She's so Fabulous!

She really is fabulous... I don't think there are many icons of the home furnishings industry, that have made the mark that Ms. Rachel Ashwell has made in the last fifty years. Oh, maybe Martha Stewart, but I can't think of any others.

My relationship with Rachel goes way back to the late 80's, when I had my store Montana Country in Santa Monica. We used to run into one and other at the flea markets and antiques fairs, we shared some dealers and clients as well.

Even back then, you knew that this amazing woman would be famous some day. She exuded style, creativity and grace. She had a way of making everything she touched, turn to magic, even if it was beat up old side table or tattered vintage quilt.

This was the beginning of Shabby Chic and a home fashion trend that would soon transcend the traditional boundries of design, make the old new again and change the way people would decorate their homes for an entire generation.

Rachel Ashwell Biography

For more than 15 years, the name Rachel Ashwell has been synonymous with Shabby Chic^©. The Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic^®brand, based on the aesthetics of beauty, comfort and function, marries great design with casual ease.

Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic launched in 1989 with a line of slip-covered furniture, bedding and fabrics sold at her flagship store in Santa Monica, Calif. The collection has since expanded to home furnishings stores nationwide.

In 2004, Ashwell and Target partnered to develop the Simply Shabby Chic™ line of decorative items exclusively for Target, bringing Ashwell's blend of English elegance and California casual to fans of relaxed and stylish living nationwide. Target guests quickly embraced the collection and its philosophy.

Over the last four years, Ashwell has extended her collection to include vintage-inspired furniture and decorative accessories, three new bedding collections, expanded her assortment of stationery products, and launched the first ever Simply Shabby Chic pet collection.

An accomplished designer and businesswoman, Ashwell also is the author of the best-selling books Shabby Chic, Rachel Ashwell's Shabby Chic Treasure Hunting and Decorating Guide, The Shabby Chic Home,Shabby Chic: The Gift of Giving and Shabby Chic Sumptuous Settingsand Other Lovely Things. She has been featured in top national home and lifestyle publications and hosted the former Rachel Ashwell's Shabby Chic^® television show on the Style Network.

Ashwell was born in England but has spent the past 20 years in Southern California. A former movie set designer and stylist, she was inspired by her two children to develop the Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic brand when she realized she needed a home that was as practical as it was beautiful. She currently lives in Brentwood, Calif. with her two children Lily and Jake.

In this ever changing world we live in today, Rachel has now reinvented herself yet again. After creating a wholesale bedding empire and launching a chain of retail stores across the country, she reaches another milestone in her amazing career... Shabby Chic has closed it's doors, for now.

Yes, that is what it states on the official Shabby Chic website. That the Shabby Chic line of licensed products are available only at Target stores. This may be a sign of the time and the crazy economy, but I really don't think we need to worry about one Rachel Ashwell. No, this beautiful and talented woman will be just fine.

In fact, Rachel is just getting ready to launch her latest book, Shabby Chic Interiors, published by the British publishing house CICO Books.

Rachel has chosen only seven locations to conduct book signings and would you believe it? Blue Springs Home is one such location. Yes, Rachel Ashwell, designer, home fashionista and design trendsetter of the ages, will be right here at our store on October 24th from 2-4 p.m.

Come and meet Rachel herself on this historic day for Blue Springs Home and Orange County. We will have all of her books, new and old, available for purchase and for her to sign.

We could not be more thrilled and privelaged to have her here and hope that all of you can make it...

It's a Benefit...

Tulum Island Boutique is hosting a benefit!

What: Please join us for an evening of fun and fashion--Tulum Island Boutique Shopping Benefit for Olive Crest children and families! Wine and light hors d'oeuvres will be served along with chances to win great prizes.

When: Thursday, August 20, 2009, 5:00 - 9:00 p.m.

Where: Tulum Island Boutique
369 E. 17th Street, Suite 16, Costa Mesa, CA 92627

R.S.V.P.: To yolanda@tulumislandboutique.com

Here at Blue Springs Home we all love the breezy tropical, resort like feel at Tulum. This dress featured at Tulum Island Boutique is made of silk and is only $89.00! "Live like your on vacation!" --My kind of store!

This natural turquoise ring is one of the many jewelry finds at Tulum! It is adjustable to fit any hand and runs about $99.00. It also comes in white turquoise.


This dress by Moa Moa is totally wrinkle free and easy to pack making it a perfect travel wear outfit! And it's also only $45.00!

The feel at Tulum Island Boutique is affordable, yet luxurious resort wear. Owner Yolonda does all the buying and looks for items that can be worn several ways, from casual to fancy with just change of shoes or accessories.

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Sustainably Blue...

Would you like to sleep in the same bed as this guy? I thought that might get the attention of some of you...

We were lucky enough to sell several sets of the SDH Legna sheets to this dream boat. Not only is this guy gorgeous and has great taste, but he is also very Eco-Conscious.. FYI- Matthew purchased the Legna Sheets in "Classic Cloud." Cloud is a beautiful white color perfect for summer and all year round.

We have carried the Legna Line of bedding from SDH, for some time now, but recently there has been an entirely new audience. This is luxury sheeting quality made of Wood Pulp fiber. Leave it to the Italians to create a beautiful textile that has the comfort of silk and easy maintenance of 100% cotton.

The Legna Collection has an amazing array of jacquards and solids that are elegant, comfortable, and washes beautifully! The fabric is meticulously finished and is woven for lasting beauty.

The Wood Pulp that SDH uses for Lenga is harvested entirely from managed forests, which makes it 100% biodegradable. Luxurious and Eco Friendly.

Cucina Alessa

I am a really big fan of promoting other local businesses... I must say that this local business, needs no such help. Cucina Alessa, right here on Coast Hwy in Newport Shores, has developed their own Little Italy of faithful customers and all of us at Blue Springs love this spot!

The second we walk in the door, Chef/Owner Alesandro treats us like one of the family. It is about the warmest and most hospitable restaurant there is. Oh, by the way, the food is Molto Buono!

You pretty much can't go wrong with anything on the menu and the fact that a party of two can get out of there for less than $50, is a big plus. I am personally a big fan of the Linguini Pescatore and the Mushroom Risotto is to die for.

I'm not usually a big Pizza fan, but at Cucina Alessa, pizza is an entirely different experience. Thin, light crust and really unusual toppings make a great starter.

Do yourselves a favor and stop by soon... I can promise that you'll be back again. Bon Appetito!