MAKE OVER AMERICA...WITH CLINTON KELLY! IN SEATTLE!

One of the major guiding factors in my life is my commitment to helping others. My experience as a social worker leaves a soft spot in my heart for those who use design to empower themselves and others. That is why I am so excited for this weekend's Make Over America event here in Seattle! The famously fabulous Clinton Kelly (yes, of What Not to Wear!) and my stylish stylist friend Keylee Sanders are teaming up with Macy's to make over twelve women in the Seattle area and have them strut their revived confidence in a fashion show!

For the past four years, Clinton Kelly has worked to "Make Over America" by helping over 225 women in 15 cities learn what to wear to be their best, brightest, most confident, world-conquering selves. Finally, the style guru is coming to Washington, and will be working his magic at the Alderwood Macy's in Lynnwood. Clinton will be revamping 8 cities this spring, and at the end of his style-spreading national tour, one lucky winner will be chosen to join him in New York for the "ultimate" makeover! Check out Terri J. of New Hampshire, 2009's Make Over America grand prize winner; she looks fabulous!

Also, if you go to the event at Macy's and spend over $100, you'll receive a free autographed copy of Clinton's book Freakin' Fabulous. I'm sure there are tons of little tips for amping up the fabulosity in your life!

So, if you feel like witnessing positivity and inspiration and empowerment through design check out the Make Over America event in a Macy's near you. For all my Seattleites, I'll see YOU on Saturday at Alderwood Mall!

KELLEY'S CONFESSIONAL: TRYING IT ON FOR SIZE

There have been a couple of new adventures in my diet & exercise journey as I try new ways to work out my body and find new resources for direction.

Trying It On For Size from Kelley Moore Creative Media on Vimeo.

HAPPY HOUR: GIN MINT JULEP

It's the first Saturday in May this weekend and for me that means only one thing, its Kentucky Derby time! I always find myself getting wrapped up in the beauty and tradition of the event and don't mind placing a few friendly wagers with pals before we watch the race unfold. A cocktail or two seems to loosen the change purse so this year I'm going to add a twist to the customary mint julep by making it with gin instead of bourbon. The result is a lighter, refreshing whistle wetter.

Gin Mint Julep

1 tbsp Sugar

2 1/2 tbsp Water

3-4 sprigs Mint

3 oz Gin

Combine the sugar and water, and stir until the sugar is dissolved. Add mint and lightly muddle to extract the oils. Strain into a julep cup filled with crushed ice. Add gin, top off with more crushed ice, and garnish with a fresh mint sprig and a drinking straw.

SEX & THE CITY 2 TABLETOP

I don't know about you but I am ready to be carried away again and can not wait for the movie Sex & the City 2 to open on May 27th. I'm already thinking of how to make my girl's night out to see the film so much more unique and memorable than simply just popping into the theater.  After watching the trailer, I was inspired (and jealous) of the ladies' trip into the desert, so I put my ideas down for a tabletop with a little Middle Eastern flair.

I knew I wanted to evoke high glamor in a dreamy, sunbaked mirage so I thought a dusty pink and gold palette with accents of sparkling glass would realize this look. To add exotic depth, I wanted to include pieces traditional to the location which I brought in through the tea glasses and pouf. And I couldn't forget the original femme fatale, so these martini glasses send a little wink back to Cleopatra.

Resources
Magenta Avington Dishes
Warda Tea Glasses
Gold Pouf
White Parson’s Table
Cleopatra Martini Glass
“Fun 8DM” Mother of Pearl Chandelier
Hot Pink Brooke Rug
Acanthus Salt & Pepper Shakers

WHAT I'M READING: {this is glamorous}

Lately, whenever I'm in the mood for light and pastels and pretty, I go straight to {this is glamorous}. Be it fashion spreads, interiors, tabletops or foodstuffs, {this is glamorous} is an equal opportunity promoter of all things beautiful. I love the soft, observational and nonjudgmental sensibility of the site, and gush over all the pretty pictures compiled there. Conveniently, there is always a sign-off post before every weekend chock-full of links to inspiring and glamorous things, so we won't have to miss out on our daily dose of beauty.

As if you needed proof, just look at these gorgeously springy sprig-green things she compiled!

RAMBLINGS: CHERYL CALO

Along the road of my career and travels, I've been extremely fortunate to meet and work with an array of incredibly talented people. Ramblings is my way of picking their brain for more insight and juicy tidbits to share with you.

Cheryl Calo's long career has spanned over 20 years, working with A-list celebrities, top models and world famous photographers. After graduating from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn NY, with a BFA in Fashion Design, Cheryl represented the United States in the prestigious "Young Fashion Designers" competition. This catapulted her desire to create beauty with another medium, as a makeup and hair artist and she hasn't looked back since. Nominated for a Cable Ace Award in Makeup, she continues her craft in Television, Movies and Print.  Cheryl currently resides in Los Angeles with her son.

Cheryl is amazingly gifted and a joy to work with, she truly knows how to accentuate the best in everyone she works with not only through her talents but also her warm and inspiring personality.

What is your greatest extravagance? 
Taking a bath.

What career would you pursue if you weren’t doing what you do now?
I had a band that I was the lead singer in for 10 years in Connecticut, so I would most definitely pursue a career as a singer.

Which living person do you most admire? 
I know it sounds cliche, but I'd have to say my Mother. She is a strong, confidant woman, who has experienced such adversity in her life, with the death of her son (my brother) from Non- Hodgkin Lymphoma and the death of her second husband within the same year. He had Leukemia. She keeps herself in great shape, she eats healthy, she takes classes at the continuing education college... she's just an amazing woman!

What three thingsmcan’t you live without? 
My family, air and Money...

What is your guilty pleasure?
Hot fudge sundaes with vanilla ice cream.

What is your favorite color combination? 
Black and any color of the rainbow.

What is the favorite room in your house, and why?
I'd have to say the grand room. It's where we spend most of our time.

What is the most memorable event you’ve attended and why?
I've been to quite a few, but the most memorable would have to be my mother's second marriage honeymoon. They took all of the family (12 in all!) to Tahiti with them. I was 15 at the time...the black sands and the beauty of the island...it's a destination I want to take my son to.

What would people be surprised to know about you?
I was Miss Connecticut National Teenager 1982 and I came in the top 15 in the USA.

What is your biggest pet peeve?
People who are rude!

MILAN DESIGN WEEK 2010

As if holidaying in Milan could ever get any better, the city is stormed by designers every April for the molto favoloso Milan Salone Internazionale de Mobile. Maybe one day I, too, will be among the lucky to frolic through the city, sipping on Prosecco and oohing and aahing over the latest design wonders. Until then, however, I'll just scour the internet for photos and draw inspiration from afar.

Sustainability is no trend; it's a new mainstay of our design zeitgeist! This Piet Boon cardboard desk is gorgeously recyclable...

...and all this wood is just so marvelously sleek and green! The Maruni bunny chair is delightful, the BCXSY screens would be perfect for any dressing room, the Fabio Novembre historgram tables are intriguing, and I cannot express the lust I have for the Plavis wooden tub.

(The only thing that could make that bathtub even better would be claw feet!)

According to the NY Times, coat trees were huge at this year's Design Fair, and judging by these beauties, I can see why. You could have as many as you want hanging as many different things as you please! Create a forest with one for coats, one for hats, one for necklaces, one for photos...

Found some ceiling jewelry I need to have/find/emulate: Piet Hein Heek's paper lantern conglomerate, Poltrona Frau's dripping candle chandelier and the beautiful Matteo Thun installation in Marni's Milan boutique.

Some seating I fell for was this unconventionally communal Cassina dining table, the leather slipcovers on Philippe Bestenheider's "Titti" chair and, of course, Thomas Heatherwick's mind-blowingly fun "Spun" chair (and, yes, it really does spin!!!).

Magnets were pretty big as a sustainable and flexible mode of decorating; the huge magnet mural is customizable and interchangeable with any photo or print you'd like and the MYSHELF magnetic bookshelves definitely add an interesting take on library organization.

Speaking of unconventional book arrangements, check out this coffee table made of books. Might not be best for the avid reader, but if you've got books that just sit on the shelf, you might as well make something out of them...

Definitely found some great decorative inspiration from the creative punches of color and texture. Marimekko's table upholds their perky reputation, these needlepoint taxidermy animals by Frederique Morrel are far more dynamically eye-catching than fur, and the snowflake tables by Claesson Koivisto Rune for OFFECCT are not only gorgeous but also one-of-a-kind!

All the innovative and inspirational designs blessed upon us by Milan's Design Week sure numbs the pain of not having been there...and pushes me to book a flight for next year's.

THE PERFECT GIFT FOR MOM

Mother's Day can sometimes be a challenge. How do you properly thank her? How do you create something unique that will feel truly special? What can you do to create a new memory to build upon a lifetime of them? Well, if you're a little stumped, here are a few ideas I share when I stopped by New Day Northwest yesterday. 

I love these new clothbound classics from Penguin that you can find at Anthropologie.

My friend, Fredda Goldfarb, has released a new piece in her PeaceTags line of jewelry with a quote  from Maya Angelou. As always, 10% of your purchase is donated to area Fisher Houses.

It's never chic to lug around a big, heavy handbag when you're going out to dinner that's why Mom will love giving her back a break with this adorable little clutch that's available in a range of bright pops of spring colors.

Distinct Handmade Picture Frames

1. Have 3x3 or larger squares of plexi glass cut at glass shop, these 3x3's were $8 for 6 at my local shop, also ask for a hole to be drilled at the top in the center of the plexi.

2. Print photos or words onto clear full page label paper, I used Avery brand which you can find at any office store for about $11 for 10 sheets.

3. Cut photo with an exacto knife around square of plexi to obtain the perfect fit.

4. Peel the back of the clear label paper to adhere photo onto front of plexi square, matching up along the sides.

5. Hole punch the label paper aligned with the hole in the plexi.

6. Attach the binding rings to form the desired placement and length of the plexi tiles.

7. Hang from a curtain rod or use suction cups to display


RESOURCES
"JUST BETWEEN US" JOURNAL
MARY SOL STRAW CLUTCH
HANDCRAFTED NAPKIN RING SET
TASTEBOOK
PENGUIN CLOTHBOUND CLASSICS
PEACE TAGS JEWELRY
FAMILY TREE PLATTER
EMERALD CITY TRAPEZE CERTIFICATE

WHAT I'M READING: DEMI MOORE IN HARPER'S BAZAAR

Oh my goodness, Demi Moore. I have always loved and admired her, but she has achieved the impossible and is arguably more beautiful at 47 than she was in her already-stunning Brat Pack days. Her recent spread in Harper's Bazaar emulates her strong, athletic yet feminine glow, and the whimsical settings and stunning dresses she wears are nothing short of inspirational (read: jaw-dropping).

Gasp. Those colors! Those shoes! That giraffe! This Alexander McQueen look is smart, fabulous and luxurious, even while surrounded by sand! Although most of us are unable to own a pet giraffe or fabulash Gaga heels, we can certainly channel it in our homes. This mother-of-pearl wall covering establishes a luxe foundation that mimics the desert textures of the spread, and combined with rich suedes and this lovely Jonathan Adler giraffe, you've got your own exotically plush moment.

Such texturally rich and surreal pieces simply evoke surreal luxury.

The only thing slightly more amazing than how great Demi looks is how I seem to sigh everytime I see each photo in this spread. It's bordering ridiculous how amazing she makes that Jason Wu dress look (amateurs such as myself would probably resemble Snuffluffigus...) But, fear not, a gorgeous champagne-colored Mongolian sheepskin pillow will exude the same soft and playful glamour without you having to wear it. And, do you love or do you love those lifesize Russian Dolls? You're in luck; my dear friend Leah Steen has one in her spring inventory at her lovely store, Revival Home and Garden.

These fresh colors and playful textures inject youth, beauty and humor into any space.

The two hottest shades of red are a) Demi and b) Dior; thank goodness this dress combines both of them. This shot just makes me want to surround myself in all things red and twirl around...just like Demi. No better way to do that than with rich red felt in a lipstick-worthy shade all over your walls. If you're lucky enough to shell out a few grand on artwork, then consider bidding on a porcelain replica of this quintessential Jeff Koons sculpture, Red Balloon Dog.

With such lighthearted and fun pieces, you can feel as if you're married to a hot, younger man, even if you're not.

FIELD TRIP: SKAGIT VALLEY

I recently trekked out of the city for a business meeting in Mount Vernon, the county seat of the gorgeous Skagit Valley. I was so excited for the opportunity to spend some long-overdue time in Washington's Backyard.

Mount Vernon is a hot spot for the arts and fun family events, not to mention the city's impressively burgeoning winemaking scene. In spite of its thriving culture, the city exudes an overwhelming aura of a cozy, country town.

One of the most exciting events in Skagit Valley is the annual Tulip Festival every April.

Unfortunately, due to traffic and time restrictions, we were unable to make it to the bountiful fields of tulips. So instead, we went antiquing!

Not only did I find all those great antique vases for my staff...

...but I also fell in love with this great carousel horse for our office!

J'adore this oh-so-1940s shade of pink.

Of course, it wouldn't be the Pacific Northwest without some good prospecting and logging gear!

And, naturally, I couldn't leave without finding some sort of handbag I needed.

Tulips or no tulips, my afternoon in the beautiful and homey Skagit Valley was absolutely lovely!