more small cool 2011

Had to post a few more from apartment therapy's small cool contest. Make sure to vote for your favorites here by May 1st!

{Photos via apartment therapy, from top – Katie in Los Angeles, Nadia in Brooklyn, Lacey in New York, Kim + Scott in Chicago, Audrey in Hawaii, Daniel in New York, Lasse in Denmark, Louisa in Astoria, Molly in San Francisco, Cate in Los Angeles, Nicole in Brooklyn, Michael in New York, Shelby in Chicago, Steve in Sydney, Zach + Sean in Boston, and 2 by Sarah in Sydney.}

small cool 2011

It's time for apartment therapy's small cool contest again! I love looking through the entries and picking my favorites – such great inspiration for my own small, kinda-cool place. Here are some that I really liked:

Make sure to vote for your favorites here!

{Photos via apartment therapy, from top – Elisa in Rome, Haley in Summerland, Carolyn in San Diego, Cate in Los Angeles, Audra in Boston, two by Ellie in Aspen, Erin + Danny in San Francisco, Emily in Covington, Evan in Los Angeles, Franklin in New York, Jordan in Brooklyn, and Julie in Green Bay.}

wine country, pt. 2

More photos of my love affair with Napa Valley. (I believe that is a fig tree in my photo above.) It was just the best trip, and I wish I could have gone for a whole week – definitely next time. I'll just have to gaze longingly at these photos for now. Hope you enjoy!

View from the house at Frog's Leap, my most favorite stop on the trip

Pretty, stripey runner on the stairs at Frog's Leap

Frog's Leap, with its deep wrap-around porch and pretty views, was

really fantastic and so peaceful. This is sweet Abbie, resident pooch.

Wildflower at Cakebread

Sparkling in wait at Schramsberg

Schramsberg tasting, Brut Rosé and Reserve

Gardens at Schramsberg

Lattice flowers at the Palisades Deli in Calistoga,
which serves up a seriously tasty BLT

More pretty flowers, Palisades Deli

Bouchon Bakery cart in Yountville

Pancake-sized roses in Yountville

More Yountville scenery

Comfy bench and pillows at our hotel, the perfectly
delightful Villagio in Yountville

 Absolutely perfect day on the terrace at Joseph Phelps –

another favorite spot with these views and, of course,

some fantastic wine in hand and dear friends nearby.

wine country, pt. 1

Oh my. Just got back from a whirlwind trip to Napa, and I am nuts about that place – just look at those wildflowers in the photo above. Can't wait to go back again someday! For now, here are some more photos and recommendations – this will have to be a two-parter, so more photos to come soon!

Rouge at Frank Family Vineyards

Gorgeous views at St. Supéry

Barrel tasting, St. Supéry

Garden views, St. Supéry

Beautiful old oak barrels, St. Supéry

Tasting at St. Supéry

Stripey tile terrace and some wall art at the most delicious

lunch spot ever – the wonderful, must-visit Mustards Grill.