Hi everyone, its Megan! I’m excited to introduce my new column,”Paper Art.” I’ll be featuring anything from the world of art and design that is two-dimensional. Hopefully, you’ll be inspired!

I love this  piece called Blackfield that I had the pleasure of seeing at Shoshana Wayne Gallery in Santa Monica, CA. This artwork was created by Zadok Ben David and is made up of thousands of tiny, flat stainless steel plants. When you first enter the room, all the plants appear to be black.

When you walk around to the opposite side of the room, the colorful side of each plant is shown. The piece is huge, so the colors are slowly revealed to you as you make your way across the space.

What a surprise! You can watch a video here.

All photos from Shoshana Wayne Gallery.

Books & shoes? Two of my favorite things! Photo by Cooper Carras.

I’m a big William Sonoma fan! When I got married I registered there for all the essentials like All Clad Calaphon (the best pots and pans ever), fine stemware, and Global knives. But you know what really rocks? They’re giving a Santa Barbara Chic reader a $150 gift certificate!!!

If I were the winner I’d  stock up on cake stands (you can never have too many of those for parties)…

Or treat myself to my favorite cooking tool ever– lime green Le Creuset. It’s an essential in my kitchen (the steady heat and the fact you can make the best soups in the dutch oven are just some of the reasons I’m obsessed with Le Crueset).

So how can you enter to win?

First visit William Sonoma and start by creating your registry. Leave me a comment that you’ve registered and what your absolutely favorite item is in your registry. If you already registered, you’re still eligible to win the gift certificate! Simply go to your registry, add at one new item and leave a comment here that mentions the new item you added.

The contest closes on Friday, September 3rd at 12am so get your comments in! A winner will be randomly selected and announced on Tuesday, September 7th. Good luck!

*Sponsored post

Hi everyone, I’m honored to be presenting at Alina Pizzano’s Couture Bridal Workshop on Thursday, Septemeber 9th, 2010. Our panel of experts will include myself, Kirsten Ellis of Beaux Arts Photographie, Alina Pizzano of Alina Pizzano Couture Bridal and Adam Martin of Town and Country Event Rentals. You’ll get advice on how to plan your wedding, get all your burning questions answered, and you’ll even be able to work with us one on one. RSVP to me at kelly@kellyoshirodesign.com. Seating is extremely limited so RSVP today (we’re keeping this small and intimate folks!).  I hope to see you there!

Heirloom season is here and I’ve been eating them by the truckload. I predict still more caprese salad and bruschetta this weekend. Yum!

Photo by Tina Rupp.

I’m excited to introduce you to Megan van den Bergh! She’s recently become my in house paper artist and I’m thrilled to share her talent with my clients. She’ll be blogging about her love of all things paper related here on Santa Barbara Chic every Thursday and to get to know her better, here’s a list of some of her favorite things!

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Hi everyone! I’m Megan, and I’ve been a behind-the-scenes member of Kelly Oshiro Design for a couple of years now. I’ve assisted Kelly with the creation of couture elements for her chic handmade weddings, and with day-of coordination. Recently, I’ve teamed up with her in the paper goods arena, making me the Paper Artist for Kelly Oshiro Design. I studied papermaking and letterpress printing at UCSB, and am thrilled to be creating wedding and other social invites with Kelly for our awesome clients!

So, here we go! Some of my favorites things.

1. Jadeite Kitchenware

My wallet insists that I add to my collection every time I step into an antique store. I mean, wow, right? It’s functional and gorgeous! Not to mention I’m pretty sure these pieces will last forever, since my jadeite butter dish I use everyday was already sixty years old before it came to live in my house.

2. Antique Folding Wooden Chairs

Kelly and I were in Benicia, CA doing some antique shopping when this obsession of mine started. I love the compactness of folding chairs, the quality construction of older furniture, and when the paint starts to chip off… oh my goodness. It’s like a dream!

3. Dogs, especially Mira

I really like dogs. A whole lot. You can imagine my excitement when Kelly and her husband decided to get  one.

4. Anthropologie

Yup, who would have guessed, right? They just have… everything. Everything! Especially unique dresses for special occasions, and great glassware for your table tops. When Kelly asked me to model for this photo shoot, I enthusiastically replied, “Totally.”

5. Toy Cameras

These two photos of the SB Courthouse and a vineyard in Los Olivos were taken with my Diana F+ camera. It’s made of shiny white plastic and it uses 120 format film and is totally rad!

Photos from top: 1. Photo by Kirsten Ellis of Beaux Arts Photographie 2. Jadeite via Paula Dean 3. Chairs via C.S. Post & Co. 4. Halberg Photographers 5. Dress via Anthropologie, 5. Photos by me.

Summer is finally upon us (seriously, 80 degree weather just arrived) and all I want to do is pack a picnic, lay on some soft grass, and read a good book.

She’s got the right idea…

…and she does too. Here’s hoping the weather sticks around this weekend when I’ll be able to leave the office and enjoy. Happy Wednesday!

Photos from top: 1. Erikca McConnell 2. Olivia Graham 3. Roland Bello

Metal filigree with pearls on a pair of cream colored d’orsays? YES, PLEASE. Photo by Vallentyne Photography.

My obsession with hot pink continues particularly in outdoor spaces. Its such an unexpected color outside and I love the contrast with green foliage. Also, this may be the most adorable umbrella, ever.

Stunning outdoor space with hot pink lanterns? Um, yes. I’ll take some tea and cookies right about here.

But the piece de résistance? A hot pink, heavy, wood, door leading to your garden. Done and done.

All photos by Polly Eltes.

Cheers to it being Friday (finally)! This seriously might have been the longest week ever…

Photo by Keller + Keller Photograhpy.

Go for a drive in this countryside especially in this vintage car.

And then eat some ice cream from a small town ice cream shop. Yum.

Photos by Corrie Bond.

Blue sassy shoes on top of a hot pink pillow? Word. Photo by Mike Larson.

I love the ethereal look of mosquito netting. Its so pretty and soft and has the same effect that a cathedral length veil has on a bride.

It would be so pretty for a ceremony arbor and then you could use over your bed as a special keepsake from your wedding day.

Wouldn’t that be romantic?

Photos from top: 1. Helen Norman 2. Styled by Eva Lindh 3. David Tsay

I want to live in one these colorful brick buildings.

Or lounge in these colorful chairs.

Photo: 1. Michael Wriston 2. styled by Emily Henderson

Nothing like some candy pink Louboutins to start your day off right! Photo by Stephanie Williams.