

...pretty pops of color and patterns made just for walking that I'm currently lusting over... — Joy

{left to right, top to bottom: Anthropologie heels, Kate Spade wedges, Madewell polka dot skimmers, Tory Burch bejeweled heel, J.Crew striped pumps, and ShoeMint Hattie flats (use code OHJOY10 for 10% off your first pair, first time buyers only, until 2/29)}