Cozy Casa:

A faux tiger throw that I scored at the local Santa Cruz 
Antique Fair that adds a touch of drama to a side bench.

     Lately I feel like my home resembles more of a museum of curiosities than an actual residency but that doesn't seem to stop me from being attracted to the strange and unusual when it comes to home wares. Rocks, crystals, and second hand finds seem to be my favorite items of choice. I love the character, patina, and history of old objects because it's almost as if they have lived an entire life before I found them and their presence in my home will write a new chapter. Fresh flowers and plants litter every nook and corner of my house and typically take their sabbatical in my backyard and get planted  (bouquets of roses get hung and dried and used for other purposes). Occassionally I find a new item (a rarity for me because I prefer to unearth items at goodwill) that I can't resist and I might make the splurge after careful consideration. I think that it is important to make your home one that you enjoy and love spending time in. The world can be such a chaotic and crazy place and I strive to create a sanctuary in my cozy casa to return to each day! I try to only bring items into my home that have a purpose and function to avoid lots of clutter but a few extra nick nacks always seem to sneak in one way or another! What do you like to do in your own space to make it feel more personal and cozy?

Hot pink Cyclamen flowers that I picked up at the Santa Cruz Flea Market, just $1!
 The young lady I purchased these from said that her and her father grow plants
 together and sell them, isn't that an excellent way to bond? I know I love 
gardening with my father too! 

Picked up this lustrous Amethyst crystal cluster at GemShow, by far one of my favorite 
stores in the area which specializes in rocks, minerals, and unique stone jewelry.  

This white hand (scooped up at the Santa Cruz Flea) that I use to display 
jewelry is actually an antique latex glove mold! I'm obsessed with it's 
sleek and strangeness. Random fact, I happen to be HIGHLY allergic 
to latex, I even have a massive scar from a band aid that I left on too 
long after receiving a wretched oven burn. 

      I can't seem to ever have enough rocks and crystals in my home, I believe them to be natural works of art and scatter them liberally in every nook and cranny. Lately, I love the idea of filling potted plants with sparkly gems..... 

....Which is what I did for this lavender orchid that I purchased for my boyfriend. 
He is an artist and I love bringing him unusual varieties of flowers to draw and paint. 

      Daffodils have been flooding my home lately, their happy appearance instantly brightens my day and yellow daffodils happen to be a very inexpensive flower (budget friendly and beautiful). I picked up three bunches at Whole Foods for less than 5 dollars! If you do keep fresh flowers in your home, be sure to change the water in the vase daily for maximum bloom longevity!

Displaying paper whites on a blue and white printed plate in my bathroom along with a new product, Kiehl's Creme De Corps light-weight body lotion. So far I love this lotion, not sticky or overly scented in anyway and leaves your skin supple and hydrated. 

Yours,
Nico