Blonder Ambitions

Beauty. Intelligence. Lifestyle.

How To: Design a Tablescape

by Leave a Comment

My friends are always asking for tips and tricks on how to organize a fun and festive table.  First, pick your color scheme.  It can be anything.  Don't limit yourself to what you think should go together... Go with what you like.  For this table, I picked blue, pink, and bright yellow.  I also wanted the overall feel to be chic, yet whimsical.  To achieve a lighthearted feel, mix patterns.  I ... Read the Post

Tips and Tricks on how to design fun and festive table decor.

Kristin and Chad – The Wedding Gallery

by 1 Comment

♥ Elysium of Santa Barbara (my company!) provided the decor for this Orange County wedding ♥ ... Read the Post

Elysium of Santa Barbara (my company!) provided the decor for this Orange County wedding

Kristin and Chad… Elysium Designs the Decor for a Gorgeous Wedding

by Leave a Comment

I was lucky enough to be approached by a young and very talented woman (she is an artist with hair and owns her own salon in Orange County!) to do the decor for her wedding.  She had a vision... In her words, "Shabby chic meets simple elegance."  The opportunity to expand Elysium all the way to Orange County (the ceremony and reception were hosted in San Juan Capistrano) was one that I could not ... Read the Post

Elysium of Santa Barbara... my event design and coordination company... put on this Orange County, California wedding.

How To: Make an Inspiration Board

by Leave a Comment

Inspiration boards are vital.  Visual imagery is an important motivating tool and can also instantly improve your mood, drive, and outlook... Take a corkboard, some images, quotes, photos, anything that you love and tack it up.  The beautiful thing about this is that your inspiration board can change daily.  Fill it with whatever strikes your fancy. I covered my board with some of my doodles, ... Read the Post

Always a good idea to have goals and things that motivate you. Bonus points if they're pretty.

Current Obsession: The Farmer’s Market

by 2 Comments

Basically, my favorite Tuesday evening and Saturday morning activity... Outdoor stalls with local vendors pedaling fresh flowers, fresh produce, and fresh ideas.  Nothing makes me happier than fresh flowers on my desk, by my bed, well.... everywhere... and a fresh, light meal to follow the workday. ... Read the Post

Fresh flowers, fresh produce, fresh ideas. Perfection.

Room Lust – Bathroom

by Leave a Comment

My bathroom is currently undergoing a bit of a makeover… formerly a bright (hideous and nauseating) blue, I painted it a deep high gloss chocolate brown. I hung a dramatic chocolate brown painting of Marilyn Monroe on the wall. I bought a deep brown wicker basket embroidered with “Laundry” in gold thread and a simple brown and gold décor set.  I normally don’t like things that are so “matchy,” but ... Read the Post

I am constantly designing and redesigning my place... These are some of the things that I am desperately lusting for…