CALLING ALL INSPIRED FASHION DESIGNERS/BLOGGERS - #BRIMFIELD FASHION CHALLENGE

I am really looking forward to the #Brimfield Tweetup this September 8th and 9th. We are in the process of working on the VIP tent design, and of course our Premiere Sponsor is Benjamin Moore. I LOVE their paint, and have always been in awe of the event that David Stark designed with the Benjamin Moore paint chips.

via David Stark Design & Production

Then I saw Mary McDonald's amazing entryway tent at the LA Antique Show...

via Bravo TV

via Bravo TVhttp://www.bravotv.com/

...and thought of a fabulous way to engage the Fashion Blogger community. We are asking for submissions via a storyboard of an outfit designed out of Benjamin Moore paint chips.  They have over 3,500 original Benjamin Moore colors that are only available at Benjamin Moore retailers - so you have a lot to choose from for your designs.

via Benjamin Moore

Details:

Entries are being accepted as of August 1st and the final day to submit will be August 15th.  Submit them to#Brimfield Facebook page.  The winner will be announced the following week on the #Brimfield Facebook page.  The winning design will be on a mannequin displayed prominently in the VIP tent at #Brimfield with the winning designers name displayed along with their blog and their storyboard.

Spread the word and good luck!

Here is a bit of colorful inspiration - but remember the outfits must be fully made of Benjamin Moore paint chips!

via Flickr

And, remember Brimfield is all about interior decorating, and finding those perfect pieces, so don't forget to include a room that inspired your design. For great inspiration check out Gretchen Aubuchon Design site for her interpretation of....

From Fashion

via Gretchen Aubuchon Design

To Decor

via Gretchen Aubuchon Design

Have any questions? Contact Kelley at Kelley@Kelleylmoore.com or Gretchen at Gretchenaubuchon@gmail.com .

GUESS WHO'S COMING TO DINNER? JIMI HENDRIX

1. Z Gallerie 2. RetroRecordArt on etsy 3. Apartment 48 4.  Zara Home 5. Brenda Houston 6. + 7. Vivre 8. Asplinal of London 9. Use an old record as a charger! 10. Vivre

EFFORTLESS SUMMER ENTERTAINING FOR THE NON-CHEF

Many times on this blog, and on the air, I have joked that I don't cook.  I can, I just choose not to because I would rather spend my time making things pretty.  Which is why I find quick ways to put dishes together that are pre-made and still can be presented beautifully.  

Lets start with quick appetizers.  I always say it is all in the presentation and here I pulled out some cake plates that I had that were graduated sizes and stacked them on top of one another.  I skewered olives with marinated mozzarella  with picks that have faux gems on the tip, and then stacked the cake plates full of antipasto

I remember as a kid going to McDonalds and being so excited - yes it was about the Happy Meal.  Now, I have found a new quick, easy, and healthy reason to go to McDonalds and it is their Asian Chicken Salad.  The perfect combo of snow peas, mandarin oranges, edamame, and you can even ask for grilled chicken.  All topped with a low-fat Ginger Dressing.  It truly is a quick thing to pick up toss in to a beautiful wooden bowl and voila, you have the perfect summer salad without chopping a thing.  It is available only through the Summer though, and then I guess I'll have to go back to chopping!

I always am thinking of new ways to do a signature cocktail, that makes it easy on the host/hostess and easy on the guests too.  Well, I am a HUGE fan of Sangria and Williams Sonoma happened to partner with one of my favorite chef's Rick Bayless to create a white and a red sangria.  Just add wine, and some sliced fruit and you are ready to sip a glass in the summer sun.  

Of course I can't forget dessert because it is one of my favorite things.  You know how some people are sweet and some are savory?  I am definitely a sweet person.  I adore dessert - it's kind of an issue!  I especially love ice cream, and I find the easiest thing in the world to serve in the summer is a do-it-yourself ice cream bar.  These pics were taken on the set so the ice cream melted quite a bit, but you get the idea, I am sure.  Pick up your favorite ice cream, mine happens to be Molly Moons Salted Caramel, and go by the grocery store and pick up sliced strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, nuts, caramel and chocolate sauce, and put them all in small bowls.  The kids will go crazy!

Quick Pops are great.  Also available at Williams Sonoma, this baby will make a popscicle in seven minutes flat.  You keep the mold in the freezer and then pop the ingredients in and in seven minutes you can have dessert.  The best part, is in the book Quick Pops there are several "adult" recipes and you could use that as your signature cocktail as guests walked in the door.  Just a thought!  

A SNEAK PEAK: NYC PAD

I haven't had a ton of time since I moved to NYC to take photos of the apartment, but was able to throw together a soiree for 35 people featuring all iconic NYC items. Guests were greeted, by a lovely gentleman dressed in a white jacket and black tie from Gracious Thyme Catering, with a signature cocktail served in the classic greek coffee cup. Of course, I had to have one to kick off the night!

Ashlina, The Decorista, and me waiting for guests to arrive...



By the way, I can't go on without mentioning Ashlina's shoe choice for the evening - wow - LOVE these.

Mikey, was anxiously awaiting guests too...

What would be the appropriate music to kick off a classic NYC night, well of course a little Frank Sinatra!

Hank the head attended the soiree too - yes, I named the lamp. In Seattle guests would pay homage to Hank ensuring he had a cocktail during the night.

A classic cocktail can easily be referenced in case someone wants to mix their own drink - this is one of my favorite cocktail books.

Adore this photo, I picked it up in Italy. I have never seen this picture of Marilyn, love the frame, and the chandelier hangs over the bar.

Another shot of the bar and the mirrored curio cabinet, this piece has been painted three times (yellow, red, and now black).

One of our beautiful guests, Amanda Brotman, a gem of a person and talented too. Check out her jewels and treasures here. Yes, celebrities don Amanda's work down the red carpet. If you don't know her, you should!

That is it for now. More detailed photos of the apartment to come soon!

QUICK FIX COMBOS: OUTDOOR PARADISE+ACID TURQUOISE

image via living etc.

image via Living Etc., Chair via Anthropologie

image via Living Etc., stools via Holly Hock Inc.

images via Traditional Home, Elle Decor

lanterns via Z Gallerie, image via Metropolitan Home

SOIREE SPECTRUM: MAGENTA

Happy Monday and a little magenta to begin your week off with today....

images from top left via 100 Layer Cake, Erin Ever After, 100 Layer Cake, Brooklyn Bride, Once Wed, Snippet and Ink

GUESS WHO'S COMING TO DINNER? ANDY WARHOL

1. Rosenthal via ebay 2. nybg Shop 3. Zara Home 4. Rosenthal via ebay 5. Velocity Art and Design 6. tillymaison on etsy 7. Ikea 8&9 The Warhol Store 10. The Future Perfect 

RAMBLINGS: CYNTHIA BOGART

{EAV_BLOG_VER:7aa79836e13bddb0}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.

Cynthia is a force to be reckoned with - she is not only talented, full of spunk, and ambitious but she is one of the women behind the fabulous #Brimfield Tweet Up.  I had the fortunate opportunity to get to know Cynthia when I attended Brimfield in May, and since then she has taken me under her wing and given me advice on everything from the publishing world (she has quite the resume) to love.  Be sure to check out daily wisdom from Cynthia in at www.thedailybasics.com  -   A blogazine with one quick magazine like article a day in the lifestyle arena; www.thedailybasicswhoswho.com -   A directory that lists interesting, original content and fun people to be found online in Lifestyle categories;  www.brimfieldtweetup.blogspot.com  - A real life event for tweeties at Brimfield Antique Fair co-hosted with Gretchen Aubuchon Design.com.

Meet Cynthia...

What is your greatest extravagance?
My pillows and antique shams from Pandora de Balthazar for sure. I  bought them at Brimfield two years ago and told my husband they cost $375.  I didn't tell him that was for one pillow & sham only I bought 4 - ouch! The clincher is I buy new shams to add to my collection all the time!


What career would you pursue if you weren’t doing what you do now?
Hmmmm... do you mean if I couldn't be a Princess i.e. The Princess Diaries?  Okay, how hard do you want to laugh? I would have been a professional swimmer, a farmer or Catholic Yenta.  Honestly?  I am right  where I want to be right now.  I am so excited about the evolution of how information is delivered and I can't believe how lucky I am to be a small part of it!

Which living person do you most admire?
Meryl Streep -  I admire her professionalism, her dedication to her family and her sense of humor.  Oh, and she is growing older gracefully and with gusto!

What three things can’t you live without?
My sweet husband, Bill, my three kids and my sister, Laurie.  Materialistically?  My tweezers (don't laugh, I am half Italian), my books ( I am a readaholic) and red wine.


What is your guilty pleasure?
Reading my Nook ( I have water damage insurance on it- never used it yet!)  in my Kohler soaking tub without anyone bothering me.


What is your favorite color combination? 
This year? Pale Teal Blue and Beige and White and a real creamy peach-pink


What is the favorite room in your house, and why?
My kitchen - It is the heart of our home, everyone congregates there, I love to cook and I love to eat!

What is the most memorable event you’ve attended and why?

My wedding - My sister hosted our five day wedding celebration at her farm in New Hampshire.  She had just lost a baby at birth and needed a distraction.  It not only was an event to remember, but it helped her and us get through a very difficult time as a family. So, we had 36 people in November, had skiing, sledding, cross country skiing, dinner parties every night, a formal rehearsal dinner for the entire wedding group in a 250 year old town hall in Freedom, NH with a 1940's band headed by the sax player for Benny Goodman's band at the helm.  We just had a great,happy, laughing time. Oh, and it was just about the last time I was a size 6.  I got pregnant a month later with our first son.

What would people be surprised to know about you?
That I am a family gal and homebody.  I love being with my family and the dogs and nothing makes me happier than when my brothers, sister and our families are all together.  We do a lot of joint vacations together (all together we are 24))

What is your biggest pet peeve?
Not folding the laundry as soon as the dryer is off and getting into an unmade bed at night.  Both make me CRAZY!

QUICK FIX COMBOS: RELAXED SEATING+HANGING STATEMENT PIECE

via anthropologie

via Alexandra Angle

via living etc.

via architriks

via anthropologie

via Lonny Magazine

via Palmer Hotel

via style files

via style files

SOIREE SPECTRUM: ELECTRIC BLUE

Happy [electric] blue Monday readers!

images via 100 Layer Cake, bowl via Urban Outfitters, vases via Z Gallerie, 100 Layer Cake, Brooklyn Bride, Tobias Tovera, feather image source unknown, Itsajamiething

LOOSE ENDS AND FRIENDS

When I moved from Seattle to NYC I just wanted to get here. The thought in my head was if I didn't go then, I would wait a few months and change my mind. So, in that process I left a few loose ends - like packing the rest of the house and finding someone to rent it. Yes, some may say I am impulsive, there is some truth to that, but I am also passionate. So, this weekend I will be flying back to Seattle to tie up all of my loose ends and finally pack the last box...

In the meantime, I hope to catch up with friends, and maybe share a glass of wine or two...

And, of course tape a commercial, radio ads, and web videos for a new campaign that will launch shortly in the NW. As soon as I can share those details I will!

I hope that you have a fabulous weekend, and find some time to do something you've been wanting to check off your list. Be it work, or fun, there is nothing like checking things off a list!

GUESS WHO'S COMING TO DINNER? KELLY WEARSTLER

1. Vivre 2. Dianne Von Furstenburg 3. Vivre 4. Jayson Home and Garden 5-8. Vivre 9. Kelly Wearstler

CELEBRATE MAGAZINE ON STANDS NOW

Over the years I have worked with many publications, and have been fortunate enough to have been profiled as well. Usually the writers focus on tips and tricks, and making things pretty. I have to say when Celebrate Magazine asked to do a profile for their Fall issue I thought it would be more of the same. When I opened up the issue I was pleased to see that the writer actually focused on the meaning behind what I do, my path, and why I am passionate about continuing to grow my brand. I encourage you top pick up Celebrate Magazine for a lot of party tips, and "Like" their Facebook page. Click on the article to read....