I never cease to be awed by nature. The more I learn about plants, in fact, the more I’m awed by these botanical wonders. This summer we planted an edible garden in our backyard for the first time since Ida was born. The key to our success this year was certainly the drip irrigation that…
Justina's Journal
This Just in: Rock and Raw Jewellery
Today did not start out well. I found a louse in my hair. This, after painstakingly shampooing, combing and all-out battling my daughter’s lice (and the sheets, clothing, hats, brushes etc.) more than four times over the past couple of weeks. Feeling stressed, overwhelmed and well, gross, I called a specialist, Alicia. She spent two…
Bark Art
My family and I spent some time at one of our local parks over the weekend. There was a gigantic Eucalyptus tree near the playground that had shed it’s bark and there were large bark piles on the park floor. I was absolutely stunned the beauty: the shapes (so modern!) the colors (those blues and purples!)…
Color and pattern inspiration from the Garfield Conservatory
What to do with three free hours in Chicago on a work trip? Do what any plant-loving designer would do and visit the Garfield Conservatory for a little color and pattern inspiration. I have been to many botanical gardens, conservatories and plant places around the world, and hats off to you, Chicago, this one may…
Antiquing in Pasadena
Last week I needed to get out of the office and soak up a little inspo, so I called up my boo Dabito, and we hopped over to Antique Row in Pasadena. My favorite spot in the annex belongs to Bonita Interiors. Her style is very, very on point (pictured above and below). Not only is…
Five things I do every day to ease up on Mama Earth and 5 ways I can do better
There were two big lessons I learned as a little girl about sustainability that stuck with me: I remember visiting Stinson beach. I was probably about seven. I meticulously collected colorful shells and rocks. My mother wouldn’t let me bring them home. I was bummed. “Sure, if just you take a few shells and rocks…