DREAM HOUSE

I remember as a little girl I had a Barbie Dream House. It was my favorite toy. It had an elevator, and it was decked out. In my dreams the house was always on the beach. Maybe it's because I am a Pisces that I adore being on the water and feel like it is such a part of my life! This weekend I spent the weekend with Cynthia Bogart of The Daily Basics in Newport, Rhode Island. It is so beautiful I had to post some of my favorite beach houses to start of the week.

Samantha's beach condo in Sex in the City - love the floor to ceiling windows and the living room!

And, this house from the movie Something's Gotta Give - to die for...

Good things come in packages, so I'll throw a third one in for good measure.  No pictures of the beach view, but oh so charming...and it even has a white picket fence. 

via Architectual Digest

A girl can dream!  My have, #2 of course, very New England and I think I'm in love with this style right now.

Which one would you choose? 

30- DAY CHALLENGE UPDATE

Hey everyone!  Here's the update as promised.  Don't forget to check With Style and Grace for Lisa's response either this weekend or next week!

Back to my regularly scheduled design posts next week. These updates will be posted every Friday afternoon moving forward. Have a great weekend!

REST NEEDED

Sometimes it's okay to take a day off and just do nothing, at least that is what they say. Being self-employed I find it hard to take time off without feeling like I should be working. I know, I should see someone about that, however today I am really going to do it because this is how I feel...

...just not so Mad Men glamorous!

If you are waiting for an update on my 30-Day Challenge with Lisa from With Style and Grace, check back on Friday and I will be sure to give you an update and I already have a few questions for Lisa.

I am also taking a break this week from my regularly scheduled posts - Soiree Spectrum, Quick Fix Combo, and Guess Whose Coming to Dinner. I promise next week, all things will be back in order next week.

KICKING THE WEEK OFF RIGHT!

This weekend I was fortunate to be able to hang with one lovely lady - her blog With Style & Grace is one of my faves and over all she is just a sweetheart. We were both experts this weekend at Wifestyle, and we came up with a fun way to partner. She is a Gluten Free Expert, and is so knowledgable about not only how to eat healthy but how to make healthy taste good. Check out how we have decided to partner...

So, we've gone shopping and I'm ready for week #1. To clarify, my video's with feedback and questions to Lisa will be on this blog and her answers will be on her blog. If you have a question for either Lisa, or me, leave it in our comments and we'll be sure to respond via video in our weekly post.   Remember, although I joke about weight loss this is actually about whole health and Lisa can give me part of that equation which is the healthy gluten free food that tastes good, and is easy to make.  The rest of take care of the "whole person" is up to me.


The smoothie I was talking about, but we never got to, is the best green smoothie I've ever had!

Photographed by Lisa Thiele | With Style and Grace

The ingredients...

Photographed by Lisa Thiele | With Style and Grace

You can find the recipe on Lisa's blog With Style & Grace.  Wish me luck!  Tomorrow back to design posts as scheduled! ;)

GUESS WHO'S COMING TO DINNER? VERA WANG

1. Macy's 2. Z Gallerie 3. Chilewich via Macy's 4. Zara Home 5. Zara Home 6. Chilewich via Macy's 7. Zara Home 8. Z Gallerie

A REMINDER FROM A TWEET UP

Frequently  I am reminded that the heart behind why I became a Lifestyle and Entertaining Expert was to raise money for charities. I was a social worker, as many of you know, and was so frustrated with programs being cut that I felt I had to do something so I started my event company and as part of that did events for non-profits. I still do a celebrity hockey event every year for the Ronald McDonald House - you can learn more about that here, follow to the bottom of the page for the video.

Then one day as I was watching Martha, I realized that she really took off in her forties and thought to myself I can do that too. Of course at the time I was younger, but I thought that if I could grow a large enough platform then I could give back to communities and causes I want to help in much larger ways. When that thought developed all of a sudden organically the doors started to open and things I never expected (like writing and doing television) appeared.

Last night, I was in a conversation with Tamara from Nest by Tamara, and it reminded me that one thing I have to do is begin to give back while I'm living in NYC.  When I woke up this morning I thought about a show I created called So Much Moore, after awhile unfortunately life takes turns and I was on to something else but it meant a lot to me, and this episode is definitely special. Don't laugh when you see this...

Yes, I conquered a fear I have of heights, but let me tell you there is no vanity involved and I certainly don't look like the above image! That was the point, we all have fears to conquer and someday we lose our vanity too.  These kids - are amazing - and there might be a party tip or two in there as well. ;)

If you watched through the credits my friend Henry (he was my design assistant for the day) saw the camera on and decided to give us a show without us knowing. I ran in to Henry again when I threw a party at an amazing place called Camp Good Times. Shortly after that he passed away. He was a brave and hysterical boy, and as you'll see he makes an appearance or two. ;)

SEPTEMBER BRIMFIELD WRAP-UP

This was my second experience at Brimfield, and it exceeded my expectations on so many levels. There was more decor in the tent this time and  two of the several of the sponsors were really generous in providing materials to work with, from paint cans, to furniture, it was an entirely new game this September.

Photo via Design Vignettes

Taking a quick step back, after setting up for approximately 15 hours, or more, the next day we woke up to many tents looking like this:

Fortunately, our tent wasn't that bad and our Tweeters proved, once again, that if you love design you can brave any storm for a good find.

Who was there? Well, of course, our two hosts Gretchen of Gretchen Aubuchon Design and Cynthia of The Daily Basics. I happen to adore these two women if you haven't noticed on Twitter - they crack me up daily:



Then of course one of the major Sponsors was Benjamin Moore (i.e. the paint can bar), and they have a fab Executive team that was there, Lisa Sharp, Nick Harris, and John Turner:

Oh, side note, I was honored to be given one of the blue Benjamin Moore jackets (just putting my request in for my name to be spelled KellEy so I am not confused with another Kelly I know, I am not a huge fan of hers) ;)

I can't forget @Garybsweet - he worked hard to make sure the tent was ready for everyone including those panels....

What were those panels exactly? Well, they tell a story. A Color Story to be exact. Benjamin Moore announced at Brimfield, for the first time ever, that their new color line (Color Stories) will be making its public debut in November.  The color line is made with no black in the paint mixture but with a more complex array of pigments. The difference – when on the wall the color absorbs light differently at the various times of the day.   In the morning the color might look softer while in the evening it will be warmer.  The base colors are rich and beautiful with a soft feeling about them.  At Brimfield people had a chance to play with the paint and tell their color story...

Company C was there in full force, not only with their Lounge, but in person!

I can't forget Will Aubuchon, another major Sponsor, of Aubuchon Hardware but for some reason I can't find one picture from this event of him!  Could it be he was always working, hauling, or taking care of a brand new baby?

There was, of course, the ever popular Brian Kelsey from Martha Stewart Radio and Kels on the House along with the fab Yvonne Blacker of  Yvonne Blacker Interiors and of New England Finery.

photo via  Design Vignettes

I failed to take so many photos but there is a lovely list of the many bloggers and tweeters that attended on the #Brimfield site, and the last I heard there were over 11 million impressions from this event alone! Craziness!

This time outside of working....

photo via an iPhone so don't hold the quality against me I had to show I did some work right?

I made time to shop.  In May I was so busy working that I didn't spend any time shopping that I left without one special find. This time I found a few, in ONE booth. I must say that I lucked out in meeting Doris Athineos, Traditional Home's Art and Antiques Editor, and she pointed me in the right direction where I found these divine pieces:

Unusual black and white bakelite chunky bracelet...

A pair of vintage Gucci earrings - these are amazing in person.

This final find was only $30 and it is a chunky lucite necklace, with a sterling silver clasp.

Last, but certainly not least, another highlight of the trip, meeting and talking in depth with Traditional Home Magazine's Managing Editor Michael Diver, and Better Homes & Garden's Jill Waage.

Such a pleasure, and truly grounded and interesting people.



I hope to see you all there in May - you'll have to fight me for the vintage jewels though. ;)

QUICK FIX COMBOS: STATEMENT WALLS+PARISIAN STRIPES



ENVISIONING YOUR FUTURE - THE POWER OF A THOUGHT

When you read this you may think I'm crazy, but I have always dreamed big. From the moment I began to grow my brand I started a vision board (before "vision boards" were all the rage) from the sofa I wanted on the stage of my talk show, to the designer (Valentino) that I wanted to design my dress for the Daytime Emmy's it was all written in the stars - or at least on my vision board.

The dress red, of course, on red carpet. You'll understand why I'm telling you this story in a moment.

When I moved to NYC I knew that anything was possible here. And on this regular day, it was no different. You just never know when you are going to turn a corner, pick up your phone, or look up and fate looks you in the eye. On this day I was standing in Bergdorf Goodman taking my usual stroll through the floor that has the stunning tabletops, dreaming of the day I will walk in and buy pieces to add to my table as I design and throw fabulous parties. I ran in to the Manager and told him my story, that I had just moved from Seattle and on each trip to NYC one of my regular stops was to this particular floor to find new inspiration for my table designs. We chatted for quite awhile, and I asked permission to snap a few shots of the main table with my iPhone.  He said this time he would look away...here's the result....stay with me through the end....

When I was taking this last photograph I felt someone next to me admiring the table as well.  I looked to my left and who was standing next to me but the man on my vision board himself...

I am not usually "star struck" but knowing he was on my vision board I couldn't breathe - I was standing next to an icon and the floor was empty of people.  It was Valentino, his partner, me and one salesperson.  I couldn't say a word.  I just took the moment in and dreamt of the day he would be designing my red dress.  It was amazing.  Truly in a New York Minute - you can be re-inspired, meet someone and your life can change, or meet someone that can make your day.  I will never forget the moment I shared a glance with Valentino.  

SOIREE SPECTRUM: GREY

Happy Monday! As much as I love color, shades of grey bring such a modern sophistication that this understated tone is hard to deny...

images via Brooklyn Bride, Icing Designs, Kelsey Premo Jones, Once Wed, All Saints, Vera Wang

GUESS WHO'S COMING TO DINNER? VICTORIA BECKHAM

1. Macy's 2.-3. Z Gallerie 4. Crate and Barrel 5.-7. Macy's 8. Z Gallerie

QUICK FIX COMBOS: ECLECTIC INTERIOR+STATEMENT ARTWORK

48 HOURS UNTIL BRIMFIELD!!!!!

I'm sure you have seen me tweeting about it, or posting about it on Facebook, but it is finally here = it is time for Brimfield.

If you go crazy over the sight of vintage dishes, you stare at that piece of antique furniture for hours and say to yourself, "it's one of a kind, I'll make it fit," well then this is your Disneyland. With over 6,000 booths this is the largest show in the country and well worth the trip. I happen to be obsessed with dishes and glassware so watch out because I am lacking storage in NYC at this point.

What's even better about this event  is that Gretchen of Gretchen Aubuchon Designs and Cynthia of The Daily Basics have put together a fabulous Tweet Up and a group of AMAZING sponsors to boot. What does that mean for you exactly? Well....

There will be a VIP Tent where you can sip a signature cocktail provided by Company C, in the Company C Lounge and rest you tootsies, of course if you prefer water you can have that too kept cool by some pretty fabulous state of the art equipment provided by GE Monogram!

Then you can jump in to an actual bed covered in luxurious Pandora de Balthazar Fine European Linens. Who wouldn't want to crawl into an entire bed of luxury?

I know that Pandora will be there herself in the VIP tent to chat, and if you see me there trying to talk her out of some bedding remind me I'm an expert for a living and I'm supposed to "keep my cool."

Benjamin Moore is a premiere sponsor and will be in the VIP Tent - I here there is something going on -  it's top secret so I can't talk about it here but you don't want to miss it.

Let Brian Kelsey (of Martha Stewart Radio) and me tell you a bit more here. If you haven't watched this you should just watch it for his "sweet" dance move.  If you have watched it and need to smile today, just skip to the dance move near the end!

We'll be spraying all kinds of things with Benjamin Moore paint, and recovering things with Company C Fabric, and you never know what else we'll decide to do.  As I said, in May, one of our sponsors Will from Aubuchon Hardware, gave me that great tip about taking stickers off with WD40 so I can't wait to see what I pick up this week!

I can also tell you that the  pieces that we designed, and Brian built, for my Today Show appearance will be on our stage in the General Public Tent where we will be doing some demos, so if you have questions for Brian here's your chance to ask him how to build them.

Last, but certainly not least you'll have the chance to rub elbows with  Better Homes and Gardens and Traditional Home, so don't miss you. There's still time!  Sign  up here!