Loving these simply fabulous Loeffer Randall flats. So chic and practical too boot.

One of my favorite places in the world, is a little orchard that has been serving tea and scones to Cambridge students since 1897…

We sat under the trees eating scones with clotted cream and jam…  And the words by Rupert Brooke, who wrote about this idyllic spot, still hang in the air, “And is there honey still for tea?” (The Old Vicarage, Granchester).

Happy 2012 SB Chic readers! It’s hard to believe that we’re in the month of January with this unbelievable weather we’ve been having. Today I have a drink for you that is so easy and so incredibly delicious that you’ll try and think of any occasion to make it for guests. I mean…who doesn’t love a good ol’ root beer float?!

Ingredients:

~1 1/2 of vanilla vodka

~Vanilla bean ice cream

~Root beer (buy the good stuff…trust me, it makes a difference)

*Add vodka, ice cream, and top with the root beer — the vodka should naturally mix well if it is at the bottom of the glass. Stir with a spoon if needed. Enjoy!

-XOXO Melissa

Two days before my sister’s wedding, my husband and I, Kirsten, friend and photographer, and her friend, Anna, took a walk through the fields of Cambridge…

Along the way we captured this amazing dress from Anthropologie and frolicked in the fields on our way to tea at Granchester…

I studied abroad at Cambridge for the summer of 2003. Needless to say, it was so lovely to be back again…

PS. Check in on Monday for our tea in the orchard…

I love classic blue and white china. There’s just something so elegant and timeless about it.

Um, how awesome is this writer’s desk with three dimensional blue and white tile?

And of course, classic chinoiserie blue and white china adds an exotic element to this classic combo. Would you use blue and white tile in your home? Your wedding design?

Grey, modern, Valentino shoes, you say? Yes, please!

I can hardly believe 2011 is drawing to a close! Its been a busy year full of changes and some really fun design projects. And speaking of changes… Santa Barbara Chic will be looking very different here soon, I’m working away getting everything ready and I’m hoping it will be done in the next few months.

And as I look back at 2011, I’m particularly proud of getting my home featured on Design*Sponge and a 5 page spread in You & Your Wedding Day magazine. But mostly, I was so honored to design my sweet sister’s wedding in London… I hope to show photos soon…

Here’s to a busy and bright 2012!

There’s nothing quite as chic as Chanel heels in the wintery, parisian, snow. Photo by and via The Cherry Blossom Girl.

I love this unexpected color palatte of aqua and red and it just seemed just so appropriate for a California Christmas/holiday table…

For flowers, I used shades of crismon and red with hints of purple. I don’t usually like red roses, but these cabbage roses are kind of amazing.

A holiday wreath with rosemary…

A happy little ranunculus in the arrangement.

And a congratulations to Jose Villa & Joel Serrato on their wedding and publication in Martha Stewart Weddings. Check it out here.

And a sweet remembrance for a Jane Packer, she helped shape and create the modern floral industry. Check out Chelsea’s sweet remembrance post here.

For the Tea Tme Editorial, 33 Jewels kindly lent us a number of vintage costume jewelry and we just had to take a bunch of detailed styling shoots with them. Above the detail of a choker…

The incredible purple Miriam Haskell necklace…

 Here it is styled with Tricia’s tray and a cigarette case I bought at a thrift store.

I loved these elegant gold and white studs… You can find similar pieces at 33 Jewels.

A little holiday table I designed a few weeks ago is up on Style Me Pretty! You can check it right here.

Even more “outtakes” this time of the vintage dresses used in the shoot. This dress I bought at a local thrift store for…. $25. I bought the gloves at the same store also for only… $20. The hat is mine, and is usually my hat for the Pasadena Flea. Here I wrapped it in peach tulle as inspired by Pollyanna…

I love this photo, she looks like such an elegant lady from 1910. The bouquet she’s holding is made from vintage millinery pieces and was made by my design partner in crime, Tricia Fountaine. Its actually for sale right here.

Tricia prop styled this picnic vignette… I love how the parasol frames the model’s face.

And I brought in Ms. Kaeley, the golden retriever. She actually just walked on set and sat down in the perfect spot.

For the final shot of the day, we went out to a dilapated stable at Rancho Dos Pueblos. The dress is super old (I’m guessing real 1910) and is Tricia’s. Its super tiny, the model, even as little as she is, barely shimmied into it.

 I love this photo, gorgeous dapple-y light and the details of the dress are stunning…

This shot was completely an accident, it just happened that a horse was being fed next to where we shooting, so we took full advantage of the rustic fence and gorgeous light…

Gotta love these super feminine pink badgley mischka d’orsays! PS… they’re on sale right here.

There are so many gorgeous images that Kirsten of Beaux Arts Photographie shot for the Tea Time Editorial that I had to share them. The lovely Hannah of Monique Lhuillier was kind enough to let me borrow two amazing dresses, truly a Rachel Zoe ” I die” kind of moment.

This stunner is “Giada” from the Spring 2011. The beading details on this dress is insane in person.

The second dress was “Winter” from fall 2010. I was very happy to get this dress, it was part of the first Monique Lhuillier bridal show I’d ever attended in 2009. Here it is styled with a simple chain necklace and punched metal earrings, all from 33 Jewels.

We styled it a couple of different ways, here it is with a black hat and layered bohemian jewelry.

I love these Egyptian necklaces…

And of course, my dog, Mira, had to get in the picture.

And here she is again running with model, Eva St. Denis, around Rancho Dos Pueblos’ huge magnolia tree… Big thank you to Monique Lhuillier for letting us borrow these stunning wedding dresses!

It’s been chilly here in Santa Barbara and I’m always trying to find different ways to create spiked, hot concoctions. This particular delight is a classic with an added twist and is sure to make you feel all warm and cozy inside. Cheers!

Ingredients:

   ~1 1/2 shots whiskey

~1 tsp honey

~Large lemon wedge

~Hot apple cider

~Cinnamon stick

*Add all ingredients and serve hot with a cinnamon stick to stir. (personally, I like to add a little extra lemon)

XOXO-Melissa