Last weekend my aunt came into town here in Los Angeles. She lived here for years, so she was kind enough to show me around her favorite down town area near Santa Monica. We spent the day on Montana Avenue peeking into shops, eating delicious food, and hoping to spot some celebrities. My Aunt took me to two of her favorite hotels on Ocean Avenue. They were beautifully decorated for the season, complete with yummy apple cider and the tallest Christmas trees you've ever seen. As if the setting wasn't perfect already, the windows looked right over the ocean. Stunning.
The best part of my day, however, happened when we stopped into the adorable boutique Shabby Chic, owned by Rachel Ashwell {creator of the "shabby chic" style/brand}. Rachel is one of my very favorite designers, so naturally I've wanted to go here for years! As you can probably gather, I adore the shabby chic style, so looking around at the trinkets, glassware, pretty chairs and Christmas decor was a dream. I told one of the girl's who worked there that I loved Rachel Ashwell, and she informed that she thought she was coming in to the store later in the day. I about died! Clearly we came back to the store when Rachel arrived, and I was delighted to meet her and talk for a bit. She's lovely, as I'm sure you can imagine. My week had officially been made in this moment :) Here are some pictures from the day...
Rachel Ashwell's book on my desk:
One of the many reasons I love Rachel is because of her design philosophy. She believes and demonstrates the notion that design can be pretty, lived in, collected and worn. Her store is exactly how I desire my home to look one day {with a few modern touches thrown in, too}. I picked up some new treasures from her store. Beautiful purple goblets came home with me... the perfect addition to my goblet collection. {You can see a peek of them on my instagram: michaelanoelle} She's also sweet as can be, exactly as I thought.
Ah, Los Angeles, you have been good to me!
Happy Wednesday! Come back tomorrow for our Christmas Cheer Recipe Link Up at Schue Love!
Love,
So happy you got to meet her! You are making me want to move to LA! Pretty photos, too...
ReplyDeleteOooo that's so exciting! Good for you, and it's a lovely shot of the two of you together. :)
ReplyDeleteYou're gorgeous! And her design work is to die for. What an exciting day!
ReplyDeleteOh how fun! My mom met her at a book signing a couple years ago and said the same thing -that she was so so nice in person! Great photos girlie!
ReplyDeleteI bet that was such a treat to visit with her, Michaela! I have always been a fan of the shabby chic look. Have a great Wednesday! Xo
ReplyDeleteMust have been so exciting for you! Did you have to try super hard not to squeal?? ;)
ReplyDeleteAw! So happy for you. One day a girl just like you is going to be so excited to meet you, the fab designer MICHAELA <3
ReplyDeleteahh so amazing!! love her!! she was the first designer i really knew about and her work got me interested in interiors. it's so lovely!
ReplyDeleteOh my! one of my favorite stores always.. but I've never been lucky enough to catch Rachel there!
ReplyDeleteAmazing!
Love your adorable blog, and now I can't wait to move back to LA
ahhhhh, this is so perfect! I bet your little ol' designer heart was a'fluttering:-) P.S. I'm emailing you soon about some design/house help!!! xoxo
ReplyDeleteThis makes me so happy. :) How fun!
ReplyDeleteLike Ashley, Rachel was the first designer to really peak my interest in interior design -- I think the fact that her styling is so unabashedly feminine is what drew me to her.
ReplyDeleteI firmly believe that our Lord makes "the little things" happen for us, too ... and this was providence! I'm so happy for you!
These pictures are stunning! How fun that you got to meet her!!
ReplyDeleteRachel is also one of my favorite designers, congrats on meeting her!
ReplyDelete